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ZOS - HA builds need your help, we are dying.
tixiyweter
✭✭
Hello.
We need your help. With the latest rework of the Lightning Staff, we lost the ability to properly damage large groups of targets.
Please restore the passive. Our build was built on it, without it, we're just wasting our time heavy-attacking.
For example, to kill a bunch of mobs in Craglorn (while gathering resources), we used to use 1-2 heavy attacks before nerf.
A DK or Arcanist also kills mobs in one breath or beam.
Now, to kill a bunch of three mobs, we need to use 3-6 heavy attacks (damaging one mob at a time). Our damage against AoE mobs has dropped threefold!
This is a huge nerf to our builds, especially considering we don't have a lot of damage, and that was the key to our builds—good AoE damage.
Now it's gone, and we're extremely sad because our builds are completely broken.
It's like heavy attacking in random sets—the result is almost the same.
We loved our builds, we played them all this time - and they were the best the game could give to us.
This latest explosive heavy attack is extremely inconvenient - we don't like it. It ia extremly uncomfortable to play now.
We played like this for an entire patch, and many got upset and quit the game. Those who remained are now writing to you asking you to save our builds and fix the Lightning Staff passive to what it was before the rework.
(So that all Lightning Staff HA is AoE).
We're not asking for tons of damage, we're just asking for a return of what was unfairly taken from us.
DK and Arcanist have a similar skill, it's not an imbalance—after all, we dealt this damage with a heavy attack, we were good at AoE damage. Now we're bad at everything.
Our builds don't work in PvP (the sets and skills were disabled in PvP, even though we enjoyed playing PvP, it's a shame such an update was made).
Also, Lightning Staff heavy attacks used to tick 4 times instead of 3 before some patch, and we lost some damage from this too. This was compensated by increasing Empower's strength.
But our damage output remained roughly the same as always. We do not make 200k DPS in single target as some builds did.
Our sets are outdated. I'd like to see them reworked so they all deal damage on par with the Sergeant's set, because it turns out they're all useless since there's a Sergeant, and you just always choose him.
I'd like the numbers on the other sets to be adjusted to match him, so we have a choice of what to wear.
If we're completely cut off from PvP, please at least let us play PvE normally, because it's incredibly unfair. We created these builds for ourselves, and we enjoyed playing them.
We don't want to play like everyone else, using light attacks - we don't like that kind of gameplay.
The game has introduced long-casting skills—an alternative to HA—but we still want to play heavy attacks! And we had that opportunity, please don't take it away!
So please give us back our AoE damage, bring back the Lightning Staff's AoE passive. We were the only ones using it, so why was our builds subjected to such unfounded hate?
We want fairness, and if there are new builds with huge AoE damage and less single-target damage, we want to occupy our niche in it, on par with other AoE builds. Don't deprive us of this opportunity we've had since the very beginning of the game.
We do very little single-target damage, and AoE damage is all we have left. Don't take that away either.
Thank you.
We need your help. With the latest rework of the Lightning Staff, we lost the ability to properly damage large groups of targets.
Please restore the passive. Our build was built on it, without it, we're just wasting our time heavy-attacking.
For example, to kill a bunch of mobs in Craglorn (while gathering resources), we used to use 1-2 heavy attacks before nerf.
A DK or Arcanist also kills mobs in one breath or beam.
Now, to kill a bunch of three mobs, we need to use 3-6 heavy attacks (damaging one mob at a time). Our damage against AoE mobs has dropped threefold!
This is a huge nerf to our builds, especially considering we don't have a lot of damage, and that was the key to our builds—good AoE damage.
Now it's gone, and we're extremely sad because our builds are completely broken.
It's like heavy attacking in random sets—the result is almost the same.
We loved our builds, we played them all this time - and they were the best the game could give to us.
This latest explosive heavy attack is extremely inconvenient - we don't like it. It ia extremly uncomfortable to play now.
We played like this for an entire patch, and many got upset and quit the game. Those who remained are now writing to you asking you to save our builds and fix the Lightning Staff passive to what it was before the rework.
(So that all Lightning Staff HA is AoE).
We're not asking for tons of damage, we're just asking for a return of what was unfairly taken from us.
DK and Arcanist have a similar skill, it's not an imbalance—after all, we dealt this damage with a heavy attack, we were good at AoE damage. Now we're bad at everything.
