FVS Cha Caster for Newbs and Old farts as well

[Thundia]

I decided after playing many lives of FVS Caster (and enjoying every one) mainly for racial lives that I'd post the general build I use. This build is fairly standard with a few exception which should be obvious (Enlarge). Lately I've seen alot of new players trying out FVS with varying degrees of success. Many of them have looked to antiquated builds that focus on blade barrier as a primary source of damage or using some of the powerful spells, but not the critical ones. Anyway, for those of you are are in the know of how to optimize FVS caster, you need not read further as much of this is learned knowledge through several lives of FVS. There was a time during my first few lives where I did not even used Searing light--why would I cast such a lame looking spell (yes, I know laugh as you will).

Also, let me be clear. FVS lvls 1-7 (definitely lvl 1-4) is a total sh1tshow of creeping doom progression so group up!

I've started with a 28 point build as the base. Obviously, people with 32 build, Tomes, scads of reaper points and past lives will only enhance what is already a powerful caster class. I know many people think that Sorceror is the best damage caster--that may be true at the very end game--but FVS rules from lvls 8-29 and competes quite well at end game--in addition to handling spot heal duties. The basic tenant to this build is not 'survivability', although with the lvl 7 feat that gives 10hp/lvl you will find yourself with more HP than almost all casters and many melee classes--the basic tenant is Kill before anything can hit you.

Metamagics: Maximize, quicken, empower, enlarge, heighten
In this build I show enlarge at lvl 6. Honestly, getting Maximize, empower, quicken by lvl 3 (with Human only) is must have of this build. I usually take enlarge at lvl 9, but that is for non-human builds.

Most people do not bother with enlarge. I find it completely invaluable. In a multitude of quests there are mobs that under normal circumstances are 'just out of your range'--and to come into range aggro's them to you. When I enounter these monsters--for instance at lvl 10 in Stormcleave or any number of quests, I am able to use a quickened flamestrike and nearly instantly hit them after that with a quickened holy smite. Monsters die before they even know I'm there. As many groups of monsters are just 'waiting' for you--using enlarge makes them mince meat to your spells--the same holds true at higher lvls when sending out an enlarged flamestrike followed by holy smite or your favorite spell. Obviously some monsters are resistant to light/fire damage, but none are immune to both.

There isn't much of a choice for epic feats-most people go with the fire lvl 30 endcap feat--either Celestial or it will work fine--I just tend to focus on the light damage, and the +140 hp isnt bad either. Also, I've not had great success with Glacial wrath except against trash mobs as even at Lvl 30 my DCs are only in the low 90s (I have not trying to max DCs as my focus has been lives, not endgame).

I generally setup my hotbar with the following spells until lvl 18 (ALL metamagics enabled):
1. Nimbus of Light (SLA)
2. Sunbolt (SLA)
3. Searing Light
4. Holy Smite
5. Flame Strike (until lvl 16, then move flamestrike to 6 or not at all)
6. Fire Storm
7. Open, but sometimes Reaper's Power for added boost)
8. Heal (turn off enlarge)
9. Action boost: Sprint I have Tiefling Scoundrel epic x3 for 30% run but this is still way too slow--sprint boost is required to eleviate/avoid mobs/dash through some content.
10. Leap of faith (at lvl 17)

Up until lvl 8 or so #4 is Soundburst which is pretty effective at stunning except against undead


While almost any race works well--as a first life caster, human is preferable to me as you gain the advantage of having Maximize, quicken, and empower by lvl 3 for your SLAs.

Character name: FVS Cha Caster
Classes: 20 Favored Soul, 10 Epic
Race: Human · · · · · · · ·Alignment: Neutral

· · ·Start Tome Final · · ·Incorp:· · ·0% · · ·Displacement:· · 0%
Str:· · ·8· · 0 · · 8 · · ·HP:· · · · 863 · · ·AC:· · ·9
Dex:· · ·8· · 0 · · 8 · · ·PRR: · · · · 0
Con:· · 16· · 0 · ·16 · · ·MRR: · · · ·16 · · ·+Healing Amp:· · 35
Int:· · ·8· · 0 · · 8 · · ·Dodge: · ·0/25 · · ·-Healing Amp:· · 15
Wis:· · ·8· · 0 · · 8 · · ·Fort:· · · ·0% · · ·Repair Amp:· · · 15
Cha:· · 18· · 0 · ·25 · · ·SR:· · · · ·36 · · ·BAB: · · · · · · 20
DR: 10\Cold Iron,Silver
Immunities: Natural Poisons, Natural Deseases, Magic Missiles, Death effect, Level drain, Freedom of Movement, Death effects, Level drain

Saves:
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Fortitude:· · · · ·28
· vs Poison:· · · ·28
· vs Disease: · · ·28
Will: · · · · · · ·42*
· vs Enchantment: ·42*
· vs Illusion:· · ·42*
· vs Fear:· · · · ·46*
· vs Curse: · · · ·42*
Reflex: · · · · · ·25
· vs Traps: · · · ·25
· vs Spell: · · · ·25
· vs Magic: · · · ·25
Marked with a * is no fail on a 1 if required DC met

Energy· · · ·Resistance and Absorbance
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Acid: · · · · · · · ·30 · · · · · · 0%
Chaos:· · · · · · · · 0 · · · · · · 0%
Cold: · · · · · · · ·30 · · · · · ·10%
Electric: · · · · · ·30 · · · · · ·10%
Evil: · · · · · · · · 0 · · · · · · 0%
Fire: · · · · · · · ·45 · · · · · ·14%
Force:· · · · · · · · 0 · · · · · · 0%
Good: · · · · · · · · 0 · · · · · · 0%
Lawful: · · · · · · · 0 · · · · · · 0%
Light:· · · · · · · ·15 · · · · · · 5%
Negative: · · · · · · 0 · · · · · · 0%
Poison: · · · · · · · 0 · · · · · · 0%
Sonic:· · · · · · · ·30 · · · · · · 0%

