Sneak?

RogueWatchmenub17_ESO · April 2014

So I'm only level 7, but playing a Nightblade Sneak attacks seems under powered. Even using Shadow Cloak and Teleport Strike the damage is doubled at best, does the damage increase as a Nightblade levels? It just feels lackluster to me, the class feels like it should have a larger burst when coming out of a stealth attack.

Also do I need the sneak icon to be fully closed and attack from the rear as well? I think comparing it to a rogue in WoW is whats throwing me off, like many people I'm used to a different game and I know new things take adapting but between WoW and Skyrim I'm wondering if I'm doing something wrong.

Bretentious · April 2014

To get the full benefit of a sneak attack the eye does need to be fully closed, which pretty much requires that you approach from the rear. Attacking with Teleport Strike in this manner can do a fair chunk of damage. I think it's worthwhile, but it is a bit slower admittedly.

Teloran · April 2014

Sneak attacks will only work from the rear. I'm afraid sneak never improves by more then 10% or so from the Assassination passives.

Edit: I think the eye can be slightly open but you definitely need to attack from behind.

RogueWatchmenub17_ESO · April 2014

Makes "Playing from the shadows" somewhat underwhelming doesn't it.

Kyubi_3002b16_ESO · April 2014

not in the least... if you manage a power attack on an unaware target you litteraly get a free knockdown... several skill in the shadow line also are improved by striking while stealthed. Stealth deals tremendous damage when done efficiently even without the passive. Playing a khajiit or a wood elf also may help your stealth

Chirru · April 2014

Any more damage and I can hear the call for the NB to be overpowered. If they change something it should be (in my opinion) the silly visible sneak animation. Somehow I feel rather silly to be sneaking with everyone in the same faction seeing the Char sneaking.

Kyubi_3002b16_ESO · April 2014

ikr... its hilarous because im invisible but everyone in my faction sees me... well time to pretend to be supercatwomen 8D

LunaRae · April 2014

Not sure how much burst you're looking for but I can take opponents to 1/4 HP within 1 second of knocking them down from a sneak attack, followed by death shortly after. Some in-game mechanics are unintuitive and therefore catch people off-guard when they expect certain behaviours from the game. Like class abilities based off of magic damage instead of weapon damage.

Successful sneaks into free knockdown are too good to pass up.

Oh, and on your point about the eye retina - it does NOT need to be fully closed. As long as no enemies are alerted (i.e. eye is fully open and it starts blinking red indicating you are seen) you get the same sneak bonus and being completely invisible. And you need to be from behind! Even if you crouch, go invis and hit someone in the face it doesn't count.

Guppet · April 2014

Do you do extra damage from stealth with a bow? If so does that need to be from behind too?

bakejoshb14_ESO · April 2014

Veiled Strike is your friend when sneaking. VS also works when Consuming Darkness is active.

fieldmarshall3neb18_ESO · April 2014

Guppet wrote: »

Do you do extra damage from stealth with a bow? If so does that need to be from behind too?

I would like to know aswell.
Would waste me tons of time if i use a sneak opener on every mob, only to find out that its not doing anything useful.

RogueWatchmenub17_ESO · April 2014

It might scale better with gear, right now I'm thinking once I lose that initial surprise unless I shadow cloak I can't get a sneak bonus. On PvE try toons or a player with a solid healer this seems to gimp in a long running battle