Is EK unequivocally the best hybrid?

[Maelodic]

... for elite/low reaper, I'm not looking for high reaper, I don't have the lives/gear for it.

Doesn't look like Bard would be better in terms of damage, CC, or defenses
Doesn't look like Druid would be better in terms of damage or defenses, but easier CC via Earthquake
Doesn't look like Artificer is better in terms of damage, CC, or defenses - though the range is nice...

In all of these cases, focusing on spellcasting and focusing on physical damage require split focuses, where the EK tree seems to be a lot more versatile and has the added benefit of giving deep access to the PM tree which is also complimentary to both melee sustainability and spell casting.

Fire Savant Scoundrel with EK in fatesinger seems to be the most you can squeeze out of the procs but that's more of a pure melee character than a hybrid because of feat restrictions.

Am I missing anything here?

[Kutalp]

There are many routes to follow each with own powers and weaknesses.


I will not speak on Sorcerer class but,

EK is upperhanded at most situations as Wizard (Pale)/Rogue(Obvious)/maybesome Fighter ( Feats 4-6 levels or more levels for a shield/blade and throwing/ranged multiclasses with rogue and self healing class+item boosts for heals) splash I believe. Paletrapper is obviously durable and flexible.

I love Bardic and Barbaric multisplash builds aswell, anyhow. Rogue/Cleric sauce with said classes at my post including the wizard opens other doors.

[cru121]

different people define hybrid differently.
what are the defining elements of a hybrid? spellcaster icon? functional endgame CC via spells? primary damage from melee (or ranged) attacks?
what about wisdom-based casters using falconry attacks for CC?

meleeing on a sorc seems like a waste.

[Pilgrim1]

... for elite/low reaper, I'm not looking for high reaper, I don't have the lives/gear for it.

Doesn't look like Bard would be better in terms of damage, CC, or defenses
Doesn't look like Druid would be better in terms of damage or defenses, but easier CC via Earthquake
Doesn't look like Artificer is better in terms of damage, CC, or defenses - though the range is nice...

In all of these cases, focusing on spellcasting and focusing on physical damage require split focuses, where the EK tree seems to be a lot more versatile and has the added benefit of giving deep access to the PM tree which is also complimentary to both melee sustainability and spell casting.

Fire Savant Scoundrel with EK in fatesinger seems to be the most you can squeeze out of the procs but that's more of a pure melee character than a hybrid because of feat restrictions.

Am I missing anything here?

The best epic destines for a melee/dc mix are fatesinger (charisma) and primal avatar(wisdom). There is no strong suport for int bassed dc casting with melee power. I would say that druid, bard, and fvs are all stronger then wizard for a hybrid. My definition of hybrid is self healing, dc casting, melee dps, and self healing.

My suggestion is a dc wolf caster, evocation. A charisma vistani fvs would be my second choice.

[Maelodic]

The best epic destines for a melee/dc mix are fatesinger (charisma) and primal avatar(wisdom). There is no strong suport for int bassed dc casting with melee power. I would say that druid, bard, and fvs are all stronger then wizard for a hybrid. My definition of hybrid is self healing, dc casting, melee dps, and self healing.

My suggestion is a dc wolf caster, evocation. A charisma vistani fvs would be my second choice.

The reason I asked specifically about EK is that focusing on spellpower is still focused on damage, there's a good amount of DC in the tree, and you have some spell power based PBAoE nukes for damage that seem to work really well so gearing becomes more streamlined. I'd argue that an EK in draconic would still be pretty potent, but I do think me not having played the game for quite a while, all the ED changes are new.

I'll keep testing and playing around.

[cru121]

There is no strong suport for int bassed dc casting with melee power.

I kinda enjoyed my Wizard EK in Shadowdancer, where it gains Evasion and can at least take some Int.