Magicka Nightblade

Mhylton44142

Would you guys consider the magicka nightblade to be more of a finesse build? I have a lv 25 breton NB and he is tough to play with because he is so squishy with all the light armor (5 light; 2 heavy). Also, it could be I'm not playing him right too. I need to work on keeping my distance, tend to get in close with lotus fan, dark cloak, and concealed weapon then use the 2H weapon. Primary weapon is 2H and secondary is resto staff. The goal was to provide a magicka DPS with offhand healing. Maybe i need to switch to one hand and shield or destro staff...anyone have any thoughts?

Jitterbug

I would suggest dumping the 2H for a destro staff.

Either go ranged with Siphoning or close with Shadow or a mix of both. You need that self healing going. Get Ward from resto, stuff like that

Nirnrot

It definitely takes finese to be a melee light armor build. My magicka nightblade is more ranged and uses a destro/resto set up. My swallow soul hits like a truck so as far as melee, I usually go for a hit and run tactic when using concealed weapon. Having a shield like healing ward along side a hot should help a bit with the squishyness. It's bad enough wearing leather and being in the fray lol. I've seen some decent 1h/sh magicka builds but the dps monsters I've run across usually go DW or 2h for the increased spell power.

Jitterbug

Nirnrot wrote: »

It definitely takes finese to be a melee light armor build. My magicka nightblade is more ranged and uses a destro/resto set up. My swallow soul hits like a truck so as far as melee, I usually go for a hit and run tactic when using concealed weapon. Having a shield like healing ward along side a hot should help a bit with the squishyness. It's bad enough wearing leather and being in the fray lol. I've seen some decent 1h/sh magicka builds but the dps monsters I've run across usually go DW or 2h for the increased spell power.

I'm not sure going 2H or DW is recommendable for levelling though.

Prabooo

dude... spell dmg & weapon dmg... think about it... it looks pretty with a sword, but if you are all magicka you will hit like a wet noodle

Mhylton44142

Thanks, I may try and use the destro staff, have the healing ward already;

Jitterbug wrote: »

Either go ranged with Siphoning or close with Shadow or a mix of both. You need that self healing going. Get Ward from resto, stuff like that

by stuff like that, do you mean popping like regeneration along with the ward?

Jitterbug

Whatever makes it work for you at the level you're at. At vr9 I rarely even need resto heals as the swallow soul will get me through most fights. Another story in PvP of course.
Playstyle is a big part of it. You don't want those nasty mobs (or EP/AD) to touch you, so you kite like crazy, disengage, fear, shadow image. It's cumbersome, but really fun. Think of it like a shadow mage.

Tannakaobi

I found Agony really useful while levelling and went pretty much:

Agony, change target - Lotus fan - cloak - Concealed Weapon - heavy attack - Impale to finish - then from cloak onwards on the next target, throwing in the odd cloak as needed.

I'd usually also have rapid regen up too from my other bar. I used dual wield on my weapons bar, but none of the skills.

MisterBigglesworth

Swallow Soul
Siphoning Attacks
Sap Essence
Refreshing Path
Mirage

You. Will. Never. Die.

mr_wazzabi

Jitterbug wrote: »

I would suggest dumping the 2H for a destro staff.

Either go ranged with Siphoning or close with Shadow or a mix of both. You need that self healing going. Get Ward from resto, stuff like that

For melee, 2h increases his spell damage, especially if it's a greatsword.

I like the op's weapon choices.

Mhylton44142

The reason for the 2H is to increase spell damage and to knock people off of me with WB if I get swarmed and the 2H passive forceful to hit others along side. The WB gives me time to back off and attack from range

Xvorg

Tannakaobi wrote: »

I found Agony really useful while levelling and went pretty much:

Agony, change target - Lotus fan - cloak - Concealed Weapon - heavy attack - Impale to finish - then from cloak onwards on the next target, throwing in the odd cloak as needed.

I'd usually also have rapid regen up too from my other bar. I used dual wield on my weapons bar, but none of the skills.

There's the siphoning way too: cripple, strife, 4 light attack, impale. You can add grim focus in time (assasins will) and destructive reach if you want (dropping impale or cripple)

mr_wazzabi

Mhylton44142 wrote: »

The reason for the 2H is to increase spell damage and to knock people off of me with WB if I get swarmed and the 2H passive forceful to hit others along side. The WB gives me time to back off and attack from range

Wb is stamina based, so the damage you get from it is laughable. It also takes stamina away from your ability to dodge roll, block and break out of cc. If you want to get people off you, i suggest mass hysteria. It fears 3 enemies.

I suggest this:

2h: concealed weapon, mass hysteria, sap essense, lotus fan, refreshing path

Resto staff: strife (both morphs are great, depends if you're more group play or solo), dark cloak, healing ward, summon shade/mark target/merciless resolve, impale

Nirnrot

Mhylton44142 wrote: »

The reason for the 2H is to increase spell damage and to knock people off of me with WB if I get swarmed and the 2H passive forceful to hit others along side. The WB gives me time to back off and attack from range

If you grab an Inferno Staff and use Destructive Clench, or in the Inferno staff's case it's called Flame Clench, you get a really good magicka knockback with some decent damage and a DoT too.