Drow Wizard Pale Master

[Fennario]

a few suggestions:

- ditch jump
- ditch drow melee and spell resist enhancements
- add hide and move silently
- add shroud of wraith

You have the jump spell that gives you +30 to jump. Jump caps at +40, so you're gonna be at cap with buffs and items without a single point put into the skill.

You'll find that you're not gonna be swinging a weapon near enough to warrant spending action points on melee ability. And come next update drow will have built in spell resist, so that enhancement will be going away anyway.

Now fill that all in with stealth skills and the wraith. You might have to lose some diplomacy or haggle to fit it in. I vote for haggle. If you want a haggle character, I'd roll a bard.

With ranked up stealth skills, wraith, and the invisibility spell, you can get your stealth ability up there pretty high. Slap on a few items, cast GH, pop into wraith and you will be able to do a considerable amount of sneaking around.

This might open up a whole new side of the game for you when you are bored and want to solo some tough quests.

Just something to think about. Might as well take advantage of both lich and wraith if you are a pale master.

[Keplih]

You asked questions, people are responding. They disagree with your choices, you're calling that arguing.

SNIP.

Ok. I'm sorry. Let me try again.

YES I AGREE I NEED THE AUGMENTED SUMMONING. STOP TRYING TO CONVINCE ME TO DO SOMETHING I ALREADY SAID YES TO.

Ok. I think that might do it. It might not, and if it doesn't, I apologies that my communication skills aren't up to par with the comprehension of these boards. I will attempt to take another University English course so that I might better express myself.

My frustration can be summed up with:
Post 1: Keplih asks for help.
Post 4: voodoogroves suggests Augmented Summoning, Spell Focus: Enchant, Greater Spell Focus: Enchant
Post 8: Keplih agrees with voodoogroves on stuff.
Post 9: voodoogroves posts feat list.
Post 14: Keplih says YES - Augmented Summoning.
Post 15: voodoogroves tried to convince Keplih that he needs Augmented Summoning.
Post 17: Keplih points out that he already said "YES - Augmented Summoning."
Post 18: voodoogroves tells Keplih he needs to pay attention more that Augmented Summoning will help.

This is where I insert a facepalm, look back to the screen, and go make a coffee.

You're right. This isn't an argument. Arguments are logical and require two opposing points of view. Since we are BOTH saying "yes" to the same thing here, I'm not sure what I'm doing. No wait. I'm doing 0:53 & 1:31 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eneNtW-lVhE

metamagic feats like max, emp, ext, heighten, and quicken

Level 1 Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Extend Spell
Level 6 Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Maximize Spell
Level 12 Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Empower Spell
Level 15 Feat: (Selected) Quicken Spell
Level 18 Feat: (Selected) Heighten Spell

As I already have all the feats you've suggested, maybe I'm misunderstanding. Do you mean that I should disagree with the feat list voodoogroves has already provided, and that I've already changed around to fit closer to the growth he has suggested? If so, then my understanding is that you would rather Quicken and Heighten at level 5 and 10 respectively which would move Spell Focus: Necromancy and Greater Spell Focus: Necromancy to level 15 & 18 respectively, the effect of which would be to remove the ability to become a Pale Master which is the theme of this build?

@Entelech: That's not the direction I want to go in. I do see how they'd work. I'll probably use those suggestions if I work on a rogue variant later.

@Fennario: That's a direction I really hadn't thought about. It seems like it might fit in this build without sacrificing the capstone, and while keeping the flavor I wanted in the first place.

[voodoogroves]

Good luck! Best wishes!

[Jaid314]

@Jaid314: Maybe I'm missing something because I just woke up. Post #14 - New Feat list - Levels 5&10. I have 2 spell focuses. They're both Necromancy. What do you mean I don't have any?

for greater clarity: one spell focus in enchantment is better than no spell focus in enchantment.

