Light armor magicka sorc tanking

HebrewHatchet · January 2016

I'm looking to start a discussion on light armor magicka sorcerer tanking. This is mainly for DPS sorcerers that hate waiting 30+ minutes to find a group in the group finder (I'm on console).

How do you do it? What skills do you use? What sets do you use? What content can you complete?

I'm here to L2P, so comments are welcome.
Here's what I have so far:

Bar 1:
Hardened Ward
Inner Rage
Ransack
Bound Aegis
Boundless Storm / Harness Magicka
Overload

Bar 2:
Hardened Ward
Rune Cage / Restraining Prison
Lightning Flood
Bound Aegis
Ball of Lightning / Harness Magicka
Absorption Field

Bar 3:
Hardened Ward
Inner Rage
Mages' Wrath
Bound Aegis
Power Surge

Sets:
5/1/1
5x Willows Path
2x(Sword and Shield) ?(any health bonus)
2x Molag Kena (for overload executing) or Engine Guardian (for resources)

Enchantments:
Health and stamina since all of your attribute points are likely in magicka (for your main role as DPS)

Mundus Stone:
Atronach

With this setup I've completed all normal dungeons at V16 and most veteran dungeons at V16, but a lot of those runs were sketchy af. I'd like to know if anybody has suggestions on how to improve this.

Forestd16b14_ESO · January 2016

No ... Just no light armor and tanking should never be together but then again..... damage shields....

HebrewHatchet · January 2016

Well, that's the point, most vet dungeons are tankable by a light armor magicka sorcerer with big shields and a little bit of skill.

I say light armor for a sorc tank because magicka shields don't use your armor's spell and physical resistance values, so the magicka regen given by light armor is better than the stamina/crit givent by medium armor, or the resistances given by heavy armor (for this kind of tanking).

Lucky28 · January 2016

Forestd16b14_ESO wrote: »

No ... Just no light armor and tanking should never be together but then again..... damage shields....

it's the damage shields and the mobility that makes light armor tanking possible with sorc. and Sap that makes it possible with nightblades. frankly however, outside or WGT and ICP vet dungeons are easy.

Putting that aside tho. it's pretty much only the last boss fight in some dungeons (pledges, i should say) that you actually need a tank.

DemonDruaga · January 2016

Vwgt v16 is "tankable" by every magicka light armor dps that uses the light armor shield. We just did that yesterday and it worked just fine. I as nightblade went heal and spammed the sh.t out of my healing ward to stack even more shields.. and for molag kena, one needs just to kite around.. the heavy melee attack will just be canceled
Physical dmg oriented dungeons may be a different story.

Forestd16b14_ESO · January 2016

Lucky28 wrote: »

Forestd16b14_ESO wrote: »

No ... Just no light armor and tanking should never be together but then again..... damage shields....

it's the damage shields and the mobility that makes light armor tanking possible with sorc. and Sap that makes it possible with nightblades. frankly however, outside or WGT and ICP vet dungeons are easy.

Putting that aside tho. it's pretty much only the last boss fight in some dungeons (pledges, i should say) that you actually need a tank.

But it shouldn't be some one wearing clothing shouldn't be able to last just as long if not longer than some one wearing full metal plated armor with 25K+ resistance just cause they can spam 2 or 4 skills forever. Most tanks spend hours figuring out there build to be immovable (or if there lazy the just copy paste the infa tank builds) yet all a magic user has to do is set there 2nd bar with shields and they tank just as well.

I know play your way and all but light armor and tanks should never be together that just as crazy as dual wielding swords gives more magic than staves.

HebrewHatchet · January 2016

I understand that many people are of the opinion that light armor wearers shouldn't be able to tank. That's not what this is about though. Let me rephrase.

Given that light armor wearing sorcerers can tank Vet dungeons, how would you set up your light armor tanking sorcerer?

BTW, I have a heavy armor wearing DK tank, and I've found that learning how to tank with a light armor sorcerer is way trickier. Tanking dungeons that you are familiar with is easy when you have super high resistance and endless stamina.

