Knife Sorcerer

[Lillis]

Strafe + Atma's Scarab FTW!

[Themis]

Yeah, Therani, I the storm sorcerer I made is really powerful, but won't make it to epic because I was putting points into strength so I could use piercing weaps. I've restarted and am playing a straight stormcaller, for now. I may class her over to earth or spirit later (or I may get the upgrade and see how dream looks :-)

[therani]

Yeah, Therani, I the storm sorcerer I made is really powerful, but won't make it to epic because I was putting points into strength so I could use piercing weaps. I've restarted and am playing a straight stormcaller, for now. I may class her over to earth or spirit later (or I may get the upgrade and see how dream looks :-)

Yeah, it's hard to get hybrids right.

[Flying Fox]

On the original TQ, nothing but bleeding, pierce and poison affected the Knives, I made a knife brigand with -100% recharge before. I'm not sure in IT but I'll place my bets that elemental and out flat physical damage DOES NOT affect knives.

[Kardiophylax]

On the original TQ, nothing but bleeding, pierce and poison affected the Knives, I made a knife brigand with -100% recharge before. I'm not sure in IT but I'll place my bets that elemental and out flat physical damage DOES NOT affect knives.

Incorrect. Elemental damage does affect the knives.

I have used earth enchantment with the knives, including brimstone, and clearly each causes burning and damage.

I have used a volcanic seal and used the knives and there is a very clear difference in damage. It may not have before, I don't know, but it clearly does now. I would bet a item granting pure physical damage would apply as well, but I haven't tested it. I have a necklace with physical damage somewhere I could test with, but I believe it will apply.

EDIT: Just tested with the Paean necklace. The physical damage on it definitely does apply to the throwing knives as well.

[bacon bones]

the damage from "rage of ares" glove artifact also applies to knives. the +450 damage is evident when it hits [15% chance].

[Violos]

I'm always delighted to find that in this forum there are people who have same strange ideas...

I looked up a few things about the lightning-knife build a while ago. Ended up making a knife/trap Assassin instead (with Standard physical bonus + Ares + Mbuti), but if someone wants to try the Sorcerer this may be useful.

For some reason the Gamebanshee search doesn't have +lightning damage listed.
If you want to max the flat lightning boni on the knives, this is what you are looking for:

• Tracker's Hood
• Thunderfist or Effigy of Skyfire
• Archimedes' Cogwheel
• Shard of the Elements or Polaris or Tundrite
• Zeus or Thanatos relic on a green %lightning weapon, or
• Unique spears/swords with useful stats like Phorkos' or Fei Lian's

The Wisp increases all magical damage types, though lightning and cold are preferred. Note that "elemental" +flat boni are not being multiplied by Int, while single elements are.

Other useful gear:

• Archmage's Clasp for recharge, cast time and enemy resistance reductions
• Mantle Of Amun-Ra or Kestus armor (recharge and more)
• Ethereal Veil artifact - gives lots of flat +cold and prevents being trapped
• Ceremonial Buckler (recharge, if needed)
• Santa's Peppermint (better survivability)

A char wearing this kind of equiment easily ends up with about 2k of magic damage per knife, and minimal to no recharge time.
Squall, Polaris and Archmage's Clasp lower resistances, which contributes greatly to damage as well as confusion/slow. Generally, everything that does this (like The Frail or Monkey King relics) is worth getting.

As for skills, the basic build can be enhanced with more stun (thunderball), a focussed attack (lightning) or more personal safety (flash powder, freeze) in any fashion you like. Personally, I chose powder and thunderball, and heart of frost for cold damage.

He is frail like any caster without Heart Of Oak, but with defenses for all ranges and situations. If you keep them stunned/slowed/confused, not many attacks will reach you.



Test build sporting a Hunter's Helm and Ceremonial Buckler

[Strills]

I have a 100% recharge knife throwing warlock at lvl 56 :]

He does pretty well, but he's the biggest glass cannon EVER. I think I have OA/DA around 400-500, and remember he's in legendary.

Although, with 100% recharge defence isn't that much of a problem. Whenever a mob comes close to me, and that's not often thanks to all the knives I throw (300 casting speed), I can just bomb some Flash Powder and everyone will be confused.

I also have crap resistances with around -50 each, except for piercing which is maybe +30..

Btw my gear is:
Odysseus Armor (-16% recharge, -10% energy cost, -30 requirements)
Trackers Hood (-39% recharge, 110% piercing dmg)
Archmages Clasp (-46% recharge, 100% casting speed)
Star Stone (100% casting speed)
Apollos Will (100% Piercing Dmg)
Thots Glory (-20% requirements)
Greaves of the Argonauts (for the resistances and DA)
Pendant of Immortal Rage (Piercing resistance and dmg)
Stymphalian Talon (Piercing dmg)
Golden Shield of Pelaron (-10% recharge, -10% energy cost)


So yeah.. I think he's pretty fun to play.

[Violos]

Sounds nice
But why spirit? Bleeding resistance? Or to spam Vision of Death?

I'd believe the most viable builds besides Sorcerer to be Brigand or Assassin. The latter does not neccesarily need -100% rc because he does traps as well. But if you go all the way to -100%, it is true that faster cast speed is an issue.

[Strills]

I wasn't planning him to be a knife thrower originally. And spirit isn't all that bad. As you said Vision of Death is an amazing skill with 100% recharge, and usually the monsters don't even touch me. -bleeding is also good.
Also Dark Covenant gives me some heavy Energy/second. As I can keep it up all the time I don't have to chunk as many mana potions (at the expense of health potions :l) Also gives more damage. For tough foes I always have the outsider to my command. The liche is a great tank as well, so I don't take as much damage I would otherwise.

Btw want to correct some of my equipment, as I finished the Jade Emperor artifact yesterday. :]

Instead of Thots Glory -> Jade Emperor Artifact (can't remember the right name) -25% recharge + 50% elemental resistance (I think)

New shield: Ancile (Gives good blocking and projectilve avoiding. Good defense)

So now he has WAY better defense, and isn't as vulnerable anymore.