Pure Casting Warlock DC Eld Blast Build

[slarden]

Quick Summary of Changes from U48 to U48.4

• The build didn't change much from U48 to U48.4 but since I received a question in chat I thought it would be beneficial to update the build to be current. Here is what changed from U48 to present
• Festive Charisma augment was added which is a straight-up upgrade that fits into the build perfectly with no gear swaps
• Magewright set was adjusted twice. Current set bonus is giving +4 stat bonus and +4 DC consistently on gear description, buff bar and in actual bonus given.
• Enhancement spellpower has been removed which hurts this build more than the other 2 builds.
• Epic Eldritch Blast and Epic Arcane Eldritch Blast feats have been upgraded from 3d6 base dice and 4d6 base dice to 7d6 base dice and 6d4 pact dice. Both feats are already included so it's a net increase of 6d4 pact dice which offsets the loss of the enhancement spellpower belt.

Build:
This is the 3rd of 3 updated U48 builds. Here are the other 2:

Dragonborn Max DC SE/TS Build for 10 Skull

Bladeforged Solo Mid-Skull SE/TS Build

This build tries to strike a balance between defenses, dps and dc as soloing difficult content requires this. After several nerfs I avoided Enlightened Spirit, but it's become much more effective lately due to crit, spellpower and other stat inflation making weaknesses in the tree less impactful while the benefits are arguably more impactful as enemies continue to hit harder - causing PRR, hit points and more self healing to be more highly valued.

Compared to the Bladeforged build the DCs are lower, there are fewer instakill options, but AOE DPS is higher. Single-target DPS is decent enough for soloing mid-skulls and defenses and self-healing are both very very solid. Defenses and self-healing are better than the other 2 options as the build benefits from a 40% hit point boost, high prr/mrr and multiple self healing options including temporary hit points which aren't subject to reaper penalties. If you want to breeze through R4 solo fast without ever dying this is the build - it's also very simple to play.

Overall this build doesn't translate as well to R10 as the other 2 builds, but I would still be comfortable bring this build to a Ravenloft R10 or with a group I was familiar with. [Added on 4/14/2021 - My guildy Kronovere is running this build right now with a few minor variations. We are 3-manning R8s at 30 with myself as a melee tank, kronovere running this build and another guildy running ranger 20 bow deepwood sniper with heavy aa splash. The build is performing great in R8 and based on past experience going from 3-man R8 to full-party R10 isn't a big deal as long as you have the right amount of debuffing and roles. So this build will perform fine in R10 and the cc DCs are working fine. Kronovere is using clouded dreams as ring vs. spinneret and does have many past lifes and reaper points]

One specific goal I had with this build was to minimize the use of raid items compared to the other build. I did include the Augment created with Litany of the Dead which comes from an older/easier raid and raid filigree which requires gaining threads. You can get raid threads simply by soloing tempest spine without a group. You can also easily complete defiler of the just, hound of xoriat, mark of death, fire on thunderpeak with 1 or 2 more people to help you to get raid threads if you don't enjoy large groups.

Compared to the other builds, this build is more suitable to a character without many past lifes as the DC is less important.

RACE: Tiefling

Starting Stats
Str: 8
Dex: 8
Wis: 8
Con: 16
Int: 16
Char: 20 (All level ups)

PACT: Fiend. This is due to the ability to strip fire immunity with tiefling, synergies with tiefling and the extra instant kill ability that works on many enemies that can't otherwise be instakilled.

This build will use utterdark blast as the default stance due to better spellpower and better crit chance - especially when legendary resplendent fury orb is used.

GEAR

Goggles: Legendary Collective Sight - Charisma 21, Insightful Charisma 10, Quality Resistance 4
Helm: Legendary Crown of Snow - Permanent Fire Shield Cold, Paragon Cerulean Wave, Spell Focus Mastery 7, Insightful Spell Focus Mastery 4
Necklace: Legendary Pendant of Bottled Moonlight - Spell Penetration 9, Insightful Spell Penetration 5, Enchanting Death 3, Overwhelming Despair
Trinket: Slavers Crafted - Sheltering 45 (for MRR), Resistance 14, Heal 22, Quality Charisma 4
Cloak: Legendary Hallowed Trail - Radiance 214, Radiance Lore 31, Evocation Focus 9, Quality Spell Penetration 3
Belt: Legendary Burnscar Sash - Combustion and Fire Lore
Ring 1:Legendary Spinneret - Spell Lore 15, Quality Potency 32, Quality Spell Focus Mastery 2 (or upgrade to Clouded Dreams if you have raid runes from Killing Time)
Gloves: The Prince's Gauntlet - Constitution 22, 93 Healing and Repair Amp, Quality Resistance 4, Quality Sheltering 15
Boots: Legendary Deepsnow Boots - Insightful Constitution 10, Quality Constitution 5, Freedom of Movement, Fort Save 17
Ring 2: Legendary Ring of Winter - Ice Lore 31, Glaciation 214, Kinetic Lore 31, Impulse 214
Bracers: Legendary Hallowed Castigators - Devotion 214, Healing Lore 31, Insightful Sheltering 27
Armor: Legendary Blessed Vestments - Fortification 214, Physical Sheltering 54, Healing Amp 85, False Life 81

