[UPDATED] "General Grievous" NB BUILD! Insane 2 SHOT DPS - Leveling Efficient!

abox

"General Grievous" NB BUILD!
Insane Single Target BUFFED DPS - Solo Elites Easily- Leveling Efficient !

Hey guys, like most of you all, I have been playing ESO for the past few weeks. I also am playing a nightblade class! Seeing as how I played a rogue on WoW for 5+ years, I was instantly drawn in to the nightblade class. Let's get started!

PICS & VIDEO SOON!

Updated for Veteran Content!

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
A. Introduction/Brief Explanation
B. Why it Works (Ability Explanation)[UPDATED]
C. Leveling Advice/Skill Order [UPDATED]
D. Leveling Rotation [UPDATED]
E. Solo Elite Rotation [UPDATED]
F. AoE Rotation
G. Weapons
H. Best Questions
I. Veteran Update/How to use Sneaking to your Advantage (very important)

A: INTRODUCTION/BRIEF EXPLANATION

This build allows you to do insane self buffed single target DPS, while still having the option to go ranged or aoe crazy. Best part? You will feel like General Grievous with FOUR daggers! I discovered this build around level 20, since then I have had the flexibility to do whatever I want--all with one build. How can a build have defensives to solo elites AND have amazing DPS/AoE? Well, let's break it down bar by bar.

B: WHY IT WORKS (ABILITY EXPLANATION)
For update notes check Section I--at the very bottom.

BAR 1: Your Single Target DPS Bar

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Slot 1: Strife-Swallow Soul (5 out of 5)[UPDATED]

Decent damage, nice self heal, bonus magicka, bonus healing, more ultimate? This single ability allows you to benefit from ALL of the siphoning passives! Yes please.

Slot 2: Flurry-Blinding Strikes (4 out of 5)[UPDATED]

This is your only stamina dump, aside from movement related actions (sprinting, stealthing, dodging). Really nice damage, and a 24% chance on each cast to stun your enemy. Use it.

Slot 3: Veiled Strike-Surprise Attack (4 out of 5)[UPDATED]

The most ridiculous opening damage, 40% armor pen, AND a very nice 4s stun (if used when stealthed) that can lead into a 1s knockdown. You must use this with a sneak critical, at all times--check my explanation in section I. Other than your opener, use it to refresh your debuff--otherwise save the magicka.

Slot 4: Assasin's Blade-Killer's Blade (5 out of 5) [UPDATED]

INSANE damage while in execute range, and heals for 15% of your max HP (on killing blow)! This ability should ONLY be used when a mob is under 25% HP--otherwise save the magicka.

Slot 5: Shadow Cloak-Shadowy Disguise (5 out of 5)

This ability has immense utility, completely unmatched compared to any other nightblade abilities. This is your stealth essentially, but it will not have a 100% uptime. Here is why: You are completely invisible for 2.5 seconds, it has no cooldown (only magicka resource limitations), gives you 100% critical strike rating during, and-oh yeah, it makes you completely invisible. Get it. Use it. Love it.

Ultimate: Death Stroke-Soul Harvest (5 out of 5)[UPDATED]

The best ultimate for DPS, hands down. It will come up frequently, use it frequently.

BAR 2: Your Ranged, AoE, Buff Bar

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Slot 1: Hidden Blade-Flying Blade (4 out of 5)

This is your stamina dump for whenever you need to go ranged or avoid certain boss mechanics, this is also crucial for being able to solo elites.

Slot 2: Strife-Swallow Soul (4 out of 5)

This ability has great damage, and a very decent heal. This ability should be used when at range for some damage, or while in need of HP.

Slot 3: Whirlwind-Whirling Blades (4 out of 5)

Your AoE ability! This has really nice damage attached to it, and at a decent stamina cost. Can be used with Drain Power (in the siphoning tree) for even more AoE damage.

Slot 4: Cripple-Crippling Grasp(4 out of 5) OR Drain Power-Power Extraction (3 out of 5)

This is your switchable button. Cripple is better for when you will be leveling, soloing elites, or when ranged is needed (extra ranged DoT and slow will help you tremendously). Drain Power will help you AoE down things a lot stronger, I would take this IN BETWEEN boss fights for extra AoE(if needed).

Slot 5: Mark Target-Reaper's Mark (3 out of 5)[UPDATED]

75% armor AND spell penetration. Gives you a tremendous amount of HP back, plus a nice damage boost, on kill. Check section I for more information on how to unlock it's fullest potential.

BEWARE! I would not advise using this on a caster or ranged NPC as it also empowers them as well.

