1-Bar vMA builds

MrBrownstone

Why? I agree on that pets help tremendously and it's easier to do vMA on a pet Sorcerer but how does limiting yourself to 1 bar make it easier actually? I don't understand this at all, you're just giving up on the ability to slot more useful skills, and somehow this makes the arena easier???

Naftal

I think it's meant for players who can't handle bar swapping and another 5 abilities.

MartiniDaniels

I don't understand purpose of 1 bar builds too, but I guess some people have very bad PC or internet connection or aren't very used to active combat and play ESO casually, and so this builds help them to complete VMA.

Stratloc

I think it's just a matter of simplifying a stressfull dungeon

Varana

If you only use one bar:
- You can't ever be on the wrong bar to refresh the shield.
- You can't ever be on the wrong bar for some other ability, like Surge.
- If you have to deal with lag or unresponsive controls, removing the bar swap helps with that. Leading back to
- You can't ever be on the wrong bar to refresh the shield.
- You literally have a rotation of five (six with ultimate) keys. You don't need to press abilities in a different order depending on the bar you're on.
- You can focus more on the actual mechanics of the arena. Esp. when you're new to it (but not only then), there can be a lot going on.
- Many people are not as fast or used to high-speed button-smashing.
- Also, you can't ever be on the wrong bar to refresh the shield.

It makes it easier for some players.

Neoealth

As someone said, it simplifies the whole process of learning. It takes away bar swapping with just a few skills to hit and then learners can just mostly focus their brains on the mechanics.

The one bar sorc pet build does good enough damage and as long as you keep your shields up and keep heavy attacking it buys you time and space to focus on getting through it.

therift

Varana is spot on.

I'm finally working to complete vMA. I've been playing since console launch. I'm running out of content: I have nearly every every dungeon achievement on several characters, I completed all the quests long ago, I have most of the Trial achievements except those related to vet HM, every zone was cleared years ago. I spend most of my time in PvP with occasional breaks to knock HM pledges for relaxation. I have somewhere around 7,500 hours of cumulative game time.

vMA should be easy, right? It isn't. My experience is that vMA has little to do with skill and much to do with tactics and strategy. I have friends who run the damn thing naked, who went to another server to see who could get Flawless Conqueror with the fewest CP (79), and who have given me all sorts of advice on builds/tactics/etc from expert perspectives.

Every player who has advised me says that learning spawn points, target priority, and stage tactics are the keys to completion.

So, as Varana said, the 1-bar build enables me to survive long enough to learn spawn points, to practice the tactics, and to focus on what the hell is going on in the all-important final boss fight for each stage.

I don't give a crap about damage, especially since damage and speed are nowhere near as important as target priorities and final boss mechanics. I don't like the Sorc class; I play it the least. But I can complete a new-to-me stage with the 1-bar build learn how to do it on a preferred class.

That's all that matters.

SidraWillowsky

MrBumblefoot wrote: »

Why? I agree on that pets help tremendously and it's easier to do vMA on a pet Sorcerer but how does limiting yourself to 1 bar make it easier actually? I don't understand this at all, you're just giving up on the ability to slot more useful skills, and somehow this makes the arena easier???

I'm working on a guide for a few guildies for a kind-of-one-bar Magden build for vMA (Degeneration + Force Pulse + Crystallized Slab + Bird of Prey + Enchanted Growth + bear on the main bar, though Lotus is on the back bar and should be kept up as often as possible). I say "kind of" because in reality you want to be using the back bar skills (Blockade, Fetcher, Soul Trap) for extra damage. HOWEVER, the point of the build is that if you need to, you can stay on the front bar and survive/kill things. It allows for the spamming of slab/enchanted growth while benefiting from minor berserk (BoP), major sorcery (degeneration), and major prophecy (lotus) to increase damage done with entropy and force pulse. You can run away if need be with the help of BoP as well.

This helped me early on in stage 5 especially- being able to semi-mindlessly spam a shield and heals actually allowed me to have a more clear head to figure out exactly what's going on there. Rounds 4 and 5 feel like utter chaos at first, and the simplicity of the setup gave me more head space to puzzle through it and learn which adds to prioritize and what's coming at me.

