Stamina DK vs Magicka DK

Chelister · October 2016

Hey everyone

So me and my buddy are planning to make a DK tank & a templar healer
I am on the side of making a DK tank, but I am very unsure whether I should make stamina or magicka tank
It will be my first time playing with a Tank, as I never experienced it in any of the previous games played

Now the questions are:
Should I go with magicka or stamina DK?
Which one is better for burst damage?
Which one is better for DOT damage?
Which one is better for PVE hard vet modes tanking?
Which one has higher DPS?

I consider to PVP as well so PVP side is also important
Magicka or Stamina for PVP

Looking for:
being able to tank hard bosses in VET dungeons
good sustain & resource management
High resistance, both physical & spell

Race:
I am not only looking for dull tanking, but also being able to deal some damage & have mobility
I am considering the following characters: redguard, nord, orc or imperial
The two I prefer the most are the nord for damage mitigation & toughness & orc for higher mobility

What I am seeking for is some general advice on Pros & Cons of both Magicka & Stamina DKs with regards to PVP & PVE
Please if you may consider the relevant changes after update as well

Thank you in advance
Rafael

leipatemeibbaa · October 2016

Magicka DK

Both can be the best/highest dps above all class if the people behind the keyboard knows how to play.

Malmai · October 2016

Stamina DK

leipatemeibbaa wrote: »

Both can be the best/highest dps above all class if the people behind the keyboard knows how to play.

Nope

SublimeSparo · October 2016

Stamina DK

Tanks are generally somewhat hybrid, dk tanks typically run high max stamina with fairly high magic regen.
The more stamina you have the more you get back from mountains blessing, 5% stam return on using earthern heart ability
Ie with 15k stam you get 750 stam back, with 30k stam you get 1500 stam back

caperon · October 2016

Magicka DK

For vet dungeons and DSA magicka DK is king. Spam those chains and talons, if you really want you can do some decent aoe dmg with your dots, but with decent dps you can focus on control the fight, resource management and suport (all things magicka dk excels). I really enjoy tanking 4man content with a magicka DK. You don't have a second were you don't use some skill. Chains, taunts, talons, igneous, eruption, rebuf, really fun.

For vet trials, stamina DK can use shufle and tava's favor for insane horn uptime and use to be prefered, they can use vigor for group heaing too (quite strong).

For pvp magicka DK is maybe the worst class for solo open world, its good in groups and is good in duels if you build correctly.

Stam DK for pvp is really good, with good sustain and good burst.

Both specs have strong dots.

DPS, with vma weapons, stamina dk is the highest single target dps in the game, magicka is the higest dps as magicka classes paired with templars (good sorcs and nb are very close). Without vma weapons, magicka DK is on top or near.

Chelister · October 2016

caperon wrote: »

For vet dungeons and DSA magicka DK is king. Spam those chains and talons, if you really want you can do some decent aoe dmg with your dots, but with decent dps you can focus on control the fight, resource management and suport (all things magicka dk excels). I really enjoy tanking 4man content with a magicka DK. You don't have a second were you don't use some skill. Chains, taunts, talons, igneous, eruption, rebuf, really fun.

For vet trials, stamina DK can use shufle and tava's favor for insane horn uptime and use to be prefered, they can use vigor for group heaing too (quite strong).

For pvp magicka DK is maybe the worst class for solo open world, its good in groups and is good in duels if you build correctly.

Stam DK for pvp is really good, with good sustain and good burst.

Both specs have strong dots.

DPS, with vma weapons, stamina dk is the highest single target dps in the game, magicka is the higest dps as magicka classes paired with templars (good sorcs and nb are very close). Without vma weapons, magicka DK is on top or near.

thx for the reply

what about the race then?

megnin · October 2016

Chelister wrote: »

Without vma weapons, magicka DK is on top or near.

With what build would this be true?

Eleusian · October 2016

Stamina DK

Try dark elf , it can be Stam or magic.

Actually_Goku · October 2016

Stamina DK

Magicka DK is honestly the most fun I have playing this game, but it's definitely hard mode.

Magicka DK shines in group play in PVP, due to some awesome utility skills such as Talons and Wings, however I'd give the edge to Stan DK in just about every other aspect of PVP.

For PVE, Stam DK is probably the best spec full stop.

Julianos · October 2016

Stamina DK

overall stam dk better magicka dk is weak againts CCs and hard to dodge roll after a break free in some fight you gotta dodge roll often and you gotta block some bosses deals huge unavoidable damage stam DK is optimal for both tanking and dps

megnin · October 2016

I've played a magicka DK since launch and always struggled to get good dps. Gear is 2 Molag, 4 Juliano's, and 5 Queen's Elegance. 5 light, 1,1.

