NovaSoul (a light based epic FVS build)

[Chette]

Great job explaining the effectiveness of light spells! Not enough favoured souls use these excellent abilities.

However I find your choice of max Con extremely poor as you lock yourself out of any form of crowd control (not all of which requires spell penetration).

I see this more as a playstyle than a build and would encourage people to continue to play their wisdom based caster builds, but taking some of the advice from this thread and incorporating heavy use of divine wrath and rebuke foe.

[Tobril]

Great job explaining the effectiveness of light spells! Not enough favoured souls use these excellent abilities.

However I find your choice of max Cha extremely poor as you lock yourself out of any form of crowd control (not all of which requires spell penetration).

I see this more as a playstyle than a build and would encourage people to continue to play their wisdom based caster builds, but taking some of the advice from this thread and incorporating heavy use of divine wrath and rebuke foe.

Did you meant to post this in the other thread?

This guy has minimal CHA so he can cast and
he pumped CON to stay alive.

He does have a mild WIS investment, but as stated
before a first life will not hit EE DC's so he chose to
instead simply kill things instead.

[Chette]

Did you meant to post this in the other thread?

This guy has minimal CHA so he can cast and
he pumped CON to stay alive.

He does have a mild WIS investment, but as stated
before a first life will not hit EE DC's so he chose to
instead simply kill things instead.

Ahh, I see the level ups are in Con, not Cha, misread on my behalf. I stand by my statement though, and will edit it to replace Cha with Con.

[Tobril]

Ahh, I see the level ups are in Con, not Cha, misread on my behalf. I stand by my statement though, and will edit it to replace Cha with Con.

I agree with your sentiment about WIS and having DCs.

The OP did, however, make an informed choice and warned
people why he did so. As such I feel he did due diligence to
ensure people do not ignore DC based spells.

The fact his build does exaclty what he needs it to do shows
me that his choices are correct for his needs and situation,
particularly being first life and wanting to solo EE.


I would also like to see this thread remain civil as the information
provided is really well organized and useful. I also understand the
desire to not mislead people into doing foolish things and feel that
the OP has done a sufficient job explaining options so as not to
browbeat people away from all their potential.

[Anthios888]

The OP did, however, make an informed choice and warned
people why he did so. As such I feel he did due diligence to
ensure people do not ignore DC based spells.

The fact his build does exaclty what he needs it to do shows
me that his choices are correct for his needs and situation,
particularly being first life and wanting to solo EE.

I would also like to see this thread remain civil as the information
provided is really well organized and useful.

Exactly. You really put the finger on why threads like this are great even if you decide to make different choices yourself. OP is self-aware.

[Chette]

I agree with your sentiment about WIS and having DCs.

The OP did, however, make an informed choice and warned
people why he did so. As such I feel he did due diligence to
ensure people do not ignore DC based spells.

The fact his build does exaclty what he needs it to do shows
me that his choices are correct for his needs and situation,
particularly being first life and wanting to solo EE.


I would also like to see this thread remain civil as the information
provided is really well organized and useful. I also understand the
desire to not mislead people into doing foolish things and feel that
the OP has done a sufficient job explaining options so as not to
browbeat people away from all their potential.

Oh, I never claimed that he did not make an informed choice, and I certainly don't see anything uncivil in this thread. The OP posted a build. I complimented what I thought was an excellent use of light based spells, and then commented on something that I saw as being a very poor choice (even if he did explain why he did it).

That is all.

[Ancient]

I ran out of rep's for the day, but I have been trying to +1 everyone that replied to this thread because it has been mostly civil and even criticism of the build is meant to help improve it.

I did a lot of LRs and so my decisions were not made in a vacuum, I compared the performance against other versions and changed the build as I learned. I moved to a focus on HP because even with the great healing and high hp, I still had some close calls while soloing on EE. My goal is to walk into an EE quest and get it the first try... not run it 20 times waiting to get the perfect run. My attempts to pursue PRR didn't seem to help survival as much as raw hp did.

