Need help on Gear/strategy for flawless VMA (mag sorc)

Minute_Waltz · July 2016

Im currently running the following:
5pc TBS 2pc Molag 3pc Willpower, 1 vma fire sharpen, 2 torug sharpen swords
1. crushing shock, ele blockade, frag
2. lightning liquid, ward, surge
3. lightning liquid, ward, mage wrath (OL bar)
Inner light and bound aegis on all 3 bars

My usual runs are 2-5 deaths, 2 sigils used and under 1 hour.

I've never attempted at doing a no death run, as I believe with what I do now, I'll have it eventually with continual improvement. But now I really want the title so I would like to get some help/advices if possible if I want to specifically attempting it.

1. Should I use resto staff instead of dual wield? Not sure how my overload would suffer, obviously I rely on high overload dps for a lot of boss fights
2. Should I spam sigils? Is there a strategic way of doing this? Perhaps just the defensive ones at every stage/round?

My deaths are from stage 3/4 round 5 most of the times, ocassionally round 4 and round 6, or round 7 with RNG poison.

Kildayen · July 2016

Use the sigils. No reason not to use them really if you are just trying for the no death achievement.

ishilb14_ESO · July 2016

Here's my advice, try NOT to get a really good score or finish quickly. @JaceSB got banned for doing a really good run on his nightblade even though he has video proof showing he didn't use any cheats or exploits.

@ZOS_GinaBruno @ZOS_JessicaFolsom

Minute_Waltz · July 2016

My best attempt was only around 520K so I guess I'm safe

The score will be lower if I start spamming sigils.

I'll give it a try using sigils on stages I normally die with the same setup and hopefully make it through.

Also I crash 9 out of 10 times right after round 2 boss fight, so I won't get the title even though I re-log in the boss room right?

SublimeSparo · July 2016

Crashes count as a death/ void a Flawless attempt

I'm starting to feel it's possible myself on my stam sorc. Vicious ophidian OP, consistently getting 460k+ now, and got my time down to 1:15m just need a good run, no bad rng. The maelstrom daggers would help too, curse you rng loot

Oreyn_Bearclaw · July 2016

ishilb14_ESO wrote: »

Here's my advice, try NOT to get a really good score or finish quickly. @JaceSB got banned for doing a really good run on his nightblade even though he has video proof showing he didn't use any cheats or exploits.

@ZOS_GinaBruno @ZOS_JessicaFolsom

Wait, for the real? What did I miss?

ButtersEP · July 2016

You can't get flawless right now with the disconnects sorry bud. You have to wait for it to be fixed.

Minute_Waltz · July 2016

It normally crashes on me after round 2, so even going for flawless I won't need sigils anyway...I guess Ill just turn it to a speed run instead if that happens.

Mureel · July 2016

Oreyn_Bearclaw wrote: »

ishilb14_ESO wrote: »

Here's my advice, try NOT to get a really good score or finish quickly. @JaceSB got banned for doing a really good run on his nightblade even though he has video proof showing he didn't use any cheats or exploits.

@ZOS_GinaBruno @ZOS_JessicaFolsom

Wait, for the real? What did I miss?

Outlined above.

Erraln · July 2016

Replace Magelight or Bound armor (depending on your potion choice) with wards on both bars and slot endless fury, if you want the safety for deathless attempts. I slot Harness Magicka front bar / Empowered Ward back bar, but you can do hardened or the same type on both as you choose. Cast ward before barswaps.

1: No, don't do this unless you want to rely on Healing Ward. Surge and Wards will take care of your survivability just fine. Your overload damage will take a noticeable dip for not using swords.
2: Use them when it's intelligent. Power sigils before round or arena bosses, defense when rangers are a threat, etc. Killing threats before dangerous mechanics come into play remains the best defense, though, so don't sacrifice too much speed for the appearance of safety.

Good luck with the flawless attempt

Kammakazi · July 2016

I used a Sword and Shield + Clannfear for mine lol....

pronkg · July 2016

Kammakazi wrote: »

I used a Sword and Shield + Clannfear for mine lol....

Lol really? XD

Kammakazi · July 2016

pronkg wrote: »

Kammakazi wrote: »

I used a Sword and Shield + Clannfear for mine lol....

Lol really? XD

Yeah, it was back on the 9th of January 2016.

It took me multiple attempts to get it. I played super safe basically. No sigils.

pronkg · July 2016

If you can do a normal run with 3/5 deaths and 2 Sigils.

Just use all the Sigils and it becomes pretty easy.

You probably know where you usually die. Prepare to use them there.

I was exactly in your position, decided to go for a deathless. Used all sigils and got it the first attempt

SanTii.92 · July 2016

Get some healthy willpower rings and spam the sht out of those sigils buddy.

forgottengd · July 2016

Minute_Waltz wrote: »

It normally crashes on me after round 2, so even going for flawless I won't need sigils anyway...I guess Ill just turn it to a speed run instead if that happens.

