Which class has most build diversity / diverse playstyles?

Seraphayel · April 12

Title.

I'm think about playing a new class and for me it's important that I can play a lot of different playstyles and be - at least - semi successful with them. I'm not looking for top DPS nor am I looking to reach leaderboards, I'm mostly a "normal" veteran dungeon / trial player and more into PvP (more battlegrounds or 1v1 / small group than Cyrodiil).

So, which class offers the most diverse playstyles? What I mean is not only Magicka vs. Stamina, but something like ranged Stamina / melee Magicka on top of that. They should also be capable healers if build right.

I'm basically down to deciding between Sorcerer, Warden and Necromancer - and I know that Necromancer is apparently not in a good spot right now, but as said above, that doesn't matter much for me when the class itself offers a lot of different playstyles.

So, basically two questions:

1. Which class in general offers the most options for builds?
2. Which class - when it boils down to Sorcerer, Warden and Necromancer - offers more options for builds?

Thank you for your input!

dmnqwk · April 12

I've built my warden to run all roles.

Trial tank, Hybrid tank, Hybrid healer, Trial healer, Stam healer, Staff/2h Magden, Bow/Bow if you want etc.

As for actual variety, most have less than you're probably wishing for... but you can parse 100k on a bow/bowden if you fancy.

Hapexamendios · April 12

I'd say warden. I've got decent tank, and dps on one character. Good enough for vet DLC dungeons.

Soarora · April 12

Between those three definitely sorcerer or warden.

Stafford197 · April 12

Overall it is Warden. PvE-wise they are the most diverse, as they can very effectively fulfill all roles and be built in a bunch of different ways. For PvP it is also a strong class with plenty of build choices.… and also subjectively they are the coolest class imo between those choices based on the nature/ice themes.

AcadianPaladin · April 12

I run mages and archers and have both in sorc and warden.

I prefer to play the wardens as I find them more fun.

That said, I find that wardens revolve around the wonderful shalks skill - and therefore have somewhat limited options as the skill really does drive your rotation, either as an archer, ice mage or non-ice mage. The preceding applies to dps. I readily admit that the warden is better able to comfortably heal (and probably tank) than a sorc.

The sorc is a fine class also. Though I find it less fun to play, it is effective and has, in my opinion, more options - especially for dps. Sorcs do well as either pet or no pet. They do well as a heavy attack or more conventional spammable-based build.

barney2525 · April 13

which class has most build diversity?

probably architecture

Destai · April 13

I’ve gotten the most mileage out of my Warden. I typically bounce between frost or bow setups, have healing and tank setups. Sorcerer has some good diversity, with the pet and no-pet varieties of stamina and magicka. Nightblade is another contender.

irswat · April 13

Necro is versatile as well

Araneae6537 · April 13

I’m surprised to see so many say necro…
Of those three, I think Warden, since they can fill any role, great healer class, very self sufficient in PvP although lack a class execute, and frost adds an interesting option for DPS.

furiouslog · April 14

I'd say warden and templar, although templar tanking is not super but makes up for it on the heals side.

moderatelyfatman · April 14

Soarora wrote: »

Between those three definitely sorcerer or warden.

I'd have got to go with Warden over Sorcerer. The sorc is ok for tanking (too pet dependent) but mediocre when it comes to healing as they do not have their own healing line unlike Templar, Warden, Necro and Arcanist.

As for dps, I find the sorc a bit too single target focussed be as much fun to play as the warden in actual content. For the warden, any weapon combination seems to go well with Sub Assault.

@furiouslog
I've switched from maining on stamden to dps magplar right now and I love it. I thought that it wasn't possible to do a ranged magplar build but I've manage to come up with a semi-ranged build that does ok in vet content. However, I still think Warden is more adaptable since their class abilities (sub assault) are not melee, unlike jabs and solar barrage.

Ezhh · April 14

moderatelyfatman wrote: »

I'd have got to go with Warden over Sorcerer. The sorc is ok for tanking (too pet dependent) but mediocre when it comes to healing as they do not have their own healing line unlike Templar, Warden, Necro and Arcanist.

The recent changes to sorc added some skills specifically for healing and group shields. It's a very strong option for healing now. Tank isn't pet dependent either, certainly not for the content the OP is talking about. It has a huge hp-scaling shield with a heal layered under it.

I'd say sorc comes out top for casual play (including more relaxed vet runs) in terms of variety, simply because every class can play all three roles at this level, and then sorc has the added pet vs non-pet option on top. It's also got a really big variety of different types of spammable skill (hard cast frags = slower cast skill, crystal wep for an LA boost type spammable, then all the weapon lines for the more standard spammable types).

furiouslog · April 14

moderatelyfatman wrote: »

Soarora wrote: »

Between those three definitely sorcerer or warden.

I'd have got to go with Warden over Sorcerer. The sorc is ok for tanking (too pet dependent) but mediocre when it comes to healing as they do not have their own healing line unlike Templar, Warden, Necro and Arcanist.

As for dps, I find the sorc a bit too single target focussed be as much fun to play as the warden in actual content. For the warden, any weapon combination seems to go well with Sub Assault.

@furiouslog
I've switched from maining on stamden to dps magplar right now and I love it. I thought that it wasn't possible to do a ranged magplar build but I've manage to come up with a semi-ranged build that does ok in vet content. However, I still think Warden is more adaptable since their class abilities (sub assault) are not melee, unlike jabs and solar barrage.

That makes sense, and I agree FWIW, but crushing shock covers a lot of bases for ranged combat. For a good set of patches there for a while it was my main spammable on templar. I think it's the best solo class, with a self heal spammable and a lot of damage options, and it's my general class of choice. Objectively, warden is better.

Also, Rich loves templars, something to consider as well, although I can say with all confidence that the dev team is not afraid to nerf the hell out of magplar when it wants to.

Either way, for "normal" play, it can plug into anything.