Do Hybrids Have a Place in ESO?

Inarre · April 2016

I've noticed that the general consensus is that hybrid build's are bad.

"They have *** damage"
"They can't do their job properly"
"For MAX awesomeness you should pick one thing and MAX THAT **** OUT."

My question is two fold. What counts as a Hybrid build?

Is there an instance in ESO where YOU think hybrid builds could be seen as useful, viable, or even preferred?

Sallington · April 2016

They are indeed bad. They started being bad when ZOS removed soft caps and inflated all of the numbers/added CPs. Stacking more than one stat now is just making yourself bad at 2 things, instead of good at 1.

wayfarerx · April 2016

Hybrids in ESO are typically characters that don't stack in a single stat (magicka/spell damage or stamina/weapon damage). So you have your points invested in multiple stats and maybe cast spells while holding a bow or whatever.

Hybrids can make good tanks but that's about it in my experience. A DPS will be severely limited in how much damage they can do and a healer would just run out of their main resource too quickly.

Katahdin · April 2016

Unfortunately so far, no.

Mixed builds are gimped. They will never do as much damage as a pure magicka or stamina build or as much healing as a pure magicka build. DPS and max healing seem to be the only things that matter on this game.

Inarre · April 2016

Would someone with tri glyphs and tri stat food be considered hybrid?

Mady · April 2016

Hybrid builds were very funny in the beginning.

Mixing stamina and magicka builds can work for questing, because it's fun. But there are just not efficient enough for PvE or PvP. You would have to max out spell and weapon damage. Okay, that's possible. But getting enough max magicka and stamina is just not possible without making huge sacrifices in other stats like regeneration, cost or whatever.

But what you can do is, for example, using dual wield for a magicka build even DW is all stamina stuff. You would still get more damage and another set bonus. It's a little bit like hybrid.

Nestor · April 2016

Inarre wrote: »

Is there an instance in ESO where YOU think hybrid builds could be seen as useful, viable, or even preferred?

OK, there are two sides to this game, PvP/Trials and PvE Content. In the former, you need to bring the max damage and resource management to prevail, simply because everyone else does. Although some trials and vet dungeon bosses practically require max DPS to win, simply to burn them down before their mechanics get the best of you.

For PvE Content, you can run a Hybrid Build just fine and have success. In fact, there are a ton of Dropped/Crafted Sets that are set up for Hybrids. You may not kill the mobs as fast, but you will not be crying in your corn flakes about the decision to go hybrid for PvE Content.

failkiwib16_ESO · April 2016

Katahdin wrote: »

Unfortunately so far, no.

Mixed builds are gimped. They will never do as much damage as a pure magicka or stamina build or as much healing as a pure magicka build. DPS and max healing seems to be the only thing that matters.

This is actually why hybrids are viable in certain group types.

3 dedicated DD's, 1 tank-healer hybrid.
..minimum buffs etc. but can heal and tank, while the because the team has 3 DD's they can kill the bosses faster and thus will not run out of resources or need buffs.

So far I've only experienced nightblade and templar heal-tanks with hybrid build. There should be a sorc and a dk somewhere in Tamriel with a hybrid build

hiding in a cave maybe? Hybrids are rare, and don't work equally well in all groups.

Inarre · April 2016

See I would disagree... In PVP you don't necessarily need the most damage if you are a healer. Indeed, what you want is to heal the most. So as a PVP healer, do you do your max healing as a glass cannon, or do you do more healing as something with more survival?

It doesn't bother me to be *** talked about my build, but it is disappointing to me when I can outlive and outheal any other healer, but am seen as subpar because I invest in enough stamina and health to dodgeroll more than once and take a bit of focus....

starlizard70ub17_ESO · April 2016

So how many stat points in health would you all suggest for a stam build or a magic build. I know some people put all 65 points into magic or stam depending on the build, but it seems to me that option would leave you somewhat light in HPs.

Asherons_Call · April 2016

I can't afford a hybrid. Would be nice though as I only get about 22mpg

Callous2208 · April 2016

As many have said. Hybrid tanks are definitely a thing. Hybrid anything else is just gimping yourself pretty bad. You can still complete most or all of the solo content, but most of that stuff is pretty darn easy at this time.

Miszou · April 2016

I have a Magicka DK tank, with plenty enough stamina for dodging, blocking and pierce armor.

Is that a hybrid?

Inarre · April 2016

starlizard70ub17_ESO wrote: »

So how many stat points in health would you all suggest for a stam build or a magic build. I know some people put all 65 points into magic or stam depending on the build, but it seems to me that option would leave you somewhat light in HPs.