Ultimate: Consuming Darkness-Veil of Blades (4 out of 5)

This is a nice utility based ultimate. Strong defensives for you and your group as well as some very nice AoE damage for dungeons. Use it to hog the AoE dps meters, or to simmer down certain boss mechanics with it's defensives.

PASSIVES:[UPDATED]

A LIST OF PASSIVES I CHOSE:

ALL OF THE ASSASSINATION PASSIVES
ALL OF THE SHADOW PASSIVES
ALL OF THE SIPHONING PASSIVES

ALL OF THE DUAL WIELD PASSIVES
ALL OF THE MEDIUM ARMOR PASSIVES
ALL OF THE KHAJIIT RACIAL PASSIVES


SOUL MAGIC:
SOUL SUMMONS (MAXED)

FIGHTERS GUILD:
INTIMIDATING PRESENCE (MAXED)
SLAYER (MAXED)

MAGES GUILD:
Persuasive Will

CHARACTER STATS:

I did a 3/1/3 ratio. You will need the Magicka/Stamina more than you will need the extra Health.

C: Leveling Advice

Quest and Complete. Quests give you skill points every so often. Complete all the content ESO is giving you (skyshards, open world dungeons, solo instances, dark anchors) everything gives you experience. Skyshards give you skill points (they start adding up), and there are "tier 2" solo instances which give you even more quests and a guarenteed skill point--plus they are epic! My routine consists of completing all the quest hubs in the zone, then go around doing all the solo instances, open world dungeons, and collecting skyshards.

Skill Order

This is the general order I would follow, keep in mind you will not be fully range viable until later levels (30s), but you won't be in desperate need of it anway.

*MORPH WHATEVER YOU WANT (ALTHOUGH I PERSONALLY THINK MY MORPHS ARE THE BEST).*

*PASSIVES SHOULD BE LEVELED ALONGSIDE THESE ABILITIES, YOU WILL HAVE MORE THAN ENOUGH SKILL POINTS.*

*TAKE NOTE THAT BAR 2 LEVELS WILL ALWAYS BE BEHIND BAR 1, DEPENDING ON USAGE.*

LEVEL 1 ABILITIES:
Assassin's Blade
Shadow Cloak
Twin Slashes (ONLY to level dual wield tree--you can respec out of this later)
Strife

LEVEL 4 ABILITIES:
Veiled Strike
Flurry (replace twin slashes)

This is where there will be a break of skill points, until level 10-12. Also keep in mind skill levels will be higher than your actual level. Remember to level passives.

LEVEL 12 ABILITIES: (~ level 10)
Death Stroke
Consuming Darkness

LEVEL 14 ABILITIES: (~level 15)
Whirlwind

Another major break in skill pick ups, also Deshaan and Shadowfen are quite a drag because of this. Consider respeccing or experimenting during these levels--only if you get too bored. Otherwise, the abilities you have will carry you through easily. Keep leveling passives.

Level 20 ABILITIES: (~level 30)
Cripple


LEVEL 38 ABILITIES: (~ level 30)
Hidden Blade (again, you will probably be able to pick up hidden blade and haste faster than cripple/siphoning strikes--even though both require higher levels) *If you are confused please ask and I'll add a section explaining this thoroughly*

LEVEL 42 ABILITIES: (~level 35)
Haste
Drain Power(I am VR 2--still do not have this ability, don't sweat it)


This is where I am currently at in game. Level 38 Khajiit Nightblade.

D : LEVELING ROTATION [UPDATED]

You will mainly be using Bar 1. This is how ability usage usually goes down with single questing mobs.

Death Stroke OR Veiled Strike->Flurry or Light Attack-> Assassin's Blade

They usually die after the flurry--but if you need a heal, be sure to only light attack into an Assassin's Blade. It usually only takes 1 Light Attack as Death Stroke will 1 shot and Veiled Strike will bring a mob to ~30% HP.

PRIORITY LIST:
-Death Stroke (sneak critical)
-Veiled Strike (sneak critical)
-Killer's Blade (Execute range-Note it is magic damage, and does not need veiled strike debuff to be effective)
-Veiled Strike (to apply/reapply debuff)
-Death Stroke
-Flurry
-Veiled Strike (for stun/damage)

-Shadowy Disguise's priority is ever changing. Tie it in with Death Stroke for nice damage, or use it with Veiled strike for the stun--or if you just need a 'get out of jail free' card.


The priority list may seem confusing, but with time you will learn the abilities and understand why the list is how it is.

