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Overdose - 1400+ Nightblade DPS Build [Deltia's Gaming]

Deltia
Deltia
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Hello ESO Community!

I promised myself I wouldn't make another build prior to 1.6, but I couldn't hold out on this Nightblade stamina bow build. I hope you enjoy this and visit the site or YouTube for updates as 1.6 is released.

Site link here
http://deltiasgaming.com/2014/12/16/overdose-one-shot-willy-remix-nightblade-dps-build/

Video
http://youtu.be/KWhVHvyLSes


Before we get started, a lot of the information and inspiration for this build come from other community members. An awesome Nightblade builder on Tamriel Foundry found here. Another awesome NB builder, Jeckll, has some great tips here. And lastly, endless conversations with other NB who are better than me (Parfax) has helped tune this build into a damage machine. Just wanted to give some other great community members credit for helping shape this build, so thanks!

With that being said, Overdose is a Nightblade bow and Two-Hander build focused on potion reduction jewelry glyphs. With the Nightblade’s and Alchemy skill passive, you can almost always have a potions effects on you at all times. Now image playing an entire boss fight with 90% weapon critical? The combination is astounding.

I’m using my Khajiit Nightblade King Foltest. I enjoy this play-style and with Justice System coming soon, this sneaky sneaky bow build feels at home. The upsides to the build are insane damage though you sacrifice some defensive self-healing that you would normally have with a light armor build like Blade Runner. Here’s my list of strengths and weaknesses for Overdose.

+ Massive burst and sustained damage

+ Two finishers

+ Deadly up close or at range

– Squishy or easy to kill

– Not exactly easy or cheap to play
Skills

Overdose Skills

The big ol’ Two-Handed meat cleaver is coming out instead of daggers. It seems like a odd choice, but after playing both, I really like the finisher with Executioner and the ultimate generation with Carve. Additionally, Rally has some decent self-healing with stamina making it my melee choice. This isn’t our primary damage source but more of a finisher or dropping our ultimate bar.

Bar One | Two-Handed – AoE not primary bar
  • Ambush (morph of Teleport Strike | Assassination skill line) – Our leap in that buffs the next attack by 36%. The way I use this is Ambush in than drop a Veil of Blades ultimate. This will pump up that Veil damage and give you a big time DPS boost. I’ll also leap in for a finisher via Executioner to make it hit even harder. Plus you get the Assassination passive benefits by having this on your Two-Hander bar.
  • Rally (morph of Momentum | Two-Handed skill line) – A strong Weapon Damage boost while using the Two-Hander and a decent self-heal. Putting this on prior to a finishing the boss off can boost your DPS by 50+. It also last for 30 seconds so you won’t have to sacrifice key up-time recasting over and over. Ultimately, you could flex this out for something else like Evil Hunter from Fighters Guild skill line if facing Undead or Daedra.
  • Carve (morph of Cleave | Two-Handed skill line) – Our massive AoE that generates a ton of ultimate. It’s hard to take Two-Hander over Dual Wield as a Nightblade, but I think this ability combined with others makes it worth it for my build. Positioning is key with Carve as it only hits enemies in front of you in a cone. Steel Tornado is a superior damage dealer, but this ultimate generation is unmatched in my opinion making it my preferred choice.
  • Sap Essence (morph of Drain Power | Siphoning skill line) – Regardless of which weapon(s) you use on bar one, you should take Sap Essence. It’s a decent heal, mega weapon damage buff and a good magicka dump in AoE situations. It’s not going to hit that hard with all medium armor, but in combination with Carve can destroy massive amounts of enemies.
  • Executioner (morph of Reverse Slash | Two-Handed skill line) – I love this finisher and is the reason I go with Two-Hander over Dual Wield. It has weak range, but can do more damage than Impale and use stamina instead of magicka. It feels easier to weave or use animation canceling. Plus this morph makes Carve a finisher as well which is great for AoE situations.
  • [Ultimate] Veil of Blades (morph of Consuming Darkness | Shadow skill line) – The ultra powerful Veil had to make an appearance on our AoE bar. Damage reduction, damage over time and a synergy make this one of the best abilities in the game. Make sure to leap in and drop this on a boss or help out your friend in trouble with 30% team damage mitigation.

