Need a Pure Drow Sorcerer Build

[KishMaTush1]

I would like a pure Drow sorcerer build using Ice. I am new to casters so spell recommendations would also be useful.

Thanx

[Lonnbeimnech]

Drow. Pure. Water savant...

Sounds like you already have a build.

[unbongwah]

Check out this thread; lots of advice for first-time sorcs in it.

[Hazelnut]

I would like a pure Drow sorcerer build using Ice. I am new to casters so spell recommendations would also be useful.

Thanx

I'm trying the same thing for the first time, except with an Elf and the Air tree. So far I have learned 2 things...
1) Put more points into charisma.
2) You can stack the pinches of sand up to 1000. Do that.

I think, but I'm not 100% sure yet, that #3 is going to be to put enhancement points into that spell like ability (finger of frost or whatever it is) as fast as you get them and then at some point in the future re-spec to spend the points elsewhere when that spell becomes less effective at higher levels.

[Crysto]

I would like a pure Drow sorcerer build using Ice. I am new to casters so spell recommendations would also be useful.

Thanx

Going to list what I would consider to be essential spells from each level as an Water/Earth Savant. You're going to want SOMETHING to supplement your water side as you level. This is a good selection of spells if that something happens to be acid. Also, this is heroics only advice, I don't know jack about epics.

Basic playstyle once you get your AoE's is to buff yourself up with displace, jump, etc., gather up a bunch of baddies, lay down a Web/Solid Fog (level 4 option), put your acid rain/ice storm in it, kite the baddies through the aoe until they die, spam your SLA's with impunity while you kite. For smaller encounters stick to your SLA's to preserve mana. For boss encounters, Niac's Biting Cold and Eladar's Electric Surge along with the other stuff. When you get to higher level stuff nuke with Otilukes, Cone of Cold, and Polar Ray. Cloudkill will wreck trash and give you concealment (20% miss), super mana efficient vs low hit die stuff.

Disintegrate is great vs undead, golems, crystals. Nice for running desecrated temple of vol solo and getting the bonus chest. Good for nuking the wiz king.

Level 1: Niac's Cold Ray, Jump, Shield or Nightshield, Expeditious Retreat
Level 2: Resist Energy (if no ship), Knock, Invisibility, Web
Level 3: Frost Lance, Acid Blast (you will want aoe and snowball swarm is very meh), Displacement
Level 4: Dimension Door, Ice Storm, Acid Rain
Level 5: Cloudkill, Cone of Cold, Niac's Biting Cold, Eladar's Electric Surge, Protection from Elements (or get the mass version from level 7)
Level 6: Otiluke's Freezing Sphere, Disintegrate
Level 7: Protection from Elements: Mass (or get the single version from level 5), Otto's Dancing Sphere (groups only), Finger of Death
Level 8: POLAR RAY, black dragon bolt
Level 9: Wail of the Banshee, Energy Drain

[unbongwah]

First, I would recommend you consider a pal 2 splash; the bonus to saves from Div Grace is worth more than the extra caster DPS from staying pure, IMHO. The biggest drawbacks are losing the capstone and only getting 1 lvl 9 spell slot. Second, I think Air primary / Water secondary is a better combo; electricity has better burst DPS and Wind Dance > Icy Prison. Fortunately, changing Savants is mostly a matter of resetting enhs and maybe using a Blood of Dragons to redo your spell lists. [I actually think Fire is better than Water, at least for heroic leveling; but since the OP's request was for Water...]

So here's a sample drow sorc 18 / pal 2 build: first-life Air / Water Savant.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 04.20.02
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 28 Lawful Good Drow Female
(2 Paladin \ 18 Sorcerer \ 8 Epic) 
Hit Points: 268
Spell Points: 2010 
BAB: 11\11\16\21
Fortitude: 23
Reflex: 18
Will: 22

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(28 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 28)
Strength              8                     8
Dexterity            10                    10
Constitution         14                    14
Intelligence         12                    12
Wisdom                8                     8
Charisma             20                    33

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 28)
Balance               0                     8
Bluff                 5                    19
Concentration         6                    32
Diplomacy             5                    19
Disable Device        n/a                   n/a
Haggle                5                    19
Heal                 -1                     7
Hide                  0                     8
Intimidate            5                    19
Jump                 -1                     7
Listen               -1                     9
Move Silently         0                     8
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform               n/a                  n/a
Repair                1                     9
Search                1                    11
Spellcraft            5                    32
Spot                 -1                     9
Swim                 -1                     7
Tumble                1                     9
Use Magic Device      6                    30

Level 1 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Concentration (+4)
Skill: Spellcraft (+4)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Maximize Spell
Spell (1): Magic Missile
Spell (1): Sonic Blast


Level 2 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (1): Nightshield


Level 3 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Concentration (+2)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Spell
Spell (1): Jump


Level 4 (Sorcerer)
Ability Raise: CHA
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (2): Web


Level 5 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Concentration (+2)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Spell (2): Resist Energy


Level 6 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Enlarge Spell
Spell (3): Frost Lance
Enhancement: Air Savant (Sor) - Air Savant (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Air Savant (Sor) - Air Affinity (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Air Savant (Sor) - Greater Air Affinity (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Air Savant (Sor) - Shocking Grasp (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Air Savant (Sor) - Shocking Grasp (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Air Savant (Sor) - Shocking Grasp (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Air Savant (Sor) - Spell Critical: Electric (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Air Savant (Sor) - Electrocution (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Air Savant (Sor) - Spell Critical: Electric II (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Air Savant (Sor) - Spell Critical: Electric III (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Water Savant (Sor) - Water Savant (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Water Savant (Sor) - Water Affinity (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Water Savant (Sor) - Greater Water Affinity (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Water Savant (Sor) - Cold Ray (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Water Savant (Sor) - Cold Ray (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Water Savant (Sor) - Cold Ray (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Water Savant (Sor) - Spell Critical: Cold I (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Water Savant (Sor) - Hoarfrost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Water Savant (Sor) - Spell Critical: Cold II (Rank 1)


