magicka dk: high elf vs dark elf 2016

olivaresdonjuan · January 2016

I've been thinking about making a magica dk so I can use skills that my stamina dk doesn't use, as a class I think the dk has the coolest abilities. This will be my first magica build so I have no clue where to start. So my questions to the dk community is which race should I pick and why? What's your magica dk build and why? I understand that the high elf is the go to for anything magic but the dark elf has the flame talent and seems like it's meant to be a dk. I'm pretty sure this isn't the first time anyone has asked this question so if you have a link to the discussion I'd appreciate it.

Daveheart · January 2016

For pure damage output as a DK, nothing will beat a dark elf.

*For reference I do have both high elf and dark elf caster DKs.

Sanct16 · January 2016

Racial doesn't really matter at all. Magicka DK is bad with every race

Probably Dark Elf tho.

olivaresdonjuan · January 2016

Sanct16 wrote: »

Racial doesn't really matter at all. Magicka DK is bad with every race

Probably Dark Elf tho.

Yeah im aware the dk is in a bad shape but I like the class. I plan on using it more for PvE and group PvP where I can support rather than dps.

Soris · January 2016

Altmers make great huge looking characters which fits to the dk. 3% more fire damage is not worthy enough for their ugly looking untermensch

Peel_Ya_Cap_517 · January 2016

I love my Dark Elf DK Mage, he does something like an extra 30% damage with Fire

But... I will admit that I regularly run out of Magicka with him. Although, Molten Armaments make my heavy attacks hit as hard as a spell, so it kind of works out. I run Elf Bane for dungeons so if you use light armor, your sustain shouldn't be as bad as mine

BuggeX · January 2016

i would still say imperial will fit better cause of more Stamina and HP wich will boost DB (MEHH) and give you more sustain with block/breakfree. the Little more dmg you will make is not even worth, since 0 dmg + 7% = still 0 *** dmg

olivaresdonjuan · January 2016

BuggeX wrote: »

i would still say imperial will fit better cause of more Stamina and HP wich will boost DB (MEHH) and give you more sustain with block/breakfree. the Little more dmg you will make is not even worth, since 0 dmg + 7% = still 0 *** dmg

Yeah but high elf/dark elf dk would be a magic build with dps coming from flame and magic.

Stoney_McGeee · January 2016

High elf, I'm a dark elf and I wish I could be a hit elf for that max and recovery bonus. It's critical vs the resistance, maybe dark elf was good when vamp is OP, but I'm not going that route.

Witar · January 2016

I play as dark elves mainly for roleplay reasons. Been doing so since daggerfall. Just love this race, dunmers are grumpy, live near big evil mountain with lava, love murder, bertayal and almsivi sujamma. One of their gods is bald flying troll. What's not to like? They also get 7% spell damage increase with fire. Which is better then flat 4% damage increase tall blondies get.
High elves on the other hand way too arrogant, tall and their islands is just make me wanna puke rainbows.

Tankqull · January 2016

Peel_Ya_Cap_517 wrote: »

I love my Dark Elf DK Mage, he does something like an extra 30% damage with Fire

But... I will admit that I regularly run out of Magicka with him. Although, Molten Armaments make my heavy attacks hit as hard as a spell, so it kind of works out. I run Elf Bane for dungeons so if you use light armor, your sustain shouldn't be as bad as mine

lol dunmer have a 6% increased spelldmg on fire attacks compared to other races thats like 3-4%dmg increasment in total(depending on your equipment)... = high elf DK does more dmg in total than a dunmer dk as you are going to use FP/CS

M_TeK_9 · January 2016

Can DoT's crit on every tick? If so I may say high elf but Dunmer get Fire Bonus' and max magicka bonus'. CP allocated correctly into spell penetration etc, along with the fire dmg trophy which increases next attack with 5% extra fire dmg - and that can be slotted in the potion wheel, with fire dmg sets on and all that good stuff (of which they need to scale to vr 16) Dunmer can out dps a High Elf for sure.

