Sorcerers...

UrQuan

MasterSpatula wrote: »

At your level, pets are still fine, at least in solo content. The Twilight Matriarch saved my ass many times while leveling. Also, pets split aggro, which can be a big help when you're a glass canon.

I agree with this too. When you're doing solo PvE below VR, pets are often nice to have around to draw aggro. There have been a number of times when I've had my butt saved by my clannfear and/or twilight drawing some mobs off me - particularly when I'm running around in areas too high for my level, or when I've accidentally pulled more than 3 or 4 mobs after me. The higher level you get, the less useful they are. Also, if you're not playing solo they're not really useful.

Sneak_Thief

facemace wrote: »

Well, mages are nearly tied for absolute worst magic damage class. Sorry. If you are only 26 and want to make a viable staff and robe magic caster you may want to reroll as a dragon knight or nightblade. They easily put out 50% more magic casting DPS than a sorcerer.

What lol, you are out of your mind. Sorc is the only class I have seen sustained single target 1400+ Dps for the entirety of a trial boss fight. I also have over 1200 hours on a NB, if you think NBs have better dps you are either very new to the game or simply have no idea what you are talking about. NBs are by far the most under-powered class in this game.

kijima

Sneak_Thief wrote: »

I also have over 1200 hours on a NB, if you think NBs have better dps you are either very new to the game or simply have no idea what you are talking about.

I'd say you've got 1,200 hours of doing the same thing over and over. ( I was going to say you have 1,200 of sucking hard, but that's a bit rough) DPS for an NB is stella right now, and NB's are amazing both in PvE and PvP.

There just a more demanding class to play.

Sneak_Thief wrote: »

NBs are by far the most under-powered class in this game.

If this comment was posted on the forum at early release of the game, then I'd agree with you, but NB's as it stands right now as of January 2015 then that's a Negative, Ghost Rider, the pattern is full.

Edit: fixed broken quote tags

Flaminir

Sneak_Thief wrote: »

if you think NBs have better dps (than a sorc) you are either very new to the game or simply have no idea what you are talking about. .

The irony in this statement is delicious... I can almost taste it.

P.S. Please ask this 1.4k sustained dps sorc to share their amazing build here... because every other sorc in the game seems to have missed it except for the person you mention.

Vahrokh

davedwildebeast wrote: »

Sneak_Thief wrote: »

if you think NBs have better dps (than a sorc) you are either very new to the game or simply have no idea what you are talking about. .

The irony in this statement is delicious... I can almost taste it.

P.S. Please ask this 1.4k sustained dps sorc to share their amazing build here... because every other sorc in the game seems to have missed it except for the person you mention.

Evidently he's confusing a staff DK with a sorc. I know, it looks dumb that a "pretend caster" class performs vastly better than the "real thing" at its own job, but hey, ESO is funny like that

Sneak_Thief

The only way most NBs stand a chance to win in PvP is just the element of surprise. But a face off between the classes NBs are under-powered. Im talking about strickly class skills here, disregard weapon/armor choice, and NB class skills just are lacking in many aspects. And yes most sorcs, and I do not mean a DK with a staff, can hold excellent single target dps. Videos are everywhere on youtube, the one I had in mind I sat and watch a sorc sustain 1400dps most of the fight and only dipped below 1200 a couple of times on the last boss of AA. Which I do not see nightblades pull that off.

But by all means show me a NightBlade build that can pull off the best sustainable DPS in the game. The only way to pull off anything half way decent is to go all magica build on dps, as stam base is just lacking completely as far as an NB build.

Cody

Sneak_Thief wrote: »

The only way most NBs stand a chance to win in PvP is just the element of surprise. But a face off between the classes NBs are under-powered. Im talking about strickly class skills here, disregard weapon/armor choice, and NB class skills just are lacking in many aspects. And yes most sorcs, and I do not mean a DK with a staff, can hold excellent single target dps. Videos are everywhere on youtube, the one I had in mind I sat and watch a sorc sustain 1400dps most of the fight and only dipped below 1200 a couple of times on the last boss of AA. Which I do not see nightblades pull that off.

But by all means show me a NightBlade build that can pull off the best sustainable DPS in the game. The only way to pull off anything half way decent is to go all magica build on dps, as stam base is just lacking completely as far as an NB build.

