Drummerx04 wrote: »I'm pretty sure magplar is the lowest dps parse in the game right now. It got nerfed to *** so many times that the abilities just do less of everything.
Did no one look at this 40k ranged magplar parse?Drummerx04 wrote: »
And now this just takes the cake. I improved my rotation and hit 32K DPS on my brand new sorcerer. My magplar has never hit 30 even once.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdzZLtQCSVY
Drummerx04 wrote: »I'm pretty sure magplar is the lowest dps parse in the game right now. It got nerfed to *** so many times that the abilities just do less of everything.
Did no one look at this 40k ranged magplar parse?Drummerx04 wrote: »
Few comments on this Magplar parse:
1. He's using crafted spell power pots on cooldown. Without that, he loses major sorcery. And sustain!
2. He has someone else providing him with ele drain
3. He's not using sweeps, which means he's not healing. In a real vMA scenario, he would die
4. He has no shield on his bar. In a real vMA scenario, he would die
In other words, this build is "gimmick". It has no self sustain, it has no heals, and it's pretty expensive to run.
The real test is whether or not you can DPS, while taking heavy damage at the same time and healing, all at once. I just improved my newbie sorc build to 32k DPS. And this without spell power pots, without an outside source of ele drain, and continuous healing.
If I were to sacrifice all this and go for pure damage, I'm sure I can hit far higher numbers. And this without even fully levelling up my skills, without undaunted passives, and without mage guild passives!
Note that I haven't even morphed elemental rage yet on my sorc. Is that insane or what?
Drummerx04 wrote: »And now this just takes the cake. I improved my rotation and hit 32K DPS on my brand new sorcerer. My magplar has never hit 30 even once.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdzZLtQCSVY
Okay. @bhagwad, did you even look at the 40k magplar video I posted above? I have yet to see anyone even admit that the video exists.
Also, I doubt you'll get much higher than 35k on the pet sorc. It's a high floor, low ceiling build.
Will the rant about sorcs ever end? You do understand that several setups outparse sorc by 10k, right?! But no, you wont complain that stamNB is pulling 50k, or stamDK, or maybe magNB. I know its trendy to rant about sorcs, but dude, get a perspective.
Will the rant about sorcs ever end? You do understand that several setups outparse sorc by 10k, right?! But no, you wont complain that stamNB is pulling 50k, or stamDK, or maybe magNB. I know its trendy to rant about sorcs, but dude, get a perspective.
It's not about outparsing. Let me explain (with a specific focus on vMA).
1. My templar needed a complex skill rotation to get 27k dps. The magsorc uses just 4/5 skills.
2. My templar needed to be in range to heal with puncturing sweeps. The magsorc heals from range with power surge
3. My templar needed to slot a special skill for major sorcery. The magsorc gets it built in!
4. My templar got a shield of 15k. My new magsorc gets a 19k shield!
Also, while I haven't gone full out on stamina builds (because I'm too lazy to farm vigor/caltrops), I have tried them out. Here are my thoughts.
1. No shields
2. No solid heals (like 5k/second). Vigor is the only real burst heal. This makes it unforgiving.
3. Need to be in range
4. VERY complex and fast paced rotations to get high DPS
When I look at my newly minted magsorc, it's just...wow. I just parsed 27k on a dummy. And this is on my first day! My magplar needed months to get this high!
I've been a magplar player since the beginning. The only other toon I've played is a DK tank.
I've slowly improved my magplar DPS to 27k over the past few months. Painstakingly managing rotations. Buffs like major sorcery. Elemental drain. Channeled focus. Timing the skills right so that each is renewed at just the right time. Testing out gear. Full undaunted. Full mages guild for the passives. All passives (of course).
Last week I decided to roll a magsorc. Just to see what the fuss was about. I levelled her up with Dolmens, benefiting from the new life double XP event.
So I crafted a Julianos for her. Gave her my vMA lightning staff, with some infallible aether lying around, and slapped on this build from @Masel92 .
Basic dummy parse on first day: 25k DPS!!. Lol!
And this is:
1. Without Elemental Range fully levelled up.
2. Without Elemental Drain
3. Without Undaunted passives
4. Without Mages guild passives (I just unlocked inner light)
5. Without even unlocking all my class passives Some of them are still sitting at 48/49.
And this is a suboptimal set up since I've made modifications to get more health. By the time I level up undaunted and mages and unlock all the passives I'll be 30k DPS using just 5 skills!
