Do Hybrids Have a Place in ESO?

nimander99

I've been playing a hybrid Templar (Hyplar?) since day one and I'll say this, sometimes a big update will come out (1.6) and I'll be very happy... But most of the time no it's no Bueno.

But I stick with it cause: Play your way...

Zorrashi

Would you surprised to learn that I only have hybrid characters now? I only tried one character with 1 point in health every now and then, and everything else in magika, but I found it pretty dull.
One of my character has her stats split in a 1:1:1 ratio.
But it is important to remember that even I acknowledge that I am not the best player. My DPS is relatively weak, I simply refuse to tank (I tell all groups who ask to not even consider it, I never do well at that role ever), and healing is something I only do at the side. Yet despite this, I am one of the group members that die less despite being in the thick of the battle.

Knowing the mechanics, not just relying on stats, is what can make or break your performance. Also it turns out that investing in diversified stats makes you idea as some sort of role-backup.
I usually end up being the "role support"--I just help whoever seems to be in the most need of help. If the healer is having trouble, I heal alongside them, if the DPS is getting assaulted by adds or needs a break to heal/hide, then I jump into the fray to take the heat off, if the tank can't get the boss's attention....I'll get in a few hits to get his attention, but don't expect me to hold him for more than a few seconds. F*** that.

That being, said, a decent amount of groups won't even bother with hybrids. But being upfront about it does help my chances at being accepted anyway. Or at least getting a trial run.

Keep in mind this is coming from someone who mostly plays solo. Grouping is only the occasional side activity I may look into every month or so. If even that...

Inarre

Wifeaggro13 wrote: »

The inherent problem is there is no need for crowd control, aggro management.and buffs are all secondary effects of something dps related

The only thing i know is going full magic stats, full magic enchants, and max magic/spell power/spell crit light gear was the best way to see my ass on the floor watching my team's health go to zero.

I agree with @Zorrashi that being somewhat hybrid (I dont have my stats hybrid but wear tankier gear at least) was the best way to provide sustained support to my team.

I think there is room for hybrid builds in groups for some instances. Maybe not every instance, and maybe not all of the time, but for harder content it sure is nice to know someone's got your healer's back if ithey've got 14k health and 40k magic going into SO... (and yes, I have been the healer resing a 14k health healer up off the floor repeatedly in both trials and PVP)

Hybrid's spear shards still offer the same amount of stamina regen, they still can tank a few hits while the tank gets aggro back, they can sneak off of the flag and set up a camp just as well and they can still res you just as fast in a kags set. Nah they aren't going to pour out DPS, or kill a lot of people, or even provide one role to it's optimal potentiall but they can step in pretty much anywhere and save your DPS from being one shot or running out of magic/stam, or get them back in the running.

To me that's a fun job. I like being the last one standing and saving the group from the wipe monster.

STEVIL

Agree with Nestor.

For the 90% or more of the game content even at any level to vr16, the non-competitive vs other players (trials or pvp) a decent hybrid build is fine and can be fun.

For the competitive area of the content, direct compete pvp or indirect compete trials, hybrids seem rarely if at all effective.

So, unless that compete v players thing is your huckleberry, play whatever you enjoy.

DDemon

Hybrid work for tanks.

Rune_Relic

nimander99 wrote: »

I've been playing a hybrid Templar (Hyplar?) since day one and I'll say this, sometimes a big update will come out (1.6) and I'll be very happy... But most of the time no it's no Bueno.

But I stick with it cause: Play your way...

Same.
I have a hybrid NB....its enjoybale to play....but not competitive in any shape or form.
I am waiting for the day when the mountain comes to Muhammad.
Then I will know that ESO is finally balanced.

Saturn

Inarre wrote: »

I've noticed that the general consensus is that hybrid build's are bad.

"They have *** damage"
"They can't do their job properly"
"For MAX awesomeness you should pick one thing and MAX THAT **** OUT."

My question is two fold. What counts as a Hybrid build?

Is there an instance in ESO where YOU think hybrid builds could be seen as useful, viable, or even preferred?

Hybrid builds do not work for DPS, since it is about min/max'ing to get the most amount of damage possible, but they do "work" for certain healer and tank builds. Back before the block nerf in the Imperial City expansion there were a lot more hybrid pvp builds, but they are pretty much all gone now.

To answer the question:
Yes hybrid builds work... but not for any competitive content. And I wish ZOS would not cater so heavily to these hybrid builds, but looking at the entire loot table for veteran Maw of Lorkhaj it is quite evident that they do.

Thevampirenight

They could add a champion point that allows you to be an effective hybrid!