Someone mentioned playing their mDK as a sorc, and I guess I do, too, with a flame staff and a resto staff.

I'm a moderately casual player with aging reflexes. LOL. Any suggestions build suggestions? Skill and rotation tips?

Nifty2g · October 2016

Magicka DK

in pve, magicka dk is insane right now

caperon · October 2016

Magicka DK

megnin wrote: »

Chelister wrote: »

Without vma weapons, magicka DK is on top or near.

With what build would this be true?

I use 2 grothgar, 5 tbs (tbs staves), 4 ia.

caperon · October 2016

Magicka DK

Chelister wrote: »

caperon wrote: »

For vet dungeons and DSA magicka DK is king. Spam those chains and talons, if you really want you can do some decent aoe dmg with your dots, but with decent dps you can focus on control the fight, resource management and suport (all things magicka dk excels). I really enjoy tanking 4man content with a magicka DK. You don't have a second were you don't use some skill. Chains, taunts, talons, igneous, eruption, rebuf, really fun.

For vet trials, stamina DK can use shufle and tava's favor for insane horn uptime and use to be prefered, they can use vigor for group heaing too (quite strong).

For pvp magicka DK is maybe the worst class for solo open world, its good in groups and is good in duels if you build correctly.

Stam DK for pvp is really good, with good sustain and good burst.

Both specs have strong dots.

DPS, with vma weapons, stamina dk is the highest single target dps in the game, magicka is the higest dps as magicka classes paired with templars (good sorcs and nb are very close). Without vma weapons, magicka DK is on top or near.

thx for the reply

what about the race then?

For magicka DK dunmer hands down, I tanked vet trials no problem with it and its the best race for dps magicka dk. Has some bonus stamina if you want to switch, but its not as optimal as the other stam races.

Chelister · October 2016

caperon wrote: »

Chelister wrote: »

caperon wrote: »

For vet dungeons and DSA magicka DK is king. Spam those chains and talons, if you really want you can do some decent aoe dmg with your dots, but with decent dps you can focus on control the fight, resource management and suport (all things magicka dk excels). I really enjoy tanking 4man content with a magicka DK. You don't have a second were you don't use some skill. Chains, taunts, talons, igneous, eruption, rebuf, really fun.

For vet trials, stamina DK can use shufle and tava's favor for insane horn uptime and use to be prefered, they can use vigor for group heaing too (quite strong).

For pvp magicka DK is maybe the worst class for solo open world, its good in groups and is good in duels if you build correctly.

Stam DK for pvp is really good, with good sustain and good burst.

Both specs have strong dots.

DPS, with vma weapons, stamina dk is the highest single target dps in the game, magicka is the higest dps as magicka classes paired with templars (good sorcs and nb are very close). Without vma weapons, magicka DK is on top or near.

thx for the reply

what about the race then?

For magicka DK dunmer hands down, I tanked vet trials no problem with it and its the best race for dps magicka dk. Has some bonus stamina if you want to switch, but its not as optimal as the other stam races.

What about Orc & Nord?

caperon · October 2016

Magicka DK

Chelister wrote: »

caperon wrote: »

Chelister wrote: »

caperon wrote: »

For vet dungeons and DSA magicka DK is king. Spam those chains and talons, if you really want you can do some decent aoe dmg with your dots, but with decent dps you can focus on control the fight, resource management and suport (all things magicka dk excels). I really enjoy tanking 4man content with a magicka DK. You don't have a second were you don't use some skill. Chains, taunts, talons, igneous, eruption, rebuf, really fun.

For vet trials, stamina DK can use shufle and tava's favor for insane horn uptime and use to be prefered, they can use vigor for group heaing too (quite strong).

For pvp magicka DK is maybe the worst class for solo open world, its good in groups and is good in duels if you build correctly.

Stam DK for pvp is really good, with good sustain and good burst.

Both specs have strong dots.

DPS, with vma weapons, stamina dk is the highest single target dps in the game, magicka is the higest dps as magicka classes paired with templars (good sorcs and nb are very close). Without vma weapons, magicka DK is on top or near.

thx for the reply

what about the race then?

For magicka DK dunmer hands down, I tanked vet trials no problem with it and its the best race for dps magicka dk. Has some bonus stamina if you want to switch, but its not as optimal as the other stam races.

What about Orc & Nord?

If you plan on a stamina, mostly tank DK, those are good choices. Imperial use to be the most popular tanking race for the extra health and stamina, but any race will do. You have to chose more bias to tanking Nord-Imperial-Orc-Redguard-Khajiit or dmg (from more tanking to more dps order).

