HELP me understand eso pvp builds !

rteezy

Im a new to ESO and ESO pvp theorycrafting! I have always focused in mmo pvp, but being new here sort of makes things confusing for me when it comes to pvp builds.

I play a sorc, and when i started looking for builds i found Alcast/Hexys build with shaklebreaker/wizards repost/1 domihause...it looked efective even doe i dont quite understand why you would take wizards repost over, say, spinners or any other offensive set (isnt having more spell pen..or spell pwoer...or even magika overall better then the stats wizard repost gives?).Well they defended that wizards repost buffs your hp and it is much betetr then it looks, i guess i have to try it.

Then i saw Crescent build with spinners/lich/bloodspawn..and also noticed he was playign with lightning form as well, looked good on video i guess.

So my question is, wouldnt shaklebreaker/spinners be the best option overall? How do epople actualy pick these sets? i mean, it doesnt look like unless u get the 5 piece lich out of all these sets u seem to get pretty much around the same sustain.

RebornV3x

resource sustainability is usually king in pvp. If you can outlast your opponent while maintaining your resource pool you will win most the time and dmg reduction with wizards reposte helps with survivability

Biro123

Reposte works well because that 5 piece bonus also 'protects' your shields.
The longer a sorc's shield stays up, the more time he has to set up a burst combo. Also shields are expensive, so it helps on resources.

For Crescent's build, it depends on skills too. I dont know what it uses But I have a build using exactly those sets, but skills that give me access to both major and minor resist buffs wirh bloodspawn adding to that. So it can manage with shields being down until needed. Bloodspawn also gives plenty of ulti-recov for good lights champion uptime (which also protects your shields).
Spinners has a 5-puece bonus that you only benefit from on your front-bar, lich has a 5-piece bonus, that when procced, stays active when you bar-swap (ie. Only have 4 pieces active). These are 2 of the few sets that let you use a monster-set, while benefitting from 2 5-piece set bonuses, without having to use dual-wield or 1h+shield for the extra item slot.

Rainraven

Survivability. Ymmv depending on size and composition of group, but it's good to have moderate survivability on your own regardless. Sorcs can get away with light armor because we have such a good class shield and can streak out of trouble, but sustain and stamina are important for staying alive. Extra stamina is pretty luxurious when you're catching a lot of CCs.

Lots of armor sets are good choices though (imo) and there are multiple ways to get regen, magicka, more damage. I'm not a fan of Spinner's at all for PVP, but more spectacular sorcs than I might do well with it.

Waffennacht

It's about your playstyle. You can go with all offensive sets and try to kill your opponent before he can kill you. You can go very tanky and sustain.

Riposte is arguably the best defensive set for a light armor mag build.

But the people you are watching have just tailored the best sets for their style and preference

Lord-Otto

Wizard's is very versatile, that's why.

It gives a little bit of offense and sustain. It works with and without shields. It SCALES, helping with shields' biggest weakness. It is only needed on one bar, enabling Asylum/Master staff. It works against shields and armor, unlike Spinner and Julianos.

You pay for that with some specialized damage potential. It's a fair trade and down to the user's preference.