Does anyone still use the Frost Staff ever?

VaranisArano · March 2018

Tasear wrote: »

red_emu wrote: »

Considering that HA with flame staff is a burst, shock is a channel, frost staff should be a DoT. Taunting enemies has no place in Destro Staff playstyle in my opinion. Either that or please make it deal more damage. I get what OP is saying. My frosty Mag Warden using flame staff in PvP just breaks the immersion but what can I do? Use frost regardless? I might as well turn off the monitor and try to PvP.

This is a nice idea if taunt was in shield and sword passives instead. But how would it fit with game play flow?

A taunt is in the first One-hand and Shield skill, Puncture.

Maura_Neysa · March 2018

josiahva wrote: »

GimpyPorcupine wrote: »

Psyonico wrote: »

Lynx7386 wrote: »

I pity those who think it's a useless weapon type. BIS backbar weapon for warden tanks, and not much behind for other classes. Any tank running double shields is gimping himself.

Care to elaborate on why double shield is gimping oneself?

The ability to restore both resources from heavy attacks. The ability to permablock by alternating which resource you use to do so.

I agree, double shield is indeed gimping yourself. There is nothing like an ice staff for several fights in the game as a tank. It shines for the last boss of both vet Falkreath Hold, and vICP, spamming heavy attacks and unlimited self-healing/reflects from the resource return is nothing to sneeze at, all while holding aggro at range. These days I barely ever slot inner fire aside from just a few fights where a faster ranged taunt is absolutely required. Also using magicka to block be useful. The CC and slow for mobs isnt terrible either, and like all destro staves, it allows the tank to also take care of elemental drain, which frees up a healer skill slot

All that is nice, bet not gimping. The reason 2× S&B is gimping is 1st because 100% up time on Crusher via Wall of Elements all while perma-blocking and 2nd access to a ranged- interrupt.

Trade off is lack of Battle Field Mobility and Defect Bolts passive. Personally l don't take Tri Focus so my block always cost magic, my HA doesnt taunt (too slow anyway) and no damage shield.

mb10 · March 2018

Im really hoping to see something about ice staff on the patch notes because the current state really is awful...

esp1992 · March 2018

Shor’s Bones, I can’t help but see so much hat

MLGProPlayer wrote: »

esp1992 wrote: »

I love the Warden. I also love Cryomancy along with Green Nature and Beast Magic.
So... my weapon of choice for the Warden is the Frost Staff.
Frost Destruction + Warden Frost Skills = Immersive as ***!
Don’t Like the new Tri-Focus Passive? Just avoid it! Simplicity Itself.

Although I see waaaay more people use an Inferno or Lightning Staff alot more than they use the Frost Staff.
Inferno/Lightning Destruction + Warden Frost Skills = Makes No Sense Whatsoever!

I woder if anyone still uses the Frost Staff at all, especially when they play as the Warden?

People use inferno/lightning staves because they're way stronger. Destruction staff passives add a metric *** ton of DPS. Losing out on that for more immersion doesn't make sense. The frost staff is not a damage weapon. It's a tanking weapon.

Goshua · March 2018

Sometimes. Heavy attacks feel broke a bit me and the range seems out compared to other staves

Bobby_V_Rockit · May 2018

I’m considering it for my first vMA clear, have had no luck beating round 5 as a stam sorc, mag sorc or pet magsorc, so figure why not give it a go. Its solo so the taunt is a non issue

jlmurra2 · May 2018

I find frost staff tanking fun on my Magicka Warden, and Sorcerer.

Sword, and shield, on one bar, and destruction staff on the other is one of the most enjoyable set ups in my opinion.

ErMurazor · May 2018

Yes i use it on my magplar as offtank

Peekachu99 · May 2018

It’s a fantastic tank backbar weapon, especially since the off balance change. Works well for Wardens or other tanks and gives you a secondary block pool for magika toons in PVP or PVE.

