A cry for help - need advice before creating my 5th Dragonknight

Deepfry · May 2014

I really need your advice people. Over the last two weeks I have created 4 Dragonknights, played them up to about level 10 and then deleted them. I can't seem to get it right and I'm going crazy !! With respeccing costs being so high, I just need to get onto the right track ... I don't want to make bad choices early on and have to pay a fortune later on.

I've reached the stage where I don't even know whether I want to be one-hand+shield, two-hand, dual-wield, or whatever. Every time I read a "guide" or watch a YouTube PvP video, the information seems to contradict what I have read or heard before.

Here are the factors I want to take into account. I'd like to be:

- strong DPS
- reasonable survivability
- very viable in PvP (even if this gimps my PvE)

Any thoughts, or links will be gratefully received.
Thank you

Azarul · May 2014

There's so many skill points in the game do not worry so much about early mistakes. My Dragonknight is V3 and I have 4 weapon skills at lvl 50. I have 3 crafting skills at 50. All class skill lines at lvl 50. All 3 Armor at lvl 50. With reasonable points invested in all of these.

You will have tons of skill points so dont worry to much. Just enjoy it.

To answer your question though. I think S&B is the best in PvP. Even without shield bash which I do not use much.

Also I think most people will respec atleast once after hitting max level to set their character up for good.

Zorak · May 2014

You wasted alot of time deleting all those characters.

Stop watching youtube videos and/or guides to choose what you want to play.

As Azarul pointed:

"There's so many skill points in the game do not worry so much about early mistakes."

tinythinker · May 2014

There are many options for those listed criteria. Some like to go for a variant of the pyromage:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Cffxu_rZOE

Build spec for that example is here.

There are also some pretty tough one-handed and shield versions of the dragonknight that do great in PvP.

I suspect though that at level 10 there just aren't enough skills available with adequate skill line leveling/skill ranking to appreciate a build's real potential.

Even odd sounding builds can work depending on your play style, like when I leveled up as a DK using dual wielding and heavy armor to get my own version of high DPS and increased survivability.

nerevarine1138 · May 2014

There is no class/build in the game that is completely viable at level 10. Stop quitting early, and start thinking long-term.

Also, respecs are expensive because you don't need to use them a lot. With over 300 skill points in the game, you will only have to respec if you decide to completely switch one of your weapon/crafting specializations. And even then, you probably don't need to.

Turial · May 2014

nerevarine1138 wrote: »

There is no class/build in the game that is completely viable at level 10. Stop quitting early, and start thinking long-term.

Also, respecs are expensive because you don't need to use them a lot. With over 300 skill points in the game, you will only have to respec if you decide to completely switch one of your weapon/crafting specializations. And even then, you probably don't need to.

This, I can agree with.

kewl · May 2014

@Deepfry‌

DK is a versatile class that really shines in several areas. I wrestled with the same issue and decided to make two DKs instead of compromising with one.

Tank Build

Redguard
7 Heavy
1h & Shield in both slots
Class skills focused on CC, damage mitigation and self-healing.

Pyromage

Dunmer
5 Light 2 Medium
Destro staff & Dual Wield
Bar1 - single target
Bar2 - AoE

Gedalya · May 2014

Here is a tip; don't fret, just play as you like. Yes some builds are 'Stronger' than others but enjoying the game is more important in my opinion. Also, since we are on the subject of characters; am I the only one who would like to see the option to have more character slots? Whether we earn them or buy them with cash. Also 5 free additional character slots would have been preferred to 5 free days for those of us that have weathered some of the launch issues.

Turial · May 2014

Gedalya wrote: »

Also, since we are on the subject of characters; am I the only one who would like to see the option to have more character slots? Whether we earn them or buy them with cash. Also 5 free additional character slots would have been preferred to 5 free days for those of us that have weathered some of the launch issues.

Many folks would like to see additional slots but 5 slots in place of 5 days.... really? I don't really need to explain how unbalanced that is. Also what are you doing with 8 character slots that you need more? You know you can create an additional 8 characters on the EU servers with your same account.

Empu · May 2014

Like people have said, there's so many skill points around that by the point you realize you might need a respec, you'll have tons of gold.

In PvP Crowd control and mobility is king, i'd look at immovable skill so you won't be lying flat on your back and also skills to control your enemy(hello talons!), there's different situations in PvP, will you be running with a group of friends regularly, or will you be running solo ?

Imo just pick the skills you want while leveling up, you'll get used to using them and knowing their pro's + cons and can make a more informed decision once you reach higher level.

Also, the way the game plays, different situations warrant different skills, there's no 1 perfect build for every situation.

Bolo_Bob · May 2014

@tinythinker your link is not working or at least not showing the build.

tinythinker · May 2014

Bolo_Bob wrote: »

@tinythinker your link is not working or at least not showing the build.

Yeah, I see that. Not sure why. It's the same URL offered in the video comments and it was working before. Might be a site issue at ESO Head.

seaef · May 2014

nerevarine1138 wrote: »

There is no class/build in the game that is completely viable at level 10. Stop quitting early, and start thinking long-term.

