MagBlade Theorycrafting Changes Thread

Metemsycosis

I want to try desert rose and pariah with dark cloak light armor, molag kena, destro, dunmer. Not sure of a back bar set yet.

Iskiab

Metemsycosis wrote: »

I want to try desert rose and pariah with dark cloak light armor, molag kena, destro, dunmer. Not sure of a back bar set yet.

If you’re an Altmer or have access to good stamina sustain BRP DW without a doubt. Mist immobilizations (it’s like a mag dodge roll) and use your stamina for quick cloak. Damage will be up post patch, dark cloak builds will be harder without maybe 30k health.

They mentioned charges will break immobilizations post patch, I haven’t checked but I bet lotus won’t break immobilizations.

I have a feeling they’re pushing classes towards roles and trying to have less diversity. It’s the only explanation for why refreshing stopped procing transmutation and the master’s resto doesn’t work on DK heals. If I’m right then charges breaking immobilations is meant for a bonus to stam and not mag, and if it doesn’t might as well forget any melee NB specs.

ThePedge

I play in noCP, part of me hates not using a gap closer as it lets those pesky magsorcs Streak away, but damage is so much nicer if I swap Lotus Fan for Degeneration. The dots are both terrible but 20% Spell Damage (even though it doesn't buff Zaan) gives me more damage than Minor Vulnerability.

Will ship Amber Plasm + Bewitched Sugar Skulls to any magblade.

Jeezye

ThePedge wrote: »

I play in noCP, part of me hates not using a gap closer as it lets those pesky magsorcs Streak away, but damage is so much nicer if I swap Lotus Fan for Degeneration. The dots are both terrible but 20% Spell Damage (even though it doesn't buff Zaan) gives me more damage than Minor Vulnerability.

Will ship Amber Plasm + Bewitched Sugar Skulls to any magblade.

Actually amber + bewichted sounds like a nice idea, balancing out most sustain. Still its the classes kit that sucks, not the build options...

ThePedge

Jeezye wrote: »

ThePedge wrote: »

I play in noCP, part of me hates not using a gap closer as it lets those pesky magsorcs Streak away, but damage is so much nicer if I swap Lotus Fan for Degeneration. The dots are both terrible but 20% Spell Damage (even though it doesn't buff Zaan) gives me more damage than Minor Vulnerability.

Will ship Amber Plasm + Bewitched Sugar Skulls to any magblade.

Actually amber + bewichted sounds like a nice idea, balancing out most sustain. Still its the classes kit that sucks, not the build options...

I wouldn't say it sucks, it's just got no punch to it. Bow proc is very mitigatable and we have no off-GCD damage to stacks like Shalks, Endless Fury/Daedric Prey, Purifying Light.

It's why those 3 classes respectively are the Top 3. Even with less raw damage you have higher burst potential.

Nightblades are pretty much forced to use proc sets.

Not ground-breaking, but my build (noCP). https://en.m.uesp.net/wiki/Special:EsoBuildData?id=202686

Iskiab

ThePedge wrote: »

Jeezye wrote: »

ThePedge wrote: »

I play in noCP, part of me hates not using a gap closer as it lets those pesky magsorcs Streak away, but damage is so much nicer if I swap Lotus Fan for Degeneration. The dots are both terrible but 20% Spell Damage (even though it doesn't buff Zaan) gives me more damage than Minor Vulnerability.

Will ship Amber Plasm + Bewitched Sugar Skulls to any magblade.

Actually amber + bewichted sounds like a nice idea, balancing out most sustain. Still its the classes kit that sucks, not the build options...

I wouldn't say it sucks, it's just got no punch to it. Bow proc is very mitigatable and we have no off-GCD damage to stacks like Shalks, Endless Fury/Daedric Prey, Purifying Light.

It's why those 3 classes respectively are the Top 3. Even with less raw damage you have higher burst potential.

Nightblades are pretty much forced to use proc sets.

Not ground-breaking, but my build (noCP). https://en.m.uesp.net/wiki/Special:EsoBuildData?id=202686

I would say sucks but pvp is like that. I remember saying how I loved Soul Siphon and used it and recommended it to everyone, next thing you know the cast time became interruptible and you couldn’t block cast it and now I hate it. Small changes make drastic differences.

It’s also more pronounced because I switched classes and the grass was greener on the other side then I thought. I probably tried 10 or so combinations of sets and a multitude of different bar setups trying to improve my magblade. Magplar took me two gear combinations and MagWarden one before being happy and stopping tweaking it. They work.

