Sets in Blackwater Blade?

mcurley · July 2015

I'm looking for some insight on which sets will maximize my potential in BwB.

From what I understand, only 5pc bonuses and crit values from set bonuses will affect stats when Battle Leveling is turned on. I was told in another thread that the 5pc bonuses do not scale up with battle leveling... meaning a low level (10ish) Whitestrakes will not provide much of a damage shield compared to a higher level one (40+). If any of this is wrong please correct me.

So with that being said, I am looking to make some armor for my now level 11 magicka NB who will PvP 100% until level 50 (focusing mostly on ganking).

I am torn between a few of the crafted sets for this low level hero:

Twice-Born Star -- I use the Atronach to be able to cloak constantly. Would adding in the Apprentice or Mage make a noticeable difference in damage output? (I use all divines traits for armor)

Spectre's Eye -- Is the free dodge worth it, or should I just use Double Take when I unlock it?

Willow's Path -- Not sure about this one but it seems like a decent amount of added regeneration. Any thoughts?

Seducer -- This would keep me in the fight a little longer and make escaping hairy situations a bit easier.

I haven't looked too much into getting the non-crafted sets but I wouldn't be opposed to it if there is one that shines. I have a decent amount of gold and AP saved up. I think the one that reduces Ultimate Costs by 10% looks cool but I'm not even sure if that bonus will work because it's a 3pc bonus.

I would just make them all and rotate them out for different situations but I want them to be blue quality or better to get the most out of the traits so that would be a little too pricey for me right now.

Anyway. If you have a good amount of experience in BwB I'd really like to hear your thoughts on which sets to use and why.

Thanks for the help

chevalierknight · July 2015

Nothing matters in bwb use a spoon you can still 1vX with it bwb is easyer then pve lvl up and join real pvp

mcurley · July 2015

Thanks for your super useful response but I'm really not interested in veteran PvP yet. I'm still too new and too far behind the progression curve to be competitive there.

Not much 1vX happens in BwB unless that 1 has a gigantic CP advantage over everyone else. Even then, it doesn't last long if even a couple of the X know what they are doing.

I know just picking 1 set bonus isn't going to make or break my build, I just want to hear from other BwBers who have experience in the matter.

Right now I'm using all white level 4 light armor with training traits and no set bonuses and I'm holding my own just fine.

Sk1p · July 2015

I tried all of them on my lvl 10 magicka NBs.

Twice-Born Star sounds cool in theory, but in practice Seducer feels like gives more sustain, maybe it will work better with Atronach and new Serpent (stam regen) mundus stones.

Willow's path is great too. I tried it couple of times, but always runs out of magicka too fast. I need to try it more I think.

I've ended up using Spectre's Eye from lvl 10 to lvl 20 (which is really helping) and then I switch to 5 Seducer 5 Warlock and not think about armor up to V1. I only upgrade weapons every 10 lvls to get more damage from weapon enchant.

Hope this helps

SturgeHammer · July 2015

mcurley wrote: »

I'm looking for some insight on which sets will maximize my potential in BwB.

From what I understand, only 5pc bonuses and crit values from set bonuses will affect stats when Battle Leveling is turned on. I was told in another thread that the 5pc bonuses do not scale up with battle leveling... meaning a low level (10ish) Whitestrakes will not provide much of a damage shield compared to a higher level one (40+). If any of this is wrong please correct me.

So with that being said, I am looking to make some armor for my now level 11 magicka NB who will PvP 100% until level 50 (focusing mostly on ganking).

I am torn between a few of the crafted sets for this low level hero:

Twice-Born Star -- I use the Atronach to be able to cloak constantly. Would adding in the Apprentice or Mage make a noticeable difference in damage output? (I use all divines traits for armor)

Spectre's Eye -- Is the free dodge worth it, or should I just use Double Take when I unlock it?

Willow's Path -- Not sure about this one but it seems like a decent amount of added regeneration. Any thoughts?

