A word on caster levels and max caster levels for druid casters

[Ultinoob]

All druid spells have a max caster level less than or equal to 20. This means by level 20 you will have maxed them out. Actually i am unsure about enveloping swarm and creeping doom... And fire seeds is 21. Oh well my point is still valid.

If we are in seasons herald we can get another 3 max caster levels for the season, but also get 3 caster levels. So fire storm forexample will now be max caster level 23 and caster level 23. If we are in elemental form we get another +3 max caster level and caster level to fire or cold spells.

Dragonborn is as far as i know the only enhancement that can give +2 max caster levels and only +1 caster level to elemental spells.

With master of the wilds – the epic feat – we can get +10 max caster level to the sla spells. For now lets forget about seasons herald and elemental forms as these gives both caster level and max caster level. This gets produce flame to 25, creeping cold to 28, call lightning to 25, salt ray to 20 and finally word of balance to 30. From Primal avatar we can get +5 caster levels for druid spells. This gets us to 25. but as you can see we are still under creeping cold and word of balance. In fact we need 3 for creeping cold and 5 for word of balance. If dragonborn we need 6 for creeping cold.

Also note from what i can gather the max caster level for creeping cold is 28+2 dragonborn +3 [Color] Dragon Spell Knowledge (Draconic)+ 3 Master of [Spell School] (Magister)+ 3 season + 3 water elemental = 42. But note if in magister you loose 5 caster levels on epic destiny so you need somehow to increase caster level by 9. If we are in primal avatar we loose 3 max caster levels and get 39 but gain 5 caster levels and gets us to 35 caster level.

The only way i can see how to fully use these extra max caster levels are +3 evocation caster levels from the Greater Might of the Abishai set from chronoscope and Legendary Conduit of the Soul totalling the +5 extra caster levels for word of balance. I forgot about pendant if azure sea/sky which gives +1 caster level for cold/fire spells and reflection of wave for +5 caster levels for cold spells.

If in summer season from seasons herald this would make the effective caster level of word of balance 33. This would net the base damage of word of balance to 32/2*(25/2)=200 for creatures one step away and double that for creatures two steps away from true neutral. I think it is possible to get 600 force spell power and plus 300 for metamagics. So 200*10=2000 and if we crit that’s double. And if it is two steps away and we double crit we get 4 times 2000=8000.

So let’s look at some of the epic spells:

Tsunami is scaled of character level and so does not improve with cold or evocation max caster level. The same goes for Burst of glacial wrath which just does a flat 30d6 regardless of caster level. Please note that this is based on the description from the wiki and ingame spell description but not on testing.

My point on all this is be aware of what the spell or sla scales of. Caster level or character level if it even scales at all.

Also the caster level written in the combat log is not correct. I seem to remember having a caster level of 42 on creeping cold which was not possible on that build. I am unsure if it simply ignores max caster level or just altogether is messed up even more.

[Gnominal_Aphasia]

Firstly, thank you for your post. I like Druid Casters even if they are not considered OP or ideal for end game. I am currently trying to come up with a HC Druid Caster build in Wolf form (thinking 18 Druid 1 Fighter 1 FvS) and your post is really helpful for planning optimum casting efficiency.

Creeping Cold> Master of the Wilds giving +10 Max Caster Level raises Creeping Cold Max Caster level to 28 (18+10). However, as CC damage is based upon xd4 + y per 3 levels of caster, the effective max level is really 27.

Gilded Gloves of Sanctity also provide +2 caster levels for divine spells I-IX.

Also note from what i can gather the max caster level for creeping cold is 28+2 dragonborn +3 [Color] Dragon Spell Knowledge (Draconic)+ 3 Master of [Spell School] (Magister)+ 3 season + 3 water elemental = 42. But note if in magister you loose 5 caster levels on epic destiny so you need somehow to increase caster level by 9. If we are in primal avatar we loose 3 max caster levels and get 39 but gain 5 caster levels and gets us to 35 caster level.

I have not got this, but the amazing Reflection of Wave Quarterstaff would give you, in Water Elemental form, an extra 5 caster levels plus an exceptional +20% spell critical chance among other things.

Thanks!

