Avatar of Light

[-Avalon-]

Another build attempt, focusing on making light vulnerability as high as possible, then taking advantage of it, but keeping survivability of sacred defender. Figure staying in Exalted Angel for the benefits to light and Reborn. I don't personally have a Celestia, otherwise would grab IC: Piercing instead of Slashing. Looking for some critiques to make this the best it can be...

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 04.29.001
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 30 Lawful Good Purple Dragon Knight Male
(5 Paladin \ 3 Favored Soul \ 12 Warlock \ 10 Epic) 
Hit Points: 818
Spell Points: 1294 
BAB: 16\16\21\26\26
Fortitude: 30
Reflex: 16
Will: 24
                Feat/Enhancement
Abilities         Modified Stats
(36 Point)          (Level 30)
Strength                13
Dexterity               13
Constitution            32
Intelligence            17
Wisdom                  13
Charisma                23

Tomes Used
+5 Supreme Tome

                 Feat/Enhancement
                  Modified Skills
Skills             (Level 30)
Heal                    34
Jump                    29
Spellcraft              36
Use Magic Device        44 (fixed, was 49 for unknown reasons)

Level 1 (Paladin)
Feat: (Deity) Favored by Amaunator
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Rogue
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Rogue
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Warlock
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Wizard
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Wizard
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Wizard
Feat: (Human Bonus) Shield Mastery
Feat: (Selected) Tower Shield Proficiency

Level 2 (Favored Soul)

Level 3 (Warlock)
Feat: (Selected) Maximize Spell

Level 4 (Paladin)

Level 5 (Paladin)

Level 6 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Quicken Spell

Level 7 (Paladin)

Level 8 (Warlock)

Level 9 (Warlock)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Spell (fixed, was supposed to be there, but wasn't)

Level 10 (Warlock)

Level 11 (Warlock)

Level 12 (Warlock)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons

Level 13 (Warlock)

Level 14 (Favored Soul)

Level 15 (Favored Soul)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Shield Mastery

Level 16 (Warlock)

Level 17 (Warlock)

Level 18 (Warlock)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Spell

Level 19 (Warlock)

Level 20 (Warlock)

Level 21 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Epic Eldritch Blast

Level 22 (Epic)

Level 23 (Epic)

Level 24 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Intensify Spell

Level 25 (Epic)

Level 26 (Epic)
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Arcane Sphere: Epic Arcane Eldritch Blast

Level 27 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness

Level 28 (Epic)
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Divine Sphere: Epic Spell Power: Light

Level 29 (Epic)
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Multiple Spheres: Arcane Warrior

Level 30 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Epic Toughness
Feat: (Legendary) Scion of Celestia

Enhancements
Enhancement: Purple Dragon Knight - Human Versatility: Spell Power Boost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Purple Dragon Knight - Cormyrean Knight Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Eldritch Aura (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Aura of Courage (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Shape Vestments (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Aura of Menace (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Resilience of Body (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Resilience of Body (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Defense (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Defense (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Defense (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Bastion (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Bastion (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Bastion (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Power of Enlightenment - Light I (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Power of Enlightenment - Light I (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Power of Enlightenment - Light I (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Eldritch Burst (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Eldritch Burst (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Eldritch Burst (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Ward (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Ward (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Ward (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Power of Enlightenment - Light II (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Power of Enlightenment - Light II (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Power of Enlightenment - Light II (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Medium Armor Proficiency (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Retribution (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Retribution (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Retribution (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Brilliance (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spirit Blast (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spirit Blast (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spirit Blast (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Beacon (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Shining Through (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Displacement (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Angel of Vengeance (Fvs) - Font of Power (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Angel of Vengeance (Fvs) - Shield of Condemnation (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Angel of Vengeance (Fvs) - Scourge (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Angel of Vengeance (Fvs) - Scourge (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Angel of Vengeance (Fvs) - Scourge (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Angel of Vengeance (Fvs) - Animus (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Angel of Vengeance (Fvs) - Smiting (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Angel of Vengeance (Fvs) - Smiting (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Holy Bastion (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Sacred Defense (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Extra Lay on Hands (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Durable Defense (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Durable Defense (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Durable Defense (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Bulwark Aura (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Bulwark Aura (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Bulwark Aura (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Resilient Defense (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Resilient Defense (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Resilient Defense (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Resistance Aura (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Resistance Aura (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Resistance Aura (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Hardy Defense (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Hardy Defense (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Hardy Defense (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Constitution (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Spellshield Aura (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Spellshield Aura (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Spellshield Aura (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Tenacious Defense (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Tenacious Defense (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Tenacious Defense (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Constitution (Rank 1)

[Kadrios]

Hey -Avalon-,

ok, first thing I picked up on is that you missed your 9th level feat choice. I would say either grab Empower at that point, or perhaps Force of Personality (if you feel your will save wouldn't be high enough).

