Thoughts on INT/WIS spec

[Wargod1968]

I have gotten a lot of feedback from some Defilers who go with AGI line with INT and WIS on the side.

For the purpose of mixed solo and grouping, what do you think of not taking AGI (loss of Tribal Rage and 100% melee crit) and focusing on the INT like (for the +INT, DoT and spell criticals) and WIS (with emphasis on recast speed and +skills)? I know it may not get the auto-attack damage from AGI, but is it still a viable spec?:

Intelligence Line [24]

8-blighter's intelligence 8-rabies (double DoT) 8-virulance (increases spell critical damage)

Wisdom Line [25]

4-ritualist's wisdom 4-ritual (increases next heal amount) 8-ritual of magic (increase ordination, subjugation, and disruption skills) 7-ritual of mind (improve reuse speed by 7%) 2-ritual of alacrity (increase ally's casting speed, recovery speed, and reuse speed by 33% for 30 seconds,                    reusable every 90 seconds)

Decaying [26]

5-enhance malaise (+35% damage) 5-enhance fuliginous sphere (+35% damage) 5-enhance apophic touch (+35% damage) 5-enhance forced cannibalize (+40% damage and healing) 5-enhance defile (-45 seconds recharge) 1-cannibalize

Cursing Line [21]

5-enhance curse (-15% resistability, -40% power cost) 5-enhance repulsion (-15% resistability, -40% power cost) 5-enhance umbral trap (-15% resistability, -40% power cost) 5-enhance loathsome seal (-15% resistability, -40% power cost) 1-curseweaving (improves casting, recovery, and reuse speed by 50% of all cursing abilities)

Potency [3]

3-enhance curse of shielding (+3% trigger chance)

[Wargod1968]

Did I miss with search any prior discussions about taking WIS over AGI for non-raiding, or is it just generally regarded as  a bad idea?

[VizP]

The problem with wis in non raiding situations is the viability of your choices in those situations. Do you really find in most groups as a defiler being pushed in your healing abilities? Since we are one of the strongest healers in the game, I doubt you would really get close to taxed in anything unless youre going to Mistmoore Castle or Unrest for example. Remember - while ritual is usefil in many situations (and currently even in power regen), Wis-C offers improvements in your casting abilities but marginal improvements that you wont really notice unless its long or tought fights (even at all). While Wis-D is nice at a 8% recast improvement, the only spells that will utilise this the most are your wards, your main heal and defile and since your main heal is unlikely ever to be spammed. But outside raids do you ever need to spam wards to the point that they are being depleted as soon as they are up and you wish you could get them up faster? That only leaves Wis-E which is the biggest indicator - I honestly think Alacrity is wasted outside raids unless yorue always in guild groups in tough situations. Otherwise casting it on PUG group member X is a hit or miss situation.. often you'll find that most people you gruop with are not the best players and really are not going to utilise alacrity that well anyway. And you worked all the way up to it to try and assist the group! Wis is probably one of the most raid focussed lines - its up to you to decide whether its actually useful for you outside it. But if you are not going to raid, I get the feeling that Agi-Int-Wis is a tremendously powerful combo (go full way in Agi, go up to Int-C since the rest are broken and put 5 points into Wis so you get 1 point in Ritual. Thats some nice DPS there and great healing - heal crits + ritual). P.S Same can be said of Curseweaving btw, you may find that outside raids the Prevention line is a lot more useful to you.. for short fights in PUGS, how often do you even get a chance to debuff before the mob is dead?

[Wargod1968]

Good thoughts, VizP, thank you - this is the second time you've offered me some solid feedback, and I appreciate it. My greatest interest in WIS was the +skill bonuses, but from the feedback, not sure its worth the points spent 

[Barruk]

I've used both the INT/WIS spec, and to be honest I found myself gravitating back to the STR/WIS spec.  That 8% reduction seems HUGE during most fights, raid or otherwise.  I also can tell you in regular groups, Alacrity on the tank pretty much guarantees there will not be ping-pong aggro during a fight.  Is it absolutely necessary?  No, and with the regular groups I go with it may even be wasted (although the tanks still appreciate it).  If you join pickup groups often enough, Alacrity saves you headaches if your tank isn't necessarily the best.  Those two are probably the main benefits of the WIS line, but enough so that I keep it. Having said all that in defense of the WIS spec , you specifically are looking for a good solo/group mix.  I can tell you AGI/INT is awesome for soloing, probably the best spec we have in that regard.  Both your spear (or whatever weapon you use now) and your spells will reap benefits.  For middle of the road, I think VizP's spec is worth giving a go - I agree with him that it would give you a nice mix.