Lucky28 · January 2016

Forestd16b14_ESO wrote: »

Lucky28 wrote: »

Forestd16b14_ESO wrote: »

No ... Just no light armor and tanking should never be together but then again..... damage shields....

it's the damage shields and the mobility that makes light armor tanking possible with sorc. and Sap that makes it possible with nightblades. frankly however, outside or WGT and ICP vet dungeons are easy.

Putting that aside tho. it's pretty much only the last boss fight in some dungeons (pledges, i should say) that you actually need a tank.

But it shouldn't be some one wearing clothing shouldn't be able to last just as long if not longer than some one wearing full metal plated armor with 25K+ resistance just cause they can spam 2 or 4 skills forever. Most tanks spend hours figuring out there build to be immovable (or if there lazy the just copy paste the infa tank builds) yet all a magic user has to do is set there 2nd bar with shields and they tank just as well.

I know play your way and all but light armor and tanks should never be together that just as crazy as dual wielding swords gives more magic than staves.

Well, that's just your opinion and that's fine. however, why don't you try and play it?. I myself have played a stam DK tank and have tanked with my Magicka sorc. they are two vastly different play styles and it's not as simple as you might think it is, particularly since tanking with a magicka build you have far less room for error. if you screw up once for even a second, you're dead.

I mean, i did not enjoy tanking with my DK. i thought it was kinda boring and didn't like it. However, i don't mind tanking with my magicka sorc, cause it's kinda fun. so again, it's just different play styles

Forestd16b14_ESO · January 2016

Lucky28 wrote: »

Forestd16b14_ESO wrote: »

Lucky28 wrote: »

Forestd16b14_ESO wrote: »

No ... Just no light armor and tanking should never be together but then again..... damage shields....

it's the damage shields and the mobility that makes light armor tanking possible with sorc. and Sap that makes it possible with nightblades. frankly however, outside or WGT and ICP vet dungeons are easy.

Putting that aside tho. it's pretty much only the last boss fight in some dungeons (pledges, i should say) that you actually need a tank.

But it shouldn't be some one wearing clothing shouldn't be able to last just as long if not longer than some one wearing full metal plated armor with 25K+ resistance just cause they can spam 2 or 4 skills forever. Most tanks spend hours figuring out there build to be immovable (or if there lazy the just copy paste the infa tank builds) yet all a magic user has to do is set there 2nd bar with shields and they tank just as well.

I know play your way and all but light armor and tanks should never be together that just as crazy as dual wielding swords gives more magic than staves.

Well, that's just your opinion and that's fine. however, why don't you try and play it?. I myself have played a stam DK tank and have tanked with my Magicka sorc. they are two vastly different play styles and it's not as simple as you might think it is, particularly since tanking with a magicka build you have far less room for error. if you screw up once for even a second, you're dead.

I mean, i did not enjoy tanking with my DK. i thought it was kinda boring and didn't like it. However, i don't mind tanking with my magicka sorc, cause it's kinda fun. so again, it's just different play styles

I played magic before and find it terrible boring call it classic play style or what ever but I prefer to dawn the helmet and greatsword over the hat and staff. I know it's play your way but when ever some one is going into a RPG the have a general idea of what they wanna do and I am all for hybrid builds but past few updates since U6 as most have notice ZOS has been slowly killing that off.

Like I know bias and all I think tanks should be heavy metal warriors but ESO isn't every other MMORPG and that's good I just find it crazy that the shields are this powerful to begin with. Like if they used 1 or 2 shields and filled rest with armor and resistance that be ok but purely using shields to tank with just doesn't sit well wit me cause when you think of a tank you think of a mighty warrior not a mage using shields.

I know bias stuff but what can you do most players played WoW, Runescape, GW2, and so on with roles designed for 1 or 2 play styles.

HebrewHatchet · January 2016

We get it, you hate the idea, that's not the point.

aLi3nZ · January 2016

Sword and board

Boundless storm
Hardened Ward
Harness Magika
Puncture (taunt)
Lightning flood
Overload
Willpower rings with stamina trait
Shards thrown to you for more stamina

2pc heavy armour
5pc light amour

Secondary bar destro staff for dps.

Done.