It's unbelievable. This is a heavy attack build. I don't have to manage any buff other than major sorcery, and power surge takes care of that. 30 second duration! And I can do all this from range, without wasting mana on an expensive skill like puncturing sweeps to stay alive. Passive damage from pets will likely be very useful on the crystal stage of round 9 of vMA when I'm hiding behind a wall.
I never knew getting damage in ESO was so easy. Magsorcs for the win!
Update: I improved my rotations (same day), slotted ele drain, and I hit 32K DPS! I have never managed to break 30k with my magplar, even with full undaunted passives, and mage guild passives. In the video below, I haven't even morphed elemental rage!
It's just...wow. Unbelievable.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdzZLtQCSVY
The problem is not that sorc is too easy
The problem is that magplar is too bad
Drummerx04 wrote: »I'm pretty sure magplar is the lowest dps parse in the game right now. It got nerfed to *** so many times that the abilities just do less of everything.
Did no one look at this 40k ranged magplar parse?Drummerx04 wrote: »
Few comments on this Magplar parse:
1. He's using crafted spell power pots on cooldown. Without that, he loses major sorcery. And sustain!
2. He has someone else providing him with ele drain
3. He's not using sweeps, which means he's not healing. In a real vMA scenario, he would die
4. He has no shield on his bar. In a real vMA scenario, he would die
In other words, this build is "gimmick". It has no self sustain, it has no heals, and it's pretty expensive to run.
The real test is whether or not you can DPS, while taking heavy damage at the same time and healing, all at once. I just improved my newbie sorc build to 32k DPS. And this without spell power pots, without an outside source of ele drain, and continuous healing.
If I were to sacrifice all this and go for pure damage, I'm sure I can hit far higher numbers. And this without even fully levelling up my skills, without undaunted passives, and without mage guild passives!
Note that I haven't even morphed elemental rage yet on my sorc. Is that insane or what?
It is not a gimmick build by any means. My guess is your focus is not on raiding trials based on your comments.
1. for max pain spell power pots are a must and common in parses.
2. It is common for ele drain to be provided for parses. Raiding guilds want to see a parse of the players normal rotation and not having the most basic sustain they would have to compensate and hence not use their normal rotation.
3. Who cares what skills he is using. Drumer was pointing what is possible with a magplar.
4. Shield is essentially a flex slot. The player very likely raids with a shield on his bar. Maybe the jabs slot or maybe the ritual slot since he would also be getting orbs in a trial.
Will the rant about sorcs ever end? You do understand that several setups outparse sorc by 10k, right?! But no, you wont complain that stamNB is pulling 50k, or stamDK, or maybe magNB. I know its trendy to rant about sorcs, but dude, get a perspective.
It's not about outparsing. Let me explain (with a specific focus on vMA).
1. My templar needed a complex skill rotation to get 27k dps. The magsorc uses just 4/5 skills.
2. My templar needed to be in range to heal with puncturing sweeps. The magsorc heals from range with power surge
3. My templar needed to slot a special skill for major sorcery. The magsorc gets it built in!
4. My templar got a shield of 15k. My new magsorc gets a 19k shield!
Also, while I haven't gone full out on stamina builds (because I'm too lazy to farm vigor/caltrops), I have tried them out. Here are my thoughts.
1. No shields
2. No solid heals (like 5k/second). Vigor is the only real burst heal. This makes it unforgiving.
3. Need to be in range
4. VERY complex and fast paced rotations to get high DPS
When I look at my newly minted magsorc, it's just...wow. I just parsed 27k on a dummy. And this is on my first day! My magplar needed months to get this high!
Ok, you have few good points there, but dont forget, flip side is absurdly lesser dps then specs i mentioned earlier.
For the bolded parts.
Can you tell me where to buy sorc with built in major sorcery? Sorc need pots like everyone else can, or use surge.
When i PvE with my sorc i use harness magicka since i found it more beneficial. Nothing will one shoot you if you have your 15k shield up and magicka returns from harness is ridiculous.
On the subject of no shields for stam, I'll argue that blade cloak provides equal if not better protection in PvE runs and it's always on, since its also dips skill.
VERY complex skill rotations? More complex then sorcs, sure! Very complex is kinda exaggerating, especially if we talk stam dk, which is literally reapplying dots. I found MagNB hardest to master, but still, after 15-20 dummie practice runs i managed almost consistently get off 3 assassins will per duration. Basically just need some practice.
Will the rant about sorcs ever end? You do understand that several setups outparse sorc by 10k, right?! But no, you wont complain that stamNB is pulling 50k, or stamDK, or maybe magNB. I know its trendy to rant about sorcs, but dude, get a perspective.