Combat

Buff with Rally
Ambush in and drop Veil if at 200 ultimate
If not, go into a Carve to start DoT effects
Then Sap Essence to pump up Carve’s damage
Continue to Carve until you can pick off low health enemies with Executioner

Priorities

Use potions off cool-down or every 17 seconds
Make sure Rally buff is up and double cast if you’re in need of a self heal
Use Sap Essence for added weapon damage

Our main stay bread and butter and whatever other cliches you can throw in this sentence. Bow is where we shine doing nasty single target sustained damage. If the fight last 200 seconds, we’ll be okay and impress those with out monster damage numbers.

Bar Two | Bow – Single target damage and my main bar
  • Repear’s Mark (morph of Mark Target | Assassination skill line) – A tricky ability that provides monster debuff to the opposition and giving a big self-heal once they die. The down sides of this ability are the high magicka cost and that your armor and spell resistance are also debuffed. So, don’t plan on using this solo or while tanking, but Mark targets that tanks can manage or as they die to get a weapon power boost and a 1700 heal at end game (2800 total health).
  • Venom Arrow (morph of | Bow skill line) – A ranged interrupt with a DoT effect. The other morph, Poison Injection does add a lot more damage though sacrifices the interrupt. Since I primarily play Dragonstar Arena (DSA) with this character, I like the interrupt via Venom Arrow. If you were playing Trials only, Poison Injection might be for you. Either morph is good and should be on your bar for strong damage over time.
  • Focused Attacks (morph of Haste | Assassination skill line) – Another controversial morph of Haste, I prefer Focused Attack for the stamina regeneration. Most players now do a “medium” weave or a quick heavy attack. I’ve tried Incapacitate (the other morph) with a medium weave and found that my normal light attack hits just as hard or harder. The added 40% stamina regeneration putting me overcharged is too important to my sustained damage not to take this ability.
  • Focused Aim (morph of Snipe | Bow skill line) – Our number one source of damage comes from Focused Aim. It pumps our weapon damage and range on the target with a 1.1 second channel. The trick to maximizing damage here is light attack just prior to casting this. You’ll sneak in an extra 300-600 damage at the expense of .4 seconds. If both attacks critical strike out of stealth, I can do 2,000 without a DoT or any other effects. Also stay at maximum range if possible to gain extra damage via the Bow passive Long Shot.
  • Impale (morph of Assassin’s Blade | Assassination skill line) – A great ranged finisher that hits like a truck. I like this ability for a magicka dump when my stamina is taking a hit and enemies need to die. I can easily swap to bar One and rambo in for another finisher if my magicka runs out. Either way, that sucker is dead!
  • [Ultimate] Flawless Dawnbreaker (morph of Dawnbreaker | Fighters Guild skill line) – 13% weapon damage…..yeah. Don’t use it, just have it on your bar. Be prepared to screw up and accidentally cast this many times. I still fat finger it and we all make fun of each other once it happens. No big deal.
Combat

Stealth if possible (initial hit gains massive bonus)
Debuff target with Reaper’s Mark (60 second timer) and buff yourself with Focused Attacks (20 second timer)
Chug a Weapon Power potions for critical and power
Focus Aim
Light attack weaved into a Venom Arrow
3x Light attack / Focused Aim before reapplying the DoT with Venom Arrow
Rinse and repeat

Priorities

Constantly drink potions to maintain 90% weapon critical with my gear and passives
Lower than 25% health, finish with either Impale of Executioner
Drop Veil of Blades once 200 ultimate has been reached
Constantly have Focused Attacks up for more damage and stamina regeneration
Debuff enemy if appropriate via Repear’s Mark
Keep Focused Aim debuff on enemy for increased range and weapon power
Keep Venom Arrow DoT ticking for strong sustained damage



Yeah this one is a bit more challenging than bar one. I recommend watching the video to see how I do this or watch episode 46 of Tales of Tamriel where I play Dragonstar Arena for over an hour with this build.
Gear

Overdose NB DPS Gear Chart

Overdose NB DPS Gear Shoot

Priorities numbers

2800 health
2400 stamina
60% or higher Weapon Critical
220 Weapon Power

Armor weight – All medium since every piece gives us weapon critical. The nice part about running a stamina build is you don’t have to rely on Inner Light for a third of your critical.

