First warlock build

[Coyopa]

So, this is what I'm thinking of for my main character's next life. My plan is to stay in this build a while and farm some epic past lives. Any feedback or suggestions on what you think of this or how it could be improved are welcome. Thank you in advance for looking at this and for any feedback/suggestions you might have. I didn't include skill information because I didn't take the time to really allocate those. Suffice to say that Spellcraft and most of the rest of the Warlock class skills are not ignored. I, personally, also like at least a point into Diplomacy, Spot, and Heal. Tomes are what I actually have on this character.


Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 4.30.002
DDO Character Planner Home Page (http://www.rjcyberware.com/DDO)

Level 30 True Neutral Human Male
(20 Warlock \ 10 Epic)
Hit Points: 530
Spell Points: 571
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 10
Reflex: 6
Will: 28

Starting Ending Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Base Stats Modified Stats
(36 Point) (Level 1) (Level 30) (Level 30)
Strength 8 13 13
Dexterity 8 11 11
Constitution 16 19 19
Intelligence 16 20 20
Wisdom 8 11 11
Charisma 18 28 32

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Strength used at level 3
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 7
+3 Tome of Strength used at level 11
+4 Tome of Strength used at level 15
+5 Tome of Strength used at level 19

+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 3
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 7
+3 Tome of Dexterity used at level 11
+4 Tome of Dexterity used at level 15

+1 Tome of Constitution used at level 3
+2 Tome of Constitution used at level 7
+3 Tome of Constitution used at level 11

+1 Tome of Intelligence used at level 3
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 7
+3 Tome of Intelligence used at level 11
+4 Tome of Intelligence used at level 15

+1 Tome of Wisdom used at level 3
+2 Tome of Wisdom used at level 7
+3 Tome of Wisdom used at level 11

+1 Tome of Charisma used at level 3
+2 Tome of Charisma used at level 7
+3 Tome of Charisma used at level 11
Level 1 (Warlock)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Spell
Feat: (Human Bonus) Maximize Spell
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Druid
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Monk
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Ranger
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Ranger
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Ranger


Level 2 (Warlock)


Level 3 (Warlock)
Feat: (Selected) Shield Proficiency (General)


Level 4 (Warlock)
Ability Raise: CHA


Level 5 (Warlock)


Level 6 (Warlock)
Feat: (Selected) Shield Mastery


Level 7 (Warlock)


Level 8 (Warlock)
Ability Raise: CHA


Level 9 (Warlock)
Feat: (Selected) Force of Personality


Level 10 (Warlock)


Level 11 (Warlock)


Level 12 (Warlock)
Ability Raise: CHA
Feat: (Selected) Improved Shield Mastery


Level 13 (Warlock)


Level 14 (Warlock)


Level 15 (Warlock)
Feat: (Selected) Spell Focus: Evocation


Level 16 (Warlock)
Ability Raise: CHA


Level 17 (Warlock)


Level 18 (Warlock)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Spell Focus: Evocation


Level 19 (Warlock)


Level 20 (Warlock)
Ability Raise: CHA
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Eldritch Aura (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Aura of Courage (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Shape Vestments (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Aura of Menace (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Celestial Spirit (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Ultimate Enlightenment (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Resilience of Body (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Resilience of Body (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Resilience of Body (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Defense (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Defense (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Defense (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Resilience of Soul (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Resilience of Soul (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Resilience of Soul (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Bastion (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Bastion (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Bastion (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Power of Enlightenment - Light I (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Power of Enlightenment - Light I (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Power of Enlightenment - Light I (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Eldritch Burst (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Eldritch Burst (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Eldritch Burst (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Ward (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Ward (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Ward (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Power of Enlightenment - Light II (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Power of Enlightenment - Light II (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Power of Enlightenment - Light II (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Charisma (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Medium Armor Proficiency (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Retribution (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Retribution (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Retribution (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Charisma (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spirit Blast (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spirit Blast (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spirit Blast (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Beacon (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Shining Through (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Displacement (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Tainted Spellcasting (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Tainted Lore I (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Stanch (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Tainted Lore II (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Feigned Health (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Feigned Health (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Feigned Health (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Strong Pact I (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Utterdark Blast (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Eldritch Blast Shape: Chain (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Strong Pact II (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Faltering Blast (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Confusion (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Confusion (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Confusion (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Strong Pact III (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Charisma (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Penetrating Blast (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Enervating Shadow (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Strong Pact IV (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Charisma (Rank 1)


Level 21 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Epic Eldritch Blast


Level 22 (Epic)


Level 23 (Epic)


Level 24 (Epic)
Ability Raise: CHA
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Intensify Spell


Level 25 (Epic)


Level 26 (Epic)
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Arcane Sphere: Epic Arcane Eldritch Blast


Level 27 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Ruin


Level 28 (Epic)
Ability Raise: CHA
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Arcane Sphere: Hellball


Level 29 (Epic)
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Martial Sphere: Dire Charge


Level 30 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Quicken Spell
Feat: (Legendary) Scion of Celestia

[Tlorrd]

Here is the basics of what I do as you really don't need DCs for warlocks to be successful to solo any epic content at any epic level, and I really mean that in a good way. You will be able to survive LE and complete them while your actual epic level is low. I'm not a very good player skill wise, but if I can do it, for sure you can.

I built my lock around ES taking full cleaves, shining through, and displacement SLA. I took all spell power enchancements from that tree and as a human you can benefit from racial healing amp coupled with healing amp in ES. I also take the ES capstone.

I then take TS enhancements to build up and get the tier 4 10% confusion chance. This is your no save/no fail CC. I use utterdark blast as it synergizes well with all the light damage bonuses from ES. Usually I go GOO for pact, some for the will based acid damage, but you get PWK. Thus you can have PWS, PWK, and Wail which are all verbal spells, thus you do not suffer from ASH with your shield. Also healing wise you use Shining through and if in sentinel, use Renewal, or if in Shiradi, use Cocoon. Again, both are SLAs and thus not subject to concentration checks. I buff myself with Death Ward from TS tree and wear a FOM boots (Kundarek Delving Boots, Earth boots from Cannith Challenges, and later Orcish Privateer Boots). Also buff with Jump and Exp retreat. Short buffs are haste, tensors, and displacement.

Feats (human)
Empower
Maximize
Extend
Shield Deflection
Shield Mastery
Improved Shield Mastery
(I used to take Heavy armor, but no need now as they fixed the bug)
Remainder 2 feats I can't remember what I use, but I don't need quicken.

Later take intensify, Deific warding, Wellspring, Fire Scion, and can't remember what else.

Twist in spell power for light spell power and empyrean favor and run around indestructable. HP at cap with buffs are usually 2.7K to 2.8K. Spell power is usually 700-800+.

Anyways there are many ways to skin a cat, but this is my way and works well for me.

[Coyopa]

Thanks, Tlorrd. I'll model that later today when I get a chance. I wasn't sure if the SF and GSF feats were really necessary. Initially, I was going to go SF: Conj, but then I saw on the wiki that Evard's works plenty fine without SF: Conj. So, I switched it to SF: Evo. I like the idea of Shield Deflection since I'm planning to get Skyvault. That would be handy in places like Grim & Barrett. I also was thinking about Extend for Displacement since it's otherwise almost intolerably short. And I had never noticed that verbal-only spells do not suffer from ASF. Thanks for pointing that out. (In my defense, I don't play casters very often.)

[Enoach]

Just some notes on DCs

As a Warlock you get a lot of tools you can use to help landing spells. Additionally, the use of Debuff spells such as Crushing Despair does not hurt your Spell Point pool as it would with other DC casters who also pull their offensive spells from that same spell point pool. This allows you up to 5 DC grace over other casters.

I personally don't use the TS Confusion but instead use the Warlock Past Life Active Feat for its Single Target Confusion. The reason is that it can be cast from a distance, hitting mob in back or middle of group draws all the attention there, grouping the mobs up in perfect bunch for a Mass Hold followed by a barrage of AoE damage. Even if some are not held it is more likely for them to continue beating on the confused mob.

Don't neglect Evocation DCs. Your pact damage uses Evocation on its Save for Half. If not spending feats on Spell Focus make sure you have an item that helps increase your Evocation DCs.



Tlord's suggestion of using Shield for defensive purposes is one way to go. But keep in mind that there are Orbs (which don't benefit from shield feats) that can improve your abilities.

[Coyopa]

Enoach, thanks for the advice on DC's. I'll either take the feats or slot an augment. I'm not sure if the Topaz of Evocation stacks with Topaz of Greater Evocation, but I figure I'll have one of each eventually and can compare their text to figure it out.

I'll probably switch to the active past life Warlock feat when I have it available. I'm planning on running 3x Warlock lives and want to run at least 4x epic past lives per warlock life. Once I start this character on his warlock life, I'm expecting it to be the character I am on nearly constantly until I'm done. If I need a break, I'll go back to playing my L30 barbarian (who is also insanely fun).

[Enoach]

Enoach, thanks for the advice on DC's. I'll either take the feats or slot an augment. I'm not sure if the Topaz of Evocation stacks with Topaz of Greater Evocation, but I figure I'll have one of each eventually and can compare their text to figure it out.

I'll probably switch to the active past life Warlock feat when I have it available. I'm planning on running 3x Warlock lives and want to run at least 4x epic past lives per warlock life. Once I start this character on his warlock life, I'm expecting it to be the character I am on nearly constantly until I'm done. If I need a break, I'll go back to playing my L30 barbarian (who is also insanely fun).

I recommend the following for gearing even if just on a switchable item

Arcane Augmentation - For times when Caster Level matters
Evocation Focus
Enchantment Focus
Conjuration Focus
Transmutation Focus


Now do keep in mind that vs Spell Penetration you will still be behind as compared to a DC Wizard, but you have other tools you can turn towards.

To me half the fun with a Warlock is tapping into its DC potential.

[slarden]

True neutral is perfect as you can freely switch between pacts when you tr. Speaking of pacts have you decided on that? I've run all 3 and they are fairly balanced. It used to be reflex saves on average were lower than the others but now will saves are lowest so I am using goo for max damage in le. Fiend gives you hurl through hell which lets you one shot the crystal in shroud and orange named enemies as well if they fail their save. Fey gives you sonic damage which few things are resistant to and synergizes nice with the new gloves that give quality cha +4. My favorite thing about fey is that you get wings on steroids that lets you pass through enemies in addition to the wings ability. Cool down is short for how good it is.

in goo you can shoot for 80-85dc which is solid in le content. for fey and fiend you want 90 but there are some extremes that go higher. With fey twisting in evocation augmentation or running with someone that uses that + solid fog helps a lot as it's 15 debuff which is the equivalent of 15 dc for fey. Enemies with evasion are annoying in fey as they also tend to have a high reflex save.

for goo the mind fog and crushing despair debuffs are great the problem is they have a spell pen check so not so synergistic with a blaster with the current end game content, but getting to 80 dc is also very achievable.

if survivability is a top concern you can max con, but I don't have much problem surviving as a max cha build. I stay mobile as the damage in le is really high.

