Pale Master Guide

[peng]

Overall, I could go 18 wizard / 2 monk -- gain the TWF line, Int to Damage/Attack, Evasion, Water stance (+2 saves, +1 dodge, +2 wis), and a martial arts feat.

That would cost me 3 points of Enchant DC (+1 enchant lore, +1 Bard:PL, Greater Enchant Focus), which still puts me in no-fail for 99% of mobs out there (Orc Priests would be only real concern) and likely Empower Spell (weaker Ruin and NEB). Additionally, I would lose Energy Drain (made up for by MF wraps) and Meteor Swarm (annoying).

GTWF requires 11 BAB. 18/2 wiz/monk reaches 10 BAB by level 20. If you want the full TWF line in heroics, you'll need to splash 2 more monk levels, an additional 2 of any full BAB class, or just splash 2 fighter instead of 2 monk and take GTWF as a bonus feat at 20. Alternatively, you could use an epic feat for GTWF, which would leave us with ruin, GTWF, and 1 other epic feat (probably great int, epic spell focus, or overwhelming critical).

You might also lose 2-4 points of con so you could get enough dex (and maybe str/wis) for the TWF feats, maybe PA, and boost wis for stunning fist DC. With the 2 monk bonus feats you could take TWF and stunning fist. With Harper's know the angles (half int bonus to damage and tactics), stunning fist DC would be pretty decent.

[Andoris]

GTWF requires 11 BAB. 18/2 wiz/monk reaches 10 BAB by level 20. If you want the full TWF line in heroics, you'll need to splash 2 more monk levels, an additional 2 of any full BAB class, or just splash 2 fighter instead of 2 monk and take GTWF as a bonus feat at 20. Alternatively, you could use an epic feat for GTWF, which would leave us with ruin, GTWF, and 1 other epic feat (probably great int, epic spell focus, or overwhelming critical).

You might also lose 2-4 points of con so you could get enough dex (and maybe str/wis) for the TWF feats, maybe PA, and boost wis for stunning fist DC. With the 2 monk bonus feats you could take TWF and stunning fist. With Harper's know the angles (half int bonus to damage and tactics), stunning fist DC would be pretty decent.

The Dex requirements can be covered with Tomes and stat points from cha and str; the BAB requirements are a bigger deal though and I completely forgot about those. The most I can see giving up would be 2 levels as you don't want to lose Lich form and the other 9th level spells; and imo the epic feats are a fairly big deal. Splashing Fighter is also not as interesting as you would lose many of the benefits the splash provides.

I suppose you could go with only ITWF, but the whole premise would be to quickly mortal fear down a orange named, or do decent melee dps against red named. Between the lack of Melee Power as Eth pointed out and only having a 60% off hand proc I don't see it being viable. I would think we are better off just using our efficient nukes.

While a melee / wizard might be a cool concept -- I don't think it is worth the trade offs, if we keep with the spirit of this tread.

Honestly, I am very happy that this idea doesn't work -- I was feeling dirty just thinking about it

[Eth]

I suppose you could go with only ITWF, but the whole premise would be to quickly mortal fear down a orange named, or do decent melee dps against red named.

Orange named? Comon
1. Turn the Page
2. Power Word: Stun
3. Energy Drain
4. Enervation
5. Necrotic Ray
6. Ruin
The bigger ones, like shadowars in WGU, might need a second cycle or toss in some enervation scrolls, but most don't survive that combo :P

On purple named it would have been good to have some free DPS, but the trade off is really big.

[Andoris]

Orange named? Comon
1. Turn the Page
2. Power Word: Stun
3. Energy Drain
4. Enervation
5. Necrotic Ray
6. Ruin
The bigger ones, like shadowars in WGU, might need a second cycle or toss in some enervation scrolls, but most don't survive that combo :P

On purple named it would have been good to have some free DPS, but the trade off is really big.

It was more in reference to how I would deal with orange named if I went with the 18/2 split which would likely not have energy drain.

I agree most orange named mobs are not really an issue -- actually a bunch of us were discussing tonight if red named mobs were really that much of an issue either... thinking of doing a few all DC wizard EEs (with no spell point pots to keep it fair) to test it out using real world info. Let me know if you are interested.

[Eth]

It was more in reference to how I would deal with orange named if I went with the 18/2 split which would likely not have energy drain.

OK My point was more that wizards already have the best tools to deal with orange named, so why fall back on worse tools.

I agree most orange named mobs are not really an issue -- actually a bunch of us were discussing tonight if red named mobs were really that much of an issue either... thinking of doing a few all DC wizard EEs (with no spell point pots to keep it fair) to test it out using real world info.