It's not about outparsing. Let me explain (with a specific focus on vMA).
1. My templar needed a complex skill rotation to get 27k dps. The magsorc uses just 4/5 skills.
2. My templar needed to be in range to heal with puncturing sweeps. The magsorc heals from range with power surge
3. My templar needed to slot a special skill for major sorcery. The magsorc gets it built in!
4. My templar got a shield of 15k. My new magsorc gets a 19k shield!
Also, while I haven't gone full out on stamina builds (because I'm too lazy to farm vigor/caltrops), I have tried them out. Here are my thoughts.
1. No shields
2. No solid heals (like 5k/second). Vigor is the only real burst heal. This makes it unforgiving.
3. Need to be in range
4. VERY complex and fast paced rotations to get high DPS
When I look at my newly minted magsorc, it's just...wow. I just parsed 27k on a dummy. And this is on my first day! My magplar needed months to get this high!
Ok, you have few good points there, but dont forget, flip side is absurdly lesser dps then specs i mentioned earlier.
For the bolded parts.
Can you tell me where to buy sorc with built in major sorcery? Sorc need pots like everyone else can, or use surge.
When i PvE with my sorc i use harness magicka since i found it more beneficial. Nothing will one shoot you if you have your 15k shield up and magicka returns from harness is ridiculous.
On the subject of no shields for stam, I'll argue that blade cloak provides equal if not better protection in PvE runs and it's always on, since its also dips skill.
VERY complex skill rotations? More complex then sorcs, sure! Very complex is kinda exaggerating, especially if we talk stam dk, which is literally reapplying dots. I found MagNB hardest to master, but still, after 15-20 dummie practice runs i managed almost consistently get off 3 assassins will per duration. Basically just need some practice.
You're right. Rotation complexity is subjective. However, my experience in a stressful situation like vMA is that the fewer rotations, the better. When you're under fire everwhere, and a strangler just popped up, or you got thrown down in stage 9, or got pulled in by the 8th round mini boss, your brain freezes! And then the buffs drop off since you need emergency healing or damage and don't have time for other stuff.
As a result, I even started using Rattlecage for vMA on my magplar because I couldn't afford the time to use entropy in a stressful situation! That's why simple skill rotations are important for me. The less I do, the less that can go wrong!
I don't think any sorc in vMA or dungeon PUGS can survive without surge. As such, I take it as a given that they're using it. It's such a useful skill, and probably one of their defining survivability tools.
You may be right about blade cloak, but I just don't know. I don't have enough experience with stam builds, so I can't comment
MythicEmperor wrote: »Will the rant about sorcs ever end? You do understand that several setups outparse sorc by 10k, right?! But no, you wont complain that stamNB is pulling 50k, or stamDK, or maybe magNB. I know its trendy to rant about sorcs, but dude, get a perspective.
It's not about outparsing. Let me explain (with a specific focus on vMA).
1. My templar needed a complex skill rotation to get 27k dps. The magsorc uses just 4/5 skills.
2. My templar needed to be in range to heal with puncturing sweeps. The magsorc heals from range with power surge
3. My templar needed to slot a special skill for major sorcery. The magsorc gets it built in!
4. My templar got a shield of 15k. My new magsorc gets a 19k shield!
Also, while I haven't gone full out on stamina builds (because I'm too lazy to farm vigor/caltrops), I have tried them out. Here are my thoughts.
1. No shields
2. No solid heals (like 5k/second). Vigor is the only real burst heal. This makes it unforgiving.
3. Need to be in range
4. VERY complex and fast paced rotations to get high DPS
When I look at my newly minted magsorc, it's just...wow. I just parsed 27k on a dummy. And this is on my first day! My magplar needed months to get this high!
Ok, you have few good points there, but dont forget, flip side is absurdly lesser dps then specs i mentioned earlier.
For the bolded parts.
Can you tell me where to buy sorc with built in major sorcery? Sorc need pots like everyone else can, or use surge.
When i PvE with my sorc i use harness magicka since i found it more beneficial. Nothing will one shoot you if you have your 15k shield up and magicka returns from harness is ridiculous.
On the subject of no shields for stam, I'll argue that blade cloak provides equal if not better protection in PvE runs and it's always on, since its also dips skill.