Dire charge is is an appealing option but you will have weak boss damage. You will be great against mobs with or without dire charge so I would strongly recommend arcane pulse for balance. I would also suggest scion of fire as you get that crit damage for pact damage, energy bust and ruin. I would also drop greater spell focus evocation and put quicken there - taking greater ruin at 30 for more boss damage.

overall really nice plan and my suggestions are just that- if you go with your build exactly as laid out it will Work great.

[Vooduspyce]

So, this is what I'm thinking of for my main character's next life. My plan is to stay in this build a while and farm some epic past lives. Any feedback or suggestions on what you think of this or how it could be improved are welcome. Thank you in advance for looking at this and for any feedback/suggestions you might have. I didn't include skill information because I didn't take the time to really allocate those. Suffice to say that Spellcraft and most of the rest of the Warlock class skills are not ignored. I, personally, also like at least a point into Diplomacy, Spot, and Heal. Tomes are what I actually have on this character.

I recommend taking Quicken a lot sooner. Push back the sf:evocation to fit it in at level 15 or 18. Skip faltering blast, penetrating blast and enervating shadows. You don't need them.

I also recommend starting with an 18 con, taking away from some of the int. ES is a close-quarters playstyle and the extra hps are handy. The bonus you get from Shining Through is also con-based so it's a double bonus to get higher con... higher base hp and higher temp hp!

If you're going to do multiple epic lives, I encourage you to try it as a con build instead of charisma build for a life to see if you might like it better.

Good luck and have fun with your first warlock! :)

[Coyopa]

~snipped good suggestions~

I was planning to start with Great Old One because I don't have much in the way of DC gear, yet. I'll see about maybe farming some stuff before the TR. I went True Neutral specifically so I could change pacts as I epic reincarnate. I figured in case I didn't like one I could just switch to another and also I figured I could try them each out and see what I think of each.

[Coyopa]

I recommend taking Quicken a lot sooner. Push back the sf:evocation to fit it in at level 15 or 18. Skip faltering blast, penetrating blast and enervating shadows. You don't need them.

I also recommend starting with an 18 con, taking away from some of the int. ES is a close-quarters playstyle and the extra hps are handy. The bonus you get from Shining Through is also con-based so it's a double bonus to get higher con... higher base hp and higher temp hp!

If you're going to do multiple epic lives, I encourage you to try it as a con build instead of charisma build for a life to see if you might like it better.

Good luck and have fun with your first warlock! :)

I appreciate that information. I'll update my plan accordingly.

As for con instead of charisma, you're saying max con and all level ups into con, rather than cha? I have to admit that the ability to just get in between the mobs and blast them to death would be a lot of fun. I've been having a blast with my barbarian running around, gathering up groups, and then cleaving them to death. I've had a hard time not laughing out loud some of the time doing that - which is bad when you're awake at 5am on a Saturday and your wife is sleeping in the next room.

I put some into intelligence just because I like skills. :D I'll move the stats around some a little later on.

[Blastyswa]

I wouldn't waste 3 feats on the entire shield line. Warlocks have enough defense without it that you're better off going TWF for more dps (An extra LGS weapon would be good). That would also let you pick up some different feats, like mental toughness/improved mental toughness (warlocks don't have the best SP pool, casting lots of ruins/hellballs burn through it quick). I also would advise taking insightful reflexes, which allows you to dump dexterity, since reflex saves are likely going to be one of the weakest aspects of your builds defense in any case. I'd also recommend taking quicken sooner, dropping greater spell focus evocation, and switching your main stat priority from charisma to constitution. If you go great old one pact, your eldritch blast will be will based, so it's pretty easy to get to a respectable DC that'll work almost all the time without extreme focus on charisma. Also take Scion of Fire over Scion of Celestia, the PRR/MRR compensates for not having the HP boost, and 25% to all elements means that your hellball/ruin/pact damage will be boosted as well instead of just light damage on bursts and the main evil damage.

If you pull some extra points from Tainted Scholar and Enlightened Spirit, you can get a lot more out of either human or Souleater. You really only need 21 points in tainted scholar (confused isn't really worth it, nor is penetrating blast, and the core 5 isn't very significant) and 41 points in Enlightened Spirit (pulling points from Resilience of Body/Soul is a good place, or dropping some of the minor light spellpower boosting enhancements). This would leave you with 18 points for either human or Souleater. Personally, I used a feat to pick up chest blessing dragonmark in the human tree, as well as +60 hamp, and put 1 point into Souleater for +5 universal spellpower. Also, if you're taking ruin, I'd recommend moving quicken down to level 3-6 and picking up greater ruin, or alternatively just dropping the ruin line altogether to pick up some other goodies. Ruin and Greater Ruin are great for spiking damage, but DPS is high enough on warlocks that they aren't completely necessary.

[FranOhmsford]

Greater Spell Focus: Evoc is nice and all but I personally would drop it for Spell Focus: Enchant {Disco, Mass Hold, Mass Charm}.

If you can grab a Wizard Past Life then Arcane Initiate would be an obvious replacement.

NOT saying to drop Spell Focus: Evoc. JUST Greater.

[Coyopa]

I wouldn't waste 3 feats on the entire shield line. Warlocks have enough defense without it that you're better off going TWF for more dps (An extra LGS weapon would be good). That would also let you pick up some different feats, like mental toughness/improved mental toughness (warlocks don't have the best SP pool, casting lots of ruins/hellballs burn through it quick). I also would advise taking insightful reflexes, which allows you to dump dexterity, since reflex saves are likely going to be one of the weakest aspects of your builds defense in any case. I'd also recommend taking quicken sooner, dropping greater spell focus evocation, and switching your main stat priority from charisma to constitution. If you go great old one pact, your eldritch blast will be will based, so it's pretty easy to get to a respectable DC that'll work almost all the time without extreme focus on charisma. Also take Scion of Fire over Scion of Celestia, the PRR/MRR compensates for not having the HP boost, and 25% to all elements means that your hellball/ruin/pact damage will be boosted as well instead of just light damage on bursts and the main evil damage.

If you pull some extra points from Tainted Scholar and Enlightened Spirit, you can get a lot more out of either human or Souleater. You really only need 21 points in tainted scholar (confused isn't really worth it, nor is penetrating blast, and the core 5 isn't very significant) and 41 points in Enlightened Spirit (pulling points from Resilience of Body/Soul is a good place, or dropping some of the minor light spellpower boosting enhancements). This would leave you with 18 points for either human or Souleater. Personally, I used a feat to pick up chest blessing dragonmark in the human tree, as well as +60 hamp, and put 1 point into Souleater for +5 universal spellpower. Also, if you're taking ruin, I'd recommend moving quicken down to level 3-6 and picking up greater ruin, or alternatively just dropping the ruin line altogether to pick up some other goodies. Ruin and Greater Ruin are great for spiking damage, but DPS is high enough on warlocks that they aren't completely necessary.


Greater Spell Focus: Evoc is nice and all but I personally would drop it for Spell Focus: Enchant {Disco, Mass Hold, Mass Charm}.

If you can grab a Wizard Past Life then Arcane Initiate would be an obvious replacement.

NOT saying to drop Spell Focus: Evoc. JUST Greater.

Thanks for all this information. I'm excited to have time to update the build plan and have it reflect some of the advice I've gotten so far! I'll post it back when I get a chance this afternoon! May be TR'ing that character sooner than I thought. This is making me excited to go warlock!

[slarden]

I was planning to start with Great Old One because I don't have much in the way of DC gear, yet. I'll see about maybe farming some stuff before the TR. I went True Neutral specifically so I could change pacts as I epic reincarnate. I figured in case I didn't like one I could just switch to another and also I figured I could try them each out and see what I think of each.
At cap it will be really easy. Mantle cloak gives +7 and caster armor from tempest spine gives insightful +3. The new ring from u32 gives quality +2 which might not even be necessary. U31 gloves give +4 quality cha.

Save all the evocation +x ins evocation +x goggles you find for levels 20-28 :)

[Vooduspyce]

As for con instead of charisma, you're saying max con and all level ups into con, rather than cha? I have to admit that the ability to just get in between the mobs and blast them to death would be a lot of fun.

Yup con up every level. Don't stress about your DC's, you can burst your way through life without DC's, which I don't think are very important on an Enlightened Spirit. As you're working through your lives, you can decide if certain spells like tentacles and dancing ball fit your playstyle and if they do then you can try to work on those DC's if you want. But given that you're not going for a perma-build def don't stress about DC's. Dive in and have fun... warlock is a blast! :)

[Enoach]

I agree with others, each pact is different enough that a person should try them all out. Personally for me half the fun is in the DC casting. Warlocks have a lot of blasting power. I do agree that Greater Spell Focus Evocation is not the best investment and going SF: Enchantment would offer more for the investment.

Also keep in mind each Tree contributes to a different feel, be it ES with Melee using the blast/burst as Cleave subs or TS to make masses trip over themselves or SE for weakening and taking enemies apart piece by piece.

[Coyopa]

Yup con up every level. Don't stress about your DC's, you can burst your way through life without DC's, which I don't think are very important on an Enlightened Spirit. As you're working through your lives, you can decide if certain spells like tentacles and dancing ball fit your playstyle and if they do then you can try to work on those DC's if you want. But given that you're not going for a perma-build def don't stress about DC's. Dive in and have fun... warlock is a blast! :)

OK. Sweet! Yeah, warlock won't be my last life on this character. I've decided I want the epic past lives and I want a build that can get those done without having to wait on groups for some of the quests that my current build for that character struggles with. (It's a shuriken build 13 monk/6 ranger/1 rogue and average weapon damage is around 95 per hit, but I don't have any LGS weapons; just one TF shuriken so far.) And I figured the epic past lives would help out.

[slarden]

An Es warlock taking both eld blast epic feats and the ts pact damage will end up with 13d6 no fail base damage+ 14d4 pact damage subject to save + 6d6 no fail bonus light damage.

