Enchantress - Sorcerer 40

[desocupado]

Changelog:
v2 - Removed a few low level damage spells - for Mage armor (Balor ac+9), Expeditious Retreat, Confusion
v1 - Previous build with Shocking Grasp, Corrosive Grasp and Ice Storm


Well this is my current Sorcerer build, basically it packs more instant killing spells than other similar Radiance Genasi builds and has proven to be useful in any area of the mod, and helpful in almost any party composition, so first on the overview:

Overview:

• PSF Enchantment Necromancy Transmutation and Spell penetration. PSK Enchantment.
  
• LSF Illusion and Greater Ruin (Illusion has to wait till Paragon levels for LSF, but mind fog makes up for the DC easily)
  
• Almost no elemental damage (No evocation/conjuration or Karsus)
  
• Used to have Decent Physical and Exotic damage (Reverse Gravity, Flensing, Evaard's tentacles, Vortex of Teeth, Rebuke, Horrid Wilting, Finger of Death and Superior Balor) //Nerfed spells
  
• Has a handy Spell for nearly every enemy and almost all arcane instant killers (lacking sunburst and gust) - need a Symbul's EGO for best effect
  
• High party utility: GMW+15 Keen, Displacement, Mind Fog, Flame Weapon, Shock Weapon, Remove Curse, break Enchantment and Clarity. Also packs the Epics: Death of Magic, Transmutate Barrier and Starfire. Another useful factor is the Paragon Spell "Otiluke's Refracting Field" granting the party 50% kickback damage reduction for 6 turns.
  
• Packs several enemy disable spells: Sleep, Slow, Confusion, Mass Blindness and Deafness, Antipathy and Dominate Monster
  

Requirement

• Radiance Genasi
  

Recommended items

• Symbul's Ego (for gust of Wind, Evaard's Tentacles, Banishment and PWK)
  
• Charisma Artifact
  
• Time stop/BBoD Wands/Gear
  
• Immunity gear fo Silence (to replace Vocalize) and Amnesia
  
• Soul Jar (For better use of Energy Drain)
  
• FoM 45+ on some item (to remove Expeditious Retreat)
  

Stats
Str 08 -2/subrace
Dex 14 +2/subrace
Con 14 +2/subrace
Int 10 +2/subrace
Wis 08
Cha 18 +6/subrace +2/artifact +20/level +10/feats +2/paragon +4/Demigod


Feat selection // Total: 7+7+7 +6/epic_sorcerer +1/human +3/subrace +3/tome = 34 (at 60)

16 - LSFx4 Pen Nec Trans Enchant
3 ESFx1 Illusion (tome)
10 Chax10
5 Misc: Silence Empower Maximize Ruin Extra-9th

Paragon feats
3 PSF Necromancy Trans Enchantment
1 PSK Enchantment
1 LSF Illusion
1 Para Spell Penetration

Spell Selection - Use the spell in parenthesis if you don't have gear to substitute them

[1] Endure Elements - Protection from Alignment - Mage Armor - Grease - Sleep - Expeditious Retreat
[2] Darkness - Vocalize - Ghostly Visage - Combust - Flame Weapon - Shock Weapon
[3] Keen - Greater Magic Weapon - Clarity - Displacement - Slow
[4] Evaard's black tentacles - Confusion - Bestow Curse - Remove curse - Vortex of Teeth
[5] Flensing - Mind Fog - Energy Buffer - Lesser Spell Mantle - Break Enchantment
[6] Circle of Death - Ethereal Visage - Undeath to Death - Disintegrate
[7] Banishment - Rebuke - Reverse Gravity - Finger of Death
[8] Mass Charm (Premonition) - Antipathy - Mass Blind/Deafness - Horrid Wilting
[9] Mordenkein's Disjunction - Powerword Kill - Energy Drain - Weird - Dominate Monster.

Choosen Enchantment School spells overview
Since this is the greatest difference between this and a cookie cutter sorcerer (they get Evocation school instead and are fearsome damage dealers, especially for bosses) I'll review the spells:

• Sleep (1)- This spell can disable Abyssal ants (use Mind fog to increase the DC)
  
• Charm Person (1?) - This spell actually causes daze can be use on Lemures and perhaps some other targets.
  
