Nightblade - Does it need a rework/update?

francesinhalover

No, because other classes need attention before Nightblade.

Lmao one of the classes ingame with the highest number of stam morphs and identity.
Make a post for wardens, sorcerers , templar.

MindOfTheSwarm

Yes, but just a few skills need updating.

francesinhalover wrote: »

Lmao one of the classes ingame with the highest number of stam morphs and identity.
Make a post for wardens, sorcerers , templar.

Having opinions on other classes is fine, but to make the case that NB has identity simply because it has Stam morphs isn’t a case at all. Especially, when those morphs are mostly obsolete compared to skills found outside the class lines.

Nomadic_Atmoran

Yes, but just a few skills need updating.

francesinhalover wrote: »

Lmao one of the classes ingame with the highest number of stam morphs and identity.
Make a post for wardens, sorcerers , templar.

Its almost as if on a discussion forums we have more than enough room to talk about all four classes. If you want those three to be talked about, go make a thread for them.

MindOfTheSwarm

Yes, but just a few skills need updating.

The way is see it I would do the following:

1. Remove cast/wind up time of Teleport Strike and make it instant.
2. Give Invis a cooldown of 4 seconds but make it last forever once active, add a 2 second period of reveal immunity on activation and make it free to cast. Also, give other skills buffs and extra utility while Invis or stealthed is active.
3. Move Blur and Grim Focus to Shadow line.
4. Move Cripple to assassination line and give it a Disease Morph.
5. Move Path of Darkness to Siphoning Line and make it a Blood Path instead, damage would be base line and one morph would be Disease and apply Minor Defile.
6. Move Veiled Strike to Assassination Line.
7. Give Ambush the armor debuff.
8. Give Surprise Attack the Empower debuff.
9. Change the Shadow Barrier passive to give Minor Protection instead.
10. Give Mirage Major Resolve instead of Minor Resolve.
11. Give Dark Cloak Minor Resolve instead of Minor Protection and increase its duration to 12 seconds to help it compete and increase its value.
12. Change Killer’s Blade and give a DoT.
13. Make Death Stroke the execute.
14. Buff Mass Hysteria.

Just my thoughts.

the1andonlyskwex

MindOfTheSwarm wrote: »

The way is see it I would do the following:

1. Remove cast/wind up time of Teleport Strike and make it instant.
2. Give Invis a cooldown of 4 seconds but make it last forever once active, add a 2 second period of reveal immunity on activation and make it free to cast. Also, give other skills buffs and extra utility while Invis or stealthed is active.
3. Move Blur and Grim Focus to Shadow line.
4. Move Cripple to assassination line and give it a Disease Morph.
5. Move Path of Darkness to Siphoning Line and make it a Blood Path instead, damage would be base line and one morph would be Disease and apply Minor Defile.
6. Move Veiled Strike to Assassination Line.
7. Give Ambush the armor debuff.
8. Give Surprise Attack the Empower debuff.
9. Change the Shadow Barrier passive to give Minor Protection instead.
10. Give Mirage Major Resolve instead of Minor Resolve.
11. Give Dark Cloak Minor Resolve instead of Minor Protection and increase its duration to 12 seconds to help it compete and increase its value.
12. Change Killer’s Blade and give a DoT.
13. Make Death Stroke the execute.
14. Buff Mass Hysteria.

Just my thoughts.

Do you want more identity, or buffs? All I see here is a list of buffs.

Urzigurumash

Yes, but just a few skills need updating.

I've seen one single StamNB in Senior BGs this patch, and they're in this thread.

