Stam Bow HA build viable?

khaoticfury

Theorycrafting a PVE only one bar stamina bow build that focuses on Heavy Attacks. The goal is to solo or dungeon group dps, with around 20-30k dps.

I am thinking it has to be between DK (for Molten Armaments 50% HA buff), or Sorc (Daedra tank pet when solo)

For the HA boost, I was thinking Sergeants Mail and maybe Storm Master.....

Idea would be buff with crit surge, place barrage and trap, then HA X3. For bosses, place and replenish lethal arrow. Use Daedra ability for quick heal and to heal pet.

so:
1. Critical Surge
2. Arrow Barrage
3. Lightweight Trap
4. Lethal Arrow
5. Summon Daedra
6. Ultimate

Asking for feedback from more knowledgeable people for advice and if this is even possible to hit 20-30k dps.

phaneub17_ESO

Crystal Weapon + Empowered can last long enough for a Heavy Attack even Bows. It's a great opener as it reduces the cost of your next ability and gives you extra Penetration. You can throw in Imbue Weapon for a triple powered Light Attack if you're unable to get a Heavy Attack off.

AcadianPaladin

My Bowsorc is not a HA build but we can speak to the clannfear. In dungeons the clannfear is immortal but does no tanking and not a lot of damage. For overland, the clannfear tanks pretty well but vs WB, dies quickly and, as a stamsorc, you don't have the magicka to sustain healing him. That said, the stamsorc is very durable if using surge + hurricane.

khaoticfury

so i got the gear, and adjusted the CPs. Still averaging 9-10k dps in Vet Dungeons....garbage i guess....back to my mag sorc i go! lol

my theory: it takes so long for the heavy attacks to complete, that even with damage boosts, it just doesnt equal to much DPS

Sluggy

I used to run a couple different heavy attack builds. One was 2hand/bow, the other DW/bow. And they worked well on both stamDK and stamNB (though in theory they could work fine on any class). Both were capable of doing 35k-40k DPS on a 6 million dummy and about 60k-65k on the trial dummy. Sadly they have been consistently nerfed every patch for the last year straight and this last patch was the final nail in the coffin. I've retired both.

In general I found none of the CP or sets that boosted heavy attacks were useful at all. It was always better to use sets that increased the damage of all attacks. And depending on your rotation it was actually better to invest in the DoT CP rather than Direct Damage CP. For gear, I usually preferred Relequin with NMA or briarheart. If I were to try again now it would certainly be Relequin and Kinras.

On a slightly related note: People tend to forget that even though light attacks make up maybe 20% of their damage that's only because they are cast between every skill. Individually they just don't hit that hard. And heavies, while they hit harder, are cast much less frequently and also slow down your other attacks. Overall it's just not worth stacking into them unless you are going for burst damage. Better to boost all damage than just one small portion of it.

Zodiarkslayer

I run a Bosmer dual Bow build. And she rocks. 25k Solo and 60k on Trial dummy. Sustain is a breeze. The rotation is crisp and easy.

But heavy attacking is frankly said a horrible idea in a bow build, since the animation is so long. And you do not get full damage, unless you let it finish. It is also more difficult to keep up damage bonuses from bow passives, because of the timer on it.

Bow heavy attacks are single target only!
Heavy attack builds with Lightning Staffs or TwoHanders get additional splash damage. That is making them a viable option. Not the heavy damage.

khaoticfury

Sluggy wrote: »

I used to run a couple different heavy attack builds. One was 2hand/bow, the other DW/bow. And they worked well on both stamDK and stamNB (though in theory they could work fine on any class). Both were capable of doing 35k-40k DPS on a 6 million dummy and about 60k-65k on the trial dummy. Sadly they have been consistently nerfed every patch for the last year straight and this last patch was the final nail in the coffin. I've retired both.

In general I found none of the CP or sets that boosted heavy attacks were useful at all. It was always better to use sets that increased the damage of all attacks. And depending on your rotation it was actually better to invest in the DoT CP rather than Direct Damage CP. For gear, I usually preferred Relequin with NMA or briarheart. If I were to try again now it would certainly be Relequin and Kinras.

On a slightly related note: People tend to forget that even though light attacks make up maybe 20% of their damage that's only because they are cast between every skill. Individually they just don't hit that hard. And heavies, while they hit harder, are cast much less frequently and also slow down your other attacks. Overall it's just not worth stacking into them unless you are going for burst damage. Better to boost all damage than just one small portion of it.

yeah, thats what was leaning me towards half and half. Thinking of Sergeants Mail for weapons and jewelry, and Hundings Rage for Armor

khaoticfury

Zodiarkslayer wrote: »

I run a Bosmer dual Bow build. And she rocks. 25k Solo and 60k on Trial dummy. Sustain is a breeze. The rotation is crisp and easy.

But heavy attacking is frankly said a horrible idea in a bow build, since the animation is so long. And you do not get full damage, unless you let it finish. It is also more difficult to keep up damage bonuses from bow passives, because of the timer on it.

Bow heavy attacks are single target only!
Heavy attack builds with Lightning Staffs or TwoHanders get additional splash damage. That is making them a viable option. Not the heavy damage.

Agree. Going to try again on my 2H StamDK