I played a warrior and didn't take alchemy or any aura spells. I think it's very possible to survive without even putting down your skillpoints in anything but enchant weapons as a warrior. I did it like this from levels 1-15 for a female warrior on hard mode: First, I dumped all my skillpoints into dexterity every time I level up, and use only longbows. Then, I focused on adding more strength so I could do more damage and use battleaxes. I found (by luck) a battleaxe that does mana drain damage as well as averaging over 50 damage per hit, and with restoration I hadn't much use for potions as I could just right click to restore vitality. Granted, I still died a lot, but I also saved often and was careful. Basically, if you multiclass, you don't have to think as much in fights -- but if you choose to never step outside of your own class's skills, you can still survive.
In other words you had to jump through hoops and do tricks just to get buy. There's the problem. You shouldn't have to. Maybe you're playing a different game than I am. You make it sound way too easy. Lets compare notes shall we?
My expirience:
I chose to use sword mastery. All weapon master skils that have a fixed range (like 12+18 etc.) are bugged. I was thinking long term. The swords in the game are far better and more common than axes. The downside was that I was stuck with a short sword until I fought my way to Ars Magicana (which was quite difficult I might add). Bows were out of the question. I never hit anything with them. So consequently I would be forced into melee combat anyway as the enemy approached me.
Now, if ever I fought anything like a skeleton Guardian or Conjuror, I got my [nocando] handed to me. No questions asked. My solution: Guzzle 6 potions when I fought one. It became apparent that I should invest points in alchemy to make restoration potions. That way, I only guzzle 3. All the while I'm trying to increase my strength and dexterity because I want to be able to equip better stuff when I find it.
I walked around for probably 20 levels with under 150 hp. Thats were Aura of Protection helped me not to get slaughtered by every damn orc I met. Why did I have so little hp? Oh I dunno, I wanted to be able equip the platemail and giant sword that I found. In the long run this worked, because after equiping this stuff I'm fine. But I still resent the fact that I had to invest points in all these skills just to make it this far. Don't get me wrong, I'm not short on points or anything, it's just the principle of the thing.
And as far as charms go, I have probably found 3 useful one in all my 30 lvls of playing. I'm waiting until the merchants begin to sell silver and gold ones more often before I put points into enchant.
My troubles can be further contrasted to the mage I played around with. He had absolutely no problems whatsoever. I killed all the boss type enemies in 3 seconds by spamming Meteorstrike as fast as I could. When I got to the mind control camp, it was the same thing. I would kill 6 soldiers in like 3 seconds just by holding ctrl and spamming meteors and lightening bolts.
Casting delays anyone (saved for another thread!)
