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Your GOLDEN TICKET to endgame DPS - 3 button Sorcerer 120k+

Weisstag
Weisstag
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Alright so it's widely known that many many people still struggle to get those top tier end game DPS parses, which many times comes from complex rotations or too many skills to track, which makes it really easy to make a mistake or two...or in some cases way too many mistakes to get those 100k+ parses. Well, if what you just read sounds familiar to you, give my sorcerer build a shot.

TLDR - this post aims to help people who struggle with DPS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AP7GsCt_o8A
Gear: https://postimg.cc/mthB47tN (if you don't have Perfected Bahsei, normal version of this set will do exactly the same job, if you don't have access to Bahsei at all, you can use Burning Spell weave, Scathing mage, Julianos or any other set that gives you Spell Damage as 5th bonus)
Race: Breton will give you best sustain and as this is incredibly sustain hungry build, you will experience a lot more Spell Symmetry usage on other races.
In case you don't like the idea of trading your HP for Magicka, you can slot Inner Light in place of Spell Symmetry and run 3 reduce cost glyphs on your jewelry, as crazy as it sounds, it doesn't affect your DPS nearly as much as you would think

Frontbar:
Spammable - Deadric Tomb (you can learn how to place it down in a way where atleast 2 out of 3 mines hit the target, which works even on targets with the smallest hitbox, like a human npc for example)
Sustain ability - Spell Symetry (Mages Guild ability - instant cast ability which provides 3000 magicka and reduces cost of your next magicka ability by 33% - use it in place of your spammable when you get under 10-15k magicka, whatever makes for more comfortable playstyle for you, eventually you can learn to use it even lower but to get the feel for the build, try it as advised)
Proc ability - Crystal Fragments proc (Use it as often as possible, it helps with sustain and is a minimal damage loss - compared to one Tomb cast)
Pet1 (Scamp pet - using this pet's special ability is optional)
Pet2 (Flying pet - Tormentor morph is more DPS so its better for group content, Matriarch morph is for arenas and solo play)
ULT - Shooting Star (has better aoe burst potential compared to Atronach, use this for trash packs and in a situation where boss has less than approx. 5% HP)

Backbar:
AOE DoT - Unstable Wall of Elements (make sure to keep 90%+ uptime on this, when paired with Maelstom Destro staff it provides significant DPS boost in a form of light attack buff)
Single target delayed burst - Daedric Prey (this morph of Curse passively buffs your pets and your ultimate damage - Atronach)
Minor force buff - Channeled Acceleration (Rearming Trap can be used instead, for situations where you get to play melee)
Pet1
Pet2
ULT - Greater Atronach (your primary ultimate)

Rotation: I believe it's pointless listing a whole rotation, you can see it on the video and whenever I see someone typing out a rotation in written form I have to chuckle, since it provides absolutely no substance anyways. The best way to see how it works is to try it. What I will say are some pointers to make your life as easy as possible, and it's already pretty easy, as you have only 3 skill that you use regularly.
- As an opener, always start with Channeled Acceleration - pet2(flying) - pet1(scamp) - and then you can start with rotation (Prey - LA - Wall of Elements - Bar swap - LA - Tomb > keep doing this until you need to recast Prey, then eventually Wall etc.)
- Do not forget to use Crystal Fragments when they proc, it will save you significant amount of resources, which can result in better DPS, since it gets you one ability cast further from using Spell Symmetry
- Don't be afraid the small damage loss when using Spell Symmetry, if you have Mages Guild on lvl.10 with last passive unlocked all the way, you will get a LA buff for 3 seconds, which will buff your next 2 light attacks by 40% (unlocking this passive will save you quite a bit of DPS)
- Don't get greedy in the execute phase, this build has no execute damage, other than passively from Bloodthirsty traits, so keep your Wall and Prey up and don't be afraid to use Spell Symmetry if you are low on resources, even if the boss is nearly dead, it can cost you 1-2 Tomb casts

PS: If you have any questions, feel free to ask, I will try to answer the best according to my abilities.
Edited by Weisstag on 8 February 2022 23:31
Iam an EU player...so Iam pretty used to suffering
  • universal_wrath
    universal_wrath
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    Mqybe I'm blind, but I can see 5 buttons being pressed, almost a regular rotation.
  • carlos424
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    Doesn’t this only work when the dummy is positioned just so, with a wall behind?
  • Weisstag
    Weisstag
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    Mqybe I'm blind, but I can see 5 buttons being pressed, almost a regular rotation.

