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ESO Sorcerer DPS Build Archived

After Elder Scrolls Online published my Lighting Tornado build from two months ago, I figured it needed an update.  Since July 22, 2014, I’ve learned so much about the game and the Sorc itself.  So I set out to keep the original build in tact, but update it with some new relevant gear and abilities.  Here we go with our ESO Sorcerer DPS Build Lighting Tornado 2.0.

Updated ESO 2.0 build (stamina based) here

For my original build Lighting Tornado, click HERE

 

Build Objective

eso 2014-09-19 09-42-57-24Just like before, the idea is to jump into combat with as many mobs as possible.  Feeding on their damage, you’ll keep alive via Critical Surge self heals.  Additionally, you’ll have a back bar (bow) for single target damage and sustained DPS.  I feel these changes have added a lot to the original build and will help it succeed into later Veteran Rank content.

Skills

Lighting Tornado Skills 2.0The main difference here is I made sure to include the power four into my build; gap closer, CC, self-healing, and finisher.  Bar one is very similar but I decided to make this a dedicated DPS rather than a half hearted solo character.  Moreover, I dropped Vampire because I felt too reliant on Bats for self healing rather than Critical Surge.  Now the build really feels strong for group damage or even solo sustained DPS.  Though this build can be very tricky to play properly and manage all your resources.  I’ll show more in the video how it’s done.

Bar 1 | Dual Wield (made for AoE DPS)

  • Flawless Dawnbreaker (ultimate) – This is a must have passive weapon damage bonus.  It adds so much damage I figure this has to be on your bar.  Though if I were to PvP constantly, I might swap this out for something different.  Maybe War Horn for group play or Ice Comet for zerging.
  • Streak – Everyone’s favorite Sorc ability!  While it just got another nerf, it’s still very powerful.  It’s a gap closer, a ultimate generator, and does some decent AoE damage.  I prefer this on my primary AoE bar for all that it can do though I don’t spam it.
  • Flying Blade – This is our snare/range DPS.  As we close the gap, make sure to spam this once or twice to get that DPS time on target up.  This ability also hits like a truck out of stealth.  With it’s low stamina cost, you can keep up pressure in your AoE bar using this if needed.
  • Steel Tornado – Our monster AoE ability that gets stronger with lower health targets.  Keep on spamming and watching enemies die.
  • Critical Surge – The foundation of this build hinges on the self healing power from Critical Surge.  It’s hard to constantly keep an eye on this buff to make sure it’s up, but you have to.  I pretty much only die when I get lazy and let this lapse.
  • Boundless Storm – This slot can honestly be changed for situation dependent.  If I’m soloing, I like Storm for armor and speed.  If I were grouped, I’d probably go with Lighting Flood for powerful group synergy.  It’s up to you but this is a good all around ability.

Bar 2 | Bow (made for single target DPS)

  • Absorption Field (ultimate) – The one off amazing ultimate that shuts down a group of mobs or a powerful boss.  With this morph, it’ll also provide healing and a powerful stun.  This is good for group or solo bosses.  And with the Sorc reduce cost passive, only 213 ultimate cost it’ll be up fast with all of our generation.
  • Mages Wrath – I like this ability for the powerful group finisher.  The reason I put it on the back bar is one, our Steel Tornado can act as a decent finisher on bar one and two it starts at 20% so rarely I use it kill groups of mobs.  This is more for a boss fight where 20% might take a minute verse 3 seconds.
  • Crystal Fragments – This is our stun and a powerful one at that.  Between the three low cost abilities, this will be procing day and night.  Set targets on their butts constantly but casting at range then DoT’ing them with a Venom Arrow.
  • Draining Shot – Our knock back and stamina dump.  This can do some decent damage if you weave in a light attack in between.  Not to mention, it punts (knock back) target keeping your distance from hard to kill enemies.
  • Velocious Curse – I just love this ability paired with C-Frags.  It’s low cost, AoE, and procs my Frags.  Keep this up if you have the magicka and smash them with C-Frag when proc’d.
  • Venom Arrow – A range interrupt with a DoT, need we say more.

