First Life Dwarven Earth Savant???

[Seayn]

So my friend and I have started playing the game again. We haven't really played for about 10 or 11 years though and even back then we never got past level 8-12. Well he is playing a Dwarven Barbarian and I am wanting to play a Dwarven caster to partner up with him. So we are both playing as a 1st lifer and I am VIP.

I know its not optimal but I think it would be fun to play a Dwarf Earth Savant Sorcerer. My problem is I do not know what feats to pick. Or what the best enhancements. Not to worried about those as I can respec but I do not want to make an error on feats. What meta feats are needed? I want to dip into EK and Dwarf tree also.

Thanks for any tips you can give.

[unbongwah]

It's doable but there's less than zero synergy: -2 CHA, no caster bonuses in dwarf racials. Yes, Earthgrab is based on CON, but it's not enough to justify a build IMO. If you want a melee/caster EK then wizard+Harper is better than sorcerer. Maybe you can make some sort of battletank?

OTOH considering sorcerer DPS is outperforming other casters AFAICT maybe playing a dwarf Earth Savant is a necessary handicap so you don't outperform your friend so much they end up feeling useless. :cool:

[Tilomere]

Thanks for any tips you can give.

Every caster in the game can be built with maximize, empower, quicken, spell focus, spell pen, greater spell focus, greater spell pen to good effect. The spell focus will depend on the type of caster. For earth savant it is conjuration. Even though dwarf is not optimal for a sorc, sorcs are so much more powerful than other classes while leveling that it is appropriate for you to pick such a race to play with a melee friend, then tie one hand behind your back, and hop on one leg while playing.

[unbongwah]

Kundarak Earth Savant
Sorcerer 20
True Neutral Dwarf


Stats
28pt Level Up
---- --------
Strength 8 4: CHA
Dexterity 8 8: CHA
Constitution 18 12: CHA
Intelligence 10 16: CHA
Wisdom 8 20: CHA
Charisma 16 24: CHA
28: CHA

Skills
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
------------------------------------------------------------
Concent 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Spellcr 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
------------------------------------------------------------
8 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2


Feats

1 : Maximize Spell
3 : Empower Spell
6 : Quicken Spell
9 : Heighten Spell
12 : Spell Focus: Conjuration
15 : Spell Focus: Evocation OR Extend Spell
18 : Spell Penetration OR Extend Spell
21 Epic : Wellspring of Power
24 Epic : Burst of Glacial Wrath OR Master of: Earth
26 Destiny: Epic Spell Power: Acid
27 Epic : Ruin OR Intensify Spell
28 Destiny: Hellball
29 Destiny: Arcane Pulse
30 Epic : Greater Ruin OR Embolden Spell
30 Legend : Scion of: Plane of Earth OR Plane of Fire


Enhancements (80 AP)

Earth Savant (41 AP)

Earth Savant, Earth Affinity, Greater Earth Affinity, Crumbling, One With Stone, Elemental Apotheosis

Acid Spray III, Spell Critical, Erosion III
Spell Critical, Devouring Earth III
Spell Critical, Charisma
Acid Arrow III, Earthen Armor II, Spell Critical, Charisma
Acid Blast III, Awaken Elemental Weakness, Conjuration Focus, Power of Flame



Fire Savant (26 AP)

Fire Savant, Fire Affinity, Greater Fire Affinity, Immolation

Burning Hands III, Spell Critical, Conflagration III
Spell Critical, Fanning the Flames III
Spell Critical, Charisma
Scorch III, Spell Critical



Eldritch Knight (Sorcerer) (13 AP)

Eldritch Strike, Spellsword, Imbue the Blade

Improved Mage Armor III, Item Defense I
Improved Shield III, Mystic Wards I
Arcane Barrier



Leveling Guide

Ear0 Earth Savant; Ear1 Acid Spray I, II, III
Fir0 Fire Savant; Fir1 Burning Hands I, II, III
Ear1 Spell Critical; Ear0 Earth Affinity; Ear1 Erosion I
Ear1 Erosion II, III; Ear2 Spell Critical
Ear3 Spell Critical; Ear3 Charisma
Reset Fire Savant

