Burninating the Countryside - A Bright Wizard Guide [Archive]

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DarkNecrid

09-01-2008, 08:14 AM

Burninating the Countryside - A Bright Wizard Guide [v1.4]
Written by: DarkNecrid
September 9th, 2008

An Introduction:
So you noticed 60% of the population was playing these bad boys and either didn't get to try them out, or did but didn't see what the big deal was. Well, look no further. I also plan on doing guides for other classes should I have the time.

If anyone has played Guild Wars as a caster class, there are a few key skills you can bring over into this game. If not, well I'll try my best. :p

The guide that follows is for Player versus Player.

Pre-kiting is your most valuable ability as a Bright Wizard. It costs nothing, it has no cooldown, and it stops you from dying a lot. This ability must be totally broken! Pre-kiting is kiting (moving to mitigate damage done to you), before the enemy actually gets to you. So if you see a guy who might just possibly be wearing a helmet that could be construed as a popular legend involving a woman, or a guy who looks like he wants your insides adorning your sword, I can't stress this enough, RUN AWAY. But don't fret, you're going to be casting stuff on him while you're running away, because you're annoying like that. If an enemy melee guy gets close to you, needless to say, you've screwed up. If you're a clicker, learn to stop clicking. There are many popular keyboard setups that you can use, but I'm not going to go into this for now.

Resource management is a Bright Wizard's second needed asset. You have 250 Action Points to manage efficiently as well as your Aqshy/Combustion levels.

Aqshy/Combustion is the Bright Wizard mechanic. Most of your spells build Combustion, and as it gets higher all your offensive spells have a greater chance of critical hitting, however you might Backlash and get hurt. Knowing when to keep your Combustion going or to let it go is an important talent needed for a BW. If you have a healer who can focus on you reliably, keep it going. If you have no healer, you should let it go soon so you don't kill yourself.

1-10 Combustion gives you +5% Crit chance, +10% Crit damage, but you have a backlash chance of 10%. (A +5/+10% improvement over the previous rank for a +10% possible danger zone.)
11-30 Combustion gives you +10% Crit chance, +20% Crit damage, but you have a backlash chance of 20%. (A +5/+10% improvement over the previous rank for a +10% possible danger zone.)
31-70 Combustion gives you a +20% Crit chance, +40% Crit damage, but you have a backlash chance of 30% (A +10/+20% improvement over the previous rank for a +10% possible danger zone.)
71-90 Combustion gives you a +40% Crit chance, +80% Crit damage, but you have a backlash chance of 40%. (A +20/+40% improvement over the previous rank for a +10% possible danger zone.)
91-100 Combustion gives you a +50% Crit chance, +100% Crit damage, but you have a backlash chance of 50%. (A +10/+20% improvement over the previous rank for a +10% possible danger zone.)

You'll notice that 31-90 gives you the biggest buffs for the lowest improvement to backlash.

Bright Wizard Abilities - An Indepth Look

=Skills Gained by Ranking Up=
Flee (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=245)
Your basic run away skill. Useful if your about to die and need to get away. Use carefully.

Ignite (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8158)
Your de facto basic DoT. Learn to love it.

Fireball (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8159)
This ability is one of the worst spells in the game. It has amazingly bad DPS, takes forever to activate, you can't move while using it, and the damage is not worth it. Once you have your appropriate BW skills, if you're using this, you're doing it wrong.

Meltdown (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8179)
This is your Dhar Wind. Use if you hit ~70/90 Combust without a healer or if your healer can't keep you alive. Otherwise, keep killing things.

(http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8160)Sear (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8160)
Very meh. Can't move while casting, damage isn't too great. Builds a good chunk of Combust tho. But eh.

(http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8172)Shield of Aqshy (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8172)
Nice for the armor buff in a time of need (ie: when you failed at pre-kiting). If you're really good at kiting and know how to escape battles properly and play well with your healers, you should never really need to use this. Use if your gonna get owned by a Witch Elf/Hunter.

Smoke Screen (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8162)
I can't say enough good things about this skill. Use it. Now.

Scorched Earth
(http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8163)Personally, I don't like this skill. AoE is good for light pressure, however HoT's dominate the game and will outheal this AoE damage quite easily. Not really worth it, tbh. The only time you should be using this ability is to get yourself to 100 Combust before a fight.

Flames of Rhuin (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8164)
A nice party buff, no real reason NOT to use it.

(http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8165)Boiling Blood (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8165)
This spell is really really good. Really. Use whenever you possibly can.

(http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8166)Fiery Blast (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8166)
I think if anyone uses this ability, the game should log you off and automatically uninstall itself from your computer. (Good for keeps or hitting people in an AoE (surprise!), but don't go throwing this like a nuke on one or two targets all the time, ok?)

Cauterize (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8167)
Not much to be said about this.

(http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8168)Fire Cage (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8168)
An AoE root. Use this if you need to get away. This is one of your most useful utility spells, so use it.

(http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8169)Pyroclastic Surge (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8169)
I really never use this, but I guess it can be fairly useful on a healer maybe. To be fair, you blow stuff up enough without this spells benefit, I find.

(http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8170)Detonate (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8170)
This is your bread and butter spell. If you aren't using this when you get it you are not playing the class right. Everything you do should involve this spell, it's that good.

Flame Breath
(http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8171)Meh.

Flame Shield
(http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8161)Not too big on this buff to be honest but whatever. Use it anyways. Can't hurt.

Burning Iron (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8173)
Not very useful. It's not instant like all your good stuff is, and quite simply 50AP isn't going to make a difference if your target is dead anyways.

(http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8177)Rain of Fire (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8177)
Costs 130 AP, and most good players are going to evade this. Useful in PvE I'm sure, but players (usually) aren't that dumb. Note: Good for hitting people in an AoE (who knew), also good for keeps.

(http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8175)Burnout (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8175)
Use with a healer you can talk to. Otherwise, don't. If you're good at resource management, you really won't need to use this much anyways.

(http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8176)Slow Boil (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8176)
If you can spend the AP for this, you can use it, but the damage isn't a lot, and I find you're better off killing stuff than slowing the enemy down cooldown wise.

=Skills Gained by Raising Masteries=
Incineration:
(http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8181)Funnel Power (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8181)
Meh. The damage doesn't make too much of a difference if you play effectively.

Nova
(http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8182)A nice spell to use on the run when you have the AP and have setup your plan (more on this below)

Fireball Barrage (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8183)
Is just simply not worth it compared to your other options.

Immolation:
(http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8184)Playing with Fire (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8184)[/SPELL
]This ability is godlike. Use on person when you're ready to DoT them to death, and enjoy the burn.

[SPELL] (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8185)Withering Heat (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8185)
This is the only time you should ever EVER EVER stop moving.

