Need good LEVELLING sorcery RP build.

jonandre1

Okay, I'll admit it. I have alt-itis. I like trying new things. And one of the things I wanted to try was a sorcery-style build based off of a character I played on a MUX (text-based roleplaying) some time ago.

The character was a magic-wielder, but not really. The character, Revelation, was a long-time unpowered character who was visited by the power of the Divine Revelation. He became sort of a Ghost Rider-style character, with the ability to fly, to create shields, and a sort of Penance Stare ability -- he stares at you and through the power of the Divine Revelation, he shows you the TRUTH of your actions -- how they've injured others, how they've helped, things like that. (We were going through an angsty phase and the character was designed to fight some of that.)

Anyway, I figured the character would be a Sorcery type, and I looked for a good Sorcery build. Apparently I found one, but it's optimized for endgame -- because I'm having SERIOUS problems with the character. To put it simply, I faceplant repeatedly against content of equal level. I don't even bother getting stars any more, because I'll just run out again.

The way the character plays, there is something seriously wrong. I run out of energy very very very quickly. I have Skarn's Bane but I don't DARE use it. My main attack power is Sigils of the Primal Storm, or it would be if I had the energy to use it at full value. What usually happens is, I fly into range, and I have to start beating on things with my energy builder in order to get the energy to set up the Sigils. So they're already shooting/hitting me when I start charging the Sigils. By the time they're set up, I'm at half health if the group of thugs I'm beating on is mostly henchmen. If it's a couple of villains, I'm usually faceplanted at this point. I can't even think of how bad it would be against a boss. I didn't even bother with Purple Reign; I knew Kevin Poe would kick my ****.

I'm wondering, with the character concept, whether a Radiance build wouldn't suit him better.

Here's what I need: A Sorcery or Radiance build optimized for leveling from the ground up. I don't want the DPS to handle Gravitar; I need a list of powers to take at what level I'd be at the time, along with when I should take what specializations, and when I should take what advantages.

Or I need advice as to what the hell I'm doing wrong.

Here's the current build I have. Keep in mind the character is only level 15 but at this point it's highly unlikely I'll endure the constant frustration to get him higher. Please don't say "Well, when you get higher..." because unless it's fixed, I won't be getting higher. Right now it's just too frustrating to even try to play.

PowerHouse (Link to this build)

Name: Revelation

Archetype: Freeform

Super Stats:
Level 6: Intelligence (Primary)
Level 10: Ego (Secondary)
Level 15: Presence (Secondary)

Talents:
Level 1: The Grimoire
Level 6: Finesse
Level 9: Coordinated
Level 12: Diplomatic
Level 15: Academics
Level 18:
Level 21:

Powers:
Level 1: Eldritch Bolts
Level 1: Eldritch Blast (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Pillar of Poz
Level 8: Aura of Primal Majesty
Level 11: Sigils of the Primal Storm (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 14: Skarn's Bane (Rank 2)
Level 17:
Level 20:
Level 23:
Level 26:
Level 29:
Level 32:
Level 35:
Level 38:

Travel Powers:
Level 6: Flight
Level 35:

Specializations:
Intelligence: Enlightened (3/3)
Intelligence: Tactician (2/2)
Intelligence: Expertise (1/2)

Please help?

carrionbaggage

A lot of toons have similar energy problems in the early levels. What I often do for magic-themed characters is squeeze in Circle of Arcane Power, then retcon it out once energy stabilizes. If you "float" it up your retcon list as you level, you'll lessen the hit to your bank account. And if you have a Gold account, you'll get a free full retcon for the character once he/she hits level 40.

You could also add Concentration to give you an occasional energy boost, and running in Support role will give you natural energy regeneration. Keeping the thematic powers you chose, something like this should take you through the first 20 levels. You could drop Expertise and de-rank Detect Vulnerability for Revitalize, if you plan to include a lot of high-recharge powers later in the build. You could also bump Pillar of Poz for a heal, like Arcane Vitality.

Eventually, I would also add an energy unlock. Molecular Self-Assembly (scales with INT) works well with low-recharge powers. If you plan to add Ego Sprites and a reliable Disorient power, then Telepathic Reverberation (scales with PRE) would also work. I would drop EGO as a secondary superstat, unless you're planning to use Ego Reverberation for an energy unlock. Your Aura of Primal Majesty will already bump you up to diminishing returns territory on your EGO ranged damage bonus.

Strategy-wise, AoPM should give you enough equilibrium to lay down the sigils. Instead of toe-bombing your foes, try laying them down outside of combat, then pulling enemies into your trap with your other ranged attacks. If your foes are ranged, look for corners and objects that let you break line of sight.

theravenforce

First off, from what I can see, you haven't bothered to rank up your passive as of yet, which by level 14 should be done and dusted by now. Also you have taken Skarn's Bane relatively early, Skarn's is particularly energy hungry and being quite early on in levels will mean that energy generation and management isn't at it's best for your build.

I've made a version similar to what Carrion has suggested but I have changed EGO to DEX, for critical hits and heals. Whilst your sigils cannot critically hit you will be able to critically hit and heal.

I've made a build 1-20, since I wasn't sure if you wanted advice for the entire build. Circle of Arcane power is not necessary to run Skarn's Bane but it does help, however running in Hybrid Role will grant you more stat bonuses to yourself instead of to others.

PowerHouse (Link to this build)

Name: Revelation

Archetype: Freeform

Super Stats:
Level 6: Intelligence (Primary)
Level 10: Dexterity (Secondary)
Level 15: Presence (Secondary)

Talents:
Level 1: The Grimoire
Level 6: Agile
Level 9: Brilliant
Level 12: Intimidating
Level 15: Diplomatic
Level 18: Coordinated
Level 21: Finesse

Powers:
Level 1: Eldritch Bolts
Level 1: Eldritch Blast (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Aura of Primal Majesty (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Sigils of the Primal Storm (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Concentration
Level 14: Conviction(Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 17: Molecular Self-Assembly
Level 20: Skarn's Bane (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23:
Level 26:
Level 29:
Level 32:
Level 35:
Level 38:

Travel Powers:
Level 6: Flight
Level 35:

Specializations:
Intelligence: Enlightened (3/3)
Intelligence: Tactician (2/2)
Intelligence: Revitalize (1/3)
Intelligence: Detect Vulnerability (2/3)
Intelligence: Expertise (2/2)