Stamina DK for Update 13 PvE solo/4 man dungeons/vMA (help wanted)

Dexter411 · January 2017

I started to work on my stam DK. The whole time I was grinding I asked myself: "What gear should I get and use?".
I really hate to copy/paste builds from youtube and in most games I always came up with something on my own but I can not do that with ESO.
I tried different set combinations on different characters and failed every single time.

Now, to the point, like mentioned in title I am focusing on 3 things: 4 man dungeons(dailies etc, especially the hard mode DLC), Veteran Maelstrom Arena and overall questing/adventuring around. Just keep in mind that the Homestead is going to hit live server in something like two-three weeks so things can change.

I ask You about predictions based on current PTS patches: What will be effective to wear in Update 13 as stamina DK? The best in slot option and easy gear to get.

I really want to try out the Draugr Hulk set and combine it with monster set plus Twice-Fanged Serpent. However I have no idea if the Draugr Hulk set can provide good damage, I will use it with Hunding's Rage or NMG if needed. The very reason I want to use Draugr Hulk set is because it gives so much stamina. As redguard my passives scales really well with max stamina, more stamina more dodge rolls and sustain needed for new comer to vMA.

Draugr Hulk set can be farmed in easy dungeon(just need to find people for it or solo it), Hunding's and Night Mother's Gaze are crafted. Agility is cheap and I think everyone have it by now.

I heard rumors that Twice-Fanged Serpent will be a BiS next patch and I already hate the idea of it.

Dexter411 · January 2017

I've hope I'll get the answer on Draugr Hulk as I could only find one PvE build that uses it... made by Alcast and it goes around WW.

Techkey1 · January 2017

I would talk to someone in game about the Draugr Hulk set if I were you and try to get more detail about it's worth.

I heard the same rumor and I feel the same way about the TFS for BiS. As far as the Draugr Hulk set it does seem nice, you might just have to try that one out.

I will say this much, ESO kind of does let you create your own set-ups and styles but it can be hard with all of the math and choices (providing you don't like to be a cookie cutter). Definitely do some experimenting if you can and have the time.

I like to make my own sets as well so I'm currently using a stamina build that works for me which is 2 heavy 3 medium, 3 agility jewelry, 2hand axe slot one (with poison enchant), and 2hand mace slot 2 (I might change the mace). My set is (all Legendary except for the jewelry) the Morkuldin + Gladiator + Agility. And I currently DPS 17k-21k (not sure if that is good or not for you), and I don't PVP, I don't have any Undaunted passives and I am only CP LVL 444. But I'm sure I can come up with more dps another way or with another set. Oh and I have tried hundings + night mother and they are still good.

You seem like you know a lot more about it that I do to be honest lol. I hope someone reads your discussion and you get the real help you need. I just wanted to comment because I understand and to help the thread. Be well

Dexter411 · January 2017

I guess most people already putted their robes and staffs on.
17-21k is a ok dps. DPS is not really important as long as it is around 25k.
There are so many sets combinations that I want to try out and but I do not have resources and time.
Thanks for reply!

Xerton · January 2017

@Dexter411 Draugr Hulk is definitely not the set you should be looking for.
After the Patch TFS would theoretically be BiS, BUT it is bugged on PTS so as long as they don't fix it....

I would recommend you to go for Spriggan's Thorns. It is a slightly weaker version of TFS, but we are talking about 1.5% more or less dmg.

Now i have no idea if you have access to sets from trials yet, but if you do, you should go for 5x VO (Jewelery and 2x sharpened Dagger. Axe or sword are fine too, but daggers would be BiS).

As long as you don't have a Maelstrom Bow, use a sharpened VO.

Combine all this with Velidreth or Kra'gh and you have an insane burst DMG Farm Setup for vMSA.

After you farmed vMSA and got yourself a Bow and 2x Dagger/Axe in sharpened (actually any trait makes them better than any other weapon. the enchantement is THAT good).
You swap your weapons for Maelstrom Weapons, but only in Group content.
In Solo content you stick to your 5x VO Setup.

Dexter411 · January 2017

@Xerton It is pretty much the current meta, I can only hope it will change

Of course it is hard to predict what and even if they will change anything outside of patch notes on pts.
The Spriggan's Thorns Set is intresting:
2pc Monster set(Kra'gh, Skoria, maybe Bloodspawn)
5pc Spriggan's on body
3pc Agility. I do not have access to trial gear. I really want to get into that but first, need good gear, kinda paradox isn't i?
2pc weapon, stamina or health bonus on weapons, daggers or swords, sharpened
1pc, random bow

How about this set up for vMA and 4 man dungeons?

Xerton · January 2017

You don't really benefit of Bloodspawn. Go for Kra'gh or Velidreth. Skoria would deal reasonable dmg as well.
3x Agility and 2x Leki or Red Mountain for expample in sharpened and a random sharpened bow, will do the trick for a start.
But you should really try to get VO!

