Pure Melee - no magic

DenMoria · August 2015

Have read over other "pure melee" threads, but can't find the answer to this.

I want to play a toon that does not use magic. Period. Probably a Nord, but it seems like all classes have magical abilities and seem like they're almost required to use magic of one kind or another.

Is a pure melee (no magic at all) build even viable in ESO? What about in PVP?

k2blader · August 2015

I saw someone use this phrase before: "class neutral weapon spec." That's probably what you're looking for. As to what class to pick, choose one that has stamina morphs you like. The CP system offers more options for what you're pursuing, so it's a worthwhile endeavor IMO. I'm kinda unlucky in that regard as I like magicka builds.

Tommy_valkyria · August 2015

For starters, you wouldn't have a self heal, which would make it much easier for you to get dropped in pvp, let alone a pain for your healer in pve. If you use nothing but weapon tree skills and maybe just class passives, it can be done, but probably not viable.

Pirhana7_ESO · August 2015

DenMoria wrote: »

Have read over other "pure melee" threads, but can't find the answer to this.

I want to play a toon that does not use magic. Period. Probably a Nord, but it seems like all classes have magical abilities and seem like they're almost required to use magic of one kind or another.

Is a pure melee (no magic at all) build even viable in ESO? What about in PVP?

You can go a pure weapon build around staminia and health. You will still have a base magika pool. You can use your base magika pool for class buffs that usually last 15 to 30 seconds. You can keep these on your second swap bar, toss them up and switch back. Some buffs are very good like NBs Blur which is a 20% dodge chance and 40% movement speed. or something like DKs that give youa lot of Armor (dragon scales)

You can choose not to use these but they are there and free to you in your class since you will have more than enough skill points for pretty much everything eventually.

You can still be a pure melee weapon fighter and just use magic for class buffs. You are basically gimping yourself by not using them on your alt weapon swap bar

Rikal · August 2015

It depends what you mean by "no magic at all", and what content you want to do.

It would be interesting to make a build under the tightest interpretation;
-Only use a race with no "magic related" passives?
-Only use abilities that cost stamina and do physical, disease, or poison damage?
-Allow potions, food, drink etc. We're gonna need em!
-No Fighter's Guild abilities, they all have some piece of "magic" attached so those are out.
-Maybe some alliance abilities like Caltrops
-No enchantments on armor? Or maybe allow those which can be interpreted is just having a superior piece of armor and not as "magically" enhanced armor?
-Mundus stone effects? Are those "magic"? The most interesting case to ponder may be "divines";)

F7sus4 · August 2015

How "pure" is "pure", huh?

Rikal · August 2015

I'm intrigued. Going to experiment. In addition to what I listed above, also going to consider;

-Having abilities that give a "slotted" benefit that's not "magic", but never activating them. FG's hunter, flawless.
-Definitely going to be a "potions" build with alchemy passives for max potion duration.
-Really want to emphasize stuns, slows etc since the only healing will be potions, and it's a melee build so no bow+kite allowed. Gotta be 2H, 1H+S, and/or DW only.

TheShadowScout · August 2015

Well, pretty much all of the class skills are out for a "no magic" character, since even their stamina morphs are kinda magical-ish...

But there is the fighters guild... some of their abilities are more like using magical tools (enchanted crossbow bolts, enchanted traps...) there are some weapon skill lines with really good stuff (two-handed, with a mini-shield area slash, a selfhealing buff, a gap closer and a finisher as well as a windup CC blow...)

It definitely will be difficult, and it definitely won#t be as effective as all the others but... hey, if it amuses you... it probably will get through most of the game regardless.

DenMoria · August 2015

Thank you for the input.

I hadn't really thought about limiting the racial abilities or enchanted items. That might make it a bit difficult.

I wouldn't think that a passive that resembles a magic ability would be an issue.

I'm thinking more of active abilities that have to be cast.

Great thoughts! Thank you.

AlnilamE · August 2015

Do you mean pure melee or pure stamina? Because they are not the same thing.

Others have given good suggestions. There are a lot of skills that use stamina when morphed, but that still look like magic, so that's something else to consider.

DenMoria · August 2015

AlnilamE wrote: »

Do you mean pure melee or pure stamina? Because they are not the same thing.

Others have given good suggestions. There are a lot of skills that use stamina when morphed, but that still look like magic, so that's something else to consider.

I actually meant without the use of spells. Passive abilities that look like magic are fair game as far as I'm concerned.

I was mainly thinking of it as I am finding it difficult to play a warrior when every time I turn around I need to cast something. I have my Sorcerer for that.

aco5712 · August 2015

Class wise, NB would be your best choice imo just because surprise attack is really powerful and i would consider that a pure melee move. Maybe you could even use fear behind the logic that your a warrior and you strike fear into your opponents? If you alowed yourself these 2 moves, combined with 2h, bow or something like that, you will have a viable pve and pvp build.

Gidorick · August 2015

I pretty much use JUST weapon abilities and passives.... it's do-able, it's just very limiting.

Malediktus · August 2015

I doubt you can make a competive build if you ignore all magic

dodgehopper_ESO · August 2015

It is a lot harder to play something that has absolutely no magicka dump, because you're essentially ignoring 1/3 of your resources. The question is whether you'd be willing to use a magicka dump ability that isn't very Wizardy in style, or if it is a hardline removal of any magicka abilities.