VMA on a StamDK - Possible for the non Pro player?

EliteWarrior

I've pretty much played StamDK 100% of my time on ESO, I like to do everything on my main. Unfortunately StamDK kinda sucks as a DD, which makes VMA very difficult. I would regard myself as pretty experienced on StamDK, in PvP and PvE, but I've tried everything for VMA and it's just not working, I fail on the 5th arena I think, the iceberg one. I've seen people run flawless on a StamDK and I honestly have no idea how they do it. I'm max CP, use all the synergy's, have tri-stat potions on 100% up time, I've tried a tanky build, a DD build, even werewolf, and all get to the same damn point. Any ideas? Respec to Mag? Or should I just give up and try a different toon or something?

templesus

Stam dk is one of the easier classes to do VMA on because they have native major fracture allowing you to squeeze out more pen by running TFS or Spriggans and not NMG like stamplar or stam sorc.

Lots of videos on YT, just take from them and keep trying, you’ll get it eventually.

Asmael

Reflective scales makes life a lot easier on that stage. Don't forget to pick the defense sigil (shield looking one) on the left platform from the entrance, since it reduces the damage you take by a lot and reflects all projectiles.

susmitds

StamDK is the one of the easiest classes to vMA. Just use Wings freely for your first runs and your survivability will go up while the enemies commit seppuku.

Soleya

You only need about 10-12k dps to beat vMA. It's more about memorization and target priorities.

The biggest struggles on the ice stage are casters and archers.

If its on the boss fight, the main thing to remember is that it's not a dps race and take your time and focus on ads. Joy Division has a great writeup on beating vMA in the forums somewhere.

Asmael wrote: »

Reflective scales makes life a lot easier on that stage. Don't forget to pick the defense sigil (shield looking one) on the left platform from the entrance, since it reduces the damage you take by a lot and reflects all projectiles.

I notice a lot of players new to vMA refuse to use sigils for some reason.

Koolio

I suggested this to someone in the WW thread

I ran a Flawless on My 1st run in over a year. First Flawless I ever got. Gave the build to a friend and he got 3 Flawless two on Stam Dk

5-2Heavy

Briarheart
7th
Troll King

Stam Health Crit potions

Enjoy not having to heal while clearing

vesselwiththepestle

Go for a DPS build with lots of sustain. I recommend VO + NMG + Artaeum food. (Don't slot Noxious Breath when you use NMG, if you use something else like Hunding's keep Noxious.) As monster set you can wear Veli, Slimecraw, Stormfist or whatever you like. When you are know the arena you don't need much health, but when you are still learning I guess having 18k+ health helps.

You need to roll dodge a lot, so check if you have put CP in dodge cost reduction!

Dragonscale -> very important in this stage (I have them slotted the whole arena). You need to recast it a lot, in stage 5 are many ranged mobs.

If you have Vigor on back bar, cast Vigor when switching on front bar even if you don't need it at that moment.

You must avoid to be overwhelmed by mobs. I personally like to focus the trash mobs instead of bosses, the bosses will get constantly damage through your endless hail etc. and when you've cleared most of the adds you can focus the bosses down.

Use Corrosive Armor on one bar instead of Standard of Might. When you are more comfortable you can switch back to Standard for more DPS when burning bosses, but until then Corrosive Armor is almost always better for more survivability.

Do you get to the Matriarch or are you dying in the earlier stages? With the Matriarch remember that it is NOT a dps race. You have to do the plates in the right order, so you can get the heal sigil at the second plate and the shield + damage sigil at the third plate. Then, only on the third plate, it is a damage race. (I like to use corrosive armor on third plate and focus the boss.)

I personally find some of the earlier stages in arena 5 very hard too, like the two giants at once while ranged mobs are on top of that .

EliteWarrior

Thanks for all the help so far guys! I'll get back to it soon enough

Kr3do

https://youtu.be/_24HKUpkmzo

Grimlok_S

As others have said.. wings saves lives.

Not optimal by any means, but I was able to get comfortable clear times using VO and a front barred mechanical acuity.

I will run igneous in most arenas and wings in the poison behemoth round and the ice arena.. archers/mages can be a pain in that one.

I know it requires clearing VMA to get, but the bow adds a bunch of DPS. I think the DW set is worth looking into for this patch as well.

If you have the gold to spare, that WW build posted above looks pretty easymode.

Pevey

I do vma mostly on stamwarden, and for me stage 5 is about knowing exactly when to take the shield sigil. There are two rounds in stage 5 where it is essential for me. Like wings, the shield sigil reflects damage back. So you can have those ranged adds kill themselves, while saving yourself from a lot of damage. Wings are also great but only last a few seconds. Better to get down the timing of exactly when to grab the shield in my opinion, so then you can focus on dpsing everything down.

Danksta

For the stage 5 boss just take your time and clear the adds before pushing him to the next plat form.

1st adds- 90%
boss smashes 1st platform- 75%
2nd adds- 65% (I think?)
boss smashes 2nd platform- 50%

The last platform is on a timer. As said above you should plan it that the defensive sigil is on the last platform so you can ignore the adds, which are ranged. Since you're not trying to burn until the last platform that's when you should use your ult.

idk

What you seem to call the pro player is merely someone who has worked at it.

Commancho

If you fail on the 5th stage then you have to change your tactics not the build, especialy if you are max CP.

JiKama

I did VMA on my stamDK awhile back... Used 2 hander and bow. Vigor on the bow bar and rally on the front bar. Use corrosive armor for the good googly moogly moments. As someone stated above use flappy flap to counter ranged attacks.