(http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8186)Stop, Drop, and Roll (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8186)
Your other bread and butter spell. This is one of the best abilities in the BW repitore. Enjoy it.

Conflagration:
(http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8187)Annihilate (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8187)
Terrible. Terrible. Terrible.

(http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8188)Spreading Flames (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8188)
..terrible!

Favourable Winds
Is terrible because all your AoE options suck.

=Morale Skills=
Mage Bolt
(http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=670)Godlike Rank 1 Morale ability. Use this whenever because you can't go wrong with it.

Misdirection
(http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=673)In comparison to Mage Bolt, is god awful.

(http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8215)Magic Dart (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8215)
This is god awful too, because if you're doing your #1 ability pre-kiting and kiting in general correctly, the knockback is worthless.

Siphon Power (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=669)
The debuff isn't very good and you don't need the AP and the AP loss doesn't matter if you're killing them. Stick to Mage Bolt.

(http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=653)Focused Mind (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=653)
Pretty good Morale ability. However, it is out done by...

Ruin and Destruction (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8216)
This is your rank 2 Mage Bolt. You will use this whenever you can use it the best. An AoE stun for 5 seconds and good damage? Gimme gimme gimme. Screws over every single melee.

(http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=671)Scintillating Energy (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=671)
Isn't as useful as RaD. RaD benefits your whole party by stunning a lot of people, SE is only useful in 1v1.

(http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8217)Heart of Fire (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8217)Sucks.

(http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=672)Unleash the Winds (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=672)
Stick with RaD.

The Burning Head (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8220)
Good effect, but not really worth it because Incin is just so much better.

Wall of Fire (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8221)
Not the best Morale ability. Stick to Mage Bolt & RaD.

Conflagration of Doom (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8222)
Just no.

=Tactics=
(http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=563)Endless Knowledge (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=563)
Meh.

Sleight of Hand (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=567)
Useless in PvP.

(http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=568)Devour Energy (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=568)
Fairly useful at keeping your AP up if you can't manage it well.

(http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=569)Close Quarters (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=569)
I would like to remind you that getting close to stuff = you dead.

Sigmar's Favor (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=776)
Please no.

Unwavering Faith (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=777)
Eh.

(http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=779)Emperor's Ward (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=779)
Very meh.

(http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8194)Power from the Ashes (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8194)
This is only useful if you plan to use Meltdown often. ie: when you don't have any healers.

(http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8195)Lingering Fires (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8195)
You should be almost never using either of those abilitys. So bad.

(http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8196)Flashfire (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8196)
All your stuff is instant anyways except for Whithering Heat. Pass.

(http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8197)Crown of Fire (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8197)
You shouldn't be getting attacked.

Fan the Flames (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8198)
Buffs Detonate, but I like other Tactics better.

Distracting Fires (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8199)
Must have. Both of these spells rock, you should be using this Tactic often.

(http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8200)Embrace the Flames (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8200)
Nein.

(http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8201)Fueled From Within (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8201)
Very average.

Searing Vitality (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8205)
Not worth it. At all.

Draining Burn (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8204)
This ability is meh anyways. So is the tactic.

Burn Through (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8206)
Too bad they still suck.

Fuel to the Fire
(http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8207)GET THIS TACTIC AND USE IT 24/7 I DON'T CARE WHAT.

Ignition (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8209)
You'll be using this ability frequently anyways. Worth the slot, imo.

(http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8208)Smoldering Embers (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8208)
Detonate & this is godlike. Use it.

Explosive Force (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8210)
Nothing great, but can be handy.

(http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8212)Fiery Reserves (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8212)
Not worth it.

Wildfire (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8211)
Also not worth it.

Bright Wizard Builds and Playstyle
Anything involving Immolation as your main build and Incineration as your second is good. No joke.

Wall of Fire and the rest of Inc. just aren't good. In generally, Immolation is the best build a BW has hands down. Incineration and Conflagaration just aren't very good in PvP at all. I'm sure Conflag could be good in crowded PvP with a lot of players bunched up, but Immolation is just hands down more reliable and has more power.

Your basic chain to use is the following:
Ignite -> Detonate -> Boiling Blood -> Playing with Fire -> Withering Heat

For closer foes:
Ignite -> Stop, Drop, and Roll -> Ignite -> Detonate -> Boiling Blood -> Playng With Fire -> Withering Heat, if enemy is close -> Smoke Screen.

Both of these chains will wind up with your target dead in most cases.

Builds:
http://www.wardb.com/career.aspx?id=11#5:32:13:10920:0:0:25 <-- damn strong build, my favorite. It rules.

25 POINT STARTER BUILD:
http://www.wardb.com/career.aspx?id=11#5:32:15:8744:0:0:25 <--- you can't go wrong with this.

30 POINT LATE GAME BUILD:
http://www.wardb.com/career.aspx?id=11#9:544:14:8744:0:0:30 <--- this really works out quite nicely. Not shown is that the last point adds +1 to all tiers, so you wind up having 15 Immolation, anyways.

Closing and Update History
Hope you enjoyed this guide. Note that this stuff may change towards Open Beta & Release, but should give anyone a basic guide on how to play Bright Wizard effectively when those come around. Do not be a clicker who just fireballs, you're not playing your class to the best you can be!

Update History:
September 1st, 2008: (v1.0)
Posted guide.

September 1st, 2008: (v1.1)
Fixed build link & fixed spelling errors.

September 1st, 2008: (v1.2)
Fixed rushed build with an alt build and a pretty common build for the type of BW you should be.

September 1st, 2008: (v1.3)
Updated details of several skills & added tactic builds.

September 9th, 2008: (v1.4)
Added new career builds. Plan on revamping later.

Laxgimly

09-01-2008, 09:35 AM

DarkNecrid

09-01-2008, 09:45 AM

Your build doesn't have any of the abilites/tactics you talked about selected. Something like http://www.wardb.com/career.aspx?id=11#3:8:15:10920:0:0:25 has them selected, with searing vitality for extra healing if you wanted it. Other than that nice guide to the Immolation BW. Thanks

Yeah that's a pretty good build, to be fair I was in a rush with the build part and there isn't a comprehensive build gen (one that includes the masteries, the skills, the tactics, AND the renown) yet so I was like whatever and just threw points in cause I had to go for a bit. I'll update it with a list of actual builds right now actually! ;)

Karumii

09-01-2008, 10:34 AM

DarkNecrid

09-01-2008, 10:52 AM

Thanks for this post, it pretty much made up my mind to play a BW in OB/release however i do have a question.

