The More Oakensouls, the Stronger We Strike!
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Asikoo✭✭✭✭@HatchetHaro
"I agree with you on build diversity, but there has to be a difference in damage between playstyles that take different amounts of effort."
What effort?! Both are 1bar builds, neither one require effort. So how do you explain that we supposedly need more effort to reach 130k DPS on a 1bar Arcanist, but less effort with any other 1bar build? That doesn’t make sense.
In fact, Arcanist is actually the easiest of them all.1 -
Asikoo✭✭✭✭@kevkj
Okay, I’ll play your game. What build are you talking about? Please, help me understand.
Show me the actual 1bar build you use that can parse the same DPS as a 1bar Arcanist and not just in a perfect group. I mean in real situations: 100% pug groups, with two healers, and no organized buffs at all. What 1bar build performs better than Oakensoul or 1bar Arcanist in those conditions?
Now tell me: what 1bar build are you using in a decent pug group? Not perfect, but a good group that we sometimes get. Will it parse like a 1bar Arcanist?
And one more: what 1bar build are you using to join something simple like vAS+2? Please be specific. Help me, and prove your point with actual builds, not just words.
Because for me, it’s simple:- A 1bar Arcanist will outperform any other 1bar build, with or without Oakensoul.
- A 1bar Arcanist will still outperform in bad pug groups.
- A 1bar Arcanist will still outperform in good pug groups.
So please, if you say otherwise, don’t just argue. Show me the build that proves it.
Please, teach me.0 -
HatchetHaro✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭@kevkj
Okay, I’ll play your game. What build are you talking about? Please, help me understand.
Show me the actual 1bar build you use that can parse the same DPS as a 1bar Arcanist and not just in a perfect group. I mean in real situations: 100% pug groups, with two healers, and no organized buffs at all. What 1bar build performs better than Oakensoul or 1bar Arcanist in those conditions?
Now tell me: what 1bar build are you using in a decent pug group? Not perfect, but a good group that we sometimes get. Will it parse like a 1bar Arcanist?
And one more: what 1bar build are you using to join something simple like vAS+2? Please be specific. Help me, and prove your point with actual builds, not just words.
Because for me, it’s simple:- A 1bar Arcanist will outperform any other 1bar build, with or without Oakensoul.
- A 1bar Arcanist will still outperform in bad pug groups.
- A 1bar Arcanist will still outperform in good pug groups.
So please, if you say otherwise, don’t just argue. Show me the build that proves it.
Please, teach me.
Here's a hint: Rakkhat's Voidmantle.Best Argonian NA and I will fight anyone for it
20 Argonians
6x IR, 6x GH, 7x TTT, 4x GS, 4x DB, 1x PB, 4x SBS, 1x MM, 1x US, 1x Unchained1 -
Ph1p✭✭✭✭✭
✭Typical Oakensoul Build: Oakensorc needs to press twice as many buttons compared to Arcanist.
Unless I'm missing something, your own examples don't support that statement. The 1-bar Arcanist build you shared casts about 11 skills every 30 seconds: Renew Scholarhip, then 5x Flail+Beam, and repeat, while weaving in between to proc enchantments and gain ultimate, no? So actually ~20 actions over 30 seconds, including light attacks.
Your Oakensorc build recasts Daedric Prey every 6 seconds, 2 pets every 20 seconds and Elemental Wall every 10. Or also about 11 skill casts every 30 seconds, plus HAs in between. So, overall fewer and easier actions per minute than the Arcanist rotation, plus you stop recasting Tormentor below 50% of enemy health.
But more importantly, as others have pointed out, you are picking an outdated Oakensoul build, when there are better performing HA builds out there. Hyperioxes recently showed a 138k one-bar, HA setup using subclassing and the new mythic.4 -
sarahthes✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭Typical Oakensoul Build: Oakensorc needs to press twice as many buttons compared to Arcanist.
Unless I'm missing something, your own examples don't support that statement. The 1-bar Arcanist build you shared casts about 11 skills every 30 seconds: Renew Scholarhip, then 5x Flail+Beam, and repeat, while weaving in between to proc enchantments and gain ultimate, no? So actually ~20 actions over 30 seconds, including light attacks.
Your Oakensorc build recasts Daedric Prey every 6 seconds, 2 pets every 20 seconds and Elemental Wall every 10. Or also about 11 skill casts every 30 seconds, plus HAs in between. So, overall fewer and easier actions per minute than the Arcanist rotation, plus you stop recasting Tormentor below 50% of enemy health.
But more importantly, as others have pointed out, you are picking an outdated Oakensoul build, when there are better performing HA builds out there. Hyperioxes recently showed a 138k one-bar, HA setup using subclassing and the new mythic.
It seems to me this whole post (not your comment, just quoting you since you're at the end of the chain) is just a complaint about having to change their build over time as old sets become obsolete and new ones are released.
I.e. what everyone else who plays ESO also has to do.Edited by sarahthes on June 25, 2025 8:20PM7 -
kevkj✭✭✭✭✭@kevkj
Okay, I’ll play your game. What build are you talking about? Please, help me understand.
Show me the actual 1bar build you use that can parse the same DPS as a 1bar Arcanist and not just in a perfect group. I mean in real situations: 100% pug groups, with two healers, and no organized buffs at all. What 1bar build performs better than Oakensoul or 1bar Arcanist in those conditions?
Now tell me: what 1bar build are you using in a decent pug group? Not perfect, but a good group that we sometimes get. Will it parse like a 1bar Arcanist?
And one more: what 1bar build are you using to join something simple like vAS+2? Please be specific. Help me, and prove your point with actual builds, not just words.
Because for me, it’s simple:- A 1bar Arcanist will outperform any other 1bar build, with or without Oakensoul.
- A 1bar Arcanist will still outperform in bad pug groups.
- A 1bar Arcanist will still outperform in good pug groups.
So please, if you say otherwise, don’t just argue. Show me the build that proves it.
Please, teach me.
I explained earlier how you could self source the relevant damage oriented buffs if that was a concern and you hand waved it away saying that buffs were not the reason you played Oakensoul.
Gear-wise put Sergeant's Mail all on your Jewelry and Weapons. Get Ansuul's Torment or Null Arca (Minor Slayer) and Rakkhat's Voidemantle (or Maw of the Infernal or Anthelmir's Construct if no Season Pass) on your armour. In a fight like vAS+2 specifically probably Incap would be better as your ult than atro, but others may correct me. If you're willing to use potions to self source Savagery and/or Brutality you could put Heroism on your Banner and even have a slot for Regenerative Ward (Minor Intellect + Endurance) if you need it or any other assassination skill for more damage (a fun idea might be Mark Target on the protectors/felms/llothis so you can have limited self supplied Major Berserk and also Major Breach on your target).
With backbar Bound Aegis (Minor Resolve + Minor Protection), Concealed Weapon (Minor Expedition) and Relentless Focus I think you pretty much have every relevant buff from Oakensoul with a little on top. Oh and make sure to have Celerity CP and Cavaliers Charge on your banner (for a cool 150 free weapon damage).
For full transparency, the only damage oriented ones you lose out vs Oakensoul would be Minor Berserk and Minor Courage (both of which add up to less than a fully stack Relentless Focus).
If you're being sincere in wanting help, you can keep asking me more privately if you prefer.Edited by kevkj on June 25, 2025 8:51PM1 -
wolfie1.0.✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭✭@doabhi I want to address this because I'm getting the impression that you think OP is on your side, somehow a champion of accessibility. They've spent multiple threads complaining that there are setups that are both easier/as easy as Oakensoul heavy attack used to be and hitting higher numbers and calling for those to be nerfed. OP is a gatekeeper as well, just of a different flavour. No playstyle can be allowed to perform better than their own. All their posts are basically fatecarver nerf threads, disguised as a plea for accessibility.
