Light armor vs Heavy armor for a caster

Crazybrandonian · April 2014

So, this is still a question that's playing heavily on my mind, i'm torn between the 2 as to my understanding as a new player both of them have their strengths.

Heavy armor: higher survival but you move slower
Light armor: higher magicka regeneration/spell defences

I'm a high elf sorcerer and I'm wondering what's best basically, largely I'd imagine it comes down to personal preference but with the racial magicka regen of high elfs + dark exchange (can trade stamina for health/magicka back but its channeled) I'm not entirely sure I'll have issues with magicka later on meaning I could get by with heavy armor (that's the theory at least)

I just don't want to be out in PvP and basically fold due to having shoddy magicka regen.

Thoughts?

Twistedmind · April 2014

I am planning to mix match Heavy armor boots and gloves, possibly rest cloth. But my reasons are purely on looks so I cannot say much how the things will turn out PvP wisely.

Empiron · April 2014

As a sorcerer it's probably best to get light armour for the magicka regen.

Being able to cast spells is a lot more important than being tanky especially as a mage! You can also use abilities like Lightning Form and Bolt Escape to increase your armour and stay out of harms way.

Crazybrandonian · April 2014

thanks for the input.

ThatHappyCat · April 2014

Go 5 Light and 2 Heavy, with Heavy being Torso and Hood, Gloves, Leggings or Shoulders. This way you get the 5-piece Light bonus and extra defence, while sacrificing very little in magicka boosts.

Hawke · April 2014

I hadn't noticed I moved slower in heavy armor.. guess I should pay attention more.

When I had 4 heavy, 2 medium and 1 light, at around level 9, I was capped at 340 and had a warning saying I was overcharged with armor.

Airtas · April 2014

Are you not able to enchant your heavy armor with magicka regeneration?

Thybrinena · April 2014

Yes you can. As a caster you will run into magicka regen problems in VR content unless you predminantly spec into Light armor. I'm afraid that even enchanting fully into magicka as a HA wearer simply won't cut it....but nor should it, imagine if heavy armor would be fully viable as main healer, nobody would need to wear anything else. Having an armor mix is good because you get to capitalise on the armor passives. So 5 Light and 2 heavy is totally viable or any 5/2 split for that matter.

The 300 skill pts you gain will easily cover any over expenditure.

ElliottXO · April 2014

More than 2 parts of heavy armor does not make sense for any role except tank. The physical damage reduction is minor.

You need the 5 piece bonus from light or medium armor to be efficient if you are not the tank.

Crazybrandonian · April 2014

Hirion wrote: »

Yes you can. As a caster you will run into magicka regen problems in VR content unless you predminantly spec into Light armor. I'm afraid that even enchanting fully into magicka as a HA wearer simply won't cut it....but nor should it, imagine if heavy armor would be fully viable as main healer, nobody would need to wear anything else. Having an armor mix is good because you get to capitalise on the armor passives. So 5 Light and 2 heavy is totally viable or any 5/2 split for that matter.

The 300 skill pts you gain will easily cover any over expenditure.

Ah ok, so you get 300 skill points maximum? does that 300 include what you gain from pvp ranks or is that 300 purely what you will max out on while questing/leveling?

Hawke · April 2014

The 300 is the estimation that you got all skyshards, all quests, etc.

To max all the skills out , you need like 550 skill points or something like that... you gotta be slightly choosey.

txpoodoo · April 2014

I would just like to say that wearing heavy armor in the early game is the best option. Until you start slotting your armor passives, there is only one reason to wear light and/or medium. That is just to start earning ranks with that armor. So, wear 5 heavy/2 light or 5 heavy/2 medium (depends on your long term type of armor you are going to use)

Once you start slotting your armor passives, then start wearing the majority of that type of armor.

Crazybrandonian · April 2014

I'll give 5 light 2 heavy a go then

ElliottXO · April 2014

txpoodoo wrote: »

I would just like to say that wearing heavy armor in the early game is the best option. Until you start slotting your armor passives, there is only one reason to wear light and/or medium. That is just to start earning ranks with that armor. So, wear 5 heavy/2 light or 5 heavy/2 medium (depends on your long term type of armor you are going to use)

Once you start slotting your armor passives, then start wearing the majority of that type of armor.

You can have 3-4 armor passives on level 15 already. So I highly doubt it makes sense to start like this. Just go 5 parts of your main armor type from the start.

Hawke · April 2014

I would advise that you wear at least one of each armor type on you starting out (until you get down and get serious) so you level up all those armor types, for when you figure out HOW you really want to go.

kewl · April 2014

I'll be rolling w/ 5 light 2 heavy (chest & legs) in PvP. That immovable skill is great and as a healer, the extra armor is appreciated. Resto staff is a bullseye.

In PvE I go full light.

Gohlar · April 2014

kewl wrote: »

I'll be rolling w/ 5 light 2 heavy (chest & legs) in PvP. That immovable skill is great and as a healer, the extra armor is appreciated. Resto staff is a bullseye.

In PvE I go full light.

From everything I've seen and read, this looks like the way to go.

Shimond · April 2014

What people have also been saying is you will hit the overcharge (diminishing returns) soft cap if you try to do full heavy armor anyway, so it sounds like just about everyone (who's a min/maxer at any rate) will be doing some combination of mostly light/medium with 2 heavy.

Jaamonliu · April 2014

You should always go for light armor with a caster class due to magika regeneration. Having a couple heavy armor could def help you our with survivability when creeps are close by. I use ranged sorcerer and on my second weapon, I use a 2 hand sword which is battlemage which will def encounter close combat.

Hawke · April 2014

I disagree.

If you are using weapon skills (not staves) over class skills you need stamina more than magicka.

You need to figure out how you are going to fight, and then build off of that.

Just a tip.

Kyosji · April 2014

Depending on your role (PvP or PvE) Both cases for a caster 5 light and 2 heavy is the best choice. Sure you can go full light. You will get just a bit extra damage out of it, but you will take more damage. I don't see it really being useful to go that route unless your are in PvE with a group and being protected. If you go 5l and 2h, then you can put Grand Enchantment of Magicka Regen in your greater equipment slots, and either health or magic bonuses on your other equipment, depending on on if you want to take a few extra hits or deal a few extra damage.

Me, personally, i'll get the extra damage and use my ice destruction staff to snare.

chubz · April 2014

So is the main reason to go 5/2 light/heavy vs 7 light because of hitting regen and cost reductions soft/hard caps?? or just for extra survivability? And if there is a cap on cost reduction?