Storm Summoner - Build for soloing on high reapers.

NightHiker

Well-known member
Hey there, folks!

I decided to finally create a video breakdown of my Storm Summoner build sharing its details in case someone's interested on replicating all or parts of it.

It does take advantage of my main being full racial/heroic/epic completionist, but you can adapt it to fit your progress, as long as you rein in the performance expectations. I'd first take stuff out of the racial tree (and change it to Dragonborn) and then falconry, and for the destinies you need the mantle and the hire boosts from primal and the threat reduction fro magus, but you can trim some points in there as well and still perform ok. Yes, you do need the legendary perma hires to make full use of this playstyle, though - so it's not really free to play friendly. :(

I'm not gonna do a full write up because the numbers are less important than the concept - and the video is quite self explanatory. Will be happy to answer any questions, though. Here it is:


Cheers!
NH
 

Rhinoceross

Member
i love this video, it was done really well! and honestly made me very happy

anyways this is the most interesting build ive seen in a while (definitely worth a watch people). especially when the action starts at around 3min 40secs, that end fight was crazy too (dont skip out on the bit right after that end fight)
also watching u sneak past stuff was a fun touch too and a great part of this build. def gonna implement the sneaking part into some of my builds and use hires more often to get boss agro at the very least

10/10 thanks for this :) !
 

Scrag

Well-known member
Do you have this in ddobuilder format file by any chance?

I saw you used a lot of call lightning storm (h-elf right?).

What does your spell rotation look like?

I don't have the hirelings to mess with and am mostly looking for lots and lots of lightning bolts. I picked up the boots from skellies and a few other items you have equipped, so in theory I should be able to make this a go. Would be running as a tiefling (iconic).

Your build has all the lightning bolts I would ever want. :)
 

NightHiker

Well-known member
Do you have this in ddobuilder format file by any chance?

I saw you used a lot of call lightning storm (h-elf right?).

What does your spell rotation look like?

I don't have the hirelings to mess with and am mostly looking for lots and lots of lightning bolts. I picked up the boots from skellies and a few other items you have equipped, so in theory I should be able to make this a go. Would be running as a tiefling (iconic).

Your build has all the lightning bolts I would ever want. :)

Hey, Scrag!

Sorry for such delay in answering - I got no notification of your post, just happened to see it now.

The rotation is exactly the spells you can see in the top left 1 to 5 (single target) and bottom left 1-8 (AoE). I have macros setup that will cast whatever spell is out of cooldown in that order of preference. That plus the CC spells as needed.

But you NEED to be a H-Elf to be able to cast Call lighting Storm as a Stormsinger, so Tiefling won't work as far as maximizing the amount of lighhtning bolts goes. ;)

As far as the build goes I think the video breakdown covers it all, but here is a write up:


Character name: Zask
Classes: 20 Stormsinger, 10 Epic, 2 Legendary
Race: Half-Elf· · · · · · ·Alignment: Neutral

· · ·Start Tome Final · · ·Incorp:· · 15% · · ·Displacement:· ·50%
Str:· · ·8· · 8 · ·33 · · ·HP:· · · ·2959 · · ·AC:· ·147
Dex:· · ·8· · 8 · ·57 · · ·PRR: · · · 133
Con:· · 18· · 8 · ·75 · · ·MRR: · · · ·55 · · ·+Healing Amp:· ·161
Int:· · 12· · 8 · ·41 · · ·Dodge: · 19/34 · · ·-Healing Amp:· · 25
Wis:· · ·8· · 8 · ·37 · · ·Fort:· · · 30% · · ·Repair Amp:· · · 35
Cha:· · 18· · 8 · 114 · · ·SR:· · · · ·38 · · ·BAB: · · · · · · 20
DR:
Immunities: Sleep, Charisma Damage, Feather Fall, Fear, Stunning, dazing and disorientation from sound based spells, Falling damage, Fear, Freedom of Movement, Magic Missiles, Death effect, Level drain

