Arcanist bomber build - how YOU can CONQUER with crux - Update 48 - Arkanist Baue PvP - ESO

Questions Q1: Why are we using an arcanist as our base class? Can we use another base class? 

This build has been uniquely crafted around the arcanist class and uses crux mechanics to maximise our damage. Playing as an arcanist allows us to generate crux easily using signature scripts available through the scribing system. If we wish to play this setup on a different base class, I would suggest using runeblades to assist with crux generation, but just a warning that this can be fairly janky so proceed at your own risk 🙏 

Q2: Y U NO USE ARMOUR U N00B??? 🤬 

If I had a dollar for every time I've been asked this question… I wouldn't have to wait around for crown sales 😅 Well basically, I spend 95% of the time sprinting around in stealth (vampire stage 4), and the only time I break stealth is to bomb or to range light attack to generate ultimate. For my playstyle, investing further in armour just doesn't add up when considering the marginal benefits and trade-offs to damage. But if you'd like more armour, go for it, and feel free to customise this to your playstyle. 

Q3: Does colossus count as a ‘class skill’ for the purpose of generating crux (via recuperating treatise)?

 Yes. Using colossus will generate a crux if we do not have any available, and if we have our recuperating treatise buff up. Subclassing skill lines do count towards our class skill lines, and interactions between these skills are supported. 

Q4: Why aren't we running proxy det? 

We can always run proxy det if we wish, just swap it out for one of the other skills. I've opted to leave this out because it doesn't really fit my preferred playstyle and this setup already packs a lot of damage on-demand. I like the flexibility of engaging whenever it feels best, but that's just me, so feel free to customise this to your own taste.

Q5: Which ult works better, colossus or languid eye? 

In my testing, both can hit equally hard, it comes down to your preference. Some pros/cons from my observation: 
- Colossus wins in terms of upfront damage, but Languid has slightly more 'overall' damage as the ult goes for longer and the beam ramps up over time. 
- Colossus stops/disappears if we die midway in our bomb, but I notice that Languid continues to put out damage (the latter means that sometimes even if we die midway, we still get the bomb). 
- Colossus doesn't have a snare, but Languid has a 50% snare (the latter means we can often squeeze in an extra brawler swing). 
- Colossus has a further range (28m) vs Languid (15m), which means we can range bomb with Colossus if we're feeling lucky. 
- If you've played a necro bomber before, colossus might visually 'feel' more familiar to you. Languid eye has the element of surprise as it's a skill that's rarely used (and bonus points for using the pumpkin skill style 🎃)

Q6: what are the benefits of using contingency (with class script)? 

Contingency provides this build with significant quality of life improvements. For one, it allows us to 'hold on' to our cruxes for longer, noting that cruxes normally expire after 30s. Here's an example to illustrate - I can light attack from range to proc in combat status and then cast contingency (or vice versa), and this allows me to 'hold on' to crux for theoretically up to 50s (20s for contingency + any proc + 30s for crux to then expire) - or longer if perma stuck in combat lol. Contingency also uses mag which means we don't have to rely solely on trample to generate crux. We can also slap on a further debuff like minor vulnerability.