Viable builds that fully utilize the vampire Skill Line

Shagreth

Greetings,

so, I see myself as a relatively skilled player (glad in wow, mythic 15+, mythic raiding clears etc.) and I don't say this to gloat, but to emphasize on the fact that even if the performance of a build is mediocre -- I can probably push it a little further, but I keep hearing how being a vampire is a huge handicap.

That said, I'm back in ESO to REALLY try to play this time around, but I'm hell bent on playing a vampire, not just for the passives but for the skill line, the full experience, as much as possible at least. I talked to some people that most of them say that vamps are insta kick.. so onto the question: Is there any class, ANY role, that can utilize the line for high-end content? I want to start from scratch and go with something that at least has promise, even if it's not 100% optimized.

Lord-Otto

No.

Vevvev

Nightblades synergize well with it since they can turn invisible at will, but Dragonknights have a few tools up their sleeve to make vampire easier to use and durable. Sadly Dragonknights have very expensive skills so while they can increase the range on the spammable, and have self heals like Burning Embers to make Blood Frenzy work in PVE, ultimately they'll be shooting themselves in the foot sustain wise.

If you do plan to use vampire for high end content never, EVER use Blood for Blood!!! That ability since the devs decided to nerf it hard is banned from all trial groups due to the fact it stops other people from healing you for 5 seconds after each cast. This locks you out of getting buffs from things like Spell Power Cure! Blood Frenzy also locks you out of healing but at least you can turn it off.

Also don't use Vampiric Drain because there is nothing in that ability to aid in high end content. Even tanks tend to avoid it due to the fact it requires dropping block to cast it.

ShadowHvo

Good Luck.

You'll need it.

Kosef

when this new self healing ring comes out...might work.

Lord-Otto

Kosef wrote: »

when this new self healing ring comes out...might work.

You can use it in Maelstrom or the new arena. But highend, as in trials, you shouldn't. Why would you lower your dps by giving up a set just to do a part of what the healer already does, but worse? Just like BfB and Frenzy, that ring'll be an instant kick in serious groups.

derpy_cat1234

It was op and everyone used vamp last patch. So ZOS did the only logickal and reasonable thing and nuked it to the ground. So now its basically unplayable in any real content in PvE or PvP

Donny_Vito

derpy_cat1234 wrote: »

It was op and everyone used vamp last patch. So ZOS did the only logickal and reasonable thing and nuked it to the ground. So now its basically unplayable in any real content in PvE or PvP

Sensing sarcasm here, but you are pretty much correct. It was too OP last patch, so now this patch it's only usable for people wanting to enjoy it for RP purposes. Give it a few more patches and it'll come back around to the middle.

barney2525

I dunno. There's almost a sense that they think they made a mistake in putting vampires and werewolves into the game, but now they can't just get rid of them. Sometimes I get the feeling that they want a Race based game - and using vamp or wolf wipes Race out of the equation.

I still have one vampire character. I keep it just in case someone asks for the bite. The irony is that since I never play it, I don't have it available when someone does ask.

IMHO

linuxlady

Vamp is handy for skyshard gathering. Run in and out of delves unseen. Mesmerize is useful for crowd control and must form reduces even ground aoe damage. It is difficult in dlc dungeons for sure. Tried it in vet fang lair and we all got wiped out at the skeletal animal pen boss round. Ofc everyone blamed me.

Sarannah

The old vampire skillline was fun and non-intrusive, the new one is just worthless all around. So what if most players picked it for the 10% regen? It wasn't that big of a deal. That small of a bonus was in line with the drawbacks. Atleast some players liked being a vampire back then. I still have two vampires, but there is no point in really using them.
Even worse is, even when you do not want to play as a vampire, you are hit with the drawbacks.

If I could pick, I'd go back to the original vampire skillline as fast as I could. It was fun and best for the game itself.

VioletDracolich

Vampire and necromancers are actually pretty viable together. First, you have 3 abilities that are 100% free. In addition, I would recommend Master Architect paired with Vampire Lord. Surprisingly great gear combo, either makes your colossus an amazing buff, or your blood scion ultimate into an amazing self and group buff. I personally use this set up surprisingly well in normal PvE trials, along with vet Craglorn trials, and it works. Only downside is healers hate me, but considering I'm usually the last to die they deal with it. Keep in mind, due to the massive hate for vamps, you'll be unlikely to get a trial group to take you in unless they already liked you. Other then that, fun build that works. I plan to try this build in other vet trials at some point, but I usually off tank those so it won't be for awhile sadly.

josiahva

Unlikely. I suppose you might be able to get away with it as a tank...but you sure won't be using any of the abilities in that role.

Shagreth

Well, first of all, thank you all for your answers, secondly.. it would seem that they've really *** vampires. For ESO I only really plan on running PuGs, so I'm extra ***.

And yes, I agree that it's probably hell for them trying to balance werewolves and vampires, but it seems they've struck a nice balance with werewolves.. after many many years. Maybe in another few years we'll get a similar treatment, I thought Greymoor was going to be it, but nope.

I found out about Alcast, not sure how much of a good theorycrafter he is, but there is a build for nightblades that looks decent, but if I'm going to be having a hard time getting invited in the first place -- maybe I should just forget about it.

Kosef

Lord-Otto wrote: »

Kosef wrote: »

when this new self healing ring comes out...might work.

You can use it in Maelstrom or the new arena. But highend, as in trials, you shouldn't. Why would you lower your dps by giving up a set just to do a part of what the healer already does, but worse? Just like BfB and Frenzy, that ring'll be an instant kick in serious groups.

Well true, but at least for solo gameplay it would be awesome lol.

starlizard70ub17_ESO

I have both a MagWarden and a Magpler that are vampires. Both are also holding at stage 1 vampire, I'm using some passives and the fear skill to support the classes other skills. Will either of them be in the top %10 of any record board, lol no. But I can clear most content and do alright in PvP with either.

As for doing a full on vampire build,... er I don't even know where to begin until some vamp skills get un-nerfed and rebalanced.

Lord-Otto

Kosef wrote: »

Lord-Otto wrote: »

Kosef wrote: »

when this new self healing ring comes out...might work.

You can use it in Maelstrom or the new arena. But highend, as in trials, you shouldn't. Why would you lower your dps by giving up a set just to do a part of what the healer already does, but worse? Just like BfB and Frenzy, that ring'll be an instant kick in serious groups.

Well true, but at least for solo gameplay it would be awesome lol.

It should make things easier. The missing damage will keep it from score runs, though.

ManM

As a vampire magblade, I can contribute a fair share to casual trial runs using some vampire skills. CP and gear can carry vampire into passable mediocrity. High-end content? Nope.

Shagreth

I see TONS of criticism and feedback regarding the rework, but has there been any word about how the devs feel about it?

AgaTheGreat

Being a vampire has become useless in any pve end game content after the blood for blood nerf.

Shagreth

Ok guys, tickle my pickle. What about PvP?