MindOfTheSwarm

Yes, but just a few skills need updating.

the1andonlyskwex wrote: »

MindOfTheSwarm wrote: »

The way is see it I would do the following:

1. Remove cast/wind up time of Teleport Strike and make it instant.
2. Give Invis a cooldown of 4 seconds but make it last forever once active, add a 2 second period of reveal immunity on activation and make it free to cast. Also, give other skills buffs and extra utility while Invis or stealthed is active.
3. Move Blur and Grim Focus to Shadow line.
4. Move Cripple to assassination line and give it a Disease Morph.
5. Move Path of Darkness to Siphoning Line and make it a Blood Path instead, damage would be base line and one morph would be Disease and apply Minor Defile.
6. Move Veiled Strike to Assassination Line.
7. Give Ambush the armor debuff.
8. Give Surprise Attack the Empower debuff.
9. Change the Shadow Barrier passive to give Minor Protection instead.
10. Give Mirage Major Resolve instead of Minor Resolve.
11. Give Dark Cloak Minor Resolve instead of Minor Protection and increase its duration to 12 seconds to help it compete and increase its value.
12. Change Killer’s Blade and give a DoT.
13. Make Death Stroke the execute.
14. Buff Mass Hysteria.

Just my thoughts.

Do you want more identity, or buffs? All I see here is a list of buffs.

Well, the stealth cd could be regarded as both a nerf and a buff depending on how you see it.
As for the others it really depends on how you look at it.
The passive change was to accommodate Light and Medium armor toons easier access to Major Resolve and put it in line with other classes. Hence the switch around of the defensive buffs that the class already can access, but made more streamlined and smoother.

Teleport Strike cast time removal is a buff of course but almost every other gap closer is instant and so it would put it on par with those skills. The swap of armor debuff and Empower between it and Surprise attack would give more utility to Ambush while at the same time make weaving Surprise Attack smoother. It is a slight buff by swapping these but other classes have easier and smoother access to Empower. Teleport strike is very clunky to have in a rotation.

I did forget to address Minor Vulnerability, but I believe this could be given to Mark Target as I t fits thematically. In fact, it is entirely viable to have Major Breach on Teleport Strike and Minor Vulnerability on Mark Target.

The Dark Cloak morph is a buff for sure, but many players have already stated that it’s duration needs buffing which I agree. This is why I took away Minor Protection and gave it Minor Resolve. Thus trading off. Also, the buff gives it greater competition against Shadowy Disguise.

You could argue that Minor Protection on Shadow Barrier is very strong. But then again take a look at Ice Fortress. That gives Major Resolve and Minor Protection for a good duration for little cost. The swap around of these defensive buffs gives non heavy armor users easier access Major Resolve.

Mass Hysteria buff is needed, either that or nerf Turn Evil. But why nerf Turn Evil and punish all the other classes?

Apart from that, my suggestions were merely just swapping stuff around and what skills were on what lines. Personally I think path should be on the Siphoning line as it heals, the Disease morph idea gives more options for Disease as a damage type. Also, the reason why a Cripple morph should deal Disease damage. Disease builds just aren’t a thing really. Plus I think a blood path would look cooler than a red disco path.

I should have said remove cast time on Death Stroke too as I think others have asked for this.

Vevvev

Neutral on the issue.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ussCHoQttyQ

MindOfTheSwarm

Yes, but just a few skills need updating.

Urzigurumash wrote: »

I've seen one single StamNB in Senior BGs this patch, and they're in this thread.

So true. I understand the fear of buffing NB due to invis ganking but gank power comes from Two Handed and invis being spammable.
Remove spammable nature of invis and add a cooldown, and you directly nerf the frequency and ease of repeated ganks. While at the same, giving it reveal immunity for 2 seconds on activation gives it escape potential when it is activated.
Ganking is fine, but a failed gank should present clear opportunity for counter play.
People who argue that stealth having a cooldown is a bad idea are most likely the very gankblades we all find frustrating to deal with.
You could even have the cooldown be 8 seconds with 2 seconds of reveal immunity and it would still be a very strong ability. Of course stealth would have to last until it is broken if a cooldown were added otherwise it would be worthless.

MindOfTheSwarm

Yes, but just a few skills need updating.

