TRing Wizard to second caster life

[Melfsmite]

I'm looking for a good DPS build for my Wizard given the current rules.

Some preferences (though nothing is off the table):
Human/Elf race -- My wizard is primarily part of a well-balanced Static group including a healer. I have a bit of time while a few others make the grind from 18 to 20, I can TR this guy and catch them by 20. I'd prefer as high DC's as I can get by end-game.

Wizard preferred but Sorc is under strong consideration for DPS reasons -- I'm not sure if by end game the bosses (which is where my group needs most the help) the lack of DC on the Sorc will mean less DPS than the Wiz build.

I have collected the standard sets for leveling and a Con-Op green steel item, and will have Blue Dragon robe to help -- but not much else in the way of epic gear yet. I do have several fire and kinetic enhancing clickies.

I have +3 tomes across the board -- no +4's.

I've played life #1 as an ArchMage so I know that line. But PaleMaster looks very inviting -- if the DPS works for end game. I guess I can always re-spec at 20.

Any advice is much appreciated!

[Such755]

If you REALLY want DPS then go sorc, there's not a single question about it.
Sorc can be human and still self heal well because charisma is high enough to get you no-fail-heal-scrolls.

If you want wizard DPS then stick to arch mage, necromancer offers no bonuses to DPS and arch mage has all those nice evocation stuff, as you should know. Stick to warforged because there's no significant bonus to human when playing a wizard who is NOT a pale master. You'll miss a feat and human adaptability, but end up with MUCH superior self heals (Comparing WF AM to Fleshy AM).


My two cents

[Kinerd]

If all you're concerned about is "good" DPS, I have you covered with this build:

feat: Maximize
enhancements: 7/1/1 cold, 7/1/1 electric, at least 1/1/1 acid
spells: Eladar's Electric Surge, Niac's Biting Cold, Polar Ray, Black Dragon Bolt
gear: a high level Thaumaturgy staff with Glaciation

Against a 0 resist/immunity target, you are over 500 DPS with these spells alone. Because of the cooldown mechanics, you will get very little from even marked increases in a given DPS DC (further complicated by Evo and Conj each being involved in DPS). It's hard to cast much more than the 4 spells listed above on cooldown as a wizard. Sorcerers have it easier, but at the same time they are also obligated (so to speak) to fill much of those gaps with their SLAs, and again you're already pumping out 500+ DPS.

Regarding self-healing, scrolls are much better than CSW potions but much worse than spell-based self healing. I have seen many people abandon half-elf arcanes for this reason, I have never seen someone abandon a robo-arcane for this reason. Have I seen every person who has ever played? no. Just giving you information.

Regarding clickies, think of them as Divine Might. A paladin often loses DPS by activating Divine Might during a fight because it taaaakes sooooo loooong, so they only activate it when running up to a fight, which is to say when they are out of melee range. If you as a wizard are out of spell range (including rays), go nuts with your clickies. Otherwise the gain is way way too small, the time you spend not casting results in a net loss.

Regarding wizard PrEs, the differences are not DPS relevant in the sense you describe. PM offers very efficient DPS, but this is not the same as strong DPS, and the same for AM Evo. The most important thing is getting self-healing: if you're not a robot, you are doing yourself a great disservice by not being PM. Static group or no static group, you make it much easier on the healer if you can easily take care of yourself. Elf is a very strong choice for PM due to more Spell Pen enhancements. Human is not terrible with the extra feat, but a PM isn't really hurting for feats and elves are prettier.