Read this comment for magicka nightblade.

Any stam sorc vs stam nb vs stam dk comparisons please

Thanks dude that's really helpful too. I'll check out the builds you mentioned and think this will save me a lot of time (that I don't have) experimenting!

stam nightblades control the fight through cloak, fear, and high on-demand burst.

Most fights you will drop big quick burst, and prevent counter CC and burst with cloak. Fear reliably CCs them cloak stops their CC. Wear any one down. Repeat.

Stam DKs are tanky thanks to shields and major mending, one of the best stam bleeds in game, minor brutality, and leap is the most reliable of all stam ultis as its undodgeable, auto target, instant aoe that hits like a truck.

You generally center your play around leap. Resource return on ulti allows for big fight turning plays involving leap into execute.

Stamplars are defined by backlash and jabs. Jabs is a unique spammable aoe attack. Backlash puts a timer on a target, stores up damage done to this target for 6 seconds, and then released a portion as a burst of damage. It's great for trading with someone face to face, but weak against enemies that can run circles around you via cloak/roots/etc.

Stamplars also get ritual, a cheap cleanse. Extremely nice ability, makes certain builds easy to deal with (cleanse curse, dot builds, major defile from reverb bash/incap) etc.

Also, what are your thoughts on running a health set like plague doctor, beekeeper or orgnums and combining it with a damage/proc or sustain set? Do you think that would achieve the playstyle I like?

LegendaryMage wrote: »

Magıc wrote: »

I wouldn't use Legendarygaming's medium armour setups for stamina classes simply because they are not using undaunted sets and in general are not fully optimized, they really need some adjustment. He's took one build, which works well on stamina nightblade where undaunted sets matter the least and just put it on the rest. The people who main those others classes really cringed at his videos of the stamina classes when he released them. They're not very strong at all, although easy to get.

OP, don't listen to a word this guy I quoted tells you. He's full of himself and his 'recommendations' are based solely on his hatred towards me. Besides, it's not like he knows anything about builds and pvp anyway, so that's that.

If you need any help with anything in specific, feel free to drop me a message, I'd be happy to help.

Hey LM thanks for your input too. I'll be checking out all the recommended builds as the more options I can consider the better an understanding I'll have.

Btw I played at launch and I used to see all the time in cyrodiil but never now. I play on slotha though so that may explain. Also, you invited me a while back to join your dualing guild (coliseum or something like that?), do you still run that as I think I'd benefit from getting some practice in!

GreenSoup2HoT wrote: »

murdomac101 wrote: »

Also, what are your thoughts on running a health set like plague doctor, beekeeper or orgnums and combining it with a damage/proc or sustain set? Do you think that would achieve the playstyle I like?

How would anyone on the forums know what you prefer? Honestly it just comes down to player skill, game sense and what you want to achieve in pvp.

Well because someone on the forums may have tried one of the set combos I mentioned and be able to say if that gives a balanced build with some tankyness and a wee bit of Dps (which is the style of play that I mentioned I like)

murdomac101 wrote: »

LegendaryMage wrote: »

Magıc wrote: »

I wouldn't use Legendarygaming's medium armour setups for stamina classes simply because they are not using undaunted sets and in general are not fully optimized, they really need some adjustment. He's took one build, which works well on stamina nightblade where undaunted sets matter the least and just put it on the rest. The people who main those others classes really cringed at his videos of the stamina classes when he released them. They're not very strong at all, although easy to get.

OP, don't listen to a word this guy I quoted tells you. He's full of himself and his 'recommendations' are based solely on his hatred towards me. Besides, it's not like he knows anything about builds and pvp anyway, so that's that.

If you need any help with anything in specific, feel free to drop me a message, I'd be happy to help.

Hey LM thanks for your input too. I'll be checking out all the recommended builds as the more options I can consider the better an understanding I'll have.

Btw I played at launch and I used to see all the time in cyrodiil but never now. I play on slotha though so that may explain. Also, you invited me a while back to join your dualing guild (coliseum or something like that?), do you still run that as I think I'd benefit from getting some practice in!