Level 7 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Concentration (+2)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Spell (2): Knock
Spell (3): Displacement


Level 8 (Sorcerer)
Ability Raise: CHA
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (4): Ice Storm


Level 9 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Concentration (+2)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Heighten Spell
Spell (4): Force Missiles
Spell (3): Chain Missiles
Spell (2): Gust of Wind


Level 10 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (5): Ball Lightning


Level 11 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Concentration (+2)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Spell (5): Eladar's Electric Surge
Spell (4): Dimension Door
Spell (3): Haste


Level 12 (Sorcerer)
Ability Raise: CHA
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Quicken Spell
Spell (6): Chain Lightning
Enhancement: Air Savant (Sor) - Conduction (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Air Savant (Sor) - Electrocution (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Air Savant (Sor) - Electrocution (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Air Savant (Sor) - Alternating Current (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Air Savant (Sor) - Alternating Current (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Air Savant (Sor) - Alternating Current (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Air Savant (Sor) - Charisma (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Air Savant (Sor) - Electric Loop (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Air Savant (Sor) - Electric Loop (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Air Savant (Sor) - Electric Loop (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Air Savant (Sor) - Feather Falling (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Air Savant (Sor) - Spell Critical: Electric IV (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Air Savant (Sor) - Charisma (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Air Savant (Sor) - Lightning Bolt (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Air Savant (Sor) - Lightning Bolt (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Air Savant (Sor) - Lightning Bolt (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Air Savant (Sor) - Wind Dance (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Water Savant (Sor) - Hoarfrost (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Water Savant (Sor) - Absolute Zero (Rank 1)


Level 13 (Paladin)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 14 (Paladin)
Skill: Concentration (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)


Level 15 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Spellcraft (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell
Spell (6): Disintegrate
Spell (5): Niac's Biting Cold
Spell (4): Fire Shield


Level 16 (Sorcerer)
Ability Raise: CHA
Skill: Concentration (+2)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Spell (7): Prismatic Spray


Level 17 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (7): Protection from Elements, Mass
Spell (6): Otiluke's Freezing Sphere
Spell (5): Cone of Cold


Level 18 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+2)
Feat: (Selected) Spell Focus: Evocation
Spell (8): Polar Ray


Level 19 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (8): Greater Shout
Spell (7): Otto's Sphere of Dancing


Level 20 (Sorcerer)
Ability Raise: CHA
Skill: Concentration (+2)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Spell (9): Energy Drain
Enhancement: Drow - Spell Resistance (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Drow - Drow Charisma (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Drow - Spell Resistance (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Drow - Drow Charisma (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Air Savant (Sor) - Light on Your Feet (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Air Savant (Sor) - Awaken Elemental Weakness: Electric (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Air Savant (Sor) - Evocation Focus (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Water Savant (Sor) - Hypothermia (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Water Savant (Sor) - Elemental Persistence (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Water Savant (Sor) - Hoarfrost (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Water Savant (Sor) - Efficient Maximize (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Water Savant (Sor) - Efficient Maximize (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Water Savant (Sor) - Efficient Maximize (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Water Savant (Sor) - Absolute Zero (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Water Savant (Sor) - Spell Critical: Cold III (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Water Savant (Sor) - Charisma (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Water Savant (Sor) - Snowball Swarm (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Water Savant (Sor) - Snowball Swarm (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Water Savant (Sor) - Snowball Swarm (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Water Savant (Sor) - Spell Critical: Cold IV (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Water Savant (Sor) - Charisma (Rank 1)


Level 21 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Spell Focus: Evocation


Level 22 (Epic)


Level 23 (Epic)


Level 24 (Epic)
Ability Raise: CHA
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Epic Spell Focus: Evocation


Level 25 (Epic)


Level 26 (Epic)
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Epic Destiny: Epic Spell Power: Electricity


Level 27 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Ruin


Level 28 (Epic)
Ability Raise: CHA
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Epic Destiny: Hellball

I backloaded the pally splash b/c I wanted Chain Lightning ASAP; you can push it back further, but it's really nice to have Div Grace by the time you hit Gianthold. I've become a fan of Enlarge, particularly for ranged SLAs; the drawback is I push Extend back to lvl 15 and usually I like it NLT lvl 9 for short-term buffs (namely Haste & Displacement).

[Trillea]

I would like a pure Drow sorcerer build using Ice. I am new to casters so spell recommendations would also be useful.

Thanx

Max CHA.
put at least 4 build points in STR so you don't get helpless from ray of enfeeblement (you will thank me later)
Use the rest of the points in CON
All levelup points go to CON

As for your enhancements there is some good advice above, but as for the Cold Ray enhancement, you will NOT be speccing out of it - you need it for the Frost Lance SLA which becomes one of your bread-and-butter spell later. Get Haste as fast as you can, and buy materials for it in 2 stacks of 1000. Early levels, Cold Ray is as effective as Finger of Death - build right and it is save-or-die and even knocks red-named down a lot. With heighten, maximize, and empower this continues until at least Gianthold. Make sure to take some non-ice spells to deal with ice-resistant critters. Disintegrate works well for most of these.

Remember that while Cold Ray is Conjuration, the rest of your ice spells are not. Conjuration focus is great in early game but unless you are going to focus on Webbing your enemies any focus feats you take should be evocation.

[kishmatush]

Thanx for all the info. I am finding it difficult to play a caster (lots of clickies to keep track of), but it is fun.

[unbongwah]

All levelup points go to CON

Why would you put lvl-ups into CON?