DeathTitan DC caster druid

[Michele]

obsolete

[Ultinoob]

This is interesting.

Could get some more dc with legendary feat scion of air and maybe epic spell focus. Maybe also more dc from filigrees and if you change to magister you can get some more dc if that's what you are going for...

EDIT: And i forgot +1 from heighten spell...

[Michele]

This is interesting.

Could get some more dc with legendary feat scion of air and maybe epic spell focus. Maybe also more dc from filigrees and if you change to magister you can get some more dc if that's what you are going for...

EDIT: And i forgot +1 from heighten spell...

ah true, I didn't updated my legendary feat: it's scion of the plane of air, without that I have troubles in high reaper to land earthquake; it's also useful for energy burst DC and salt ray.

I prefer +1 epic wisdom feat over epic spell focus evocation because transmutation (ice flowers) and greater color spray (illusion) need some love too.

I didn't take heighten spell feat because salt ray works pretty well without it and ice flowers and earthquake would benefit only for a +1 DC at an additional spell points cost (and of course because I don't have enough feats, but I would take mental toughness/improved mental toughness feats if I had available heroic feats).

My filigrees are already maxed for DC (let me know if you find another filigrees disposition to increase it further).

Using Magister destiny would have the same evocation DC, 2 more points of illusion DC and 1 less transmutation DC than Primal Avatar destiny: Magister has have "Arcane Tempest" sla which deals a nice amount of damage and "Arcane Spellsourge" clicky, while Primal Avatar has evasion (that I need to avoid many deadly situations in high reaper) and additional caster levels for "regenerate mass" spell.

One way to get 1 more point of DC could be equipping a "legendary alchemical weapon with +2 alchemical wisdom" instead of "legendary fusible scepter of impulse", but I need these information first:
1) which spells "Improved Cold Augmentation" improves? probably only energy burst cold because the other cold spells are level capped;
2) is tsunami a cold spell and increased by "Improved Cold Augmentation"? (probably yes by the combat log when I toggle "elder of winter/water elemental form" on and off, but I have to test it when I assemble an alchemical weapon).

[Ultinoob]

Yes I see your filigrees are optimized. I somehow missed it.

Magister cores gives 6 dc to all spells. Then there is evocation specialist which you already twisted. Then there is Master of spell evocation for +3 max caster levels, caster levels and dc to evocation. This is 6 dc to all spells and 6 more to evocation. so +12 evo.

Comparing to primal avatar you get +3 transmutation and evocation dc from cores and you can get +8 wisdom for a total of 4 dc to all spells and 3 more to trans/evo +3 twist. so +10 to evo.

But if I understand you correctly you still like to do some damage with you ice flowers and bonus to regenerate.

I would really consider heighten for the +1 dc to earthquake and free heighten of your sla’s. But you already stated that you can land the salt ray stun so it might not be needed.

Hey these are just ideas. This is your build. Your play it and know it best so do as you please.

Regarding improved cold augmentation. If you have Pendant of the Azure Sea you can test it before crafting a shield. But to my understanding it is very limited what spell it will affect as you say they are all maxed out to max caster level.

Not sure about tsunami.

[Michele]

Yes I see your filigrees are optimized. I somehow missed it.

Magister cores gives 6 dc to all spells. Then there is evocation specialist which you already twisted. Then there is Master of spell evocation for +3 max caster levels, caster levels and dc to evocation. This is 6 dc to all spells and 6 more to evocation. so +12 evo.

Comparing to primal avatar you get +3 transmutation and evocation dc from cores and you can get +8 wisdom for a total of 4 dc to all spells and 3 more to trans/evo +3 twist. so +10 to evo.

But if I understand you correctly you still like to do some damage with you ice flowers and bonus to regenerate.

I would really consider heighten for the +1 dc to earthquake and free heighten of your sla’s. But you already stated that you can land the salt ray stun so it might not be needed.

Hey these are just ideas. This is your build. Your play it and know it best so do as you please.

Regarding improved cold augmentation. If you have Pendant of the Azure Sea you can test it before crafting a shield. But to my understanding it is very limited what spell it will affect as you say they are all maxed out to max caster level.

Not sure about tsunami.

You forgot that I twisted also precise castimg evocation from Draconic destiny, so evocation DC in Primal Avatar is 12 like magister.

About heighten spells you should tell me which feaf to sacrifice for it.

I don't use druid slas (only 1 point of creeping cold to time 12 seconds).

White dragon spell knowledge doesn't increase tsunami levels when I read the logs... This game is so bugged...

[Ultinoob]

You forgot that I twisted also precise castimg evocation from Draconic destiny, so evocation DC in Primal Avatar is 12 like magister.
But can't you twist that too if you are in magister? giving you 14 from magister which is still two more.


About heighten spells you should tell me which feaf to sacrifice for it.
Well i wont tell you to do anything it's your build and you decide, but if you are planning to go all in on dc i would probably sacrifice intensify spell for heighten.


I don't use druid slas (only 1 point of creeping cold to time 12 seconds).
I think i misundestood how you are playing your build. I can't really wrap my head around if you wanna cc and dc - maybe instakill with finger of death and mass frog - or if you want to use ice flowers and word of balance and salt ray and try to deal damage. Now i am not a high reaper player but to my undestanding you have to pick one. I might be mistaken here. Also when i played a ice druid i found that call lightning was a good way of finishing a mob combined with salt ray. But this leads to gear adjustments and maybe even taking master of the wilds feat and then again leads to being in a destiny that gives caster levels to druid spells such as primal avatar.


White dragon spell knowledge doesn't increase tsunami levels when I read the logs... This game is so bugged...
Yes it really is. It is so annoying. Sometimes players get in an argument over what is right and we as players have to reverse engineer the game to figure out what really works. I really think they should do some serious bug fixing and make sure new updates don't introduce new bugs instead of making update upon update, but i know some disagree and i sort of have given up on this. Also quality of life improvements in game.

In the end it's your build and i am no expert in your build i am simply pointing out that if you wanna go all in on dc and thereby sacrifice some damage from spells you have the option.

[Michele]

for me 75 more universal spell power (intensify spell) is more important than +1 DC to ice flowers and earthquake, I spam only ice flowers when tsunami and energy burst are on cooldown, and I need ice flowers as cheap as possible, currently at 16 spell points each cast (I use creeping cold + greater creeping cold mostly against bosses with full metamagic).

salt ray is cast occasionally to stun mobs and deal more damage with tsunami/energy burst (maybe against single champions who rush against me).

call lightning is nice, but sadly I have no space for magnetism spell power in my equipment: I have only 2 hands, one for glaciation and the other for impulse (spamming ice flowers every 2 seconds is more than enough for me when tsunami and energy burst are on cooldown); as you said, call lightning would need Master of the Wilds feat (same for word of balance) and I preferred 1 more point of wisdom instead.

I can't twist precise evocation in magister to add 14 evocation DC because I would have to twist Tsunami (that would be a twist of 4-3-3-2-1 which is impossible. In magister I can twist 4-3-3-1-1 that allows energy burst, arcane hymn, tsunami, cocoon or wisdom +1, wisdom +1).

Finger of death is useless in high reaper end game (especially feywild where you need 140+ necromancy), unless you are specialized in necromancy (I was a warlock with base 136 necro DC, and wizard with base 142 DC and it was ok).

Mass frog is a good option but I'm not specialized in transmutation and I would not get an high success chance with it, so I preferred getting +20 force spell power instead.



But can't you twist that too if you are in magister? giving you 14 from magister which is still two more.


Well i wont tell you to do anything it's your build and you decide, but if you are planning to go all in on dc i would probably sacrifice intensify spell for heighten.


I think i misundestood how you are playing your build. I can't really wrap my head around if you wanna cc and dc - maybe instakill with finger of death and mass frog - or if you want to use ice flowers and word of balance and salt ray and try to deal damage. Now i am not a high reaper player but to my undestanding you have to pick one. I might be mistaken here. Also when i played a ice druid i found that call lightning was a good way of finishing a mob combined with salt ray. But this leads to gear adjustments and maybe even taking master of the wilds feat and then again leads to being in a destiny that gives caster levels to druid spells such as primal avatar.


Yes it really is. It is so annoying. Sometimes players get in an argument over what is right and we as players have to reverse engineer the game to figure out what really works. I really think they should do some serious bug fixing and make sure new updates don't introduce new bugs instead of making update upon update, but i know some disagree and i sort of have given up on this. Also quality of life improvements in game.

In the end it's your build and i am no expert in your build i am simply pointing out that if you wanna go all in on dc and thereby sacrifice some damage from spells you have the option.

[Ultinoob]

Ah ok i see with the twists.

Mass frog and ice flowers would have almost the same dc as ice flowers is transmutation too. However one is reflex save and the other fortitude... I myself have found there are easy targets and hard targets for frog and finger of death. But as i stated i don't play high reaper that much so i take your word for it not being usefull.


I most say the build looks interesting as i stated and i might have to try it at some point.

[Michele]

I built an legendary alchemical sickle with improved cold augmentation IX (this item increases your caster level when casting ninth level or lower spells that produce cold effects by three) but I don't see big differences with and without it.
I untoggled water elemental form and elder of winter and these are a few results at level 30 against the hobgoblins in epic elite tide turns:

energy burst without scepter 15555-15409-15388 critical, 7756-7454-7245-7788-7318-7130 not-critical
energy burst with scepter 15773-15397-15794-15522-15522-15104 critical, 7980-7771-7970 not-critical

tsunami without scepter 3152-3236-3486-4384-4008 crit, 1524-1962-1628-1868 not-critical
tsunami with scepter 3451-4309-3142 crit, 1548 not-critical

With these numbers I would probably add "Water Attunement, Orange" instead of "Improved Cold Augmentation, Purple" to my next alchemical weapon.

[gummolo]

Nice build Michele! Thanks for sharing

Sorgit-Cannith

[Michele]

Build changed for Update 50.

[Hitstorm]

Build changed for Update 50.

Hi Michele, do you have any videos of this build in action in mid to high reapers?

[Michele]

Hi Michele, do you have any videos of this build in action in mid to high reapers?

Yes, I just updated the build with some R6 quests.

[Hitstorm]

Yes, I just updated the build with some R6 quests.

Nice, thank you very much:)

[Michele]

updated with 7 pieces of autumn set and +2 evocation DC

[yasz73]

What do your Enhancements look like?

[Michele]

What do your Enhancements look like?

31 APs in feydark illusionist for the free enlarge spell core.
43 APs in season's herald.
+1 wisdom in the falconry tree.

15 APs in the aasimar tree (free ones from racial past lives)

[Michele]

Build changed for update 51

[jskinner937]

Just a thought....Magnus has free enlarge as well. That could change your heroic enhancements drastically.

[Michele]

Just a thought....Magnus has free enlarge as well. That could change your heroic enhancements drastically.

I don't see any free enlarge feat in the Magus of the eclipse tree.

only in the tier 4 fatesinger tree I see that, and it could be an option: anyway with dragonborn and fatesinger and using feydark illusionist enlarge action points elsewhere could lead in a couple more Evocation DC points; I'll test it in a few lives when I reincarnate in dragonborn.

[jskinner937]

My apologies....I meant Fatesinger. Its a tier 4 option.

Honestly fatesinger might be a good tree as a secondary for a caster druid. Adding sonic damage and the mantle adds sonic procs. Not much is immune to it.

[Ultinoob]

Tier 4 in primal avatar has natures reach for 3/6/9 and 5/10/15 discount on enlarge and spell power. Maybe that is an option...

[Michele]

Tier 4 in primal avatar has natures reach for 3/6/9 and 5/10/15 discount on enlarge and spell power. Maybe that is an option...

I don't have enlarge spell feat and I'm looking for something that gives it for free:
that's feydark illusionist core or fatesinger tier 4 as jskinner937 suggested.
This build is focused on evocation DC.

Any of you tested fatesinger greatest shout sla? It says that it stuns and I would like to know if it makes mobs helpless and for how long.

[jskinner937]

I don't have enlarge spell feat and I'm looking for something that gives it for free:
that's feydark illusionist core or fatesinger tier 4 as jskinner937 suggested.
This build is focused on evocation DC.

Any of you tested fatesinger greatest shout sla? It says that it stuns and I would like to know if it makes mobs helpless and for how long.

I believe the description is bugged as it actually dazes similar to soundburst. But the daze does persist through damage. I am not 100% sure about the helpless damage portion though, I thought they fixed it awhile ago so that it does.

[Michele]

added more points of DC to the build.
fatesinger gives +2 wisdom and +1 DC compared to the other trees.
primal avatar gives +2 wisdom from spirit boon.
fatesinger gives free enlarge spell feat at no cost, so I have more action points for dragonborn enhancements because I don't have to get free enlarge feat from feydark illusionist tree anymore.
Jskinner937 is right: Greatest Shout SLA from Fatesinger destiny doesn't make mobs helpless (is it a bug?).

[magaiti]

How do You get 57 fate points?!

36 from 12 EDs
3 from fate tomes
17 from past lives (5 arcane/4 martial/4 divine/4 primal)

this should amount to 56...

[Michele]

How do You get 57 fate points?!

36 from 12 EDs
3 from fate tomes
17 from past lives (5 arcane/4 martial/4 divine/4 primal)

this should amount to 56...

you are probably missing the +1 from historic tome (that I got for free by owning packs that included epic destinies):
https://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Tome_of_Destiny

[magaiti]

you are probably missing the +1 from historic tome (that I got for free by owning packs that included epic destinies):
https://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Tome_of_Destiny

No, Tome OF Destiny (Historic) gives +1 destiny point, not a fate point.

