Stamina NS - Bow + ? 2nd Weapon Set

thedude33

New player. Doing a lot of reading, watching videos and theory crafting ...as well as playing. The goal is to play a lot in PvP as a bow specialist. Most of the advice I see for that style of gameplay is bow + 2h. The reason given is the Rally buff.

In my limited play time, I find 2h clunky. I much prefer DW, but playing with the build calculator I like the looks of S/S. Using stealth and bow to roam around in PvP, but when things go bad, having the ability to defend myself from time to time with a shield. Especially from projectiles.

Is the Rally buff that much of an impact to make the other weapon choices unwise? I don't see anything else useful in the 2H tree for PvP ?

Knootewoot

The rally buff can also be applied by potions.

Back in the day when magicka ruled over stamina I had both a bow on my main and alternate bar. I used potions to get the 20% damage buff. I did miss the heal though.

Same can be done if you choose to go mainbar bow and DW or S/B on second bar. Just use potions just before you engage.

Best to use (imho) is:

Dragonthorn
Blessed Thistle
Water Hyacinth

Those 3 combined give:

Major Brutality (Weapon Damage, the same the rally buff gives minus he healing)
Major Savagery (Weapon Crit)
Major Endurance (Stamina Regen)

Glamdring

Without 2h u miss out on the rally burstheal which is crucial to have in this insane proc/burst damage meta. And if u use potions for major brutality you also miss out on the tripots to save your ass in any " oh ***" situation.

Knootewoot

Glamdring wrote: »

Without 2h u miss out on the rally burstheal which is crucial to have in this insane proc/burst damage meta. And if u use potions for major brutality you also miss out on the tripots to save your ass in any " oh ***" situation.

Indeed, and the reason most people use 2-handed.

But if you feel uncomfortable using 2-handed, concession have to be made. There is one other choice though but even there you will miss the burstheal, but does allow you to drink "oh ***" potions.

Sadly that comes into the form of a heavy armor set instead of medium. the 5th piece gives a permanent major brutality bonus. I only forgot the name of that set. I don't think it came with weapon or jewels. Else you could do 3 jewels, 1 weapon and 1 armor piece.

Edit: ah found it. and it does come with weapon and jewels:

http://elderscrollsonline.wiki.fextralife.com/Dreugh+King+Slayer+Set

thedude33

I'm assuming there is a limit to how many potions you can use at same time? Three ?

Sounds like 2H is really the most effecient way to go ...and just never engage with melee (in PvP)

Knootewoot

thedude33 wrote: »

I'm assuming there is a limit to how many potions you can use at same time? Three ?

Sounds like 2H is really the most effecient way to go ...and just never engage with melee (in PvP)

If you drink one potion, there is a cooldown before you can use next. But the buff from previous potion will still be active (although you have to swallow like a maniac as the buffs don't last that long) I think major brutality lasts around 45 seconds. and I think unaltered cooldown is also 45 seconds but I could be wrong. There are glyphs though which reduce cooldown of potion drinking.

Glamdring

You can also use a set like vicecannon that gives u health back, combined with vigor, and skills like drainingshot and bloodcraze or the like would give u alot of HoTs to survive. Just takes more practise but can be a really strong build.

Kutsuu

If you are using bow as your mainbar, then a 2h buffstick is the obvious choice. If you will be meleeing on your 2h bar, then you'll need more of your buffs on the bow bar and things can get convoluted where you aren't optimal on either bar if you don't choose to focus on one or the other.

I personally run DW/2h for PVP - it can be frustrating at times not having a bow but you can always use something like Alphagear to quickly swap your DW out for a Bow + alternate skills when you really need the ranged attacks. My 2h bar is my "stealth bar" and buffs - Cloak, Radiant Magelight, Shuffle or Double Take, Piercing Mark (alternating for caltrops and rearming trap as needed), Rally. Front bar has all the DPS and CC abilities plus vigor.