Wizards and armour

My Possessed Magister has been taken out of action a lot in battles. He's never managed to cast his spell (Dark Blood). What I'm wondering is if he can choose to wear armour and carry a shield even though that woudl prevent him casting spells. With his good WS, BS and 2 wounds (thanks to an advance) he'd be a good addition to my frontline fighters. I plan to take the warrior wizard skill when he can but do you think he can start wearing armour now?

We play a house rule where a shield provide a 5+ save to encourage people to use options other than the usual weapon in each hand. So armour and a shield could help him survive. My reading of the rule "a wizard may not cast spells if he is wearing armour or carrying a shield or buckler" doesn't sem to prohibit him wearing armour and not casting spells.

I'd be grateful for your thoughts.

You're absolutely right. He can wear armour, but then not cast spells.

Thanks folketsfiende. What do people think about losing the ability to cast spells for better protection for my warband leader? He's a reasonable fighter and I've not found magic very effective.

Do it, if your guy is a better fighter it makes sense and as you say you can get the right skill in the future to maybe get the spell off once in a while.

Out of curiosity, does he have a rabbit's foot? That can really help a fellow cast his spells, and they are cheap and easy to find.

I understand your choice... the times I had a spellcaster who was actually successful at casting spells and doing anything worthwhile were rare, so if he's a good addition to the close combat fighters, go ahead

Thanks. I'll try him with armour and let you know how it goes. The last time a ran a Possessed warband the magister was killed in the first game and one of the possessed became leader. That turned out OK but I'd like to try and keep this one alive, if only because he cost 70 gc!