Testing Mage builds

[fraterla93]

The argument has long raged between those who say that all INT build and mixed builds are best. Those supporting the all INT build say it maximizes Dmg. Those espousing a mix of 5:1:1 INT/MEN/WIS say that it affords faster casting time which may offset the Dmg reduction. Based on these arguments I thought that I would put together an experiment to see if I could provide some raw data whereby players can make the determination for themselves. The two primary things that a mage must do (cause damage and cast quickly) became the major measurements of the test.

Here are the details. I took 4 mages with different builds and had them attack the same monster with the same spell as fast as they could. I noted the casting time and the damage done for comparison. Here are the participants and their builds at the time of the test.

Name Lvl INT MEN WIS
XBattleship 40 42 1 6
Djehuti 52 44 8 8
Validren 72 72 6 2
Douglas42 70 81 4 1

As you can see, I was unable to find an all INT build or even players of the same lvl to volunteer for the experiment. However, as you will see the results are compelling anyways. I will leave it to the reader to determine what the data might mean. I would like everyone to note that Battleship has a Men of 1... he becomes the Low Men control. Validren has a Wis of 2, making Val the Low Wis control. Djehuti has the recommended 5:1:1 ratio and should, if the mixed build hypothesis is correct, cast faster than the other two. Douglas makes for the closest to an all INT build I found willing to participate in the tests. Here were the results:

Name Cast time Average Dmg
XBattleship 1.4 sec 165
Djehuti 1.4 sec 208
Validren 1.4 sec 368
Douglas42 1.4 sec 388

This was a remarkable set of results. I would like to note that other factors such as other spells, spell duration for effect spells, etc. were not measured. And only casting time and Dmg for Thunder lvl 1 were recorded. This experiment also did not take into account the possible effects of being higher level outside of attribute numbers, which may of course be a factor. We can and should expand the factors observed on subsequent experiments. This is of course an early preliminary test designed to spur further experimentation of this kind, and we cannot yet take away any concrete conclusions. But it does seem very telling at first glance.

What does seem to be apparent upon analysis of the results is that different Men and Wis builds do not seem to have a significant effect on casting time, which seems to be set at right around 1.4 seconds (error of +/- .02 sec) between effects. (though this may vary from spell to spell, as only one spell, thunder lvl 1, was tested). Additionally, Dmg did increase significantly as INT was increased.

Based on these findings, we can say that early tests suggest that the advocates for an "all INT" build may be supported, and the mixed build may not have any positive effect on casting times. I invite your comments.

Djheuti.

[Slimjim42]

im a lv 70 mage right now with a pure int build, of course with the exception of str for new staffs. i would love to help you with the builds test, just wisper me in game

[fraterla93]

im a lv 70 mage right now with a pure int build, of course with the exception of str for new staffs. i would love to help you with the builds test, just wisper me in game

Thanks much for your help. The data from your run has been added to the list in the original post, and it was a real eye opener. I am sure that a good many mages, who are trying to decide which build to use, will be grateful for your efforts. Also my thanks to both XBattleship and Validren for their participation. Especially to XBattleship for having made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of science.

Djehuti

[fraterla93]

I noticed in another thread that someone suggested that Men will affect the rate at which MP is recovered while resting. For myself, I do not rest, but use mass pots. However for those with the patience for sitting to recover MP, it might be interesting to test this factor, and how much time a higher Men might be able to save. I'll keep dropping mass pots myself. However some might be interested in doing this. If it turns out to be true upon testing, those who do a lot of sitting might actually wish to consider putting points into Men.

[fraterla93]

Also, does anyone know what attribute effects total MP? (Not that you can't just buy MP buffs from the store).

[DarkTowerGunslinger]

Also, does anyone know what attribute effects total MP? (Not that you can't just buy MP buffs from the store).

Increasing your wisdom will increase your total MP.

[ODZ81]

I think that Lvl 1 thunder has a max cast time(or fire rate) of 1.4 seconds. I've noticed that when I stand beside other App and we both start casting(fire) at the same time I will start to pull ahead when were both casting fire. I inspected the player who was doing about about 20 more damage per cast and he was 2 lvls lower than me. But I did dump some pts in to Men. Have to recheck or you may have wrote my stats down I did reply to your test as I was very curious as to the out come. If you need more guinny pigs hit me up if im on I will cast and cast for science.

[xavios69]

Something that I have noticed with being a mage myself, is that with more int- the faster the mp will regenerate, from what I have seen it takes 2 int points to improve the regeneration point by 1. So for an example you have 20 int and you sit down and watch the mp regen 10pts at a time, 22 int would then regen 11 pts and so on. I've currently have 29 int and my regen rate is 14.

[LightintheDarkness]

I prefer a build that is balanced but not guided by ratios. I have:
7 POW, 49 INT, 2 AGI, 10 MEN, 3 STA, 10 WIS
From now on, i'm focusing solely on increasing INT. I might do less dmg than other ppl my lvl, but I can cast a little faster and a little longer without using pots. Overall I think I have a good build. *DISCLAIMER* This is only my opinion. I am NOT forcing anyone to use my build.

