NovaSoul (a light based epic FVS build)

[Ancient]

For the latest EE quests, I think the paladin dillie might be a better option. Please let me know if you manage to find something that can tank EE trash crowds. I would love to hear about that. The CHA based is very tempting. Chilldude had a post about a similar build with CHA as the primary stat.

I've been toying around with Shiradi... its interesting, but I think it works much better with arcanes.

Here is a video of me goofing around in EE cabal for one with the Shiradi destiny. Even though I didn't finish the quest, I figured video proof would be needed when I used the phrase "Epic Elite throwing build".

FVS capstone gives mana free healing, rejuv cocoon provides a cheap emergency heal. Thrown weapons and archon provide lots of pew pew for proc's. Boulder toss, wild shot and avenging light also help with damage. The two shiradi range attacks (pin and the dancing ball one) provide mana free crowd control. The total package is no where near as good as a sorcerer/wizard... but I just find it hilarious to be soloing epic elite with a 500 platinum throwing dagger.

[voodoogroves]

You should re-tool as drow w/ the free shuriken mastery so you get more out of that there thrower ...

[Ancient]

ROFL, I don't think I'll be a full time thrower But when I get my sorc up to epic levels, I may keep a thrower around.

One of the neat things about this build is that it is basically a SLA platform. I can load up pure offensive SLAs and steamroll easy content, healing SLAs and be an uber healer and as I was toying with last night... There are even CC options now.

[voodoogroves]

If adding SP to a thrower gave you an implement bonus, I'd seriously use them. ;-)


I hear you on the build - I ran a light-based FVS back pre-ED and it was really effective as a first life moderate twink toon. No real DCs or CC capabilities ... just DPS, buffs and heals.

[Ancient]

If adding SP to a thrower gave you an implement bonus, I'd seriously use them. ;-)


I hear you on the build - I ran a light-based FVS back pre-ED and it was really effective as a first life moderate twink toon. No real DCs or CC capabilities ... just DPS, buffs and heals.

Holy symbol of lolth gives 15 implement. It's not the top of the line, but can solo farm and it lets you have the weapon slot to melee or throw.

[Nodoze]

Nodoze, If my experience from playing a pale master is anything to go by, it will be hard to reach the DCs required to insta-kill with a FVS on epic elite in the newer content (High Road and Gianthold particularly).

In my opinion, the beauty of this build seems to be that it recognises that DC casting (and spell pen against drow) will be a stretch and it focusses on mana-efficient nuking. ...

Devachan, Agreed. I personally like & promote this build as is due to it being first lifer viable in EE content... I only gave that reply because Hitstorm asked & Hitstorm isn't a first lifer (Hitstorm has +7spellpen and +3 evocation dc from pl's) & Hitstorm wanted to try to mix in DCs & I was trying to help him but that doesn't mean that I advocate or recommend that approach for a 1st lifer in EE (over giving up DCs in EE)... Personally it is unlikely I will be able to try an EE viable DC Divine any time soon as I have "Alt-itus" & don't like to TR (I generally prefer to keep my existing toons & create a new toon instead as I don't have 1 of everything maxed out yet)...

[Nodoze]

Craig, Do your above number for damage for offensive spells take into account the the 25% light/physical debuffs from the Exalted Angel ED's 'Rebuke foe' & the 50% extra light damage & -50% fort from the AoV Pre 'Shield of Condemnation' ?

If not, you may want to add a note to what you can achieve on bosses when you get everything stacked and chain your offense while waiting to refresh Divine Punishment.

Also, have you tried to solo the Sentinels of Stormreach on EE with your build yet ?

If not, can you try and report back here?

