Regarding Sword and Board

21jws10 · August 2015

Ok, so sword and board is my favourite weapon in the game, I want to make a new toon to use it in PvP, I usually play as an Imperial and don't particularly like templar, I somewhat like nightblade with it, but I hear siphoning strikes is a must have and I have no idea the upcoming update affects it, negatively or positively. DK I don't mind, but it seems most tanky PvP builds role this.

Another thing that always gets me is what to use on the back bar, I tried using S+B on both, didn't really like it, Bow for range I presume?

What does a tanky build do in PvP exactly? Debuff the enemies and CC them for attention I guess?

Basically I want to know what are the must have abilities for the sword and board in PvP along with attributes, as I get really confused when magic abilities are thrown in the mix like they so often are. And what class abilities are needed for this for the NB and DK respectively?

Many thanks, will probably post more questions underneath

21jws10 · August 2015

Basically I'm going for a defender/protector type character.

Eas007 · August 2015

For a s&b PvP spec I would say Dk is the best choice although Nb and Temp can do it as well. Pick the class you feel most for as you will probably will test different spdcs later. Mostly anything works if the player piloting knows what (s)he doing.

As for skills the s&b gap closer and defensive stance are staples. Best other weapon would be resto staff imo. Check out Deltias gaming and / or Sypher online. They bought have nice Dk builds posted for this. I based my templar s&b spec on them. Sry this is a bit vague, on my phone atm ☺

Hope this at least sets you on your way. Enjoy.

jkemmery · August 2015

If you're going to do a S&B DK, I would go magica with destro staff on the other bar. Most of the DK attacks are magica and you want to be able to spam them as they hit harder than the S&B abilities, Lava Whip especially but you need high magica for it to be effective. Green Dragon Blood, or Coagulating Blood for a self heal and Corrosive Armor as the ult to give you basic immortality for a few seconds if things get tough.

Switch to Destro staff and spam heavy attacks replenish magica when it's low. Use defending trait on your staff to keep your armor up.

I find with this build I'm able to hang in the fight a lot longer than trying to tank with stam.

Just my suggestion.

21jws10 · August 2015

Can something like this be stamina based? Because to me it seems a lot of these are magicka based..

21jws10 · August 2015

Ok, so stamina isn't much of an option, that's ok, I saw this build from a while back, would like to give it a go, would you say it's still viable with the upcoming update?
Templar-PvP-Build-Patch-1.5.jpg

21jws10 · August 2015

If not I'd like to try something similar with a sorc, could be interesting.. sorc has some nice abilities, that one which is like talons can't remember it's name, anyone know any builds like that? Someone showed me one the other day, but I'll need to make some edits obviously.

21jws10 · August 2015

Came up with this build, thoughts?

Bar 1 One Hand and Shield, Invasion, Crystal Frags, Encase (Shattering), Defensive Stance, Dark Conversion (May replace with clannfear for heals instead if this isnt effective in combat), Greater Storm Atro

Bar 2 Resto Staff, Lightning Splash, Rune Prison, Healing Springs, Daedric Curse, Negate Magic,

Attribute Split 20 Health, Rest into Magicka

21jws10 · August 2015

Missing a fifth ability from the second bar, just realised...

21jws10 · August 2015

That was it, the execute on the storm calling skill line.

Jormasaurus · August 2015

I'm running a very successful stamina based DK build with S&B and 2H. My play style is very aggressive, and I'm always the first one to charge in.

Bar 1: S&B

Green dragon blood: No introduction required, one of the best self heals in the game. Also boosts my stam regen.
Defensive stance: Stamina reflect and a nice slot bonus. Costs close to nothing, and reflects those nasty meteors and frags. Keep it up at all times.
Unstable flame: An amazing stamina DoT that deals huge amounts of damage, yet costs nothing. I try to apply it at the beginning of my fights so that I'm constantly eating away my opponents health, even if I have to get defensive.
Invasion: In my opinion the best gap closer in the game. Deals solid damage and stuns opponents.
Pierce Armor: My go to, cheap spam skill which reduces the opponents armor and deals good damage. On top of that, it also heals you if you do happen to own a Master's sword which I unfortunately haven't yet obtained.
Ferocious Leap: Closes the gap, creates a shield and knocks back multiple people. My go to ultimate that has been a lifesaver on many occasions.

Bar 2: 2H

Razor Caltrops: AoE and a great DoT. Can't ask for much more.
Fossilize: Great for 1vX fights when you need some time to regen your resources or finish someone off.
Rally: Damage buff and a great heal. The main reason I use a 2H.
Executioner: Believe it or not, used to execute low health targets.

Wrecking Blow: A skill I rarely use, but when I do it hits like a truck. Annihilates unsuspecting targets.
Flawless Dawnbreaker: 8% weapon damage increase.

Gear:

5x Ravager
2x Engine guardian
3x Night's silence

S&B: Blessing of the potentates
2H: Master's Greatsword.

I've dumped all my attributes into stamina. I have about 27k stam and 1,2k regen. My magicka is around 13k and Health at 25k. These are with the Cyrodiil health buff and tri-stat food. The build feels very tanky and you can mitigate almost all damage by dodge rolling, reflecting and blocking. This build may not be the absolute best around, but it's the one I've had the most success and fun with.