[Marcb81]

added more points of DC to the build.
fatesinger gives +2 wisdom and +1 DC compared to the other trees.
primal avatar gives +2 wisdom from spirit boon.
fatesinger gives free enlarge spell feat at no cost, so I have more action points for dragonborn enhancements because I don't have to get free enlarge feat from feydark illusionist tree anymore.
Jskinner937 is right: Greatest Shout SLA from Fatesinger destiny doesn't make mobs helpless (is it a bug?).

You have to have hit the theoretical max at this point. I think you're up to 130 Evo DC with mantle debuff, really impressive. I just started playing a cold druid at cap, and I haven't played Sharn yet. I think with the debuff my Evo is around 115-120 (don't have many past-lives and no completionist, racial AP). I have played through R10 Feywild and a couple R10 quests like Grim, Subversion, Multitude, etc (with a good group). So far, I feel like the 115-120 is working pretty well. It makes me wonder if it's worth giving up so much for DCs. For example, giving up +2 Alch Wis from the shield allows you to use Reflection of Wave for a massive damage increase (35% or so). Similarly, the 2x +1 Wis feats for 1 DC could be wellspring of Power and Intensify spell for over 200 spell power and 200+ spell points. I think you are a better player than me and just wanted to ask if you feel the highest DCs are still needed post update 51. At least for older endgame content, I feel like there's more wiggle room on DCs compared to pre-51.

Marc

[Michele]

In high reaper feywild they are still often saving, some mobs escape my earthquake (especially goblin archers) and rush to me (or throw an arrow in my head :-D ).

In R10 sharn I have to use heighten feat with Salt Ray (and its spell points cost raise a lot): it's a save versus fortitude and without heighten feat they will save against it.

You can step in R10 grim and barret, cast earthquake + ice storm, you will notice that some demons will escape your earthquake and run towards you anyway (some will save, probably because they roll 20? I don't know).

Another example is when in R10 sharn everyone is crowd controlled in an earthquake, then a despair reaper appears and magically all mobs ignore your eartquake and attack you (because their saves are buffed by the reaper).

More DC is needed also for illusion (greater color spray) and transmutation (ice flowers) and for those I don't have spell focus feats or +3 DC from dragonborn or +4 from scion of water.

Dragonborn dragon breath enhancement sla is charisma based.

Can you tell me how the Reflection of wave staff can increase a druid dps compared to an alchemical shield?
Probably you missed my "legendary fusible sceptre of impulse with impulse +142, insightful impulse +71, kinetic lore +21%" (very important for tsunami and ice flowers and salt ray and word of balance),
anyway Alchemical shield gives +22% ice lore and +148 glaciation versus only 21% ice lore and 145 glaciation of Reflection of Wave.

I don't remember that Cladding of dead leaves armor exceptional universal spell lore +5% and exceptional universal spell power +15 stack with Reflection of Wave bonuses in elemental form; By making the difference with my current equipment, I would get:
+3 caster levels (for dragon breath? tsunami caps at 20? I don't remember);
32 exceptional cold spell power;
4% cold spell critical damage.

But I would lose:
- impulse +142, insightful impulse +71, kinetic lore +21%;
- the large shield bonus (+mrr, +prr, double mrr against spells);
- 2 wisdom;

About the dps: I tested R8 best laid plans and an iron golem is killed in 4 seconds with salt ray + freezing spray + dragon breath + tsunami.

Wellspring of power is 30 seconds duration with 3 minutes cooldown, and intensify spell and empower spell are cool, but until I don't reach the no fail zone I'm focused to DC spellcasting.

Mantle of the icy soul debuff kicks in only when you hit mobs with cold spells first, but in many situations I hold mobs with salt ray and greater color spray first, so that debuff doesn't apply (ice flowers and ice storm have delayed effect and in high reaper wins who attacks first... it's a matter of 1 second or less).

In my opinion, 130 evocation DC would be ideal (I would even say a starting point for a DC caster for feywild and sharn, but old content is easier and you will be ok with less).


You have to have hit the theoretical max at this point. I think you're up to 130 Evo DC with mantle debuff, really impressive. I just started playing a cold druid at cap, and I haven't played Sharn yet. I think with the debuff my Evo is around 115-120 (don't have many past-lives and no completionist, racial AP). I have played through R10 Feywild and a couple R10 quests like Grim, Subversion, Multitude, etc (with a good group). So far, I feel like the 115-120 is working pretty well. It makes me wonder if it's worth giving up so much for DCs. For example, giving up +2 Alch Wis from the shield allows you to use Reflection of Wave for a massive damage increase (35% or so). Similarly, the 2x +1 Wis feats for 1 DC could be wellspring of Power and Intensify spell for over 200 spell power and 200+ spell points. I think you are a better player than me and just wanted to ask if you feel the highest DCs are still needed post update 51. At least for older endgame content, I feel like there's more wiggle room on DCs compared to pre-51.

Marc

[mikarddo]

How do You get 57 fate points?!

36 from 12 EDs
3 from fate tomes
17 from past lives (5 arcane/4 martial/4 divine/4 primal)

this should amount to 56...

That does confuse me as well. As already posted the historic tome is +1 Destiny Point, not +1 Fate Point.
I am really curious where that extra Fate Point is coming from.

[Michele]

No, Tome OF Destiny (Historic) gives +1 destiny point, not a fate point.

Sorry, this new system is so confusing, I tried to understand how it works without success: maybe one day I'll spend more time to try to understand this new points system.

[Marcb81]

In high reaper feywild they are still often saving, some mobs escape my earthquake (especially goblin archers) and rush to me (or throw an arrow in my head :-D ).

In R10 sharn I have to use heighten feat with Salt Ray (and its spell points cost raise a lot): it's a save versus fortitude and without heighten feat they will save against it.

You can step in R10 grim and barret, cast earthquake + ice storm, you will notice that some demons will escape your earthquake and run towards you anyway (some will save, probably because they roll 20? I don't know).

Another example is when in R10 sharn everyone is crowd controlled in an earthquake, then a despair reaper appears and magically all mobs ignore your eartquake and attack you (because their saves are buffed by the reaper).

More DC is needed also for illusion (greater color spray) and transmutation (ice flowers) and for those I don't have spell focus feats or +3 DC from dragonborn or +4 from scion of water.

Dragonborn dragon breath enhancement sla is charisma based.

Can you tell me how the Reflection of wave staff can increase a druid dps compared to an alchemical shield?
Probably you missed my "legendary fusible sceptre of impulse with impulse +142, insightful impulse +71, kinetic lore +21%" (very important for tsunami and ice flowers and salt ray and word of balance),
anyway Alchemical shield gives +22% ice lore and +148 glaciation versus only 21% ice lore and 145 glaciation of Reflection of Wave.

I don't remember that Cladding of dead leaves armor exceptional universal spell lore +5% and exceptional universal spell power +15 stack with Reflection of Wave bonuses in elemental form; By making the difference with my current equipment, I would get:
+3 caster levels (for dragon breath? tsunami caps at 20? I don't remember);
32 exceptional cold spell power;
4% cold spell critical damage.

But I would lose:
- impulse +142, insightful impulse +71, kinetic lore +21%;
- the large shield bonus (+mrr, +prr, double mrr against spells);
- 2 wisdom;

About the dps: I tested R8 best laid plans and an iron golem is killed in 4 seconds with salt ray + freezing spray + dragon breath + tsunami.

Wellspring of power is 30 seconds duration with 3 minutes cooldown, and intensify spell and empower spell are cool, but until I don't reach the no fail zone I'm focused to DC spellcasting.

Mantle of the icy soul debuff kicks in only when you hit mobs with cold spells first, but in many situations I hold mobs with salt ray and greater color spray first, so that debuff doesn't apply (ice flowers and ice storm have delayed effect and in high reaper wins who attacks first... it's a matter of 1 second or less).

In my opinion, 130 evocation DC would be ideal (I would even say a starting point for a DC caster for feywild and sharn, but old content is easier and you will be ok with less).

Thanks again for such a detailed response. I wanted to say that I didn't forget about your Impulse scepter for damage. I play a pretty different build that uses the Flamecleansed Fury Set. I know this requires another loss of DC from quality since you can't use the band minor artifact, but it does increase force spell crit chance and spell power (30 artifact that stacks with autumn). Also, since it comes with a devotion lore bonus on the bracers, kinetic lore can go on the SL belt to make up for losing it on the scepter. In the end, I would lose some force spell power (mostly insightful on the scepter) but gain 30 exceptional cold (stacks with cladding of dead leaves or in my case clouded dreams), 5% crit mult cold (stacks with cladding of dead leaves/clouded dreams), and 5 cold caster levels (pretty sure Wave still gives a full 5 caster levels for Dragon breath, which has no max lvl cap so caster lvl goes from 33 to 38 ie 15% more damage from caster levels alone, not sure if tsunami has a lvl 20 cap or not). Taking intensify spell would make up for the lost force spell power while also boosting cold spell power. Wellspring may not be worth it but can be doubled in duration since you're going T4 Draconic Incarnation. I also tend to use Attunement's Gaze for the extra +2 DC compared to Crown of Snow to help with Transmute and Illusion DCs.

My example above results in the following changes:
Kinetic Lore: Unchanged (moved from scepter to SL Belt)
Force Lore: unchanged (lose insightful force 70 on scepter but gain Intensify spell 75 for salt ray and ice flowers and possibly Wellspring if taken for an additional 150).
Cold spells: Gain 30 exc Cold spell power to all spells from Wave, 5% Cold crit mult to all spells from Wave, 5 caster levels to Dragon's breath and possibly tsunami (given max lvl cap for other cold spells), 75 Cold spell power to all spells from Intensify spell, possibly 150 from Wellspring. This should increase Cold spell power by 100-250 depending upon Wellspring and significantly boost Dragon breath damage
Gain: Positive spell power benefits from Flamecleansed Fury set bonus and Wellspring if taken
Gain: Electric and Sonic spell power AND lore from Reflection of Wave, which could make Stormrage, Storm of Vengeance, and Greatest Shout from Fatesinger viable options (of Note Electric would get full spell power between Wave and Bottled Rainstorm).
Lose: 2 Alch Wis, 1 qual DC (can't use band winor artifact), -1 Wis from feats for intensify spell or -2 if you take Wellspring of Power (lose 2-3 DC overall)
- lose defense benefits of a shield
- lose some benefits from not going 7-p Autumn such as 10% spell points and 15% leg. crit mult

Honestly, I think you're layout is probably the best, but there are some trade-offs. The above example definitely sacrifices DCs but will likely end up in more overall damage largely because of feats like Intensify and Wellspring along with Reflection of Wave making cold spells and dragon's breath in particular much more damaging, while not losing much to Force spell power. I think what I really want to figure out is what are the costs for going all in on DCs? Do you feel a big difference with your new set-up going from Evo DC 128 to 130 with the addition of Fatesinger? If you decided to aim for a 128 DC instead of 130, such as picking different epic feats instead of Wisdom, could you gain something that you would notice more than the 1-2 DC loss? Lastly, I think it matters if you play solo or in a group. The weight of having one out of six enemies save on your earthquake is a lot heavier when soloing compared to playing in a group. Anyway, I have learned a lot from your builds and am just trying to ask questions to keep learning. Thank you again for your time and willingness to share your builds. I'm sure there are many more people who appreciate it.

Marc

[Ultinoob]

I know i know. It's not a good race, but you can get 7 to wisdom from it.

You then loose 1 caster level, 2 max caster levels, 30 spell power to cold and +3 evo/conj dc from not being dragonborn. This is a lot to loose i know.

But your ice flowers and finger of death gains +3.5 dc and your evo dc 0.5. If you can find one more wisdom somewhere so you are not uneven this would give you one more dc to evocation.

You could also look at it another way and take epic wisdom instead of epic spell focus evocation and get +1 dc to transmutation and necromancy and not loosing anything on evo.

I can see you loose a lot of dps with 2 max caster levels to greater/creeping cold, ice flowers, tsunami and maybe even dragonbreath?

Just a thought.

[jskinner937]

That does confuse me as well. As already posted the historic tome is +1 Destiny Point, not +1 Fate Point.
I am really curious where that extra Fate Point is coming from.

56 fate points is currently the max.

[Michele]

Thanks again for such a detailed response. I wanted to say that I didn't forget about your Impulse scepter for damage. I play a pretty different build that uses the Flamecleansed Fury Set. I know this requires another loss of DC from quality since you can't use the band minor artifact, but it does increase force spell crit chance and spell power (30 artifact that stacks with autumn). Also, since it comes with a devotion lore bonus on the bracers, kinetic lore can go on the SL belt to make up for losing it on the scepter. In the end, I would lose some force spell power (mostly insightful on the scepter) but gain 30 exceptional cold (stacks with cladding of dead leaves or in my case clouded dreams), 5% crit mult cold (stacks with cladding of dead leaves/clouded dreams), and 5 cold caster levels (pretty sure Wave still gives a full 5 caster levels for Dragon breath, which has no max lvl cap so caster lvl goes from 33 to 38 ie 15% more damage from caster levels alone, not sure if tsunami has a lvl 20 cap or not). Taking intensify spell would make up for the lost force spell power while also boosting cold spell power. Wellspring may not be worth it but can be doubled in duration since you're going T4 Draconic Incarnation. I also tend to use Attunement's Gaze for the extra +2 DC compared to Crown of Snow to help with Transmute and Illusion DCs.