    I mean, yes and no, since pet skill is optional, fragments are rng proc and trap can easily be switched for channeled acceleration, there are only 3 skills that you use continuously which are Wall, Tomb and Prey. For sure, if you want to squeeze out 120k, you have to use all the tools available to you, but as I said, there are only 3 skills you will need to reapply at all times.
    Iam an EU player...so Iam pretty used to suffering
  • Weisstag
    Weisstag
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    carlos424 wrote: »
    Doesn’t this only work when the dummy is positioned just so, with a wall behind?

    Depends on enemy type, basic enemy types - like humanoids for example - will not get hit by all 3 mines but only 2/3, other enemies, like raid bosses - take Z'maja from cloudrest for example - can easily eat all 3.
    Iam an EU player...so Iam pretty used to suffering
  • lolo_01b16_ESO
    lolo_01b16_ESO
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    Do you have a log from an actuall vet raid boss fight? I haven't tested it for a long time, but as far as I remember there is a mechanic that makes sure that raid bosses only take damage from one mine at a time, even if they trigger multiple of them.
  • Weisstag
    Weisstag
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    Do you have a log from an actuall vet raid boss fight? I haven't tested it for a long time, but as far as I remember there is a mechanic that makes sure that raid bosses only take damage from one mine at a time, even if they trigger multiple of them.

    Not a log but you can see that Olms can trigger and take damage from at least 2 mines on this picture https://postimg.cc/bssc9zCP and his hitbox is really damn weird
    Edited by Weisstag on 9 February 2022 11:46
    Iam an EU player...so Iam pretty used to suffering
  • mocap
    mocap
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    well most of modern rotations are "3 buttons" and looks something like:
    1) backbar ground dot
    2) another dot
    3) 5-7 spamables with LA depends on proc skills, additional dot or "every second rotation" skill
  • Carbohydrate
    Carbohydrate
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    "Your GOLDEN TICKET to endgame DPS" - with no examples of logs, only cheesy mines on the dummy.

    Here are some logs from magsorc on Olms:
    https://www.esologs.com/zone/rankings/7#boss=23&metric=bossdps&class=Sorcerer&spec=MagickaDPS

    Here are some logs from magsorc on Yoln:
    https://www.esologs.com/zone/rankings/12#boss=44&metric=bossdps&class=Sorcerer&spec=MagickaDPS

    Two of the biggest single target boss fights in the game, both with boss hitboxes the size of Texas.

    Where are the mines? They aren't there, because people have known about positioning mines in a corner on a dummy to boost your atro parse for a very long time lol. This does not translate to raid fights.
    Edited by Carbohydrate on 9 February 2022 16:43
  • Weisstag
    Weisstag
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    "Your GOLDEN TICKET to endgame DPS" - with no examples of logs, only cheesy mines on the dummy.

    Here are some logs from magsorc on Olms:
    https://www.esologs.com/zone/rankings/7#boss=23&metric=bossdps&class=Sorcerer&spec=MagickaDPS

    Here are some logs from magsorc on Yoln:
    https://www.esologs.com/zone/rankings/12#boss=44&metric=bossdps&class=Sorcerer&spec=MagickaDPS

    Two of the biggest single target boss fights in the game, both with boss hitboxes the size of Texas.

    Where are the mines? They aren't there, because people have known about positioning mines in a corner on a dummy to boost your atro parse for a very long time lol. This does not translate to raid fights.

    Firstly, here is a mines parse with dummy positioned out in the open, as I stated before, what ive learned by my own testing is that every enemy can get hit by atleast 2 mines per cast, that is if you know how to put them down and I would argue 106k+ is still an endgame dps parse https://postimg.cc/ZBgfJb1t (if you don't believe me, I will gladly upload a video)

    Second, I'm not selling this an the BEST sorc build with the BEST dps possible, I'm selling this as the EASIEST sorc build that can do EVERYTHING from solo content all the way to trials, with minimum effort and minimal learning curve. Mines are an amazing spammable. If you learn how to use them efficiently.
    Edited by Weisstag on 10 February 2022 13:21
    Iam an EU player...so Iam pretty used to suffering
  • Carbohydrate
    Carbohydrate
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    Weisstag wrote: »
    "Your GOLDEN TICKET to endgame DPS" - with no examples of logs, only cheesy mines on the dummy.

    Here are some logs from magsorc on Olms:
    https://www.esologs.com/zone/rankings/7#boss=23&metric=bossdps&class=Sorcerer&spec=MagickaDPS

    Here are some logs from magsorc on Yoln:
    https://www.esologs.com/zone/rankings/12#boss=44&metric=bossdps&class=Sorcerer&spec=MagickaDPS

    Two of the biggest single target boss fights in the game, both with boss hitboxes the size of Texas.

    Where are the mines? They aren't there, because people have known about positioning mines in a corner on a dummy to boost your atro parse for a very long time lol. This does not translate to raid fights.

