Help me understand this Alcast build
Daemons_Bane
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So I decided to upgrade my Nightblade, and found an Alcast model that seemed exciting to try - https://alcasthq.com/eso-stamina-nightblade-bow-build-for-pve/
What I don't get though, is why he has 2 skill bars set up.. In his skill rotation, it reads:
Prebuff with: Leeching Strikes and Relentless Focus
Endless Hail > LA > Shadow Image > LA > Poison Injection > Weapon Swap
LA > 10x Lethal Arrow (with LA) > Weapon Swap
Restart
LA = Light Attack
When Relentless Focus Bow Proc is ready use that instead of a Lethal Arrow
That's 5 skills, aka 1 bar.. So why spread it out over 2 bars?
What I don't get though, is why he has 2 skill bars set up.. In his skill rotation, it reads:
Prebuff with: Leeching Strikes and Relentless Focus
Endless Hail > LA > Shadow Image > LA > Poison Injection > Weapon Swap
LA > 10x Lethal Arrow (with LA) > Weapon Swap
Restart
LA = Light Attack
When Relentless Focus Bow Proc is ready use that instead of a Lethal Arrow
That's 5 skills, aka 1 bar.. So why spread it out over 2 bars?
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redspecter23✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭✭✭Are there different bows on each bar? I would assume perhaps a maelstrom bow on the back bar for endless hail, then probably a 4th/5th piece on the front bar.2 -
Mindcr0w✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭A major reason would be to utilize the effects of the Caustic Arrow Bow on the back bar, while still being able to use the full effects of all his other sets on the front bar.6 -
daemonios✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭✭✭Leeching Strikes
Relentless Focus
Endless Hail
Shadow Image
Poison Injection
Lethal Arrow
I'm counting 6 skills here alone. Didn't check the build, but there are probably passive buffs on the bar. Plus, as @redspecter23 said, hail is typically used with maelstrom bow on the back bar, which you don't want to use for your spammable because you won't have the full effects of three sets (5+5+2 pieces).3 -
Daemons_Bane✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭Leeching Strikes
Relentless Focus
Endless Hail
Shadow Image
Poison Injection
Lethal Arrow
I'm counting 6 skills here alone. Didn't check the build, but there are probably passive buffs on the bar. Plus, as @redspecter23 said, hail is typically used with maelstrom bow on the back bar, which you don't want to use for your spammable because you won't have the full effects of three sets (5+5+2 pieces).
Granted, I miss counted
But if I do not use a Maelstrom bow, as I always use crafted gear, how big a difference does that make? 0 -
Mindcr0w✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭You can always get by without the recommended Arena weapon on your back bar, but they really are quite nice and are worth your while to acquire.1 -
ArchMikem✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭✭✭As far as I remember the Maelstrom Bow only increases the damage of your Endless Hail. They all say it's a major boost to your dps, but I'm not going through the Hell that was Vet Maelstrom however many times it takes to drop a Bow just to have a couple more thousand damage per second. You can do just fine without it.CP2,100 Master Explorer - AvA Two Star Warlord - Console Peasant - Khajiiti Aficionado - The Clan
Quest Objective: OMG Go Talk To That Kitty!5 -
zvavi✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭✭✭Using hail/blockade from backbar weapon procs your enchantment of the backbar weapon, which is really strong. In addition to the 5 rotation skills, you have
1 skill for execute (very strong)
1 skill for self heal/defense (vigor)
1 skill for aoe fights (acid spray)
1 sustain skill which is part of rotation but you didn't count (leeching strikes)
1 defense skill from aoe (not really needed, but a thing to have, probably could put anything here really)
So saying the build is only 5 skills, is kinda wrong...5 -
Freakin_Hytte✭✭✭✭✭Daemons_Bane wrote: »Leeching Strikes
Relentless Focus
Endless Hail
Shadow Image
Poison Injection
Lethal Arrow
I'm counting 6 skills here alone. Didn't check the build, but there are probably passive buffs on the bar. Plus, as @redspecter23 said, hail is typically used with maelstrom bow on the back bar, which you don't want to use for your spammable because you won't have the full effects of three sets (5+5+2 pieces).