[Ultinoob]

Well after writing that post i am unsure if epic levels gives you caster levels. if they you are almost certainly at max caster level always. but for now lets assume it does not.

Creeping cold. You are right it is effective at caster level 27. But if in winter season you get another 3.

Gilded gloves of sanctity: The problem with those is that last time i did a test not all druid spells are considered divine. so only some spells get the +2 caster levels. Healing spells mostly if i recall.

They nerfed reflection of wave. It does not give 20% crit chance anymore but 5% crit multiplier for cold. I did a test with tsunami and the +5 caster levels from the staff have no effect. I am unsure about creeping cold. But creeping cold is max caster level 28. If you are in primal avatar you get +5 from this. this gets you to 25. so you only really need 3 more. If you are in an off destiny i can see where the staff come in handy.

I have heard somebody say that the best druid caster is in wolf form, but i am unsure why. You loose 3 caster levels of fire or cold and the spells body of the sun forexample....

[Gnominal_Aphasia]

Well after writing that post i am unsure if epic levels gives you caster levels. if they you are almost certainly at max caster level always. but for now lets assume it does not.

I don't think it does, no.

Gilded gloves of sanctity: The problem with those is that last time i did a test not all druid spells are considered divine. so only some spells get the +2 caster levels. Healing spells mostly if i recall.

That is a very good point... (Greater) Creeping Cold being available to Clerics and Warlocks doesn't really help to explain, but I think I would guess that the cold spells could well be considered Arcane.

They nerfed reflection of wave. It does not give 20% crit chance anymore but 5% crit multiplier for cold. I did a test with tsunami and the +5 caster levels from the staff have no effect. I am unsure about creeping cold. But creeping cold is max caster level 28. If you are in primal avatar you get +5 from this. this gets you to 25. so you only really need 3 more. If you are in an off destiny i can see where the staff come in handy.

Good to know ty.

I have heard somebody say that the best druid caster is in wolf form, but i am unsure why. You loose 3 caster levels of fire or cold and the spells body of the sun forexample....

The 5th Core from Nature's Warrior (Howl of Winter) makes Howl of Terror proc a +25% spell crit chance to cold spells and an additional +50% spell crit damage (also +10% doublestrike).

[Ultinoob]

The 5th Core from Nature's Warrior (Howl of Winter) makes Howl of Terror proc a +25% spell crit chance to cold spells and an additional +50% spell crit damage (also +10% doublestrike).

From what i can gather this can be kept up 1/3 of the time and you gain access to cold breath, but you spend atleast 30 ap in NW, gaining nothing really but 30 cold spell power besides howl of winter, plus your spells get extra cooldown. Haven't done the numbers but the extra 30 cold spell power you can get just by spending 30 ap in seasons herald... And you loose mantle of the icy soul... How do you deal with immune mobs then? shift to water elemental?

Also the cold spells you have are: cold breath, BoGW, Tsunami, creeping cold and greater creeping cold... Anything else?

Do you have a build i can see?

[Gnominal_Aphasia]

Hey,

So this is WIP and I am testing (slowly) and am currently level 10 on Sarlona. This build's objective is to compliment the wolf melee aspect (which is primarily single target) with effective cc from Falconry.

A few notes:
- I was deliberating to spend 6 AP into Kensai and taking the Attack Speed Action Boost plus one extra Action Boosts which would provide this build with 7+7 melee action boosts but finally I have been seduced by the faster CD tier 5 cleave melee attack in Nature's Warrior (Alpha Strike) so I spent an extra 6 points into this tree.
- I chose Fighter 1 at level for two handed weapon availability.
- I spent some points into UMD until level 9 (inclusive) so that I could efficiently use scrolls of Shield for Reaper mode (I don't always play r1, often solo HE, but DDO is all about grouping). Otherwise main skills are Heal and Spellpower with splashes in Intimidate and Spot.
- FvS at level 20 for (finally!) castable Nightshield while in Winter Wolf form and access to Divine Might.
- I recently farmed a set of Heroic Hruit's gear which will be really nice for level 15 onwards. Also trying to farm a Ring of Power from Slavers Part 3 but rng ain't smiling on me. Gear wise, this will be my focus: WIS, melee alacrity and cold enhancements. I will also prioritise getting (or crafting) an Evocation item (+Evo and +Insightful Evo, say) to help me land spells such as [Greater] Creeping Cold and Salt Spray (for the stun).
- FEATS... I was thinking originally of taking Weapon Focus Slashing at level 1, Spell Focus Transmutation at level 3 (thinking ahead for Mass Frog!) and Power Critical at level 6 to combine with planned use of Falchions. But I was dismayed by the displayed non-compatibility from Power Critical and the Falconry Confirm Critical as shown on my Character Sheet so went to plan B and Dodge/Mobility/Spring Attack for extra survivability and an extra AoE attack. I chose Precision at level 1 for the extra static +25% Fortification Bypass which will work nicely with the proc'ed +50% for 10 secs from the bird's attacks (tier 4 Falconry Expose Weakness).

