This is my IC Update Turtle/Bats Variation Theory Craft Build for discussion.

Currently I run very similar to this on live and have excellent results in 1 V 1


This is completely a skill based build, and trying to use macros is not recommended because
the timing on most of the skills ALWAYS varies and is not constant. Distance traveled, distanced
pulled by chain, knockdown/cc immunity, etc all make it very hard to have a push to win button
with this build layout since dps is lower for pvp . Although it may be possible to toss in some
VERY weak light attacks with your sword using macro's, its just not feasable and highly trashy.

This build will rely on Sustainability and healing while also being a Vamp. This appears to be
a highly viable build for IC Update without even haveing to purchase the update to use. Its well
Balanced! So Crafted gear selection should Reflect things like, increased healing recieved,
Dodge chance %, Armor, Health Regeneration, Etc.

To sum it up, I have picked a few Crafted sets that need to be further tested when this
update goes live. My 5 piece Crafted Choice selection looks like this:

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Choice Crafted Sets

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Twighlit's Embrace Always 5 piece!
Hist Bark Always 5 piece!
Vampire's Kiss Always 5 piece!
The Song of Lamae Always 5 piece!
Orgnum's Scales Always 5 piece!
Shalidor's Curse Always 5 piece!
Spectre's Eye Always 5 piece!
Twice Born Star Always 5 piece! (if you choose this I recomend Mage/Healing Mundus!)

(I dont think any of these suffered a stealth/visible nerf for IC Update!)


I have to take into account that We are now Damage EATERS and need to rely on Damage Mitigation/ Resource Sustaine
and Healing, maybe even Dodgeing, in order to survive. All gear should be preferably Nirnhoned for maximum
spell resistance. Stacking, IMO is still the only way to go. But I will test out Reinforced/Impen also when
this patch goes live. We also have to take into account that Damage shields are probably not something
that you want to have on your character You will become ---Shield Breaker--- "breakfast". Also, as you can see,
I have chosen 0 sets from IC update for this build. IC didnt do anything for my Dk variation. It did nerf some other
Dk's builds to the ground. So this build variation is still viable, since it doesnt rely on "Perma Block" or
"Shield Stacking" and your stamina is not to be relied upon anyway! Its going to be base "0"!

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Stats

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Your stats are pretty simple, And i believe it is possible to hit at least 30k health/ 30k Magicka/ 16k
Stamina with Legendary tri stat enchantments and all gear upped to Legendary with V10 purple food consumed.
Your Stats will look something like this:

32 magicka/32 Health/ 0 Stamina I am an Imperial DK!




These stats depends on Crafted Gear sets from my choice list and assumptions on how Tri Stat Enchantments will work!
Me personally, i havent decided if i will SELF IMPOSE a 30k Life total CAP and dump the rest into magicka for more
damage or if will keep even 50/50. Both sound nice to me and at this point, almost redundant.

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Main Gear!

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I will only need Ingots and Runes from imperial city update for crafting and tri stat enchantments!

Im not sure, but i believe you can use the Tri stat Enchantments on all pieces of Armor and shields.
If you cannot afford the Tri Stat Enchantments or i am incorrect about these enchantments and how they work,
Then go for Max Magick in place of Tri Stat Enchanments! That is the only option for this build variation!



Main Gear setup And REQUIRED for my Variation. These pieces are SET IN STONE, Absolutely no exceptions!

Helm V16 Engine Guardian (Gold) Tri Stat Enchantment Heavy Armor! Reinforced/Impenetrable(I like Impen)
Shoulders V16 Engine Guardian (Gold) Tri Stat Enchantment Heavy Armor! Reinforced/Impenetrable(I like Impen)
Gloves V12 Warlock (Gold) Tri Stat Enchantment Light Armor! Infused
Boots V12 Warlock (Gold) Tri Stat Enchantment Light Armor! Infused
Amulet V12 Warlock (Purple) Max Fire Resist Enchnatment Arcane
Ring 1 V12 Warlock (Blue) Reduce Magic Cost Enchantment Arcane
Ring 2 V12 Warlock (Blue) Reduce Magic Cost Enchantment Arcane

Since vamp is getting a buff, we might be able to ditch the fire resistant enchantment on teh amulet and put more magick
cost reduction "OR" Health Recovery "OR" Spell damage enchantment in its place!

