VMA-"Just roll a sorc"

Cozzy1991

I was having a discussion with some people from my guild, just talking shop so to speak. The main thing we talked about, was youtubers/streamers running VMA. All of them are shown using monster set's and maelstrom weapons. Some of these internet personalities got involved in the discussion (big trade guilds, they chimed in), giving advice to those of us that couldn't finish it (I've personally finished it several times doing the tactic I'm about to share with you). Quote from a youtube personality that does not wish to be named in this thread:
" In all honesty brother, most of us just ran it a couple of times on our sorcs to get the gear. its too much time and effort otherwise, just roll a sorc"


......"just roll a sorc".....



Now before we go further, note this isnt a BM/QQ thread, just a clarification of the current state of VMA.

I would like to see all vidoes/screen shots of all you lovely people completing VMA without monster set/vma gear on anything other than a magicka sorc. A lot of people dont have the time or resources to "just roll a sorc", and I would love to see this statement proved wrong! I personally haven't even bothered doing VMA on anything other than a magicka sorc before getting VMA gear, and I would love to see the community pitch in and prove it wrong. Be sure to show your builds and current CP! Hope you all have a fantastic day and I can't wait to see the results!

Oompuh

My first completion was on a Magicka NightBlade.Destro/Resto 1 Kena 2 Torugs 5 julianos 3 willpower, skills and cp were what every magblade runs.. nothing special.

I'm normally a DK tank, not a DD so it was hell, but there is a reason why Sorcs have the highest scores.......
when they can hit 50k overloads and have shields the size of texas. While not being as tanky as a sorc, The healing and magicka susation of a magblade is quite nice for vma

I know flawless conquerors of every class, both stamina and magicka. Its just a lot harder when youre not a sorc

Malthorne

My first clear was on a magicka DK.
3 willpower / 5 Twice Born Star / 2 Torugs Pact / 1 Molag Kena

Strider_Roshin

Beat it with my Nord stam Nightblade. But yeah VMA is pretty easy playing magicka anything. The sorc is just the strongest in it due to unlimited overload and shields. It's pretty easy with magicka Templars and magicka Nightblades too though.

code65536

My first attempt at vMA was on a magicka nightblade, wearing IC-era gear (5p Kag, 1p Kena, 2/3p Torug, 3p Willpower) and with well under 400 CP. I made it all the way to the final boss, and didn't attempt it again until a few months later. That said, I could've beaten the final boss in that gear, since the final boss is all about strategy and practice and not much about gear or stats, and I didn't have a good strategy, nor did I get enough practice on him.

My first clear of vMA was on that same character, with a slightly better gear setup (5p Juli, 2p Nerien'eth, 3p Willpower, orphaned nirn staff and 2p Torug sword-and-board). Obviously, you can't use vMA weapons for your first clear.

Recently, I got a new sorc up to VR1 and completed vMA at VR1. This was with 5p Juli, 3/4p Magnus, 3p Warlock jewelry. This was actually harder than my magblade. Part of that is my lack of familiarity with the sorc (I've never played a sorc before) and with the differences in strategies that a sorc would use. And part of it is the gear and stats--no Willpower, no Undaunted passives, and, as a freshly-ground VR1 toon, I didn't even have enough skill points to put into some of the passives that I had access to. While it was harder, it wasn't bad, and that's mostly because I've beaten vMA before and have had that practice.

Ultimately, vMA comes down to just one thing: PRACTICE. The people who make vMA look easy don't get easy clears because they have awesome stats/gear. They get easy clears because they've had dozens of clears before, know the cadence of the fights, and avoid mistakes. vMA isn't hard, per se. It's just very, very unforgiving. Avoid missteps, and it's easy. You just need lots of practice to get to the point where you don't make mistakes.

Joy_Division

Just because Sorcerer is easiest doesn't mean the other classes cannot be done.

You don't need max CPs or Maelstrom weapons or Monster sets. You do need a build that is decent that you are comfortable with and, most of all, you need to know the mechanics in the arena.

