Help Me Understand Update 22

VeritasWaits · April 2019

Elswyr and a change in my work schedule are finally drawing me back to ESO after a few years away from the game. I've been wrapping my head around all the changes (racial passives whaaaat?), but I'm feeling a bit stuck trying to digest the Update 22 skills re-balance and what kind of impact it will have on the game once it releases. I'm aiming for vet dungeons, Maelstrom, and overland map solo content so I'm not too worried about the absolutely 100% best in slot options, but I still have fairly limited time so I want to make sure I'm spending it playing classes that are in an overall good state.

So, some questions:

1. My highest level character is a Dark Elf Magicka Dragonknight. I love the class concept, but I always felt like we didn't get enough reward for the melee playstyle. I'd be all over the idea of high effectiveness but lower margin for error, but it always felt like I was just struggling to keep up with both mag and stam classes in different ways. The 22 patch notes list a number of skill changes that seem like buffs overall, but I'm not sure how big of an impact they'll have. Also how viable is Dark Elf for MagDK without the flame damage bonus? Should I race change or is it good enough overall? What's your take on the status of MagDK in Update 22?

2. I've decided I want to level one character of each armor type as a starting goal (currently only the DK is above 50). I'm feeling really stuck on a stam dps class. Stamina/weapons have always felt so tacked in this game, which is a real shame. The class skills are unique and flavorful, but there aren't that many viable stamina morphs. I'll mostly be playing this character solo, so what's your take on a fun stamina DPS class that works well solo and makes reasonable use of class skills in Update 22?

3. For the heavy armor tank I'd been planning on a 2h/Shield Warden, but the idea of a Necro tank has caught my attention. The tanking skills look strong and the idea of running around as a death knight is always cool. What's your take on how effective a Necro 2h/Shield tank would be for solo play and PUG dungeons will be?

Thanks for the help!

Tasear · April 2019

1) perfect timing they are doing well

2) They added skills that scaled based on max offensive stat this patch for each class.

3) Not a good idea

VeritasWaits · April 2019

Tasear wrote: »

3) Not a good idea

Because using a 2H isn't a good idea, or because you don't think Necro will be competitive as a tank? I should have explained that I'm thinking of 2H/Shield as my solo set for leveling and running around on my own. If I was tanking a dungeon or something I'd go with a dedicated tanking setup.

Any thoughts on how Necro will compare to DK and Warden for group tanking?

Lightspeedflashb14_ESO · April 2019

VeritasWaits wrote: »

Tasear wrote: »

3) Not a good idea

Because using a 2H isn't a good idea, or because you don't think Necro will be competitive as a tank? I should have explained that I'm thinking of 2H/Shield as my solo set for leveling and running around on my own. If I was tanking a dungeon or something I'd go with a dedicated tanking setup.

Any thoughts on how Necro will compare to DK and Warden for group tanking?

2h is simply the worst skill line to have for a tank. Nothing there is useful. You would be better off using a bow, at least you get endless and poison arrow, for range interrupt. So don't waste your time leveling a skill line that is useless to the characters role.

VeritasWaits · April 2019

[/quote]
2h is simply the worst skill line to have for a tank. Nothing there is useful. [/quote]

I've read in a lot of places that Brawler can be a useful spammable for clearing out trash mobs, and it looks like they've buffed the shield on it even further.

But my question is really more about Necro tanking in general. Does it look like their skills offer enough group utility or CC to compete with DK and/or Wardens? If I ever did decide to move into harder group content I'd hate to find out later that I'd built up a tank class that no groups actually want to run with.

Lightspeedflashb14_ESO · April 2019

VeritasWaits wrote: »

2h is simply the worst skill line to have for a tank. Nothing there is useful.

I've read in a lot of places that Brawler can be a useful spammable for clearing out trash mobs, and it looks like they've buffed the shield on it even further.

But my question is really more about Necro tanking in general. Does it look like their skills offer enough group utility or CC to compete with DK and/or Wardens? If I ever did decide to move into harder group content I'd hate to find out later that I'd built up a tank class that no groups actually want to run with.