VERY complex skill rotations? More complex then sorcs, sure! Very complex is kinda exaggerating, especially if we talk stam dk, which is literally reapplying dots. I found MagNB hardest to master, but still, after 15-20 dummie practice runs i managed almost consistently get off 3 assassins will per duration. Basically just need some practice.
You're right. Rotation complexity is subjective. However, my experience in a stressful situation like vMA is that the fewer rotations, the better. When you're under fire everwhere, and a strangler just popped up, or you got thrown down in stage 9, or got pulled in by the 8th round mini boss, your brain freezes! And then the buffs drop off since you need emergency healing or damage and don't have time for other stuff.
As a result, I even started using Rattlecage for vMA on my magplar because I couldn't afford the time to use entropy in a stressful situation! That's why simple skill rotations are important for me. The less I do, the less that can go wrong!
I don't think any sorc in vMA or dungeon PUGS can survive without surge. As such, I take it as a given that they're using it. It's such a useful skill, and probably one of their defining survivability tools.
You may be right about blade cloak, but I just don't know. I don't have enough experience with stam builds, so I can't comment
I can't speak for vMA as I have little experience there, but you can absolutely PUG without surge. Hell, I've even run vAS without it. It isn't nearly as defining as you think.
MythicEmperor wrote: »Will the rant about sorcs ever end? You do understand that several setups outparse sorc by 10k, right?! But no, you wont complain that stamNB is pulling 50k, or stamDK, or maybe magNB. I know its trendy to rant about sorcs, but dude, get a perspective.
It's not about outparsing. Let me explain (with a specific focus on vMA).
1. My templar needed a complex skill rotation to get 27k dps. The magsorc uses just 4/5 skills.
2. My templar needed to be in range to heal with puncturing sweeps. The magsorc heals from range with power surge
3. My templar needed to slot a special skill for major sorcery. The magsorc gets it built in!
4. My templar got a shield of 15k. My new magsorc gets a 19k shield!
Also, while I haven't gone full out on stamina builds (because I'm too lazy to farm vigor/caltrops), I have tried them out. Here are my thoughts.
1. No shields
2. No solid heals (like 5k/second). Vigor is the only real burst heal. This makes it unforgiving.
3. Need to be in range
4. VERY complex and fast paced rotations to get high DPS
When I look at my newly minted magsorc, it's just...wow. I just parsed 27k on a dummy. And this is on my first day! My magplar needed months to get this high!
Ok, you have few good points there, but dont forget, flip side is absurdly lesser dps then specs i mentioned earlier.
For the bolded parts.
Can you tell me where to buy sorc with built in major sorcery? Sorc need pots like everyone else can, or use surge.
When i PvE with my sorc i use harness magicka since i found it more beneficial. Nothing will one shoot you if you have your 15k shield up and magicka returns from harness is ridiculous.
On the subject of no shields for stam, I'll argue that blade cloak provides equal if not better protection in PvE runs and it's always on, since its also dips skill.
VERY complex skill rotations? More complex then sorcs, sure! Very complex is kinda exaggerating, especially if we talk stam dk, which is literally reapplying dots. I found MagNB hardest to master, but still, after 15-20 dummie practice runs i managed almost consistently get off 3 assassins will per duration. Basically just need some practice.
You're right. Rotation complexity is subjective. However, my experience in a stressful situation like vMA is that the fewer rotations, the better. When you're under fire everwhere, and a strangler just popped up, or you got thrown down in stage 9, or got pulled in by the 8th round mini boss, your brain freezes! And then the buffs drop off since you need emergency healing or damage and don't have time for other stuff.
As a result, I even started using Rattlecage for vMA on my magplar because I couldn't afford the time to use entropy in a stressful situation! That's why simple skill rotations are important for me. The less I do, the less that can go wrong!
I don't think any sorc in vMA or dungeon PUGS can survive without surge. As such, I take it as a given that they're using it. It's such a useful skill, and probably one of their defining survivability tools.
You may be right about blade cloak, but I just don't know. I don't have enough experience with stam builds, so I can't comment
I can't speak for vMA as I have little experience there, but you can absolutely PUG without surge. Hell, I've even run vAS without it. It isn't nearly as defining as you think.
That's interesting. How do you heal without surge?
Sounds about right for ANY class below level 50. Welcome to scaling. Characters below level 40 will seem overpowered. Around 45 you'll start seeing drops in stats as you become closer to 50.
