Help me learn the art of buffing

[FlyingTurtle]

So at level 7, I found myself in a really good group with 4 solid fighter/barb DPS types.

My nuking was pathetic compared to their damage output and they killed everything too fast to require much CC (for that quest). I got only about 1/10-1/8 of the kills, or less, on my Firewalls and Fireballs: besides taking down the bosses faster I felt like I was just along for the ride.

My primary contribution for taking out trash was extended Haste and Blur. There weren't much elemental attacks in these quests and they had a top-notch rogue splash take care of the traps, so no resist/pro elem. Still, I feel like I'm not contributing optimally. I need sage advice. Thanks in advance.

[Fomori]

So at level 7, I found myself in a really good group with 4 solid fighter/barb DPS types.

My nuking was pathetic compared to their damage output and they killed everything too fast to require much CC (for that quest). I got only about 1/10-1/8 of the kills, or less, on my Firewalls and Fireballs: besides taking down the bosses faster I felt like I was just along for the ride.

My primary contribution for taking out trash was extended Haste and Blur. I feel like I'm not contributing optimally. I need sage advice. Thanks in advance.

At low levels twinked out melee's will kill stuff in 1-2 swings on normal, and sometimes hard. On elite setting mobs will have a few more hp so it might not always be the case.

Thus the best you can do is grab a greatsword/greataxe, cast masters touch on yourself, and join in on the melee frenzy. Be happy that you have a group that can put out great damage as it will help immensely when you get to mid and higher level quests.

If you feel you must 'nuke' then I would suggest splitting up the party to speed up the quest as you would get your own section to play in.

[ArloOne]

Buffs: Haste, Blur, Resist Energy, Heroism or Greater Herosim

Web is great!!!! Hypno works decent..to slow down mass groups of mobs. Other than that, just keep your DPS tankage hasted!!!

Thats just the basics..but remember...have fun!

[Templarion]

After you get FoD (Finger of Death) you can snipe the casters and some other special monsters before they can hinder the fighters. However, good fighters should be faster killing things than a sorcerer and on epic difficulty arcane casters are not even considered dps anymore.

Just buff others. Haste, blur, displacement, resists, stoneskin and repair WF. Hold and charm are also great spells.

Of course, firewall can be a killer when placed well and if other players are not very skilled but otherwise you are mainly a buffer.

[SINIBYTE]

So at level 7, I found myself in a really good group with 4 solid fighter/barb DPS types.

My nuking was pathetic compared to their damage output and they killed everything too fast to require much CC (for that quest). I got only about 1/10-1/8 of the kills, or less, on my Firewalls and Fireballs: besides taking down the bosses faster I felt like I was just along for the ride.

My primary contribution for taking out trash was extended Haste and Blur. There weren't much elemental attacks in these quests and they had a top-notch rogue splash take care of the traps, so no resist/pro elem. Still, I feel like I'm not contributing optimally. I need sage advice. Thanks in advance.

A true arcane knows when to weild his power, and to let the melee act like animals. Drop a little CC, toss out some haste, and let them kill the trash. We all know trash doesn't matter. Save a little SP for that big boss fight. While they're swinging wildly with toothpicks... show them what real damage is.

It's really completely OK for you do nothing but blur, haste, and pike the entire quest, then own the final battle.

[aristarchus1000]

A true arcane knows when to weild his power, and to let the melee act like animals. Drop a little CC, toss out some haste, and let them kill the trash. We all know trash doesn't matter. Save a little SP for that big boss fight. While they're swinging wildly with toothpicks... show them what real damage is.

It's really completely OK for you do nothing but blur, haste, and pike the entire quest, then own the final battle.

Agree with this. If you are coming from playing melee, it might take some getting used to, but survey the battle and figure out what is needed. You don't need to be constantly mashing buttons in order to feel like you are "doing something." You may need to drop a crowd control or a instant-kill spell on a caster the melees can't get to yet or are too busy. Also taking out mobs in hard to reach places may be a role (assuming you can't just zerg past them and ignore them).

If the trash is easy, don't feel bad about not doing anything. There are going to be a couple difficult fights through the quest where your talents are going to be needed, don't waste your spellpoints on mobs that are going to die anyway without any problem.