Class and Feat Selection
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Level Class · · · · · ·Feats
1 · · Stormsinger(1)· ·Standard: Maximize Spell
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Half-Elf Dilettante: Half-Elf Dilettante: Paladin
2 · · Stormsinger(2)· ·
3 · · Stormsinger(3)· ·Standard: Quicken Spell
4 · · Stormsinger(4)· ·Charisma: +1 Level up
5 · · Stormsinger(5)· ·
6 · · Stormsinger(6)· ·Standard: Empower Spell
7 · · Stormsinger(7)· ·
8 · · Stormsinger(8)· ·Charisma: +1 Level up
9 · · Stormsinger(9)· ·Standard: Least Dragonmark of Storm
10· · Stormsinger(10) ·
11· · Stormsinger(11) ·
12· · Stormsinger(12) ·Standard: Heighten Spell
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Charisma: +1 Level up
13· · Stormsinger(13) ·
14· · Stormsinger(14) ·
15· · Stormsinger(15) ·Standard: Past Life: Arcane Initiate
16· · Stormsinger(16) ·Charisma: +1 Level up
17· · Stormsinger(17) ·
18· · Stormsinger(18) ·Standard: Discipline
19· · Stormsinger(19) ·
20· · Stormsinger(20) ·Charisma: +1 Level up
21· · Epic(1) · · · · ·Epic Feat: Inspire Excellence
22· · Epic(2) · · · · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Epic Spell Power: Sonic
23· · Epic(3) · · · · ·
24· · Epic(4) · · · · ·Epic Feat: Burst of Glacial Wrath
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Charisma: +1 Level up
25· · Epic(5) · · · · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Epic Spell Power: Electric
26· · Epic(6) · · · · ·
27· · Epic(7) · · · · ·Epic Feat: Intensify Spell
28· · Epic(8) · · · · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Epic Spell Power: Cold
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Charisma: +1 Level up
29· · Epic(9) · · · · ·
30· · Epic(10)· · · · ·Epic Feat: Embolden Spell
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Legendary: Scion of the Plane of Air
31· · Legendary(1)· · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Epic Spell Power: Positive
32· · Legendary(2)· · ·Charisma: +1 Level up