Shader_Shibes

Meh, tbh I have much easier time on my nb than on my sorc.

strikeback1247

My first run was on a stam dk with 3x agility, 5x hunding's rage, 2x engine guardian and a random hunding's 2H. Without the engine guardian I never would have made it.

Septimus_Magna

Cozzy1991 wrote: »

I would like to see all vidoes/screen shots of all you lovely people completing VMA without monster set/vma gear on anything other than a magicka sorc.

Have you tried searching for vMA builds/runs on YouTube?

Destruent

Why do you want videos without any monster sets? The two newest ones were released 3 months before orsinium, so everyone had time to get them.
But anyways...if you don't mind me wearing one piece kena, you can find some videos of my magicka-templar here: youtube-link

And about rolling sorc...easymode and so on...it's easy as soon as you are used to mechanics/spawns and so on. But then it's easy on all 4 classes. For me it was easiest on magicka-templar. I did not do that well on magicka-sorc/Nb, although they are called easymode

code65536

Destruent wrote: »

And about rolling sorc...easymode and so on...it's easy as soon as you are used to mechanics/spawns and so on. But then it's easy on all 4 classes. For me it was easiest on magicka-templar. I did not do that well on magicka-sorc/Nb, although they are called easymode

Comfort and familiarity with a class figure a lot in how easy that class feels.

If someone has played a magicka Templar for months and is very comfortable with that class, telling them to "roll a sorc" won't make vMA any easier for them. I struggled quite a bit on my sorc when I put him through vMA largely because I just don't feel comfortable with him like I do with my magblade main.

AddictionX

But really just roll a sorc... its solo content.... The scores and total clears reflect that, it doesn't promote anything other than ego stroking and some how having relevance to "here is a thread to counter all the qq threads about vMA."

Destruent

AddictionX wrote: »

But really just roll a sorc... its solo content.... The scores and total clears reflect that, it doesn't promote anything other than ego stroking and some how having relevance to "here is a thread to counter all the qq threads about vMA."

lol...most important is, to know your class, your character and the mechanics. If you don't know this, you will fail with all classes. Even Sorcs had a hard time when they did their first attempts.

KenaPKK

Dude.

I know people who have vMA on farm without monster sets on things like stam DK and stam NB. Sure, sorc is easy mode, but it's easy as hell on anything once you learn the mechanics.

Focus on your build's self-sufficiency. In vMA, you are responsible for your own healing and dps, and you have to maneuver around a lot. These factors make it difficult for a lot of people who are used to working in groups with niche roles and lots of interdependence.

snoogadooch

I have only beat it on my magplar. 5 Julianos, 2x tp and switch into Lich on second bar. No monster helm.

andy_s

I farmed inferno sharpened staff on 8 different chars in crafted gear (julianos, magnus, torug's), managed to get it after 100+ runs. No way I could get it doing only on my sorc Not that lucky as @Blobsky

Uviryth

It`s not the sorcerer, it`s every magickabased build.

Blobsky

andy.s wrote: »

I farmed inferno sharpened staff on 8 different chars in crafted gear (julianos, magnus, torug's), managed to get it after 100+ runs. No way I could get it doing only on my sorc Not that lucky as @Blobsky

Plz That dungeon broke my soul

ub17_ESO

Cozzy1991 wrote: »

I was having a discussion with some people from my guild, just talking shop so to speak. The main thing we talked about, was youtubers/streamers running VMA. All of them are shown using monster set's and maelstrom weapons. Some of these internet personalities got involved in the discussion (big trade guilds, they chimed in), giving advice to those of us that couldn't finish it (I've personally finished it several times doing the tactic I'm about to share with you). Quote from a youtube personality that does not wish to be named in this thread:
" In all honesty brother, most of us just ran it a couple of times on our sorcs to get the gear. its too much time and effort otherwise, just roll a sorc"


......"just roll a sorc".....



Now before we go further, note this isnt a BM/QQ thread, just a clarification of the current state of VMA.