Granted, I miss counted But if I do not use a Maelstrom bow, as I always use crafted gear, how big a difference does that make?
The rotation is created around using two different bows, practice the rotation even if you don't feel like you need to use that rotation, one day you may want to get these weapons (especially since everyone will soon be able to get them from normal).0 -
Reverb✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭✭✭I believe this is a bow-bow build, using the vma staff on one bar swapping after the first endless hail tick for the increased damage, then using the master bow on the other bar for the damage increase on a target afflicted with the lethal arrow dot. It’s an easy build that I run on my Warden for cheese.
ETA - I’m guessing here because I couldn’t be bothered to click the link. It’s just what makes sense with the loadout listed and is aligned with a build I use myself.Edited by Reverb on May 7, 2020 2:45AMBattle not with monsters, lest ye become a monster, and if you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you. ~Friedrich Nietzsche0 -
worrallj✭✭✭✭✭In addition, a lot of skills give passives for being slotted. So they may not be part of the rotation but still boost numbers.Edited by worrallj on May 7, 2020 5:44AM0 -
Austinseph1✭✭✭✭✭You could use a 1 bar build, buy it won't be competitive with somebody who learned to bar swap in many aspects. You give up slots for utility skills, and passive damage buffs like camo hunter, vigor, and any additional skills you may choose to use.0 -
Hurbster✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭Why ?So they raised the floor and lowered the ceiling. Except the ceiling has spikes in it now and the floor is also lava.1 -
mairwen85✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭✭Never use Alcast builds.
Interesting. Care to elaborate?
I mean, you don't have to follow them to the letter, even Alcast says to tweak where necessary, but in general, they are solid and a lot of work and forethought has gone into them. There's no reason I can see not to use them, even if only for reference and understanding how to build and what buffs/skills/gear are relevant (Alcast does list alternative sets for example, and, I feel, gives adequate detail for the build options).
Edited by mairwen85 on May 7, 2020 9:53AM4 -
colossalvoids✭✭✭✭✭
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Guess the point is that more hardcore players don't have build really, just lots of tools for different situations which are always adjustable. Anyway it shouldn't matter for beginner players much.0 -
zvavi✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭✭✭colossalvoids wrote: »
Guess the point is that more hardcore players don't have build really, just lots of tools for different situations which are always adjustable. Anyway it shouldn't matter for beginner players much.
I don't consider myself hardcore player and I have a lot of tools for whatever I want. Heck. I even once slotted silver leash in vFV because I got tired of tank not pulling adds for second boss.Edited by zvavi on May 7, 2020 10:35AM1 -
Bucky_13✭✭✭✭✭
✭That build makes sense,In addition, a lot of skills give passives for being slotted. So they may not be part of the rotation but still boost numbers.
This. The back bar is for the poison arrow skill+weapon, and then uses no class skills, instead having survival skills and dots. The main bar contains all spammables, including 3 assassination skills which boosts crit through the Pressure Points passive. Which means you want to spend more time on that bar since that will make you crit more.
Also, Leeching Strikes means an additional 3% bonus healing on front bar. Which boosts the Spectral Arrow assuming you're within 7 meters of the target, and also gives you more healing from your light attacks while LS is up. and you're on your front bar.
As far as Alcasts builds in general, it's a nice starting point if you're playing a class or spec you're not familiar with, but understanding why the build is set up the way it is, is far more important. Tweaking builds to your own preferences is more fun and will make you a better player in the long run. The builds there are at least good, even if they're not always the best out there. I use them as a reference point sometimes to see if I can get any ideas while going for a new build. My main ones are very different from his though.
EDIT: for that build though, I would 100% test around with Fighter's Guild abilities to increase weapon damage. Camo Hunter (for the passive), Silver Shards, Lightweight Beast Trap & even Dawnbreaker can be useful is some situations.Edited by Bucky_13 on May 7, 2020 10:43AM1 -
mairwen85✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭✭colossalvoids wrote: »Guess the point is that more hardcore players don't have build really, just lots of tools for different situations which are always adjustable. Anyway it shouldn't matter for beginner players much.
