I suppose there are 3 parts to my post, but before I start, heres where I am currently.I have a lvl 41 (level 42 in a few more kills) Dark Elf Warlock.  It is my main, and therefore isn't a twinked alt.  My bank currently holds a little over 1plat so I can't go and buy a load of uber equip.My current char stats and equip are <a href="http://eq2players.station.sony.com/en/pplayer.vm?characterId=250883303" target=_blank>Here</a>Now for my Qs <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />1. What equipment should I be buying for this tier?  I know that int gear is important in general, but I mean are there any 'must have' items I need, or does it not really matter for that sort of thing until you get to 60+?2. My int is currently 148.  My cap theorectically is 307 ((41 * 7) + 20).  Should I be concerned about this, or not worry about it until higher levels. The reason I have concerns was because I joined a RE group at 40 and had a pretty significantly lower int than another 'lock who was a few levels below me.3. What spells would people recommend using?Currently my procedure is the following:Solo Single: Open with a root like Paralyzing Fear, or a Chaotic Maelstrom followed by a root.Slap on Aura of Darkness, Dark Pyre and hit them with Noxious bolt...by which time my root is ready againRoot with paralyzing fear then hit with 2 big nukes Nil Distortion and Null Absolution by which time most mobs are dead or just need mopping up.Solo Group:Bony Grasp then nuke away with Null Absolution and Grevious Blast with the occasional Nil Distortion. ie trying to burn down 1 mob in particular whilst damaging the rest to make it easier when I get to them.Group Single:Slap on Aura and (if the mob is a harder fight) a curse spell whilst waiting for the tank to gain enough aggro then...Nuke switching between Nil Distortion, Null Absolution and Greivous Blast (with the occasional freeze)Group Multi:Start with Grevious Blast as its dmg is relatively minor while the tank grabs aggro then...Nuke switching between Nil Distortion, Null Absolution and Greivous Blast (with the occasional freeze)I rarely touch the spells such as interference and siphoning etc, also I don't really get which DOTs are worth using and when.  Any constructive criticism/advice for my technique would be appreciated.Although I seem to be doing ok currently (Never had any complaints about my dmg in pick up groups yet), I am interested in getting myself geared up for doing things in the higher tiers.  I would rather sort out any bad habits now than when I reach the higher tiers.<div></div>

hi,one thing that jumped out at me was that you use Null Absolution on single mobs which just isnt worth the cast time imo.i understand that at lvl 42 you dont have a full array of spells and thats why it seems a good fill in. Dont forget Abysmal Fury, its a good PBAoE DoT to cast so long as you're careful when you use it.You get Netheros at 48, Devastation at 50 and Dark infestation at 52 which are all are good DoTs to cast in grps, especiallly on longer fights. I tend not to use Dark Siphoning unless im raiding, group fights are over too quick. I tend to use vulian interference just after i cast Devastion to negate its aggro effects a little. Seems to be a tad more effective whilst Devastion is in mid tick.i know ive only answered random parts of your question but its late and im tired <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />hope this helps a little.<div></div>

<DIV>1. Yes, you'll want INT higher.  Much higher.  INT affects both your power pool and damage.  When grouping, the power pool is important.  When soloing, you'll want the mobs rooted most of the time so they don't close.  It's hard for warlocks to reach the cap before level 70 because we don't self-buff INT.  Try to get to at least 75% of the cap.  Unless you're in PVP, you probably want to trade off most other things for INT.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>2. As a general rule, don't use the group spells on solo mobs.  It's not very efficient in terms of mana, and the cast times are very long.  Debuff the mob (with the group debuff), then you cast your dots & nukes.  As a previous poster mentioned, you'll get several spells soon which will improve your single target dps.  The most important solo target spell is Aura.  The broodlings and netheros will both help significantly.  (They aren't nearly as useful soloing, because they will break your roots.  For those, you just have to nuke, recast, use HOs)</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>If your INT is only half the cap, you're missing a huge amount of damage potential on your spells, which will make things much harder than they need to be.  Up your int and get adept3 versions of your important spells.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV>

Thanks for the advice guys...It gives me something to work on <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> <div></div>

Just spent all my money on some nice gear and boosted my int up to 231.  On the side it also has the effect of increasing my resistances significantly to various types of dmg... Guess I better find myself some more money now tho <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> <div></div>

<div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div>btw, i do find that if im soloing i can use devastation (apocolypse at 70)on a single ^^ or ^^^ mob if i watch what im doing. I have both roots at master lvl so i double root, cast Apocolypse, if it breaks, i cast thwart to stun and reroot.so say on a ^^^ heroic>corruptgift>root1>root2>curses if req>aura>tumultousmaelstrom>FHS>apocolypse> if it breaks root> thwart>reroot>nil distortion>soulblister>rinse & repeat                                                                                                              >if it doesnt break>nil distortion> soulblister>nebula>root>rinse & repeati tend to keep thwart till the end or as a *buying time to reroot spell* so i always have it ready in case root breaks. FHS>apocolypse is worth casting on a ^^ or ^^^ imo if u watch it carefully and dont panic if it breaks. best to have both roots at master.<div></div><p><span class="time_text"></span></p><p><span class="time_text"></span></p><p>Message Edited by Pilgrim Divine on <span class=date_text>10-07-2006</span> <span class=time_text>01:30 PM</span>

<P>2 good things to start working on for you would be golden efreeti boots it is a long quest that starts in lavastorm from an NPC goblin named Charly(sp) he is located through the tunnel and right from the beach.</P> <P>the other is Tobrins mystical eye patch it starts on one of the little islands in the bay for get his name.</P> <P> </P> <P>these quests you will need a group for but are great exp and net you 2 decent gear. Ogaming has the walk throughs on thier site.</P> <P> </P> <P>Also Forage...Forage.. Forage rare roots and gems will go a long way to giving you some decent base gear till you can replace items out with legendary drops. Also the rare rocks,loams and gems you cant use can be traded or sold to help you get the things you do need. Most crafters dont charge much at all to do the lower tier combines for you.</P> <P>Rare crafted gear will help alot as you move into each tier and things get tougher</P><p>Message Edited by Koldaria on <span class=date_text>10-09-2006</span> <span class=time_text>06:34 PM</span>

<DIV>At your level you should make sure your damage spells are at Adept 1 or higher.  Ideally, all damage spells should be at least Adept 3 if you can manage it.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Your INT should be as high as possible (At least until you can hit your cap without group buffs).  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Once that happens, you can focus on your wisdom and resists.  But that generally won't happen until your into your 60's.</DIV>