I would like to see all vidoes/screen shots of all you lovely people completing VMA without monster set/vma gear on anything other than a magicka sorc. A lot of people dont have the time or resources to "just roll a sorc", and I would love to see this statement proved wrong! I personally haven't even bothered doing VMA on anything other than a magicka sorc before getting VMA gear, and I would love to see the community pitch in and prove it wrong. Be sure to show your builds and current CP! Hope you all have a fantastic day and I can't wait to see the results!

My first dozen or so completions were on a magic templar...I recently completed on my magic DK and that was rough!! You will see me proudly on the boards in the 2nd to last position! LOL, how do am I not last with a 406 score?!? So now the question...is it the DK that is bad or is it me?? Spoiler alert, I'm convinced its me. I watched a youtube video and a magic DK completed flawless in 47 minutes. So obviously DKs have the tools to be successful in the arena but you wouldnt guess that looking at the boards. I was top 60 with my whopping 406, but > 60 on my stam sorc that has a 460K score. I had a hard hard time completing the 1st half dozen times on my templar but every time it gets a bit easier.

This thread reminds me of the bad perception stam builds had for a long time. Back when AA was tough and people couldnt kill the whispmother stambuilds were kicked out of trial PUGs simply due to perception. Its my opinion that this is 95% a perception issue. All the classes and builds are easy once you are very proficient with your build and you understand the mechanics.

I dont though understand why you have discrimination against the monster sets. Everyone has fairly easy access to them with a bit of persistence and lucky rng.

Zyle

Incredibly confused OP, you're suggesting you can't clear Maelstrom without Maelstrom weapons....

willymchilybily

Once you have it beat on one character you can apply that learning to another character. The weapons aren't all that. And if you read some builds by others that min/max you would realise this

For example

..... On a magicka class, It's not worth dropping a sharpened or nirnhoned inferno destro staff that completes your set for some defending maelstrom ice staff or any trait apart from sharpened. It's a Dps loss even if you appear to have bigger tooltip values from the extra spell damage. Especially if you lose torug's pact or 1 piece kena in doing so.

.......until thieves guild and the thermatauge change the DW maelstrom dagger proc to dots were only more damage than other setups if you were stam DK and only useful for the boss fights. Other classes didn't have enough dot damage or have enough single target dot options from their own skill lines to make it better dps.

TL;DR you absolutely do not need maelstrom weapons to do maelstrom they aren't gaining you anything unless perfect trait or suited to your build

CyrusArya

This used to be common consensus, but common consensus isn't always right. Having cleared VMA on all 4 classes, magicka night blade and magicka templar are both better to farm the arena with in my opinion. Sorc is just easier to get the flawless achievement, because you can be carried by hardened ward through most any situation.

What I really like about the arena is how each class interacts with the same challenges in its own way, so it really helps illustrate the strengths and weaknesses of the different classes. After running the arena on other classes post sorc, I came to truly realize how utterly garbage sorc dps is outside of overload. And because it's all single target dps on sorc for the most part, pretty much every round that has adds feels like a hectic chore. Meanwhile, on magicka templar for example, you can bounce from mob to mob shredding em with 24k+ sweeps channels. No way I can go back to force shock medium weaving 90% of the arena after that...

No sorc isn't too terribly unbalanced when it comes to the arena. What is terribly unbalanced is magicka vs stamina in the arena...

It's more like "just roll magicka".

Joy_Division

CyrusArya wrote: »

This used to be common consensus, but common consensus isn't always right. Having cleared VMA on all 4 classes, magicka night blade and magicka templar are both better to farm the arena with in my opinion. Sorc is just easier to get the flawless achievement, because you can be carried by hardened ward through most any situation.

What I really like about the arena is how each class interacts with the same challenges in its own way, so it really helps illustrate the strengths and weaknesses of the different classes. After running the arena on other classes post sorc, I came to truly realize how utterly garbage sorc dps is outside of overload. And because it's all single target dps on sorc for the most part, pretty much every round that has adds feels like a hectic chore. Meanwhile, on magicka templar for example, you can bounce from mob to mob shredding em with 24k+ sweeps channels. No way I can go back to force shock medium weaving 90% of the arena after that...

Let's not go crazy here ...