Main Weapon: The Legendary Queen's Sceptre - Potency 154, Insightful Potency 77, Spellsight 22, Insightful Spellsight 11
Off-hand Weapon: Legendary Resplendent Fury - Insightful Radiance 107, Insightful Radiance Lore 18 (swap weapon EE skyvault shield when more defenses are needed - provided 15 PRR/MRR with master's touch and reduces evadable magic damage by 50%)

Depending on you want more dps or more DC you can swap between these two off-hands.

Set Bonuses
- Legendary Flamecleansed Fury: +4 artifact bonus to Charisma, Intelligence and Wisdom, +3 artifact bonus to DC, +50 Artifact Bonus to Fire, Force, Light and Positive, 10% Artifact Bonus to Fire, Force, Light and Positive Crit Chance
- The 4-piece Winter set: 25 PRR, +15 stacking healing amp and 20% hp bonus.
- 2-piece Summer Set: 25 MRR

FILIGREE
Main Weapon
- Otto's Irrevocable Power: Charisma (Rare) - +1 Charisma, +2 MRR
- Otto's Irrevocable Power: Constitution (Rare) - +1 Constitution, +2 PRR
- Otto's Irrevocable Power: PRR (Rare) - +3 PRR, +2 MRR
- Otto's Irrevocable Power: Spell Failure Reduction (Rare) - -10% Spell Failure, +2 MRR
- Eye of the Beholder: Charisma (Rare) - +1 Charisma, +2 MRR
- Eye of the Beholder: Spellpower (Rare) - +10 Universal Spellpower
- Eye of the Beholder: MRR (Rare) - +3 MRR, +2 PRR
- To Hell and Back / Embraced By Light: Charisma (Rare) - +2 Charisma, +4MRR
- Sactified Fervor / Reverberation: Charisma (Rare) - +2 Charisma, +4 MRR
Artifact
- To Hell and Back / Embraced By Light: Charisma (Rare) - +2 Charisma, +4MRR
- Sactified Fervor / Reverberation: Charisma (Rare) - +2 Charisma, +4 MRR
- Eye of The Beholder: Charisma (Rare) - +1 Charisma, +2 MRR

Set Bonuses
- Otto's Irrevocable Power 4 Piece: +5 MRR, +200 Spell Points, +2 to all DCs
- Eye of the Beholder 4 Piece: +4 Concentration, +1 Spell Penetration, +2 to all DCs
- To Hell and Back 2 Piece: +5 PRR
- Embraced By the Light 2 Piece: +5 Healing Amp
- Sanctified Fervor 2 Piece: +5 Healing Amp
- Reverberation 2 Piece: Melee and Missle Damage (not applicable to this build)

Please note you can't slot the same filigree in a single sentient item, but you can slot the same filigree in different sentient items and both will count toward the set bonus. It's unclear if this is working as intended, but I decided to post it here as this type of information isn't always accessible so I wanted to make sure people know. Be aware that if you take advantage of this it might be necessary to later unslot filigree if SSG changes the way this works.

FEATS:

1) Maximize
3) Empower
6) Completionist (Or Enlarge but enlarge isn't really needed for this build)
9) Past Life Wizard
12) Spell Focus Conjuration
15) Quicken
18) Force of Personality
21) Epic Eldritch Blast
24) Embolden
26) Epic Arcane Eldritch Blast
27) Ruin
28) Mass Frog (because it works on some things well even with a lower dc - esp undead and constructs)
29) Arcane Pulse
30) Greater Ruin
30) Scion of the Plane of Fire

ENHANCEMENTS (14 bonus racial + 1 bonus universal point)

Tiefling (18)
Cores
- Bloodhunt 1
- Charisma
- Bloodhunt 2
- Charisma
- Bloodhunt 3
Tier 1
- Innate Protection x1
Tier 2
- Infernal Defense x3
Tier 3
- Ash x 3
- Incineration
Tier 4
- Improved Scorch
- Incineration

