What is the vision for end-game divine offense?

[Ancient]

Based on a quote from the divine disciple thread, I really would like to hear what the vision is.

- Sun Bolt's maximum caster level reduced. Still subject to possible changes or balancing, but the cap of level 30 that is in the current Lamannia build is ... not quite right for a level 3 spell that has excellent scaling.

The inference is that the level 3 spell is supposed to be replaced (by something) as you get higher and reach more difficult content. Yet, I don't see that replacement.

Currently, the DC inflation has made instakill spells difficult.

The highest spell levels (7/8/9) direct damage spells are underpowered, slow, expensive... or typically... all three. Most of the mid level offensive spells have hard damage caps that don't even reach level 20. It isn't surprising that divine offense in the level 25 content struggles using spells that peaked in power at level 15.

The next option for offense is melee, but divines simply don't offer the extra feats and boosts that other classes do.

The final option for offense is to focus on epic destiny SLAs, and some of these are great initially.... but they do not compare to the high end melee epic destiny power... and they are fixed, which means as new gear and expansions come, they get comparatively weaker. For example: in FR, boulder toss with strong force spell power was a one shot kill on epic hard for many mobs. And a serious hit even in EE. Fast forward to giant hold, and even in epic hard... mobs shrug it off and keep coming.

If mid level spells are nerfed with the inference that we should move on to something else... perhaps it would help to provide some clarity where exactly that place is?

[Teh_Troll]

A barbarian who runs ahead and yells "HJEAL MEH!!!"

[Ancient]

A barbarian who runs ahead and yells "HJEAL MEH!!!"

If there was an epic destiny to have a pet barbarian... it would be a contender for the top ED for divines.

[mikarddo]

Based on a quote from the divine disciple thread, I really would like to hear what the vision is.


The inference is that the level 3 spell is supposed to be replaced (by something) as you get higher and reach more difficult content. Yet, I don't see that replacement.

Currently, the DC inflation has made instakill spells difficult.

The highest spell levels (7/8/9) direct damage spells are underpowered, slow, expensive... or typically... all three. Most of the mid level offensive spells have hard damage caps that don't even reach level 20. It isn't surprising that divine offense in the level 25 content struggles using spells that peaked in power at level 15.

The next option for offense is melee, but divines simply don't offer the extra feats and boosts that other classes do.

The final option for offense is to focus on epic destiny SLAs, and some of these are great initially.... but they do not compare to the high end melee epic destiny power... and they are fixed, which means as new gear and expansions come, they get comparatively weaker. For example: in FR, boulder toss with strong force spell power was a one shot kill on epic hard for many mobs. And a serious hit even in EE. Fast forward to giant hold, and even in epic hard... mobs shrug it off and keep coming.

If mid level spells are nerfed with the inference that we should move on to something else... perhaps it would help to provide some clarity where exactly that place is?

Well put. Divine offense need some serious consideration soon because right now its lacking.

Add some (not capped) SLA to both the cleric DD tree and the FvS AoV tree.
Add an epic feat that makes SP and Divine Spell DC as well as number of Turns gained be based on the higher of Wis and Cha
Uncap the max caster level of Blade Barrier. (it still wont be amazing only decent).
Add a light based copy of Energy burst to Exalting Angle.
... and thats probably still on the low side if Divines are to be competitive again so take a close look at the divine spell book and update the ones that are too weak to be of any use.

[Charononus]

If there was an epic destiny to have a pet barbarian... it would be a contender for the top ED for divines.

A pet shade might be hard to deal with when you can't hage him.

[Teh_Troll]

A pet shade might be hard to deal with when you can't hage him.

I would buy an Axer hireling. Heck, I'd pay 2000 points for it.

[Veles]

I would call it Reek and do terrible things to it , ALL THE TIME.