Spell crit for the non raiding wizard

[Blackluck2]

<p>While researching AA topics I've often read that the STR endline isn't useful since 'it's so easy to cap' spell crit.</p><p>Outside of obtaining my myth, I don't raid. My wizzy alt with T2/legendary gear is at 66% spell crit. I don't think I can get much more than 70%, really, as nearly all heroic gear I see only has +2 spell crit, with a very few at +3. As I often box my wizard that guarenteed crit comes in handy when the named mob really needs to be dead like <em>right now</em>.</p><p>So I guess the question is, am I missing something or is spell crit really only easy to cap with raid gear?* Secondly, would the four points saved from the STR tree (2 saved from end line and 2 removed from a lesser choice to obtain the end line ability) be better served in freehand sorcery?</p><p>(I consider WoE raiding, and as I really, really dislike that zone I don't want to run that, either. And yes I realize I can buy raid gear, but outfitting more than one or two characters with raid gear is beyond my means, and my wizard really is just an alt ... once in a while it just feels good to unleash those big nukes that my other characters don't have.)</p>

[Azol]

<p>Do not forget +3% crit from Sathirian Scroll of Combat, +4% crit from Second Sight potion, +2% crit adorn on primary weapon, two 1% crit adorns for secondary and ranged slots. Are you still at 70%? Get a troub in your group maybe? Catalyst is almost useless now, even if you are below 100% crit (or 115%, but you say you do not raid 88 level bosses). Put these 4 somewhere else. You should have +base damage AA at 8 and Freehand at 7 at least (for your DPS spec).</p><p>Also, check some Fabled drops form ROK/TSO instances - there are pieces with more than 3% crit! Check some Palace of Ferzhul gear, for example! Indestructible Obliterator's Shackle (4%) or Robe of the Undying (5%)! Or Gruuper's Bangle of Incineration (4%) from Ykesha. Or Earring of the Void Transfer (5%) from Anchor of Bazzul.</p><p>Get to work, quick!</p>

[Blackluck2]

<p><cite>Azol@Nagafen wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Get to work, quick!</p></blockquote><p>Indeed! Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/e8a506dc4ad763aca51bec4ca7dc8560.gif" border="0" /></p>

[Fendaria]

<p>The STR endline is what gives you a guarenteed crit.  If your at 66%, there is roughly a 66% chance you would have critted anyways had you not clicked it.  Thus your giving up either the endline WIS or endline AGI ability for this, which is what makes it a really, bad choice.</p><p>The STR bonus to crit percent is often dropped by raiders who on raids can have their crit buffed up sufficiently (I believe 116% is the magical number for a true 100% taking into account mob level difference crit reductions).  At this point the bonus to crit percent does nothing and having those points in STA or INT instead of STR will at least give some benifit.  (Or you can make other gear choices, etc).</p><p>I was right around your crit percent when I was where you were in progression.  Don't believe the people who say you can easily max your crit percent without raiding.  It isn't easy.  It can probably be done, but your looking at lots of fabled drops and a huge time sink.  Just keep bosting your crit as you can and as gear drops.</p><p>So roughly, drop the end STR line ability that gives you a guarenteed crit and take the AGI and WIS endlines.  Keep your points in the 4th STR ability to get the max bonus to crit percent.  And if you don't have enough AAs for this...its something to work for <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" /></p><p>Fendaria</p>

[thajo]

