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[Build] Eclipse, Shield of Night - a Nightblade mobility tank/spank
RavenSworn
✭✭✭✭✭
Hi all!
With the influx of new console players I thought of adding a simple tanking/spanking guide to one of my favourite classes, the Nightblade. Now, currently, this build http://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/162475/build-shadows-preserve-us-the-nightblade-leech-tank#latest is one of the best tanking setups for NBs and I would really recommend looking it up.
However, what I am proposing right now is a different playstyle of tanking, more of a mobile shielded warrior that utilizes fear, shadow buffs and ultimately battlefield mobility to tank and to dps when needed. Hopefully this goes well with you all, Nightblades
Build
Shielded Assault
One of the reasons why I take this is of course for the mobility and the damage shield it provides. I love this ability over Ambush or Invasion simply because it gives a whole lot more utility than invasion and it allows me to use a stamina based gap closer.
Deep Slash
Ultimately, I chose this over Heroic slash as I needed an aoe Maim debuff. I can literally run all over the battlefield and Maim each and every mob. Lesser damage from mobs and bosses, lesser work for healers.
Pierce Armor
Now this is the bread and butter of any tank, it not only deals Major fracture, it also deals Major breach, reducing both armor and spell resistance of the target
However, I would speculate that it might be more useful to use inner rage for the range taunt but one of the reasons why I did not choose that is of course the mobility this build gives me.
Killer's Blade
This acts as a two fold arsenal; one is to assist with dps on execute thresholds, two is to help with self heals on thrash mobs and adds. Taking the stamina option for this also means that this bar is almost exclusively stamina based.
Siphoning Attacks
This is a mainstay in nightblade tanking. Resource management for Nightblades are awesome because of this one ability.
Bolstering Darkness
I was contemplating on Veil for the additional dps but 60% reduced damage taken? The best damage mitigation ultimate yet. Pop this and you wont die, period.
The first bar is quite typical of a tanking bar but it gives a dps option for questing without the need to change too much of the bar. Siphoning Attacks can be exchanged with Shadowy Disguise for questing but its really a personal choice.
Lotus Fan
Now a lot of flak was given to the fact that Ambush seems to be the better choice for stamina builds. Now I won't contest that fact but the reason why I chose lotus fan is that as a tank, I want to have options for my utility. Lotus fan not only becomes a magicka gap closer, it also does one important effect; aoe snares. This keeps mobs on to me and gives me more time to taunt them.
Crippling Grasp
This is an underrated ability. It immobilizes a mob upon impact and gives you a speed boost. Have a mob attacking the healer? Cast this ability and use the charge or teleport to the mob to taunt it or to simply slow it down. Now it seems its much easier to use inner rage but I find having the speed boost helps alot when having alot of aoes on the ground and while avoiding boss attacks.
Reaper's Mark
This is also crucial to this build as self heals are at a minimum. However, a 35% health Healed is amazing when dealing with large numbers of mobs. The debuff also is crucial in taking on the bosses.
Refreshing Path
This is your go to ability for the shadow armor passive and also abit of self heals and mobility. Pop this ability whenever the buff wears out.
Siphoning Attacks
See above.
Bar two is very magicka heavy and is meant to be bursty. While it gives important debuffs, its imperative that you dont go crazy on spamming abilities, esp when as a nightblade, you dont have that much battlefield control.
How to
Before any trash fight, I start by Marking the weakest target. Then I will lotus fan, refreshing path and cripple the big guy. Switch weapons and I will use deep slash to all targets and Pierce Armor the biggest dude. I will always shield Assault any casters and re-mark any weak targets. Im always on the move, and with my speed buffs, I am able to get to mobs before they even touch my healers. Use killer's blade for execute and regain health and mana.
Boss fights I will rush in with shield charge which gives me the damage shield and I will be able to Pierce Armor, deep slash and reposition myself. Now because I am able to block cast, I usually use my magicka bar to hold any adds that pop up. Lotus fan, cripple, shield charge are all crucial to this build. I usually will only mark adds or weak targets. Bosses I leave to my Pierce Armor.
Gear and Attributes
I usually put in 30 health, the rest into stamina. I find that with proper blocking and gear, I can make up with the health deficit at endgame. That being said though, you are free to put in whatever stats you feel is appropriate.
I use 5 heavy, 2 medium armor, with the 4 set bonus of Death's Wind, 2 set bonus of Night's Silence and 3 set bonus of Whitestrake's Retribution. There might be better bonuses on dropped sets but I didn't want to wait on these sets to drop when I can use what I can craft. I use the reduced feat enchants on jewellery.
I also use 4 health enchants and 4 magicka enchants. This will help balance abit of the stats to facilitate my magicka usage.
Champion Points
I usually put in magicka cost reduction, blocking and dodge cost reduction, increased healing received and both magicka and stamina regen. This will allow me to have better resource management and also be better at levelling.
All in all I feel this is a different way to tank and also a different playstyle to tank/spank. Drop a note to @RavenSworn ingame if you need any details. Cheers!