• Greater Magic Weapon (3) Grants +15 enhancement bonus, allowing you to buff all secondary weapons for everyone in party, unlike the a Cleric's IoF
  
• Confusion (4) - Some mobs that can be dominated can also be confused (allowing you to get a few extra "tanks")
  
• Mind Fog (5) - This spell is really strong, for yourself, it improves the success of Vortex of Teeth, Weird, Mass Blind/Deafness, Antipathy and Rebuke. For the other party members, it's most notable effect is on Turning.
  
• Antipathy (8) - This spell has a nasty side effect of making enemies run away, but can be used to disable nasty foes like Fummes, saving the party form a lot of Vulnerability inflection.
  
• Mass Blindness/Deafness (8) - This spell ignores SR, making it land on some interesting foes. While many enemies have Listen 60, it is unlikely that all of them also have blind fight. Also, this spell should be able to shutdown gaze attacks. Avoid using this spell before curse song is used (and refrain from using it if persuade/taunt would be more beneficial)
  
• Mass Charm (8) - Deals area wide Daze, affects Orthons, Ice Fiends (?) and some other targets. It`s a good spell for Hive.
  
• Rebuke(8) - This spell allows you to kill some enemies that Weird can't. Helions and lots of critters in abyss being to prime examples. Can also be empowered for noticeable Magic damage. Abyssal Drake and Babau are notable targets for it.
  
• Dominate Monster (9) - This spell can be set to either control (like Charm Animal or the Cleric Evocation Epic) or Maze (like a forcecage) - very useful and a good replacement for Bigby Crushing Hand, since the mazed enemy doesn't produce KB.
  
• Ensnare True Denizen (epic spell) - The Superior Balor is a powerful tank, and is responsible for between 20% to 50% of your damage - dealing 10-12d6 Fire, Divine and Positive damage with 2 weapons and buff-able with Keen, Flame weapon. Use Displacement to give it concealment for more durability. Lasts CL/2 rounds
  
• Otiluke's Refracting Field (Paragon Spell) - A very underrated spell, providing 50% kickback damage for the party for 6 turns - under it's effects even Lemorian Screams, Jovoc and, perhaps, Machines are safe to beat (as long as the party watches vulnerability infliction).
  

Damage Spell usage

• Maximized Flensing - put it on any tough target ASSAP (unless slash immune)
  
• Maximized Vortex of Teeth - Damage soup for about any target - mind fog ensures good DC
  
• Maximized Evaard's Tentacles - with symbul's + curse song it land well enough. cast as soon as area/party kickback mobs are down (or if PSK Enchant is up)
  
• Empower Reverse Gravity / Regular Reverse Gravity (use the regular one to save up level 9 slots) - this is the signature damage spell
  
• Combust can provide Fire damage
  

Help I need
1 - Evaluate the real use of the missing spells for the build
2 - Improve spell selection

[Vichya]

I'd consider PSK enchantment optional. It could be replaced by another spell known feat or another paragon spell depending on how you play your mage.

One thing you should mention is that in order to do damage this kind of sorcerer relies on having a lot of level 9 spells for empowered reverse gravities, far more than other sorcerers who have evocation spells.

As for spells:

Level 1: I'd take Sleep. At least it has a use unlike Shocking Grasp and Corrosive Grasp which I don't think you will cast often
Level 3: Clarity can be useful, as some effect can't be cured with the store bought rod.
Level 4: Replace Ice Storm by Remove Curse, so you can help other people. Fear is another occasionally useful spell against some mobs.
Level 5: Replace Wrack with Break Enchantment. Wrack is surely a nice spell and I used to have it with my DC mage but I rarely ever use it.
Level 9: I think that Dominate Monster - as you already pointed out - is better than Bigby on that level.

[desocupado]

Thanks for the help Vichya.

