dgray62

I would definitely master DAoM when reaching level 13. My question is, which second level spell would be best to master at level 11. My inclination would be to go for an offensive spell like Combusting Wounds (which is fixed in 3.05, right?) or Concelhaut's Corrosive Siphon. But if you can really top of your health by casting Vit Essence at the end of a battle (I haven't tried this, but I recall reading this in one of the forums), it seems like it would be indispensable, especially if you are using spells or abilities that drain endurance, such as DAoM or Dangerous Implements.

Thanks for the tips, Boeroer. I seem to recall that in another thread you indicated that casting Infuse With Vital Essence at the end of a battle can help ameliorate the health issue. It seems like it would be a great candidate for Spell Mastery. How does the following stat spread look for a wizard that typically start out a battle in the back row, but wade in after buffing up for more challenging battles: 15/8/10/18/19/8? I am reluctant to go below 8 for CON and RES for a character that would be on the front lines. Higher DEX would be nice, as discussed above, but I figure that once I have DAoM this would not be a problem, and it seems that having higher PER would be more important overall. I want MIG to be high, but there are so many ways to boost MIG it seems that 15 would be fine. I don't want to skimp on INT, as I'd like the Blast range and buff durations to be as large as possible.

I have never played a melee wizard, only the back row wood elf ranged types. I am very intrigued by this idea, and the Citzal spells sound extremely powerful. But I am reluctant to pursue this build as it sounds like you would have to rest extremely often. Arcane veil, if remember correctly, is only two uses per rest, and you never get the Citzal spells per encounter, right? Do you save this combo for the tougher fights? Otherwise, it seems you'd have to rest very often. Any tips on how to play melee wizards would be greatly appreciated.

I always like giving my Bleak Walker paladin the Black Path. With high intelligence, you'll Frighten a wide range of enemies, lowering their accuracy, attack speed, deflection, will and concentration, making them easier to hit and kill. This might be more useful than Critical Focus; the 5% hit to crit boost seems rather weak for a talent.

Actually, I believe that the game starts on day 18, but it is typically day 19 or 20 when you reach Gilded Vale, depending on whether you rest or not. I usually go straight to Gilded Vale without resting and then rest in the Inn to progress the storyline, and then loot the chest upstairs to get Rymrgand's Mantle, which is so useful for your tank when you reach Caed Nua. Then I go back to Valewood to get the Torc of the Falcon's Eyes on day 20, which is also very useful early in the game.

I've recently encountered a strange anomaly with the random loot cycling. I am playing 3.02 on a Mac with WM1 & 2 installed, and I've been playing for months with the random loot cycling normally as has been reported. Over the past week, however, on new games I am not getting the loot one would expect in the day and place as reported in the tables. I am sometimes getting loot that isn't even on the cycle at all for a specific location. For example, I am now getting the Amulet of Health at the hidden stash by the exit to level 2 in the Endless Paths of Od Nua level on day 4, rather than the expected Minor Ring of Deflection. I also received the Shimmering Cloak on the altar in the Copperlane catacombs on day 7 instead of Nature's Embrace. Neither of these items are on the lists for either site. I haven't updated my game; I have no idea why this change has occurred. I have recently started playing on Hard rather than Normal difficulty, but this should not be the cause of the change, as I have played on Hard once with no change at all in the random loot cycling. [Note: I upgraded to 3.03 and the problem seems to be resolved.]

Thanks for the clarification, Boeroer. I can see how Novice's Suffering and Spiritshift would be overpowered.

Also, would it make sense to take Novice's suffering with this build? If so, would this boost the attack ACC and damage while Spiritshifted?

Thank you for this excellent build. I have never played a druid before, but this makes me want to try one out. I was wondering, however, since this build focuses on a one-handed weapon and shield, what is the point in taking the two-weapon style talent? Wouldn't it make more sense to take the weapon and shield style talent instead?

Thanks, Boeroer. I can see that ACC is not a problem when using Flames of Devotion. But I am concerned that the miss rate of auto attacks would be high, since Savage Attack ACC penalty would basically negate the bonus from Zealous Focus. I wonder if it would make sense to take Weapon Focus at lvl 6, Two Weapon Style at lvl 8, and delay taking Savage Attack?

Many thanks for this excellent build. I have never tried an "evil character" and thought a bleak walker build such as this would be an excellent one to try out. I had one question, however. Given the nature of this build, wouldn't it make sense to pick the Weapon Focus: Ruffian talent? I see that it could be selected at level 16, but I imagine that is you went this long without it there'd be no need for it. Is this in fact the case? Do Paladins pick up enough of a bonus to accuracy from other talents and skills so that they don't need Weapon focus or high perception?