My example above results in the following changes:
Kinetic Lore: Unchanged (moved from scepter to SL Belt)
Force Lore: unchanged (lose insightful force 70 on scepter but gain Intensify spell 75 for salt ray and ice flowers and possibly Wellspring if taken for an additional 150).
Cold spells: Gain 30 exc Cold spell power to all spells from Wave, 5% Cold crit mult to all spells from Wave, 5 caster levels to Dragon's breath and possibly tsunami (given max lvl cap for other cold spells), 75 Cold spell power to all spells from Intensify spell, possibly 150 from Wellspring. This should increase Cold spell power by 100-250 depending upon Wellspring and significantly boost Dragon breath damage
Gain: Positive spell power benefits from Flamecleansed Fury set bonus and Wellspring if taken
Gain: Electric and Sonic spell power AND lore from Reflection of Wave, which could make Stormrage, Storm of Vengeance, and Greatest Shout from Fatesinger viable options (of Note Electric would get full spell power between Wave and Bottled Rainstorm).
Lose: 2 Alch Wis, 1 qual DC (can't use band winor artifact), -1 Wis from feats for intensify spell or -2 if you take Wellspring of Power (lose 2-3 DC overall)
- lose defense benefits of a shield
- lose some benefits from not going 7-p Autumn such as 10% spell points and 15% leg. crit mult

Honestly, I think you're layout is probably the best, but there are some trade-offs. The above example definitely sacrifices DCs but will likely end up in more overall damage largely because of feats like Intensify and Wellspring along with Reflection of Wave making cold spells and dragon's breath in particular much more damaging, while not losing much to Force spell power. I think what I really want to figure out is what are the costs for going all in on DCs? Do you feel a big difference with your new set-up going from Evo DC 128 to 130 with the addition of Fatesinger? If you decided to aim for a 128 DC instead of 130, such as picking different epic feats instead of Wisdom, could you gain something that you would notice more than the 1-2 DC loss? Lastly, I think it matters if you play solo or in a group. The weight of having one out of six enemies save on your earthquake is a lot heavier when soloing compared to playing in a group. Anyway, I have learned a lot from your builds and am just trying to ask questions to keep learning. Thank you again for your time and willingness to share your builds. I'm sure there are many more people who appreciate it.

Marc

My druid role in r10 feywild and sharn quests in group is to crowd control mobs and heall party members, only after that I'm allowed to damage mobs (despair reapers can make every point of DC worth to be taken).
My evocation DC is 126, not 128 or 130 as you wrote above, crafted goggles give +6 evocation DC instead of +5 of attunements gaze, your electric and sonic spells will always do less damage than ice flowers spammed every 2 seconds, alchemical shield gives +2 levels to cold spell, I switch to healing scepter and legendary green steel scepter with healing amplification when I self heal in r10, if I don't put heighten feat on salt ray in feywild r10 then mobs will save often and salt ray would cost a lot less without heighten spell.

Not all players have all my past lives and 126 DC can still fail in the most difficult content: so I suggest this build because higher the DC, better is the druid (you will do half damage if mobs save, and they will save ice flowers because it is transmutation school).

Edit: I forgot to mention that the +5 caster levels of Reflection of wave staff are useful only for epic destiny slas that do not have a level cap, while for the standard druid spells are useless because they are level capped (I'm not sure about Tsunami because the description doesn't mention any max caster level).

[magaiti]

56 fate points is currently the max.

https://i.postimg.cc/P5PnXMM5/image.png

[Michele]

I know i know. It's not a good race, but you can get 7 to wisdom from it.

You then loose 1 caster level, 2 max caster levels, 30 spell power to cold and +3 evo/conj dc from not being dragonborn. This is a lot to loose i know.

But your ice flowers and finger of death gains +3.5 dc and your evo dc 0.5. If you can find one more wisdom somewhere so you are not uneven this would give you one more dc to evocation.

You could also look at it another way and take epic wisdom instead of epic spell focus evocation and get +1 dc to transmutation and necromancy and not loosing anything on evo.

I can see you loose a lot of dps with 2 max caster levels to greater/creeping cold, ice flowers, tsunami and maybe even dragonbreath?

Just a thought.

I don't know how many rage charges I have, how much is each rage duration, do rage prevent spell casting? if ys, what do I have to sacrifice to prevent that?

Schools different from evocation will often fail anyway in r10 feywild because I'm not focused in them.

[Marcb81]

I don't know how many rage charges I have, how much is each rage duration, do rage prevent spell casting? if ys, what do I have to sacrifice to prevent that?

Schools different from evocation will often fail anyway in r10 feywild because I'm not focused in them.

I’m currently running a shifter. I have 11 rages. They recharge every 90 sec. you can cast while raged if you go 11 pts in racial. You can also get a 5p the Blood feast filigree swap for an extra 1k HP on rage that lasts 10 min. I haven’t done this yet but will very soon. This can be done between encounters, I think. If I use this plus Winters Heart it will be around 1800 extra HP for me. Rage duration is around 4 min each if you spend one point in 25% duration. I don’t have racial AP. If you spend up to 75%, they will last more than 5 min each. If you use filigree swap you will likely want them to recharge, so you can dismiss and reuse between fights for extra HP. I think number of rages is more important than duration.

[Michele]

I’m currently running a shifter. I have 11 rages. They recharge every 90 sec. you can cast while raged if you go 11 pts in racial. You can also get a 5p the Blood feast filigree swap for an extra 1k HP on rage that lasts 10 min. I haven’t done this yet but will very soon. This can be done between encounters, I think. If I use this plus Winters Heart it will be around 1800 extra HP for me. Rage duration is around 4 min each if you spend one point in 25% duration. I don’t have racial AP. If you spend up to 75%, they will last more than 5 min each. If you use filigree swap you will likely want them to recharge, so you can dismiss and reuse between fights for extra HP. I think number of rages is more important than duration.

Thank you for the information :)

[Marcb81]

Thank you for the information :)

Happy to help. I’ve learned so much from your posts.

[Michele]

How do You get 57 fate points?!

36 from 12 EDs
3 from fate tomes
17 from past lives (5 arcane/4 martial/4 divine/4 primal)

this should amount to 56...

Maybe you are missing the "Tome of Destiny +1 for all characters" got from the "Feywild ultimate bundle"?

[xTethx]

Maybe you are missing the "Tome of Destiny +1 for all characters" got from the "Feywild ultimate bundle"?

This tome only increases destiny ap not fate points

[Archfae]

How are you finding the greater shout sla in fatesinger? Decent enough replacement for BoGW?

[Michele]

How are you finding the greater shout sla in fatesinger? Decent enough replacement for BoGW?

no because greatest shout doesn't make mobs helpless like bogw.

[Archfae]

no because greatest shout doesn't make mobs helpless like bogw.

That's really disappointing to hear. I had expected them to upgrade the stun to a helpless effect :/

Curious why you don't take BoGW then? Seems like an auto take for your build?

[Michele]

That's really disappointing to hear. I had expected them to upgrade the stun to a helpless effect :/

Curious why you don't take BoGW then? Seems like an auto take for your build?

I'm using greater color spray for now with its 8 seconds cooldown and it works against reapers.
Burst of glacial wrath has 10 seconds cooldown and if I'm not wrong it doesn't work against reapers.
Greatest shout has 6 seconds cooldown and it doesn't work against reapers.

I'm maxing DC, so I took +1 wisdom instead of Burst of glacial wrath.

[Marcb81]

I'm using greater color spray for now with its 8 seconds cooldown and it works against reapers.
Burst of glacial wrath has 10 seconds cooldown and if I'm not wrong it doesn't work against reapers.
Greatest shout has 6 seconds cooldown and it doesn't work against reapers.

I'm maxing DC, so I took +1 wisdom instead of Burst of glacial wrath.

I just wanted to update and say that I have been playing with a shifter cold druid for a bit now. The 5-p Blood feast for 1k HP has been really helpful to keep me alive. I stand around 1500 HP in reaper (only 55 reaper points). With rage buff and Winter's Heart, I'm over 3k HP. I have been playing with different set ups that trade DC for damage. I'm currently using a setup with Evo 108-109 DC, which despite being lower seems to work in r10 often enough that my CC is dependable. I sit around 1000 Cold spell power in reaper without metamagics or Wellspring (up to 1450 Cold spell power with these boosts). Cold crit chance sits at 69% and crit mult sits at 100% before wellspring (120% after). Damage feels much better than when I pushed DCs more. Just wondered what numbers you were getting for comparison on cold spell power, crit chance, and crit mult.

Marc

[Michele]

I just wanted to update and say that I have been playing with a shifter cold druid for a bit now. The 5-p Blood feast for 1k HP has been really helpful to keep me alive. I stand around 1500 HP in reaper (only 55 reaper points). With rage buff and Winter's Heart, I'm over 3k HP. I have been playing with different set ups that trade DC for damage. I'm currently using a setup with Evo 108-109 DC, which despite being lower seems to work in r10 often enough that my CC is dependable. I sit around 1000 Cold spell power in reaper without metamagics or Wellspring (up to 1450 Cold spell power with these boosts). Cold crit chance sits at 69% and crit mult sits at 100% before wellspring (120% after). Damage feels much better than when I pushed DCs more. Just wondered what numbers you were getting for comparison on cold spell power, crit chance, and crit mult.

Marc

you can show us a video soloing Wke me up inside R6 (short quest with 1 shrine where you can use all metamagic without worrying about spell points).
if your evocation DC is 109, how much is your transmutation DC? (ice flowers).
Half of ice flowers and tsunami damage uses force spellpower: did you max that too?
Next life I'll be back as dragonborn druid and I'll update the build with the exact values you asked (now I'm completing the last iconic life).

[Marcb81]

you can show us a video soloing Wke me up inside R6 (short quest with 1 shrine where you can use all metamagic without worrying about spell points).
if your evocation DC is 109, how much is your transmutation DC? (ice flowers).
Half of ice flowers and tsunami damage uses force spellpower: did you max that too?
Next life I'll be back as dragonborn druid and I'll update the build with the exact values you asked (now I'm completing the last iconic life).

Good luck with your last iconic life. To answer your questions:

1) I've never made a video, and I don't solo much, but I will try in the next few days to solo R6 and try to comment on spell points.
2) With regards to transmute DC and Force spell power crit stuff: My transmute DCs are 10 below my Evo DCs. If I had all the PLs like you do, my current Evo DC would be 113 and transmute would be 103 (not including icy mantle debuff; mine lag behind by 4 because of missing PLs so 109 Evo as mentioned). I put 142 Impulse and force crit on a cannith crafted item. I used sunken slippers for insightful and quality potency, which is obviously less than dedicated insightful force spell power (overall 20 force spell power less).
3) Spell points are always a concern. By spending ED and SH points to reduce maximize spell along with meridian fragment (-6 for maximize), I can get maximize to cost 1 spell point, but then I'm paying full price on intensify, enlarge, quicken, etc.

UPDATE:

I tried to run R6 "Wake Me Up Inside" (WMUI) one time to get a sense of spell point utilization. I died after being one-shotted in the middle of the bear fight, and I didn't try again. Maybe I can solo it on a future try maybe not. I never solo, and I'm not as good as you are at kiting mobs around earthquake and stuff, but that's a player issue not a build issue. With regards to spell point utilization, I captured a quick screen shot after killing the trolls under the bridge by the cerise. I killed 24 enemies at this point in the quest including 2 reapers. I did not use RoSS or anything up to this point, and spell points went from 4180 at max to 1991. So it took me 2189 spell points on this particular run of the quest to kill 24 enemies. I used maximize on earthquake, Icestorm, Tsunami, and Ice Flowers and Intensify on Icestorm, Tsunami, and Ice Flowers (not earthquake). SLAs obviously benefitted from free intensify and everything benefitted from Wellspring (when I remembered to use it).

PS - I'm embarrassed to say that when I went to post the screen shots of this, it asked for a URL. I don't have an account for hosting images online, so I didn't attach them. In my defense, I could make up a much better story than I died on a short R6 quest. When looking over your video of WMUI, you used a similar number of spell points at that point in the quest as I did.

[Michele]

Good luck with your last iconic life. To answer your questions:

1) I've never made a video, and I don't solo much, but I will try in the next few days to solo R6 and try to comment on spell points.
2) With regards to transmute DC and Force spell power crit stuff: My transmute DCs are 10 below my Evo DCs. If I had all the PLs like you do, my current Evo DC would be 113 and transmute would be 103 (not including icy mantle debuff; mine lag behind by 4 because of missing PLs so 109 Evo as mentioned). I put 142 Impulse and force crit on a cannith crafted item. I used sunken slippers for insightful and quality potency, which is obviously less than dedicated insightful force spell power (overall 20 force spell power less).
3) Spell points are always a concern. By spending ED and SH points to reduce maximize spell along with meridian fragment (-6 for maximize), I can get maximize to cost 1 spell point, but then I'm paying full price on intensify, enlarge, quicken, etc.

UPDATE:

I tried to run R6 "Wake Me Up Inside" (WMUI) one time to get a sense of spell point utilization. I died after being one-shotted in the middle of the bear fight, and I didn't try again. Maybe I can solo it on a future try maybe not. I never solo, and I'm not as good as you are at kiting mobs around earthquake and stuff, but that's a player issue not a build issue. With regards to spell point utilization, I captured a quick screen shot after killing the trolls under the bridge by the cerise. I killed 24 enemies at this point in the quest including 2 reapers. I did not use RoSS or anything up to this point, and spell points went from 4180 at max to 1991. So it took me 2189 spell points on this particular run of the quest to kill 24 enemies. I used maximize on earthquake, Icestorm, Tsunami, and Ice Flowers and Intensify on Icestorm, Tsunami, and Ice Flowers (not earthquake). SLAs obviously benefitted from free intensify and everything benefitted from Wellspring (when I remembered to use it).