Enlightened Spirit (41)
Cores
- Eldritch Aura
- Aura of Courage
- Shape Vestments
- Aura of Menace
- Celestial Spirit
- Ultimate Enlightenment
Tier 1
- Resilience of Body x2
- Spiritual Defense x3
Tier 2
- Power of Enlightement x3
- Spiritual Bastion x3
Tier 3
- Eldritch Burst x 3
- Spiritual Ward x3
- Power of Enlightenment: Light x3
- Charisma
Tier 4
- Medium Armor Proficiency
- Spiritual Retribution x3
- Brilliance
- Charisma
Tier 5
- Sprit Blast x3
- Shining Through

Tainted Scholar (26)
Core
- Tainted Spellcasting
- Tainted Lore
- Stanch
- Tainted Lore 2
Tier 1
- Feigned Health x 3
- Strong Pact
Tier 2
- Utterdark Blast (default for this build)
- Stunning Blast x 3
- Strong Pact
Tier 3
- Faltering Blast
- Strong Pact
- Charisma
Tier 4
- Penetrating Blast (for golems, arcane oozes and other things resistant to force)
- Strong Pact

Feydark Illusionist (11)
Cores
- Find Familiar
- Charisma
- Greater Color Spray
Tier 1
- Feydark Explorer x1
- Study the Arcane x3
Tier 2
- Reality Bulwark x 1
- You've Got My Back

Exalted Angel
Core
- Celestial Destiny
- Mass Cure Moderate Wounds
- Angelic Presence
- Astral Vibrance
- Transcendental Magic
- Ascendance
Tier 1
- Radiant Power x3
- Endless Faith x3
Tier 2
- Charisma
Tier 3
- Piercing Spellcraft x3
- Healing Amp x3
- Charisma
Tier 4
- Charisma
Tier 5
- Leap of Faith
- Charisma
Tier 6
- Divine Wrath
- Charisma

EPIC DESTINY TWISTS
Energy Burst - Fire
Empyrean Magic
Conjuration Specialist (Magister)
Rejuvenation Cocoon
Interrogation

NOTE: I have been playing more in draconic incarnation more lately despite the lower DC. I am likely to switch this build to be be primarily in draconic incarnation rather than exalted angel, although exalted angel provides better self-healing.

Charisma
Start: 20
Level Ups: 7
Tome: 8
Completionist: 2
Racial Completionist: 2
Racial Past Lifes: 3
Enhancement Bonus: 21
Insightful Bonus: 10
Exceptional Bonus: 1
Quality Bonus: 4
Profane Bonus: 2 (Augment)
Artifact Bonus: 4
Festive: 2
Sentient Weapon Filigree: 11
Reaper Bonus: 2
Racial Enhancements: 2
Soul Eater Enhancements: 2
Tainted Scholar Enhancements: 1
Feydark Illusionist Enhancement: 1
Enlightened Spirit Capstone: 2
Reaper: 5
Epic Destiny: 6
Ship Buffs: 2
Yugo Potions: 2
Remnant Potions: 2
Total Charisma: 126

Conjuration DC
Base: 10
Spell Level: 6 (I don't have heighten so depends on spell level)
Charisma Bonus: 58
Conjuration Focus Feats: 1
Embolden: 2
Scion of the Plane of Fire: 0
Item- Enhancement Bonus: 7
Item- Insightful Bonus: 4
Item- Quality Bonus: 2
Item- Augment Bonus: 2
Item- Artifact: 4
Item: Sentient Bonus: 4
Item: Profane Bonus: 0
Item: Sacred Bonus: 0
Enhancements - Reaper: 4
Exalted Angel Core: 3
Conjuration Specialist Twist (Magister): 3
Ship Buffs: 1
Total Conjuration DC: 114

Even with this lower DC evards and web are very successful. The combination of evards + greater color spray gets most things with this DC.

You still have finger of death, wail of the banshee and flesh to stone for low fort enemies, mass hold, hurl through hell and greater color spray for lower will enemies.

Available DC Buffs:
- Reaper potency (+3 DC)
- Tainted spellcasting (+2 DC)

Other spell schools will be slightly less due to the net effect of differences with magister, gear and past lifes. Finger of Death is still quite effective on low fortitude save enemies.

