Some basic questions for new to PvP (fighting healers, shield stackers, and Ambush spammers)

tinythinker · January 2016

Another player brought up some issues relevant to inexperienced PvPers but kind of insulted those who might want to help at the same time. But others might also have the same questions and concerns. My attempt at a constructive reply got buried in the negative reactions, so I'd like to ask here for the wisdom of those who know their stuff. My starter answers are included.

"What can I do about people who heal through everything in PvP?"

Starter answer: Use abilities (like the Templar's Dark Flare or Lethal Arrow from the Bow skill) or weapon enchantments such as Befouled in order to inflict Major Defile, a debuff that reduces the healing your target can receive by 30%. If you use the weapon enchant, make sure to land a light or heavy attack every so often to keep up the debuff, which is no problem if you practice weaving such attacks with your abilities. Also add the same strategy for the next question in concert with what was just written.

Other answers from those reading the thread?

Chime in.

"What can I do about shield stacking in PvP?"

Starter Answer: You could use the Shieldbreaker set and a Bow and do massive damage by machine gunning of a lot of light attacks. Or you can use hard CC like knockdowns to keep the target from casting again while laying on heavy DPS. This takes practice and a build that can do burst damage.

Other answers from those reading the thread?

Your thoughts?

"How do I deal with Ambush spam in PvP?"

Starter Answer: I have no idea and want to know this, too.

Other answers from those reading the thread?

Help required!

AltusVenifus · January 2016

I'm pretty sure your how to deal with ambush spam, is any gap closer... not just ambush

olsborg · January 2016

I wouldnt spam light atks on a good sorc with shieldbreaker and expect to kill him, what you can do is soften up the hp abit with 2 or 3 light atks fast then go in for the kill in melee, cc and burst those shields, often thats all thats needed.

Some sorcs however have smart builds and know how to counter SB pretty well, then it will be a pretty even match.

I still think shieldstacking and spamming is the nr 1 strong mechanic in this game...I wouldnt mind seeing the mechanic changed somehow aka nerfed.

PosternHouse · January 2016

For healers, do lots of damage to force them to spam heals to sustain themselves while CC'ing them to force them to drain their stamina. Once their stamina is gone, they're a goner. Major and minor defile will be useless against competent templar healers because of purify. If the healer is any good at all this is going to be a long fight. Just don't let it be so long that his friends come help him.

For shield stackers, the same rule applies. Sustain high DPS while applying CC whenever they are off immunity. Heal debuffs work better here since not all shield stackers run purge or purify (if they are templars). It is important to manage your resources and self-healing here because most shield stackers have the offense necessary to kill you if you are careless. Stay on the offensive, and if you are put on the defensive, get back on the offensive immediately. Force them to sustain themselves. Unless you do crap dps, they won't be able to keep themselves alive while simultaneous killing you.

Alternatively, maintain a high DPS rotation with frequent CC's while also slotting 5 piece shield breaker. It's pretty cheap to do this, but if you're decent at all there will be so much pressure on the shield stacker they won't even know how to act.

For ambush spammers ... well it's only annoying when it's a bunch of them doing it to you. If you find one solo ... make him pay for his lack of vision.

tinythinker · January 2016

Thanks for the replies. Just one question...

AltusVenifus wrote: »

I'm pretty sure your how to deal with ambush spam, is any gap closer... not just ambush

PosternHouse wrote: »

For ambush spammers ... well it's only annoying when it's a bunch of them doing it to you. If you find one solo ... make him pay for his lack of vision.

What is the unspoken obvious answer being alluded to here?

PosternHouse · January 2016

Ambush spam does terrible damage if it's one, two, or even three people doing it you. Stand your ground and destroy them. It's annoying when NB's are spamming you with it while you are kiting or escaping. In that instance, you're usually trying to escape from the spambusher's friends and he or she is using a silly game mechanic to ensure that you don't.

WillhelmBlack · January 2016

To kill a Templar is easy, run it out of Stam.

To kill a Sorc. Defile, interrupt and high burst. Easier said than done.

How to kill an Ambush spammer. Well, they clearly aren't a good player. One CC, an AoE and a Channeled ability and they're usually dead in a second.

These are 1v1 scenarios ofc.

Tankqull · January 2016

tinythinker wrote: »

"What can I do about people who heal through everything in PvP?"

Starter answer: Use abilities (like the Templar's Dark Flare or Lethal Arrow from the Bow skill) or weapon enchantments such as Befouled in order to inflict Major Defile, a debuff that reduces the healing your target can receive by 30%. If you use the weapon enchant, make sure to land a light or heavy attack every so often to keep up the debuff, which is no problem if you practice weaving such attacks with your abilities. Also add the same strategy for the next question in concert with what was just written.

befouled weapon do not apply any heal debuff at all.

tinythinker · January 2016

Tankqull wrote: »

tinythinker wrote: »

"What can I do about people who heal through everything in PvP?"

Starter answer: Use abilities (like the Templar's Dark Flare or Lethal Arrow from the Bow skill) or weapon enchantments such as Befouled in order to inflict Major Defile, a debuff that reduces the healing your target can receive by 30%. If you use the weapon enchant, make sure to land a light or heavy attack every so often to keep up the debuff, which is no problem if you practice weaving such attacks with your abilities. Also add the same strategy for the next question in concert with what was just written.

befouled weapon do not apply any heal debuff at all.

Huh, I heard it did long, long ago. Well, I will suggest to ZOS that it should