Also, heads up in case you haven't seen it yet that U16 should be bringing us "Forgotten Light" which is a Heavy Mace made of Dwarven Iron & uses STR or WIS for attack and damage & has double threat range (19-20x2) and gives the following"
...edit...
- Epic Elite - +7 Enhancement Bonus, Spellcasting Implement +21, Supreme Good, Devotion + 120, Radiance +120 ;

AND "Shadowmail" which is Scalemail made of Spiritforged Iron, Base Armor: 11, Max Dex: 12 and gives:
...edit...
- Epic Elite - +7 Enhancement Bonus, Greater Twilight, Combustion/Corrosion/Glaciation/Impulse +120, Wizardry X, Greater Arcane Lore;

AND to help reflex saves & melee miss chance, Treads of Falling Shadow - Boots made of Leather
...edit...
- Epic Elite - Striding 30%, Ghostly, Dexterity +8, Insightful Dexterity +3;

Csivils, I was thinking it may be good to see if there are newer gear options that are even more new player / 1st lifer friendly and to update the build for others if you see benefit...

Do you have any recommended gear changes (especially for new players or 1st lifer/non-grinders) now that u16 & u17 items are available?

On my Cleric variant I am still slowly grinding out EDs to twist in Energy Burst but really like the idea of the ShadowMail (currently sitting in my bank)... I also already got the Lolth/Forgotten Light/Wall of Wood & the ShadowMail gives +120 combustion & Greater Arcane Lore for everything making it tempting to complete the Spell Damage puzzle without grinding (can get most of the items in AH & get 120+ SD on everything you use). I am still max wisdom as I am too afraid to LR and like that my DCs stick fairly well for now on EH/EN... I am still pretending to melee up front with my Auras/bursts healing the team & at least with Forgotten Light my "Strength" is 42+ as my wisdom is now my to hit/damage so at least I hit now...

[samthedagger]

Bookmarked for when I try my hand at a favored soul. This is really an interesting and compelling build as opposed to the more popular evoker style. My only concern is in the leveling up. It seems you will lack the DCs to insta-kill with slay living, destruction, and implosion. But I suppose if you PUG as a healer, you can get there easily enough.

[Ancient]

I'm sure the gear can be improved. I'm just now back from a several month break and another toon is competing for my attention, so it may be a while. My biggest update to the original post would most likely be feedback from playing every other destiny. I found a couple interesting configurations that I didn't anticipate. I may try to post that sometime soon.

Regarding leveling up, my advice would be to go half-elf with fighter dil and be a melee soul till 20. At that point, switch to pally dil. If you don't want to do the feat swap, then you can use longswords along with blade barrier and divine punishment.

[Devachan]

Do you have any recommended gear changes (especially for new players or 1st lifer/non-grinders) now that u16 & u17 items are available?

I have been trying to ungimp my first life FVS by working with some of the ideas presented here. I feel it has been going fairly well and as a result I have spent a lot of time thinking about an optimal gear-set following U17. Here is what I have come up with. Positive feedback welcomed, as always.

In the list below, there may be a few extra effects on the items in question however I have listed what is interesting/relevant to me and ignored the dross:

Eyes: Greensteel Goggles - +150 SP / +5 Cha Skills / Blind & Deaf Imm / +6 Wis/ +10 Dip & Haggle / Conc Opp
Head (planned):White Dragon Helm - +8 Con (Green + Yellow slots. Not sure what to slot atm).
Head (current) Combustion Hat of Omniscience: Combustion +108, Dodge 4%, Heighted Awareness +4
Neck: Greensteel Necklace of Smoke - +45 HP / Blur 20% / +6 Dex skills / Displacement clicky x2
Trinket (current): Crafted Trinket with Efficient Maximise II / Dodge 2%
Trinket (planned): Idol of Fortune with Heavy Fortification, Dodge +4%, Good Luck +3
Cloak: Ghost Walking Cloak - Cha +8, Resistance +7, Ghostly, DR 10/Evil (or DR 15/Evil)
Waist: Arkat's Cord Toughness + Green slot with +35 hp (planned) and colourless with +1 Exc Con.
Ring 1: LGS Crafted - Heavy Fort Str +6 / Heavy Fortification / Large Guild Slot with +20 HP
Ring 2: LGS Crafted Ring - Prefix? (any ideas? or maybe a totally diff ring?) / Flexible Dodge 1% / Large Guild Slot with +80 SP (or better yet a TOD Ring with 20% healing amp slotted)
Hands: Gauntlets of Immortality - Heal +20 / Repair +20 / Reg 2-4 HP every 15 seconds / Devotion +120 / Superior Healing Lore / Eternal Faith + Yellow slot with deathblock, plus empty colourless slot (after I upgrade to tier 3)
Feet: Surefooted Boots (I only have EN version, so only colourless slot instead of green) - Balance +20, Striding +30%, Feat: Mobility + Con +7 in colourless slot (until I get White or Black dragon helm with +8 con)
Wrists: Lootgen Bracers with Heal Amp 30% and Superior Parrying
Body: Shadowmail +7, Twilight, Wizardry IX, Impulse or Combustion +114, Greater Arcane Lore (I actually only have epic norm version with glaciation, so I have had to slot Impluse on the shield).
Main Hand: Mountain's Fist +7 Enhancement Bonus with +114 radiance in red slot, good luck +2 (planned) for purple slot, spare orange slot
Off Hand: Bulwark of the Storm's Fist - Shield Bonus +16, DR 14, +7 Enhancement Bonus, Sheltering +12, Insightful Constitution +3, plus +114 impulse for purple slot, Insightful charisma +2 (planned) for colourless slot