Tommy_The_Gun wrote: »

- Mass Hysteria needs a tiny buff (1 or 2 additional effects) - because Turn Evil exists just fine and it is a guilds skill that is just outclassing a class skill.
- Healthy Offering morph should go back to health cost only (other morph stays).
- Some abilities should have cast time removed / reduced (for example teleport strike & morphs and Death Stroke & morphs)
- Consuming Darkness ultimate & morphs is probably the worst ultimate in the game. It either needs a rework or some substantial buff. Idk what that could be thought. Maybe it should "follow" you around, like the destro ulti aoe does.

Yeah Consuming Darkness is another skill.
I wonder if it could just give permanent invis while you remain inside it. Allowing you to attack at will while remain invisible. A bit like a smoke Bomb style of skill. Perhaps it could blind enemies that are inside it as an alternative.

katanagirl1

So the majority of comments in this thread are about mag skills and PvP. I think that says something.

Stamblade used to be the top dps class for PvE content and now no one plays it anymore.

My main is stamblade, and I ran a group dungeon today with my GM and some other officers with that toon, and got invited to try for a trials group. I was told I’d have to respec as magblade to participate, though.

I love my stamblade and thankfully am able to do all overland content solo with her, it’s just so natural with bow and dual wield. I may have to pick another mag toon to do this trial activity. Maybe with the new account wide achievements it won’t matter that I do trials on something other than my main toon. It’s just so sad that there is no class balance so you can have choices.

MindOfTheSwarm

Yes, but just a few skills need updating.

katanagirl1 wrote: »

So the majority of comments in this thread are about mag skills and PvP. I think that says something.

Stamblade used to be the top dps class for PvE content and now no one plays it anymore.

My main is stamblade, and I ran a group dungeon today with my GM and some other officers with that toon, and got invited to try for a trials group. I was told I’d have to respec as magblade to participate, though.

I love my stamblade and thankfully am able to do all overland content solo with her, it’s just so natural with bow and dual wield. I may have to pick another mag toon to do this trial activity. Maybe with the new account wide achievements it won’t matter that I do trials on something other than my main toon. It’s just so sad that there is no class balance so you can have choices.

Agreed. But this is more of Mag being safer and putting out more DPS. To be honest asking for players to rerole is bad form. People these days argue that 70k is not enough for vet content which is rubbish. I remember clearly when people were running Maw on hard mode and 20-30k being considered top tier.

maxjapank

A lot in here have talked about Mass Hysteria being poor compared to Turn Evil, mostly in terms of tanks and pve. I use the other morph, Manifestation of Terror, and have been pleasantly surprised using it on my healer in dungeons. Laying down two traps covers a much wider area. I can lay them down near each other, or put one on some add further away, while still hitting those where I am. You can have up to 12 adds being feared. In fact, you barely have to heal cause everyone is feared.

milesrodneymcneely2_ESO

Yes, it needs a complete rework from the ground up.

kendellking_chaosb14_ESO wrote: »

To be fair I think all the base classes need a complete rework their roles have been stepped on with the new classes. Nerfs over the years just been all over the place.

Necro showed that ZoS now know how to make a balanced class with a clear identity a fresh update for everyone would be nice. Let all the class be able to play any role but in their own way. Let’s be honest the whole “any class, any role” and “play your way” was not really a thing with Tanking being balanced for DK and Templars, healing being balanced for Templars and Sorcs and NB being the DPS baseline.

I'm with you on this one. The base classes need some tweaking, for sure.

But, the Nightblade needs real love. The class kit doesn't synergize all that well with itself, as many have pointed out. And the visual identity needs a little more punch. I LOVE the reddish-black theme that is an obvious nod to the schools of Illusion and Mysticism, but they're too understated and can get lost in the background very easily.