[Keplih]

if you're dead set on keeping empower, i'd still trade mental toughness for spell focus: enchantment. having one spell focus is still better than having none (and you'll get plenty of use out of it if you use spells like mass hold)

...

for greater clarity: one spell focus in enchantment is better than no spell focus in enchantment.

Ok, this seems to be in line with something earlier, but since it was dropped, I didn't give it much thought at the time. I suppose what's confusing me is the focus on enchantment, while the enhancements are made to focus (pretty much from every general build I've read) on evocation (Fire & Frost), and I already have Spell Focus: Necromancy chain.

If what I've read is right (and I can't contradict nearly all the material out there) direct damage spells at later levels are nearly useless for whatever reason, and wizards are relegated to more of a CC and buffing battery. What you're saying is: regardless of any damage spells, or buffs, CC is greatly aided with the Spell Focus: Enchantment line?

If that's the case Empower, and pretty much by extension Maximize I would imagine, can both be replaced at later levels for the Spell Focus: Enchantment line. Or is it that Maximize still affects other spells beyond the damage dealing ones? Regardless, it seems that Mental Toughness < Empower < Maximize generally speaking, so if I'm just getting rid of 2, then Maximize is the one I keep. An answer on the Maximize question might help my play style in game though, as well, if I consider Fennario's post, I could keep Mental Toughness and Maximize for now, exchange Empower for Spell Focus: Enchantment now, and when I get to levels where my damage spells aren't working as well, I just swap Maximize for Greater Spell Focus: Enchantment. Would that work?

[Keplih]

1 - Extend, Toughness
3 - Spell Focus Enchantment (because Charm Person/Monster, Command Undead and Ooze Puppet give you a bigger army)
5 - Spell Focus Necromancy (required)
6 - Maximize Spell (for Wall of Fire)
9 - Augment Summoning (boosts hirelings, charms, summons and Pale Master pets)
10 - Greater Spell Focus Enchantment
12 - Greater Spell Focus Necromancy
15 - Quicken Spell, Spell Penetration
18 - Heighten Spell
20 - Greater Spell Penetration

In the end, seems like there were errors with this list of feats.
Error 1: Greater Spell Focus: (School) is not a wizard class feat. Level 10, therefore, does not work.
Error 2: Spell Penetration and Greater Spell Penetration are not wizard class feats. Level 20, therefore, does not work.

I can move 18 and 20 around.
To get GSF: Enchantment in here, I'd need to get it at level 9 and put in Augmented Summoning at level 10. Luckily, I still have the free feat exchange from Lockiana.

Conclusion: I understand that the Character Planner says GSF is a class feat for wizards, but DDO says it isn't when I try to level up. The Character Planner also doesn't recognize either SP or GSP as wizard class feats, which is good because DDO doesn't either. Please remember that if you're going to say you played a build, and I build it, and it doesn't work, then I'll call people on it.

[irivan]

Build Name: Drow Wizard Pale Master
Author: Keplih
Last Updated: 12/06/10

Key Words [Wizard, 28pts, Pale Master, Drow]

Objectives
As a F2P player with no gold income, or magical tomes, to speak of, I wanted to create a wizard which took advantage of the Drow bonuses because I don't have access to the 32 pt build or Warforged, but I do have access to Drow. I also wanted a wizard that could make use of the Robe of Shadow from the Mabar event. I've created the wizard already and he has his robe and wand. I'm looking to see if there are ways to streamline the enhancements, or if the choices I will be taking/have taken need to be redone. I might be able to change a few feats.

Summary Haves
- Drow
- 28 pt build
- Robe of Shadow from Mabar event
- +7 Eternal Wand of Disrupt Undead
- Ability to change feats (limited)
- Ability to change enhancements

Summary Have-Nots
- Warforged
- 32 pt build
- Stat Tomes
- Gear farmed from a higher level character

Design
I felt that he should be at least moderately melee capable for all those wonderful times I run out of spell points.
With the surplus of skill points on this character, I felt these choices, though less than optimal, created a more rounded character for solo play when needed.