So assuming pact damage spellpower is only 90% of light spellpower you will do 13.6% more damage with a low 80s dc vs going con and dumping dc. Int based gets you about 1.5% more damage vs con but is behind cha based. For non Es warlocks it's 18.3% since they don't have the extra light damage so a bigger deal for sure. Obviously if you are in a bad destiny and with defensive epic feats your dps takes a bigger hit from there.

Es has the 20% hp bonus and solid prr mrr so survivability is solid. So I run in exalted angel and rarely die with cha focus, but when I do the destiny lets me raise myself to full on steroids with defensive and spellpower bonuses.

Cha is definitely superior but dps sucks when dead so you should go con based if you have trouble staying alive which you will only know by running as a cha build first. My suggestion is to start with cha for a few life's to learn how to play a warlock well first without all the extra hp and with better dps. Then you can decide if you would rather have 500hp or 13.6% more dps. If you start in con you will develop bad habits and it will be hard to switch back. 500hp will help but not save you in le shroud or against sorjek. I am on sarlona also and happy to run le with you any time.

[FranOhmsford]

An Es warlock taking both eld blast epic feats and the ts pact damage will end up with 13d6 no fail base damage+ 14d4 pact damage subject to save + 6d6 no fail bonus light damage.

So assuming pact damage spellpower is only 90% of light spellpower you will do 13.6% more damage with a low 80s dc vs going con and dumping dc. Int based gets you about 1.5% more damage vs con but is behind cha based. For non Es warlocks it's 18.3% since they don't have the extra light damage so a bigger deal for sure. Obviously if you are in a bad destiny and with defensive epic feats your dps takes a bigger hit from there.

Es has the 20% hp bonus and solid prr mrr so survivability is solid. So I run in exalted angel and rarely die with cha focus, but when I do the destiny lets me raise myself to full on steroids with defensive and spellpower bonuses.

Cha is definitely superior but dps sucks when dead so you should go con based if you have trouble staying alive which you will only know by running as a cha build first. My suggestion is to start with cha for a few life's to learn how to play a warlock well first without all the extra hp and with better dps. Then you can decide if you would rather have 500hp or 13.6% more dps. If you start in con you will develop bad habits and it will be hard to switch back. 500hp will help but not save you in le shroud or against sorjek. I am on sarlona also and happy to run le with you any time.


Let me just restate this:

2nd Life Warlock with one Wiz past life.
DROW!
Cha 56, Con 34
And I have over 2k HP {in fact over 2100} with Shining Through and Tensers.
Yes I'm in US but the difference in DPS in EA or Fatesinger {I actually like Fatesinger} isn't enough over what I get in US to make up for the loss of Defense - I play my Auralock in a very tanky way of basically jumping into a group and turtling then hitting EB/SB until they're all dead.
For bosses I just switch to the basic bolt and if in a group with melees I'll stand back and shoot, if soloing I'll kite the boss till it's dead.
If the mobs are doing too much damage to me to reliably auratank I'll just switch to Chain and kite them for a bit before jumping back in and hitting EB/SB.

[Tlorrd]

I wouldn't waste 3 feats on the entire shield line. Warlocks have enough defense without it that you're better off going TWF for more dps (An extra LGS weapon would be good). That would also let you pick up some different feats, like mental toughness/improved mental toughness (warlocks don't have the best SP pool, casting lots of ruins/hellballs burn through it quick). I also would advise taking insightful reflexes, which allows you to dump dexterity, since reflex saves are likely going to be one of the weakest aspects of your builds defense in any case. I'd also recommend taking quicken sooner, dropping greater spell focus evocation, and switching your main stat priority from charisma to constitution. If you go great old one pact, your eldritch blast will be will based, so it's pretty easy to get to a respectable DC that'll work almost all the time without extreme focus on charisma. Also take Scion of Fire over Scion of Celestia, the PRR/MRR compensates for not having the HP boost, and 25% to all elements means that your hellball/ruin/pact damage will be boosted as well instead of just light damage on bursts and the main evil damage.

If you pull some extra points from Tainted Scholar and Enlightened Spirit, you can get a lot more out of either human or Souleater. You really only need 21 points in tainted scholar (confused isn't really worth it, nor is penetrating blast, and the core 5 isn't very significant) and 41 points in Enlightened Spirit (pulling points from Resilience of Body/Soul is a good place, or dropping some of the minor light spellpower boosting enhancements). This would leave you with 18 points for either human or Souleater. Personally, I used a feat to pick up chest blessing dragonmark in the human tree, as well as +60 hamp, and put 1 point into Souleater for +5 universal spellpower. Also, if you're taking ruin, I'd recommend moving quicken down to level 3-6 and picking up greater ruin, or alternatively just dropping the ruin line altogether to pick up some other goodies. Ruin and Greater Ruin are great for spiking damage, but DPS is high enough on warlocks that they aren't completely necessary.

Here is my counter argument to taking shield deflection as well as using a shield vs incorporating reflex saves. Personally, I dump dex and I don't take insightful reflexes ... here's why ... and I'll use tower shields as my example ...

Shield deflection gives 40% chance to ignore Acid, Cold, Electric, Fire
MRR x2 bonus against reflex based spells with tower or heavy shield
Shield blocking from Sentinel gives 30% absorption against Acid, Cold, Electric, Fire, Sonic, Light
Some glamored items give addtional elemental absorption
Any quest appropriate absorption item will add additional absorption
Shiradi also have 15% elemental absorption if in that destiny

So when you add all of that up and add in your MRR, I take less than 100 damage on any elemental damage (usually less than 50).

Example being LE Search and Rescue, I stand right in front/under the red dragon and cleave away while blocking. Nothing touches me and I never have to heal.

[slarden]

Let me just restate this:

2nd Life Warlock with one Wiz past life.
DROW!
Cha 56, Con 34
And I have over 2k HP {in fact over 2100} with Shining Through and Tensers.
Yes I'm in US but the difference in DPS in EA or Fatesinger {I actually like Fatesinger} isn't enough over what I get in US to make up for the loss of Defense - I play my Auralock in a very tanky way of basically jumping into a group and turtling then hitting EB/SB until they're all dead.
For bosses I just switch to the basic bolt and if in a group with melees I'll stand back and shoot, if soloing I'll kite the boss till it's dead.
If the mobs are doing too much damage to me to reliably auratank I'll just switch to Chain and kite them for a bit before jumping back in and hitting EB/SB.

there is no right / wrong - people have different goals and playstyles. I don't see much point in an int build but I see the appeal of a con build. I am a frequent user of easy buttons when they are available. I just think at some point the cost of more hp is too high - but that is totally my opinion based on my playstyle and my experiences.

The extra hp from us is appealing but the epic moment from Ea gives me 60 spellpower always and 100 spellpower + 50% ghostly for 2 minutes out every 5 with reborn in the light. In tough raids I can save it and it saved us from doj lag wipes a few times. It's hard to weight the 50% ghostly vs 20% hp - it depends on size of one-shot. Against sorjek 50% ghostly better. Against a part 2 boss in le shroud the extra hp might stop a one-shot.

i also value hp but I did so with lgs since randowl is my main. He got 90%+ of my lgs mats, but make no mistake it's a grind. The 5 piece pop/mat set gives me 36% hp bonus + 36% stacking universal crit damage + ender which procs vulnerable and can instakill enemies < 5000hp. My hp are not tanky, but I am sitting at 1750 or so before any temp hp from aura, shining through, lgs triple positive weapon or cocoon. At times I've hit 3000 when stars align. Charisma is 84 or so without the massive investment a necro caster would need. Evocation dc is 85 or so. Not much if anything saves more than 5% of the time with pact damage. Divine wrath is close to no fail. Energy burst isn't no fail but I get some huge numbers frequently so I know my cha matters.

So on top of the 13% more damage I get from aura, spirit blast and eld burst I am getting more dps from energy burst, divine wrath and hellball although I don't know the additional damage but I suspect much higher than 13%.

i don't like us destiny in general because too much dps is lost, but I also think clearing a dungeon slowly with no risk of death is a reasonable and solid playstyle. Obviously for tanking it is the best destiny.

[Coyopa]

I think I'm going to start with a charisma-based warlock build. Certainly, piles of hitpoints are attractive. I like Unyielding Sentinel on my barbarian, but he's got boatloads of DPS and having a refilling-over-time healing ability that can heal him from a couple of hundred hitpoints to full in one shot is irresistible for me. That said, I doubt I'll be in US for this warlock build. DC looks more attractive. I'm sure EA will have its appeal, as well. And I intend to try out a con-based warlock on one of the epic reincarnations. I figure since I'm planning to do at least 12 epic past lives and three warlock lives, then I'm going to have lots of opportunity to try out all kinds of different warlock builds. And I'll be referring to this conversation often to see what else I can learn from it.

[FranOhmsford]

I think I'm going to start with a charisma-based warlock build. Certainly, piles of hitpoints are attractive. I like Unyielding Sentinel on my barbarian, but he's got boatloads of DPS and having a refilling-over-time healing ability that can heal him from a couple of hundred hitpoints to full in one shot is irresistible for me. That said, I doubt I'll be in US for this warlock build. DC looks more attractive. I'm sure EA will have its appeal, as well. And I intend to try out a con-based warlock on one of the epic reincarnations. I figure since I'm planning to do at least 12 epic past lives and three warlock lives, then I'm going to have lots of opportunity to try out all kinds of different warlock builds. And I'll be referring to this conversation often to see what else I can learn from it.

If you're Fey then definitely don't discount Fatesinger - It's actually pretty decent for a Lock.

[Tlorrd]

if you bang out deep gnome warlock lives ... you'll get double the past life MRR :)

[FranOhmsford]

if you bang out deep gnome warlock lives ... you'll get double the past life MRR :)

Deep Gnome doesn't synergise with Warlock though.

first you're stuck with that 1 Wizard Level.

second it's an Int/Wis Based Race with a -2 penalty to Cha.

I really wish the Devs would make +1 Hearts more common in-game so as to allow players to actually make more use of Iconics like Deep Gnome and Morninglord.

[Coyopa]

Deep Gnome doesn't synergise with Warlock though.

first you're stuck with that 1 Wizard Level.

second it's an Int/Wis Based Race with a -2 penalty to Cha.

I really wish the Devs would make +1 Hearts more common in-game so as to allow players to actually make more use of Iconics like Deep Gnome and Morninglord.

