Which class for a range mage?

teladoy · January 2017

I'm doing since some days different magicka builds with all the 4 classes and trying to identify which is the one that get closes to my idea of a range mage. But now I'm stuck between two: Nightblade and Sorcerer.
I would like something to play safe in Cyrodill, I want a range mage that can focus in single targets or in areas depending the situation, Without neglecting the survival either, it has to have some balance. The sorcerer seems the most logic idea, but it seems that Nightblade have also very good interesting skills.
I don't know guys if someone of you with experience can help me to decide. Maybe someone has already experience with both classes and know what is the right/ better decision.

Thank you.

IcyDeadPeople · January 2017

Magicka NB is more fun IMO, but a bit more challenging. Maybe download the PTS client and try them both, see which you prefer.

Turelus · January 2017

Nightblade is more of a sneaky/dark magic caster. I play one as a mage but you only really have one ranged "mage" ability (Strife) the rest are buffs, sneaks and closer ranged attacks.

Sorcerer will give you much more options of Magicka abilities at range.

Enslaved · January 2017

Sorcerer - If you use pets, you can command them. Better mobility, better self heal, solid aoe, better execute. Only con I could see is no cloak and maybe epileptic seizure after a while, since all skills are so damn flashy.

WuffyCerulei · January 2017

I find both classes are very adept with range and have good self heals (power surge for sorcs and Strife for NBs). However, for pure potential, sorcs have the most for em. They have possibly the best ranged Ultimate, which is Overload. They also have strong shields have can go well above their health. The only downside is that they lack a spammable ability, so they rely on Force Pulse a lot. However, this procs Crystal Fragments a lot, which hits pretty hard.

Tryxus · January 2017

Both classes have a solid toolkit to be a ranged caster in PvP: great burst, great mobility,...

But I'd have to say that the Sorc is a bit better than the NB in that area. Sorcs can buff up with Major Sorcery using Surge whereas NBs need a target with Sap Essence or Entropy, they can also instantly move with Streak whereas NB need to have a Shade up and a Sorcs ultimates are ranged (Atro, Overload and Negate) vs the NB melee ultimates (Soul Harvest, Veil and Soul Tether).