First Sorceror Build

[Velorn]

As you can see in my sig, I have various characters I like playing. This time I chose the Sorc class. Since this is my first attempt, I'd like a critique of the build. Just got him to the harbor last night and I'd like to see what everyone thinks before I start quaffing tomes. The spells I chose reflect the feats and enhancements for a fire/ice specced sorc with the ability to buff the party with the more important buffs. Took the WF repair spells for obvious reasons. At end game, I think I should be able to UMD heal scrolls and raise dead. (Hopefully)

Just a side note about the tomes. I have a +1 Cha tome and +1 Con tome. The rest will be obtainable from my capped characters. I pull my fair share The two +3 tomes are from raiding....hopefully they will show up upon 20th (40th, 60th, etc.) raid completions.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 2.96
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Freebs 
Level 16 Lawful Good Human Male
(16 Sorcerer) 
Hit Points: 148
Spell Points: 1805 
BAB: 8\8\13
Fortitude: 9
Reflex: 6
Will: 19

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 16)
Strength             10                    12
Dexterity            10                    12
Constitution         14                    18
Intelligence         10                    12
Wisdom               12                    14
Charisma             18                    28

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Charisma used at level 1
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 16
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 16
+3 Tome of Constitution used at level 16
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 16
+2 Tome of Wisdom used at level 16
+3 Tome of Charisma used at level 16

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 16)
Balance               0                     1
Bluff                 8                    28
Concentration         4                    22
Diplomacy             4                     9
Disable Device        n/a                   n/a
Haggle                4                     9
Heal                  1                     2
Hide                  0                     1
Intimidate            4                     9
Jump                  0                     1
Listen                1                     2
Move Silently         0                     1
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform               n/a                   n/a
Repair                0                     1
Search                0                     1
Spot                  1                     2
Swim                  0                     1
Tumble                1                     2
Use Magic Device      6                    21

Level 1 (Sorcerer)
Feat: (Human Bonus) Maximize Spell
Feat: (Selected) Mental Toughness
Enhancement: Human Versatility I
Enhancement: Sorcerer Elemental Manipulation I
Enhancement: Sorcerer Energy of the Dragonblooded I


Level 2 (Sorcerer)
Enhancement: Sorcerer Improved Maximizing I
Enhancement: Sorcerer Charisma I
Enhancement: Sorcerer Wand Mastery I


Level 3 (Sorcerer)
Feat: (Selected) Skill Focus: Use Magic Device
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery I
Enhancement: Sorcerer Lineage of Elements I
Enhancement: Sorcerer Wand Heightening I


Level 4 (Sorcerer)
Enhancement: Sorcerer Elemental Manipulation II


Level 5 (Sorcerer)
Enhancement: Human Versatility II
Enhancement: Sorcerer Lineage of Deadly Elements I
Enhancement: Sorcerer Energy of the Dragonblooded II


Level 6 (Sorcerer)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Mental Toughness
Enhancement: Sorcerer Charisma II


Level 7 (Sorcerer)
Enhancement: Human Adaptability Charisma I
Enhancement: Sorcerer Subtle Spellcasting I
Enhancement: Sorcerer Subtle Spellcasting II


Level 8 (Sorcerer)
Enhancement: Sorcerer Lineage of Elements II
Enhancement: Sorcerer Spell Penetration I


Level 9 (Sorcerer)
Feat: (Selected) Force of Personality
Enhancement: Sorcerer Energy of the Dragonblooded III


Level 10 (Sorcerer)
Enhancement: Sorcerer Lineage of Deadly Elements II
Enhancement: Sorcerer Elemental Manipulation III


Level 11 (Sorcerer)
Enhancement: Sorcerer Elemental Manipulation IV


Level 12 (Sorcerer)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell
Enhancement: Sorcerer Lineage of Elements III


Level 13 (Sorcerer)
Enhancement: Sorcerer Energy of the Dragonblooded IV

Level 14 (Sorcerer)
Enhancement: Sorcerer Lineage of Deadly Elements III


Level 15 (Sorcerer)
Feat: (Selected) Spell Penetration
Enhancement: Sorcerer Charisma III


Level 16 (Sorcerer)
Enhancement: Sorcerer Spell Penetration II

So, what do you think? Maybe drop a few points from bluff to bump up balance?

[juniorpfactors]

lower wisdom ... put points into con ..can never have enought hp....lowest starting con would be 15

max umd all the way, all points into Char...its pretty cookie cutter from there...enjoy...I preffer human for the extra feat which are very very few on socs

drop extend... drop umd feat later and you will need to take greater spell pen and drop umd after crafting shroud item with +6 umd, and get necromancy feat
drop force of personality... need max and empower, both spell pens and both necromancy at end game
no room for human versatility ii and even harder to get soc energy 4 there are just too many ap better spent

to kill with fire and ice you need Max and empower and never turn them off

socs kill they dont buff with extend... extend is not necessary at all after lvl 11 say if ever

good luck

jrp

[Velorn]

lower wisdom ... put points into con ..can never have enought hp....lowest starting con would be 15