PS - I'm embarrassed to say that when I went to post the screen shots of this, it asked for a URL. I don't have an account for hosting images online, so I didn't attach them. In my defense, I could make up a much better story than I died on a short R6 quest. When looking over your video of WMUI, you used a similar number of spell points at that point in the quest as I did.

The smallest of the 3 bears seems to have huge reflex saves and he often escapes my earthquake: it's for mobs like him that I max my spells DC.

Imagine a despair reaper buffing his saves even further.

[Marcb81]

The smallest of the 3 bears seems to have huge reflex saves and he often escapes my earthquake: it's for mobs like him that I max my spells DC.

Imagine a despair reaper buffing his saves even further.

I killed the small bear in seconds. The angry one swiped me and killed me instantly. Believe what you will but DCs we’re not the problem in the least, nor was spell point utilization. Feels like DCs are working at lower numbers than they used to, making them worth less compared to alternatives.

[Marcb81]

Just wanted to keep this thread active, so I'm replying with more updates. I tried a second time again tonight to do R6 Wake Me Up Inside. This time I died during the end-fight. I think my biggest issue has been being a little squishy. Without a ton of reaper points, I'm playing with max HP just under 1500 HP in reaper. I often die from a one-shot that I can't heal from. If I had just a few more HP, there's a good chance that I could just heal back to full and keep playing. I had to watch your video to see how you maneuvered between mobs to run up the middle without any trash mob fights before getting to the portal. I've learned a lot watching your video about how people solo, so thanks for that. I will say after trying again, I do feel strongly that spell point issues and lower DCs are not really big problems for this quest. Maybe R10 Sharn would make me want more DCs but a few more HP is all I would need for this quest. Maybe third time's a charm. Would love to hear from anyone else regarding their experiences with DCs needed for druid CC. I know there are more than 2 people playing druid. There are clearly differing view points out there.

Marc

[Michele]

With update 52 it should be possible to add +2 stacking DC by crafting +1 reaper DC bonus on both rings.

Also everyone can craft +2 reaper ability on their favorite helm.

[Iaga]

Hi Folks

Thought I’d throw in my $0.02 and keep this very informative thread running .
I’ve recently started playing a cold based caster druid as well after many years of playing fire sorcs and alchies – mostly in high reaper.

Running a shifter with 16 racial AP for the rage, 41 herald, 31 in wolf for the extra spell dmg and 7 in bear.

Heroic Feats: maximize, empower, quicken, completionist, PL wizard, enlarge, mental toughness
Epic Feats: heavy armor, wellspring, embolden, intensity
Destiny: cold spell power, positive spell power, 15% helpless dmg
Scion: cold
HP buffed with blood feast and temp HP thingy ~ 4,200
PRR/MRR ~200/???
SP ~ 4,700
*this is all from memory as I’m at work

I’ve run that fey quest a couple of times solo on R6. If I’m lucky with reaper spawns, I can complete it if I’m patient and don’t try to zerg it (which is a bad habit of mine L) This likely won’t help the DC discussions, but I make liberal use of an LGS salt item. Prep an area with longer lasting AOE then EQ as stuff enters, swap to fully upgraded wave, DPS buff, and cast iceflowers, dragon breathe and tsunami. Most stuff is dead at this point.

Coming from an arcane fire caster background, my gear is lacking.
Hruits 3x piece
Minor Arty bracelet
Clouded dreams
Attunement’s gaze
Dire bear belt
Slippers with +3 quality WIS
Trinket – empty
Ring – something with CON
Cloak – also something with CON

My impression so far is that this is a dominant DPS caster with excellent CC and heals. I’m looking forward to optimizing a gear set and getting better at playing the class.

I’m thinking of swapping out the heavy armor feat for BogW – with all the dmg this build can do, adding a way to provide AOE helpless will be step forward. I’m also torn on enlarge … my AOE targeting needs to improve, but atm, it all gets cast close by. This is working pretty good for me, but I’m not sure I’ve optimized this as well as I can!

Thanks for this threa

[Michele]

Hi Folks

Thought I’d throw in my $0.02 and keep this very informative thread running .
I’ve recently started playing a cold based caster druid as well after many years of playing fire sorcs and alchies – mostly in high reaper.

Running a shifter with 16 racial AP for the rage, 41 herald, 31 in wolf for the extra spell dmg and 7 in bear.

Heroic Feats: maximize, empower, quicken, completionist, PL wizard, enlarge, mental toughness
Epic Feats: heavy armor, wellspring, embolden, intensity
Destiny: cold spell power, positive spell power, 15% helpless dmg
Scion: cold
HP buffed with blood feast and temp HP thingy ~ 4,200
PRR/MRR ~200/???
SP ~ 4,700
*this is all from memory as I’m at work

I’ve run that fey quest a couple of times solo on R6. If I’m lucky with reaper spawns, I can complete it if I’m patient and don’t try to zerg it (which is a bad habit of mine L) This likely won’t help the DC discussions, but I make liberal use of an LGS salt item. Prep an area with longer lasting AOE then EQ as stuff enters, swap to fully upgraded wave, DPS buff, and cast iceflowers, dragon breathe and tsunami. Most stuff is dead at this point.

Coming from an arcane fire caster background, my gear is lacking.
Hruits 3x piece
Minor Arty bracelet
Clouded dreams
Attunement’s gaze
Dire bear belt
Slippers with +3 quality WIS
Trinket – empty
Ring – something with CON
Cloak – also something with CON

My impression so far is that this is a dominant DPS caster with excellent CC and heals. I’m looking forward to optimizing a gear set and getting better at playing the class.

I’m thinking of swapping out the heavy armor feat for BogW – with all the dmg this build can do, adding a way to provide AOE helpless will be step forward. I’m also torn on enlarge … my AOE targeting needs to improve, but atm, it all gets cast close by. This is working pretty good for me, but I’m not sure I’ve optimized this as well as I can!

Thanks for this threa

Very nice prr/mrr and hit points.
You could give more love to force spell power, important for Tsunami, Ice Flowers and salt ray (maybe by getting "Epic spell power force" instead of "Epic spell power positive").

[Marcb81]

Very nice prr/mrr and hit points.
You could give more love to force spell power, important for Tsunami, Ice Flowers and salt ray (maybe by getting "Epic spell power force" instead of "Epic spell power positive").

I agree with Michele. You probably want force spell power. You also want artifact bonus to Universal spell power, crit/crit mult, which stacks with Hruit. Most people would add Elder Cap and Gem of Many Facets with Elder Knowledge for your head and trinket slot. Then you could add force spell power and crit to the cannith crafted raid trinket. Also, what main item are you using? It would likely affect some of your other choices. Giving up heavy armor is a bit strange since Hruit's only comes in heavy armor and that's a lot of PRR to give up. If you're giving up 40 PRR by not being proficient with HA, why go 7 pts in NP for 20 PRR/MRR? At that point just put points elsewhere, maybe VKF for deflection or Falconry for +1 Wis. As far as the rest of your gear, I run a similar build. I'm using shattered onyx as the other ring (profane SFM and +6 ins Wis), LGS cold crit cloak, and Reflection of Wave. Depending upon your interests you could use a scepter and crystalline Alchemical Shield from Lord of Blades for +2 Alch Wis. instead.

Marc

PS - After seeing Death Titan (reaper wings and all) in game today, I gave R6 Wake Me Up Inside another go, and ironically completed it easily. Thanks Michele for the challenge. I wouldn't have even tried to solo R6 if not for you.

[Michele]

I agree with Michele. You probably want force spell power. You also want artifact bonus to Universal spell power, crit/crit mult, which stacks with Hruit. Most people would add Elder Cap and Gem of Many Facets with Elder Knowledge for your head and trinket slot. Then you could add force spell power and crit to the cannith crafted raid trinket. Also, what main item are you using? It would likely affect some of your other choices. Giving up heavy armor is a bit strange since Hruit's only comes in heavy armor and that's a lot of PRR to give up. If you're giving up 40 PRR by not being proficient with HA, why go 7 pts in NP for 20 PRR/MRR? At that point just put points elsewhere, maybe VKF for deflection or Falconry for +1 Wis. As far as the rest of your gear, I run a similar build. I'm using shattered onyx as the other ring (profane SFM and +6 ins Wis), LGS cold crit cloak, and Reflection of Wave. Depending upon your interests you could use a scepter and crystalline Alchemical Shield from Lord of Blades for +2 Alch Wis. instead.

Marc spell

PS - After seeing Death Titan (reaper wings and all) in game today, I gave R6 Wake Me Up Inside another go, and ironically completed it easily. Thanks Michele for the challenge. I wouldn't have even tried to solo R6 if not for you.

very nice job at soloing r6 :) . now you could solo r6 also:
Rosemary's ballad
Heart of the problem
The Home of memory
The sacred bounty

Can you give me more details about your legendary green steel item? if I'm not wrong it should have insightful and quality cold spell critical bonus in tier 2 and 3 (I would like to know the exact values), while the tier 1 equipment bonus should not be stacking (I would like to know the exact value too and maybe it could be used for +intelligence skills and+propane sleep points).
I could give up winter set for more sleep critical chance from green steel item now that reaper ability bonus can be crafted on any helm (probably the feytwisted autumn helm).

[Marcb81]

very nice job at soloing r6 :) . now you could solo r6 also:
Rosemary's ballad
Heart of the problem
The Home of memory
The sacred bounty

Can you give me more details about your legendary green steel item? if I'm not wrong it should have insightful and quality cold spell critical bonus in tier 2 and 3 (I would like to know the exact values), while the tier 1 equipment bonus should not be stacking (I would like to know the exact value too and maybe it could be used for +intelligence skills and+propane sleep points).
I could give up winter set for more sleep critical chance from green steel item now that reaper ability bonus can be crafted on any helm (probably the feytwisted autumn helm).

I wanted to provide the info you requested. The T1 bonus of 20% enhancement bonus to cold crit mult is stacking for the full 20%. The tier 2 is stacking for 10% insightful cold crit mult. The tier 3 is 5% quality cold crit mult, but doesn't stack with the supposed 5% exceptional cold crit mult from Reflection of Wave, which I think is also typed as quality not exceptional. If you were going to use Reflection of Wave, it would be better not to put T3 qual cold crit mult but something else like Int skills and 75 spell points. They all stack with the universal crit mult from Elder knowledge Set, same as the stacking artifact universal spell crit chance with Hruit's artifact set cold spell crit chance.

With all of these stacking, I sit at 100 cold crit mult at base (x3 multipler on crits) and 120 with wellspring of power (x3.2). My current cold spell crit chance is 69%. At the moment I don't take a lot of filigrees to increase these numbers, as I take DC filigrees instead. Some people take Elemental Avatar and Coalesced magic to boost these further. If you take these and go with core 5 NW for the howl spell damage buff (obtainable as a shifter without need to turn to wolf), you can push to 100% crit chance with 175% cold crit mult (x3.75 when including wellspring and filigrees such as coalesced magic).

Marc

[Michele]

I just wanted to update and say that I have been playing with a shifter cold druid for a bit now. The 5-p Blood feast for 1k HP has been really helpful to keep me alive. I stand around 1500 HP in reaper (only 55 reaper points). With rage buff and Winter's Heart, I'm over 3k HP. I have been playing with different set ups that trade DC for damage. I'm currently using a setup with Evo 108-109 DC, which despite being lower seems to work in r10 often enough that my CC is dependable. I sit around 1000 Cold spell power in reaper without metamagics or Wellspring (up to 1450 Cold spell power with these boosts). Cold crit chance sits at 69% and crit mult sits at 100% before wellspring (120% after). Damage feels much better than when I pushed DCs more. Just wondered what numbers you were getting for comparison on cold spell power, crit chance, and crit mult.

Marc

I updated my build with the detail of the numbers you requested.
Please can you specify in detail how do you reach 69% cold spell critical chance and 100 cold spell critical multiplier like I did in my build?

Something like this, so I can understand what I miss and if it's worth sacrificing something else to increase cold spell critical chance.

Cold spell critical chance 57%:
5% magical training +6% artifact bonus from autumn set +5% exceptional bonus from cladding of dead leaves +2% feydark illusionist +8% season’s herald +9% energy criticals +22% equipment bonus from legendary alchemical large shield

Cold spell critical multiplier 100:
15% epic spell power cold +5% epic spell power force +5% epic spell power positive +25% scion of the plane of water +15% legendary bonus from autumn set +35% legendary bonus from lgs boots

I also added R7 solo quests made yesterday (update 52): I don't have the hit points for soloing R8, while in R7 I can afford to be hit a couple of times before I die.

Thank you very much for your tip about legendary green steel item for more cold spell critical multiplier, I see bigger numbers now (I sacrificed the 2 piece of winter set for that).

I tried to equip the Reflection of wave staff and I got +27 cold spell power and 2 more caster levels for Dragon breath (draconic and dragonborn) and maybe for tsunami (alchemical shield gives 3 caster levels and reflection of wave gives 5 caster levels, so the difference is 2 caster levels): Reflection of wave is still not an option for me because I rely on the legendary fusible sceptre of impulse on top of my cold alchemical shield.

[Marcb81]

I updated my build with the detail of the numbers you requested.
Please can you specify in detail how do you reach 69% cold spell critical chance and 100 cold spell critical multiplier like I did in my build?

Something like this, so I can understand what I miss and if it's worth sacrificing something else to increase cold spell critical chance.

Cold spell critical chance 57%:
5% magical training +6% artifact bonus from autumn set +5% exceptional bonus from cladding of dead leaves +2% feydark illusionist +8% season’s herald +9% energy criticals +22% equipment bonus from legendary alchemical large shield

Cold spell critical multiplier 100:
15% epic spell power cold +5% epic spell power force +5% epic spell power positive +25% scion of the plane of water +15% legendary bonus from autumn set +35% legendary bonus from lgs boots

I also added R7 solo quests made yesterday (update 52): I don't have the hit points for soloing R8, while in R7 I can afford to be hit a couple of times before I die.