I think there’s a reason why an unpopular class (magblade) has one of the longest theorycrafting threads and others don’t. Has anyone ever seen a stamwarden thread for example?

brandonv516

Iskiab wrote: »

ThePedge wrote: »

Jeezye wrote: »

ThePedge wrote: »

I play in noCP, part of me hates not using a gap closer as it lets those pesky magsorcs Streak away, but damage is so much nicer if I swap Lotus Fan for Degeneration. The dots are both terrible but 20% Spell Damage (even though it doesn't buff Zaan) gives me more damage than Minor Vulnerability.

Will ship Amber Plasm + Bewitched Sugar Skulls to any magblade.

Actually amber + bewichted sounds like a nice idea, balancing out most sustain. Still its the classes kit that sucks, not the build options...

I wouldn't say it sucks, it's just got no punch to it. Bow proc is very mitigatable and we have no off-GCD damage to stacks like Shalks, Endless Fury/Daedric Prey, Purifying Light.

It's why those 3 classes respectively are the Top 3. Even with less raw damage you have higher burst potential.

Nightblades are pretty much forced to use proc sets.

Not ground-breaking, but my build (noCP). https://en.m.uesp.net/wiki/Special:EsoBuildData?id=202686

I would say sucks but pvp is like that. I remember saying how I loved Soul Siphon and used it and recommended it to everyone, next thing you know the cast time became interruptible and you couldn’t block cast it and now I hate it. Small changes make drastic differences.

It’s also more pronounced because I switched classes and the grass was greener on the other side then I thought. I probably tried 10 or so combinations of sets and a multitude of different bar setups trying to improve my magblade. Magplar took me two gear combinations and MagWarden one before being happy and stopping tweaking it. They work.

I think there’s a reason why an unpopular class (magblade) has one of the longest theorycrafting threads and others don’t. Has anyone ever seen a stamwarden thread for example?

Yep. I mean no offense by this but I see all these combinations/possibilites posted here and can't help but feel sorry for those struggling.

Everyone is basically scrambling to find something that works for them. Many don't so they either move to another class or just stop playing.

I find myself lucky because I only play BGs; I only need something that works for that content.

And I still use the same gear I have for several patches (since Merciless lost Minor Berserk). For reference it's Caluurions, BTB, Slimecraw.

I've accepted a lot of realities about my build/playstyle and I try not to deviate from the tactics that work.

Magblade is definitely not in a great spot and I do hope we get some love soon.

Edit: I will say that I personally did stop playing my other Magblade (healer) but that's because it got a little boring.

Iskiab

brandonv516 wrote: »

Iskiab wrote: »

ThePedge wrote: »

Jeezye wrote: »

ThePedge wrote: »

I play in noCP, part of me hates not using a gap closer as it lets those pesky magsorcs Streak away, but damage is so much nicer if I swap Lotus Fan for Degeneration. The dots are both terrible but 20% Spell Damage (even though it doesn't buff Zaan) gives me more damage than Minor Vulnerability.

Will ship Amber Plasm + Bewitched Sugar Skulls to any magblade.

Actually amber + bewichted sounds like a nice idea, balancing out most sustain. Still its the classes kit that sucks, not the build options...

I wouldn't say it sucks, it's just got no punch to it. Bow proc is very mitigatable and we have no off-GCD damage to stacks like Shalks, Endless Fury/Daedric Prey, Purifying Light.

It's why those 3 classes respectively are the Top 3. Even with less raw damage you have higher burst potential.

Nightblades are pretty much forced to use proc sets.

Not ground-breaking, but my build (noCP). https://en.m.uesp.net/wiki/Special:EsoBuildData?id=202686

I would say sucks but pvp is like that. I remember saying how I loved Soul Siphon and used it and recommended it to everyone, next thing you know the cast time became interruptible and you couldn’t block cast it and now I hate it. Small changes make drastic differences.

It’s also more pronounced because I switched classes and the grass was greener on the other side then I thought. I probably tried 10 or so combinations of sets and a multitude of different bar setups trying to improve my magblade. Magplar took me two gear combinations and MagWarden one before being happy and stopping tweaking it. They work.

I think there’s a reason why an unpopular class (magblade) has one of the longest theorycrafting threads and others don’t. Has anyone ever seen a stamwarden thread for example?

