The Elder Scrolls Online

Evanlyn_Winter · September 2018

So im new to the game, please dont flay me for not knowing these things, but i have some questions about DPS. So i just put on Combat Metrics and I saw online that a common DPS was 30K. The problem is that im only pulling 3k and i dont think im pulling my weight as a damage dealer in a group. I know armor, weapons, color (gold/purple/etc), rotations, and criticals can bring your DPS up. I am also aware that my build is not very efficient, I am a magicka nightblade that focuses on self healing (like siphoning), since I did not even know what a build was when i joined.

What i am trying to find out is why there is such a big gap in my DPS and other people's DPS. I am aware my build is not efficient and that hundreds of factors like rotation can make a big difference, but I did not think it would be a 20K difference? I am a little over 200 CP, so it shouldnt be my level that is making my DPS so low.

(please put it into simple terms since I am not familiar with a lot of the terminology and how DPS work)

VaranisArano · September 2018

DPS comes from a rotation of skills that layers damage over time skills, single target skills, and buffs to keep a constant uptime on buffs and DOTs. Light attacks are weaved in between skills for extra damage and heavy attacks are weaved in for resource sustain.

Which skills you use depend on your build. (There are lots of MagBlade builds out there.)

Your skills are buffed by gear, passives, and CP.

Basic example: lay down Wall of Elements on enemies before you use siphoning. The DOT will continue damaging enemies while you do single target damage, which increases your DPS.

Skullstachio · September 2018

Using the nightblades Death Stroke can bring up your overall dps on a single target by a huge chunk as death stroke makes the target receive 20% more Damage from you for 6 seconds. And believe it or not, but it is also the reason why DPS nightblades are highly prized in trials groups.

Evanlyn_Winter · September 2018

But the answers so far dont explain why there is such a big gap in the DPS, I would expect a 5k gap, but not a 30k gap.

adeptusminor · September 2018

Are you light attacking between each skill?

edit: The best way to get help is to do a parse on a 3m target dummy and record it if you can. If you aren't able to record it, posting the combat metrics dps screen is the 2nd best option. That way people can look over the uptimes of your abilities and see which skills you are using and offer specific advice. Also, list your gear and CP allocation as well!

Skullstachio · September 2018

Have you tried using a target skeleton. They are used for the sole purpose of seeing how much DPS your character does and you can use its dps analysis to improve yourself by using some particular sets to improve overall DPS not just for yourself, but for the rest of your group in addition to improving your “rotation.”

Champion Point Allocation is another thing as well but it is highly scientific around the end-game.

VaranisArano · September 2018

Evanlyn_Winter wrote: »

But the answers so far dont explain why there is such a big gap in the DPS, I would expect a 5k gap, but not a 30k gap.

30k DPS is a combination of gear, CP, and proper rotation.

It sounds like you are using an inefficient rotation compared to the builds that get 30k DPS.

I had a stam sorc rotation I found easy to use that did about 15-18k DPS with practice. Switching it up to a meta rotation from an online build brought that up to 22k almost immediately with little practice, and I've got room to improve since it wasn't the meta gear.

If you want to improve, find a build online you think you can do, and practice the rotation. Even if you dont hit 30k immediately, you wont be doing 3k DPS anymore.

Striken7 · September 2018

Evanlyn_Winter wrote: »

But the answers so far dont explain why there is such a big gap in the DPS, I would expect a 5k gap, but not a 30k gap.

If I had to guess, you're not using the right skills, in the right rotation, with the right gear or CP's, to get 30k dps. But you haven't really told us anything useful about what you do have / are doing, so you're not going to get a better answer.

raj72616a · September 2018

one pitfall is that, your damage done is based on Spell Damage + Max Magicka.
we don't meant in the sense that you need magicka to cast spell, we meant that the damage from every single attack is calculated based on (Spell Damage + Max Magicka / 10.46), roughly each 10 point of magicka is worth 1 spell damage.

at the very minimum, ppl min max the following:
all 64 stats pt from level up into max magicka
use top level food for 5k more max magicka
get that 15% spell crit bonus from CP
use either Mage Apprentice or Lover mundus stone
wear at least 5 piece of light armor and learn all the light armor passive
at least wearing 2 sets, the total bonus from each set should be worth abt 600~700 spell damage (translating max magicka, spell penetration and spell crit into that)

and there's:
upgrading weapon to gold/legendary quality
get +6% max health/mag/stam from undaunted passive
use 2-piece monster helm+shoulder set

if you have been ignoring all that, your stats can be quite terrible compared to other players

raj72616a · September 2018

if you get all your stats and equipement and passives correct, just spamming light attack can give you >10k dps. i personally tested that:

https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/418907/dps-floor-after-summerset-light-attack-only

go try and be amazed that you had been performing worse than just doing left click.

try light attack spam on skeleton dummy first (that should already improve your dps), and improve from there by weaving in some skills.

raj72616a · September 2018

btw 30k is achievable, and top players can pull way over 50k, but 30k is not "common" if you're not in a trial guild.

lots of "dps" in random dungeon groups can only do abt 10~20k dps.

JinMori · September 2018

At 3 k dps it means that you have a LOTTA downtime, meaning that you aren't attacking anything, fix that first, always be active, if you have no resources, heavy attack, if you have them spend them, but NEVER idle.

But i like the fact that you are at least trying.

