Nuker CC or Buffer debuffer?

[JaxtorMagnus]

Would you rather have a caster that was mainly a Nuker CC caster (with haste) or a caster that is a buffer debuffer (with firewall)?

[Sirea]

You can have it all.

[JaxtorMagnus]

Thats fine but that doesn't answer the question.

[Sirea]

OK, I'll put it this way then: I'd rather be versatile enough to be able to do any of it when needed. Having said that, I think a caster who exists only to buff and debuff is kind of limiting themselves.

[gavagai]

My two cents:

You'd be hard pressed to build a sorc or wiz that couldn't be good enough at both to make the choice moot. [It would be a greater trade-off if they had more good spells in the DPS/buff-debuff arena.]

If comparing strict specced casters, tho, an arcane buffer/debuffer will be less useful than a CC/DPSer. Why? Because debuffing enemies is generally inefficient SP use, so they would be relatively idle in combat unless buffing. That's why bards and clerics make excellent buffers/debuffers -- because in addition to those buffs and debuffs spells, they HEAL.

But any CC/DPS can carry useful spells -- Jump, Resist, Haste, Displacement, Stoneskin -- or use wands/scrolls to get the same effect. However, you can't wand offensive spells worth a dang.

[JaxtorMagnus]

My two cents:

You'd be hard pressed to build a sorc or wiz that couldn't be good enough at both to make the choice moot. [It would be a greater trade-off if they had more good spells in the DPS/buff-debuff arena.]

If comparing strict specced casters, tho, an arcane buffer/debuffer will be less useful than a CC/DPSer. Why? Because debuffing enemies is generally inefficient SP use, so they would be relatively idle in combat unless buffing. That's why bards and clerics make excellent buffers/debuffers -- because in addition to those buffs and debuffs spells, they HEAL.

But any CC/DPS can carry useful spells -- Jump, Resist, Haste, Displacement, Stoneskin -- or use wands/scrolls to get the same effect. However, you can't wand offensive spells worth a dang.

Thank you! Thats very helpful and has probably saved me allot of grief.