Level 1
Well, the grasps are actually midly useful for damage (they cover Acid Elec, while Combust and Ice Storm cover Fire and Cold respectively) - I might replace ER with FoM from gear (as it grants additional defenses) and then pick Sleep instead. Heck, the low DC grease is easily outclassed by Reverse Gravity + Slow.
By the way, any good target for Sleep at hells/abyss?

Level 3
Well, Clarity seems a good option, given I don't have extend spell, maybe I could drop Displacement (I'm really fond of Slow). Heck, even Gust since my DC is bad and I'm wielding the Fan of Fates.

Level 4
Interesting options. Won't Antipathy get most fear targets anyway? Do I really need Enervation? (I very rarely see myself using it instead of ED)

Level 5
Done. I never land a wrack when it's still relevant anyway, and the time is betetr spent on Evaard's/Vortex/Reverse Gravity.

Level 9
Done too. I hope I can use dominate monster to disable mages (that I could insta kill anyway, nvm )

PSK
Well the feat is the whole point of the build, 50% KB is really good, and Superior Balor really needs the second casting to keep up with dps and occasional deaths.

[Vichya]

Dec 24, 2012 15:41:48 GMT desocupado said:

By the way, any good target for Sleep at hells/abyss?

Abyssal Ant Swarms

Dec 24, 2012 15:41:48 GMT desocupado said:

Interesting options. Won't Antipathy get most fear targets anyway? Do I really need Enervation? (I very rarely see myself using it instead of ED)

Yes, antipathy will probably get them too. Enervate can be useful to drain mobs if you want to save level 9 spells, e.g. you can use just one ED, then continue with enervates. But I also rarely use it.

[chirality]

Dec 24, 2012 15:41:48 GMT desocupado said:

T Heck, the low DC grease is easily outclassed

I find grease to be amazing due to ignoring SR, but I guess if you have the slots to toss around Slows and the DC to have em stick then that works.

I don't see why you would drop Grease for Sleep and yet retain both Shocking and Corrosive Grasp. Grease is like evard, spam it on everything just for the hell of it...the grasp spells on the other hand seem absolutely 100% worthless to me...have never used one a single time and cannot think of any situation I ever would (miscalculated ring rests on Furrow and desperate to clear those damn mobs by level 1 spell? ).

Anyway just my thought on that for spell selection. Fear is cool too.

[desocupado]

Yeah, grease is, perhaps, the best level 1 spell. but with lower DC (no Conjuration focus) it's just an area movement speed debuff.
Well, given I want at least some minor elemental damage option, 2 options occur me:
-Leave grease for druids (who have nothing to spend level 1 slots anyway - and tend to have ESF Conjuration)
-Drop Expeditious Retreat and rely on FoM 45+ gear.

By the way, between Mass Blindness and Deafness and Mass Charm (getting the opposite single target version instead of Vocalize) which is best?

• Mass Blindness/Deafness - Ignores SR - tends to reduce both defensive and offensive ability of the enemies.
  
• Mass Charm - Causes dazes, rendering vulnerable targets completely disabled.
  

Also, can Gust from items kill fumme-like foes? (I'm thinking about Fan of Fates)
Could I just swap Gust for Clarity and use Antipathy instead on the gust foes? (Cleric should implode them anyway)

Dec 25, 2012 5:54:54 GMT chirality said:

Anyway just my thought on that for spell selection. Fear is cool too.

Well, the issue is: Bards are way better with fear than Sorcerers (Perform grants 1-6 DC). Also, which spell to drop?

[chirality]

Not sure about the "gusts from items" killing mobs, I have heard yes and no on that, obviously it depends on the CL of the item in question and the minimum CL necessary to kill the mob in question vai gusting. I have heard various reports as to what the minimum CL is for a given mob but would love to hear from someone who knows for certain. I've tried Hurricane ring a few times but I could never tell if the CL is high enough because the DC is just so low in the first place. I would imagine the same goes for the Fan but have never seen one let alone use it so, shrug. I think though that the items with Gust seem best used to clear narz cloud etc. not trying to actually insta anything because you'll likely be fishing for 1s. Probably not even worth the actions in combat in the first place but then again I could be wrong.

