Tank Advice/Guidance Needed (Nightblade or Templar?)

MethTheMadman

I realize that the best tanks are typically DK and Templars, simply because of their versatility and self heals (Green Dragon Blood/Temp heal). But I find the Nightblade tank to be interesting. With siphoning you could make it so you never struggle with stamina... But the problem will always come back to a lack of a self heal...

I want to start a tank and level them seriously. I've always liked playing melee classes, but I've never jumped into a tank seriously in any game. I really want to take that jump with ESO, but I'm so conflicted on if I want to go Templar (self heals, excellent survivability, can use corpses) or a Nightblade (no stam issues whatsoever, interesting skill choices, different kind of build that many pugs may not be used to).

So, I'm looking for a little input on this topic. As a relative newbie to the game, I'd really like some experienced feedback on the topic. And I know DKs are probably a "better" choice than either, but I'm really wanting to use Templar or Nightblade here...

Thank you to any who read/respond!

ThatNeonZebraAgain

I've been playing a NB tank since launch, and it's only gotten better overall (even if they nerfed my badass Argonian NB potions usage). Use the search on the ESO subreddit and the Tamriel Foundry class forums and you'll find tons of info about NB tanking. Bottom line is that it is just as doable as any other class for endgame content, it just takes more skill, planning, and creativity to set up armor sets, abilities, constellations, etc.

MethTheMadman

How do you heal? Potions?

And what would you suggest doing for leveling purposes? I was thinking a dw build on one of the bars and 1h/shield for the main bar.

Nestor

You can tank with a NB sure, but the lack of heals will get you in the end.

As for weapons, I have not looked closely at the 2H, but I think that has a nice skill that heals. 1H/S for the Invasion skill is good as a Tank as you can usually stun the mobs and some of the bosses. As for the skills like Sap Essence or similar, I find them to be more of way to DPS down the Mobs than to outlast the damage being done. As stated in the earlier post, you can tank with a NB, it's just going to be harder to do.

The other thing to consider is using a Bow as you can soften up or even draw aggro on a boss before you get close to them.

But, if you have never tanked before, then I would go with a Templar, the Self Heals will cover up a lot of mistakes as your getting the hang of things. For the record, I have done 1,000,000 in healing on my Templar without even thinking about it or using a Restoration Staff, so you can heal with just the Templar skill line, no need for the Restro Staff.

Sigtric

NB tanks have self heals, but they are not good for massive OH CRAP situations. Since they are HoT and/or dependent on something dying, it takes more planning and some prediction. Basically preemptively setting your heals when you think you will need them.

It may not be optimal, but it is certainly viable if you get good at it.

pecheckler

This topic needs comments on what is already known (or datamined) about the upcoming spellcrafting capabilities. I have high hopes that will allow viable sorcerer and nightblade tanks.

ThatNeonZebraAgain

Sigtric wrote: »

NB tanks have self heals, but they are not good for massive OH CRAP situations. Since they are HoT and/or dependent on something dying, it takes more planning and some prediction. Basically preemptively setting your heals when you think you will need them.

It may not be optimal, but it is certainly viable if you get good at it.

I used to get near 2k self-heals (so like 20k HP now) from hp potions, every 15-20 seconds, before 1.6 If you're high enough Alliance Rank, Vigor is an option. Also, Absorb Magic is also a great self-heal and utility ability. Soul Tether is also a cheap, powerful healing ultimate, and Bolstering Darkness is also a lifesaver. It's important to note that Sap Essence heals allies, not just oneself, so it's great for making things easier on the healer. You can also run resto staff on off-bar, which I would highly recommend. My Argonian NB tank runs with around +40% healing received, which makes my various self-heals (and heals from healer) that much better.

pecheckler wrote: »

This topic needs comments on what is already known (or datamined) about the upcoming spellcrafting capabilities. I have high hopes that will allow viable sorcerer and nightblade tanks.

Honestly, that is too far off to warrant discussion right now.

