I see caster survivability is still little to none

BentheBruiser

And here I hoped I'd be able to solo effectively as a healer. Running into the same issues I did with beta, even with a destro staff and dark magic specialization. If I'm seen by a sentry, it's game over. If I have to take on more than 1 enemy? Game over.

spinedoc

What level? My templar is using destro staff, but I have only allocated a few skill points and no attribute points. I'm waiting until I read up a bit on the forums because the respec is so expensive.

So at level 15 with I think about 3 skill points allocated and 0 attribute points allocated I feel like I can mow through single mobs 1-2 levels above me without any risk at all. 2 mobs are pretty easy with minimal risk.

You have to keep distance. I use the 2nd destro line skill to throw them back when they get close. It gets trickier with the range mobs. Are you also dodging and blocking? With self heals my Templar feels pretty strong so far.

Srugzal

You don't mention your character level, and what your skill bar has on it. I mention this because it's the total build that creates survivability, not just the weapon you're wielding. It takes more than just damage dealing to manage mobs.

I think that the basic principle is that you use CC and AoE abilities, especially stuns, blocks, and interrupts, to keep your opponent from attacking you while you deal damage.

If you post more details about your build, someone might be able to offer more specific help.

MageGuy

I have put 0pts into health. I'm one of the guys going +49 into magicka or stamina.
I am in all light armor. And I'm just a glass canon.
So far I have had zero survivability issues. I'm not even using a wep really. All my slots are taken up purely by class skill line abilities.

In PvE I am chewing through content. If I have 4-5 mobs and I let the rotation get away from me it can go either way with me usually dying. But if I don't get distracted and do what I'm suppose to then it's ok. In PvP I have lasted an hour or more in mass battle without dying, and I'm 12:2 in open cyrodiil 1v1.

Caster survivability is the same as everyone else's. It's all in how you pair and use the abilities on the bar. The general stats and such don't mean much. Because of overcharging everyone will be in and around each other stat wise regardless of what you do.

I do have a dps build and CC build that I weapon swap between while I fight.

TheVindelator

I did great as a caster in beta with full light armor/no points to health. I hit adds with rune prison and used an ice staff.

Inversus

If you are dying too quickly as a caster, slot a few CC/survivability spells.
You mentioned sorcerer: For sorcerer use these abilities to be a little more survivable: http://esohead.com/calculator/skills#cMkz9MNURc8Niqz8AIPN85sH7mLzwM8J7zrziB8K7mLzun

If you're having trouble with multiple enemies, use AoE abilities such as boundless storm/restraining prison for defense/CC and then use boundless storm/lightning splash for some great damage.
I did great with desto staff sorc last beta, you can certainly be a survivable caster.

Taeko

Since u said u were a healer with a destro staff I'm assuming u're a templar? If u want to be a dedicated healer that is great, but for leveling up and for playing solo it's much easier if u balance out u;re build a little bit from just a pure healer. This won't even mean u'll have to respec later either since there are so many available skill points in the game-don't feel like u can't master the Restoring Light Tree just because you have skill points invested in the other 2 skill trees.

I have a templar that I put a skill point in each skill tree 1st thing. This allows you to level all three skill trees all at the same time. Don't let those skill slots g to waste. Right away this gives u Radial Sweep, Sun Fire, and Rushed Ceremony. Find yourself face to face with an enemy in a melee situation? Hit them with Radial Sweep. R u facing multiple enemies? Snare them with Sun Fire. Sun Fire also has great range and later u can morph it to hit/snare multiple enemies. And of course u can use Rushed Ceremony for an emergency heal.

R u running out of mana? Templars go through tons of mana so u might want to consider making your main weapon or have an alternative weapon be a stamina consuming weapon(not destro staff or healing staff). Bows are great because u can keep u're distance. I love my bowplar! Keep in mind that later at level 15 u will need to be skilled in 2 weapons. U can level 2 weapons easily by having u're main weapon and then leveling another weapon by equipping it just before turning in completed quests. That way by level 15 u'll be all set to go.

Thybrinena

There's nothing more to add at this point than has already been added by my esteemed fellow players above. However, please post your build and we can maybe suggest improvements that will at least give you a better chance of surviving. I can assure you that there's plenty of surivability for Sorc's who build for it.

Hilgara

You didn't miss the starting island did you? I did that and missed out on some easy early leveling which put me a couple of levels behind the mobs I was fighting in the first quest hub..

Hawke

Dont screw yourself over by specing into a single class line of skills. Train one of each so you get xp for those skills, then branch out as you see fit.

Grow into the game.

And if a sorcerer can tank, anyone can. It has nothing to do with the class and everything on the armor/weapon and player skill.

Casdha

One other suggestion is to use heavy for your 3 main pieces of armor. The other 4 pieces are plenty but will not overcharge the abilities gained if you take all of your light armor skills at higher levels. 5 will over charge them. You can use the three main pieces to get a nice boost in armor rating as well as take advantage of the heavy armor line as well if you wish.

EDIT: I should state that this was with my breton character have not verified with others.

kewl

The trick is CC and kite

Kite:
1) Start a fight as max distance.
2) Always be moving. Maintain your distance.
3) Wen a mob winds up to do a special attack, move away.
4) Pull as few as possible.

CC skills to take when leveling:
1) Crystal Shards -> Crystal Fragments, 2sec knockdown and major damage.
2) Encase -> Restraining Prison, 4.5 sec imobilize.
3) Destructive Touch -> morph how you like, knockback w/ fire staff.
4) Lightnning Form -> Boundless Storm, increase armor and spell resists + movement spead on morph.

The sorc dance is fun once you get it down. Hit me up @Occanum in game if you want to work on it togeather.