Does it make any sense to be an Arcanist in PvP? Or at all?

Usureki · June 2

I kinda get the feeling that the class is really focused on the PvE and Infinite Archive stuff and is underperforming in both Cyro and Battleground content. The arcanist spells are mid-ranged, so in Cyro I cannot defend forts properly, but since they are "ranged" (aka having cc 3x the range of a melee strike) they are weaker than other melee class skills. The Crux mechanics is interesting and fun to play in PvE, but I really failed to make it count in PvP since as soon as I'm having enough Cruxes to make it count I need to spend them on either the beam which misses constantly due to desync and clever movements or on my damage shield. Even though I'm almost fully focusing on flat damage I'm underperforming and cannot even touch e.g. the new dk whipper boiz.

I kinda wish I wouldn't need to play with another char, since I've restarted ESO after a break, did months of content and I prefer to play with one main char, but the more I play with the arcanist and the more I see how it is completely ignored in future patches (the class masteries of the arcanist are a joke) I kinda feel I've made a wrong choice picking this class..

Luneca · June 3

When most of the skills still can't be used reliably, no. Even runeblades can't be used when there is a minor elevation difference. It's ridiculous that ZOS "reworked" DK without fixing arcanist and necro issues. But hey, that's why you won't see many arcanists in PvP.

decairn · June 4

Play arcanist as a shielder in a group. It shines.

merevie · June 5

force < in next update

Pvp Arcanist is what you get out when your faction is being zerged and you're in a keep.
Arcanist heals also good, as well as above suggestion.

xR3ACTORx · June 6

It was fun until ZOS decided to nerf the arcanist 3 times in a row and when ZOS introduced the new mythic last year and decided to nerf DoT.

Bernz007 · June 8

The Arcanist and its skill lines have a lot of use in pvp. You just have to stop thinking of playing it from a pve perspective.

For instance, with U50 the Spattering Disjunction set will pair well with the Shattered Paths Signet along with the HoT skill line.

ArctosCethlenn · 2:42AM

arcanist is one of the classes with absolutely mediocre kit (and now masteries) for everything but group support, so there's a reason to have one arcanist as a buff slave + shielder. Not exactly a good state to be in.