No idea for the Charm vs. Blind/Deaf thing. Shrug. Wouldn't you be trying to insta anything that could be dazed anyway?

As for Fear, sure your DC won't be amazing but erm, well it will definitely be a lot better than your Gusts

Probably not worth to bother with Fear, Gust I would keep if possible just because, but not to drop Clarity to keep, Clarity is real important imo.

As for Exp Ret vs. FoM gear..shrug personal preference I think...coming down to a bit of extra speed...well for some runs you'd have FoM on anyway....

Edit:

Dec 25, 2012 12:03:37 GMT desocupado said:

use Antipathy instead on the gust foes? (Cleric should implode them anyway)

Well, not sure about Antipathy being used to cover Gust. Or is that what you meant? I don't get it...I don't remember Antipathy producing a gust effect when I messed with it. But yeah regardless plode will land better than no-foci Gusts.

Blind/Deaf vs. Charm, well with more thought I still don't know...really depends...mass daze could be really useful I guess but blind/deaf is pretty versatile as well I suppose, with being able to negate gaze attacks, diminish offense, and ignoring SR. Both sound good I guess, I just have never played a build that used either so it's hard for me to picture a spawn in which I'd use one...maybe could see Mass Charm in PoP with certain spawns etc. Or maybe...um 2 non-para Orthons and cleric already has a bee dommed?

All joking aside though, yeah I have no useful input for that question.

[desocupado]

Dec 25, 2012 17:33:40 GMT chirality said:

Dec 25, 2012 12:03:37 GMT desocupado said:

use Antipathy instead on the gust foes? (Cleric should implode them anyway)

Well, not sure about Antipathy being used to cover Gust. Or is that what you meant? I don't get it...I don't remember Antipathy producing a gust effect when I messed with it. But yeah regardless plode will land better than no-foci Gusts.

Most (if not all) Gust fodder mobs are turnable (elemental), thus targets for Antipathy

Dec 25, 2012 17:33:40 GMT chirality said:

Blind/Deaf vs. Charm, well with more thought I still don't know...really depends...mass daze could be really useful I guess but blind/deaf is pretty versatile as well I suppose, with being able to negate gaze attacks, diminish offense, and ignoring SR. Both sound good I guess, I just have never played a build that used either so it's hard for me to picture a spawn in which I'd use one...maybe could see Mass Charm in PoP with certain spawns etc. Or maybe...um 2 non-para Orthons and cleric already has a bee dommed?

All joking aside though, yeah I have no useful input for that question.

I see... Well I'm thinking about dropping Premonition for Mass Charm (I'm wearing Styxwalkers with 5 times per day Epic Warding that is way better than Premo's 50/+15 Soak)

Ahh, I could also Dom Orthon with my level 9 spell, no?



What about Confusion? anyone has any insight of it's value?

[chirality]

Ah of course good point, did not think of that...are even Sunbeams elementals? Guess it makes sense...well that sounds good, if you can't insta it at least controlling the spawn is something.

[simpetar]

Deafened mob cannot be cursed, blinded mob is immune to gaze attacks (basilisk, medusa and the like) and Eyebite. Mass charm is the n.1 crowd control spell if you ever intend to solo Hive: you daze them and your Happy Fluffy Balor of Carnage nukes them.

[chirality]

Hm, very good points to consider! I hadn't thought about the potential downsides to certain "desirable" conditions for mobs.

This is some tasty food for thought indeed...wonder about intentionally deafening yourself till curse songs are used up for certain runs with such spawns...maybe could figure out a low-hassle way...

[desocupado]

Well you can always use Blind/Deaf after mobs are cursed - But i`ll add these hints notes to the spell list.

[chirality]

Dec 25, 2012 12:03:37 GMT desocupado said:

can Gust from items kill fumme-like foes? (I'm thinking about Fan of Fates)

Update: Well a friend just told me in passing conversation that he used Hurricane ring to kill a mob (he said he thinks Blood Wind, he's not sure though) in Abyss (I think Zio although didn't ask). I asked what it rolled and he said a 1 so...

He did say it was morded and prayer and bt and even then took forever fishing for a 1.

