I just can't do it /cry

[kclark1980]

Greetings and salutations everyone!

I hate having to ask about this but I need help with a build. I have tried playing wizards many times and I just can't do it. I get to about level 12 and want to hurt myself and others. I just have a very hard time playing a wizard. I want to get a couple past lives under my belt so I can have the +2 spell pen. The problem is I end up hating the game,the character & myself after a month of 2 from character creation.

Is there a viable option for a wizard that does not need to cast spells that much. I read about the fighter/wizard and thought about inverting the levels so it would be a wizard fighter but that didn't pan out well...

What I have come up with to be more inline with that I enjoy is mixing a Rogue2(Evasion),an Arti6(Rune Arm,Repeater,Flame Turret&machine gun mode), and then filling up the rest with wizard. I know it spreads things out a lot but it combines the things I like. Just not sure if there is a better alternative to what I have come up with or even if it's a possible combination.

Does anyone else end up just hating playing Wizard?

I don't have any vision on running end game I just want to get it done and over with as fast as possible. I'm just scared that if things go south that I will end up letting my favorite character sit on the sidelines for ever.

Thanks everyone for taking the time to read it and give any positive feedback on the subject.

[ArcaneMelee]

My favorite toon is a WF 12 Wiz/6 Rang/2 Rog - haven't played an artificer, so I can't comment on how that would work out.

I actually really like wizards, but there are times when I just want to put my head down and go in swinging. I tried a "real" melee, but the poor self-healing and inability to deal well with groups of mobs caused me to delete him.

[Osharan_Tregarth]

What class are you looking at needing the spell pen for?

[Simplesimon1979]

He needs spell pen for his last life as a wizard.

JK

There is actually a guy running around cannath. Toon name starts with a V

Half-orc 12 wiz/8 ftr.

Swings a great ax in wraith form.
He did real well in the couple of epics I ran with him. Maybe you get lucky and he'll see this post and post his build for you.

[kclark1980]

I think I may need to go over to Cannath and haunt the WHO tab for a while. Might get lucky and get to talk with the person behind the name that starts with a V.

I am not sure what my end class will end up being yet except it will NOT be a wizard or sorcerer. It will probably be Cleric or FVS or some combo with them as the major class.

[Nyxianne]

You could always just do the pay to win way. Buy 2 +5 hearts of wood, use them (takes a week or so) to change your class over to 10 wizard

Can't really submit a build idea to you as I don't really know what play style you're looking for, me I prefer a nitty gritty fight in the frontlines play-style, so my wizard utilizes fw and web a lot then hops in swinging a carnifex (for early early lvls) or a potency two-hander (for higher lvls) and sometimes a scroll (when I forget to switch back to my weapon ). I've seen this work really well on people trying to get past their wizard lives for tr purposes, along with a sprinkling of phantasmal killer and FoD (and at higher lvls, wail). Set yourself up with a nice divine power clicky, use gh for some to-hit bonuses and it's not terrible, especially if the mob is standing still-ish while you chop at 'em. I always figured ranged play style types wouldn't have much trouble adjusting to caster play, but since I've never been able to play a ranged toon I can't say for sure what they can and can't adapt to.

[voxson5]

Errr, you know that you'll be throwing a few spells as a divine..

Anyways, a wf arcane hybrid works very well, say 12/6/2 wiz/fighter (or ranger)/rogue (or monk).

Wf vs fleshie basically determines when you can self heal. Other factors of oc depend on race, but typically a wf arcane is easier to play. When geared, it's pretty much a wash between the two.

Rogue levels obviously let you deal with traps, umd res a buddy, and add a bit of backstabbing damage.. Although these builds are designed to just heal through damage... Agro everything and invest in some nice guards! You're gonna be hit a lot

Monk let's you have a few more hp (d8 vs d6, +5 from enh, and 2 possible toughness feats, plus stances when you need them).

Ranger is better for twf, but fighter is superior for 2hf (and you can take stalwart defender for even more goodness).

They are great fun to play, seriously (easier on a 2hf version)

[kclark1980]

My only 2 other characters are a healbot that tries to be a caster at times and an pure arti. I enjoyed the ranged character a lot but when leveling the cleric all i did was heal and drop a dp or bb at times so I don't know how I would do with melee really.