E: SOLO ELITE ROTATION (Requires lvl 30+)

The main tool you will be using is Hidden Blade, although I believe you can still make it work with only Cripple. Being able to solo elites relies heavily on a slow, effectively kiting the slowed elite, rather than tanking it, until your resources are replenished. At this point you switch to Bar 1 and attack with a 5 second stun window (thanks to Veiled Strike/Shadow Cloak combo). Trust me, you can do A LOT of damage with those 5 seconds of stun time, plus the passive damage off kiting with Hidden Blade/Cripple will slowly widdle down each and every elite you come across.

ALWAYS GO FOR A CROUCH STEALTH OPENER

Veiled strike (4s stun applied)-> Flurry->Hidden Blade-> RUN!

From here you keep running and keep the Hidden Blade debuff (snare) up until you have enough magicka/stamina for another rotation of melee damage.

Use Shadowy Disguise to make up for not having a sneak opener... it will still stun the mob.

F: AOE ROTATION

Pretty simple, use Power Siphon before Whirlwind for maximum damage, and use Veil of Blades for even more damage. Chances are other builds WILL have stronger AoE, but this should more than suffice.

G: WEAPONS

Use any 4 one handed weapons for your swaps. But, daggers are always more desirable.

H: QUESTIONS

Any questions? Feel free to ask, and I will post the best/frequently asked questions here!

SECTION I: VETERAN UPDATE/HOW TO USE SNEAKING TO YOUR ADVANTAGE

So, I hit VR level 2 today and decided to revisit this guide! Below you will find a brief explanation on why I changed around a few abilities, as well as completely removed some.

In short, veteran content is quite challenging. Unless you have a partner, or a few partners, you will have to have some self sustain (heals).

Troubled by this I sought out a new way to adapt to the higher difficulty, but ended up finding something much better.

HOW TO PROPERLY USE SNEAK

Ok, let's start with this first. By this point you should know everyone can sneak using CTRL (by default). But, this means a lot more to us--as an assassin. Though I am not quite sure how sneak criticals work in this game, the damage they can produce is incomparable.

YOU SHOULD ALWAYS BE LOOKING FOR AN OPTIMAL SNEAK CRITICAL OPENER.

This is why...

Numbers were taken at Veteran Rank 2.

SNEAK CRITICAL VEILED STRIKE: UP TO 1.5K
SNEAK CRITICAL DEATH STROKE: UP TO 3.5K

At veteran rank 1, all of the mobs have 2k HP. I can 1-2 shot any normal white mob and sink in half of a mini boss's HP with a single hit.

If it is an difficult boss, be sure to use Reaper's Mark and kite.



ABILITY CHANGES

Starting with Bar 1:

Slot 1 used to be Teleport Strike-Ambush. I changed this to Strife, because we need the self sustain when facing 3+ NPCs. Strife is also a great magicka dump that has decent damage and healing.

Slot 2 still has flurry in it, but I changed the morph. I found myself spamming flurry when leveling. Never really benefiting from the attack speed, I decided to go with the 24% stun chance on cast. More survivability, while having a 48% chance to stun again during your opener.

Slot 3 has our most important ability, veiled strike's opener is quite possibly the strongest in the game.

Slot 4 we still have our execute, but I changed the morph to add more survivability.

Onto Bar 2:

Slot 5 had a major change, from Haste to Mark Target. The reason behind this was to add a nice starting heal for mob packs of 3+, and also having nice damage on bosses. I found I didn't use Haste as much as I use Mark Target.

Dangus

Really nice guide, bud. I may try this out as my next class after I get bored of my sorc. Thanks for taking the time to post this.

Deadarth

Seems like a pretty average Nightblade ... builds like that will have massive troubles in veteran content against 3+ mobs I think.

abox

Deadarth wrote: »

Seems like a pretty average Nightblade ... builds like that will have massive troubles in veteran content against 3+ mobs I think.

Perhaps,
but I feel as though every dps build would have to slot more defensive abilities at endgame, until better geared. I will revisit the guide for endgame viability--10 more levels!

Jomoroon

Have you never had problems with lack of self heal for the 2-3 packs? I assume you would still use bar one for these types of mobs (with aoe being more 4+)

Guppet

You can add mark target to the second bar. It stays on target even when you use the first bar. It's a good way to get a heal for 60% after your first kill in a group

abox

engkhemrwb17_ESO wrote: »

Have you never had problems with lack of self heal for the 2-3 packs? I assume you would still use bar one for these types of mobs (with aoe being more 4+)

Yes, with bar 1, mob packs of 3 die within seconds--especially if your ultimate is up.

