What is better enhancement for Wizard?

[Bossman]

What enhancements are better for deep gnome wizard that wants to emphasize dc-casting: Palemaster T5 or Archmage T5?

PRO:

Palemaster T5 ability Necromatic focus provides +1 DC costing 2 ap.

Archmage T5 has two DC boosts: (i) School Mastery II provides +1 DC to school of choice, costing 2 ap, and (ii) Secondary School Mastery provides +1 DC to additional school, costing 2 ap.

So, seems that Archmage T5 provides more DC boosts, if you have enough action points. Am I missing something?

CON:

Action point cost is an important factor, because I want to use PM capstone. PM capstone requires 41 ap, and Archmage T5s would require 37 ap. This leaves only 2 left over, which means I cannot invest in deep gnome racial tree to get Phantasmal Killer.

However, if I invest in deep gnome racial tree, and do not attempt archmage T5, I can them invest in deep gnome to get PK, +3 illusion dc, and +2 intelligence from deep gnome.

Also, there is a trade off between Necrotic Blast (Palemaster T5) versus Arcane Blast (Archmage T5). I like necrotic blast alot, but haven't used arcane blast so not sure if it is as powerful. Also, Arcane Blast uses force spell power, which would be an additional thing to equip.

Would appreciate any thoughts.

 

[rikkitikki]

The issue that I always have is how are you planning on taking the capstone in PM without the T5's. I know it is possible but you need to put 40 points in the tree. So you might end up having to put in filler points into the PM tree to get the 40 points.

By investing into the T5 palemaster you may utilize less filler points.

 

[Oliphant]

Not sure. I would strongly consider also Feydark Illusionist. I used to mix it with EK on a DC focused build but not sure if they changed the details in the last couple years.

 

[DDO Gaming]

What enhancements are better for deep gnome wizard that wants to emphasize dc-casting: Palemaster T5 or Archmage T5?

wizard is one of the more difficult classes to play because you really need to understand the options and particularly HOW you want to play wizard. I note you want to use phantasmal killer so you should focus on developing your illusion DC (is that a thing?) whilst recalling illusion isn't a well developed enhancement. feydark does exist but I have no personal experience using it so I can't comment on it effectiveness

 

[DDO Gaming]

perhaps you should play sorceror first since its a more specialist caster class to gain a better understanding of casters

 

[Jasparius]

I love Arcane and its great up to 20, but beyond that Necro really is just ahead.

As Rikkitikki above said, you can go for Necro capstone with Arcane T5 but there are a lot of fillers.

 

[Bliv]

Feydark T5 and capstone. Archmage T4.

Illusionist all the way.

With work, you can get your DCs way up.

That's the best DC wizard I've played by far. Nothing gets even close.

You'll never be top dps going this route. But you can be relevant if you build it right.

You can rock close to 1100 force spell power.

Go Shadowdancer T5 and Shiradi stance. Primal Avatar as 3rd epic destiny.

 

[Jasparius]

Feydark T5 and capstone. Archmage T4.

Illusionist all the way.

With work, you can get your DCs way up.

That's the best DC wizard I've played by far. Nothing gets even close.

What is the DPS like ? Is it more for group play rather than solo?

Ive never even looked at the Feydark tree.

 

[Bliv]

Whoever goes wizard chooses to go for steady and slow.

On my main, I can solo a lot of high-reaper stuff on a DC wizard.

A lot of people underestimate them, yet it's my favorite class by far.

You give up speed, burst and zerg for control and steadiness. Which is my favorite playstyle.

 

[Hireling]

I always do Warforged when I play WIZ and I never do PM.
I think Bliv's suggestion is rock solid though, esp with Gnome or Deep Gnome.
Primal Avatar let's you get lots of temporary spell points in case it's not obvious why he suggested that.

 

[Bliv]

Temporary HPs too.

With Cocoon and Shard Storm, you get a ton.
Improved protection from elements.
+2 intelligence.

Between Shadowdancer, Shiradi and Primal Avatar, you can get +3 DC to illusion, enchantment, conjuration (which is what you should go for.)

 

[Bliv]

If you haven't given Fey Lights + Fey Flash + Fey Flare a go, try it out.

It's insane good.

 

[Kutalp]

Palemaster goes solid through Heroics. Even if you dont fully focus at Necro and full tree but mostly at Skeleton and Wraith and enough Negative heals.

If you seek the top fun it is mix of Palemaster and Archmage. Pick the school which lets you have more fun at Archmage side.


If you are a pragmatic gamer and accept the fact that the company is still not upgrading the Wizard at it is, Palemaster/Eldricht Knight with additional Physical combat feats spent. Less feel of caster gameplay (more boring) but you will allways have saved SP whenever you need to burst.

Some Harper dip if you wish to.


Feydark is good if you wish to play around Feydark heavy; rinse and repeat allmost the same Slas (mostly) and if you dont mind many of those tree bonuses for blades are meant to be for Charisma based classes. Specifically Sorcerer with Illusion focus.




A solid update for Wizard and variants would make the game alot more fun for sure. Casters but especially Wizard is top fun since you have many type of spells to play around even though the restrictions are too harsh; Spell points and utility wise; when all other classes have got alot more freedom at gameplay.

 

[Bliv]

Everything you say there Kutalp is true and good advice. Palemaster is a lot easier to master.

But I do have to correct you on one thing: Feydark is not meant for Charisma-based classes only.

On my main and my main build (DC wizard), I disregard everything that requires charisma.

And if you look at it closely it's not much: cha to hit/dmg, illusory weapons.

Everything else works just as fine with int, wis or cha.

 

[Kutalp]

For sure, that is what I meant.

 

[Jasparius]

Everything you say there Kutalp is true and good advice. Palemaster is a lot easier to master.

But I do have to correct you on one thing: Feydark is not meant for Charisma-based classes only.

On my main and my main build (DC wizard), I disregard everything that requires charisma.

And if you look at it closely it's not much: cha to hit/dmg, illusory weapons.

Everything else works just as fine with int, wis or cha.

Are the ranged illusionary weapons any good? Or just stick to spells?

 

[Bliv]

The SLAs? They're good enough.

You'll use them a lot on heroic and early epic. But at endgame, they end up being added dps for cheap.

You will still use them this said. They hit for 2-3k easy.

 

[vik]

If you haven't given Fey Lights + Fey Flash + Fey Flare a go, try it out.

It's insane good.

Interesting, I've never tried Shiradi or that epic strike. That looks like it would pair really well with BoGW for CC. Do you go T5 Shiradi for this build? What would your point distribution look like for Shadowdancer and Primal?

 

[Bliv]

Shadowdancer T5 for Weird. It's a must.
Shadow Mastery also works wonders to say alive on R8+ or reaper raids. Even more so if you pair it with Master Illusionist.
Shiradi T4.
Primal Avatar T3.

 

[vik]

Which mantle do you run? Primal?