ChillDude's cha version is tempting because the it would raise the DCs on avenging light, divine wrath and energy burst. Wisdom would get me some CC, but from a SP perspective, that CC would be very expensive compared to everything else the build does. When I solo EE's, I tend not to use consumables beyond GH scrolls. This means that the endurance of a build is very important to me.

• A player with less of a priority on endurance would probably make different decisions.
• A player who doesn't solo EE would hopefully make different decisions. I'm even still up in the air between cha and con.
• A more talented player might not need the hp buffer that I do. You fight with the army you have.

The nice thing is that light base FVS builds do have a lot of flexibility and can go in many different directions. The only place that seems very tight is enhancement points. You can't have full heal amp, full toughness, full stats, AoV2, full smites and full spell pen. There are trade-offs no matter what direction you go.

[Chette]

I did a lot of LRs and so my decisions were not made in a vacuum, I compared the performance against other versions and changed the build as I learned. I moved to a focus on HP because even with the great healing and high hp, I still had some close calls while soloing on EE. My goal is to walk into an EE quest and get it the first try... not run it 20 times waiting to get the perfect run. My attempts to pursue PRR didn't seem to help survival as much as raw hp did.

I'm glad to hear you've put so much effort into it. Regardless of whether I agree with your outcome, it is always helpful to see somebody's thought process. Good luck with this build, I am sure you will have lots of fun with it regardless.

[Nodoze]

I'm glad to hear you've put so much effort into it. Regardless of whether I agree with your outcome, it is always helpful to see somebody's thought process. Good luck with this build, I am sure you will have lots of fun with it regardless.

With high enough HPs this build can heal though most everything so there are pros/cons either way and there are advantages to efficient & steady. You can't max everything.

[abracadaver0]

Perhaps I built something incorrectly here, but, using a 32 point build, I seem to not be able to cast any C(x)W, or my Burst of Light spell. I just started, mind you, so this is with that airship Veteran gear. I become "off center" immediately after equipping, and cannot cast any spells. Perhaps a 9 CHA to start for this is too low, without guildship buffs or a tome? I used a Half Elf and took everything right from the first post.

[Nodoze]

Perhaps I built something incorrectly here, but, using a 32 point build, I seem to not be able to cast any C(x)W, or my Burst of Light spell. I just started, mind you, so this is with that airship Veteran gear. I become "off center" immediately after equipping, and cannot cast any spells. Perhaps a 9 CHA to start for this is too low, without guildship buffs or a tome? I used a Half Elf and took everything right from the first post.

To learn and cast a spell, a Favored Soul must have a Charisma score equal to at least 10 + spell level.

Regarding Charisma, the 32 point version of the build makes the assumption for the following 'static' level 20 stats which lets you cast your max level 9 spells but doesn't spell out how how to be able to cast all your spells as they become available on your way to 20:
Cha = 9 (base) + 3 (tome at level 11) + 2 (capstone) + 6 equipment = (20)

This allows you to cast all your spells at 20 but you are correct that it makes it a little tough to get there...

When min/maxing with the build as is, an easy to get +6 item will only get you up to level 5 spells and thus the +3 tome at level 11 (or at least +2 at level 7) is pretty much mandatory for the build though that will still only get you level 8 (7) spells until you get to level 20 and get the capstone and it would suck to have to wait for level 9 (8-9) spells till 20.

To compensate while leveling you could take the FvS Charisma Enhancements as soon as you can at levels 2,6,10 and as a HE you can take Human Adaptability Enhancement at level 5 to bump Charisma by +1 as well and then you can reset these enhancements to the build's recommended enhancements when they are no longer needed.

You will also want to watch the Auction House for Charisma items and keep that maxed and trade up as fast as you can to +6 at level 11, 13, or 15 (can't remember for sure off hand and if you can find a Race Restricted one that matches your race you can equip it two levels earlier than normal).

[abracadaver0]

To learn and cast a spell, a Favored Soul must have a Charisma score equal to at least 10 + spell level.

