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Sorc vs. Reflective Scales-spamming DK.

Phinix1
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What would you suggest a pure magicka Sorcerer do against a DK that keeps 100% uptime on reflective scales?

Tried kiting them until they were out of magicka, but they just Invasion (1H/Shield) and Talons spam, which half the time creates unbreakable CC, then kite right back until their magicka potion is ready.

Also, can someone explain to me please how ZOS thought it wise to make Velocious Curse a "projectile" (seriously?).
  • lostavalon
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    velocious curse isnt a projectile
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  • Phinix1
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    Ah. Then it must be the lightning bolt from Endless Fury that they consider a "projectile."
    Edited by Phinix1 on September 22, 2014 4:25AM
  • Soulac
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    Use S&B reflect and cast ur shard.
    If the Dk don't block (mostly they don't hold it while reflect) they get stunned and the full shard dmg. (or use any other projectile to dmg him)
    Then try to burst him with sorc stun lock.
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  • Phinix1
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    So basically as a spell Sorc the answer is "not much."

    I appreciate the suggestion, and the 1H/Shield reflect might help some, but honestly I can't see myself swapping out my staff for a stamina set any time I see a DK.

    I am still a little bit dubious as to what they consider "projectiles" as well.

    Oh well, can't PVP without crashing anyway so I'll just forget about it.
  • s7732425ub17_ESO
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    Unfortunately, a Sorc has to build specifically to counter a reflective scales spamming DK. You either have to roll a melee build or use S/B with curse + reflect fragment. If you manage to get a knockdown, you must use Soul Assault in order to have a chance at a kill. Else the DK will just dragon blood and regen back to full HP.

    A DK slots one skill. A sorc has to change up weapon and 3 skills in order to counter it. Nice balance.
  • Phinix1
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    Unfortunately, a Sorc has to build specifically to counter a reflective scales spamming DK. You either have to roll a melee build or use S/B with curse + reflect fragment. If you manage to get a knockdown, you must use Soul Assault in order to have a chance at a kill. Else the DK will just dragon blood and regen back to full HP.

    A DK slots one skill. A sorc has to change up weapon and 3 skills in order to counter it. Nice balance.

    Basically my impression as well. One skill completely negates an entire class archetype. I don't think balance is even something ZOS is shooting for.

    Every other MMO I have ever played there is an element of adaptability, mostly due to being able to slot an unlimited number of "active" skills on your bar and use them on demand.

    In ESO, the 5-skill system works great for PVE, however it is HORRIBLE in PVP. You cannot react to these archetype-negating single abilities on the fly and instead must leave Cyrodiil, respec, rebuild your bar, equip different weapons and armor, and come back to try again.

    Only then you are overly specialized and a different combination completely shuts you down. I think this is the reason ZOS refuses to commit to any small-scale arena-style PVP combat. Their system simply doesn't support it.

    In order to have small scale arena PVP work, you MUST be able to counter an opponent's strategy on the fly. Otherwise, it is simply a matter of who's build can spam one ability that completely negates another's entire build, and then be stuck in a fight to the death you are pre-ordained to lose, regardless of skill.
    Edited by Phinix1 on September 22, 2014 5:40AM
  • Erock25
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    You can sometimes beat a DK in a war of attrition with your resources. If not, cast a curse a second or so after wings, spam your mage's fury and try to time a crystal frag proc right as the wings expire. I find a vast majority of DK's let it lapse for a small fraction of time, yet maybe these are just the poorer played ones.

    I've seen an Invasion, Lightning Form, Daedric minefield, Vol Familiar Sorc take down some decent DKs. They basically relied on forcing the DK to block or walk into CCs and Lightning Form ate their stamina and they bursted them down when they couldn't break out of Invasion. These were duels though so they dont really work in group pvp.
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  • Sharee
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    At least you have the curse and endless fury. A caster NB has funnel health, and that's a projectile too.

    ZOS needs to take a look at the number of ways people damage each other from range in PvP, and then check how many % of those a single ability blocks/reflects. I bet scales reflect good 80% of the ranged abilities used in PvP. Even those it has no business reflecting according to it's tooltip (a 'thrown dagger' is a 'magical projectile' - really?)
    Edited by Sharee on September 22, 2014 5:57AM
  • Kego
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    Make Crushing Shock not a Projectile and it would be fine. Overall it doesn't even look like a projectile cast.

    But it is true that reflective scale is at the moment way to overpowered, cause it negates all Mages, no matter if Sorcerer, Nightblades or Templar. Even worse with it's morph that the DMG returned is increased by 20%. I really don't know what Devs. are thinking when they introduce such a powerfull spell in a game with no Cooldowns.