If you still cannot afford the V12 Blue warlock rings Please considor buying the Purple V12 Warlock
Amulet and use 2x V1 Green Warlock Rings! Make sure the V12 boots and gloves are upped to gold! You still
get the nice bonus boost! Rings are hard to get and not sure if they will still be tough after update!



These are the crafted piece slots/gear I recomend for the build and i also consider (for me) these gear SLOTS to be SET IN STONE
and should be chosen from my Choice Crafted Sets Selection listed above! I will be conducting test on live with sets from
my selected list to maximize and Tweak My character to my liking. (it will be some cheap test too since this build is expensive!)


Weapon 1 V16 1 Hand Sword (Gold) Nirncrux----330 Unresistable Damage Enchantment Weapon
Shield 1 V16 SHield (Gold) Nirnhoned---Tri Stat Enchantment Shield
Weapon 2 V16 1 Hand Sword (Gold) Nirncrux----330 Unresistable Damage Enchantment Weapon
Shield 2 V16 Shield (Gold) Nirnhoned---Tri Stat Enchantment Shield
Chest V16 (Gold) Nirnhoned---Tri Stat Enchantment Heavy Armor
Pants V16 (Gold) Nirnhoned---Tri Stat Enchantment Heavy Armor
Belt V16 (Gold) Nirnhoned---Tri Stat Enchantment Heavy Armor

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Champion Points

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I currently have 229 Champion Points for IC Update testing when Live
This is how i will have mine spread out and tested!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yellow Tree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

75 points in the Tower/ all of them in Magician! Im finished here for now Move on to the next one!
1 point in the Lover / Healthy. I would put at least 75 in this too if i had the cp to do it!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Blue Tree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

76 points in The Apprentice! I would put all points untill this tree is maxed out and you cannot put anymore
in here! Currently on live you do not put points into Spell erosion if you use a Nirn Weapon, Its a bug and
does not add to damage.

SO On IC Update I would evenly distribute the points into Blessed/Elfborn/spell Erosion/ Elemental Expert! Im
going to test going 1 for 1 and keeping this equal, It just sounds like a solid decision to make since all of
these are equally important for my build variation!

If you finally max this out then put the rest of your points into The Ritual/Thaumaturge. If you have way
more cp than that, then you can figure it out!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Red Tree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The red tree will require the most testing for best possible point combination with my low cp!

75 points in the Steed. I have mine evenly distributed in here also 25 block expertise/ 25 Spell Shield/
25 Resistant. I put 75 in here for the shield passive! On Pts I dont know if its a tool tip error but
does not list extra resist, so i assume tt error for PTS) If not, I will still probably keep points spread like this!
ALSO I currently do not have a desire for the DAMAGE SHIELD PASSIVE so im done putting points in here for now!

2 points in teh Lady, Its probably best to just split points up evenly in here also 1 for 1 between
elemental defender and hardy. Im not sure If i want to concentrate on Thick skinned yet. But we will
see what happens when things go live! I dont know how many points i want in here either!

ALso, The Lord is a very interesting TEST Field for this build. Since im heavy armor/healing/stacked resist/ blah blah blah,
it just needs some testing. 3 of the skills in here look very decent! I just cant decide if my gear will alow me
to sacrifice the 75 points i have in the steed or if i need to drop The Lady and go 1 for 1 in here betweeen
quick recovery/heavy armor focus/Nourishing. (Absolutley no need to put points in the Bastion this is a damage shield buff.).
Some skills are also lacking in what i would like to accomplish with the build so these points "May" be the "optimal"
spot to use! We need heals and more armor is always welcome for stack resist! Healing Pots? Yeah, we all use them!


