Control Freak: Control Spells in DDO

By Darkgolem



In Dungeons and Dragons Online: Stormreach (DDO), one of the more
efficient ways a caster can affect combat is to use control spells.

Control spells basically delay or cancel opponents' actions to prevent
them from effectively harming the spellcaster and his party. Control
spells rely upon the rest of the party to damage enemies, with the
spellcaster taking a supportive role for doing damage. Because of the
number of adversaries in DDO and the amount of hit points many have,
this is often the most efficient way to deal with combats for a
spellcaster.


When To Use Control Spells

The best time to use control spells are when you have party members who
are able to hit and damage opponents effectively in melee combat, and
when your opponents are vulnerable to spells. This seems evident, but
recall that some types of foes are not affected by spells often (such
as vermin or oozes), or you may not have party members who are able to
hit your foes easily. Some types of enemies have very high armor
classes, such as drow blackguards. However, if you can affect your
adversaries with spells--and your fellow party members can damage
them--then there is always a spell that can affect them (if you know
your spells and your adversaries' vulnerabilities).


Types of Control Spells in DDO

There are four types of control spells. Each type controls your foes in
different way, and are better against certain types of foes.



1. Charms

Charms (and in the case of undead, Command Undead) are spells
that cause your opponents to fight each other. The downside of these
spells is that your enemies will eventually break out of the spell and
fight you. The upside is that your adversaries will fight (poorly) for
you (absorbing attacks in initial combats) if you can stealthily
arrange for your charmed or commanded adversary to be the first seen by
new hostile creatures you are approaching.



It's best to use charms against opponents who are melee types since
both command and charms are will saves--and when you know you will be
meeting new opponents very shortly because these spells typically don't
last too long. Charm spells in the game include the following: href="http://ddo.tentonhammer.com/modules.php?set_albumName=Exclusive_Screenshots&id=Charm&op=modload&name=Gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php"> alt="some charm spell"
src="http://ddo.tentonhammer.com/files/gallery/albums/Exclusive_Screenshots/Charm.sized.jpg"
style="border: 2px solid ; width: 200px; height: 150px;" align="right">

  • Charm Person
  • Suggestion
  • Charm Monster
  • Dominate Person
  • Command Undead (though this is necromancy, not enchantment)

 All charms are single target.








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Last Updated: Mar 13, 2016

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