It seems to me at least, that even when I dump points into INT I get little out of it. My spell power just seems to grow with each level. So I ask, should I reverse my spread from 3-4 INT and 1-2 END?

ok so first off int definately benefits your mage abilities. when i was a mage i used pure int gear, really helps a lot. also make sure you get + damage for whatever spell you use. as in shadow bolt/lightning, you will mostly use dreaded or dreary items. as of the stats, each time i would level i would add all to int. occasionally about 2-3 for end. so when i had my build i used two pure int rings with % shadow damage and as for a ammy i used a split int/end one. when i hit 100 my total end was about 4.5k and about 46k mana so i had plenty of mana as a result of more damage and works with blue screen. just think of it as a ranger the more agi the more damage you do and better attack rating.

Well, there are various opinions on the subject. Some people opt to make pure endurance mages, while others opt to make pure intelligence mages, and there is a whole spectrum in between. Does anyone have the figures as to how much spell dmg each point of intelligence translates into? Is the dmg increase linear or is it non-linear with diminishing returns?

I have done full int and end and IMO all 100% pts into END and full set of dreary, cold, or medium-heat (pending on your dmg choice) is a better way then full Int..

You wont be spending as much pots, can kill just as easy, frees up another valuable skill bar slot by not using BSoL.

my lvl 100 mage i believe had 24k-25ish hps with like 20-25k mana (pending on gear for the fight)

so if you dont want to be spending money on alot of pots and kill just a bit slower then do end.. if you want to kill a bit quicker but dont mind spending money on pots then go full INT with BSoL.

maybe i am bias of BSoL as i was already 100 when it came out but it only took me one time to use it find out i dont like it and even my low lvl PvP mage i wont use it on for anything either

I disagree. I like using BSoL .it sae pots and makes some fights fights .not pot chugging exhibitions.....I do alot of hdol and there it is needed IMO

BSoL after next patch will be much improved but for now i think it is just a waste as i just tried on my friends mage who was lvl 70 (yes yes i know sharing accounts is against the rules but had to try it out and he switching passwords).. the dmg i did being full endurance to full int with BSoL was hardly noticeable, where i did find it better was going up against rotgut but then i used more pots but killed quicker.... which is what i explained earlier

its all about how you like to play, just because i like full end with a certain gear set up doesnt mean its any worse or better then ghads or the any other mages..

try different specs, gear setups to find what you like the best and rock the exp in..

with that all said i still stand behind end with a full set of dreary/malevolent gear

Mage Int Discussion

I have been playing a Mage for some time now. The first question that popped into my mind was the same as the one you are asking now. I did some research and found this topic on the DR Mage forums. Some very good infoz here. I have tested this and found that the numbers are really accurate.

I am a all Int mage... what do I feel is the biggest difference b/w a End or Int Mage? Being able to drop a spell on your hotbar that is not the same as your primary school and being able to do considerable damage still. I primarily utilize the shadow school, run HDOL frequently... there are many times when the boss adds may be immune to shadow, simple for an Int mage.. just drop another spell school in the hotbar, waste the adds then switch to your main school to finish off the boss.

Just my 2 cents.. read the thread linked, good info.

Peace, Erf

**edit** I wanted to add that I do use BSOL religously, ie.. it is up 100% of the time. Although I wouldnt recommend using all Int gear until you get the 70% absortion BSOL.

Edited by Erfane (11/27/07 11:04 PM)

In the current build, each point of intellect increases your skill damage by 1.17 per second. The next build has this increased to 1.5.

That's this week's look at the magic numbers in DR.

steve

dang from 1.17 to 1.5 is a big leap of dmg but we must also consider the mana costs will also be going up

Edited by clamm (11/28/07 09:52 AM)

Stephen is the int bonus of 1.17 or 1.5 based on base total or final total ?? makes a huge difference for us mages who are trying new builds for next patch..

Edited by clamm (11/28/07 11:00 AM)

The intellect bonus that I speak of is applied to the base DPS of all skills pretty early in the formula.

It goes something like this (I'm going off memory, so no doubt something is missing here):

DPS = ((15 * RequiredSkillLevel) + (Intellect * 1.17)) * ((100 + DamageMod) / 100) + DamageBonus

That sets the baseline for all skill damage. Each skill modifies that damage based on mana cost, cool down and designer whim. Then a volatility is applied to pick min / max damage values for each use of a skill.

I think I'll post the full damage formula for skills one day soon.

steve

Ok this page is on my favorites now, and print screened! The very first formula given out by a dev, on public way. We want more! We want more!

I have a level 30 mage and while build/gear does matter I don't quip about fractional differences. I have tried both +int and +end builds and both are highly effective. I ended up going with +end as my primary build so she can just stand there and slug it out with the bad guys (they lose).
In the end, she kills so much faster than my ranger that both builds are viable.

Quote:

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I think I'll post the full damage formula for skills one day soon.

steve

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How about tomorrow? OK, I am teasing, but we DO appreciate whatever morsels of information that is made available to us.

I know fighters would love to know how much +agility is enough so they can max out their +strength rating to increase their DPS.

fighters wont need to worry about agi come next patch.. what i am trying to ask is having 100 skill pts in int in the build the same as having 10 in build (min.) and 90 int in gear for a final of 100..

Stephen, you guys rock! This is the first MMO where I feel like the devs and players are on the same side, pulling together to make a great game. That alone is enough to keep my subscription for a long time.

Thanks for the formula... We really appreciatte any information you Devs share with us. Now time to crunch some numbers, Muhahaha.

Hm... that's an interesting formula. This game suddenly makes a lot more sense.

I've just been playing for about a month, but from what I've seen, intellect seems to be the way to go. My 23 +int shadow wizard is doing fine, and he only has 1.5k health.

Another thing: most of the time I play, I'm in a group with a tank taking all the damage, so end doesn't matter so much. Just throwing that out there.

yeah you got the idea with the group thing.. however when i was lvling and once i got to lvl 55-60 groups were becoming harder and harder to find so it kinda forces ya solo a bit.