That’s not true at all. I’ve never asked for any build to be nerfed, not once. What I’ve consistently asked for is parity among 1bar builds (oakensoul), so that all setups can perform at similar levels. That way, we can finally move past the gatekeeping and focus on how well someone plays, not what they’re using. Equal opportunity, not nerfs, that’s the goal.
In this topic, every time I ask why people gatekeep Oakensoul, the answer is always the same: “less DPS.”
Well then, that’s exactly why I’ve been asking for buffs to Oakensoul, so that its performance matches other 1bar builds and we can stop using DPS as an excuse to exclude players.
I’ve never gatekept anyone, not once. But I have seen plenty of people doing it, for all sorts of reasons, and Oakensoul is one of the biggest targets.
All I want is for players who prefer simpler setups to still have a fair chance to contribute. That’s not gatekeeping. That’s asking for balance.
And you do have other options. There are always going to be builds that are better than others. So why should it matter which 1 bar build is on top when in reality you should be celebrating that you have more than a single option?2 -
Asikoo✭✭✭✭@kevkj
Okay, I’ll play your game. What build are you talking about? Please, help me understand.
Show me the actual 1bar build you use that can parse the same DPS as a 1bar Arcanist and not just in a perfect group. I mean in real situations: 100% pug groups, with two healers, and no organized buffs at all. What 1bar build performs better than Oakensoul or 1bar Arcanist in those conditions?
Now tell me: what 1bar build are you using in a decent pug group? Not perfect, but a good group that we sometimes get. Will it parse like a 1bar Arcanist?
And one more: what 1bar build are you using to join something simple like vAS+2? Please be specific. Help me, and prove your point with actual builds, not just words.
Because for me, it’s simple:- A 1bar Arcanist will outperform any other 1bar build, with or without Oakensoul.
- A 1bar Arcanist will still outperform in bad pug groups.
- A 1bar Arcanist will still outperform in good pug groups.
So please, if you say otherwise, don’t just argue. Show me the build that proves it.
Please, teach me.
I explained earlier how you could self source the relevant damage oriented buffs if that was a concern and you hand waved it away saying that buffs were not the reason you played Oakensoul.
Gear-wise put Sergeant's Mail all on your Jewelry and Weapons. Get Ansuul's Torment or Null Arca (Minor Slayer) and Rakkhat's Voidemantle (or Maw of the Infernal or Anthelmir's Construct if no Season Pass) on your armour. In a fight like vAS+2 specifically probably Incap would be better as your ult than atro, but others may correct me. If you're willing to use potions to self source Savagery and/or Brutality you could put Heroism on your Banner and even have a slot for Regenerative Ward (Minor Intellect + Endurance) if you need it or any other assassination skill for more damage (a fun idea might be Mark Target on the protectors/felms/llothis so you can have limited self supplied Major Berserk). With backbar Bound Aegis (Minor Resolve + Minor Protection), Concealed Weapon (Minor Expedition) and Relentless Focus I think you pretty much have every relevant buff from Oakensoul with a little on top.
Oh and make sure to have Celerity CP and Cavaliers Charge on your banner (for a cool 150 free weapon damage).
For full transparency, the only damage oriented ones you lose out vs Oakensoul would be Minor Berserk and Minor Courage (both of which add up to less than a fully stack Relentless Focus).
If you're being sincere in wanting help, you can keep asking me more privately if you prefer.
When I said, "I will play your game, and when I ask you to teach me," I was 100% serious. But I see now… you're not. Or maybe you are… anyway… I don’t even know what else to say.
I want to say thank you… but… come on, lol!
You forgot the Sentinel set and Overload. Seriously? Lol. Come on...
@wolfie1.0.
"And you do have other options. There are always going to be builds that are better than others. So why should it matter which 1 bar build is on top when in reality you should be celebrating that you have more than a single option?"
Because it does matter, to avoid gatekeeping, to prevent being kicked from groups, and to have a real chance at participating in harder content where people don’t want fights dragging on forever.
It's not just about what's "on top", it's about balance across all 1bar builds, so players can choose freely without being punished for their preference.
Why is it easy to accept that a 1bar Arcanist can rule the world, but so hard to accept the idea of balance across all 1bar builds?
That sounds fair to me. Doesn't it to you?0 -
kevkj✭✭✭✭✭@kevkj
Okay, I’ll play your game. What build are you talking about? Please, help me understand.
Show me the actual 1bar build you use that can parse the same DPS as a 1bar Arcanist and not just in a perfect group. I mean in real situations: 100% pug groups, with two healers, and no organized buffs at all. What 1bar build performs better than Oakensoul or 1bar Arcanist in those conditions?
Now tell me: what 1bar build are you using in a decent pug group? Not perfect, but a good group that we sometimes get. Will it parse like a 1bar Arcanist?
And one more: what 1bar build are you using to join something simple like vAS+2? Please be specific. Help me, and prove your point with actual builds, not just words.
Because for me, it’s simple:- A 1bar Arcanist will outperform any other 1bar build, with or without Oakensoul.
- A 1bar Arcanist will still outperform in bad pug groups.
- A 1bar Arcanist will still outperform in good pug groups.
So please, if you say otherwise, don’t just argue. Show me the build that proves it.
Please, teach me.
I explained earlier how you could self source the relevant damage oriented buffs if that was a concern and you hand waved it away saying that buffs were not the reason you played Oakensoul.
Gear-wise put Sergeant's Mail all on your Jewelry and Weapons. Get Ansuul's Torment or Null Arca (Minor Slayer) and Rakkhat's Voidemantle (or Maw of the Infernal or Anthelmir's Construct if no Season Pass) on your armour. In a fight like vAS+2 specifically probably Incap would be better as your ult than atro, but others may correct me. If you're willing to use potions to self source Savagery and/or Brutality you could put Heroism on your Banner and even have a slot for Regenerative Ward (Minor Intellect + Endurance) if you need it or any other assassination skill for more damage (a fun idea might be Mark Target on the protectors/felms/llothis so you can have limited self supplied Major Berserk). With backbar Bound Aegis (Minor Resolve + Minor Protection), Concealed Weapon (Minor Expedition) and Relentless Focus I think you pretty much have every relevant buff from Oakensoul with a little on top.
Oh and make sure to have Celerity CP and Cavaliers Charge on your banner (for a cool 150 free weapon damage).
For full transparency, the only damage oriented ones you lose out vs Oakensoul would be Minor Berserk and Minor Courage (both of which add up to less than a fully stack Relentless Focus).
If you're being sincere in wanting help, you can keep asking me more privately if you prefer.
When I said, "I will play your game, and when I ask you to teach me," I was 100% serious. But I see now… you're not. Or maybe you are… anyway… I don’t even know what else to say.
I want to say thank you… but… come on, lol!
You forgot the Sentinel set and Overload. Seriously? Lol. Come on...
You asked for a vAS+2 setup and I gave you a genuine one, already not including Highland Sentinel because that would be near impossible to use in a group of randoms. You are correct, that Overload would give you better damage but I chose not to include it because it does require a limited degree of micro managing to be better than other ultimates.
I really don't understand your reaction to be honest. The setup I described won't hit 130k on Olms in a disorganized group, but neither is the one bar fatecarver setup. If you're overwhelmed by the number of skills I mentioned, Banner is purely passive and 3 of them go on your backbar (which you will never swap to because you unbound your barswap key right?). To reiterate, Contingency is cast at the same cadence as your Wall of Elements, your 2 pets are identical and your last slot is now either a self heal/shield or an assassination skill slotted for passive bonuses (and OPTIONAL use for an additional buff and debuff).Edited by kevkj on June 25, 2025 9:03PM5 -
sarahthes✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭@kevkj
Okay, I’ll play your game. What build are you talking about? Please, help me understand.
Show me the actual 1bar build you use that can parse the same DPS as a 1bar Arcanist and not just in a perfect group. I mean in real situations: 100% pug groups, with two healers, and no organized buffs at all. What 1bar build performs better than Oakensoul or 1bar Arcanist in those conditions?