Mob packs of 4+ are hard to come by when questing, and are usually only in "solo" instances or dungeons. If you do not want to wait for others to help clear the dungeon you can always use Shadowy Disguise to sneak past all the 4+ mob packs

Also, consider buying a stack of health/magicka/stamina pots next time you're in town, they help A LOT when you quickslot them!

abox

Guppet wrote: »

You can add mark target to the second bar. It stays on target even when you use the first bar. It's a good way to get a heal for 60% after your first kill in a group

Nice point! I will replace Haste and try this out, more assassin-like burst! I never really get to benefit from Haste anyway, unless I'm in a dungeon group.

Jomoroon

when your rapid strikes buff is up, and armor pen is up, would you just auto attack until you need to refresh or keep spamming rapid anyway?

abox

engkhemrwb17_ESO wrote: »

...just auto attack until you need to refresh

^ basically

For a boss:
-DO reserve stamina, at least 20% to avoid dungeon AoE's that will one shot you :P
-DO NOT let your stamina bar cap, it is a DPS loss in any scenario. Flurry if you must!


For leveling:
-Things usually die before you get to your second flurry.


Very across the board, great question. It really depends on the kinds of bosses we will see in Craglorn!

ollie1991

Great guide! Will have to try this out (when zenimax fix there damn launcher)

Currently leveling a more tanky Nightblade, wearing 3 medium and 4 heavy amour and putting all points into health so the lack of self healing on bar 1 wouldn't be too much of an issue.

Many people say that strife is a must even for leveling and I do like to have it on my bar for emergencies but honestly, I hardly ever use it.. It's mainly used for when I accidentally wander in hostile towns without realising until 4 mobs are beating the hell out of me

abox

ollie1991 wrote: »

Great guide! Will have to try this out (when zenimax fix there damn launcher)

Currently leveling a more tanky Nightblade, wearing 3 medium and 4 heavy amour and putting all points into health so the lack of self healing on bar 1 wouldn't be too much of an issue.

Many people say that strife is a must even for leveling and I do like to have it on my bar for emergencies but honestly, I hardly ever use it.. It's mainly used for when I accidentally wander in hostile towns without realising until 4 mobs are beating the hell out of me

Thanks for the feedback!
Yes I plan on making a spec for a nightblade evasion tank. That would be extremely fun I believe.

Strife is a nice self heal, but if you're going to max hp you should have no problem tanking mobs :P

I only have 7 points into HP, but I have to be careful vs 4 mobs. Then again that's the play style I enjoy.

Icy

Great guide, and nice to see I'm on the right track with my own nightblade (who has just hit L18).

Sleepwalker

Deadarth wrote: »

Seems like a pretty average Nightblade ... builds like that will have massive troubles in veteran content against 3+ mobs I think.

Probably why he called it a leveling guide.

I think it's great. Love the title especially

abox

Sleepwalker wrote: »

Deadarth wrote: »

Seems like a pretty average Nightblade ... builds like that will have massive troubles in veteran content against 3+ mobs I think.

Probably why he called it a leveling guide.

I think it's great. Love the title especially

Icy wrote: »

Great guide, and nice to see I'm on the right track with my own nightblade (who has just hit L18).

Thank you both for the feedback

abox

Updated for Veteran Content.

TL;DR
Veiled Strike sneak criticals are OP, rest of your abilities are situational. Have a great day!

AreoHotah

Nightblade against 3 enemies is easy. use marked traget on one, sneak behind another, 1-2 shots his dead. Then focus on the marked one after his dead your health will be back. Then with full health the last one shoul be easy even if you are out of magicka.

SDShannonS

How effective have you found the build to be in Cyrodiil?

joefk88b14_ESO

How well do you preform in group content IE, Dung Boss and such. Also your attribute point allocation, is that what you did upon reaching vet or solely for leveling?

Liking the look of your setup and may adopt it for my NB but with a bow for Group PvP now an then, just hoping its nothing like Templar. Got to v1 and just cant stand the class its really not fun and gimpy most times if your not a heal bot

abox

SDShannonS wrote: »

How effective have you found the build to be in Cyrodiil?

I haven't really gotten into the PvP in ESO, but I would highly recommend a bow as a secondary spec. People have said melee builds can work, but I just don't see how--a ranged weapon is just far superior.

I actually have a dagger/bow spec--opening with Snipe, instead of Veiled Strike.. I will be posting soon.

abox

joefk88b14_ESO wrote: »

How well do you preform in group content IE, Dung Boss and such. Also your attribute point allocation, is that what you did upon reaching vet or solely for leveling?

