Most Relaxed DPS Class/Setup for Carpal Tunnel Sufferes? (Console)

bhagwad · August 2017

Yesterday, I decided to move from a healing Templar to a DPS Templar for tackling vMA for the first time. I'm just CP 310, so I managed to hit 10-12k dps (on console)

Unfortunately, I have mild carpal tunnel that I don't want to tempt. Lots of quick light attacks between skills, and spamming puncturing sweeps, along with the quick DoTs, and Vampire's bane etc. I got the familiar warning pain that told me I can't keep this up without damaging something.

So question for you guys. Which setup (class/build) - in your opinion - gives a relatively easy DPS rotation? Something that's not too frantic? I'm willing to accept that it can be lower than a perfectly setup and skilled character. But perhaps not TOO low...(hopefully)?

Suggestions?

Sotomaior · August 2017

Pet sorc heavy attack build....just dot,pet,pray and heavy.but you have to light weave for better results

ascottk · August 2017

Look into alternative controllers or modded controllers if you haven't yet. If on Xbox don't go for the Elite since the insides are totally unreliable (terrible circuit board attachments). If you have $40 look into Collective Minds FPS Dominators (cheaper on eBay) for extra paddles. Wired alternative on XBox are the PDP controllers with the 6 assignable "buttons" (2 scroll wheels similar to mouse wheels).

Dubhliam · August 2017

Stam DK or stam sorc, heavy attack build.

seedubsrun · August 2017

I was going to recommend a pet sorc heavy attack build too. You can even simplify the setup to just a couple attacks and still get solid DPS output

waitwhat · August 2017

In addition to pet sorc recommendations, I would also add that it might be worth investing in an advanced controller than can automate repeated button presses and etc. if your carpel tunnel syndrome is really debilitating. I don't own any controllers like that, but I can see them having a benefit here.

Asardes · August 2017

Stam DK is not really a good choice for vMA beginner, because you need a lot of extra skills to make it work and you will get one shot if you mess up the mechanics. Magicka Sorcerer is by far the easiest IMO. Not necessarily pet build, non-pet works well.

waitwhat · August 2017

Also, avoid stamblade.

brandonv516 · August 2017

Anything proc related.

bhagwad · August 2017

Thanks for ideas. I'll look into the pet sorc heavy attack builds!

KingYogi415 · August 2017

Forget vma exists. Even if you power through it you will need to run it 20-100 times for a single usable drop.

That is hundreds of hours for a single needed weapon.

You can beat 3 whole new games with that time.

I recommend witcher 3 or fallout 4

Cheers!

KingYogi415 · August 2017

waitwhat wrote: »

In addition to pet sorc recommendations, I would also add that it might be worth investing in an advanced controller than can automate repeated button presses and etc. if your carpel tunnel syndrome is really debilitating. I don't own any controllers like that, but I can see them having a benefit here.

This is not possible for console, OP would need to switch to PC if he wants to cheat with ease!

Hippie4927 · August 2017

I have carpals in both wrists. I play a dps magplar and I wear wrist braces when I play. My fingers are free to work the controller but the braces keep my wrists from moving a lot. Helps a lot for me.

ascottk · August 2017

KingYogi415 wrote: »

waitwhat wrote: »

In addition to pet sorc recommendations, I would also add that it might be worth investing in an advanced controller than can automate repeated button presses and etc. if your carpel tunnel syndrome is really debilitating. I don't own any controllers like that, but I can see them having a benefit here.

This is not possible for console, OP would need to switch to PC if he wants to cheat with ease!

https://www.amazon.com/Collective-Minds-XBOX-ONE-Strike-Pack/dp/B01720MZJO

geonsocal · August 2017

no doubt dps can be painful...

certain content can definitely cause some discomfort...

someone mentioned it already - but, it may be best/wisest to leave vMA alone...