Our builds don't work in PvP (the sets and skills were disabled in PvP, even though we enjoyed playing PvP, it's a shame such an update was made).
Also, Lightning Staff heavy attacks used to tick 4 times instead of 3 before some patch, and we lost some damage from this too. This was compensated by increasing Empower's strength.
But our damage output remained roughly the same as always. We do not make 200k DPS in single target as some builds did.
Our sets are outdated. I'd like to see them reworked so they all deal damage on par with the Sergeant's set, because it turns out they're all useless since there's a Sergeant, and you just always choose him.
I'd like the numbers on the other sets to be adjusted to match him, so we have a choice of what to wear.
If we're completely cut off from PvP, please at least let us play PvE normally, because it's incredibly unfair. We created these builds for ourselves, and we enjoyed playing them.
We don't want to play like everyone else, using light attacks - we don't like that kind of gameplay.
The game has introduced long-casting skills—an alternative to HA—but we still want to play heavy attacks! And we had that opportunity, please don't take it away!
So please give us back our AoE damage, bring back the Lightning Staff's AoE passive. We were the only ones using it, so why was our builds subjected to such unfounded hate?
We want fairness, and if there are new builds with huge AoE damage and less single-target damage, we want to occupy our niche in it, on par with other AoE builds. Don't deprive us of this opportunity we've had since the very beginning of the game.
We do very little single-target damage, and AoE damage is all we have left. Don't take that away either.
Thank you.
24
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JendosikSoul ShrivenHello, I would also like to ask to get the damage back in Heavy Attack builds.
People are playing with Light Attacks and dealing huge amounts of damage, and they laugh at us who don’t want to play the same way they do. I’ve been playing the game for about 7 years, almost 8,000 hours, and I haven’t tried any difficult content because there’s no damage.
If there were some way to at least make the damage in Light Attack builds comparable, that would be great.
A huge number of my acquaintances and friends have left the game, and I’m gradually giving it up too, because I can’t keep up with the super‑players.10 -
Dalsinthus✭✭✭✭✭
✭With the ease, simplicity, and cleave damage of fatecarver builds, it would be nice to see lightning heavy attack builds brought back to life.12 -
I think it would be fair to bring back the AOE for lightning staff. It won’t make heavy‑attack builds stronger than Arcanist and Necro (just look how OP they are right now!), and it would give players an extra playstyle option.15
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MorallyBipolar✭✭✭✭✭Keep in mind, one bar heavy attack builds are supposed to be easy, not top dps performers.11
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Daoin✭✭✭✭✭HA was in a class of its its own at one point and recieved alot of scrutiny, the answer was to make every other class have a build that was over the top strong while not just nerfing HA build but making it a pretty bad choice to play with, as i mentioned in another post that just buffing it up again will no llonger effect much in the game since all other classes do so much damage. problem is with HA it is just too easy to play with causing too much damage way to early in someones eso experience and theres no system to make a build that that viable even if it would not make much of a difference in the long run, you would basically log in for the first time and do a few dungeons then basically be ready to clear every single piece of content in the game. they were also boulders that took not much damage while doing itEdited by Daoin on 3 September 2026 16:322 -
LittleLionLeone✭✭✭✭Nothing wrong with ha builds, can kill plenty of overland mobs in one or two attacks. Just get better ha builds.6 -
ketsparrowhawk✭✭✭✭✭
✭MorallyBipolar wrote: »Keep in mind, one bar heavy attack builds are supposed to be easy, not top dps performers.
Hyperioxes linked this build for his: Nightblade HA one-bar 140k DPS:
So, can you please post a video of YOU @MorallyBipolar doing 140k on one bar? You can even use the exact same build. Show everyone how easy it is.
I'm genuinely curious how many of those "good 2bar players" can actually pick up this supposedly easy 1bar build and hit the same numbers. After all, it's easy, right?
So please... show me. Show all of us.
And yes, I'm asking you too @MorallyBipolar
So... can you actually do it?Or should I post the RIP gif now?
Just remember your own words: "Keep in mind, one-bar Heavy Attack builds are supposed to be easy, not top DPS performers". Show us.
