Playable 1-40 in PvM.PvP Lite (arcane caster, afterall).
The discussions about con-centric reciprical damage arcane casters in the general forum inspired me to design one that takes advantage of damage reduction but intentionally keeps a low AC and avoids taking Improved Combat Casting in order to get hit more often.
Skills - Good amount of points to go around. Discipline, Spellcraft, Concentration are musts. Heal is extremely helpful. Tumble is optional (you want a low AC afterall); I didn't take it.
Ending Vitals: Int 20 Con 26
AC 12 (20 if you take tumble) 604 max hp DR 15/- F 33 R 18 W 26
I forgot to note the AB... he's an arcane caster assume he'll only hit on 20s anyway.
Spells are effectively limited to no-save spells against epic enemies. Can punch 35 SR fully, up to 55 SR occasionally. Penetration feats can be swapped if desired (use spell breach/mords on SR mobs then) but I took them because you don't get many bonus spells/day from int so spending slots on breaches isn't attractive.
FAQ: Q: This is a hella weird wizard. How does he fight? A: Buff with death armor, elemental shield, acid sheath. Let things hit you until they die.
It's really that simple. You can speed up the process considerably by casting no-save damage spells at the bad guys though. And by summoning things while you tank for them.
You can also do things like cast acid fog and cloudkill on top of yourself. You'll make your fort saves.
Q: Should I use defensive stance? Or defensive casting mode? Or maybe parry? A: No, you want to get hit. Defensive stance is cancelled by casting or switching to another mode (such as parry or defensive casting). Provoking the AOOs by casting is a good thing - you should make your concentration check and your enemies take even more damage off your shields.
If you get in trouble put up epic warding and/or epic mage armor.
Q: Why not take tumble? Tumble rocks! A: Because like I said, AOOs are actually good for this build. Every time you provoke an AOO you do damage to the bad guy. Heck, if casting didn't provoke AOOs and give you the chance to ice storm the enemy, just running around in combat soaking up the AOOs would be one of the best tactics to use.
It still is a good tactic if you don't want to use spells on the bad guys.
Drinking potions, too - that provokes AOOs. Chain-drink cure potions in a crowd to hasten their demise and keep yourself healthy.
Q: How effective is this really? A: In PvE, it's disgustingly effective. Your enemies kill themselves. You can, in some cases, go afk and come back to loot the bodies.
In PvP you won't be a match for other arcane casters, but you will give SR monks a nasty shock. _________________ Experience is the mother of good judgement; bad judgement is the father of experience.
Edited By griphook on 12/02/05 20:30
Nice build Xylo. Why Monk 1 if you're not taking Tumble? To boost Discipline? Too bad you couldn't take Bard - Discipline andUMD.
Nice build Xylo. Why Monk 1 if you're not taking Tumble? To boost Discipline? Too bad you couldn't take Bard - Discipline andUMD.
Kaliban.
Yes, it's to have a good class skills selection on your final level (discipline, concentration, listen) and because you get evasion with it.
That's something I forgot to put in the FAQ: since you have evasion you can cast reflex save spells on yourself and frequently escape unharmed since even though your ref save is low, so is your save DC with only 20 int.
That was partly my reason behind taking fort and will save feats - if you cast spells on your own location in full pvp and hardcore rules, you want to be making your saves against them. _________________ Experience is the mother of good judgement; bad judgement is the father of experience.
Gotcha, thanks for clarifying. Very well explained.
I prostrate myself before your smartness! _________________ I want my two dollars!
Edited By Kaliban99 on 11/09/05 22:47
I'd take tumble. you can always lose the ac by going flatfooted. could be useful for when you find that you're taking too much damage too quickly. sure, you'll lose the attacks of opportunity from moving, but you can still drink potions or cast spells or use a ranged weapon at pointblank if you need a AOE. In practice, just going flatfooted will generate enough hits against you.
also, why take epic mage armor with a low ac build? I guess you could choose to not cast it when you want to use damage shields.
I'd not bother with +saves feats either. you'll have decent spellcraft and can cast protection from spells. This will allow you to make your save against most spells. mind blank protects against all mind effecting spells (any will saves that are non-spells, like fear, etc...). I also use ironguts to protect against poison. what else will you use your lvl 1 spells for? maybe getting +reflex feats to help out your evasion would be a good idea. could help against traps and monster abilities.
Overall, I prefer the palemaster build. crit immunity will protect you more than dr. Your ac is going to be low with this type of build (intentionally), so you'll be a crit magnet, since most of the critical threats against you will also hit your low ac and cause actual crits.
epic warding provides all the dr you'll need for short encounters. Ideally, you'll get a decent dr belt that can soak up most of the damage from regular encounters. and you can save epic warding for the heavy hitters.
My palemaster build, Punchy the Lich, is very similar, but also has near optimal dcs for necro/illusion spells, and spends some feats on his heal skill so he can survive longer while people are banging on him.
Edited By jjjhhhlll on 11/09/05 23:22
Funny *snicker*. I was quite surprised on how much DR you managed. A problem with this strategy is those using ranged weapons, like AAs or bow clerics. They're not going to get hit by your damage shields and with lowish AC will make for a sitting duck but I guess it'll only be much of a problem if you're out of spells. _________________ .:\_/:. Only those who have known darkness in (OvO) their hearts will see the shadows in life... (|__|) ..".."..
i'm wondering why the still spell feat...You made all this build focusing on not raising your ac; then why use a heavy armor...Moreover, with a heavy armor, you wouldnt be able to use your lvl9 spells...That feat seems to be totally useless to me...
Edited By Anglashell on 11/10/05 12:23
Here is a slight alternative (if casting is your thing) that I play on World of Amon; This build is more specific to high magic worlds, and primarily PvE/PvM.
The other benefit not mentioned is that DD stops sneak attacks when flanked by sneakers.
Wiz 32/DD 6/SD 2 Race; Dwarf Str 10 Dex 13 Con 19 Wis 8 Int 16 Cha 6
i'm wondering why the still spell feat...You made all this build focusing on not raising your ac; then why use a heavy armor...Moreover, with a heavy armor, you wouldnt be able to use your lvl9 spells...That feat seems to be totally useless to me...
Hi Angla, another reason to take Still Spell is that it allows more casting of offensive spells that cannot be extended (for 1 slot higher).
Just realised, I tend to take Silent spell instead which can be more beneficial but either are useful.
Edited By lala_truthsayer on 11/10/05 14:21
Still spell is for spellbook management. You might in some cases want to put on armor (for example, if you have armor that protects against elemental damage and you are fighting enemies that use that damage time).
I don't consider silent spell very worthwhile because I can't ever recall being silenced in PvE play. _________________ Experience is the mother of good judgement; bad judgement is the father of experience.
Think Zero concentration and prooviking attacks of opportunity would be good?
Quote: Posted 11/10/05 17:18:37 (GMT) -- vaeku
Think Zero concentration and prooviking attacks of opportunity would be good?
0 concentration would make not good at all. This build will be taking hits, so he will take damage and 0 concentration means his spellcasting will be interrupted VERY easily. And interrupted spells is not the point of this build. _________________ HEAD KNIGHT: Shh shh. We are now the Knights Who Say Ekke ekke ekke ptang zoo boing! RANDOM: Ni!
You need concentration. Concentration doesn't prevent AOOs, it lets you maintain your spellcasting even while getting hit.
Improved Combat Casting or Defensive Casting Mode will prevent AOOs. _________________ Experience is the mother of good judgement; bad judgement is the father of experience.