CavalierPrime · January 2016

Why is Breton never in the question?
10% max mag (Same as high elf)
3% reduced mag cost
4,000 spell resist

And you can make him look just like you (if you're Caucasian)

Hulk_VI · January 2016

I'm a high Elf, but imo Dark Elf is the best race, that increased fire damage is really strong for a DK

olivaresdonjuan · February 2016

Ok so I got the dps with destructive staff down but what about self heals? What skills should I use, I've never done a magic build before.

sneaky_t · February 2016

olivaresdonjuan wrote: »

Ok so I got the dps with destructive staff down but what about self heals? What skills should I use, I've never done a magic build before.

Well you have dragon blood, but thats only useful in pve or if you are running a build with alot of hp in pvp. Also flame lash/burning embers heal but they wont keep you alive by themselves. Another option is resto with healing ward/rapid regen/blessing of protection

cdobratz · February 2016

I'll pick dunmer over altmer any day for magic dk. Typically with magic dk in pvp you'll run a sword and board and that extra stamina is quite lovely. With pve, the 7% fire dps bonus with 9% magicka will give you roughly the same (typically a bit more) than the 4% element dps bonus with 10% max magicka.

Sypher · February 2016

Breton

Tankqull · February 2016

Hulk_VI wrote: »

I'm a high Elf, but imo Dark Elf is the best race, that increased fire damage is really strong for a DK

the few patch versions where it actually works...

VoiDGhOs7 · February 2016

Back at start Darkelf DK Magicka was the 1st FOTM because the synergy between DK/Darkelf was very good and no other combo except Highelf/Sorcerer could get near the Darkelf/DK synergy.

But after some updates things changed and the race choice lost it's importance anyway at the moment high elf is the best choice for the majority of magicka builds.

Cuyler · February 2016

pure damage is still best as dark elf. High elf will get you better sustain tho.

dodgehopper_ESO · February 2016

Cuyler wrote: »

pure damage is still best as dark elf. High elf will get you better sustain tho.

What @Cuyler is saying is exactly right.

Dark Elf: +9% Magicka, +7% Fire Damage, +6% Stamina (this is nice for mobility, breakfree, etc).
Altmer: +10% Magicka, +9% magicka Recovery, +4% Elemental Damage

I only listed the pertinent elements to what you want. As you can see the Altmer has more magicka and Elemental damage, but the Dunmer will still end a couple percent higher in fire damage. The Altmer will have slightly higher raw magic damage (like on curse), and will be able to do more damage on things like Ice Comet. Its really a style choice but ultimately the Altmer is a high damage race with better magicka sustain, and the Dunmer is a fire retardant mage race that can sprint a little further. Take your pick they're both really good.

leepalmer95 · February 2016

Do you think a mag dk is viable on an imperial, i can't be bothered making a new character.

I'll lose the sustain of high elf or such but i'm hoping the 12% hp and 10% stamina will just let me boost my magicka so i won't lose out too much on dmg.

Galvanize · February 2016

I would choose dark elf over high elf for magicka DK, the extra fire damage is awesome.

Brrrofski · February 2016

CavalierPrime wrote: »

Why is Breton never in the question?
10% max mag (Same as high elf)
3% reduced mag cost
4,000 spell resist

And you can make him look just like you (if you're Caucasian)

Because high elves have more elemental damage abd dumner have increased fire damage... That why it's between those two as to who does the most damage.

Brrrofski · February 2016

leepalmer95 wrote: »

Do you think a mag dk is viable on an imperial, i can't be bothered making a new character.

I'll lose the sustain of high elf or such but i'm hoping the 12% hp and 10% stamina will just let me boost my magicka so i won't lose out too much on dmg.

Are you a stam Dk currently then?

They'll still be stronger than magica Dk next patch. I'd stick with stam.

olivaresdonjuan · February 2016

I'm going to try a hybrid tank. Something like 1/1/1 for attribute points, 5/1/1 heavy, medium, light all with prismatic enchants. Good tank armor set, engine guardian, and endurance. Still iffy on what weapon set for s&b.

leepalmer95 · February 2016

Brrrofski wrote: »

leepalmer95 wrote: »

Do you think a mag dk is viable on an imperial, i can't be bothered making a new character.

I'll lose the sustain of high elf or such but i'm hoping the 12% hp and 10% stamina will just let me boost my magicka so i won't lose out too much on dmg.

Are you a stam Dk currently then?

They'll still be stronger than magica Dk next patch. I'd stick with stam.

I'm bored with a stam dk. I'll keep my gear of course but i'm going to go mag dk again, i was originally a mag dk.