The undead knight summoning adds another summoned creature beyond Monster Summoning which helps keep mobs at bay while spells are lobbed.

Following the Elemental paths seemed standard, and I couldn't find any paths for Negative Energy.
[/code]

Ok so forget strength

Here is my stat suggestions...

Str 8 - Why because later you can wear +6 item and avoid helplessness and you will never successfully melee as a pure wizard unless they are held then it doesnt matter what your strength is.

Dex 10 - Ac will never matter to a Wizard in this game, NEVER and a giant waste of ability points to boot.

Con 14 -Cuz Con is not a dump stat. And if you have no desire to use UMD(which you should) put the rest of here for as many HP possibilities as possible.

Int 20 - because DC's are every thing in this game. You can reach as high as a 48 DC or so if you do it right, stay the course and push you DC's as high as you can get them, and then getting access to Epic runs should not be a problem if you have a reliable mass hold monster and web.

Wis 8 - if you are going to be a PM, you dont need a will save, you are immune to all mind effecting spells, stuns, holds, etc.

Cha 12 - because you can have a meaningful UMD as a wizard and every point here will get you close to a very achievable 40. Yes news alert, UMD is one of the best things a Wizard can have for raids, like dragon on Epic where you can kick it with the heal crew and spam heal scrolls for spot healing. You can also often save many a group from wipes, etc. You just become so much more useful.

Do it like this and you win.

[Keplih]

@irivan: Thanks for the input. I've been given the same kind of input, however without a lesser heart of wood, I'm SoL at the moment. Good advice though.

Str - yeah, made a mistake at CC.
Dex - yup. that's what I currently have.
Con - again. got that on the button.
Int - yes. my mistake. Bad Keplih.
Wis - got it.
Cha - kind of makes sense for later levels. I see the wisdom in it.

[shagath]

I just swap Maximize for Greater Spell Focus: Enchantment. Would that work?

You definitely want maximize for negative energy burst as a PM.

[slimkj]

If what I've read is right (and I can't contradict nearly all the material out there) direct damage spells at later levels are nearly useless for whatever reason, and wizards are relegated to more of a CC and buffing battery. What you're saying is: regardless of any damage spells, or buffs, CC is greatly aided with the Spell Focus: Enchantment line?

If that's the case Empower, and pretty much by extension Maximize I would imagine, can both be replaced at later levels for the Spell Focus: Enchantment line.

Both have their place. You can't rely on damage spells for the majority of the time at cap like you can levelling, but I would still recommend having the option. I wouldn't play any arcane without both Emp and Max myself and I wouldn't recommend not having at least Max to anyone.

[wax_on_wax_off]

I'd even try to do a cost-benefit analysis on dropping con by 2 points (losing 20 hp) to up charisma by 4 points (+2 UMD). I'm not saying its better but it's very hard to get to 39-40 UMD on a pure wizard and that extra starting charisma might make the difference.

Having toughness, toughness enhancements, GFL item, minos, GS HP item will put up HP more than what you could need.

One of the best spells end game is mass hold monster which paralyzes monsters and lets you autocrit them. However, every held monster gets a save every 6 seconds. There is an exponential affect here that makes that +1 or +2 from spell focus feats absolutely awesome.

Maximise and empower are still useful endgame. It's not that damaging spells are useless its just that you won't have the SP to keep casting them later. The solution is to only use damaging spells on the really tough stuff and for all the usual trash to just let the melees clean it up. In epics it is quite often that you will be laying down a firewall and waiting for the epic mobs to burn through some tricky game mechanics/regular kiting/turtling. Burst DPS is very important for an arcane, persistent DPS is unattainable.

[Keplih]

You definitely want maximize for negative energy burst as a PM.

Right! For the healing AND damaging. First time PM, so I'm really trying to get my mind around stuff. Thanks for the reminder.

