EE and SE Warlock

[Amidamarujhqz]

I'm building a human warlock focused on the enlightened spirit tree.
But I need to raise my dcs.
Which tree is better for that? Soul Eater or Tainted Scholar?

[unbongwah]

Tainted Scholar has +2 Spell Focus in tier-5, but that would lock out ES T5 (Shining Thru etc), which I infer is what you're going for. Soul Eater has Immortal Will (+1 Enchant / Necro / Illusion DCs) plus Taint the Blood reduces Fortitude saves; that's particularly helpful for Fiend `locks since their Pact dmg targets Fort saves. Combine with Blood Feast to reduce target's CON further; or the DEX/WIS version if you need to debuff Reflex / Will instead.

[slarden]

None of the trees are really great for DC. TS tier 5 is the best, but not worth it in my opinion.

Depending on the level and content you are running the lowest saves will either be reflex or will. This means fey (goes against reflex) or great old one (goes against will).

At end game will is the lowest save on average. A low 80s is a good # to target at end game. If you can't get there try to get at least 70 which will be enough for 2/3 of the LE enemies.

Also at end game it's easy to raise your DC through gear and epic destinies. Exalted Angel gives you a boost of 4 DC plus 1 for every 2 charismas you take. You can twist 3 from magister if you take just spell focus evocation.

Also there are easy way to lower will saves- crushing despair and mind fog. These are subject to spell pen so depending on the content may not be practical. Crushing despair without metamagic (except maybe quicken) is the easy button.

If you can provide your level I can give you a breakdown of what DC you can get without going overboard.

[Blastyswa]

I'm building a human warlock focused on the enlightened spirit tree.
But I need to raise my dcs.
Which tree is better for that? Soul Eater or Tainted Scholar?

Assuming you're a pure warlock and go 41 points in enlightened spirit, and tier 5 enlightened spirit, these are some solid options I'd recommend.

1. Harper Focus

39 AP Remaining
Harper Agent:
Core 1-4 (6)
Harper Enchantment (2)
Traveler's Toughness (2)
Magical Endurance (3)
Charisma (4)
Versatile Adept: I-II (6)
Highly Skilled (2)
24 AP Spent
15 AP Remaining
Soul Eater:
Core 1-3 (3)
Consume (2)
Taint the Blood (1)
Hungry for Destruction (1)
Feeding Frenzy (2)
Taint the Aura (2)
Charisma (2)
Dark Feeding (2) [Based off which save you want reduced for an average of 3 DC]
15 AP Spent
0 AP Remaining

This split would give +5 Charisma, Taint the Blood, Taint the Aura, Dark Feeding, and Shaken. That's +2-3 DC on every attack, +4 DC on fort saves by stacking Taint the Blood 4 times, +2 DC if the enemy gets shaken, +3 DC if you use Dark Feeding, and -10 spell pen if you mark with consume. Fully stacked, if using Blood Feast and Taint the Blood/Taint the Aura, fort DC's will be 11-12 points higher between DC increases and debuffs. To fit Tainted Spellcasting for a +2 DC action boost you'd have to drop either 1 charisma, dark feeding, or shaken.

2. Souleater

39 AP Remaining
Core 1-4 (4)
Consume (2)
Taint the Blood (1)
Hungry for Destruction (1)
Feeding Frenzy (2)
Taint the Aura (2)
Dark Feeding (2)
Charisma (4)
Strickened Soul (2)
Stricken (1)
Immortal Will (2)
25 AP Spent
14 AP Remaining
Harper Agent:
Core 1-3 (4)
Harper Enchantment (2)
Traveler's Toughness (2)
Harper Enchantment (3)
Charisma (2)
13 AP Spent
1 AP Remaining
Tainted Scholar:
Core 1 (1)
1 AP Spent
0 AP Remaining

This split gives 4 charisma, Taint the Blood, Taint the Aura, Dark Feeding, Shaken, Tainted Spellcasting, and Immortal Will. This is +2 DCs, +1 DC on Illusion/Enchantment/Necromancy Spells, +4 DC on fort saves, +2 action boost DC, +2 DC if the enemy gets shaken, +3 DC if you use Dark Feeding, and -10 spell pen if you mark with consume. That ends up being, with everything aligned, +11 DC, +12 Illusion/Enchantment/Necromancy Spells, and +2 addition DC if on action boost.

In theory, strictly from a DC standpoint, option one probably works better if it would make your charisma even, option two would work better if option one would make your charisma odd.

Personally, I wouldn't worry too much about boosting DC's through enhancement trees though. If you raise charisma with gear and consider using a few DC boosting feats, your DC's should be workable anyway. Do keep in mind that embolden spell, through my own experience, doesn't apply to bursts, so if you're boosting DC's for that then it's a wasted feat.

Additionally, if you're debuffing for will save (GOO pact or using otto's sphere/hold monster) Hypnotism+Mind Fog is -3 will saves and then a chance for -10 will saves, which can make will based spells land significantly more often.