Seducer -- This would keep me in the fight a little longer and make escaping hairy situations a bit easier.

I haven't looked too much into getting the non-crafted sets but I wouldn't be opposed to it if there is one that shines. I have a decent amount of gold and AP saved up. I think the one that reduces Ultimate Costs by 10% looks cool but I'm not even sure if that bonus will work because it's a 3pc bonus.

I would just make them all and rotate them out for different situations but I want them to be blue quality or better to get the most out of the traits so that would be a little too pricey for me right now.

Anyway. If you have a good amount of experience in BwB I'd really like to hear your thoughts on which sets to use and why.

Thanks for the help

For magicka night blade in BWB I would go with seducer. Good resource management is Very Powerful in that campaign. 1v1s usually end up becoming attrition matches that drag on forever, so it would be ideal to sustain casting throughout the fight. In outnumbered scenarios being able to cloak a bunch of times while still having resources to cast offensive spells is a huge advantage.

Also, I've heard that Willows Path is becoming popular in BWB. That set may achieve the same or better results but I haven't tried it personally.

EDIT: Full transparency here, I currently don't run either of those sets on my BWB magicka NB. Magicka NB is a fairly deep role in BWB and I prefer to run a tankier set up, so there's plenty of space to explore if none of those sets work out for you.

Xeniph · July 2015

I use the same sets in BWB on my magicka toons.

10-20 Willows Path+Seducer

20+ Seducer+Warlock

At 30+ there are a few dropped sets and combinations you can play around with, but overall Seducer/Magnus/Warlock combinations are the best choices I have found.

mcurley · July 2015

SturgeHammer wrote: »

For magicka night blade in BWB I would go with seducer. Good resource management is Very Powerful in that campaign. 1v1s usually end up becoming attrition matches that drag on forever, so it would be ideal to sustain casting throughout the fight. In outnumbered scenarios being able to cloak a bunch of times while still having resources to cast offensive spells is a huge advantage.

Also, I've heard that Willows Path is becoming popular in BWB. That set may achieve the same or better results but I haven't tried it personally.

EDIT: Full transparency here, I currently don't run either of those sets on my BWB magicka NB. Magicka NB is a fairly deep role in BWB and I prefer to run a tankier set up, so there's plenty of space to explore if none of those sets work out for you.

Thanks for the input. What do you use on your magicka NB in BWB? I used a lvl 44 Whitestakes on my last BwB NB and that worked out very well for me so I'll probably switch back to that after lvl 40 or so.

For now I'm going to try out Spectre's Eye until I'm lvl 15 and can have 2 bars to choose from. I'll probably switch to Seducer after that since I'll be casting buffs and what-not a lot more with 2x the skills available to me (not to mention I'll have access to blur by then). Playing with only 6 skills is a struggle.

SturgeHammer · July 2015

mcurley wrote: »

SturgeHammer wrote: »

For magicka night blade in BWB I would go with seducer. Good resource management is Very Powerful in that campaign. 1v1s usually end up becoming attrition matches that drag on forever, so it would be ideal to sustain casting throughout the fight. In outnumbered scenarios being able to cloak a bunch of times while still having resources to cast offensive spells is a huge advantage.

Also, I've heard that Willows Path is becoming popular in BWB. That set may achieve the same or better results but I haven't tried it personally.

EDIT: Full transparency here, I currently don't run either of those sets on my BWB magicka NB. Magicka NB is a fairly deep role in BWB and I prefer to run a tankier set up, so there's plenty of space to explore if none of those sets work out for you.

Thanks for the input. What do you use on your magicka NB in BWB? I used a lvl 44 Whitestakes on my last BwB NB and that worked out very well for me so I'll probably switch back to that after lvl 40 or so.

