Wizard Soloist/Explorer?

[Quantum_Trobon]

I am looking to make an explorer that is a little outside the norm (monk) and was considering Fury, Wizard and Conjurer. Is Wizard a good choice for a solo exploration build? How would it be played out?

[Faheuc]

yeah i explore on my wizzy (main) all the time. invis is great, plus wizzies can solo extremely well

[Glenolas]

<cite>Quantum_Trobon wrote:</cite><blockquote>I am looking to make an explorer that is a little outside the norm (monk) and was considering Fury, Wizard and Conjurer. Is Wizard a good choice for a solo exploration build? How would it be played out?</blockquote>Invis ,  evac, and a good horse make it the best choice of your 3 nominations.   Not to mention rooting and running it off (invis can be cast on the run too). 

[tass]

ya id say a wiz or conjurer is your best bet. Probably the conjurer as they solo alot better. Sometimes root just doesn't hold.

[DarumaRanger]

<p>Sorry, but I have to chime in here...</p><p>A Fury would be a MUCH better choice for an EXPLORER for sure, (I also think as a solo'er too but that's too subjective to comment on).</p><p>Fury:</p><p>1) Run speed buff, can be enhanced up to 45% via AA's.  As a Kerra with a 5% bonus I run at +50%... as fast as, or faster than, any, mount in the game.  Well I think there are 2x 52% runspeed mounts, and for them I can always pop Pact of the Cheetah, which at only APP IV adds 44% on top of my runspeed for a totall of +94% for 36 seconds.  It's on a 5 min recast... but still... ain't no mount ridin' Wizzy out running me <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  All this with no need to spend plat or status on a mount</p><p>2) More teleport locations.  Wizzies go to Antonica, Commonlands, and Gfay... and IIRC they spend 30 silver a shot to do so.  Furies can go to those 3 places AND to Steamfont and Butcher Block Mountains... and all for free.</p><p>3) Underwater breathing.  You said explore... trust me... there's lots of cool stuff to see and fight underwater.</p><p>4) Invis, albeit not 'til Lv 45, but at least you do get it eventually.  Sure Wizzies get it sooner but at least you do get it as a Fury.  Considering with RoK the level cap goes up to Lv 80... Lv 45 is barely over middle age <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>5) Heals.  Do not underestimate the value of heals, not to mention some insta-cast ones, for getting out of trouble. </p><p>6) Roots... yes Wizzies have them, but I think Furies have a better one... at least that's what I've read... spell description says only 5% chance to break.  I won't argue whether they're better than a Wizzies or not... just that they too have them to aid in a frantic escape <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>Sorry, I don't mean to rain on Wizards, in fact I'm in this forum because I'm thinking of rolling one up... I did however, upon seeing this thread, think I should chime in.  I don't think any class in the game, not Monk, not Bruiser, not even my counterpart Druid the Warden, makes a better overall EXPLORER than a Fury.</p><p>I'm simply talking about being able to get around the world quickly, efficiently, and safely... and to get to places some others can't, such as under water exploration, without having to resort to potions.</p><p>Hope this helps a bit... again... I'm not knocking Wizards as an explorer class, (and certainly not as a class in general), but I simply think that when you look at all the tools... Furies can't be beat for a pure explorer.</p><p>Take care, and honestly, no offense intended here to my Wizard brethren.</p>

[MondaynSilvaCor]

all of those are good points, however the fury lacks the extreme firepower that a wizard holds, which to me, is the key point of our fantastic solo careers. If you know how to handle yourself well in extreme situations and stay calm, combined with the occasional blessings and miracles from solusek, you can seriously get a lot accomplished on your own.

[Wytie]

<cite>MondaynSilvaCor wrote:</cite><blockquote>all of those are good points, however the fury lacks the extreme firepower that a wizard holds, which to me, is the key point of our fantastic solo careers. If you know how to handle yourself well in extreme situations and stay calm, combined with the occasional blessings and miracles from solusek, you can seriously get a lot accomplished on your own.</blockquote>yes indeed I solo orange ^^^ nameds once an hour tell me a Fury that can do that  <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" />  hell tell me any other class that can do that heheh 

[DarumaRanger]

