In the ever-expanding universe of The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO), there’s a constant ebb and flow of updates and additions that keep the player base engaged and excited. One such moment has arrived with the release of the Necron chapter, bringing forth a wealth of new content, quests, and most notably, a fresh addition to the ESO class roster—the Arcanist.
Whether you’re a seasoned ESO veteran or a newcomer to the game, now is an opportune time to delve into the mystical realm of the Arcanist. In this article, we’ll explore the intricacies of playing this new class, with a focus on its unique features, skill lines, and advanced strategies to maximize its potential.
The Arcanist: A Unique Playstyle:
The Arcanist stands out among ESO classes, offering a gameplay experience that feels both familiar and refreshingly new. Boasting dedicated skill lines for damage dealing, tanking, and healing, the Arcanist integrates elements that set it apart from its counterparts. The class exudes a cosmic horror vibe, intricately tied to the lore and aesthetic of one of the Elder Scrolls’ Daedric princes, Hermaeus Mora.
Skill Lines and Their Cosmic Essence:
The Arcanist’s skill lines are a testament to its unique design. The Herald of the Tome skill line, dedicated to damage dealing, introduces abilities like the deadly runes of the Black Books of Apocrypha and the awe-inspiring laser beams. These skills, like the Fate Carver, provide substantial bursts of damage, making the Arcanist an appealing choice for players who enjoy a simplified rotation, especially in the absence of end-game gear.
For those inclined towards tanking, the Soldier of Apocrypha skill line offers crowd control and defensive options. Summoning powerful Runes of Protection, debuffing enemies, or charming them out of the fight, the Arcanist’s tanking capabilities provide a fresh take on traditional tank builds.
The Curative Rune Forms skill line caters to healing and support, featuring group damage shields, ground-based heals, and the potent Remedy Cascade skill—a healing beam with massive healing over time. Each skill line also boasts powerful ultimate skills, with the Sanctum of the Abyssal Sea standing out as a shield that damages enemies upon breaking.
Understanding the Crux System:
One of the defining mechanics of the Arcanist class is the Crux system. This unique feature allows players to build up bonus points during combat, supercharging their abilities and adding bonus effects. While playing, you’ll notice bright green triangles spinning around your character, indicating the accumulation of Crux.
Some Arcanist skills act as Builders, adding to your overall Crux count, while others act as Spenders, consuming Crux to enhance their effects. Understanding this system is crucial to maximizing the class’s potential. For example, the Fate Carver, a powerful channeled laser beam, consumes Crux, providing bonus damage and decreased cost based on the number of Crux stacked.
Building and Spending Crux:
To optimize your damage on the Arcanist, it’s essential to grasp the concept of building and spending Crux. Rune Blades, one of the earliest damage skills, generates one Crux per cast. Combining this with other Builder skills, such as Cephaliax Flail or Tone Bearer’s Inspiration, allows you to quickly reach the maximum of three Crux, doubling the power of spender skills like Fate Carver.
Spender skills, such as Tentacular Dread from the Herald of the Tome skill line or Rune Mend from the Curative Rune Forms skill line, offer strategic options for dealing damage or providing healing based on the accumulated Crux. Experimenting with different combinations of Builder and Spender skills allows players to tailor their playstyle to their preferences.
Dynamic Resource Costs:
The Arcanist introduces a dynamic resource cost system for its skills. Depending on whether your build has more maximum Magicka or Stamina, the resource cost of certain skills will adapt accordingly. This change is inherent to the base skill, allowing morph options to focus on other aspects, making resource management a nuanced part of playing the Arcanist.
Mastery and Advanced Techniques:
Beyond the fundamental mechanics, mastering the Arcanist involves delving into advanced techniques. Channeled abilities like Fate Carver and Remedy Cascade offer the ability to queue up the next skill while the current one is still in progress. This seamless transition adds a layer of control and efficiency to gameplay.
Additionally, ending a channeled skill early is possible through actions like tapping the block button, activating a roll dodge, or performing a bar swap. These techniques ensure flexibility in combat, allowing players to adapt to situations swiftly.
Optimizing Gameplay with Additional Features:
ESO has introduced several features to enhance the Arcanist experience. The addition of ability bar timers provides a countdown effect on the skill bar, indicating when channeled abilities like Fate Carver or Remedy Cascade are about to end. Console players, in particular, can benefit from this without the need for add-ons.
The game’s new auto-aim assist feature, called Arcanist Aim Assist, makes beam attacks stick to targets more effectively. While this aids in precision, it may slightly limit quick camera turns and target changes, requiring adjustments based on individual playstyles.
Conclusion:
The Elder Scrolls Online’s Arcanist class, exclusive to the Necron chapter, offers a gameplay experience that combines familiarity with innovation. With its unique skill lines, the Crux system, and dynamic resource costs, the Arcanist stands as a distinct addition to the ESO universe. Understanding and mastering the Crux system, experimenting with different skill combinations, and utilizing advanced techniques are key to unlocking the full potential of this captivating class.
As you embark on your journey into the mystical realms of The Elder Scrolls Online, may the power of the Arcanist guide you through the challenges that lie ahead. Whether you’re a battle-hardened veteran or a novice adventurer, the allure of the Arcanist awaits, ready to weave its cosmic magic into your ESO experience.
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