Tips for Sword and Board in PvP?

21jws10 · August 2015

Throughout the game, sword and board is my favourite weapon, it feels more tactile than anything in my opinion. I always struggle when deciding what weapon to use as the backup, or what abilities if I'm using sword and board for both. I plan to start a new toon fairly soon, and am unsure of class, I don't particularly like templar, and do you NEED siphoning strikes to be a NB with sword and board like some say?

Xael · August 2015

21jws10 wrote: »

Throughout the game, sword and board is my favourite weapon, it feels more tactile than anything in my opinion. I always struggle when deciding what weapon to use as the backup, or what abilities if I'm using sword and board for both. I plan to start a new toon fairly soon, and am unsure of class, I don't particularly like templar, and do you NEED siphoning strikes to be a NB with sword and board like some say?

Nightblade and Dragon Knight make excellent SnB characters.

As a Nightblade tank in PvP you most certainly DO NOT need siphoning strikes.
What you need is a tanky race like Nord, Imperial (recommended for Red diamond), or Redguard and the following skills:

SnB bar: Puncture (whichever morph), Defensive Stance, Mass Hysteria, Ambush, and Vigor. I am assuming you don't have Vigor yet so go Evil Hunter (fighters guild) until you get it. Soul Harvest for ult (you will likely have more health than your target so Incapacitating is a gamble).

2h bar: You can either make this a buff/utility bar or make it for damage. I prefer damage.
Executioner (really good for v2.1), Wrecking Blow, Rally, Double Take, Dark Cloak, and Soul Tether.

This build has good "staying power" in 1vX situations and also provides you a secondary bar for some medium - heavy damage for single target burst scenarios. I have used this build a bit, it's fun, though I am werewolf and occasionally use it as an ult and it's abilities.

As for gear, everything will likely change in v2.1 otherwise go for 7/7 medium, Master Sword/Potentate Shield/Neck, 4pc Shadowwalker (boots, 2 rings, legs ) Morag Tong 2pc (gloves, belt), Bloodspawn shoulders, Way of Air 2pc (head chest). Whatever 2h you like unless you get Vigor and decide to go Dual Wield on that bar. In v2.1 DW gets some nice buffs to Flying Blade, it will now give you major Brutality like Rally and if you have Vigor you don't necessarily need Rally. Though I would probably stay 2h just for the extra heal from Rally and the bigger hits from 2h.

Mind you this gear is what you aim for. Some of it will be expensive but if you know you want to play like this its worth it. Personally I would get placeholder gear and mix match with Way of the Air and work on your awareness and execution of technique. It will take some time to master animation cancelling, weapon swaps while weaving, etc.

Hope this helps.

Rhaegar75 · August 2015

Xael wrote: »

21jws10 wrote: »

Throughout the game, sword and board is my favourite weapon, it feels more tactile than anything in my opinion. I always struggle when deciding what weapon to use as the backup, or what abilities if I'm using sword and board for both. I plan to start a new toon fairly soon, and am unsure of class, I don't particularly like templar, and do you NEED siphoning strikes to be a NB with sword and board like some say?

Nightblade and Dragon Knight make excellent SnB characters.

As a Nightblade tank in PvP you most certainly DO NOT need siphoning strikes.
What you need is a tanky race like Nord, Imperial (recommended for Red diamond), or Redguard and the following skills:

SnB bar: Puncture (whichever morph), Defensive Stance, Mass Hysteria, Ambush, and Vigor. I am assuming you don't have Vigor yet so go Evil Hunter (fighters guild) until you get it. Soul Harvest for ult (you will likely have more health than your target so Incapacitating is a gamble).

2h bar: You can either make this a buff/utility bar or make it for damage. I prefer damage.
Executioner (really good for v2.1), Wrecking Blow, Rally, Double Take, Dark Cloak, and Soul Tether.

This build has good "staying power" in 1vX situations and also provides you a secondary bar for some medium - heavy damage for single target burst scenarios. I have used this build a bit, it's fun, though I am werewolf and occasionally use it as an ult and it's abilities.

As for gear, everything will likely change in v2.1 otherwise go for 7/7 medium, Master Sword/Potentate Shield/Neck, 4pc Shadowwalker (boots, 2 rings, legs ) Morag Tong 2pc (gloves, belt), Bloodspawn shoulders, Way of Air 2pc (head chest). Whatever 2h you like unless you get Vigor and decide to go Dual Wield on that bar. In v2.1 DW gets some nice buffs to Flying Blade, it will now give you major Brutality like Rally and if you have Vigor you don't necessarily need Rally. Though I would probably stay 2h just for the extra heal from Rally and the bigger hits from 2h.

Mind you this gear is what you aim for. Some of it will be expensive but if you know you want to play like this its worth it. Personally I would get placeholder gear and mix match with Way of the Air and work on your awareness and execution of technique. It will take some time to master animation cancelling, weapon swaps while weaving, etc.

Hope this helps.

thanks Xael, I find your post very helpful: I'm transitioning from Templar to anything else lol
I like the idea of a 'dark knight' but I fear NBs could feel (to me I guess) very squishy. How do you keep yourself alive?

kendellking_chaosb14_ESO · August 2015

I certainly run Bow with One Hand and Shield its beautiful. My setup is Heroic Slash great with light Attack for faster ultimate and a 15% damage debuff, Shielded Assault damage shield is basically nothing but the CC is king, Dark Cloak drop DoTs and reset the fight, Defensive Stance 8% more damage blocked and 8% cheaper block plus the CC, and Vigor for the heal if you don't have it use piercing mark and Soul Tether as the Ultimate it's a sweet combo