    Alright, here is a mines parse with dummy positioned out in the open, as I stated before, what ive learned by my own testing is that every enemy can get hit by atleast 2 mines per cast, that is if you know how to put them down and I would argue 106k+ is still an endgame dps parse https://postimg.cc/ZBgfJb1t

    If mines did that much damage in content outside of the dummy, you'd see people using them in logs
  • carlos424
    carlos424
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    Weisstag wrote: »
    Do you have a log from an actuall vet raid boss fight? I haven't tested it for a long time, but as far as I remember there is a mechanic that makes sure that raid bosses only take damage from one mine at a time, even if they trigger multiple of them.

    Not a log but you can see that Olms can trigger and take damage from at least 2 mines on this picture https://postimg.cc/bssc9zCP and his hitbox is really damn weird

    Ya, I’ve gone into Asylum with a tank and tested this a year + ago on Olms. Every once in a while you could get two to hit but very infrequently and not reliably. Never had all 3 hit. If it won’t work on Olms, and that hit box, it probably isn’t worth using in raids. If it did, everybody would be doing it.
    Edited by carlos424 on 10 February 2022 13:24
  • Weisstag
    Weisstag
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    mocap wrote: »
    well most of modern rotations are "3 buttons" and looks something like:
    1) backbar ground dot
    2) another dot
    3) 5-7 spamables with LA depends on proc skills, additional dot or "every second rotation" skill

    That is a bit of a stretch tho, my nightblade build is like 5x more demanding. That's not even comparable to a sorc.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqL0UWeKL0Y
    Edited by Weisstag on 10 February 2022 13:28
    Iam an EU player...so Iam pretty used to suffering
  • Weisstag
    Weisstag
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    carlos424 wrote: »
    Weisstag wrote: »
    Do you have a log from an actuall vet raid boss fight? I haven't tested it for a long time, but as far as I remember there is a mechanic that makes sure that raid bosses only take damage from one mine at a time, even if they trigger multiple of them.

    Not a log but you can see that Olms can trigger and take damage from at least 2 mines on this picture https://postimg.cc/bssc9zCP and his hitbox is really damn weird

    Ya, I’ve gone into Asylum with a tank and tested this a year + ago on Olms. Every once in a while you could get two to hit but very infrequently and not reliably. Never had all 3 hit. If it won’t work on Olms, and that hit box, it probably isn’t worth using in raids. If it did, everybody would be doing it.

    Olms has wonky hitbox, try it on Zmaja, Rakkath or any dungeon boss
    Iam an EU player...so Iam pretty used to suffering
  • Weisstag
    Weisstag
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    Weisstag wrote: »
    "Your GOLDEN TICKET to endgame DPS" - with no examples of logs, only cheesy mines on the dummy.

    Here are some logs from magsorc on Olms:
    https://www.esologs.com/zone/rankings/7#boss=23&metric=bossdps&class=Sorcerer&spec=MagickaDPS

    Here are some logs from magsorc on Yoln:
    https://www.esologs.com/zone/rankings/12#boss=44&metric=bossdps&class=Sorcerer&spec=MagickaDPS

    Two of the biggest single target boss fights in the game, both with boss hitboxes the size of Texas.

    Where are the mines? They aren't there, because people have known about positioning mines in a corner on a dummy to boost your atro parse for a very long time lol. This does not translate to raid fights.

    Alright, here is a mines parse with dummy positioned out in the open, as I stated before, what ive learned by my own testing is that every enemy can get hit by atleast 2 mines per cast, that is if you know how to put them down and I would argue 106k+ is still an endgame dps parse https://postimg.cc/ZBgfJb1t

    If mines did that much damage in content outside of the dummy, you'd see people using them in logs

    Going to Cloudrest on Saturday, may as well get you a log.
    And also, you get higher dps without mines, but with a more complex rotation, so if people want the best results they opt for higher difficulty/better reward option
    Edited by Weisstag on 10 February 2022 13:37
    Iam an EU player...so Iam pretty used to suffering
  • mocap
    mocap
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    Weisstag wrote: »
    That is a bit of a stretch tho, my nightblade build is like 5x more demanding
    8 buttons rotation (sorc) vs 9 buttons rotation (NB). Get rid of Shade.
    Edited by mocap on 10 February 2022 16:07
  • Oreyn_Bearclaw
    Oreyn_Bearclaw
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    Nice (and cheesy) dummy parse, wildly misleading title. Sorcs have been one of the best bangs for the buck (high damage output with relatively easy rotation, Templar is probably the only thing easier), for years. Only novel thing I see here from a standard sorc rotation is daedric tomb, which has certainly been part of meta dummy humping in the past. As far as I know, this build would be next to useless in a raid, and no easier to perform than a textbook sorc build.