SnubbS · October 2016

Stamina DK

StamDK is literally better for all of those things.

edit: Not playing on 1T yet, so I'm not sure if that's changed for PVE DPS -- I do have my doubts though.

NBrookus · October 2016

PvE DPS, general PvE, PvP solo/open world: Stam DK. Excellent DPS and has some mDK utility.

PvP group play: everyone loves having a mDK along, but most people don't want to play one. In open world PvP mDK is, well, a walking bag of AP unless you are very skilled or your opponents are very unskilled.

PvE tanking: Magicka DK. While stam management is essential, chains are really, really helpful in many dungeons. But both are viable. Try them both and see which one you like better. I have an orc DK that was stam, then magicka, then stam, then hybrid.

Brrrofski · October 2016

If you want a tank that does damage and is mobile, you should try a saptank. Bar chains for cradle of shadows and talons, they are a lot more fun and honestly, more effective for dungeons.

For vet trials and DSA, you want a stam dk though.

Chelister · October 2016

Brrrofski wrote: »

If you want a tank that does damage and is mobile, you should try a saptank. Bar chains for cradle of shadows and talons, they are a lot more fun and honestly, more effective for dungeons.

For vet trials and DSA, you want a stam dk though.

What is a saptank? is it DK specific build?

bigted209 · October 2016

NB tank that uses a lot of siphon abilities. In the hands of a skilled user, absolutely the best tank you'll ever run with. Really hard to build and use properly though.

KingYogi415 · October 2016

I have never seen a magic DK tank for vet trials. I find it hard to believe it would be even close to stam DK for tanking.

Meta for tanking: nord, imperial or redgaurd dk. I think redgaurd would be the best for PvP as well.

For anything thing else in the game yes. Any class any spec can tank fine. But vet trails is not the time to "play what you want" people have to be flexable to create the best group synergy possible.

If anyone can find and up to date magic tanking guide for VET trails. Please link.

Chelister · October 2016

KingYogi415 wrote: »

I have never seen a magic DK tank for vet trials. I find it hard to believe it would be even close to stam DK for tanking.

Meta for tanking: nord, imperial or redgaurd dk. I think redgaurd would be the best for PvP as well.

For anything thing else in the game yes. Any class any spec can tank fine. But vet trails is not the time to "play what you want" people have to be flexable to create the best group synergy possible.

If anyone can find and up to date magic tanking guide for VET trails. Please link.

But what about orc stamina DK?
it has so many relevant bonuses

Taleof2Cities · October 2016

I've been playing both my magicka DK and stam DK a lot the last month ... and still can't decide.

For sure, magicka DK synergizes well with the DK skill trees ... but the main magicka weapon lines are only through staff.

By the way, both are still pretty low level ... when I start vet PvP and tanking dungeons my opinion might change.

IcyDeadPeople · October 2016

Both are fun to play and quite different. Why not make two characters?

Patouf · October 2016

Hybrid like others tanks => Imperial

bigted209 · October 2016

My tank was an imperial DK hybrid, sitting at 20-25k on all 3 stats, never had any issues with him until I tanked vDSA. I've since rolled him to a nord, 42k health, 28k stam, 14k mag and he is phenomenal! Been tanking a lot of trials lately and I am very pleased with the tweaks. I may adjust the mag/stam ratio for more chains/talons usage, but so far I am very happy with the switch.

As was said before, any race/class can make a usable tank. Most 4 man undaunted dungeons won't be a problem at all. It's when you start getting in to the harder content(trials, DSA, new vet dungeons) is where you will see that changes need to be made and streamlining has to take place. I feel that nord DKs make the best tanks, followed by orc, redguard, and imperial. The latter 3 are interchangeable, with nord sitting comfortably on top.

As for magic DPS, dunmer and altmer are best. Dunmer for actual damage output, altmer for penetration and sustain. I started my magDK as dunmer, ultimately changed to altmer and feel it performs better. Only a 3% loss to fire damage, but increased pen and regen. As for weapon choice...yeah naturally it will be a fire staff. I run mine a little different though. For pve, I do dual swords as main dps, fire staff on back bar for magic regen, ranged attacks, and weakness to elements/wall of elements. For pvp, I run sword and board on main dps bar, flame staff on back for the same effect. Running 2 staves is optimal, but you lose a set piece which can be problematic. Main bar I run 5 kags, 5 sun Jewlery/weapons, 2 skoria, 5 heavy 2 light. back bar I run 5 kags, 4 sun, 2 skoria. Back bar I'm losing out on +/- 225 spell damage, but they are mainly utility spells/destructive reach until I can gap close and get in close.

