Magicka Tanks?

jonzhao68 · June 2017

So I just realized that when wielding a frost staff you can make your blocking use magicka instead of stamina. So I'm curious, are magicka tanks a thing? If they are can someone link an example build or something (any class, just curious)? If not, can someone explain why?

WalksonGraves · June 2017

It seems like it was the intent for warden to be a frost tank but they did such a bad job designing it people stick to sword and board.

idk · June 2017

I do not understand Zos' thinking since merely changing a couple passives in a dps weapon like is kinda the lazy route for creating a bes tanking weapon. Yes, one can tanknwith it but there are some things missing such as some of the S&B passives and the armor from the shield.

Walks may be correct that the idea was leading into a he Warden. However, warden looks like it could be the second best raid tank. It has some really good group buffs and benefits that compliment the DK tank. I don't think the DK will be displaced anytime soon.

ANGEL_BtVS · June 2017

From what I've read from people who have tested, the DK tank is still miles ahead of any other tanks. read: nobody in endgame trials wants an ice staff tank in their raid.

idk · June 2017

ANGEL_BtVS wrote: »

From what I've read from people who have tested, the DK tank is still miles ahead of any other tanks. read: nobody in endgame trials wants an ice staff tank in their raid.

Would not imagine tanking on any class magika. Tanks work best as hybrids which the DK is built to take advantage of and to a slightly lesser degree the warden as well. The question becomes is what warden brings to a the table enough to warrant it an OT role.

To early to answer that question but it's something probably being looked at by top raiding groups. But again, as a hybrid.

NewBlacksmurf · June 2017

Been a thing

The staff part is new but I had a Templar for a minute. Not sure how viable it is now with changes tho

jonzhao68 · June 2017

Oh so wait, the frost staff blocking trait is new? I figured it was just something I always overlooked. Also, I'm getting the impression that tanking is about more than just surviving and holding aggro? What makes DK the best tank around, and why wouldn't it be possible for another class such as a Sorcerer to be a viable tank?

With the way the skills are organized in this game I was under the initial impression that any class could fill any role, just in a different way. I understand some classes are always bound to be more efficient in a role than others, but it sounds like instead certain classes have a monopoly on certain roles.

Doctordarkspawn · June 2017

Honestly, the traiit is new, yeah.

Two reasons why you'd never use it.

1. Sword and board has better buffs. Even if you run a build like I did pre patch, the pierce armor thing is still one of -the best- debuffs in the game. You weaken the enemy for all types of DPS. Physical and magical. Then there's low slash which is a reliable source of ultimate for stam tanks, which can be used for powerfull defensive reaction buttons.

2. Magicka tanks kinda suck since the update. In fact everything kinda sucks since the update. Your just not gonna have enough resources to do alot of *** with the frost staff or magicka tanking in general.

Pre patch, you could essentially run Nightblade or Templar and have enough stam management and team support to be usefull in addition to being a great tank. Now you dont have enough sustain to do either.

Basicly if you have to play this game post patch, and must play a tank, try a DK one. I think they got hit especially hard as well, but, you know. Or Warden, considering it's pay to be relevent with Morrowind.

NewBlacksmurf · June 2017

jonzhao68 wrote: »

Oh so wait, the frost staff blocking trait is new? I figured it was just something I always overlooked. Also, I'm getting the impression that tanking is about more than just surviving and holding aggro? What makes DK the best tank around, and why wouldn't it be possible for another class such as a Sorcerer to be a viable tank?

With the way the skills are organized in this game I was under the initial impression that any class could fill any role, just in a different way. I understand some classes are always bound to be more efficient in a role than others, but it sounds like instead certain classes have a monopoly on certain roles.

The passive is new for destruction frost staff heavy attacks

Tanking in this game shouldn't be thought of like another MMO. Aggro is part of that role however depending on your group make up and your own choices, how you do it will revolve around he group and the mechanics of a group encounter.

Some may argue that this isn't for a traditional tank
Some may offer builds that allow primary tanking

My thoughts are
-Sorc
-Templar
-Warden

Can pull off magic tanking best but aren't the only options and I'm not certain a frost staff requires you to be a magic tank as it's the passive and heavy attack that's needed

Blocking using magic is a different thing with stats