Arcanist build question

Petoften

Thanks for the info. Basic question - since I don't use backbar, is there any benefit to having things equipped on it?

Right now, I'm looking at 5/5 Deadly Strike and Order's Wrath, Slimcraw, and looking to get Velathi's to go 5/5/1/1.

While I think Divines is the recommended trait for armor, it looks like Bloodthirsty for jewelry? Any other traits, like what for the staff?

Is it worth using one heavy/one light for the undaunted bonus?

mdjessup4906

Some skills give passive buffs on both bars, like nightblade merciless resolve, which come Monday is a super easy way to get free damage for zero effort, if your ok with subclassing. So put it on bb and keep front bar space free for stuff you do actually do cast.

Zodiarkslayer

Again, it depends. 😅

Only the abilities that say: "while equipped on either bar", or something similar, in the tooltip carry their effect to the frontbar. If they don't, well, there is no use equipping them.

Having a piece of heavy armor is never bad when you are alone. It is nit sorth it for the Undaunted passives, but the armor value. A golden HA chest piece is worth 2772 armour, whoch equates to a little more than 5% damage mitigation. That's a lot.

A further note:
You are deliberately cutting yourself off from a significant portion of your damage and functionality, if you do not use your backbar. It is worth putting in the little bit of time and the small effort to train yourself to use it. I promise, the difficulty is only in your head, notwithstanding physical disabilities, of course.
Without a backbar you'll have no weapon damage glyph, 6 less ability slots (less abilities means less damage sources and less buff sources), ... the list is long. You basically have less of everything.

El_Borracho

@Petoften How do you not use backbar? Backbar is probably the greatest strength of the Arc. Inspired Scholarship is key, I use Cruxweaver Armor for tankiness, Still Waters/Disc/Colorless Pool/Fulminating depending on group needs, Vigor for heals, and Unstable Wall for my DOT. This is mind-blowing.

Honestly, if you are not going to use the back bar, don't use Arc. You're better off with an Oakensorc or a one-bar Magplar build

Zodiarkslayer

On the other hand, you can make an Oakensoul Arcanist build.
You'd only need Fatecarver, a Crux generator (Flail or Runeblades), Scholarship, Rune and Evolving Runemend. Plus the Languid Eye.

What armour you use is depending on whether you go Magicka or Stamina. With Stamina, I'd go 1-5-1 with Deadly Strike, Order's Wrath (including a heavy cuirass) and a one piece (Kra'gh) for penetration. Dual Wielding Swords or Daggers.
With Magicka, I'd take a Lightning Staff and use 5-2-0, where Deadly Strike pieces go on the chest and the Legs to maximize armour value.

I think that is the furthest that you can dumb the class down and still be somewhat combat effective.

KestrelFive

Which race do you all recommend for a solo magicka Arcanist? I am contemplating Breton to also serve as a healer in group dungeons, but both Altmer and Dunmer are appealing options as well.

Zodiarkslayer

Altmer is best. You get free sustain and additional mitigation while channelling. Which you are doing all the time as an Arcanist. 😁
And Magicka ... and Spell Damage, yes. Everybody knows that.