What is the definition for "direct damage" in Warfare Master at Arms passive?

Rescorla_ESO · June 2021

Warfare has 4 passives you can slot that buff damage:
Deadly Aim buffs damage done with single target
Thaumaturge buffs damage over time effects
Biting Aura buffs damage done with area of effect attacks
Master at Arms buffs damage done by direct damage attacks.

I'm trying to figure out which of the 3 are best for my magplar to go along with Fighting Finesse.
Jabs, Mystic Orb, Wall of Elements, Ritual of Retribution, Blazing Spear are all AOE so Biting Aura is a given.
I sometimes use Degeneration and Consuming Trap so those are DOTs.
Light and heavy Attacks are single target unless I use a lightning staff so I assume Biting Aura buffs lighting heavy attacks while Deadly Aim regular LA and HA.
I sometimes use Crushing Shock or Toppling Charge for interrupts so I assume Deadly Aim buffs those skills.

Does the term " direct damage" apply to all of those attacks (single target, DOT & AOE)?

If so then slotting Master at Arms, Biting Aura, & Fighting Finesse seem to be no brainers and then choose between Deadly Aim and Thaumaturge depending on whether or not I am using the DOTs or the interrupts.

Ippokrates · June 2021

You will see all changes in the dmg at skillbar while you will activate or disactivate stars (except LA/HA of course, those you can check only at dummy).

But my magplar goes with
AOE - for jabs, wall & solar barrage.
LA/HA attacks - for MA staff & empower
Direct - that supports jabs & LA/HA

Untamed aggression - one of three "free" stars giving 150 extra dmg, cause it increase dmg on my proc Zaan - and it nicely cummulates with minor sorcery

Vevvev · June 2021

Direct Damage is not damage over time. To best define what it is I I'll be quoting from one of the sources I found on the internet on this subject.

"Any damage that hits in a single hit, whether it's instant cast (Swallow Soul), channeled (Dark Flare), or AOE (Proximity Detonation), is considered Direct Damage. Any ability that does damage over a period of time, whether it's single target (Venomous Claw) or AOE (Elemental Blockade) is considered Damage Over Time."
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/719738-the-elder-scrolls-online-tamriel-unlimited/75531133#:~:text=Any damage that hits in,is considered Damage Over Time.

Some abilities have a direct and a DOT component to them so the star will buff one side but not the other.

Abilities that don't fit the DoT formula are channeled abilities that deal damage at certain intervals instead of all at once. Like Templar's Jabs is direct instead of a DoT.

Syrpynt · June 2021

Single Target: Any ability/proc (DoT or Direct Damage) that only hits one target.

AoE: Any ability/proc (DoT or Direct Damage) that hits mutiple targets.

Damage over Time (DoT): Any ability/proc (Single or Multiple Targets) that deals damage over a set period of time. Example: In Poison Arrow, the "execute" at 50% damage is DoT.

Direct Damage: Any ability/proc (Single or Multiple Targets) that deals damage once. Example: In Poison Arrow, the INITIAL HIT is direct damage.

You can have crossovers for all 4. It all depends on the abilities you use most. If you rely heavily on DoTs and AoE's, you may want to boost those first. If you rely on single target direct damage abilities more, boost those instead. If you're all over the place, well... goodluck.

Amerises · June 2021

Backstabber, deadly aim, fighting finesse, and Master-at-Arms

That's what you're looking for for any type of group PvE content, as you can flank (minus Sunspire and the like), Thaumaturge for everything else.

WrathOfInnos · June 2021

Direct Damage is the opposite of Damage Over Time. Every tick of damage will fall into one of these two categories, and nothing is both DoT and direct (if so it is a bug).

Similar story for single target vs AoE damage. Every source of damage is one or the other, nothing is both.

Amerises · June 2021

Beast Trap has an initial single target DD followed by a DoT bleed. Shards, too. Their tool tip makes the distinction.

YandereGirlfriend · June 2021

Another odd bird is the Necro Colossus.

Even though it smashes down several times in quick succession it is not a DoT but is rather several smashes of Direct Damage.

Syrpynt · June 2021

YandereGirlfriend wrote: »

Another odd bird is the Necro Colossus.

Even though it smashes down several times in quick succession it is not a DoT but is rather several smashes of Direct Damage.

And not to make things more confusing, but Bloodthirst/Flurry Strikes from dual wield is several strikes but counts as a DoT. hahaha

phaneub17_ESO · June 2021

I gotta bookmark this... Here:

Malkiv wrote: »

I have a thing for this situation for magicka users. Please click on the image to open it in full size. Credits for this image are on the image. DO NOT CROP NOR ALTER THIS IMAGE, PLEASE.

Rescorla_ESO · June 2021

phaneub17_ESO wrote: »

I gotta bookmark this... Here:

Malkiv wrote: »

I have a thing for this situation for magicka users. Please click on the image to open it in full size. Credits for this image are on the image. DO NOT CROP NOR ALTER THIS IMAGE, PLEASE.

Thanks for the chart but unfortunately it isn't updated for Blackwood and the new Master at Arms CP..

Xour · June 2021

Rescorla_ESO wrote: »

phaneub17_ESO wrote: »

Thanks for the chart but unfortunately it isn't updated for Blackwood and the new Master at Arms CP..

There you go: https://prnt.sc/14iv2v4

Amerises · June 2021

Basically, if it's DoT it's not DD, so the chart works. Also, remember, it's not about how many skills are buffed on your rotation, but WHAT skills. If 60% of your damage is ST and 40% is AoE, even though maybe majority of your skills are AoE, buffing ST damage vs AoE would still yield more damage.