Slots are not yet all filled, however I have plans for some of them and once I get the important ones worked out I will fill the rest as needed.

Unallocated things at the moment are Jump + 13 or 15 or whatever and concentration +13 or 15 or whatever. I am also missing an implement bonus to spell damage (e.g. +15 if i was using the holy symbol of lloth). And I am missing healing amp +10% and +20% (though the TOD ring would cover 20% heal amp if I get around to it). It is tempting to consider using skiver as a main hand (which would make the shadowmail mostly redundant) and replace shadowmail with a dragontouched robe of +10% / +20% healing amp and +3% dodge. I haven't even started towards draconic runes however, so I am happy with shadowmail and missing the extra heal amp/dodge atm. Finally I am missing Exc Cha +1 and Insightful/exceptional wisdom. These are nice to have but not essential IMO. I will slot them if/when I am done with the rest.

The shadowmail + mobility feat (from the surefooted boots) gives me plenty of max dex bonus so I can benefit from the dodge bonus that accumulates in the above gear (plus I am human and took dodge as my extra feat). 12% Dodge + Ghostly + Blur (or displacement clicky) make survivability quite good, even before shield blocking and self-heals.

My only real regret in the above gearset is that I miss superior radiance lore (only on a random lootgen shield afaik). I have one, but I think i get more utility out of the slots on the Bulwark of the Storm's Fist. The gap from Superior Radiance Lore and Greater Arcane Lore (on the shadowmail) is something I will have to live with (reluctantly).

[nni]

What do you think of 18/2 human Fvs/paladin vs. 20 Helf FvS paladin dillie on a CHA build? Alternatively, on a 36 point build you could do 18/2 FvS/paladin with helf dillie, for more healing amp and less saves and a feat.

Feats for human: Toughness (1), maximise (1), empower (3), empower healing (6), quicken (9), shield mastery (12), improved shield mastery (15), Force of personality (18), Epic toughness (21), Toughness (24).

Feats for Helf: Toughness (1), maximise (3), empower (6), empower healing (9), quicken (12), Heavy armor prof. (15), shield mastery (18), Epic toughness (21), improved shield mastery (24).

Pros:
- +8-10 saves from CHA
- 2 extra feats ( 1 from human, 1 from paladin heavy armor prof.)
- possible extra will save from Force of personality (no other feats look very appealing, mental toughness line would require 3 feats).

Cons:
- No 10 DR
- No capstone (+2 CHA and free searing light)
- 2 lvl 9 spells (energy drain and true ressurection)

Just some food for thought.

The way EEs are pushing the envelope for saves, this build is looking more appealing to me. Force of Personality looks like a really good feat to take. The whole mental toughness line requires 3 feats, which would mean dropping 2 of FoP, ISM or epic toughness. As it stands this build already lacks HP due to being CHA based and being in exalted angel.

The 10 DR is something that I would've rated really high a few months ago. However, with the recent updates, there are several 10-15 DR items available in all sorts of slots.

The loss of capstone means -1 DC to energy burst and divine wrath as well as the loss in DPS from searing light SLA.

