need a bit of help, just double checking myself...

sticx45_ESO · May 2015

Having trouble deciding between going stam or mag on my nightblade. I know race makes a big difference in these two aspects, so I don't want to screw it up and wish I had gone the other route later. Am I wrong in the assumptions i'm making below? Is there something else I should consider?

Magicka NB has a bit more utility, better self healing, and is able to play a more vanishing thief type (with frequent uses of cloak), at the cost of large burst and slightly lower dps.

Stam NB has more damage, greater burst, but less utility. Can only vanish 2-3 times before running out of magicka, and while more sturdy due to medium armor, has less self healing, making their self sustain a bit lower.

pmacisback · May 2015

I'm finding it hard to tell if you are looking for pvp or pve advice.

You have the right idea about the differences between builds. Both have their places in pvp/pve. It really depends on your playstyle and what you see yourself having the most fun doing. Look at some builds on Tamriel Foundry and figure out what numbers and abilities would suit you.

As for racial choices, a stamina build greatly benefits from passives that are stamina based (Redguard, Bosmer etc.). Magicka builds benefit from additional magicka passives (Dunmer, Altmer etc.). And of course Imperial is a good all around choice. At the end of the day, your racial choice isn't that big of a deal.

Nestor · May 2015

sticx45_ESO wrote: »

Stam NB has more damage, greater burst, but less utility. Can only vanish 2-3 times before running out of magicka, and while more sturdy due to medium armor, has less self healing, making their self sustain a bit lower.

In PvE, by that I mean Leveling PvE, not Trials, you can run a Stamina NB without concerns about the magic gimp. The spells you use the most don't scale, and you don't use them that often in a fight. Of course you get little with the Siphon Skill, but then you don't get that much with Siphon on a Magica NB either. Also, you can use another skill when dealing with larger crowds that is probably tactically better.

PvP and Trials, then your concerns have a bigger impact on the tactics.

See this for some good advice on builds

http://deltiasgaming.com/category/eso-guides/class-guide/nightblade-class-guide-for-elder-scrolls-online/