Muzzick

If this game had better performance I'm sure one bar would not matter as much to people.

Katahdin

People running it in WW form are also running a 1 bar build

MartiniDaniels

Katahdin wrote: »

People running it in WW form are also running a 1 bar build

I think topic question is not "why you need 1 bar build to complete vma" but like "why you are not using second bar at all, at least for self-buffs, this will make run easier". Since WW doesn't have second bar, so question is not related to WW. I bet vast majority of WW will be happy if they had second bar.

cmvet

MartiniDaniels wrote: »

Katahdin wrote: »

People running it in WW form are also running a 1 bar build

I think topic question is not "why you need 1 bar build to complete vma" but like "why you are not using second bar at all, at least for self-buffs, this will make run easier". Since WW doesn't have second bar, so question is not related to WW. I bet vast majority of WW will be happy if they had second bar.

I would kill for a second bar in we. But this upcoming patch will ruin most we builds currently, so I'm sure I will go back to regular builds, and thus gain a second bar 😉

ZonasArch

MrBumblefoot wrote: »

Why? I agree on that pets help tremendously and it's easier to do vMA on a pet Sorcerer but how does limiting yourself to 1 bar make it easier actually? I don't understand this at all, you're just giving up on the ability to slot more useful skills, and somehow this makes the arena easier???

For low performance PC's, high latency, or disabled people for example, having to bar swap within the quick GCD to not lose DPS can be really really hard, specially when you're under pressure.

One. Bar builds fixes it. You won't ever be as. Effective as a proper full dual bar build played in a proper connection and PC, but you'll be more effective than if you're trying to run the full bar build on your poopy PC and connection.

Evito

MrBumblefoot wrote: »

Why? I agree on that pets help tremendously and it's easier to do vMA on a pet Sorcerer but how does limiting yourself to 1 bar make it easier actually? I don't understand this at all, you're just giving up on the ability to slot more useful skills, and somehow this makes the arena easier???

Some people can't weapon swap or do rotations, so it's easier for them, inefficient (and harder) for the rest of us. But, even in that case you're better off putting boundless storm and power surge on your backbar and swapping to buff them every 20 seconds or so.

kringled_1

SidraWillowsky wrote: »

I'm working on a guide for a few guildies for a kind-of-one-bar Magden build for vMA (Degeneration + Force Pulse + Crystallized Slab + Bird of Prey + Enchanted Growth + bear on the main bar, though Lotus is on the back bar and should be kept up as often as possible). I say "kind of" because in reality you want to be using the back bar skills (Blockade, Fetcher, Soul Trap) for extra damage. HOWEVER, the point of the build is that if you need to, you can stay on the front bar and survive/kill things. It allows for the spamming of slab/enchanted growth while benefiting from minor berserk (BoP), major sorcery (degeneration), and major prophecy (lotus) to increase damage done with entropy and force pulse. You can run away if need be with the help of BoP as well.

This helped me early on in stage 5 especially- being able to semi-mindlessly spam a shield and heals actually allowed me to have a more clear head to figure out exactly what's going on there. Rounds 4 and 5 feel like utter chaos at first, and the simplicity of the setup gave me more head space to puzzle through it and learn which adds to prioritize and what's coming at me.

@SidraWillowsky would you mind pinging me when you are releasing your guide? My first vMA completion was in May on pet sorc. This event I've gotten a first completion on magblade and magdk (mag blade was kind of rough). I have two magdens but I've only used them in PvE as a group healer and in pvp. I don't think I'll have time this event to complete on magden but it's definitely a goal.

Tornaad

MrBumblefoot wrote: »

Why? I agree on that pets help tremendously and it's easier to do vMA on a pet Sorcerer but how does limiting yourself to 1 bar make it easier actually? I don't understand this at all, you're just giving up on the ability to slot more useful skills, and somehow this makes the arena easier???

All I can tell you is that when I look at the single bar MA build by @Alcast the first thing I think is that I want to try it because that is something I think I can handle.

Katheriah

Simple: I panic, freak out and die so much that I quit while learning vMA. I hate solo content and if it doesn't work out the way I want to, keyboards are going to die.

