Top Magicka DPS Dragonbones?

MacCait · March 2018

Having a discussion with a friend who is claiming Nightblade Magicka DPS is the current top dps, at least certainly within Magicka. I find that very hard to beileve. I had though Sorc Magicka was always stronger and top dog in Magicka builds.

Would like to hear from experienced players on their views (of course I am aware Sorc is mainly AoE and Nightblade is single target - but overal top dps).

What class would you say is the current top Magicka DPS?

Where does Magicka Nightblade and Magick Sorc sit right now in correlation to the top Magicka DPS?

How would you rank the Magicka DPS classes right now?

Would be very interested to here your views.

Waffennacht · March 2018

Just from what I've heard, your friend is correct. The changes to Merc and the nerfs to Sorc have made NB a better choice.

But I dunno about the other mag classes (I.e DK or temp)

But I do know it seemed easier to pull the same kind of DPS on my Templar, but that could be armor choice

Runefang · March 2018

1. Magblade

2. Pet Sorc
3. No-pet Sorc / Magplar

4. Magden / MagDK

djyrb · March 2018

The general consensus is that Magblade is the strongest Magicka DPS right now, but it's one of the toughest builds to master compared to others.

MacCait · March 2018

REALLY? What's the build? I've been running Magblade for years, still seems crap to me

Asmael · March 2018

MacCait wrote: »

REALLY? What's the build? I've been running Magblade for years, still seems crap to me

@MacCait Actual raid scenario:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvCGUmuz_E0

Build setup (check YT description as well):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lu6IOwhCMI

MLGProPlayer · March 2018

NB > Sorc >>> Templar = DK >>> Warden

Liofa · March 2018

Magicka Nightblades are top Magicka DPS at the moment but Magicka Sorcerers are still required for Conduit synergy (Alkosh uptime) and proper Concussion on bosses . Rest of the classes are just not good .

MacCait · March 2018

So am I understanding that this is just one build, or that the class itself is stronger than any other magicka class right now?

beetleklee · March 2018

MagNB is currently top dog for Mag DPS, but has a tricker rotation due to the way Merciless Resolve works. But yeah they have a high skill ceiling so in my opinion they deserve to do higher DPS when played well.
MagSorc is still good and is needed for Conduit synergies, and is a lot easier to play especially going pet Sorc. Though keep in mind some trials bosses are better off with no pets as they can cause issues (for example the Mage on vAA, the scamps will trigger Chain Lightning and kill melee players)

The rest aren't wanted in leaderboard runs but a more relaxed trials guild probably won't care as long as you do good DPS and know mechanics.

MagDK takes up a melee spot where stam does more DPS, and suffers from awful sustain.
Magplar also takes up a melee spot, though pretty sure you can also go ranged with them, but they do less DPS than NB/Sorc usually.
Magplar has the lowest DPS of the mag classes.

MacCait · March 2018

So what is the top ranking in Stamina dps?

ccfeeling · March 2018

If we ignore all conditions, yes magblade is the best right now

Asmael · March 2018

MacCait wrote: »

So am I understanding that this is just one build, or that the class itself is stronger than any other magicka class right now?

Few things to keep in mind: stamina clearly outperforms magicka in melee range*, where magplars and mag DKs shine. This leaves magicka warden which struggles to keep up with any other magicka spec, magicka sorcerers - which are still a good raid addition for concussion + conduit synergy + AoEs, and magblades for uncontested single target DPS from range.

So this is the class itself, the build itself is similar between magicka specs with the rise of Mechanical Acuity.

* That much actually:

beetleklee · March 2018

MacCait wrote: »

So what is the top ranking in Stamina dps?

They're all fairly close, but currently Stamblade does the highest, but again, it's trickier to play due to its version of Grim Focus.

Stamwarden does the lowest (poor Wardens)

Sorc, DK and Templar are pretty close. Sorc does a lot of AOE and Templar is good for wearing War Machine and the skill Power of the Light. DK was top dog for the last couple patches but lost its spot to NB, due to off balance nerfs. It's still super solid and does high DPS, and has an easy rotation.

Edit: Will say they are similar due to sharing most of their skills, which are from the Dual Wield and Bow skill lines, they typically only use a few class skills, while Mag DPS use more class skills than weapon line skills.

Runefang · March 2018

beetleklee wrote: »

MagNB is currently top dog for Mag DPS, but has a tricker rotation due to the way Merciless Resolve works. But yeah they have a high skill ceiling so in my opinion they deserve to do higher DPS when played well.
MagSorc is still good and is needed for Conduit synergies, and is a lot easier to play especially going pet Sorc. Though keep in mind some trials bosses are better off with no pets as they can cause issues (for example the Mage on vAA, the scamps will trigger Chain Lightning and kill melee players)

The rest aren't wanted in leaderboard runs but a more relaxed trials guild probably won't care as long as you do good DPS and know mechanics.

MagDK takes up a melee spot where stam does more DPS, and suffers from awful sustain.
Magplar also takes up a melee spot, though pretty sure you can also go ranged with them, but they do less DPS than NB/Sorc usually.
Magplar has the lowest DPS of the mag classes.

Magdens and MagDKs are both lower than a ranged Magplar let alone a melee Magplar.

AlienatedGoat · March 2018

MLGProPlayer wrote: »

NB > Sorc >>> Templar = DK >>> Warden

Yup.

Cazzy · March 2018

I'm a Magblade and do pretty well in trials and dungeons

Kingslayer513 · March 2018

MLGProPlayer wrote: »

NB > Sorc >>> Templar = DK >>> Warden

This is accurate and the general consensus of endgame PVE. It's also what I see with my own toons as well, even though magNB is the newest addition to my account. Also worth noting that it's the pet sorc that's 2nd place, the non-pet variant is somewhere down with Templar/DK. I find Templar doing higher damage than my DK, but I think that's just experience and they're both not even close to magNB.

Sorc has far more AOE though and can proc Off Balance regularly, so it's still very useful. I love mag sorc and it's my main, but sadly magNB has it easily beat.