I don't find red names much of an issue. I did some EE quests in stormhorns solo without using pots (except apple ciders, I'm an addict to those).
Most important for SP efficient nuking IMO are maximize clickies and turn the page.
Really looking forward for U23 where we can get 5 more of each.
Also arcane supremacy. The extra damage you can output in those 12 seconds is amazing.

It's really only EE Deathwyrm that gives me a headache SP wise. Did this once on my wiz and won't do it again, EH is fine though. I have my ranger for that I guess.

Let me know if you are interested.

Sure. Capped and waiting for the update, so I'm bored anyway with stuff to do

[Eth]

Does anyone have some real test data if negative energy absorption on deathblock-items affects undead form or not?
I heard both now - yes, it does and no, it doesn't. Would really appreciate if someone can test it since I don't have a circle of hatred and can't find my harm scrolls either. Bonus points for screenshots.

[Satyriasys]

Does anyone have some real test data if negative energy absorption on deathblock-items affects undead form or not?
I heard both now - yes, it does and no, it doesn't. Would really appreciate if someone can test it since I don't have a circle of hatred and can't find my harm scrolls either. Bonus points for screenshots.

This ^ and what about MRR?

[Andoris]

Does anyone have some real test data if negative energy absorption on deathblock-items affects undead form or not?
I heard both now - yes, it does and no, it doesn't. Would really appreciate if someone can test it since I don't have a circle of hatred and can't find my harm scrolls either. Bonus points for screenshots.

I tested on Lamanina and deathblock was not affecting negative energy healing.

When I get home tonight I'll run a couple tests and see if that is still the case on live.

[Andoris]

It looks like we can use the new Harper tree to eek out 1 more point of Intelligence. Unfortunately, that point of Intelligence costs 7 ap to get to, which can only really come from the Sun Elf/Drow racial tree -- that has a cost of +1 Enchant DC and Fey Wild Tap.

The Enchant DC is compensated by the bonus to Int, however; the loss of Fey Wild and the AP to slot in Rejuvenation of the Dawn (when needed) is annoying. The +1 Int, allows us to drop epic Necro Focus for greater Int in the short term (keeping necro and enchant DC's the same, but +1 DC to all other schools); and in the longer term, it will allow us to even out our Int Score once folks start to get their Epic Litany's.

Net change: Gain: 1 Int (+1 to all school DC's other than Enchant [& Necro until I pull an Epic Litany]), Gain 25 spell points, Loss of Feywild tap/Rejuvenation of the Dawn, Loss of 1 point of Spell Pen, Loss of flexibility to be primary AM tree focused (due to lack of APs).

Here is my current Enhancement thoughts -- as always, feedback is welcome:

Wizard: Pale Master (41 ap):
C: Dark Reaping (1), Zombie (1), Vampire (1), Wraith (1), Lich (1), Master of Death (1)
I: Deathless Vigor III (6), Spell Critical: Negative (2), Negative Energy Conduit III (3)
II: Efficient: Quicken III (6), Spell Critical: Negative (2), Bone Armor III (3)
III: Spell Critical: Negative (2), Intelligence (2), Cloak of Night I (1)
IV: Spell Critical: Negative (2), Intelligence (2),
V: Improved Shrouding (2), Necromantic Focus (2)

Wizard: Archmage (25 ap):
C: Necromancy IV (4)
I: Traditionalist Caster III (3), Spell Critical (2)
II: Spell Critical (2), Efficient: Maximize III (6)
III: Spell Critical (2), Intelligence (2)
IV: Intelligence (2), Spell Focus: Necro (2)

Sun Elf (6 ap):
C: Accuracy II (2ap), Intelligence II (4ap),

Harper (8 ap):
C: Agent of Good (1), Harper Training: Intelligence (2)
I: Harper Enchantment (2), Traveler’s Toughness II (2)
II: Magical Endurance I (1)

[Andoris]

Does anyone have some real test data if negative energy absorption on deathblock-items affects undead form or not?
I heard both now - yes, it does and no, it doesn't. Would really appreciate if someone can test it since I don't have a circle of hatred and can't find my harm scrolls either. Bonus points for screenshots.

I didn't have a Belt to test with, but I did do a number of tests with other deathblock items (both random loot gen and Glorious Dawn) and the death block absorption is NOT affecting Harm in any way.

As for the MRR question... I tested both with 30 MRR and 0 MRR. Harm healed me for the exact same HP amount in both cases.

p.s. sorry for no screenshots.. too lazy to upload them.. Circle of Death hit for 139 hp in all tests though

[Eth]

I didn't have a Belt to test with, but I did do a number of tests with other deathblock items (both random loot gen and Glorious Dawn) and the death block absorption is NOT affecting Harm in any way.