When you see a Warden, Necromancer, Templar, Dragonknight, or Sorcerer ability go off, you KNOW what they are instantly. That's not always the case with Nightblades. Sure, a few of their class skills are obvious, but most aren't. I want to SEE the nifty little "psi blade" animations on Veiled Strike, Assassin's Blade, Teleport Strike, and Death Stroke.

emilyhyoyeon

MindOfTheSwarm wrote: »

Oreyn_Bearclaw wrote: »

MindOfTheSwarm wrote: »

Oreyn_Bearclaw wrote: »

Mostly from a PVE perspective (Mag DPS):

For the most part, I just feel it needs a small damage buff. For the vast majority of the game, I would have said nightblades have a high ceiling, but a low floor in damage, because their rotation is one of the trickiest to perform. It really needs to be played dynamically, it is very dependent on a good LA weave, and the rotation is not very forgiving (damage falls hard with only a few mistakes). I was fine with that because I generally believe in rewarding skilled gameplay, and nightblades where perhaps the best at that. Now I just feel like that even when I am near perfect on my rotation on my NB, I am still behind a sloppy DK or Sorc in damage.

I think the best comparison to NB has always been Sorc. I have long believed that the best players would do more damage on a NB, but that most players would actually do slightly better on a sorc because the rotation is easier and a more forgiving. Now, it doesnt seem that tradeoff exists any longer. My sorc is much further ahead these days, and I am pretty decent on a NB.

I do still prefer NB as my main PVE DPS class. I like that I dont have to deal with Pets (sorc) or am stuck in melee (DK). Those are certainly the three classes that I play the most as a PVE DPS.

The poll is about class identity rather than damage buff or balancing issues. But. Yes, some abilities could use a buff here and there however.
The poll was trying to point out that the class feels off as a whole. The Assassination line doesn’t live up to its name as most options outside of the line are just flat out better. The Shadow line has like 2 abilities that could be really called ‘Shadow’ skills. Siphoning feels muddled in what it is trying to do.
You are correct on the difficulty on achieving high damage compared to the ease of other classes, this is another issue the class has.

NBs have probably had the most class identity of any class since launch. I dont think the identity has changed, I just think they are less effective than they used to be. Their PVE DPS identity has also been high single target damage with a difficult yet rewarding rotation. The only thing that has changed is that they dont do quite as much damage compared to the easier alternatives like sorc or DK. Hence, they need a small damage buff...

Blur is a defensive skill and has nothing to do with Assassination.

Blur and Veiled strike should be flipflopped IMO, thematically

edit-just noticed you said that in another post

Arkew

Yes, it needs a complete rework from the ground up.

when i see shadow ultimate skill, i sometime ask myself how they still not changing it after each pts cycle.

major protection bonus is low for the cost of this ultimate and are accesible from other source.

the synergize is good.

range is meh.

Tommy_The_Gun

Yes, but just a few skills need updating.

MindOfTheSwarm wrote: »

The poll is about class identity rather than damage buff or balancing issues. But. Yes, some abilities could use a buff here and there however.

Oreyn_Bearclaw wrote: »

NBs have probably had the most class identity of any class since launch.

Tbh. NBs having a lot of class identity may be true if you will look at their abilities & passives descriptions and animations & visual design. But this is all assuming someone is actually using a lot of NB skills. And this concept of NB having strong "class identity" quickly falls apart once you realize that for the most part, NBs don't use many of their abilities because their toolkit is very limited and almost every ability can be replaced by a weapon / guild / world skills (often a "better version" of a class skill).

Some people in this thread were saying that they only use one or two NB skills and even for me it is also true. I primarily do solo pve (overland, arenas, solo group dungeons) and quite literally the only NB skill I use is cloak, so I can skip the adds & save some time. Speaking of Cloak - even that can be replaced by vamp passive. So basically, if we ignore the animation "color" - then any class can have similar play style & identity as NB. True, vamp sprint invisibility requires some practice, but it is similar level of practice as for recasting cloak precisely so you would conserve magicka.

Tldr / bottom line: Class identity may be through the roof, but it is irrelevant if you don't have any reason to actually slot & use at least a couple of class skills, because (even when taking into account class passives) there are better skills outside of your class skills that will provide better toolkit.

colossalvoids

Pretty sure you can build literally any class without any class skills but that doesn't indicate that class skills are anyhow bad. Magnb using almost exclusively their class toolkit in pve, pvp is also a lot of class centric. Just as example from solo to group pve I'm using roughly 7-8 class skills between both bars, is that considered low or some people just plainly ignoring them for some reason I'm not aware of? NB might need a little push with st damage being their main focus, like assassin's blade buff (which is held by pvp currently cause you know, ganking) but surely they're doing not bad at all.