So one sorc out of all the sorcs in the game has managed to sustain 1.4 K DPS in a trial.

impressive, so has this build been used by many sorcerers thruout ESO?

Sneak_Thief

All I am saying is sorcs don't suck, and NBs are not the nearly the best dps. Now unless you remove your typical medium armor NB build, put them in a dress and force them to be a magica build then they are ok, but strictly referring to class skills, NBs don't have the best.

But like I said I would like to see a great build to dominate pvp since apparently NBs are (which I have yet to see). But apparently they are so if there is a good build for it as well as a great dps build let me know. I just respecd my V14 NB, open for suggestions on some of the amazing NB builds.

I've played an NB since November 2013, I am aware of all the changes that have affected NBs, Ive tested hours and hours of suggested builds on both the live and pts and am always let down at those who over inflate an NBs ability.

Ahdora

Well, thanks to someone who commented earlier, I now want a chocolate teacup...

kijima

I asked google where I could find a 1.4K sustained DPS Sorc build for ESO.

Google told me to go F#ck myself...

Vahrokh

kijima wrote: »

I asked google where I could find a 1.4K sustained DPS Sorc build for ESO.

Google told me to go F#ck myself...

You need to include "VR 25" in the Google search criterias!

P3ZZL3

Annnnnnnnnnndddddddd..............back to the Sorcs

So, I'm rolling with Epic simply as it gives me a little more at this level. I managed to get some very good deals in the Zone chat for the likes of Mastic and Turpen, so why not. I have trait gems coming outta my behind and researching like crazy on both my main and my secondary (for tailoring).

I've also been grinding chests over the last couple of days, so things are looking ok.

My armour is present the full Habit Healer 5/5 and I'm now rolling with the Storm of Atriarch.

Cuyler

P3ZZL3 wrote: »

Annnnnnnnnnndddddddd..............back to the Sorcs

So, I'm rolling with Epic simply as it gives me a little more at this level. I managed to get some very good deals in the Zone chat for the likes of Mastic and Turpen, so why not. I have trait gems coming outta my behind and researching like crazy on both my main and my secondary (for tailoring).

I've also been grinding chests over the last couple of days, so things are looking ok.

My armour is present the full Habit Healer 5/5 and I'm now rolling with the Storm of Atriarch.

Why are NBs always jacking Sorc threads? Lol

If you want epic gear and have the mats, send me a message in game and I can improve for you a little cheaper. A max crafter needs:

2 - Hemming
3 - Embroidery
4 - Elegant lining

per piece of armor for a 100% chance of improving. It will save you some mats over the long run.

Healers habit is really meant for healers and will be inferior to a seducer or warlock (or any of the other sets I previously mentioned) for a dps build. Are you speccing to heals? The reason is that currently spell damage is not needed until after your spell crit is substantial in PvE. The spell damage from the 4 pc bounus is nice but as I said not going to help as much as going with more recovery or crit. The 5pc bonus, is for heals obv.

I can also make you any of the sets I mentioned that are craftable, lmk.

Cuyler

UrQuan wrote: »

Everyone who has taken the time to write out long, detailed responses in this thread has given you good advice. Especially @Cuyler , although this part:

Cuyler wrote: »

Ult - Dawnbreaker - Flawless Dawnbreaker
Except for Negate - Suppression Field, the sorcs ultimates utterly suck. Flawless Dawbreaker is a no brainer as it passively increases your damage just by being slotted. Don't use it just keep it on the bar.

likely isn't very helpful to the OP at this stage. The only reason I say that is that this particular ultimate requires a Fighters Guild skill level of 10 IIRC, and a level 26 is likely very far away from getting to that rank in Fighters Guild. I know I didn't get there until I was VR3 or 4. It's good advice for later, but for now I'd recommend putting Summon Storm Atronach there instead - particularly if you've got Negate on the other bar as @Cuyler recommends. That way you've got a great utility ultimate on one bar, and a decent damage ultimate on the other.

Yep. I posted this build as a way for the OP to see a potential "goal line" for a sorc dps build. (note: there are couple variations to this build for more dps but this particular build is relatively "easy" to put together)

So you're aware @P3ZZL3, you can grind Fighter's guild xp in several dwemer dungeons that also have urns and pots yielding good prov mats and a chance at dwemer motifs (which sell for good $). The mobs also drop dwemer scraps which also sell.