I crashed too. Turn off addons, like MasterMErchant or CombatMetrics. Or RaidNotifer. Crashes after Arena 2 bosses depends on addons.

pronkg wrote: »

Kammakazi wrote: »

I used a Sword and Shield + Clannfear for mine lol....

Lol really? XD

You can watch my stam sorc flawless run with clannfear here

pronkg · July 2016

I use 5 piece julianos, 5 piece succession, 1 piece kena btw

And fire staff and dual wield

juhasman · July 2016

You can try change willpower and torugs on elegant. more max magicka on dual wield bar and additional 20% more dmg on overload.

Minute_Waltz · July 2016

@pronkg Good to know! Yeah Ill pay extra attention to stages where I normally die and sigil+possibly overload (normally I save them for bosses) to get over them.

@forgottengd Actually I think it might be combat metrics, I never had crashes before (always had MM and raidnotifier), so Ill probably try disable that.

@juhasman Yeah really wanted to get that set, since I overload alot in dungeons and I dont use this toon for trials. Swords (especially sharpen) is so expensive and rare though

Vaoh · July 2016

I have earned Flawless Conqueror and have beaten vMA countless times without a death on my Magicka Sorc.

My build was actually horrible the first time I did a Flawless run (my 3rd vMA completion). You can complete it but need better survivability.

First run:

Gear
• 5x Willows Path (Head, Robes, Shoulders, Belt, Gloves)
• 4x - 2x Magnus (Legs, Feet, Dual Wield Swords)
• 4x - 3x Willpower (Rings, Amulet, Restoration Staff)
• Mundus: Atronach, All Max Magicka armor enchants, 1x Spell damage/2x Reduced Cost jewelry glyphs
• Everything Purple, except for the Gold swords and Gold staff
Dual Wield
1. Crystal Fragments
2. Lightning Splash
3. Degeneration
4. Velocious Curse
5. Endless Fury
U. Dawnbreaker of Smiting

Restoration Staff
1. Boundless Storm
2. Harness Magicka
3. Conjured Ward
4. Healing Ward
5. Streak
U. Reviving Barrier

Note: I used sigils on Stage 7 for the Wamasu/Argonian Behemoth, and Stage 9 for the Titan and Voriak Solkyn. This wasn't because I needed to, but rather to stay somewhat safe.

What I recommend running (for a Flawless run, not a max score 550K+ run):

Gear
• 5x Julianos (Robes, Belt, Gloves, Legs, Shoes)
• 1x Blood Spawn/1x Molag Kena OR 2x Valkyn Skoria
• 3x Willpower (Rings, Amulet)
• Maelstrom Inferno Staff
• Maelstrom Restoration Staff
• Mundus: Atronach, All Max Magicka armor enchants, 1x Spell damage/2x Reduced Cost jewelry glyphs. The goal is to have unlimited Magicka if you play smart, even with (or rare use of) Magicka Potions.
• Make sure the weapons are Gold!
Inferno Staff
1. Crystal Fragments/Inner Light
2. Lightning Splash
3. Blockade of Fire
4. Force Pulse
5. Elemental Drain/Inner Light
U. Ice Comet

Restoration Staff
1. Critical Surge
2. Dampen Magic
3. Empowered Wad
4. Healing Ward
5. Streak
U. Reviving Barrier

Good luck and USE SIGILS ON TOUGH ROUNDS!

juhasman · July 2016

Minute_Waltz wrote: »

@juhasman Yeah really wanted to get that set, since I overload alot in dungeons and I dont use this toon for trials. Swords (especially sharpen) is so expensive and rare though

Swords are not needed. Dual wield passive to swords is not working on overload bar like any other weapons passives so You can get daggers ,axes, maces only thing matters is sharpened.

pronkg · July 2016

juhasman wrote: »

Minute_Waltz wrote: »

@pronkg Good to know! Yeah Ill pay extra attention to stages where I normally die and sigil+possibly overload (normally I save them for bosses) to get over them.

@forgottengd Actually I think it might be combat metrics, I never had crashes before (always had MM and raidnotifier), so Ill probably try disable that.

@juhasman Yeah really wanted to get that set, since I overload alot in dungeons and I dont use this toon for trials. Swords (especially sharpen) is so expensive and rare though

Swords are not needed. Dual wield passive to swords is not working on overload bar like any other weapons passives so You can get daggers ,axes, maces only thing matters is sharpened.

Did they change that? Haven't played in since wrothgar came. Just started playing again. So my nirnhoned swords aren't that good anymore?

juhasman · July 2016

pronkg wrote: »

juhasman wrote: »

Minute_Waltz wrote: »

@pronkg Good to know! Yeah Ill pay extra attention to stages where I normally die and sigil+possibly overload (normally I save them for bosses) to get over them.

@forgottengd Actually I think it might be combat metrics, I never had crashes before (always had MM and raidnotifier), so Ill probably try disable that.

