Seeking advice: WF Wizard AM vs PM

[Reos]

So I have a WF wiz and I want to take advantage of insta-kill abilities, FoD, Wail, etc. So I have greater necromancy focus feated, but now that I've reached lev 18, I'm wondering if PM is really worth it, as opposed to just getting my +DC from arcane mastery. So what are the real pros and cons of a PM vs an AM? I've been gone from DDO for a long time so feel free to explain things in basic terms.

Thanks in advance!

[EazyWeazy]

Lich form boosts INT as well as necro DCs. I'm pretty sure this ends up beating out the bonuses you can get from AM.

I had a WF wizzy from way before we had PrEs and ended up TRing into Human since the self healing PM is so nice. If found I don't really miss the Reconstruct since I have aura now as well as the death burst spell that can heal you up fast in form.

The PM SLAs (spell like abilities) use HP instead of SP to cast so the aura helps with that as well. I've found that I rely mostly on some insta-kill and SLAs until big fights, then I have enough SP to lay down some nuking.

Good luck and welcome back.

[EazyWeazy]

Also, if you really want stuff to land in end game content, you're going to want Spell Pen feats to boost you up there. I assume you're a first life wizzy. Nothing wrong there, but you will need to sacrifice and take the feats/enhancements to get your spells to get through the Spell Resistance.

Two very valuable spells that can help are energy drain and circle of death. I love dropping a circle of death and kiting a large group of mobs through it and watching them take neg levels. Then hit wail and watch them drop.

[Reos]

Good advice. So you think PM is worth it overall?

[Matuse]

I'm really more of a night person.

[Inouk]

Good advice. So you think PM is worth it overall?

If WF I might stay AM as there is just too much redundancy in the benefits of WF and PM, though some would disagree. Both get immunities to level drain, poison, disease, water breathing, and the ability to self heal. All of those are otherwise lacking from AM, so WF is great there. Personally I prefer PM, but if building a PM I would leverage the benefits of another race like drow (+2int) human (+1 int +1 con +1 feat) or elf (+4 spell pen).

My personal preference, having both a WF AM and a drow PM, is PM. With the epic robe of shadow and death aura PM is so incredibly durable, and you generally don't have to cast healing spells so when you get into trouble you can focus on removing threats rather than deciding between healing yourself and removing threats. Built in death ward is a wonderful bonus, but light damage can be a biatch, so be sure to remove divine casters first (insta-kill before they can death ward, let someone else get agro, or just nuke the **** out of em til they die).

[Reos]

I figured WF PM could go Lich form for most situations, or regular for areas with a lot of light damage. So you'd recommend I TR into an maybe a Half-Elf?

[voodoogroves]

WF PMs rock. Do it.

[Gunga]

I'm really more of a night person.

You..

[Inouk]

I figured WF PM could go Lich form for most situations, or regular for areas with a lot of light damage. So you'd recommend I TR into an maybe a Half-Elf?

That's exactly the argument for WF PM, personally I never felt the need though.

HE? Why HE? I see no benefit to HElf. I'd go drow personally, for the +2 int. The con penalty is more than made up for in lich form. But I'd try WF first since it doesn't require you to TR and level back to 20.

[jortann]

I prefer my Warforged AM over my Human PM... Its not that one is better than the other, its just what I prefer. It is mainly a preference thing.

[voodoogroves]

I wouldn't go HELf on the 2nd life - human is the power pick - extra feat, etc.

[Kinerd]

The most important things:
PM gives self-healing, +2 Int, and +1 Necro DC. (Total of +2 Necro DC.)
Warforged gives self-healing. AM gives +2 Necro DC.

You will have exactly the same Necro and Conj DCs between a WF PM and a Necro/Conj WF AM.

.

Less important things:
PM gives some bitty DPS abilities that cost no SP and +100% fort. (Even though you'll be at 125% fort as a WF with Heavy Fort, you may want more.)
AM gives Web that costs practically no SP.

.

If you're a WF anyway, there is very little functional difference between the two.

[EazyWeazy]

I'd say stick with the WF for a while and see how you like PM. If you get geared up and want to try something else then maybe TR into a fleshie. I'd go Human myself (over drow or Helf) but you can do any of them. You'll also gain some nice Spell Pen bonus from the Wiz past life while you test/try out things.

[Nitesco]

Pale Masters are Turbine's 'pet' Arcane prestige class.

They are the most supported out of the Arcane classes, which translates into being easier to gear and play. Most Wizards are PM's, Turbine always puts the most work into the most popular choices. So you are 'safe' as PM, they will be continue to be very good for the foreseeable future.

Monks are Turbine's 'pet' Melee class.

Favored Souls are Turbine's 'pet' Divine class.

If you stick with those three, you will be at the greatest advantage and the most 'future proof'.