Skills
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Skill Points· · ·28 ·8· 8 ·8· 8 ·8· 9 ·9· 9 ·9· 9 ·9· 9 ·9 10 10 10 10 10 10
Skill Name· · · ·01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20· Total Buffed
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 63.0
Bluff · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·1· 3 ·3· 3 ·3· 3 ·5· ·21.0 ·111.0
Concentration · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 71.0
Diplomacy · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 3 ·3· 3 ·3· 3 ·2· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· ·23.0 ·120.0
Disable Device· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 53.0
Haggle· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 89.0
Heal· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 50.0
Hide· · · · · · · · ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 2 ·4· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· ·23.0 · 97.0
Intimidate· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 91.0
Jump· · · · · · · 4 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·10.0 · 55.0
Listen· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 55.0
Move Silently · · 4 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· ·23.0 · 86.0
Open Lock · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 59.0
Perform · · · · · 4 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· ·23.0 ·137.0
Repair· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 54.0
Search· · · · · · 2 ·½· ½ ·½· ½ ·½· ½ ·½· ½ ·½· ½ ·½· ½ ·½· ½ ·½· ½ ·½· ½ · · ·11.0 · 70.0
Spell Craft · · · 4 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· ·23.0 ·100.0
Spot· · · · · · · 2 ·½· ½ ·½· ½ ·½· ½ ·½· ½ ·½· ½ ·½· ½ ·½· ½ ·½· ½ ·½· ½ · · ·11.0 · 67.0
Swim· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 61.0
Tumble· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 58.0
Use Magic Device· 4 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·10.0 ·105.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Available Points· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Enhancements: 80 APs, Racial 16, Universal 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Half-Elf - Points spent: 16
Core1 Half Elven Versatile Nature
Core2 Elven Dexterity / Human Adaptability I: Human Adaptability: +1 Charisma
Tier1 Improved Dilettante I: Improved Dilettante: Paladin
Tier1 Lyrandar Dragonmark Focus - 3 Ranks
Core3 Elven Accuracy / Human versatility: Skill Boost
Tier2 Lesser Dragonmark of Storm
Tier2 Improved Dilettante II: Improved Dilettante: Paladin
Tier3 Greater Dragonmark of Storm
Tier3 Dilettante Ability Score: +1 Charisma
Tier4 Power of the Storm
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stormsinger - Points spent: 42
Core1 Stormsinger
Tier1 Stormsong I
Tier1 Electrocution - 3 Ranks
Core2 Lightning Strike
Tier2 Stormsong II
Tier2 Efficient Metamagic I: Efficient Maximize - 3 Ranks
Tier2 Fast Movement
Core3 Enhanced Bolt I
Tier3 Charisma I
Tier3 Stormsong III
Tier3 Efficient Metamagic II: Efficient Maximize - 3 Ranks
Tier3 Stormcaller's Aria - 3 Ranks
Core4 Enhanced Bolt II
Tier4 Charisma II
Tier4 Stormsong IV
Core5 Enhanced Bolt III
Tier5 Stormcaller - 3 Ranks
Tier5 Stormsong V
Tier5 Eye of the Storm
Tier5 Horn of Thunder - 3 Ranks
Core6 Master of Storms
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spellsinger - Points spent: 31
Core1 Spellsinger
Tier1 Lingering Songs - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Studies: Magical Studies - 2 Ranks
Tier1 Sonic Blast: Cure Light Wounds - 3 Ranks
Core2 Music of the Sewers
Tier2 Spell Like Ability: Reverberate - 1 Ranks
Tier2 Marigold Crown: Yellow Marigold Crown
Core3 Music of the Dead
Tier3 Shout: Shout - 3 Ranks
Tier3 Spell Song Trance
Tier3 Charisma I
Core4 Music of the Makers
Tier4 Charisma II
Tier4 Song of Arcane Might
Tier4 Frolic
Tier4 Sustaining Song
Core5 Virtuoso
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Falconry - Points spent: 8
Core1 Summon Falcon: Summon Raven
Tier1 Out in Nature - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Rugged - 1 Ranks
Tier2 Action Boost: Sprint - 3 Ranks
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Epic Destinies: 40 APs + 27 permanent Destiny Points
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fatesinger - Points spent: 36
Core1 Fate Singer's Repertoire
Tier1 Harmonic Resonance
Tier1 Tune of the Weave - 2 Ranks
Tier1 Jack of all trades - 3 Ranks
Core2 Intoxicating Presence
Tier2 Master the Acoustics - 3 Ranks
Tier2 The Rhythm to Reign - 3 Ranks
Tier3 The Sonata to Serve - 3 Ranks
Core3 Glitter of Fame
Tier3 The Magic of Music: Enchantment - 3 Ranks
Core4 Hear my Voice Friend
Tier4 Metamagics Attunement: Enlarge
Tier4 Shout it out: Very Very Vocal
Tier4 Resonance of Fate: Arcane Resonance
Tier4 Majesty
Tier5 Cut the Strings
Tier5 Mastering the Strings - 3 Ranks
Tier5 Ballad of the ages
Tier5 Turn the Tide
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Primal Avatar - Points spent: 32
Core1 This is your Nature: Sky
Tier1 Epic Strikes: Storm Catcher
Tier1 Rejuvenation Cocoon
Core2 Now Grow: Heart
Tier2 Spirit Boon: Mind - 2 Ranks
Tier2 Primal Choice: Thunder Snow
Tier2 Thrive
Tier2 Mantle of Nature: Sky - 3 Ranks
Tier3 At it's Core - Upgrade Primal Spell: At Its Core - Sky
Core3 Weathering the Elements
Tier3 Ever Green - 3 Ranks
Tier3 Magic of the Old World: Evocation - 3 Ranks
Tier3 Natural Shielding
Tier3 Shared Mantle
Core4 Regrowth
Tier4 Nature's Blessing
Tier4 Natural Evasion
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Magus of the Eclipse - Points spent: 7
Core1 Touched by the Moon
Tier1 Imperceptible Casting - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Grand Summoner
Core2 Deepening Arcana
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spells· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · School· · · · ·DC
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stormsinger Spells
L1: Color Spray · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Enchantment · ·117
L1: Feather Fall· · · · · · · · · · · · · · Transmutation ·108
L1: Merfolk's Blessing· · · · · · · · · · · Transmutation ·108
L1: Otto's Resistible Dance · · · · · · · · Enchantment · ·117
L1: Sonic Blast · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Evocation · · ·122
L2: Blindness · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Necromancy· · ·108
L2: Glitterdust · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Conjuration · ·108
L2: Hold Person · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Enchantment · ·117
L2: Invisibility· · · · · · · · · · · · · · Illusion· · · ·112
L2: Soundburst· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Evocation · · ·122
L3: Charm Monster · · · · · · · · · · · · · Enchantment · ·117
L3: Cure Serious Wounds · · · · · · · · · · Conjuration · ·108
L3: Displacement· · · · · · · · · · · · · · Illusion· · · ·112
L3: Haste · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Transmutation ·108
L3: Lightning Bolt· · · · · · · · · · · · · Evocation · · ·122
L4: Cure Critical Wounds· · · · · · · · · · Conjuration · ·108
L4: Dimension Door· · · · · · · · · · · · · Conjuration · ·108
L4: Hold Monster· · · · · · · · · · · · · · Enchantment · ·117
L4: Otto's Sphere of Dancing· · · · · · · · Enchantment · ·117
L4: Shout · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Evocation · · ·122
L5: Chain Lightning · · · · · · · · · · · · Evocation · · ·122
L5: Greater Dispel Magic· · · · · · · · · · Abjuration· · ·107
L5: Greater Heroism · · · · · · · · · · · · Enchantment · ·117
L5: Shadow Walk · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Illusion· · · ·112
L5: Suggestion, Mass· · · · · · · · · · · · Enchantment · ·117
L6: Charm Monster, Mass · · · · · · · · · · Enchantment · ·117
L6: Greater Shout · · · · · · · · · · · · · Evocation · · ·122
L6: Heroes' Feast · · · · · · · · · · · · · Conjuration · ·108
L6: Thunderstroke · · · · · · · · · · · · · Evocation · · ·122
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------