Energy drain is quite useful on no SR mobs in EE, so that would be something meaningful to give up.

[HalfORCastrator]

Shadowmail is what I've been planning on too. Was thinking of using Divine Power clickies, but haven't tested out if the increased bab from it increases the med armor prr.

EDIT:
Totally got mixed up between this and MRMechMan's sorc thread.

[Nodoze]

I have been ... working with some of the ideas presented here. I feel it has been going fairly well and as a result I have spent a lot of time thinking about an optimal gear-set following U17. Here is what I have come up with. Positive feedback welcomed, as always.
...
Wrists: Lootgen Bracers with Heal Amp 30% / Heal +15
...

Thanks for taking a first pass at an item listing revamp as I think that helps new folk immensely...

I assume you consider constructive criticism delivered respectfully/charitably and recommendations for improvements included in positive feedback...

The thing that jumped out to me in a first glance was that you probably should swap the Loot-Gen 30% heal amp/+15 heal bracers for Loot-Gen Convalescent of Superior Parrying bracers as that would give you +4 insight on saves & AC (Craig does a great job of hi-lighting these above). If you want a +15 Heal item I would just have one on a slot and swap it on with your mana items when you rest...

Speaking of mana rest swap items, I can maybe see fitting in a Large Guild Slot items for HPs in a regular slot but would keep the Large Guild Slot with +80 SP as an item that you only slot for rests... After you finish Buffing & your mana is spent some I would then change it out to a regular item... Personally I plan to just use a non-bound 'junk' LGS item for the mana item so I can trade it between my characters and swap it on for resting and take it off after buffing...

If you don't have it in there already (I am not familiar with some of those items), I would try to figure out a way to get at least the 30% healing amp and the 20% healing amp item effects in if at all possible. I currently have all of them (30/20/10) and see a huge difference...

Sorry I can't do more... Tired from work right now & haven't really studied the items from u17 (and more focused on my Artie than my Divine right now). Thanks again for taking a first pass...

[Ancient]

I'm beginning the (slow) preparation for a NovaSoul2 post since it has been two releases since the original post.

If people who play anything close to this build will dump information in this thread, I'll collate it and give credit in the new post to those that contributed.

Specifically:

• Have you tried splashing classes, how did that work?
• Do these concepts apply to cleric builds?
• Opinions on build choices such as capstone, best half-elf Dil, other Races
• What gear/items merit mentioning as options for the build?
• What destinies/twists have worked for you?
• Any tips for EE soloing or raid healing?
• Have any of the wis/cha builds tried soloing EE's?
• Has anyone managed to find a version that can stand toe-to-toe with a pack of EE mobs?

To keep this from being wide open to anything, please keep in mind that one of the goals for this build is to be a first-life end-game option. Super high DC or super high spell pen strategies are a better fit for an evoker/necromancer style FVS build.

[Nodoze]

What do you think of 18/2 human Fvs/paladin vs. 20 Helf FvS paladin dillie on a CHA build? Alternatively, on a 36 point build you could do 18/2 FvS/paladin with helf dillie, for more healing amp and less saves and a feat.
...

There was a thread awhile back that also focused on light & DPS but was Charisma based. Unfortunately the presentation style and uncharitable comments resulted in a downward spiral that got the thread closed... I found that sad because the info in there was valuable (aside from the drama)...

Another "Pro" is that high Charisma helps with the DCs of the Exalted Angel's ED abilities as they take the higher of Charisma or Wisdom...

"Con"-wise you should also quantify how many hit-points you are giving up... The beauty of this approach is that it is spike damage resistant and can efficiently heal though most anything (including being solo in EE content) while dealing efficient damage... I don't know that a first lifer Charisma or Wisdom based FvS's hit point pool would be large enough to survive solo in EE... If you don't plan to try to solo EE then I would be less concerned....

