User:Azaya/P/E Searing Flames Pari

This is the build I run on my paragon 90% of the time, mainly because I was utterly bored of spearchucking (it's like warrior meets ranger minus all effectiveness) and I'm not big on support builds. The paragon's armor level provides for a rather sturdier caster than normal, and Leadership allows energy to be managed effectively, despite only two pips of energy regen.

Equipment

 * Max armor, with Radiant and/or Blessed Insignias
 * Insightful Fire Staff of Fortitude/Enchanting, or a weapon/offhand combo. Sarat uses a Prayer of the Forgotten and The Kindlerock.

Usage

 * Fire Attunement first, of course. If you manage your energy carefully you actually should not need it, but it makes things much easier. Pick a target, attack it, and then cast Searing Flames, followed by Glowing Gaze, Searing Flames, etc. When you are at about half energy, use "Go for the Eyes!"; this will give you a fair bit of energy depending on where you are positioned. Stay near as many party members as possible to reap the highest benefit. When you need a larger energy return, use Glowing Signet on a burning foe. If Fire Attunement is shattered or you somehow else find yourself in need, Glyph of Lesser Energy will provide you with two free casts of Searing Flames and give you time to accumulate some adrenaline.
 * Not ideal, but if you have significant problems getting used to the mechanism, force a hero monk to maintain Succor on you.

Variants

 * Other shouts could be used. "Go for the Eyes!" was selected for its quick charge time. "There's Nothing to Fear!" is an option, if the 15 energy cost isn't going to mess you up, and has the added bonus of a significant group buff, since this build is run with max Leadership.
 * When I (rarely) play my paragon now, I take "There's Nothing to Fear!" in place of Leader's Comfort.

Counters

 * Adrenaline denial will hurt you worse than energy denial as you have several methods of managing your energy. Stances that cause your attacks to be blocked, or adrenaline denial such as Soothing Images, will lower your damage output. Backfire is nasty too, though rare in PvE. Ignorance can hurt a little as it disables your spike energy gain.
 * Energy denial is not particularly harmful to this build in most cases; for instance, farming Roaring Ethers for Lightbringer points, I found Energy Surge didn't hurt my energy substantially. Even so, if you suspect energy denial, be prepared to attack frequently to charge "Go for the Eyes!"