hunting

[emeraldlake]

im having a hard time keeping my sorcere alive against critters her own rank "level 55-60" would switching from runestaff to sheild and wepon increase her DS that much more then a runestaff? or is it not worth the extra training points.

[Numbers]

Shield would definitely give you a DS boost, but at the cost of a good bit of magical skills. What are you hunting that's giving you such a rough time?

[Fallen]

You wont, unless you have a highly enchanted shield, see much of an increase in defense in the guarded stance. You will, however, see a massive increase in higher stances with a shield/weapon.

Other options for runestaffers is to buy/find a few scrolls of 503/507/303/ect, infuse them, and cast them once before each hunt.

503 + 507 = 40 DS. That should be enough to aid you in surviving whatever troubles you are having. Because you are using a runestaff, you should most definitely have the ranks to properly utilize the spell.

[Kefka]

Depends on what you're hunting. When I went runestaff, I usually fell victim to undead and their fears. Switched to unarmed with shield and I'm hunting in offense. Huge difference. Honestly, the only times I get hit, I curse myself and pull my shield out.

[Gan]

Dont go shield/ohe,

go shield/brawl.

That way your casting hand stays open without sacrificing DS with an open hand. Not to mention, having brawl + volnfu just adds to sorcerer's arsenal.

You also might try changing up your hunting areas. There's multiple areas with 50-60 level critters, so one area may be better suited to your profession/abilities.

[Tromp]

Dont go shield/ohe,

go shield/brawl.

That way your casting hand stays open without sacrificing DS with an open hand. Not to mention, having brawl + volnfu just adds to sorcerer's arsenal.

You also might try changing up your hunting areas. There's multiple areas with 50-60 level critters, so one area may be better suited to your profession/abilities.

I have one of the above @ 35 trains. His DS is pretty damn good. Voln Fu is cool but really need 509 and Mobiles to be super effective. Definately feel the CS hindrance with this training plan but over all on like level stuff it is cool.

What is your training plan?

[Gan]

Its still a little rough, but very effective against like level foes and even up hunting a little. I'm behind in sorc spells, which makes uphunting difficult unless I use 111 or volnfu... or 415.

I'd like to be at 1x sorc and close to 1x MnE, but thats a little difficult at the moment.

Still a diamond in the rough.
___________________________
Randem (at level 43), your current skill bonuses and ranks (including all modifiers) are:
Skill Name | Current Current
| Bonus Ranks
Shield Use.........................| 145 45
Brawling...........................| 145 45
Physical Fitness...................| 108 26
Arcane Symbols.....................| 90 20
Magic Item Use.....................| 90 20
Spell Aiming.......................| 190 90
Harness Power......................| 161 61
Spirit Mana Control................| 140 40
Sorcerous Lore - Demonology........| 90 20
Sorcerous Lore - Necromancy........| 50 10
Perception.........................| 143 43
Climbing...........................| 58 12
Swimming...........................| 58 12
First Aid..........................| 50 10
Spell Lists
Minor Elemental....................| 31
Spell Lists
Minor Spirit.......................| 20
Spell Lists
Sorcerer...........................| 42
Training Points: 31 Phy 0 Mnt (232 Phy converted to Mnt)

[Tromp]

If I could make some suggestions:

Get some damn armor!!! 8 ranks
Why the First Aid? Not like 10 is gonna let you skin so either 1x or none .
Spirit Mana Control is questionable... i think 24 ranks would give you good sharing
Spell Aim at 2x for which spell? Not worth more than 1x which would give you some ability to 1x in MIU and Arcane.
I'd pick either Demonology or Necromancy and not both since your not even close to .5x in either but if you combine the points into one you'll be close to .75x which would make one of the two more viable.
Harness Power is ok but the xtra 1 pt of mana or so from going over 1x is not worth it since you can Fu it up and save mana for more powerful attack spells.
One final suggest would be to maybe drop your Sorcy ranks so you can get 435 (EBarrier) then catch up on Sorcy spells till yer at training level again.

Just some tips from one VolnFu Sorcy to another.