max umd all the way, all points into Char...its pretty cookie cutter from there...enjoy...I preffer human for the extra feat which are very very few on socs

drop extend... drop umd feat later and you will need to take greater spell pen and drop umd after crafting shroud item with +6 umd, and get necromancy feat
drop force of personality... need max and empower, both spell pens and both necromancy at end game
no room for human versatility ii and even harder to get soc energy 4 there are just too many ap better spent

to kill with fire and ice you need Max and empower and never turn them off

socs kill they dont buff with extend... extend is not necessary at all after lvl 11 say if ever

good luck

jrp

Thanks for the critique JRP. Very valid points. I too enjoy the extra feat that Humans get. I'll keep the free feat swap from that little Dragonmark quest in the harbor for when I swap out UMD. Dropping extend for Necromancy focus as well. The enhancements can be changed out for other one's as time goes on.


Again thanks.

[MrWizard]

looks fine, you have max charaisma and that is all you need, the rest really does not matter and almost everything, spells, feats, enhancements, can all be changed...enjoy

[bobbryan2]

My Human Sorc build, which I love to this day:

8
8
18
8
8
18


CON serves you so well in this game as a sorc.

[juniorpfactors]

Thanks for the critique JRP. Very valid points. I too enjoy the extra feat that Humans get. I'll keep the free feat swap from that little Dragonmark quest in the harbor for when I swap out UMD. Dropping extend for Necromancy focus as well. The enhancements can be changed out for other one's as time goes on.


Again thanks.

exactly how i did it... dragonmark...and like 3 shards as I levled good luck to ya

[Pallol_One-Eye]

The way you decide to build your Sorc is totally up to you, IMHO. It all depends on how you want to run your character. My Sorc at 16 can buff, nuke and instakill with the best of em. I have empower, maxamize, extend and heighten. I currently have 2330 SP and the ability to totally buff myself for solo runs when I get bored of the Shroud or Hound grind. Got a Stormreaver's Napkin, Superior Pot VI item, Spell Pen VII item and Necro item as well.

I had to pick spells wisely as I carry some limited CC, Disco Ball, Mind Fog and Web. I hated giving up Banish for Disco ball, but what are you going to do??

Anyway, just my opinion in the matter. My CON is not the greatest, but with a 36 CHA the goal is to kill them before they can even hit me +).

Best of luck to you!

P.S. I run a drow in case you were wondering. She is also predominantly specced for fire/ice. She has 2 lvls of spell pen and no spell focus feats at all.

[bobbryan2]

P.S. I run a drow 32 pt build in case you were wondering. She is also predominantly specced for fire/ice. She has 2 lvls of spell pen and no spell focus feats at all.

32 pt drow. That's impressive.

[Pallol_One-Eye]

32 pt drow. That's impressive.

It would be more impressive if you DID NOT know what I meant here!

[LewsTherin]

socs kill they dont buff with extend... extend is not necessary at all after lvl 11 say if ever

Extend is useful as a Sorc. They are not only made to nuke, pk or fod. I use extend on haste, rage and displacement as well as gh, resist energy, blur, etc... in raids.

I also wouldn't worry about improved mental toughness. Sorcs have enough spell points as it is. Plus you can craft an item to get more. Necromancy focus seems a bit wasteful just for fod unless you plan on taking other necromancy spells. I took Heighten and run with it on constantly to up the DCs of my lower level spells(web, hold monster, flesh to stone, suggestion, pk, etc...).

My point is that there's more than one way to make a Sorc. You don't just have to spam fod and pk, or scorching ray and cone of cold.

[juniorpfactors]

Extend is useful as a Sorc. They are not only made to nuke, pk or fod. I use extend on haste, rage and displacement as well as gh, resist energy, blur, etc... in raids.

I also wouldn't worry about improved mental toughness. Sorcs have enough spell points as it is. Plus you can craft an item to get more. Necromancy focus seems a bit wasteful just for fod unless you plan on taking other necromancy spells. I took Heighten and run with it on constantly to up the DCs of my lower level spells(web, hold monster, flesh to stone, suggestion, pk, etc...).

My point is that there's more than one way to make a Sorc. You don't just have to spam fod and pk, or scorching ray and cone of cold.

nope you dont have to but it works, if you want your spells to land and kill thats my suggestions if you want to be a do it all your suggestions are great as well...there are 100 ways to mix and match, makes us all different and i carry heighten as well
i dont worry to much about haste 1:31 gets me where i need to go, bard and wiz for raids can take care of rage and hastes as well, and 15 min buffs are plenty long enough imo, and can be reupped via a soc in 4 secs if necessary ...all 3 of the most recent raids dont require more than 15 min buffs, vision does, but you have bat down time to reapply if a wiz doesnt cast them

jrp
jrp

[Riddikulus]

If you haven't looked at Aspenor's sorceror build guides I found them very helpful...

http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=116127
http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=117934
http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=117937

[Aspenor]

Be true neutral.