I wouldn't say it doesn't synergize with warlock. Sure, -2 Charisma is not optimal, but in the end that's just -1 DC. I happen to have a +1 heart laying around that I've been keeping for exactly this day. So, I really appreciate someone pointing out that I can get more MRR from past lives by running Deep Gnome. I would probably have gotten around to that eventually, but I've never been an Iconic at all, yet. (Well, except for making a Bladeforged, leveling it to 15, and there it sits for my nephew to play when he comes over.) I may just do that.

[Tlorrd]

Deep Gnome doesn't synergise with Warlock though.

first you're stuck with that 1 Wizard Level.

second it's an Int/Wis Based Race with a -2 penalty to Cha.

I really wish the Devs would make +1 Hearts more common in-game so as to allow players to actually make more use of Iconics like Deep Gnome and Morninglord.

It depends on your build. Again if you go con based with confusion CC, then you don't need Int or Cha. Also you could build a blaster, PK sla as you can reduce fort and will saves and some enhancement trees have Int as an option rather than Cha ... there is a reason why Int is an option in Warlock trees.

Deep Gnome racial tree is actually pretty good. Permanent blur, +20 spellcraft, Stoneskin SLA, PRR, MRR, Color Spray (which according to previous thread is Int based). That in itself is a great CC SLA.

So you can go Con, or Int. Also you can splash other classes depending on what your flavor is.

[Blastyswa]

Here is my counter argument to taking shield deflection as well as using a shield vs incorporating reflex saves. Personally, I dump dex and I don't take insightful reflexes ... here's why ... and I'll use tower shields as my example ...

Shield deflection gives 40% chance to ignore Acid, Cold, Electric, Fire
MRR x2 bonus against reflex based spells with tower or heavy shield
Shield blocking from Sentinel gives 30% absorption against Acid, Cold, Electric, Fire, Sonic, Light
Some glamored items give addtional elemental absorption
Any quest appropriate absorption item will add additional absorption
Shiradi also have 15% elemental absorption if in that destiny

So when you add all of that up and add in your MRR, I take less than 100 damage on any elemental damage (usually less than 50).

Example being LE Search and Rescue, I stand right in front/under the red dragon and cleave away while blocking. Nothing touches me and I never have to heal.

Fair enough reasons for, a few of my reasons against taking 3 feats on shields though are that:

1. Shield Deflection's 40% chance is only when using a tower shield, which I think it's safe to assume is almost always Skyvault for people. With all shield feats and Legendary Shield Mastery from US (So a tier two twist, or 3 points if actually in the destiny) Skyvault adds a grand total of 30 PRR, as well as that 40% chance and MRR x2. However, this requires spending 4 Feats (Shield Proficiency: General, Shield Mastery+Improved Shield Mastery, Shield Deflection) as well as possibly a tier two twist or 3 points. In addition, shield deflection is basically dodge against elemental attacks. It can reduce damage, but you still get spiked through it if you get unlucky.

2. Skyvault is a trap! If you compare Skyvault to Devil's Defense, a large shield from L Tempest/HoX, Skyvault has 5 more PRR thanks to being a tower shield, if you have improved shield mastery. If you're putting a -15% ASF augment in the Devil's Defense, ASF is 0% on both shields, giving the skyvault 2 additional usable slots. Devil's Defense has +3 Quality Constitution over Skyvault, the same MRR x2 benefit, Healer's Bounty, Sheltering, a higher shield bonus (After all, Skyvault is only an ml 25), the same DR, and you can have proficiency with it by having master's touch, tenser's transformation, or shield proficiency feat. Based on this, when I use a shield as a swap in (Which I commonly do actually, ultimatum in MoD, Devil's Defense when I get scared, Battered Phiarlan when I'm getting otto trolled) I swap in Devil's Defense, without shield feats; the shield feats would effectively only add +10 PRR, +15 if I took US enhancement.

3. The blocking absorption from EPL's/Sentinel works without wielding a shield. I commonly use both of them in conjunction while dual-wielding on my warlock to tank hellballs in LShroud or fire in DoJ endfight. In addition, all glamored items/absorption items/Shiradi/MRR (excluding PDK shield, which can be used as a swap in without shield feats) is the same with or without using a shield, so that's no benefit over going TWF.

4. LGS is pretty nice on casters. It's no where near as powerful as it was when it came out, which is probably a good thing, but +150 stacking spellpower and the tier 3 effects are very nice. I personally use a triple positive +150 Positive/+7 Cha/+70 Hamp Affirmation and a +150 acid/+7 con/+37 acid Acid, and I wouldn't want to drop either of them. In addition, not having to spend three feats on shield feats allows the player to take mental toughnesses, dragonmarks (I like blessing, if you don't like blessing, don't take dragonmarks), past life feats (Completionist, Arcane Initiate), or anything else they end up wanting.

5. I actually do use shields fairly often on my warlock. I don't have anything against the use of shields on a warlock, but shields are a defensive tool, best used defensively. Because of that, I tend to treat them more as swap-ins for difficult encounters (Main ones including Ultimatum for MoD, PDK Shield for DoJ endfight, Devil's Defense for general defense) than something up constantly. I'm sure most people can agree that most warlock builds have no issue surviving in a majority of content without having a shield equipped. For something where I use it in less than 2% of content, it seems silly to spend 3 feats to gain +25 PRR while I have it out.

6. Personally, there isn't any reason to dump reflex even if using a shield full-time, because the reduction stacks. So while it is correct that wielding a large shield and failing every reflex save and going TWF and succeeding every reflex save has the same effect on incoming damage (-50%) wielding a large shield and succeeding every reflex save is even better (-75%). And since this isn't tied in to shield feats (I believe that you do need proficiency with the shield, but for a large shield you get that easily anyway from masters touch/tensers if it's being used situationally) you can gain that benefit without having to take 3 shield feats.

[Blastyswa]

there is no right / wrong - people have different goals and playstyles. I don't see much point in an int build but I see the appeal of a con build. I am a frequent user of easy buttons when they are available. I just think at some point the cost of more hp is too high - but that is totally my opinion based on my playstyle and my experiences.

The extra hp from us is appealing but the epic moment from Ea gives me 60 spellpower always and 100 spellpower + 50% ghostly for 2 minutes out every 5 with reborn in the light. In tough raids I can save it and it saved us from doj lag wipes a few times. It's hard to weight the 50% ghostly vs 20% hp - it depends on size of one-shot. Against sorjek 50% ghostly better. Against a part 2 boss in le shroud the extra hp might stop a one-shot.

i also value hp but I did so with lgs since randowl is my main. He got 90%+ of my lgs mats, but make no mistake it's a grind. The 5 piece pop/mat set gives me 36% hp bonus + 36% stacking universal crit damage + ender which procs vulnerable and can instakill enemies < 5000hp. My hp are not tanky, but I am sitting at 1750 or so before any temp hp from aura, shining through, lgs triple positive weapon or cocoon. At times I've hit 3000 when stars align. Charisma is 84 or so without the massive investment a necro caster would need. Evocation dc is 85 or so. Not much if anything saves more than 5% of the time with pact damage. Divine wrath is close to no fail. Energy burst isn't no fail but I get some huge numbers frequently so I know my cha matters.

So on top of the 13% more damage I get from aura, spirit blast and eld burst I am getting more dps from energy burst, divine wrath and hellball although I don't know the additional damage but I suspect much higher than 13%.

i don't like us destiny in general because too much dps is lost, but I also think clearing a dungeon slowly with no risk of death is a reasonable and solid playstyle. Obviously for tanking it is the best destiny.
Total agreement with you that EA or Shiradi has better DPS than Sentinel. Assuming in EA or Shiradi you're maintaining the same amount of constant fighting, the fact that sentinel doesn't really have spellpower boosts in it simply means that the damage will be inferior. However, just thought I'd mention that with 2500+ HP on my warlock (about 5000 including temporary, don't have opposition set yet) in sentinel, and with significant investment in PRR/AC, I can easily take multiple hits from Sorjek without dying (multiple meaning two, after two I do still need to heal) in addition to having goodies like quickened resurrection, Undying Vanguard (Which can be used to absorb the ruin from Codex if you use it properly), 30% elemental absorption during blocking (for rakshasa/DoJ end) and renewal for an extra heal. My DC's actually work fine going goo with charisma as a secondary focus (It's 50-60 or something, depending on what i have equipped) but I steer clear of energy burst, and my hellball works maybe 2/3 of the time typically.

I agree exalted angel can be very nice for a more DPS playstyle, just figured I'd give some additional reasons for Sentinel.

[Hobgoblin]

is force of personality worth it?

to me it is mostly covered by gear for will saves

but what would you take instead?

[Coyopa]

Ok. After all the great feedback and suggestions, this is what I've come up with. Some notes:
1. Some of the tomes show to have been used at 6th and 14th levels. This is just to simulate the fact that they will apply before skill points are spent at the next level.
2. I decided to go Deep Gnome for both that past life and because I've never been an Iconic before. I figure doing it on my first warlock life will be better than the 2nd because I can go non-iconic in my 2nd warlock life in order to get my monster manual character deeds reset. Also, it will give me time to save up the TP to get another +1 heart of wood.
3. Chose True Neutral to give me the flexibility to change pacts as I do epic reincarnations so I can try out different ways to build.
4. Starting as a charisma-based warlock because it seems to make more sense to me. I have a +0 heart of wood I can use if I really dislike it.

Let's see what you think.


Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 4.30.002
DDO Character Planner Home Page (http://www.rjcyberware.com/DDO)

Level 30 True Neutral Deep Gnome Male
(20 Warlock \ 10 Epic)
Hit Points: 380
Spell Points: 812
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 10
Reflex: 7
Will: 14

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Modified Stats
(36 Point) (Level 1) (Level 30)
Strength 10 15
Dexterity 8 12
Constitution 16 19
Intelligence 16 20
Wisdom 10 13
Charisma 16 31

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Strength used at level 3
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 6
+3 Tome of Strength used at level 11
+4 Tome of Strength used at level 15
+5 Tome of Strength used at level 19
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 3
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 6
+3 Tome of Dexterity used at level 11
+4 Tome of Dexterity used at level 15
+1 Tome of Constitution used at level 3
+2 Tome of Constitution used at level 6
+3 Tome of Constitution used at level 11
+1 Tome of Intelligence used at level 3
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 6
+3 Tome of Intelligence used at level 11
+4 Tome of Intelligence used at level 14
+1 Tome of Wisdom used at level 3
+2 Tome of Wisdom used at level 6
+3 Tome of Wisdom used at level 11
+1 Tome of Charisma used at level 3
+2 Tome of Charisma used at level 6
+3 Tome of Charisma used at level 11
Starting Feat/Enhancement
Base Skills Modified Skills
Skills (Level 1) (Level 30)
Balance 0 12
Bluff 4 43
Concentration 4 37
Diplomacy 0 21
Disable Device n/a n/a
Haggle 2 23
Heal 0 12
Hide 4 15
Intimidate 0 21
Jump 4 35
Listen 0 11
Move Silently 0 11
Open Lock n/a n/a
Perform n/a 21
Repair 0 16
Search 0 16
Spellcraft 4 38
Spot 0 12
Swim 0 13
Tumble n/a 12
Use Magic Device 11 54

Level 1 (Warlock)
Feat: (Selected) Maximize Spell
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Druid
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Monk
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Ranger
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Ranger
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Ranger


Level 2 (Warlock)


Level 3 (Warlock)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Spell


Level 4 (Warlock)
Ability Raise: CHA


Level 5 (Warlock)


Level 6 (Warlock)
Feat: (Selected) Spell Focus: Evocation


Level 7 (Warlock)


Level 8 (Warlock)
Ability Raise: CHA


Level 9 (Warlock)
Feat: (Selected) Spell Focus: Enchantment


Level 10 (Warlock)


Level 11 (Warlock)


Level 12 (Warlock)
Ability Raise: CHA
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell


Level 13 (Warlock)


Level 14 (Warlock)


Level 15 (Warlock)
Feat: (Selected) Quicken Spell


Level 16 (Warlock)
Ability Raise: CHA


Level 17 (Warlock)


Level 18 (Warlock)
Feat: (Selected) Force of Personality


Level 19 (Warlock)


Level 20 (Warlock)
Ability Raise: CHA
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Eldritch Aura (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Aura of Courage (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Shape Vestments (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Aura of Menace (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Celestial Spirit (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Ultimate Enlightenment (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Defense (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Defense (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Defense (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Bastion (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Bastion (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Bastion (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Power of Enlightenment - Light I (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Power of Enlightenment - Light I (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Power of Enlightenment - Light I (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Eldritch Burst (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Eldritch Burst (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Eldritch Burst (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Ward (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Ward (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Ward (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Power of Enlightenment - Light II (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Power of Enlightenment - Light II (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Power of Enlightenment - Light II (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Charisma (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Medium Armor Proficiency (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Retribution (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Retribution (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Retribution (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Brilliance (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Charisma (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spirit Blast (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spirit Blast (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spirit Blast (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Shining Through (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Displacement (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Tainted Spellcasting (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Tainted Lore I (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Stanch (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Tainted Lore II (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Planar Power (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Planar Power (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Feigned Health (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Feigned Health (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Feigned Health (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Strong Pact I (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Utterdark Blast (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Eldritch Blast Shape: Chain (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Strong Pact II (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Strong Pact III (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Charisma (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Strong Pact IV (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Charisma (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Soul Eater (Wlk) - Inhuman Deadliness (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Soul Eater (Wlk) - Inhuman Nature (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Soul Eater (Wlk) - Consume (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Soul Eater (Wlk) - Taint the Blood (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Soul Eater (Wlk) - Hungry for Destruction (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Soul Eater (Wlk) - Hungry for Destruction (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Soul Eater (Wlk) - Hungry for Destruction (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Soul Eater (Wlk) - Feeding Frenzy (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Soul Eater (Wlk) - Eldritch Blast: Cone Shape (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Soul Eater (Wlk) - Charisma (Rank 1)


Level 21 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Epic Eldritch Blast


Level 22 (Epic)


Level 23 (Epic)


Level 24 (Epic)
Ability Raise: CHA
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Intensify Spell


Level 25 (Epic)


Level 26 (Epic)
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Arcane Sphere: Epic Arcane Eldritch Blast


Level 27 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Arcane Insight


Level 28 (Epic)
Ability Raise: CHA
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Arcane Sphere: Hellball


Level 29 (Epic)
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Arcane Sphere: Arcane Pulse


Level 30 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Wellspring of Power
Feat: (Legendary) Scion of the Plane of Fire

[slarden]

Total agreement with you that EA or Shiradi has better DPS than Sentinel. Assuming in EA or Shiradi you're maintaining the same amount of constant fighting, the fact that sentinel doesn't really have spellpower boosts in it simply means that the damage will be inferior. However, just thought I'd mention that with 2500+ HP on my warlock (about 5000 including temporary, don't have opposition set yet) in sentinel, and with significant investment in PRR/AC, I can easily take multiple hits from Sorjek without dying (multiple meaning two, after two I do still need to heal) in addition to having goodies like quickened resurrection, Undying Vanguard (Which can be used to absorb the ruin from Codex if you use it properly), 30% elemental absorption during blocking (for rakshasa/DoJ end) and renewal for an extra heal. My DC's actually work fine going goo with charisma as a secondary focus (It's 50-60 or something, depending on what i have equipped) but I steer clear of energy burst, and my hellball works maybe 2/3 of the time typically.

I agree exalted angel can be very nice for a more DPS playstyle, just figured I'd give some additional reasons for Sentinel.

I see from your sig you are a permadeath player. Obviously survivability is rated much higher in that case since dying means losing your character.

Different goals for different people.

[FranOhmsford]

Ok. After all the great feedback and suggestions, this is what I've come up with. Some notes:
1. Some of the tomes show to have been used at 6th and 14th levels. This is just to simulate the fact that they will apply before skill points are spent at the next level.
2. I decided to go Deep Gnome for both that past life and because I've never been an Iconic before. I figure doing it on my first warlock life will be better than the 2nd because I can go non-iconic in my 2nd warlock life in order to get my monster manual character deeds reset. Also, it will give me time to save up the TP to get another +1 heart of wood.
3. Chose True Neutral to give me the flexibility to change pacts as I do epic reincarnations so I can try out different ways to build.
4. Starting as a charisma-based warlock because it seems to make more sense to me. I have a +0 heart of wood I can use if I really dislike it.

Let's see what you think.


Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 4.30.002
DDO Character Planner Home Page (http://www.rjcyberware.com/DDO)

Level 30 True Neutral Deep Gnome Male
(20 Warlock \ 10 Epic)
Hit Points: 380
Spell Points: 812
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 10
Reflex: 7
Will: 14

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Modified Stats
(36 Point) (Level 1) (Level 30)
Strength 10 15
Dexterity 8 12
Constitution 16 19
Intelligence 16 20
Wisdom 10 13
Charisma 16 31

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Strength used at level 3
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 6
+3 Tome of Strength used at level 11
+4 Tome of Strength used at level 15
+5 Tome of Strength used at level 19
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 3
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 6
+3 Tome of Dexterity used at level 11
+4 Tome of Dexterity used at level 15
+1 Tome of Constitution used at level 3
+2 Tome of Constitution used at level 6
+3 Tome of Constitution used at level 11
+1 Tome of Intelligence used at level 3
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 6
+3 Tome of Intelligence used at level 11
+4 Tome of Intelligence used at level 14
+1 Tome of Wisdom used at level 3
+2 Tome of Wisdom used at level 6
+3 Tome of Wisdom used at level 11
+1 Tome of Charisma used at level 3
+2 Tome of Charisma used at level 6
+3 Tome of Charisma used at level 11
Starting Feat/Enhancement
Base Skills Modified Skills
Skills (Level 1) (Level 30)
Balance 0 12
Bluff 4 43
Concentration 4 37
Diplomacy 0 21
Disable Device n/a n/a
Haggle 2 23
Heal 0 12
Hide 4 15
Intimidate 0 21
Jump 4 35
Listen 0 11
Move Silently 0 11
Open Lock n/a n/a
Perform n/a 21
Repair 0 16
Search 0 16
Spellcraft 4 38
Spot 0 12
Swim 0 13
Tumble n/a 12
Use Magic Device 11 54

Level 1 (Warlock)
Feat: (Selected) Maximize Spell
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Druid
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Monk
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Ranger
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Ranger
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Ranger


Level 2 (Warlock)


Level 3 (Warlock)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Spell


Level 4 (Warlock)
Ability Raise: CHA


Level 5 (Warlock)


Level 6 (Warlock)
Feat: (Selected) Spell Focus: Evocation


Level 7 (Warlock)


Level 8 (Warlock)
Ability Raise: CHA


Level 9 (Warlock)
Feat: (Selected) Spell Focus: Enchantment


Level 10 (Warlock)


Level 11 (Warlock)


Level 12 (Warlock)
Ability Raise: CHA
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell


Level 13 (Warlock)


Level 14 (Warlock)


Level 15 (Warlock)
Feat: (Selected) Quicken Spell


Level 16 (Warlock)
Ability Raise: CHA


Level 17 (Warlock)


Level 18 (Warlock)
Feat: (Selected) Spell Penetration


Level 19 (Warlock)


Level 20 (Warlock)
Ability Raise: CHA
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Eldritch Aura (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Aura of Courage (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Shape Vestments (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Aura of Menace (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Celestial Spirit (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Ultimate Enlightenment (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Defense (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Defense (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Defense (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Bastion (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Bastion (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Bastion (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Power of Enlightenment - Light I (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Power of Enlightenment - Light I (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Power of Enlightenment - Light I (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Eldritch Burst (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Eldritch Burst (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Eldritch Burst (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Ward (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Ward (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Ward (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Power of Enlightenment - Light II (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Power of Enlightenment - Light II (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Power of Enlightenment - Light II (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Charisma (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Medium Armor Proficiency (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Retribution (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Retribution (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Retribution (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Brilliance (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Charisma (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spirit Blast (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spirit Blast (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spirit Blast (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Shining Through (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Displacement (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Tainted Spellcasting (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Tainted Lore I (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Stanch (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Tainted Lore II (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Planar Power (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Planar Power (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Feigned Health (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Feigned Health (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Feigned Health (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Strong Pact I (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Utterdark Blast (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Eldritch Blast Shape: Chain (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Strong Pact II (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Strong Pact III (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Charisma (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Strong Pact IV (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Charisma (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Soul Eater (Wlk) - Inhuman Deadliness (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Soul Eater (Wlk) - Inhuman Nature (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Soul Eater (Wlk) - Consume (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Soul Eater (Wlk) - Taint the Blood (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Soul Eater (Wlk) - Hungry for Destruction (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Soul Eater (Wlk) - Hungry for Destruction (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Soul Eater (Wlk) - Hungry for Destruction (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Soul Eater (Wlk) - Feeding Frenzy (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Soul Eater (Wlk) - Eldritch Blast: Cone Shape (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Soul Eater (Wlk) - Charisma (Rank 1)


Level 21 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Epic Eldritch Blast


Level 22 (Epic)


Level 23 (Epic)


Level 24 (Epic)
Ability Raise: CHA
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Intensify Spell


Level 25 (Epic)


Level 26 (Epic)
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Arcane Sphere: Epic Arcane Eldritch Blast


Level 27 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Arcane Insight


Level 28 (Epic)
Ability Raise: CHA
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Arcane Sphere: Hellball


Level 29 (Epic)
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Arcane Sphere: Arcane Pulse


Level 30 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Wellspring of Power
Feat: (Legendary) Scion of the Plane of Fire





+1 Spell Pen really isn't going to make a difference unless you're right on the cusp of beating Drow Spell Res already.
And do you really need Extend if you're starting at Lvl 15?

