Advice and Tuning

[Tid12]

The thing is that there is a spectrum of SR. It's not that every creature is exactly 0 or exactly 58 SR, there are lots of targets in the 20s and 30s. It's those that people with mid-range spell pen can be extremely effective against with instant kills.

It's all or nothing against the very highest SR that deathwards itself if you don't land your first cast. Against everyone else, there's plenty of middle ground.

20 CL + 5 from Destiny: you are already at 25. +2 from Arcane Augmentation IX= 27.

Now, against a let's say 35 SR, you will succeed on a roll of 8 or more. That 2 that you could have got with Spell Penetration Feat will be pretty much insignificant anyway, you need already a couple of tries already.

[Tooninator]

Howdy,

I'll share my experience, which may or may not be useful to you. Let me preface it all by saying I mainly solo or play with one or two mates, and rarely go EE content, mostly EH. Don't want to enter argument over spell pen etc., will just outline what I'm doing and enjoying - different people and playstyles will have different views and preferences. So... I'm currently switching back and forth between two Sorcs as my main toons. One is WF and the other Female Drow, both level 25.

First up, the WF has hands down far more survivability. More hit points and self heal are the main factors.

But... s/he's (somehow I have a female WF, not sure I meant that!) hit every branch of the ugly tree before hitting my screen and is hard to look at for extended periods of play, whereas my Drow bird, well, yes it's just a game but she's much more pleasant on the eye.

Practically though... my Drow seems deadlier, but also obviously more squishy. The additional Charisma she has definitely shows. I also specced her differently to my WF as far as savant, although that has now changed...

Initially I played my WF as a fire savant. Fantastically easy for *most* content, particularly for the new Eveningstar/MOTU content. I originally focussed on fire, but did hit a few places where that stood me in poor stead so respecced to include acid secondary which seeemed a fairly successful combo.

Then I got my Drow going, levelled as an Electric and went water secondary, and enjoyed that and seems quite viable but did miss a few fire spells. Wanted to play a bit differently though so respecced and decided to dabble in necro as a second secondary (or third) if you like. Trouble is that needs spell pen, so after much internal debate (sounds painful, I know) I respecced feats to include Spell Focus Evo, Greater SF Evo, Epic SF Evo, Spell Pen, Greater Spell Pen, Epic Spell Pen, Empower, Maximize, Heighten.

The result? Nice, I have my spell pen normally at 42 (give or take a couple of points depending on which ED and twist I'm running) which works nicely for the mostly EH stuff I run. For EE, nowhere near enough - if I run that I focus on DPS (and rejig ED accordingly).

I must note that in order to do the above I have dropped a couple of feats like toughness and extend. I miss toughness as I'm just a tad more squishy now, but manage to keep my max hit points around 460, enough for the content I run. I do have 42+ UMD so can self heal with scrolls, which makes life a little easier now but there have been hard times... I don;t miss extend too much and can live with that decision fairly easily.

So all up, a Drow Air Savant with Water/Necro secondaries (an investment in spell pen and using necro alongside my evo spells) and quite enjoyable to play, if you do need to keep a constant eye on HP's and be ready with scrolls of heal. With the air/necro combo I call her my "Death from Above" build.

Details-wise...

I went 7/7/7 on air, 1/1/6 on water. Took all spell pen and charisma enhancements, two levels of improved max, 3 air savant, 2 levels of elven dex, energy of the dragonblooded level 3, and that's my full 80 points spent. Tight, but enough.

Spell-wise, all the buffs you can (or scroll if you want), including: Rage, False Life, Stoneskin, Haste, Displacement, Greater Heroism, nightshield, protec evil, protec energy, resis energy. All helps with survivability and is needed.

