A new wiz in town

[old.stroller]

I've just started a new wizard character and very impressed so far. Wanted some advice please from you old hands.

Thinking of going two thirds spec in fire and a third each in earth and ice. Is this a good mix?

How do wizards fare in dungeons? Feeling so far is I'm pretty safe at a distance but stuffed at close quarters (only been killed so far by ambush/clumsiness). That would let out dungeons unless surrounded by large groups.

Any quests that are particularly good for us, kit wise?

Any thoughts gratefully received.

 

[ivan_tribbiani]

Gonna give a dungeon advice :

Only seen PbAoE work efficiently AND safely in Catacombs as its corridors are more spaceous. But if you are pure ice wizard people will love ya from this moment on : from xping in catas to the very end Ice Wizards if protected efficiently serve one purpose - fastest damn XP harvesting you ever known
Fire wizzes should fare rather nicely in most dungeons, despite the limiting space, since most of their usefull spells are single target based. Assuming that you arent gimped youll be able to find plenty of groups to hunt with... otherwise stick to soloing outside.

Another point - i would leave the earth spec completely out of the specline. But then again if it were me i would go either full Ice or full Fire.

 

[old.stroller]

Thanks Ivan, useful stuff. did consider following just the one line but read in a guide that is a good way to gimp yourself later.

 

[ivan_tribbiani]

Additionally the whole picture from the specline perspective is that if you want to be an offensive caster invest in Fire, defensive then Ice... but both types are very usefull at stationary defense <only at different stages of the siege/encounter>

 

[old.stroller]

Thanks again Ivan.

One last thing. I have been fireballing, cranking off about 2 (perhaps 3 on rare occassions) DD spells and then quick casting a larva fireball. Is this the way to go? Snaring spells etc seem to have little effect.

 

[Tenko]

With my pure fire wizard, at 30+ lvl, I go Spec line Bolt, main line bolt then root. Walk off. Wait for timers to reset on bolts. Then Bolt. Bolt and Direct Damage till dead.

Now at low levels (in the old days before 1.48!) You only had one bolt and Im not sure of the duration of the root so I'd Bolt (biggest damage spells you got) then DD and quick fast DD then run like buggery! (Called "Kiting" I believe).

Once the MOB ran back to his spawn I'd run back and do it again until he was dead.

Remember: Some MOBS are much more susceptible to fire than others. When solo only ever attack these types (Trees, undead etc). The extra damage you do will make all the difference and solo on yellow and eventually orange con mobs will be the order of the day.

Just remember the sprint button for when they resist you root!