Vaoh

Hybrid builds can be viable pretty easily as a low level (10-24ish) in PvP. I have not tested Hybrids on V16 characters but you need to build very smartly and know what buffs to use. High sustain on Magicka/Stamina along with using the correct buffs/weapons/sets to complement your stats is key.

Viable V16 Hybrids (although I cannot really test until Vet Ranks are removed) are totally possible, yet it is so much easier to hit hard and have a great build using niche sets and builds. Most have not noticed that MANY recent sets have supported Hybrid play. Believe me, it is easier and also typically stronger to use a normal (non-hybrid) build, but a skilled player can make a Hybrid work and confuse the enemy a lot as well.

Something like 5x Clever Alchemist/5x Viscious Death/3x Willpower tends to kill diversity in Magicka builds.... And you probably already know the go to sets for either Magicka/Stamina. No such thing for Hybrids.

Clever Alchemist, Willow's Path, Molag Kena, Endurance, Spell Power Cure, etc. If I tried a Hybrid build, I would probably try to use:
5x Clever Alchemist
5x Willow's Path
3x Endurance

There are so many different variables to worry about as a Hybrid build, considering you want to be strong. Class, Race, attributes, enchants, traits, armor weight, sets, weapon types, every single skill.... None of this is determined immediately like a pure Magicka or Stamina build has it. No good builds to copy either. They work in PvP, not PvE.

Inarre

Doncellius wrote: »

Hybrid builds can be viable pretty easily as a low level (10-24ish) in PvP. I have not tested Hybrids on V16 characters but you need to build very smartly and know what buffs to use. High sustain on Magicka/Stamina along with using the correct buffs/weapons/sets to complement your stats is key.

Viable V16 Hybrids (although I cannot really test until Vet Ranks are removed) are totally possible, yet it is so much easier to hit hard and have a great build using niche sets and builds. Most have not noticed that MANY recent sets have supported Hybrid play. Believe me, it is easier and also typically stronger to use a normal (non-hybrid) build, but a skilled player can make a Hybrid work and confuse the enemy a lot as well.

Something like 5x Clever Alchemist/5x Viscious Death/3x Willpower tends to kill diversity in Magicka builds.... And you probably already know the go to sets for either Magicka/Stamina. No such thing for Hybrids.

Clever Alchemist, Willow's Path, Molag Kena, Endurance, Spell Power Cure, etc. If I tried a Hybrid build, I would probably try to use:
5x Clever Alchemist
5x Willow's Path
3x Endurance

There are so many different variables to worry about as a Hybrid build, considering you want to be strong. Class, Race, attributes, enchants, traits, armor weight, sets, weapon types, every single skill.... None of this is determined immediately like a pure Magicka or Stamina build has it. No good builds to copy either. They work in PvP, not PvE.

I think the only reason that pure mag/stamina builds have immediately determined set ups/gear is that min-maxers have previously focused on DPS, squeezing every last drop of damage out to get those high numbers. And why not? High DPS numbers are infinitely easier to guage the success of than a hybrid support build. How do you REALLY gauge the success of a support class? "I didn't die in trials this week!" Well, OK, but that could be just because you stepped out of red bubbles this week and you didn't last week...

There really is no set gear set up/stats for an optimal support build in trials, pve or pvp. There are several theories and combos (footmans, histbark, armor master, kagrenacs, transmutation, spell power cure) but there is no straight across the board build for success anywhere, and personally I think that's what makes support fun.

RebornV3x

not really

x5ofspadez

I would say as a DD, its definitely not optimal. I could see it being viable on a strictly tank character of either Templar or DK variety.

Rune_Relic

Thevampirenight wrote: »

They could add a champion point that allows you to be an effective hybrid!

1st they would have to replace CS....
magicka stamina damage with DPS base damage
magicka stamina crit with DPS crit damage
magicka stamina dots with DPS dot damage
magicka stamina poison/disease/fire/ice/lightning with DPS intial dot damage

Then they would have to change the damage scaling from...
10x weapon spell damage + 1 x magicka or 1x stamina damage to....
10x weapon spell damage + (Mean of stamina + magicka x 2)

This way magicka & stamina damage scaling is irrelevant and you only have hybrid DPS scaling.
This completely liberates DPS into playing any combination of spell sword imaginable
You can then tack on armour buffs and set bonuses for flavour.

Investing into health and heavy armour should of course cut damage and increase protection.

ZOS say plays as you want.....then puts up every barrier conceivable to ensure that you cant or wont.

RAGUNAnoOne

this isn't underworld