Flames of Rhuin the one with the 25% chance to deal extra damage for your groups damage. Have you used this? If it were applyed to DoTs it would make your own and your teams just that bit more powerful, it does say "Anytime they deal damage" so i wouldn't know.

-edit- And i also noticed you have a squig herder ability in there :rolleyes:

Spine Fling (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=7)

I am 90% sure it works on DoT's, but the combat is so hectic it's hard to pay attention to all the tiny numbers and really focus on it. Maybe someone who has directly tested it can say, but from the description it looks like it should work. I never really thought about it, it's just a buff you should use cause why not?

Also I didn't put Spine Fling there. I even typed Focused Mind, but the text came out as Spine Fling.

Try it yourself.

Focused Mind does the following:
For the next 10 seconds, you will remove and ignore any silencing, disarming, rooting, snaring effects and your abilities will build 50% faster and may not be set back.
(http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=7)

doggsley

09-01-2008, 10:53 AM

Awesome post!

Would you be doing one for renown as well?

DarkNecrid

09-01-2008, 11:02 AM

Awesome post!

Would you be doing one for renown as well?

Most likely not. Maybe if I get more free time but I want to write the other guides up first.

Rmedies

09-01-2008, 11:11 AM

Any chance you can make the font the default, it's hard to read ;)

Always try to end your casting chain with meltdown
it removes combustion and you don't explode...

DarkNecrid

09-01-2008, 11:12 AM

Any chance you can make the font the default, it's hard to read ;)

I wrote this in Word, and I tried to, and I've kept trying, and it won't let me change the font. Sorry. :(

Funus

09-01-2008, 11:12 AM

[/URL]

[URL="http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8166"]Fiery Blast (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8166)I think if anyone uses this ability, the game should log you off and automatically uninstall itself from your computer.

comments on remark?

Funus

09-01-2008, 11:15 AM

Rain Of Fire (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8177)Costs 130 AP, and most good players are going to evade this. Useful in PvE I'm sure, but players (usually) aren't that dumb.

This spell has a very great use at Keep doors

Rmedies

09-01-2008, 11:18 AM

This spell has a very great use at Keep doors

Note: It doesn't have to be a ground target either. You can click on walls above you and cast at that location. I perplexed many enemies who couldn't figure out how I was casting on top of a wall from on the ground.

Also you can cast through floors and walls with this spell (in it's current implementation). For keep defense just before the door falls, set your ground target (cast) on the first floor or stairs, then run up top and cast without enemies being able to see you.

Also, once you set your ground target, you can click the spell twice to fire on that ground target area. You don't need LoS or need to set the target again. (in it's current implementation).

Funus

09-01-2008, 11:18 AM

[/URL]

[URL="http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=7"]Spine Fling (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=7)Pretty good Morale ability. However, it is out done by...

you should mention this is not a BW morale

DarkNecrid

09-01-2008, 11:22 AM

Any chance you can make the font the default, it's hard to read ;)

Always try to end your casting chain with meltdown
it removes combustion and you don't explode...

Actually, I fixed it. I hard refreshed. :P

comments on remark?It is a terrible skill. Very very...very....very....very....bad. Bright Wizard's are overpowered right now (as I've said this could change going into OB, but doubtful) because they have supremely strong instant cast spells. People who stand there and waste 3 seconds to cast a spell aren't playing a BW at a very effective level. The AoE damage it does is negligible, and the damage it actually does is minor. In the 3s you were casting it, standing still, and letting the melee people close the gap with you, you could have output way way way more damage on someone, all while moving and keeping the melee people from being able to close the gap with you.

EDIT:
This spell has a very great use at Keep doors

I'm sure it does, I didn't say it was useless. :P In general combat you aren't going to use it, and really any AoE has its uses if people are bunched up somewhere.

you should mention this is not a BW morale

It's a bug with the Spell Icon function in the forums. Try doing a Spell Icon and Focused Mind. You'll get that ability instead.

you should add that this is a HEX which makes you able to cast Detonate

It's mentioned in the chains, and the WarDB thing mentions it. It doesn't bear much repeating. It's also good for covering other hex's, too.

Funus

09-01-2008, 11:23 AM

Ignite (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8158)Your de facto basic DoT. Learn to love it.

you should add that this is a HEX which makes you able to cast Detonate

Detonate (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8170)This is your bread and butter spell. If you aren't using this when you get it you are not playing the class right. Everything you do should involve this spell, it's that good.

Funus

09-01-2008, 11:25 AM

Actually, I fixed it. I hard refreshed. :P

It is a terrible skill. Very very...very....very....very....bad. Bright Wizard's are overpowered right now (as I've said this could change going into OB, but doubtful) because they have supremely strong instant cast spells. People who stand there and waste 3 seconds to cast a spell aren't playing a BW at a very effective level. The AoE damage it does is negligible, and the damage it actually does is minor. In the 3s you were casting it, standing still, and letting the melee people close the gap with you, you could have output way way way more damage on someone, all while moving and keeping the melee people from being able to close the gap with you.

so.......... standing on a Keep wall casting into a group on the RAM is a bad idea?

Rmedies

09-01-2008, 11:25 AM

comments on remark?

Fiery Blast is a great spell to "help" break up crowds.

This spell casts faster and has a lower cooldown than the default fireball and does AoE damage. The range is less than fireball. Not great damage, but still helps break up crowds.

Funus

09-01-2008, 11:28 AM

Fiery Blast is a great spell to "help" break up crowds.

This spell casts faster and has a lower cooldown than the default fireball and does AoE damage. The range is less than fireball. Not great damage, but still helps break up crowds.

I know, used it to great effect, just did not understand the OP comment

DarkNecrid

09-01-2008, 11:29 AM

so.......... standing on a Keep wall casting into a group on the RAM is a bad idea?

Just because the spell has a use doesn't make it all the less terrible. It is a terrible spell for a GENERAL fight. Yes, you can spec AoE or use AoE spells to break up crowds, I'm not saying you can't, and yes, it can be effective, (and is in certain events), but this is more or less a guide to utilizing the Bright Wizard's strongest aspects, which is deadly instant cast DoT's that can shred through health bars right now. If you have absolutely no other way of breaking up a crowd or absolutely 0 other options for spreading them out or hitting whatever you need to hit, use it. I'm not talking about those functions. I'm talking about the clickers who stand on a hill and spam Fireball and Fiery Blast all day and think the class sucks because they don't realize that its current strength is its insane on-to-move damage.

Rmedies

09-01-2008, 11:30 AM

so.......... standing on a Keep wall casting into a group on the RAM is a bad idea?

With the right tactics implemented your AoE damage area for this spell increases, the damage increases.

For someone on a ram, usually a Tank it's annoying but not deadly.
Add another BW and it hurts.
Add another BW (3 total) and it's deadly...
I usually disperse the enemy healers working on the tank, then go back to this spell.