Secondly, why 5 levels of Paladin? You've taken T5 in ES, so unless you are going for the second use of smite evil, I can't see any major benefit, whereas warlock 13 would get you +5 UMD, and a 4th level spell (Evards maybe, or prot. Elements).

Thirdly (and based on my rough reverse engineering of your skill totals at level 30) 18 ranks in jump seems excessive. You can grab the Jump spell from warlock, and easily hit 40 points in jump by 9th level with barely any investment in skill ranks. Also, on a related note, I can't make your UMD total add up, I seem to be missing +5 from somewhere (i.e. I get to 44, not 49).

Personally, if I was running a melee 'lock and attempting to maximise the amount of light damage I was doing in a given time frame, I would drop shields, and go SWF + Orb (for the extra 30% attack speed), potentially consider bumping up my int a few points, and take utterdark blast from the tainted scholar tree (making my base eldritch aura damage work off light rather than force spellpower). I am also a fan of the easy +6MP, +2 melee and ranged damage and +22 USP gained from 9 points in Soul Eater. Granted, it might be a little tricky to find those points, without making some adjustments elsewhere.

I would also say that you could afford to cut your Con a few points (perhaps move a couple of points into Int and Cha). With your Sacred Defender bonuses and shining through, you will massive amounts of HP, even if you lose a few points of Con (Arguably Toughness and Epic Toughness could also go to free up slots for some more melee feats).

Another thing I would say is that you'd probably see more benefit running in DC and twisting in light spellpower from EA, since there a lot of nice things in DC for a melee 'lock, Castigation and Empyrean Magic being just two that quickly spring to mind.

[-Avalon-]

I thought I had put Empower in the 9th lvl feat choice, hmm, must have missed it, thanks. I agree, 4 Lvls of Pal and 13 Warlock would probably benefit more. My mind has gotten into the habit of thinking in certain number combinations (12/8, 18/2, 12/6/2, 12/5/3, 8/6/6, etc) due to the way that core benefits work =/ So, I completely missed that (13 just doesn't pop up lol)... I had extra skill points at certain points and bought Jump as I hate even more buttons/keys to press than I already do, and it's one extra thing that I just always have, even if being stared at by beholders. UMD went to 49 instead of 44? I have no clue why, those numbers are calculated by the program, so, I figured whatever it pumped out was correct.

As for the SWF/Orb, I like the idea, but, In the past, every time I have tried to play light armored, or TWF/SWF, I've been squished pretty easily. I really like my tin can toons as a result. I realize I could get faster attack speeds, and that would be awesome, but, I was more relying on the non-weapon damage, it factors in, but it's really not that much. Instead, I was focused more on the 'Having a shield out' part to give a good increase to PRR/MRR, etc... For some reason, going shield-less tends to cause extra-squishiness, even if the numbers say it shouldn't happen (at least for me lol)

I really like Utterdark... I just couldn't figure out how to have the 8 AP needed for it, and in the end had to scrap it because the perceived gains by spending the 8 AP elsewhere were more. I'd love to have it, so, please show me a good place to snag the 8... 22 USP sounds lovely as well, 6 MP, not so much... Perhaps I should drop the melee part completely, that would free up 3 from PDK, just need 5 more then? Dunno, will have to look...

The focus on con is because (and using exalted angel as well for Reborn), yet again, survivability. I want to be able to take 2+ hits from LE content at 30. So, get as much PRR/MRR, get as many HP, and as many Temp HP, with a way to easily revive myself every 10 minutes (just in case, and it helps a ton when soloing to know that I can always hit 'that' button). Likewise, I agree DC has a lot of temptation, but, the things you say to go with, are generally twistable (Empyrean). Castigation isn't however, but, then, it does Bane damage, and I can trigger Vibrance(EA) for light damage at the cost of 1 SP (incremental) per 2 seconds, or free when using Ascendance (2 min out of every 5 minutes), or when I do use Reborn, I get 2 minutes of ascendance, all cooldowns on light stuff is 1/5, get +100 more light spell power, 50% incorp, etc...

