What class to choose?

KingArturia

Hey all, I just bought ESO, and finished downloading it, but I have to head to work soon, so I figured I'd leave a question here so maybe I can get a bit of help.

What class should I choose? What I generally prefer is high-damage dealer, but with decent survivability still.

Any suggestions, any ideas at all would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Arturia

Sharee

All classes can fill those requirements. Right now i would probably suggest a dragonknight, because their survivability is second to none, but keep in mind the 1.6 patch is around the corner, and i expect it to completely change the current metagame.

So basically, go with whatever appeals to you most aesthetically, because everyone is completely in the dark as to what class will be the more powerful/survivable one in a month from now.

KingArturia

Sharee wrote: »

All classes can fill those requirements. Right now i would probably suggest a dragonknight, because their survivability is second to none, but keep in mind the 1.6 patch is around the corner, and i expect it to completely change the current metagame.

So basically, go with whatever appeals to you most aesthetically, because everyone is completely in the dark as to what class will be the more powerful/survivable one in a month from now.

I see, thank you for the reply.
Well, armor-wise, dragonknight looks the most awesome, but I'm torn between DragonKnight and Nightblade in all honesty, not sure which I'd prefer.

Jitterbug

all classes can wear all armor and use all weapons

ers101284b14_ESO

How do you like to play?

Sorc is magica based DPS
Templar is Heals
Nightblade is sneaky DPS
Dragonknight is Tank

Now those are for more optimal roles. And you do not have to be those classes to fill those roles.

KingArturia

ers101284b14_ESO wrote: »

How do you like to play?

Sorc is magica based DPS
Templar is Heals
Nightblade is sneaky DPS
Dragonknight is Tank

Now those are for more optimal roles. And you do not have to be those classes to fill those roles.

Hmm, well, honestly. I like both sneaky dps, and tank.
But, for tank, it has to be decent damage still, not just a solid tank, or it's no fun for me.
For a sneaky dps, I still have to have decent survivability, so I don't die in two hits either, or unless I can dodge/block/etc.
So, still torn between those two.

ers101284b14_ESO

Well Dragon ngiht has better heals but you can also use armor and enchants to buff those. So say you pick nightblade to be sneaky there is nothing to prevent you from using Sword and board for block mitigation, using 5 heavy for the health regen, using 2 medium for the stamina regen and then using enchants to buff both health and stamina or to add critical to your weapon. There are a lot of ways to build it.

KingArturia

ers101284b14_ESO wrote: »

Well Dragon ngiht has better heals but you can also use armor and enchants to buff those. So say you pick nightblade to be sneaky there is nothing to prevent you from using Sword and board for block mitigation, using 5 heavy for the health regen, using 2 medium for the stamina regen and then using enchants to buff both health and stamina or to add critical to your weapon. There are a lot of ways to build it.

I see, so it's really just up to the playstyle. Thing is, I don't really know which would be more suited for me.
I could look at their skill descriptions, but I don't really know if that'd be of much help.

SFBryan18

DK: Does everything.
Sorc: Does nothing.
NB: Has some good stuff.
Temp: Heals.

ers101284b14_ESO

KingArturia wrote: »

ers101284b14_ESO wrote: »

Well Dragon ngiht has better heals but you can also use armor and enchants to buff those. So say you pick nightblade to be sneaky there is nothing to prevent you from using Sword and board for block mitigation, using 5 heavy for the health regen, using 2 medium for the stamina regen and then using enchants to buff both health and stamina or to add critical to your weapon. There are a lot of ways to build it.

I see, so it's really just up to the playstyle. Thing is, I don't really know which would be more suited for me.
I could look at their skill descriptions, but I don't really know if that'd be of much help.

It would help a lot actually. Then you can get ideas of what to expect from each class. As well as how to build accordingly. Try them all out. I have a standard DK tank I like but I also have a Spellsword type I use with dual wield Sorc. Just try them all out enjoy it and have fun with it.

Zorrashi

Think of classes as starting templates than actual classes that you usually see in MMOs. That being said....

DPS is usually the realm of NB, but they tend to be squishy depending on how you build them. Most of the time their style is a big-opening-big-closing when dealing with enemies.

But a Templar has the benefit of being able to heal him/herself constantly and while most beneficial for a healer, the Templar can actually become a more than decent PvE character with some damage. Not too sure if he's the best choice though.

DKs are known for having among the highest survivability (especially in PvP) but I am not too sure on their damage dealing. To be sure though, their dragon blood ability and reflective scales is a big pro for them in order deal with incoming damage.

Dracane

SFBryan18 wrote: »

DK: Does everything.
Sorc: Does nothing.
NB: Has some good stuff.
Temp: Heals.

Good Summary. This is perfect and actually the truth.

Marenne

Noooo...Men,come on , it's teso not WoW.
- Dk have some weakness in healing
- Sorc have some weakness in tanking
- Nb have some weakness in healing
- Templ have some weakness in d

Jennifur_Vultee

I have a Nightblade in heavy armor that uses sword and shield and relies heavily on magic for damage. She deals lots of damage, does self heals and easily survives with the heavy armor/shield protection. I can survive long fights against multiple enemies after killing the first one in two hits most of the time. Nightblade in heavy armor is a good DPS tank, its just missing a good crowd control in my experience. As far as damage output goes my Nightblade outperforms my Dragon Knight who is set up more for tanking survivability against tough opponents.

