PVE: Melee Magicka builds still forced to use Barbed Trap

Jodynn · March 2021

Can it scale off of our highest stat? Maybe cause fire damage if so since melee builds are either Templar or MagDK typically.

Or can scalding rune finally apply Minor Force?

And don't say channeled acceleration is viable comparatively. It's, okay, comparatively.

HoosierPappy · March 2021

Where you believe its "forced"?

WrathOfInnos · March 2021

First of all, I agree that I’d prefer if Barbed Trap was not meta on Magicka DPS, and Scalding gaining Minor Force would be ideal.

I will point out that there are some changes this patch that ease the pain. With the larger base resource pools, extra weapon/spell damage, weapon passive scaling, and changes to CPs, hybrid stats are looking better than ever. Barbed Trap can actually deal some damage on a Magicka build now (especially with hybrid builds like Acuity Vampire on Dunmer or Khajiit). And if we are dual wielding then we’ll already be close enough to use the skill.

There’s also an effect from the crit chance and crit damage changes. Skipping the minor force buff entirely is an option. I was looking at the DPS impact of this buff yesterday on a Khajiit Magplar with Flanking CP, and it was only 2.6% DPS from the 10% crit damage (and that was with daggers, it would be even less with staves or swords). In previous patches this would vary anywhere in the range of 3-4% depending on build, so was more mandatory. At this point there may be other skills you could slot to give more benefit than Minor Force.

Scardan · March 2021

Why forced into barbed trap? There is Acceleration.

Oreyn_Bearclaw · March 2021

In actual content, I went Medusa and never looked back. On a dummy, trap is just another skill we use. Range is irrelevant.

Also, with enough CP, trap damage becomes meaningful.

Bodycounter · March 2021

Oreyn_Bearclaw wrote: »

In actual content, I went Medusa and never looked back. On a dummy, trap is just another skill we use. Range is irrelevant.

Question: Afaik Medusa is heavy armor only. Do you play Medusa on jewelry and frontbar weapon or two armor pieces? Im asking because wearing 7 pieces of light armor should be mandatory now?

HoosierPappy · March 2021

[/quote]
Question: Afaik Medusa is heavy armor only. Do you play Medusa on jewelry and frontbar weapon or two armor pieces? Im asking because wearing 7 pieces of light armor should be mandatory now?
[/quote]

Mandatory?
No No No.

Light Armor Penalties
*Increases your damage taken from “Martial” (Physical, Poison, Disease, and Bleed Damage) attacks by 1% per piece worn
*Increases the cost of Block by 3% per piece worn
*Decreases your damage done with Bash by 1% per piece worn

5 light armor should be the max!
That leaves 2 armor for the medusa plus jewels.
Weapons not included.
Think ZoS wanted us to "mix it up".

Oreyn_Bearclaw · March 2021

Bodycounter wrote: »

Oreyn_Bearclaw wrote: »

In actual content, I went Medusa and never looked back. On a dummy, trap is just another skill we use. Range is irrelevant.

Question: Afaik Medusa is heavy armor only. Do you play Medusa on jewelry and frontbar weapon or two armor pieces? Im asking because wearing 7 pieces of light armor should be mandatory now?

@Bodycounter

I always front bar a trial set (Siroria or False God). I run Medusa on Jewelry, Chest, and Legs. I will concede that that setup moved a little further from the meta with the armor changes, but Mandatory is a strong word. Took it through the two new dungeons on Vet last night (non-Hm), there was nothing we couldnt just burn other than a few things in the final bosses, where we played some mechanics to be safe. DPS is down across the board, and this particular setup may have been hit a little harder, but it still works just fine.

I am resisting the urge to change any builds or make new gear for a few weeks until the dust settles. There is still something to be said about undaunted passives. As @WrathOfInnos stated, Minor Force may not be "mandatory" either. I was even playing last night in Parse food with like 22k health. So many moving parts, that I wont pretend to know where the meta is going to land, but I still really like this setup. The biggest change is that were my go to is normally FG/Medusa, I am now running Siroria/Medusa because our sustain is just better.

QuebraRegra · March 2021

Bodycounter wrote: »

Oreyn_Bearclaw wrote: »

In actual content, I went Medusa and never looked back. On a dummy, trap is just another skill we use. Range is irrelevant.

Question: Afaik Medusa is heavy armor only. Do you play Medusa on jewelry and frontbar weapon or two armor pieces? Im asking because wearing 7 pieces of light armor should be mandatory now?

2 rings, front bar weapon, and heavy chest... but that was before. If I can get the neck, it might just be all jewels and weapon now.

Oreyn_Bearclaw · March 2021

QuebraRegra wrote: »

Bodycounter wrote: »

Oreyn_Bearclaw wrote: »

In actual content, I went Medusa and never looked back. On a dummy, trap is just another skill we use. Range is irrelevant.

Question: Afaik Medusa is heavy armor only. Do you play Medusa on jewelry and frontbar weapon or two armor pieces? Im asking because wearing 7 pieces of light armor should be mandatory now?

2 rings, front bar weapon, and heavy chest... but that was before. If I can get the neck, it might just be all jewels and weapon now.

The issue with front bar weapon is that you lose minor force on your back bar. Depending on the class and your rotation this might matter a lot or not very much.

Sets like siroria carry over to your back bar, so it doesn’t need to be on both. Most of the damage in false good is on the first 3 piece bonuses. The utility comes with the 5th, so as long as you are getting kills on the front bar, which you typically do, it’s still very effective as a front bar weapon.

Now as all of these require you to farm a weapon, it makes sense to play what you have as weapon farms are the hardest.