MindOfTheSwarm

Yes, but just a few skills need updating.

colossalvoids wrote: »

Pretty sure you can build literally any class without any class skills but that doesn't indicate that class skills are anyhow bad. Magnb using almost exclusively their class toolkit in pve, pvp is also a lot of class centric. Just as example from solo to group pve I'm using roughly 7-8 class skills between both bars, is that considered low or some people just plainly ignoring them for some reason I'm not aware of? NB might need a little push with st damage being their main focus, like assassin's blade buff (which is held by pvp currently cause you know, ganking) but surely they're doing not bad at all.

Being able to build out of class, and building out of class being hands down better, are two different things.

colossalvoids

MindOfTheSwarm wrote: »

colossalvoids wrote: »

Pretty sure you can build literally any class without any class skills but that doesn't indicate that class skills are anyhow bad. Magnb using almost exclusively their class toolkit in pve, pvp is also a lot of class centric. Just as example from solo to group pve I'm using roughly 7-8 class skills between both bars, is that considered low or some people just plainly ignoring them for some reason I'm not aware of? NB might need a little push with st damage being their main focus, like assassin's blade buff (which is held by pvp currently cause you know, ganking) but surely they're doing not bad at all.

Being able to build out of class, and building out of class being hands down better, are two different things.

So what are exact scenarios people are building mostly out of class on nightblade and being better at the same time? The only variants I can think of are gank or bomb pvp builds but I'm pretty sure no one would make a thread about this and identity.

MindOfTheSwarm

Yes, but just a few skills need updating.

colossalvoids wrote: »

MindOfTheSwarm wrote: »

colossalvoids wrote: »

Pretty sure you can build literally any class without any class skills but that doesn't indicate that class skills are anyhow bad. Magnb using almost exclusively their class toolkit in pve, pvp is also a lot of class centric. Just as example from solo to group pve I'm using roughly 7-8 class skills between both bars, is that considered low or some people just plainly ignoring them for some reason I'm not aware of? NB might need a little push with st damage being their main focus, like assassin's blade buff (which is held by pvp currently cause you know, ganking) but surely they're doing not bad at all.

Being able to build out of class, and building out of class being hands down better, are two different things.

So what are exact scenarios people are building mostly out of class on nightblade and being better at the same time? The only variants I can think of are gank or bomb pvp builds but I'm pretty sure no one would make a thread about this and identity.

Half of the votes have gone to a few skills need tweaking but I will list some of the common complaints for the class to illustrate.

1. Teleport Strike is clunky in rotations and often not used. Furthermore, Stampede is a better gap closer and thus Teleport Strike is not used in PvP either. Exception being bombers, however I would not be surprised if we started seeing bombers switch to Stampede with new patch. Removing the wind up for the skill and giving it better effects will help it compete.

2. Executioner is a superior execute to Killer’s Blade both in PvP and PvE. However, Impale is pretty good and I wouldn’t be surprised that in the next patch both Stam and Mag use Impale over Killer’s Blade for PvE. Executioner will remain for PvP.

3. Incap is actually decent for sustain and isn’t a bad choice for PvE. PvP however both Incap and Soul Harvest are trumped by other ultimates. This could change if the wind up/cast time were removed and it was instant. Also, on a personal note I think this skill would benefit from an execute bonus.

4. Mass Hysteria is just a poor version of Turn Evil currently. Why fear only 6 targets when Turn Evil fears all targets and gives other bonuses.

5. Blur is a defensive skill and one of its morphs is Mirage…. Very Shadow themed but is on the Assassination line.

6. Veiled Strike is a DPS skill and literally has more to do with assassinating than most other skills and yet it in the Shadow line. Makes no sense.