BRogueNZ

So much is changing but

DK

if you think you're a sneaky sneak stabby stab NB
if you like helping your team mates and spamming Jabs Templar
if you like being annoying and blow things up, Sorceror

danno8

KingArturia wrote: »

What class should I choose? What I generally prefer is high-damage dealer, but with decent survivability still. Not a huge fan of magic though, never have been on games.

Any suggestions, any ideas at all would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Arturia

DK are 1st or 2nd in dps (Nightblades being the swap class), and 1st or 2nd in survivability (Templar tanks being the swap).

If you don't like magic based stuff then you have to end up going with weapon skill lines (typically referred to as stamina builds) mostly with just a smattering of class skills, and if you do this the classes are very similar to each other in how they play.

For stamina builds Nightblades are generally accepted as highest DPS, though I believe all of them can achieve end-game friendly DPS with a stamina setup.

It occurs to me there are a lot of "if's" and but's" with my above descriptions but they are a good start I believe.

KingArturia

I see, thank you everyone for your responses.
I'll probably be going with (for now) DK, and probably create a second character as a NB.
Stamina build for sure.
I really appreciate all the help!

If you have any builds/other suggestions/helpful tips, anything of the sort, feel free to let me know.

PBpsy

SFBryan18 wrote: »

DK: Does everything.
Sorc: Does nothing.
NB: Has some good stuff.
Temp: Heals.

Accurate except for NB. It also does everything.

Keiffo

I'd go with Dragon Knight. This game was originally going to be called Dragon Knights Online until Bethesda gave ZOS the rights to use Elder Scrolls lore. They revamped everything and added 3 extra minion classes.

KingArturia

Well, actually. Looking at it, I like the idea of using my skills, in the Ardent Flame, Draconic Power, and Earthen Heart. Just realized they all consumed Magicka.
So, not entirely sure what build I'd go for.
I want to use sword/shield, but, is that a stamina build i'd be going for? As, I need Magicka to use those attacks.

#confused.

ers101284b14_ESO

Skills are bad off magica and stamina. If you use magica skills like those then it's a magica build. If you use sword skills that come off stamina then you are a stamina build

KingArturia

ers101284b14_ESO wrote: »

Skills are bad off magica and stamina. If you use magica skills like those then it's a magica build. If you use sword skills that come off stamina then you are a stamina build

I see, thank you for clearing that up.
I thought Magicka build was using staves, etc. As, when I was looking at video's of ESO, I saw people like NB's using a Staff as a weapon, and all of that.
Was slightly confused.

I'll probably want a Magicka build, if that is the case.

ers101284b14_ESO

You can do either one or both. A lot of people use destro staff with light armor to regain magica while using magica based abilities. You can essentially do the same with stamina and medium armor. I use both stamina and magica abilities. So again it's all about how you play personally.

Jitterbug

Remember you can sneak as a sorc, tank as a nightblade, mage with a DK, it's really up to you

Rosveen

All class skills use magicka. It's going to change a bit with 1.6, but that's still way off.

Weapon skills (except staves) and Fighers Guild line use stamina. Stamina builds are perfectly viable right now, so don't get discouraged. The thing is, even if you choose stamina as your main source of damage, you will still use class skills for utility. As a dragonknight, that's things like Dragon Blood (self-heal), Talons (crowd control), Molten Weapons (damage buff) etc.

Dragonknights and nightblades have a lot of melee class skills though, so they don't feel as magey as a sorc summoner. Assassin's Blade and Veiled Strike are basically daggers, for example. Fiery Grip and Lava Whip are similar to physical weapons too.

KingArturia wrote: »

I want to use sword/shield, but, is that a stamina build i'd be going for?

Sword/shield can go either way as its primary purpose is defense, not offense. My DK was a magicka- and stamina-based tank at different points and both worked.

At level 15 you unlock weapon swap, which means you have access to two weapons at all times. So for example, you could go magicka with s/s and a destruction staff or stamina with s/s and a two hander.

eliisra

danno816_ESO wrote: »

DK are 1st or 2nd in dps (Nightblades being the swap class), and 1st or 2nd in survivability (Templar tanks being the swap).

If you don't like magic based stuff then you have to end up going with weapon skill lines (typically referred to as stamina builds) mostly with just a smattering of class skills, and if you do this the classes are very similar to each other in how they play.

For stamina builds Nightblades are generally accepted as highest DPS, though I believe all of them can achieve end-game friendly DPS with a stamina setup.

Feels like a pretty accurate description. My NB can push some crazy ST numbers with a stamina build, but my DK is still the kings of dps (and king of tanking ). Just because magicka, staff + class based dps > stamina dps. Not by a mile, but there's still some favouritism going on.

You get all these extra perks by using class skills + staff. Strong synergies for the group, utility, higher survivability, better use of class passives, more ulti and so on. Stamina build offers very little of those things.

Also there's AoE dps. Where no build or class comes even close to a fire mage DK. Hopefully we get to see some better PvE balance in 1.6.

Ommamar

Jitterbug wrote: »

Remember you can sneak as a sorc, tank as a nightblade, mage with a DK, it's really up to you

Thank you Jitterbug! So much disinformation in this thread. OP if you go to the Combat & Skill line there is a thread about Stamina builds. In this thread there is a link to Tamriel Foundries website which contains some great builds. This is the most diverse game I have seen as far as different things you can do and it is going to only get better if ZOS continues on the path they are going.