Maintenance for the week of December 22:
• [COMPLETE] NA megaservers for maintenance – December 22, 4:00AM EST (9:00 UTC) - 8:00AM EST (13:00 UTC)
• [COMPLETE] EU megaservers for maintenance – December 22, 4:00AM EST (9:00 UTC) - 8:00AM EST (13:00 UTC)

Theorycraft: Mage Thief

KeyboardCowboy
Howdy everyone!

I just recently returned to TESO with the release of Tamriel Unlimited and could use some guidance on a build I am making. I want to make a mage thief, because before I left due to real life responsibilities I was looking forward to the release of the Justice System. I have decided to accomplish everything I want with the class I chose to be a Breton Sorcerer. The weapon skill choice I have made is to Dual Wield as my Primary and use a Bow for my Secondary. The concept is control and burst with hit and run tactics.

Primary: Dual Wield (Daggers)
  1. Shattering Prison
  2. Rapid Strikes
  3. Blade Craze
  4. Streak
  5. Critical Surge
  6. Absorption Field (Ultimate)
The idea is synergy between Passives in the Dual Wield such as Executioner and Ruffian increasing my damage when my target is low health or disabled with the additional bonus weapon damage and critical strike from the passives in Medium Armor. My sorcerer skills are used to immobilize, Stun and/or silence my target triggering the Ruffian Passive. Streak of course because mobility is key offensively or defensively when I need to make a "mad dash" (<-- see what I did there?)

I am not sure how I want to set up the Bow load out other then I will focus on ranged damage and kiting ability. Anyhow I would love some insight on the possibilities on DW Sorcerers from the more experienced populace of TESO. Thank you in advance!
"Let teachers, priests and philosophers brood over questions of reality and illusion. I know this: if life is illusion, then I am no less an illusion, and being thus, the illusion is real to me. I live, I burn with life, I love, I slay, and am content." - Conan the Barbarian
  • Mivryna
    Mivryna
    ✭✭✭
    I'm a DW+Bow Sorc myself. This looks like a decent enough questing build, but it wouldn't be terribly viable for end-game. There are a few issues to consider.

    The first is resource management. If you want to do good damage with dual wielding, you'll need really high stamina. It's unlikely that you'll have enough magicka, magicka regen, or spell cost reduction to consistently use Streak, much less to use it alongside Surge and Shattering Prison.

    The other big issue is that Ruffian won't come into play against bosses or players. Bosses generally can't be CCed in a way that would allow you to take advantage of Ruffian, and players will break the CCs too quickly to get any real benefit. You're really only going to be looking at basic damage. That said, you could be highly effective when assaulting keeps. When inside close quarters like towers and keeps, it is very difficult to escape Absorption Field and Ruffian *would* come into play. Using Surge and Steel Tornado you could do a ton of damage to the enemy. Combine this with the built-in execute power of Steel Tornado *and* the Slaughter passive, and you'll dissolve the enemy forces.

    It might be more useful to focus simply on reliable damage output and blocking/interrupting and subsequent knockdowns, and use your spells for utility and defenses rather than proactively.


    Regarding Bow abilities, Snipe is your powerful move (especially since multiple arrows can be flying towards the target at one time), Poison Arrow is a great supplement to that, and either Bombard or Magnum Shot will be your best bet for kiting, depending on the situation.
Sign In or Register to comment.