Max/emp on a PM

[goodspeed]

To me doubling down is always the option. Not only for leveling because lets face it, a triple meta'd firewall/icestorm just makes grinding the levels gravy; but also because when you need to fill a dmg roll for raids, or even epic boss's.

The sla's are ok but no where near as efficient in the same time frame as a maxed eldars/niacs/that acid one. You won't be deckn out the numbers like a sorc, but with a max meta clicky, and a average pool you'll still be a viable spot for dmg when you gotta switch it up from cc.

Like the dude below said all how ya play. But with the feats available, the best wiz is the one that has both covered with gear switchouts and spells ready. Otherwise ur that dude that survived the healer blunder and you know you haven't got a shot in hell against getting that last sliver of raid boss down. Think you can.. or step up to the plate knowing you can carry the raid.

[Drekisen]

There is really only one wizard that needs Empower...and that's an Evocation AM......all others should only take Maximize.

There is still plenty a Maximize only wizard can do in boss fights......and they are great CC'ers up to that point.

Plus on a PM you can keep throwing your SLA's at a boss unless they are immune to neg damage.

If you can place your Mage summons properly they also add a lot of additional spell DPS.....far more than the 10-30 SP you will spend to summon them.

[wax_on_wax_off]

To me doubling down is always the option. Not only for leveling because lets face it, a triple meta'd firewall/icestorm just makes grinding the levels gravy; but also because when you need to fill a dmg roll for raids, or even epic boss's.

The sla's are ok but no where near as efficient in the same time frame as a maxed eldars/niacs/that acid one. You won't be deckn out the numbers like a sorc, but with a max meta clicky, and a average pool you'll still be a viable spot for dmg when you gotta switch it up from cc.

Like the dude below said all how ya play. But with the feats available, the best wiz is the one that has both covered with gear switchouts and spells ready. Otherwise ur that dude that survived the healer blunder and you know you haven't got a shot in hell against getting that last sliver of raid boss down. Think you can.. or step up to the plate knowing you can carry the raid.

Maximise yes.

Empower on the other hand is only +25% damage extra (and much less gains in SP efficiency on most spells). I don't think that I've ever been in a situation where empower has made a difference to success or failure, it's just one of those things (on a PM I'm talking about) that makes easy content easier.

If there's room for empower, sure, take it.

However, here are some options that I'd consider before wanting empower on an end game build:

• (Greater) Spell Penetration - unless you have 100% spell pen vs every foe except drow without gear I'd take this before empower (quite a few epic/elite mobs need 33-35 spell pen from what I can tell)
• Insightful Reflexes - this is massively important
• Shield Mastery - this is going to affect your ability to finish a raid/quest when things go wrong much more often than empower
• Not going human
• Going elf - +4 spell pen and +80 SP is well worth it on an end game build (also no need for +7 int item with max gear)
• Going drow - +1 DC without a +7 int item - this is nice for a PM who wants Boon of Undeath
• Going half-elf - +5 saves from paladin dilettante, +HP from barb, res/heal/harm/inflict use with cleric/FvS Dilettante - all decent options to consider, imo.

While leveling up empower is awesome of course, particularly if you have active PL: Wizard/Sorc. That said, it's tricky to fit everything in in a timely manner (possibly defer toughness until 18 next life just to fit everything in ...)

[SpiderPig]

As with most of my toons I am going to wait until the expansion is released before I adjust or commit to a certain direction for them.

I suggest you do the same, for all we know Shield Proficiency, Shield Mastery, Improved Shield Mastery may change drastically in the expansion/update.