[Arcturas]

It's also not bad on the Earth Kings. They can cast invulnerability for prot, and summon earthpower if you're getting skelli-spammed. At the same time, they don't really need the soul vortex unless you want them spamming high level earth evocs (which they do well). If they're just stomping on things, going with hydra armor or stymph wings is pretty effective instead. Earthpower, invul, attack rear with dusk dagger/brand, shield of gleaming gold/charcoal shield/lead shield, starshine skullcap/wraith crown/horror helm, stymph wings/hydra armor, MR ammy, ring of regen.

Lead shield, starshine skullcap if you're worried about enemy mages (which you probably are), or one of the fire/earth shields and a brand if you're really worried about chaff...but with trample and blade wind I wouldn't be. Dusk dagger could be decent against SCs - is there a better weapon for that slot? (It's my go-to anti-SC weapon at the momnet, dual-wielded on quickened folks if possible). Horror helm is nice and cheap, plus i think stacks with stymph fear. Wraith crown is, well, a wraith crown and as amazing as 40 death gems should be. My SCs tend to get them later in the game or if I have found a const. site.