Also good to cast when you see the enemies health low and can't quite get LoS on them for other spells. A good finisher spell.

Also a GREAT spell to break up crowds.
I charge to the front lines, use my AoE and hope for heals.
The Enemy usually backs up, thus our line moves forward.

My playstyle as a BW is probably not the norm.
I tend to play VERY aggressively and usually can be found in front of the front lines.

Funus

09-01-2008, 11:31 AM

[/URL]

[URL="http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8172"]Shield Of Aqshy (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8172)Nice for the armor buff in a time of need (ie: when you failed at pre-kiting). The setback doesn't matter because you really won't be using many setback-able skills. If you're really good at kiting and know how to escape battles properly and play well with your healers, you should never really need to use this.

I have to disagree here, using Aqshy while trying to get behind you tanks during a battle will happen often, and it may just be enough to save you till your healer can get you healed.

Rmedies

09-01-2008, 11:34 AM

I have to disagree here, using Aqshy while trying to get behind you tanks during a battle will happen often, and it may just be enough to save you till your healer can get you healed.

I personally use this every time the cooldown is up.
For one thing, it helps mitigate ( 50% chance ) knockbacks from the enemy.

Funus

09-01-2008, 11:34 AM

Just because the spell has a use doesn't make it all the less terrible. It is a terrible spell for a GENERAL fight. Yes, you can spec AoE or use AoE spells to break up crowds, I'm not saying you can't, and yes, it can be effective, (and is in certain events), but this is more or less a guide to utilizing the Bright Wizard's strongest aspects, which is deadly instant cast DoT's that can shred through health bars right now. If you have absolutely no other way of breaking up a crowd or absolutely 0 other options for spreading them out or hitting whatever you need to hit, use it. I'm not talking about those functions. I'm talking about the clickers who stand on a hill and spam Fireball and Fiery Blast all day and think the class sucks because they don't realize that its current strength is its insane on-to-move damage.

Spec'd immolation I used this spell more than in Conflageration, and I used it in many, many battles, espically when being pushed by large tight groups, the 3s cast is not a problem, and the 20 ft radius works very well as an addtional bump to dmg

Funus

09-01-2008, 11:41 AM

You need to revamp the tactics section, you should pick sets of tactics to use. There are 5 presets avilable to be used. Grouping them together you can have a set for PVE, RVR, distance PVE/RVR, close in PVE/RV.

Just saying one is good or bad or useless does not take in the ability to use them in combinations to provide you wth some very good buffs and abilities be it in PVE or RVR.

Funus

09-01-2008, 11:44 AM

[/URL]

[URL="http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8163"]Scorched Earth (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8163)Personally, I don't like this skill. AoE is good for light pressure, however HoT's dominate the game and will outheal this AoE damage quite easily. Not really worth it, tbh. The only time you should be using this ability is to get yourself to 100 Combust before a fight.

This has a good return at Keep doors using it on those on the RAM, and 2-3 BW doing it in tandam with a healer to cover explosions can be deadly. Also it is great in PVE to take out groups of mobs quickly.

DarkNecrid

09-01-2008, 11:45 AM

With the right tactics implemented your AoE damage area for this spell increases, the damage increases.

For someone on a ram, usually a Tank it's annoying but not deadly.
Add another BW and it hurts.
Add another BW (3 total) and it's deadly...
I usually disperse the enemy healers working on the tank, then go back to this spell.

Also good to cast when you see the enemies health low and can't quite get LoS on them for other spells. A good finisher spell.

Also a GREAT spell to break up crowds.
I charge to the front lines, use my AoE and hope for heals.
The Enemy usually backs up, thus our line moves forward.

Really, I don't think the tactics for it are worth using unless if there is something that buffs up what is integral to you. To a general fight you should use your mainstays...you'll pretty much kill anything. Like I said, if you're going to stand around and cast a spell that takes time to cast then you're actually lowering a lot of your DPS unless if you are 100% sure that spell will kill them and it won't get pushed back or interrupted, because the rest of the instant cast spells do a ton of damage and you can MOVE AROUND and positioning can be an incredible bonus all to its self. Dealing with Rain of Fire, if you have the AP to spare and absolutely need it, sure, but you're not going to be using that in general fight with just a few people. I didn't want to really say, USE AOE WHEN PEOPLE ARE BUNCHED UP or anything, because that seems fairly obvious minutiae.

Spec'd immolation I used this spell more than in Conflageration, and I used it in many, many battles, espically when being pushed by large tight groups, the 3s cast is not a problem, and the 20 ft radius works very well as an addtional bump to dmgHow many times did you use it in an actual fight involving people not bunched up in an AoE? Because that's what I'm saying, is in a GENERAL (NORMAL) fight involving people who aren't bunched up in an AoE or might be only a couple people, you're not going to use it for that. There are people who just stand there and throw FIREBALL and FIERY BLAST or even RAIN OF FIRE for every single fight, and that is not how you use it. Fireball in general is just a bad spell, but you don't use these abilities in a straight up fight between people, you can use it to move crowds, sure, but this guide is more or less about the BW strengths and why he is overpowered and how to take advantage of that, and in a general fight standpoint, you're not going to want to lose your positional advantage to cast Fireball/Fiery Blast, or waste Rain of Fire on someone who will escape it and lower its damage. You get what I'm saying?

I personally use this every time the cooldown is up.
For one thing, it helps mitigate ( 50% chance ) knockbacks from the enemy.I wouldn't use it every time the cooldown is up, personally, but when you know it's going to be needed, sure.

I have to disagree here, using Aqshy while trying to get behind you tanks during a battle will happen often, and it may just be enough to save you till your healer can get you healed.True, that's a pretty good (obvious :p) time to use it.

EDIT:
Just saying one is good or bad or useless does not take in the ability to use them in combinations to provide you wth some very good buffs and abilities be it in PVE or RVR.This guide is for PvP. I said that in the OP. :P

EDIT EDIT:
For what it's worth, I've made v1.3. I added a general tactic setup, and added the obvious to Fiery Blast and Rain of Fire and the Shield. Enjoy. :)

Funus

09-01-2008, 11:59 AM

How many times did you use it in an actual fight involving people not bunched up in an AoE? Because that's what I'm saying, is in a GENERAL (NORMAL) fight involving people who aren't bunched up in an AoE or might be only a couple people, you're not going to use it for that.

I used it several times on our tank as a back up to help him and as a VISUAL aid to stop others from running to beat on him. The fear factor is as important as the damge one.