I’m getting really tired of uninspired community posts from people who simply refuse to see things outside of their wheelhouse. If you want max dps, you have 2 other options. Not everything in this game is about you, your specific power fantasy or the specific role you want to play. Lots of people use frost staff, just like lots of people (the preponderance) don’t use the forums. We’re in a minority for this discussion even.

technohic · May 2018

First time I’ve debated it has been now that it counts as 2 pieces and LA and HA scale of max resource for my magplar in PVP. 1h and shield is suddenly not that far better

lihentian · May 2018

ice staff?? never heard of it.. unless you mean that suicide staff that will surely get you killed in raid

Dark_Lord_Kuro · May 2018

I do play a cryomencer
I use it for questing or normal non-dlc dongeon only
Without trifocus
With
Asylum ice staff and nerieneth

Maura_Neysa · May 2018

lihentian wrote: »

ice staff?? never heard of it.. unless you mean that suicide staff that will surely get you killed in raid

@lihentian Ive been back barring and Ice Staff at all level of content including vTrials and Skin runs since Morrowind. By running an Ice Staff you get access to Wall of Elements which means with one skill I get AoE 100% uptime of an Infused Crusher Enchantment. Oh and it actually has a Weakening Enchant. It just also procs my front bar S&B Enchant when I am on the front bar.

The cost of running an Ice Staff is only
- Battle Field Mobility
- 15% Projectile damage reduction
- 1720 Resistance from the Shield.Can make up for this with Defending, but I choose Infused still)

Lysette · May 2018

TankHealz2015 wrote: »

...

Block cost = magika is probably the thing I like the best.

That is why I am using it on my back bar with my altmer - not using the tri-focus though - main bar is resto staff, much easier to aim from a distance while running - I often miss with the ice staff.

Nebthet78 · May 2018

esp1992 wrote: »

I love the Warden. I also love Cryomancy along with Green Nature and Beast Magic.
So... my weapon of choice for the Warden is the Frost Staff.
Frost Destruction + Warden Frost Skills = Immersive as ***!
Don’t Like the new Tri-Focus Passive? Just avoid it! Simplicity Itself.

Although I see waaaay more people use an Inferno or Lightning Staff alot more than they use the Frost Staff.
Inferno/Lightning Destruction + Warden Frost Skills = Makes No Sense Whatsoever!

I woder if anyone still uses the Frost Staff at all, especially when they play as the Warden?

They need to remove the taunt from the Frost staff and rework it so that it does damage like the fire staff, but has a good snare component to it. Then it would work very well with the Warden Frostcaster build.

Lysette · May 2018

Nebthet78 wrote: »

esp1992 wrote: »

I love the Warden. I also love Cryomancy along with Green Nature and Beast Magic.
So... my weapon of choice for the Warden is the Frost Staff.
Frost Destruction + Warden Frost Skills = Immersive as ***!
Don’t Like the new Tri-Focus Passive? Just avoid it! Simplicity Itself.

Although I see waaaay more people use an Inferno or Lightning Staff alot more than they use the Frost Staff.
Inferno/Lightning Destruction + Warden Frost Skills = Makes No Sense Whatsoever!

I woder if anyone still uses the Frost Staff at all, especially when they play as the Warden?

They need to remove the taunt from the Frost staff and rework it so that it does damage like the fire staff, but has a good snare component to it. Then it would work very well with the Warden Frostcaster build.

Why can a weapon like this not stay as it is?- It has a unique highest priority taunt with tri-focus. Some people might like it for just that and make good use of this very special feature. Just leave it as it is - this way it is different from any other staff.

Maura_Neysa · May 2018

Lysette wrote: »

Nebthet78 wrote: »

esp1992 wrote: »

I love the Warden. I also love Cryomancy along with Green Nature and Beast Magic.
So... my weapon of choice for the Warden is the Frost Staff.
Frost Destruction + Warden Frost Skills = Immersive as ***!
Don’t Like the new Tri-Focus Passive? Just avoid it! Simplicity Itself.

Although I see waaaay more people use an Inferno or Lightning Staff alot more than they use the Frost Staff.
Inferno/Lightning Destruction + Warden Frost Skills = Makes No Sense Whatsoever!

I wonder if anyone still uses the Frost Staff at all, especially when they play as the Warden?

