What's the point of acid spray doing damage over time?

masterbroodub17_ESO · February 2016

Seriously, do the devs epxect people to fire it off, wait 5 seconds, and then spray it off again as a real DPS method? Incredibly pointless.

Vangy · February 2016

masterbroodub17_ESO wrote: »

Seriously, do the devs epxect people to fire it off, wait 5 seconds, and then spray it off again as a real DPS method? Incredibly pointless.

Really?

With this logic then why even have any kind of dot? Why must my dk use searing strike? What I cast it and wait for 10 seconds? Why use burning breath?

Why must my sorc use velocious curse? Cast it and wait till it goes off?
Why must my sorc use liquid lightning? Cast it and wait for it to finish doing damage?

Why must.... Ah by now I'm sure u get the idea.

Acid spray is a dot... And it works like any other dot. Put dot on enemy and use other dots or use any instant damage ability during the Dots duration for deeps? I always thought this was self explanatory...

Dread_Guy · February 2016

Man, those who want instant gratification sure are getting specific

Vaoh · February 2016

Try to look at it in a smarter way. For example, the Destruction Staff skill Impulse can morph into Elemental Ring, which gives it a weak DoT over 10 seconds. This can be used to trigger a bunch of different sets, and also (if using Ice Staff) provide another frost DoT for Winterborn. It's a good thing....

masterbroodub17_ESO · February 2016

It's an AoE ability you spam in PvE, which means that the poison just overwrites itself each time, which means that the DoT is highly ineffecient. Perhaps pointless was too strong of a word, but definitely ineffecient.

lolo_01b16_ESO · February 2016

masterbroodub17_ESO wrote: »

It's an AoE ability you spam in PvE, which means that the poiosn just overwrites itself each time, which means that the DoT is highly ineffecient. Perhaps pointless was too strong of a word, but definitely ineffecient.

Spamming any bow skill in pve is inefficient.

Joy_Division · February 2016

I'm guessing to do damage over time.

masterbroodub17_ESO · February 2016

lolo_01b16_ESO wrote: »

masterbroodub17_ESO wrote: »

It's an AoE ability you spam in PvE, which means that the poiosn just overwrites itself each time, which means that the DoT is highly ineffecient. Perhaps pointless was too strong of a word, but definitely ineffecient.

Spamming any bow skill in pve is inefficient.

That's another discussion entirely lol.

FullBlownBeast · February 2016

This guy must be one of those people spamming volley nonstop for DPS. I have seen it.

Xvorg · February 2016

masterbroodub17_ESO wrote: »

Seriously, do the devs epxect people to fire it off, wait 5 seconds, and then spray it off again as a real DPS method? Incredibly pointless.

No, they expect you to fire acid spray, then use ANOTHER skill (or even a basic attack) before using it again

ie, as a NB, you can use grim focus, then spray, then the 4 light attacks, assasing will and acid spray again. A Templar can use darke flare in a group for the major defile debuff, then acid spray + arrow barrage. A DK can combine it with ash cloud (for an efficient snare), talons or even burning breath. Not to mention the combo acid spray + silver shards against undead/daedra.

masterbroodub17_ESO · February 2016

Xvorg wrote: »

masterbroodub17_ESO wrote: »

Seriously, do the devs epxect people to fire it off, wait 5 seconds, and then spray it off again as a real DPS method? Incredibly pointless.

No, they expect you to fire acid spray, then use ANOTHER skill (or even a basic attack) before using it again

ie, as a NB, you can use grim focus, then spray, then the 4 light attacks, assasing will and acid spray again. A Templar can use darke flare in a group for the major defile debuff, then acid spray + arrow barrage. A DK can combine it with ash cloud (for an efficient snare), talons or even burning breath. Not to mention the combo acid spray + silver shards against undead/daedra.

Let's be honest, doing any single target skill (especially a normal attack) in an instance when you would normally use an AoE like Steel Tornado or Bombard is going to be a huge DPS decrease. The point I'm making is that it's not a very efficient skill when compared to other straight damage AoE skills.