Flares

Danksta wrote: »

For the stage 5 boss just take your time and clear the adds before pushing him to the next plat form.

1st adds- 90%
boss smashes 1st platform- 75%
2nd adds- 65% (I think?)
boss smashes 2nd platform- 50%

The last platform is on a timer. As said above you should plan it that the defensive sigil is on the last platform so you can ignore the adds, which are ranged. Since you're not trying to burn until the last platform that's when you should use your ult.

60% and 45% are the last two

EliteWarrior

Hi everyone! Just a quick update, I have made it thru the ice arena! Wings, extra health in the form of glyths (went from 17 to 20k) and learning which iceberg the boss needs to break did the trick! Thanks everyone so much for your help!!!!!

Shawn_PT

Recently flawlessed my DK tank using 2hander. Didn't have a lot of DPS since every skill was morphed to tanking. Probably 15k or so at best. Tank tri-stat food. If you just want to run it you don't need a lot of DPS. You don't need to be ultra-pro at it. It's been said many times but it's true, it's more important to recognize the dangerous adds and knowing what to prioritize on each round.

Iirc I had the 2Hander gap closer, wrecking blow, brawler (that shield spam can surely help in those 'oh sh!t' moments while your heals do the job) vigor, executer, and Dawnbreaker. Back bar I used wings (makes every ranged enemy a joke as they literally kill themselves) endless hail, caltrops, spiky armor and lava weapons buff (I don't remember their names, for shame). Magma armor in case things went south, I don't think I used it more than once. Spriggans, VO. Infernal Guardian. Makes no sense I know, but between brawler, wings, and IG the ranged adds simply vanished while I dealt with the melee ones. Just make sure to switch it out for something else on the Argonian poison round because the proc can and will kill the Minder you are trying to leave alive.

For the 5th stage, either stay near the shield sigil so you can grab it when you see those archers/lemonades/mages coming, or just slot wings and use them. They make those damage bursts in that round a breeze.

Hey congrats on the clear! Next stop, spider hell. Make sure you pay attention to those pillars.

D0PAMINE

Im on Stage 5 now. Running Chuden, Heavy Hundings and Werewolf hide with infused and Bloodthirsty. Its a slight mod of my PvP build and it seems to be working ok. I have 24-26k resist and 3.3k wep damage and decent sustain with mag, stam and some health recovery. Almost did it first try but I think I was a bit slow with the trolls. I'll keep at it. I went with the Lover Mundus and that helps a lot.

Draxys

I got flawless in less than 10 runs on my DK as WW. Chudan, VO, briarheart (prob not best), usual wpn dmg pots. I’m argonian so that helped with mag sustain for heals. WW will legitimately carry you. I barely have enough experience in there to know all the mechanics and I’ve got the no death.

Drako_Ei

they say nightblade is better for vMA not because of survivability, but because of damage and score, stamDK is easier

goldenarcher1

Koolio wrote: »

I suggested this to someone in the WW thread

I ran a Flawless on My 1st run in over a year. First Flawless I ever got. Gave the build to a friend and he got 3 Flawless two on Stam Dk

5-2Heavy

Briarheart
7th
Troll King

Stam Health Crit potions

Enjoy not having to heal while clearing

Just got this gear together for my kitty DK.

I'm thinking "survival" more than "flawless"

EliteWarrior

Just got Stormproof! Thanks for everyone's help!!!!

OgreShlong

EliteWarrior wrote: »

Just got Stormproof! Thanks for everyone's help!!!!

Nice one. try using reflect on your next run, Its amazing in vma

Ragnarock41

Very possible, but before trying it make sure to prepare your gear-food-potions, and also read a guide on how to do each stage.

Edit: Didn't see you already made it. congrats!

LeagueTroll

Congrats, werewolf build I assume?

AbysmalGhul

Is werewolf a cheesy vma build?

Matthros

Koolio wrote: »

I suggested this to someone in the WW thread

I ran a Flawless on My 1st run in over a year. First Flawless I ever got. Gave the build to a friend and he got 3 Flawless two on Stam Dk

5-2Heavy

Briarheart
7th
Troll King

Stam Health Crit potions

Enjoy not having to heal while clearing

I would like to try this build out. To confirm was it 5 heavy 2 medium or the other way around?

Draxys

Matthros wrote: »

Koolio wrote: »

I suggested this to someone in the WW thread

I ran a Flawless on My 1st run in over a year. First Flawless I ever got. Gave the build to a friend and he got 3 Flawless two on Stam Dk

5-2Heavy

Briarheart
7th
Troll King

Stam Health Crit potions

Enjoy not having to heal while clearing

I would like to try this build out. To confirm was it 5 heavy 2 medium or the other way around?

I didn’t post that, but I don’t recommend heavy on WW. You already get 10k resist in form, so take the damage passives of medium.

Olupajmibanan

Slot Corrosive Armor. That makes things a lot easier, you may use it and ignore all the mechanic and just burn the boss.

kingzy2015

Honestly if you struggle clearing VMA, just go WW with alessians and w.e damage set you want. I have completee vma a total of like 4 times and with the WW I can now do it in <7 deaths with (during last run 280CP)

ww heals and simplicity just makes it much more friendly towards newer players or people.generally struggling. Long as you get decent hp recovery and 12k or so DPS (last boss) any lower and getting the crystals down before you go OOM and can't heal resulting in misurable deaths.