Thank you very much for your tip about legendary green steel item for more cold spell critical multiplier, I see bigger numbers now (I sacrificed the 2 piece of winter set for that).

I tried to equip the Reflection of wave staff and I got +27 cold spell power and 3 more caster levels for Dragon breath (draconic and dragonborn) and maybe for tsunami (alchemical shield gives 2 caster levels and reflection of wave gives 5 caster levels, so the difference is 3 caster levels): Reflection of wave is still not an option for me because I rely on the legendary fusible sceptre of impulse on top of my cold alchemical shield.


Cold spell critical chance 69% (does not include mental toughness feats or elemental avatar filigrees which could push to 75% allowing howl to reach 100%):
5% magical training, 6% artifact cold bonus Hruit's Set, 2% from Azure sky necklace (part of Hruit's Set), 5% exceptional bonus from clouded dreams, +1% feydark illusionist, +8% season’s herald, 9% energy criticals, 22% equipment bonus from Reflection of Wave, 5% filigree from 4-p Frozen Wanderer (though only 2 needed if you're tight on filigrees. I get the extra 50 spell power too and use 2 Wis filigrees from set), 6% Artifact Universal Elders Knowledge Set with GoMF to craft force stuff allowing for wave. Also note that wave allows for orange augment (Meridian fragment for psionic spell power and conduit in DI for double implement bonus. Along with 4-p frozen wanderer, that's another 100 cold spell power too).

Cold spell critical multiplier 100 (does not include wellspring of power, coalesced magic, or howl bonus which could push to 175%):
15% epic spell power cold +5% epic spell power force +5% epic spell power positive +25% scion of the plane of water +15% legendary bonus from Elder Knowledge +35% legendary bonus from lgs Cloak, 5% exceptional crit mult from Wave should but doesn't stack because it's likely typed as quality overlapping with T3 LGS

For force my crit chance is 2% behind yours at 41% because I don't take the second crit from FI though my item contributions are different, Elders Knowledge sets plus clouded dreams instead of Autumn set with cladding of dead leaves. We have the same force crit mult though again from different sources as previously detailed.

I think my cold spell power is a little ahead of yours but largely from conduit doubling implement bonus, 50 spell power from FW-4p filigree set, and exc. Cold from Reflection of wave. If you include meridian fragment 24 spell power and wellspring of power it is quite a bit higher. I'm still missing 25 spell power from artifact universal (Touch of power augment set to replace 2-p Autumn bonus).

Hope this helps

Marc

[Michele]

Cold spell critical chance 69% (does not include mental toughness feats or elemental avatar filigrees which could push to 75% allowing howl to reach 100%):
5% magical training, 6% artifact cold bonus Hruit's Set, 2% from Azure sky necklace (part of Hruit's Set), 5% exceptional bonus from clouded dreams, +1% feydark illusionist, +8% season’s herald, 9% energy criticals, 22% equipment bonus from Reflection of Wave, 5% filigree from 4-p Frozen Wanderer (though only 2 needed if you're tight on filigrees. I get the extra 50 spell power too and use 2 Wis filigrees from set), 6% Artifact Universal Elders Knowledge Set with GoMF to craft force stuff allowing for wave. Also note that wave allows for orange augment (Meridian fragment for psionic spell power and conduit in DI for double implement bonus. Along with 4-p frozen wanderer, that's another 100 cold spell power too).

Cold spell critical multiplier 100 (does not include wellspring of power, coalesced magic, or howl bonus which could push to 175%):
15% epic spell power cold +5% epic spell power force +5% epic spell power positive +25% scion of the plane of water +15% legendary bonus from Elder Knowledge +35% legendary bonus from lgs Cloak, 5% exceptional crit mult from Wave should but doesn't stack because it's likely typed as quality overlapping with T3 LGS

For force my crit chance is 2% behind yours at 41% because I don't take the second crit from FI though my item contributions are different, Elders Knowledge sets plus clouded dreams instead of Autumn set with cladding of dead leaves. We have the same force crit mult though again from different sources as previously detailed.

I think my cold spell power is a little ahead of yours but largely from conduit doubling implement bonus, 50 spell power from FW-4p filigree set, and exc. Cold from Reflection of wave. If you include meridian fragment 24 spell power and wellspring of power it is quite a bit higher. I'm still missing 25 spell power from artifact universal (Touch of power augment set to replace 2-p Autumn bonus).

Hope this helps

Marc

Thank you very much :)

[Marcb81]

Thank you very much :)

Michele,

It was great playing with you today, very impressive. When you've had a chance to play your new build a little, I would love to hear your thoughts comparing your current build to your previous build and maybe what you think the ideal build would be for r10.

Sincerely,
Marc

[Michele]

Michele,

It was great playing with you today, very impressive. When you've had a chance to play your new build a little, I would love to hear your thoughts comparing your current build to your previous build and maybe what you think the ideal build would be for r10.

Sincerely,
Marc

My builds are all casters focused on DC casting, with the base stuff for defense (constitution and sheltering items) and with as much as possible DPS equipment, avoiding to nerf my DC to increase DPS.

You maybe think that 124 evocation DC is too high, but in many packs at R10 difficulty the Despair Reapers laugh at my earthquake and my greater color spray (and the mobs near that despair reaper too often succeed the save against my spells).

In R10 difficulty I land earthquakes to keep safe the players in my group and I DPS only after doing that: if the enemies don't touch the other 5 players in my group (made with sorcerers, barbarians, rogues with snake attacks) then they will feel brave and complete the quest quickly.

Gingerspyce build is a tank build and will help the group by going ahead of the group, healing the group, getting the aggro of Doom/Despair/Vengeance reapers and it's very useful in raids where tanks are usually a must have: I personally prefer a build that allows me to solo the highest reaper difficulty as possible to farm reaper xp (because it's often difficult to find players to play with), and use other players to complete those quests faster.

[polymath]

I noticed you take both spell focus talent in draconic and fatesinger. The icon for each choice is the same, which did you take? I assume evo for the first, but cant see what the other one is

[Michele]

I noticed you take both spell focus talent in draconic and fatesinger. The icon for each choice is the same, which did you take? I assume evo for the first, but cant see what the other one is

Transmutation in Draconic tree (for ice flowers spell) and Evocation in Fatesinger tree.

[Iaga]

...I also added R7 solo quests made yesterday (update 52): I don't have the hit points for soloing R8, while in R7 I can afford to be hit a couple of times before I die...Enjoy watching those videos! A couple of tips for Grim (a quest I try and push regularly - R8 in just over 8 mins my best so far!) When you go up the ramp, if you stick to the right wall you don't aggro that third pack of MOBs. If you have spell absorb for that last fight - it helps!

[Michele]

Enjoy watching those videos! A couple of tips for Grim (a quest I try and push regularly - R8 in just over 8 mins my best so far!) When you go up the ramp, if you stick to the right wall you don't aggro that third pack of MOBs. If you have spell absorb for that last fight - it helps!

thank you for the tip, the spell absorption item helped.
However I lowered all my videos to R6 difficulty because it's where I get the best rxp per minute when I solo quests.

I'll do R8 when I lead weak groups and R10 when I play with good players.

[Hobgoblin]

i see the benefits of dragonborn


how would aasimar compare?

[Michele]

i see the benefits of dragonborn


how would aasimar compare?

It's about the same, but the +2 caster levels to cold spells of dragonborn increase the dps (and the dragon breath SLA in the dragonborn racial tree deals a decent amount of damage without spending any spell points).

[Hobgoblin]

It's about the same, but the +2 caster levels to cold spells of dragonborn increase the dps (and the dragon breath SLA in the dragonborn racial tree deals a decent amount of damage without spending any spell points).

ok so that is what i have issues with understanding.

i am just using made up numbers to make sure i get this?

So druid has a spell that deals 10 damage flat per caster level max level 10. so at 10 it deals 100 damage right? and even if i am 20 it still deals that 100 damage? but if i get something that says +2 max caster levels it would now do 120? but just +2 caster levels would do nothing as it has max cl 10?



sorry for the noob questions, i see button, click button things go boom! or in this case shatter!

[Marcb81]

ok so that is what i have issues with understanding.

i am just using made up numbers to make sure i get this?

So druid has a spell that deals 10 damage flat per caster level max level 10. so at 10 it deals 100 damage right? and even if i am 20 it still deals that 100 damage? but if i get something that says +2 max caster levels it would now do 120? but just +2 caster levels would do nothing as it has max cl 10?



sorry for the noob questions, i see button, click button things go boom! or in this case shatter!

Right. The fact that you're level 20, means you have 10 extra caster levels that are not being used for damage since the max caster level is 10. Raising the max caster level by 2 gives you an immediate 20 extra damage. Note that other effects like spell pen are not limited by the max caster level, so all your 20 applies for those purposes (overcoming spell resistance).

[Michele]

ok so that is what i have issues with understanding.

i am just using made up numbers to make sure i get this?

So druid has a spell that deals 10 damage flat per caster level max level 10. so at 10 it deals 100 damage right? and even if i am 20 it still deals that 100 damage? but if i get something that says +2 max caster levels it would now do 120? but just +2 caster levels would do nothing as it has max cl 10?



sorry for the noob questions, i see button, click button things go boom! or in this case shatter!

dragonborn gives +2 "max caster level" and +1 caster level.
alchemical shield gives +2 caster level.

so to follow your example, the spell that caps at level 10 will cap at level 12 with dragonborn.

plus there are spells that don't have a level cap like dragon breath (and tsunami? I don't know): that's why the +5 caster levels of Reflection of Wave staff are an option, because my main source of DPS is dragon breath sla.

I'm waiting for future force items in the next updates before replacing my impulse sceptre + alchemical shield.

[Michele]

Added all Feywild and Cogs R6 solo quests.

Increased PRR by 30 by adding 3 "Tough shield augments", increased +2 constitution at character creation.

[Quoivat]

I don't usually play casters much less druids but, why Force specialization? Sorry if i'm missing something.

Q

[SocratesBastardSon]

I don't usually play casters much less druids but, why Force specialization? Sorry if i'm missing something.

For cold-specialized Druid casters force is the second most important spell power, particularly in epic when you're not jumping back and forth between fire and cold. A number of their spells have a physical damage component, like Ice Storm, Earthquake, and the most their important spells, Ice Flowers and Tsunami. Salt Ray is a nice single target SLA that is pure force damage.

[Michele]

Just wanted to keep this thread active, so I'm replying with more updates. I tried a second time again tonight to do R6 Wake Me Up Inside. This time I died during the end-fight. I think my biggest issue has been being a little squishy. Without a ton of reaper points, I'm playing with max HP just under 1500 HP in reaper. I often die from a one-shot that I can't heal from. If I had just a few more HP, there's a good chance that I could just heal back to full and keep playing. I had to watch your video to see how you maneuvered between mobs to run up the middle without any trash mob fights before getting to the portal. I've learned a lot watching your video about how people solo, so thanks for that. I will say after trying again, I do feel strongly that spell point issues and lower DCs are not really big problems for this quest. Maybe R10 Sharn would make me want more DCs but a few more HP is all I would need for this quest. Maybe third time's a charm. Would love to hear from anyone else regarding their experiences with DCs needed for druid CC. I know there are more than 2 people playing druid. There are clearly differing view points out there.

Marc

About your DC question.

I just published all "Sharn - Clifftop tower district" quests R6 solo and, if I remove heighten and embolden metamagic from salt ray, the mobs can save it (116 DC).

If I put both heighten and embolden spell on salt ray then the mobs never save unless they roll 20 (124 DC).

Despair reapers almost always save against my earthquakes (and of course save against my greater color spray), so most of the times I just dot them with greater creeping cold and run backwards (also word of balance and breath spells if they come close to me).

[Marcb81]

About your DC question.

I just published all "Sharn - Clifftop tower district" quests R6 solo and, if I remove heighten and embolden metamagic from salt ray, the mobs can save it (116 DC).

If I put both heighten and embolden spell on salt ray then the mobs never save unless they roll 20 (124 DC).

Despair reapers almost always save against my earthquakes (and of course save against my greater color spray), so most of the times I just dot them with greater creeping cold and run backwards (also word of balance and breath spells if they come close to me).

Thank you so much for this reply!! I had a feeling Sharn would need some pretty high DCs. My guess was fort saves would need 135 or more, so I'm glad to hear that 124 was essentially a never save unless fumble. I think it's very clear that your build really works for endgame reaper. Thanks for all the suggestions and advice. I will need a lot more destiny points before I can make a build like yours, but it's nice to know that it will work if I ever get there.

Marc

[Zretch]

I typically end up taking Arcane Insight just for Despair reapers. 30 seconds of +6 to all DCs every 3 minutes, used in combination with the Reaper DC boost for another +3 can typically land.

In my build, I sacrifice the offhand alchemical shield for Greensteel with a legendary salt proc. I find that the slow effect on pretty much everything I cast on helps mitigate those mobs that shrug off earthquake better than +1 DC. I sacrifice Empower and Intensify for Arcane Insight and Burst of Glacial Wrath. AI for Despair reapers as I say above, and BoGW for another cone that can freeze or slow (combined with Salt proc). Yes, it's a loss of DPS, but in R10s I'm not the DPS anyway. By the time I'm done making stuff fall down, slowing them, and freezing them most things are dead anyway and everyone lives. :)

Not an optimal solo approach, but it does pay off in R10.