Because fighter's guild quests follow a linear lvl path,leveling it is most easily done by progressing a fighter's guild quest and logging out before turning the quest in and repeating. Other than that the fighter's guild quests come about every 5 lvls and subsequently the xp can be a little slow to gather.

kieso

while I leveled my sorc from 1-50 and some of VR I used pets a lot, in fact all the time. I thought they worked great I was able to solo many a public dungeons and bosses by myself.

Knightpanther

Play how you want mate!

I'm a VR11 Battle Mage and pretty much always solo.
Full Plate Armour, Destruction staff / Sword and Board.
Always use both pets and the flappy one is set up to heal.

Never have an issue killing anything.

Reason I am doing this is nowt to do with being the best dps/tank bla bla but because I have always played a Main Tank in every MMO I have played (and I have played lots) as soon as I found a game where you could be different that's what I wanted!

Its such a break from my rigid role Shadow Knight in EQ.

That's the love of this game, be what you want and sod what everyone else thinks!

Be safe

Exstazik

Knightpanther wrote: »

Play how you want mate!

I'm a VR11 Battle Mage and pretty much always solo.
Full Plate Armour, Destruction staff / Sword and Board.
Always use both pets and the flappy one is set up to heal.

Never have an issue killing anything.

Reason I am doing this is nowt to do with being the best dps/tank bla bla but because I have always played a Main Tank in every MMO I have played (and I have played lots) as soon as I found a game where you could be different that's what I wanted!

Its such a break from my rigid role Shadow Knight in EQ.

That's the love of this game, be what you want and sod what everyone else thinks!

Be safe

"Play as you want and don't cry if you can't done high end content due not comparing to top builds"

Knightpanther

Exstazik wrote: »

Knightpanther wrote: »

Play how you want mate!

I'm a VR11 Battle Mage and pretty much always solo.
Full Plate Armour, Destruction staff / Sword and Board.
Always use both pets and the flappy one is set up to heal.

Never have an issue killing anything.

Reason I am doing this is nowt to do with being the best dps/tank bla bla but because I have always played a Main Tank in every MMO I have played (and I have played lots) as soon as I found a game where you could be different that's what I wanted!

Its such a break from my rigid role Shadow Knight in EQ.

That's the love of this game, be what you want and sod what everyone else thinks!

Be safe

"Play as you want and don't cry if you can't done high end content due not comparing to top builds"

Don't worry mate I wont lose any sleep over it, 14 years of raiding in EQ and im here for fun not to measure my manhood in a dps meter !

Be safe

P3ZZL3

Cuyler - Sent you a PM

Knight - I do indeed roll how I like I've always liked Mages in general inclusive of the animations. I'll never be topX% and I'm here to have fun which, to be honest, I think some people forget and push the whole dps and pvp thing. I mean, PVP is ok, but prefer exploring and just questing.

AlexDougherty

Ahdora wrote: »

Well, thanks to someone who commented earlier, I now want a chocolate teacup...

They recently made a Chocolate Teapot, one that actually worked (special blend of Chocolate), but is was a single use Teapot as the tea and warmth meanth a second brewing would rupture the walls.

P3ZZL3

Not to derail my own thread, but vital link to evidence Alex's comment: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-29126161

AlexDougherty

P3ZZL3 wrote: »

Not to derail my own thread, but vital link to evidence Alex's comment: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-29126161

Awesome, thanks

AlexDougherty

P3ZZL3 wrote: »

Hey guys, me again with another "noob" ish question.

So, I've finally got past the "actual" half way point and achieved level 26. I say it like that, as I suspect getting to level 25 is prob. only achieving 3/5ths of the game as it gets harder going from 25-50.

I made the choice from the very beginning to go Mage/Sorcerer. Wasn't really sure what I was getting into and certainly didn't have a deep understanding/plan on how to build/develop him.

So if I may ask, at this level, what should I really be looking at at this level to look after me for the next 5-10 levels:

1) Armour Type (presently running heavy, about to move to Flax and looking at how to build it with what traits/glyphs).
2) Main Weapon Type (Presently level 26, beech restoration staff, with Intrinsic and Lesser Glyph of Absorb)
3) 26 Attribute points (13 Magicka, 10 Health, 2 Stamina)
4) Skill lines (Can't remember right now as I'm at work but I know I have Clannfear and twilight)

I made it all the way up to the Molag Bal fight with light Armour two pets and a destruction staff, but the Molag Bal fight itself was nearly impossible that way.