Yep. I mean no offense by this but I see all these combinations/possibilites posted here and can't help but feel sorry for those struggling.

Everyone is basically scrambling to find something that works for them. Many don't so they either move to another class or just stop playing.

I find myself lucky because I only play BGs; I only need something that works for that content.

And I still use the same gear I have for several patches (since Merciless lost Minor Berserk). For reference it's Caluurions, BTB, Slimecraw.

I've accepted a lot of realities about my build/playstyle and I try not to deviate from the tactics that work.

Magblade is definitely not in a great spot and I do hope we get some love soon.

Edit: I will say that I personally did stop playing my other Magblade (healer) but that's because it got a little boring.

Well it’s not just you, I haven’t seen a magblade healer in 3+ months since I stopped playing on PC-NA.

Magblade theme is cloak and that’s basicly it. Stats wise it’s so spread out in different directions it’s crazy:
- proc sets can’t crit, but NBs get a crit bonus and crit passives
- Lacks the burst to kill almost all targets without proc sets
- Siphoning passive for 8% more mag, but all the Siphoning abilities are terrible so it’s about how to get the bonus and have the least negative possible
- Proc sets scale best with pen
- In no-CP there’s no 10% mag boost so spell power gives you more bang
- No stamina or offstat passives so you need to build for some stam Regen

It’s all over the place.

Koensol

ThePedge wrote: »

Jeezye wrote: »

ThePedge wrote: »

I play in noCP, part of me hates not using a gap closer as it lets those pesky magsorcs Streak away, but damage is so much nicer if I swap Lotus Fan for Degeneration. The dots are both terrible but 20% Spell Damage (even though it doesn't buff Zaan) gives me more damage than Minor Vulnerability.

Will ship Amber Plasm + Bewitched Sugar Skulls to any magblade.

Actually amber + bewichted sounds like a nice idea, balancing out most sustain. Still its the classes kit that sucks, not the build options...

I wouldn't say it sucks, it's just got no punch to it. Bow proc is very mitigatable and we have no off-GCD damage to stacks like Shalks, Endless Fury/Daedric Prey, Purifying Light.

It's why those 3 classes respectively are the Top 3. Even with less raw damage you have higher burst potential.

Nightblades are pretty much forced to use proc sets.

Not ground-breaking, but my build (noCP). https://en.m.uesp.net/wiki/Special:EsoBuildData?id=202686

Agreed on the bolded part. Magblade damage is too unreliable compared to other classes. Our burst combo also takes longer to build up compared to other classes. This combination makes it very frustrating to play. Still I don't like running proc sets, especially zaan since that is the typical Xv1 kind of procset.

As for your earlier comment about slotting degeneration over lotus fan. You might be better off using spell power pots (mag, spell dmg, crit). I had a similar struggle since I wanted to play with lotus fan, but since I started using spell power pots I felt a definite increase in my effectiveness. It frees up a slot, you don't have to refresh the buff and also gives you the crit buff which I find to be vital for magblade damage in no CP. Whenever I don't have it I feel my dmg drop hard. I use them as well on my magdk, because I need the extra slot and frankly degeneration is just a garbage ability.

I run many different builds for different situations, but the one I enjoy the most for solo is similar to your build, except I use shacklebreaker alongside amber plasm in stead of spinner, and then have two 1-piece resistance monstersets for some added sturdiness and prevent being 1 shot by unexpected leaps.

Skill setup is similar to yours except I can use lotus fan on frontbar and use debilitate over ele drain. With lover mundus + sharpened my pen is good enough. Then I use undo on the backbar. The amount of times it saved me is uncountable, plus it gives the minor protection for some added tankyness when fighting [snip]. Sadly, the bugs with that skill make want to take it off...

[edited to remove inappropriate content]

exeeter702

Iskiab wrote: »

Metemsycosis wrote: »

I want to try desert rose and pariah with dark cloak light armor, molag kena, destro, dunmer. Not sure of a back bar set yet.

If you’re an Altmer or have access to good stamina sustain BRP DW without a doubt. Mist immobilizations (it’s like a mag dodge roll) and use your stamina for quick cloak. Damage will be up post patch, dark cloak builds will be harder without maybe 30k health.

They mentioned charges will break immobilizations post patch, I haven’t checked but I bet lotus won’t break immobilizations.

