Is there an alternative to caltrops ?

Hurbster · November 2018

I run magika characters but I've always fancied trying a stamina sorc (Alcast's Deathstroke 2h/Bow build appeals to me a lot https://alcasthq.com/eso-stamina-sorcerer-2h-build-pve/ ).

Problem is, and this is the main reason I have never played a stam character (apart from way back at launch when I first started playing) is caltrops. As I don't PvP is there a viable alternative to it ? I should mention I'm not a hard-core PvE player at all (never done trials, Maelstrom, ect ect - too much like work and I already have a job) so it might not matter at all.

Any thoughts ?

gamerguy757 · November 2018

Honestly no.
But bro just run BG a few times. You’ll level up really damn fast

erlewine · November 2018

That shouldn't be a reason to prevent you from playing a stam toon. You can get Caltrops in a couple hours of doing battlegrounds. Sub-50 BGs are highly casual and you don't need to be a pro.

Taleof2Cities · November 2018

You said it yourself ... you’re not playing the types of content that needs caltrops.

There isn’t really another skill you can swap into it’s place. Assuming, here, you have endless hail already slotted per Alcast’s build.

Though I think the bigger issue is to get over yourself and PvP ... which is not hard at all. Siege support, heals, and repairing keeps are all ways to earn AP without being on the “front lines” of Cyrodiil.

Smasherx74 · November 2018

Catltrops should increase your DPS around 5k-10k its pretty big difference. You want to ideally have endless hail and catltrops up as much as possible.

Dawnblade · November 2018

If you aren't doing vet group content, you don't need it (nor most of the things mentioned in 'meta' builds like what gets posted on Alcast).

Don't waste hours running content you don't enjoy to get skills you don't need.

Just fy,i I have a stam sorc alt I leveled (before BGs) just because I wanted to try the class / playstyle that does not have caltrops or even vigor, and I can run through all non-vet content with ease.

That said, while leveling just queue up for a daily random BG, run around and hit stuff and you'll unlock the skills pretty quick.

Don't listen to the 'it doesn't take long in Cyrodiil' posts though - it is only fast for people who know what they are doing and are just leveling an alt, not fast for Cyrodiil newbies trying to get basic skills.

EDIT TO ADD: I don't recall exactly what I have on the bars for that character - mostly just do writs lol and some extra dailies here and there. Bow I think is endless hail, poison injection, rearming trap, probably rapids, bound armor, 2H is cleave, slice, hurricane, crit surge, bound armor. Dawnbreaker on ultimate.

RexyCat · November 2018

erlewine wrote: »

That shouldn't be a reason to prevent you from playing a stam toon. You can get Caltrops in a couple hours of doing battlegrounds. Sub-50 BGs are highly casual and you don't need to be a pro.

You don't need to do PvP as long you go to Cyradiil and quest there you will gain XP in AW line (anyway you would want rapid as it let you get around faster on your mount which is the offensive skill line in AW). There is dungeons and each city have daily repeatable quest for PvEer, so no need to hunt down PvP if that isn't your thing.

My StamNB have successfully solo Keelsplitter and Graveld thanks to be able to use Caltrops and Hail as to keep damage even when you get knocked back, stunned or any other CC while solo bosses. Don't forget FG skill line as even a single trap boost critical damage with 10%. My build is around DoT, so it is far from optimal in every situation, but it does work well enough when you need to take out groups of enemies at range. Bow/DW axe give enough mobility to do this and cloak is both a defensive and offensive ability as you get a boost to damage (it does a stun when you cloak so don't cloak nearby enemies if you aren't ready to draw aggro) and as defense you get a couple seconds to use Vigor to heal or get some distance. My point is that cloaking is one skill that is very versatile independent on content and something that takes time leaning to use with limited magicka pool (only base pool, no mag glyphs or points into character or cp).

Finviuswe · November 2018

No. no alternative.

Is there a alternative to air? No. There, I said it. It's the same principle.

erlewine · November 2018

RexyCat wrote: »

erlewine wrote: »

That shouldn't be a reason to prevent you from playing a stam toon. You can get Caltrops in a couple hours of doing battlegrounds. Sub-50 BGs are highly casual and you don't need to be a pro.

You don't need to do PvP as long you go to Cyradiil and quest there you will gain XP in AW line (anyway you would want rapid as it let you get around faster on your mount which is the offensive skill line in AW). There is dungeons and each city have daily repeatable quest for PvEer, so no need to hunt down PvP if that isn't your thing.

BGs is much faster and easier for farming AP, especially for inexperienced players. Cyrodiil has a learning curve to it, whereas BGs require nothing more than queueing and games are no longer than 15 min and even the last place team gets 7k AP. Someone new to Cyro isn't gonna beat that.

RexyCat · November 2018

Smasherx74 wrote: »

Catltrops should increase your DPS around 5k-10k its pretty big difference. You want to ideally have endless hail and catltrops up as much as possible.

Forget about DPS from Caltrops, the main importance is its range. You can place Caltrops where you need it and keep yourself out of range or in range from healers. It is a large difference from where you need to be in melee range like tornado. In PvE most player die from not being able to see AoE danger in time and react accordingly.

Jaraal · November 2018

Always fun to cast Fire/Volcanic/Scalding Rune in a choke point and watch enemies fly into the air!

Hurbster · November 2018

Thank you for the suggestions. As I said no PvP for me. I'll probably use acid spray. Or maybe that web one from the Undaunted.