For now I'm going to try out Spectre's Eye until I'm lvl 15 and can have 2 bars to choose from. I'll probably switch to Seducer after that since I'll be casting buffs and what-not a lot more with 2x the skills available to me (not to mention I'll have access to blur by then). Playing with only 6 skills is a struggle.

I run 5x Death's Wind and 3~4x Night Mothers Gaze (dependent on skill bar). All siphon skills, heals, and cc. It's interesting for occupying small groups of enemies while the person I duo with lays down the dps. It's also immensely satisfying to cloak up to the top floor of a keep or outpost, tank enough damage to trigger the deaths wind, and watch the pulse knock a bunch of enemies off the wall.

mcurley · July 2015

SturgeHammer wrote: »

I run 5x Death's Wind and 3~4x Night Mothers Gaze (dependent on skill bar). All siphon skills, heals, and cc. It's interesting for occupying small groups of enemies while the person I duo with lays down the dps. It's also immensely satisfying to cloak up to the top floor of a keep or outpost, tank enough damage to trigger the deaths wind, and watch the pulse knock a bunch of enemies off the wall.

Sounds pretty cool man. I'm definitely a solo-artist though so I don't think that'd work out too well for me. Thanks again for the input.

See you on the battlefield.

-Svvord

CrazyChrisPG · July 2015

Really interesting thread and questions.
I was actually wondering about the same for my low level magicka nightblade.

But first of all it should be clear if JUST the 5 piece bonus work or also the others.

If just 5 piece bonus works:
- 5 piece Warlock
- 5 piece Seducer
all day long ...

If the other bonus also work:
- 5 piece Warlock
- 4 piece Magnus (for dmg) or Seducer (for resources)
- 2 piece Torug's Pact on dw weapons on main weapon loadout + Magnus / Seducer resto staff to complete 2*5 piece bonus on second weapon loadout

I hope it was a understandable what I wrote ... lol

mcurley · July 2015

chris.vo.treb17_ESO wrote: »

Really interesting thread and questions.
I was actually wondering about the same for my low level magicka nightblade.

But first of all it should be clear if JUST the 5 piece bonus work or also the others.

If just 5 piece bonus works:
- 5 piece Warlock
- 5 piece Seducer
all day long ...

If the other bonus also work:
- 5 piece Warlock
- 4 piece Magnus (for dmg) or Seducer (for resources)
- 2 piece Torug's Pact on dw weapons on main weapon loadout + Magnus / Seducer resto staff to complete 2*5 piece bonus on second weapon loadout

I hope it was a understandable what I wrote ... lol

Hey thanks for the response. It is only the 5pc bonuses that work for sets in BwB for the most part. The only bonuses <5pc that I've seen work are weapon/spell crit values.

I really like Spectre's Eye right now, especially since I'm stuck without Blur and have only 1-bar to chose from for the next 3 levels. Seducer is on deck waiting until I have more skills to use.

CrazyChrisPG · July 2015

mcurley wrote: »

Hey thanks for the response. It is only the 5pc bonuses that work for sets in BwB for the most part. The only bonuses <5pc that I've seen work are weapon/spell crit values.

I really like Spectre's Eye right now, especially since I'm stuck without Blur and have only 1-bar to chose from for the next 3 levels. Seducer is on deck waiting until I have more skills to use.

My pleasure :-)

if you dont mind asking are you playing pc or console? and which region and fraction ... would be nice to have a buddy with same 'issues' to play a bit with ...

mcurley · July 2015

I fight for the DC on PC. I'd be happy to join you in Cyrodiil if we are allies.

hammayolettuce · July 2015

I used to play a lot in BwB. Willow's Path is hands down the best set for lowbie land. Since you're doing magicka, wear all light armor. There is absolutely no reason anyone should be wearing heavy in BwB. I usually run two 5pc sets- one crafted and one non-crafted (which are dirt cheap at guild traders). For this set, you need one that has jewelry: Syrabane (lvl 30-37) and Warlock (15-23) would be best for you.