No probs bud, always happy to help! I'm still in Cyro but since it's really messed up for a mainly solo player nowadays, I only play sometimes, rarely in prime time.

Yeah, I still run Colosseum, drop me a mail in-game @LegendaryMage and I'll invite you. We duel often and make occasional tourneys too, it's all in good fun. As for me, I'm more busy with other things right now but do show up every now and then to help out.

Magıc wrote: »

LegendaryMage wrote: »

Magıc wrote: »

I wouldn't use Legendarygaming's medium armour setups for stamina classes simply because they are not using undaunted sets and in general are not fully optimized, they really need some adjustment. He's took one build, which works well on stamina nightblade where undaunted sets matter the least and just put it on the rest. The people who main those others classes really cringed at his videos of the stamina classes when he released them. They're not very strong at all, although easy to get.

OP, don't listen to a word this guy I quoted tells you. He's full of himself and his 'recommendations' are based solely on his hatred towards me. Besides, it's not like he knows anything about builds and pvp anyway, so that's that.

If you need any help with anything in specific, feel free to drop me a message, I'd be happy to help.

I only hate one person on this game. And trust me, it's not you, nor your wife. As for your builds? Tell me how on earth shacklebreaker and bone pirate is good on stam dk, stam sorc, stamplar, stamden AND stamblade lol. You took Miruku's build (he was the first to put that build out, on stamblade, not you) and stuck it on every stam class claiming it's BiS lol. Meanwhile, the stam dk mains, stamplar mains, stam sorc mains and stamden mains cringe because you're posting bad builds for their classes and are actually a bad player on all those classes as well (evidenced by the fact you rage quit stam builds to go back to mag sorc cause you kept losing duels on them).

You've had such a fall from the top back in ESO's first year it's funny, because your hate towards everyone is amazing.

Kiso, you are a completely clueless player and nothing you say has any weight whatsoever. Your childish accusations are funny to read and that's about it.

The only people who 'cringed' at my builds are your two friends @Miruku and @amanozako but I think it's safe to say that no one cares what those two think. You should start conducting yourself in a better manner before you end up like them. So do yourself and everyone else a favor and zip it kiddoe.

murdomac101 wrote: »

Hey all,

For myself, and any other newbies out there, it would be great if some of you veterans could explain/summarize some of the key play-style differences between the classes in pvp. I would be particularly interested in comparisons between the stam and magicka version of each class, and also a comparison between each of the stamina and each of the magicka classes. Appreciate most folk will say this is obvious, but if anyone can be bothered explaining that would be great.

(I'm particularly interested as I have a DK, Sorc, NB and Warden but i don't play enough to get to grips with them all so I'm hoping this advice will help me decide which to focus on and play more with).

thanks in advance!

I have 10 characters, each class, one stam one magic. This is a pretty big order you're asking for, and while I by no means consider myself a 'master' of one of these classes/play style types in particular. I can give you a honest write up of how they play.


First off as a general blanket statement-- Stamina does most of it's ability shopping in the Weapons skill lines. While Magicka pulls very heavily from its core Class Skill Trees. If we follow this trend, this is the foundation of how your rotations will work for your bars.

So with this nugget of information in mind here is how you approach building using 2 simple ideas;

'I want to focus on Weapon abilities, with utility in core Class Skill Trees' - This is Stamina in a nutshell, and the toon should be built around the weapons you want to use.

'I want to focus on Class Abilities, and pull some utility from the Weapons Skill lines' - This is Magicka, and the toon should focus on leveling all class skill trees, pulling some utility from Destro/Resto [Force Shock/Healing Ward/Etc.]

Now, it sounds like from the stamina write up, that you shouldn't invest in core Class Skills. This isn't necessarily true. Obviously there are some great Stamina Morphs that can be purchased in some Class Skill trees, and all of the passives from core Class Trees will apply to everything the character does. So when starting a new toon, you'll have 3 skill points, put them into 1 ability in each tree. Slot all 3, and start leveling. This will enable you to unlock passives whenever, and however you need them. I recommend keeping what you need leveled on your front bar at all times til the skill line hits level 50.