Now tell me: what 1bar build are you using in a decent pug group? Not perfect, but a good group that we sometimes get. Will it parse like a 1bar Arcanist?
And one more: what 1bar build are you using to join something simple like vAS+2? Please be specific. Help me, and prove your point with actual builds, not just words.
Because for me, it’s simple:- A 1bar Arcanist will outperform any other 1bar build, with or without Oakensoul.
- A 1bar Arcanist will still outperform in bad pug groups.
- A 1bar Arcanist will still outperform in good pug groups.
So please, if you say otherwise, don’t just argue. Show me the build that proves it.
Please, teach me.
I explained earlier how you could self source the relevant damage oriented buffs if that was a concern and you hand waved it away saying that buffs were not the reason you played Oakensoul.
Gear-wise put Sergeant's Mail all on your Jewelry and Weapons. Get Ansuul's Torment or Null Arca (Minor Slayer) and Rakkhat's Voidemantle (or Maw of the Infernal or Anthelmir's Construct if no Season Pass) on your armour. In a fight like vAS+2 specifically probably Incap would be better as your ult than atro, but others may correct me. If you're willing to use potions to self source Savagery and/or Brutality you could put Heroism on your Banner and even have a slot for Regenerative Ward (Minor Intellect + Endurance) if you need it or any other assassination skill for more damage (a fun idea might be Mark Target on the protectors/felms/llothis so you can have limited self supplied Major Berserk). With backbar Bound Aegis (Minor Resolve + Minor Protection), Concealed Weapon (Minor Expedition) and Relentless Focus I think you pretty much have every relevant buff from Oakensoul with a little on top.
Oh and make sure to have Celerity CP and Cavaliers Charge on your banner (for a cool 150 free weapon damage).
For full transparency, the only damage oriented ones you lose out vs Oakensoul would be Minor Berserk and Minor Courage (both of which add up to less than a fully stack Relentless Focus).
If you're being sincere in wanting help, you can keep asking me more privately if you prefer.
When I said, "I will play your game, and when I ask you to teach me," I was 100% serious. But I see now… you're not. Or maybe you are… anyway… I don’t even know what else to say.
I want to say thank you… but… come on, lol!
You forgot the Sentinel set and Overload. Seriously? Lol. Come on...
@wolfie1.0.
"And you do have other options. There are always going to be builds that are better than others. So why should it matter which 1 bar build is on top when in reality you should be celebrating that you have more than a single option?"
Because it does matter, to avoid gatekeeping, to prevent being kicked from groups, and to have a real chance at participating in harder content where people don’t want fights dragging on forever.
It's not just about what's "on top", it's about balance across all 1bar builds, so players can choose freely without being punished for their preference.
Why is it easy to accept that a 1bar Arcanist can rule the world, but so hard to accept the idea of balance across all 1bar builds?
That sounds fair to me. Doesn't it to you?
These are false comparisons - you are not comparing like with like.
Different builds are designed for different content. Different gear is designed for different content. Oakensoul specifically is not very good for group content because most of the buffs it contains are already provided by support players in an even minimally optimized group. It should not out perform a build that provides different bonuses and relies on supports to provide those buffs in group content.
On the other hand, oakensoul performs better in many types of solo content than those group buff reliant setups.
It's like going into PvP and complaining that Ansuul isn't giving you any buffs, or going into raid with Imperial Physique and complaining that you're carrying 100K tel var and not getting any buffs from it.5 -
Asikoo✭✭✭✭@kevkj
Okay, I’ll play your game. What build are you talking about? Please, help me understand.
Show me the actual 1bar build you use that can parse the same DPS as a 1bar Arcanist and not just in a perfect group. I mean in real situations: 100% pug groups, with two healers, and no organized buffs at all. What 1bar build performs better than Oakensoul or 1bar Arcanist in those conditions?
Now tell me: what 1bar build are you using in a decent pug group? Not perfect, but a good group that we sometimes get. Will it parse like a 1bar Arcanist?
And one more: what 1bar build are you using to join something simple like vAS+2? Please be specific. Help me, and prove your point with actual builds, not just words.
Because for me, it’s simple:- A 1bar Arcanist will outperform any other 1bar build, with or without Oakensoul.
- A 1bar Arcanist will still outperform in bad pug groups.
- A 1bar Arcanist will still outperform in good pug groups.
So please, if you say otherwise, don’t just argue. Show me the build that proves it.
Please, teach me.
I explained earlier how you could self source the relevant damage oriented buffs if that was a concern and you hand waved it away saying that buffs were not the reason you played Oakensoul.
Gear-wise put Sergeant's Mail all on your Jewelry and Weapons. Get Ansuul's Torment or Null Arca (Minor Slayer) and Rakkhat's Voidemantle (or Maw of the Infernal or Anthelmir's Construct if no Season Pass) on your armour. In a fight like vAS+2 specifically probably Incap would be better as your ult than atro, but others may correct me. If you're willing to use potions to self source Savagery and/or Brutality you could put Heroism on your Banner and even have a slot for Regenerative Ward (Minor Intellect + Endurance) if you need it or any other assassination skill for more damage (a fun idea might be Mark Target on the protectors/felms/llothis so you can have limited self supplied Major Berserk). With backbar Bound Aegis (Minor Resolve + Minor Protection), Concealed Weapon (Minor Expedition) and Relentless Focus I think you pretty much have every relevant buff from Oakensoul with a little on top.
Oh and make sure to have Celerity CP and Cavaliers Charge on your banner (for a cool 150 free weapon damage).
For full transparency, the only damage oriented ones you lose out vs Oakensoul would be Minor Berserk and Minor Courage (both of which add up to less than a fully stack Relentless Focus).
If you're being sincere in wanting help, you can keep asking me more privately if you prefer.
When I said, "I will play your game, and when I ask you to teach me," I was 100% serious. But I see now… you're not. Or maybe you are… anyway… I don’t even know what else to say.
I want to say thank you… but… come on, lol!
You forgot the Sentinel set and Overload. Seriously? Lol. Come on...
You asked for a vAS+2 setup and I gave you a genuine one, already not including Highland Sentinel because that would be near impossible to use in a group of randoms. You are correct, that Overload would give you better damage but I chose not to include it because it does require a limited degree of micro managing to be better than other ultimates.
I really don't understand your reaction to be honest. The setup I described won't hit 130k on Olms in a disorganized group, but neither is the one bar fatecarver setup. If you're overwhelmed by the number of skills I mentioned, Banner is purely passive and 3 of them go on your backbar (which you will never swap to because you unbound your barswap key right?). To reiterate, Contingency is cast at the same cadence as your Wall of Elements, your 2 pets are identical and your last slot is now either a self heal/shield or an assassination skill slotted for passive bonuses (and OPTIONAL use for an additional buff and debuff).
This one is... a1bar Arcanist at the moment.
I'm curious about your Rakkhat build — 50k!? At best?
I wonder what items or skill bars the others are using...
You really want to call this balanced? Any HA build will parse no more than 40–50k.Edited by Asikoo on June 25, 2025 9:07PM0 -
kevkj✭✭✭✭✭@kevkj
Okay, I’ll play your game. What build are you talking about? Please, help me understand.
Show me the actual 1bar build you use that can parse the same DPS as a 1bar Arcanist and not just in a perfect group. I mean in real situations: 100% pug groups, with two healers, and no organized buffs at all. What 1bar build performs better than Oakensoul or 1bar Arcanist in those conditions?
Now tell me: what 1bar build are you using in a decent pug group? Not perfect, but a good group that we sometimes get. Will it parse like a 1bar Arcanist?
And one more: what 1bar build are you using to join something simple like vAS+2? Please be specific. Help me, and prove your point with actual builds, not just words.
Because for me, it’s simple:- A 1bar Arcanist will outperform any other 1bar build, with or without Oakensoul.
- A 1bar Arcanist will still outperform in bad pug groups.
- A 1bar Arcanist will still outperform in good pug groups.
So please, if you say otherwise, don’t just argue. Show me the build that proves it.