Set Bonuses – Some challenging gear to obtain but worth it.

Hawk’s Eye – a PvP set that gives a major boost to damage and reduction in cost which adds massive sustained damage. It’s hard to get this. I was lucky enough to have WaylanderOZ sell me some (thanks bud). A good substitute is Night Mother’s Gaze for 8% weapon critical.
Hunding’s Rage – A staple in stamina builds since ESO launch. Massive critical and weapon damage are hard to pass up. Since this can be crafted, all players should be able to obtain this.
Master Weapon or not? This is a big question amongst my guild members and I. I have played Dragonstar Arena (Vet and Normal) over 50 times and have yet to obtain a master bow. I doubt it will be better than a five piece Hunding’s, but I will update if things change.

Traits – Go with Infused on large pieces Head/Chest/Legs and we are stuck with Well-Fitted on the Hawk’s Eye set leaving only room for one divines.

Mundus Stone – Shadow is the way to go above 50% critical. I’m not a math nut, but I know a bunch of them who’ve crunched the numbers. Trust me on this, it’s a major DPS boost.

Attributes – I go with 27 health and 35 stamina though this number could change depending on your racial choice. Reach 2800 health with glyphs and or attributes then dump the rest into stamina (my Imperial can get 2700 stamina).

Racial Choice – I love the Khajiit not only for passives but style, lore and appearance. It’s hard to pass up on this race for me though Imperial, Redguard and Wood Elf make strong choices as well.

Food – I still go with tri-stat food which is a DPS loss. I trade 360+ magicka for 80 health and stamina. That’s one more cast, one more buff, and one more Impale (or more). It’s just to vital not to have a little magicka left in reserves. But two stat food is TECHNICALLY more damage. Keep in mind, you do zero DPS when dead.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this guide. I loved learning from all the community members and keeping OUR ESO family strong. Thanks again for supporting my site and work!
In-game @deltiasgaming | deltiasgaming.com for Elder Scrolls Online [ESO / TESO] Guides
"It's a good day to be alive"
  • Dekkameron
    Dekkameron
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    I'm not sure about using focused attacks, i would probably put Bombard (Arrow spray morph) in instead as i find the skill invaluable often and i never really have that much of a problem in PVE stamina regen
    - Veteran Combat Librarian -
  • Surfinginhawaii
    Surfinginhawaii
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    Another excellent video Deltia!
  • NightSky
    NightSky
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    Excellent build yet again Deltia, Good job!
    "For everything you gain, you lose something else."
  • Kaghei
    Kaghei
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    Great build but i have one concern.
    The bonus damage from ambush will also apply for an allies next attack, so not that useful in group dps. Sure i still use ambush as a cap closer and crit, but not for the bonus damage.

    I also feels its a bit of an overkill as its possible to hit 1400 dps on the serpent with 1 skill and light attack weaves (rapid strikes).

    Still a great build and takes a lot more skill than the build i mentioned, but when stamina dps is so easy with dual wield i see little reason to use a bow apart from when range is needed (in my experience is not very often)
    Alacrity
    World's Fastest AA
    World's First claimer of Bleakers
    First Grand Overlord Slayer
  • Deltia
    Deltia
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    I also feels its a bit of an overkill as its possible to hit 1400 dps on the serpent with 1 skill and light attack weaves (rapid strikes).

    Thanks for the comment, is Rapid Strikes really that powerful? Do you still place the DoT with Rending Slashes?

    Thanks gonna try this out!
    In-game @deltiasgaming | deltiasgaming.com for Elder Scrolls Online [ESO / TESO] Guides
    "It's a good day to be alive"
  • HeX7
    HeX7
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    Deltia wrote: »
    I also feels its a bit of an overkill as its possible to hit 1400 dps on the serpent with 1 skill and light attack weaves (rapid strikes).

