How does playstyle of Magblade compare to Stamblade?

EternallyMithril

Hi all,

I'm relatively new to ESO (joined about 3 months ago). After fiddling with a few characters for couple days, I landed on a Stamina NB as my first real character. About a week ago I just hit CP 160 on him. I run DW on main bar and 2h on second bar (mostly just for Rally, though not sure how much I need that anymore). I am also a Vampire, even though it seems Vamp goes more towards Magicka characters, I just love the full-speed sneaking I can do at Vamp 4. I play mostly solo PvE...again, just learning the game, running around adventuring, doing delves, dolmens, etc. My race is Nord, which isn't the "ideal" fit for a Stamblade but does pretty well.

So now I'm thinking about making a Magblade as a second character. I'm just trying to wrap my mind around how similar and how different the playstyle is going to be as compared to my Stamblade, especially when it comes to soloing. Are Magblades mostly (entirely?) ranged attack characters? Do they need to do a lot of kiting or can they more or less stay in one spot (avoiding red circles, of course) and dish out damage? Would a Magblade normally run destro on main bar and resto on second bar? Any other weapons even viable? As a Magicka class, are they typically wearing 5 light armor pieces? Would it be common for a Magblade to go Vampire?

I guess I'm trying to figure out if a Magblade is going to "feel" (in terms of playstyle) very similar to my Stamblade, kinda like it & kinda not, or feel not at all like it and more akin to a traditional (from other MMO's) mage (spellcaster) type character.

And maybe, in light of that, how does the playstyle of a Magblade differ from a Magicka DK, Templar, or Sorc?

I hope I was able to articulate my question well enough. Eager to hear your answers!

code65536

They playstyles are very different and feel very different. Magblades are typically ranged and will use a destro staff. You can, however, stand your ground at melee range. I typically don't kite unless I have to, but going full ranged is an option that is open to you.

The main difference is the magblade's self-healing. It makes you very survivable--much more so than a stamblade--and is why you can actually stand your ground better than a stamblade.

As for gear and other build details, I would recommend 5 light and destro staves on both bars.

Stoopid_Nwah

Magblades are imo one of the most versatile classes. For dps, it's common to see inferno staff/inferno staff or inferno staff/dw. Ranged fighting is what I personally do, and it's quite easy to solo dungeons. It's also my favourite class to run vet maelstrom arena on. If you're just doing casual stuff though, or you want to do dps/heals then it's doable to just go inferno staff/resto staff.

You could also turn it into a sap tank which would fit well with vampirism! Or you could go the pure healing route as well utilizing funnel health, sap essence, and the resto staff line.

In pvp you can run light or heavy, just different playstyles. Currently it probably would be easier to go heavy if you aren't used to managing shields and a lower stam pool. In pve for dps light is common, same with healing. Tanks would wear at least 5 heavy though.

kaithuzar

I run duel wield + resto, i've posted a number of builds & comments on the forum, feel free to check them out; plenty of post about magnb
heavy armor & light armor builds are both viable in pvp; for pve only destro+resto w/5 light

Completely different playstyle imo, even going between destro+resto & duel wield+resto it's completely different.

The key to magnb, is spam resto bubble when in trouble. You could use bubble & magicka harness if you have room for both on your bar; cloak is situational but you still want it. Also use CC's like fear or agony.
Now a days, it's recommended for you to have impale on your bar b/c heals are op for most classes.
Assassin's will is needed, most magnb fights are won by assassin's will + soul tether or meteor