Please, teach me.
I explained earlier how you could self source the relevant damage oriented buffs if that was a concern and you hand waved it away saying that buffs were not the reason you played Oakensoul.
Gear-wise put Sergeant's Mail all on your Jewelry and Weapons. Get Ansuul's Torment or Null Arca (Minor Slayer) and Rakkhat's Voidemantle (or Maw of the Infernal or Anthelmir's Construct if no Season Pass) on your armour. In a fight like vAS+2 specifically probably Incap would be better as your ult than atro, but others may correct me. If you're willing to use potions to self source Savagery and/or Brutality you could put Heroism on your Banner and even have a slot for Regenerative Ward (Minor Intellect + Endurance) if you need it or any other assassination skill for more damage (a fun idea might be Mark Target on the protectors/felms/llothis so you can have limited self supplied Major Berserk). With backbar Bound Aegis (Minor Resolve + Minor Protection), Concealed Weapon (Minor Expedition) and Relentless Focus I think you pretty much have every relevant buff from Oakensoul with a little on top.
Oh and make sure to have Celerity CP and Cavaliers Charge on your banner (for a cool 150 free weapon damage).
For full transparency, the only damage oriented ones you lose out vs Oakensoul would be Minor Berserk and Minor Courage (both of which add up to less than a fully stack Relentless Focus).
If you're being sincere in wanting help, you can keep asking me more privately if you prefer.
When I said, "I will play your game, and when I ask you to teach me," I was 100% serious. But I see now… you're not. Or maybe you are… anyway… I don’t even know what else to say.
I want to say thank you… but… come on, lol!
You forgot the Sentinel set and Overload. Seriously? Lol. Come on...
You asked for a vAS+2 setup and I gave you a genuine one, already not including Highland Sentinel because that would be near impossible to use in a group of randoms. You are correct, that Overload would give you better damage but I chose not to include it because it does require a limited degree of micro managing to be better than other ultimates.
I really don't understand your reaction to be honest. The setup I described won't hit 130k on Olms in a disorganized group, but neither is the one bar fatecarver setup. If you're overwhelmed by the number of skills I mentioned, Banner is purely passive and 3 of them go on your backbar (which you will never swap to because you unbound your barswap key right?). To reiterate, Contingency is cast at the same cadence as your Wall of Elements, your 2 pets are identical and your last slot is now either a self heal/shield or an assassination skill slotted for passive bonuses (and OPTIONAL use for an additional buff and debuff).
This one is... a1bar Arcanist at the moment.
I'm curious about your Rakkhat build — 50k!? At best?
I wonder what items or skill bars the others are using...
Link the logs, that tiny window could literally be from anything. There's no proof it's vAS+2, and that person is using that one bar arcanist setup you so despise.
You asked for a setup, I provided a genuine one (without the often criticised Highland Sentinel). Now you fall back to disingenuous arguments and a screenshot that could not be cropped to show any less information.
I made the mistake of thinking you could be helped. I now realize you will be forced to live your life the way you are forever and I would not wish that upon anyone.6 -
Asikoo✭✭✭✭Link the logs, that tiny window could literally be from anything. There's no proof it's vAS+2, and that person is using that one bar arcanist setup you so despise.
You asked for a setup, I provided a genuine one (without the often criticised Highland Sentinel). Now you fall back to disingenuous arguments and a screenshot that could not be cropped to show any less information.
I made the mistake of thinking you could be helped. I now realize you will be forced to live your life the way you are forever and I would not wish that upon anyone.
That person was me on my 1bar Arcanist. It wasn't vAS+2, it was vLC again.
Call it whatever you like, but I'm 100% sure I wouldn’t get the same DPS with my Oakensorc or any other one-bar build.
Thanks for the help, but no thanks! That was a joke, not actual help.
0 -
HatchetHaro✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭You are beyond help lmao. Hey, we tried, but if nothing we say or do can convince you, then we shall leave you to suffer in your own little field of lies.Best Argonian NA and I will fight anyone for it
20 Argonians
6x IR, 6x GH, 7x TTT, 4x GS, 4x DB, 1x PB, 4x SBS, 1x MM, 1x US, 1x Unchained7 -
Soarora✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭✭✭@kevkj
Okay, I’ll play your game. What build are you talking about? Please, help me understand.
Show me the actual 1bar build you use that can parse the same DPS as a 1bar Arcanist and not just in a perfect group. I mean in real situations: 100% pug groups, with two healers, and no organized buffs at all. What 1bar build performs better than Oakensoul or 1bar Arcanist in those conditions?
Now tell me: what 1bar build are you using in a decent pug group? Not perfect, but a good group that we sometimes get. Will it parse like a 1bar Arcanist?
And one more: what 1bar build are you using to join something simple like vAS+2? Please be specific. Help me, and prove your point with actual builds, not just words.
Because for me, it’s simple:- A 1bar Arcanist will outperform any other 1bar build, with or without Oakensoul.
- A 1bar Arcanist will still outperform in bad pug groups.
- A 1bar Arcanist will still outperform in good pug groups.
So please, if you say otherwise, don’t just argue. Show me the build that proves it.
Please, teach me.
I explained earlier how you could self source the relevant damage oriented buffs if that was a concern and you hand waved it away saying that buffs were not the reason you played Oakensoul.
Gear-wise put Sergeant's Mail all on your Jewelry and Weapons. Get Ansuul's Torment or Null Arca (Minor Slayer) and Rakkhat's Voidemantle (or Maw of the Infernal or Anthelmir's Construct if no Season Pass) on your armour. In a fight like vAS+2 specifically probably Incap would be better as your ult than atro, but others may correct me. If you're willing to use potions to self source Savagery and/or Brutality you could put Heroism on your Banner and even have a slot for Regenerative Ward (Minor Intellect + Endurance) if you need it or any other assassination skill for more damage (a fun idea might be Mark Target on the protectors/felms/llothis so you can have limited self supplied Major Berserk). With backbar Bound Aegis (Minor Resolve + Minor Protection), Concealed Weapon (Minor Expedition) and Relentless Focus I think you pretty much have every relevant buff from Oakensoul with a little on top.
Oh and make sure to have Celerity CP and Cavaliers Charge on your banner (for a cool 150 free weapon damage).
For full transparency, the only damage oriented ones you lose out vs Oakensoul would be Minor Berserk and Minor Courage (both of which add up to less than a fully stack Relentless Focus).
If you're being sincere in wanting help, you can keep asking me more privately if you prefer.
When I said, "I will play your game, and when I ask you to teach me," I was 100% serious. But I see now… you're not. Or maybe you are… anyway… I don’t even know what else to say.
I want to say thank you… but… come on, lol!
You forgot the Sentinel set and Overload. Seriously? Lol. Come on...
You asked for a vAS+2 setup and I gave you a genuine one, already not including Highland Sentinel because that would be near impossible to use in a group of randoms. You are correct, that Overload would give you better damage but I chose not to include it because it does require a limited degree of micro managing to be better than other ultimates.
I really don't understand your reaction to be honest. The setup I described won't hit 130k on Olms in a disorganized group, but neither is the one bar fatecarver setup. If you're overwhelmed by the number of skills I mentioned, Banner is purely passive and 3 of them go on your backbar (which you will never swap to because you unbound your barswap key right?). To reiterate, Contingency is cast at the same cadence as your Wall of Elements, your 2 pets are identical and your last slot is now either a self heal/shield or an assassination skill slotted for passive bonuses (and OPTIONAL use for an additional buff and debuff).
This one is... a1bar Arcanist at the moment.
I'm curious about your Rakkhat build — 50k!? At best?
I wonder what items or skill bars the others are using...
Link the logs, that tiny window could literally be from anything. There's no proof it's vAS+2, and that person is using that one bar arcanist setup you so despise.
You asked for a setup, I provided a genuine one (without the often criticised Highland Sentinel). Now you fall back to disingenuous arguments and a screenshot that could not be cropped to show any less information.