On a champion point note, If someone test's out Using the V10 Tri Stat Recovery Drink for regenerations, Then
You would obviously need to change stuff around in the Yellow Tree! I have no idea how powerful or junky
Regeneration will be, Im just taking into account my play style but wont put off using a Drink Build variation
that is probably really damn good also, Which would probably also require a Crafted set not listed in
my choice gear selection! So much testing needs done with the DK! They are still TOP NOTCH DUELERS!

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PvP Skills

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Bar 1 extended chains/Petrify (shattering rocks morph)/Flame Lash/Entropy (Both morphs has its perks)/Coagulating Blood/ Ultimate=Take Flight
Bar 2 invasion/ Burning Talons / Burning Embers/ Reflective Plate(Dragon Fire Scale Morph) / Coagulating Blood/ Ultimate= Devauring Swarm

Some testing will be done with Alliance War Assault Skill Vigor in place of one of the Coagulating Bloods
on one of the bars!

Ash Cloud/ Obsidian Shard/ Inhale/ Engulfing Flames/Absorb Magick Are all skills that i will play with
testing them out trying to find my best skill load out variation to gear when it goes live.

Max out all 3 Class passives , all sword and board passives, Vamp passives, Light and heavy armor passives that are relevant,
Max out all 3 of the Guild skill line (fighters/mage/undaunted) passives that are relevant, max whatever passives you like or need
in the alliance war skills, Max out your Racial Passives, and make sure to max out your Provision passives and Alchemy passives
to increase the effects eating and using potions give!

Its also possible to max out the Medium armor passives relevant if you get stuck only finding a A Medium armor Engine guardian piece
This will however lower your heavy armor passive and not grant 5 piece bonus because a shield does not count as a heavy piece
of armor It will boost your Undaunted Mettle passive though..

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Dueling with the skills

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Dueling is pretty staight forward.

1 Gap closer/Disruption Invasion/Chains/Petrify/Talons
2 Entropy
3 Flame Lash/Burning Embers
4 Wash rinse and repeat Throw down ultimates as you feel needed.
5 Scales for casters/shooters! and Heals for you!

All dueling will take practice, Lots of weapon swapping, but easy to get the feel for. You will notice that you can spam burning embers
into oblivion too PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE

It never gets old for me.......... The build is solid now on live and it felt like it would be solid on PTS with my V12/V14 gear when I played on it.

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Potions

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I always use trash magic potions for 600 gold a stack
Tri stat potions are optimum for this build though.
and Detect potions are also ok.

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Closing statements

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Im currently running a very similar build on Live now with good results, but we all know about all the broken mechanics, bugs,
macro's Etc Etc Etc that is currently ruining PVP at the moment. Some of the broken stuff will get fixed with IC update and will no
longer be a threat. I feel like the battlefield has just been leveled and put My DK in a superior position even with the nerfs when
update goes live! The downside is, i realize that i dont even need to buy IC to continue on with my build....... I get to save some
money

When i put this character on the pts (with character copy) and i used a similar variation (NON Vamp) on the PTS it performed
extrememly well. Of course, they also had exploits getting abused on pts, but they got fixed. From my perspective, I dont see
anything on this DK that will get a nerf. Nothing here relies on the new mechanics that are being introduced into the game, but
that doesnt mean they wont break something when implementing this patch to live servers...... They usually always do. I feel that
my DK variant Will still be a highly Viable character to play in PvP and that this new update is actually going to make it stronger!

Any feedback or comments are welcome. Always looking for "Constructive" feedback or suggestions. If you have a currently Optimum build
variation similar to the one im using i would be glad to hear your Feedback or suggestions also. I want to have the Perfect DK
after IC patch goes live so im all ears.


Thanks!