Con-wise you may find losing the capstone searing light hurts less than losing the free meta'ed cure light wounds capstone... To really get the most out of this build you want the twists and that is a lot of grinding with no free/cheap healing. Even after all your ED twist grinding is done, you will also have no free self healing if you switch to Unyielding Sentinel healing mode (more survivable & can't be knocked down)... I play a Cleric also focused on Light and use Avenging Light & non-meta regular searing light and am fine with not having a light capstone but love my free/cheap healing... I couldn't imagine not having at least some kind of free/cheap healing... My cleric has EA & US maxed but I am still grinding all the twists and really miss renewal when out of EA but at least I have my Aura/bursts...

Some people will criticize Divines who dump Wisdom &/or Charisma & max something else like Constitution. As a first lifer Divine with moderate gear I can't get my DCs to stick all the time in EH let alone EE so I think people need to step back & realize that they are in a different position with multiple past lives and top notch gear... Even if I get DCs higher I still need to bypass SR... Yes a Divine who can reliably land implosion & Greater Command/etc is great but reliability is the key word and a survivable toon who can efficiently deal DPS can be reliable too...

The key in the end is whether you are self-aware and understand the trade-offs and make a decision that fits your play-style, resources, & objectives... If you are a first lifer with moderate gear who is going to be running EEs (especially if you want to solo EE) I think Craig's approach has a lot of value. I think Craig laid out a compelling case that a pure FvS with HE Paladin Dilly can get the saves high enough until your gear allows you to switch it to something else if desired... I think those other options may be workable but the key question is what works for & fits you (& really only you can answer that)...

[nni]

Hey Nodoze,

Thanks for the reply. I am actually busy getting CON helf FvS to cap at the moment (currently 23). I haven't run many epic elites with him yet, as I'm just trying to get to 25 first.

I think I didn't make it clear enough that I was asking about two CHA based versions of this build. Regarding CON vs CHA, the difference does boil down to 75hp at cap (from 5/6 CON difference).

I have to say that so far it's been lots of fun to play. It play completely different from my Evoker, who hasn't been seeing too much action lately. I'm sitting at ~750hp in exalted angel with just +6, +2 and +1 CON in my current gear. If I add an extra 2 from better gear and 4 from Yugo pots, that's an extra 75 hp, plus 50 hp from the last two levels. That would take me to ~875hp if my rough math is right. At this point I'm starting to think about whether giving up some HP for saves and spell DCs is worth it.

I was basically just bouncing ideas off . I want to see how I feel about my survivability on EEs once I'm fully geared and at cap. If I wanted to try the human version I'd have to TR and I have other toons ahead of the queue .

[Nodoze]

Hey Nodoze, Thanks for the reply. I am actually busy getting CON helf FvS to cap at the moment (currently 23). I haven't run many epic elites with him yet, as I'm just trying to get to 25 first. ...

Regarding CON vs CHA, the difference does boil down to 75hp at cap (from 5/6 CON difference).
...
I was basically just bouncing ideas off . I want to see how I feel about my survivability on EEs once I'm fully geared and at cap. ... .

Nni, Thanks & please try variations that you feel have a chance of doing better as that trying new things is the only way of possibly improving. Sorry if I came across as negative on your ideas. You listed some good CHA Pro's & I added another Pro (EA DC's are Charisma based even though Divine DC's aren't). My main goal was making sure you were making an informed decision. My Cleric is Wis maxed & DC's don't stick on the harder difficulties & even with a starting 16 con & no points added I feel squishy unless I am in Unyielding Sentinel at which point my light damage is greatly reduced (healing is still strong as I twist healing from EA when US & get lots of healing in US).

Glad you are already 23+ and getting close to cap. Even at 25 you likely will have grinding to do if you are going to get all the twists to get the full package & get the full feel of the build. Personally when in EA I am twisting Shiradi Champion's Wild Shots working toward Fury of the Wild's Boulder Toss because they are both tier 1 & easier to twist but now I have to "look forward" to grinding my way around to Draconic Incarnation's Energy Burst. One of my arcane party mates has maxed DI and I wish in hind sight I had done that first because Energy Burst seems superior. That being said the addition of mana free abilities via twists really helps the efficiency of the build so all of them are good to get.

If you plan to try to solo EE's & since you are already Con based, my recommendation would be to try to solo EE's with the build as is and then try variations that appeal to you. If you find the saves lacking with the build as is make sure your Dilly is Paladin before any firm conclusions (do a feat swap if not and re-assess). You may find in EE solo that you want all the HPs you can get and even then have to hop around like an old school arcane in EE solo...