I made the mistake of thinking you could be helped. I now realize you will be forced to live your life the way you are forever and I would not wish that upon anyone.
And here we go full circle back to why several leads are too burned by oakensoul players to allow them in. I remember seeing someone on the forums here when oakensorc rose up. They talked about changing the build to make it better but they in fact made it worse. As oakensoul rose to power, there were good ha sorcs and bad ha sorcs that didn’t copy the build exactly, messing it up and resulting in low damage. This experience stuck with me.
That is to say, if someone doesn’t know what they’re talking about, they should not be so avoidant of what is actually good. You can make a 1-bar ha sorc without oakensoul and do just as well if not better because oakensoul doesnt accept backbar slottables and takes up a slot just for buffs you can easily already source, as you’ve pointed out.PC/NA Dungeoneer (Tank/DPS/Heal), Trialist (DPS/Tank/Heal), and amateur Battlegrounder (DPS) with a passion for The Elder Scrolls lore- CP 2000+
- Warden Healer - Arcanist Healer - Warden Brittleden - Stamarc - Sorc Tank - Necro Tank - Templar Tank - Arcanist Tank
- Trials: 9/12 HMs - 4/8 Tris
- Dungeons: 32/32 HMs - 24/26 Tris
- All Veterans completed!
View my builds!
3 -
Asikoo✭✭✭✭So we have 7 classes: Dragonknight, Nightblade, Sorcerer, Templar, Warden, Necromancer, and the almighty god Arcanist!!
And that’s fine, except all 6 other classes have lower DPS than the Arcanist using just one bar. Why is that?
Maybe I’m wrong in what I’m about to say, but it seems like everyone is afraid that ZoS will nerf the Arcanist beam, instead of accepting the truth, which honestly makes no sense!
If a player wants to play with just one bar and do the best they can, should they be forced to pick only one class because all the others are clearly inferior?0 -
Asikoo✭✭✭✭I see people saying things like, "You’re beyond help lol," "thinking you could be helped," and so on… Please, show me the builds.
I’m talking about this one by Skinnycheeks. Please post the builds here so everyone can see what other classes come close to this one. I’m not asking for better builds, just post them. Onebar only, please!
With the same simplicity as this one, or (I say or) the Oakensoul one.
And I promise, if you’re right, I’ll be the first to shut up about all this. That’s a promise!
Edited by Asikoo on June 25, 2025 9:41PM0 -
Soarora✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭✭✭So we have 7 classes: Dragonknight, Nightblade, Sorcerer, Templar, Warden, Necromancer, and the almighty god Arcanist!!
And that’s fine, except all 6 other classes have lower DPS than the Arcanist using just one bar. Why is that?
Maybe I’m wrong in what I’m about to say, but it seems like everyone is afraid that ZoS will nerf the Arcanist beam, instead of accepting the truth, which honestly makes no sense!
If a player wants to play with just one bar and do the best they can, should they be forced to pick only one class because all the others are clearly inferior?
That has nothing to do with oakensoul or even 1-bar. The same problem applies to 2-bar “LA” builds and we’ve been complaining about that for a whole two years now. I mean, you can do higher damage on non-arc technically but not on all classes and not in AoE and by you I mean people who are quite good at their class. Just join the anti-arc bandwagon instead of going off on your own about oakensoul, which leads into an entirely different argument chain than “arcanist too strong” does.PC/NA Dungeoneer (Tank/DPS/Heal), Trialist (DPS/Tank/Heal), and amateur Battlegrounder (DPS) with a passion for The Elder Scrolls lore- CP 2000+
- Warden Healer - Arcanist Healer - Warden Brittleden - Stamarc - Sorc Tank - Necro Tank - Templar Tank - Arcanist Tank
- Trials: 9/12 HMs - 4/8 Tris
- Dungeons: 32/32 HMs - 24/26 Tris
- All Veterans completed!
View my builds!
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Asikoo✭✭✭✭That has nothing to do with oakensoul or even 1-bar. The same problem applies to 2-bar “LA” builds and we’ve been complaining about that for a whole two years now. I mean, you can do higher damage on non-arc technically but not on all classes and not in AoE and by you I mean people who are quite good at their class. Just join the anti-arc bandwagon instead of going off on your own about oakensoul, which leads into an entirely different argument chain than “arcanist too strong” does.
This topic is all about balance in 1bar builds. I don’t care about 2bar setups, I have no intention of being part of score-pushing players.
Now it’s you trying to turn things around. I made a very simple request:
Please show them to me. Post them in the forum so all players can see and use other builds if they want. Show us, balance in 1bar builds is… okay, just some kind of okay, because as far as I know, balance in 1bar builds is 100% out of control.So we have 7 classes: Dragonknight, Nightblade, Sorcerer, Templar, Warden, Necromancer, and the almighty god Arcanist!!
And that’s fine, except all 6 other classes have lower DPS than the Arcanist using just one bar. Why is that?
Maybe I’m wrong in what I’m about to say, but it seems like everyone is afraid that ZoS will nerf the Arcanist beam, instead of accepting the truth, which honestly makes no sense!
If a player wants to play with just one bar and do the best they can, should they be forced to pick only one class because all the others are clearly inferior?0 -
Soarora✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭✭✭That has nothing to do with oakensoul or even 1-bar. The same problem applies to 2-bar “LA” builds and we’ve been complaining about that for a whole two years now. I mean, you can do higher damage on non-arc technically but not on all classes and not in AoE and by you I mean people who are quite good at their class. Just join the anti-arc bandwagon instead of going off on your own about oakensoul, which leads into an entirely different argument chain than “arcanist too strong” does.
This topic is all about balance in 1bar builds. I don’t care about 2bar setups, I have no intention of being part of score-pushing players.
Now it’s you trying to turn things around. I made a very simple request:
Please show them to me. Post them in the forum so all players can see and use other builds if they want. Show us, balance in 1bar builds is… okay, just some kind of okay, because as far as I know, balance in 1bar builds is 100% out of control.
My point is there’s no need for this animosity. You have problem with arcanist, 2-bar players have problem with arcanist, don’t fight arcanist and 2-bar players at the same time. Choose your battles. Enemy of my enemy is my friend and all that. Also, what, 98% of players aren’t scorepushers? Including the vast majority of 2-bar players?
No, I will not be taking the time to find you a build when you were rude to someone who did take the time to do so. You’re on your own, but it didn’t have to be this way should you have taken a different path.PC/NA Dungeoneer (Tank/DPS/Heal), Trialist (DPS/Tank/Heal), and amateur Battlegrounder (DPS) with a passion for The Elder Scrolls lore- CP 2000+
- Warden Healer - Arcanist Healer - Warden Brittleden - Stamarc - Sorc Tank - Necro Tank - Templar Tank - Arcanist Tank
- Trials: 9/12 HMs - 4/8 Tris
- Dungeons: 32/32 HMs - 24/26 Tris
- All Veterans completed!
View my builds!
7 -
Asikoo✭✭✭✭My point is there’s no need for this animosity. You have problem with arcanist, 2-bar players have problem with arcanist, don’t fight arcanist and 2-bar players at the same time. Choose your battles. Enemy of my enemy is my friend and all that. Also, what, 98% of players aren’t scorepushers? Including the vast majority of 2-bar players?
No, I will not be taking the time to find you a build when you were rude to someone who did take the time to do so. You’re on your own, but it didn’t have to be this way should you have taken a different path.
Okay, since you don’t want to help me… why not help others? There are other players reading the topic who might be interested in knowing the same things I do. Because, like I said before, you can say whatever you want, but there’s no argument or anything you can say to prove that you’re right and I’m wrong when I say:
“This balance isn’t fair. It’s ridiculous. It makes no sense… it’s just .”Edited by ZOS_Hadeostry on June 25, 2025 11:29PM0 -
Ph1p✭✭✭✭✭
✭Have you tried this recent build, which is a sub-classed, one-bar, heavy-attack Sorcerer parsing >130k and dealing what looks like quite competitive DPS in HM content?Edited by Ph1p on June 26, 2025 12:21AM2 -
Artim_X✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭I don't like this idea. Keep in mind that I have like 6 Oakensoul based builds, some only existing due to subclassing, and others buffed by having certain passives while subclassing without changing any skills.