Class and Feat Selection
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Level Class · · · · · ·Feats
1 · · Favored Soul(1) ·Standard: Maximize Spell
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Human Bonus: Quicken Spell
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Follower of Faith: Follower of the Sovereign Host
2 · · Favored Soul(2) ·Battle Feat: Grace of Battle
3 · · Favored Soul(3) ·Standard: Empower Spell
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Child Of Faith: Child of Faith
4 · · Favored Soul(4) ·Charisma: +1 Level up
5 · · Favored Soul(5) ·Energy Absorbance: Energy Absorption: Electricity
6 · · Favored Soul(6) ·Standard: Enlarge Spell
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Deity: Search the Soul
7 · · Favored Soul(7) ·Heart Feat: Stout of Heart
8 · · Favored Soul(8) ·Charisma: +1 Level up
9 · · Favored Soul(9) ·Standard: Force of Personality
10· · Favored Soul(10) Energy Absorbance: Energy Absorption: Fire
11· · Favored Soul(11)
12· · Favored Soul(12) Standard: Heighten Spell
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Beloved Of Faith: Beloved of the Divine
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Charisma: +1 Level up
13· · Favored Soul(13)
14· · Favored Soul(14)
15· · Favored Soul(15) Standard: Spell Focus: Evocation
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Energy Absorbance: Energy Absorption: Cold
16· · Favored Soul(16) Charisma: +1 Level up
17· · Favored Soul(17)
18· · Favored Soul(18) Standard: Greater Spell Focus: Evocation
19· · Favored Soul(19)
20· · Favored Soul(20) Damage Reduction: Favored Soul of the Sovereign Host Damage Reduction: Cold Iron, Silver
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Charisma: +1 Level up
21· · Epic(1) · · · · ·Epic Feat: Wellspring of Power
22· · Epic(2) · · · · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Epic Spell Power: Light
23· · Epic(3) · · · · ·
24· · Epic(4) · · · · ·Epic Feat: Intensify Spell
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Charisma: +1 Level up
25· · Epic(5) · · · · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Epic Spell Power: Fire
26· · Epic(6) · · · · ·
27· · Epic(7) · · · · ·Epic Feat: Embolden Spell
28· · Epic(8) · · · · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Fount of Life
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Charisma: +1 Level up
29· · Epic(9) · · · · ·
30· · Epic(10)· · · · ·Epic Feat: Burst of Glacial Wrath
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Legendary: Scion of Celestia

Granted Feats
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Magical Training
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Automatic Feats
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Level Class · · · · · ·Feats
· 1 · Favored Soul(1) ·Attack
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Defensive Fighting
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Heroic Durability
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Light Armor Proficiency
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Magical Training
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Medium Armor Proficiency
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Religious Lore
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Shield Proficiency (General)
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Simple Weapon Proficiency: Club
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Simple Weapon Proficiency: Dagger
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Simple Weapon Proficiency: Dart
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Simple Weapon Proficiency: Heavy Crossbow
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Simple Weapon Proficiency: Heavy Mace
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Simple Weapon Proficiency: Light Crossbow
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Simple Weapon Proficiency: Light Mace
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Simple Weapon Proficiency: Morningstar
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Simple Weapon Proficiency: Quarterstaff
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Simple Weapon Proficiency: Sickle
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Simple Weapon Proficiency: Throwing Dagger
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Simple Weapon Proficiency: Unarmed
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Sneak
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Sunder
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Trip
· 2 · Favored Soul(2) ·Religious Lore
· 3 · Favored Soul(3) ·Religious Lore
· 4 · Favored Soul(4) ·Religious Lore
· 5 · Favored Soul(5) ·Improved Heroic Durability
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Religious Lore
· 6 · Favored Soul(6) ·Religious Lore
· 7 · Favored Soul(7) ·Religious Lore
· 8 · Favored Soul(8) ·Religious Lore
· 9 · Favored Soul(9) ·Religious Lore
10 · Favored Soul(10) Improved Heroic Durability
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Religious Lore
11 · Favored Soul(11) Religious Lore
12 · Favored Soul(12) Religious Lore
13 · Favored Soul(13) Religious Lore
14 · Favored Soul(14) Religious Lore
15 · Favored Soul(15) Improved Heroic Durability
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Religious Lore
16 · Favored Soul(16) Religious Lore
17 · Favored Soul(17) Leap Of Faith
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Religious Lore
18 · Favored Soul(18) Religious Lore
19 · Favored Soul(19) Religious Lore
20 · Favored Soul(20) Religious Lore
21 · Epic(1) · · · · ·Epic Defensive Fighting
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Epic Power
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Epic Skills
22 · Epic(2) · · · · ·Epic Knowledge
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Epic Power
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Epic Saves
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Epic Skills
23 · Epic(3) · · · · ·Epic Power
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Epic Skills
24 · Epic(4) · · · · ·Epic Knowledge
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Epic Power
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Epic Saves
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Epic Skills
25 · Epic(5) · · · · ·Epic Power
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Epic Skills
26 · Epic(6) · · · · ·Epic Knowledge
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Epic Power
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Epic Saves
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Epic Skills
27 · Epic(7) · · · · ·Epic Power
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Epic Skills
28 · Epic(8) · · · · ·Epic Knowledge
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Epic Power
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Epic Saves
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Epic Skills
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Fate Point
29 · Epic(9) · · · · ·Epic Power
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Epic Skills
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Fate Point
30 · Epic(10)· · · · ·Epic Knowledge
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Epic Power
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Epic Saves
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Epic Skills
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Fate Point

Class and Feat Selection (Consolidated)
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Level Class · · · · · ·Feats
1 · · Favored Soul(1) ·Standard: Maximize Spell
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Human Bonus: Quicken Spell
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Follower of Faith: Follower of the Sovereign Host
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Attack
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Defensive Fighting
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Heroic Durability
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Light Armor Proficiency
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Magical Training
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Medium Armor Proficiency
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Religious Lore
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Shield Proficiency (General)
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Simple Weapon Proficiency: Club
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Simple Weapon Proficiency: Dagger
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Simple Weapon Proficiency: Dart
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Simple Weapon Proficiency: Heavy Crossbow
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Simple Weapon Proficiency: Heavy Mace
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Simple Weapon Proficiency: Light Crossbow
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Simple Weapon Proficiency: Light Mace
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Simple Weapon Proficiency: Morningstar
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Simple Weapon Proficiency: Quarterstaff
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Simple Weapon Proficiency: Sickle
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Simple Weapon Proficiency: Throwing Dagger
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Simple Weapon Proficiency: Unarmed
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Sneak
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Sunder
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Trip