140k is a far cry from the 200k+ parses we're seeing from 2-bar builds so not sure what you're trying to prove here4 -
Daoin✭✭✭✭✭ESO is in it's power fantasy era, just and except things as they drop, hopefully rather than do all the work ourselves to make us feel as though we are playing wardens the refresh will also make wardens feel better to play rather than feel as though they need to be in the dps struggle while in damage role
Edited by Daoin on 3 September 2026 16:480 -
Valkanos✭✭✭@tixiyweter sadly, there's absolutely no point in asking ZoS for anything regarding 1bar builds. And the reason is actually very simple.
1bar builds are good, they're fun, and for some players, they're simply the only option they can use for whatever reason. But the fact that they're good, fun, and allow players to focus on learning mechanics instead of just burning through bosses is exactly why I don't think ZoS wants them to be any better.
In fact, I wonder how long it will take before ZoS nerfs HA builds again... because apparently, 140k is dam good.- Or maybe they'll exclude them from this or that content.
Believe me... you'll be gatekept from something soon. ZoS just opened Pandora's box with the Night Market, and they almost, just almost, excluded 1bar builds entirely from the hardest mode of Solo Dungeons. (they tried to do it, though)
So... yeah. Just forget it. It's not going to happen. ZoS isn't going to make 1bar builds better. If anything, they'll probably nerf them again soon.
And that's it. That's all we're going to get.
EDIT:
From my point of view, ZOS has three problems right now: PvP balance, PvE balance, and HA\1bar players.
And the HA\1bar problem is damn easy to solve...
Edited by Valkanos on 3 September 2026 16:431 - Or maybe they'll exclude them from this or that content.
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Valkanos✭✭✭ketsparrowhawk wrote: »140k is a far cry from the 200k+ parses we're seeing from 2-bar builds so not sure what you're trying to prove here
"What are you trying to prove here?"
I'm saying HA builds are easy to play and can parse 100k. 2bar builds are easy to play and can parse 140k.
What else do I need to prove my point? Nothing oO
But, If you want to prove how "easy" HA builds are, then post a video of yourself parsing 140k with one. Please...
Edited by Valkanos on 3 September 2026 16:492 -
Daoin✭✭✭✭✭how do you know that the sorcerer class refresh will do, it may or may not inderectly have an effect on HA builds making them stronger in line with current events, atleast wait until it is done before throwing up the protest banners. buy the our arcanists must wait for mastery to get fixed through a pts i'll never know. just looking forward to an extra 300 w/s damage while in damage role (atleast i think thats whats going on over there)Edited by Daoin on 3 September 2026 16:590
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Daoin✭✭✭✭✭ketsparrowhawk wrote: »MorallyBipolar wrote: »Keep in mind, one bar heavy attack builds are supposed to be easy, not top dps performers.
Hyperioxes linked this build for his: Nightblade HA one-bar 140k DPS:
So, can you please post a video of YOU @MorallyBipolar doing 140k on one bar? You can even use the exact same build. Show everyone how easy it is.
I'm genuinely curious how many of those "good 2bar players" can actually pick up this supposedly easy 1bar build and hit the same numbers. After all, it's easy, right?
So please... show me. Show all of us.
And yes, I'm asking you too @MorallyBipolar
So... can you actually do it?Or should I post the RIP gif now?
Just remember your own words: "Keep in mind, one-bar Heavy Attack builds are supposed to be easy, not top DPS performers". Show us.
140k is a far cry from the 200k+ parses we're seeing from 2-bar builds so not sure what you're trying to prove here
because it is 200k dps to solve the huge probelem of ossein cage being to hard for the end game community when it was releases (in specific the tanks) so now 200k dps, subclassing and everything else solved it1 -
ketsparrowhawk✭✭✭✭✭
✭ketsparrowhawk wrote: »140k is a far cry from the 200k+ parses we're seeing from 2-bar builds so not sure what you're trying to prove here
"What are you trying to prove here?"
I'm saying HA builds are easy to play and can parse 100k. 2bar builds are easy to play and can parse 140k.
What else do I need to prove my point? Nothing oO
But, If you want to prove how "easy" HA builds are, then post a video of yourself parsing 140k with one. Please...
Regardless of what kind of parse I personally am capable of, holding down the HA button is easier than maintaining the various timers required for a typical 2-bar build. No video evidence required.3 -
Valkanos✭✭✭ketsparrowhawk wrote: »Regardless of what kind of parse I personally am capable of, holding down the HA button is easier than maintaining the various timers required for a typical 2-bar build. No video evidence required.