They need to remove the taunt from the Frost staff and rework it so that it does damage like the fire staff, but has a good snare component to it. Then it would work very well with the Warden Frostcaster build.

Why can a weapon like this not stay as it is?- It has a unique highest priority taunt with tri-focus. Some people might like it for just that and make good use of this very special feature. Just leave it as it is - this way it is different from any other staff.

Very much agree. Tri-Focus passive actually has little value. Everything it does only effects HA, so its only worth anything on a HA build. So it cost nothing to not take it if you are trying to make an Ice Staff build, or if you just dont want your block to cost magicka

And its super useful on DPS/Healer builds. Instead of wasting a slot on Inner Fire for say Hiath, just back bar an Ice Staff, and you have your taunt and a big jump in durability.

Arobain · May 2018

i have a pvp ice mage, so yes, and it works great for pvp

LadyLethalla · May 2018

Maelstrom Ice staff was the first weapon I got. I worked so hard for that - damn straight I'm going to use it. In PVP.

Maura_Neysa · May 2018

LadyLethalla wrote: »

Maelstrom Ice staff was the first weapon I got. I worked so hard for that - damn straight I'm going to use it. In PVP.

Masters would be a far better choice

ANGEL_BtVS · May 2018

I've said it before and I'll keep saying it. The only way to make everyone happy is for ZOS to create a 3rd staff line focused on support (alteration staff?). Elements could play a part in both destruction and alteration staffs. Ice could be a dps element when used on a destruction staff and defensive when used on a support staff. Perhaps ZOS could come up with unique and interesting defensive traits for fire and lightning as well. I played as a bad azz ice mage DD in Skyrim, looking forward to the day I can do that in ESO. As of now, we have a destruction staff being used a tanking weapon - that's just dumb.

josiahva · May 2018

ANGEL_BtVS wrote: »

I've said it before and I'll keep saying it. The only way to make everyone happy is for ZOS to create a 3rd staff line focused on support (alteration staff?). Elements could play a part in both destruction and alteration staffs. Ice could be a dps element when used on a destruction staff and defensive when used on a support staff. Perhaps ZOS could come up with unique and interesting defensive traits for fire and lightning as well. I played as a bad azz ice mage DD in Skyrim, looking forward to the day I can do that in ESO. As of now, we have a destruction staff being used a tanking weapon - that's just dumb.

You are wrong...Ice slows stuff...so it makes sense for it to be a tanking weapon, ice in the real world doesn't damage anything, or not very fast, as opposed to fire and lightning which are far more destructive over a short period of time. Go out in an ice storm and you will move much more slowly toward wherever you are going. Just get over that fact that you think every magicka weapon should be DPS, there is more to this game than DPS, and nothing is stopping you from using the ice staff as a DPS weapon, just dont put the passive in...heavy attacks deal less damage now, you only use them for restoring rss now anyway

Passive as it applies to the ice staff:

Fully-charged Frost Heavy Attack taunt the enemy to attack you for 15 seconds and grant a damage shield that absorbs 805 damage.
While a Frost Staff is equipped, blocking cost Magicka instead of Stamina

The shield is virtually worthless...even for a DPS, and the few times you are needing to block stamina works just fine. THERE IS NO REASON TO USE THIS PASSIVE IF YOU ARE USING THE ICE STAFF FOR DPS. Nothing is stopping you from using the ice staff for damage...just like before the changes nothing was stopping DPS from using it...but just like before the changes were made to give tanks more utility, NO ONE USES THE ICE STAFF FOR DAMAGE AND THEY NEVER HAVE....the taunt has nothing to do with it....the fact that there is a distinct lack of ice damage abilities in the game does, even the warden doesnt have enough to make ice damage viable, if ice damage were viable, people would use the ice staff and just not care about that passive.

