Questions from a new Sorc

[unionyes]

Thats a lotta math.

Good rule of thumb is for real lowbie sorc, use max only on bosses or in big fights. Once you have a little more manna to play with, in most quests you can pretty much keep empower on, and throw maximize on (as well as empower) for big fight AOE or end bosses. And once you are level 10 or so, you can keep maximize on and use empower in those types of situations.

I have a lot of respect for anyone who can perform (or even follow) the math used above. I know I can't. For my own math-nerfed purposes, I have found that the above rules of thumb (along with the appropriate crit and damage enhancements for your element of choice) deal enough damage to carry the day. I still remember the first time I used max and empower together along with a greater combustion scepter and saw the bright red triple digits rising up to the sky from the ogres in my firewall.........

[Barumar]

Maximize is more expensive to use each time.

Empowered/Maximized Firewall FTW!!! My only decision is whether to Extend it

At higher levels (and a nice Power and or Wizardry item) you will be able to use both together, for even more damage output. Niac's, Disintegrate, Scorching Ray, and other Fire-based spells really rock with both on!

As far as Heighten, I would not use Web without it, as it makes it more likely to 'stick'.

[Mad_Bombardier]

Good rule of thumb is for real lowbie sorc, use max only on bosses or in big fights. Once you have a little more manna to play with, in most quests you can pretty much keep empower on, and throw maximize on (as well as empower) for big fight AOE or end bosses. And once you are level 10 or so, you can keep maximize on and use empower in those types of situations.

Thank you unionyes, that it something I neglected to mention. Maximize will cost more, and you need to manage your SP pool more closely. But, it is also more efficient. More killing for less mana overall. So, I say use Maximize all the time, and learn to manage your SP. You don't need to cast at every mob in the quest. Let the tanks do their job and fight or round up mobs, then cast at opportune times.

[unionyes]

Thank you unionyes, that it something I neglected to mention. Maximize will cost more, and you need to manage your SP pool more closely. But, it is also more efficient. More killing for less mana overall. So, I say use Maximize all the time, and learn to manage your SP. You don't need to cast at every mob in the quest. Let the tanks do their job and fight or round up mobs, then cast at opportune times.

I agree. But if you let the tanks kill things, won't that just fill them with a false sense of confidence?

Seriously though, often I don't follow that rule of thumb, depends on the party. It was intended as a basic rule of thumb for running in a PUG with little teamwork. If they are fighting as a unit (especially if one has a paralyser) then a single maxed firewall works great. Or two in the same spot even. Unfortunately, lots of times in PUG's the tanks don't work so well together and you often have to take matters into your own hands and still have some manna left over for the end or until the next shrine. Although it does point out the obvious tactical flaws in a party when you announce that you have no manna left and suddenly the whole thing falls apart. For myself, I am not a zerger by any means, but I like to keep things moving and sometimes in spite of my best intentions I find myself spending manna just to speed things up. In those cases, and also when I am soloing, I prefer to use Empower all the time just to manage the all important blue bar.

[Mad_Bombardier]

I agree. But if you let the tanks kill things, won't that just fill them with a false sense of confidence?

I didn't say to let them kill things. I said to let them fight and round things up for you to kill.

[unionyes]

I didn't say to let them kill things. I said to let them fight and round things up for you to kill.

After a careful and considered review of this thread, I have to say you are right. My apologies for sloppy comprehension

Some days I feel that the main role of a tank is to stand there and draw aggro while casters kill things. That, and carry the crates of powder, etc.

[Mad_Bombardier]

Some days I feel that the main role of a tank is to stand there and draw aggro while casters kill things. That, and carry the crates of powder, etc.

They're good for carrying big heavy kegs of Ghallanda Distillate, too. Oh, and we need someone to haul our heavy loot throughout the quest.