Q : glass cannons

OzJohnD · July 2015

My understanding is that the more base magicka one has the higher the damage is from spells.

I have spent all my attributes into health as I never have problems running out of magicka, however if I respec to put all into base magicka instead of health my survivability will be based on faster kills rather than surviving hits ?

Does this make sense and correct reasoning ?

Context is solo PvE at V10 ... not PvPíng or delving at this stage

Shinra · July 2015

Well, first the basic numbers. In terms of damage output, 1000 magicka equals ~100 spell power.
^^Well, magicka gives quite a lot of extra damage. (Even tho, on set pieces, spell power is more important, of course

)

That said, survivability doesn't depend so much on your health. Or better said, health won't be able to save you.

Ranique · July 2015

It is a common mistake to see magica (or stamina) just as a pool of power to fuel your skills. The size of the pool also matters for the amount of dps those skills do. The reason is that the total amount of magica is a factor in the total amoutn of spelldamage.

So yes, putting more into magica instead of health means you trade health for dps and move more into a glasscanon direction.

Also, health is not so important to survive. Health regen, armor and blocking abillity has a bigger role when it comes to stats. Also dodging, kiting and simply moving around helps a lot in avoiding to get hit (and so avoid healthloss).

So overall, you should never need to have a lot of points in health. I would say on 62 attributepoints it should not be more then 15 (1/4th). The more you invest in other sources (e.g. using more heavy armor instead of light) the less it should be.

however! one last warning.
don't fall for the min/max trap!

min/max in ESO is considered a bad way to build a toon. The reason is that content is pretty wide and roles are not as clearly defined as in other games. So you end up finding a perfect balance, then you gain access to new content and have to start all over.

Chapmaaaan · July 2015

it's very hard to die solo questing/delving on this game so you're kinda missing out on your 58 (I think) skill points that you could have in magicka. you'd increase your shield absorbs/heals, as well as your damage output if you're a caster. try it out. you can always respec back if you don't get on well with a pure magicka build.

OzJohnD · July 2015

Thanks folks, for the 2900 gold I'm now trying all in magicka to see how I go with surviving by killing faster and being more mobile instead of absorbing hits.

Natjur · July 2015

My templar end game, with 35 points in health, the rest in magic
I have 2200 spell damage, 30k mana and 20k health (with food buff)

My dark flare hits for 18k crit

My mate templar, end game, with ALL points into magic
Their dark flare hits for 22k crit but their health is only 14k and sometimes they get one shotted.

So its the balance... they do more damage, but one mistake and they speed a long time on the ground dead and dead = no dps.

Its only end game you have to worry about as normal mobs should never one shot you.