It appeals to me but I had a lot as the arti and did a lot more slayers then when I was on my cleric which is kind of where i am headed. I keep thinking wizard for buffs repeater for damage but I don't know if there is enough arti int he mix at only 6 levels to make much of a difference.

When I get home I will post the build I have been tinkering with recently and see what the reaction is. I guess i really only need 10 levels of wizard so I could bring the arti up to level 8 and then still have evasion as the rogue with 2 levels. *slams head into desk* even thinking about playing a wizard makes me have a headache.

[HarryCrumb]

The player on Cannith is Vorental. He is a very nice guy and I've seen a dozen other players attempt similar builds.

[Blank_Zero]

I have a 17 Wizzy sitting on the ship that I haven't touched in months other than to check for gear or whatnot. I feel for you OP.

[kclark1980]

here is what i have been looking at for the past month or so. I still have some time because I have not compleated my 20th run in Shroud so I can not TR yet. Let me know what you think. I stoped putting points into the skills because it was taking to long for me and just plan on keeping the open lock/disable device & search up as high as i can get them.

I hope I have added the link in correctly.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 03.11.02
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 20 True Neutral Warforged Male
(2 Rogue \ 12 Wizard \ 6 Artificer) 
Hit Points: 238
Spell Points: 869 
BAB: 11\11\16\21
Fortitude: 11
Reflex: 15
Will: 13

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(34 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             10                    12
Dexterity            16                    23
Constitution         18                    20
Intelligence         16                    18
Wisdom                8                    10
Charisma              6                     8

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Strength used at level 3
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 3
+1 Tome of Constitution used at level 3
+1 Tome of Intelligence used at level 3
+1 Tome of Wisdom used at level 3
+1 Tome of Charisma used at level 3
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 7
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 7
+2 Tome of Constitution used at level 7
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 7
+2 Tome of Wisdom used at level 7
+2 Tome of Charisma used at level 7

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               7                    11
Bluff                -2                    -1
Concentration         6                    16
Diplomacy            -2                    -1
Disable Device        7                    19
Haggle                2                     4
Heal                 -1                     0
Hide                  3                     4
Intimidate           -2                    -1
Jump                  4                     4
Listen               -1                     0
Move Silently         3                     5
Open Lock             7                    17
Perform              n/a                   n/a
Repair                7                     9
Search                7                    19
Spot                  3                    15
Swim                  0                    -3
Tumble                7                     9
Use Magic Device      2                    10

Level 1 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Mithral Body
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Cleric


Level 2 (Rogue)


Level 3 (Artificer)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 4 (Artificer)


Level 5 (Artificer)


Level 6 (Artificer)
Feat: (Selected) Point Blank Shot
Feat: (Artificer Bonus) Rapid Shot


Level 7 (Artificer)


Level 8 (Artificer)


Level 9 (Wizard)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Extend Spell
Feat: (Selected) Precise Shot


Level 10 (Wizard)


Level 11 (Wizard)


Level 12 (Wizard)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Ranged Weapons


Level 13 (Wizard)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Quicken Spell


Level 14 (Wizard)


Level 15 (Wizard)
Feat: (Selected) Insightful Reflexes


Level 16 (Wizard)


Level 17 (Wizard)


Level 18 (Wizard)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Maximize Spell
Feat: (Selected) Power Critical


Level 19 (Wizard)


Level 20 (Wizard)

[ArcaneMelee]

...
Feat: (Selected) Mithral Body
...

Unless you are choosing this simply because you don't like the way the default body looks in your favorite docent, I'd drop this feat. I have found that if you really want AC, the composite (free) is better because it doesn't cap your Dex bonus.

...
Feat: (Selected) Point Blank Shot
Feat: (Artificer Bonus) Rapid Shot
Feat: (Selected) Precise Shot
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Ranged Weapons
...

All of these feats for (I presume) repeating crossbows worries me - again, I haven't played artificer so I suppose there may be something in the class that I'm not aware of that would make repeating xbows worth it.

...
Feat: (Selected) Insightful Reflexes
...