I have a feeling they’re pushing classes towards roles and trying to have less diversity. It’s the only explanation for why refreshing stopped procing transmutation and the master’s resto doesn’t work on DK heals. If I’m right then charges breaking immobilations is meant for a bonus to stam and not mag, and if it doesn’t might as well forget any melee NB specs.

Refreshing procs trans again. It was a bug

Moonsorrow

Currenly running rather "standard" magblade:

Balorgh/BTB/Spinners (BRP resto back bar, yeah you guessed it).

Spinner Inferno staff is Sharpened, BRP resto is Defending.

Yeah, no Infused Berserker Glyph, but i feel i got enough damage and Defending helps a bit on this super squishy build. Got RAT on back bar so the Psijic line mini shield from blocking there also when has to tap block something serious.

Jewelry is all Infused, 1 Mag regen, 2 Spell damage.

Atronach Mundus.

Damage glyph or Double Dot at front bar? Nah, i use Traumatic Poison.

This setup works, obviously gotta play illusive style, strike em down fast and move, move, move. Shadow Image is the key to success. I hate cast time on Soul Harvest, but using it still and cursing to my screen often when it fails me, wish i still could do fast combos with it like before the change....

Skill loadout is rather standard magblade stuff, so no point going to explain those - you all can guess most stuff.

While "it just works" when i play on it.. am thinking to maybe again next try some more tankyish (able to brawl a bit) setup that does not have to use the runaway tactic (legit tactic lol) so much against the meta stam brawlers.

Anyone has any fresh ideas for a Magblade brawler that can take some punches to the face too without getting KO`d instantly?

kaithuzar

Guess I’ll post my current, it’s not as tanky or sustain oriented as I would like, which forces you to play more precise.
All impen, Destro/resto, lover mundus (spell pen), all infused jewelry w/ 1 recovery & 2x spell dmg, breton, Tri glyphs on all

Head: chudan - heavy
Shoulders: pirate - light
Chest: new moon - heavy
Legs: new moon - light
Gloves: new moon - light
Belt: new moon - light
Shoes: new moon - light

Neck: willpower
Ring1: potentates
Ring2: potentates

Weapon1: sharp willpower shock dmg w/minor sorcery poisons
Weapon2: infused inc. spell dmg enchant

Bar1:
Sap, assassin’s will, fear, swallow soul, mage light, Destro ult

Bar2:
Cloak, RAT, radiating regen, blessing of resto, siphoning strikes, undo (psijic ult)

I would be a lot tanker if I dropped willpower & monster & went for swift but I lose so much damage.
I use this for both no cp bg’s , IC & cp cyro.
The heals help the group, Destro & fear can be great for taking pressure off or coordinating ult bombs, & I can still disappear w/cloak.
All said I practically spam pots, especially in bg’s/no cp.

I’ve recently been working on a sorc & stamdk, I’ll let you know how that compares lol

SpiderCultist

I'm still rocking argonian which allows me to use cheap pvp spell power pots but thinking about going back to Darkelf

BTB,Spinners and Slimecraw

shadow mundus and BRP backbar

this is for non-cp and BGs

Iskiab

SpiderCultist wrote: »

I'm still rocking argonian which allows me to use cheap pvp spell power pots but thinking about going back to Darkelf

BTB,Spinners and Slimecraw

shadow mundus and BRP backbar

this is for non-cp and BGs

I’d stick with argonian. With the buff to the clever alchemist set I’d try it out for sure.

Use pot reduction glyphs and use tri stat pots I’m thinking it’ll be a nice setup. Only problem is having to get major sorcery from sap or that crappy dot. It’ll let you strip a lot of sustain and give you a good heal when you need it. Especially since I think you’ll be able to pot when you’re stunned after the patch.

ThePedge

Koensol wrote: »

ThePedge wrote: »

Jeezye wrote: »

ThePedge wrote: »

I play in noCP, part of me hates not using a gap closer as it lets those pesky magsorcs Streak away, but damage is so much nicer if I swap Lotus Fan for Degeneration. The dots are both terrible but 20% Spell Damage (even though it doesn't buff Zaan) gives me more damage than Minor Vulnerability.

Will ship Amber Plasm + Bewitched Sugar Skulls to any magblade.

Actually amber + bewichted sounds like a nice idea, balancing out most sustain. Still its the classes kit that sucks, not the build options...

I wouldn't say it sucks, it's just got no punch to it. Bow proc is very mitigatable and we have no off-GCD damage to stacks like Shalks, Endless Fury/Daedric Prey, Purifying Light.

