How to really get my CW up to fighting class at lvl 70

ironmako

Hi All. I recently posted about getting some artefacts to help boost my CW (the suggestions were very helpful btw) but now I want to start moulding my CW into something of a more complete character.

So I thought I would ask a few questions and hopefully get some tips of advice.

I've currently got his appearance right, as I've bought the Arcane Wanderer's set, but I'm awaiting to get my hands on some epic gear in order to transmute the epic gear into the Arcane Wanderer. Which Epic gear (armour sets/pieces) would be the best to get for this?

I'm also looking to respec my CW to be going for more damage rather than control. What is the best build for this? Also, what would be the most ideal enchantments for a damage build?

I would like to take part in areas like the Well of Dragons, but I am not strong enough yet. What should I prioritise on in order to build up the damage/defense of my CW so i may last much better in the WoD?

I'm happy to spend a bit for zen if there is something from the Z-store which will assist me?

Any other tips on how to fine-tune my CW would be appreciated

niadan

Read Ironzerg's guide a few threads down.

fatguns

Best DPS CW build is renegade with icy veins. chilling presence + storm spell and high 65% crit

romotheone

fatguns said:

Best DPS CW build is renegade with icy veins. chilling presence + storm spell and high 65% crit

You shouldn't be misleading people. Icy Veins, if you're the only CW in the group, is the safer choice because of the sudden freeze and the longer freezing periods, which then increases both your and the other CW's damage output due to Chilling Presence. DPS-wise it's Renegade + Spell Twisting.

Looking at your 10-20 previous messages, why are you flooding the CW section if you are not familiar with the class and mostly play PvP?

vordayn

ironmako said:

I've currently got his appearance right, as I've bought the Arcane Wanderer's set, but I'm awaiting to get my hands on some epic gear in order to transmute the epic gear into the Arcane Wanderer. Which Epic gear (armour sets/pieces) would be the best to get for this?

Best armor set at the moment is the Dragonflight Armor (IL 140), but is only available if you're part of a guild and can regularly down multiple dragons.

If you're not part of a guild, the best set available is the Elven Armor set (1L 135) which is purchased using Seals of the Protector from the Seal Trader in the Seven Suns Coster Market. The Protector seals are obtained from T2 dungeons.

The next best set is the Elemental Alliance set (IL 132), which occasionally drop in T2 dungeons. They can also be obtained via upgrading Alliance Armor using the Black Ice Profession (upgrading via the BI profession is not worth it for this armor set IMO).

Having said that, the best armor for you depends on what type of CW build you are going for. If you are trying to go crit-heavy, then certain Elemental Alliance armor have better stats than the Elven Armor, or even Dragonflight armor. The Dragonflight have set bonuses which may overcome some weaknesses, and with proper enchants you can round out your build anyway.

ironmako said:

I would like to take part in areas like the Well of Dragons, but I am not strong enough yet. What should I prioritise on in order to build up the damage/defense of my CW so i may last much better in the WoD?

I'm happy to spend a bit for zen if there is something from the Z-store which will assist me?

If you're new to the WoD, my advice would be to at least gear up to the Alliance Set (IL 130) obtained in T1 dungeons (and bought with Seals of Elements also obtained by running T1 dungeons/skirmishes)

An augment pet (e.g. Ioun stone) will help bolster up your character's stats significantly in PvE. They can be bought from the Zen store or on the AH (although I think the Zen store is a little cheaper at the moment, especially if you have a 15% discount coupon off companions).

If you find you are still quite squishy, place Shield on Tab to deflect the initial burst damage from critters. Also use your dodge function often to avoid attacks.

Icy terrain is essential for most mobs to freeze them in place, and to also get a damage boost from Chilling Presence if you have it slotted.

ironmako said:

I'm also looking to respec my CW to be going for more damage rather than control. What is the best build for this? Also, what would be the most ideal enchantments for a damage build?

There are a few good builds around. Ironzerg's renegade CW is a solid build for damage and buffs. One of the most useful buffs when you're soloing content if you are a bit squishy is from the Renegade Capstone; Chaotic growth has great healing sometimes (it is random however).

Your choice of boons can also be a bit more on the defensive side when you are starting out. Augmented Thayan Bastion, Elven Tranquility, Enraged Regrowth and Cold Shoulder can make your CW survive much better. I still use these, as I find it helps in soloing content, but also in PvP, if you ever decide to venture there.

If you are a crit-heavy CW (which is boosted via the Renegade path if you choose the feat Chilling Advantage and slot Chilling presence as your class feature for a +10% critical chance buff) then you can't go wrong with the Vorpal enchantment (good at any level you can afford). If you want to buff/debuff and go for a flat damage increase then Feytouched would be better (although it is only really good at the Transcendent level).

Aim for at least 3000 Armor Penetration against mobs (their DR caps at 30%), and up to 6000 if you can afford it for bosses (DR capped at 60%). Dark enchantments help here, but also companion pieces of the Loyal Avenger in your augment pet. Slot Azure enchants (for critical strike) or Radiant enchants (for power) in your offensive slots. For defensive slots, Dark enchants (for Life Steal) or Radiant enchants (for HP) will increase your survivability. If you have the money, go for Savage or Brutal enchants.

Having a few of your feats specced into Thaumaturge (for spell twisting) will reduce your encounter cooldowns to increase your damage. If you want a bit more control on small mobs (i.e. not control-immune) then go for a few feats in the Oppressor path (for Icy veins).

In the Spellstorm paragon path: Chilling Presence adds excellent damage when your mobs are chilled, and double the damage boost when they are frozen - I almost always have this slotted as a Renegade CW. Storm Spell (even though it has been nerfed) is decent if you have high crit. Arcane Presence is also good for reduced encounter cooldowns, and increased damage with cold-based spells if you are able to build up and maintain arcane mastery stacks (best for larger enemies i.e. dragons).

Personally, I find Focused Wizardry an excellent feat. It is good for your single target powers, and will come in most useful for bosses (think Valindra, Tiamat, Dragon Heralds etc) and in PvP. I read somewhere that the strikes from Storm Spell are also buffed by it, though have not personally tested it. If you go for a Recovery based CW, with spell twisting and Arcane Presence, your single-target spells usually cast very fast, and you will be casting them quite often. (I used a critical-based build at first, but am trying to supplement it with increased recovery now to further increase my dps; my damage has been pretty good so far).