If you use Light Armour you want a ranged weapon for this fight, bow or restoration staff (resto staff isn't nerfed like the destro staff in this fight) would be the way to go.

If you go in close then I would say Heavy Armour, Sword and Sield, Critical Surge and thundering presence are the way to go.

Bolt Escape and Health potions will be vital no matter how you attempt it, so get those. Oh and unlike me build up your skills some time in advance, otherwise your new weapons do nothing, and you end up trying to kill him with mages fury and lightning splash (long fight, long long fight).

Ahdora

AlexDougherty wrote: »

Ahdora wrote: »

Well, thanks to someone who commented earlier, I now want a chocolate teacup...

They recently made a Chocolate Teapot, one that actually worked (special blend of Chocolate), but is was a single use Teapot as the tea and warmth meanth a second brewing would rupture the walls.

I need this in my life.

In fact, just give me all dishes made out of chocolate. Eat my food, dessert is ready, AND nothing to wash after?

YASSSSS

Arki

Sorc class is a lot of fun. I however didn't like the feel of the destro skills so I went with a hybrid build with sword/board and resto offhand. Mix of heavy armor and light, doing dmg close up with a class skills mostly, and if it gets too hard just encase em or bolt away and pop a few heals and go again I actually both healed and tanked in the same dungeon with this build once, quite fun. Not the best in any role, as you can't maximize on one resource, but very flexible and adaptable, can often save the day when stuff gets out of hand!

Getting bored of that playstyle i changed to bow+pets as that is how i used to play in skyrim. Makes for nice and relaxed gameplay, also used resto as offhand for healing myself and the pets - and the extra mana from heavy attacks.

I now have made a dedicated healing build for running veteran pledges, and is experimenting with a pure stamina build on the side (2h/bow). Will prob try out some pet builds when 1.6 hits.

It's a great class with lots of options, and as for endgame, that meta allways changes, don't choose class because of it, choose class from how you like the skills it provides and the possibilities that opens up in combination with all the other skills in the game.

And on a small side note: Someone said don't use mages fury on mobs under 20%. Unless we are talking about a boss, i disagree with that. The skill actually starts a timer on hit, so you should pop it at maybe 30 or 40, even 50% depending on how hard the mob is, especially since it gives the possibility for a free crystal shard! This way you'll be finishing off mobs with fury+shard all the time

Good luck with your sorc!

EDIT: Forgot one thing: Attribute distribution is not the end of all since you can allways change that balance by what glyphs you put on, it scales the same way (health giving more points etc) so the end result will be the same. However if you would like to change between stamina and magicka builds it is really convinient to put all into health since you then can just change role by changing equipement and skills.

Cuyler

AlexDougherty wrote: »

P3ZZL3 wrote: »

Hey guys, me again with another "noob" ish question.

So, I've finally got past the "actual" half way point and achieved level 26. I say it like that, as I suspect getting to level 25 is prob. only achieving 3/5ths of the game as it gets harder going from 25-50.

I made the choice from the very beginning to go Mage/Sorcerer. Wasn't really sure what I was getting into and certainly didn't have a deep understanding/plan on how to build/develop him.

So if I may ask, at this level, what should I really be looking at at this level to look after me for the next 5-10 levels:

1) Armour Type (presently running heavy, about to move to Flax and looking at how to build it with what traits/glyphs).
2) Main Weapon Type (Presently level 26, beech restoration staff, with Intrinsic and Lesser Glyph of Absorb)
3) 26 Attribute points (13 Magicka, 10 Health, 2 Stamina)
4) Skill lines (Can't remember right now as I'm at work but I know I have Clannfear and twilight)

I made it all the way up to the Molag Bal fight with light Armour two pets and a destruction staff, but the Molag Bal fight itself was nearly impossible that way.

If you use Light Armour you want a ranged weapon for this fight, bow or restoration staff (resto staff isn't nerfed like the destro staff in this fight) would be the way to go.

If you go in close then I would say Heavy Armour, Sword and Sield, Critical Surge and thundering presence are the way to go.

Bolt Escape and Health potions will be vital no matter how you attempt it, so get those. Oh and unlike me build up your skills some time in advance, otherwise your new weapons do nothing, and you end up trying to kill him with mages fury and lightning splash (long fight, long long fight).