_Ahala_ · May 2018

I used to... and was having immense success with it in pvp... then zos removed the stun from shalk and the build died

_Ahala_ · May 2018

We got some new fun build options in Summerset for magden... but something feels off to me when using only 1 ice skill to deal damage and 2 class abilities... maybe something could be built using accelerating drain but idk... this will require some further testing

Ilithyania · May 2018

Fiktius · May 2018

I did create pre-Summerset PvP build for mag Warden which included frost staff, but now when deep fissure stun was removed, that transformed half of my build entirely useless and generated several issues for the rotation and DPS.
Now I'll have to drop the idea and that Warden will remain level 37 until developers give another viable class stun, if I won't end to delete entire character before that happens.

SilverIce58 · May 2018

josiahva wrote: »

ANGEL_BtVS wrote: »

I've said it before and I'll keep saying it. The only way to make everyone happy is for ZOS to create a 3rd staff line focused on support (alteration staff?). Elements could play a part in both destruction and alteration staffs. Ice could be a dps element when used on a destruction staff and defensive when used on a support staff. Perhaps ZOS could come up with unique and interesting defensive traits for fire and lightning as well. I played as a bad azz ice mage DD in Skyrim, looking forward to the day I can do that in ESO. As of now, we have a destruction staff being used a tanking weapon - that's just dumb.

You are wrong...Ice slows stuff...so it makes sense for it to be a tanking weapon, ice in the real world doesn't damage anything, or not very fast, as opposed to fire and lightning which are far more destructive over a short period of time. Go out in an ice storm and you will move much more slowly toward wherever you are going.

You've obviously never been in a hail storm.

ANGEL_BtVS · May 2018

josiahva wrote: »

ANGEL_BtVS wrote: »

I've said it before and I'll keep saying it. The only way to make everyone happy is for ZOS to create a 3rd staff line focused on support (alteration staff?). Elements could play a part in both destruction and alteration staffs. Ice could be a dps element when used on a destruction staff and defensive when used on a support staff. Perhaps ZOS could come up with unique and interesting defensive traits for fire and lightning as well. I played as a bad azz ice mage DD in Skyrim, looking forward to the day I can do that in ESO. As of now, we have a destruction staff being used a tanking weapon - that's just dumb.

You are wrong...Ice slows stuff...so it makes sense for it to be a tanking weapon, ice in the real world doesn't damage anything, or not very fast, as opposed to fire and lightning which are far more destructive over a short period of time. Go out in an ice storm and you will move much more slowly toward wherever you are going. Just get over that fact that you think every magicka weapon should be DPS, there is more to this game than DPS, and nothing is stopping you from using the ice staff as a DPS weapon, just dont put the passive in...heavy attacks deal less damage now, you only use them for restoring rss now anyway

Passive as it applies to the ice staff:

Fully-charged Frost Heavy Attack taunt the enemy to attack you for 15 seconds and grant a damage shield that absorbs 805 damage.
While a Frost Staff is equipped, blocking cost Magicka instead of Stamina

The shield is virtually worthless...even for a DPS, and the few times you are needing to block stamina works just fine. THERE IS NO REASON TO USE THIS PASSIVE IF YOU ARE USING THE ICE STAFF FOR DPS. Nothing is stopping you from using the ice staff for damage...just like before the changes nothing was stopping DPS from using it...but just like before the changes were made to give tanks more utility, NO ONE USES THE ICE STAFF FOR DAMAGE AND THEY NEVER HAVE....the taunt has nothing to do with it....the fact that there is a distinct lack of ice damage abilities in the game does, even the warden doesnt have enough to make ice damage viable, if ice damage were viable, people would use the ice staff and just not care about that passive.

The ice staff is a DESTRUCTION staff. If something is called a DESTRUCTION staff it's primary focus should be on DESTROYING things. Ice mages in Skyrim absolutely wrecked ish and this game is set in the same universe. For all we know, the ice coming out of an ice staff is coming in at minus 200 degrees - exactly how long would you last in that? Exactly. If ice wasn't meant to do damage, we wouldn't have all of the ice DD-focused things we have now including active and passive skills and equipment sets. It's not like requests for ice dd is an odd thing - it was extremely popular in Skyrim and there are a ton of enemies in Skyrim that dealt it ridiculously well. Again, same universe.