2 · · Favored Soul(2) ·Battle Feat: Grace of Battle
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Religious Lore

3 · · Favored Soul(3) ·Standard: Empower Spell
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Child Of Faith: Child of Faith
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Religious Lore

4 · · Favored Soul(4) ·Charisma: +1 Level up
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Religious Lore

5 · · Favored Soul(5) ·Energy Absorbance: Energy Absorption: Electricity
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Improved Heroic Durability
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Religious Lore

6 · · Favored Soul(6) ·Standard: Enlarge Spell
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Deity: Search the Soul
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Religious Lore

7 · · Favored Soul(7) ·Heart Feat: Stout of Heart
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Religious Lore

8 · · Favored Soul(8) ·Charisma: +1 Level up
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Religious Lore

9 · · Favored Soul(9) ·Standard: Force of Personality
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Religious Lore

10· · Favored Soul(10) Energy Absorbance: Energy Absorption: Fire
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Improved Heroic Durability
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Religious Lore

11· · Favored Soul(11) Automatic: Religious Lore

12· · Favored Soul(12) Standard: Heighten Spell
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Beloved Of Faith: Beloved of the Divine
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Charisma: +1 Level up
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Religious Lore

13· · Favored Soul(13) Automatic: Religious Lore

14· · Favored Soul(14) Automatic: Religious Lore

15· · Favored Soul(15) Standard: Spell Focus: Evocation
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Energy Absorbance: Energy Absorption: Cold
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Improved Heroic Durability
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Religious Lore

16· · Favored Soul(16) Charisma: +1 Level up
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Religious Lore

17· · Favored Soul(17) Automatic: Leap Of Faith
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Religious Lore

18· · Favored Soul(18) Standard: Greater Spell Focus: Evocation
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Religious Lore

19· · Favored Soul(19) Automatic: Religious Lore

20· · Favored Soul(20) Damage Reduction: Favored Soul of the Sovereign Host Damage Reduction: Cold Iron, Silver
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Charisma: +1 Level up
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Religious Lore

21· · Epic(1) · · · · ·Epic Feat: Wellspring of Power
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Epic Defensive Fighting
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Epic Power
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Epic Skills

22· · Epic(2) · · · · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Epic Spell Power: Light
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Epic Knowledge
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Epic Power
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Epic Saves
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Epic Skills

23· · Epic(3) · · · · ·Automatic: Epic Power
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Epic Skills

24· · Epic(4) · · · · ·Epic Feat: Intensify Spell
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Charisma: +1 Level up
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Epic Knowledge
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Epic Power
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Epic Saves
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Epic Skills

25· · Epic(5) · · · · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Epic Spell Power: Fire
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Epic Power
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Epic Skills

26· · Epic(6) · · · · ·Automatic: Epic Knowledge
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Epic Power
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Epic Saves
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Epic Skills

27· · Epic(7) · · · · ·Epic Feat: Embolden Spell
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Epic Power
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Epic Skills

28· · Epic(8) · · · · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Fount of Life
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Charisma: +1 Level up
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Epic Knowledge
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Epic Power
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Epic Saves
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Epic Skills
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Fate Point

29· · Epic(9) · · · · ·Automatic: Epic Power
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Epic Skills
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Fate Point

30· · Epic(10)· · · · ·Epic Feat: Burst of Glacial Wrath
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Legendary: Scion of Celestia
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Epic Knowledge
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Epic Power
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Epic Saves
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Epic Skills
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Automatic: Fate Point


Skills
If you have more points put them into UMD, Balance, heal and a cha skill such as diplomacy for flavor
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Skill Points· · · 8 ·2· 2 ·2· 2 ·2· 2 ·2· 2 ·2· 2 ·2· 2 ·2· 2 ·2· 2 ·2· 2 ·2
Skill Name· · · ·01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20· Total Buffed
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Balance · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 14.0
Bluff · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 22.0
Concentration · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 21.0
Diplomacy · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 22.0
Disable Device· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 14.0
Haggle· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 22.0
Heal· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 14.0
Hide· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 14.0
Intimidate· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 22.0
Jump· · · · · · · 4 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· ·23.0 · 37.0
Listen· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 14.0
Move Silently · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 14.0
Open Lock · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 14.0
Perform · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 22.0
Repair· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 14.0
Search· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 14.0
Spell Craft · · · 4 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· ·23.0 · 37.0
Spot· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 14.0
Swim· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 14.0
Tumble· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 14.0
Use Magic Device· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 22.0
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Available Points· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0
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Enhancements: 80 APs

As a first life or low TR life I would generally recommend taking Beacon of Hope AP's instead of
War Soul. I take Warsoul for the added Light/Fire power, but without Reaper points and past lives
you will benefit from having the Beacon's added healing, especially close wounds which is a super
fast heal spell that can be used very frequently.
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Angel of Vengeance - Points spent: 47
Core1 Font Of Power
Tier1 Smiting I
Tier1 Nimbus of Light - 3 Ranks
Tier2 Smiting II
Core2 Shield of Condemnation
Tier2 Efficient Metamagic: Efficient Maximize - 3 Ranks
Tier3 Smiting III
Tier3 Ability I: +1 Charisma
Tier3 Sun Bolt - 3 Ranks
Core3 Aura of Menace
Tier3 Efficient Metamagic: Efficient Empower - 3 Ranks
Tier4 Smiting IV
Tier4 Intense Faith - 3 Ranks
Core4 Summon Archon
Tier4 Ability II: +1 Charisma
Tier5 Zealous Faith - 3 Ranks
Tier5 Evocation Focus
Core5 Vengeful Magic
Core6 Ascendancy Shine Bright: Ascendancy Shine Bright (Charisma)
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Falconry - Points spent: 10
Core1 Summon Falcon: Summon Raven
Tier1 Out in Nature - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Rugged - 3 Ranks
Tier2 Action Boost: Sprint - 3 Ranks
Core2 Ability I: Charisma
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War Soul - Points spent: 13
Core1 Smite Foe: Smite Foe (Melee)
Tier1 Toughness - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Awareness - 3 Ranks
Core2 Resilience of Battle
Tier2 Wall of Steel - 3 Ranks
Core3 Sanctuary
Tier3 Ability I: +1 Charisma


