Cleric or Mage PvP Survivability

[Doogan]

Between the 2 classes who has more survivability as ranged dps in pvp?

[nocks]

Probably Mage, but Cleric can have even more survivability in a melee or healer spec.

[Fujitasix]

Both are pretty absurd at the moment, but I'd give the nod to clerics if you're not factoring long CDs.

[Soul sky]

Ok to actually answer his question on RANGED DPS for each calling, we're effectively comparing these commonly used specs:

Cleric:

51 Inquisitor 10 sent 5 ward/cab//
Burst is through the roof, survivability is not bad in a 1v1 with the Vex DoT healing the Cleric. The Cleric also has healing breath which can effectively heal for over 2k health non-talented. As for CC there is a cast time gear, instant short range AoE fear.

Inquisicar 51 Inq 11-14 Justicar
Less damage but can generate convictions to use Doctrine of loyalty which is the best AoE heal in the game. Combined with Vex and healing breath and Salvation, very survivable.

51 Cabalist DPS/ Cabicar variants
Poor survivability besides one cool-down in the DPS spec, and the -icar variant cannot generate convictions easily so it's hardly very survivable. AoEing groups of people for salvation healing isn't reliable. Poor survivability.

Mage:
Many more ranged specs, varying in survivability. However it gets tricky to define between ranged DPS and ranged support. In short, the glass cannon specs (Pyro, Stormcaller) are less survivable than a 51 Inquisitor yet put out similar amounts of burst. However, despite having no way to heal, the specs have superior mobility which is effectively better survivability if well played.

Example: 26 Pyro 34 Stormcaller 5 Archmage:
Has no healing, yet has an on-demand 50% run speed. 20 second cool-down on Flicker to break CC and teleport 15m forward. Also has access to an absorbtion shield, tons of CC (stuns, roots and slows) as well as a short cool-down damage reduction ability Icy Vortex to reduce incoming damage by 25% and snares anyone who hits you.

We also have Pyrodom variants which are again survivable if the player is good, but very unsurvivable in the hands of most players. Regardless though it's a glass cannon which survives with CC and positioning rather than healing or cool-downs.

I could compare Chlorodom and chlorolock to beat Inquisitor in survivability as a ranged DPS, but then we may as well be comparing Chloro to Warden/Sentinal, both of which are not going to be used in a ranged DPS spec as the OP asked about

So to conclude, Mage ranged DPS specs have more utility, Cleric ranged DPS have more ''off-heals''. But Mages have a lot more options to do ranged DPS.

Healing wise, Cleric heal specs and Cleric hybrid heal/dps specs win hands-down.

[harrydesmart]

Archmage?

Isn't the tree bugged to not affect pvp in any way?

[Doogan]

Soul Sky thank you for the in depth reply. I just came back after a 3-4 month break and wasn't sure how classes are performing currently in pvp. A mage spec I didn't see you talk about that was considered very survivable when I was playing were heavy warlock buids. Has this changed or is their dmg not enough to be considered in the ranged dps category.

Thanks for all the replies.

[Tufelhunden]

Soul Sky thank you for the in depth reply. I just came back after a 3-4 month break and wasn't sure how classes are performing currently in pvp. A mage spec I didn't see you talk about that was considered very survivable when I was playing were heavy warlock buids. Has this changed or is their dmg not enough to be considered in the ranged dps category.

Thanks for all the replies.

I don't think I have seen a heavy warlock build in ages. The Pyro/Dom, Chloro/Dom specs have been rolling in PVP. ATM, a cleric with a little healing is insane, although I do expect this to change here shortly.

[Soul sky]

Soul Sky thank you for the in depth reply. I just came back after a 3-4 month break and wasn't sure how classes are performing currently in pvp. A mage spec I didn't see you talk about that was considered very survivable when I was playing were heavy warlock buids. Has this changed or is their dmg not enough to be considered in the ranged dps category.

Thanks for all the replies.

Warlock is by no means a bad soul. But the thing is, they changed Devouring shadows (ground AoE) to not do damage for the first second of channeling. Thus it cannot be effectively abused for the first tick as an instant ''finisher''. However the spec does still hit like a truck, but I dislike it as it has no mobility talents, and against a good healer cleansing your DoTs, it quickly becomes sub-par.

It does have two very nice defensive cool-downs though, but I don't like to rely on defensive cool-downs.

[ShalarLight]

good info

nice run down. I would have to give the nod to clerics in close quarters like Library for survivability. Also Cleric burst requires no setup and does not rely on cc immunity, debuffs, self buffs, or anythign else, just hit buttons and win. But, both are very effective.