D0PAMINE · November 2018

Just get the Caltrops, it helps the group kill things quicker and has a wide radius.

temjiu · November 2018

Is there an alternative to Caltrops? No. But that could be the wrong question. question is, based on your current play, do you really need it?

Based on what you said about how you play, I don't think so. The difference in damage between Caltrops and another similar DPS skill won't make enough of a difference that it matters in normal or even vet small group content.

Solo it's a waste, I rarely use more then 3 skills nowadays in solo play anyways (on most of my toons) sometimes a full bar.

And if you are an inexperienced player who can't produce decent damage, Caltrops won't turn you into a chart buster. Better to work on the skills you have to simply improve. Sub in something similar and have fun

idk · November 2018

gamerguy757 wrote: »

Honestly no.
But bro just run BG a few times. You’ll level up really damn fast

This is pretty much the answer. Zos put some skills into PvP to get players to give it a try.

Consider that Warhorn has been a requirement for tanks and healers for any semi serious raiding and that was a conscious choice by Zos to put it behind the PvP requirement.

IsharaMeradin · November 2018

Don't do PVP but want the AP skills?
Take the long patient game and pick up all the free AP you can from the daily login rewards.

SHADOW2KK · November 2018

The requirements to get Caltrops/Vigor/Proxy is so so so so pitiful compared to the old days, you can get it in a couple of hours.

Jhalin · November 2018

BGs will get you to caltrops level pretty fast, and they’re quick with minimal investment. Tbh I run them in full PvE gear and I still do fine. It’s mostly about awareness and familiarity with the maps and your particular class that’ll make it easy/difficult for you. Plus you get some pretty nice outfit styles from them (Pit Daemon for example

)

Hotdog_23 · November 2018

Go to Cyrodiil and do little quest at the start, you can even skip it if you want takes 5 minutes tops, you get to level 2 and unlock charging maneuvers which a great back bar skill for PVE. Then wait for the double AP events and do like 4-6 battlegrounds along with the quest from the battle master, 2 hours work tops and you will have it unlocked. I did this on all 15 of my characters even it those I have not really made to do PVP on just in case I ever decide to plus you unlock warhorn for tanks and healer characters.

JamieAubrey · November 2018

What is this caltrops ? oh thats that skill your meant to use in PvP to slow down breaches but no one uses

Hotdog_23 · November 2018

JamieAubrey wrote: »

What is this caltrops ? oh thats that skill your meant to use in PvP to slow down breaches but no one uses

It is used in pve on the back bar with bow. Generally Rearming Trap, endless hail, poison injection, caltrops then bar swap for stamina DPS.

Rake · November 2018

Spiky lizards

JumpmanLane · November 2018

Geeze just pvp, you might actually like it.

ImmortalCX · November 2018

It makes me sad how little build diversity there actually is. Stam backbar almost always identical.

Lightspeedflashb14_ESO · November 2018

I don't use Caltrops on my Stam sorc, cause hurricane is so good. still get ~30k DPS, which is better then 83% of the other DPS I meat in the group finder and would be better but I am bad at weaving, like really bad.

GreasyDave · November 2018

Jump into baby cyro. Type lfg. You will have fun and level to caltrops. Honestly, years ago i was unwilling to do pvp too but now i enjoy the cyro part of the levelling a new toon. Short pants cyro is really casual. There are times when there are organised guilds on and its a waste fighting them. But mostly its a mix of casuals and chilled experienced folk. Try it.

Minyassa · November 2018

I used Barrage until I got Caltrops. And I did not PvP to get Caltrops. I snuck around and repaired walls. Never touched an enemy, only time I got touched was when I was learning you can't wayshrine out of a keep that's under attack. If you don't want to deal with the element in Cyrodiil you can just stay stealthed and away from fights. There are buffs you can use to maximize the points you get from repairs (I don't remember them now) so it does not take very long. Only took me 3 days of a couple hours a day.

Mancombe_Nosehair · November 2018

My trick is to use an xp pot in the last few minutes if it looks like my team is going to win or finish second; they also increase the skill lines.

Hurbster · November 2018

Er, I always do the intro to PvP at level 10. Get raps and that. Please stop saying 'just pvp', not going to happen. No interest, played enough of those Korean perma-beta games (Helbreath, Priston Tale ect) to turn me of PvP for life. Last time I did PvP was in Warhammer Online as it just felt natural, whereas in ESO the devs are trying to force PvP on people (and I completely sympathize with the players who like PvP having to grind undaunted and mages guild, this should not be happening).

Like many people I have limited time to play due to family and my job so I'm not going to waste it doing something I do not like.

I just have this vision of the smallest redguard possible wielding a massive scythe, I'll post a picture once I have created her and done the outfit.

Again, thanks for the suggestions.

Tan9oSuccka · November 2018

JamieAubrey wrote: »

What is this caltrops ? oh thats that skill your meant to use in PvP to slow down breaches but no one uses

LOL so true.

Tan9oSuccka · November 2018

Minyassa wrote: »

I used Barrage until I got Caltrops. And I did not PvP to get Caltrops. I snuck around and repaired walls. Never touched an enemy, only time I got touched was when I was learning you can't wayshrine out of a keep that's under attack. If you don't want to deal with the element in Cyrodiil you can just stay stealthed and away from fights. There are buffs you can use to maximize the points you get from repairs (I don't remember them now) so it does not take very long. Only took me 3 days of a couple hours a day.

My friend does this. He repairs walls and doors.

If he’s at a castle that’s under attack, he’ll stealth and log out. LOL