Case in point. I decided to roll a DK tank. Using 4pc Allesia and 5pc Hist Bark (replacing every 10 levels)
Level 1-30 - 43k-45K health
Level 35-45 - 35k-38K health
CP 445 - 32k health
MythicEmperor wrote: »Will the rant about sorcs ever end? You do understand that several setups outparse sorc by 10k, right?! But no, you wont complain that stamNB is pulling 50k, or stamDK, or maybe magNB. I know its trendy to rant about sorcs, but dude, get a perspective.
It's not about outparsing. Let me explain (with a specific focus on vMA).
1. My templar needed a complex skill rotation to get 27k dps. The magsorc uses just 4/5 skills.
2. My templar needed to be in range to heal with puncturing sweeps. The magsorc heals from range with power surge
3. My templar needed to slot a special skill for major sorcery. The magsorc gets it built in!
4. My templar got a shield of 15k. My new magsorc gets a 19k shield!
Also, while I haven't gone full out on stamina builds (because I'm too lazy to farm vigor/caltrops), I have tried them out. Here are my thoughts.
1. No shields
2. No solid heals (like 5k/second). Vigor is the only real burst heal. This makes it unforgiving.
3. Need to be in range
4. VERY complex and fast paced rotations to get high DPS
When I look at my newly minted magsorc, it's just...wow. I just parsed 27k on a dummy. And this is on my first day! My magplar needed months to get this high!
Ok, you have few good points there, but dont forget, flip side is absurdly lesser dps then specs i mentioned earlier.
For the bolded parts.
Can you tell me where to buy sorc with built in major sorcery? Sorc need pots like everyone else can, or use surge.
When i PvE with my sorc i use harness magicka since i found it more beneficial. Nothing will one shoot you if you have your 15k shield up and magicka returns from harness is ridiculous.
On the subject of no shields for stam, I'll argue that blade cloak provides equal if not better protection in PvE runs and it's always on, since its also dips skill.
VERY complex skill rotations? More complex then sorcs, sure! Very complex is kinda exaggerating, especially if we talk stam dk, which is literally reapplying dots. I found MagNB hardest to master, but still, after 15-20 dummie practice runs i managed almost consistently get off 3 assassins will per duration. Basically just need some practice.
You're right. Rotation complexity is subjective. However, my experience in a stressful situation like vMA is that the fewer rotations, the better. When you're under fire everwhere, and a strangler just popped up, or you got thrown down in stage 9, or got pulled in by the 8th round mini boss, your brain freezes! And then the buffs drop off since you need emergency healing or damage and don't have time for other stuff.
As a result, I even started using Rattlecage for vMA on my magplar because I couldn't afford the time to use entropy in a stressful situation! That's why simple skill rotations are important for me. The less I do, the less that can go wrong!
I don't think any sorc in vMA or dungeon PUGS can survive without surge. As such, I take it as a given that they're using it. It's such a useful skill, and probably one of their defining survivability tools.
You may be right about blade cloak, but I just don't know. I don't have enough experience with stam builds, so I can't comment
I can't speak for vMA as I have little experience there, but you can absolutely PUG without surge. Hell, I've even run vAS without it. It isn't nearly as defining as you think.
That's interesting. How do you heal without surge?
MythicEmperor wrote: »Will the rant about sorcs ever end? You do understand that several setups outparse sorc by 10k, right?! But no, you wont complain that stamNB is pulling 50k, or stamDK, or maybe magNB. I know its trendy to rant about sorcs, but dude, get a perspective.
It's not about outparsing. Let me explain (with a specific focus on vMA).
1. My templar needed a complex skill rotation to get 27k dps. The magsorc uses just 4/5 skills.
2. My templar needed to be in range to heal with puncturing sweeps. The magsorc heals from range with power surge
3. My templar needed to slot a special skill for major sorcery. The magsorc gets it built in!
4. My templar got a shield of 15k. My new magsorc gets a 19k shield!
Also, while I haven't gone full out on stamina builds (because I'm too lazy to farm vigor/caltrops), I have tried them out. Here are my thoughts.
1. No shields
2. No solid heals (like 5k/second). Vigor is the only real burst heal. This makes it unforgiving.
3. Need to be in range
4. VERY complex and fast paced rotations to get high DPS
When I look at my newly minted magsorc, it's just...wow. I just parsed 27k on a dummy. And this is on my first day! My magplar needed months to get this high!
Ok, you have few good points there, but dont forget, flip side is absurdly lesser dps then specs i mentioned earlier.
For the bolded parts.
Can you tell me where to buy sorc with built in major sorcery? Sorc need pots like everyone else can, or use surge.
When i PvE with my sorc i use harness magicka since i found it more beneficial. Nothing will one shoot you if you have your 15k shield up and magicka returns from harness is ridiculous.