Do I feel like a dork if I play a 1 bar petSorc in vMA? Yes! Do I stay alive long enough to learn the mechanics? Also yes. Even though I still have my frequent chocolate breaks to stay breathing.

Ardan147

The first (and so far only) time I completed vMA I set up both bars to be basically the same, on the back bar I swapped out some skills for different skills that did pretty much the same thing but could stack with their counterparts on the front bar. So I didn't really need to worry about bar swapping, but could gain some benefit from it. (That, and my instincts from doing vet dungeons have me bar swapping at certain points without even thinking about it)

What I found that makes vMA so brutal is that you have almost no time to react to anything - and any lag can easily get you killed.

therift

I'm working my way through Stage 6 today on the 1-bar build, taking my time and enjoying the sights.

32k health, max resistances, and 16k shields mean I'm not bothered much by anything. That gives me plenty of time to practice clearing and defending the web pylons through Round 4, so that I have the ideal single web pylon to clear in the Final Round.

Each attempt at Final Round helps me get the timing right for hoarvors and spiderlings, so that I can keep 4 pylons clear until the Lurcher appears and I can proc the area stun. Sure, it's taking several attempts. But I'm running the 1-bar build to get familiar with the mechanics as well as clear the Stage.

goldenflameslinger

VMA has enough things to worry about so not having to swap bars makes it less stressful for sure.

Yes you are missing out on more options but you really don’t need many options. Shields plus heavy attack is all you really need to do, other than keep your pets up.

JamieAubrey

I'm all for 1 bar, I finally got past the Ice Stage only after like 2 deaths

MrBrownstone

JamieAubrey wrote: »

I'm all for 1 bar, I finally got past the Ice Stage only after like 2 deaths

That's because that stage requires slow dps and 1-bar builds have low dps

FLuFFyxMuFFiN

As someone who has beaten it multiple times with both bars and one bar I prefer the one bar build not just because its easier but because it makes the entire arena seem less tedious and annoying. No more stupid deaths due to not swapping in time or being on the wrong bar. Nothing wrong with one bar builds at all if it makes the whole run easier for them. Plus the arena itself doesn't have to be a dps race so they work out pretty well. People can play how they want and shouldn't have to worry about what others think.

D0PAMINE

For the 1 bar build, has anyone tried swapping Plague for Leeching for all the adds?

gepe87

Try vma after sorc changes.
Nothing new. I also tried master lightning on front bar.
Clench booommm.

Vixenator

MrBumblefoot wrote: »

Why? I agree on that pets help tremendously and it's easier to do vMA on a pet Sorcerer but how does limiting yourself to 1 bar make it easier actually? I don't understand this at all, you're just giving up on the ability to slot more useful skills, and somehow this makes the arena easier???

When I was doing my first VMA runs, bar swapping was too much because it adds the stress of cooldowns on another bar, when new people are already overwhelmed with mobs in their face and mechanics and probably their health dropping low. The frequent lag would often fall on my back bar, which would put me into a spot of trouble because I would get stuck on the wrong bar for too long. These were the reasons why 1 bar was great for me as a beginner anyways... It made things simple when you're overwhelmed just focussing on mechanics and surviving as a VMA newcomer.

therift

D0PAMINE wrote: »

For the 1 bar build, has anyone tried swapping Plague for Leeching for all the adds?

I think the build requires the high health pool from Plague Doctor to maximize shield strength. I am finding that big shields and big health buys me the time to draw adds into WoE, the Iceheart AoE, and the scamp's thingy that it does, not to mention the lightning staff heavy attack splash damage.

I'm far less concerned with taking adds down rapidly than I am concerned with learning spawn points and watching for key mechanics. I just cleared Stage 6 by paying little attention to the adds beyond basic kiting into AoE: I wanted to master the tactic of clearing web pylons and preventing them from being re-webbed by the end of Round 4. The big health pool and shields game me plenty of comfort room to focus on that one tactic. If I clear rounds too quickly, I don't get enough observation time and practice.

After five tries, working to have 4/5 web pylons clear when the final boss hit 50%, gave me a surprise clear for the stage despite no Shield sigil, no mag, no destro ulti, and potion on cool down. I kept WoE up, heavy attacked, and made sure to pulse the monkey. Also there was significant gritting of the teeth.