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Epic Destinies: 40 APs + 3 permanent Destiny Points
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Exalted Angel - Points spent: 35
Core1 Astral Touch
Tier1 Subtle Flame - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Avenging Magic: Sun Pillar
Tier1 Angelic Form
Tier1 Born by Flame - 3 Ranks
Tier2 Divine Protection
Tier2 Saving Grace - 3 Ranks
Tier2 Angelic Body
Core2 Deepening Faith
Tier3 Angelic Spell Focus: Evocation - 3 Ranks
Tier3 Holy Presence
Tier3 Purity of Mind and Soul - 3 Ranks
Core3 Angelic Charge
Tier4 Angelic Soul
Tier4 Holy Command
Tier4 Blood and Radiance
Tier4 Enhanced Metamagics: Enhanced Metamagics: Quicken - 3 Ranks
Tier5 Heavenly Magic: Holy Fireball
Tier5 Enhanced Angelic Spell Focus - 3 Ranks
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Spell Power · · · · · · ·Base · ·Critical Chance· · Critical Multiplier.
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Acid· · · · · · · · · · · 147 · · · 5%· · · · · · · · 20
Light/Alignment · · · · · 217 · · · 5%· · · · · · · · 45
Cold· · · · · · · · · · · 147 · · · 5%· · · · · · · · 20
Electric· · · · · · · · · 147 · · · 5%· · · · · · · · 20
Evil· · · · · · · · · · · 147 · · · 5%· · · · · · · · 20
Fire· · · · · · · · · · · 197 · · · 5%· · · · · · · · 30
Force/Untyped · · · · · · 147 · · · 5%· · · · · · · · 20
Negative· · · · · · · · · 124 · · · 5%· · · · · · · · 20
Physical· · · · · · · · · 147 · · · 5%· · · · · · · · 20
Poison· · · · · · · · · · 147 · · · 5%· · · · · · · · 20
Positive· · · · · · · · · 194 · · · 5%· · · · · · · · 35
Repair· · · · · · · · · · 124 · · · 5%· · · · · · · · 20
Rust· · · · · · · · · · · 124 · · · 5%· · · · · · · · 20
Sonic · · · · · · · · · · 132 · · · 5%· · · · · · · · 20
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Spells· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · School· · · · ·DC
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Favored Soul Spells
L1: Cure Light Wounds · · · · · · · · · · · Conjuration · · 23 Helpful for Lvl 1-6 then its done
L1: Nightshield · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Abjuration· · · 23 Cast at the beginning of every quest--no champion magic missile will ruin your day
L1: Nimbus of Light · · · · · · · · · · · · Evocation · · · 28 Useful as a spell from lvls 1-4 after lvl 4 you will simply use the SLA
L1: Remove Fear · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Abjuration· · · 23 Cast at the beginning of every quest (being feared simply can't happen)
L2: Cure Moderate Wounds· · · · · · · · · · Conjuration · · 24 Helpful for lvls 4-8, but hopefully you only have to cast this on party members
L2: Lesser Restoration· · · · · · · · · · · Conjuration · · 24 Useful for removing damage (1 point at a time)
L2: Resist Energy · · · · · · · · · · · · · Abjuration· · · 24 Situational resistance to energy damage for quests you know have a specific elemental damage type
L2: Soundburst· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Evocation · · · 29 This spell is extremely useful to stun monsters--get it at lvl 4 as first lvl 2 spell remove metamagics
L3: Cure Serious Wounds · · · · · · · · · · Conjuration · · 25 Spot healing, hopefully you only have to use this on party members
L3: Prayer· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Enchantment · · 25 Useful for bumping a skill stat that you are just a few points from it being effective (jump/diplomacy, etc)
L3: Protection From Energy· · · · · · · · · Abjuration· · · 25 I never use this except when i need a boost of resistance to a specific elemental trap
L3: Searing Light · · · · · · · · · · · · · Evocation · · · 30 FUK--you better use this spell--it has no save and does a **** ton of unresistable damage to 98% of monsters
L4: Death Ward· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Transmutation · 26 2nd spell to get after Holy Smite
L4: Freedom of Movement · · · · · · · · · · Abjuration· · · 26 3rd spell to get after Death Ward
L4: Holy Smite· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Evocation · · · 31 This spell is a massive AOE damage spell that will be your friend during all of heroics and as splash damage in epics
L4: Restoration · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Conjuration · · 26 Restore stat/lvl drain damage--must have
L5: Flame Strike· · · · · · · · · · · · · · Evocation · · · 32 Flame strike is your next AOE damage. Hit mobs with Flame Strike, then Holy Smite--i doubt any of them are alive
L5: Protection from Elements· · · · · · · · Abjuration· · · 27 Protect from all elements--situationally useful--I usually dont have to cast as everything is dead
L5: Raise Dead· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Conjuration · · 27 Help your friends when they um...die.
L5: Spell Resistance· · · · · · · · · · · · Abjuration· · · 27 Just a preference--rarely cast unless I know i'm seeing casters en force.
L6: Cure Moderate Wounds, Mass· · · · · · · Conjuration · · 28 Help all party members--turn off all metamagics so its affordable
L6: Greater Dispel Magic· · · · · · · · · · Abjuration· · · 28 useful in quests with magical traps--you can dispel the trap to lvl 0 (gone)
L6: Heal· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Conjuration · · 28 Obviously heal is a good spell to heal yourself when you somehow get in over your head (which you will)
L7: Cure Serious Wounds, Mass · · · · · · · Conjuration · · 29 Same as cure moderate wounds mass
L7: Greater Restoration · · · · · · · · · · Conjuration · · 29 Very helpful when you get hit when vampires take 13 charisma from you
L7: Protection from Elements, Mass· · · · · Abjuration· · · 29 Cast at beginning of any quests you know you have to deal with elemental damage
L8: Cure Critical Wounds, Mass· · · · · · · Conjuration · · 30 same as cure serious wounds mass
L8: Death Ward, Mass· · · · · · · · · · · · Transmutation · 30 I swap this out and use at beginning of quest to give everyone dw as it is only 10 more sp (remove all metamagics)
L8: Fire Storm· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Evocation · · · 35 O M G This spell is fantastic. The area of effect on this spell is astounding. Use this and Holy Smite to cleanup
L9: Celestial Bombardment · · · · · · · · · Evocation · · · 36 Many people love this spell--it definitely does ALOT of damage and much of it is physical so it gets through resistances
L9: Divine Wrath· · · · · · · · · · · · · · Unknown · · · · ·0 Very good spell that you can cast on mobs or a tank who is fighting mobs...they all take light damage, everyone around gets healed
L9: True Resurrection · · · · · · · · · · · Conjuration · · 31 Never sure what to choose as 3rd lvl 9 spell--choose what you want.

