Pure Wizard vs. Exalted Sorc

[limitedwhole]

After fumbling a bit with the rules of character creation, I have been woring up a good epic build for a mage type character. I looked first to the exalted sorc but was disatisfied. For one, her ability to have really high saving throws is a non-issue. In order to have really high saves, she needs to boost charisma. The best places to boost CHR is the amulet and the cloak. These spots also offer +all saves gear. This means that a wizard can essentially have the same saves without using extra equipment. Furthermore, the wizard can leave his cloak spot open only using the amulet and still get base saves meaning he has his cloak spot open for something nice like Shroud of Kings.

One of best reasons touted for picking a sorcerer is that they receive more spells than a wizard. But when one looks closely at the exalted sorc, one finds that at a max of 42 CHR versus 48 (typically) of the pure wizard, they in fact have the same number of spells. The exalted sorc essentially has an extra lvl 3,4,8. But also under this same line, she has 3 less to all saving throws than the wizard. Three less DC is allot. She also cannot cast anything but necromancy with a bonus form focus. This means 9 less DC on all other spells. Given that necromancy is nullified by Shadow Shield she is rather poor at magic. The pure wizard on the oether hand can get greater focus in 4 schools, NEcro, Illusion, Enchantment, and Transmutation. This makes him exceedingly potetn with magic. The exalted sroc will struggle with her saves the whole game, while the pure mage can essentially kill just about everything with a save or die spell.

For all her emphasis on AC, one wonders why she uses the dmg armours. If she is impossible to hit why bother with the dmg armours? Discipline is unneeded with Dragon Slippers. Improved Expertise and Improved Combat Casting don't jive for that many feat picks. No Power Word Stun?!?!

Evasion is not that valuable when you can just use an elemental shield or ring of immunity.

She uses armour instead of sequencer robes, which cripples her when she is disjunctified. Mage armour is just not that good since it doesn't stack.

Finally, she has a -4 differential when it comes to Mord's against the pure mage. She must roll a 13. the mage must roll a 9. Given that a mage, even if he is disjunctioned can use Sequencer robes. The Exalted Sorc loses the disjunction battle handily. A very importatant battle.

All in all, I think the Exalted Sorc is a paper tiger. Saves from Divine grace are not as impressive once gear is taken into consideration. She does not have a spell advanatge as far as number is concerned. She is weaker when it comes to disjunction. She trades Sequencing for armour. All these things make her very weak. Essentially, she is a terrible caster with a high AC. Better to have a real caster with a bad AC. When a warrior hits your damage shields he will wound himself, while you use Vamp touch as your first spell. When your second spell is Power Word stun. The duel is over.

While getting towards max level, the pure wizard can kill just about anyone with a glance. The exalted sorc cannot. She gets spells slower. Who cares if you get hit if you have up warding and can resist Epic Critical? No mass charm to turn all creatures in the dungeon against your opponent? ETc. Etc. Etc.

A pure elevn mage is so much more powerful than her it is unreal. the high Ac is all fluff. It looks good on the sheet and that is about all.

Elf (abjurer, losing Acid Sheath is hard but losing enchantement is harder, most characters in duels will dmg immunity rings anyways making evocation spells and dmg shields not so great.)
8
16
12
10
18
8

Final stats

8
16
12
10
36
8

Feats:
4 Focus (Illusion, Transmutation, Enchtantment, Necro suggested)
4 Greater Focus
Empower
Craft Wand
Open (Great Fortitude is good incase you get dispelled, Improvced Critical Longsword is nice for actually doing the quests, Maximize is overated but still useful, etc.)

Epic Feats:
8 Great INT
4 Epic Focus
Mage Warding