So with this general idea in mind, lets us look at the variations out there.

Sorcerer

-Magicka

1. Best Magicka DPS in the game [Endless Fury, Frags, Curse]
2. Excellent Combo tools for PvP / Great Damage for PvE [Lightning Staves/DoTs]
3. Second Best Escape tool in the game [Streak]
4. Only Class with access to 3rd ability bar by using OverLoad
5. Has access Dark Conversion, which grants a flat Magicka/Health return on button press after 1.2 seconds
6. Has the Best Class Shield [Hardend Ward]
7. Can be played with Dual Wield, but requires abit of a learning curve with it

-Stamina

1. Great Damage for PvE and PvP
2. One of the best DoTs in the game [Hurricane]
3. Second Best Escape tool in the game [Streak]
4. Only Class with access to 3rd ability bar by using OverLoad
5. Stamina Sorc's great Core Class utilities, allows it to be played comfortably with different weapon types
6. Has access Dark Deal, which grants a flat Stamina/Health return on button press after 1.2 seconds

Dragon Knight

-Magicka

1. Class is very DoT focused, with very strong off healing [Burning Embers]
2. One of the tankiest classes in the game [Dragon Fire Scale, Ingeous Shield, Spiked Armor, etc]
3. Has some of the most unique passives of any class; Such as Helping Hands* and Battle Roar*
4. This class has good synergies with One hand And Shield weapon line.

-Stamina

1. Class is very DoT focused [Venomous Claw, Noxious Breath]
2. One of the tankiest classes in the game [Dragon Fire Scale, Ingeous Shield, Spiked Armor, etc]
3. Has some of the most unique passives of any class; Such as Helping Hands* and Battle Roar*
4. This class has good synergies with One hand And Shield weapon line, but also does well with Bow/2H

NightBlade

-Magicka

1. Has the best escape tool in the game [Cloak]
2. Amazing Burst, but is locked behind a deep and knowledgeable learning curve to play effectively
3. Only Class who can utilize the 'BombBlade' play style. Which the player jumps into and 'bombs' a large group, to score large amounts of kills quickly.

-Stamina

1. Has the best escape tool in the game [Cloak]
2. Amazing Burst, is easier to have access to this burst through Proc Sets* -- outside of Proc Sets, they also require a a deep and knowledgeable learning curve to play effectively
3. Class works well with 2H, Bow, Dual Wield.

Templar

-Magicka

1. Has some of the best Heals in the game [Breath of Life, Remembrance]
2. Has the Best AoE attack [Sweeps] with really good off heals
3. Can be built as a Healer, and plays this role very well
4. Access to the best purge ability [Ritual] - This ability removes up to 5 debuffs when the button is pressed, which is extremely good in PvP
5. Class does well with Dual Wield, Sword/Shield, Destro, and Resto

-Stamina

1. Great Burst, is easier to have access to this burst through Proc Sets* -- outside of Proc Sets, they also require a a deep and knowledgeable learning curve to play effectively
2. Access to the best purge ability [Ritual] - This ability removes up to 5 debuffs when the button is pressed, which is extremely good in PvP
3. Class does well with 2H, Sword/Shield, Bow

Warden

-Magicka

1. Amazing Burst, but is locked behind a deep and knowledgeable learning curve to play effectively [Stacking Shalk timing with other forms of damage]
2. Has access to Betty Netch which removes 1 debuff and grants magicka over 25 seconds
3. Has a ton of off-healing abilities [Nature's Balance], and access to a lot of big AoE buffs [Winter's Embrace]
4. Can be built and played as a Healer
5. Does well with Sword/Shield, Destro, Restro

