Need some Magicka DK info

Lynx7386

So with the bonus xp week, I started a magicka DK (after debating constantly between that or a templar) to contrast with my stamina nightblade main. With the lag being as it is this week, I was only able to get up to level 16 so far, and got that far with light armor and dual wield (just for the spellpower increase and attack weaving for ultimate).

I was going to use a 1h/shield setup on the second bar, but I'm starting to think maybe that isnt the best route to go, and now it's making me question my weapon choice entirely. Dual wield feels fluid, and seems to compliment the dk's close range spells pretty well, it gives a "hybrid" feel and playstyle while still focusing 100% on magicka and light armor since all but my light/heavy attack damage is coming from spells. Also feels nice having a character with a surplus of stamina that I can use for dodging, blocking, and interrupting at a whim, instead of having to constantly struggle with one resource pool like my nightblade.

But now I'm wondering if the benefit from dual wield is even worth keeping. Would I be better off going with destro/resto instead? DK seems to have a fair bit of healing potential among the skill trees now, with major mending from shield and cauterize in the flame tree acting as healing boosts (and, possibly, the stone fist morph that heals). A long time ago when I was on PC (on ps4 now) I played a magicka templar healer and loved it in group play, not so much for solo, so maybe I can get something like that out of my dragon knight... but just how many dk healers are actually out there?

It seems like the damage difference between destruction staff and dual wield isnt going to be all that big a deal, at least not for leveling purposes, and the staff offers more magicka abilities I could throw into the mix (like wall of fire for aoe support with flame breath and cinder storm), but at the same time almost all of the DK's class spells are close to melee-ranged and the staff doesnt work particularly well up close in my experience.

So should I stick with dual wield? Should I back it up with a shield bar or staff bar? Should I just go entirely to staves?

Lonewolf628

Dual wield/destro staff

I like dual wield for the damage bonus and I use the flame staff for range, aoe with elemental ring (works well with the flame breath and talons) and to replenish magic with heavy attacks. I've been using magicka dk for awhile now and it's great in pve. I'm still working on my pvp game.

Lynx7386

So dual wield for single target, destro staff for an aoe bar?

Do you bother using eruption/cinder storm for aoe?

code65536

Level up everything. There's really no downside to it (aside from a bit of effort), and it will open up options for when you reach the endgame.

For PvE group DPS, you'll probably want destro/destro (destro staff on both bars).

For difficult solo content (e.g., vMA), you'll likely want destro/resto.

For healing, probably destro/resto or resto/resto.

For tanking, sword and board.

My DK switches between DPS and tank with a quick change of gear (her bag has both light DPS gear and heavy tanking gear), food, and mundus stones--no pricey respec needed.

There's really no need to limit yourself to just one role.

exeeter702

Dks were always awesome healers, and for the longest time were the only class in possession of the major mending buff until TG patch. still pains me to this day when I get into a group and someone sarcastically quips "so who is the healer" when they clearly see in have the role selected, as if they are trying to bait me into admission of being stupid or a noob. Thus I proceed to call them ignorant and carry the group.

But I digress, it's a toss up to be honest, dk aoe skills lend themselves beautifully to impulse as I find eruption and inhale to slow and expensive (granted the recent buff to inhale has me using more as of late).

For hard solo content I would recomend destro / resto as well. Igneous and healing ward is all you really need in the mitigation department for soloing everything in the game that is meant to be soloed (and even some things that aren't ) DW is great as well, as you already know dk spells are generally shorter in range and a nice melee dot magicka build feels right at home.

For pve group play dps I think your best bet is DW / destro.

Just level up those 3 weapons and switch out accordingly.

Lynx7386

I tried out destro staff for quite a while today. It is nice being able to root enemies with talons and stay out of melee range while pelting them with staff light/heavy fireballs, but staves just feel clunky to me all around. It wasnt always that way, I think it may be that they're more affected by the lag issues than melee weapons are. Regardless, dual wield feels so much smoother and easier to use for the character, much faster paced and even tougher feeling.

For now, I'm using dual wield on my main bar still, with whip / chains / embers / dragon blood / igneous weapons, but I put a destro staff on my second bar to use for AoE, with wall of fire / engulfing flames / talons / shard / shield.

At some point I may try to throw a resto staff ability on my bar just to level it up while using the other weapons, at least I know that even if I go the magicka / dual wield route I'll still be able to just equip a resto staff and heal a group without having to alter any of my skills or attributes.

Lynx7386

Also, I havent really looked into some of the skill changes but I seem to recall (more than a year ago, mind you) that deep breath/dragon's breath was an absolutely terrible ability.

Is it actually decent for damage now?

Mojmir

Lynx7386 wrote: »

Also, I havent really looked into some of the skill changes but I seem to recall (more than a year ago, mind you) that deep breath/dragon's breath was an absolutely terrible ability.

Is it actually decent for damage now?

I use draw essence,I love it

SpazzmanNDQ

This seems to be more PVE focused but here's my too cents PvP wise. I too have started a Mag DK over the weekend and I use destro retso I think having the ability to put pressure on your opponent from distance is important in PvP all the other classes have rangend attacks bit all the DK has is stone fist. If you aren't running S/B and wasting your Stam with the gap closer what do you do when you get spotted by an enemy?

I weave MA and crushing shock till I can get close enough to Talons. I haven't unlocked my whip or inhale yet and Burning embers isn't enough dps in Cyrodiil to get a kill. Mix that with no class excecute so all I really have is my staff to get kills with.

A destro staff is a good choice for PvP especially at low levels

Lynx7386

Yea, I just don't have much interest in pvp here anymore, too many zerg and no real strategy like it was supposed to be.

I still just like the feel of dual wield and think a hybrid character would be fun to play. Almost thinking of trying 2 medium / 5 light to get more out of my melee attacks. I like how so many of the dk buffs improve both weapon and spell stats, the character reminds me a lot of the shaman in wow, at least back at launch when I played.