Ask a Magician Thread.

I'm planning on making a Battle Mage, would it be best to be Low Luk or Lukless? Also can they equip shields?

They use staffs, I'd say go low-luk if they don't get the penalty for using estaffs (since those are fast).
Get at least enough luk for the lvl 103 estaffs (which are easier to find), then aim to find a lvl 163 estaff or a VIP staff.
In case they get the penalty for using estaffs then build them like bishops (luk enough to equip lvl 80 class equips).

They can use shields like normal magicians, yes.