@phaneub17_ESO
I think what the OP is saying is that there are not enough tank set that provide useful buff for stamina DPS.

Maybe it is because I play almost exclusively as stamina or tank, but I can see enough sets a tank can wear that are at least useful for both mag and stam. Sets that provide spell damage typically provide equal weapon damage, and set that return magic typically return stam. And you have sets like Morag Tong and Tremorscale that provide buffs exclusive to stamina dps.

fizl101 wrote: »

As a stamplar DD main I have a set up to be a buffplar for days when grouping for a serious trial (Alkosh/War Machine). I don't bother with PUGs as they shout out for magnecro and magnb, and aren't interested in stam characters. Fundamentally I feel like the game is pushing stam further and further out of PVE. People running difficult vet trials will generally take the path of least resistance, and that is ranged mag characters with all the buffs focussed on that group. Split groups I think are a rarity, and majority stam vet groups (at least on PS4) seem to be the equivalent of rocking horse poo.

I feel you, sometimes I fake(more quasi) tank with my stamDk. I wear powerful assault and kinras so that in giving my groups 2 great buffs and slot inner beast. Personally I'd like to try kinras and Alkosh, since kinras would buff the damage Alkosh does.

Syrpynt wrote: »

My stamDK's stopped playing this year when U30 ruined Venomous Serpent, Way of Fire, Sheer Venom, Widowmaker, and all the other "fun" sets that fit either poison or fire theme.

Both of my StamDK's weren't my dps "go-to's" already, and then now they take so long in combat it's painful to even hunt for skyshards in the overworld. I think Venomous Smite may still be somewhat potent since it's an AoE like Widowmaker, but I just feel like AoE procs are cheap. I was really mostly pissed about Way of Fire and Venomous Serpent losing potency since they rely on light attacks making contact (skill, not really a big bonus to damage either).

I also hate that storm-master set became generic "1,500 damage" or whatever, rather than shock. Elemental+melee weapon themes are my favorite to make. And the last update killed all of them really.

I made an off meta build with my DK that is a combo of ashen grip, scorge guardian, and red mountain. It has "melted" content so far, it soloed a few vet dungeons. But that nerf to Venomous smite hit hard.

I’m never one to brag, and that isn’t my intention with this post, but I can't remember the last time I got into a pug or pre-made 4-player vet dungeon where I wasn't doing a majority of the DPS on the stamblade archer, even when I join super hard mode types in a premade who slam dunk vet dlc hard modes. And not just single target dps, especially AOE as well, on a class that doesn’t have much aoe to offer, using the lowest rated AOE spam skill in the game, acid spray. I’m almost always grouping up with mages, and I just don’t understand the big draw towards the mage meta. Occasionally they drop the staff ulti and I see I’m only doing 50% of the aoe for several seconds, then it’s back to 2/3+.

At the same time I’m getting my feet wet with Vet trials, and joined with a guild who doesn't care what you bring as long as you meet dps requirements . The stamblade seems to pull its weight very well, most average AOE in the group of otherwise all mages, with only endless hail, meteor, and acid sprays, second highest single target, with 17.2k penetration in trials optimized for mages. I’m not running with top tier score chasers, I’m definitely new to the trial scene myself, but they’re using meta builds with a goal to become top tier score chasers one day. Maybe the other stam builds need more penetration, like what they’re adding with the next patch?

OP has a point though, if you look at all the sets that buff all the mag DDs in group and compare that to the stam sets the difference is quite big. This is probably one of the reasons why most difficult raids are done with only mag DDs.

Stam versions of Elemental Catalyst, Z'en or Martial Knowlegde would be very helpful. Being forced into range is most of the time a massive disadvantage for stam DDs so there should be an upside in taking such risk.