Destruction Staves

Morgha_Kul · August 2019

So... I've been playing with the different staff types. I tend to switch between them for thematic reasons. For example, when I'm in Shadowfen, I figure there's a lot of moisture, which would make an ice staff more useful. Fighting Frost Atronachs, I'll switch to the flame staff. In all, I find myself wanting to use the ice staff a lot... and it's just so underwhelming.

So, I'm suggesting a graphical update, at least for the ice staff, and in particular for Wall of Elements.

Consider that the flame staff creates effects that are spectacular, with glowing embers and light effects. Lightning staves likewise generate light, and have booming thunder effects. Ice staves in comparison paint the ground with featureless white schmutz, and a few unimpressive spiky bits sticking up or what have you.

I would like to see the ice effects revamped somewhat.

As an additional point, the effect a lightning staff uses for a target being disintegrated is kind of unappealing too. The fire staff already causes foes to disintigrate in flames, having the lightning staff do the same, albeit blue flames, is disappointing. Something more dynamic would be nice.

Hazurko_RaShan · August 2019

I like ice staves but the taunt they produce can be tricky. I want the tri focus so blocking costs magicka instead of stamina. it's a little weird i guess.

So some glittery white specs in the air then? Whatever you do though, it impedes the field of vision somewhat. I rather like that the ice staff elemental blockade doesn't impede the field of vision.

Major_Lag · August 2019

Lightning staff Wall of Elements is kinda subtle-looking and thus hard to see on some types of surfaces, this can be quite annoying at times.
As the OP has noted, ice staff WoE also looks quite unimpressive, compared to the intense-looking fire version.

The visibility issue gets especially bad in group fights, when there can be quite a lot of different "friendly" AoEs on the ground already.

Hazurko_RaShan wrote: »

I like ice staves but the taunt they produce can be tricky. I want the tri focus so blocking costs magicka instead of stamina. it's a little weird i guess.

Ice staves suck for tanking, the taunt is super clunky. Inner Fire is a much better taunt, esp. with the cost being much lower now.

The whole "blocking costs magicka" thing, it's kinda crap too. It's one of those things that sound good on paper, but don't work at all well in practice.
It would be OK if blocking didn't stop resource regen - but as it is, blocking on a non-heavyattack build seriously punishes the user for blocking, by killing the sustain.

I play magicka builds mostly, and greatly appreciate the fact that I can block enemy attacks with stamina.
Especially on my Sorc tank (SnB + lightning destro)... having to block with magicka would be a resource management NIGHTMARE

In theory, the ice staff "block with magicka" gimmick COULD be useful as a defensive option for stam builds in PvP, so you could block with your non-primary resource... except that SnB is a far superior option because of the blocking mobility passive.

Blocking with magicka would be also a good option for balanced hybrid builds, so you could alternate between blocking with magicka and blocking with stamina... but again, non-tank hybrid builds are nonviable in endgame content, because of how the game works. Bummer.

Hazurko_RaShan · August 2019

Actually i was referring to my dps/healer that is magicka based. Struugled to get a jorvulds fire staff but managed to get an ice staff from someone who did the run with me. It was the last piece i needed to make it work at all. used jorvulds to replace torugs that i had been using. really want the 40% increase to buff and shields and such.

Morgha_Kul · August 2019

I was just thinking of using that kind of transparent ice effect (as is seen on the Warden ice skills). The ice bolt could be that material, with some snowflakes floating around. Similarly, the Element Wall might have ridges of transparent ice on the ground, and the sound of creaking and cracking ice. This is just the first thing that comes to mind, if someone has a better idea, I'm happy to see it.