So, if you are a mag nb, i suggest you look up some guides to see which abilities, sets and cp are best for mag nb alcast would give you a good idea, but there are others.

But, there are some abilities that are just too good to pass on for nb, they are merciless resolve (GRIM FOCUS) Impale, twisting path, elemental blockade, a spammable like force pulse or elemental weapon, you need at least these abilities, because they are just too good for pve.

Evanlyn_Winter · September 2018

For everyone saying Im not spamming/have too much downtime. Even spamming my bow as fast as i can i only get 3k DPS with a bow that does about 1.3k damage
And my spells do more damage: about 3k per usage but it still only gives me 3k DPS because i dont currently have any damage over time abilities (I am aware that that will greatly bring up my DPS)
The max DPS ive gotten is only 5.5K

Finviuswe · September 2018

Evanlyn_Winter wrote: »

The problem is that im only pulling 3k and i dont think im pulling my weight as a damage dealer in a group

You're not

Spend some time with the dummy. That is one of the best ways to improve your DPS, your rotation is the most crucial factor.

Well that, and your amount of CP. But you should be able to pull 20k at 200 CP which is enough to not get you kicked from at least, most PUGs.

raj72616a · September 2018

Evanlyn_Winter wrote: »

For everyone saying Im not spamming/have too much downtime. Even spamming my bow as fast as i can i only get 3k DPS with a bow that does about 1.3k damage
And my spells do more damage: about 3k per usage but it still only gives me 3k DPS because i dont currently have any damage over time abilities (I am aware that that will greatly bring up my DPS)
The max DPS ive gotten is only 5.5K

you're a magicka nightblade.
with a bow.

well there are a lot you need to learn.

VaranisArano · September 2018

raj72616a wrote: »

Evanlyn_Winter wrote: »

For everyone saying Im not spamming/have too much downtime. Even spamming my bow as fast as i can i only get 3k DPS with a bow that does about 1.3k damage
And my spells do more damage: about 3k per usage but it still only gives me 3k DPS because i dont currently have any damage over time abilities (I am aware that that will greatly bring up my DPS)
The max DPS ive gotten is only 5.5K

you're a magicka nightblade.
with a bow.

well there are a lot you need to learn.

Quite.

Most magicka-costing abilities scale in damage with increased max magicka. Most stamina-costing abilities scale in damage with max stamina. Unless you have a specific hybrid build using Pelinal's Aptitude, don't try to go hybrid as a DD.

If you want to effective with a bow, you need to be a Stamblade. You also need Volley (Endless Hail) for your damage over time, along with Poison Injection. (And Caltrops, and probably Dual Wield as your other weapons.)

But for MagBlade, you can't go using a bow and expecting it to be effective. You want a Destruction Staff, with Wall of Elements as one of your damage over time skills.

Here's a build that may help as a guide. You'll need to look at the crafted and overland set pieces until you can actually run for the better gear. https://alcasthq.com/eso-magicka-nightblade-build-pve/

As an idea, the easier rotation for that build is: Buff up - Blockade of Fire > Light Attack > Twisting Path > Light Attack > Crippling Grasp > Light Attack > Rearming Trap (if you have it) > Weapon Swap
> Light Attack > Funnel Health > Light Attack > Funnel Health > Light Attack > Funnel Health > Weapon Swap
Restart

Activate Merciless Resolve Bow proc whenever it is ready
Rebuff Siphoning Attacks after it ran out

When it comes to practicing a rotation, start slow and get all the pieces in, then slowly speed it up until you have the rhythm down. The goal is to have constant, steady damage going down, while you can react to mechanics.

SHADOW2KK · September 2018

raj72616a wrote: »

Evanlyn_Winter wrote: »

For everyone saying Im not spamming/have too much downtime. Even spamming my bow as fast as i can i only get 3k DPS with a bow that does about 1.3k damage
And my spells do more damage: about 3k per usage but it still only gives me 3k DPS because i dont currently have any damage over time abilities (I am aware that that will greatly bring up my DPS)
The max DPS ive gotten is only 5.5K

you're a magicka nightblade.
with a bow.

well there are a lot you need to learn.

Yup, magblades are highly capable of decent dps parses, but using a bow will never ever get you near it.

Could give a wall of tips, but it is late, and others have already mentioned a lot for you to go on OP

boombazookajd · September 2018

you aren't light attack weaving for sure.

you aren't letting your damage over time skills (DOTs) take their full time up

you aren't reapplying those dot's when they run out AND/OR aren't reapplying them quick enough

those are the 3 main issues I see in most people's DPS.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p48ULh3TbgY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBZgHZBGV0Y

Alcast breaks down a rotation in the first one and a very specifically the rotation in the second. Im not going to do all of the google work for you but just simple google "ESO how to do a rotation" or "ESO how to increase dps" and you'll find a ton of videos from content creators on youtube.

aeowulf · September 2018

ESO isn't like most other MMO's where you can just pop a skill off cooldown to get close to your max DPS. ESO does not have cool downs so you can cast anything you like every second or so. To maximise DPS, you want to time your DOTs and recast as they run out, with plenty of light attacks/skills/buffs in between. Then there is gear, but this is less important than timing.

Honestly it's a bit of a pain and many other MMO's are easier - which I find a bit weird considering how the single player ESO games played. This game has one of the biggest gaps between new player and experienced I have ever seen - diminishing returns does not apply, but stick with it. Glad you have come here to try to resolve your DPS issue rather than just give up