Oakensoul is fine as is. I don't understand the logic of trying to make it overperform.(AD) Artim X/Xirtām/Måtrix |PC/NA| Casual staff wielding vampire sorcerer/templar/arcanistElectric-Stunhttps://media.giphy.com/media/Av0zcKH3i2BkaY1GXW/giphy.gif/https://c.tenor.com/jQHdFftrgwMAAAAC/tenor.gifElectric-Pets- Roleplay Damage Dealing Build.
- Gear: 5 Infallible Aether (All apparel light and Divines with Max Mag Enchants), 1 Slimecraw Guise for max spell critical (Divines, light, Max Mag Enchants), Maelstrom's Perfected Lightning Staff (infused/shock enchant), and Kinras's jewelry (bloodthirsty with spell damage enchant)/lightning staff (infused/flame/weapon damage enchant). 1 Mora's Whispers.
- Ability-Bar 1: Critical Surge, Boundless Storm, Mages' Wrath, Lightning Flood, Shocking Soul (Shock damage, Class Mastery Signature Script, and Empower), and Power Overload.
- Ability-Bar 2: Storm Pulsar, Streak, Shock Reach, Unstable Wall of Storms, Shocking Burst (Shock Damage, remove 1 negative effect, and interrupt) and Thunderous Rage.
Solo: Use Kinras's chest, replace Mora with Ring of the Pale Order, and use a heavy Slimcraw piece for max critical.
https://i.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExNHVjemwxZHI2ZmQ2bTg1ZG0xOTZ3b2QwajBzNGxmaHh6OXRpN3p6YSZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/eBgWizk5dmZRS/giphy.gifElectric-Heal- Stress free one bar pet build .
- Gear: 5 Infallible Aether (All apparel light and Divines with Max Mag Enchants. No chest piece), 1 medium Slimecraw for max spell critical (Divines, medium, Max Mag Enchants), Lightning Staff of the Sergeant (precise/shock enchant), Sergeant's chest (Divines and max magicka enchant), and Sergeant ring and necklace (bloodthirsty with spell damage enchant), Oakensoul ring (bloodthirsty with spell damage enchant)
- Ability-Bar: Daedric Prey, Summon Volatile Familiar, Bound Armaments, Unstable Wall of Storms, Summon Twilight Matriarch, and Greater storm Atronach.
https://media.giphy.com/media/5ibGIHneWS6ek/giphy.gifElectric-Ward- My Healer Build.
- Gear: 5 Spell Power Cure (All apparel light and Divines with Max Mag Enchants), 1 Slimecraw Guise for max spell critical (Divines, light, Max Mag Enchants), Maelstrom's Perfected Lightning Staff (Charged/shock enchant), and Infallible Aether jewelry (arcane with spell damage enchant)/restoration staff (Powered with absorb magicka enchant). 1 Mora's Whispers.
- Ability-Bar 1: Power Surge, Boundless Storm, Blessing of Restoration, Energy Orb, Twilight Matriarch, and Replenishing Barrier.
- Ability-Bar 2: Dark Deal, Overflowing Altar, Elemental Drain, Blockade of Storms, Twilight Matriarch, and Aggressive Horn.
https://media.giphy.com/media/Wa0TGmtDvwW3e/giphy.gifElectric-Vamp- My Meme Tank Build that uses high resistance and variety of wards.
- Gear: 5 Brands of Imperium (All body pieces except Head and Shoulders, with Divine trait, and with Prismatic Defense Enchants), full Iceheart (1 light and 1 medium. Divines and Prismatic Enchant), and Combat Physician jewelry (bloodthirsty with Prismatic Recovery Enchants), Combat Physician restoration staff (Infused with hardening enchant), and combat physician ice staff (Infused with crusher enchant).
- Ability-Bar 1: Critical Surge, Bound Aegis, Deep Thoughts, Boundless Storm, Healing Ward, and Replenishing Barrier.
- Ability-Bar 2: Silver Leash (Elemental Drain if healer isn't running it), Bound Aegis, Frost Clench, Blockade of Frost, Empowered Ward, and Temporal Guard.
https://media.giphy.com/media/ukDQiYZzRAxMZKcK86/giphy.gifDawnfang- Tanky stage 4 vampire utility focused PvP healer that can take down very inexperienced players but is primarily focused on working alongside others in an organized group, PUGs, or zergs.
- Gear: 5 Torug's Pact (medium chest and body pieces light. All Impenetrable with Prismatic Enchants). Gaze of Sithis and 1 light Mighty Chudan/Pirate Skeleton (light shoulders, and impenetrable with Prismtaic Enchants). Knight Slayer (Swift with spell damage enchant)/lightning staff (infused with oblivion enchant)/restoration staff (infused with oblivion enchant).
- Ability-Bar 1: Structured Entropy, Boundless Storm, Soul Splitting Trap, Radiating Regeneration, Healing Ward, and Life Giver.
- Ability-Bar 2: Drain Vigor (Elemental Susceptibility), Race Against Time, Rune Cage, Radiant Magelight, Regenerative Ward, and Shatter Soul.
https://media.tenor.com/ogWfvDdsqBIAAAAd/anime-black-clover.gifDuskfang- My casual one bar heavy attack Templar build that primarily utilizes Aedric Spear abilities.
- Gear: 5 Noble Duelist (Head or Shoulder and body pieces except Chest. All body pieces Divines with Max Mag Enchants), 1 light Slimecraw for max spell critical (Divines, light, Max Mag Enchant), Lightning Staff of the Sergeant (precise/shock enchant), Sergeant's chest (Divines and max magicka enchant), and Sergeant's Mail jewelry (One Ring and one Neck. Both bloodthirsty with spell damage enchant). 1 Oakensoul Ring (bloodthirsty with spell damage enchant).
- Ability-Bar 1: Puncturing Sweep, Aurora Javelin, Toppling Charge, Blazing Spear, Radiant Ward/Breath of life, and Crescent Sweep.
https://media.tenor.com/Jo8aG_ouy_oAAAAd/ac-odyssey.gifEye of the Queen- Tanky stage 4 vampire utility focused PvP healer that can take down very inexperienced players but is primarily focused on working alongside others in an organized group, PUGs, or zergs.
- Gear: 5 Torug's Pact (Heavy Chest with light Head, Waist, Hands, and Feet. All body pieces Impenetrable. Health enchant on chest/head/legs and everything else Prismatic Enchants), 1 Medium Mighty Chudan/Pirate Skeleton Shoulder (Impenetrable, Prismatic Enchant), Knight Slayer Restoration Staff (Infused/Decrease Health enchant), and Knight Slayer jewelry (One Ring and one Neck. Both Swift with spell damage enchant). 1 Oakensoul Ring (Swift with Spell Damage Enchant).
- Ability-Bar 1: Radiant Oppression, Race Against Time, Aurora Javelin, Breath of Life, Resolving Vigor, and Life Giver.
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/fd/44/1c/fd441c8242af6ec35ada94496feb0901.gifEye of the King- My casual one bar heavy attack Arcanist build that primarily utilizes Herald of the Tome abilities.
- Gear: 5 Noble Duelist (Head or Shoulder and body pieces except Chest. All body pieces Divines with Max Mag Enchants), 1 light Slimecraw for max spell critical (Divines, light, Max Mag Enchant), Lightning Staff of the Sergeant (precise/shock enchant), Sergeant's chest (Divines and max magicka enchant), and Sergeant's Mail jewelry (One Ring and one Neck. Both bloodthirsty with spell damage enchant). 1 Oakensoul Ring (bloodthirsty with spell damage enchant).