7. Siphoning line actually has great potential and should in my opinion double down on the whole blood theme. Give Cripple a Disease morph, make the skills more bloody aesthetically, possibly change Malevolent Offering and let it deal damage again while also healing allies to keep its healer status. Sap Essence as a heal is difficult due to range issues, maybe make it ranged like Elemental Ring not sure on this one.

8. Consuming Darkness is probably the worst ultimate in the game. Visually it looks awesome, but it what it offers for its cost is poor.

And finally that elephant in the room…

Shadowy Disguise. Broken in PvP due to its spammable nature. This skill could last 1 second and it would still be frustrating as hell to deal with. I’ve suggested a rework of this skill earlier in this post but essentially I am 100% positive it should have a cooldown of at least 4 seconds once stealth has been broken. Here is what I would recommend as a rework for it.

Shadow Cloak:
Cloak yourself in shadow to become invisible. This effect lasts until you are revealed, take direct damage or you activate a non-buff skill. Once this effect ends you cannot activate this skill again for 4 seconds.

Shadowy Disguise:
When you activate this ability you cannot be revealed by damage or reveal effects for 2 seconds.

In a nutshell you would be able to buff up, sprint, dodge roll all while invisible. But activating a heal or any ability that deals damage would reveal you. Furthermore, if an enemy is currently taking damage over time that you have applied then this would not break invisible either to compensate for the cooldown. Only activating heal and damage skills, taking damage or reveal effects would end invisible.

In a lot of ways this is a buff but at the same time it nerfs it’s spammable nature and gives opponents time to punish it. If 4 seconds proves too short of a cooldown, then it could be increased accordingly.

colossalvoids

And that wasn't an answer, I saw your buffs/nerf ideas posts before and agree with some of it obviously but an argument about not used class abilities falls flat in reality. You can easily check pve logs or pvp discords to see how NB bars usually looking like. If you're not using NB class skills that just means we're playing completely different fields here.

There's stuff to be tweaked (killers blade, teleport strike, hysteria, cast time on incap/sh etc.) without a rework or interfering with people's current gameplay but identity is a poor argument here because abilities are used and often better than other options. Still there's a lot to be desired, especially for mag counterpart in pvp.

maxjapank

While comparing Mass Hysteria and Turn Evil, you need to note that one costs magicka and the other costs stamina. One also costs less than the other. Also, one is also 5m radius and the other is 6m radius.

Not advocating for either one. But looking at the whole picture is important.

KhajiitLivesMatter

Yes, it needs a complete rework from the ground up.

kendellking_chaosb14_ESO wrote: »

To be fair I think all the base classes need a complete rework their roles have been stepped on with the new classes. Nerfs over the years just been all over the place.

Necro showed that ZoS now know how to make a balanced class with a clear identity a fresh update for everyone would be nice. Let all the class be able to play any role but in their own way. Let’s be honest the whole “any class, any role” and “play your way” was not really a thing with Tanking being balanced for DK and Templars, healing being balanced for Templars and Sorcs and NB being the DPS baseline.

"balanced" necro being op from release to atleast 1 year after
-atleast like 8necros per raid back them
-for pvp necro bash collous did 20k dps per second and aoe

thats not close to balance

Finedaible

No, the class and its abilities are fine as they are.

I think that if they go messing with Nightblades again it will result in more nerfs they never needed.

The only thing I am dissatisfied about with Nightblades currently is how many unique, class-defining buffs/debuffs have been taken from them over the span of several years. Nightblades used to be the only source of minor vulnerability for example. They just doesn't feel as unique or relevant anymore after Fighter's guild got an overloaded version of Mass Hysteria - not to mention that fear was exclusive to NB and Werewolf - two-hander got better executes, NB lost on-demand minor berserk, they can no longer pre-buff without a two-hander, all other sources of Major berserk got their durations increased back when major buffs got nerfed EXCEPT for Reaper's Mark which left their signature ability pretty weak even if it has no cost. Nightblades also lost their class purge... the list goes on.