Easy-peasy lemon-squeezy. Damage is a minor concern for padawan-learners. Surviving long enough to learn spawns and practice tactics matters far more, or so it seems to me.

D0PAMINE

therift wrote: »

D0PAMINE wrote: »

For the 1 bar build, has anyone tried swapping Plague for Leeching for all the adds?

I think the build requires the high health pool from Plague Doctor to maximize shield strength. I am finding that big shields and big health buys me the time to draw adds into WoE, the Iceheart AoE, and the scamp's thingy that it does, not to mention theightning staff heavy attack splash damage.

I'm far less concerned with taking adds down rapidly than I am concerned with learning spawn points and watching for key mechanics. I just cleared Stage 6 by paying little attention to tbe adds beyond bssic kiting into AoE: I wanted to master the tactic of clearing web pylons and preventing them from being re-webbed by the end of Round 4. The big health pool and shields game me plenty of comfort room to focus on that one mechanic.

After five tries, working to have 4/5 web pylons clear when the final boss hit 50%, gave me a surprise close for the stage despite no Shield sigil, no mag, no destro ulti, and potion on cool down. I kept WoE up, heavy attacked, and made sure to pulse the monkey.

Easy-peasy lemon-squeezy. Damage is a minor concern for padawan-learners. Surviving long enough to learn spawns and practice tactics matters far more, or so it seems to me.

Yeah I figured that. Im having an issue with healing. My Sorc is fine, it's just me. I need more practice with the Sorc. Im just used to leeching because I tank a lot.

JamieAubrey

MrBumblefoot wrote: »

JamieAubrey wrote: »

I'm all for 1 bar, I finally got past the Ice Stage only after like 2 deaths

That's because that stage requires slow dps and 1-bar builds have low dps

LOL

therift

D0PAMINE wrote: »

therift wrote: »

D0PAMINE wrote: »

For the 1 bar build, has anyone tried swapping Plague for Leeching for all the adds?

I think the build requires the high health pool from Plague Doctor to maximize shield strength. I am finding that big shields and big health buys me the time to draw adds into WoE, the Iceheart AoE, and the scamp's thingy that it does, not to mention theightning staff heavy attack splash damage.

I'm far less concerned with taking adds down rapidly than I am concerned with learning spawn points and watching for key mechanics. I just cleared Stage 6 by paying little attention to tbe adds beyond bssic kiting into AoE: I wanted to master the tactic of clearing web pylons and preventing them from being re-webbed by the end of Round 4. The big health pool and shields game me plenty of comfort room to focus on that one mechanic.

After five tries, working to have 4/5 web pylons clear when the final boss hit 50%, gave me a surprise close for the stage despite no Shield sigil, no mag, no destro ulti, and potion on cool down. I kept WoE up, heavy attacked, and made sure to pulse the monkey.

Easy-peasy lemon-squeezy. Damage is a minor concern for padawan-learners. Surviving long enough to learn spawns and practice tactics matters far more, or so it seems to me.

Yeah I figured that. Im having an issue with healing. My Sorc is fine, it's just me. I need more practice with the Sorc. Im just used to leeching because I tank a lot.

I am crap with the Sorc class. I am so bad, real Sorcs will sometimes whisper me to park my Sorc somewhere in the boonies and leave him there, to prevent me from embarrassing the whole class.

lol, j/k.

That monster health pool and those big shields, along with the CP mitigation and high resistance, really reduces the load on your mag pool for Matriarch heals. I find the only time I need a heal is if I forget to keep the shield up or work myself into some trouble. Also, I have Power Urge on the back bar. I usually remember to refresh during the brief lulls while adds are spawning.

Patience really pays off. I haven't made a 'hard push' to beat a Stage until after 4-6 practice attempts, during which I'm just learning and practicing getting that one key mechanic right.


If I can do it, anybody can.

SidraWillowsky

kringled_1 wrote: »

@SidraWillowsky would you mind pinging me when you are releasing your guide? My first vMA completion was in May on pet sorc. This event I've gotten a first completion on magblade and magdk (mag blade was kind of rough). I have two magdens but I've only used them in PvE as a group healer and in pvp. I don't think I'll have time this event to complete on magden but it's definitely a goal.

Absolutely