Clarification: Channeling, Casting and Activation.

Jaxsun

I am asking this because, in general, the tool tips in this game are largely horrible and specifically because of the tool tip for the Cryodiil's Light Set. 5 piece does "reduce damage taken by 25% while casting or channeling an ability".

What I think they mean based on other games I've played.

Channeling: having an ability do "x" over a period time and at the end of that time the ability is over. i.e. Remembrance
Casting: Instant use i.e. Breath of Life
Activation: Pressing the button and waiting "x" amount of time then the ability happens, i.e. dark flare

In this game, is casting different than channeling like the tool tip suggests? If so, what is the difference? What about a HoT or DoT? How does that factor in.?

Nestor

Your understanding is pretty good.

Some spells take time to cast, like 1 to 2 seconds. During that time your vulnerable. There are some other skills, mostly healer skills that have you standing there feeding health to your party for several seconds, this is Channeling. There are some damage spells that work like Channeling too. But the basic issue is, while the spell is active you can't do anything else. Unlike Damage over Time/Healing over Time spells that you cast once and the damage/healing just happens as time goes on, but you can cast or use other skills while the over time stuff is happening. The Channeling spells just seem to offer more damage or healing to make up for the fact that you have to stand there waving your stick or hands around. Note I think you can move around for most channeling spells but I have not done the healing ones, only the damage ones, like the Soul Trap Ultimate for instance where I just have to be close to the mob I want to suck the life out of.

Note, DoT's and HoT's will get reset if you cast them again before the timer is up. So to get the full effect, use other skills in your rotation while the over time is going on.

Morvul

Jaxsun wrote: »

In this game, is casting different than channeling like the tool tip suggests? If so, what is the difference?

as far as tooltips are concerned "casting" means that "stuff happens once you finished casting".
In contrast, "channeling" means that "stuff happens while you are casting".

"instant cast" abilities are still considered a "cast". BUT: in the case of the cyrodiils light 5pc bonus, the protection lasts "while casting". since that time periode is obviously 0 (zero) for instant cast abilities, the set only gives a benefit while using abilities with a cast or channel time.

Another set (Spectre's Eye) gives a bonus of 20% dodge chance after casting a magicka costing ability. Since the effect is happening AFTER and not WHILE casting, this set bonus is also effective when using "instant cast" abilities

Jaxsun

Thanks for the info. It looks like casting in this game is the same as activation from others that I've played.

Smaxx

"Activating" is essentially what other games consider an "instant cast". The other two have been explained already.

Elloa

Note I think you can move around for most channeling spells but I have not done the healing one

For the channeling healing Spells like the Restoration Templar Ultimate, you can't move. If you more, you cancel the spell and waste it.