    Or push the costs that high, that a DK runs out of Mana after using it 4 times.
    Edited by Kego on September 22, 2014 6:46AM
  • kkravaritieb17_ESO
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    The explosion from mages fury is considered a projectile therefore hindering even more sorcs from beating dk's. I really dont understand their logic...an explosion considered as projectile. ZoS should put their ducks in a row because at the moment in order to kill a dk you must either be lucky to catch them off guard and without blocking or you need 4-5 people to beat them down.
    I doubt this is considered balanced. Something must be done about the dk and plz dont take this as a cry for nerf.
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  • Lorgend
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    What would you suggest a pure magicka Sorcerer do against a DK that keeps 100% uptime on reflective scales?

    Tried kiting them until they were out of magicka, but they just Invasion (1H/Shield) and Talons spam, which half the time creates unbreakable CC, then kite right back until their magicka potion is ready.

    Also, can someone explain to me please how ZOS thought it wise to make Velocious Curse a "projectile" (seriously?).

    talons creates unbreakable cc. I main dk and i can tell you that thats totally wrong. erm and am i having illusions or i see a SORC complaining about the other classes?!?!?!?!?!
  • GnatB
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    So basically as a spell Sorc the answer is "not much."

    I appreciate the suggestion, and the 1H/Shield reflect might help some, but honestly I can't see myself swapping out my staff for a stamina set any time I see a DK.

    I am still a little bit dubious as to what they consider "projectiles" as well.

    Oh well, can't PVP without crashing anyway so I'll just forget about it.

    I'll admit I'm no expert, but If you're using almost entirely class skills, is there any downside to equipping an S&B over a destro staff? IIRC destro staff passives only affect staff skills anyways. S&B gives you an extra item slot for an additional enchantment & extra set bonus slot. Even if shield reflect is the only stamina skill you use, so? You don't really need the staff anyways. And heck, anybody can take advantage of cheaper/better blocking

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  • Sharee
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    GnatB wrote: »
    So basically as a spell Sorc the answer is "not much."

    I appreciate the suggestion, and the 1H/Shield reflect might help some, but honestly I can't see myself swapping out my staff for a stamina set any time I see a DK.

    I am still a little bit dubious as to what they consider "projectiles" as well.

    Oh well, can't PVP without crashing anyway so I'll just forget about it.

    I'll admit I'm no expert, but If you're using almost entirely class skills, is there any downside to equipping an S&B over a destro staff? IIRC destro staff passives only affect staff skills anyways. S&B gives you an extra item slot for an additional enchantment & extra set bonus slot. Even if shield reflect is the only stamina skill you use, so? You don't really need the staff anyways. And heck, anybody can take advantage of cheaper/better blocking

    He said staff, not destro staff.

    If he swaps out a resto staff, then he is losing 10% damage from the cycle of life passive.
  • DuelWieldingCheesyPoofs
    i guess thats when YOU spam BE.
  • Phinix1
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    inspiral1 wrote: »
    i guess thats when YOU spam BE.

    You can't spam BE thanks to the mana cost/regen nerf. Reflective Scales is a low-cost, no-penalty skill DK's CAN spam.

    Besides, the only thing BE is good for against a blocking DK is RUNNING AWAY.
  • aco5712
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    Aoe is what I would suggest, use curse and use volatile familiar to explode and stun and hopefully get frag proc so you can get him during stun. Or use the streak through him and frag trick but just make sure it's insta frag and he hasn't used scales recentl so the disorient is worth it
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  • Horrum
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    Lorgend wrote: »
    erm and am i having illusions or i see a SORC complaining about the other classes?!?!?!?!?!

    Yeah, my thoughts as well lol. I have a DK, a Sorcerer and a NB (she is low level though).
  • Mendoze
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    When I encounter Reflective Scales DKs I just use Velocious Curse + heavy attacks or switch to healing mode, and let melee kill him. If it's 1 vs 1 it's time to bolt away...you can't win if they don't mess up.
    Horrum wrote: »
    Lorgend wrote: »
    erm and am i having illusions or i see a SORC complaining about the other classes?!?!?!?!?!

    Yeah, my thoughts as well lol. I have a DK, a Sorcerer and a NB (she is low level though).

    While your DK can shut down ALL ( not just sorcerers ) ranged classes, you should just keep your mouth shut and keep the reply count low in threads like this, so devs don't suddenly realize how messed up Reflective Scales really is.

    I have said this several times already, but if Sorcerers had a shield that would reflect all fire damage back to attacker, all DKs would either commit a suicide or rage quit. Now imagine if it would reflect all melee range damage, and maybe even you can understand how stupendously powerful Reflective Scales is.
  • pmn100b16_ESO
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    Could be worse, you could be an NB. I've seen some DKs stay up amidst a group of 10+, they're seriously out of balance. Trouble with going into melee range is you get stuck with the infinite talons/flame whip spam and if a bunch of people get in melee range, the standard, which just benefits the DK more. I've just resorted to distance heavy resto spam. Of course that's while the DK is being set upon by a bunch of others. 1v1, I don't stand a single chance. Well I would if my cloak worked but that would simply be me running away, which is great fun for me and the DK...not! We can only hope ZoS sorts out these ridiculous balance issues.
    Edited by pmn100b16_ESO on September 22, 2014 10:26AM
  • DuelWieldingCheesyPoofs
    inspiral1 wrote: »
    i guess thats when YOU spam BE.