Honestly I'd take Force of Personality over either of those.
You haven't taken Embolden so maybe consider Heighten.
Greater Spell Focus: Enchantment for non-drow mobs or Spell Focus: Conju for Evards may be better for you than Spell Pen.

[slarden]

is force of personality worth it?

to me it is mostly covered by gear for will saves

but what would you take instead?

If soloing EE content it's absolutely worth it. Many enemies cast cometfall + greater command and if you can save against one it's still annoying but usually enough. My experience is that the actual protection evil spell helps, but various Protection from evil abilities, scrolls and clickies don't help against greater command for some odd reason. Warlocks don't have the spell. I don't know why.

Harper pin should be saved for things that aren't spammed and certain death like flesh to stone. Not everyone has the
fom potions and fom items aren't common at low epic levels.

[Coyopa]

+1 Spell Pen really isn't going to make a difference unless you're right on the cusp of beating Drow Spell Res already.
And do you really need Extend if you're starting at Lvl 15?

Honestly I'd take Force of Personality over either of those.
You haven't taken Embolden so maybe consider Heighten.
Greater Spell Focus: Enchantment for non-drow mobs or Spell Focus: Conju for Evards may be better for you than Spell Pen.

I will admit I wasn't sure how much help Spell Pen would be or what to take in place of it. I like Enlarge for certain spells because it makes sense tactically and I considered Enlarge instead of Spell Pen**. I didn't plan for Heighten because I didn't think it would be particularly useful on this build. I could be wrong, though. I took Extend because Displacement and Haste, in my opinion, are woefully short without it. Other spells that can be affected by Extend I simply never extend because they are plenty long already. When I was new, I extended everything I could with the logic that the buffs should last to the end of the quest. Long ago, I learned the buffs only have to last until the next shrine and I no longer extend the ones that are not radically short already.

**An example of how Enlarge can help... I previously ran a 18 druid/2 ranger bow-using spellcaster (mainly using SLA's from Season's Herald for my offensive spells). On that build, having Enlarge when you get Word of Balance makes a huge difference. You can reach out and slay Beholders long before you get near their anti-magic cone. I was thinking an Enlarge'd Evard's or other spells (PK?) could be similarly useful.

I didn't worry about permanent blur from the Gnome tree because I have a permanent blur item already at high levels. Otherwise, I just couldn't fit anything from the Gnome tree in with the all the stuff I wanted from the other trees. (And it turned out I wanted more from SE than I originally thought after taking another look at that tree.)

[Coyopa]

If soloing EE content it's [Force of Personality] absolutely worth it.

This is good to know. I definitely want to be able to solo EE because I want to be able to set up and take sagas on this character repeatedly. And I want the True Elitist rewards out of the sagas. So, I'll switch FoP back in.

[FranOhmsford]

I was thinking an Enlarge'd Evard's or other spells (PK?) could be similarly useful.

A little word about Evard's.

This spell has woeful targeting and will regularly appear way off from the mob you wanted to hit - I've had it appear both too close to me and way beyond the mob I wanted to hit but generally it's effective range is short and you're best off being very close to the mob you want to hit with it before casting it so it targets properly.

I certainly wouldn't consider Enlarging it EVEN IF IT WAS Enlargable which it isn't:

http://ddowiki.com/page/Evard%27s_Black_Tentacles

Metamagic: Empower, Maximize, Eschew, Quicken




And as for Displacement and Tensers {Haste is nice but you're not going be meleeing much so isn't mandatory} these last 2 minutes at Lvl 30 without extend and 4 minutes with.
I don't consider a feat slot a fair trade for an extra two minutes between rebuffs. It's nice at low levels for making 30 seconds into a minute or 45 secs into 90 secs but I'll happily rebuff Tensers and Displace every two minutes to save a feat slot.

[Coyopa]

A little word about Evard's.

This spell has woeful targeting and will regularly appear way off from the mob you wanted to hit - I've had it appear both too close to me and way beyond the mob I wanted to hit but generally it's range is short and you're best off being very close to the mob you want to hit with it before casting it so it targets properly.

I certainly wouldn't consider Enlarging it EVEN IF IT WAS Enlargable which it isn't:

http://ddowiki.com/page/Evard%27s_Black_Tentacles

Metamagic: Empower, Maximize, Eschew, Quicken
Good to know. Thank you. I had forgotten to go look and see if it was able to be enlarged.


And as for Displacement and Tensers {Haste is nice but you're not going be meleeing much so isn't mandatory} these last 2 minutes at Lvl 30 without extend and 4 minutes with.
I don't consider a feat slot a fair trade for an extra two minutes between rebuffs. It's nice at low levels for making 30 seconds into a minute or 45 secs into 90 secs but I'll happily rebuff Tensers and Displace every two minutes to save a feat slot.
Well, the problem for me is I am pretty rubbish at remembering to re-activate buffs and such. I'm getting a little better thanks to my barbarian (since I have to refresh Frenzy and Death Frenzy ever minute). So, unless there's some compelling alternative, I'm going to start with Extend. I can always replace it courtesy of Lockania or an epic reincarnation. This character won't spend any more time at cap than necessary to round out sagas and get started on the next epic reincarnation.

[Tlorrd]

If soloing EE content it's absolutely worth it. Many enemies cast cometfall + greater command and if you can save against one it's still annoying but usually enough. My experience is that the actual protection evil spell helps, but various Protection from evil abilities, scrolls and clickies don't help against greater command for some odd reason. Warlocks don't have the spell. I don't know why.

Harper pin should be saved for things that aren't spammed and certain death like flesh to stone. Not everyone has the
fom potions and fom items aren't common at low epic levels.

With regards to Greater Command ... Protection from Evil has two distinct ways it works between the actual spell and using a wand or pot. The actual spell will protect you from greater command for the duration of the spell. The use of a wand or pot only gives you 1 minute of protection from greater command, even if the consumable lasts for 5 minutes or whatever duration the wand or pot is. It's a little known fact, but true.

Another way to work around these things (as you know already) is to just swap in your spell absorb item of choice (pale lavender, Jeweled cloak, magestar) and then swap out when spell caster is done.

Forced Escape is ok, but doesn't work against symbol of stunning or petrification. Only harper pin or shield of deflection (diplomatic impunity) or tier 5 divine crusader avoid petrification. (On a side note, symbol of stunning is actually one of the best dazing spells in game as it works on undead, constructs, and other things that are immune to mind affecting spells)

The other reason I don't worry about being stunned or held is usually they are short duration and my aura is still doing damage and by the time i break free, my cleaves are off cooldowns and mobs subsequently die. (Umber hulks being a prime example).

The only thing I worry about if I'm not warforged/BF is petrification ... use harper pin and then put on spell absorb so that I don't get hit again, since those durations last over a minute. (End fight of what goes up comes to mind).

I don't worry about cometfall because in ES cores, you can become immune to knockdown.

[Coyopa]

The only thing I worry about if I'm not warforged/BF is petrification ... use harper pin and then put on spell absorb so that I don't get hit again, since those durations last over a minute. (End fight of what goes up comes to mind).

End fight of The Snitch, as well as pretty much any fight in The Snitch with a spell caster also come to mind. I've had those Tiefling hags stone me before. And the Abishai at the end can also stone you. And they last practically forever. If you're in a group and get stoned, the fight will be over before you recover. If you're solo (like I was recently), the fight will be over before you recover, too, because you'll be dead.

[FranOhmsford]

The other reason I don't worry about being stunned or held is usually they are short duration and my aura is still doing damage and by the time i break free, my cleaves are off cooldowns and mobs subsequently die. (Umber hulks being a prime example).


This is one of the single best things about Auralock!

I've been held or stunned so many times and my Aura just continues going while I laugh at the mobs!

[Phil7]

and caster armor from tempest spine gives insightful +3.

Wait... what... where??


Hint for greater command. I've been using Magic Circle Against Evil scrolls.
They seem to working fine and I've never noticed being commanded down, while the effect was on.
Every time I have been commanded, I immediately checked my buff bar, and the spell was either dispelled or had ended (lasts 5 mins only...)

[FranOhmsford]

Well, the problem for me is I am pretty rubbish at remembering to re-activate buffs and such. I'm getting a little better thanks to my barbarian (since I have to refresh Frenzy and Death Frenzy ever minute). So, unless there's some compelling alternative, I'm going to start with Extend. I can always replace it courtesy of Lockania or an epic reincarnation. This character won't spend any more time at cap than necessary to round out sagas and get started on the next epic reincarnation.

I'd like to reiterate that though I personally take Haste and use the Displacement from Enlightened Spirit I know at least one person who prefers to skip Haste and keep Displacement as a spell rather than using AP on it.

Even at Lvl 20 a Warlock only has 2 spell slots for each level {+ the bonus spells given from pact and enhancement trees of course}.

At Lvl 3 you've got Displacement {can be got via ES}, Haste, DDoor, Stoneskin and Enervation to choose from plus a few others I'd never even consider.

If you've got a decent Epic Speed item then Haste really is only giving you +1 to Saves.

[Phil7]

level 3: DDoor and Dark Discorporation
it makes most traps useless (Haunted Halls east stairs in EE for example)

spend 2 points in ES and get free Displacement, its not worth losing any of the DDs

[Coyopa]

level 3: DDoor and Dark Discorporation
it makes most traps useless (Haunted Halls east stairs in EE for example)

spend 2 points in ES and get free Displacement, its not worth losing any of the DDs

Thanks for this tip! DDoor is always a must for me on any character that can take it. It's just too useful. When I'm playing a wizard, I always go for DDoor as an SLA.

