What about Otilukes sphere

[D'rin]

As the lvl cap goes up and the new enhancement system couples fire/ice, has anyone gone with otilukes freezing sphere for one of there 6th lvl spells. Since most people have hold monster and ck at 5th its harder to fit in cone of cold. Again the only time you are going to not want it and have disintegrate is against undead. Blackbone skeletons and the wiz king are the only ones that come to mind.

[Aspenor]

Otilukes is a nice spell, the cold version of fireball with a much higher damage cap.

[Malachi_Stormlight2]

Heh, the other night I crit Pious in SC with Otilukes for 786 points of damage with just empower on and an improved glaciation 6 item.

[winsom]

The problem with Cold ball 6th is that you can Electric ball with a 5th or Fireball with a 3rd.

Clearly, Fireball would be used against any non-fire immune, so Electric ball is the more SP-efficient spell against fire-resistant monster. How many monsters are both fire resistant and electric resistant but not cold resistant?

Is Cold ball worth using to get extra damage vs Cold Vulnerable creatures when you can Cold Cone the same creatures (at close range) for less SP?

Maybe these spells make more sense for Sorcerors with thier limited slot choices per level. IF your 5ths are full on other spells you like, then I could see Freezing Orb being picked. I think Greater Heroism or Disintegrate would be better choices though.

What spell are you going to use to damage the lich that is immune to all cold & electric spells and all spells of 4th (?) level and lower?

[Majere_Aumar]

I'm considering dumping flesh to stone for freezing sphere because its a good cold range attack thats at least guaranteed to do some damage (unlike niacs).

[Riorik]

One thing to keep in mind is some of the end bosses (raids in partiular) are actually resistant to many things if not outright immune to some. The Marilith, for example, is completely immune to electrical damage - and at some stages of the encounter, completely immune to 4th and lower level spells.

As a Wizard, I had no problems (yes, I realize this is really a sorceror question) - the Sorcerors I've talked to have had to balance resistances against the spells they have at different level. One that I know that uses Mass Suggestion at 6th uses Cone of Cold at 5th for his higher end damaging spell - and I know he's planning on Delayed Blast Fireball for his 7th level spell - in some ways specifically to be able to damage the Marilith.

[MrWizard]

Well, if you want to have fun...

Get a +1 evocation item.
Get at least one feat of evocation spell focus
Get a nice ICE lore item
Get a nice ICE% damage item
Beef up your ice enhancements (crit, crit chance, damage%)

Then with all that going on...take your party to trial by fire...go to the end guy.

Allow the fire mage to cast a few firewalls and everyone hold the line, or allow him to arcane jumping bean it....and wait a few minutes til he dies...

Then go in on elite and hit him with two powerful Otilukes (one may do the job) and watch him die before he even knows you are there.

Yes, awesome and seldom used spell, still goes through the doors too....and great in PVP....

Chain lightning is an awesome heavy damage too...huge...even in PVP...awesome...

[Aspenor]

Cone of Cold > Otilukes

Evocation focus as a feat is a waste, use an item instead.

*added*
(Combat): Your cone of cold hit Greater Fire Mephit for 1,460 points of damage.

[Draclaud]

I was planning on takeing the great cold ball. Until then, I'm not giving up my flesh to stone or disenegrate for it. F2S is a must have spell for Giant Hold Tor.