Otherwise, focused on a mix of evo and necro. I use Finger of Death and Wail quite a lot (otherwise why bother with necro!), Energy Drain, Enervation, Necrotic Ray and Symbol of Death from NEcro school. I use SLA's (loop and lightning bolt) along with chain lightning (LOVE this!) , Polar Ray, Prismatic Spray and Ball Lightning. Ice Storm is my AoE and combine this with any of Web, Dancing Ball and Hold Monster Mass for crowd Control. Often I'll mix in Mind Fog (-10 to will saves, but has a will save to save... can be useful to aid with the CC spells and improved with other debuffs first if needed) and/or Solid Fog (Solid Fog gives enemies a -5 to reflex saves, so you drop that and then spam your evo spells - air has quite afew reflex save ones so this is very helpful). Eladars and Niac's pretty much take care of any single targets that are big, evil and tough (mainly bosses, the odd other if needed). I sometimes switch Mass Suggestion in and out, depending on the content I'm running, can be handy to drop this and either watch your enemies fight each other and allowing you to just carry on.

Almost finished this long response, but I'll throw something else in. I mentioned my WF Brunhilda of the Apes, the ugliest thing I've seen on my screen since someone sent me a bad link. Well, I respecced her after playing my Drow, and taking into account my previous love of Fire but also the fact my WF seemed to spend an inordinate amount of time sitting on her ass (knocked over), went with an Air Savant build with Fire secondary and the evo trend as already noted (calling this my "Air Incendiary Reaper" build . I won't go into (more) long odes of worship but having delayed blast fireball and firewall back in town has been really really nice. Elec Loop, Chain lightning and DBF take out most groups very very quickly and efficiently and anything thats left can just have a second round. I still have Polar Ray and Niac's BTW - works well enough (still have eladars). I am seriously thinking of redoing my Drow to be Air/Fire and see how she plays... I'd also note this Air/Fire combo worked a little better for me in being able to juggle spells, what was tight at some levels with air/water has different (and more acceptable) trade off points as Air/Fire.

Post ended up longer than I expected, so hope it's of some value to you and not just a long boring read...

[Darkstar1996]

Switched out my spells. How are they? Is this build good? And i heard that earth grab is a CON spell? or no

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 03.14.02
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 20 True Neutral Drow Male
(20 Sorcerer) 
Hit Points: 182
Spell Points: 2141 
BAB: 10\10\15\20
Fortitude: 8
Reflex: 6
Will: 11

                  Starting            Ending          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats         Base Stats         Modified Stats
(28 Point)       (Level 1)          (Level 20)           (Level 20)
Strength              8                  8                    8
Dexterity            10                 10                   10
Constitution         14                 14                   14
Intelligence         12                 12                   12
Wisdom                8                  8                    8
Charisma             20                 25                   28

                  Starting            Ending          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills        Base Skills        Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)          (Level 20)          (Level 20)
Balance               0                  0                    6
Bluff                 5                  9                    9
Concentration         6                 25                   25
Diplomacy             6                 19.5                 19.5
Disable Device        n/a               n/a                   n/a
Haggle                5                  9                    9
Heal                 -1                 -1                   -1
Hide                  0                  0                    0
Intimidate            5                  9                    9
Jump                 -1                 -1                   -1
Listen               -1                 -1                    1
Move Silently         0                  0                    0
Open Lock             n/a               n/a                   n/a
Perform               n/a               n/a                   n/a
Repair                1                  1                    1
Search                1                  1                    3
Spot                 -1                 -1                    1
Swim                 -1                 -1                   -1
Tumble                1                  1                    1
Use Magic Device      7                 20.5                 20.5

Level 1 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Concentration (+4)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+2)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Spell (1): Acid Spray
Spell (1): Nightshield


Level 2 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Spell (1): Expeditious Retreat


Level 3 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Maximize Spell
Spell (1): Jump


Level 4 (Sorcerer)
Ability Raise: CHA
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Spell (2): Blur


Level 5 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Spell (2): Web


Level 6 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Spell
Spell (3): Acid Blast


Level 7 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Spell (2): Melf's Acid Arrow
Spell (3): Frost Lance


Level 8 (Sorcerer)
Ability Raise: CHA
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Spell (4): Acid Rain


Level 9 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Spell Focus: Conjuration
Spell (3): Haste
Spell (4): Stoneskin
Spell (2): Invisibility


Level 10 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Spell (5): Cloudkill


Level 11 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Spell (3): Displacement
Spell (4): Ice Storm
Spell (5): Niac's Biting Cold


Level 12 (Sorcerer)
Ability Raise: CHA
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Heighten Spell
Spell (6): Otiluke's Freezing Sphere