Brawlers base ward scales with weapon damage and max Stam. Something you will not have a lot of as a tank, so the base ward will be like 1k with a Max of 6k. Hardly anything. The new patch is going to be the same, still scales with max Stam and weapon damage but they are changing the base value, so you get 100% more at base but then they making it scale 50% per mob you hit, instead of 100% more per right now, so it is effectively the same size in the end, ie, right now it is 1000*600%, because that is the max multiplier, so you end up with a 6k ward. The new values are base 2,000*300%= that same 6k you had. Brawler is crap on a tank. Even using dual weild you get access to quick cloak, which will proc your back bar enchantments and give you major expedition and major evasion, all three of those things are more useful then anything in the 2h line.

The biggest difference between any of the tanks right now is DKs 10% boost to fire damage. Otherwise all classes are pretty much the same, tanking wise.

GrumpyDuckling · April 2019

VeritasWaits wrote: »

2. I've decided I want to level one character of each armor type as a starting goal (currently only the DK is above 50). I'm feeling really stuck on a stam dps class. Stamina/weapons have always felt so tacked in this game, which is a real shame. The class skills are unique and flavorful, but there aren't that many viable stamina morphs. I'll mostly be playing this character solo, so what's your take on a fun stamina DPS class that works well solo and makes reasonable use of class skills in Update 22?

To answer #2, Stamina Templar DPS with a two-handed sword can be fun with this build:

5 pieces Briarheart
5 pieces Spriggan's
2 pieces Slimecraw

You have Biting Jabs, Binding Javelin, Crescent Sweep, Power of the Light, and Ritual of Retribution (new this update) as stamina class morphs. Rally (from 2H) will pair well with Briarheart and Ritual of Retribution to sustain healing while also doing damage.

Lightspeedflashb14_ESO · April 2019

GrumpyDuckling wrote: »

VeritasWaits wrote: »

2. I've decided I want to level one character of each armor type as a starting goal (currently only the DK is above 50). I'm feeling really stuck on a stam dps class. Stamina/weapons have always felt so tacked in this game, which is a real shame. The class skills are unique and flavorful, but there aren't that many viable stamina morphs. I'll mostly be playing this character solo, so what's your take on a fun stamina DPS class that works well solo and makes reasonable use of class skills in Update 22?

To answer #2, Stamina Templar DPS with a two-handed sword can be fun with this build:

5 pieces Briarheart
5 pieces Spriggan's
2 pieces Slimecraw

You have Biting Jabs, Binding Javelin, Crescent Sweep, Power of the Light, and Ritual of Retribution (new this update) as stamina class morphs. Rally (from 2H) will pair well with Briarheart and Ritual of Retribution to sustain healing while also doing damage.

Briarheart is such an overrated set. You would really be better better off running hundings. Much more consistent damage.

You talk about briarhearts healing like it is worth a crap. At best, 600 health a second, for 10 seconds with a 15 second cool down, leading to an average healing of 400 hps. Hardly anything. Even with minor mending from passives, that is around ~450 hps. That will not save you from anything. Rally alone will give you a consistent 1.5-2k hps. With a burst heal option.

Temps benefit from max Stam and crit chance, as power of the light only scales with max Stam and they have a passive that gives you 10% more crit hit damage.

RavenSworn · April 2019

Eh, whatever rocks your boat op.

2h snb necro tank seems legit to me. Been running on a nord sorc healer since launch and people keep dissing sorc for being a healer. Bring the player, not the class. You can make it work I suppose.

p_tsakirisb16_ESO · April 2019

VeritasWaits wrote: »

Tasear wrote: »

3) Not a good idea

Because using a 2H isn't a good idea, or because you don't think Necro will be competitive as a tank? I should have explained that I'm thinking of 2H/Shield as my solo set for leveling and running around on my own. If I was tanking a dungeon or something I'd go with a dedicated tanking setup.

Any thoughts on how Necro will compare to DK and Warden for group tanking?

My friend, this is ESO. Play as you like

The "no to 2H" mentality comes from those "elitist" meta builders who have no idea what they are talking at the end of the day. They just copy paste someone else's build without thinking

2H works fine for a tank, as long as you can taunt and use NMG to debuff your opponents, or other skills to apply at least major fracture.

Those builds are great for everything except leaderboard vet HM speed runs. Which 99.90% of the community cannot do even even if they have meta build. See how much ignorance exists atm how Relequen works, a year after it was introduced and is used by "meta builds" and "this is what should use" people, without understanding it's properties and issues.