DarkNecrid

09-01-2008, 12:03 PM

I used it several times on our tank as a back up to help him and as a VISUAL aid to stop others from running to beat on him. The fear factor is as important as the damge one.

tbh, I can see how you can use it that way, but I'm more of an offensive player and the Bright Wizard is easily capable of destroying someone, and while the occasional fear thing is ok (if your party is out numbered or something), I wouldn't make much of a habit of it. I'm not saying that's a bad way to use it, just not one I would personally use it as given the build.

Funus

09-01-2008, 12:03 PM

[/URL]

[URL="http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8217"]Heart Of Fire (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8217)Sucks.

until you meet a Sorc

DarkNecrid

09-01-2008, 12:05 PM

until you meet a Sorc

The other morale abilities are better imo, the health gain is minor, and other classes can remove Hexes and Curses.

Funus

09-01-2008, 12:12 PM

DarkNecrid

09-01-2008, 12:23 PM

since you keep using term general fight, could you define for us what a general fight is by your defintion, it would make it easier to understand your comments if we knew.

My definition of a general fight, is being in a warband, attacking a BO or a KEEP with several other warbands, not out trying to do PVP 1v1, yours might be different.

Just a fight between people (any number). I don't mean OH HEY ALL THOSE PEOPLE ARE BUNCHED UP as the situation, because if that was the situation pretty much 90% of the BW's spells would suck and everything would be "just AoE".

I can't go into complete and utter detail about how every skill should be used in every single situation in one post, there's a word limit and some of it is deathly obvious. Do I really have to say "Rain of Fire is AoE, use it in AoE situations?"..like really? In a general fight, where on average A TON OF people aren't going to be in your AoE's unless if they are a keep or near a cata (not a general fight) those skills aren't usually something you'll want to really USE. The Bright Wizard's strongest power (and the one I say AGAIN that this guide is focused on), is their on the run instant cast single target DoT's that shred through health. In a general warfield, not "fights" where people are bunched up near a key target, but in the open just fighting in part of a keep or in the open, you know, the fights that GENERALLY happen the most, those abilities aren't going to be used much, and shouldn't be used as straight up DAMAGE DEALERS which again I am saying they suck for people who stand there and go

FIREBALL
FIREBALL
FIREBALL
FIERY BLAST
RAIN OF FIRE
FIREBALL
FIREBALL

and never ever move. The Bright Wizard is not meant for that. This is a guide for unlocking the Bright Wizard's full DoT potential, since it was overpowered.

doggsley

09-01-2008, 12:29 PM

So is it really true that all or most of the immolate core skills are usable on the run???

MistaUnlucky

09-01-2008, 12:30 PM

Thanks for this post man it really helps my decision on what to play.

DarkNecrid

09-01-2008, 12:41 PM

So is it really true that all or most of the immolate core skills are usable on the run???

Yes. Every single good skill you want to use from Immolate, are instant.

You get a huge positional advantage (since you're constantly moving 99% of the time), rip through health bars like no one's business, and get to laugh maniacally while running away from the guy trying to beat you down. What's not to like?

This video was taken by someone on the EU CB, and while he isn't maxed out or fully using this build (I don't think he's built for it straight up) or anything, you can see just how strong this spec is or can be (at it's full potential it's better than the one in the vid, tbh.): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiEglht3wPw

Thanks for this post man it really helps my decision on what to play.

No problem. :)

Guzz

09-01-2008, 03:05 PM

While I always liked the idea of aoeing stuff and throwing bolts of fire at people. Setting someone on fire and watching them burn to a crisp seems to be more satisfying, or making them explode via Detonate - either one works for me.

Good Post.

Funus

09-01-2008, 03:16 PM

In a general fight, where on average A TON OF people aren't going to be in your AoE's unless if they are a keep or near a cata (not a general fight) those skills aren't usually something you'll want to really USE. The Bright Wizard's strongest power (and the one I say AGAIN that this guide is focused on), is their on the run instant cast single target DoT's that shred through health. In a general warfield, not "fights" where people are bunched up near a key target, but in the open just fighting in part of a keep or in the open, you know, the fights that GENERALLY happen the most, those abilities aren't going to be used much, and shouldn't be used as straight up DAMAGE DEALERS which again I am saying they suck for people who stand there and go
<snip>
and never ever move. The Bright Wizard is not meant for that. This is a guide for unlocking the Bright Wizard's full DoT potential, since it was overpowered.

I have not really seen where our instant cast DOTs on the run in a big fight are the core for the BW, they are great, but they cause a problem in their short range, most are 80ft. Most open RVR fights will be fought like a pulsing wave, one pushing the other. To jump up front where you can actually tap a player with a 80 ft DOT, will get you DOT'd yourself by the other side and sliced and diced by their tanks.

Our 'squishy' side will be very, very apparent in those general type fights. Just as we run up to hit them they will hit us, and hit us hard. The BW stands out in a crowd and they will tap you and hard, and they will use their 100ft spells to do it. It is not unusual to see 10-20 BW corpses on the ground in a swing fight, mainly because of the high dmg from Sorc and Shamans, but our low hp is not a help. We are designed to be long range damage, be it individual (incen), DOT (immo), or AOE (conflg). Each has it best use, and each has it's best role.

Overpowered is not a BW, a Socr out crits us, and a tank will kill you before you can get a heal. Their strongest power is RDPS, consistently pumping it out, and DOT protecting the tanks in close. From Keep walls we are a formidable force to be reckon with. Chasing Destrucion when they lose thier healers we are the best to keep them on the run, that is when our DOT's really shine, and the potential to die is smaller. But in a toe to toe fight, you get up front and your dead, and your dead quick.

Your guide is a good start, but come back in a few levels and a few fights and review it, I think you'll make some changes in it. Most need to know that a BW has a place, and a role and an important one, but never forget you're playing with fire and it burns -- not just them , but yourself too! :-D

Funus

09-01-2008, 03:22 PM

You get a huge positional advantage (since you're constantly moving 99% of the time), rip through health bars like no one's business, and get to laugh maniacally while running away from the guy trying to beat you down. What's not to like?

you will get slammed by this a lot - and it hurts bad

Gork Sez Stop
SummaryCareerShamanRank Acquired28TypeDamagingTraining Cost1 56 80FlagsDamaging, Defensive

Gork Sez StopDamagingCore AbilityLevel 40
Rank 1 Morale100 ft rangeInstant cast60s cooldownYour target suffers 300 damage over 2s. If the target moves, the duration is restarted.

DarkNecrid

09-01-2008, 07:18 PM

1: Please use the edit function.

2: Yes, I can pull out a counter to every single skill in the game, it doesn't make them not good or suddenly not relevant. If you get affected by something like that, you can stop moving.

3: With a good party, your should be able to keep your distance quite easily. Bodyblocking is gud.

