Spell Pen and Past Lives

[Faent]

I've finally locked down all the wizard past lives on my Archmage. Now the question of which PL's to pick up next...

Spell Penetration sits at 31 with a Spell Penetration item. I'd like to pick up three FvS past lives. Being able to drop a Spell Penetration item from the gear setup and being able to drop some expensive Spell Penetration Enhancements would be nice, as would being able to situationally move up to 34 Spell Pen.

How much Spell Penetration is really needed? Mr Cow has a nice partial list, but it's somewhat outdated:

http://forums.ddo.com/showpost.php?p...92&postcount=7

Competing with the FvS, however, is the CLR. +3 to Conjuration DC's will probably be very nice in the upcoming Drow content, especially on a wizard that isn't rocking max Spell Pen.

Decisions, decisions...

[Habreno]

If Conjurgation is your Web, then Cleric. I can't quite remember at 1:30 AM.

If not, Soul.

[Faent]

If Conjurgation is your Web, then Cleric. I can't quite remember at 1:30 AM. If not, Soul.

Yes, it's Web. That's why I'd want it. Especially when webs cost 3 SP. Web DC is currently 43, however.

[Bacab]

I'd say FVS.

Your Conjuration DC is sick already. Also spell Pen is always nice...

Also...+60 SP is nice at low levels.

BUT, I think some Barb past lives would be nice. More HP is always nice. Also Barb active PL counts as toughness.

[Faent]

I'd say FVS. Your Conjuration DC is sick already. Also spell Pen is always nice...

I noticed a few more SR fails on this life than I wanted to see. Running with the Devils has some mobs with insane SR. I'll need more experience in stuff like Elite Tower with this setup to see how comfortable I am with 31. I was hoping for some good updated information on this.

IAlso...+60 SP is nice at low levels.

Archmages don't really have problems with SP at low levels, especially if they've got the Vibrant Purple Ioun Stone. Sorcerers and FvS's with the stone have zero problems.

BUT, I think some Barb past lives would be nice. More HP is always nice. Also Barb active PL counts as toughness.

The barbarian past life grind is so not worth the minimal extra HP. Wizards (either WF Archmages or Human Palemasters) have zero HP problems. Pale Masters need Toughness for the prestige. Archmages might want Toughness so they can switch to Pale Master. Perhaps other types of casters would value the HP's more, but a wizard doesn't even remotely approach needing them. I think the barbarian PL progression should grant at least 10, 20, and 30 stacking HP instead of 10/10/10. That *might* make it worth it for *some* builds.

The Barbarian past lives are clearly far worse for any casters than three of each of the following past lives: WIZ, CLR, FVS and SOR. Once you've locked those twelve lives in, I guess you might go for the HP if you're crazy.

[Bacab]

I got my Barb PL by going 15Sorc/5Barb then eating a +5 Heart.

I can't play melees either. The closest thing to a melee I ever played was either my 15Bard/3Rog/2Ftr Warchanter or my 18CLR/2FTR battle cleric.

I never considered barb PL=/= toughness for Palemaster

As far as the +20 SP from FVS or Sorc PL's...my next life is going to be a battle-cleric so at low levels I think it will be helpful. Though my last battle-cleric was a first lifer and had very little twink gear. I think on my completionist project it won't be as bad.

[Isharah]

I'd say FVS.

Strongly agree with this.

You probably noticed that 31 spell pen will still give you blue shells for epic devils and drows.

It's also much less expensive to kite mobs through webs compared to recasting spells until you get a good roll.

Cheers.