It's why those 3 classes respectively are the Top 3. Even with less raw damage you have higher burst potential.

Nightblades are pretty much forced to use proc sets.

Not ground-breaking, but my build (noCP). https://en.m.uesp.net/wiki/Special:EsoBuildData?id=202686

Agreed on the bolded part. Magblade damage is too unreliable compared to other classes. Our burst combo also takes longer to build up compared to other classes. This combination makes it very frustrating to play. Still I don't like running proc sets, especially zaan since that is the typical Xv1 kind of procset.

As for your earlier comment about slotting degeneration over lotus fan. You might be better off using spell power pots (mag, spell dmg, crit). I had a similar struggle since I wanted to play with lotus fan, but since I started using spell power pots I felt a definite increase in my effectiveness. It frees up a slot, you don't have to refresh the buff and also gives you the crit buff which I find to be vital for magblade damage in no CP. Whenever I don't have it I feel my dmg drop hard. I use them as well on my magdk, because I need the extra slot and frankly degeneration is just a garbage ability.

I run many different builds for different situations, but the one I enjoy the most for solo is similar to your build, except I use shacklebreaker alongside amber plasm in stead of spinner, and then have two 1-piece resistance monstersets for some added sturdiness and prevent being 1 shot by unexpected leaps.

Skill setup is similar to yours except I can use lotus fan on frontbar and use debilitate over ele drain. With lover mundus + sharpened my pen is good enough. Then I use undo on the backbar. The amount of times it saved me is uncountable, plus it gives the minor protection for some added tankyness when fighting [snip]. Sadly, the bugs with that skill make want to take it off...

I just don't have the psijic Ult leveled, else I would run that most times. As I can count the amount of times I've used Resto Ult on one hand. I'd rather use an offensive Ult to try and get a kill.

Most people have an opinion against proc sets, and I kind of wish I didn't have to run Zaan, but it is the most effective set to run on a NB at the minute.

I'm used to only running one potion on a class, I need to learn to have and utilise more so I can swap, such as detect pots. But I run Tri-Stats because it's just easy to manage.

[edited quoted content]

SRASinister

I started using spinners/BTB with BS and Potent back bar for some good results, but for the tankier brawler build I use Swift set with either spinners or BTB with back bar Potentates and RAT. I either use troll king and sugar skulls if i take off vamp or BS if I'm vamp. If you want to be really tanky then switch Trans in for spinners/BTB.

brandonv516

Was thinking of a different proc build with Caluurions + Doylemish next patch.

Basic idea is heavy attack + Flame Clench from Cloak. Flame clench stuns the enemy + procs Caluurions and the heavy attack hits and procs Doylemish. Caluurions should hit right after.

I haven't tested it yet but I think the heavy attack would arrive after the stun if properly done.

For a Monster set I think it could be double recovery (Shadowrend + Chokethorn) to help with sustain issues. Jewelry and Mundus will also need to focus on sustain.

If you can play with low sustain you could even add the new Monster set (Kjalnars). It would take some real mastery to line all that up though.

So the numbers would look like:
Caluurions - 12,900
Doylemish - 12,500
Kjalnars - 14,500

Iskiab

brandonv516 wrote: »

Was thinking of a different proc build with Caluurions + Doylemish next patch.

Basic idea is heavy attack + Flame Clench from Cloak. Flame clench stuns the enemy + procs Caluurions and the heavy attack hits and procs Doylemish. Caluurions should hit right after.

I haven't tested it yet but I think the heavy attack would arrive after the stun if properly done.

For a Monster set I think it could be double recovery (Shadowrend + Chokethorn) to help with sustain issues. Jewelry and Mundus will also need to focus on sustain.

If you can play with low sustain you could even add the new Monster set (Kjalnars). It would take some real mastery to line all that up though.

So the numbers would look like:
Caluurions - 12,900
Doylemish - 12,500
Kjalnars - 14,500

What would your final stats look like? I saw a cal proc the other day when I was solo fighting a group. In CP land it was reduced to 3k.

exeeter702

brandonv516 wrote: »

Was thinking of a different proc build with Caluurions + Doylemish next patch.

Basic idea is heavy attack + Flame Clench from Cloak. Flame clench stuns the enemy + procs Caluurions and the heavy attack hits and procs Doylemish. Caluurions should hit right after.

I haven't tested it yet but I think the heavy attack would arrive after the stun if properly done.