Regarding Charisma, the 32 point version of the build makes the assumption for the following 'static' level 20 stats which lets you cast your max level 9 spells but doesn't spell out how how to be able to cast all your spells as they become available on your way to 20:
Cha = 9 (base) + 3 (tome at level 11) + 2 (capstone) + 6 equipment = (20)

This allows you to cast all your spells at 20 but you are correct that it makes it a little tough to get there...

When min/maxing with the build as is, an easy to get +6 item will only get you up to level 5 spells and thus the +3 tome at level 11 (or at least +2 at level 7) is pretty much mandatory for the build though that will still only get you level 8 (7) spells until you get to level 20 and get the capstone and it would suck to have to wait for level 9 (8-9) spells till 20.

To compensate while leveling you could take the FvS Charisma Enhancements as soon as you can at levels 2,6,10 and as a HE you can take Human Adaptability Enhancement at level 5 to bump Charisma by +1 as well and then you can reset these enhancements to the build's recommended enhancements when they are no longer needed.

You will also want to watch the Auction House for Charisma items and keep that maxed and trade up as fast as you can to +6 at level 11, 13, or 15 (can't remember for sure off hand and if you can find a Race Restricted one that matches your race you can equip it two levels earlier than normal).

Thank you so much. I kind of feel like maybe I made a mistake and was expecting one of those "learn to read" comments. Expectations from a League player I guess. :P It is comforting that I didn't build it wrong, and I can definitely do some tweaks to the one I made now so he can cast.

[Ancient]

Your videos that are instructional no matter what kind of favored soul you play. +1

Do you cometfall? I have found this to be the easiest way to be effective at crowd control in epic elites even if your spell penetration is not nosebleed high. I was wondering how it worked with your DCs.

Bladebarrier/heal/harm. As a raid healer, I can't depend on using heal to work on the arcanes.

[Postumus]

To carry this over from the Bringer of Light thread regarding the 1.4K boulder toss:

So boulder toss is impacted by fire damage lines? Am I understanding that correctly?

[Ancient]

To carry this over from the Bringer of Light thread regarding the 1.4K boulder toss:

So boulder toss is impacted by fire damage lines? Am I understanding that correctly?

Not quite. Angel of Vengeance works on both

Angel of Vengeance

Your wrath against those who stand against you continues to grow. Your Aura of Menace now lowers Spell Resistance by 2. You gain an additional 20 spell power (for a total of 60) for spells that deal fire, physical, or untyped damage. You can summon a small lantern archon that hovers over your shoulder, attacking foes within your Aura of Menace with beams of light.

Combined with Holy Symbol of Lolth

Spellcasting Implement +15
Nullification +102
Radiance +102
Impulse +102
Exceptional Charisma +1
Exceptional Wisdom +1
Embrace of the Spider Queen

For fire, I wear a house C cloak. It helps fire spells and gives a damage shield that goes well with the light show theme.

[DarkSable]

So... I've been kicking around a tanking build for a favored soul for years, when I happened to stumble across your thread. I didn't want to ask you about it, but since it's already been necro-ed.

Have you ever tried tanking with this build? I'm planning on LR-ing my favored soul into one of these to see how it goes, with variations on a theme.

Also, how much offense do those extra twists of fate give you? I'm trying to figure out how badly I hurt myself by taking defensive twists.

[Ancient]

So... I've been kicking around a tanking build for a favored soul for years, when I happened to stumble across your thread. I didn't want to ask you about it, but since it's already been necro-ed.

Have you ever tried tanking with this build? I'm planning on LR-ing my favored soul into one of these to see how it goes, with variations on a theme.

Also, how much offense do those extra twists of fate give you? I'm trying to figure out how badly I hurt myself by taking defensive twists.

I really wanted to tank EE's on this, but I wasn't able to make it work. For EN and EH, I killed so fast I didn't have to worry, and on EE I can't go toe to toe with packs of melee mobs. When they hit for 150+ each and there is a pack of 6 mobs...

I was a lot happier with the build once I stopped trying to tank and focused more on the boom. If you read the third post, I go over some of the options that I tried... but it would take a lot more than that to handle EE.