Must have spells:
Night Shield, Soundburst, Searing light, Death Ward, Freedom of Movement, Holy Smite, Flamestrike, Heal, Greater Restoration, Firestorm, Divine Wrather, Celestial Bombardment

Note on spells. I have ALL metamagics on by default. for specific quests like

All of the rest are just flavor and can be swaped with what you prefer (although usually i go with the ones shown above).
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Spell Like / Special Abilities
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Leap Of Faith · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · DO NOT forget to pin this to your quick bar as soon as you get it
Sun Pillar· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·
Holy Fireball · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·
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Tactical DCs
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Intimidate· · · · · · · · · · · · ·10+HD+Wis Mod vs d20 + 22 : d20 + Intimidate(22)
Diplomacy · · · · · · · · · · · · ·CR+Quest Level vs d20 + 22 : d20 + Diplomacy(22)
Bluff · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·CR+Quest Level vs d20 + 22 : d20 + Bluff(22)
Sunder· · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·Fortitude vs 9 : 10 + Str Mod(-1) + Sunder(0)
Trip· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·Balance vs 9 : 10 + Str Mod(-1) + Trip(0)
Burst of Glacial Wrath· · · · · · ·Fortitude vs 38 : 20 + Max Mod(Int(-1), Wis(-1), Cha(7)) + Evocation(11)
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Equipped Gear Set: Level 5
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Armor: Snowscale (feywild)
Helm: Crown of Snow (feywild)
Cloak: Cloak of Winter (feywild)
Gloves: Gloves of Tranquility (feywild)
Belt: Belt of the ram (feywild)
Bracers: Cold Iron bracers (feywild)
Boots: some sort of FF boots, I wear boots of faith from catacombs
Goggles: Never sure--but I crafted True Seeing/Blindness Immunity w/Masters gift blue augment slot (use until lvl 20)
Ring: Ring of Summers Heat (feywild) gives fire/light boost
Ring2: whatever you prefer I use Nocturn ring (feywild)
Trinket: Vibrant Purple Ioun Stone (crafted--but relatively easy to farm)
Neck: Never know what to use--currently at lvl 20 using necklace of contemplation (LOL)

Equipped Gear Set: Level 10
Everything the same except:
Swap out for Beacon of Magic set (Ravenloft)
Also equip Celestial Beacon from White Plume Mountain
Trinket lvl 11: https://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Shard_of_Vollun very nice boost from lvl 11-14

Equipped Gear Set: Level 15
Everything the same except:
Swap out Flamecleansed Fury set (Sharn)
Wild Flame (Madness of Crowds)
Resplendant Fury Orb (Best Laid Plans-Sharn)
Belt: Bronze Dragonscale Belt (added +6 resist for ml 16)


I use this set usually until lvl 29 as there is negligible difference and the damage output is still solid until
we swap out the Legendary Orb/Wildflame/Flamecleansed Fury set. Also at this point I usually don some +13 cha/+6
exeptional item for higher DCs, plus my Epic Wild Flame has several DC boosts due to filaments

Please feel free to share a *** or why did you do this comment--always willing to learn.

Thundia of Thelanis

[mikarddo]

Thank you for sharing. I have quite a few past lives done with a cha based FvS and even more with a Sorc nuker and largely agree with your write-up though I do have a more elaborate gear scheme.

A few comments.
- I most certainly agree on Enlarge. It is a very important meta-magic for a FvS. Even more so if you mix in insta killing spells as Slay Living is so much stronger with Enlarge.
- You seem to be missing a Deity. I prefer either of the two with a large heal (Sov Host or Olladra). It does come in handy at times. I am curious what you prefer.
- Why neither Prot from Evil nor Magic Circle Against Evil?
- For level 8 spells I wouldn't be caught dead without Death Pact (pun intended) so I take that instead of Cure Crit Mass.
- I also take the insta kill spells to use along side nuking - Slay Living, Destruction and Implosion. Mostly for raids at cap though but Implosion is also pretty nice to drop while running past mobs.
- Is Heighten mostly for Soundburst DC or do you also get something important on damage spells from having that? If just for the stun I find it unclear if casting Sound Burst + one AoE nuke is better than simply casting two AoE nukes. Sometimes it is, sometimes it isnt, and thus I do not take Heighten but instead take Completionist of Wiz PL (not applicable for your guide here, I know).

As for FvS outdoing Sorc during all of 8-29 I am less certain I agree. Certainly, FvS are strong, but an Air Sorc with Chain Lightning, Falconry run speed boost and Air Dance will often have stuff dead before the FvS even gets in range, assuming low reaper for levels 12-16. Wind Dance means you are ahead of the pack and Chain Lightning casts brutally fast compared to most FvS spells meaning you also hit first. Also, in epics there are quests where not being able to break immunities make the FvS quite a bit inferior to a Meteor Blasting fire Sorc and Mass Hold is nothing to sneeze at either.

Obviously, the Sorc wins hand down 1-7 as you also mention, Sonic Blast is a monster initially and many more AoE spells work wonders during the early levels.

[Carpone]

Good writeup. I especially agree about Enlarge, and grouping.

I prefer Teifling. Without any racial past lives you can get the Scorch SLA by end of level 4, which takes some of the low-level suck away from playing FvS. And the fire strip, fire spellpower and spell crit remain relevant even once you pick up Holy Smite.

[Thundia]

Thank you for sharing. I have quite a few past lives done with a cha based FvS and even more with a Sorc nuker and largely agree with your write-up though I do have a more elaborate gear scheme.
Was hoping to post gear that was within reach of early game players. I definitely have a wide variety of other gear that I use as well.