4: I've played all the relevant stuff so you don't have to say "get a few levels", ok? I've done all the stuff you mentioned. If you absolutely need an AoE to "scare" someone, then use it. But to use Fiery Blast or Rain of Fire in a general fight where it's not going to hit many people, and using it for damage, is quite laughable and if you disagree then I can't take you seriously. They are a very poor DPS AoE spells. AoE spells can be effective with fewer people Fire Cage, is damn good if you really need it with just 1 or 2 people. Fiery Blast and Rain of Fire aren't, and while they are good in AoE situations where you are going to hit a gajillion people who don't want to move etc, you aren't going to encounter situations where you can maximize that DPS as often as you will encounter a general fight. I wish you could realize what I'm trying to say instead of repeating the same stuff, I'm not saying the AoE skills are drat terrible or useless except in jest, but they are fairly useless in a DPS and killing fight, which is (AGAIN) what this guide is for, is maximizing the BW's overpowered (yes, it is overpowered. Who cares if Sorc's crit more, a BW blows them away in sheer power.) DoT power.

Redrick

09-01-2008, 08:00 PM

Good original post. Can't believe how thick some people are being about this. How hard is it to understand, the OP is saying aoe spells aren't as useful as the majority of FOTS and so forth. Basically he is saying, don't expect these spells to be a BW version of cone of cold ala WoW, which despite being an AOE was great for skirmishing.

DarkNecrid

09-01-2008, 08:33 PM

Redrick

09-01-2008, 09:48 PM

Question for you Dark. Is the ability cauterize useful for anything in pvp? I have looked through wardb.com and have not found a single ability listed as an "injury" effect. What's the deal?

Zykin

09-02-2008, 04:04 AM

Which classes can remove DOTs? Did you ever find this to be a problem?

DarkNecrid

09-02-2008, 06:01 AM

Question for you Dark. Is the ability cauterize useful for anything in pvp? I have looked through wardb.com and have not found a single ability listed as an "injury" effect. What's the deal?

I actually don't know. I never paid attention to it and never used it ever. It didn't blow anything up, I are Bright Wizard, I burn things, no burn things = me not care. :mad:

Which classes can remove DOTs? Did you ever find this to be a problem?

Nein. Ignite has no recharge, so if you face Hex removers, you can just make sure to keep Ignite up last and use it as a Cover Hex. I plan on adding additional info about the Cover Hexes situation etc after I finish my next guide.

Pliko

09-02-2008, 06:43 AM

DarkNecrid

09-02-2008, 07:00 AM

Can dot's crit?

If they can crit, how often can they crit, each second, or only on initial cast?

If it is each second, how often can you be backlashed?

Do all dot's stack with each other (obviously not themselves),

or do they stack with same spell if you have 2 BW's ?

With duration extension, and insta cast, can you load up several people at once and watch half a group melt?

Not sure about the first 2, but I think they can. Needs additional testing.

You only get backlashed on the initial cast.

Yes they do.

No, I do not believe so.

You probably could but man, you're going to be killing yourself to use your +AP but sac health skill to do it.

Pliko

09-02-2008, 08:01 AM

DarkNecrid

09-02-2008, 08:26 AM

If you get backlashes due to combustion you damn well better get some kinda benefit out of it ,even on dots :) Otherwise you might as well just twist in meltdown as much as possible.

One of my plans is to play a bright wizard with an Arch Mage friend, will have to see how well the AM can damage on the run (if I can find some decent instant cast dmg spells for AM, they can build up their instant cast heals) That should allow for a BW to sac down for AP in order to burn multiples.

Another question. How well does stacking up max dots on a healer work, with their high heal rate?

Actually thinking about it I'm not sure if DoTs can crit, but I'm 100% sure backlash is only on the instant you cast it. It's been so long since I've played...lol. :( Hurry up OB!

If you can get all your DoTs etc up and play the build efficiently, you can easily tear through the non-just-HoT cloth classes over time. They'll be able to keep up with you if they are efficient as well. So what you'll really want is to get others to silence them, reduce their healing (you can do this too, remember!) %, etc. Then they are all yours.

Aratheus

09-02-2008, 05:23 PM

Not sure about the first 2, but I think they can. Needs additional testing.

You only get backlashed on the initial cast.

Yes they do.

No, I do not believe so.

You probably could but man, you're going to be killing yourself to use your +AP but sac health skill to do it.

Yes, dots Crit, backlash on intial cast, yes they stack (different spells), multiple BW's can stack same DoT's (4 BW's can each have 1 Ignite, 1 Boiling Blood, etc etc)

Funus

09-02-2008, 08:48 PM

Yes, dots Crit, backlash on intial cast, yes they stack (different spells), multiple BW's can stack same DoT's (4 BW's can each have 1 Ignite, 1 Boiling Blood, etc etc)

And if one BW hex's , the others can use it to DOT

Funus

09-02-2008, 09:06 PM

I've played all the relevant stuff so you don't have to say "get a few levels", ok? I've done all the stuff you mentioned.

Who cares if Sorc's crit more, a BW blows them away in sheer power.) DoT power.

Sorry if you take offense at constructive comments, but I do not feel you have played all the relevant stuff that is why, I said what I did, because so many of the things you are suggesting will get you killed, in a heart beat.

I say that only from a point of view of actually seeing it at levels that make me believe your wrong. Sorry if you feel the way you do, you have your view point and I respect that, I can only comment on what I have seen and been in.

A BW running into opposing forces trying to cast DOT's as you suggest will die. Believe me or not, does not matter, I do not want people to think BW's are Tanks with spells, we are Glass Cannons -- and glass breaks really, really easy.

And our root, or cage as it is called, breaks on damage and in big fights there is tons of damage coming, it's best use is to get away, and hope you get healed. I want people to play a BW for a long,long time because they are a great, fun and exciting class to play, and not quit just because we die so easy.

DarkNecrid

09-02-2008, 09:48 PM

You're running into (ie: towards) enemies, why pray tell again? Never once did I ever suggest anyone RUNS towards the bad guys. In fact, I state, multiple times, not to. Stay within DoT range at all times, but not near anyone that is trying to kill you. Not really that hard.

EDIT:
And you REALLY need to stop with the double posting and use the damn edit button!

EDIT:
So frustrating! You're referencing stuff I never said (like say, running into people.), bring up near irrelevant stuff that is apparently pretty obvious (Rain of Fire is good when there's a ton of people bunched up! well yeah ok, but I said countless times that wasn't what I was talking about.), etc. I need to go to bed tho so...

srath47

09-02-2008, 09:53 PM

RoTM

09-03-2008, 04:37 AM

I cant see why you wouldnt go either immolation or calamity with Sorc/BW. Dots allow you minimize your backlash damage, retain your mobility, and withering heat does more damage then fireball with a snare. Its also got a stun so its win all around.