<p>Keep in mind... I wasn't addressing the solo issue... simply the exploration issue.</p><p>Oh... and I'm a Sol Ro worshipper too <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>But to address solo'ing a little bit... I would contend that at least as of Lv 52, (which my Fury is), that I've handled many multi-mob and named encounters that I've seen Wizards die to... simply because I can heal and win through attrition.</p><p>That may very well change later on as Wizards get their AA's and higher ranked spells, have the money to spend to buy Masters etc... but just the other day, when I was 51, I took on an encounter that had just killed a Lv 51 Wizard.</p><p>He was fighting some Lv 52 ^ named mob that had two cronies with it.</p><p>He was getting beat down HARD... I was actually running to him to try and heal him but he died before I got there <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>The encounter reset, I wasn't paying attention and didn't notice I was within their aggro range and the attacked me.</p><p>I finished the fight just as the Wizard made his way back and I was at full HP, (thanks to my HoT running), and easily 30% to 40% mana.</p><p>This was only one of several examples of how I've handled encounters that I've seen a Wizard die to up through Lv 52.  Post 52?  <shrugs> I have no experience to offer.</p><p>Are there plenty of things up through Lv 52 a Wizard could handle that I, as a Fury could not take?  Very likely.</p><p>My own personal experiences, (I've tried 3 Wizards so far with the highest only making it to Lv 24), have been that my Fury has always been a much better solo'er than my Wizard attemps.</p><p>Disclaimer: I'm probably not a very good player.  Maybe my observations are true in the lower end game.  The Fury absolutely did NOT kill faster... simply safer and because I could heal myself I was able to eventually burn things down that my Wizard could not because he couldn't burn the mob's HP down before the mob was able to burn his down.</p><p>For the sake of this discussion though I'll conced the Wizard is a better solo'er when in the hands of someone more capable than I am... again... my original post only addressed EXPLORING... and for overall exploring I'd put a Fury against a Wizard any day of the week and twice on Sunday <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>All that being said... you'll notice I'm on these Wizard forums because I want to try a Wizard AGAIN, I DO like them "on paper" I just can't seem to play one well.  However, this time I can twink him out pretty well since at Lv 52 I've got some coin to spare <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>Take care.</p>

[SacDaddy420]

a 52 ^?  with 2 adds?  I highly doubt they could be stronger then no-arrow.......group root..Ice comet...single root....ball of....named dead...ae's...adds dead..this wizard you saw was not very skilled

[DarumaRanger]

<p><shrugs></p><p>Maybe... or maybe he got hit with a bad string of resists?  I know from my own experience and what I've read about across all forums, that a bad string of resists can REALLY mess up our day <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img src=" width="15" height="15" /></p><p>I just know I saw him going down hard and tried to get to him in time to heal him... I just wasn't fast enough <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img src=" width="15" height="15" /></p><p>Either way I just want to emphasize that I don't want to turn the OP's thread into a Fury vs Wizard who solo's better thread.  For ME up through the low/mid 20's I found the Fury easier and gave up in frustration on the Wizard... and now I'm aiming to try again, albeit with a twinked Wizard this time, hehehe.</p><p>There's a Lv 46 Wizard I group with at times who drops this ice AoE... a boat load of ice spikes drop from the ceiling... that just flat kills stuff before my encounter AE is done casting... so trust me... I am NOT saying Wizzies are [Removed for Content] or weak compared to Furies... not only do I envy her damage output... I envy the GRAPHICS, LOL <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img src=" width="15" height="15" /></p><p>I also love that spiked collar looking set of rings that drop from the sky around a mob... not sure what it is... but looks AWESOME !!</p><p>Eye candy and big BOOM !! BOOM !! damage is why I'm going to take yet another shot at the Wizard... I envy Wizards on many levels... just not on a exploration level <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" /></p>

[Wytie]

<p>heck with mana sheild ill stand there and take 10k in damage with 42% mit plenty of time to take a nap or mele whatever is hitting you to death <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/499fd50bc713bfcdf2ab5a23c00c2d62.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" /></p><p>speaking of solo explorer if a wizzy pops mana sheild and runs with 45 SOW did you know you can train life a champ</p><p>So its not a PoC but hey we dont have to stop to cast mana sheild and it super increases your life and the beating you can take...   not to mention outa combat power regens. What is that orange ^^^ ups you wanta train threw wizzy says no problem <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />" width="15" height="15" /></p>

[enrond]

<p>Evac is nice.</p><p>Invis, anyone can buy totems.</p><p>Run speed totems you can buy, or get a horse.</p><p>TP's good for getting around , not so good for getting out of trouble.</p><p>-----------------------------------------------------------------</p><p>Wizards get 2 roots, a snare proc and an ae snare, and if you know what yer doing they will not break too often (keeping both up, and using your big DD spells instead of dots).</p><p>Wizards also get a ton of stuns, stifles and interupts, so even if it does break root, its usually stunned, snared, etc.</p><p>Wizards speced for solo/exploring do extremely well, Root, grp root, fh/cata Fusion (has stun compnent)(extended range helps here) IN (has a stun component), Incapacitate (stun) reroot and look at mobs health, oh its at 48pct, MB ftw, walk off all proud and stuff!</p><p>Things go bad? ae snare everything, and run away, port, or re root, the choice is yours.</p><p>Enny - t7m.org</p>

[Glenolas]