Asardes · August 2017

vMA drops are not that bad. I've kept ~1/3 of the weapons I got there. Out of 18 runs:
- Lightning Staves in infused and nirnhoned
- Battleaxe in precise and sharpened
- Dagger in infused and sharpened
Yes, if you want to run it for a certain weapon needed for a certain build that can be disappointing, but that's just how RNG works in this game. That's why I have an equal number of stamina and magicka characters of all classes. A good drop, for example a set piece in divines, can still be good, even if it's not good for character X.

SydneyGrey · August 2017

Pet sorc, also restoration staff or lightning staffs. So, basically a magicka pet sorc that uses staffs is ideal.
I have nerve damage in my arms, and these are easier to use for me.

Dasovaruilos · August 2017

Sotomaior wrote: »

Pet sorc heavy attack build....just dot,pet,pray and heavy.but you have to light weave for better results

That is the answer. You can do high damage using just 2 or 3 skills and then doing 2 heavy attacks.

It is probably the best dps per amount of buttons pressed you will find.

And it is by far the best way to farm/learn vMA.

Aurielle · August 2017

You've probably already done this, but make sure you turn off controller vibration. I've been suffering lately from something that definitely seems to be like carpal tunnel syndrome or repetitive strain injury, and all of the advice I've read thus far stresses the importance of eliminating vibration. Also, I'm not sure what console you have, but the controller may make a difference. I'm on PS4 and am looking into getting an Xbox style modded controller, as the analog stick layout is apparently a bit easier on the hands. My pain is limited to my left hand, so it's possible that the left analog stick (which is in a different position on Xbox controllers) is the culprit.

Johngo0036 · August 2017

pet sorc heavy attack build,

Easy 24 - 28k dps,

no fancy gear either,

Necro and julianos,
with infernal guardian monsterhelm set,

bar 1,
liquid lighning,
crit surge,
unstable familiar,
bound armour,
mage light,
U - meteor

Bar 2
elemental blockade
hardened ward,
unstable familiar,
bound armour,
mage light,
U - elemental rage.

rotation,
Crit surge,
liquid lighning,
swap,
elemental blockade,
unstable familiar,
hardened ward as req,

rinse and repeat.

Qbiken · August 2017

Since I work as a physiotherapist I´ve a hard time not starting to ask you stuff related to Carpal tunnel syndrome

, but as someone said I would recommend using some bracers for relieve some tension from the wrist, most occupational therapists should be able to help you with that as well

But I would recommend going magicka sorcerer with a heavy-attackbuild. Also magicka DK can use heavyattackbuilds very well. Check this build out to see if this can be something for you:
https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/309550/elemental-fury-pve-heavy-attack-dk-build-hotr-ready/p1

RaddlemanNumber7 · August 2017

Some days I have to play using only one hand. On those occasions I use my Mag Sorc. He has four toggles on each bar - 2 pets, bound aegis, and inner light. Lighting atro ult on both bars. Lighting staff on one bar with Liquid Lightning. Flame staff on the other bar with Boundless Storm. 7 light - 5 Necro, 5 Elegance and one piece monster. I mostly just fire off my two spells and then go for Heavy Attacks while the pets take the strain. Bar swapping is fairly minimal.

I find it a very easy ride. No strain on the hand or wrist at all.

I wouldn't try soloing any group content like this, but for everything else it works fine.

GreenhaloX · August 2017

Well, I don't know when voice-command controller will come out, but for now, you can try a Nord or Imperial MagDK tank. Yeah, yeah, a tank is not a dps.. but when your hp is 40k+ and you can spam Deep Breath, Ash Cloud (forgot what the morph is), Burning Embers, and Igneous Shield, it does tend to do some damage like a dps. In PvE, I solo with my DK tank all the time going at world bosses, delves and even dungeons, and it dps just fine. Well, not as effectively as a true dps toon, but it gets the job done.. and no, it doesn't take hours. Also, with Igneous Shield (for a tank) and Absorb magic or Defensive Stance, and the ultimate like Magma Shell/Corrosive Armor or Spell Wall, you're really hard to kill or wipe. Heck, I also have another 40k hp hybrid tank/dps Imperial StamPlar with stamina around 36k and about 3k damage, it's hard to wipe and I actually dps as much or more than a lot of other toons running around.