DarkNecrid

09-03-2008, 12:08 PM

Thanks for this guide and all the extra comments gave me a view on BW in general, but still ill have to try this out and such on release, go threw all the spec's and see what i think, seems like people become too one sided in this thread even if they dont have exp in play, and even if they do its not been released yet. but what ever

-Srath 47

It should still be the way to go in release. They'd have to make every single skill in Immolation worthless for this to change. The DoT's etc are maximum damage and efficiency compared to everything else.

srath47

09-03-2008, 05:49 PM

id have to agree but i will still give all the tree and shot tho i am leaning toward immolation in any case. and people will play dif trees if they like a certain play style.

OldNeptune

09-03-2008, 10:17 PM

i have to admit, until i read through this thread i was planning an incinerate build (you know, coming from my mage in WoW, the inc tree seemed all too appropriate...) but now, upon reading through your guide and the following comments i really have to agree that an immolation build seems much more viable in pvp (and by a considerable margin, too.)

so thank you for putting this together =)

TheNode

09-08-2008, 06:21 AM

Good informational post, a bit opinionated, but it is expected of a BW m4st0r :D

Spikenog

09-08-2008, 06:49 AM

Belemrys

09-08-2008, 07:12 AM

Played a Bright Wizard most of the weekend and was amazed to see other BWs standing and casting Fireball or Fireblast and then switch the spammable PBAOE when enemies got close. They would then complain about how week the class was, yet I would be the #1 damage dealer over and over.

While this guide was great...you would think it not necessary considering what the BW is capable of.

If you are playing a BW and just chucking 3 second cast fireballs and blasts...you're not using the class to it's full potential.
at higher levels when i get more abilities i will never use fireball but what am i supposed to do after a sear? just spam sear and and keep ignite on? i mean its rank 4 or w/e so we dont have many skills not that i have boil blood i hardly use fireball...but ya i agree lots of nubs dont understand the power of a BW...i only spam PBAOE when i am getting run over and i know i cant escape...lol KAMIKAZI BW!!!!!

Spikenog

09-08-2008, 07:28 AM

at higher levels when i get more abilities i will never use fireball but what am i supposed to do after a sear? just spam sear and and keep ignite on? i mean its rank 4 or w/e so we dont have many skills not that i have boil blood i hardly use fireball...but ya i agree lots of nubs dont understand the power of a BW...i only spam PBAOE when i am getting run over and i know i cant escape...lol KAMIKAZI BW!!!!!

After you Ignite one person...Ignite another, and then another...then back to the first one and ignite him (the timer on his ignite will have just about expired by then). Throw the sear and you see fit when it's cool down is up...but don't to cast a 3 sec spell that someone could be out of range or out of line of sight by the time it goes off. When you add in blood boil, pop it off on anyone you hit with an ignite whenever Bloodboil is available.

All these DoTs put constant pressure on the enemies healer's and can help to run them out of action points...I especially like using Ignite -> Blood Boil -> Sear -> Ignite on a healer.

And when you get Detonate at 14...WHOA!

But, for a low level BW with a few spells just ignite as many enemies as you can and then do it again. By level 4 I had earned the title of "The Showman" (use an ability 1000 times while unarmored) and that was from using ignite.

It changes of course as you get more abilities...still, tossing out a handful of ignites on people is can be effective if you have a bunch of target and detonate and bloodboil are on cooldown.

Can't wait to get more spells to cast.

bcrane

09-08-2008, 07:16 PM

Nice guide!

I've been trying to set up for my Immolation build but didn't get to play CB so not too sure about many of the skills, until i find this of course =P

couple questions still though

I agree that morale rank 4 fire wall is kinda.....meh
but would the damage increase in other skills worth putting the last two points in?
Or is 13 into Immolation is enough?

The reason i ask this is because Immolation spec's play style is really different from other two.

Like you mentioned, the best part about immo spec is that they're mostly insta cast, so you get to move around quite a bit. Both incin and conflag spec requires you to stand still.

Then for a immo spec BW, it will be very rare for him to use any other skills thats not in his spec.
How else will you buff up an immo spec BW?

Incin spec for Nova (quick DD with high combust)

or spec conflag for Spreading Flame? (an additional insta AOE DoT)

250 action points, i wonder how long it can last with all these spamming O_O

Thanks for answering!

bcrane

09-08-2008, 08:26 PM

DarkNecrid

09-08-2008, 11:36 PM

my bad, i forgot that you will need additional mastery points to unlock the spells.

so if my calculation is correct, we wont have enough to reach either Spreading Flame or Nova?

Since Immo tree need at least 19 (13 to get all skills execpt morale skill, 6 to unlock them)

which leaves us only 6 points left to spend elsewhere

please correct me if I'm wrong O_O

You're wrong! :p You also get Mastery points at higher Renown Ranks. It's really up to you how you want to go with it, personally I'd go 15 in Immo, until you get enough Mastery points from Renown to get Nova. This would still give you 15 immo since the last Renown reward is +1 to all masteries. Granted this is super duper high end planning, so don't really worry about it for awhile, but that's personally the way I feel about it.

EDIT:
Updated to v1.4 listing the above 25 pnt and 30pnt builds. ^_^

Panzermeyer

09-12-2008, 12:59 PM

This may be a stupid question, but how exactly does a BW benefit from higher intelligence? What bonuses as a BW should I go for, intelligence? Wounds? I am not exactly sure...

thanks.

jutsenberg

09-13-2008, 08:38 AM

This may be a stupid question, but how exactly does a BW benefit from higher intelligence? What bonuses as a BW should I go for, intelligence? Wounds? I am not exactly sure...

thanks.

Intel = higher dps

Darkbrew

09-14-2008, 04:34 PM

Pre-kiting is your most valuable ability as a Bright Wizard. It costs nothing, it has no cooldown, and it stops you from dying a lot. This ability must be totally broken! Pre-kiting is kiting (moving to mitigate damage done to you), before the enemy actually gets to you. So if you see a guy who might just possibly be wearing a helmet that could be construed as a popular legend involving a woman, or a guy who looks like he wants your insides adorning your sword, I can't stress this enough, RUN AWAY. But don't fret, you're going to be casting stuff on him while you're running away, because you're annoying like that. If an enemy melee guy gets close to you, needless to say, you've screwed up. If you're a clicker, learn to stop clicking. There are many popular keyboard setups that you can use, but I'm not going to go into this for now.