Spell Penetration:
Warlock Levels: 20
Feat: Past Life Wizard and Favored Soul: 9
Item: Enhancement Bonus: 9
Item: Insightful Bonus: 5
Item: Quality Bonus: 3
Enhancement Tree: Tainted Scholar: 2
Enhancement Tree: Reaper: 5
Legendary Pendant of Bottled Moonlight (Necromancy and Enchantment Only): 3
Piercing Spellcraft: 3
Ship Buff: 1
Eye of the Beholder Set: 1
Total: 58-61

This is a workable # considering I made very little investment since I have so many other tools against spell-resistant enemies - web, greater color spray, straight-up blowing things up with damage, etc.

Physical Resistance Rating

Medium Armor: 30
Large Shield: 10
Enhancement Bonus: 54
Insightful Bonus: 27
Quality Bonus: 15
Artifact Bonus: 25
Reaper Enhancement Tree: 24
Past Lifes: 45
Filigree: 7
Filigree Sets: 5
Resilience of Body: 4
Spiritual Bastion: 13
Mythic Bonuses: 15
Feydark Illusionist: You've Got My Back: 10
Total: 284

Magical Resistance Rating

Large Shield: 10
Enhancement Bonus: 45
Insightful Bonus: 27
Quality Bonus: 15
Artifact Bonus: 25
Reaper Enhancement Tree: 3
Past Lifes: 18
Filigree: 26
Filigree Sets: 5
Tiefling Enhancement Tree: 6
Shape Vestments: 10
Spiritual Ward: 13
Mythic Bonuses: 15
Paragon's Aegis x 5: 25
Feydark Illusionist: You've Got My Back: 10
Total: 253

Healing Amplification
Base: 100
Price's Gauntlet: 93
Past Life Paladin: 30
Artifact Bonus: 15
Ancient Blessings: 15
Filigree Set Bonuses: 10
Exalted Angel: 20
Total: 283

Spell Critical Fire
Magical Training: 5
Empyrean Magic: 10
Enhancement Bonus: 29
Artifact Bonus: 10
Tiefling: 8
Interrogation: 1
Energy Criticals: 9
Total: 72% (82% with clouded dreams)

Spell Critical Light, Force, Positive
Magical Training: 5
Empyrean Magic: 10
Enhancement Bonus: 32
Artifact Bonus: 10
Insight Bonus: 18
Tiefling: 4
Interrogation: 1
Total: 80%

Spellpower - Fire
Enhancement Bonus: 202
Insightful Bonus: 77
Quality Bonus: 32
Artifact Bonus: 50
Implement Bonus: 29
Filigree: 10
Mythic and Reaper Bonuses: 15
Epic Power: 60
Scion of the Plane of Fire: 40
Tainted Spellcasting Passive: 20
Reaper Tree: 48
Feydark Illusionist: 6
Tiefling Cores: 35
Power of Enlightenment: 12
Ultimate Enlightenment: 10
Empyrean Magic: 20
Interrogation: 5
Tome: 4
Ship Buffs: 15
Spellcraft: 112
Total: 802 before metamagic and self buffs

Spellpower - Light
Equipment Bonus: 214
Enhancement Bonus: 0
Insightful Bonus: 107
Quality Bonus: 32
Artifact Bonus: 50
Implement Bonus: 29
Filigree: 10
Mythic and Reaper Bonuses: 15
Epic Power: 60
Scion of the Plane of Fire: 30
Tainted Spellcasting Passive: 20
Reaper Tree: 48
Feydark Illusionist: 6
Tiefling Cores: 0
Power of Enlightenment: 42
Ultimate Enlightenment: 30
Epic Destiny - Radiant Spellpower: 30
Empyrean Magic: 20
Morninglord Past Life Stance: 30
Interrogation: 5
Tome: 4
Ship Buffs: 15
Spellcraft: 112
Total: 909

Spellpower - Force and Positive
Equipment Bonus: 214
Enhancement Bonus: 0
Insightful Bonus: 77
Quality Bonus: 32
Artifact Bonus: 50
Implement Bonus: 29
Filigree: 10
Mythic and Reaper Bonuses: 15
Epic Power: 60
Scion of the Plane of Fire: 30
Tainted Spellcasting Passive: 20
Reaper Tree: 48
Feydark Illusionist: 6
Tiefling Cores: 0
Power of Enlightenment: 12
Ultimate Enlightenment: 10
Empyrean Magic: 20
Interrogation: 5
Tome: 4
Ship Buffs: 15
Spellcraft: 112
Total: 769 before metamagic and self buffs

Other spellpower boosts
- Maximize and Empower metamagic
- Reaper Power clicky
- Tainted Spellcasting clicky
- Various Potions

Hit Point Multiplier Bonuses:
Ultimate Enlightenment Competence Bonus: 20%
Winter Set Bonus: 20%