- Ability-Bar 1: Escalating Runeblades, Pragmatic Fatecarver, Cephaliarch's Flail, Rune of Displacement, Inspired Scholarship/Evolving Runemend, and The Languid Eye.
https://i.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExOTAzdjV1eTgwbDFmM3lrZmxuMXRqdDR3Y3h1ZDRpajR0M3VjZzQ3NSZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/zXmbOaTpbY6mA/giphy.gifPvE Starter Gear- Tanky stage 4 vampire utility focused PvP healer that can take down very inexperienced players but is primarily focused on working alongside others in an organized group, PUGs, or zergs.
- Gear: 5 Torug's Pact (Heavy Chest with light Head, Waist, Hands, and Feet. All body pieces Impenetrable. Health enchant on chest/head/legs and everything else Prismatic Enchants), 1 Medium Mighty Chudan/Pirate Skeleton Shoulder (Impenetrable, Prismatic Enchant), Knight Slayer Restoration Staff (Infused/Decrease Health enchant), and Knight Slayer jewelry (One Ring and one Neck. Both Swift with spell damage enchant). 1 Oakensoul Ring (Swift with Spell Damage Enchant).
- Ability-Bar 1: Escalating Runeblades, Race Against Time, Rune of Uncanny Adoration, Evolving Runemend, Resolving Vigor, and Life Giver.
https://media.giphy.com/media/6CovzgyTig7M4/giphy.gifRace- Gear: 5 Law of Julianos (heavy chest, gloves/belt light, and the rest can be light or 1 medium piece if you're not wearing medium anywhere else on your body. All in training if grinding for XP or divines), Armor of the Seducer or Magnus' Gift head, shoulder, and staves (light with 1 medium piece if you are not already wearing 1 medium Julianos piece. All in training or divines. The staves should be training or infused), and 3 purple Willpower Jewelry with Arcane trait (can be bought from trading guilds for relatively cheap.
- Check tamrieltradecentre.com for the best deals if you're not using a price checking addon).
https://media.giphy.com/media/sdEkeWpiaGz0A/giphy.gifMundus Stones- High elf, since you will not have issues with sustain, but other mag based races are also fine so this is more of a personal choice.
https://media.giphy.com/media/cT3wMhLGQWdKU/giphy.gifCurrent Champion Points- PvP: The Steed for speed. Gotta go fast!
- PvE Healing/Damage: The Thief for decent crit rate.
- PvE Tanking: The Lady to get close to resistance cap.
https://media.giphy.com/media/l4FGDAx6u3hthMhgI/giphy.gifFavorite Foods and Potions- DPS: Shadowstrike/ Master Gatherer, Meticulous Disassembly/Plentiful Harvest, Steed's Blessing, Sustaining Shadows, Exploiter, Weapons Expert, Fighting Finesse, Master-at-Arms, Celerity, Rejuvenation, Fortified, Boundless Vitality.
- Healer Sorc: Shadowstrike/ Master Gatherer, Meticulous Disassembly/Plentiful Harvest, Steed's Blessing, Sustaining Shadows, Enlivening Overflow, Hope Infusion, Weapon's Expert, Arcane Supremacy, Celerity, Rejuvenation, Fortified, Boundless Vitality.
- Tanky Sorc: Shadowstrike/ Master Gatherer, Meticulous Disassembly/Plentiful Harvest, Steed's Blessing, Sustaining Shadows, Ironclad, Enduring Resolve, Reinforced, Duelist's Rebuff, Bastion, Ward Master, Rejuvenation, Fortified.
- PvP Sorc: Shadowstrike/ Master Gatherer, Meticulous Disassembly/Plentiful Harvest, Steed's Blessing, Sustaining Shadows, Enlivening Overflow, Weapon's Expert, Occult Overload, Arcane Supremacy, Bastion, Rejuvenation, Fortified, Boundless Vitality.
- PvP Temp/Arcanist: Shadowstrike/ Master Gatherer, Meticulous Disassembly/Plentiful Harvest, Steed's Blessing, Sustaining Shadows, Enlivening Overflow, Weapon's Expert, From the Brink, Arcane Supremacy, Celerity, Rejuvenation, Fortified, Boundless Vitality.
https://media.giphy.com/media/3otPoTggaYFNd1FdAI/giphy.gif- Parse Food for PvE:(DPS) Ghastly Eye Bowl (increases Max Magicka by 4592 and Magicka Recovery by 459 for 2 hours).
- Gold/Purple Food for Sorc PvP and Meme Tanking:(PvP) Clockwork Citrus Filet (increases Max Health by 3326, Health Recovery by 406 [useful if stage 1 vampire], Max Magicka by 3080, and Magicka Recovery by 338 for 2 hours). Witchmother's Potent Brew (Increase Max Magicka by 2856, Max Health by 3094, and Magicka Recovery by 315 for 2 hours.
- Trash Potions when feeling cheap: Regular CP150 Essence of Magicka pots that I obtain frequently from playing the game or Crown Tri-Restoration Potion obtained from dailies.
- Crafted Potions: Essence of Spell Critical (Bugloss, Lady's Smock, and Water Hyacinth). Without magelight this is my primary means of obtaining Major Prophecy on my Sorc, which increases my Spell Critical Rating. This also heals and restores magicka. Essence of Immovability (Columbine, Corn Flower, and Wormwood). I use this in PvP, since this gives me stealth detection, knockback immunity, and restores magicka (better to use it when competent allies are nearby, since it might reveal that you are surrounded by multiple players in stealth and you will not have an emergency pot available after use). Essence of Invisibility with only 2 ingredients (Blue Entoloma, Namira's Rot, Nirnroot, or Spider Egg). I use this in PvE content that requires stealth and if I need more speed I'll use Rapid Maneuver before using the potion. Essence of Invisibility with 3 ingredients (Blessed Thistle, Blue Entoloma, and Namira's Rot). Very useful in PvP alongside the vampire Dark Stalker passive, since you'll be invisible, ignore movement speed penalty while in Crouch, and you'll have a 30% movement speed boost from Major Expedition (I always have this slotted when riding from point A to B in PvP land, since gankers are always lurking). My templar/arcanist will mostly use Essence of Health (Tri-Stat Potion) Ingredients: (Mountain Flower, Columbine, and Bugloss).
5 -
HatchetHaro✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭Have you tried this recent build, which is a sub-classed, one-bar, heavy-attack Sorcerer parsing >130k and dealing what looks like quite competitive DPS in HM content?
After all the kerfuffle in the last few pages, do you think he'd actually click that link?Best Argonian NA and I will fight anyone for it
20 Argonians
6x IR, 6x GH, 7x TTT, 4x GS, 4x DB, 1x PB, 4x SBS, 1x MM, 1x US, 1x Unchained4 -
Vaqual✭✭✭✭✭
✭ESO is the only game I know where I have seen players display this adamant entitlement to clearing difficult encounters on low APM and low complexity builds. Yes, some subclassing builds have spiked in DPS, but before the first major patch drops that would show where DPS will zero in, there are already demands to lift up the least ambitious playstyle. While power creep is ubiquitous, most players in other games seek out the help from other players to clear content above their own abilities. Only in ESO players have the audacity to consistently beg the Devs for easy-mode access to challenging content.
You are already able to form synergistic Oakensoul groups with the selection of sets and abilities that are in the game. At least a modicum of conscious decision making can be expected during the build/comp design, if APM is already out of the question.
For real, form your Oakensoul group, balance it out and try the content. Tell us where you fail. Tell us what you were lacking.
As for the mindlessness of Arcanist DPS: It is a tragedy that that Devs are seemingly fine with that class. This should not serve as a reference for Oakensoul balance.Edited by Vaqual on June 26, 2025 5:16AM8 -
Koshka✭✭✭✭✭Technically, 1 bar builds can produce enough damage to beat everything except a few trial trifectas (and even then you can just transition to a 1.5 bar build with Voidmantle or Velothi), the main issue is that players assume that they don't have to learn and practice once they have acquired the gear. How many Oaken players absolutely refuse to play as a part of the group, ignore mechanics, stand in the opposite corners of the room while heavy attacking, stand behind healers, etc? This is what holds Oakensoul players back, not the lack of power.