Also, respecs are expensive because you don't need to use them a lot. With over 300 skill points in the game, you will only have to respec if you decide to completely switch one of your weapon/crafting specializations. And even then, you probably don't need to.

^^ This

At level 34, I have so many unused skill points I've started putting them in skills I'm sure I'll never use.

Thechemicals · May 2014

I have no words for this lol. The game has over 200 skill points in it. You can have all of your skills maxed out.

Chalybos · May 2014

Just don't morph your skills, and you won't have to respec. Morph when you are more confident of the build.

Lord_Hev · May 2014

tinythinker wrote: »

There are many options for those listed criteria. Some like to go for a variant of the pyromage:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Cffxu_rZOE

Build spec for that example is here.

There are also some pretty tough one-handed and shield versions of the dragonknight that do great in PvP.

I suspect though that at level 10 there just aren't enough skills available with adequate skill line leveling/skill ranking to appreciate a build's real potential.

Even odd sounding builds can work depending on your play style, like when I leveled up as a DK using dual wielding and heavy armor to get my own version of high DPS and increased survivability.

Wow... I really hate to throw this out here... but holy **** that looks ridiculously over-powered... I have never seen anyone take on a group of veteran enemies like that, let alone aggroing every single damn enemy to the point where 7+ are attacking him at once and not bringing his health down past half. WTF?

Maverick827 · May 2014

If you go anything but Light Armor/Destro Staff, you're going to be destroyed when Zenimax incorrectly nerfs the class to appease the whiners.

Surinen · May 2014

Maverick827 wrote: »

If you go anything but Light Armor/Destro Staff, you're going to be destroyed when Zenimax incorrectly nerfs the class to appease the whiners.

I approve of this. no 'please and cease' nerfs should happen.
[on a side note: all classes should be deconstructed: free skill lines for everybody]

Sleepydan · May 2014

Disregard the contradicting guides, or even most guides in general. Yes, there are some tasty combos you should be aware of, and since you've seen many guides I'll assume you know of a few.

They are contradictory because despite what the chicken littles are saying you can build around pretty much anything if you are so inclined.

Start with what you can access and what you think is cool. Level all class lines and wear one of each armor. Have a skill from a backup weapon idea on your first bar doing nothing but soaking xp.

By the time you realize the Frankenstein monster you have created is less than completely optimal, don't respec. It's a money trap. Just put your many new points in the "right" direction. Keep leveling as many lines as possible.

You will likely change your mind as you level why your Frankenstein monster super cool things build wasn't exactly optimal, if you play by feel and aren't doing math and stuff. Your points are never wasted while your going back and forth with yourself.

There are approx 300 skill points to be claimed. Most builds complete combat only builds require 40-70. Just keep swimming.

liquid_wolf · May 2014

You spent too much time deleting characters.

I have over 150 Skill points. I've maxed out two class skill trees, two armor skills trees, and close the four weapon skill trees.

I can DO anything. DPS/Heal/Tank. Am I the BEST at DPS? No... but if I want to improve it I just have to go get a few more skill points.

Yes... by level 10 you'll have made some bad decisions, but you'll quickly be able to fix that by doing all the quests, dungeons, and sky shards.

By the time you hit level 50... and thoroughly scour all aspects of the game... you'll have your preferred role, your secondary role, your third role, and tons of silly options to go with it.

Get a character to level 30... get all the skill points you can... and then put points in anything that says "Damage". You'll be fine.

Empu · May 2014

delete this comment please

vicNBitis · May 2014

Sleepydan wrote: »

Start with what you can access and what you think is cool. Level all class lines and wear one of each armor. Have a skill from a backup weapon idea on your first bar doing nothing but soaking xp.

^This.

You should be able to get Talons by level 10. Once you get it you shouldn't have many problems.

Use the hell out of it while you can.

RazzPitazz · May 2014

Just to comcur with everyone, just keep going. I staryed with a Khajiit DK, wanted to DW with bow for crit hits. Then tried S&B. Then tried 2h. Somehow ended up using Resto staff w/ DW and it actually works well in dungeons. I turned one bar into a buff/heal set, turned the 2nd bar into CC and AoE crit set when it hits the fan and a member goes down. So far so good. Just picked up alchemy too. You womt be hurting for skill points, just het some skyshards.

Maverick827 · May 2014

vicNBitis wrote: »

Sleepydan wrote: »

Start with what you can access and what you think is cool. Level all class lines and wear one of each armor. Have a skill from a backup weapon idea on your first bar doing nothing but soaking xp.

^This.

You should be able to get Talons by level 10. Once you get it you shouldn't have many problems.

Use the hell out of it while you can.

Dark Talons is probably your worst skill if you're not using Light Armor/Desto Staff, and even then it's not as good as he says (he's a known DK whiner), so if you go any other build, don't take this.

vicNBitis · May 2014

Maverick827 wrote: »

Dark Talons is probably your worst skill if you're not using Light Armor/Desto Staff, and even then it's not as good as he says (he's a known DK whiner), so if you go any other build, don't take this.

Just FYI, Maverick is the one DK that can't seem to figure out how to use Talons.

You, however, should be able to use it effectively with any armor combination. It's only required maybe twice per fight at the earliest levels. Should be enough to get over the hump at least.