BFM Class Distribution

[TJ]

I'm not sure if this has been discussed recently, but I'm looking to bring my BFM back from the dead as soon as I get a chance to play more, and there have been a lot of changes since I last played so it is going to need reincarnation...

On to my question. Why are there no builds that go 30/10 Sorc/RDD? Why is there always one level of Pally splashed? I know it increases your saves drastically, but there are plenty of pure sorcs, so why no pure BFMs?

TJ

[tagnusd]

One extra benefit of the paladin splash for BFMs is that they can wear medium armor and cast with no spell failure. A sorc with pally splash can't do that unless they take the autostill feats. THis gives better immunities, still get displacement conceal, and can wear the uro or mala sorc armor.

[chirality]

I have zero experience with XSM but my guess is that it's just too good to miss out on, basically. As tagnusd says you get free armor prof, plus the saves, plus pal level. I think for a true sorc it's a much closer decision in terms of value over pure vs. splash but with XSM seems to good to pass up. Again just my guess and could be well off or much more to the story.

[fallenwizard]

XSM, thats a new term for me, BFM/DSM = XSM, interesting, not too logical thou.

Anyways, back in days before the greatnerf, I ran 29/1/10 bfm an 30/10 dsm, BFM had somewhere around 134 AC and reasonable imms, DSM had 120 AC and low imms, but a bit higher conceal, the 10% you lose from EV on a DSM really hurts the overall defences, actually often even more than 10%, since legendary illusion isnt that common, usually tops epic focus for starfire/reasonable GV duration.

Offencively there's difference of 2 SP, which can be significant. When I was new, I really liked the sturdiness of BFM, when I learnt more of the server and obtained better gear, I preferred the offenciveness of a DSM.

Anyways, it all comes down to preferred playstyle, play like a squishy or play like a off-tank.

Also must say that I've liked what I've seen Mish's BFM tank doing. I think that paragon feats/stats really helps them out (semi-caster quasis).

[desocupado]

Well, a CL 60 Dragon Mage gets +2 spell penetration and a stoneskin +15. (and non dragon spells at CL 50, which may also improve, like EV)

But these benefits are quite marginal when compared to what a pure sorcerer would get (auto-channeling & free spell choices) or what a Paladin level offers (armor proficiency feats and save).

However I must point out that Thid's/abyss sorcerer helm is a nice perk for Sorc 30+ builds (at least thid's one has +20 Deflection AC, on top of some spell slots)


For BFM, divine grace is quite helpful when using Combust and Detonate, as these are melee range spells, making you bound to run into some save roll.
I've seen Mish's BFM, it's quite good. I've seen in Nessus where it outdamaged everyone else using spells as a backup when they were more effective.
I'd say Cata's build (Tankish BFM caster) is quite nice as well, Paragon levels helped it a lot, as one can get regular DC using paragon feats for Great Charisma and the Fear aura (not to mention the amazing Wing Buffet).

For DSM, I've played mostly in pre-hells (I reincarnated when I realized a regular sorcerer would be superior choice, due versatility)