Asardes · August 2017

GreenhaloX wrote: »

Well, I don't know when voice-command controller will come out, but for now, you can try a Nord or Imperial MagDK tank. Yeah, yeah, a tank is not a dps.. but when your hp is 40k+ and you can spam Deep Breath, Ash Cloud (forgot what the morph is), Burning Embers, and Igneous Shield, it does tend to do some damage like a dps. In PvE, I solo with my DK tank all the time going at world bosses, delves and even dungeons, and it dps just fine. Well, not as effectively as a true dps toon, but it gets the job done.. and no, it doesn't take hours. Also, with Igneous Shield (for a tank) and Absorb magic or Defensive Stance, and the ultimate like Magma Shell/Corrosive Armor or Spell Wall, you're really hard to kill or wipe. Heck, I also have another 40k hp hybrid tank/dps Imperial StamPlar with stamina around 36k and about 3k damage, it's hard to wipe and I actually dps as much or more than a lot of other toons running around.

That's actually a very bad build for vMA since you need quite high DPS to do some of the mechanics. Someone actually brought a tank trough it and made a video of it, but it was a very long and harrowing run. Having lots of health doesn't mean a lot. It simply means you will get killed a bit later, when the adds and mechanics overwhelm you

GreenhaloX · August 2017

Asardes wrote: »

GreenhaloX wrote: »

Well, I don't know when voice-command controller will come out, but for now, you can try a Nord or Imperial MagDK tank. Yeah, yeah, a tank is not a dps.. but when your hp is 40k+ and you can spam Deep Breath, Ash Cloud (forgot what the morph is), Burning Embers, and Igneous Shield, it does tend to do some damage like a dps. In PvE, I solo with my DK tank all the time going at world bosses, delves and even dungeons, and it dps just fine. Well, not as effectively as a true dps toon, but it gets the job done.. and no, it doesn't take hours. Also, with Igneous Shield (for a tank) and Absorb magic or Defensive Stance, and the ultimate like Magma Shell/Corrosive Armor or Spell Wall, you're really hard to kill or wipe. Heck, I also have another 40k hp hybrid tank/dps Imperial StamPlar with stamina around 36k and about 3k damage, it's hard to wipe and I actually dps as much or more than a lot of other toons running around.

That's actually a very bad build for vMA since you need quite high DPS to do some of the mechanics. Someone actually brought a tank trough it and made a video of it, but it was a very long and harrowing run. Having lots of health doesn't mean a lot. It simply means you will get killed a bit later, when the adds and mechanics overwhelm you

Oh yeah, I wouldn't use a pure tank for vMA.. but for other normal PvE contents, it is fine. Although, I wouldn't try vMA even with a sorc if I have carpal tunnel. Sheesh... it is bad enough for non-ailment hands. However, the hybrid tank/dps isn't so bad for vMA. Can't long shot like a sorc (unless you have Binding Javelin, but not enough slot to slot that in), but still not so bad, though. The higher hp and Absorb Magic with Blazing Shield helped out a bit. Hmmm, I haven't try it with a hybrid tank/dps DW DK. Maybe I'll give that a try one day (if I'm still on this game. Ha ha.)

RoyalPink06 · August 2017

I'm a medical transcriptionist (typing all day) so I also suffer in the hands department...Not a doctor, but the rheumatologist I work for deals a LOT with patients with tendon issues. You've probably heard all this and the above advice before, but it might be beneficial to wear the wrist splints as much as you can, even at night (when sleeping) if tolerated, so that the tendons can get rest. Potentially even elbow braces to help rest the tendons in the forearms. Turn off the vibration of the controller. Have a look through the accessibility menu on the PS4 as well. I'm not sure whats there myself because I've never thought to look, but maybe there is something useful there.

As others suggested, sorc build would be the way to go. If you still have pain though, probably best to quit vMA for an extended break. Otherwise, you're going to end up needing carpal tunnel surgery.

bhagwad · August 2017

Thanks for the ideas and suggestions everyone! I'm looking into the builds you've all linked and recommended right now!