Gear

Gear 2.0Goal = 2200 health > Soft cap weapon damage > stamina regen soft cap > stamina

  • Gear Setup for 2.0Race – This choice is very important and I went with High Elf.  The build is hard because we have to balance magicka and stamina.  High Elf is a good choice for its magicka passive and so is Breton.  You could also go with Redguard for passive stamina regen while then changing your gear around for magicka.  Either way, you’ll need to optimize both resources to pull this off properly.
  • Armor Weight – Since patch 1.4 added weapon damage to medium armor, go all medium.  This gives so much more damage, stamina regeneration and allows the build to shine.  Since I’m a High Elf, I can rely on my passives for magicka regeneration thus allowing me to go stamina hard for other stats and gear.
  • Traits – As always, go infused on large pieces and divines on the others.
  • Mundus –  For this build I went with the Thief because of the added critical chance (roughly 5%).  Since 2.0 doesn’t have a guaranteed critical attack, I think it’s important to get as much weapon critical as possible.
  • Set – Hunding’s Rage offers tons of weapon damage really pushing our DPS to the max.  Night Mother’s Gaze gives the highest four piece weapon critical which pushes this build to 65% overall.  So that’s 65% chance to critical with 65% of the damage coming back as heals.  Not bad at all….
  • Attributes –  I went with 24 in stamina, 24 in magicka, and 1 health.  That’s kind of a weird setup but it works for me.  It really doesn’t matter how you do this, as long as you’re hitting the critical numbers listed about.
  • Glyphs – Use this in combination with attributes to maximize your character.  I’m only using white lower quality at VR 5, but if I were to roll this end-game at VR 14 you could expect monster numbers.
  • Jewelry – What I like to do here is hit my regeneration soft caps.  Some like to go reduced cost and that’s a valid put, but I like regeneration because “it’s always on.”
  • Food – Go Tri-stat sweet roll.

 

Now time to put this all together and try out DPS’ing with the Lighting Tornado 2.0.  Watch the video for a detailed guide as I show exactly what I do.  As always thanks for reading and let me know what you think of this build.  Better than 1.0?

Reader Interactions

Comments

  7. Mudcrab says

    Great build! respec-ed my altmer sorc and it’s awesome.

    If I wanted to roll this build with imperial race, should i switch to light armor instead of medium?

  9. Archamus says

    I’m really torn between trying something like this on a new sorcerer, or something more like your velvet hammer.

    Which did you have more fun with?

    Which seemed to have more survivability/soloability?

    Right now I’m leaning toward the two hander, because that critical rush is just so much fun, and I can just imagine zipping around constantly with that and streak.

    • Deltia says

      Personally I love the Velvet Hammer. Leaping in with Critical Surge and nuking people with a massive sword was so fun. Right now, magicka builds are a bit more survivable though anything with critical surge can be great for solo content. Try the 2 hander, you won’t be disappointed 🙂

  10. Neriak says

    First off, I’m loving this website! I apologize in advance for the long post 🙂
    I have a Dark Elf Sorc I started at launch. (only lvl 21 and returning to ESO after a long break so A LOT has changed since I last played) using Dual Wield, Heavy Armor (needless to say I am switching to Medium) and Daedric skills. My intention was to have pets and be able to rush in and melee while also utilizing curse. This has been very fun and easy to solo with so far.

    It wasn’t until I started dungeons and Cyrodil that I saw the downside to pets. So, I decided to start leveling Bow and Dark Magic.

    I love the look of this build, playing a melee/caster hybrid is something I’m interested in. Plus the fact that I use the same weapons piqued my interest even more. but I have a couple questions if you have a moment to answer.

    First off, is there any upside to using heavy armor with ANY sorc build? Second, what made you decide to go with daggers over other 1 handers?

    • Deltia says

      The upside to heavy armor is melee damage, resistance and health. The downside is sustainability and resource management. PvP there are people that can pull off the heavy armor melee burst classes, in PvE not so much. Daggers v swords or daggers v 2 handed sword? Mainly for the passives and gear optimization. As a Sorc, I have streak (i.e. a kind of gap closer). As a Dragonknight, I only have an ultimate as a gap closer so the two handed charge makes more sense. So that’s how and why I determine a specific weapon skill line over another.

      • Neriak says

        Do you have any ideas or maybe know where I can find a good build utilizing pets and dual wield?

        I love the idea of making ESO versions of my old favorite Everquest 1 classes(what can I say? I’m a MMO nostalgia nut when it comes to EQ. lol) So I would love to play a Shadowknight type character (melee/pet hybrid).

        My original goal was to have Bar 1 focusing mainly on the Daedric skill line toggles, then make up for the magicka loss by building my stamina up for using dodge, block, and dual wield skills for some up close melee combat.

        While bar 2 would be more of a Bow with Dark Magic since pets have seemed to do me and my group more harm than good in dungeons and pvp.

        Thank you for being so helpful to the people like me that love this site. You take the time to respond to our questions and thoughts, and it is that genuine kindness that helps (imho) cement this amazing website as the top ESO site out there.