<p>The STR endline Catalyst was not even an optimal choice in EoF when solo buffed crit rates were 15 - 20% generally.  Maybe raid buffed it would reach almost 30% or so.  That tree is the oldest tree and it has a pretty tried and true spec.  It's also worth noting back when the AA cap for the tree was 50, the optimal spec was AGI/WIS.  When we got 20 more AA's to spend, they were placed in the STR line...if you want an idea as to where the potency in that tree lies.</p><p>STR - 4/4/4/8</p><p>AGI - 4/6/4/8/ (1)    (can swap the point between run speed and melee hit, whichever u feel like)</p><p>WIS - 4/7/4/8/ (1)</p><p>It's not really a dynamic tree, and the only time wizzies ever started messin with other lines were Avatar geared ones before gu53 who were way capping on base or crit...but since gu53 I can't find a reason for any wizard to spec out-side of the one I listed. </p><p>STA is heavily pvp oriented.  Manashield is not amazing against heroics for soloing either (it was before stoneskin proc nerfs), you will get hit 3 - 4 times, lose all your power, then die because you can't even evac cause you have no power.  The boost in casting skills also isn't worth giving up any of the other given specs I listed for.  The INT line isn't that great.  If your tank is bad, you will still die whether your spec'd INT or not.  Although the endline of INT is somewhat attractive, its just not worth the sacrafice of DPS.</p><p>my 2c</p>

[Azol]

<p>Dakkota's 2cp is worth much more. Wondering if we'd ever see that Wizard on PVP server someday.</p>

[Rqron]

<p>I am a non raiding wizard, that does not mean I am not turning down when offered a chance at raiding but it means that I am not in a raid guild and I am joining a raid well, maybe once every other month sometimes once every 3-4 month. I raid more on my alt then on this character. That said, with mythical, 200AAs, 2/T3 and the rest T2 armor and some selected mix of jewelery I am sitting at 93% spell crit.  Besides a few pieces of WOE enhanced jewelery I have no other raid items..I wish I had but I have turned down loot because although the rest of the stats would have been an improvement I would have lost crit.It has taken me a long time to get there making the right choices for armor and jewelery and AAs. It is definately duable.  One has to walk a fine line to balance the stats and if high crit is what you are working toward other stats will take a back seat. It is equally important to get your spell mod up, and I have to say that unfortunately so far I have been stuck at the 820 level as everything that would up the spell mod will reduce spell crit. Maybe one of those days if I ever get into a raid higher up then VP (was not in there since the day I got my myth) I may get some better items.</p><p>Scharra</p>

[thajo]

<p><cite>Scharra@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p> It is equally important to get your spell mod up, and I have to say that unfortunately so far I have been stuck at the 820 level as everything that would up the spell mod will reduce spell crit. Maybe one of those days if I ever get into a raid higher up then VP (was not in there since the day I got my myth) I may get some better items.</p><p>Scharra</p></blockquote><p>Actually getting your spell mod up isnt near as equally important as spell crit.  Spell crit is good to get up to the 90+% range (can always fill that gap with bards, scrolls, pots), then you start finding items with higher spell crit and you can now equip items that didnt focus on spell crit to gain other means.  Like I have a ton of top end raid gear, and I have ~7 peices with absolutly no spell crit on them at all.  But I also have 5 items with 7 spell crit and another handful of items with 5 spell crit, so I've made up for equipping items with no spell crit while maintaining that constant crit rate.  To address spell mod again, I sit at ~600 - 670 depending on gear that im wearing, so having 820 isnt low by any means at all.  Many things should be focused on (while generally maintaining high spell crit) way before spell mod.  Base damage, crit bonus, cast speed pretty much pound for pound demolish spell damage as far as gains go.  Reuse too is very nice, it can be the difference between hitting Ball of Fire again or one of our weaker, less priority spells like Ro's Coil or Heatwave.  But as said, its all about balancing and not letting any stat plummit too far.  But peice for peice, as long as you are gaining more than what your taking off.  Your spell mod could dwindle down to 100 but if you been replacing items with more potent ones in turn, a gain is a gain and you will do better dps.  But crit is generally more important because it amplifies the power of alot of other stats.  10% base damage applied to a non crit ball of fire is way weaker than that same base damage applied to a critical ball of fire.  And of course crit bonus relies 100% on critting so, this is why lots say to focus on your crit chance then start the balancing act of bonuses and effects.</p><p>You said your wizard has 93% crit and 820 spell damage.  I have a wizzy with a full set of t4 armor, contested/avatar loot and several high end raid items.  My self buffed stats are 95% spell crit and 670 spell damage.  So these stats alone arn't what makes the dps go boom, rather the catalyst for the boom to happen when mixed with other potent effects. =D</p>