So, yeah, I kind of like EA more because the stuff in DC just doesn't seem to mix well with this build. However, I really would like to get Utterdark blast worked in, as well as the 22 USP... If you think of a way to do that without sacrificing things that are pretty necessary, let me know, and I'll make sure to add empower (not sure how that got left out?)

EDIT: Early morning + scatter brained + bad things going on in RL = bad math and not quite correct comments... I apologize if there are other errors (fixed the incorrect comment about 4 in PDK, etc)

[-Avalon-]

Fixed erroneous issues in the character build in post 1. Found a way to get Utterdark, scrapped melee except on basic attacks, most damage will be from blasts and auras, with 50% vulnerability added in. Dropped IC:Slash in lieu of mental toughness +IMT, to allow for Astral Vibrance to continue longer.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 04.29.001
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 30 Lawful Good Purple Dragon Knight Male
(4 Paladin \ 3 Favored Soul \ 13 Warlock \ 10 Epic) 
Hit Points: 809
Spell Points: 1591 
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 30
Reflex: 16
Will: 24

                 Feat/Enhancement
Abilities         Modified Stats
(36 Point)          (Level 30)
Strength                13
Dexterity               13
Constitution            32
Intelligence            17
Wisdom                  13
Charisma                23

Tomes Used
+5 Supreme Tome
 
Level 1 (Paladin)
Feat: (Deity) Favored by Amaunator
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Rogue
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Rogue
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Warlock
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Wizard
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Wizard
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Wizard
Feat: (Human Bonus) Shield Mastery
Feat: (Selected) Tower Shield Proficiency

Level 2 (Favored Soul)

Level 3 (Warlock)
Feat: (Selected) Maximize Spell

Level 4 (Paladin)

Level 5 (Paladin)

Level 6 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Quicken Spell

Level 7 (Warlock)

Level 8 (Warlock)

Level 9 (Warlock)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Spell

Level 10 (Warlock)

Level 11 (Warlock)

Level 12 (Warlock)
Feat: (Selected) Mental Toughness

Level 13 (Warlock)

Level 14 (Favored Soul)

Level 15 (Favored Soul)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Shield Mastery

Level 16 (Warlock)

Level 17 (Warlock)

Level 18 (Warlock)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Mental Toughness

Level 19 (Warlock)

Level 20 (Warlock)

Level 21 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Epic Eldritch Blast

Level 22 (Epic)

Level 23 (Epic)

Level 24 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Intensify Spell

Level 25 (Epic)

Level 26 (Epic)
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Arcane Sphere: Epic Arcane Eldritch Blast

Level 27 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness

Level 28 (Epic)
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Divine Sphere: Epic Spell Power: Light

Level 29 (Epic)
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Multiple Spheres: Arcane Warrior

Level 30 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Epic Toughness
Feat: (Legendary) Scion of Celestia
Enhancement: Purple Dragon Knight - Human Versatility: Spell Power Boost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Eldritch Aura (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Aura of Courage (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Shape Vestments (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Aura of Menace (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Resilience of Body (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Resilience of Body (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Defense (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Defense (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Defense (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Bastion (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Bastion (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Bastion (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Power of Enlightenment - Light I (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Power of Enlightenment - Light I (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Power of Enlightenment - Light I (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Eldritch Burst (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Eldritch Burst (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Eldritch Burst (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Ward (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Ward (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Ward (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Power of Enlightenment - Light II (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Power of Enlightenment - Light II (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Power of Enlightenment - Light II (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Medium Armor Proficiency (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Retribution (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Retribution (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Retribution (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Brilliance (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spirit Blast (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spirit Blast (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spirit Blast (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Shining Through (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Displacement (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Angel of Vengeance (Fvs) - Font of Power (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Angel of Vengeance (Fvs) - Shield of Condemnation (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Angel of Vengeance (Fvs) - Scourge (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Angel of Vengeance (Fvs) - Scourge (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Angel of Vengeance (Fvs) - Scourge (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Angel of Vengeance (Fvs) - Animus (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Tainted Spellcasting (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Feigned Health (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Feigned Health (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Feigned Health (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Strong Pact I (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tainted Scholar (Wlk) - Utterdark Blast (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Holy Bastion (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Sacred Defense (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Extra Lay on Hands (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Durable Defense (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Durable Defense (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Durable Defense (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Bulwark Aura (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Bulwark Aura (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Bulwark Aura (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Resilient Defense (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Resilient Defense (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Resilient Defense (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Resistance Aura (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Resistance Aura (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Resistance Aura (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Hardy Defense (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Hardy Defense (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Hardy Defense (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Constitution (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Spellshield Aura (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Spellshield Aura (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Spellshield Aura (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Tenacious Defense (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Tenacious Defense (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Tenacious Defense (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Constitution (Rank 1)