  12. Venja Ronin says

    Hey Deltia just wanted to say thanks for the build. I dropped bow and I am using Sword and board/DW(Tank/DPS build) I am in all medium and tanking like crazy. I grab aggro and then start with the dps and then grab aggro again. It has worked out nicely. I can’t wait to see what you do with this build in 1.6. I will be keeping an eye out for the update.

  14. nuno Veiga says

    Hello Deltia, thx for all the great website u got here and to help us the new guys in game to understand better the game.
    i see alot of builds u got here for sorc but my questing is can u try make a vid for ppl in mid lvl build to kill faster or lvl faster..because i love this vids but almost all is for 50+ Vp5+ 🙂

    thx anyway and great job again.

    GZ from Portugal 🙂

  15. louis says

    Hi Deltia. ever had a problem with the crystal frags insta cast proc not showing up on either FTC or the wykkyd enhanced HUD ? for some reason i dont get any sort of notification or indication its procced. any idea why ?

  16. Alaricos says

    Hey Deltia!

    First off (as nearly everybody has told you so far) great work with your guides, especially your new video series (has helped me a lot as a newbie)
    Quick question regarding this build in 2.0.. Is it maybe possible to run a dualwield/2 handed setup?
    I realy dislike bows 😀 maybe even become a vampire if I run out of stamina and health too often?
    Have a nice easter weekend, cheers!

      • domesticgrunt says

        I am currently using your Ricochet build and im thinking of switching to this with a wood elf, we’ll see how it goes. It seems like a pretty solid build and it looks really cool, thats a great deal as to why im drawn to this build. Thanks for the reply man and good job, these builds are fun to play.

  20. James says

    I am trying to use this class, so far it is working fine, but im worried about the future. I am only level 22 right now. my race is a dark elf, and i feel like im not getting any racial benefits from it because I dont use any fire magic. Is there a way for me to make it work or should i just create a new character and play it as a high elf?

  21. sw33tr3venge says

    Hey Deltia, this may just be me but i cant seem to find passive skills in your guide, im pretty new to the eso scene and would much apreciate some guidence as to where i can invest my skill points because i dont have access to the armour or traits you have (Hunding – NIght mother etc.) also, is there a specific location to find these armours?

    Many thanks, sw33t 😉

  22. James says

    So is this build still viable for july 2015? I really want to use the dual wield as a sorcerer. And I m willing to follow this, so does it still work.

  23. Elijah says

    Deltia I noticed u said it needs some fixing the lighting tornado 2.0 for July, do you by chance have a build that up to date for a sorcerer dualwield I’m a dark elf btw :p my psn is shadowboyeli if you have anything to say

  25. Kain says

    OK so I saw this build on the official site awhile back and loved it then. Now that I actually have the game and can try it out, I’m super excited that this one is more up to date.
    One question though, I bought the Imperial Edition and would love to play as them as they are my favorite race, how would this build fare with that race?

  27. KSoul says

    Hi Deltia,

    It’s my first time playing

    Could you elaborate this build with an early and mid game strategy ? I’d really love to know how to go about levelling my character and skills

      • Cecil says

        Early you said you probably should update this build to stamina in your comment before this or the one before that, can you explain what you mean do you mean using all stamina getting rid of the other attributes ? I am a wood elf and have tried your ricchochet build. Im trying to see if this is still changing with the updates and all. If I am a woodelf and not a altmer doing this build what would you recommend tochange. I am assumingsimlar to redguard changes but can you on experience go into more detail if wood elf would to do this how to change it around thanks. Really appreciate your guides I have learned so much in such a short casual time playing.

  28. Cbun says

    Have you updated this since? I’m currently running a near identical version at vet 11, and it’s a monster in pvp. Pve I feel like I could be doing more damage as a reg sorc. Any take on that? Also, I was wondering about health enchants. So many PC transfers (I play on xbone) recommend putting almost all attributes in health and using your armor enchants for stam/magicka. Any take on that? And last but not least, for dual wielding, do you ever run blinding flurry (flurry morph) for single target dps?

    • Azureblaise says

      Well I’m vet 2, currently trying to make this, though I’m using the poor mans version with Ashen Grip and Night’s Silence, until I can get enough research points to make the better gear. Beyond that, as far as things go, I’ve gone ‘straight’ Stamina in points just about. 0-5-X. X acting as a variable, since every spare point now is in there.