You can absolutely make an oakensoul-only group. It's not a new idea. But you'll still have to learn mechanics and communicate with other people like the rest of us. It's not like 2 bar arcanists get instant invites to prog groups as soon as they hit 100k+ - it still requires a bit of networking and a bit of luck, and sometimes you have to take the initiative and organize a group yourself. And you still have to keep learning and improving.
Here's an example of a non-AS trifecta done by 1 bar dds. Hope you'll find that inspiring.
https://youtu.be/Lnb9XrQa3q0?feature=shared Edited by Koshka on June 26, 2025 5:44AM5 -
Asikoo✭✭✭✭HatchetHaro wrote: »Have you tried this recent build, which is a sub-classed, one-bar, heavy-attack Sorcerer parsing >130k and dealing what looks like quite competitive DPS in HM content?
After all the kerfuffle in the last few pages, do you think he'd actually click that link?
You said I didn’t care about the build and you’re right, because I do know that build. And let me tell you about it, because it seems like you don’t.- That build isn’t bad... as long as you have very good healers and tanks who can properly stack trash and manage everything else.
- That build will NOT do the same DPS as Oakensoul, for example, not in the same context.
- That build will NOT match the DPS of a 1bar Arcanist. Why?
- Because in real HM content, you need to understand mechanics, positioning, track off-balance, and time your ultimate only during off-balance windows. You also need to maintain a good rotation. And if you're good enough to manage all that? You wouldn’t be using that build at all. Because it's 100% trash in real content.
- A 1bar Arcanist is simple, easy, and all you need is BEAM to outparse it.
I’m talking about balance across all 1bar builds. You’re talking about one build that looks decent on a dummy and nothing more than that.
I’m being serious here: the balance is completely out of control. ZoS is basically forcing players to run 1bar Arcanist if they want to play 1bar at all, because it’s the only one that massively outparses any other option.
One more time; that build is a joke in real content, whether you’re in a good or bad pug. It’s a joke. There is absolutely nothing that comes close to matching 1bar Arcanist in performance.
I’m talking about balance across all 1bar builds, not trying to cherry-pick one build just to defend the Arcanist and pretend everything is fine.
Here’s the real deal:
1bar Arcanist can parse 120k+ DPS in real content, and 300k+ on trash pulls (sometimes even more depending on the situation.) That other build? It doesn’t even come close in real content. It can’t keep up.
It can’t even finish its first HA rotation before the Arcanist has already cleared the entire trash pack. And if your group has 6 Arcanists, which is honestly completely normal these days, that HA build won’t even get a chance to land a single hit. There just won't be any targets left alive. If you're lucky? Maybe you’ll tag one or two enemies before it's over. That’s it.
Stop trying to make excuses to cover this up, because I won’t accept that.
The fact is: there’s nothing remotely close to the 1bar Arcanist in terms of performance. And pretending otherwise only delays the conversation that actually needs to happen, which is how wildly unbalanced things are right now.0 -
Koshka✭✭✭✭✭
The fact is, you can get 130k+ with a one bar HA build. This is definitely stronger than a one bar pure arcanist.[
The fact is: there’s nothing remotely close to the 1bar Arcanist in terms of performance. And pretending otherwise only delays the conversation that actually needs to happen, which is how wildly unbalanced things are right now.
Proof:
https://youtu.be/-WiZkGjRV1E?feature=shared
One bar=/=Oakensoul. You are intentionally limiting yourself and then complaining that it's not optimal. Of course it's not optimal, and 2 bar players also have to adjust their builds to keep up and achieve good results.Edited by Koshka on June 26, 2025 7:52AM3 -
Asikoo✭✭✭✭Technically, 1 bar builds can produce enough damage to beat everything except a few trial trifectas (and even then you can just transition to a 1.5 bar build with Voidmantle or Velothi), the main issue is that players assume that they don't have to learn and practice once they have acquired the gear. How many Oaken players absolutely refuse to play as a part of the group, ignore mechanics, stand in the opposite corners of the room while heavy attacking, stand behind healers, etc? This is what holds Oakensoul players back, not the lack of power.
You can absolutely make an oakensoul-only group. It's not a new idea. But you'll still have to learn mechanics and communicate with other people like the rest of us. It's not like 2 bar arcanists get instant invites to prog groups as soon as they hit 100k+ - it still requires a bit of networking and a bit of luck, and sometimes you have to take the initiative and organize a group yourself. And you still have to keep learning and improving.
Here's an example of a non-AS trifecta done by 1 bar dds. Hope you'll find that inspiring.https://youtu.be/Lnb9XrQa3q0?feature=shared
I think you're missing the point of what this topic is really about. I don’t have any doubts about the content a HA build can complete. In fact, I'm 100% confident that an HA build, especially a Sorcerer, can handle any content in this game. I believed that even before subclassing was introduced, and I still believe it now. So just to be clear: yes, Sorcerer HA can do any content in the game.
But that’s not what this discussion is about.
The issue isn’t whether HA builds are capable. The issue is about balance and the gatekeeping that HA users constantly face. Despite being viable, HA builds are often looked down on, underrepresented, or outright rejected from veteran content, not because they can’t do the content, but because they parse lower numbers.
Meanwhile, a 1bar Arcanist can post ridiculously high parses with just a beam spam, and everyone celebrates it. There's a double standard here: one build is welcomed and praised for its performance, while others, especially non-Arcanist HA builds are consistently gatekept or even kicked from veteran groups, and this happens every single day in Group Finder. I constantly see players being removed from groups or unable to join at all just because they’re running an Oakensorc. This kind of exclusion happens even for single vet runs, and it’s a regular occurrence, simply because they don’t meet arbitrary DPS expectations.They get denied, not because they’re bad players (okay, sometimes that happens too, but that’s true for every class), they’re excluded simply because they parse low numbers.But this doesn’t happen at all with 1-bar Arcanists!
That’s the real issue being discussed here.
Edited by Asikoo on June 26, 2025 8:53AM0 -
Koshka✭✭✭✭✭
I don't know what you are talking about, honestly. Oaken arcanists are also encouraged to swap to 2 bar Velothi builds to participate im endgame content. Yes, the build itself is still pretty easy to play, but you have to understand that Oakensoul's named buffs have both advantages and disadvantages. It's pretty good in solo/casual content, but when you make an organized trial group, you have to optimize things like penetration, buffs, etc. So if the group already provides all the important buffs and they count on you having extra pen from Velothi, Oakensoul ring becomes useless.Meanwhile, a 1bar Arcanist can post ridiculously high parses with just a beam spam, and everyone celebrates it. There's a double standard here: one build is welcomed and praised for its performance, while others, especially non-Arcanist HA builds are consistently gatekept or even kicked from veteran groups, and this happens every single day in Group Finder. I constantly see players being removed from groups or unable to join at all just because they’re running an Oakensorc. This kind of exclusion happens even for single vet runs, and it’s a regular occurrence, simply because they don’t meet arbitrary DPS expectations.They get denied, not because they’re bad players (okay, sometimes that happens too, but that’s true for every class), they’re excluded simply because they parse low numbers.But this doesn’t happen at all with 1-bar Arcanists!
That’s the real issue being discussed here.
And when the rest of the dds are 2 bar subclassed arcanists, group pen is calculated accordingly. That means that in addition to your buffs being redundant, you will also have less pen. And yes, it doesn't matter whether you are a one bar oaken beamer or 1 bar oaken heavy attacker.
Basically, this means that you'd have to build your entire team around Oakensoul dd. Like in the video I linked. That is why people keep saying that you should play with likeminded people.
P.S. Before you claim that it's unfair that Oakensoul ring is not the strongest thing in the universe, please consider that mythics like Sheogorath's shoes exist. Oakensoul is still one of the most potent mythics in game, it's not some niche underpowered thing.2