Shunravi

Sigtric wrote: »

NB tanks have self heals, but they are not good for massive OH CRAP situations. Since they are HoT and/or dependent on something dying, it takes more planning and some prediction. Basically preemptively setting your heals when you think you will need them.

It may not be optimal, but it is certainly viable if you get good at it.

It's viable enough for me to tank VDSA.

ThatNeonZebraAgain

Shunravi wrote: »

Sigtric wrote: »

NB tanks have self heals, but they are not good for massive OH CRAP situations. Since they are HoT and/or dependent on something dying, it takes more planning and some prediction. Basically preemptively setting your heals when you think you will need them.

It may not be optimal, but it is certainly viable if you get good at it.

It's viable enough for me to tank VDSA.

Exactly. It's completely viable, it's just not easy mode -- something that is very rewarding. Like I said, it just takes more thought to pull off.

MethTheMadman

On one hand, I don't mind having to put a little thought it. Gives a little more fun to the game.

On the other, I don't want to bite off more than I can chew.

Slightly Off-Topic, but not really, how do you recommend leveling? Tank low level dungeons or just find the best way to get all my skills leveled and not worry about tanking until VR1?

ThatNeonZebraAgain

For leveling, just diversify yourself, leveling up all armor types (e.g. 4-5 heavy, rest either light or medium), class/guild skill lines, and 3-4 weapon types (1h/shield, resto, and whatever else you want; I chose bow and then later 2h). Training traits on weps and armor are your friend for leveling. You don't need to put points into everything, just the essential abilities. Definitely play the tank role in dungeons when possible so you get a feel for how it works.

LEGENDARYYY

I've thought of NB tank builds for a while, and I've created an alt to see it through.

race: imperial

My idea for the final skillbar is:

leeching strikes, bone surge, pierce armor, Resolving vigor, absorb magic

build:

5x heavy armor
2x medium armor (belt and arms)

5 piece orgnums scales set

Main focus on HP regen, max health, stamina and stamina regen, no magicka focus at all

Your one handed and shield DPS will be non-existant, but sustain will be crazy.

You could do stamina dps offhand, maybe with a magicka heal slotted so you could quicky swap to that skill bar in desperate times to heal yourself when tanking, because you do have unutilized magicka available at all times since main bar uses none.

earlygame on the road to mentioned final skills you could do this skill bar:

leeching strikes, elude, pierce armor, swallow soul, absorb magic


What you guys think? Potential or not?

Celless

Hiya OP,

I've found that Nightblade tanking for me has been easier to manage in AoE situations and as others may have mentioned, tougher IF I'm trying to sustain my own health (relative to itself, not easier to manage compared to Templar or Dragon Knight). In single target heavy hitters, I feel I am more dependent on a healer and tend to opt toward maximizing mitigation or avoiding damage with standard tanking hot bars. Some things may help like absorb magicka - preferably on every other qualifying projectile. And depending on the boss, will opt to dodge roll away and come back in instead of blocking the hit altogether.

I suppose self healing may be a possibility for some content in 1.6. Not something I've tried since 1.5 (and it wasn't working for me). May explore it sometime since we got a few months before next major patch. Perhaps a combination of the Siphoning's +healing, Swallow Souls for Minor Vitality, Lord's Quick Recovery, and Apprentice's Blessed. Self healing through Bloodspawn might be a good place to start.

MethTheMadman

Some good ideas going on in here.

So, so far, the consensus seems to be that nightblade would be more overall difficult due to the lack of a true self heal, but may actually be better at AOE tanking. But Templar is probably an overall easier way to go tank.

Either way it sounds like dps will be abysmal. I do have a level 27 DK, but I'm trying to build him to be more dps so id rather start fresh with my tank.

Now, to be honest I'm reading about all these abilities that could provide some healing on the NB, but I'm not really all that knowledgeable about the classes intricacies... But the general gist of constant stamina and being able to maintain block and taunts is definitely aomethint that sounds like it would fill the role I want it to.

I feel like this could be an adventure I partake in...