A few comments.
- I most certainly agree on Enlarge. It is a very important meta-magic for a FvS. Even more so if you mix in insta killing spells as Slay Living is so much stronger with Enlarge.
Instakills is something that I should definitely explore!
- You seem to be missing a Deity. I prefer either of the two with a large heal (Sov Host or Olladra). It does come in handy at times. I am curious what you prefer.
It really depends on what race I'm playing. Right now I'm on my 3rd Elf life and I take Undying which is quite helpful to have a true resurection at lvl 6! In general though Sov Host is probably the best overall choice race withstanding and Olladra is nice too. The Sov Host ability really needs to affected by metamagics--I find myself completely ignoring it as there are very few times that I'm in a position where I can take the time to use its slowwww cast mechanic to heal myself (that is not to say it can have its uses)
- Why neither Prot from Evil nor Magic Circle Against Evil?
Yes--I swap out lower heal spell for Magic Circle against Evil when I gain a higher healing spell. Prot Evil just seems like a waste to me as no monsters at lower lvls ever try for 'mind control' effects.
- For level 8 spells I wouldn't be caught dead without Death Pact (pun intended) so I take that instead of Cure Crit Mass.
I personally have never found Death Pact super useful. I usually die 2-3 times per life so its not worth taking--although I wish this spell worked during HC league!
- I also take the insta kill spells to use along side nuking - Slay Living, Destruction and Implosion. Mostly for raids at cap though but Implosion is also pretty nice to drop while running past mobs.
- Is Heighten mostly for Soundburst DC or do you also get something important on damage spells from having that? If just for the stun I find it unclear if casting Sound Burst + one AoE nuke is better than simply casting two AoE nukes. Sometimes it is, sometimes it isnt, and thus I do not take Heighten but instead take Completionist of Wiz PL (not applicable for your guide here, I know).
I don't take Heighten until 9 or 12 but personally I've found that Heighten helps when casting mid level aoe spells such as Holy Smite and Flame Strike. Especially for Holy Smite as there are two saves (one for the damage and one for blindness, both based on will). Even in Epic's while Smite may not do tons of damage, I find it blinds effectively.

As for FvS outdoing Sorc during all of 8-29 I am less certain I agree. Certainly, FvS are strong, but an Air Sorc with Chain Lightning, Falconry run speed boost and Air Dance will often have stuff dead before the FvS even gets in range, assuming low reaper for levels 12-16. Wind Dance means you are ahead of the pack and Chain Lightning casts brutally fast compared to most FvS spells meaning you also hit first. Also, in epics there are quests where not being able to break immunities make the FvS quite a bit inferior to a Meteor Blasting fire Sorc and Mass Hold is nothing to sneeze at either.
I agree in general--however even a quickened Meteor blast has an annoyingly slow cast mechanic that firestorm/holysmite combo can get off before it throws its balls out to kill whatever is targeted. But, I haven't played sorc in the past 10-15 lives so my memory may be jaded--In groups with Sorcs they defintely do good damage--maybe I just have faster fingers.

Obviously, the Sorc wins hand down 1-7 as you also mention, Sonic Blast is a monster initially and many more AoE spells work wonders during the early levels.

For sure Sorc is SUPER fast lvls 1-7 due to sonic blasts astounding capabilities--for that matter bard is rediculously op at early lvls.

I definitely agree with pretty much everything you say above--I think most of it comes down to playstyle. Also, this post was mostly about helping out beginning FVS casters so definitely I would take completionist/pl wizard over greater evoc etc, but people with less than 15-20 lives usually don't have access to completionist. Also I purposefully didn't focus on raiding--that is a whole different animal.

Thanks for the thoughts!

[mikarddo]

For sure Sorc is SUPER fast lvls 1-7 due to sonic blasts astounding capabilities--for that matter bard is rediculously op at early lvls.

I definitely agree with pretty much everything you say above--I think most of it comes down to playstyle. Also, this post was mostly about helping out beginning FVS casters so definitely I would take completionist/pl wizard over greater evoc etc, but people with less than 15-20 lives usually don't have access to completionist. Also I purposefully didn't focus on raiding--that is a whole different animal.

Thanks for the thoughts!

Cheers

[Livmo]

Just say no to Metamajics. In my opinion those Feats are better spent elsewhere (i.e. Necormancy for Slay Living and Destruction, etc.) and your AP can be better spent by skipping those dealios related to metas in your Enhancements.

If you're not going to dip a toe into Turn Undead with EDs, then I see no reason to build a CHA based FVS. I run WIS and you can get enough spell points to make CHA moot. Enlightend me, why run a CHA based FvS?

BTW I skip Heal and use https://ddowiki.com/page/Cure_Critical_Wounds,_Mass instead, since I typically don't dip into Turn Undead. You can target and mass heal in raids well, since most folks run with healing amp these days. It's great to spam heals or kill undead.

[Thundia]

Just say no to Metamajics. In my opinion those Feats are better spent elsewhere (i.e. Necormancy for Slay Living and Destruction, etc.) and your AP can be better spent by skipping those dealios related to metas in your Enhancements.

If you're not going to dip a toe into Turn Undead with EDs, then I see no reason to build a CHA based FVS. I run WIS and you can get enough spell points to make CHA moot. Enlightend me, why run a CHA based FvS?

BTW I skip Heal and use https://ddowiki.com/page/Cure_Critical_Wounds,_Mass instead, since I typically don't dip into Turn Undead. You can target and mass heal in raids well, since most folks run with healing amp these days. It's great to spam heals or kill undead.

Great thoughts--yet another way to play FVS. Obviously you prefer instakill and Meta's do pretty much squat for those. The original reason I played FVS cha based was because I wanted to try it and the racial I was doing at the time was charisma focused.

I'll take free +225 spell power to my sla's and 225 for the points to my regular damage spells over instakill--its just my playstyle. I've also seen many fvs running around casting blade barrier ala 2013-15--obviously that is their playstyle. You certainly can play a wis based fvs caster or pew pew, or whatever you want--its very versitile--certainly there is no 'boy this i just better than all'--and if you think there is--well more power to ya, but your just plain wrong imho.