[Alled78]

Ty for sharing your great build.
I used it planning my fvs wisdom caster and now im playing druid caster i have some questions.
Is 3 ap in elemental mastery worth15 spell power? An crown of summer 2 ap?
Why u dont take winter heart?
And why not take salt ray sla ? U using meta on it...

[Michele]

Ty for sharing your great build.
I used it planning my fvs wisdom caster and now im playing druid caster i have some questions.
Is 3 ap in elemental mastery worth15 spell power? An crown of summer 2 ap?
Why u dont take winter heart?
And why not take salt ray sla ? U using meta on it...

- 3 AP for elemental master is worth to get +15 spell power;
- crown of summer is nice to have for the +15% healing amplification to self heal in R10;
- I don't take winter's heart because I spend action points in better things (in my opinion);
- I don't take salt ray sla because I spend action points in better things (in my opinion) and because ice flowers without metamagic deals more damage than salt ray sla with all metamagic (I use regular salt ray spell only for crowd control + helpless effect).

[Michele]

Anyone read the new level cap increase forum thread on Lamannia?
https://forums.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/531854-U55-Preview-1-The-Level-Cap-Increase

I wonder which epic destiny feat would be best at level 31:
I'm not impressed by the new epic destiny feats and I was wondering if getting another "epic spell power" (electricity?) feat for a stacking +5% universal spell critical damage would be the best way to improve the spells of a cold/force druid.

I don't think that "Elemental Form Specialty" destiny feat would improve the caster level/max caster level of force spells.

[Marcb81]

Anyone read the new level cap increase forum thread on Lamannia?
https://forums.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/531854-U55-Preview-1-The-Level-Cap-Increase

I wonder which epic destiny feat would be best at level 31:
I'm not impressed by the new epic destiny feats and I was wondering if getting another "epic spell power" (electricity?) feat for a stacking +5% universal spell critical damage would be the best way to improve the spells of a cold/force druid.

I don't think that "Elemental Form Specialty" destiny feat would improve the caster level/max caster level of force spells.

Don’t want +3 transmute or illusion DC? You’re already taking the whole Evo DC feat line

[Michele]

Don’t want +3 transmute or illusion DC? You’re already taking the whole Evo DC feat line

that's tempting, but I would focus only on evocation DC and dps.

[Aung]

Does the topaz of greater evocation stack with the +6 enhancement bonus from goggles?

[Michele]

Does the topaz of greater evocation stack with the +6 enhancement bonus from goggles?

yes

[EinarMal]

Anyone read the new level cap increase forum thread on Lamannia?
https://forums.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/531854-U55-Preview-1-The-Level-Cap-Increase

I wonder which epic destiny feat would be best at level 31:
I'm not impressed by the new epic destiny feats and I was wondering if getting another "epic spell power" (electricity?) feat for a stacking +5% universal spell critical damage would be the best way to improve the spells of a cold/force druid.

I don't think that "Elemental Form Specialty" destiny feat would improve the caster level/max caster level of force spells.

Crush weakness is always an option as well to boost helpless damage from greater color spray. In my case I give up a bit of DC and go more helpless damage and DPS. So I also take Burst of Glacial Wraith and Falconry helpless. I prefer that setup of having two spells for helpless, also BoGW is a great opener it induces helplessness and strips any cold immunity so that dragon breath/tsunami always do max damage, with 45% helpless damage on top of the cold critical damage.

I take shadowdancer as my 3rd tree now, you get evasion and I find I can get high enough reflex to make it work pretty well, and the -10% cooldown.

(My setup)
Dragonborn Druid 20
Str 10
Dex 6
Con 18
Int 12
Wis 18
Cha 10

Progression:
1 thru 20-Druid

Feats (7):
1) Maximize
3) Quicken
6) Empower
9) Heighten
12) Completionist
15) Arcane Initiate
18) SF Evocation
21) Wellspring of Power
22) Spellpower Cold
24) Burst of Glacial Wraith
25) Spell Power Force
27) Intensify
28) Crush Weakness
30) Embolden
30) Scion of Water
31) Spell Power Positive

Enhancements
Seasons Herald 41
Falconry 23
Racial 18
Feydark 15

Epic Destiny
Fatesinger 34
Draconic 26
Shadowdancer 13

[Michele]

Crush weakness is always an option as well to boost helpless damage from greater color spray. In my case I give up a bit of DC and go more helpless damage and DPS. So I also take Burst of Glacial Wraith and Falconry helpless. I prefer that setup of having two spells for helpless, also BoGW is a great opener it induces helplessness and strips any cold immunity so that dragon breath/tsunami always do max damage, with 45% helpless damage on top of the cold critical damage.

I take shadowdancer as my 3rd tree now, you get evasion and I find I can get high enough reflex to make it work pretty well, and the -10% cooldown.

(My setup)
Dragonborn Druid 20
Str 10
Dex 6
Con 18
Int 12
Wis 18
Cha 10

Progression:
1 thru 20-Druid

Feats (7):
1) Maximize
3) Quicken
6) Empower
9) Heighten
12) Completionist
15) Arcane Initiate
18) SF Evocation
21) Wellspring of Power
22) Spellpower Cold
24) Burst of Glacial Wraith
25) Spell Power Force
27) Intensify
28) Crush Weakness
30) Embolden
30) Scion of Water
31) Spell Power Positive

Enhancements
Seasons Herald 41
Falconry 23
Racial 18
Feydark 15

Epic Destiny
Fatesinger 34
Draconic 26
Shadowdancer 13

nice choice :)

[Ultinoob]

Hi Michele

I played around with your build. I did not plan a gearset, but the way i see it is that you only have to change the to a staff from isle of dread and then have two reaper items - helm and ring.

Not sure if this is absolutely max but maybe you find it interesting:

Wisdom 114:
18 Base
7 Level-up
8 Tome
2 Racial completionist
7 shifter enhancements
4 Season’s herald enhancements
4 Feydark illusionist enhancements
1 Falconry enhancements
1 Aasimar racial past lives
1 Human racial past lives
2 Class completionist
5 Dire thaumaturge
2 Spirit boon (primal avatar destiny tree - tier 2)
1 Glitter of fame (fatesinger destiny tree - core 3)
1 Arcane resonance (fatesinger destiny tree - tier 4)
0 Great wisdom feats
2 Guild airship bonus from Floating rock garden
2 Yugoloth potion
2 Long lasting elixir of owl’s knowledge
2 Alchemical bonus from Legendary alchemical large shield
2 Reaper ability boost from helm
2 Profane bonus from Essence of the epic litany of the dead
6 Insightful bonus from Cannith crafted goggles
3 Quality bonus from Legendary chains
8 Sentient filigrees (4 in weapon, 4 in artifact)
3 Artifact bonus from Autumn set
14 Enhancement bonus from Band of diani ir'wynarn (bracers)
2 Diamond of festive wisdom
2 Exceptional bonus from isle of dread staff


Evocation DC 130:
10 Base
9 Spell level
52 Wisdom
3 Epic spell focus evocation
1 Past life arcane initiate
3 Sorcerer past lives
2 Embolden spell
4 Scion of water
4 Fatesinger destiny tree cores
3 The magic of music (fatesinger destiny tree - tier 3)
3 Mastering the strings (fatesinger destiny tree - tier 5)
1 Ballad of the ages (fatesinger destiny tree - tier 5)
1 Guild airship bonus from Archwizard
4 Dire thaumaturge
1 Hierophant (season’s herald)
1 Strength of the solstice (season’s herald)
0 True power (dragonborn enhancement)
6 Evocation focus from Cannith crafted goggles
3 Insightful evocation focus from Cannith crafted goggles
2 Quality spell focus mastery from Band of diani ir'wynarn
2 Profane spell focus from Legendary shattered onyx
2 Sacred spell focus from Gloryborne gloves
2 exceptional bonus from isle of dread staff
3 Artifact bonus from Autumn set
2 Otto’s irrevocable power set
2 Eye of the beholder set
1 Lunar magic set
2 Topaz of greater evocation
1 reaper ring

[Meat-Head]

I believe the IoD artifacts are +15 stat (maybe even if the display says otherwise). Also, they have 4 fili slots. So, that's at least a +2 wis opportunity IF you choose to replace the artifact bracers in this setup.

[dogsoldier]

...
I wonder which epic destiny feat would be best at level 31:


I am curious about what people are doing for level 31 feat selection now as well. Last life, as bard, I took the spell specialty for Enchantment DCs (having 3x Evoc, Completionist, and PL Wizard).

This life, as a Druid, I took the Elemental Form Specialty. I end up using Electric quite a lot as well, so figure I get a bit of a boost there.

[Xthiz]

yes

i have almost same to your build but i have only 100

[Michele]

Yes, the dinosaur bone quarterstaff seems a very nice option for +2.5 more DC points (I would sacrifice some force spellpower for more DC):

dinosaur bone quarterstaff with enhancement bonus to universal spell power +102, exceptional spell focus +2 (iridescent scale weapon), spell focus mastery +5, exceptional universal spell lore +5% (iridescent fang weapon), exceptional bonus to wisdom +2 (iceclaw weapon), your attacks and offensive spells have a chance to inflict multiple stacks of vulnerability (sparkhorn)

I could study how to fit "Legendary Ring of Winter's Chill" to get glaciation/impuse and ice/kinetic lore.

About your post:
- You put "2 Alchemical bonus from Legendary alchemical large shield" together with "2 Exceptional bonus from isle of dread staff": you can't have both staff and shield equipped.

- Also you can now write "8 Level-up" instead of "7 Level-up" because the level cap is 32.

- You can write "1 Great wisdom feat" because in the next updated "Completionist feat" will not require a feat slot anymore, so can be choses a wisdom +1 feat at level 30.


Hi Michele

I played around with your build. I did not plan a gearset, but the way i see it is that you only have to change the to a staff from isle of dread and then have two reaper items - helm and ring.

Not sure if this is absolutely max but maybe you find it interesting:

Wisdom 114:
18 Base
7 Level-up
8 Tome
2 Racial completionist
7 shifter enhancements
4 Season’s herald enhancements
4 Feydark illusionist enhancements
1 Falconry enhancements
1 Aasimar racial past lives
1 Human racial past lives
2 Class completionist
5 Dire thaumaturge
2 Spirit boon (primal avatar destiny tree - tier 2)
1 Glitter of fame (fatesinger destiny tree - core 3)
1 Arcane resonance (fatesinger destiny tree - tier 4)
0 Great wisdom feats
2 Guild airship bonus from Floating rock garden
2 Yugoloth potion
2 Long lasting elixir of owl’s knowledge
2 Alchemical bonus from Legendary alchemical large shield
2 Reaper ability boost from helm
2 Profane bonus from Essence of the epic litany of the dead
6 Insightful bonus from Cannith crafted goggles
3 Quality bonus from Legendary chains
8 Sentient filigrees (4 in weapon, 4 in artifact)
3 Artifact bonus from Autumn set
14 Enhancement bonus from Band of diani ir'wynarn (bracers)
2 Diamond of festive wisdom
2 Exceptional bonus from isle of dread staff


Evocation DC 130:
10 Base
9 Spell level
52 Wisdom
3 Epic spell focus evocation
1 Past life arcane initiate
3 Sorcerer past lives
2 Embolden spell
4 Scion of water
4 Fatesinger destiny tree cores
3 The magic of music (fatesinger destiny tree - tier 3)
3 Mastering the strings (fatesinger destiny tree - tier 5)
1 Ballad of the ages (fatesinger destiny tree - tier 5)
1 Guild airship bonus from Archwizard
4 Dire thaumaturge
1 Hierophant (season’s herald)
1 Strength of the solstice (season’s herald)
0 True power (dragonborn enhancement)
6 Evocation focus from Cannith crafted goggles
3 Insightful evocation focus from Cannith crafted goggles
2 Quality spell focus mastery from Band of diani ir'wynarn
2 Profane spell focus from Legendary shattered onyx
2 Sacred spell focus from Gloryborne gloves
2 exceptional bonus from isle of dread staff
3 Artifact bonus from Autumn set
2 Otto’s irrevocable power set
2 Eye of the beholder set
1 Lunar magic set
2 Topaz of greater evocation
1 reaper ring

[Michele]

i have almost same to your build but i have only 100

If I remember correctly, in high reaper and only while self healing, I swap to a legendary greensteel item that gives healing amplification bonus together with a "Legendary Malleable Sceptre of Devotion" with all filigrees filled with healing amplification.

I'm now playing warlock to get the new past lives, but when I finish them I will return to Druid for my final life.

[Michele]

I believe the IoD artifacts are +15 stat (maybe even if the display says otherwise). Also, they have 4 fili slots. So, that's at least a +2 wis opportunity IF you choose to replace the artifact bracers in this setup.

Thank you very much, I updated my build in the first post of this thread to use a dinosaur bone ring artifact and the spell DC should improve by 1.

Please can someone test if the Isle of Dread artifact can give +15 wisdom? (I can't test it because my toon is now a level 9 warlock getting the tabaxi past lives :-P ).

Also does exist a dinosaur medium armor with 4 craftable slots + craftable set slot? and does it break druid oath (like the Dinosaur Plate Armor that I see on wiki, but I'm looking for medium armor).

Edit: a friend linked his medium armor "dinosaur scale plate" that should have the characteristics mentioned above.

[Brandall]

Thank you very much, I updated my build in the first post of this thread to use a dinosaur bone ring artifact and the spell DC should improve by 1.

Please can someone test if the Isle of Dread artifact can give +15 wisdom? (I can't test it because my toon is now a level 9 warlock getting the tabaxi past lives :-P ).

