Class Builds: Fire Wizard
Today we are going to get into the nitty gritty and talk about one of the many specs that a player can become, the Fire Wizard!
Fire Wizards, like all wizards, are students of their ancient elder, Calypso. Calypso was the first of their order, and master over both fire and ice. It was Calypso who first discovered how to weave the elements together, finding that the elements worked just as well side by side as they did against one another. Additionally, it was Calypso’s closest friend, the Sentinel Kalisar, who first discovered that the wizards could harness the powers of the physical plane, developing such spells as Spirit Orb, Strike, and Shockwave. The two of them together created most of the spells that modern day wizards so potently wield.
Wizards in general have several different ways they can specialize (spec). Wizards can spec pure Fire, pure Ice, Frostfire hybrid, Physical (aka the battle mage), or one of the many other variations. Each spec, just like all classes and build types, has its own set of strengths and weaknesses, the fire wizard being no exception.
Briefly, on the high level…
Large AOE damage (area of effect)
Sustainable AOE crowd control (stuns)
Excellent addition to parties and groups
Vulnerable in close range
Not quite as adept at Solo play as other build types
Fire Wizards have the potential for high burst damage with large amounts of AOE. In a group setup where a tank can pull a collection of mobs together, the fire wizard can absolutely decimate his or her foes. With long-ranged AOE spells (spells that have a radius dependent on the target rather than the caster), the fire wizard can stay out of harm’s way while dropping meteors and infernos onto the heads of their enemies.
Additionally, with the use of skills like Fire Burst and Shockwave, fire wizards can stun groups of enemies that manage to close the gap and threaten the wizard’s position. With a well-timed fire burst matched with shockwave for backup, a smart fire wizard can almost always keep an enemy at bay.
And while fire wizards excel heavily at AOE damage, this doesn’t mean their single target damage suffers. With an entire arsenal of spells aimed at single targets, the fire wizard can let fly a lethal storm of scorching damage that will burn their foes to a crisp.
The fire wizard does have a few drawbacks. The fast casting capability of the fire wizard often leaves them low on spirit. Some fire wizards choose to spec into Spirit Charm to help compensate, or possibly level up their skill in Cooking and Gardening so they can brew spirit regeneration potions.
Additionally, with the low defenses of this build, the fire wizard does need to be careful how they select their battles. If a fire wizard goes into an area with spells-a-blazin’, they risk attracting too many enemies, and can be quickly overwhelmed. This is obviously is not a problem in a party or group situation, but in solo play the fire wizard does need to play smart, which sometimes can slow their pace.
Now to go into the details; I have gone through a few situations to give an idea how the fire wizard can be played. These of course are only the few of many different rotations, all dependent on player choice and play style.
Casting Rotation: Multiple Enemies
While fighting groups, the fire wizard wants to pull down as much chaos as possible, and as fast as possible. The faster the enemies fall, the safer the wizard becomes.
Leading the charge, I would suggest dropping a Flaming Meteor. This potent spell summons a meteor from the cosmos that lands in a molten blast on the enemy. The meteor explodes, dealing fire damage in a large radius and applying a burning damage over time effect to all enemy creatures hit.
Immediately after the meteor lands, you will have a swarming angry mass of enemies coming at you. Right on the heels of the meteor, throwing out an Inferno is a great way to get another hard AOE hit in.
Usually you can squeeze one more spell in before your enemies are on you. I like to pick one of the harder targets and throw out a Fireball. This ensures extra damage on the more dangerous targets.
At this point you will be surrounded by angry burning monsters, all of which want you as a dinner. This is where your Fire Burst spell comes in. Fire burst releases a ring of fire in a small radius surrounding you. As long as the enemies are within a reasonable level, your Fire Burst has 100% chance to stun the enemies for 7 seconds. This gives you ample time to finish off the baddies before they can finish off you.
If the enemy group happens to be a bit of a tougher group, shockwave can save your hide. Shockwave is the physical form of the Fire Burst (based on the research of the famous Sentinel Kalisar). Shockwave won’t do as much damage as your fire burst (since it isn’t augmented with fire damage), but it will have the same chance to stun, giving you some extra time to deal with your foes.
After a shockwave cast, your inferno spell is probably ready to be cast again. Launch a final inferno to deal with whatever is left, and follow up with some single target spells like fireball or combust, to deal with the leftover.
Casting Rotation: Single Target
If you are facing a single, powerful foe, an optimal build and cast rotation can make the difference between life and death.
Starting out, I would suggest Scorching Blast. This slow traveling spell takes a bit longer to reach its target, but has a powerful effect once it does. Scorching blast not only places a burning damage over time effect on the enemy, it also weakens the enemy against fire damage. That means that as soon as your scorching blast hits, every fire spell that hits that target will do extra fire damage!
As soon as your scorching blast ignites your target, follow up with a Fireball, and then a quick Combust. Fireball travels quickly, but as a missile does have a bit of travel time. Combust on the other hand is instant, as soon as the mystical runes are uttered from your lips, the enemy combusts in blazing fire. A well-timed Fireball and Combust, just on the heels of a Scorching Blast can absolutely obliterate your target.
If after all that the enemy still manages to make its way to your location, a fire burst can halt them in their tracks, giving you ample time to launch another one-two punch combo with Fireball and Combust.
For some added flavor, throw in a Spirit Orb on occasion. Spirit orb is a projectile orb of pure spirit pulled from its caster. While the spirit cost of Spirit Orb is extremely high, its damage is immense. Additionally, after your Spirit Orb blasts its target, the spirit fades into the nether, where you the Wizard can collect it again. A wizard can reclaim 80% of the spirit used to cast the orb over the course of 60 seconds.
The fire wizard has a few weaknesses, but those are more than compensated for with their high damage potential, and quick-casting stun capability. The fire wizard is a great spec to try out on your wizard, and in general the wizard class is loads of fun. So what are you waiting for? Create a wizard and strut your stuff. Build them how you want to, and show us your build!
What you do is up to you. Who will you become?
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