It looks like your Dex is higher than your Int...

...
Feat: (Selected) Power Critical
...

Since it doesn't actually add damage to your criticals, this feat is considered a trap by most.

Empower and Extend would both be a good choice, helping to shore up the lower caster levels for the spells that you will still find useful.

[pleistocene]

...

[tboner]

My biggest frustration with playing a wizard is the slower cast times. I get impatient and want to always be doing something. Try a sorcerer, I have a lot more fun playing them as I can cast more often. Nothing much better than throwing max/empower/heightened SLAs for cheap.

[Thrudh]

Greetings and salutations everyone!

I hate having to ask about this but I need help with a build. I have tried playing wizards many times and I just can't do it. I get to about level 12 and want to hurt myself and others. I just have a very hard time playing a wizard. I want to get a couple past lives under my belt so I can have the +2 spell pen. The problem is I end up hating the game,the character & myself after a month of 2 from character creation.

Is there a viable option for a wizard that does not need to cast spells that much. I read about the fighter/wizard and thought about inverting the levels so it would be a wizard fighter but that didn't pan out well...

What I have come up with to be more inline with that I enjoy is mixing a Rogue2(Evasion),an Arti6(Rune Arm,Repeater,Flame Turret&machine gun mode), and then filling up the rest with wizard. I know it spreads things out a lot but it combines the things I like. Just not sure if there is a better alternative to what I have come up with or even if it's a possible combination.

Does anyone else end up just hating playing Wizard?

I don't have any vision on running end game I just want to get it done and over with as fast as possible. I'm just scared that if things go south that I will end up letting my favorite character sit on the sidelines for ever.

Thanks everyone for taking the time to read it and give any positive feedback on the subject.

What do you hate about wizards?
What classes do you LIKE to play?

Have you considered leveling up as a class you like with a small splash of wizard, and then using a +5 Heart of Wood to get yourself a wizard past-life?

[hiryuu42]

Past Life is based on what you have the most level in, yes? So you could have some absurd 8 Wiz/6 Ftr/6 (Rog/Brb/Rgr/Monk) and just use the Wizard levels for some Extended combat buffs. (You could have as few as 7, but Wizard doesn't win many ties.)

[Impaqt]

Greetings and salutations everyone!

I hate having to ask about this but I need help with a build. I have tried playing wizards many times and I just can't do it. I get to about level 12 and want to hurt myself and others. I just have a very hard time playing a wizard. I want to get a couple past lives under my belt so I can have the +2 spell pen. The problem is I end up hating the game,the character & myself after a month of 2 from character creation.

Is there a viable option for a wizard that does not need to cast spells that much. I read about the fighter/wizard and thought about inverting the levels so it would be a wizard fighter but that didn't pan out well...

What I have come up with to be more inline with that I enjoy is mixing a Rogue2(Evasion),an Arti6(Rune Arm,Repeater,Flame Turret&machine gun mode), and then filling up the rest with wizard. I know it spreads things out a lot but it combines the things I like. Just not sure if there is a better alternative to what I have come up with or even if it's a possible combination.

Does anyone else end up just hating playing Wizard?

I don't have any vision on running end game I just want to get it done and over with as fast as possible. I'm just scared that if things go south that I will end up letting my favorite character sit on the sidelines for ever.

Thanks everyone for taking the time to read it and give any positive feedback on the subject.

What exactly is so hard about it?

is it surviveability? Is it Low damage? are you trying to play a caster class as a Melee?

I have a solid Wizard based WF melee toon myself. I enjoy playing him a great deal.. But its also one of the most gear intensive builds I run.

A little more insight as to what the issues you ran into will go a long way.

[HungarianRhapsody]

The first time I started to play a Wizard, I deleted the character at level 7 and just went back to melee characters and a FvS. Wizard was awful. Then I tried it again and deleted the character at level 8. It was still awful. Then I tried it one more time and I finally started to figure out how to play a Wizard without losing my mind. Now it's hands down my favorite character to play.