I have 0 points in health and stamina, but use triglyphs and tri food. I am at about 30k mag, 28k health and 15k stamina with food

Callous2208 · April 2016

starlizard70ub17_ESO wrote: »

So how many stat points in health would you all suggest for a stam build or a magic build. I know some people put all 65 points into magic or stam depending on the build, but it seems to me that option would leave you somewhat light in HPs.

That's what food/drink is for. As far as dps, you max out the main stat and make up for the missing hp with that food buff. 18-19k is easily hit and that's all you really need for deeps.

myrrrorb14_ESO · April 2016

Putting your eggs into different baskets has its consequences. Hybrid tanks work pretty well. Hybrid damage dealers would obviously do less dps, which would make them less desirable. Healers might be okay, never tried, all you need to heal is what your group takes. Over healing is no more effective than healer just the right amouny.

I ran a hybrid sorcerer for a couple months and it was fun. Mostly tanked, but carried spare armor for dps. Dps was about 15% lower, but still worked. And when tanking was very tough and hard to kill even when we ran 3 man no healer vet dungeons.

Inarre · April 2016

Miszou wrote: »

I have a Magicka DK tank, with plenty enough stamina for dodging, blocking and pierce armor.

Is that a hybrid?

thats kind of my question. I have a similar build but am told i am hybrid... i was like ?__?

Valrien · April 2016

People usually mean healers and DPS...if you're a tank then hybrid away :P

NewBlacksmurf · April 2016

Inarre wrote: »

I've noticed that the general consensus is that hybrid build's are bad.

"They have *** damage"
"They can't do their job properly"
"For MAX awesomeness you should pick one thing and MAX THAT **** OUT."

My question is two fold. What counts as a Hybrid build?

Is there an instance in ESO where YOU think hybrid builds could be seen as useful, viable, or even preferred?

*EDIT for clarification - think of a magic based sorc or templar who is DPS or Heals ..where they throw 1 or 2 spells on a bar just in case. I doubt they can tank tho other than taunt using undaunted which is scary if magic based in light armor

IF you and others aren't in a speed run or what not....I would strongly suggest that any build have opportunities other than just DPS, Heal or Tank.

I run a lot of pugs as well as guild trials and I can tell you this. Those who have 1-2 skills outside of their role, help the entire group more than having 4 ppl or 12 ppl exclusive to a role because we all go into situations where someone dies. It sucks to wipe just cause we all decided to be exclusive.

Just my two cents as Im a casual and not an elitist.

Oreyn_Bearclaw · April 2016

As stated, most tanks are hybrids. In PvP you can get away with it to some degree. For example, a stamblade might want a little into Magic or magic regen to cloak, or a magic player might want to get their stam into the 14K range for an extra CC break, but that's really about it. I think the idea of splitting between spell damage and weapon damage is a bad one.

In PvE, they are a big no-no for DPS and healers. It just translates into less damage and healing with no real benefit.

GrimMauKin · April 2016

I've stubbornly stuck to my one character, a hyrbrid Nightblade, since day 1 and he's fine for PvE but, as people have pointed out, isn't much use elsewhere.

I still long for the day when ZOS implement a law of diminishing returns rule to damage (a bit like how Stat. Regen. could be overcharged in the old days, i.e. having reached a certain level more than one point needed to be added to raise it one point); I can't see it happening though.

Inarre · April 2016

Oreyn_Bearclaw wrote: »

As stated, most tanks are hybrids. In PvP you can get away with it to some degree. For example, a stamblade might want a little into Magic or magic regen to cloak, or a magic player might want to get their stam into the 14K range for an extra CC break, but that's really about it. I think the idea of splitting between spell damage and weapon damage is a bad one.

In PvE, they are a big no-no for DPS and healers. It just translates into less damage and healing with no real benefit.

I would agree in PVE overkill is what is needed. Aside from the fact that you don't really need to worry about much more than damage or higher numbers in PVE, even trials, as long as you have a method to sustain.

idk · April 2016

GrimMauKin wrote: »

I've stubbornly stuck to my one character, a hyrbrid Nightblade, since day 1 and he's fine for PvE but, as people have pointed out, isn't much use elsewhere.

I still long for the day when ZOS implement a law of diminishing returns rule to damage (a bit like how Stat. Regen. could be overcharged in the old days, i.e. having reached a certain level more than one point needed to be added to raise it one point); I can't see it happening though.

Even then hybrid builds were weaker dps. They have only been good for messing around. Nothing serious.

Inarre · April 2016

Well... Still unclear if my build is a hybrid, but if it is, I will have a heal off!

Wifeaggro13 · April 2016

Inarre wrote: »

I've noticed that the general consensus is that hybrid build's are bad.

"They have *** damage"
"They can't do their job properly"
"For MAX awesomeness you should pick one thing and MAX THAT **** OUT."

My question is two fold. What counts as a Hybrid build?

Is there an instance in ESO where YOU think hybrid builds could be seen as useful, viable, or even preferred?

The inherent problem is there is no need for crowd control, aggro management.and buffs are all secondary effects of something dps related

dodgehopper_ESO · April 2016

wayfarerx wrote: »

Hybrids in ESO are typically characters that don't stack in a single stat (magicka/spell damage or stamina/weapon damage). So you have your points invested in multiple stats and maybe cast spells while holding a bow or whatever.

Hybrids can make good tanks but that's about it in my experience. A DPS will be severely limited in how much damage they can do and a healer would just run out of their main resource too quickly.

Tanks are the only build that can really play as 'hybrid', and that's because damage output can take a back burner. That being said you are probably better off pushing one damage stat up with a preference over the other damage stat, and getting your health 'just good enough' to do the job.

Wifeaggro13 · April 2016

dodgehopper_ESO wrote: »

wayfarerx wrote: »

Hybrids in ESO are typically characters that don't stack in a single stat (magicka/spell damage or stamina/weapon damage). So you have your points invested in multiple stats and maybe cast spells while holding a bow or whatever.

Hybrids can make good tanks but that's about it in my experience. A DPS will be severely limited in how much damage they can do and a healer would just run out of their main resource too quickly.

Tanks are the only build that can really play as 'hybrid', and that's because damage output can take a back burner. That being said you are probably better off pushing one damage stat up with a preference over the other damage stat, and getting your health 'just good enough' to do the job.

Really you don't even need a tank but for a few bosses. Speed and farm runs typical don't even use them

dodgehopper_ESO · April 2016

Wifeaggro13 wrote: »

dodgehopper_ESO wrote: »

wayfarerx wrote: »

Hybrids in ESO are typically characters that don't stack in a single stat (magicka/spell damage or stamina/weapon damage). So you have your points invested in multiple stats and maybe cast spells while holding a bow or whatever.

Hybrids can make good tanks but that's about it in my experience. A DPS will be severely limited in how much damage they can do and a healer would just run out of their main resource too quickly.

Tanks are the only build that can really play as 'hybrid', and that's because damage output can take a back burner. That being said you are probably better off pushing one damage stat up with a preference over the other damage stat, and getting your health 'just good enough' to do the job.

Really you don't even need a tank but for a few bosses. Speed and farm runs typical don't even use them

I'm not in disagreement, just stating its literally the only place for a hybrid in the game right now. At the moment Tanks don't serve much purpose either, and the cost to load it out/swap back and forth is not worth it to me anymore. Tanks make a great alt that you don't plan for anything other than Trials honestly.

GrimMauKin · April 2016

They have only been good for messing around. Nothing serious.

It depends what you mean by serious. I've been playing PvE for 2 years and having fun playing the way I want to, so consider myself reasonably serious about my gaming. I am rubbish and not playing competitive PvP or Trials but I'm not sure that that's all that qualifies you as 'serious'.

I am starting to realise though that if I want to stand a chance in PvP or Trials I probably will need to max out a resource.

I guess that my response to the OP's question is no, but it's a shame that they're not.

Kupoking · April 2016

Honnestly no because with those strong heals and bubbles along with high sustain buipds you must have high burst and hybrid does not offer it

Reevster · April 2016

Best you can do is craft 5 set Armour that is meant for a "tank" such as Armour master but make it light for Mag or med for Stam build, while you will lose some DPS you can gain a substantial increase in your defense with the heavy Armour skill immovable .
Then fill in the other slots with the best spell/weapon damage gear you can find.

Its not really hybrid but hybridish....

While is may not be great for one on one PvP with against a high damage skilled player its great for runing with groups as you dont die as much and can still do decent damage.

Right now my Mag NB is runing 5 piece Armour master (3 light 2 heavy) with 5 piece Viscous Death ( 2 light and 2 rings plus neck) and 2 Torug swords. Works quite well but as I have said you will suffer some with lower DPS, I think my NB has like 3200 spell damage with buff with this set up.