    You can't spam BE thanks to the mana cost/regen nerf. Reflective Scales is a low-cost, no-penalty skill DK's CAN spam.

    Besides, the only thing BE is good for against a blocking DK is RUNNING AWAY.

    oh give up you can spam BE i have a vet 7 sorc its lies

    BUT YES REFLECTIVE SCALES is utter BS, stupidly OP

    its an OP bubble against weapon and spell attacks and an utter joke, NERF it!
  • LegendaryMage
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    I play a 1h+shield build sorcerer (use only reflective skill for the passives and obviously reflects/stuns) and I don't find it hard to kill 99% of the DKs I encounter in 1vs1. However, that whip spam is also very problematic due to being a decently high dmg skill with low cost, self heal and insta cast. If you've noticed, talons and invasion is nothing much on its own, but when that whip starts beating you in a combo with an insane DOT skill they have, that's when you're in real trouble.

    I understand they need some DPS but it's a little too much in my opinion. Instead of rolling spell dmg on my rings and necklace, one of them is reserved for a fire glyph even though I'm not a vampire.

    With that being said, I do agree that reflective scales are too strong at the moment. Maybe they should increase cost by 50% if recast within the next 5-6 seconds. Then they might consider using it a bit more tactically rather than keeping 100% up-time. Or reduce duration by a second or so.
  • Merlin13KAGL
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    Ah. Then it must be the lightning bolt from Endless Fury that they consider a "projectile."

    You are correct. (It's completely stupid that they have it this way, but still correct). Same with Force Shock/Crushing shock. I have difficulty seeing this as a projectile either.

    Curse seems to be the way to go and try to use slip ups in the DK's timing, if you can.

    They problem with this sort of thing is the lack of ability to change out skills once in combat.

    Most people effectively have their set of 10 +2 predefined for a certain encounter. Run into something different (as OP indicates) and things get downright difficult.

    Just because you don't like the way something is doesn't necessarily make it wrong...

    Earn it.

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  • Sav72
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    Let me get this straight?

    Sorc and DK are complaining?

    This NB is laughing :p

    Have a nice day :)
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  • GunemCleric
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    This is a case of L2P and QQ. seriously the reflect has not worked for months and they just *supposedly* fixed it. If NBs had not been horribly mutilated with 1.4 *patch* they would be rolling you.

    I have been playing my DK since early access and only just started using reflect again because everyone and their mother is suddenly a master bowmen, crystal shards+snipe, javelin+snipe+venom arrow,... Despite the fact that most of what i reflect does not appear to be doing damage and appears to be a waste of at least 1 skill point. DKs do not have mobility, no invasion does not count, not sorry that you do not know enough about your skills to fight DKs. Most DKs are killed by Sorcs (ones I have talked to and compared stats with, such as KillCounter) so you are clearly not doing it right.

    So what I see here is you cannot one/two shot DKs with sorc skills and you get squished because you have the survivability of a small child due to your glass cannon build not working.

    Try using some of those other skills, everyone always brings out the "DK killed me"....
    ...QQ...nerf Dragons Blood (only returns 30% of what is *missing* health, spam to 100% == no resources, not even sure it is possible to actually get to 100% via dragons blood alone)
    ...QQ...nerf reflective scale (very funny when it was not even working, try the vast number of non-projectle abitlies...like resto attack, sword, impulse, you know use other *skills*)
    ...QQ...nerf Banner (its soooo hard to roll out of, funny roll gets you out of talons too)
    ...QQ...nerf Talons (CC lock is called...*out of stam*)
    ...QQ...nerf DKs cause they hurt my feelings

    if as a sorc you are going to stand there in light armor with crystal shards and toe-to-toe a DK then your are not even worth a teabag after he or she rolls you.

    If a DK is spamming reflect it is because a brilliant sorc is targeting him with crystal shards/snipe; it is only cost effective as an offense skill (mostly as a distraction), using it purely defense is only viable when not in direct combat, such as at bottom of wall. I pop reflect in battle only when i detect arrows/shards/stonefists, but keeping it up in battle will quickly mean i have no mag for dragons blood, or other more useful skills.

    To reiterate...try learning a little more about the class. I suggest playing one for a while. No, DK is not the easy button, but I love it that people think and say that as those DKs are the ones that go down faster than a stunned NB. The real DKs are in the front fighting, the *easy button* DKs wear dresses and try to be sorcs/NBs and are there to complete our "Kill enemy DK" quests in minutes.
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  • Armitas
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    You can easily turn reflective scales into your advantage. Cast defensive stance then cast crystal fragments. Now you are casting crystal frags at 135% damage. The DK is now your personal damage buff.