[whomhead]

How much offense do you lose by splashing in a fighter level or two on a build like this? I am thinking of ways to enhance the defensive capabilities (which might also benefit offense as you could then invest less in Con?). But is the DR/10 from 20 FvS a significant contribution to defense on EE?

Even just a 1 fighter splash would get you two of your defensive feats - heavy armor and the fighter bonus feat for shield mastery - plus gets 5 more PRR from having tower shield prof. Two fighter levels gets you a second defensive feat (go human instead of helf and you've got all 4 of them!), or you could drop in an artificer level for traps and what-not. Art level is handy for a soloist, no doubt about it.

Anyway, I see what you get for splashing, but wonder what you lose in terms of offensive power? I know you lose the free searing light cast and some SP. Anything else?

[Ancient]

How much offense do you lose by splashing in a fighter level or two on a build like this? I am thinking of ways to enhance the defensive capabilities (which might also benefit offense as you could then invest less in Con?). But is the DR/10 from 20 FvS a significant contribution to defense on EE?

Even just a 1 fighter splash would get you two of your defensive feats - heavy armor and the fighter bonus feat for shield mastery - plus gets 5 more PRR from having tower shield prof. Two fighter levels gets you a second defensive feat (go human instead of helf and you've got all 4 of them!), or you could drop in an artificer level for traps and what-not. Art level is handy for a soloist, no doubt about it.

Anyway, I see what you get for splashing, but wonder what you lose in terms of offensive power? I know you lose the free searing light cast and some SP. Anything else?

For epic elite, the DR10 isn't much. I use the healing capstone, losing that would make it a lil tougher to grind out epic destinies.

If your plan is to tank EE, then before you do it, I would recommend this. Assume a pack of 5-6 mobs are coming at you with 200 hp damage attacks. Calculate out your miss chance, PRR and others. If it isn't clear you can survive... expect to have issues.

If your plan is to tank EN/EH... just go for the offense, the heals are enough to tank forever.

[Nodoze]

NovaSoul (a light based epic FVS build)
This post covers different options and math behind the build.

...

...
Epic Destiny - Exalted Angel
...
Purity of Essence - 3 AP, +10% heal amp
...
HELF Heal Amp:
1.1,1.2,1.3 from equipment
1.2 human
1.2 monk dil
1.1 purity (from exalted angel epic destiny)
1.1 Ship buff
=2.98 healing amp

• ...
• Gloves - Purple Knight Gloves for strength and 30% heal amp. Melee's might prefer other options.
  ...
• Wrist/Bracer - This is another spot to get superior stability. Another option is the House C bracer for 20% blurry, lightning resistance, 3% dodge and air guard.
  ...
• Neck - Torc, it is not very effective in epic elite but I worked so hard to get it that I'm not ready to give it up yet. What I probably should be wearing here is a necklace with natural armor to provide more AC protection.
  ...
  ...
• Rings - I wear a House C manslayer ring for the 10% incorporael and 2 epic slots. For my other slot, I bounce between a cove ring for the good luck/7 dex (I need to slot these in epic slots) and a House C archmagi ring. Better geared players might consider a TOD heal amp ring.
• Chest/Armor - The crystal cove cavalier plate (medium armor) has been amazing. The purple knight commendation armor provides some similar stats but is heavy armor for better PRR if you have the feat. This is also one of the two spots to get superior stability in, so it is an option to craft it. One more possibility is dragontouched heavy plate with 10% heal amp, 20% heal amp and some random soveriegn rune (84% devotion is supposed to be available).

...

Csivils, Really appreciate you taking the time to share all this info in the forums. Have you gotten the full 1.1,1.2,1.3 heal amp equipment slotted yet? I tried to find it but wasn't sure. If not (or even if you have), did you consider any of the 'Wall of Wood' options as you could get either 30% or 20% and have a perma equipped Devotion item? Personally I was liking the level 22 version for an easy 20% amp to stack with the PDK gloves 30% giving me decent devotion to stack with my Amaunator's Blessing Healing Crit ring so my healing is good no matter what weapon I equip... With Lolth's symbol it seems to have much of the core bases covered and it is great to always have your healing items equipped.