As for the MRR question... I tested both with 30 MRR and 0 MRR. Harm healed me for the exact same HP amount in both cases.

p.s. sorry for no screenshots.. too lazy to upload them.. Circle of Death hit for 139 hp in all tests though

That's great news. Thanks for testing!

[Eth]

Looks like wizards are now also excellent for trolling the new raid.

[soloist12]

What would you guys recommend for the 80-150k hp red named bosses out there as far as efficient nuking goes? I seem to be forced to empty a good third of my sp on those, sometimes more. Currently using breath, burst, ruin. I'm on the fence for hellball still, doesnt do as much for 80sp.

Am I missing anything else for efficient direct dmg for things that can't be level drained?

[BigErkyKid]

I am a bit late to the party, but I can't seem to find a good thread for up to date fortitude DCs.

Does anyone have any suggestion?

Thanks in advance.

[Andoris]

Looks like wizards are now also excellent for trolling the new raid.

LOL... I can't tell you how many times I have accidentally blasted an undead with necrotic ray -- never seen a number quite that high though... that's some serious negative energy amp on the abbot.

Fun times.

[Andoris]

What would you guys recommend for the 80-150k hp red named bosses out there as far as efficient nuking goes? I seem to be forced to empty a good third of my sp on those, sometimes more. Currently using breath, burst, ruin. I'm on the fence for hellball still, doesnt do as much for 80sp.

Am I missing anything else for efficient direct dmg for things that can't be level drained?

Your most efficient nukes are the cheap ones. Un meta'd Necrotic ray (10sp) will hit for 1-2 thousand, polar ray (20sp) is a little lower but in the same ball park, Scorching ray is nearly 1k for 8sp and even magic/chain missile is not too bad (your force spell power should be pretty high) as well. The DoTs are still good as is black dragon bolt.

I would stay away from high spell point spells like Ruin if you know you need to cut through 150k+ of hp. Ruin is ~4-8k for 100+ spell points.

You have plenty of low cost nukes to toss around.. you are not going to set any speed records, but you should be able to cut through that 150k fairly efficiently. If you feel you can do without the extra 1 point of int out of Harper, you can go Archmage primary and utilize Arcane Supremacy, which adds considerably to your spell damage.

[Andoris]

I am a bit late to the party, but I can't seem to find a good thread for up to date fortitude DCs.

Does anyone have any suggestion?

Thanks in advance.

What specifically are you looking for?

While I don't have a table of every updates target fort save -- I am fairly certain that we can ball park the fortitude DC's needed pretty well. In general a 70 DC is (almost) no fail in EE Giant hold and lower content... EE Stormhorns Orcs are somewhere in the low 80s, and everything else is in between (mostly low 70s).

EE Archers in the new raid look to be high 70s-low 80s.

Get yourself to mid 70s and you are effective on 90%+ of the end game mobs. If you are playing a wizard, you have debuffs to bring the mob within range of your DC's if you need (Energy Drain, Enervation SLA, necrotic ray, etc)

[Bridge_Dweller]

I would stay away from high spell point spells like Ruin if you know you need to cut through 150k+ of hp. Ruin is ~4-8k for 100+ spell points.

Except for the last sliver, Ruin is fantastic for kill-stealing on red-names.

[Portalcat]

A few of the PMs in my guild were talking up switching to light armor with the new update. The idea is that if we slot Epic Fanged Gloves for the magical efficiency and arcane spell failure reduction + 2 slots, we can wear light armor for a +15 PRR and +15 MRR bonus, even though we're not proficient.



So far, I can't really see a drawback. Looking at my gearing, it comes down to whether I want to slot the magically efficiency + 2 slots with the gloves or take sage's boots for the Conjuration focus 5, with GS in the other slot. A switch to light armor makes the gloves the easy choice.

[Andoris]

A few of the PMs in my guild were talking up switching to light armor with the new update. The idea is that if we slot Epic Fanged Gloves for the magical efficiency and arcane spell failure reduction + 2 slots, we can wear light armor for a +15 PRR and +15 MRR bonus, even though we're not proficient.

So far, I can't really see a drawback. Looking at my gearing, it comes down to whether I want to slot the magically efficiency + 2 slots with the gloves or take sage's boots for the Conjuration focus 5, with GS in the other slot. A switch to light armor makes the gloves the easy choice.

If I remember correctly, if you are not proficient you will not get the PRR rating of the armor itself -- not sure how that applies to the MRR. Its worth doing a quick test to see if that is the case or not though.