So this last beta I really wanted to test out my build idea for a dark caster type character using a siphoning Nightblade. I got to level 14, and although it started out slow, after I unlocked some more spells like cripple and agony, the build started to become pretty brutal and I loved it.

My only issue is... I really wanted to use a Destro staff as my main weapon, but the Bow just outclasses it in every way for me. I feel the reason for this is because bow attacks use stamina, and destro staff uses magicka, which I am already struggling to manage because I use it for all my class dots/utility spells.

At first I was using a frost staff, which worked great because of the stun/root on the short ranged attack, plus the snare on heavy attack. However, due to the magicka costs of the abilities, I was running out too fast, and I found no downsides at all to switching to a bow, and using scatter shot for kiting instead, and poison arrow for some essentially "free" damage, since it wasn't costing me any magicka.

I don't really have a solution for this, because I know having magic attacks from a staff costing stamina wouldn't make sense... but I don't see how a destro stave would benefit my build in any way over a bow, even though I am trying to play as a "caster" and would much rather use an Ice staff.

Or just eat [censored] and balance out your stats - could try 2:1 or something? Go max magicka and become a NB castard? I dunno' maybe you should watch these videos too :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssob9XP4dUc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7PJgAwtx9Y&list=TL-t-a4LyiLIX7tYm4ZCFnKX4W5gSXGBxo

I'd suggest saving your stamina for break outs and dodge rolls if you're going for a magicka build. Pick up a staff.

I thought maybe it wasn't working for me because I was at a lower level. I did have almost all my attribute points into magicka, and maintained the soft cap for magicka and magicka recovery though.

If you say pure magicka builds with a staff are viable at a high level ill take your word for it.

Pure magicka builds are great, I love them. Resource management svcks at low level, ESPECIALLY in Cyrodiil with how the bolstering works right now.

Try it at launch and you'll grow into a stride that you won't regret.

I vote Lighting Staff......only cause it was letting her run around holind it out in the air like you do while attacking while i shout WWWOOOOOSSSSHHHH

the concern over consuming mana vs. stamina is negligible if you plan your character right, playing an Altmer and spending all points in magicka I was out-regening skill usage already at lvl 12 in bad gear.

in my opinion the real reason to chose bow over staff is the opportunity for sneak attacks. I really don't know that much about the mechanics of TESO but sneak attack is usually pretty powerful in TES games and imo the passive bonuses to casting from using a destruction staff don't even come close to outweighing the loss of that first sneak attack of opportunity using a bow provides.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I really see the destro staff as the weakest weapon of the lot. My beta char used one but my release char won't.

Destruction staff is way better than the bow provide you use the abilities. Just the normal attack goes to the bow but staff ability that either roots, disorients or flings back depending on which staff you use is insanely useful. YOu can pretty much just root a mob cast a couple of staff attacks root mob again and cast couple more staff atacks an rinse and repeat. I managed to to this against three mobs pretty much indefinetely (pure magic build) and almost felt like I was cheesing the system.

Once you get the light armor passives you will feel much better. I agree with Carde.

I was serious about the whoosh thing...it is why the lighting is my favorite staff, lol


How are the skill for the Ice staff, never really used it since i found a lighting off the bat in cold harbor

Well, Ice staff is great because Destructive touch roots and stuns your target, and it has several methods of snaring enemies via chill effects.