[Tlorrd]

Fair enough reasons for, a few of my reasons against taking 3 feats on shields though are that:

1. Shield Deflection's 40% chance is only when using a tower shield, which I think it's safe to assume is almost always Skyvault for people. With all shield feats and Legendary Shield Mastery from US (So a tier two twist, or 3 points if actually in the destiny) Skyvault adds a grand total of 30 PRR, as well as that 40% chance and MRR x2. However, this requires spending 4 Feats (Shield Proficiency: General, Shield Mastery+Improved Shield Mastery, Shield Deflection) as well as possibly a tier two twist or 3 points. In addition, shield deflection is basically dodge against elemental attacks. It can reduce damage, but you still get spiked through it if you get unlucky.

This is true, you need to take a lot of shield feats.



2. Skyvault is a trap! If you compare Skyvault to Devil's Defense, a large shield from L Tempest/HoX, Skyvault has 5 more PRR thanks to being a tower shield, if you have improved shield mastery. If you're putting a -15% ASF augment in the Devil's Defense, ASF is 0% on both shields, giving the skyvault 2 additional usable slots. Devil's Defense has +3 Quality Constitution over Skyvault, the same MRR x2 benefit, Healer's Bounty, Sheltering, a higher shield bonus (After all, Skyvault is only an ml 25), the same DR, and you can have proficiency with it by having master's touch, tenser's transformation, or shield proficiency feat. Based on this, when I use a shield as a swap in (Which I commonly do actually, ultimatum in MoD, Devil's Defense when I get scared, Battered Phiarlan when I'm getting otto trolled) I swap in Devil's Defense, without shield feats; the shield feats would effectively only add +10 PRR, +15 if I took US enhancement.

Again you are right. I haven't run L Tempest/Hox enough to get that shield. but I do use Epic Tireless Aid for the healing aspects and slot a golem's heart in that.



4. LGS is pretty nice on casters. It's no where near as powerful as it was when it came out, which is probably a good thing, but +150 stacking spellpower and the tier 3 effects are very nice. I personally use a triple positive +150 Positive/+7 Cha/+70 Hamp Affirmation and a +150 acid/+7 con/+37 acid Acid, and I wouldn't want to drop either of them. In addition, not having to spend three feats on shield feats allows the player to take mental toughnesses, dragonmarks (I like blessing, if you don't like blessing, don't take dragonmarks), past life feats (Completionist, Arcane Initiate), or anything else they end up wanting.

I don't have enough LGS mats to make my caster sticks (I'm probably going to use them to make a Wis/Divine stick after they make cleric pass (hopefully at some point).
I do use http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Dissolution (Dissolution) for my Acid damage (will also add to your Conj DCs if you go DC for Evards).

Here is my take on Epic feats. I would rather have Epic EB (+2d6 damage to every EB) and can be taken multiple times (x4). Yes Ruin and Greater Ruin can be taken for faster boss dps, but if you just took epic EBs ...

As previously stated Warlock damage is 9d6 at level 20 and pact damage is 10d4.
- add another 8d6 from epic feats
- add another 3d6 from Celestial Spirit
- add another 3d6 from Spiritual Retribution
- add another 4d4 pact damage from TS

Thus your (fully meta'd) cleaves are doing with utterdark blast and lantern ring (4d6 according to wiki)
- Spirit Blast 37d6 + 14d4 every 5 seconds (+spell power/crit chance/crit damage and metas)
- Eldritch Burst 30d6 + 14d4 every 5 seconds (+spell power/crit chance/crit damage and metas)
- Aura 19d6 + 14d4 every 2 seconds (+130% spell power/crit chance/crit damage)

To me that is better than any hell ball dps wise as those above not subject to save (except pact damage) and no spell points.

[Coyopa]

Here is my take on Epic feats. I would rather have Epic EB (+2d6 damage to every EB) and can be taken multiple times (x4).

This is interesting to know. The character planner wouldn't let me choose Epic Eldritch Blast multiple times. That'll be something I'll have to think about.

[Blastyswa]

level 3: DDoor and Dark Discorporation
it makes most traps useless (Haunted Halls east stairs in EE for example)

spend 2 points in ES and get free Displacement, its not worth losing any of the DDs

Yes, definitely try dark discorporation on at least one life. The trick with it is that while it is removed on attacking/interacting, it can have a 1/6 uptime (Without arcane alacrity EPL or anything) and it isn't interrupted by aura. I commonly use it during the DoJ endfight if the party ends up getting meteored, or during the first 20 seconds of tanking the rakshasa at end of LShroud, or as a panic button on tanking Sorjek/Xyzyzzy, or even just if I'm getting backed into a corner on other content. It's definitely got a niche, but I prefer it over Displacement (Which I do from the SLA, although I'm considering switching to just using clickies) or haste (Which doesn't do much for your character personally, especially if you have a speed item; it's mostly just for nearby party mates).

[slarden]

This is true, you need to take a lot of shield feats.

Here is my take on Epic feats. I would rather have Epic EB (+2d6 damage to every EB) and can be taken multiple times (x4). Yes Ruin and Greater Ruin can be taken for faster boss dps, but if you just took epic EBs ...
.
Very true on the shield feats. Using sky vault with no feats and giving yourself proficiency gives you 15 prr. Adding 3 feats gives you another 15.

Adding legendary shield mastery gives another 15. From a cost benefit perspective simply using sky vault and casting weapon proficiency on yourself provides the most benefit for virtually no downside except you can't use an orb. It is worth considering just doing that for an easy button 15.

i didn't realize multiple eb feats stack - great info!

[slarden]

With regards to Greater Command ... Protection from Evil has two distinct ways it works between the actual spell and using a wand or pot. The actual spell will protect you from greater command for the duration of the spell. The use of a wand or pot only gives you 1 minute of protection from greater command, even if the consumable lasts for 5 minutes or whatever duration the wand or pot is. It's a little known fact, but true.

Another way to work around these things (as you know already) is to just swap in your spell absorb item of choice (pale lavender, Jeweled cloak, magestar) and then swap out when spell caster is done.

Forced Escape is ok, but doesn't work against symbol of stunning or petrification. Only harper pin or shield of deflection (diplomatic impunity) or tier 5 divine crusader avoid petrification. (On a side note, symbol of stunning is actually one of the best dazing spells in game as it works on undead, constructs, and other things that are immune to mind affecting spells)

The other reason I don't worry about being stunned or held is usually they are short duration and my aura is still doing damage and by the time i break free, my cleaves are off cooldowns and mobs subsequently die. (Umber hulks being a prime example).

The only thing I worry about if I'm not warforged/BF is petrification ... use harper pin and then put on spell absorb so that I don't get hit again, since those durations last over a minute. (End fight of what goes up comes to mind).

I don't worry about cometfall because in ES cores, you can become immune to knockdown.

great info +1

yeah I've been leveling my 2nd warlock an le necro specialist so I don't have immunity to knockdown on that character. Yeah maybe I was using potion instead of scroll- will switch to scroll. I wish lgs had a fully functioning protection from evil clicky.

[slarden]

Wait... what... where??


Hint for greater command. I've been using Magic Circle Against Evil scrolls.
They seem to working fine and I've never noticed being commanded down, while the effect was on.
Every time I have been commanded, I immediately checked my buff bar, and the spell was either dispelled or had ended (lasts 5 mins only...)
All the tempest spine caster armor has insightful spell focus +3 and it actually works now, but most builds prefer the profane + 1 from tf armor and ins +3-4 from random loot. I hear necro 8 ins necro +4 goggles dropped in le tempest spine so that is the best possible stats I am aware of.

appreciate the tip on protection from evil was using potions instead of scrolls - need to switch.

[Phil7]

hmm wiki says insightful spell focus +2, but it could be wrong. I don't have the item so I don't know if you are right or wrong there.

evoc/necro 8 + ins evoc/necro 4 goggles are definetly the way to go, but you have to win the jackpot to find them :)

Note that the Protection From Evil scrolls/clickies/pots do NOT work. Only the spell does.

If you want to be protected against Command/Greater Command & Dominate Person etc. you have to use the Magic Circle Against Evil scrolls/pots/clickies/spell or the Protection From Evil spell!

From wiki:
The target is also warded from Evil magical controls and compulsions, providing complete immunity to spells of the type: Dominate Person/Monster, Command and Greater Command regardless of the caster's alignment.

Bug: Note that the immunity does not last for the full scroll length; when short-duration scrolls and potions had their one-minute duration extended to five, the immunity component of PfE did not similarly get extended (see DDO Forums). The mass version, Magic Circle Against Evil, provides full protection for five minutes.

It seems that not alot of players know about this, as I have seen so many videos with toons using Eternal FOM pots, GH scrolls and all the rest, but very very few were carying Magic Circle Against Evil scrolls.
I believe it is a must have scroll like a few others even if it lasts only 5 minutes. Good luck doing EE Garl's Tomb without it.

[slarden]

hmm wiki says insightful spell focus +2, but it could be wrong. I don't have the item so I don't know if you are right or wrong there.

evoc/necro 8 + ins evoc/necro 4 goggles are definetly the way to go, but you have to win the jackpot to find them :)

Note that the Protection From Evil scrolls/clickies/pots do NOT work. Only the spell does.

If you want to be protected against Command/Greater Command & Dominate Person etc. you have to use the Magic Circle Against Evil scrolls/pots/clickies/spell or the Protection From Evil spell!

From wiki:
The target is also warded from Evil magical controls and compulsions, providing complete immunity to spells of the type: Dominate Person/Monster, Command and Greater Command regardless of the caster's alignment.

Bug: Note that the immunity does not last for the full scroll length; when short-duration scrolls and potions had their one-minute duration extended to five, the immunity component of PfE did not similarly get extended (see DDO Forums). The mass version, Magic Circle Against Evil, provides full protection for five minutes.

It seems that not alot of players know about this, as I have seen so many videos with toons using Eternal FOM pots, GH scrolls and all the rest, but very very few were carying Magic Circle Against Evil scrolls.
I believe it is a must have scroll like a few others even if it lasts only 5 minutes. Good luck doing EE Garl's Tomb without it.

excellent I will start stocking those in all characters without the spell.

[Feralthyrtiaq]

level 3: DDoor and Dark Discorporation
it makes most traps useless (Haunted Halls east stairs in EE for example)


/facepalm Guess there is still stuff to learn even after 7 Lock lives.

[Tlorrd]

All the tempest spine caster armor has insightful spell focus +3 and it actually works now, but most builds prefer the profane + 1 from tf armor and ins +3-4 from random loot. I hear necro 8 ins necro +4 goggles dropped in le tempest spine so that is the best possible stats I am aware of.

appreciate the tip on protection from evil was using potions instead of scrolls - need to switch.