So you don't use any of the 'meta' gear or common skill loadouts, and devise entirely how you invest your CP? I'm willing to bet that your own build will be very close to every other build out there, because there really isn't that much choice in ESO despite the vast majority of sets available. All content creator builds are slight variations of the same thing -- kind of what 'meta' means essentially.
PvP on the other hand, is a different beast with much more flexibility and freedom to go your own way; but that wasn't the question or topic here.4 -
colossalvoids✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭✭✭colossalvoids wrote: »
Guess the point is that more hardcore players don't have build really, just lots of tools for different situations which are always adjustable. Anyway it shouldn't matter for beginner players much.
I don't consider myself hardcore player and I have a lot of tools for whatever I want. Heck. I even once slotted silver leash in vFV because I got tired of tank not pulling adds for second boss.
Yeah you should adjust for a situation anyway. It's not only skills to be precise, all the build stuff goes like cp, gear, trash setups, traits, pots depend on a content, with whom you run with etc. it's nice habit to be flexible.0 -
stevenyaub16_ESO✭✭✭✭You always use a backbar to proc weapon damage enchant with infused trait (gives +450 spell damage) which keeps refreshing from ground based aoe weapon skills (endless hail, wall of elements, stampede etc.)
And you put your utility on your backbar too such as heals, shields, long buffs or resource regeneration.1 -
MrBrownstone✭✭✭✭✭
✭Backbar bow has infused weapon damage enchant which always procs from Endless Hail and your frontbar bow also has important trait/glyph/poisons. Yes, giving up on one for the sake of pressing one less button is very unwise. One bar builds are miserable. I binded Q as my barswap button since it feels like switching to your previous weapon in old fps games.
And by the way did you even check the other skills slotted? Just because you don't actively use them on your damage rotation do you think they're useless? I didn't click the link but there must be Vigor slotted on back bar, which is your primary heal. What do you plan to do when you're on low hp, always rely on your healer?0 -
zvavi✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭✭✭furiouslog wrote: »
No no, the gear is usually ok, the rotations are more simplified than my rotations, and I am a lazy prick that uses lazy rotations
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Destai✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭✭Never use Alcast builds.
They're good builds and if nothing else, are good starting points. I think the built-in assumption with them is the player has a lot of the skills unlocked. They do feel a bit repetitive though. HackTheMinotaur and Xynode offer some more creative builds for those who need guidance.0 -
idk✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭✭✭redspecter23 wrote: »Are there different bows on each bar? I would assume perhaps a maelstrom bow on the back bar for endless hail, then probably a 4th/5th piece on the front bar.
He does use 2 different bows but one is the Master and the other matches the set Tzogvin's Warband in his preferred gear setup.
To OP, he has a bow on both bars to put the DoTs and heal on the back bar while the front bar has spamables and other skills to minimize swapping to the back bar.0 -
daemonios✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭✭✭colossalvoids wrote: »Guess the point is that more hardcore players don't have build really, just lots of tools for different situations which are always adjustable. Anyway it shouldn't matter for beginner players much.
So you don't use any of the 'meta' gear or common skill loadouts, and devise entirely how you invest your CP? I'm willing to bet that your own build will be very close to every other build out there, because there really isn't that much choice in ESO despite the vast majority of sets available. All content creator builds are slight variations of the same thing -- kind of what 'meta' means essentially.
PvP on the other hand, is a different beast with much more flexibility and freedom to go your own way; but that wasn't the question or topic here.
You misunderstand me. I have no issues with Alcast's builds, or any other builds. I was being sarcastic about people who put down other people for using them as if they were objectively bad (they're not) or everyone had some sort of obligation to come up with their own personal build.1 -
colossalvoids✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭✭✭colossalvoids wrote: »Guess the point is that more hardcore players don't have build really, just lots of tools for different situations which are always adjustable. Anyway it shouldn't matter for beginner players much.
So you don't use any of the 'meta' gear or common skill loadouts, and devise entirely how you invest your CP? I'm willing to bet that your own build will be very close to every other build out there, because there really isn't that much choice in ESO despite the vast majority of sets available. All content creator builds are slight variations of the same thing -- kind of what 'meta' means essentially.
PvP on the other hand, is a different beast with much more flexibility and freedom to go your own way; but that wasn't the question or topic here.
Have zero idea why i was quoted also lol0