[Kadrios]

I thought I had put Empower in the 9th lvl feat choice, hmm, must have missed it, thanks.

No worries, easy enough to do

As for the SWF/Orb, I like the idea, but, In the past, every time I have tried to play light armored, or TWF/SWF, I've been squished pretty easily. I really like my tin can toons as a result. I realize I could get faster attack speeds, and that would be awesome, but, I was more relying on the non-weapon damage, it factors in, but it's really not that much. Instead, I was focused more on the 'Having a shield out' part to give a good increase to PRR/MRR, etc... For some reason, going shield-less tends to cause extra-squishiness, even if the numbers say it shouldn't happen (at least for me lol)

Personally, I find ES warlocks very survivable. Not sure if you've run a warlock before, but before you factor in anything other than ES cores and basic Warlock abilities you are looking at netting 25MRR, plus another 13 from Spiritual Ward, and potentially 6 more from Resilience of Soul (even if had the AP for it). ES also nets you between 13 and 19 PRR from enhancements (17 I believe in your case. Add in the small buffer of temp hp that resets every time your aura procs, and the much larger buffer whenever Shining through is off timer, and you'll generally be doing pretty well on the survivability timer. I am currently running a swashbuckler warlock, and it can survive fairly well through most epic content (2nd heroic life, with only 3 divine EPLs, and no PDK IPLs to add additional PRR). Granted I don't run LE content and I would probably have to tweak some aspects of my tactics/build for LE, but it does well in most EE content and all EH/LH content (currently at 25, did a 2 man run through LH creeping death with a level 27/28 shuri thrower the other night with no survivability issues)

I really like Utterdark... I just couldn't figure out how to have the 8 AP needed for it, and in the end had to scrap it because the perceived gains by spending the 8 AP elsewhere were more. I'd love to have it, so, please show me a good place to snag the 8... 22 USP sounds lovely as well, 6 MP, not so much... Perhaps I should drop the melee part completely, that would free up 3 from PDK, just need 5 more then? Dunno, will have to look...

The focus on con is because (and using exalted angel as well for Reborn), yet again, survivability. I want to be able to take 2+ hits from LE content at 30. So, get as much PRR/MRR, get as many HP, and as many Temp HP, with a way to easily revive myself every 10 minutes (just in case, and it helps a ton when soloing to know that I can always hit 'that' button). Likewise, I agree DC has a lot of temptation, but, the things you say to go with, are generally twistable (Empyrean). Castigation isn't however, but, then, it does Bane damage, and I can trigger Vibrance(EA) for light damage at the cost of 1 SP (incremental) per 2 seconds, or free when using Ascendance (2 min out of every 5 minutes), or when I do use Reborn, I get 2 minutes of ascendance, all cooldowns on light stuff is 1/5, get +100 more light spell power, 50% incorp, etc...

So, yeah, I kind of like EA more because the stuff in DC just doesn't seem to mix well with this build. However, I really would like to get Utterdark blast worked in, as well as the 22 USP... If you think of a way to do that without sacrificing things that are pretty necessary, let me know, and I'll make sure to add empower (not sure how that got left out?)

To be honest, if you're going to be in close using auras and the warlock cleaves, you're going to find yourself melee fighting for at least a few seconds between bursts, so anything you can do to make it better I would say go for (as I said, I run a swashbuckler 'lock at the moment). This is why I suggested going SWF and DC. The faster you attack, the more light damage you can do (from on-hit procs) between each set of bursts, along with whatever other on-hit effects your weapons do.