Level66Charizard · February 2016

Add more weapon models
Add more sets that are creative for the 5 piece like the vicious set

Not the damage like the vicious set, but things that are actually worth the 5 piece.

I'll be a happier customer.

The destro staff is useless

Toc de Malsvi · February 2016

Spamming one AOE skill on a bow is a huge DPS loss, you should be throwing down Arrow Barrage as well at bare minimum, AC means you will get more by threading in light attacks and bash. Given say a DK you could run Acid Spray>Arrow Barrage>Burning Breath>Acid Spray. That said the root effect from Bombard is usually a better option for adding control which will help maximize your AOE, Acid Spray is more damage but the added control of rooting multiple targets is usually more useful.

Didgerion · February 2016

masterbroodub17_ESO wrote: »

Seriously, do the devs epxect people to fire it off, wait 5 seconds, and then spray it off again as a real DPS method? Incredibly pointless.

masterbroodub17_ESO wrote: »

It's an AoE ability you spam in PvE, which means that the poison just overwrites itself each time, which means that the DoT is highly ineffecient. Perhaps pointless was too strong of a word, but definitely ineffecient.

How about not spamming it?

Just to your spray and move to the steal tornado spam - you also can apply a ground aoe effect in between.
Or even if you just spam it....it is still an extremely efficient ability say you have tons of mobs spread out ...then you spray one area then other area then other area.....there are so many points to it....I don't get how you don't see them.

Alagras · February 2016

I see a bit where OP is coming. Of course the game is designed, or should be, in such a way that spamming a skill is never the best option.

But sometimes I find myself launching 2-3 Acid Spray or Cleave in a row. It's a loss in term of Damage per Stam point, but I feel that in Damage per Second it's sometimes my best option. When all my AoE DoTs (I have four) are already running on a mob pack, I feel like the best way to fasten the job is a little Cleave spamming (In my case it's Cleave as its ratio instant dmg/stam point is higher than Acid Spray's one)

No idea if it's the right thing to do but i miss an AoE that would not be a DoT, and possibly be a finisher, for when all DoTs are already applied.
Wich sounds a lot like Steel Tornado but I can't have 3 weapons

Xvorg · February 2016

masterbroodub17_ESO wrote: »

Xvorg wrote: »

masterbroodub17_ESO wrote: »

Seriously, do the devs epxect people to fire it off, wait 5 seconds, and then spray it off again as a real DPS method? Incredibly pointless.

No, they expect you to fire acid spray, then use ANOTHER skill (or even a basic attack) before using it again

ie, as a NB, you can use grim focus, then spray, then the 4 light attacks, assasing will and acid spray again. A Templar can use darke flare in a group for the major defile debuff, then acid spray + arrow barrage. A DK can combine it with ash cloud (for an efficient snare), talons or even burning breath. Not to mention the combo acid spray + silver shards against undead/daedra.

Let's be honest, doing any single target skill (especially a normal attack) in an instance when you would normally use an AoE like Steel Tornado or Bombard is going to be a huge DPS decrease. The point I'm making is that it's not a very efficient skill when compared to other straight damage AoE skills.

The trick with acid spray is the snare and the DoT... Think about a gap closer (teleport strike, focus charge), then draining shot and then acid spray. It makes more sense with Lotus Fan for a 100% snare, the problem is that ambush is so good that the combo ambush + whatever kills almost everything.

A more hybrid build should manage it, but since there are no hybrids since 1.6, I have to say that you are right, just because the game has become a race for higher DPS

masterbroodub17_ESO · February 2016

I mean, I understand that the idea behind the skill system is to exploit it but what makes me scratch my head is why ranged physical damage (ala inefficient/subpar skills) is so gimp compared to melee physical or ranged magic.
For melee physical, I always expect it to be higher than ranged given the increased danger....but it's not like all ranged damage is gimpy either, only physical.