Qbiken · January 2017

I would ditch Draugr Hulk-set if I were you. You´ve already mention some good gear-alternatives but you´re missing out on probably the best one for soloplay: Vicious Ophidian. Someone mention it earlier in this thread. What I would go for if I were you:

*5 Vicious Ophidian: 3 Jewel (doesn´t matter if they´re blue, purple or goldquality, you´re after the 5 piece bonus)+ 2 body in divines. Do some normal pugruns in normal trials and you´ll get this in no time.
*5 NMG: 2 Daggers (sharpened <---- Very important to be sharpened) and 3 body. You mentioned this and I think this one is a must.
* For monster helm: For dungeons I would go kragh, for maelstrom velidreth. Since positioning is very important while using kragh.

TBS was also mentioned. Unless you´ve maelstromweapons, don´t bother with TBS. For maelstrom as a stamina character, VO is almost a must (can be done without but sustain is a lot easier with VO than without).
Regarding Poison serpant set (2 fanged snake): If you have the time/sanity to grind normal trials, then go farm for it.

Draxys · January 2017

Draugr Hulk will be good if you decide to dedicate some time to pvp, otherwise see the above posts

Masel · January 2017

Vicious ophidian is a gamechanger in vma, makes it so much easier

Lukums1 · January 2017

I would check into my twitch videos in 2 days time.

Everyone wants an updated guide to all classes magicka and stam so this is what I'll do.

I'll post the DK video for you first so at least you can reference.

But real quick if you don't have VO.

5 piece TBS 5 piece (don't quote on me on this) weapon damage to dual wield abilities WORKED WONDERS when you don't have access to VO (tried it) it's amaze balls. NOTE: This is also the cheap option for everyone.

Because we have major fracture we can reframe from using NMG but if you don't wanna breath fire on everything run NMG and drop breath (seriously that's fine to do so)

The build is so similar to stam sorc it's scary but like I said without writing a wall of text, just look at my signatures and check in 48 hours from now for full guides on DK.

acw37162 · January 2017

I run on a Kajiit Dragon Knight;

5 Kvatch Gladiator (DW - Sharpened - Daggers - 3 Body Pieces)
5 Vicious Ophidian ( 2 Body Pieces - 3 Jewlery)
2 Selenes

Thief Mundus

You can craft the gladiator around drop pieces and monster sets so you can run 5 - 1 - 1 for the undaunted passive

It's a more balanced setup, the Dk Skills provide the dots, selenes provides the burst damage the DK lacks, and Gladiator provides the execute the Dk lacks.

I sit around 4 K WD, 34 K stam, and 70% crit.

It is not a common setup but I like it a lot, you can change out VO for Drgur Hulk for PVE I would run a lot other sets over Drugr Leviathan or the Crit set I think for PVE. The max stam is really nice and is ridiclious in PVP on DK but crit is really important in PVE.

DW Bar

Venom Claws - Rapid strikes - Blood craze (either morph works) - Flames of Oblivion - re-arming trap

Flawless Dawnbreaker

Bow

Venom Arrow - Arrow Barrage - Posion Breath - Igneous Weapons - Vigor

Standard of Might

You can sub out shield for breath or caltrops and rapids strikes for whatever skill you would like on the front bar. If you run weapon potions you can shield for weapons.

I have been very happy with this setup and it does exceptional damage.

Selenes procs on any light attack weaves it also procs on the first hit of any DOT skill like claw or blood craze that is direct damage. It procs a lot. If you dont like Selenes or don't have it Mephala, Skoria, Velidreth, slimecraw, or blood Spawn would work well. My secondary choice would be slimecraw or mephala or blood Spawn in that order Bloodspawn synergizes exceptianlly well with DK with Ulti regen, Mephala is another really strong DOT and has a health bonus, slimecraw is just 8% damage increase.

A sleeper helm for the next patch is seletrix the one piece is plus stam like Selene and the damage is not great but it is an AOE stun combine that with exploiter champion tree passive and all you AOE's do more damage.

Dexter411 · January 2017

Going with the flow and started farming Vicious Serpent. RNG is bad, as always, I can only hope to have as soon as possible.

About monster sets on dk: my choice is Skoria or Kra'gh's(dunno if they will nerf it next patch).

Right now I need to choose the second set: It is really tempting to craft TBS however I will hold on and see what changes will come alongside the Update 13.
Night Mother's Gaze and Hundings Rage are ,and propably still will be, a go to as cheap and easily accessible sets.

Other good sets I have in mind:
- Spriggan's Thorns : two bonuses for max stamina, bonus to wd and crazy penetration, hard to get, very expensive to buy
- Leviathan, crazy crit bonus and max stamina bonus
- Bone Pirate's Tatters, forces to use the drink buff instead of food but provides crazy sustain, most likely not needed with a VS
- Heem-Jas' Retribution, major berserker for 3 sec after enemy dies in area of 28m, sounds intresting
- Morkuldin, just for swag, because why not

Most likely sharpened weapons, every armor piece with divne triat, x3 tri stat enchantment or x2 with hp rest stam and it is done. Will see what Update 13 will bring to the table PvE wise, what meta will be etc.