The Dark Arts

[smyter]

So with my last 32-pt build I decided to try the caster cleric. I am cranking up my necromancy focus and spell penetration. Therefore, I was looking at all the necromancy cleric spells. A couple I was wondeing if anyone used.

Contagion: takes an extra second or 2 to cast since you have to click the spell, then click the malady. Do any of these diseases have any worth?

Poison: possible con damage. for 25 sp, hardly seems worth it.

Spawn Screen: ...?

Undeath to Death: I hear that most of the mobs that you fight by the time you get this spell have too many hit dice. It is supposed to be 9 HD for every 4 levels (max 4). Does that mean 4 x 9 at lvl 16? If it does, at lvl 12 you can cast this on HD 27.. right? how many HD does a CR 16 have?

[Dkmafia]

While I cant answer all your questions, I can throw this out.

Contagion, pull the disease(s) of choice out of the pop up and put them on your bar directly.

Poison is not so hot against mobs, but omg in PvP.

Never played with undeath because I just assume mobs are to many HD.

My question is why did you focus on necromancy? For one waste of mana single kill spell? Only good spell is the fear symbol. Same as wiz/sorc, enchant/charm is the best set. Although cometfall is one of the best spells in the game. You also have blade barrier for an alternative to firewall.

Your cleric can substitute for a caster, well until they want haste. I have one, been fun so far, just so hard when everyone wants you to be a cleric :(

[smyter]

was just looking for something different. It is more of a theme. I did think about doing the enhancement line (symbol of stunning, greater command). It also seemed fun, but I also wanted some damage such as Harm and Inflict for this guy. Also since I am cranking up the positive magic enhancements such as the "of Life" and the +crit to increase that damage, it should also benefit my healing as well. I have toyed with the idea of getting empower healing to cast some massive HEAL spells on undead. But the slay living and destruction spells would really benefit from extend. I don't have room for both.

[Casta]

Same as wiz/sorc, enchant/charm is the best set.

I normally use necro/illusion items on my sorc for enervation pk and fod. A sorc can only take 1 spell at lvl 14 where a wiz can take ottos or mass hold person and they are enchantment but most sorcs stick with fod.

[Blazer]

Contagion: takes an extra second or 2 to cast since you have to click the spell, then click the malady. Do any of these diseases have any worth?

Potentially. I would say if anything, the one that attacks CHA would be best since it should theoreticaly render a mob helpless assuming you can get their CHA to zero. I say this under the assumptions the mobs have CHA as a dump stat and that they will actually be helpless and not able to attack. Mobs that have been weakened and enfeebled to zero STR still attack, so I wouldn't hold my breath. Also, since it's a single target (and won't be useful against red names) it's probably not worth it. I've tried a few of the others and mobs seem to save often.


Poison: possible con damage. for 25 sp, hardly seems worth it.

Again, not really worth it unfortunately. :(


Spawn Screen: ...?

Prevents a wraith or specter from spawning from a party member should (s)he die from one of these mobs. Limited use as of now, potentially better use in Mod 5. We shall see.


Undeath to Death: I hear that most of the mobs that you fight by the time you get this spell have too many hit dice. It is supposed to be 9 HD for every 4 levels (max 4). Does that mean 4 x 9 at lvl 16? If it does, at lvl 12 you can cast this on HD 27.. right? how many HD does a CR 16 have?

I thought this would be nice for Wiz King - everything I cast it on in there on normal was immune. It might work in Delara's (never tried it there) but only if you're very high level. And if you are very high level, why are you in Delara's, right? ;)

[Bunzy]

I don't know, but clerics (who use thier belief in their holy gods and what not to find their magic) using dark arts or necromantic spells just seems.... odd.

[Aranticus]

undeath to death works only for undead up to HD9. what the description means is that for every 4lvls u can affect another undead up to another 9 HD, up to a max of 4 undead.

"Destroys undead creatures in the area. This spell will kill one target of up to 9 Hit Dice per every 4 caster levels (max 4). A successful Will save negates this effect."

however, the will saves of most undead are quite good, hence the spell may not be as efficient as destruction (which works on the living)

[Staedtler]

I don't know, but clerics (who use thier belief in their holy gods and what not to find their magic) using dark arts or necromantic spells just seems.... odd.

Wee Jas (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wee_Jas) would like a word with you. "Wee Jas thinks of herself as a steward of the dead. Though she is a relatively benign death goddess, she has no problem with undead being created - as long as they are not reanimated against their will, and their remains are procured in a lawful manner. Wee Jas is unconcerned with questions of morality; if it can be done within the confines of the law, she will allow it."
By far and away my favourite deity for my clerics (and mystic theurges) to worship.

Also, necromancy is a great school for a cleric to specialize in. Inflicts, Harm, Symbol of Fear, Slay Living, Destruction. Add in Order's Wrath, Greater Command and Blade Barrier and that's my cleric's spell list. Slay Living and Destruction a waste of SP? Ha. Ha. Ha.

Poison can be useful if you max/empower it. That's an arguable waste of SP, though.