DC would also help the survivability front, offering 10PRR from Celestial Presence (as well as 10% acid, cold and electricity absorption and immunity to petrification), and the cores grant 50hp over Exalted Angel, as well as extra HAmp, Positive Spell power and passive healing on kill. Between your bursts, warlock aura and aura of purification, your enemies will very rapidly build up the maximum stacks of purification, which means more damage from castigation (far more than Astral Vibrance would provide, and at no additional cost). I know you said it deals bane damage, and you want to be mainly dealing light (and by extension alignment) damage, but the faster something dies, the better (if you are looking at survivability - best defence is a good offence and all that).

On the subject of Astral Vibrance itself, I'm not a massive fan. I'll grant you that melee 'locks generally have little need for SP outside of buffs and shining through, but it always seems very inefficient to me in terms of cost compared to damage. Not only does it have a fairly long cooldown (especially for an ability you are going to want to toggle on off so you don't waste SP running between encounters), but the damage takes forever to scale up to anything worthwhile (even with a decent light spellpower) - the only thing that will take more than the 38 seconds it takes for astral vibrance to build up to 20d4 on a single enemy will be massive hp meatsacks, and even then it shouldn't take that long. all the while, you'll be losing ever increasing amounts of spellpower. I just don't see the benefit (except maybe when you are in Angelic form, but even then, the amount of time it takes for the damage to build up to something useful still seems like a long time to me, especially compared to : run in -> Consecrate -> Spirit Blast -> EBurst-> melee for a few seconds -> repeat previous three steps until everything dead, refresh consecrate as necessary.

To each his(or her) own of course.

Another thing to consider is your pact damage. Your only option is fae pact, which builds off perform. I would personally free up most of the points from Jump and slot them into Perform to boost your sonic spellpower (and thus your aura and burst damage), as well as try and find a resonance and sonic lore item (or items) - I personally use Epic Blasting Chime from level 20.

I'd definitely suggest getting hold of an upgraded Lantern Ring if you don't already have one, and maybe look at getting the necklace from DoJ, so you add additional light and sonic damage on your bursts, and each aura proc.

I also found myself choosing Feywild over Celestia at level 30, as the on hit damage seemed more attractive than additional crit damage (only have the basic crit chance + radiant lore from the lantern ring, so focusing on crit damage didn't seem as worthwhile as lots more melee damage). With my sonic spellpower as it currently (which has plenty of item based room for improvement), I'm regularly seeing numbers between 150 and 200 on hits.

[-Avalon-]

Will reply to rest later when I have time, but one of the things that leaves a bad taste in my mouth from DC is consecrate. Seems so great in theory, but in reality, every time I've thrown it down, every single enemy immediately steps just outside of it. Because it is stationary, not an aura, it just sits there for 15 seconds and never hurts anything. Coupled with 20 seconds CD, plus 30 SP cost (for max 5 ticks). Horrible ability in practice. Too costly for no damage. If they made it an aura, then awesome.

[Kadrios]

That's entirely fair. I primarily use it for the area healing, the extra 10% from crusade, and the extra chance to stack up purification on mobs (even if they then move out of the area immediately).

Also, throwing black tentacles down on top of the consecrate helps keep them inside for that little bit longer (however, I find getting the tentacles to actually land where you want them to be a bit tricky)

Another thing to bear in mind (and this is something I'll need to do more testing on to confirm, but it certainly seems to be the case from a quick equip heavy armour, run to a slayer zone, use burst on enemies), is that both the warlock cleaves will test spell failure, and do no damage on fail (although the animaton will still trigger). Your armour (assuming you are wearing medium) won't be an issue, but the 50% failure from tower shields certainly will be.

[Hobgoblin]

Will reply to rest later when I have time, but one of the things that leaves a bad taste in my mouth from DC is consecrate. Seems so great in theory, but in reality, every time I've thrown it down, every single enemy immediately steps just outside of it. Because it is stationary, not an aura, it just sits there for 15 seconds and never hurts anything. Coupled with 20 seconds CD, plus 30 SP cost (for max 5 ticks). Horrible ability in practice. Too costly for no damage. If they made it an aura, then awesome.

when i was using this - i did it for boss fights mostly. i used it for me for heals and for the extra 10% damage, even when the mob moved out of the area.