Earth Savant: Greater Earth Affinity

(none)
Devouring Earth III
(none)
Acid Arrow III




Fire Savant: Fire Savant


Fir1 Burning Hands I, II, III
Fir1 Spell Critical; Fir0 Fire Affinity; Fir2 Spell Critical
Fir1 Conflagration I; Fir0 Greater Fire Affinity; Fir3 Spell Critical
Ear4 Spell Critical; Ear4 Charisma
Ear4 Earthen Armor I, II; (Bank 2 AP)
Ear0 Crumbling; Ear5 Acid Blast I, II, III; Ear5 Awaken Elemental Weakness
Ear5 Power of Flame; Ear5 Conjuration Focus
Fir2 Fanning the Flames I; Fir1 Conflagration II; Fir2 Fanning the Flames II; Fir1 Conflagration III
Fir2 Fanning the Flames III; Fir3 Charisma; Fir0 Immolation
Fir4 Spell Critical; Fir4 Scorch I, II
Fir4 Scorch III; EKs0 Eldritch Strike; EKs1 Item Defense I; EKs1 Improved Mage Armor I
Ear0 One With Stone; EKs1 Improved Mage Armor II, III; EKs0 Spellsword
EKs2 Improved Shield I, II, III; EKs2 Mystic Wards I
Ear0 Elemental Apotheosis; EKs0 Imbue the Blade; EKs3 Arcane Barrier


Earth + Fire is a good combo IMO; if/when you get to Ravenloft, try to farm yourself a Burnscar Sash (https://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Burnscar_Sash).

This isn't a melee build; I invest in EK for the various survivability perks - light armor for extra PRR/MRR vs robes, Arcane Barrier, etc. - but you could just go all-in on caster DPS instead.

I haven't played an epic caster in years, but I'm guessing Draconic Incarnation is still the go-to Epic Destiny (ED) for arcane caster DPS. The Spell Focus / Penetration feats are there to unlock the ED bonuses.

Spells: I got lazy but obviously you want all the acid+fire spells you can grab. Leftover slots can go towards Force spells (Magic/Chain/Force Missiles) and buffs like Displacement.

[Seayn]

Kundarak Earth Savant
Sorcerer 20
True Neutral Dwarf


Stats
28pt Level Up
---- --------
Strength 8 4: CHA
Dexterity 8 8: CHA
Constitution 18 12: CHA
Intelligence 10 16: CHA
Wisdom 8 20: CHA
Charisma 16 24: CHA
28: CHA

Skills
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
------------------------------------------------------------
Concent 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Spellcr 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
------------------------------------------------------------
8 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2


Feats

1 : Maximize Spell
3 : Empower Spell
6 : Quicken Spell
9 : Heighten Spell
12 : Spell Focus: Conjuration
15 : Spell Focus: Evocation OR Extend Spell
18 : Spell Penetration OR Extend Spell
21 Epic : Wellspring of Power
24 Epic : Burst of Glacial Wrath OR Master of: Earth
26 Destiny: Epic Spell Power: Acid
27 Epic : Ruin OR Intensify Spell
28 Destiny: Hellball
29 Destiny: Arcane Pulse
30 Epic : Greater Ruin OR Embolden Spell
30 Legend : Scion of: Plane of Earth OR Plane of Fire


Enhancements (80 AP)

Earth Savant (41 AP)

Earth Savant, Earth Affinity, Greater Earth Affinity, Crumbling, One With Stone, Elemental Apotheosis

Acid Spray III, Spell Critical, Erosion III
Spell Critical, Devouring Earth III
Spell Critical, Charisma
Acid Arrow III, Earthen Armor II, Spell Critical, Charisma
Acid Blast III, Awaken Elemental Weakness, Conjuration Focus, Power of Flame



Fire Savant (26 AP)

Fire Savant, Fire Affinity, Greater Fire Affinity, Immolation

Burning Hands III, Spell Critical, Conflagration III
Spell Critical, Fanning the Flames III
Spell Critical, Charisma
Scorch III, Spell Critical



Eldritch Knight (Sorcerer) (13 AP)