@slimkj: Hmm. Then I have a bit of a problem. I've be able to use my free feat swap already to save on cost, so anything level 10 or lower is permanent, at least at the moment. When I become an ultra rich wizard of power +infinite, then I'll be able to swap again. lol. So Seeing as this is my main, I like him. Rhere are items on him that I can't get back unless I TR. I'm also limited as to what can be done with him now. With this in mind, and what you said about Empower, what feats would you change in the feat list *after level 10*. I know should have done this before rolling him. Simple answer: I started him while I was F2P, compounded with issues connecting to any forum, even the F2P ones, so I couldn't post the build anywhere.

Level 1 (Wizard)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Extend Spell
Feat: (Selected) Toughness

Level 3 (Wizard)
Feat: (Selected) Spell Focus: Enchantment

Level 5 (Wizard)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Spell Focus: Necromancy

Level 6 (Wizard)
Feat: (Selected) Maximize Spell

Level 9 (Wizard)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Spell Focus: Enchantment

Level 10 (Wizard)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Augment Summoning

Level 12 (Wizard)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Spell Focus: Necromancy

Level 15 (Wizard)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Quicken Spell
Feat: (Selected) Spell Penetration

Level 18 (Wizard)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Spell Penetration

Level 20 (Wizard)                            I feel this feat could 
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Heighten Spell          be swapped for Empower

@wax_on_wax_off: all useful advice.
Re stats: Explained earlier. I know it sucks for me. I'll know better with my TR on this guy.
Re Mass Hold Monster: Ok, that's gold right there. Thank you. I'll do my best to remember to pick that one up first thing at level! And this also gives more credibility why SF:Enchant & GSF:Enchant are necessary on a wizard.
Re epic spell casting: This is my main. He's level 10. I'm looking forward to seeing epic content! However, as I do not want to be a drain on my guild, nor will I learn if I just tag along and let them carry me, I'm choosing to learn what I can during the early levels so that I'm effective-ish when I first hit epic content. To this effect, your advice is very useful! Thank you! I'll definitely keep it in mind (and I'll refer to this post) when it comes time.

[Carpone]

I'm going to suggest a middle ground.

STR 10, INT 20, CON 14

Go Wizard 20.

You'll be ok in the early levels if you want to beat-face even with a STR of 10. At the higher levels (12+) your necrotic touch/bolt and blast will be pretty significant.

If you're going for INT, I say go for INT. Pale Master is great because it can get decent DCs even with the necro focus via the bonus from Lich form. Capstone helps that as well, minimizing your need to take other Spell Focus feats.

I would not take Insightful Reflexes unless you had evasion.

Bring Maximize in closer - you'll want that to land key Walls of Fire from 7th on. Maybe take Maximize at 6th where you had Insightful.

I don't see Heighten. That is kind of a must-have. Take it at 15th where you had Maximize.

You don't need Mental Toughness unless you really really want Wraith form. Better to take Empower earlier or another Spell Focus.

This is good advice. 20 INT and 14 CON are solid. Dumping the rest of your stat points in STR is fine. You don't want to have to deal with encumbrance issues, and you want to shoot for 12 STR so you won't become helpless after becoming enfeebled. (+2 STR available from a ship shrine buff.)

With the number of shrines in early levels, there's no reason why you shouldn't take Empower and Maximize at level 1. Run through a quest, collect mobs, Burning Hands. It's that simple.

[slimkj]

With this in mind, and what you said about Empower, what feats would you change in the feat list *after level 10*

I'd ditch the second Spell Pen feat myself. You can boost it in other ways;

1) With items when needed - I have several weapon sets I swap between whilst questing, a potency paired with a Spell Pen or Greater Spell Pen is switched to when required and dependent upon what I'm facing and what I intend to cast.

2) With AP - this is always a balancing act dependent on where the pressure is in your build, but generally and especially on a caster, I would sacrifice a few more AP to free up a feat.