No input on stamDK dps as I don't run one

leepalmer95 · October 2016

megnin wrote: »

I've played a magicka DK since launch and always struggled to get good dps. Gear is 2 Molag, 4 Juliano's, and 5 Queen's Elegance. 5 light, 1,1.

Someone mentioned playing their mDK as a sorc, and I guess I do, too, with a flame staff and a resto staff.

I'm a moderately casual player with aging reflexes. LOL. Any suggestions build suggestions? Skill and rotation tips?

Deltia brought an updated pve dps build out.

Basically 2x grothdarr/ 5x burning spell weave, 3x aether, 2x MSA weps.

Mojmir · October 2016

Magicka DK

I favor magicka, it was my first character.stamina dk might be greatest dps,but it feels weird.

Oreyn_Bearclaw · October 2016

Stamina DK

I play both. Typically in VMOL I go with magic DK or magic Sorc. To attempt to answer your questions.

Stam DK has potential for higher single target DPS, but magic DK is better for AOE and utility. I went with Stam DK overall, because they make better tanks (although most tanks are technically hybrids) and I think they are better in PVP. If someone was trying to break into end game PVE as a DPS, I would tell them to start with magic first.

megnin wrote: »

Chelister wrote: »

Without vma weapons, magicka DK is on top or near.

With what build would this be true?

Lots of magic build have gone away from VMA weapons. I use a VMA lightening staff in AOE situations, otherwise I haven't run one in months. My Sorc with TBS staves pulls 35-40k on VMOL bosses.

All the new gear is definitely shaking things up, but before the patch, VMA staffs were back bar staffs at best for magic Sorc and Magic DK. If you make both staffs TBS, you can run 5 TBS, 4 infal and a monster set. If you get a good infal staff in sharpened you can slot a VMA staff on your back bar for a bit more DPS, and move your TBS to all armor. Without a proper infal staff, I don't believe VMA weapons are BIS for magic right now. Crafted spell damage enchants are very powerful and you want to be sure you have sharpened weapons. So crafted stuff ensures you get both.

Edit: I think BIS in the new meta will look something like this for magic sorc and DK, but still need a lot of pieces to test:

Jewelry: Infallible Aether
Head/Shoulders: Grothdarr (DK), Lambris (Sorc)
Chest, Pants, Belts, Gloves Shoes: Burnign spell weave (all armor divines)
Front Bar : Sharp Infallible Aether lightening for Sorc and inferno for DK
Back Bar: Sharp VMA Fire for Sorc and Lightening for DK

I'll let you know in 3 months when i get it all sorted out. Haha

Osukā · December 2016

Stamina DK

Should I go with magicka or stamina DK? Stamina for sure
Which one is better for burst damage? PVP I would say that Stamina, since you can wear any Nightblade build on them, using all your armour pieces on medium, and your skills as well, or you can go DPS/Tank going with Black Rose, Bloodspawn/Selene's, Agility, Maelstrom 2H, Endurance sword and board. or you can go viper as well.

Which one is better for DOT damage? It depends on your build to be honest, but on pvp Mag DK is basically DoT's, and waiting for skoria to proc or shooting star, you can get a few more points on taumaturge as stam DK and Noxious breath and Venomous claw would be quite strong to make some preasure on your oponents.

Which one is better for PVE hard vet modes tanking? I would go Stamina DK to be honest again, with any tank Heavy armour set with all the pieces on Sturdy you'll be fine to tank pretty well, you'll heal yourself with Vigor and ignous Shield, depending on your Build though, You can go with troll king which isn't bad for Stam DK

Which one has higher DPS? Well, with Vicious Ophidian and any good dps set for stamina builds your PvE DPS would be very good, I don't see too much Magicka DK's DPS doing veteran pledges, veteran Trials, etc. The ones i've seen they usually Heal or Tank lol https://youtu.be/m38ftUDeIUQ

Races, for Magicka DK go with Dunmer for sure, and for Stamina DK Redguard is the way to go, you can also go with Imperial, Nord, Orc. But Redguards are very good for PVP and PvE.

Depends on your playstyle, but for me the gameplay of MagDK is very boring, just standing there, spamming talons, lava wip, waiting skoria to proc, and shooting star, etc. It's boring at least for me, I respect so much Mag DK's around, but they are just not my thing, and Stamina DK's are way more versatile for me, since you can go as Full tank, Full DPS, Nice solo builds for PvP, nice burst builds for PvP too. Stamina DK is very versatile and fun to play to be honest, I like them so much since you can do so many things with them.

I'll leave you some different kind of builds for Stam DK

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpO1OxC4wp8&t=1126s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tk0H9aVWTEA

The Elder Scrolls Online

Stamina DK vs Magicka DK

Stamina DK vs Magicka DK 100 votes