Eldritch Strike, Spellsword, Imbue the Blade

Improved Mage Armor III, Item Defense I
Improved Shield III, Mystic Wards I
Arcane Barrier



Leveling Guide

Ear0 Earth Savant; Ear1 Acid Spray I, II, III
Fir0 Fire Savant; Fir1 Burning Hands I, II, III
Ear1 Spell Critical; Ear0 Earth Affinity; Ear1 Erosion I
Ear1 Erosion II, III; Ear2 Spell Critical
Ear3 Spell Critical; Ear3 Charisma
Reset Fire Savant

Earth Savant: Greater Earth Affinity

(none)
Devouring Earth III
(none)
Acid Arrow III




Fire Savant: Fire Savant


Fir1 Burning Hands I, II, III
Fir1 Spell Critical; Fir0 Fire Affinity; Fir2 Spell Critical
Fir1 Conflagration I; Fir0 Greater Fire Affinity; Fir3 Spell Critical
Ear4 Spell Critical; Ear4 Charisma
Ear4 Earthen Armor I, II; (Bank 2 AP)
Ear0 Crumbling; Ear5 Acid Blast I, II, III; Ear5 Awaken Elemental Weakness
Ear5 Power of Flame; Ear5 Conjuration Focus
Fir2 Fanning the Flames I; Fir1 Conflagration II; Fir2 Fanning the Flames II; Fir1 Conflagration III
Fir2 Fanning the Flames III; Fir3 Charisma; Fir0 Immolation
Fir4 Spell Critical; Fir4 Scorch I, II
Fir4 Scorch III; EKs0 Eldritch Strike; EKs1 Item Defense I; EKs1 Improved Mage Armor I
Ear0 One With Stone; EKs1 Improved Mage Armor II, III; EKs0 Spellsword
EKs2 Improved Shield I, II, III; EKs2 Mystic Wards I
Ear0 Elemental Apotheosis; EKs0 Imbue the Blade; EKs3 Arcane Barrier


Earth + Fire is a good combo IMO; if/when you get to Ravenloft, try to farm yourself a Burnscar Sash (https://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Burnscar_Sash).

This isn't a melee build; I invest in EK for the various survivability perks - light armor for extra PRR/MRR vs robes, Arcane Barrier, etc. - but you could just go all-in on caster DPS instead.

I haven't played an epic caster in years, but I'm guessing Draconic Incarnation is still the go-to Epic Destiny (ED) for arcane caster DPS. The Spell Focus / Penetration feats are there to unlock the ED bonuses.

Spells: I got lazy but obviously you want all the acid+fire spells you can grab. Leftover slots can go towards Force spells (Magic/Chain/Force Missiles) and buffs like Displacement.

Thank you kind Sir this is perfect!

[unbongwah]

Forgot to mention: one of the downsides to Earth Savant is most acid spells are Conjuration, but most other DPS spells (including fire) are Evocation. So your spell school focus is split into two, whereas an Air + <Fire|Water> Savant build can focus on just Evocation. The silver lining is acid spells are less frequently resisted than other elemental damage.

[Seayn]

I am up to level 10 now but I have a question on weapons. Is there any reason not to duel wield weapons for stats? Specifically a Flaming Forum Post and a Necrotic Post from the Anniversary event? A second club gives be better stats than an orb in offhand right now.

[Sonoma]

I have played 1 sorcerer (actually 9 levels in multiclass) to get slot in heroic completionist. Long ago. What is the self-healing capability now? I bowsed through wiki, found only false life and repair. Necromancy didn't seem to have a feed-back mechanic like wizard. What am I missing?

[Djjinni]

I have played 1 sorcerer (actually 9 levels in multiclass) to get slot in heroic completionist. Long ago. What is the self-healing capability now? I bowsed through wiki, found only false life and repair. Necromancy didn't seem to have a feed-back mechanic like wizard. What am I missing?


Unless you are playing a race you're able to self-Repair cast on, you'll be limited to generic healing forms - although Sorcs do benefit from Charisma main stat to UMD making that a little easier

So potions, Cure Wands/Heal Scrolls, Epic Destiny abilities like Rejuvenation Cocoon etc

They do not get the same Undead abilities of a wizard