Looking for fun solo PvE Light Armor/Magic build

Hi all,

My main is a tanky Plate/Polearm/Taming build, so I'm looking for a different playstyle for my new alt.

I'd ideally like to try a Light Armor build with a variety of magic skills, maybe an archer build, I'm not sure. Any advice for a fun, solo PvE build would be much appreciate.

TIA.

 

As Ranged I've tried:
Heavy Plate armor: Works well but fizzles often with magic. Stands up to abuse by creatures.
Really good for grinding things over your level.

Chainmail armor: Almost as good as plate but less fizzle but still gives protection.

Cloth: Much less fizzle but limited protection. Must rely on moving fast to stay out of trouble.

Leather: Never liked it very much. Not much better than cloth.

Bone: I use this often. Better protection than cloth. about as good as chain.
My build does not give me the strength boost of chain or plate but that could the the masterwork specs.
Less fizzle than chain or plate.
I do not like the look of bone so I used a pattern and now it looks like black leather.
Only the chest and gauntlets are bone.
Here is an image:

 

I like Fire/death. Does ton of damage for me and lots of survivability.

 

I've been thinking about a Fire/Death build. I wonder if it'd be best making it a ranged or PBAoE build? It seems the latter maybe, with Immolation. Hmm. And if I did take it PBAoE, I wonder what weapon in hand would be best. Dual wands for Bludgeon stuns, or maybe dual swords for DPS? Hmmm. Any thoughts? Could be fun to try out.

 

I use fire/death as my alternate AOE deck. I have 2 +25 Fire attune and 2 +25 Death attune wands that I use depending on the situation.

 

Since you asked about armor, you should consider this:
If you are ranged, you should not need as heavy armor as a close combat avatar.
If you are fighting like a ranged avatar, you should be attacking from a distance and not among the enemy.

One thing I found when using Ranged Fire build (and others also) is that some of the skills are made for close fighting. i.e. Emolation. (Yes it does protect you but does the most damage when 'in-and-amongst' the enemy)

I use lots of fire skills but also death and others. But mostly just the ones that compliment my ranged avatar. (i.e. fire arrow, ice arrow etc)

I see you asked a similar question a long time ago.
Soliciting ranged builds
How did that work out for you?

 

I you would like a focus on spellcasting, I would recommend for the build Cotton gloves all the time. Gloves are so bad on fizzle chance that you just want to get those out of the way. After that, any combination of bone and leather can do fine and will offer you decent-ish protections, but going for Ice and Air to slow, stun and push back your enemies to allow you to kite effectively is always a great idea!

 

Mage, armor as discussed, avoid archery, it is not in the fun category (I specialised in it and think about leaving sota or doing something different, as soon you get into tier 5ish regions it is complete waste of time)

 

I wouldn't say a complete waste of time since I do okay in high tiers but I wouldn't recommend Ranged unless you really enjoy using a bow. Ranged was a lot of fun for me and highly viable before @Chris "fixed" double crits to the back. The last couple of releases were a little more fun(Not sure what changed, but charged shots were somewhat viable again) and I even leveled my skills to 130-140 but damage is lower this release for some reason. I might change out of Ranged if we get another 100% unlearn.

With magic skills around 80 and couple at GM, I can go into The Rise lich room with a small group and drop some AOEs and a group of 2k HP skeletons will just melt away. I find that a lot of fun now.

 

Please tell me you have the flaming bagpipes.

 

Well he was asking for an FUN build......

 

Aye, no self respecting Scot would wear a tartan without several sets of flaming and regular ones as well!