After mentioning a few times that I probably could cast Zhok at 172, I decided to actually sit down and see what it would take for me to do it.
This is my current setup at the moment. I never got around to getting a defensive alien device, and normally I usually have either the combat research hud or the defensive, but since I have them all I threw it in for the sake of seeing where it got me.
That setup and all buffs (mochams instead of the usual CI, Odin's, basic composites) topped me out at 1473 MC and 1490 TS. (mind you my AO comp is still blown up, so I'm checking on an emulator atm)
No swapping aside from the hud and I can cast Mortificant the Eternal. Geez.
OK, next up, trying for Zhok: Dumping the Combat device for a ql200 Nano Controller Unit (+50) and then going and getting some low ql Phulaks in the Catacombs for another 50 nanoskills puts me at 1573 MC and 1590 TS. That's assuming I went out and got the bare bones +50 phulaks, I can equip up to ql210ish without even trying, which is +70.
I'm within Wrangle range of Zhok by this point but for fun, let's see how much closer I can get...
1593+1610 (assuming I got the 70 phulaks)
+16 for getting a ql300 Comm Relay
+11 for Persisting Brain instead of Ado brain (comes with almighty Nano Resist!)
+8 for upgrading to Living Eye
+15 for upgrading to Living Right Hand
I'll assume an extra 5 points from trickledown
Then if I want to swap a bit more I could go with Neleb's Nano-Master Robe for another 15....
Puts me at 1663 MC and 1675 TS. My setup for perks is slightly botched, I didn't put perks in Genius like everyone else does, instead it's in Theoretical Research 3. I can move those perks to Nano Doctorate and get another 26 points, and it's game, set and match. No trader necessary if you really felt the need.
And all that above calculation was utterly worthless because I, spec 4 nothwithstanding, am not of a level to cast Zhok, and thusly all those extra nanoskills are pretty much pointless unless I was wanting to try to land NSD through NR2. (Still wouldn't land it, but might have a better shot with the Dominates/MQ)
Figured this would be good for a laugh or two tho, feel free to replicate and tell me if my math sucks or not. (172 NM MP breedcapped on all abilities and titlecapped on nanoskills)