Guide to Pale Masters: Avoiding Light damage

Guide to Pale Masters: Avoiding Light damage
Pale Master is such a nice PrE for non-WF Wizards who lack quick self healing ability. However, while leveling, you encounter mobs that deal huge light damage on you and possibly one-shot you while you are in Zombie/Vampire forms. Thus you cannot rely on these forms all the time and should know when to turn them off or refrain from using them in the quest.

Light Resistance items

 * Shroud of the Abbot (Improved, minimum level 14)
 * Upgraded version of Shroud of the Abbot (Greater)
 * Raid loot from Ascension Chamber. Old version prior to U12 don't have Light Resistance though can be upgraded to U12 version at Fountain of Necrotic Might.
 * Epic Phiarlan Mirror Cloak (Greater, minimum level 20)
 * Spell Absorption charges on this item don't corride well with Pale Masters. Charges must deplete before you can heal from you Death Aura or Negative Energy Burst.

Quest list and enemy sources of Light damage

 * see also Quests by level

Level 11 quests

 * Made to Order - Dwarven acolytes. Zerging paths and groping mobs up is okay, but make sure acolytes are not included in the pile of mobs.

Level 12 quests

 * A Relic of a Sovereign Past - Dwarven acolytes. Avoid them like a plague. "Caster tunnel" especially can really be dangerous for Pale Masters.

Level 13 quests

 * Undermine - Droaam Combat Engineers (Kobold) cast Searing Light, also Sunburst on harder difficulties.

Level 16 quests

 * The Lords of Dust - Gnomon often casts Divine Punishment on you.
 * Running with the Devils - The Ghaele Eladrin will favor light-based spells, and constantly cast Searing Light at you. They also have many resistances and immunities, limiting your spell selection. The end fight with Tolarn Rhawn and his lackeys should not be a problem using your form.
 * Ritual Sacrifice - Gnoll conjurers. Troglodyte casters at the summoning portals.
 * Servants of the Overlord - Drow Priestesses and the final boss, Sabriz Rinzyn Kho, are divine-casters. Being Drow, they have a high amount of racial Spell Resistance (CR + 10).