HebrewHatchet · January 2016

I think you can do more to CC. Sorcerers have two strong CC abilities, which I feel are only really useful in a tank role.

Also, what about crafted and monster sets?

aLi3nZ · January 2016

Heavy armour elf bane might be good. I only tank when we can't find a tank so don't really want to spend a lot on crafting more armour. Personally I just leave my build as is full dps. And cc doesn't work on bosses so I just go full dps with destro bar impulse etc with mobs. Last time was tanking I still got about 9k dps vs boss and the boss adds most with just lightning flood and boundless storm and sword light attacks.

Erraln · January 2016

Honestly, most Pledge content can be cleared in a full dps spec, with maxed Bastion, Hardened Ward, and Inner Fire slotted. Very little threatens you with an instant 20k+ Ward and even default block for whatever damage may overflow it. I would slot more regen than usual however, as running out of magic whilst tanking is far more dire than as dps.

A spec I run when I'm looking to be more of a 'full' tank for pledges is:
Front Bar: (Utility slot) Elude, Boundless Storm, Hardened Ward, Bound Aegis, Negate
Back Bar: Inner Fire, Restraining Prison, Healing Ward, Hardened Ward, Bound Aegis, Replenishing Barrier

Use your Negate to down trash pulls as available, otherwise be sure to have enough to drop Barrier during tense moments of the boss fights. In a dps/Bastion spec you'll cast for impressive numbers, 40k+. Otherwise, keep your armor/dodge buffs up, make sure you've got aggro managed properly, and recast Ward when it drops below 10k. Use Resto Heavy attacks for mana regen, if needed. This setup can be run in DPS gear, but you need to manage your health and be avoiding the heavy strikes as possible. If the sorceror wishes to run in more traditional tanking armor without respeccing attributes, lean towards sets that give + Health, + Armor, and + Magic Regen. You'll weaken your wards doing so, but you'll also greatly increase your armor, while giving your healer a larger pool they can effect. Overall 'vitality' (ward+hp) is unlikely to be effected much. Example sets would be Glory, Pariah, and Trinimac for dropped, as well as Lamae, Armor Master, and Seducer for crafted.

CreepyPahuska · January 2016

I'm a sorcerer tank myself, using shields and heavy armor. If I had to go with a light armor, here's what I'd do :

Bar 1 : Shield & Sword
Hardened Ward
Pierce Armor
Harness Magicka
Inner Light / Absorb Magic
Bound Aegis

Ulti : Supression Field

Bar 2 : Resto Staff
Restraining Prison
Inner Fire
Boundless Storm
Inner Light / Liquid Lightning
Bound Aegis

Ulti : Energy Overload

That's pretty much what I use as a heavy armored sorc, except for Inner Light. It gives more magicka, wich means bigger shields, and as a light armor user, I think that the bigger your shield is, the best.
The resto staff is only here for the magicka regen (Cycle of Life passive)

As for the armor, honnestly I wouldn't craft a new one. If it's just for vet pledges it would be a waste of ressources.
EDIT : if you really wanna craft a new gear, i'd say that the Seducer is nice, as well as the Spectre's Eye

PS : Forget about the sam enchants. Put everything in Magicka (and some health if you're too low), then you just play with a tri-stat food and you'll have enough stam.

EDIT 2 : Don't expect to tank dungeons like vet WGT or vet ICP. Even if it's doable for vet WGT, it's still complicated and requires a skilled and experienced group

Xantaria · January 2016

HebrewHatchet wrote: »

I'm looking to start a discussion on light armor magicka sorcerer tanking. This is mainly for DPS sorcerers that hate waiting 30+ minutes to find a group in the group finder (I'm on console).

How do you do it? What skills do you use? What sets do you use? What content can you complete?

