Request: Lightning Wizard or Sorcerer

[VampireCactus]

Hi there!
I've looked around a bit, but haven't really found anything.
I was wondering if someone had any advice/build plans for a wizard or sorcerer that focuses on getting and using all the lightning-based spells. I'd prefer to use either an elf or a drow. Also I don't have 32 point builds. Other than that, I don't really have any specifications (that I can think of right now at least).

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks in advance for your help!

[Aurora1979]

Ill give it a go....

Given what you have asked my opinion would be to use a drow, go sorcerer. Take you lightning spells as you go, Max cha, either 12 or 14 con, last points into str. Take all of the lightening enhancments line, get yourself a lore item and/ or some potions.... superior spark i think but im not sure as ive never brought them.

Theres really not a whole lot of build advise needed but, ill now put in my personal opinion.

You will probably get fed up and respec to fire/ice. The lightning spells are, to be frank, pretty poor. Having said that, you will get through invenerabilties in amarath..... im not sure on the tieflings.... I think they have a bit of lightning resist.

[hityawithastick]

The damage magnification quality is Magnetism. When you hit level 10 or so, start looking for Superior Magnetism V. Get that, throw on Maximize, take the crit chance/damage + enhancement lines, and toss lightning bolts all over the place. Most things that are immune to electricity are not immune to acid, and vice versa. Good luck!

[VampireCactus]

Thanks for the contributions!

So is the general consensus that I should go with Sorcerer?

[shadowsaun]

I suggest you go Drow Wizard: take all fire line enchantments, become best friends with Firewall and then go Pale Master.

the Sorc vs Wiz debate will keep you from playing the game as you will be reading for 1.378 years

[VampireCactus]

I suggest you go Drow Wizard: take all fire line enchantments, become best friends with Firewall and then go Pale Master.

the Sorc vs Wiz debate will keep you from playing the game as you will be reading for 1.378 years

Alright, but I know pretty much nothing about building a wizard...or a sorcerer...or pretty much anything at all, for that matter. You wouldn't happen to have any links to guides/builds that I could follow (while altering slightly to focus on lightning spells), would you?

[ciep]

Wizards and Sorcs are both fun, so enjoy. While I would lean slightly towards sorc for a toon focused on acid/electric, I'd also highly recommend trying out a wizard for your first arcane, as it allows you to play with more feats and to swap out spells more frequently. Learning on a wizard is a great way to go.

Another note: it is fairly easy to max out both acid/electric *and* fire/cold enhancements, and I would recommend you do so. A wizard who invests heavily into the wiz PREs will find this a touch more difficult, but it is doable.

Just because you're building a toon that will favor electric/acid spells doesn't mean you should ignore fire/cold. Wall of Fire, the Fireballs, Cone of Cold, and Polar Ray are situationally important and will serve you well even if you like casting Chain Lightning, Ball Lightning, and some acid spells.

[Thanolis]

One of the main issues I would have with running a lightning/acid spec'd caster is the lack of persistant damaging spells such as wall of fire.At 20th level acid rain(4th level spell) does 3 to 12 dmg for 12 sec's,Cloudkill(5th level spell) isnt too bad at 2-12 dmg + 1 per caster level for 1 min 15 sec.It gets a little better with Acid fog(6th level spell)2-12 dmg +2 per caster level for 2 min 30 sec's, and that is about all you have for spell selection.Also,Cloudkill doesnt work if the mob is poison immune.

[shadowsaun]

I support the idea of going wizard first SOLELY for the fact that you can play with your spell selection more. I promise promise you...you will not be missing that lightning/acid idea much! Chain lightning is just...wait, why is that not on my hot bar? Oh ya..fire wall

say it with me F I R E W A L L

So go wizard, get to level 7.

There are TONS of builds out there! Check the class specific threads for more. Pretty basic max con and max int/cha. Keep your balance, concentration, UMD, up high as you can!

Ill tell you what I did. I just took the pre-made path of a human wizard at first. Got a basic handle on things, got my favor for Drow and rolled my real FIRST character.

I doubt you'll keep your first character, there is SO much to learn in this game. Good for you for starting that path! In about a year (if your normal like me) you will start to truly understand a lot, but so much opens up after level 20, its like a new game. Do you plan to play after level 20 (meaning epics, and the gear grind)? Decide now, this will affect you major!

[shadowsaun]

One of the main issues I would have with running a lightning/acid spec'd caster is the lack of persistant damaging spells such as wall of fire.At 20th level acid rain(4th level spell) does 3 to 12 dmg for 12 sec's,Cloudkill(5th level spell) isnt too bad at 2-12 dmg + 1 per caster level for 1 min 15 sec.It gets a little better with Acid fog(6th level spell)2-12 dmg +2 per caster level for 2 min 30 sec's, and that is about all you have for spell selection.Also,Cloudkill doesnt work if the mob is poison immune.

+1 for your sig and good advise!

[Gildas]

Hey dude love the request.

think i may be one of the few ppl that run a Sorc that is lightning/acid based.
Dont let ppl tell you ahh your gimp..should only use fire n cold.. tell them to shove it.

Love playing my sorc. lvl 20 with capstone. All elec/acid spells and i find its a blast to play. Can match most ppl on DMG wise.Yes theres not alot that is double dmg but lightning still takes it toll on monsters.

Like most ppl have said. Take any enchancements that deal with acid.elec. Few items around that also help with lightning. Dont ask me off top of my head..i play for fun so forget half the items i use.

Personally i went human for my sorc. Extra feat toughness your going to need it. also take subtle spell casting. helps a lot with agro. also take the spell focus Evocation.

Hope it helps matey