For a Monster set I think it could be double recovery (Shadowrend + Chokethorn) to help with sustain issues. Jewelry and Mundus will also need to focus on sustain.

If you can play with low sustain you could even add the new Monster set (Kjalnars). It would take some real mastery to line all that up though.

So the numbers would look like:
Caluurions - 12,900
Doylemish - 12,500
Kjalnars - 14,500

Naw, the heavy attack will miss unless they are late to break free. The only garunteed doylemish proc is still petrify into dw heavy iirc. I even tried it with volcanic rune and it wouldnt work in time since they can technically break free in the air. At melee range there not enough travel time and at clench range the heavy destro will hit when they have already broken free.

But last I tested this, unlike off balance stun which considers a barely charge attack a "heavy", doly actualy does require a "fully" charged heavy to get the beam.

brandonv516

exeeter702 wrote: »

brandonv516 wrote: »

Was thinking of a different proc build with Caluurions + Doylemish next patch.

Basic idea is heavy attack + Flame Clench from Cloak. Flame clench stuns the enemy + procs Caluurions and the heavy attack hits and procs Doylemish. Caluurions should hit right after.

I haven't tested it yet but I think the heavy attack would arrive after the stun if properly done.

For a Monster set I think it could be double recovery (Shadowrend + Chokethorn) to help with sustain issues. Jewelry and Mundus will also need to focus on sustain.

If you can play with low sustain you could even add the new Monster set (Kjalnars). It would take some real mastery to line all that up though.

So the numbers would look like:
Caluurions - 12,900
Doylemish - 12,500
Kjalnars - 14,500

Naw, the heavy attack will miss unless they are late to break free. The only garunteed doylemish proc is still petrify into dw heavy iirc. I even tried it with volcanic rune and it wouldnt work in time since they can technically break free in the air. At melee range there not enough travel time and at clench range the heavy destro will hit when they have already broken free.

But last I tested this, unlike off balance stun which considers a barely charge attack a "heavy", doly actualy does require a "fully" charged heavy to get the beam.

Doesn't matter anyways lol because they apparently changed it to melee only.

In game it says: "fully charged melee heavy attack"
Wiki page says: "fully charged heavy attack"

exeeter702

brandonv516 wrote: »

exeeter702 wrote: »

brandonv516 wrote: »

Was thinking of a different proc build with Caluurions + Doylemish next patch.

Basic idea is heavy attack + Flame Clench from Cloak. Flame clench stuns the enemy + procs Caluurions and the heavy attack hits and procs Doylemish. Caluurions should hit right after.

I haven't tested it yet but I think the heavy attack would arrive after the stun if properly done.

For a Monster set I think it could be double recovery (Shadowrend + Chokethorn) to help with sustain issues. Jewelry and Mundus will also need to focus on sustain.

If you can play with low sustain you could even add the new Monster set (Kjalnars). It would take some real mastery to line all that up though.

So the numbers would look like:
Caluurions - 12,900
Doylemish - 12,500
Kjalnars - 14,500

Naw, the heavy attack will miss unless they are late to break free. The only garunteed doylemish proc is still petrify into dw heavy iirc. I even tried it with volcanic rune and it wouldnt work in time since they can technically break free in the air. At melee range there not enough travel time and at clench range the heavy destro will hit when they have already broken free.

But last I tested this, unlike off balance stun which considers a barely charge attack a "heavy", doly actualy does require a "fully" charged heavy to get the beam.

Doesn't matter anyways lol because they apparently changed it to melee only.

In game it says: "fully charged melee heavy attack"
Wiki page says: "fully charged heavy attack"

omg i didnt even notice that lol......

Jeezye

anyone played around with fear trap? I thought I might give it a try again to save a GCD in burst combos to better ensure soul harvest/ AW hits. Might need some additional crowd control like slows and roots though to make the trap more reliably hit...

Neloth

Jeezye wrote: »

anyone played around with fear trap? I thought I might give it a try again to save a GCD in burst combos to better ensure soul harvest/ AW hits. Might need some additional crowd control like slows and roots though to make the trap more reliably hit...

It's the same as magnecro's totem: useful against melee, useless against range (which sadly includes a very large group of players, since magsorcs and snipetards).

You also won't be able to secure kills on bad players, who try to run away and just dodge, dodge, dodge (since they need to be CCed and ass-willed).