[Velorn]

So I looked at all the suggestions, read the builds Aspenor made and here's what I came up with. I want extended buffs for myself (soloing). This is the build I will create tonight. Things will change as I roll with him. I could conceivably get 38 cha with a +3 tome and a +9 Greensteel sceptre. At some point I'll swap out Skill Focus: UMD for Greater Spell Penetration.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 2.90
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Freebs 
Level 16 True Neutral Human Male
(16 Sorcerer) 
Hit Points: 116
Spell Points: 1695 
BAB: 8\8\13
Fortitude: 7
Reflex: 5
Will: 10

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 16)
Strength             10                    10
Dexterity            10                    10
Constitution         14                    14
Intelligence         12                    12
Wisdom               10                    10
Charisma             18                    27

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Charisma used at level 1

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 16)
Balance               0                     2.5
Bluff                 7                    28
Concentration         5                    21
Diplomacy             4                     8
Disable Device        n/a                   n/a
Haggle                4                     8
Heal                  0                     0
Hide                  0                     0
Intimidate            4                     8
Jump                  2                     6
Listen                0                     0
Move Silently         0                     0
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform               n/a                   n/a
Repair                1                     1
Search                1                     1
Spot                  0                     0
Swim                  0                     0
Tumble                1                     1
Use Magic Device      6                    20

Level 1 (Sorcerer)
Feat: (Human Bonus) Maximize Spell
Feat: (Selected) Mental Toughness
Enhancement: Sorcerer Elemental Manipulation I
Enhancement: Sorcerer Energy of the Dragonblooded I

Level 2 (Sorcerer)
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery I
Enhancement: Sorcerer Charisma I

Level 3 (Sorcerer)
Feat: (Selected) Skill Focus: Use Magic Device
Enhancement: Sorcerer Improved Maximizing I
Enhancement: Sorcerer Lineage of Elements I
Enhancement: Sorcerer Wand Mastery I
Enhancement: Sorcerer Wand Heightening I

Level 4 (Sorcerer)
Enhancement: Sorcerer Elemental Manipulation II
Enhancement: Sorcerer Subtle Spellcasting I

Level 5 (Sorcerer)
Enhancement: Human Adaptability Charisma I
Enhancement: Sorcerer Lineage of Deadly Elements I
Enhancement: Sorcerer Energy of the Dragonblooded II

Level 6 (Sorcerer)
Feat: (Selected) Spell Focus: Necromancy
Enhancement: Sorcerer Charisma II

Level 7 (Sorcerer)
Enhancement: Sorcerer Elemental Manipulation III
Enhancement: Sorcerer Spell Penetration I

Level 8 (Sorcerer)
Enhancement: Sorcerer Lineage of Elements II

Level 9 (Sorcerer)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Spell
Enhancement: Sorcerer Lineage of Deadly Elements II
Enhancement: Sorcerer Energy of the Dragonblooded III

Level 10 (Sorcerer)
Enhancement: Sorcerer Elemental Manipulation IV

Level 11 (Sorcerer)
Enhancement: Sorcerer Lineage of Elements III

Level 12 (Sorcerer)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell
Enhancement: Sorcerer Charisma III

Level 13 (Sorcerer)
Enhancement: Sorcerer Energy of the Dragonblooded IV

Level 14 (Sorcerer)
Enhancement: Sorcerer Spell Penetration II

Level 15 (Sorcerer)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Spell Focus: Necromancy
Enhancement: Sorcerer Lineage of Deadly Elements III

Level 16 (Sorcerer)
Enhancement: Sorcerer Bluff I
Enhancement: Sorcerer Wand Mastery II
Enhancement: Sorcerer Wand Heightening II

[bobbryan2]

Out of curiosity, are you one of those people that just don't like negative modifiers on their skills? If so, that's cool. But if you're thinking you're going to get a lot of bang for your buck with the 10's, then you probably won't.

On another note, I really like extend on my sorc. I know a lot of Sorcs think it's a waste, but so much of the high end raid content is geared for crowd control, it's becomming more important, in my mind. Haste, displacement, rage, firewall, mind fog, web, cloudkill, acid fog, etc...

Extend allows you to kill more efficiently, it's not just about buffs. For longer fights, it allows two 60 point firewalls to cost 70 instead of 120. Spell penetration is really important now. I'd try to hit 22ish to be able to really land things at high levels, whether it's debuffs, instakills or just crowd control.

[Velorn]

Out of curiosity, are you one of those people that just don't like negative modifiers on their skills? If so, that's cool. But if you're thinking you're going to get a lot of bang for your buck with the 10's, then you probably won't.

On another note, I really like extend on my sorc. I know a lot of Sorcs think it's a waste, but so much of the high end raid content is geared for crowd control, it's becomming more important, in my mind. Haste, displacement, rage, firewall, mind fog, web, cloudkill, acid fog, etc...

Extend allows you to kill more efficiently, it's not just about buffs. For longer fights, it allows two 60 point firewalls to cost 70 instead of 120. Spell penetration is really important now. I'd try to hit 22ish to be able to really land things at high levels, whether it's debuffs, instakills or just crowd control.

Ya, I really hate negative modifiers on my stats...and that's all I can say about that.