I'm here to L2P, so comments are welcome.
Here's what I have so far:

Bar 1:
Hardened Ward
Inner Rage
Ransack
Bound Aegis
Boundless Storm / Harness Magicka
Overload

Bar 2:
Hardened Ward
Rune Cage / Restraining Prison
Lightning Flood
Bound Aegis
Ball of Lightning / Harness Magicka
Absorption Field

Bar 3:
Hardened Ward
Inner Rage
Mages' Wrath
Bound Aegis
Power Surge

Sets:
5/1/1
5x Willows Path
2x(Sword and Shield) ?(any health bonus)
2x Molag Kena (for overload executing) or Engine Guardian (for resources)

Enchantments:
Health and stamina since all of your attribute points are likely in magicka (for your main role as DPS)

Mundus Stone:
Atronach

With this setup I've completed all normal dungeons at V16 and most veteran dungeons at V16, but a lot of those runs were sketchy af. I'd like to know if anybody has suggestions on how to improve this.

I know someone who does this but focuses full on magicka (even green magicka buffood). The shields are indestructable. No need to block msot stuff and you'll be a great tank with just 11k health. And you will never need heals.

HebrewHatchet · January 2016

Great advice guys, thanks. I already crafted some v14 stuff, which I suppose was a waste because it does seem like going in full V16 DPS gear is the best way to go. Maybe instead of carrying around a full suit of regen tanking gear, I'll just exchange the thief mundus stone for the atronach (while tanking) and carry around a different monster helm instead of Molag Kena, to trade burst for health.

CreepyPahuska · January 2016

HebrewHatchet wrote: »

Great advice guys, thanks. I already crafted some v14 stuff, which I suppose was a waste because it does seem like going in full V16 DPS gear is the best way to go. Maybe instead of carrying around a full suit of regen tanking gear, I'll just exchange the thief mundus stone for the atronach (while tanking) and carry around a different monster helm instead of Molag Kena, to trade burst for health.

Or no Monster helm at all, and a crafted set instead. I've found that the tank-oriented monster sets are not as good as they used to be, and I prefer to use a fully crafted gear

HebrewHatchet · January 2016

I'm thinking the monster helm because all end game sorcerer (including my) DPS specs include Molag Kena which gives a 1 piece spell damage bonus and a 2 piece on demand burst bonus. I'm thinking that while tanking, I still benefit from the 1 piece spell damage bonus, and I can use a different helmet to trade that on demand burst for more health (since most monster set helmets give a 1 piece health bonus). I don't think any crafted set will do better than that on a 2 piece bonus (head and shoulders).

CreepyPahuska · January 2016

If you think the spell damage bonus from Molag Kena increases the size of your shield, it doesn't. Shields fully scales on your magicka, it's not affected by your spell damage at all. Thus, having more spell damage will only increase your DPS (and not in a very significative way), wich is not the purpose of a tank

Kammakazi · January 2016

Whenever I can't find a group (usually in the morning), I'll switch to my Magicka Tanking/DPS setup which is:

1x Maelstrom Staff
1x Sword and Board

5x Magnus (2x Infused, 3x Divines)
2x Engine Guardian (1L Divines, 1M Reinforced)
3x Arcane Willpower (2x Spell Damage, 1x Magicka Recovery)

Thief Stone

What I like about this is that I'm able to taunt targets and still do damage lol

Staff:

Crystal Fragments
Inner Light
Crushing Shock
Elemental Drain
Encase

Sword and Board:

Inner Fire
Inner Light
Power Surge
Streak or Boundless Storm
Hardened Ward

I really only need 1 shield, cause Anulment isn't really necessary.

eventide03b14a_ESO · January 2016

It can be done but you have to focus on wards and that means high magicka, 100 points into bastion and every ward available to you.
First make a set of Whitestrake's with magicka glyphs. You can add monster helms for the head and shoulders; engine guardian works well for resource management. Ideally you want one heavy and one medium armor piece for the undaunted bonus.
Your primary job will be to keep your wards up and taunt the enemies. For this you should have your primary bar setup for defense:
Hardened Ward
Harness Magicka
Healing Ward
Inner Rage for taunting
Bound Aegis (mostly for the extra Magicka)
Replenishing Barrier

The secondary bar can be for DPS or utility but for tough fights you will be keeping your wards up so that should be your primary focus.

You can easily hit around 100k with wards using this setup. The idea is to basically take no damage, and if setup right you should only have about 15k HP which means your wards are paramount.

I have tanked Vet WGT with this setup.