<cite>DarumaRanger wrote:</cite> <blockquote><p>But to address solo'ing a little bit... I would contend that at least as of Lv 52, (which my Fury is), that I've handled many multi-mob and named encounters that I've seen Wizards die to... simply because I can heal and win through attrition.</p><p>That may very well change later on as Wizards get their AA's and higher ranked spells, have the money to spend to buy Masters etc... but just the other day, when I was 51, I took on an encounter that had just killed a Lv 51 Wizard.</p><p> <Snip></p></blockquote><p>I play both classes, both to level 70, and both  equipped to solo.   I like both classes a lot and they are a terrific dual box combo.</p><p>The Fury isn't remotely as good as a wizard at soloing, on any encounter at any level.   </p><p>Quick  math reasons:</p><p>1.  Wizards hit MUCH harder per spell,  or per spell cycle, whichever measure you prefer.   Ergo,  the mob dies sooner, with less chance for bad things to happen.</p><p>2.  Fury's DD spells are not nearly as power efficient as a wizard's.  Result:  For tough fights,  the soloist is out of power before the critter is dead.   Or,  conversely,  the Fury cannot take on as high a level content as the wizard due to power reign limits.   </p><p> 3.  A fury root last longer (45 seconds vs 30) and is much harder to break from spell damage (5% chance vs 15% chance).   That's offset a bit by the fact that it gets checked each tick (each 6 seconds) to break on it's own without any damage hitting the target.   So 7 times during it's spell life  it may break even if you are not shooting at the target.   A wizard's root will hold the whole 30 duration if you don't shoot the target.</p><p> 4.   A wizard has a group root, which besides rooting groups,  can serve as a backup to the solo root .    The fury is in trouble when the solo root fails at a bad time.  </p><p>Summary:  The wizard has more power and more power efficiency, hence much more power reign);  more roots, and hits harder per spell.   I've played them both a long time.   </p><p>I don't doubt your story about that wizard dying to ^'s that your fury killed.    If he actually initiated the attack, then he's still learing his trade and is far from mastering it.     Even a run of the mill wizard can take a group of one ups.   </p><p>And remember, f it's really big and must be killed,  send a wizard.   Or an illusionist.   But not a fury.   Not enough power to get it done.  </p><p>Glenolas</p>

[Amphiber]

Not intended as a knock against Wizzys as I just love mine and the following is all personal opinion but.....Have you considered a Coercer - For solo anything my personal opinion is.....Coercer FTW so long as Subj is high.I have many times had 4 or 5 heroic adds pinned down while taking them down one at a time. In the right zone, say the Bonemire with a Corpse Candle/Flame nuking for over 9K on a regular basis and a host of ways to keep add upon add unde r control the speed a coercer can go through heroics is unbelievable. If the pet dies theres even time to run off and find another.And while it may take much longer than a Wizzy ANY mob or group of mobs that can be stunned and mezzed even without a pet is fair game. I know my Wizzy, Fury and Necro  come no where close for soloing and my Coercer is the only char I have that has ta ken down red heroics. I know very little about Illusionists so can't comment if they can do the same.All that said you have to be in the right frame of mind to play the class - It's hard work to do well and with the chance of a pet break at any time you need to be alert. Don't expect a good Kill to Death ratio on a Coercer as <b>death comes often</b> if you push the limits but the fun of trying to work out tactics to take down mobs that most would consider imposible makes it worth it. Some of the posts on the coercer forum for taking down instanced zones solo prior to when the spells were limited makes fun reading - I would love to have had a go but my coercer was still a baby back then. I believe that all the skills mentioned above make for a great Soloist/Explorer - Your not going to get very far in HoF for example if you can't solo as even the mobs on the door see through invis. I'm sure there are lots of Wizzys out there who can solo the same content but the tools available to a coercer are in my opinion unmatched. 

[Glenolas]

<cite>Blot@Runnyeye wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>Not intended as a knock against Wizzys as I just love mine and the following is all personal opinion but.....Have you considered a Coercer - For solo anything my personal opinion is.....Coercer FTW so long as Subj is high.<snip></p><p>I know very little about Illusionists so can't comment if they can do the same.</p></blockquote><p>Besides a wizard and a fury,  I also play an illusionist,  and agree they are terrific albeit slow soloers.   I have zero experience with coercers, so cannot compare the two classes.</p><p>I was responding to the Fury who opined they were as good as wizards for soloing.  Furies fall out of the game as the content gets higher  was the essence of my reply.</p><p>As far as duo's go,  I believe the Illusionist/Wizard is probably king of the high end content hill,  followed by Wizard/Fury and Illusionist/Fury in that order.   I'd be willing to swap the last two positions.</p><p>I'm evolving to the belief that Wizard/Illusionist/Fury may be to top trio in the game for killing anything at any con level.    I feel a Warden might be a better healer choice, and am running one up now to get some hands on experience with it in combos.    Likewise, I have zero experience with coercers, and will eventually run one up to see how it fares vs illusionist in the above mentioned duos.    </p>