AM Illusion spec in Epics

[TitoJ]

I've heard that in epics, insta-death spells don't work. Not sure if this is true, or just true for gimp people like me.

Anyway, I'm not sad I took the illusion route so far, because, of course, I already knew I'd decimate the lower end of the questing gamut.

The big question is, is this something I should look to change out after I hit 20 or before maybe? Or is the ability to spam a low cost displace on yourself still a good reason to stay illusion spec? Right now I think's awesomeness, but I know things change at cap levels.

TY for any input.

[Qezuzu]

In Epics, CC is everything.

Go Enchantment if you run them often.

[Maegin]

See, the problem is, is wasting SPF:Illusion feat and the ap's/sp's to get something, that if you wanted to spam, can be done via scrolls, for free, if that is your goal.

Keep in mind that its best to have sla's of something that CAN'T be scrolled or wanded, ya know?

Your best bet, is to go enchantment for the mass holds, then follow it up with something (if you so choose) like necro or soemthing for when your not in epics.

SPF: Enchant
SPF: Necro

GSPF: Enchant

Cause in epics, and just like how haste is the single best combat multiplier in the game, mass hold does the same exact thing by equalling out how the mobs have 40x the hps, allowing your party to do 2x the damage, and basically rendering mobs hp from 40x to 20x. So, in turn, you do 20x more damage via your melee allies, if that makes sense.

[voodoogroves]

Or can't be scrolled/wanded as effectively.

[TitoJ]

See, the problem is, is wasting SPF:Illusion feat and the ap's/sp's to get something, that if you wanted to spam, can be done via scrolls, for free, if that is your goal.

Keep in mind that its best to have sla's of something that CAN'T be scrolled or wanded, ya know?

Yeah, this I know. My reasoning for wanting illusion was actually to spam pk.

I was just asking mainly if PK and insta kills were worthless in epics, and basically is it worth keeping the spec for epics, if I can't even use insta kills.

Apparently it's looking no.

A better question would be, is PK worthless in epics lol....I sorta need to get to the point don't I?

[Maegin]

<snip>
A better question would be, is PK worthless in epics lol....I sorta need to get to the point don't I?

Yes.

[Jaid314]

the only instant-death spell that works in epics (to my knowledge) is trap the soul. and even that depends on how many HD the target has, which may make it not work.

about the only "useful" illusion spell might be hypnotic pattern. but if you spam that, well... let's just say that some people are not big fans of the visual effect of the spell (even though it is a tremendously effective spell at what it does).

enchantment with secondary conjuration is great for epics (spammable web, spammable hypnotism/resistible dance), enchantment with secondary necromancy (just for the DCs on finger and wail) or evocation (for the cheap damaging SLAs) are popular and fairly good for most anywhere else.

[Eladiun]

GSF: Enchantment
SF: Conjuration

Those 3 point webs are great on pesky casters and clerics who save vs Hypno or Mass Hold.

[stoolcannon]

In Epics, CC is everything.

Go Enchantment if you run them often.

What he said.

However, contrary to the other thread about gimp casters you can still remain versatile and provide DPS and not nerf your ability to insta-kill.

I did the following to adjust for epics:

20Drow Wiz
Int 38 (40), (42) (20 base, +5 levels, +6 item, +3 enhancement, +2 wizard capstone, +2 tome) (+2 ship) (+2 Store pot) - I dont have yugo pots and won't be getting them anyway and giving up fort
Max con

HP: 332, (352) (372) - Base (Ship) (Ship + store) - I only use store pots in rare instances where I'm worried about taking hits such as the final fight in epic chrono
Sp: 2107 or something in that range

Feats: I think this is all of them
Toughness
Maximize
Empower
Extend
Spell Pen
Greater Spell Pen
Spell Focus Enchant
Greater Spell Focus Enchant
Spell Focus Necromancy

Enhancements: Not gonna list them all, just the primary ones I took for damage or archmage
Elemental enhancements (Fire and ice) - critical base and damage base - all levels
Archmage Enchant I
Archmage Enchant II
Archmage Necro I
Didnt take any of the Archmage free spells in order to conserve my SP

I don't have any special gear except the mabar robe for necro DC's and various +1 DC items and a +100sp item
Standard spell pen VII items and stat buff items

DC's:
Enchant: 38 (39) (40) - Base (Ship) (Ship + store pot)
I ONLY use store pots if I happen to die in an epic, 39 is more than enough most of the time

Necro: 38 with mabar robe + ship buff + store pot, 36 standing

My firewalls hit for enough to hold aggro in epics and my enchants land the majority of the time. My symbols and webs also land most of the time. If I struggle anywhere it's with my spell pen when I'm running OOB or anywhere with mobs that have very high Spell Resistance.

My death spells land almost all the time up through IQ. Haven't tried them in amrath recently but I suspect 38 isn't going to get the job done with Shav heroism in effect.

If I was to change anything I might swap out SF: Necro for another toughness feat to get my HP closer to 400.

In epics my typical strat is to lay down a symbol, lay down a dance ball, lay down some webs, hit a hold mass and then dance anything still moving.

[stoolcannon]

and of course FW at doors + shield block works wonders.

[TitoJ]

Thanks for the input guys, this will help me prepare as I try to reach cap.

Although with as slowly as I level things will change as soon as I get there mwahaha.