@juhasman Yeah really wanted to get that set, since I overload alot in dungeons and I dont use this toon for trials. Swords (especially sharpen) is so expensive and rare though

Swords are not needed. Dual wield passive to swords is not working on overload bar like any other weapons passives so You can get daggers ,axes, maces only thing matters is sharpened.

Did they change that? Haven't played in since wrothgar came. Just started playing again. So my nirnhoned swords aren't that good anymore?

Nirnhined now increasing weapon base dmg value by 12% sharpened wep and spell penetration by 5,1k. On bosses always sharpened.

pronkg · July 2016

Damn you ZoS xD

Minute_Waltz · July 2016

juhasman wrote: »

Swords are not needed. Dual wield passive to swords is not working on overload bar like any other weapons passives so You can get daggers ,axes, maces only thing matters is sharpened.

Wow didn't know that.. I always thought by not going sword dual wield its a straight 5% spell damage loss on overload.

Time to hunt down some axe/mace/dagger sharpens then

So the passive bonus probably only helps on first few ticks of lightning liquid and boundless storm then on a sorc? (and maybe mages wrath but I normally keep and use it on overload bar)

willymchilybily · July 2016

I did it a few times and always use destro restro, but it's not essential. Healing ward can help but if you are not use to running it that way it will be like learning it all over again. its better to perfect your technique. and if you can do it in <1h you are doing plenty enough damage.

run it enough times and you find your self get further and further without a death. until you reach a point you know what normally kills you. there will be 3 or 4 places stage 5 through 9 that it gets dicey for you. so go for sigils or be ready to at those times use extra force (overload/ultimates/sigils).

Also consider your morphs, if you die to resources running out why not try using morphs that return you resources

I know all my weakest areas:

The double troll rounds on stage 5 running you out of stam with fears and knock downs because you are being too stingy with the overloads/defence sigil?
The spiderkith? on stage 6 who doesnt quite die quick enough before the two archers and the spiderlings spawn because you messed up the uncovering of obelisks/ and once again are too stingy with overload and defence sigil, and you cant empowered ward because his negate magic bubble came at just the right time for you to be double teamed by archers.
Maybe its the wamsu mini boss of stage 7 who pops up when the archer is still up and manages to slow you because you forget to dodge roll his ranged attack. and seemingly soon after the venomcaller has spawned exploding mushrooms all over the place, whilst you are still slowed. Once again being stingy on the overloads and the sigils
Maybe its the double daedroth round on stage 9, because you tried to save the spectral explosion for too long and it disappeared. or you missed a ghost and had to use the defensive sigil on another wave. but once again too stingy with overload, or other sigils to make up for the one you took too early and its death.
Maybe its that on the final boss in stage 9 because every time you try to rush the mechanics just that little bit and your overload bugs out. So instead of stopping, breaking out of the overload ultimate, and killing the daedroth you stayed focused on the boss and the daedroth kills you before you kill the boss.

Oreyn_Bearclaw · July 2016

Minute_Waltz wrote: »

juhasman wrote: »

Swords are not needed. Dual wield passive to swords is not working on overload bar like any other weapons passives so You can get daggers ,axes, maces only thing matters is sharpened.

Wow didn't know that.. I always thought by not going sword dual wield its a straight 5% spell damage loss on overload.

Time to hunt down some axe/mace/dagger sharpens then

So the passive bonus probably only helps on first few ticks of lightning liquid and boundless storm then on a sorc? (and maybe mages wrath but I normally keep and use it on overload bar)

Just be careful. A lot of people have caught on and are charging ridiculous prices for anything sharpened. It is a glitch and if they fix it, that sharpened axe for example will be worthless. I wouldnt over pay for them. Even with less than optimal traits, its still a Big DPS increase on your overload.

tist · July 2016

My first flawless run was at 325CP with this setup which I still use besides a maelstrom
lightning staff.
2-3 sigils a run. 500k+ Score

1. ice stage (sometimes) if mob spawns overflow.
2. flame stage with the dragon knight
3. final stage titan cheese

Skills.

Crushing shock
Magelight
Frag
Hardened Ward
Wall of Elements
Meteor

//

Surge
Magelight
Liquid Lightning
Mages Wrath
Streak
Overload

5x julianos, 3-4x vicious death, 3x willpower
I prefer having streak over bound aegis.

Ward on wave spawns to minimize burst. focus mobs to stop burst potential.
Learn the spawns.
Pray for RNG.
Watch a flawless run.

Fignutz821 · July 2016

I always get DC'd somewhere around 6 and 7 it never fails either during 6 between 6 and 7 or during 7... flawless is not possible right now

darthsithis · November 2016

Why is everyone using streak? Why not boundless for armor and HoT? is the stun that good?

I'm dying ~2x these days. Ice stage mob moshpit in the 3rd round, and argonians mender stands on top of the death flower

Izaki · November 2016

After I didn't get my flawless achievement twice in a row because of crashing between arenas, I found out that if you didn't take the quest you'd get the achievement. Since then I have never done a no-death run