I'm not saying some of those nerfs weren't justified for the sake of balance but they've taken so much from the class at this point that it feels like a hollow husk. It's far from its original vision.

Urzigurumash

Yes, but just a few skills need updating.

MindOfTheSwarm wrote: »

Urzigurumash wrote: »

I've seen one single StamNB in Senior BGs this patch, and they're in this thread.

So true. I understand the fear of buffing NB due to invis ganking but gank power comes from Two Handed and invis being spammable.
Remove spammable nature of invis and add a cooldown, and you directly nerf the frequency and ease of repeated ganks. While at the same, giving it reveal immunity for 2 seconds on activation gives it escape potential when it is activated.
Ganking is fine, but a failed gank should present clear opportunity for counter play.
People who argue that stealth having a cooldown is a bad idea are most likely the very gankblades we all find frustrating to deal with.
You could even have the cooldown be 8 seconds with 2 seconds of reveal immunity and it would still be a very strong ability. Of course stealth would have to last until it is broken if a cooldown were added otherwise it would be worthless.

I'm not sure. My only impression is the class could use a buff for how it fares against experienced players.

So many told me I was wrong when I said Warriors should wear Heavy, and Thieves should wear Medium. Now that the Warriors have been guided towards Medium - how are the Thieves doing?

peacenote

Yes, but just a few skills need updating.

I will admittedly say I am not a NB expert. Far from it.

I voted this way because it felt to me, based on my limited knowledge and what I read on the forums, that the vampire re-work stole a lot from NB identity and I'm a little surprised that hasn't come up yet in this thread (although I may have missed it). Or perhaps no one feels that way anymore.

I also thought I read that changes to NB turned them into less effective healers, after a short time in the sun where people were having fun with them. I was just about to level a character to try it when it started falling out of favor, so I never bothered.

Anyway, that's the rationale behind my answer.

MindOfTheSwarm

Yes, but just a few skills need updating.

peacenote wrote: »

I will admittedly say I am not a NB expert. Far from it.

I voted this way because it felt to me, based on my limited knowledge and what I read on the forums, that the vampire re-work stole a lot from NB identity and I'm a little surprised that hasn't come up yet in this thread (although I may have missed it). Or perhaps no one feels that way anymore.

I also thought I read that changes to NB turned them into less effective healers, after a short time in the sun where people were having fun with them. I was just about to level a character to try it when it started falling out of favor, so I never bothered.

Anyway, that's the rationale behind my answer.

Vampire skills is another issue that has been discussed recently. I agree that NB healer could use a bit of love, but I am thoroughly convinced that the key is in damage converted to healing. They already have a template with Funnel Health. Say they switched Malevolent Offering. To something like this:

Wrap an enemy in thorny vines that deal X Magic Damage every second for 8 seconds. The vines leech life giving blood to you and up to 3 allies within 12 meters healing you for 200% of the damage dealt.

This way you could set the damage quite low but it’s heal high while at the same time giving it that siphoning flavour. The morphs could do this:

Morph 1: Increase the damage and healing on yourself but no longer heals allies.

Morph 2: You and your allies healed by this ability also restore X Magicka and X Stamina.

Meanwhile, Sap Essence could be ranged like Elemental Ring or alternatively it could simply have a bigger AoE.

worrallj

No, the class and its abilities are fine as they are.

I think NB is fine but if I was a NB I'd be salty right now cuz dk whip basically got changed into a way more convenient version of relentless focus lol

maxjapank

peacenote wrote: »

I also thought I read that changes to NB turned them into less effective healers, after a short time in the sun where people were having fun with them. I was just about to level a character to try it when it started falling out of favor, so I never bothered.

I swapped from a Templar Healer to a Magblade Healer, and I am having a very fun time. Three of my main healing skills are available to any class. But I still have a burst heal similar to a Templar. And I have Refreshing Path, which is great for both healing and speed. The class heal ulti is exceptional and you are not locked into one spot like a Templar. And you can use an aoe dmg/heal and your own spammable heals you for a hefty amount. And the best is the fear, it is amazing to use on trash packs.