And finally, no, I don't think all magicka should be dps-based. I certainly don't think the resto staff should be dps-focused. And it's the whole reason I'm in favor of creating an alteration staff. To provide magicka-based support that is not focused on dps. An alteration staff would bring a lot more variety to the game. And as I said before, I'm trying to come up with ways to make everyone happy, which based on some of the responses clearly isn't true of everyone in this forum.

Silver_Strider · May 2018

ANGEL_BtVS wrote: »

josiahva wrote: »

ANGEL_BtVS wrote: »

I've said it before and I'll keep saying it. The only way to make everyone happy is for ZOS to create a 3rd staff line focused on support (alteration staff?). Elements could play a part in both destruction and alteration staffs. Ice could be a dps element when used on a destruction staff and defensive when used on a support staff. Perhaps ZOS could come up with unique and interesting defensive traits for fire and lightning as well. I played as a bad azz ice mage DD in Skyrim, looking forward to the day I can do that in ESO. As of now, we have a destruction staff being used a tanking weapon - that's just dumb.

You are wrong...Ice slows stuff...so it makes sense for it to be a tanking weapon, ice in the real world doesn't damage anything, or not very fast, as opposed to fire and lightning which are far more destructive over a short period of time. Go out in an ice storm and you will move much more slowly toward wherever you are going. Just get over that fact that you think every magicka weapon should be DPS, there is more to this game than DPS, and nothing is stopping you from using the ice staff as a DPS weapon, just dont put the passive in...heavy attacks deal less damage now, you only use them for restoring rss now anyway

Passive as it applies to the ice staff:

Fully-charged Frost Heavy Attack taunt the enemy to attack you for 15 seconds and grant a damage shield that absorbs 805 damage.
While a Frost Staff is equipped, blocking cost Magicka instead of Stamina

The shield is virtually worthless...even for a DPS, and the few times you are needing to block stamina works just fine. THERE IS NO REASON TO USE THIS PASSIVE IF YOU ARE USING THE ICE STAFF FOR DPS. Nothing is stopping you from using the ice staff for damage...just like before the changes nothing was stopping DPS from using it...but just like before the changes were made to give tanks more utility, NO ONE USES THE ICE STAFF FOR DAMAGE AND THEY NEVER HAVE....the taunt has nothing to do with it....the fact that there is a distinct lack of ice damage abilities in the game does, even the warden doesnt have enough to make ice damage viable, if ice damage were viable, people would use the ice staff and just not care about that passive.

The ice staff is a DESTRUCTION staff. If something is called a DESTRUCTION staff it's primary focus should be on DESTROYING things. Ice mages in Skyrim absolutely wrecked ish and this game is set in the same universe. For all we know, the ice coming out of an ice staff is coming in at minus 200 degrees - exactly how long would you last in that? Exactly. If ice wasn't meant to do damage, we wouldn't have all of the ice DD-focused things we have now including active and passive skills and equipment sets. It's not like requests for ice dd is an odd thing - it was extremely popular in Skyrim and there are a ton of enemies in Skyrim that dealt it ridiculously well. Again, same universe.

And finally, no, I don't think all magicka should be dps-based. I certainly don't think the resto staff should be dps-focused. And it's the whole reason I'm in favor of creating an alteration staff. To provide magicka-based support that is not focused on dps. An alteration staff would bring a lot more variety to the game. And as I said before, I'm trying to come up with ways to make everyone happy, which based on some of the responses clearly isn't true of everyone in this forum.

To be fair, Ice Magic in Skyrim was crap without Mods. More than half the enemies where resistant, if not flat out immune, to Ice Magic and it was the weakest of Destruction Magic because of this. To add insult to injury, the Master Ice Spell was glitched and would do less damage the more Spell/Frost resist your character had, making it the absolute weakest spell in the game if you didn't purposefully negate your resistances with self induced poisons prior to casting it.

BretonMage · May 2018

The frost staff would have been great for my solo sorcerer because its freezing abilities was excellent for crowd control. However I can't use it because of the taunt and the magicka use for block.

I think it would be useful if they could make its taunt abilities a separate morph option, seeing that its controversial enough.