On the subject of no shields for stam, I'll argue that blade cloak provides equal if not better protection in PvE runs and it's always on, since its also dips skill.
VERY complex skill rotations? More complex then sorcs, sure! Very complex is kinda exaggerating, especially if we talk stam dk, which is literally reapplying dots. I found MagNB hardest to master, but still, after 15-20 dummie practice runs i managed almost consistently get off 3 assassins will per duration. Basically just need some practice.
You're right. Rotation complexity is subjective. However, my experience in a stressful situation like vMA is that the fewer rotations, the better. When you're under fire everwhere, and a strangler just popped up, or you got thrown down in stage 9, or got pulled in by the 8th round mini boss, your brain freezes! And then the buffs drop off since you need emergency healing or damage and don't have time for other stuff.
As a result, I even started using Rattlecage for vMA on my magplar because I couldn't afford the time to use entropy in a stressful situation! That's why simple skill rotations are important for me. The less I do, the less that can go wrong!
I don't think any sorc in vMA or dungeon PUGS can survive without surge. As such, I take it as a given that they're using it. It's such a useful skill, and probably one of their defining survivability tools.
You may be right about blade cloak, but I just don't know. I don't have enough experience with stam builds, so I can't comment
I can't speak for vMA as I have little experience there, but you can absolutely PUG without surge. Hell, I've even run vAS without it. It isn't nearly as defining as you think.
That's interesting. How do you heal without surge?
MythicEmperor wrote: »Will the rant about sorcs ever end? You do understand that several setups outparse sorc by 10k, right?! But no, you wont complain that stamNB is pulling 50k, or stamDK, or maybe magNB. I know its trendy to rant about sorcs, but dude, get a perspective.
It's not about outparsing. Let me explain (with a specific focus on vMA).
1. My templar needed a complex skill rotation to get 27k dps. The magsorc uses just 4/5 skills.
2. My templar needed to be in range to heal with puncturing sweeps. The magsorc heals from range with power surge
3. My templar needed to slot a special skill for major sorcery. The magsorc gets it built in!
4. My templar got a shield of 15k. My new magsorc gets a 19k shield!
Also, while I haven't gone full out on stamina builds (because I'm too lazy to farm vigor/caltrops), I have tried them out. Here are my thoughts.
1. No shields
2. No solid heals (like 5k/second). Vigor is the only real burst heal. This makes it unforgiving.
3. Need to be in range
4. VERY complex and fast paced rotations to get high DPS
When I look at my newly minted magsorc, it's just...wow. I just parsed 27k on a dummy. And this is on my first day! My magplar needed months to get this high!
Ok, you have few good points there, but dont forget, flip side is absurdly lesser dps then specs i mentioned earlier.
For the bolded parts.
Can you tell me where to buy sorc with built in major sorcery? Sorc need pots like everyone else can, or use surge.
When i PvE with my sorc i use harness magicka since i found it more beneficial. Nothing will one shoot you if you have your 15k shield up and magicka returns from harness is ridiculous.
On the subject of no shields for stam, I'll argue that blade cloak provides equal if not better protection in PvE runs and it's always on, since its also dips skill.
VERY complex skill rotations? More complex then sorcs, sure! Very complex is kinda exaggerating, especially if we talk stam dk, which is literally reapplying dots. I found MagNB hardest to master, but still, after 15-20 dummie practice runs i managed almost consistently get off 3 assassins will per duration. Basically just need some practice.
You're right. Rotation complexity is subjective. However, my experience in a stressful situation like vMA is that the fewer rotations, the better. When you're under fire everwhere, and a strangler just popped up, or you got thrown down in stage 9, or got pulled in by the 8th round mini boss, your brain freezes! And then the buffs drop off since you need emergency healing or damage and don't have time for other stuff.
As a result, I even started using Rattlecage for vMA on my magplar because I couldn't afford the time to use entropy in a stressful situation! That's why simple skill rotations are important for me. The less I do, the less that can go wrong!
I don't think any sorc in vMA or dungeon PUGS can survive without surge. As such, I take it as a given that they're using it. It's such a useful skill, and probably one of their defining survivability tools.
You may be right about blade cloak, but I just don't know. I don't have enough experience with stam builds, so I can't comment
I can't speak for vMA as I have little experience there, but you can absolutely PUG without surge. Hell, I've even run vAS without it. It isn't nearly as defining as you think.
That's interesting. How do you heal without surge?