The two biggest stumbling blocks for me were targeting and spell selection inside a quest. Targeting is very much different on an offensive spellcaster than on a melee character, an archer on on a buff/defensive/healing caster like a Bard or a traditional "healer". Getting the hang of targeting with [tab] until I had the enemy targeted that would give me the most bang for my AoE buck and learning when to not hard target so that I could drop spells (especially Wall of Fire) between enemies took a long time. I never really got to be good at it until I was already capped for a little while. The other difficulty was knowing which spell to throw at which enemy. Just remembering which spells had Reflex vs. Fort vs. Will saves vs. no save at all took a while at each level and knowing which enemies have strong vs. weak Reflex/Fort/Will saves so that I could pick spells appropriately.

In the end, 75% of the time on Normal and Hard, you can just throw lots of Fireballs and/or Walls of Fire with no metamagic on and with a Greater Inferno IV clicky running and do just fine in most quests. Getting to know what to do (and how to do it) in the remaining 25% of the time is where being a Wizard ends up as a tricky proposition.

[Syllph]

Ok I cannot offer you a build that will take the spells out of a wizard and still make it playable; however, might I offer a suggestion?

Try and post either an LFM or something here on the forums asking a caster to "show you the ropes"

I'm not sure if you're simply unfamiliar with playing a caster or just don't like wizards, but I personally struggle to not have a good time on my casters. I simply find them so frikken overpowered, versatile, and survivable: that it pains me to see someone not enjoy one.

I'm on Argo server if you happen there one day let me know.

(if you know how to play and just don't like wizards, disregard this post )

[Simplesimon1979]

Threw together a quick melee build. Mind you I don't play any melee toon so some of the feats may be out of order or not necessarily. I front loaded the wizard lvls to get wraith form asap and finished out with fighter which will give kens-ii 1. It'll still be melee tho all the way. Spell selection will be just buffs, undead healing, and maybe DOTs since there is no save on them. Not sure if this is what you were looking for. Not sure if you'll need a divine power clickie at higher levels.

Good luck.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 03.12.01
DDO Character Planner Home Page

FighterWiz 
Level 20 True Neutral Half-Orc Male
(8 Fighter \ 12 Wizard) 
Hit Points: 250
Spell Points: 671 
BAB: 14\14\19\24
Fortitude: 14
Reflex: 7
Will: 10

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             20                    27
Dexterity            10                    12
Constitution         16                    18
Intelligence         10                    12
Wisdom                8                    10
Charisma              6                     8

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Strength used at level 3
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 3
+1 Tome of Constitution used at level 3
+1 Tome of Intelligence used at level 3
+1 Tome of Wisdom used at level 3
+1 Tome of Charisma used at level 3
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 7
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 7
+2 Tome of Constitution used at level 7
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 7
+2 Tome of Wisdom used at level 7
+2 Tome of Charisma used at level 7

                  Starting            Ending          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills        Base Skills        Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)          (Level 20)          (Level 20)
Balance               2                 12                   12
Bluff                -2                 -1                   -1
Concentration         7                 27                   27
Diplomacy            -2                 -1                   -1
Disable Device        n/a               n/a                   n/a
Haggle               -2                 -1                   -1
Heal                 -1                  0                    0
Hide                  0                  1                    1
Intimidate           -2                 -1                   -1
Jump                  5                 11.5                 11.5
Listen               -1                  0                    0
Move Silently         0                  1                    1
Open Lock             n/a               n/a                   n/a
Perform              n/a               n/a                   n/a
Repair                0                  1                    1
Search                0                  1                    1
Spot                 -1                  0                    0
Swim                  5                  8                    8
Tumble                n/a               n/a                   n/a
Use Magic Device     n/a               n/a                   n/a

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


Level 2 (Wizard)


Level 3 (Wizard)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons


Level 4 (Wizard)


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


Level 6 (Wizard)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack


Level 7 (Wizard)


Level 8 (Wizard)


Level 9 (Wizard)
Feat: (Selected) Cleave


Level 10 (Wizard)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Mental Toughness


Level 11 (Wizard)


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


Level 13 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Two Handed Fighting


Level 14 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Two Handed Fighting


Level 15 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons


Level 16 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons


Level 17 (Fighter)


Level 18 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Great Cleave
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Handed Fighting


Level 19 (Fighter)


Level 20 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons