StamDK questions

Lynx7386 · May 2016

As my stam DK levels up I'm trying to refine my build a bit and start getting ready for more cyrodiil play.

First off is weapons: 2h vs dual wield. I've been using dual wield on my front bar and 1h/shield on back bar for my dk. Dual wield's main attacks seem to work well with the dk's focus on damage over time effects (and get more out of thamaturge), and with dark brotherhood it seems like rapid strikes is going to be an additional heal and do more burst damage while still being classified as a DoT now. Dual wield also gives more base weapon damage/spell damage, which seems more beneficial when I'm playing a class that doesnt need rally for major brutality. On the flip side, that means I'm losing rally's heal, but I'm hoping vigor will be enough with major mending / dragon blood.
I use the shield on my off bar primarily because I dont feel right playing a DK without a shield bar, it just seems natural to have a defensive bar set up for when I start taking heavier damage. Shielded assault is a nice gap closer too, and power bash is getting a significant damage buff with dark brotherhood.

Second: The major mending from igneous shield. How long does it last once fully leveled? Right now I just unlocked the morph and it's only 7 seconds, which seems pretty low compared to a stamina templar's 16-20 seconds of major mending in their ritual area. Does the duration increase at all with igneous shield's level?
Also, does the major mending last the listed duration regardless of the shield, or do you lose the buff when the shield gets dropped?

Finally, what magicka class abilities are worth still using on a regular basis? I'd like to fit reflective scales and talons into my build somewhere, but I'm not sure I'll be able to with limited magicka and hotbar space. Cinder storm and inferno also look appealing for various purposes, since I lack AoE with this stamina setup currently.

Xvorg · May 2016

Lynx7386 wrote: »

As my stam DK levels up I'm trying to refine my build a bit and start getting ready for more cyrodiil play.

First off is weapons: 2h vs dual wield. I've been using dual wield on my front bar and 1h/shield on back bar for my dk. Dual wield's main attacks seem to work well with the dk's focus on damage over time effects (and get more out of thamaturge), and with dark brotherhood it seems like rapid strikes is going to be an additional heal and do more burst damage while still being classified as a DoT now. Dual wield also gives more base weapon damage/spell damage, which seems more beneficial when I'm playing a class that doesnt need rally for major brutality. On the flip side, that means I'm losing rally's heal, but I'm hoping vigor will be enough with major mending / dragon blood.
I use the shield on my off bar primarily because I dont feel right playing a DK without a shield bar, it just seems natural to have a defensive bar set up for when I start taking heavier damage. Shielded assault is a nice gap closer too, and power bash is getting a significant damage buff with dark brotherhood.

Second: The major mending from igneous shield. How long does it last once fully leveled? Right now I just unlocked the morph and it's only 7 seconds, which seems pretty low compared to a stamina templar's 16-20 seconds of major mending in their ritual area. Does the duration increase at all with igneous shield's level?
Also, does the major mending last the listed duration regardless of the shield, or do you lose the buff when the shield gets dropped?

Finally, what magicka class abilities are worth still using on a regular basis? I'd like to fit reflective scales and talons into my build somewhere, but I'm not sure I'll be able to with limited magicka and hotbar space. Cinder storm and inferno also look appealing for various purposes, since I lack AoE with this stamina setup currently.

Stonefist. Low magicka cost, knock down, minor brutality, minor resolve and 5% stam recovery. It synergizes well with DW ruffian (sicne that tree doesnt' have a KD available). For a single target it's a well rounded utility skill

Lynx7386 · May 2016

Hm... wouldn't obsidian shard be preferable for the heal?

Nestor · May 2016

Lynx7386 wrote: »

Hm... wouldn't obsidian shard be preferable for the heal?

Depends. If you have Inhale or another method of healing, then no. BTW, Inhale is an awesome AoE and Heal.

Take a loot at the PTS Patch notes (all the 2.4 ones) to see what DK changes we are going to have in a couple of weeks when Dark Brotherhood update drops. It will help you plan accordingly. DK is going to be seeing a lot of changes, particularly with Stamina skills and morphs.

Your going to use some magic skills as a DK, no real way around it. However, most of the ones a StamDK will use are more of the utlitiy type, so that Magic scaling does not have all that much an impact on the output, and, you won't be spamming these skills so your magic pool can be managed even after going all in on Stamina.

Xvorg · May 2016

Lynx7386 wrote: »

Hm... wouldn't obsidian shard be preferable for the heal?

Depends on your playing style. If you think you don't have enough healing with vigor alone, then Obs shield is an option.

In 1.6 I used a lot stonefist + rapid strikes (though I needed quick cloack for positioning). Each time I ran lower on stam, I threw a potato for CC and stam recover.

I suppose that you can do something similar with silver leash now and activate the pull. So you have a space for obs shield and vigor besides rapid strikes

Lynx7386 · May 2016

Was planning on pairing igneous shield with vigor for the major mending boost,similar play style to stamplar there and a different flavor than my nightblade.

Xvorg · May 2016

Lynx7386 wrote: »

Was planning on pairing igneous shield with vigor for the major mending boost,similar play style to stamplar there and a different flavor than my nightblade.

Then igneous is the way to go. Even more if you are considering the healing version of flurry

Lynx7386 · May 2016

Will vigor heal more if it's on my dual wield bar, since dw has higher weapon damage?

ryanborror · May 2016

Igneous shield, igneous weapons, scales are all skills I've used on a Stam dk. Really useful though is fossilize.

ryanborror · May 2016

Lynx7386 wrote: »

Will vigor heal more if it's on my dual wield bar, since dw has higher weapon damage?

Yes

SpazzmanNDQ · May 2016

Lynx7386 wrote: »

Hm... wouldn't obsidian shard be preferable for the heal?

No cause if you are not the closest to the target you won't get the heal

Lynx7386 · May 2016

Guess that makes sense. Does stone giant deal physical damage?

imapogostick · May 2016

Igneous shield will last 7 seconds it's ok because you'll want to throw igneous shield up every 6 to 7 seconds anyways, the combo I use for healing is igneous shield gdb followed by vigor works great, the best magic abilities to use would be the ones I said and dragon fire scale, since these don't use magic as a stat except igneous shield but that's mainly for the major mending and small shield plus the blessing hands passive. The other class skills you can use would be unstable flame runs on stamina and fiery breath stamina morph. I run 2h and s+b 2h with rally really helps with healing and the brutality buff.

I would try to stay away from dw and stick to 2h with the new update the stamina class skills will be poison and will work with the mighty cp which also gives physical damage

Lynx7386 · May 2016

imapogostick wrote: »

I would try to stay away from dw and stick to 2h with the new update the stamina class skills will be poison and will work with the mighty cp which also gives physical damage

True, but several of the dual wield abilities 'double dip' in champion points because they are also considered dots (flurry and blood craze), so they get boosted by both the physical damage passive and thaumaturge.

Also, flurry is getting a morph that heals in DB, which may be a fair enough supplement for rally, especially combined with the fact that dual wield gives higher weapon/spell damage overall, meaning vigor will heal for more. Blood craze also heals over time when on a target, so I'm hoping blood craze + flurry (heal morph) + vigor with major mending from igneous shield will all combine for some very powerful self healing.

Also, I'm tired of using 2h on all my other stamina characters, so I want to get back to dual wield and this seems to be the best class to do that with (especially since I dont need rally for the major brutality buff, having igneous weapons available).

I'm still a bit undecided on that second skill bar, whether I should go dual wield on both bars or keep one bar with the shield for occasional tanking or extra defense and a gap closer. I really like shielded assault as a cheap damage shield and quick gap closer, and dual wield lacks one. Plus, power bash is getting some heavy damage improvements in the DB update, dealing like 50% more damage after you block an attack on top of having increased base damage. Seems like it could add some burst to the dk.

imapogostick · May 2016

Lynx7386 wrote: »

imapogostick wrote: »

I would try to stay away from dw and stick to 2h with the new update the stamina class skills will be poison and will work with the mighty cp which also gives physical damage

True, but several of the dual wield abilities 'double dip' in champion points because they are also considered dots (flurry and blood craze), so they get boosted by both the physical damage passive and thaumaturge.

Also, flurry is getting a morph that heals in DB, which may be a fair enough supplement for rally, especially combined with the fact that dual wield gives higher weapon/spell damage overall, meaning vigor will heal for more. Blood craze also heals over time when on a target, so I'm hoping blood craze + flurry (heal morph) + vigor with major mending from igneous shield will all combine for some very powerful self healing.

Also, I'm tired of using 2h on all my other stamina characters, so I want to get back to dual wield and this seems to be the best class to do that with (especially since I dont need rally for the major brutality buff, having igneous weapons available).

I'm still a bit undecided on that second skill bar, whether I should go dual wield on both bars or keep one bar with the shield for occasional tanking or extra defense and a gap closer. I really like shielded assault as a cheap damage shield and quick gap closer, and dual wield lacks one. Plus, power bash is getting some heavy damage improvements in the DB update, dealing like 50% more damage after you block an attack on top of having increased base damage. Seems like it could add some burst to the dk.

Although I see what your saying my 2h bar is all damage I heal on my s+b and using rally for brutality and heal kills using igneous shield and blood craze so I free a skill slot

I agree tho I too am getting bored with 2h