So I'm not sure what to make of it but meh I think Antipathy would probably just be the way to go

[tagnusd]

You can gust the fumes in uro, phleg and abyss but unless you have the focus you will be fishing for 1's. I remember gusting 3 or 4 fumes in phleg with my bfm once, but that was a lucky rollin day!

[desocupado]

I was toying a bit with Enchantment schools and might have found a way to make a reasonable area damage Sorcerer variant:

Area Damage Variant

School choice:
PSK: Evocation - Lot's of AoE Damage spells and Karsus - the core of damage spells
PSK: Enchantment - The point of the whole build - PSK has great synergy with Evocation as you and the party can ignore most kickback damage and Summon is great for farming oinos
PSF: Necromancy - Handy Epic - CoD and ED are solid spells for any arcane
ESF: Divination - for power word kill mostly (and contigency for farming oinos)

Spell choices
[1] Endure Elements - Protection from Alignment - Sleep - Mage Armor - Grease - Expeditious Retreat
[2] Darkness/Vocalize - Ghostly Visage (maybe too weak?) - Cloud of Bewilderment - Web - Flame Weapon - Shock Weapon
[3] Gust of Wind - Greater Magic Weapon - Clarity - Fireball - Hold Person
[4] Evaard's black tentacles - Confusion - Remove curse - Charm Person - Bestow Curse/Vortex of Teeth/Enervation
[5] Mind Fog - Energy Buffer - Lesser Spell Mantle - Vitriolic Sphere - Break Enchantment/Feeblemind (is it useful enough after Mind Fog?)
[6] Circle of Death - Ethereal Visage - Freezing Sphere - Chain Lightning
[7] Bigby's grasping hand/Prismatic Spray - Rebuke - Thunderclap - Delayed Fireball
[8] Premonition - Antipathy - Bigby's Clenched fist - Sunburst/Horrid Wilting
[9] Mordenkein's Disjunction - Meteor Swarm - Energy Drain - Dominate Monster - PWK

Pros:

• Adequate area damage for most enemies in all 5 elements (but low AB Evaard's black tentacles)
  
• Exotic damage spells cover Divine (Meteor Swarm) and Magic (Rebuke) and maybe Positive (Prismatic Spray)
  
• Physical cover Slashing (Flensing) Bludgeoning (Evaard's and Bigby's Clenched fist )
  
• Doesn't require a Symbul's / GSF Div item to use PWK effectively
  

Cons:

• No transmutation means losing: Reverse Gravity, Flensing, Slow, Bestow Curse, Keen, Disintegrate and Epic Wall
  
• No Illusion means less concealment, worst Ghostly Visage, no Weird and terrible Vortex of Teeth and no Starfire
  
• Necromancy loses UTD and Finger of Death due need of spending several slots on Evocation spells

Race Human

Subrace Radiance Genasi

Starting stats

Str 08 -2/subrace

Dex 14 +2/subrace

Con 10 +2/subrace

Int 14 +2/subrace

Wis 08

Cha 18 +6/subrace

Feat order

1 SF Evoc GSF Evocation

3 SF Necromancy

6 GSF Necromancy

9 Spell Penetration

12 Greater Spell Penetration

15 SF Enchantment

18 GSF Enchantment

21-40 Get ESF  Evocation Necromancy Spell Penetration Enchantment and Great Cha IX

41 - read spell tome // recommendation Divination for oinos farming

42 - Leg spell Penetration

45 - LSF Necromancy

48 - LSF Evocation

51 - LSF Enchantment

54 - Great Cha X

57 - Extra known spell IX 

60 - Open (LSF in the tome school or extra known spell VII or Greater ruin) //Or empower spell if you aren't a Radiance Genasi for some reason 

63 PSF Evocation

66 PSK Evocation

69 PSF Enchantment

72 PSK Enchantment

75 Paragon Spell Penetration

78 PSF Necromancy

Skills: 2 +2/int +1/exta int +1/human

Concentration 63

Lore 63

Tumble 31 (cross class)

Spell Craft 50 // Only if intending to pick Greater Ruin

Craft Armor 63

Parry - left overs