Is Sorc Build with Sword and Shield viable in PvE?

Alucardo · August 2015

I've heard using Sword and Shield on bar 1, resto staff on bar 2 is a decent setup for Sorc these days, especially for survivability. I've always been DPS and would like to try something new. Would that type of setup work in PvE? My sorc is only level 15, but I've unlocked weapon swapping, so I'd like to start ASAP to level up the appropriate skill trees.

Bash-ley · August 2015

Pre-vet PVE is too easy, you could walk around with a feather duster wearing slippers and a top hat and still destroy the bosses.

In all seriousness though I had a sword and board sorc and he was appropriately tanks, the sorc skills seemed to work well

Alucardo · August 2015

Bash-ley wrote: »

Pre-vet PVE is too easy, you could walk around with a feather duster wearing slippers and a top hat and still destroy the bosses.

In general, yeah it's pretty easy. Some parts can get a little tricky, though. I'm so squishy I feel that if I didn't have the huge DPS of Overload, I'd be screwed. Though it gets kind of boring just throwing balls of overpowered electricity at enemies. Some of the mages I can 1 hit with it.
So if anyone can help with a sword/shield and resto staff build 15+ I'd really appreciate it!

eliisra · August 2015

CheeseDivinity wrote: »

I've heard using Sword and Shield on bar 1, resto staff on bar 2 is a decent setup for Sorc these days, especially for survivability. I've always been DPS and would like to try something new. Would that type of setup work in PvE? My sorc is only level 15, but I've unlocked weapon swapping, so I'd like to start ASAP to level up the appropriate skill trees.

It's not decent for solo PvE. Sorcs have no good AoE outside of ultimates. Sword and Board and healing staff has no AoE. So you need to get your AoE from using other weapon abilities and skill lines, unless you enjoy killing everything single target hard casting Crystal Fragment.

Destruction Staff is the most obvious option to level up if you're magicka built. You get some AoE and instant cast single target dmg.

But dont automatically ditch other options, because of archetypes. It's actually faster and more effective to use Bow/DW + 2-Hander and full stamina build for leveling, even as sorc. The AoE is that strong compared to magicka builds. Using that setup myself when grinding on a sorc. Can still summon a tanky pet for bosses, than use Crit Surge or Rally for self-healing, so survivability is not a problem.

Than again, if you're into PvP, you probably want to stick with a magicka build and go for cookie cutter resto + destro.

Alucardo · August 2015

eliisra wrote: »

It's not decent for solo PvE. Sorcs have no good AoE outside of ultimates. Sword and Board and healing staff has no AoE. So you need to get your AoE from using other weapon abilities and skill lines, unless you enjoy killing everything single target hard casting Crystal Fragment.

Destruction Staff is the most obvious option to level up if you're magicka built. You get some AoE and instant cast single target dmg.

But dont automatically ditch other options, because of archetypes. It's actually faster and more effective to use Bow/DW + 2-Hander and full stamina build for leveling, even as sorc. The AoE is that strong compared to magicka builds. Using that setup myself when grinding on a sorc. Can still summon a tanky pet for bosses, than use Crit Surge or Rally for self-healing, so survivability is not a problem.

Than again, if you're into PvP, you probably want to stick with a magicka build and go for cookie cutter resto + destro.

Thanks a lot for the info. I currently have a VR2 stam sorc, which I really enjoy.. but I wanted to try a magicka build for a change. I'm finding it quite hard in terms of survivability because my magicka drains so fast. I've found stam sorc to be a lot easier, because as you say, we've got crit surge + rush for self heals, and things die pretty quickly. I think I'll stick with destro staff for the time being until I'm ready for PvP, because it sounds like it could be quite cumbersome while levelling. Thanks again

mcurley · August 2015

eliisra wrote: »

It's not decent for solo PvE. Sorcs have no good AoE outside of ultimates. Sword and Board and healing staff has no AoE. So you need to get your AoE from using other weapon abilities and skill lines, unless you enjoy killing everything single target hard casting Crystal Fragment.

It is very decent for solo PvE content... my battlemage Sorc is V3 now and I've never had any problem clearing solo content or group content.

No AoE outside of ultimates? Maybe we have a different definition of AoE but Lightning Splash (whichever morph) and Shattering Prision is pretty much all the AoE I need for anything solo. Add in Lightning Form and maybe a Daedric Minefield and most groups are completely destroyed within seconds of the initial engagement.

S/B is great for starting engagements. Shielded Assault to Pierce Armor will leave your target around half life with both Major Fracture and Major Breech. Then you lay down your Shattering Prision CC followed by Lightning Splash and/or Daedric Minefield on top of them and just keep Piercing the enemies until they are all dead.

Power Surge will keep your health high enough but Restoration Staff for your second weapon will make you virtually unkillable to solo content.

S/B + Restoration Staff is a great way to solo as a Sorc.

Septimus_Magna · August 2015

Just use hardened ward, harness magicka and healing ward in case of emergancy to survive, no need for S&B.