For ideas about Tank/DPS builds using 2H, Sherman Gaming has great casual builds who do everything you like and are unique

As for Necro tank, if you go 2h you need to have Soulshriven mofit for Axes. It has the shape of a Scythe , to match some of the skills on the second line of the Necromancers. (same applies to single handed skills)

Enjoy the game as you like.

SaintSubwayy · April 2019

Tasear wrote: »

1) perfect timing they are doing well

TBH even after the update, magDK wont be in a "well" spot in terms of magDD...dont get me started on stamDK DD.

they will be doin Ok at most, smaNB, Stamden will still be the number one meele choice, unless they finally nerf those classes in terms of raw dmg. the removal of minor buffs and major debuffs has 0 effect in a raid environment, in the end letting them stay on top (necro aside, its way too OP in its current state)

We will get some minor DMG gain, due to FoO 5% buff, and the new Flame lash mechanic, however it wont be that big of a buff as many think it is...its in the right direction but only half way there ....lets hope for some passive buffs on DK for PVE.

Lightspeedflashb14_ESO · April 2019

. The "no to 2H" mentality comes from those "elitist" meta builders who have no idea what they are talking at the end of the day. They just copy paste someone else's build without thinking

You're funny. I am the farthest from a "meta builder". All my 10 toons wear different sets, my warden tank uses livewire/sanctuary for crying out loud. It is just fact that when you use a 2h back bar, there is nothing that benefits you, as a tank, with that skill line as much as pretty much any other weapon skill line, even a resto, as you could use combat prayer and give yourself the minor armor buffs and your team minor berzerk. I even gave my reasons for dual wield. For real though, use a bow or ice/lightning staff, those are the real best back bars for tanks. They have so much utility and they both kill just as good as a 2h.

.2H works fine for a tank, as long as you can taunt and use NMG to debuff your opponents, or other skills to apply at least major fracture.

Are you even paying attention? The whole discussion is about back bar, obviously you want a s/b as a tank front bar and if you don't have that, are you really a tank? Even a front bar ice staff is hard to make work, even in a casual four man dungeon, really.

GrumpyDuckling · April 2019

Lightspeedflashb14_ESO wrote: »

GrumpyDuckling wrote: »

VeritasWaits wrote: »

2. I've decided I want to level one character of each armor type as a starting goal (currently only the DK is above 50). I'm feeling really stuck on a stam dps class. Stamina/weapons have always felt so tacked in this game, which is a real shame. The class skills are unique and flavorful, but there aren't that many viable stamina morphs. I'll mostly be playing this character solo, so what's your take on a fun stamina DPS class that works well solo and makes reasonable use of class skills in Update 22?

To answer #2, Stamina Templar DPS with a two-handed sword can be fun with this build:

5 pieces Briarheart
5 pieces Spriggan's
2 pieces Slimecraw

You have Biting Jabs, Binding Javelin, Crescent Sweep, Power of the Light, and Ritual of Retribution (new this update) as stamina class morphs. Rally (from 2H) will pair well with Briarheart and Ritual of Retribution to sustain healing while also doing damage.

Briarheart is such an overrated set. You would really be better better off running hundings. Much more consistent damage.

You talk about briarhearts healing like it is worth a crap. At best, 600 health a second, for 10 seconds with a 15 second cool down, leading to an average healing of 400 hps. Hardly anything. Even with minor mending from passives, that is around ~450 hps. That will not save you from anything. Rally alone will give you a consistent 1.5-2k hps. With a burst heal option.

Temps benefit from max Stam and crit chance, as power of the light only scales with max Stam and they have a passive that gives you 10% more crit hit damage.

The OP asked for takes "on a fun stamina DPS class that works well solo and makes reasonable use of class skills in Update 22." I answered with a build that includes Briarheart because it's fun and works well on a solo Templar. Briarheart also synergizes really well with Biting Jabs. Biting Jabs gives Major Savagery for more crits (creating more chances to proc Briarheart), and hits grouped up enemies (again, creating more chances to proc Briarheart),

The heal from Briarheart simply adds to survival, and it pairs well with other sources of healing that I mentioned earlier (Rally and Ritual of Retribution) to allow you to keep doing damage while healing.

Also, I didn't mention it before, but the visual and audio effects from Briarheart fit very nicely with the visual and audio effects made my Stamina Templar skills. Stamina Templar wearing Briarheart is a fun combination.