Whirling spirit+enfeeble against Warlock aggro?

[TricksterHat]

When I design spell books I often worry about the Warlock aggro build. Not because I encounter it often (I don't play that often), but because I feel that a well-rounded build should have an answer to this.  I don't want to design specifically against this build, however.

So, how would Whirling spirit (for the push+incorporal) + enfeeble do for a relative simple way to slow him down? Perhaps with a Jinx to delay the dispel. That combo might also have uses elsewhere.

[sdougla2]

Whirling Spirit is pretty good against the Warlock, and Enfeeble is nice for kiting. Those are decent tools against a Warlock, just be careful that he doesn't play too many creatures, and you get some defenses up early. Watch out for Mage Staff.

[Koz]

That's a good combo I run in my Wizard build that is useable in multiple situations.  Whirling Spirit also works good with Cripple from the Stonegaze Basilisk (which is also very good vs aggro beat-down builds).  Enfeeble is good in general depending on what you are playing.  My Wizard makes good use of it by having lots of Push/Teleport effects and ranged attacks to keep large threats at bay while picking them apart.

Other excellent options against aggro beat-down builds are Daze/Stun effects such as Lightning and Holy spells (Lightning is a good pick right now anyway due to the popularity of the Iron Golem).  Weak stacks from the Gorgon Archer are also very effective vs beat-down.

Also, another simple solution is Agony, which really nerfs beat-down and some common big threats like LoF and it renders the Hydra a trivial threat.

[sdougla2]

Yeah, Agony brings a Hydra's attack down from 3 Bitterwood Fox attacks to 1 Bitterwood Fox attack that armor is extra effective against.

[sIKE]

Agony is so good that I include it in my Priestess spell book it is worth its cost

[Koz]

Agony is so good that I include it in my Priestess spell book it is worth its cost

So do I  

[TricksterHat]

Good tips Koz

While I love the Wizards utility I still think its hard to build a proper offense (apart from straight out nuking), but hopefully that will come in time.

[goofy]

Just run mass sleep against swarm

[sdougla2]

We weren't talking about swarms...