STA or STR

[Runestone]

I am a newish player and wizard.. I have put 10 AA into Magi's Shielding (sp?) and I am quite happy with that decision as I spend most of my time soloing. Next I plan to fill out the AGI line. What I can't decide on next is STA or STR for my second tree. What does everyone recommend for the solo mage? I was thinking <i>maybe</i> WIS.. however, I think the extra shielding would be overkill (yes, I realize there's no such thing.. but I don't want to be a cloth tank).. the 10 points into Magi's Shielding seem to be more then enough at the moment. I would like some pro's and con's for STA/STR from some of the more experienced mages out there. I don't want to start a debate on raid spec either.. this is simply for soloing. Sure I will eventually be in  small groups here and there but even then I imagine <b>any</b> spec would suffice. I would like to find a balance between damage and survivability. Yes I would like to take down named mobs (green, possibly blue con) but I don't need to take down the most vicious ones out there to prove some point. Thanks in advance for any advice or suggestions some of you soloing mages may have for me.

[Knomi]

<p>Hey there "newish player and wizard," good to meet ya.</p><p>I think you are wise to go down the AGI line first.  It is a big help in survivability with the simple ability of being able to cast faster.</p><p>The STR / STA / WIS question is a good one.  Unfortunately (for me talking to you), but fortunately (for variety's sake), there isn't a straight answer of what is best.  There are benefits to each.  I honestly think that STA is a lot of help in leveling up.  I'm not certain, however, that it will help you much with heroics.  It may help you mitigate one or two hits.  Honestly, if you are getting hit one or two times by a heroic, there is a potential flaw somewhere else in your gameplay.  For soloing solo type mobs (without bothering with the root), you are at a benefit with STA.</p><p>I, personally, am not to fond of the STR line.  It is nice to see the big numbers on occassion.  It makes me feel more like an elf or something.  I tend to prefer the WIS line for the end ability (power conservation).  You are right in saying that the little ward isn't worth a lot, but really that isn't the reason you take the WIS line.</p><p>I don't know that this will be of much help to you, but this is how I leveled:</p><p>Pre-level 55, I took the Magi's shielding, the AGI, and the STA tree.  I found myself doing a lot of writs in the 50s, and found that the STA line wasn't doing much in the way of helping me grind writs.  It was at that point that I speced out of STA and tried WIS.  I've since toyed around with other combinations including the STR.  It inflated my ego slightly to see the crits, but again, the power conservation was a worthwhile tool.  </p><p>I've done a lot of soloing; in fact nearly exclusively, up unto the last 3 levels.  I'm currently level 68.  It's been fun as a wizard.  IMO, the AA lines are among the most interesting in the game, with lots of flexibilty.  I think the only thing you could do wrong would be to go down the INT line (speaking as a soloer).  AGI / STR is valid, AGI / STA is valid, AGI / WIS is my preference.  <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" />  </p><p>I eventually specced out of Magi's shielding to get manaburn.  I enjoyed the manaburn ability a lot up until the nerf.  With the change, I found it to be very expensive for the hit you get.  So another respec led me back to the ward, so that I could get the extra range from the bottom of that line.  Sitting at 88 AA, I've got the Ice abilities and the spell reach, with AGI and WIS.  I don't have any problems soloing, and I tend to stay upright and on top (of the parse) in groups too.</p><p>As I've been grouping more, and been finding some... well theres no nice way of saying it... some subpar tanks, I've even been thinking about that INT tree.  I don't think that I have a big enough repair bill yet to warrant it.  <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" /></p>

[Wytie]

<p>i would suggest STA line then finish out you magi's shielding line for the +6 range to all spells.</p><p>Now that might not seem like a big deal but it is, its very key for staying as far away from your target as you can. That means you cant root farther and thus give you more time to react when the root breaks duje to being able to do it from a farther distance. Next i plan to go for WIS line for the extra ward and damage boost, makes my squishy not so squishy heh</p><p>Just my opinion and my wizzy most of the time solos on a pvp server at that <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/e8a506dc4ad763aca51bec4ca7dc8560.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" /></p>

[Runestone]

Thanks for your replies. I have decided against the STR tree.. crits, while nice are not something you can count on. Especially when soloing. So now I need to decide between STA and WIS. I think I will go with STA while I am leveling.. I may need to change things when I am closer to end game. I think in the end STA gives me more of what I am looking for.. Since I am a quest [Removed for Content] I tend to do a lot of green/blue con quests.. I don't tend to root much, it's easier to just AoE a bunch of them at once.

[Knomi]

<p>I think you are wise to go with that.  I had a lot of success running quests with it.  The only reason I changed was to get a little more damage out of my encounter spells to kill the groups of writ mobs (to kill them in three casts instead of four).  I think you will be pleased.  </p><p>Just another note, I didn't get the mana shield or whatever it is called at the end of the line.  Instead, I went 4-4-8-8.  Maybe someone else can comment on the usability of the manashield.</p>

[Wytie]

<cite>Anphimo@Oasis wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>  Maybe someone else can comment on the usability of the manashield.</p></blockquote>Its freakn alsome....   I can train and train and train and train hehe