34pt Battle Mage help

[aradelothion]

I'm almost ready to TR my 32pt version of the Precious build (by Phidius) into... another battle mage. Thing is, I'm kinda torn between what to TR *as*. I suppose I could TR him into the same build, but I'd love any input. One thing to note: I'd really rather not go the Tukaw route, or any sorc version until I have 3 Wiz past lives behind me. And I still want to fill a primary caster role if needed. But I really wanna be in the fray 90% of the time.

One thing I've noticed (and it may just be because I don't have uber gear yet) is that my DPS pales in comparison to a dedicated melee. Well, yeah of course But when I say pales in comparison, I mean it's probably about ~50% of what my melee guys do. I'd like for that to be better..maybe 70%? Not real calculated numbers mind you, but it's what it feels like. I understand that levelups in STR and STR-focused abilities (surge, rage, etc) and gear (boots, etc) have a lot to do with that, but I might be missing something else that could boost it up in this next life.

Build goals:
- Respectable melee DPS
- Good enough DC's and spell pen
- Self-Healing (of course)

So here's my options; please help me with the pros and cons of each, or suggest more options if you can.

Options:
- 18/2 Wiz/Rog
- Precious build 17/2/1 Wiz/Rog/Ftr
- 18/2 Wiz/Monk
- 17/2/1 Wiz/Monk/Rog
- others?

Thanks in advance

[Phidius]

Having the DCs and spell pen of a caster and 70% of the DPS of a true melee would be just a touch on the overpowered side - not that I'd be against it, mind you. If you happen to come across such a build, please let me know

[aradelothion]

Having the DCs and spell pen of a caster and 70% of the DPS of a true melee would be just a touch on the overpowered side - not that I'd be against it, mind you. If you happen to come across such a build, please let me know

I was hoping you had one up your sleeve

Actually, let me change the 70% part to something that can reliably hit guys on epics. I tried to solo VON 1, and the Mass Hold DC's worked just fine. Even had nice damage still from firewall despite being under-specced for it. But for the life of me I can't even hit the red names on anything less than a 14 or so. I had DP, GH, Haste going, at 30 STR with rage. Didn't have an arrowhead, used the Korthos goggles instead

[sirgog]

I was hoping you had one up your sleeve

Actually, let me change the 70% part to something that can reliably hit guys on epics. I tried to solo VON 1, and the Mass Hold DC's worked just fine. Even had nice damage still from firewall despite being under-specced for it. But for the life of me I can't even hit the red names on anything less than a 14 or so. I had DP, GH, Haste going, at 30 STR with rage. Didn't have an arrowhead, used the Korthos goggles instead

It's called the Epic Sword of Shadows. Helps anyone with to-hit issues. And makes every traditional melee class fume when they see you use it

[aradelothion]

It's called the Epic Sword of Shadows. Helps anyone with to-hit issues. And makes every traditional melee class fume when they see you use it

Yes, I suppose I can dream

[Phidius]

It's called the Epic Sword of Shadows. Helps anyone with to-hit issues. And makes every traditional melee class fume when they see you use it

I was just thinking earlier today about this - I think the eSoS would be just the thing to make your melee more satisfying.

I've found that average DPS isn't as much fun as seeing big numbers every so often.

[aradelothion]

I was just thinking earlier today about this - I think the eSoS would be just the thing to make your melee more satisfying.

I've found that average DPS isn't as much fun as seeing big numbers every so often.

The melee aspect of my guy (using your build) has been more than satisfying... until I tried it on epic. Granted, just one epic quest so far (VON1), and I was alone, so it may have colored my perception a bit. I understand the answer is almost always "grind more gear", which is why I'm TR'ing after my 20th Shroud (6 more to go woot ) which (I hope) will let me grind for said gear easier earlier in the next life (I have half a Min2, conc opp and an HP item crafted, just need cleansing).

I think it's more the player behind the build -- and I'm the kind of player that needs a bigger safety net

[seobanio]

If you find your melee isn't up the task in epics, a dream spitter or the staff from the new U8 quests will help you out a lot. Hold and then melee your heart out.


Edit: if you've only done one epic quest so far, it isn't clear why you would TR soon. From a character development perspective, its time to TR when having extra stat points and a new build will help you more than the better gear you can get from staying at 20 and going after it. Gear counts for a lot in this game, and considering you are going for another battlemage, its probably going to be better for you to get twink gear than it will be to TR. Also, TR'ing (to me) is only fun if you are twinked and knowledgable about how to level/zerg. If you aren't it will take forever to get back to 20.

Your first life is the time to learn about the game, including the endgame content. While many complain there isn't enough end game content, there is a lot to experience before you TR your first time. A good goal to shoot for before TR'ing your first time is 20 raid completions on at least ADQ, VON, Shroud, and Reavers. While you are getting those doing epics and farming for all your level up twink gear makes the end game pretty fun. (TOD, Abbot are nice, but harder to come by your first life. Not sure what 20 chronos would give worth shooting for. Also I am probably spacing a raid right now.)

[aradelothion]

If you find your melee isn't up the task in epics, a dream spitter or the staff from the new U8 quests will help you out a lot. Hold and then melee your heart out.

