Oakensoul stamina bow build for casual player?

sltrs1 · April 5

Hello.
I'm pretty much casual player, I mostly do overland and Undaunted content. So, I'm looking for 1-bar build with a bow (class doesn't matter) for these activities. I have damaged hands, because if that I'm very bad with weaving and bar swaps. So the less keys I have to hit, the better for me.
Just to be clear: I understand that Oakensoul builds are pretty weak against top 2-bar builds. But I'm not aiming for that high either, just want to be able to clear some vet dungeons with random players from group finder. My current Oakensoul+Sergeant heavy attack build can do so, but I want to try something different. Is there any options? Also, almost forgot to mention, I have no access to trial gear, because I have no guild to run trials with.
So, is there anything barely playable that fits my request?
Thanks in advance for answers.

BasP · April 5

You could use this one bar StamDK bow build by Hyperioxes.

The regular setup does contain two trial sets, but under 'Alternatives' you'll find Overland, Crafted and Dungeon sets that he recommends using. I'd probably use Order's Wrath myself, and then maybe Tzogvin's Warband or Pillar of Nirn.

Edit: Upon thinking about it some more, I think an Arcanist might be better for you though because it requires a lot less APM than the DK mentioned above. For a one bar Arcanist I'd probably use the Deadly Strike set, 1 piece Slimecraw, Pillar of Nirn or Order's Wrath, and either the Velothi Ur-Mage Amulet or Oakensoul Ring.

You could use these skills: Fatecarver, Cephaliarch's Flail, Inspired Scholarship, Endless Hail, Banner Bearer (with the Fire Damage + Class Script + Prophecy/Savagery scripts), and The Languid Eye. If you don't have access to Scribing, however, you could replace Banner Bearer with Camouflaged Hunter, Fulminating Rune, Barbed Trap or Poison Injection or something.

Even though that setup can undoubtedly be improved, I just tried it on the PTS and did 93K DPS (which isn't great, but it could be worse):

sltrs1 · April 6

BasP wrote: »

You could use this one bar StamDK bow build by Hyperioxes.

Thank you very much for the answer. Will try it.

Zodiarkslayer · April 7

sltrs1 wrote: »

... My current Oakensoul+Sergeant heavy attack build can do so, but I want to try something different..

I assume that this setup is a Sorcerer? So why not use it for a Stamina BowSorc? Don't worry about the race. Starting at "not zero" is much better for now.

I found that for successful Bow setups you need to find a truly well weaveable single target spammable ability. That is the key. And I also find that Crystal Weapon is surprisingly good at that. For AoE I recommend Bombard over Acid Spray, because of the immobilization.

As for the other 5 abilities: Bound Armaments, Razor Caltrops, Poison Arrow and the Atronach are no brainers. To complement these you'll need a heal (Crit Surge, Dark Deal or Vigor) when you are alone or another sticky DoT (Scribing offers a lot of options) in groups.

As for sets. There are some surprisingly good easy access sets that work well on Bow setups. Order's Wrath has been mentioned. But I'd like to point out Back-Alley Gourmand. It's overland, light armor (bcs. penetration) and has good stats. The five piece bonus will always be up on a Stam setup, so no real downsides there.
Personally, I would work towards Tzogvin's Warband or a Trial set, but that is not neccessary to be decent.

Veinblood1965 · April 7

I have a really effective one bar bow build I use. I use it on my NB but have also used it on other classes. I use this in PVP but it works just as well in PVE but without all the comments I make about PVP etc. Since you are PVEing I would suggest switching out the Oakfathers or Vicious Death with one of the other sets others have mentioned here. They KEY is having both sets active at the same time. Most offensive monster sets proc when a certain condition is met, with both sets active you have 100% uptime.

Solo I run>>>

The Oakfathers works well against anyone using Oakensoul and ups my damage from Tarnished lol.
>>>(5 items) Gain 449 Offensive Penetration against enemies for each Major Buff they have active. Gain 20 Weapon and Spell Damage against enemies for each Minor Buff they have active.

I pair that with Tarnished Nightmare. Which gives me extra damage when critting and since a NB can crit at will it works great.

(5 items) When you deal Critical Damage to an enemy, glass shards burst 8 meters around them after 1.3 seconds, dealing 1129 Physical Damage to enemies in the burst and applying the Sundered status effect. (NOTE I have my damage from this at about 9k not 1129) This effect can occur once every 8 seconds and the damage scales off the higher of your Weapon or Spell Damage.

I added an extra piece of armour that ups my weapon and spell crit. I do not run a monster helm since I want both sets active AT the same time.

When grouped or defending a keep(VD and Tarnished both proc off of siege which is nasty) I switch out the Oakfathers to Vicious Death>>>

(5 items) Adds 1487 Offensive Penetration, When you kill a Player, they violently explode for 3322 Flame damage to all other enemies in a 5 meter radius. This effect scales off the higher of your Weapon or Spell Damage. (NOTE: I sit about 21k damage not 3322)

The reason for that is in a group many enemies will be down to low health already VD will kill loads at the same time. Also since both key off of weapon and spell damage it ups my damage.

For skills use Ultimate use>>>
Toxic Barrage>>>>

Unleash a barrage of arrows at an enemy, dealing 17415 Poison Damage over 4 seconds. After dealing damage you poison the enemy, dealing an additional 9990 Poison Damage over 8 seconds after a 1 second delay. You can move at full speed and are immune to all disabling effects while channeling this attack. Deals Poison Damage. Dealing damage with the attack injects them with poison, dealing additional damage over time.

These two are your spammables.
Lethal Arrow>>>>

Plant a masterfully aimed arrow in an enemy's vital spot, dealing 2483 Poison Damage and applying the Poisoned status effect. Also afflicts enemy with Minor Defile, which reduces their healing received and damage shield strength by 6% for 4 seconds. Deals Poison Damage and always applies the Poisoned status effect. Also applies Minor Defile to the enemy.

And Poison Injection.

Shoot an arrow coated in Baandari poison at an enemy, dealing 1161 Poison Damage and an additional 3470 Poison Damage over 20 seconds. Deals up to 120% more damage to enemies under 50% Health.
Deals additional damage to low Health enemies.

All three skills apply poison damage. I also use the poison damage weapon glyphs. Against enemies who sit at about 30k or less they often drop like flies just from the after effects of poison if they survive your initial bursts.

Use the Weapon Damage Mundus.

I have since switched over to melee but when I was running this build I was very effective.
Add in a few other skills from your class and your golden.