[snip]
Not everyone who plays HA\1bar builds, whatever the reason, can parse 140k. They simply can't.
And 100% the same goes for people who only play 2bar. Not everyone can parse 200k. They simply can't either.
Is 1bar easier to play than 2bar? Of course it is. But being easier to play doesn't mean everyone can put up good numbers with it.
The exact same thing applies to 2bar builds. They're harder to play, but that doesn't mean everyone playing 2bar can automatically parse 200k.
That's my point.
Edited by ZOS_CouchTato on 3 September 2026 17:432 -
Daoin✭✭✭✭✭then you would have to be saying the difference is the amount of times a person wants to press the left mouse pad is what defines a persons skill in eso, how maybe people truly want to hit the left mouse pad 150+ times over the couse of upto 3 minutes though ? on the other hand it is in the power fantasy era and people want to feel like the fist of the north star while playingEdited by Daoin on 3 September 2026 17:240
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Valkanos✭✭✭then you would have to be saying the difference is the amount of times a person wants to press the left mouse pad is what defines a persons skill in eso, how maybe people truly want to hit the left mouse pad 150+ times over the couse of 2 minutes though ?
Just read my previous topics in the other threads.
We should judge the player, not the build.
If someone joins Group Finder using an HA\\bar build, you shouldn't automatically assume they're bad just because of the build they're using. Judge them by how well they actually play and perform.2 -
ketsparrowhawk✭✭✭✭✭
✭Surely the hyperioxes video is sufficient. He's demonstrating 100k+ dps using mostly heavy attacks. Your proof is right there.0 -
ketsparrowhawk✭✭✭✭✭
✭ketsparrowhawk wrote: »Regardless of what kind of parse I personally am capable of, holding down the HA button is easier than maintaining the various timers required for a typical 2-bar build. No video evidence required.
Absolutely nothing whenever you or anyone else talks about HA\1bar builds.
Not everyone who plays HA\1bar builds, whatever the reason, can parse 140k. They simply can't.
And 100% the same goes for people who only play 2bar. Not everyone can parse 200k. They simply can't either.
Is 1bar easier to play than 2bar? Of course it is. But being easier to play doesn't mean everyone can put up good numbers with it.
The exact same thing applies to 2bar builds. They're harder to play, but that doesn't mean everyone playing 2bar can automatically parse 200k.
That's my point.
Ah ok. Seemed like you were making the point that HA builds aren't easy0 -
Soarora✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭✭✭I’m a certified oakenHA hater and even I think the AoE damage on every tick should be returned to trifocus.[PC/NA] Dungeoneer (Tank/DPS), Semi-retired Trialist, and amateur Battlegrounder (DPS) with a passion for The Elder Scrolls lore.
Current GM of Hard Dungeoneers
Tanks: Sorcerer - Necromancer - Templar
DPS: Frost Warden - Stamarc - StamDK - Hybrid NB Healer
Ex-Healer: Warden - Arcanist
Dungeons: 34/34 HMs - 28/28 Tris7 -
Daoin✭✭✭✭✭see ? take the win there lol before sorcs are made invincible again in an upcoming updateEdited by Daoin on 3 September 2026 17:350
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Taarente✭✭✭✭ketsparrowhawk wrote: »MorallyBipolar wrote: »Keep in mind, one bar heavy attack builds are supposed to be easy, not top dps performers.
Hyperioxes linked this build for his: Nightblade HA one-bar 140k DPS:
So, can you please post a video of YOU @MorallyBipolar doing 140k on one bar? You can even use the exact same build. Show everyone how easy it is.
I'm genuinely curious how many of those "good 2bar players" can actually pick up this supposedly easy 1bar build and hit the same numbers. After all, it's easy, right?
So please... show me. Show all of us.
And yes, I'm asking you too @MorallyBipolar
So... can you actually do it?Or should I post the RIP gif now?
Just remember your own words: "Keep in mind, one-bar Heavy Attack builds are supposed to be easy, not top DPS performers". Show us.
140k is a far cry from the 200k+ parses we're seeing from 2-bar builds so not sure what you're trying to prove here
Yep, smack that piece of wood to show how OP you are
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Rishikesa108✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭MorallyBipolar wrote: »Keep in mind, one bar heavy attack builds are supposed to be easy, not top dps performers.
