Trying to wrap my head around the Wizard

[Malkosha]

I've read the forum posts at least 6 or 7 pages deep and I think I have a good idea what a Wizard can do ... in theory that is. I started one and got him to level 18 and while a friend told me that playing a Wizard is an exercise in easy mode, I found there is a little more to it than just root and nuke. I imagine anyone could play one but to be GOOD at playing one is something else altogether. I like it. I've also played quite a few other classes, my favorites being an Assassin and a Brigand. Both have to do more than just press the same sequence of buttons in a row and like the Wizard, their strategy's change from moment to moment. I love to play solo. Its not that I don't always have the time, its just that I tend to socialize in other ways than teaming up to kill stuff. When I do group there is very little conversation and its more like follow the leader. Who knows ... maybe its just me but I like to solo. Of the classes I've played, I'm looking for a class than can solo ... well ... solo content. The problem of course is that quite a few solo quests end up with a Heroic MOB at the end. This is not very fun on my Assassin or Brigand (who does a better job than the Assassin but still doesn't last long). Studying the threads on this board, it seems that while Wizards may die a lot, they can complete those quests with a Heroic at the end if they play smart and get some good karma going (read luck). For my play style, it seems that a Wizard just may the ticket. I've researched the AA lines, spells and tactics and tried to apply them. Of course, at a low level my char isn't exactly fully loaded. The most important thing to me of course is to level a char I like. I would hate to be stuck at 70, if I last that long, with a char I hate just because they solo well. Thats just too dumb. I do however like Wizards because they are very fun and always have that sense of daring because when the root breaks all hell can break loose. So am I right that a Wizard has a better chance to complete some of those Heroic at the end type quests? Could I wander through a dungeon slowly picking the MOB's apart until I get to the end and kill the big bad? Have I missed something critical here because from all the reading I've done, the Wizard seems to be the class I need and want to play. Thanks for all the help! Mal

[Force Weaver]

<p>Specced Defensive <i>or</i> Offensive in Legendary/Mastercrafted and Adept III's or better you can pick your way through an instance slowly, although your rate of advancement may be <i>significantly</i> faster if you were duoing/2boxing.  That said, I've never seen in person any ubered 70 Wizard claim to solo every/many mob in OOB/COV/MMCC/MMC/Unrest/etc.  Specced full defensively I was 1-shotted by the named shadow man at the end of OOB but had 8 seconds on being toe to toe a named vamp in COV.  Some mobs are actually conned higher than they are labeled.  </p><p> You will be able to handle lower zones when green/blue but it varies by zone.  Most "outside" heroics (name or otherwise) you'll definitely handle with the right strategy.  If you mentor down you will almost always be way more uber than you were at that level and be able to handle many more mobs that you couldn't previously. </p><p>In shared areas your rate of advancement needs to be faster than the repops for obvious reasons.  You'll have plenty of roots, stuns, slows, ports, evacs, etc. to handle many situations solo.  There's more "mistake" time for you behind the keyboard specced defensively but if you're on the ball you can spec offensively with the same effectiveness solo.  Whichever way you spec make sure your AA's match your gear.  </p>

[Azol]

<p>Several random ideas on speccing AAs for soloing heroic content (that is what I love to do, actually, but I am on PVP server so some of that goes different for me).</p><p>1 - you have to spec into a -12% mana on all spells (WIS line) because you won't be able to deal with many named mobs with loads of HP - you will burn through your mana very quick. Try named lizard on Breeding Grounds (TT) for example (he is a part of A Thorn of Old HQ) or some nameds in Nest (BS)</p><p>2 - you have to spec into cold/fire AA EOF lines because it helps with power reduction too (fire spells) and lowers resists (for cold spells)</p><p>3 - get all DD Masters I you can (and can not). Get Frigid Gift, every root, stun and stifle Masters.</p><p>4 - no matter how many AA point you spec into STA line, you won't be able to tank nameds, so I believe you should forget about that line. You can go halfway through STA to get better Disruption skills, if you decide to pick STA anyway.</p><p>5 - get Frigid Gift + Iceshape AAs, which helps you keep every mob at a distance even when root breaks. Finest strategy against tough bosses, as you won't survive a single hit from them.</p>

[Malkosha]

<p>Thanks for the replies!</p><p>I've decided to go with the wizzy just for the fun factor. I figure if it doesn't do what I want I will learn to make him do it. <img src="/smilies/e8a506dc4ad763aca51bec4ca7dc8560.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>I have a few AA's at the moment that I haven't placed yet and of course the first thing that hits me is Magi Shield in the EoF line. It sound pretty good on the outside, but like Azol said, no matter how many AA's you spend, no matter how much mit you manage to put on, tanking will not happen. </p><p>I'm building more of a quester than a named hunter, even though they will have to bring them down too. Since I've just started, I have no masters, no fabled gear or anything else special. I also have no play style! Since this is new to me, until I get to the point where I have complete control and have some real strategy's going on I might hold off on my AA's. I guess it comes down to whether I want to cover my weaknessess or enhance my strengths.</p><p>Thanks!</p>

[iceriven2]

AA spec i think is  matter of preference then a matter of need when soloing.  I am raid speced.  Agi, wis, power ice.  I solo a lot with that spec and have no problem with it. 

[Kneemin]

Now hold on there.... maybe at lvl 70 a wiz can't tank (well), I dont 'know mine isn't there yet, but I tell you what the ONLY mobs i have to root to kill are white con nameds. Anything under white con I go toe-to-toe with and [Removed for Content].... seriously the wiz - root&nuke is overrated its very not useful (roots totally eat ur mana alive), get your magi shield up and put HEALING adorns on neck and hands and you will rock everything and anything you come across. pst, the healing adorns will boost ur magi ward by a TON. P.S. coldshield line is your best friend!!!! When he gets to 70 i'll come tell you how my tanking wiz is doing (by then i'll have manashield 2... even more fun).