- RavenSworn
With the influx of new console players I thought of adding a simple tanking/spanking guide to one of my favourite classes, the Nightblade. Now, currently, this build http://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/162475/build-shadows-preserve-us-the-nightblade-leech-tank#latest is one of the best tanking setups for NBs and I would really recommend looking it up.
However, what I am proposing right now is a different playstyle of tanking, more of a mobile shielded warrior that utilizes fear, shadow buffs and ultimately battlefield mobility to tank and to dps when needed. Hopefully this goes well with you all, Nightblades
Build
Shielded Assault
One of the reasons why I take this is of course for the mobility and the damage shield it provides. I love this ability over Ambush or Invasion simply because it gives a whole lot more utility than invasion and it allows me to use a stamina based gap closer.
Deep Slash
Ultimately, I chose this over Heroic slash as I needed an aoe Maim debuff. I can literally run all over the battlefield and Maim each and every mob. Lesser damage from mobs and bosses, lesser work for healers.
Pierce Armor
Now this is the bread and butter of any tank, it not only deals Major fracture, it also deals Major breach, reducing both armor and spell resistance of the target
However, I would speculate that it might be more useful to use inner rage for the range taunt but one of the reasons why I did not choose that is of course the mobility this build gives me.
Killer's Blade
This acts as a two fold arsenal; one is to assist with dps on execute thresholds, two is to help with self heals on thrash mobs and adds. Taking the stamina option for this also means that this bar is almost exclusively stamina based.
Siphoning Attacks
This is a mainstay in nightblade tanking. Resource management for Nightblades are awesome because of this one ability.
Bolstering Darkness
I was contemplating on Veil for the additional dps but 60% reduced damage taken? The best damage mitigation ultimate yet. Pop this and you wont die, period.
The first bar is quite typical of a tanking bar but it gives a dps option for questing without the need to change too much of the bar. Siphoning Attacks can be exchanged with Shadowy Disguise for questing but its really a personal choice.
Lotus Fan
Now a lot of flak was given to the fact that Ambush seems to be the better choice for stamina builds. Now I won't contest that fact but the reason why I chose lotus fan is that as a tank, I want to have options for my utility. Lotus fan not only becomes a magicka gap closer, it also does one important effect; aoe snares. This keeps mobs on to me and gives me more time to taunt them.
Crippling Grasp
This is an underrated ability. It immobilizes a mob upon impact and gives you a speed boost. Have a mob attacking the healer? Cast this ability and use the charge or teleport to the mob to taunt it or to simply slow it down. Now it seems its much easier to use inner rage but I find having the speed boost helps alot when having alot of aoes on the ground and while avoiding boss attacks.
Reaper's Mark
This is also crucial to this build as self heals are at a minimum. However, a 35% health Healed is amazing when dealing with large numbers of mobs. The debuff also is crucial in taking on the bosses.
Refreshing Path
This is your go to ability for the shadow armor passive and also abit of self heals and mobility. Pop this ability whenever the buff wears out.
Siphoning Attacks
See above.
Bar two is very magicka heavy and is meant to be bursty. While it gives important debuffs, its imperative that you dont go crazy on spamming abilities, esp when as a nightblade, you dont have that much battlefield control.
How to
Before any trash fight, I start by Marking the weakest target. Then I will lotus fan, refreshing path and cripple the big guy. Switch weapons and I will use deep slash to all targets and Pierce Armor the biggest dude. I will always shield Assault any casters and re-mark any weak targets. Im always on the move, and with my speed buffs, I am able to get to mobs before they even touch my healers. Use killer's blade for execute and regain health and mana.
Boss fights I will rush in with shield charge which gives me the damage shield and I will be able to Pierce Armor, deep slash and reposition myself. Now because I am able to block cast, I usually use my magicka bar to hold any adds that pop up. Lotus fan, cripple, shield charge are all crucial to this build. I usually will only mark adds or weak targets. Bosses I leave to my Pierce Armor.
Gear and Attributes
I usually put in 30 health, the rest into stamina. I find that with proper blocking and gear, I can make up with the health deficit at endgame. That being said though, you are free to put in whatever stats you feel is appropriate.
I use 5 heavy, 2 medium armor, with the 4 set bonus of Death's Wind, 2 set bonus of Night's Silence and 3 set bonus of Whitestrake's Retribution. There might be better bonuses on dropped sets but I didn't want to wait on these sets to drop when I can use what I can craft. I use the reduced feat enchants on jewellery.
I also use 4 health enchants and 4 magicka enchants. This will help balance abit of the stats to facilitate my magicka usage.
Champion Points
I usually put in magicka cost reduction, blocking and dodge cost reduction, increased healing received and both magicka and stamina regen. This will allow me to have better resource management and also be better at levelling.
All in all I feel this is a different way to tank and also a different playstyle to tank/spank. Drop a note to @RavenSworn ingame if you need any details. Cheers!
- RavenSworn
Ingame: RavenSworn, Pc / NA.
Of Wolf and Raven
Solo / Casual guild for beginners and new players wanting to join the game. Pst me for invite!
Of Wolf and Raven
Solo / Casual guild for beginners and new players wanting to join the game. Pst me for invite!
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