After getting the base line of the build "as is" to compare to established I think trying the variations should be pretty easy. I don't think the flexible feat for being Human is that significant nor much better than the Dilly Feat options for this play style so hopefully you don't need to look at a TR. Otherwise you can easily Lessor Reincarnate (LR) to try max Charisma instead and then to a +2 Lesser to try the variations that appeal to you. Hopefully if you LR that rare bug is fully gone or at least doesn't show up & bite you... In any case please report back your findings as it is good for everyone.

[Nodoze]

I'm beginning the (slow) preparation for a NovaSoul2 post since it has been two releases since the original post.

If people who play anything close to this build will dump information in this thread, I'll collate it and give credit in the new post to those that contributed.

Specifically:

• Have you tried splashing classes, how did that work?
• Do these concepts apply to cleric builds?
• Opinions on build choices such as capstone, best half-elf Dil, other Races
• What gear/items merit mentioning as options for the build?
• What destinies/twists have worked for you?
• Any tips for EE soloing or raid healing?
• Have any of the wis/cha builds tried soloing EE's?
• Has anyone managed to find a version that can stand toe-to-toe with a pack of EE mobs?

To keep this from being wide open to anything, please keep in mind that one of the goals for this build is to be a first-life end-game option. Super high DC or super high spell pen strategies are a better fit for an evoker/necromancer style FVS build.

Craig, Your build posts are well written with great care & detail (& aesthetic use of color ) so I totally understand updating them is no easy task. I still encourage you however as it will benefit many (especially newer players who want to have a decent end game option without crazy grinding & TRs).

Before I found your post my first lifer Human Cleric was max Wisdom with starting Con 16 (no level ups in Con). When the expansion came out we were all excited & for ED I initially chose EA as our Party Paladin Tank was going US & it was all new and we wanted to try different things and see all the neat abilities (everyone in our static party did different EDs). As we progressed it seemed natural to take essentially the same EA things you did and that steered me to to spamming non-meta'ed low level light spells to get my counters in addition to heals. When 20 was the cap enhancement-wise I was maxed on all healing lines and only max light base damage & initial light crit enhancements but as I started liking the EA light damage more and more I respeced to swap to max light everything including light crits & only max healing base with only initial healing crit enhancements. As we moved into higher levels & difficulties I found I was healing better than ever and the efficient light damage was contributing more than DC based spells (implosions, Greater Commands, Comet Falls,etc) & was especially liking Divine Wrath & on boss fights Rebuke foe really helped my triple stack light damage & the melees...

At that point i came across your post and it confirmed what I was seeing in game (namely very efficient & strong light damage was the way to go when DCs no longer stuck). That and more importantly it gave me a very clear concise road map of how to take it to the next level with via mana-free twists and how to go into un-knock-downable steadfast US healing mode as typically we only wiped when I got knocked down in EA... At that point I was only in EA and it gave me a good excuse to try other EDs & twists.

I like the Cleric version for my party as we have up to 4 melees (depending on who shows up) & being up front with the Aura's & Bursts make it to where I hardly have to target anyone for healing. I used to have to do Mass Heals/cures from time to time but rarely do now as I have Divine Wrath while in EA & 'Light in the Dark' when in US (thanks to you). For me & the party healer role at least I think the cleric version is superior as the constant healing aura with bursts as needed seem to make things smoother for the party and quality of life is great without having to target everyone so much to heal them. A max Con Cleric variant may also be a better up-front raid healer but I can't say that definitively (but know that I would prefer having auras/bursts as a healer).