[Alled78]

Great thoughts--yet another way to play FVS. Obviously you prefer instakill and Meta's do pretty much squat for those. The original reason I played FVS cha based was because I wanted to try it and the racial I was doing at the time was charisma focused.

I'll take free +225 spell power to my sla's and 225 for the points to my regular damage spells over instakill--its just my playstyle. I've also seen many fvs running around casting blade barrier ala 2013-15--obviously that is their playstyle. You certainly can play a wis based fvs caster or pew pew, or whatever you want--its very versitile--certainly there is no 'boy this i just better than all'--and if you think there is--well more power to ya, but your just plain wrong imho.

I evaluated playing cha based because tiefling is the only race bypassing fire immunity

And fire damage is my main damage as fvs. So for some quests can be very usefull.

Then i usually skip empowered because i cant reduce sp for that ( i reduce quicken and max sp use)
And sp management i s really important if u want to raid.
Then i get all evo feat.

[Mindos]

Also, let me be clear. FVS lvls 1-7 (definitely lvl 1-4) is a total sh1tshow of creeping doom progression so group up!





I generally setup my hotbar with the following spells until lvl 18 (ALL metamagics enabled):
1. Nimbus of Light (SLA)
2. Sunbolt (SLA)
3. Searing Light
4. Holy Smite
5. Flame Strike (until lvl 16, then move flamestrike to 6 or not at all)
6. Fire Storm
7. Open, but sometimes Reaper's Power for added boost)
8. Heal (turn off enlarge)
9. Action boost: Sprint I have Tiefling Scoundrel epic x3 for 30% run but this is still way too slow--sprint boost is required to eleviate/avoid mobs/dash through some content.
10. Leap of faith (at lvl 17)

Up until lvl 8 or so #4 is Soundburst which is pretty effective at stunning except against undead


While almost any race works well--as a first life caster, human is preferable to me as you gain the advantage of having Maximize, quicken, and empower by lvl 3 for your SLAs.


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Favored Soul Spells
L1: Cure Light Wounds · · · · · · · · · · · Conjuration · · 23 Helpful for Lvl 1-6 then its done
L1: Nightshield · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Abjuration· · · 23 Cast at the beginning of every quest--no champion magic missile will ruin your day
L1: Nimbus of Light · · · · · · · · · · · · Evocation · · · 28 Useful as a spell from lvls 1-4 after lvl 4 you will simply use the SLA
L1: Remove Fear · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Abjuration· · · 23 Cast at the beginning of every quest (being feared simply can't happen)
L2: Cure Moderate Wounds· · · · · · · · · · Conjuration · · 24 Helpful for lvls 4-8, but hopefully you only have to cast this on party members
L2: Lesser Restoration· · · · · · · · · · · Conjuration · · 24 Useful for removing damage (1 point at a time)
L2: Resist Energy · · · · · · · · · · · · · Abjuration· · · 24 Situational resistance to energy damage for quests you know have a specific elemental damage type
L2: Soundburst· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Evocation · · · 29 This spell is extremely useful to stun monsters--get it at lvl 4 as first lvl 2 spell remove metamagics
L3: Cure Serious Wounds · · · · · · · · · · Conjuration · · 25 Spot healing, hopefully you only have to use this on party members
L3: Prayer· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Enchantment · · 25 Useful for bumping a skill stat that you are just a few points from it being effective (jump/diplomacy, etc)
L3: Protection From Energy· · · · · · · · · Abjuration· · · 25 I never use this except when i need a boost of resistance to a specific elemental trap
L3: Searing Light · · · · · · · · · · · · · Evocation · · · 30 FUK--you better use this spell--it has no save and does a **** ton of unresistable damage to 98% of monsters
L4: Death Ward· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Transmutation · 26 2nd spell to get after Holy Smite
L4: Freedom of Movement · · · · · · · · · · Abjuration· · · 26 3rd spell to get after Death Ward
L4: Holy Smite· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Evocation · · · 31 This spell is a massive AOE damage spell that will be your friend during all of heroics and as splash damage in epics
L4: Restoration · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Conjuration · · 26 Restore stat/lvl drain damage--must have
L5: Flame Strike· · · · · · · · · · · · · · Evocation · · · 32 Flame strike is your next AOE damage. Hit mobs with Flame Strike, then Holy Smite--i doubt any of them are alive
L5: Protection from Elements· · · · · · · · Abjuration· · · 27 Protect from all elements--situationally useful--I usually dont have to cast as everything is dead
L5: Raise Dead· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Conjuration · · 27 Help your friends when they um...die.
L5: Spell Resistance· · · · · · · · · · · · Abjuration· · · 27 Just a preference--rarely cast unless I know i'm seeing casters en force.
L6: Cure Moderate Wounds, Mass· · · · · · · Conjuration · · 28 Help all party members--turn off all metamagics so its affordable
L6: Greater Dispel Magic· · · · · · · · · · Abjuration· · · 28 useful in quests with magical traps--you can dispel the trap to lvl 0 (gone)
L6: Heal· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Conjuration · · 28 Obviously heal is a good spell to heal yourself when you somehow get in over your head (which you will)
L7: Cure Serious Wounds, Mass · · · · · · · Conjuration · · 29 Same as cure moderate wounds mass
L7: Greater Restoration · · · · · · · · · · Conjuration · · 29 Very helpful when you get hit when vampires take 13 charisma from you
L7: Protection from Elements, Mass· · · · · Abjuration· · · 29 Cast at beginning of any quests you know you have to deal with elemental damage
L8: Cure Critical Wounds, Mass· · · · · · · Conjuration · · 30 same as cure serious wounds mass
L8: Death Ward, Mass· · · · · · · · · · · · Transmutation · 30 I swap this out and use at beginning of quest to give everyone dw as it is only 10 more sp (remove all metamagics)
L8: Fire Storm· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Evocation · · · 35 O M G This spell is fantastic. The area of effect on this spell is astounding. Use this and Holy Smite to cleanup
L9: Celestial Bombardment · · · · · · · · · Evocation · · · 36 Many people love this spell--it definitely does ALOT of damage and much of it is physical so it gets through resistances
L9: Divine Wrath· · · · · · · · · · · · · · Unknown · · · · ·0 Very good spell that you can cast on mobs or a tank who is fighting mobs...they all take light damage, everyone around gets healed
L9: True Resurrection · · · · · · · · · · · Conjuration · · 31 Never sure what to choose as 3rd lvl 9 spell--choose what you want.

