sword and board for dps

barbarian340

is it viable? or is it something only tanks should use?

ankeor

It is not viable.

Sincerely, me.

Elwendryll

You can have a pretty unexpectedly high burst with that on pvp. But for pve it lacks a dot and the light attacks don't deal a lot of damage.

And what does viable means anyway? You could most certainly clear vet HMs as a DD with 1h/shield on one of your bars (without the taunt obviously). But you will most certainly not be competitive in any way, shape, of form, with someone using DW, 2H or bow.

DocFrost72

It is absolutely viable, and can pull good dps.

Class?

Nestor

You can make it work, but there are better options. Now, if this for Solo questing and Story content, and you like this play style, go for it.

However once you get to some of the harder vet dungeons, some may find your lack of DPS disturbing.

If this for normal trials, probably make it work. Vet Trials, nah.

EDIT PVP, it can be viable, if played right.

Cavedog

DocFrost72 wrote: »

It is absolutely viable, and can pull good dps.

Class?

Yes, it absolutely IS possible. Especially in pvp.....it's actually a better way to go for stam dps in pvp. S&B not quite as viable in pve dps, but it can still be done if played well.

If you look at the S&B skills, you see there is a gap closer, a bash that stuns and does pretty good damage, and "pokey taunt' does decent damage with a strong debuff, and low slash is good against multiple players and hits a like a truck if you have good stam pool.

So yes, S&B is totally viable for dps if you do it right.

DocFrost72

Btw, as reference...

December 26th 2017 on pts. Note I was lawlsing on an argonian, so no racial bonuses towards that.

Edit: Was 5 hunding's, 5 sunderflame, 2 spawn of Mephala (sunder was relevant then, now you could even switch to spriggan or relequen).

ADarklore

I recently created a Stamplar who is SnB/2H and I love it. Of course I only solo quest, but I can pretty much destroy enemies without effort (running Hundings Rage/Briarheart). The main reason I went this route was to be able to TANK World Bosses... I used to run a healer set for WBs, but found sitting in the background spamming heals was just not fun. I may not be the best at Tanking, I'm not planning to do any group content, but so far I've been able to tank several WB's with only one or two other players providing DPS... still cannot solo any of them in tank setup due to lack of DPS.

Thestephenmcraeub17_ESO

A lot of players use sword n board in PvP but you don't see it very much in PvE DPS, especially endgame. While it's definitely doable, putting in enough effort to get 20k DPS with a sword and board is probably about the same amount of effort necessary to pull 30+ with "better" DPS weapons.

AhPook_Is_Here

I don't see any reason why not. be sure to use your taunt heavily in your dps rotation in dungeons so the boss can build taunt immunity. This will help your tank get better as they will have to find more creative ways to deal with agro management on boss fights where other forms of CC don't work.

Tanking is pretty boring in this game, and any challenge you can add to spice it up is usually welcome, at least among good tanks.

Elwendryll

AhPook_Is_Here wrote: »

I don't see any reason why not. be sure to use your taunt heavily in your dps rotation in dungeons so the boss can build taunt immunity. This will help your tank get better as they will have to find more creative ways to deal with agro management on boss fights where other forms of CC don't work.

Tanking is pretty boring in this game, and any challenge you can add to spice it up is usually welcome, at least among good tanks.

It reminds me of our healer (a guildie) who was using the undaunted taunt instead of the orbs. Because it kinda looks the same. This run was fun...