The Bal fight isn't so much about the gear/build as it is about knowing the mechanics, always engaging at range and sustaining for the long haul.

Knightpanther

P3ZZL3 wrote: »

Not to derail my own thread, but vital link to evidence Alex's comment: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-29126161

Bloody ell! Im amazed a Yorkshireman would make anything that you effectively throw away, my boss is from Ponty and tight as a ducks arse.

Be safe

Merlin13KAGL

OP, Sorcs are great, don't be discouraged.

My recommendations:

5 light, minimum - this will let you get max bonuses from the gear passives. Sink points into anything that lowers your cost or raises your Magicka pool (Dark magic passives, Light Armor passives, Capacitor, etc.)

Throw 1 med and 1 heavy on a large item (Head, Chest, Legs) for leveling the line on the way (you won't take a huge hit from this and your armor class will actually go up.) ("Large items give better enchant returns Head, Chest, Legs, Shield - smalls give about 40% of the enchant value)

Go with Set items. Seducer is great if you can have someone craft it for you - I wouldn't worry as much about Epic right now, as the difference is not substantial. Figure for every gear upgrade (Green - Blue - Purple - Gold), it effectively makes it the equivalent of 1 level higher.

Personally, I think you'll level quickly enough that it's better to save the ugrades beyond blue until after 30 or so.

As far as Attributes/enchants, don't sink all of anything into anything. Look at your stats first you can always adjust one thing or another, with Stamina generally being the least used if you're going full caster with enchants. A good call for leveling is to go 1/2 in Magicka, 1/2 in Health.

This way, based on your playstyle and survivability, you can increase either of those with enchants. Max your health, you're limited to your increase in Magicka. (You used to get more benefit from Health attributes than you did from Health enchants, but this is no longer the case.)

Magicka = damage output = less damage taken = health preserved.

Also, Magicka = Health. Have 5000 hitpoints in a fight where the boss has gotten you down to 500 - then try to cast a heal with no Magicka left.

Your gear and attributes will vary along the way - let them. Adjust based on what you seem to be lacking in at the time. (Dying alot, add health. Running out of magicka, add it instead.)

Use food always. Mats are cheap, buffs can be the difference often.

Kill the boss with 1 hp left - you're still alive.

Regarding skills, it depends on if you are soloing or grouping. Ones with knockback/stun/hidden CC's are great when solo leveling.

Your best best is to try the skills yourself, in various combinations. Try them, max them, morph them. Once you hit 50, you'll have most of the skills you've used on the way morphed and maxed.

Don't be afraid to try different (non-standard) skills, don't be afraid to morph-only reset and level the alternate one.

You'll see what works for you and which you like better. Better still, should you choose to respec again later, the skill will already be maxed out.

On that note, I recommend Wykkyd's outfitter/Macros add on. You can make gear/skill sets for various situations and switch with a button press.

On that note, as you are leveling new skills with other skills maxed, make a gear set/skill set for the things you want to level, but maybe don't use as often.

Switch to this set when you turn in quests. Just don't forget to switch back.

Upgrade your gear every 5 levels minimum at this stage and you'll get good use out of it without spending a fourtune.

Last tip, mix and match weapon enchants. Enchant fire with side of poision, or Frost with side of fire, etc. Don't be afraid to carry multiple options with you for critters that are weak to one effect or the other. Restore Health/Magicka enchants are great for helping with resources.

Most of all, have fun with it. Don't sweat the numbers or the FOTM builds.

Enjoy what you do and you'll be good at what you do.

Develop your character for you.

Let us know how you fair! Good luck and safe adventuring.

Vahrokh

Knightpanther wrote: »

Don't worry mate I wont lose any sleep over it, 14 years of raiding in EQ and im here for fun not to measure my manhood in a dps meter !

Be safe

I don't get how this is relevant to sorcs performance discussions. I also did exactly your same build and it was great... until I had to actually get things done in group content.
You might be happy with doing your stuff at your pace, but that does not apply to everyone else who have to confront with other classes, pass DPS checks bosses and so on.

P3ZZL3

Yo guys. Thanks for all the advice. Well, I'm finally home and time to start playing around with this stuff D First the traditional raids on the chests i know of to get the money for the mats

Will report back soonish Keep the advice coming folks. It's ALL greatly appreciated...apart from the DK/NB arguements. You can keep them