Who says that? It's a rule made up by weaving players who hated HA players, not a native game rule.
Arcanist players move two fingers and deal damage... and nobody says the Arcanist can't access endgame content.
Why shouldn't someone playing a HA build be able to do the same damage and access the very same content?Man did not weave the web of life – he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself8 -
Magic_Charmer✭✭✭✭As a One-Bar HA player myself, I really struggle to understand the glaring double standard within the community regarding "easy" playstyles.Why is there so much gatekeeping and general dislike toward One-Bar Heavy Attack builds, while classes like the Arcanist get a completely free pass?
Let’s be honest: Arcanist players can literally press two buttons, channel a beam, and melt everything while completely bypassing complex rotations and weaving.
Yet, nobody questions their right to access endgame content, and it is widely accepted as efficient meta.
But the moment we want to play a viable, accessible Heavy Attack build, it’s suddenly treated with hostility or labeled as a "crutch for lazy players."
We aren't asking to out-parse 200k DPS complex 2-bar rotations.
We just want our chosen playstyle to remain viable and have decent AoE tools, just like other modern, low-intensity setups currently do in the game.PC | EU- My ESO gallery
- Tamriel: The Elder Scrolls Online (by Ra'Shtar)
- ESO pics (by sean.plackerb14_ESO)
- ESO is stunningly beautiful
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- Show your character!
- People choosing to play the game differently to you are not wrong, bad, stupid or playing too much, or too little. They are just playing it differently to you, they don't need you to "correct" them. No one is playing the game wrong unless they are cheating or hurting others.
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Rishikesa108✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭The gatekeeping from HA haters boils down to nothing but childish jealousy and toxic elitism.
Nobody is stopping them from running ultra-complex 2-bar rotations if that’s how they enjoy the game.
Their issue isn’t about game balance; it’s that their entire gaming ego relies on how complex their rotation is.
It's a textbook case of: 'I destroyed my fingers to clear this content, so you must suffer and do it my way too, otherwise you don't deserve it.'
This mindset completely ignores the fact that video games should be about accessibility and inclusion. Not everyone can or wants to engage in stressful button-mashing.
We just want to enjoy the game we pay for, occupy our niche, and access endgame content through an alternative playstyle.
If you feel threatened because someone else achieves similar results with a simpler build, the problem is your ego, not our heavy attacksMan did not weave the web of life – he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself11 -
Bguk✭✭✭✭I want a one button build, parsing the same as one/two bar builds, for the sake of inclusion and accessibility.
There has to be a line.0 -
Rishikesa108✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭I want a one button build, parsing the same as one/two bar builds, for the sake of inclusion and accessibility.
There has to be a line.
Nice straw man argument, but nobody here is asking for a 'one-button build that out-parses 2-bar rotations'.
Resorting to absurd extremes just to invalidate a legitimate conversation about accessibility is a textbook logical fallacy.
There is a massive, healthy middle ground between a 40-button sweaty rotation and completely breaking a playstyle that thousands of players rely on due to physical limitations or different preferences.
The 'line' you are talking about shouldn't be drawn at the expense of player health and inclusion, especially when classes like the Arcanist already enjoy a highly efficient, low-intensity meta with zero backlash.
Stop pretending that wanting a viable, functional Heavy Attack build is the same as asking for a free winMan did not weave the web of life – he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself7 -
Bguk✭✭✭✭Rishikesa108 wrote: »I want a one button build, parsing the same as one/two bar builds, for the sake of inclusion and accessibility.
There has to be a line.
Nice straw man argument, but nobody here is asking for a 'one-button build that out-parses 2-bar rotations'.
Resorting to absurd extremes just to invalidate a legitimate conversation about accessibility is a textbook logical fallacy.
There is a massive, healthy middle ground between a 40-button sweaty rotation and completely breaking a playstyle that thousands of players rely on due to physical limitations or different preferences.
The 'line' you are talking about shouldn't be drawn at the expense of player health and inclusion, especially when classes like the Arcanist already enjoy a highly efficient, low-intensity meta with zero backlash.
Stop pretending that wanting a viable, functional Heavy Attack build is the same as asking for a free win
I am asking for a one button bar build so my friend and I can play. Is that wrong?
EDIT: Removed bad words.Edited by Bguk on 3 September 2026 18:430