I've played several pure arcanes to cap (and the better geared ones into epic) and I can't clearly remember any common situation in game where a single Spell Pen feat with the full enhancement line isn't enough to manage. Personally I'd rather have Empower for the times when you really need that damage spell to matter - I can remember those times being many and often critical.


Edit: Also, just a couple of other points - the feat list before 10 looks fine anyway, I wouldn't change anything now. Maybe it could be altered a little depending on how you found levelling to 10 for next time to optimise the journey for your preference, but the content itself is good. Second, I wouldn't dump Heighten for another metamagic - I think it's invaluable. You can do without it, yes, but it has good applicability in a number of situations when you really need a lower level spell to stick.

[Jaid314]

up until level 12, feat respecs are not all *that* expensive. 10,000 siberys fragments will get you there. not sure what server you're on, but you might find it's not as expensive to feat swap as you think it is.

[Keplih]

@Carpone: (edit for the Nth time) Thank you for your comment.

@slimkj: This is all good advice. I'm not home to rework the build, atm, but I'll switch the feats as you suggested because your info seems solid. Thanks!

@Jaid314:
1) This is my main. He's level 10.
2) I changed 2 feats at level 8 to the tune of 5k pp each (read 10k pp total) donated to the 'Fred is a Dork' foundation for mentally challenged illithids.
3) I refuse to beg from guildies.
4) With these facts in mind, look again at the dragonshards, the cost that fred will require, and tell me again it's not 'that expensive'.
5) Pretty moot if the feats are ok anyway.

I want to thank those that have looked at my build. It seems I have something solid enough (even with the few mistakes at rollup) that I can play this until I am lucky enough to find (or have 900 TP to blow) on a lesser heart of wood.

[Jaid314]

@Carpone: (edit for the Nth time) Thank you for your comment.

@slimkj: This is all good advice. I'm not home to rework the build, atm, but I'll switch the feats as you suggested because your info seems solid. Thanks!

@Jaid314:
1) This is my main. He's level 10.
2) I changed 2 feats at level 8 to the tune of 5k pp each (read 10k pp total) donated to the 'Fred is a Dork' foundation for mentally challenged illithids.
3) I refuse to beg from guildies.
4) With these facts in mind, look again at the dragonshards, the cost that fred will require, and tell me again it's not 'that expensive'.
5) Pretty moot if the feats are ok anyway.

I want to thank those that have looked at my build. It seems I have something solid enough (even with the few mistakes at rollup) that I can play this until I am lucky enough to find (or have 900 TP to blow) on a lesser heart of wood.

hmmm... in that case, the problem is basically that you haven't hit the parts of the game where you start raking in the gold =S

if you had another character that was even level 14-15, you'd quite probably have over 100k plat on that one character alone, and possibly more. (well, provided you're not totally f2p and have adventure packs at that level... then again, with the number of times you'd have to run the handful of quests at those levels, you might still have that much plat)

[Keplih]

I'll get there eventually. It's just not in the cards right now.

Festivult Daily Specials has been my favorite site this December! It's a shame that the 12 days of X-mas start the 25th of Dec and end the 6th of Jan... I'm almost willing to make a song, if no one has yet, for the 31 days of Festivult. XD

[Carpone]

I'd ditch the second Spell Pen feat myself. You can boost it in other ways;

Spell pen is mostly for Amarath content and epics. +4 spell pen (from Greater Spell Pen feat) is significant. Triple wiz TR for the stacking +6 spell pen is in many caster's TR plans. It's just that good in a world where Wail of the Banshee and Mass Hold Monster are the spells you'll lean on the most at level 20.

[Kourier]

I'd keep heighten, otherwise you lose some nice spells like web (Web has no SR check and targets reflex save). Plus I guess you can say it boosts damage spells because it makes their save higher. (Excluding AoEs and things)