This reminds me of a quote from Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
"Few people understand the psychology of dealing with a highway traffic cop. A normal speeder will panic and immediately pull over to the side. This is wrong. It arouses contempt in the cop heart. Make the bast*rd chase you. He will follow. But he won't know what to make of your blinker signal that says you are about to turn right. This is to let him know you're pulling off for a proper place to talk. It will take him a moment to realize that he's about to make a 180 degree turn at speed, but you will be ready for it. Brace for the g's, and fast heel-toe work. " -- Raoul Duke

Pliko

09-14-2008, 08:23 PM

Ignite->Boil Blood->Sear->fireball->sear->ignite again if you have to

That takes most people out in Tier 1 scenarios, follow up with morale 1 ability if you have to take down someone getting a bit of heals.

I find fireball useful at these sub levels when all your dots are on, and you are waiting for sear cooldown.

Petkos

09-15-2008, 11:22 AM

Is embrace the flames good tactic, does it reduce combustion damage a lot?

wepto

09-15-2008, 10:57 PM

The description on smoldering embers says there's a 25% chance that ignite, boiling blood, and slow boil will rekindle themselves; no mention of detonate, did it get nerfed?

Radiozo

09-18-2008, 06:37 AM

Nice guide. I also like the Trogdor reference :)

Gankatron

09-18-2008, 10:49 AM

DarkNecrid

09-19-2008, 09:57 PM

I use it all of the time, if you think you don't need it then you probably haven't been looking at you debuff bar.

He was talking about the old PW/early OB Beta version, which was substantially worse until the end of OB when they buffed it.

Gankatron

09-22-2008, 09:57 AM

I agree with the greater utility of the immolation spec for PvP (i.e. playing WARHAMMER...). Although you might sit down and calculate how much damage you get from other specs, you always need to factor in interrupts in dps as well as dying before that last pivotal spell goes off.

I always like casting in mid air as I drop down on someone or am thrown flying back...

8-)

marlev

09-23-2008, 12:15 AM

I have a question about Fuel To The Fire (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8207) tactic. How this exactly works?
Lets say that Ignite is doing 300dmg over 9 sec, which is 100dmg every 3sec. With this tactic it will be 300dmg over 12sec? Or 400dmg over 12sec (which is still 100dmg over 3 sec) ?

DarkNecrid

09-23-2008, 04:12 AM

It adds an extra tick to all of them, so 400 damage over 12 seconds. That's pretty strong and a pretty good increase in damage.

Xeraxus

10-01-2008, 02:30 AM

I don't quite have the patience to sit down and work out formulas, so I'm going to ask here. What type of stats should I be gathering, what are they worth and in which cases should I switch? So far, I'm mainly gathering Int and Wounds, with a small undertone of Initiative. Since my crit chance goes up as I blast away, I decided to go for high HP and DPS. I'm running with an Immolation build, using it to spread my burning love equally amongst my foes. :)

Pogo

10-19-2008, 08:51 AM

"Burninating the country side, burninating the peasants, hes TROGDOOOORRR!"

Thorton

10-20-2008, 08:01 AM

It's kind of pointless to end the chain with meltdown... I know to healers it's annoying when we do hurt ourselves, but doing 500-600 damage a tick on our DoTs is worth it I think compared to the 200's they do when not at 100 combust. I can understand if you don't have a healer and are doing PvE though, or if your at low health.

Pliko

10-29-2008, 12:34 PM

Yeah, use your dot spells to build up combustion, then use fewer spells as they tick down, like withering etc

Rorek

12-14-2008, 06:47 PM

Hello all. I have a low lvl Bright Wizard (lvl 15) and was wondering if this was still a viable guide since the patch/nerf.
I keep hearing Immo. is no longer a good spec. since detonate is not as good as it once was.
So, I'm wondering what some of you more experienced Bright wizards are using for attack sequences now. Or is ignite, detonate, boiling blood... still a good sequence.

thanks in advance for your help.

pyrovore

12-16-2008, 09:32 AM

As I've been too stunned (or should I say "Disabled", which I seem to be more since 1.1) from the beating with the nerf bat to figure out what direction I should go in now, I'm still immolation specced. I'm almost afraid that Mythic read this guide carefully and nerfed everything that had the words 'godlike' in it.

While before this was hands down a great way to dominate, now, with stacking resists and the nerfs to detonate, combustion, firecage and PwF, I'm not too sure. Immo still has the best utilities (PWF, SDR, Withering Heat) but you will see your number of killing blows reduced a LOT. Conflag might be better if you're the kind of guy who wants to have large damage numbers, or incin if you want the killing blows. I sort of spread around the pain over the enemy's support and try to control the battlefield with immo.

Dayzd

12-26-2008, 09:52 AM

Zaev

12-26-2008, 02:09 PM

It seems you're very biased toward Immolation and very closed mined about anything in reference to incineration and conflagration.

Anywho, thanks for your dedication to the Bright Wizard community and drafting a guide for new players.

Be safe,
-Zaev

TheFenix

03-23-2009, 11:06 AM

This is easily the worst guide I've read on these forums for Bright Wizard.

This might have given a completely new player to the game a little info on our class before immo was nerfed to the floor.

Simply put, this guide is out dated.

I don't even know why I kept reading it when you stated RoF and Annihilate were bad.

When used effectively with around 900 int and 100 combustion Annihilate can be the best skill the Bright Wizard has.

Ruin And Destruction a group of people, cast Annihilate, run back a little, through a RoF, and you just racked yourself up some nice kills.

This comment should be the real guide to BWs I stopped reading at about the same point then skimmed over the rest.

And FYI fiery blast is useful for pulling large groups for AoE grinding

and for SCs like Doomfist crater where you get 100 combustion then throw it at the choppa in the middle and I have crit for over 1000 at low levels.

My tactics are Endless Knowledge, Wild Fire, Fiery Reserves, and Fan the Flames also turn on Funnel since it adds just another tick to your DPS

that is all you need to know now learn how to optimize these abilities.

Soredamar

02-17-2010, 03:13 PM

Ok, it started well talking about prekiting etc and how important that detaunt u have, and when u should use it.

BUT, when it came to describtion of skills, u kinda misses hard. this is by far one of the worst guides to bw playing i've ever seen. Its like u point at all the really good skills with a band finger, and leaves the minor good skills alone as superior.
Really, u keep talking about how bad every skill is, and all i see u ended with talking good of was... hmm...

Ignite, and detonate? and IF u can spare ap to boilingblod/slowboil? u gotta be kidding me boling blood, can easily critt for 2 k when it detonates, and its a GREAT thing to time with either ur pyroclastic surge/nova, Fireball or sear for some nice burst damage.

Really, this guide is so outdated, that it needs to be removed so that no youngster bw's is misstaught..

anyway, i guess they are gonna find out anyway, cuss running around casting ignite and detonate - is just gonna prove my point.

=)