Edit: if you've only done one epic quest so far, it isn't clear why you would TR soon. From a character development perspective, its time to TR when having extra stat points and a new build will help you more than the better gear you can get from staying at 20 and going after it. Gear counts for a lot in this game, and considering you are going for another battlemage, its probably going to be better for you to get twink gear than it will be to TR. Also, TR'ing (to me) is only fun if you are twinked and knowledgable about how to level/zerg. If you aren't it will take forever to get back to 20.

Your first life is the time to learn about the game, including the endgame content. While many complain there isn't enough end game content, there is a lot to experience before you TR your first time. A good goal to shoot for before TR'ing your first time is 20 raid completions on at least ADQ, VON, Shroud, and Reavers. While you are getting those doing epics and farming for all your level up twink gear makes the end game pretty fun. (TOD, Abbot are nice, but harder to come by your first life. Not sure what 20 chronos would give worth shooting for. Also I am probably spacing a raid right now.)

Thanks for the advice! Sorry wasn't too clear on it, the melee I was referring to was against the guys I couldn't hold/dance/stone: red names. I actually got my Dreamspitter on my first Reaver raid (very lucky, I know... haven't seen another drop in ~40 completions except at 20th rewards) and the CC aspect (at least in VON1) I had no problems with.

Unfortunately for me, VON is the only pack I have with Epics *cough*epic gianthold already Turbine*cough* I will probably shoot for 20 non-epic VON completions before I TR for a chance at an SoS as suggested, but will most likely wait til I'm TR'd to epic it if I can. Truth be told, I'm a bit lacking in end game packs; Vale is my highest. I'll get most of the packs eventually, and will probably need to if I TR. Which I'm doing because I do kinda have fun grinding xp (and smelling the flowers ) more than grinding for gear. I think I'm almost set regarding twink gear tho, just crafting some utility tier 2 GS, and I have 3 capped/almost capped guys to send me plat

[voodoogroves]

You didn't mention Wiz 17 / Monk 2 / Fighter 1 or the Tukaw variants (Rog2/Pal2/Sorc16 or Monk2/Pal2/Sorc16 etc.)

Both of those can be pretty solid.

[aradelothion]

You didn't mention Wiz 17 / Monk 2 / Fighter 1 or the Tukaw variants (Rog2/Pal2/Sorc16 or Monk2/Pal2/Sorc16 etc.)

Both of those can be pretty solid.

Re: Tukaw, I kinda did... I'd really rather not go the Tukaw route, or any sorc version until I have 3 Wiz past lives behind me. Just a personal preference more than a spell pen/DC/build issue though, as I have way more fun with a Wizard than a Sorcerer. Thanks for the heads up on the Wiz/Monk/Ftr.. is this the one you meant? Edit: D'OH sorry that's 2ftr/1rog. Back to searching.

[Mercureal]

For cheap to-hit, a +5 weapon of righteousness would help, though probably be sub-par damage. If you have Vale, you can run the Sub-T; Hound has a ring called Tumbleweed that gives the same hit bonus as the Arrowhead, +2 competence. You could also spend a feat on Weapon Focus for another +1 to hit.

[Phidius]

Thanks for the advice! Sorry wasn't too clear on it, the melee I was referring to was against the guys I couldn't hold/dance/stone: red names. I actually got my Dreamspitter on my first Reaver raid (very lucky, I know... haven't seen another drop in ~40 completions except at 20th rewards) and the CC aspect (at least in VON1) I had no problems with.
...

Well, I'm certainly no expert in soloing epics, but I didn't think people were using DPS to solo them.

You're better off using Pale Master or Archmagi for some cheap kite-and-nuke against the red-named, methinks - either that, or perch.

I've got some ideas of turning Precious into an Archmage with cheap CC and Magic Missle, but it'll take 3 past lives to get all the feats I want.

[Ookami007]

Your BAB will never be high enough to consistantly dps many of the red named epic mobs to make a melee build worthwhile.

You are much better off creating a solid pale master build while they are still grossly overpowered. You'll be able to solo many epic quests with only you and your dreamspitter or souleater.

[Alektronic]

More specific on the BAB issue: as a caster, you don't get the PRE enhancements that melee classes do. Even w/ all the feats/lvl ups in STR/tensers/DP, you won't have the kensai, tempest, rage benefits that still pull melee to-hit bonuses ahead of battle casters in epic content.

Heck, even str-based AA have difficulties hitting epic red-names, hence the dex vs str AA debate.

Upping dmg, I think, was already covered by someone else ^_^.

So, if you're looking at uppping ur to-hit bonus only, and still go the caster route, I think you'd have to sacrifice some spell DC/spell pen at this point X( to pick up a melee PRE. Worth it? Prolly not.

[aradelothion]

More specific on the BAB issue: as a caster, you don't get the PRE enhancements that melee classes do. Even w/ all the feats/lvl ups in STR/tensers/DP, you won't have the kensai, tempest, rage benefits that still pull melee to-hit bonuses ahead of battle casters in epic content.

Heck, even str-based AA have difficulties hitting epic red-names, hence the dex vs str AA debate.

Upping dmg, I think, was already covered by someone else ^_^.

So, if you're looking at uppping ur to-hit bonus only, and still go the caster route, I think you'd have to sacrifice some spell DC/spell pen at this point X( to pick up a melee PRE. Worth it? Prolly not.

Yeah, figured as much. Thanks for all your input guys