I think the one of the beauties of this build will be to cast Sleet Storm, Ice storm and Earthquake, and with the Nature's Warrior's tier 4 ability "Four Legs Good" plus FoM I am hoping to be able to cc larger groups of mobs fairly successfully. I am also hoping that the NW and Falconry Tree extra Helpless Damage stack but I don't know for sure yet.

Character name: First Lifer Melee Wolf
Classes: 18 Druid, 10 Epic, 1 Favored Soul, 1 Fighter
Race: Aasimar · · · · · · ·Alignment: Neutral

· · ·Start Tome Final
Str:· · ·8· · 0 · · 8 · · ·HP:· · · · 459 · · ·AC:· · 15
Dex:· · 14· · 0 · ·14 · · ·PRR: · · · ·13
Con:· · 16· · 0 · ·16 · · ·MRR: · · · · 3 · · ·+Healing Amp:· · 35
Int:· · 14· · 0 · ·14 · · ·Dodge: · ·7/25 · · ·-Healing Amp:· · ·0
Wis:· · 18· · 0 · ·29 · · ·Fort:· · · ·0% · · ·Repair Amp:· · · ·0
Cha:· · ·8· · 0 · · 8 · · ·SR:· · · · · 0 · · ·BAB: · · · · · · 14
DR:
Immunities: Poison, Spawn effects of Undead, Knockdown

Class and Feat Selection
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Level Class · · · · · ·Feats
1 · · Fighter(1)· · · ·Standard: Precision
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Aasimar Bond: Aasimar: Fallen Bond
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Fighter Bonus: Dodge
2 · · Druid(1)· · · · ·
3 · · Druid(2)· · · · ·Standard: Mobility
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Druid Wild Shape: Wild Shape: Wolf
4 · · Druid(3)· · · · ·Wisdom: +1 Level up
5 · · Druid(4)· · · · ·
6 · · Druid(5)· · · · ·Standard: Spring Attack
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Druid Wild Shape: Wild Shape: Bear
7 · · Druid(6)· · · · ·
8 · · Druid(7)· · · · ·Wisdom: +1 Level up
9 · · Druid(8)· · · · ·Standard: Natural Fighting
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Druid Wild Shape: Wild Shape: Winter Wolf
10· · Druid(9)· · · · ·
11· · Druid(10) · · · ·
12· · Druid(11) · · · ·Standard: Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Druid Wild Shape: Wild Shape: Dire Bear
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Wisdom: +1 Level up
13· · Druid(12) · · · ·
14· · Druid(13) · · · ·Druid Wild Shape: Wild Shape: Water Elemental
15· · Druid(14) · · · ·Standard: Natural Fighting
16· · Druid(15) · · · ·Wisdom: +1 Level up
17· · Druid(16) · · · ·
18· · Druid(17) · · · ·Standard: Natural Fighting
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Druid Wild Shape: Wild Shape: Fire Elemental
19· · Druid(18) · · · ·
20· · Favored Soul(1) ·Follower of Faith: Follower of the Sovereign Host
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Wisdom: +1 Level up
21· · Epic(1) · · · · ·Epic Feat: Overwhelming Critical
22· · Epic(2) · · · · ·
23· · Epic(3) · · · · ·
24· · Epic(4) · · · · ·Epic Feat: Burst of Glacial Wrath
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Wisdom: +1 Level up
25· · Epic(5) · · · · ·
26· · Epic(6) · · · · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting
27· · Epic(7) · · · · ·Epic Feat: Epic Reflexes
28· · Epic(8) · · · · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Mass Frog
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Wisdom: +1 Level up
29· · Epic(9) · · · · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Fount of Life
30· · Epic(10)· · · · ·Epic Feat: Epic Damage Reduction
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Legendary: Scion of Arborea