-Stamina

1. Amazing Burst, but is locked behind a deep and knowledgeable learning curve to play effectively [Stacking Shalk timing with other forms of damage]
2. Has access to Bull Netch which grants stamina over 25 seconds
3. Has access to a lot of good off-heals using [Green Lotus] and still has access to good armor buffs through [Ice Fortress]
4. Does well with 2H, Bow, DW would be good for PvE

I believe that is the jist of it. Playstyle, also boils down to skill selection which also includes the weapons you have. Like, 2H on StamWarden is good for not only Executioner, but also Critical Rush which is a gap closer. Since Warden has no native skill for gap closing, some playstyles are more dependent on the weapon they equip. To compare to someone like, StamNightblade which has the Assassin's skill Ambush, so they can run Dual Wield and still have a gap closer which is important to how they open up burst combos.

murdomac101 wrote: »

In terms of my personal preference I like to brawl, and go toe to toe fighting in melee range. That's why I've leaned towards stamina builds. I have only ever played in non-cp but have 400 CPs and levelled a dk (main), nb, sorc and warden.

I started ESO at launch with my nb but I never mastered cloak and struggled to evade damage in pvp and felt too squishy. I moved to DK which I loved last patch using heavy Clever Alchemist and agility and monster helm. Not working so well atm. I then moved to stam sorc currently running Selene, red mountain and viper (I know). I can obv. Burst but have sustain issues. I keep bumping into dks who I take about 1/3 of their health off before they obliterate me.

I guess I'd like to sacrifice some dps to get some more survivability but I don't want to be a complete tank.

Any thoughts what would go best for this play style?

murdomac101 wrote: »

Also, what are your thoughts on running a health set like plague doctor, beekeeper or orgnums and combining it with a damage/proc or sustain set? Do you think that would achieve the playstyle I like?

Stam NB sounds like a good choice for you. Patrick Scott had a nasty no CP health regen stam NB build a couple of patches ago; it's not updated for Morrowind but the build should probably still work with tweaks.

As for those heavy armor DKs, the trick to dealing with them is don't choose them as a gank target unless you are fully invested in a gank build... and even then you can probably find an easier target. If you do find yourself toe to toe with a heavy armor block DK, fear is their bane. The rest is keeping up pressure and timing your burst.

No problem. Honestly, a lot of folks could tell you here we just barely scratched the surface. Cause once you get your own personal playstyle down, there are lots of interesting group dynamics you also didn't mention either. So you can build for solo play in PvP, or you can build for 4vX or 6vX or large group vs large group play.

Like, I said in my original post, MagSorc has killer DPS. But, it can be run as a MagSorc Tank build in PvP in group play. A common build is something like;

2pc BloodSpawn
5pc Dragonguard*
5pc Robes of Alteration Mastery*

And there you have a weird Sorc build that can poop out Negates pretty quickly, while also being very tanky target to kill. I wouldn't run this solo, but hell yea I would run this in a large group. Having access to negates protects your guys from Destro Ult trains, and silences Heal bots so you can more easily wipe enemy groups.

Sword and Shield and Dual Wield will give you the 2nd 5pc buff. Dual Wield on a tank is not bad either because of Quick Cloak*

Not running Destro depends on the role set up. If we're talking about a magic attacking class, Destro is a good choice, but some people run Dual Wield on Magic toons for the 5pc buff and extra spell damage from the last passive of the Dual Wield Weapon tree.

So for Destro Staff:

Pros: Light/Heavy Attacks are Ranged, Access to Eye of The Storm Ult, Force Shock for Interrupts, Magic Return on Heavy Attacks

Cons: No 2nd 5pc bonus, and buffs on the Staff change between Lightning, Ice, Fire

For Dual Wield:

Pros: More Spell Damage, 5pc set buff so you can run 5pc 5pc 2pc monster set, Access to Light/Heavy Attack animation that is arguably faster then Destro, Stamina return on Heavy Attacks

Cons: No ranged attack on LA/HA, No EOTS ult, no Force Shock, basically magic user isn't going to use this Weapon Trees abilities.

You can run Sword and Shield on your attack bar, but more often then not, I see Magic Toon PvPers using either DW or Destro.