    Thanks for the comment, is Rapid Strikes really that powerful? Do you still place the DoT with Rending Slashes?

    Thanks gonna try this out!

    Rapid strikes with attack weaving in between is insane dps. Only reason I use DW for single target fights on NB.
  • Sharee
    Sharee
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    Did you test the alchemy skill passive? As far as i know, it does not work, the potion duration is still the same 10 seconds with or without it. However it has been a long time since i paid attention, so it's possible it got fixed in meantime.
  • Deltia
    Deltia
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    Sharee wrote: »
    Did you test the alchemy skill passive? As far as i know, it does not work, the potion duration is still the same 10 seconds with or without it. However it has been a long time since i paid attention, so it's possible it got fixed in meantime.

    It did add three seconds to me.
    In-game @deltiasgaming | deltiasgaming.com for Elder Scrolls Online [ESO / TESO] Guides
    "It's a good day to be alive"
  • reften
    reften
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    Good read, never thought of the ambush to veil combo...
    Reften
    Bosmer (Wood Elf)
    Moonlight Crew (RIP), Misfitz (RIP), Victorem Guild

    VR16 NB, Stam build, Max all crafts.

    Azuras & Trueflame. Mostly PvP, No alts.

    Semi-retired till the lag is fixed.

    Love the Packers, Bourbon, and ESO...one of those will eventually kill me.
  • whiteshadow711jppreub18_ESO
    whiteshadow711jppreub18_ESO
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    oren74 wrote: »
    Good read, never thought of the ambush to veil combo...

    Yeah, that is a good trick, until it gets Nerfed, like they did with the Deathstroke Ultimate..
    Signed, Kotaro Atani.PS5 NA
    VR16/ CP 160 Khajiit Nightblade of the Aldmeri Dominion, Guildmaster and Assassin of the Queen's Hand guild on NA PC. PvP Officer in the WOLF guild on NA PS5, and of course Master Thief. Currently 3409 CP out of 3600 CP on NA PS5. Currently 810 CP on NA PC (used for PTS testing purposes only). On PS5 I am also a Master Crafter, all traits done and learned, Jewelry crafting done. all Motifs learned on PS5 except for maybe two-three Motifs. All Companions are Max level as are their Skills.Warrior, Lover, Thief.... Nightblade. Aldmeri Dominion For Life! For the Queen!! Go Dominion or go home ! "I have no hatred for the races of Man, but they are young. Like all children, they are driven by emotion. They lack the wisdom that comes with age. I would sooner place an Altmer infant on the Ruby Throne than surrender Tamriel to their capricious whims. The Altmer, the Bosmer and the Khajiit share the common traits of intelligence, patience and reason. We do not seek riches or plunder. Domination is not our goal, nor is the acclamation of power for its own sake. Today we make our stand. Today we take back the Ruby Throne, which is ours by ancient right and the blessings of the Divines. Stand with us." ―Your Queen Commands, Ayrenn Arana Aldmeri.(All 18 characters are AD only! This one is a AD Loyalist)Member of ESO Since January 29, 2014, started early Access 3/30/14 on PC, currently subbed on NA PS5 and on NA PC. Note- I only use PC for PTS testing purposes, the PS5 is my dedicated Game Platform.Note- for those that don't know how to say Kotaro Atani it's "Ko tar row Ah ta ni" (Ko with a Oh sound, tar which sounds like the sticky black tar stuff, row like rowing a boat, Ah with a AHHHH sound, Ta with a Tahhh sound, Neeee which sounds like knee)"The blowing sands of time wipe clean the footprints of the past...""Moonsugar may be the key to paradise, but it is through a false door...""A perfect society is always elsewhere..."- Unknown book of Khajiiti proverbs.
  • Hypertionb14_ESO
    Hypertionb14_ESO
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    replace Haste with Volley, its generally as much a DPS buff as you can get on Veil. At least 200-300.