Granted Feats
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Evasion
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Enhancements: 80 APs
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aasimar - Points spent: 7
1 Core ·(1) Stronger Bonds I
2 Core ·(2) Ability I: +1 Wisdom
3 Core ·(1) Stronger Bonds II
4 Core ·(2) Ability II: +1 Wisdom
5 Core ·(1) Stronger Bonds III
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nature's Warrior - Points spent: 44
1 Core ·(1) Natural Adept
2 Tier1 (1) Take Down
3 Tier1 (1) Take Down
4 Tier1 (1) Take Down
5 Tier1 (1) Bestial Nature
6 Core ·(1) Nature's Senses
7 Tier2 (1) Flight
8 Tier2 (1) Flight
9 Tier2 (1) Flight
10 Tier2 (2) Ghost Wolf
11 Core ·(1) Nature's Bounty
12 Tier3 (1) Ghost Wolf Pack
13 Tier3 (1) Fight
14 Tier3 (2) Ability I: +1 Wisdom
15 Tier2 (1) Action Boost: Doublestrike
16 Tier2 (1) Action Boost: Doublestrike
17 Tier2 (1) Action Boost: Doublestrike
18 Tier1 (1) Bestial Nature
19 Core ·(1) A True Hunter
20 Tier3 (1) Fight
21 Tier3 (1) Fight
22 Tier4 (1) Fatal Harrier
23 Tier4 (1) Fatal Harrier
24 Tier4 (1) Fatal Harrier
25 Tier4 (1) Four Legs Good
26 Tier3 (1) Prey on the Weak
27 Tier3 (1) Prey on the Weak
28 Tier3 (1) Essence of the Shrike
29 Tier3 (1) Essence of the Shrike
30 Tier4 (1) Great White Wolf
31 Tier4 (1) Great White Wolf
32 Tier4 (1) Great White Wolf
33 Tier5 (1) Alpha Strike
34 Tier5 (1) Alpha Strike
35 Tier5 (1) Alpha Strike
36 Tier5 (2) Swift Hunter
37 Tier5 (1) Throat Rip
38 Tier5 (2) Jaws of Ice
39 Tier5 (1) Go for the Kill
40 Core ·(1) Howl of Winter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Falconry - Points spent: 25
1 Core ·(1) Summon Falcon: Summon Raven
2 Tier1 (1) Practiced Accuracy
3 Tier1 (1) Practiced Accuracy
4 Tier1 (1) Out in Nature
5 Tier1 (1) Out in Nature
6 Tier1 (1) Out in Nature
7 Core ·(2) Ability I: Wisdom
8 Tier2 (2) Killer Instinct I
9 Tier2 (1) Diving Attack: Diving Strike
10 Core ·(1) Well Rounded I
11 Tier3 (2) Killer Instinct II
12 Tier3 (1) Strike for the Eyes: Strike for the Eyes
13 Tier2 (1) Watch the Center
14 Tier2 (1) Watch the Center
15 Tier2 (1) Watch the Center
16 Tier3 (2) Conditioning
17 Tier4 (1) Coordinated Strikes: Shoot and Destroy
18 Tier4 (1) No Mercy
19 Tier4 (1) No Mercy
20 Tier4 (1) No Mercy
21 Tier4 (1) Expose Weakness
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
War Soul - Points spent: 4
1 Core ·(1) Smite Foe: Smite Foe (Melee)
2 Tier1 (1) Divine Might: Divine Will
3 Tier1 (1) Divine Might: Divine Will
4 Tier1 (1) Divine Might: Divine Will
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Let me know what you think. I am sure there are things I haven't thought about, even though I have spent time thinking (as best I can) but I am not very experienced in epics.

Thanks!

EDIT... for ED I am thinking Primal Avatar for the MP, the Evocation and Transmutation DCs, and all the other nice stuff.

EDIT2... am also thinking of substituting Quicken for one of the FEATS but not sure which to drop.