Must have spells:
Night Shield, Soundburst, Searing light, Death Ward, Freedom of Movement, Holy Smite, Flamestrike, Heal, Greater Restoration, Firestorm, Divine Wrather, Celestial Bombardment

Note on spells. I have ALL metamagics on by default. for specific quests like


Thundia of Thelanis

This is what I like to see in builds posted. The how and the why. The thoughts behind the play.

[PedXing20]

... I've also seen many fvs running around casting blade barrier ala 2013-15....

First off, great build post - very well done!

I would like to point out the bit I highlighted - in R1 content, running to the end of the quest farting max empowered blade barriers will work pretty good. I've run a few lives like that and it does work for heroic levelling.

[Thundia]

I evaluated playing cha based because tiefling is the only race bypassing fire immunity

And fire damage is my main damage as fvs. So for some quests can be very usefull.

Then i usually skip empowered because i cant reduce sp for that ( i reduce quicken and max sp use)
And sp management i s really important if u want to raid.
Then i get all evo feat.

Hey. Great comments. So in my build I reduce Max/empower instead of quicken because quicken only reduces 1 point and empower is on for all damage spells and reduces 2 per point like Maximize.

Personally I've never found the fire immune stuff a problem because I've almost always found that fire immune mobs are generally double vulnerable to light damage. Case in point the undead bone skeletons or the Forgewraiths from Sharn's Best Laid Plans--one smite or seering light and boom, they are toast. The major exception to this I've found is those pesky Tampered Hauler Golems (and most Iron golem types)--they reduced damage drastically. Svalich Howler's from Ravenloft are another great example of a fire immune mob that simply gets destroyed by one Holy Smite.

And also remember you can pretty much spam Nimbus of Light, Sunbolt, and Seering light to clean up---actually Seering light pretty much kills most mobs in one hit.

If I'm planning on doing an epic life definitely make some adjustement to boost DC as much as possible.

Running with Elf now I find that by the time I hit Lvl 8 and have Holy Smite, through 20 I don't have any issues with fire immunity.

When I played Sorc I loved Tiefling--and Tiefling is especially useful if you plan to do epic raids and such--totally agree there.

[Marshal_Lannes]

Nice breakdown of why you made build choices. I'd quibble with some spell choices and equipment but as you say FVS is a versatile class that can be played successfully in many different ways. Thanks for sharing.

[Gnominal_Aphasia]

First observation is [not directed at OP] is why must people quote the entire OP text then provide a one sentence point????

FvS is (generally) all about healing and evocation. And, if you want to be mildy successful in any form of epic soloing, some cc.

Comment on AoV SLAs:
- Nimbus of Light is great to start with as you don't have many damaging spells but get rid of this ASAP,
- Sun Bolt SLA: fabulous SLA; spell has Maximum Caster Level [MCL] of 15, AoV provides another 15, and Epic levels another 5... I always keep this SLA and NEVER take the Master of Light Epic Feat, and
- Cometfall SLA... I find it great from level 12 to around 20, then dump it. It has a nice damage and knockdown effect but as it's a Conjuration spell...

Epic Destinies: the OP, I believe, has incorrectly stated the number of Destiny Points you are awarded; 12 at start, 4 per Epic Level = 52 (+ any extra points you have earned or bought). As a DPS/Healer, I have chosen Draconic Incarnation as my main Destiny because it wins hands down in damage. Take Exalted Angel as your second tree to get (at least) the 2nd core... but both the Mantle and the Epic Strike [acid] from DI outperforms EA; and having Wellspring of Power last 60 seconds is really nice for both DPS and healing.

My DPS caster toolbars are:
(1) AoE... Dragonbreath, BoGW, Holy Smite***, Divine Wrath, Firestorm and Flame Strike. I don't particularly like the last two spells in Epics.
(2) Single Target: Sun Bolt SLA, Searing Light SLA, Pillar of Light

*** Holy Smite; only MCL 10, but has a will save helpless damage [blindness] add; for epics you'll need HEIGHTEN so make sure you spend 4AP into the AoC tree for that. Whereas Master of Light is useless for an FvS, Master of Alignment would basically double this spells damage (at level 24) and with a 6 sec CD that is an option I am considering.

CC spells: Sound Burst (Evo, level 2)... nice 6 second [max] stun rendering enemies helpless. It is spammable but better with Heighten costing only 3 spell points per level rather than 5, and the Greater Color Spray SLA from Feydark Illusionist if you have access to it... AoV 6th core bags +2 DCs to all spells, grab a Illusion DC item and the extra DCs from your main Destiny Tree and you are away! You also can have BoGW!

I generally skip War Soul and spend 13 AP into Beacon of Hope for the brilliant Close Wounds SLA, a nice cheap Beacon, the 3rd Core and +1 CHA. For healing, I always take Heal and Mass Heal; MH is a little slow to cast so a Mass Cure will be more reactive.

My preferred FvS race is Aasimar. Human is a sound choice too, as is Dragonborn for you CHA based FvS fans, especially if you are willing to invest enough AP (or later, have enough bonus Racial AP) to grab the extra Evocation [and Conjuration] DCs. All three provide extra Positive Healing Amplification from their trees.

Last tips: privilege DCs over damage (so Embolden in my eyes is better than Intensify for newer players) until you have a few racial [3 x sorc passives] and wizard [1 x feat] pastlives. Take both the Spell Focus and Greater SF in Evocation, and then the Epic Spell Focus feat too. As the OP shows, take the AoV tier 5 extra Evo DC. Enlarge is OK but imho not essential; certainly not for healing, and I never feel the need to use it... outside a few situational encounters. If you have expansion packs, plan out your life and farm some appropriate gear. If you are more F2P, join a guild, be friendly and participate, and ask one of the more experienced players to craft you an item if you really need one; this is a fairly friendly community.

[flotterjohnny]

Thanx for the nice write up!

One question: can anybode explain me the benefits of a charisma based fvs vs. wisdom based fvs? Thx all!

Edit: Well let me check this thread out

https://forums.ddo.com/forums/showth...om-vs-Charisma

Greezt FJ