Level 13 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Spell (4): Fire Shield
Spell (5): Cone of Cold
Spell (6): Acid Fog


Level 14 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Spell (7): Finger of Death


Level 15 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell
Spell (5): Protection From Elements
Spell (7): Otto's Sphere of Dancing
Spell (6): Disintegrate


Level 16 (Sorcerer)
Ability Raise: CHA
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Spell (8): Black Dragon Bolt


Level 17 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Spell (8): Polar Ray
Spell (7): Prismatic Spray


Level 18 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Spell Focus: Conjuration
Spell (9): Wail of the Banshee


Level 19 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Spell (8): Otto's Irresistible Dance
Spell (9): Power Word: Kill


Level 20 (Sorcerer)
Ability Raise: CHA
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Spell (9): Energy Drain
Enhancement: Sorcerer Bloodline of Power
Enhancement: Sorcerer Improved Maximizing I
Enhancement: Sorcerer Improved Maximizing II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Sorcerer Earth Savant I
Enhancement: Sorcerer Earth Savant II
Enhancement: Sorcerer Earth Savant III
Enhancement: Corrosive Spellcasting I
Enhancement: Corrosive Spellcasting II
Enhancement: Corrosive Spellcasting III
Enhancement: Corrosive Spellcasting IV
Enhancement: Corrosive Spellcasting V
Enhancement: Glacial Spellcasting I
Enhancement: Deadly Acid I
Enhancement: Deadly Acid II
Enhancement: Deadly Acid III
Enhancement: Deadly Acid IV
Enhancement: Deadly Acid V
Enhancement: Deadly Ice I
Enhancement: Acid Manipulation I
Enhancement: Acid Manipulation II
Enhancement: Acid Manipulation III
Enhancement: Acid Manipulation IV
Enhancement: Acid Manipulation V
Enhancement: Acid Manipulation VI
Enhancement: Acid Manipulation VII
Enhancement: Frost Manipulation I
Enhancement: Frost Manipulation II
Enhancement: Frost Manipulation III
Enhancement: Frost Manipulation IV
Enhancement: Frost Manipulation V
Enhancement: Frost Manipulation VI
Enhancement: Frost Manipulation VII
Enhancement: Force Manipulation I
Enhancement: Sorcerer Spell Penetration I
Enhancement: Sorcerer Spell Penetration II
Enhancement: Sorcerer Energy of the Dragonblooded I
Enhancement: Sorcerer Energy of the Dragonblooded II
Enhancement: Sorcerer Energy of the Dragonblooded III
Enhancement: Sorcerer Energy of the Dragonblooded IV
Enhancement: Sorcerer Charisma I
Enhancement: Sorcerer Charisma II
Enhancement: Sorcerer Charisma III
Enhancement: Sorcerer Wand and Scroll Mastery I
Enhancement: Sorcerer Wand and Scroll Mastery II
Enhancement: Sorcerer Wand Heightening I
Enhancement: Sorcerer Wand Heightening II

[Kinerd]

20 CL + 5 from Destiny: you are already at 25. +2 from Arcane Augmentation IX= 27.

Now, against a let's say 35 SR, you will succeed on a roll of 8 or more. That 2 that you could have got with Spell Penetration Feat will be pretty much insignificant anyway, you need already a couple of tries already.

Yes, but with 8 from 3 SP feats you always succeed. Epic Spell Pen being worth 4 (and the existence of 2 more feat slots) has really changed my opinion of spell pen on sorcerers.

Switched out my spells. How are they?

You will get much, much, much more use out of Eladar's Electric Surge than Protection from Elements.

If you aren't going to take the spell pen feats, I don't see any point in taking the spell pen enhancements. Those 6 AP could instead give you 1/1/1 Electric and Fire.

And i heard that earth grab is a CON spell? or no

Sort of. It has two main differences from a spell:
-as a Spell-Like Ability (SLA) it can be cast in anti-magic fields and have metamagics applied at no cost, but I don't think any apply to Earthgrab anyway
-rather than using spell level as a factor in DC, it uses sorcerer level, so you get at least 20 instead of 9.
It does use Con instead of Cha for additional DC bonus.