    Or you can just streak through him to disrupt the cycle and drop a proc.
    Edited by Armitas on September 22, 2014 3:30PM
    Retired.
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  • thelordoffelines
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    This is a case of L2P and QQ. seriously the reflect has not worked for months and they just *supposedly* fixed it. If NBs had not been horribly mutilated with 1.4 *patch* they would be rolling you.

    I have been playing my DK since early access and only just started using reflect again because everyone and their mother is suddenly a master bowmen, crystal shards+snipe, javelin+snipe+venom arrow,... Despite the fact that most of what i reflect does not appear to be doing damage and appears to be a waste of at least 1 skill point. DKs do not have mobility, no invasion does not count, not sorry that you do not know enough about your skills to fight DKs. Most DKs are killed by Sorcs (ones I have talked to and compared stats with, such as KillCounter) so you are clearly not doing it right.

    So what I see here is you cannot one/two shot DKs with sorc skills and you get squished because you have the survivability of a small child due to your glass cannon build not working.

    Try using some of those other skills, everyone always brings out the "DK killed me"....
    ...QQ...nerf Dragons Blood (only returns 30% of what is *missing* health, spam to 100% == no resources, not even sure it is possible to actually get to 100% via dragons blood alone)
    ...QQ...nerf reflective scale (very funny when it was not even working, try the vast number of non-projectle abitlies...like resto attack, sword, impulse, you know use other *skills*)
    ...QQ...nerf Banner (its soooo hard to roll out of, funny roll gets you out of talons too)
    ...QQ...nerf Talons (CC lock is called...*out of stam*)
    ...QQ...nerf DKs cause they hurt my feelings

    if as a sorc you are going to stand there in light armor with crystal shards and toe-to-toe a DK then your are not even worth a teabag after he or she rolls you.

    If a DK is spamming reflect it is because a brilliant sorc is targeting him with crystal shards/snipe; it is only cost effective as an offense skill (mostly as a distraction), using it purely defense is only viable when not in direct combat, such as at bottom of wall. I pop reflect in battle only when i detect arrows/shards/stonefists, but keeping it up in battle will quickly mean i have no mag for dragons blood, or other more useful skills.

    To reiterate...try learning a little more about the class. I suggest playing one for a while. No, DK is not the easy button, but I love it that people think and say that as those DKs are the ones that go down faster than a stunned NB. The real DKs are in the front fighting, the *easy button* DKs wear dresses and try to be sorcs/NBs and are there to complete our "Kill enemy DK" quests in minutes.

    Please tell me how the *** this is a QQ thread. Hr came here asking for advice to defeat a certain build, he did no use.the word nerf at all. In fact it seems like the complete opposite of a QQ thread its a "I'm trying to learn something" thread. Read the OP next time.
  • Hypertionb14_ESO
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    i found its pretty easy to just bolt escape and stealth and wait for them to drop their guard...
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  • Maulkin
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    They need to fix the reflection of the explosion from Endless Fury. An explosion is not a projectile. They introduced this bug when they tried to fix the magicka return.

    Velocious Curse has some issues. The most serious is that it can get overwritten on the target by another Sorc. So if I cast it on a DK and after 2-3 secs another Sorc applies it, it overwrites mine and the explosion will now be 3.5" after the last cast. My damage has been "purged" basically. No other class skill has that issue. Time effects like Vampire's Bane, Unstable Flame, Crippling Grasp...they can all stack from multiple players. They seriously need to reconsider this.

    Other than that, I wish it would would explode a lot quicker and I'd be willing to get lower damage as a trade-off, but that's more of a wish than a necessity
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  • Ryzium
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    DKs are slightly overpowered. They are not easy button but if you are a great DK vs a great (any other class) you will lose. If you use shields with reflexive scale you get insane magicka regen through harness and just bide your time until someone over extends or you can get a hard CC on them and then burst them a little until they need to go defensive then you just keep on until their resources are gone then you kill them. If you use a stamina build you just lose, you cant sustain long enough or damage hard enough to kill them and break through their shield.

    OP I am a sorc as well and the best advice I can give you is use deadric tomb and velocious curse with lightning staff heavy attacks. also you can use the shock clench for a damage ability close range and obviously frags and BE
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  • ThisOnePosts
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    I use 1H/Shield on my Sorc and let me tell you it's beast mode.

    My 2nd weapon is either one of the staves or a bow. 1H/Shield is a great counter however and then put on lightning form. Watch the splash damage do some work while you both rub shields together and put lotion on them, then whisper sweet nothings in each other's ears. Wait..what?
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