That being said, even after all the twists are ground out & gear (including GS) is ground out I don't think the Cleric version would be better to solo EE than your build (if even possible on the cleric version). Without a DPS party to heal the Aura/Bursts are much less useful and the AoV2 extra damage makes a huge difference in total damage when solo (less so when you have a party tank and multiple pure DPS melee). Capped Clerics getting a -6 in reflex saves compared to capped FvS is a nail in the coffin for me trying to solo EE in EA and being human and not being able to do a Pally Dilly makes it even worse... Unless I am in a party with really good aggro & really good crowd control in EE I prefer to be US healing mode so I am not on my butt while the party wipes & I don't think I could solo in US either... To try to solo EE as a capped cleric I would recommend your build and being HE but think it would be sub-par to the FvS so why try... If I TR or start a new Divine with the goal of soloing EE it will most likely be HE FvS (unless things change)... Speaking of changes, my hope is that the "Enhancement revamp" drops as I really want to try to solo EE as a pure or almost pure Radiant Savant Cleric with a Racial Tree Stalwart Defender (either Dwarf or Human/HE depending on implementation/costs).

You already have my gear recommendations for U15 & U16 in posts above & unfortunately I don't have much experience with U17 gear yet to comment further.

Thanks again for your thread. It really helped my role in my static party runs where I am the healer but want to also have other fun (especially on higher difficulties where I was getting knocked on my back). I hope my feedback is helpful for you &/or others. As a way of showing thanks & helping other first lifers I will do my best to help proof-read & give ideas/input in your thread...

[nni]

• Opinions on build choices such as capstone, best half-elf Dil, other Races

I have really enjoyed Exalted angel. Renewal is an amazing healing ability. It has a really short cool down (3s) that allows you to rotate it among several party members for incredibly sp efficient healing. Divine wrath is also great. It obviously synergizes impeccably with this build, as you are always spamming light spells. Rebuke foe is also great for increasing party dps. Really, exalted angel seems designed to fit this build.

• What destinies/twists have worked for you?

Energy burst is the big one to go after here. After that I would slot brace for impact, as the saves and especially fort bonus really helps in EEs.

• What gear/items merit mentioning as options for the build?

To increase PRR, the planar conflux set bonus may be something to think about (assuming it stacks with sheltering?). You could couple it with a Balizarde for the nice defensive bonuses it provides. In that case we would need to slot all the spell power enhancements into other spots. A couple of the GH shields have 1-2 red slots, so you could use those. Then you could look for hats or rings with the remaining spell power needs. That's one thing that makes the CON build so nice. You don't have to max your casting stat or slot spell penetration. It's very flexible with regards to gear.

• Any tips for EE soloing or raid healing?

At the risk of repeating myself, renewal for single target and divine wrath for group healing will take care of a lot of your group's healing needs. This build in exalted angel makes for an incredibly sp efficient healer.

• Has anyone managed to find a version that can stand toe-to-toe with a pack of EE mobs?

I'll get back to you on that one

[Devachan]

I assume you consider constructive criticism delivered respectfully/charitably and recommendations for improvements included in positive feedback...

Most definitely!

The thing that jumped out to me in a first glance was that you probably should swap the Loot-Gen 30% heal amp/+15 heal bracers for Loot-Gen Convalescent of Superior Parrying bracers as that would give you +4 insight on saves & AC (Craig does a great job of hi-lighting these above). If you want a +15 Heal item I would just have one on a slot and swap it on with your mana items when you rest...

Agreed. The bracers I listed are the ones I have. I will edit my post to reflect the more optimal ones with Superior Parrying.

Personally I plan to just use a non-bound 'junk' LGS item for the mana item so I can trade it between my characters and swap it on for resting and take it off after buffing...

I only have a few characters that I play, so I have enough LGS items to go around. Also if not BTC then those large guild slot items will eventually take enough permanent damage to render them less useful due to constant breaking.

Speaking of mana rest swap items, I can maybe see fitting in a Large Guild Slot items for HPs in a regular slot but would keep the Large Guild Slot with +80 SP as an item that you only slot for rests... After you finish Buffing & your mana is spent some I would then change it out to a regular item...

Any ideas for what that regular item should be? I am struggling to find a decent 2nd ring and that's why I have a whole slot taken up by the crafted ring with spell points in the large guild slot. I want more jump, more concentration and more dodge but all of those are suffixes so I can only craft one of those onto a ring.

The solution is probably to grind for a TOD ring and put 20% healing amp on it. I'm not even flagged for TOD on my FVS so it would be a bit of a grind...

Thanks for your feedback.