You level up as a Spellsinger up to tier 5, then change to Stormsinger t5 at around 16. And at 26 you replace "Enlarge" with "Heighten" at Fred, after you pick up the Fatesinger ability.

Cheers,
NH
 

Scrag

Well-known member
I don't have the +2 universal or any racial points, so I am much curtailed.

My dcs are rocking around 88-92 in reaper (only 26 reaper points).

I just swapped toughness for heighten just now, so I am interested in seeing how that looks like. I took toughness instead of enlarge because of some survival issues in lower epics and in heroics.

Also I grabbed the heal 10% from shout-type spells and that does crazy healing to the party. Seems most useful in all content with more average players like myself without a ton of reaper points doing ~r1.

Otherwise, this build is great!
 

NightHiker

Well-known member
I don't have the +2 universal or any racial points, so I am much curtailed.

My dcs are rocking around 88-92 in reaper (only 26 reaper points).

I just swapped toughness for heighten just now, so I am interested in seeing how that looks like. I took toughness instead of enlarge because of some survival issues in lower epics and in heroics.

Also I grabbed the heal 10% from shout-type spells and that does crazy healing to the party. Seems most useful in all content with more average players like myself without a ton of reaper points doing ~r1.

Otherwise, this build is great!

I'm glad you're having fun, though it's true without racial points, past lives or the hires it loses much of its potency - but it still should be fine for r1-4 (depending if soloing or with a group of similarly powered toons). I'd try to invest the most on the DCs - you should try to get them as close to 100 as possible to have it be reliable enough up to r4s. Working on a sentient weapon will help a lot on thatr regard as well, as you can eventually get 12-13 DCs just from your weapon and artifact combo alone.

I use heighten mostly for soundburst, as it's my usual opener for most fights, since it works on most everything and has a very short cooldown - I find it a very underrated spell few people actually use, and it being a level 2 spell makes it benefit a lot from heighten. But the feat still also helps with getting a couple more points of DC for other assorted CC options as well.

Cheers,
NH
 

Feel

Member
I have macros setup that will cast whatever spell is out of cooldown in that order of preference. That plus the CC spells as needed.

Hey I'm interested in this, how can you make a macro that just repeat itself based on cd? Seems amazing, can you teach?
 

NightHiker

Well-known member
Hey I'm interested in this, how can you make a macro that just repeat itself based on cd? Seems amazing, can you teach?

It usually depends on the hardware combo (keyboard + mouse) you use, since they'll provide the actual amount of configurable buttons/keys, and each brand has their own implementation of "macros". There are general, third party software options, but I never really used them. Right now I'm using a 20 buttons Logitech mouse so I use the Logitech hub software for the macros. But you generally create a profile for DDO on whatever software you're using and then assign keys or combinations of keys to mouse buttons and/or keyboard keys.