Also does exist a dinosaur medium armor with 4 craftable slots + craftable set slot? and does it break druid oath (like the Dinosaur Plate Armor that I see on wiki, but I'm looking for medium armor).

Edit: a friend linked his medium armor "dinosaur scale plate" that should have the characteristics mentioned above.

I can verify that the ring does grant 15 stat.
One thing I wanted to mention is that my DCs last life were in the 94-104 range (not including reaper bonuses) and I had no issues soloing r6. My build is a bit different, my EDs are t5 in Magus, t4 in Draconic (using mantle) and t2 in primal. I do have all PLs and nearly all reaper points and focused primarily on spell power, but DCs were not an issue except in sharn where burst of glacial wrath was ~70%, but between tsunami, dragon breath, zero degree comet and the rest of the spells in my rotation most everything melts.
Currently rerolling from Aasimar into Dragonborn because the 4 wis. I lose seemed pretty inconsequential (I was at 98 unbuffed, 102 with pots and 104 with a generous bard) and the return of 30 more spell power seems nice. (Mainly I TRed to try it as well as reset 1st time reaper bonuses because 300k a point is brutal)
Just wanted to toss it out there as to me it seems you put a lot more effort into DCs than to me seems necessary (playstyles are different, granted, just seems like a lot of effort for not a vital return)

[Marcb81]

I can verify that the ring does grant 15 stat.
One thing I wanted to mention is that my DCs last life were in the 94-104 range (not including reaper bonuses) and I had no issues soloing r6. My build is a bit different, my EDs are t5 in Magus, t4 in Draconic (using mantle) and t2 in primal. I do have all PLs and nearly all reaper points and focused primarily on spell power, but DCs were not an issue except in sharn where burst of glacial wrath was ~70%, but between tsunami, dragon breath, zero degree comet and the rest of the spells in my rotation most everything melts.
Currently rerolling from Aasimar into Dragonborn because the 4 wis. I lose seemed pretty inconsequential (I was at 98 unbuffed, 102 with pots and 104 with a generous bard) and the return of 30 more spell power seems nice. (Mainly I TRed to try it as well as reset 1st time reaper bonuses because 300k a point is brutal)
Just wanted to toss it out there as to me it seems you put a lot more effort into DCs than to me seems necessary (playstyles are different, granted, just seems like a lot of effort for not a vital return)

I also am playing a build with lower DCs (around 100 Evo DC not including mantle debuff) but max damage. Took Ruin and Greater Ruin too (T5 Draconic). Over 1k Cold spell power outside of reaper, wellspring boosting in reaper to 1250 and with metamagics I end up with 1475 Cold spell power for 1 out of every 3 minutes, 74% cold crit chance, and 105% crit mult. When I see a despair reaper, I just cast ruin, greater ruin and it's dead. Then tsunami and Dragon Breath take care of the rest of the mob. It's not as survivable for solo'ing as the DC build but I also put 7 AP in NP for rage and spend in DI ED to cast while raging. Then I use a swap for 1k temp HP while raging. Can have 6 charges with an emerald of rage augment. Usually start combat with 3k HP (including temp), radiant forcefield if needed from Reflection of Wave, and will sometimes boost to near 4k HP with Winter's Heart. Build works much better in group play because others draw mob attention or CC, but it can also solo R6, probably a little less well than Michele's build (also because he's a great player). In a group though it can lead the kill count in R10, even over many melee builds (though not all). Greater ruin is my best single target DPS spell. It will often crit in R10 for over 10k damage.

[Michele]

I can verify that the ring does grant 15 stat.
One thing I wanted to mention is that my DCs last life were in the 94-104 range (not including reaper bonuses) and I had no issues soloing r6. My build is a bit different, my EDs are t5 in Magus, t4 in Draconic (using mantle) and t2 in primal. I do have all PLs and nearly all reaper points and focused primarily on spell power, but DCs were not an issue except in sharn where burst of glacial wrath was ~70%, but between tsunami, dragon breath, zero degree comet and the rest of the spells in my rotation most everything melts.
Currently rerolling from Aasimar into Dragonborn because the 4 wis. I lose seemed pretty inconsequential (I was at 98 unbuffed, 102 with pots and 104 with a generous bard) and the return of 30 more spell power seems nice. (Mainly I TRed to try it as well as reset 1st time reaper bonuses because 300k a point is brutal)
Just wanted to toss it out there as to me it seems you put a lot more effort into DCs than to me seems necessary (playstyles are different, granted, just seems like a lot of effort for not a vital return)

Trust me, when you meet goblin archers in r10 feywild quests totally ignoring your earthquakes, you really want more than 102 evocation DC (I can't even imagine them further buffed by despair reapers).
I don't know if you use ice flowers and greater color spray (and dragonborn dragon breath), but their DC need some love too.

I updated my build to use the legendary hruit's influence set thanks to the sacred spell focus mastery +2 bonus moved from my old Gloryborne gloves to the Isle of Dread artifact, so now you can have:
1) High dps;
2) High defense from Hruit full plate and Large shield;
3) High DC (can be 2 points more with Dinosaur bone quarterstaff, but for now I would stick with the legendary alchemical large shield for more tankiness against damaging spells, more prr, improved cold augmentation).

[Marcb81]

Trust me, when you meet goblin archers in r10 feywild quests totally ignoring your earthquakes, you really want more than 102 evocation DC (I can't even imagine them further buffed by despair reapers).
I don't know if you use ice flowers and greater color spray (and dragonborn dragon breath), but their DC need some love too.

I updated my build to use the legendary hruit's influence set thanks to the sacred spell focus mastery +2 bonus moved from my old Gloryborne gloves to the Isle of Dread artifact, so now you can have:
1) High dps;
2) High defense from Hruit full plate and Large shield;
3) High DC (can be 2 points more with Dinosaur bone quarterstaff, but for now I would stick with the legendary alchemical large shield for more tankiness against damaging spells, more prr, improved cold augmentation).

I really love where you’ve taken the build. Improved cold augment goes a long way for making up for damage loss by not using Reflection. In your total Wis calc you have +0 Wis from Falconry. This may be an oversight, but if you don’t need the Falconry Wis, you really should try going NP 7 for rage and defense stance and including rage casting from Draconic. The extra 1k HP and 20 PRR/MRR would be very good for this build with minimum cost if you are at an odd Wis and Falconry Wis isn’t needed. Otherwise, a great Druid solo build for those who like any margin of error.

[Michele]

I really love where you’ve taken the build. Improved cold augment goes a long way for making up for damage loss by not using Reflection. In your total Wis calc you have +0 Wis from Falconry. This may be an oversight, but if you don’t need the Falconry Wis, you really should try going NP 7 for rage and defense stance and including rage casting from Draconic. The extra 1k HP and 20 PRR/MRR would be very good for this build with minimum cost if you are at an odd Wis and Falconry Wis isn’t needed. Otherwise, a great Druid solo build for those who like any margin of error.

Yes, Zero Wisdom in Falconry because I would use 11 points in Nature's Protector for the Heavy armor Proficiency to equip the Hruit set heavy armor (and as you said the Defense Stance for more MRR and PRR).

I would like to know if it's possible to equip Dinosaur Bone Ring (artifact slot) and Dinosaur Bone Cloak (non artifact slot) at the same time, in order to consider new equipment options.

[Marcb81]

Yes, Zero Wisdom in Falconry because I would use 11 points in Nature's Protector for the Heavy armor Proficiency to equip the Hruit set heavy armor (and as you said the Defense Stance for more MRR and PRR).

I would like to know if it's possible to equip Dinosaur Bone Ring (artifact slot) and Dinosaur Bone Cloak (non artifact slot) at the same time, in order to consider new equipment options.

Nearly 100% sure it is possible to equip both, but I haven’t personally done it.

[Michele]

Nearly 100% sure it is possible to equip both, but I haven’t personally done it.

a friend tested it and it's possible to have a set with armor+helm+cloak as well as an artifact in another slot.
please can you tell me if the 50 exceptional cold spellpower of the Reflection of Wave staff stacks with the exceptional universal spell power of the The Legendary Leaf Mail? (or the cladding of dead leaves medium armor or clouded dreams ring).

because if it stacks then you are right to say that 50 +29 double implement bonus from draconic would give a nice 79 cold spell power that would be worth having (and give up some force spell power for that).

[Alternative]

Hi, I just started playing Druid and currently I'm using Cladding of Dead Leaves with Reflection of Wave.

When I remove that armor my cold spell power stays exactly the same, so it appears that it doesn't stack.

[Michele]

Hi, I just started playing Druid and currently I'm using Cladding of Dead Leaves with Reflection of Wave.

When I remove that armor my cold spell power stays exactly the same, so it appears that it doesn't stack.

thank you very much, then I remember correctly the stacking issue.

[Marcb81]

Hi, I just started playing Druid and currently I'm using Cladding of Dead Leaves with Reflection of Wave.

When I remove that armor my cold spell power stays exactly the same, so it appears that it doesn't stack.

Yeah, a lot of reflection of wave doesn't work as you want it to. The exceptional 50 cold spell power seems to not stack with cladding of dead leaves or clouded dreams. Also, the 5% exceptional crit mult is really typed as quality, so it doesn't stack with LGS or Dino quality augment. Essentially it gives you 5 uncapped caster levels for Dragon Breath (when I cast it, the combat log says cast at level 52) for comparison and it adds an extra 29 spell power if you have conduit from draconic to double the implement. This may not be worth it for you. The forcefield clicky helps defense a bit, but not as much as having a shield and heavy armor at all times. The DC for paragon cerulean wave is pretty low (100), so it's also not very helpful. You may want to also consider Frozen Wanderer 3&4 as that 50 spell power stacks, but would clearly cost you DC.

Marc

PS - Was raiding recently and saw greater ruin hit for 130k damage. I think that I had wellspring active at the time, but have several hits over 100k without wellspring active. Dragon breath I think is hitting for around 75k. The ability to cast tsunami, dragon breath, ruin, and greater ruin in rapid succession is some pretty incredible burst damage if you've never tried it. I'm also currently playing with dragonsoul filigrees to reduce cooldown times on Ice flowers. Not sure it's the right call but damage is insane. Unfortunately, cooldown reductions do not apply to tsunami or ED stuff or it would be amazing.

[Oliphant]

I recently tried this out and its working great, very destructive R10 DPS. The latest sweetener is the 4th core for Fatesinger providing the healing on Greater Shout. Druid in general has been a great dedicated healer when asked to serve that role, with the only caveat having to be extra careful not to die as I'm quite a bit squishier than a Cleric. I'm impressed by the dots as a side note.

I wanted to finally try out Reflection of Wave so I tried that deviation and it worked really well. I would definitely recommend Reflection of Wave as a fine substitute if that is what you have.

Then I was curious to try your Impaler + Alchemical shield combo and I've been checking that out. Not sure which is better for DPS yet really. I like having the filigrees in a one hander so I can mix in a Salt stick without losing them. My GoMF has Elder's and Writhing Storm sets, so I'm trying out Zephyr cloak now to get more electric power. Ends up losing the Autumn cloak and set so I made a slavers bracers with spell power and quality spell power to make up for it. I put Force Lore on the Slavers item but might have been better putting Sonic lore since the Alchemical shield already had it. I tell myself its not a mistake, its a backup for when I use salt sticks (strokes chin wisely). Losing HP with with set up too, but slightly more DPS expected with extra electric damage.

EDwise, I tried the Primal route, works well, provides Cocoon and maxes out DC/Wisdom. Now I'm trying the Shadowdancer -10% spell cooldown route, which also seems to work with one less DC point.

When I was using Reflection of Wave, was mostly going with the 7 Harper route. I'm now trying out squeezing 11 AP into Natures Defender for more defense and HP. Both seem fine.

[Oliphant]

Tried a few more things, a few more comments:
Reflection of Wave also works great. If you use Wave then put 5% Force Crit damage on your LGS Goggles Tier 3 as the 5% cold does not stack with Reflection of Wave thing. I bit the bullet and just got a +19 Spellcraft augment from DDO store and went back to Dragon Scale bracers and Autumn cloak for Autumn +25% universal sp, more HP. Went back to Primal for maxing out the DC but squeezed in that zigzag tetris shape that starts with the cold primal epic strike, the SLA in Tier 2 and their boosts.

[Michele]

Updated the build with dinosaur bone equipment: now it can reach 131 evocation DC and have good dps in R10 quests thanks to 74% cold spell critical chance and 105 cold spell critical multiplier.

[PedXing20]

I like your gear set. I prefer cruel cut to tough shields for the added crit damage. BogW is great for creating helpless.

What are your thoughts on swapping out your lvl 31 feat to Spell Focus Specialty: Transmutation?

[Ultinoob]

I have played a druid using a staff. Not sure which is better but if going full druid i really think a shield is the way to go.

You can get +2 alchemical wisdom from shield and shield bonus to ac.

Not sure 1 more dc is worth it over the defense a shield gives. But hey you are the expert...

Does a 131 dc on earthquake hold doom reapers on r10? any reapers you cannot hold?

Why did you take down your videos? I liked them. gave me something to compare too.

[PedXing20]

You can get +2 alchemical wisdom from shield and shield bonus to ac.
You can carry multiple sets. I'm more DPS focused but i carry summer staff for the affirmation proc (with call lightning), a dino 1H and alchemical shield for a little more DC, 2x 1H dino weapons for nuking, a 4th set for healing and a 5th set for summons (although the summons are pretty useless for the content i run :rolleyes:)

The 1/4 staff gives +2 exceptional spell DCs (only source i think) as well as implement bonus. It's a solid option for sure.

And for a DC focused caster, Shifter will have a higher WIS by 5 points FYI.