I thought (according to wiki) that only the celestial sage robes and leathers give the insightful spell focus, while the medium and heavy armors give healers bounty or the temp hp thing.

[Tlorrd]

i didn't realize multiple eb feats stack - great info!

So I was half right. You can take Epic EB once and then Epic arcane EB once during your choice for ED feats. So you can take it twice only. but both of those do stack.

[QuantumFX]

So I was half right. You can take Epic EB once and then Epic arcane EB once during your choice for ED feats. So you can take it twice only. but both of those do stack.

They do. You will see an increase in your blast damage with the same gear.

[slarden]

So I was half right. You can take Epic EB once and then Epic arcane EB once during your choice for ED feats. So you can take it twice only. but both of those do stack.
Ok this I already do. To be honest not sure I would give up intensify, ruin, greater ruin for more eb damage anyhow.

[slarden]

hmm wiki says insightful spell focus +2, but it could be wrong. I don't have the item so I don't know if you are right or wrong there.



My armor shows 3 and when I take it off it is reduced by 3. TF still would net me a +1 if I use ins goggles +3/+4 goggles but I have to figure out where to slot prr/mrr.

[Tlorrd]

Ok this I already do. To be honest not sure I would give up intensify, ruin, greater ruin for more eb damage anyhow.

I can take intensify and both the epic EB feats, so you don't have to make choice as well as ruin and greater ruin.

[zehnvhex]

A little word about Evard's.

This spell has woeful targeting and will regularly appear way off from the mob you wanted to hit

FYI, Evard's will cast wherever your targeting reticle is pointed at. Not centered around the mob.

[Coyopa]

FYI, Evard's will cast wherever your targeting reticle is pointed at. Not centered around the mob.

Thanks for this. This is what I was expecting. I actually have pretty good aim with these types of spells (from when I played my wizard, druid and cleric).

[slarden]

I can take intensify and both the epic EB feats, so you don't have to make choice as well as ruin and greater ruin.

Yes I am currently taking both EB feats, intensify, ruin and greater ruin. What I meant is that if you could take multiple EB regular epic feats I am not sure what I would drop to take it.

[Tlorrd]

Yes I am currently taking both EB feats, intensify, ruin and greater ruin. What I meant is that if you could take multiple EB regular epic feats I am not sure what I would drop to take it.

ah, i gotcha now ... yeah would be a tough choice ... currently I take deific warding, but I'm debating starting to take ruin/Gruin to make boss battles go quicker. I'm too spoiled by seeing the arcane spell supremacy builds then hitting their ruin/Gruin to major effect ... but at cap I'd still have +75% crit damage (wellspring, a few cores of TS, and fire scion) ... but would need to hit the crit too!

[Coyopa]

So, I thought I would/should post back with how this project is going. I opted for Deep Gnome as the race, max'd charisma (including level ups into charisma), and am having crazy amounts of fun with this character. I had vacation last week and managed to get the character to 30 on Friday, epic reincarnated, and am half way through 26 again as of yesterday afternoon. I do not find the fact I have lower hitpoints compared to a constitution-based build to be a hindrance. In fact, I find myself to be nigh unkillable even with just 873 hitpoints at level 30.

I "finished" my primal past lives and now have 1 doubleshot and 2 Colors of the Queen past lives. I'll eventually go back and get three stacks of all three past life stances. For now, I'm focusing on getting epic completionist first. When I was working on primal, I was in Shiradi - and I will be again in the future when I work on this sphere. I have currently switched to working on the divine sphere. I've spent some time in Unyielding Sentinel because I think it's fun and because I was being a little conservative. Hitting 1500 hit points with all the temporary sources is really nice. However, I find that Unyielding Sentinel is just too much defense when it's gobs of offense that is called for. So, I reconfigured how I had my points spent in Divine Crusader to be less melee/weapon focused and more spell focused. Here's how I spent my points in Divine Crusader:

Tier 1:
Interrogation, Purge the Wicked, and a point of Charisma

Tier 2:
Consecration (3 ranks), Flames of Purity (3 ranks)

Tier 3:
Sacred Ground, Empyrean Magic

Tier 4:
No Regret, Crusade

Tier 5:
Castigation, Heavenly Presence

Tier 6:
Celestial Bombardment (3 ranks)

This set-up for a warlock is insanely fun. I did take the time to look at Exalted Angel and, while the spellpower would be really nice, I just didn't find much there to get excited about. Anyway, I really like Celestial Bombardment. It's got a nice area of effect, knocks down most foes, and does some appreciable damage. Between that and Evard's, I can still jump in the middle of a bunch of enemies and put some crowd control on them. My default tactic is round up a bunch of mobs, drop Evard's and cast Consecration, then burst/blast and, if needed, drop Celestial Bombardment when Evard's wears off.

I have learned to keep Shining Through "active" most of the time, in that I tend to use it before a fight starts so it's already off cooldown when I jump in the middle of the monsters and go to town on them. I also have copious amounts of healing because I've twisted Rejuvenation Cocoon, Healing Hands (from US), and Endless Lay on Hands (also from US). And I do tend to use those abilities on a regular basis. I've got a friend I run with sometimes (not walkin_dude, though he is my friend and I do run with him) who isn't really epic elite capable and having those abilities lets me keep her alive, which I pretty much consider to be obligation to her since I'm the one convincing her to run epic elite with me. Left to her own devices, she'd mostly stick with epic hard.

I did set up most of my sagas before epic reincarnating, but I did not get 3BC or Gianthold set up as I simply did not need all that experience to get to 30 the first time. I have 3BC's saga set up for the next reincarnation and I'll probably have Gianthold's too. I've already got the Grazla/Gizla saga (LoD chain, E-star chain 2 & 3) done again. I'm down to Wheloon and Stormhorns for another couple of sagas, and I need Impossible Demands, Unquiet Graves, and Lost Thread for another. I thought about doing the heroic sagas that are available, but I decided there wasn't enough xp in those quests to justify the time investment - even with the 20% bonus that was on through the weekend.

Oh, and I've stayed with Great Old One for my pact so far because I have gear that increases my acid damage and I haven't invested enough in gear to boost my charisma and spell DC's. (My charisma is only 42-ish by level 30.) In fact, I really haven't taken any time to plan gear for the upper levels because I spend so little time there. I stayed at 30 only long enough to get the heart seeds I needed to epic reincarnate. Overall, I like the acid damage and the only time it's a pain is when I'm running Wiz-King and have to fight those clay golems. In those cases, I turn it off depending on what other monsters are around and how lazy I'm feeling. My light damage is pretty high and I can actually overwhelm the healing they get from the acid with other forms of damage. I'm to the point where I round up all four of the clay golems at the start of Wiz-King and kill them all at the same time.

Well, that's about all I've got for an update on this. I'm really enjoying it and I'm glad I switched to this build for running epic past lives. Thanks to everyone for their help in getting me started!

[slarden]

Divine Crusader is a nice destiny and I've used it myself a few epic lifes and even recently a few times when immunity petrification was critical (mod for example - good for what goes up end fight also).

It's more aoe damage and self healing and I am shocked I don't see more people running it as their main warlock destiny.

I haven't tried it lately at end game recently due to all the fire immunity, but I could see that being my main destiny in the future depending on what future packs bring us.

[Enderoc]

Dodge, mobility, combat expertise, SF Evocation, SF Enchantment, Heighten, Enlarge... Would probably be my pick for Warlock feats

[Blastyswa]

Dodge, mobility, combat expertise, SF Evocation, SF Enchantment, Heighten, Enlarge... Would probably be my pick for Warlock feats

You're missing Quicken/Maximize/Empower Spell, all of which increase the effect of your blasts.

I do want to mention though that I tried Combat Expertise one life on my own warlock build, and it was certainly interesting. On that build in particular I got my AC as high as possible without actively using a shield (I don't like using shield's for content where you don't need a shield to survive) and was able to get to a little over 200 without a shield, about 230 using Devil's Defense. At those AC amounts Combat Expertise was accounting for 20-23 AC, which is a significant boost, and I was seeing many misses by enemies. In addition, I took Improved Combat Expertise for +20 PRR, and got my PRR to a little over 250 (About 300 during full stacks of Divine Warding when I was using the shield, although that wasn't how I usually ran it). Overall though, Combat Expertise means you aren't planning to cast Evard's much, which can be fun, and it also completely ruins Power Word's unless you turn it off before you say each one (I love Power Word's, something about them just makes me really happy).

[Coyopa]

Dodge, mobility, combat expertise, SF Evocation, SF Enchantment, Heighten, Enlarge... Would probably be my pick for Warlock feats

I thought about Heighten, but decided against it because there's not many spells or SLAs I would use it with. Same for Enlarge (and I'm one who likes Enlarge). Maybe if my DC's were better I would be more interested in those feats. However, the character I'm currently running has no caster past lives (except druid, but that doesn't help your spell DC's and he's only got one of those in any case) and I haven't taken time to build/acquire any caster gear for him, yet. I probably should since he's currently on his 2nd of 9 planned epic lives (for this life).

I'm not bothering with Dodge or Mobility because I'm running in medium armor, which caps my dodge percent at a very low amount and I already reach max dodge.

[slarden]

I thought about Heighten, but decided against it because there's not many spells or SLAs I would use it with. Same for Enlarge (and I'm one who likes Enlarge). Maybe if my DC's were better I would be more interested in those feats. However, the character I'm currently running has no caster past lives (except druid, but that doesn't help your spell DC's and he's only got one of those in any case) and I haven't taken time to build/acquire any caster gear for him, yet. I probably should since he's currently on his 2nd of 9 planned epic lives (for this life).

I'm not bothering with Dodge or Mobility because I'm running in medium armor, which caps my dodge percent at a very low amount and I already reach max dodge.

Also, heighten doesn't help your eld blast which Varg previously stated was treated as caster level 9 for DC even though warlocks only have 6 levels.

[Coyopa]

So, posting an update again. I've managed to run 8 consecutive epic lives, with 7 of them resulting in epic past lives and the 8th one so I could get to 30 and IR. I'm currently running as a dwarf constitution warlock, still using the Great Old One pact. I've decided that when I get to 30 and epic reincarnate again, then I'm switching to Fey pact. I've got 3 Primal past lives (one Doubleshot, two Colors of the Queen), 2 Divine past lives (Brace), and 3 Martial past lives (Fortification). I'll be focusing on Arcane next and I'll probably go Energy Criticals for the first three of those. After that, I'm going to do one Divine to get Epic Completionist. I'm hoping I can do those four epic lives without TR'ing again.