So, for example, I have one mouse button as the trigger for my single target rotation, with a macro that presses all the keys for the specific spells in a quick rotation, so the end result is it will cast the first spell it finds that is not on cooldown. So I just click the button (be it for single target, AoE, CC, heals and etc. for each category) once for each spellcast, and it will pick the right spell.

By the way, this kind of setup works for any string of abilities you generally pick from with a fixed priority depending on cooldowns, not just spells - so you can set it up with monk combos, melee active abilities and etc. Your creativity setting up the macros is the limit.

Cheers,
NH
 
Last edited:

Feel

Member
It usually depends on the hardware combo (keyboard + mouse) you use, since they'll provide the actual amount of configurable buttons/keys, and each brand has their own implementation of "macros". There are general, third party software options, but I never really used them. Right now I'm using a 20 buttons Logitech mouse so I use the Logitech hub software for the macros. But you generally create a profile for DDO on whatever software you're using and then assign keys or combinations of keys to mouse buttons and/or keyboard keys.

So, for example, I have one mouse button as the trigger for my single target rotation, with a macro that presses all the keys for the specific spells in a quick rotation, so the end result is it will cast the first spell it finds that is not on cooldown. So I just click the button (be it for single target, AoE, CC, heals and etc. for each category) once for each spellcast, and it will pick the right spell.

By the way, this kinda of setup works for any string of abilities you generally pick from with a fixed priority depending on cooldowns, not just spells - so you can set it up with monk combos, melee active abilities and etc. Your creativity setting up the macros is the limit.

Cheers,
NH

LOL now I get it, so you just spam 1 button per all slot, interesting dinamic, thanks for sharing.
 

NightHiker

Well-known member
LOL now I get it, so you just spam 1 button per all slot, interesting dinamic, thanks for sharing.

Yep. Since for DPS or healing, for example, I'll always want to cast the best spell available, it works great. So the first time I press the AoE button, for example, it will cast whatever the first spell is. When I press it again, since the first one will still be on cooldown, that key press will be ignored by the game and it will go to the second, and so on. Since the whole key pressing rotation is faster than the casting animation, this way I'll be always casting something as soon as it's off cooldown, with no downtime. It's much faster than I can click on specific buttons on the interface or press specific keys. I only go for a specific spell when I need only that one to be cast and no other.

Cheers,
NH
 

RobShow

Active member
Yep. Since for DPS or healing, for example, I'll always want to cast the best spell available, it works great. So the first time I press the AoE button, for example, it will cast whatever the first spell is. When I press it again, since the first one will still be on cooldown, that key press will be ignored by the game and it will go to the second, and so on. Since the whole key pressing rotation is faster than the casting animation, this way I'll be always casting something as soon as it's off cooldown, with no downtime. It's much faster than I can click on specific buttons on the interface or press specific keys. I only go for a specific spell when I need only that one to be cast and no other.

Cheers,
NH
Do you have any FPS losses when using Macros?
 

NightHiker

Well-known member
Do you have any FPS losses when using Macros?

I have not noticed any impact on performance, but my PC can run the game at upwards of 130 fps with everything maxed, so I might not have noticed it even if there was some impact.

More than video performance, though, a more likely hit would be in the client-server communication, considering I'm sending more commands per second (getting the whole rotation clicked in rapid sucession instead of just one button), but it doesn't seem like enough of a hit, since I still set it up so I need to press the mouse button at least once for it to trigger one cast, so there's still some relief in between macro triggers - maybe if you set it up on toggle, wich would leave it on indefinitely, with dozens or hundreds of clicks per second, then it might have a bigger impact, but that's not adviseable as you would probably waste casts until you can turn it off after combat anyways.

The macro is more for not wasting time and as many cognitive resources trying to pick which spell to cast and reaching the proper buttons/keys, while managing both the specific spells' and general casting's animations/cooldowns.

Cheers,
NH
 

NightHiker

Well-known member
Hey, folks... Just adding another vid with gameplay of the build running Grimm & Barret on r10:


As I mentioned in the video description, it was not a completely clean run because I got a bit too cocky there in the end and thought I was gonna be able to finish the boss off before he could cast his next Divine Wrath, so I didn't bother to move. But I miscalculated by less than a second and got killed right as I was casting the last spell to finish him off - which my DoTs did anyways.

Cheers,
NH
 
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