Liking the look of your setup and may adopt it for my NB but with a bow for Group PvP now an then, just hoping its nothing like Templar. Got to v1 and just cant stand the class its really not fun and gimpy most times if your not a heal bot

Well it is kind of hard to tell since the only "recount" only considers your personal DPS. But, I feel as though I bring a lot of DPS, and I have the mobility from medium armor to never really get hurt. We also bring a group wide AoE defensive ultimate, stuns, and

Attribute points are 20 10 19 at max level. A bit funky, but it works out. I highly recommend a bow secondary for PvP--its just more engaging than patiently waiting for the opportune moment as a melee.

As for Nightblade VR, I don't know a single other class that can nearly 1 shot a mob if played properly. I rarely die, unless to a boss, because of Shadowy Disguise, and I have enough self sustain to battle up to 4 (maybe even 5 if I play my cards right) enemies--without building tanky.

I also think we have some of the coolest animations in the game--red glowing stuff!

teh_pwnisher

I'm going to miss my bow but so far (at level 10) it's fun! Thanks!

Tompa1

I will try this build when the two new guilds is enabled in the game, I will start over with a new NB. Does this build working in VT content?

Rasha

Been doing well so far with my mostly range NB..even now at V2 near Mournhold. However, after reading this..I may just redo the skills and see how this build plays

Warlordgreebo

Cool as it is bro.... and I respect the build.

Im too in love with archery though. That plus stealth plus ability to tank/heal if i need... godly.

ArRashid

Surprise Attack was HEAVILY nerfed in 1.1, no longer 1-shoting any mobs (not even casters) at VR4+. Damage is practically halved.. Great way to take away the single skill that allowed NBs to suffer their existence..

teh_pwnisher

I tried it and couldn't get it to work for me. Any news on the video tutorial?

Artis

There's not much you can do with NB. That's pretty much the build I was using when I was playing melee.

However, there was a huge difference between my DPS and "Insane 2 SHOT DPS ". Can I ask, what is your DPS in this build?
Or is it just for leveling 1-50? (In this case literally ANY build will do :P )

Byallogee

I would really love to see an update to this post with all the new changes they've done to NB skills. ZOS has granted me a free respec, and as I'm VR2 and have found nearly all skyshards and done all content up to my level, this is a chance to really make a build I like for free, attributes and all. I was pretty much doing the exact same build as abox up until the latest patch (except I had much more in magicka, 3:1:1), and now I'm finding that a lot of skills are either too expensive, don't have the same rewards anymore, etc, and I don't have enough AoE effects/survivability. Also, the veiled blades ultimate is notoriously bugged.
Also, I'm considering doing an evasion/dodge build where i have 2/3 skills that allow me to not get hit for several seconds, then using 1 other magicka and 1 other stamina attack. I've heard great things about this build and I'm curious if anyone has a build like this.
I've also considered leveling up two handed weapons and adding 1-2 big hit abilities for my stamina instead of using two handed flurry etc. I also have no points for my bow skill, as I have always used cripple/siphon/hidden blade and found that even though these aren't AoE effects, they can still do plenty of damage.But as I said, my choices are no longer working for me, and I'd love opinions on ideal builds that will happily carry me through Vet content.
NOT looking for anyone suggesting light armor and staves. You guys can go to your own cheater's circle of hell (you're the reason our class got nerfed, geniouses).

Gokmak

Byallogee wrote: »

NOT looking for anyone suggesting light armor and staves. You guys can go to your own cheater's circle of hell (you're the reason our class got nerfed, geniouses).

Same here!

I love playing my stamina-based Templar, but it sucks compared to other classes. I'm finally going to shelf it, and roll a new toon.

This build looks fun! I'm going to try this one out!

ShedsHisTail

Deadarth wrote: »

Seems like a pretty average Nightblade ... builds like that will have massive troubles in veteran content against 3+ mobs I think.

It's basically the build I use. The trick is to kill your targets one by one faster than they can react. Typically you can kill the first two before the third one even turns around.

Group of Three:
Veiled Strike/Surprise Attack -> Killers Blade (One Down)
Shadowy Disguise -> Surprise Attack -> Killer's Blade (Two Down)
Then fight the third in whichever way seems most appropriate. I have Heated Blades instead of Swallow Soul on my main bar, so I usually pop 'em in the face with that and then have my way with them.

Greater than Three is a bit more complicated, but the philosophy is basically to pick them off one at a time, quickly and efficiently.