    AOE or not, its very good vs Single target.
    I play every class in every situation. I love them all.
  • Cendrillion21
    Cendrillion21
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    @Deltia‌, I've used your site and builds often and I'm always happy with the results. Thanks!
    Campos de oro
  • AshySamurai
    AshySamurai
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    Very interesting. But it's pure glass cannon. All sometimes make a mistake. One mistake (even not your's) and you dead. And use potions for an hour or two in VDSA is pretty expensive.
    Make sweetrolls, not nerfs!
  • killedbyping
    killedbyping
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    OP, could you show your DPS with that build on Manticora and Serpent ?
  • Kaghei
    Kaghei
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    Deltia wrote: »
    I also feels its a bit of an overkill as its possible to hit 1400 dps on the serpent with 1 skill and light attack weaves (rapid strikes).

    Thanks for the comment, is Rapid Strikes really that powerful? Do you still place the DoT with Rending Slashes?

    Thanks gonna try this out!

    no slashes, ive seen a few work it in, but i dont use it personally
    Alacrity
    World's Fastest AA
    World's First claimer of Bleakers
    First Grand Overlord Slayer
  • Razzak
    Razzak
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    Nice thread and build. :)
    I was always wondering what those DPS numbers really mean. If I understand correctly you achieve 1400 without buff from others, right?

    I am currently Vet5 and just started thinking about my DPS and expectations of others when it comes to it. I keep seeing requirements for 1200 DPS or similar, but never could really understand what exactly that number represents. Is it your solo DPS without potions and ultimate, meaning your clean, skills achieved, sustained DPS when fighting alone? Or is it the most you can do with all potions, ult and help from other players' buffs?
  • Deltia
    Deltia
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    Razzak wrote: »
    Nice thread and build. :)
    I was always wondering what those DPS numbers really mean. If I understand correctly you achieve 1400 without buff from others, right?

    I am currently Vet5 and just started thinking about my DPS and expectations of others when it comes to it. I keep seeing requirements for 1200 DPS or similar, but never could really understand what exactly that number represents. Is it your solo DPS without potions and ultimate, meaning your clean, skills achieved, sustained DPS when fighting alone? Or is it the most you can do with all potions, ult and help from other players' buffs?

    I can't speak for other people, but when I parse or test DPS, it's use anything you can to achieve your number.

    Have you buddies run Combat Pray, Aggressive War Horn, you drop ults, anything to hit those numbers.

    DPS or damage per second means you continually generally 1400 damage every second by yourself.

    It's hard, I've learned from the best and still need improvement, but check out peoples sites, builds etc. I have a guide on weaving or animation canceling. That there will add 200 DPS easy.
    In-game @deltiasgaming | deltiasgaming.com for Elder Scrolls Online [ESO / TESO] Guides
    "It's a good day to be alive"
  • tintin_milou
    I have a noob question... :D

    If I use both Reaper's Mark with Surprise Attack, do I get 100% ignore-armor on the target? Thanks for your help! :)
  • Deltia
    Deltia
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    I have a noob question... :D

    If I use both Reaper's Mark with Surprise Attack, do I get 100% ignore-armor on the target? Thanks for your help! :)

    I would assume so, but I honestly can't confirm that.
    In-game @deltiasgaming | deltiasgaming.com for Elder Scrolls Online [ESO / TESO] Guides
    "It's a good day to be alive"
  • tintin_milou
    Thanks for helping Deltia! Maybe one of your fans on this thread knows the answer! :p
  • morvegil
    morvegil
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    A blocking DK will nullify this whole build.
    Lo'ke
    Nord Vampire
    Nightblade
    Shield+BOW

    Daggerfall Covenant
    Bandit King
    Bridge Bandits Guild
  • Valen_Byte
    Valen_Byte
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    I have seen a lot of NB builds that do 1000-1400 dps. I assume these are v14 builds. What should I be doing at v7 though?
    ***Dixon Kay MagDK FORMER EMPEROR***Deca Dix MagDK FORMER EMPORER***Valonious MagPlar FORMER EMPEROR***
    GM of BYTE
    MAY YOUR DEATHS BE SWIFT, AND YOUR LOAD SCREENS LONG.
    And alien tears will fill for him, Pity’s long-broken urn, For his mourners will be outcast men, And outcasts always mourn
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