[Lahar]

I have checked many times with the fact that men increases the mp regen ratio and the mr regen time

I was fortunate enough one day to recive from arathos a men increase of +7 which gave a total of 14 points at that time

every time i sat to rest i checked and the time it took for each regen step to go was 1.7 sec with soft sheep helm no goggles and i was recovering 28 mp at the time

after the extra men was gone and i was back to only 7 i checked again the regen time was 1.8 sec again soft sheep helm no goggles and i was recovering 25 mp each time (also noted that hp regen got the same effect from men)

So basicaly men does have some extra atributes other than to increase casting speed (note i have compared my casting speed of fire lv 1 with another mage that has less than 5 men while i currently have 10) and i do cast faster for about 0.2 or 0.3 sec assuming im not lagging

[Redinel]

I just don't want to repeat my post so check this link if you like ^^ :

http://outspark.com/forums/showthread.php?p=638487#post638487

[ggBuRNe]

I still think int/men is good.. but when your lvl is high and u need more mp to cast skill, pure int is the best.. U won't waste so much total mp to kill the mob since your damage is high.. less cast and less mp wasted with high damage..

[chidosengan]

i would like to join.

chidosengan lvl 36 apprentice

[BlackBallade]

i would like to join.

chidosengan lvl 36 apprentice

eeeeerrrrrrr...............Sorry?????????????????? ???? O.O O.o o.o o.O O.O

[ggBuRNe]

A new build from magius_cdar which is int/sta.. he pump 15 sta and rest to int.. His hp is 550+ and he said the hp help him a lot especially when getting mobbed by 3+ monsters.. Regular pure int wizards only have less 450 hp and easy to fall against multiple mobs or in PvP.. I think this build is good for grinding and in PvP.. It does help to have more hp in PvP.. I am pure int but however i have 900+ hp with "secret buffs" during PvP and it did helped me to stay alive all the way.. Well, this is new build and i believe only magius_cdar is using the build.. What do you guys think..??

[Beatnic_Jett]

i put in like this

6POW, 35 INT, 8 AGI, 5 MEN, 4 STA, 11 WIS

[Nights_Fang]

Build experimentation is always a good thing, since we get ti know alternatives. My build is a messed up one since I didn't figure out stats when I joined the game. ^^; But somehow it seems to work rather well for me, especially since I solo a lot.

So far I'm POW 06, INT 38, AGI 5, MEN 5, STA 6, WIS 8. And this build seems to work rather well for me, since I tend to be more durable than other apprentices my level. I may do less damage but the overall result is a good one.

Not telling anyone to use my build. Just putting in my 2 cents ^^

[sugray]

I have noticed that when you hover over a certain attribute it puts the effected area in light blue or black (i.e. if you hover over the POW it places Attack in light blue). So this is what it looks like to me and I believe that if an affected area is light blue it increases it and if in black (some may think it looks gray) then it is a negative to that area.

POW affects Attack only and in my opinion should only be increased to carry staff.
INT affects Magic only and therefore is important to increase the damage for a magic user.
AGI affects Attack (is in black instead of light blue like the rest of them), Dodge, Attack Speed, Critical, and Skill Critical
MEN affects Dodge (is in black instead of light blue like the rest of them), Hit Rate, Crtical, and Skill Critical
STA affects HP only
WIS affects MP only

[ggBuRNe]

your build is good if you believe it is good.. If you don't think it is good, then it is not.. simple as that.. I once think my int/men build was good and it was the best.. Then I tested pure INT and I had the highest damage among mages and I think it was the best.. Anyway whatsoever if you think your build is the best then it is the best for you.. I don't believe int/sta is good but cdar showed me that it is good.. Therefore, there is no limit to any good build.. :D

PS: need advice about stats or anything, pm in forum or in game.. I will try to answer :):)

[AnimePimp66]

any mage had 30 men yet?

*edit
an acual 30 men mage not test dummy
*edit
also to comment on builds i think pow would b more ideal than wis i mean our lowest practical skill thunder lv 3 16 mp no matter how much mp u have u gonna end up potburning in hard grind might as well b able to carry more pots i dunno something to consider i guess

[Beatnic_Jett]

i completly almost gave up on my mage so im doing so testing
and its a INT/POW build
and i love it i can carry many pots and i do great damage>,>
and i can grind with pots considering im not poor
lol
so i cna carry maybe 250+ np
i love the build i dont know if anyone else will but i do

[ggBuRNe]

if you think your build is good.. try beat all other classes 1st or duel a same mage with different build within your level..

My opinion: Pure TOTAL int owned them all !!

[Beatnic_Jett]

comes from the man that kills a nub in pvp XD
yeahhhh
i step on the battel feild and you blast me >,>
and i know it was you, your wizzard XD
DAMN LAG lol

[cdar52184]

lol fog i duel u but first take out ur secret buff and will see who last longer hehe u might hit more but i know i can take them in lol :) change my build though i change it again lol im an int sta-10 men-10

[ggBuRNe]

lol fog i duel u but first take out ur secret buff and will see who last longer hehe u might hit more but i know i can take them in lol :) change my build though i change it again lol im an int sta-10 men-10

G.E.Y build.. hehehe.. With my heaven buff, I can go up to 900+ hp without the needs of polka dots that amer used to wear.. rofl.. 10 stamina 10 men?.. haha i can kill u with lvl 1 magic fire.. lol

[Beatnic_Jett]

G.E.Y build.. hehehe.. With my heaven buff, I can go up to 900+ hp without the needs of polka dots that amer used to wear.. rofl.. 10 stamina 10 men?.. haha i can kill u with lvl 1 magic fire.. lol

XD LMAO
**nothing more said**

[cdar52184]

lol fog i pawned u with ur lvl 1 fire