Maybe you can run reach + fear back bar (sometimes I use that on magnecro), but it doesn't help your bar space at all. I prefer to run meteor + fear, or fear + gap closer + harvest, with meteor back-bared. Against competent players I use meteor -> fear -> ass will, while harvest I use against potatoes, or against classes with clear offensive window (like magplars or magsorcs or wardens) who can't dodge much (just harvest -> fear -> ass will in the beginning of their offensive window, to minimise chances of them dodging/blocking/shielding harvest).

Jeezye

Neloth wrote: »

Jeezye wrote: »

anyone played around with fear trap? I thought I might give it a try again to save a GCD in burst combos to better ensure soul harvest/ AW hits. Might need some additional crowd control like slows and roots though to make the trap more reliably hit...

It's the same as magnecro's totem: useful against melee, useless against range (which sadly includes a very large group of players, since magsorcs and snipetards).

You also won't be able to secure kills on bad players, who try to run away and just dodge, dodge, dodge (since they need to be CCed and ass-willed).

Maybe you can run reach + fear back bar (sometimes I use that on magnecro), but it doesn't help your bar space at all. I prefer to run meteor + fear, or fear + gap closer + harvest, with meteor back-bared. Against competent players I use meteor -> fear -> ass will, while harvest I use against potatoes, or against classes with clear offensive window (like magplars or magsorcs or wardens) who can't dodge much (just harvest -> fear -> ass will in the beginning of their offensive window, to minimise chances of them dodging/blocking/shielding harvest).

The range issue is what I thought of too, thats why I said a combination of roots might be nice. Also if you stick to their face which you usually do anyways when pressuring, the automatically created rune below you might work decently if you really stay on top of them.

I havent really tried it, but it might become really valuable if parcticed since its also amazing for kiting and delaying burst...

Jeezye

Ohh yes and I also thought about running a backup stun, like tether ult (which btw after the added delay works pretty well to in combo with AW), tactician, maybe meteor or DB

Jeezye

Ohh I just realized the fear trap takes 4 (!!!!) seconds to arm. So nvm all thoughts, that's way too long of a ramp up to play around.. Anyone tried the mages rune instead? It actually provides some decent burst on top and only takes 2 seconds to arm. Thinking like crippe --> rune and hope the don't dodge before it goes off.. On top of that you also get an empowered light attack to combo in now that Im thinking about it

Iskiab

You don’t need a back bar stun imo. If you hit someone with concealed for off balance you can medium attack with a flame staff for the stun.

I don’t have a lot of practice pulling it off because I only played my new magblade a little bit once I hit 50, but that was my thinking when I messed around with the fear trap again. Bow builds are typically squishy and don’t even need a stun in no-CP.

Fear trap 4 seconds isn’t great but it just means more setup.

Jeezye

Iskiab wrote: »

You don’t need a back bar stun imo. If you hit someone with concealed for off balance you can medium attack with a flame staff for the stun.

I don’t have a lot of practice pulling it off because I only played my new magblade a little bit once I hit 50, but that was my thinking when I messed around with the fear trap again. Bow builds are typically squishy and don’t even need a stun in no-CP.

Fear trap 4 seconds isn’t great but it just means more setup.

Wait off balance only applies from stealth, meaning you are stunning the target in the first place anyways. But ye with tactician you still have good off balance uptime

fred4

I'm now trying Eternal Hunt and I think it's a winner for my playstyle. Most of you probably know I run a Caluurion magblade specced heavily into both mag and stam sustain as well as speed. I tried Shadow Image for a while, but using dodge rolls and speed always remained part of my playstyle. Thus far Eternal Hunt seems to make those dodge rolls far more effective against jabbing templars, possibly the main class I have trouble with. I had to give up the Steed for the Atro and switched from Hissmir Fisheye Rye to Ghastly, retaining basically the same damage and mag sustain as with Bright Throat's. Stam sustain is less, but goes further. I feel I have more breathing room to cast both RAT and Cloak. For what it's worth:

https://en.uesp.net/wiki/Special:EsoBuildData?id=210087

Inner Light is a flex spot with a large number of alternatives: Shadow Image, Merciless Resolve, Efficient Purge, Rapids, Siege Shield, Deep Thoughts (mainly for stam top up), Ele Drain.

Iskiab

I've actually been playing this lol:
https://en.uesp.net/wiki/Special:EsoBuildData?id=207332

It's not very good but fun. It's niche so does really well in some games, horrible in others.