      Getting back on track, the last point of your post, the ‘Flurry Morph’ I choose and USE, I must stress, is Rapid Strikes. For PVE and in a number of cases, PVP, its considerably more potent I thinks for single target DPS. Each subsequent hit, smacks harder, and more often then not, more than half of its hits will crit(thus more damage! :D). Proven by my Crit Surge being active and the constant ping of the heal effect going off.

      Though, this is personal experience… I really don’t care for the Flying Blade ability…. Course I’m a sneaky freaking Khajiit, so obviously I prefer sneaking right up close and beating the crap out of people. or depending, taking my time and sniping with a bow.

  29. Josh says

    For 2.0. I have a vr 14 Bosmer sorc and I run Hundings rage and Night silence(although I could try Night mothers gaze for the crit, but I have about 58% now do I need more?). And I’ve turned it into pretty much the same thing you have here. But since I am not an Altmer I feel my magicka is strained at times. Any suggestions? Also in PvP I haven’t found an effective way to play or use this character. I die pretty quickly because I rely only on criting to heal( No wards or self heals really). Do you have advice for PVP with this style of character? Thank you I like the website and reference it often.

    • Azureblaise says

      Although I’m no expert since its not my build, an later post by Deltia himself (August 5th, 2015) says to drop the magika attr -and health-, and go full stam attr., which is perfect I think for you being a Bosmer. Though he’s saying 0-0-62… which I feel is a little to much…. but to each their own.

      KEEP IN MIND. This guide is exceptionally OUTDATED, So use at your own risk, ya know. I’m using it myself, granted, BUT-
      I’m Khajiit Sorcerer … gasp one of them bad combos! :O
      Jokes aside, it works well with my playstyle, sure I can’t hit quite as hard as a Bosmer/Imperial/Redguard might going full stamina on a normal basis, but I got perks I like. I love being sneaky, I have a shit ton of Crit Damage, and Robust is useful in a fight, regardless of unsavory opinions towards such a combination.

      I love sneaking up on someone, and popping a heavy hit/Rapid-strikes, or if needed standing back and shooting a nice sharp arrow while Crit Surge is active to give it more OOMPH.

      Getting back on track, might I suggest utilizing Flurry? I prefer Rapid Strikes Morph myself when you’re fighting only one opponent. Now you got to remember to watch out for people who have a lot crit resistance, but for those who don’t, just about every hit will crit. Proven by the constant sound of the heal ping when cr tical surge is active and I Rapid Strike a foe. Now its too each their own, but with Boundless Storm active, I can pretty easily keep up with someone and make sure I get that Base damage increase per consecutive hit no less.

      Back to the rely on criting to heal…. You have tapped into the “Dark Magic” skill line yes? Have you grabbed its passives as well? Crystal Fragging for a quick heal, dropping preferably the instant arming Deadric Mines Morph by replacing the Mage’s Fury spell with it to damage and heal at the same time. Being a complete dick and using Encase or, Rune Prison(Cage is better due to things like the Venom Arrows DoT) to Heal off them, and even give you a little time to heal or offer some Crowd Control if dealing with a Zurg.

  30. Alex A says

    Since the beginning, my main has been a heavy/light armor wearing, dual wield and lightning staff sorcerer. It hasn’t been bad so far but I’ve never been the best at building ‘elite’ characters. I recently logged on and saw I had a free respec and I figured I might as well do this right. I’m looking to keep the dual wield/staff combo but I’m willing to change the armor around. If I’m wanting to stick with that weapon combo, is this the best build that I should base my character on? Or is there something more appropriate? (I’d like to do things like arena and trials soon)

  32. Apex says

    I switched my Sorcerer to try out he build, and it’s amazingly fun to play. The critical surge plays well and the synergy between tornado and lightning abilities work well together by adding damage as mobs become wounded till their deaths with the main AoE damage skills. Although the build does use late game skills, I do agree with Daltia about using a restoration staff and grand healing that can turn the tide on fights, plus you can focus on Magicka while you level..

  33. Alexander says

    Great website and everything i have read so far around here are very good and helps alot! I started my character nothing and it seems i picked the wrong race for sorcerer but i have still made quite good with it and it a Nord Sorcerer, stamina build and using dual wiel and bow. I am affraid though that this build might not be good enough end game or when i reach VR16. What do u think?

  34. Tersi says

    Hey, for the secondary weapon, is the bow the absolute best option, or could a two handed be a very good choice as well? I’m vet 6 and I currently have a restoration staff as secondary for the Lightning tornado.

  36. Asa says

    Would love to see an updated version of this after DB comes out. I love playing the main element of this build but think it needs some spring cleaning 🙂

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