    You should really change the title. Light Attack, Bar Swap, and One skill is 3 buttons...
    Edited by Oreyn_Bearclaw on 10 February 2022 18:51
  • Weisstag
    Weisstag
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    Nice (and cheesy) dummy parse, wildly misleading title. Sorcs have been one of the best bangs for the buck (high damage output with relatively easy rotation, Templar is probably the only thing easier), for years. Only novel thing I see here from a standard sorc rotation is daedric tomb, which has certainly been part of meta dummy humping in the past. As far as I know, this build would be next to useless in a raid, and no easier to perform than a textbook sorc build.

    You should really change the title. Light Attack, Bar Swap, and One skill is 3 buttons...

    A bit of clickbait never hurt anyone. You say it useless in a trial, okay cool, but its not tho :D i would know, i trial with it...yesterady in vKA 95k+ on Yandir, 95k+ on Vrol and 80k+ on Falgravn....with a progress group that wiped on trash, and i have been there 1 time before...so i had about no idea what i'm doing. You don't need to believe me, i'm kinda done with trying to prove people that this actually works. So yeah take this however you want and have a nice day.
    Edited by Weisstag on 11 February 2022 06:20
    Iam an EU player...so Iam pretty used to suffering
  • Carbohydrate
    Carbohydrate
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    Weisstag wrote: »
    Nice (and cheesy) dummy parse, wildly misleading title. Sorcs have been one of the best bangs for the buck (high damage output with relatively easy rotation, Templar is probably the only thing easier), for years. Only novel thing I see here from a standard sorc rotation is daedric tomb, which has certainly been part of meta dummy humping in the past. As far as I know, this build would be next to useless in a raid, and no easier to perform than a textbook sorc build.

    You should really change the title. Light Attack, Bar Swap, and One skill is 3 buttons...

    A bit of clickbait never hurt anyone. You say it useless in a trial, okay cool, but its not tho :D i would know, i trial with it...yesterady in vKA 95k+ on Yandir, 95k+ on Vrol and 80k+ on Falgravn....with a progress group that wiped on trash, and i have been there 1 time before...so i had about no idea what i'm doing. You don't need to believe me, i'm kinda done with trying to prove people that this actually works. So yeah take this however you want and have a nice day.

    Again, if it was efficient to any degree, you'd see it pop up commonly in logs. I had to dig pretty hard in the two fights I mentioned earlier (Olms and Yoln) to find anyone using mines. I might have missed more instances of it, but across 500 logs of each fight, I found one instance in each fight where a sorc used mines. Both logs were put in anonymous mode.

    Olms (Maw of the Infernal did more DPS): https://www.esologs.com/reports/a:BxjT1p8wGWqr74my#fight=2&type=damage-done&target=17&source=6

    Yoln (Fiery weapon enchant did more DPS):
    https://www.esologs.com/reports/a:C7wc98pN2mqbBX1Q#fight=12&type=damage-done&target=650&source=613

    If you're happy running an inefficient loadout, more power to you. You can slap pretty much anything on your bars these days and still clear content with as high as dps is. However, I don't really think it's right to mislead new players who buy into the clickbait without the knowledge of how to utilize logs for setting up their class in raid.
  • Amottica
    Amottica
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    I understand it is not worth using Tormentor's active ability, just their passive damage ability. I expect it would be that it is not enough damage-per-action. Is this still or actually the case?
  • Araneae6537
    Araneae6537
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    Amottica wrote: »
    I understand it is not worth using Tormentor's active ability, just their passive damage ability. I expect it would be that it is not enough damage-per-action. Is this still or actually the case?

    From what I’ve read and my limited experience and logs, yes, that is correct. I activate Volatile Scamp off cooldown but not Twilight Tormentor; their passive ability with Daedric Prey contributes significant damage

    I was really surprised to see Spell Symmetry but maybe that’s needed because of the high cost of Daedric Tombs. Using Crystal Fragments as my spammable, I never need more resources than potions or synergies (from dummy or group) and with Bahsei’s of course you want to stay below full anyway.

    I’m always pleased to see people get good numbers with a build other than meta as I like to try different things after I learn the standard/meta! :) But for new players looking to break into higher DPS, I would think that a high cost skill requiring precise placement and dedicated resource regen would not be ideal.
  • etchedpixels
    etchedpixels
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    I'm quite fond of infernal guardian especially solo stamina - proc it with cleave and shower the furthest away enemies with fireballs. Useless in PvP as they are dodgeable but fun in PvE although a couple of spots need a gear change (eg the snake bit in vet arx)
    Too many toons not enough time
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