[jskinner937]

These new goggles may have you playing gear Tetris again.

https://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Legendary_Goggles_of_Dusk

[Michele]

I like your gear set. I prefer cruel cut to tough shields for the added crit damage. BogW is great for creating helpless.

What are your thoughts on swapping out your lvl 31 feat to Spell Focus Specialty: Transmutation?
cruel cut set is nice if you don't want/have tough shields.
bogw is a good option, but it would mean sacrificing something more important for me.
Epic spell power at level 31 gives an additional 5% universal spell critical damage, while ice flowers has already an ok DC.

[Michele]

I have played a druid using a staff. Not sure which is better but if going full druid i really think a shield is the way to go.

You can get +2 alchemical wisdom from shield and shield bonus to ac.

Not sure 1 more dc is worth it over the defense a shield gives. But hey you are the expert...

Does a 131 dc on earthquake hold doom reapers on r10? any reapers you cannot hold?

Why did you take down your videos? I liked them. gave me something to compare too.

bone staff gives +1 DC compared to equipping a shield, draconic gives double implement bonus and primal avatar gives +5 spell power, for a total of +36 unversal spell power, staff gives exceptional bonus to universal spell critical chance +5% that you would have to put on ring for 1 more point of evocation DC loss.
Doom reapers are red named, in r10 despair reapers are held in eartquake but they still save greater color spray in some content.
I removed the videos because they are obsolete and now with 32 levels it's easier to solo R6 (I'll post new ones when I have time, maybe in january), but they are still available in my youtube channel.

[Michele]

You can carry multiple sets. I'm more DPS focused but i carry summer staff for the affirmation proc (with call lightning), a dino 1H and alchemical shield for a little more DC, 2x 1H dino weapons for nuking, a 4th set for healing and a 5th set for summons (although the summons are pretty useless for the content i run :rolleyes:)

The 1/4 staff gives +2 exceptional spell DCs (only source i think) as well as implement bonus. It's a solid option for sure.

And for a DC focused caster, Shifter will have a higher WIS by 5 points FYI.

with shifter the build would have an odd wisdom and the same evocation DC of a dragonborn (true power enhancement), also 30 less cold spell power and all cold spells with 2 less caster levels.
shifter would have +3 dc to all other schools though, but it's less important than the additional damage coming from dragonborn tree.

[Michele]

These new goggles may have you playing gear Tetris again.

https://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Legendary_Goggles_of_Dusk

I considered those, buy they don't have the insightful wisdom +6 that I put on crafted goggles: the other insightful wisdom +6 options would sacrifice 1 point of DC (ring, unless you have reaper shards to invest on shattered onyx) or cold spell power (trinket).

[Michele]

Please can you tell me if my calculations about word of balance caster level and max caster level are correct, and how useful can be master of the wilds epic feat? (I don't see any items increasing its caster level, and as far as I remember, items with divine augmentation increase only cleric and fvs spells).

dragon breath caster level: 20 druid levels +5 epic levels +3 water elemental +1 hierophant +1 time and tide +1 elder of winter +1 dragonborn +5 reflection of wave = 37
creeping cold caster level: 20 druid levels +5 epic levels +3 water elemental +1 hierophant +1 time and tide +1 elder of winter +1 dragonborn +5 reflection of wave = 37
creeping cold max caster level: 18 base +5 epic levels +3 water elemental +1 hierophant +1 time and tide +1 wellspring +2 dragonborn +10 master of the wilds = 41
call lightning caster level: 20 druid levels +5 epic levels +1 hierophant +1 time and tide +1 elder of winter = 28
call lightning max caster level: 15 base +5 epic levels +1 hierophant +1 time and tide +1 wellspring +10 master of the wilds = 33
salt ray caster level: 20 druid levels +5 epic levels +1 hierophant +1 time and tide = 27
salt ray max caster level: 10 base +5 epic levels +1 hierophant +1 time and tide +10 master of the wilds = 27
word of balance caster level: 20 druid levels +5 epic levels +1 hierophant +1 time and tide = 27
word of balance max caster level: 20 base +5 epic levels +1 hierophant +1 time and tide +10 master of the wilds = 37

[Ultinoob]

Please can you tell me if my calculations about word of balance caster level and max caster level are correct, and how useful can be master of the wilds epic feat? (I don't see any items increasing its caster level, and as far as I remember, items with divine augmentation increase only cleric and fvs spells).

dragon breath caster level: 20 druid levels +5 epic levels +3 water elemental +1 hierophant +1 time and tide +1 elder of winter +1 dragonborn +5 reflection of wave = 37
creeping cold caster level: 20 druid levels +5 epic levels +3 water elemental +1 hierophant +1 time and tide +1 elder of winter +1 dragonborn +5 reflection of wave = 37
creeping cold max caster level: 18 base +5 epic levels +3 water elemental +1 hierophant +1 time and tide +1 wellspring +2 dragonborn +10 master of the wilds = 41
call lightning caster level: 20 druid levels +5 epic levels +1 hierophant +1 time and tide +1 elder of winter = 28
call lightning max caster level: 15 base +5 epic levels +1 hierophant +1 time and tide +1 wellspring +10 master of the wilds = 33
salt ray caster level: 20 druid levels +5 epic levels +1 hierophant +1 time and tide = 27
salt ray max caster level: 10 base +5 epic levels +1 hierophant +1 time and tide +10 master of the wilds = 27
word of balance caster level: 20 druid levels +5 epic levels +1 hierophant +1 time and tide = 27
word of balance max caster level: 20 base +5 epic levels +1 hierophant +1 time and tide +10 master of the wilds = 37



You are right about divine augmentation not working for druid. I did a test a long time ago and it seemed some healing spells was affected though. So it’s a mess and I am not building for it.

Your calculations seems to be correct but I might add

Draconbreath seems to have a max caster level of 20 as it is. It is not stated anywhere this is just from experience.

According to your own calculations master of the wilds gives you:
6 caster levels to creeping cold
5 caster levels to call lightning
10 caster levels to salt ray
0 caster levels to word of balance

And if you don’t use reflection of wave it is only 1 you gain to creeping cold.

I was really under the impression that the feat master of the wilds was not worth it, but this might change things. Not sure how to fit it in though.

For a druid level 32 without master of the wilds and without reflection of wave these are the caster levels written in the combat log in winter season and cold form:
Creeping cold 35
call lightning 31
Word of balance 26
salt ray 31
This was however with legendary pendant of azure sea giving 1 more caster level to cold spells.

I think that the combat log is correct about the caster levels but just does not take into account max caster levels.

Maybe this is way off. shouldn't 10 epic levels and 2 legendary levels give you +6 caster levels and max caster levels?

I would say that you calculations are correct but it does not correspond to what is in the combat log so now i am confused...

EDIT: With reflection of wave the only thing that changed was creeping cold to a caster level of 39 so it seems hruits necklace and reflection of wave caster levels do not stack.

[Michele]

Yesterday I tested if Tsunami spell is capped at level 20 or it's uncapped:
1) some tests when I equip the Reflection of wave staff and some tests when I equip the Legendary pendant of the azure sea necklace (both tests made with 783 cold spell power);
2) 3 hours of tests made in Grim and barret epic elite quest against the first wave of mobs at the entrance;
3) with necklace tests my "non critical hits" did about 2100 force damage and 3800 cold damage, while with staff tests my "non critical hits" did about 2600 force damage and 4300 cold damage;
5) with these tests I would say that Tsunami spell is not capped at level 20 and it's uncapped.

Then I made some tests with Draconic incarnation dragon breath because you say that it's capped at level 20 and... YOU ARE RIGHT!!!
With necklace tests the "non critical hits" of dragon breath did about 7100 damage, and about the same damage with staff tests.

You are right about Reflection of wave and Legendary pendant of the azure sea not stacking (I checked only the logs).

Additional cold spell levels from alchemical weapon DO STACK with Legendary pendant of the azure sea (I checked only the logs).

Only the epic levels (ever 2) give additional caster levels and max caster levels (the legendary levels don't give additional caster levels and max caster levels, I say that only because I read it on the wiki).

You are right about the logs not taking in account of max caster levels (it considers only the caster levels).


You are right about divine augmentation not working for druid. I did a test a long time ago and it seemed some healing spells was affected though. So it’s a mess and I am not building for it.

Your calculations seems to be correct but I might add

Draconbreath seems to have a max caster level of 20 as it is. It is not stated anywhere this is just from experience.

According to your own calculations master of the wilds gives you:
6 caster levels to creeping cold
5 caster levels to call lightning
10 caster levels to salt ray
0 caster levels to word of balance

And if you don’t use reflection of wave it is only 1 you gain to creeping cold.

I was really under the impression that the feat master of the wilds was not worth it, but this might change things. Not sure how to fit it in though.

For a druid level 32 without master of the wilds and without reflection of wave these are the caster levels written in the combat log in winter season and cold form:
Creeping cold 35
call lightning 31
Word of balance 26
salt ray 31
This was however with legendary pendant of azure sea giving 1 more caster level to cold spells.

I think that the combat log is correct about the caster levels but just does not take into account max caster levels.

Maybe this is way off. shouldn't 10 epic levels and 2 legendary levels give you +6 caster levels and max caster levels?

I would say that you calculations are correct but it does not correspond to what is in the combat log so now i am confused...

EDIT: With reflection of wave the only thing that changed was creeping cold to a caster level of 39 so it seems hruits necklace and reflection of wave caster levels do not stack.

[Ultinoob]

When you did your test did you have empower, maximise and intensify on? or just one of them?

The caster level of tsunami without the staff should be:
Tsunami caster level: 20 druid levels +5 epic levels +3 water elemental +1 hierophant +1 time and tide +1 elder of winter +1 dragonborn = 32
and with
tsunami caster level: 20 druid levels +5 epic levels +3 water elemental +1 hierophant +1 time and tide +1 elder of winter +1 dragonborn +5 reflection of wave = 37

If comparing this to your damage and spell power:
3800/8.83/12.5~34.4 - where 12.5 is the average damage and 8.83 is your spell power and 34.4 is the caster level.

The same calculation for with the staff gives a caster level of 38.95.

[Ultinoob]

Also i looked over your feats.

You take heavy armor profency. If you are willing to loose 1 wisdom you could put 11 ap into Natures Protector for that and gain 20 prr over the 6 you gain from falconry. Put nothing in falconry and loose crown of snow so only spending 41 in seasons herald.

This opens up a feat slot and you could take master of the wilds.

Just a thought. I understand if you wanna keep +1 wisdom over more damage and defense since your build is dc specced.

[Michele]

my tests were done without any active metamagic feats.


When you did your test did you have empower, maximise and intensify on? or just one of them?

The caster level of tsunami without the staff should be:
Tsunami caster level: 20 druid levels +5 epic levels +3 water elemental +1 hierophant +1 time and tide +1 elder of winter +1 dragonborn = 32
and with
tsunami caster level: 20 druid levels +5 epic levels +3 water elemental +1 hierophant +1 time and tide +1 elder of winter +1 dragonborn +5 reflection of wave = 37

If comparing this to your damage and spell power:
3800/8.83/12.5~34.4 - where 12.5 is the average damage and 8.83 is your spell power and 34.4 is the caster level.

The same calculation for with the staff gives a caster level of 38.95.

[Michele]

I would lose also the tier 4 feydark illusionist enhancement that gives +2% force spell critical chance and +1% universal spell critical chance.
Also it's needed a lot of healing amplification in R10 to self heal quickly.

Anyway I just published another build in the main post of this thread that uses Deacon of the auricular sacrarium set, with max DC, 75% cold spell critical chance, 105 cold spell critical damage, desert's biting sands set, +35% force spell critical damage, enhanced ghostly +15%;

it loses 30 artifact physical sheltering (no tough shields set augments).

For more survivability you could try to play with temporary hit points instead: winter's heart, cocoon, scales of the dragon, shard storm; with all those temporary hit points you should have enough time to clean a room of mobs in R10 with enough offensive power.


Also i looked over your feats.

You take heavy armor profency. If you are willing to loose 1 wisdom you could put 11 ap into Natures Protector for that and gain 20 prr over the 6 you gain from falconry. Put nothing in falconry and loose crown of snow so only spending 41 in seasons herald.

This opens up a feat slot and you could take master of the wilds.

Just a thought. I understand if you wanna keep +1 wisdom over more damage and defense since your build is dc specced.

[PedXing20]

Shifter .... +7 wisdom from racial and easy access to 1,200 HP via blood feast proc (awesome in r10). You save 4 racial AP and if you can find one more, you can pick up haste boost from falconry and % HP from conditioning.

With buffs, i run with almost 6,200 HP.

I still think for a DC caster who wants to be survivable it's a better option. Dragon born is the DPS choice for certain.

[Michele]

Shifter .... +7 wisdom from racial and easy access to 1,200 HP via blood feast proc (awesome in r10). You save 4 racial AP and if you can find one more, you can pick up haste boost from falconry and % HP from conditioning.

With buffs, i run with almost 6,200 HP.

I still think for a DC caster who wants to be survivable it's a better option. Dragon born is the DPS choice for certain.

I chose dragonborn because I also like dps, and the +3 evocation DC in dragonborn tree compensates somehow the 7 wisdom points of shifter class (the other spell schools illusion and transmutation work pretty well anyway).

Especially with the caster level coming from the legendary pendant of the azure sea, the dragonborn class is an obvious choice for me.

Anyway I see the advantages of shifter class and I understand if someone prefers it, but I will never play shifter for the reasons mentioned above.

[Michele]

replaced Falconry with Nature's protector enhancement tree to get the Nature's Defense stance (because I put insightful wisdom +6 on gogles instead of +5 from augment)