Looking for creative thoughts on a lightning-based character

Draxund

One of the greatest things I hear players say about ESO is that you can play the way you want; that unique characters can be created and that many of them can actually be viable too. Yet, I've come to realize that I have never truly tried this. I typically fall back on build guides, or end up using skills/rotations that are deemed most effective, rather than doing what I think looks cool or just feels fun to me.

So I'm finally going to try it. I want to level a brand new character focused on Lightning. I want him to destroy enemies with lightning, I want lightning pulsing out of his eyes and ears, I want to be marinated in frickin electricity :-) Now to build him... So obviously I'll be working with a lightning staff in the Destro line. But beyond that, I really don't know! I only have experience with a Magplar, so I'm really unaware of all the possible options out there for creativity.

So to all the creative players and theorycrafters in Tamriel, how would you go about building this character? What combination of race, class, skill lines, skills, weapons, and/or gear would you use to make a Lightning/Electricity/Shock based character? Also, please note that I'd like him to actually be viable in solo PvE questing; just standing around town all lit up won't be much fun for me.

Thanks so much for any thoughts on this. I can't wait to try it out and have some real fun!

Totalitarian

Of course, your best option is going to be a Sorcerer (probably Magicka), due to a dedicated Storm Calling line, with a Lighting Destruction Staff.

Best race for this would be Altmer, but really, you can pick whichever one you like.

As for gear...the Overwhelming Surge set does shock damage on proc, although a Sorcerer's use of it may be somewhat limited.
http://elderscrollsonline.wiki.fextralife.com/Overwhelming+Surge+Set

As for everything else...I'm not sure if there are any shock-based sets on the PTS, but the 2 piece Molag Kena set creates a lightning animation around you every time it activates.

As for Jewelry, just go for Willpower jewelry, or trash if you can't afford it.


For a shock based build, like what you want, I'd go with this:
Gear:
2 Piece Molag Kena
5 Piece Overwhelming Surge
3 Piece Willpower

2 Sharpened/Precise Swords (Torug's Pact)
1 Sharpened/Precise Maelstrom Lighting Staff (if not availible, crafted/found weapon of similar trait)

Bar 1: Destruction Staff
1. Crystal Fragments
2. Crushing Shock/Force Pulse
3. Wall of Elements
4. Impulse
5. Destructive Touch
U. Storm Atronach

Bar 2: Dual Wield
1. Boundless Storm
2. Surge
3. Liquid Lightning
4. Bolt Escape
5. Conjured Ward
U. Overload

Overload Bar:
1. Boundless Storm/Bolt Escape
2. Surge
3. Liquid Lighting
4. Conjured Ward
5. Inner Light

This would actually be a viable-enough build for dungeons and stuff like that. However, there are some issues:

Issues:
1. Lack of a class spammable to proc Overwhelming Surge (this is shared by all Sorcerers), instead has to use Destruction Staff spammables
2. Low max magicka and crit chance for a Magicka Sorcerer

But there are benefits to this build:

Benefits:
1. Heavy DOTs (4 of them slotted)
2. Heavy damage via Overload
3. Sustain via Surge + Ward


By the way, I already have a character named "The Chosen of the Storm", so you gotta go find a different name.

Pinja

As the post before me said your probably going to want to go magical sorc, but more strongly I suggest a magic leaning sorc tank. As Lighting attacks are mostly DoT's & your going to want to out sustain your opponents (though nothing will save you from 2H ult.) Not sure If its for PvE or PvP, but the build I'm going to suggest to you is extremely costly & doesn't really work to well, but will make you shine as a stom torrent with a bit of PvP & PvE viability.
Being a Breton or High Elf will give you more magical attainment, or you can side with a tankyer race like a Nord or Redguard.
Expensive Armor:
3pc Hvy Storm Knight
2hvy Nerien'eth
2 small pc Infallible
3pc Infallible Jewl
1 Maelstrom Lightning staff (though your not doing it with this build)
2pc Sword & Shield Knight set(Sword may or may not exist depending on the validity of this Questionable Website)
*If you don't already have the Infallible pieces its probably not worth the grind.

Moves:

Sword Bored;
Ult, Overload
Bound aegis,
Hurricane
Defensive Posture
Hardened ward
A Heal (dark exchange, vigor)

Destro:
Ult, Destro ult
Bound Aegis
Wall of Elements
Lightning Flood (liquid lighting)
Elemental touch (your stun)
Hardened ward or Elemental drain or Pulsar (depending on sustain problems)

Overcharge:
Bound Ageis
*Power surge
Streak
Elemental Fury
Free- suggest Harness Magica or Defensive rune

The concept of this build is unbearable "don't stand by me" Stackible AoE Lighting damage. Were you start out on your destro. Persistent attackers have a chance to be met with extra lighting effects from your Armor. Being a Sorc you'll do extra lightning damage & the infallible mage set is known to do best with Lightning staff attacks from a Dps stand point. So one might as well run it to compensate damage loss with this set up.
After you place your Dots & stun your attacker go on the defensive & wait it out, watch for the extra melee stun from wall of elements then switch to your Overload for finisher.
The key component is Power surge as it will ensure you're sustain with DoT's & additive constitution. You'll want to run around with sword & bored out that way you have an intimidate chance at retaliation, extra resistance, with better access to mitigation & the rest of your utility.
Nerien'eth is more exchangeable but offers quite the bit extra chaos & AoE damage that your probably looking for in such a build, with not an all to terrible proc rate.
Running Sorc also gives you a chance at implosion, saving you a sec if your ad like opponent really did want to sit in all that AoE.

-Problems besides being expensive & maybe non-existent (As you'll have to clime Athenian & Sanctum 1000tms) the HA component of this build only offers extra spell resistance that's not really your worry in cyrodiil today.

Like this innovation come check out my new one on Dual Wands to help magic not be stuck in such an awkward & unusable condition.

Draxund

These are creative and well-thought out setups! Thanks for sharing the pros and cons of each; it will help me best understand what I'm getting into. For clarity, I'll exclusively be doing questing in PvE, no PvP, so hopefully I won't be dying left and right :-)

Oakmontowls_ESO

Alternatively post one tamrial you could use the new set (netch something) that gives bonus damage to your lighting attacks. Should be decently easy to farm like most of the new sets.
Also if you aren't against a bit of fire, you could use the new iliambrus monster set that does a fire /lightning attack at a 10% rate when you deal either flame or lightning damage.

Toast_STS

I got a lightning mDK. 5 aether + 5 sergeants mail and vMA lightning staff. I can hit 50-70k heavy attacks with 5 heavy 2 light set up. Sounds like I'm getting nerfed next patch though so your best bet is probably sorc.

Pinja

Lol @Toast_STS , First response from Zenimax on the sergeants mail issue was that they decided to nerf you?
Thanks to the required channel time, Stam will probably be out Dpsing that next patch. Worst of all anyone who made the build off PTS just wasted there Sanctum grind. Lighting staff DK's never made it to console for that reason & I'm not really sure how all big that got?

Posted by Pinja for Dual Wands.

Toast_STS

@Pinja no. I am pleased they will be patching sergeants mail. I was referring to the Lightning staff changes on pts https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/289173/ninja-nerfing-lightning-staff-and-who-knows-what-else/p1

Pinja

Ook, So its not just for your build, its for all of us... Well that makes me feel.. different.