It's because sorcs are carried by hardened ward and the other classes are not is what makes them so suited for vMA. And it's not apt to separate ultimates from DPS because ultimates are a huge part of how the classes play. I would be inclined to agree that sorc DPS is "boring" - utterly so for people who play the standard toggle build - but let's not pretend it sucks or is somehow unsuited for Maelstrom. Mines are *extremely* useful tools, high and efficient DPS that heal you and make kiting dangerous melee mobs easy, Lightning Splash is the best DoT in the game, Frags CC, and its long range execute is something DKs wish they had.

And I wouldn't call templar DPS "exciting": jab-jab-jab-jab-jab-jab-jab-jab-jab-jab-jab-jab-jab-jab-jab...

AddictionX

Basically ... just roll a sorc

DRXHarbinger

Sorcing maelstrom is so boring. Weaving and the odd frag but not killing with frags as you need the regen off staff kills and overload what...7 of the bosses (I don't overload the lamia or argonian dude) and rinse and repeat.... Stamina players make it much more "fun" arrow barrage up and smash away with all you got, vigor and repeat, I use maw of the infernal too, powerful now and takes aggro, much more enjoyable.

DK just spam burning embers and wings and never die, Templars just jab and chuck spears, Magika NBs just *** the whole thing using Tbs and Julianos and crit and heal all the way through it, it's so easy on a magblade.

Proper sorcing takes practice and you actually very few sorc skills, surge, ward and frags, none of the others are remotely useful for vma.

So imo and trust me I'm a day one sorc who took a year to roll an alt....don't roll a sorc..it's boring as hell. .. leaderboards are packed and whilst Templars are empty and surprising easy to master vma I'd go for that.

Cozzy1991

[snip] READ THE CONTEXT OF THE POST BEFORE TYPING YOUR ANSWERS. IF you can actually read ENGLISH the post CLEARLY says A: I've completed it many times, so stop giving me "advice" when thats not what the post is even about B: I want others to post results of maelstrom without using monster sets/maelstrom gear. Its pretty simple guys, if you cant understand that maybe you should put the eso forums down and get back to your homework.

[edit for bait]

MaxwellC

My first completion (beta gear not my current build that got me a better score)
5 Piece Hunding rage
3 Agility set
3 Morkuldin/2 ( I use dw swords or bow depending on round)
1 piece molag kena shoulder.

Stamina DK I had around 375 CP and I died 105 times.
My second time was the best one and quickest + I only died 17 times XD

THBronx

Cozzy1991 wrote: »

READ THE CONTEXT OF THE POST BEFORE TYPING YOUR ANSWERS. IF you can actually read ENGLISH the post CLEARLY says A: I've completed it many times, so stop giving me "advice" when thats not what the post is even about B: I want others to post results of maelstrom without using monster sets/maelstrom gear. Its pretty simple guys, if you cant understand that maybe you should put the eso forums down and get back to your homework.

LOL are you mad bro?
You asked something and ppl here are telling you that it isn't a big deal... That's why nobody here cares about posting pics or about what the youtubers "personalities" says about it.

So now all those guys streaming ESO just became personalities? Lol

[minor edit for quote]

Ariisen

My first completion was with my main (Magicka NB), since that I've done it with all classes.

Magicka Sorc, Stamina DK, Stamina & Magicka NB and Magicka Templar.

Mag Sorc is the easiest but it's also no fun, Stamina classes are way more challenging to use and it's also more satisfying when you complete it.

BTW My Templar got Stormproof at VET1 using 5 Julianos, 4 Magnus (with Swords, 3 with the Resto) and 3 Warlock.
http://xboxdvr.com/gamer/aRiisen/video/15450068

AddictionX

Cozzy1991 wrote: »

[snip] READ THE CONTEXT OF THE POST BEFORE TYPING YOUR ANSWERS. IF you can actually read ENGLISH the post CLEARLY says A: I've completed it many times, so stop giving me "advice" when thats not what the post is even about B: I want others to post results of maelstrom without using monster sets/maelstrom gear. Its pretty simple guys, if you cant understand that maybe you should put the eso forums down and get back to your homework.

[edit for bait]

... right.

Just roll a sorc.