People rerolling and leaving game over Nightblade broken/underpowered

Worstluck

Got my Nightblade to VR10 last week and to be honest, I haven't played him since, except to craft/research, get my hireling stuff and feed my horse. I just don't find the class fun anymore and after spending 100k+ gold on respecs to try find something I like playing that works, I am done with him. I am specced tank and it works good, but I don't find it entertaining. I enjoyed pvp as a stealth melee/bow user, but I found that now that I have dropped vampirism, the default stealth speed is just too slow for me. Started a DK, already up to level 30 and loving it.

I am glad there are people out there who enjoy the class as it is, and have found builds that work for them, but there is no way anyone can say with a straight face that the Nightblade is as powerful and as useful as a DK or a Sorc (sorry templars, don't know anything about you). I have no plans to quit the game based on this, but it sure would be nice if they can fix the broken abilities and possibly rebalance some of the skill lines.

Lazrael

Honestly at this point, I don't even care if my NB is underpowered next to other classes. I am just freaking sick of abilities just NOT WORKING! Passives don't work. Speed buffs from Conciled Weapon don't work half the time. Actives have being activated to no effect. I'm over it, and if ZOS would just address that they are aware of the issues, are working to fix them, and would give us some sort of idea on approximately when to expect a fix, I would probably be more understanding.

scy22b14_ESO

Hey, a comment from Zenimax...

Oh never mind, just another copy/pasted warning post. The customer relations from this company are among the worst i've ever seen.

OkieDokie

Jaxom wrote: »

Sadly, anything below VR is pretty easy. I had a melee build prior to hitting veteran rank but you WILL hit a brick wall with that build even at VR1. You just cannot compare anything before VR and say it's apples to apples. It just isn't. I'm VR3 almost 4 and I've respecced 3 times now trying to find something that works. Unfortunately it looks like going Resto staff with Siphon is what is working at this point. You will understand soon enough just how difficult it can be as a NB.

I'm at vr1 and I walk over content pretty much the same way I did in coldharbour (always played solo).

I just feel class skills should cost less for more sustainability in high level content (I can see a problem with mobs in the future, but at vr1 that is not an issue at all) and clearly our top class skills need some love.

Lazrael

scy22b14_ESO wrote: »

Hey, a comment from Zenimax...

Oh never mind, just another copy/pasted warning post. The customer relations from this company are among the worst i've ever seen.

Exactly, this thread is nine pages long, and has spent the past week in the "Best Of." I would think that would be enough to deserve some form of ACTUAL response from a Dev. Really disappointed.

Laurai

Lazrael wrote: »

they are aware of the issues, are working to fix them, and would give us some sort of idea on approximately when to expect a fix, I would probably be more understanding.

Well, they are aware.


http://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/discussion/96581/nb-get-s-a-fix-in-1-2-patch-way-to-long-to-wait#latest

I would wish for some more communication from the devs/ cm's though.

Lazrael

Laurai wrote: »

Lazrael wrote: »

they are aware of the issues, are working to fix them, and would give us some sort of idea on approximately when to expect a fix, I would probably be more understanding.

Well, they are aware.


http://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/discussion/96581/nb-get-s-a-fix-in-1-2-patch-way-to-long-to-wait#latest

I would wish for some more communication from the devs/ cm's though.

Well from reading that, its still kinda comes across that fixing a class is taking the back burner to adding more content, which if you ask me is a major misstep. More communication from the Devs seems somewhat imperative at this point. But seriously, making a whole class function properly is not something that should be left to wait, it should be something that is a major priority.

Grim13

1.2!? So, what's that? Another $15 to $30 until my class works!?

wow

Shinjocher

More like... 1.0.9 --> 1.1.0 --> 1.1.1 --> 1.1.2 --> 1.1.3 ... and so on till we reach 1.2.0
Atleast i espect that will happen with the lack of feedback from some Devs who love to play silence... its fun to play a class what is completly ignored.

Mucera78

Lazrael wrote: »

scy22b14_ESO wrote: »

Hey, a comment from Zenimax...

Oh never mind, just another copy/pasted warning post. The customer relations from this company are among the worst i've ever seen.

Exactly, this thread is nine pages long, and has spent the past week in the "Best Of." I would think that would be enough to deserve some form of ACTUAL response from a Dev. Really disappointed.

It would only deserve a response if the nine pages were actually people complaining.
Yet quiet a few people of all levels are saying the class is very much playable and for many of us, fun.
The only reason this has 9 pages is because of the thread title.

A lot of nightblade abilities are bugged but if you leave the game for that, then it wasnt your game to begin with.

ensignedb16_ESO

When starting the NB I thought I'd try to tank the dude a bit, and that actually was as bad an idea as it sounds. Didn't work properly as I imagined, so I respecced all armor points into medium, but I found the one active ability from heavy armor very useful still, i.e. Immovable (morphed to unstoppable brute). Try wearing to-three pieces of heavy and you also get a small weapon damage increase as well. When going melee as an NB this has turned out essential for me, it's one of the few ways I can endure longer battles in close combat. It boasts a powerful damage/knockback/immobilize shield that drains a bit stamina, so I need to calculate a bit to spam it right, since I go dual wield in melee (bow in the other, typical I know). From here you can be creative with the class skills which drain magicka, for instance concealed attack, ambush (has a next attack bonus damage thing), swallow soul etc.

I've been having a lot of fun ganking in Cyrodiil with this, but the reason you don't see any purely NB focused groups is because no one found a proper way to cc with them i guess. The NB skills have several (minor to medium) snare effects though, so if used in tandem it could maybe work well, but haven't seen a lot of that yet (maybe because it doesn't work at all? :P). In large battles they are always the weak link, and the ones who die first (if going close combat that is).

I don't think they are underpowered. Well maybe a bit. I played sorc in the beta so I don't know about the changes either.I do think however it is hard to keep up with the playstyle of the AoE trains of 20+ vets coming down the hillside spamming their cost-effective cc spells, when being an NB. And the only way to counter that is with several high level tanks, plus all the others of course. Bottom line for me is, they make lousy tanks, not even remotely useful ones (guess no one knew that huh). At the same time I think it's challenging that the class needs to played very differently from the others, and not necessarily a mechanical flaw. But still they do less damage overall than the other classes, whichever way you see it. The fault lies maybe in that it's nothing dedicated on either side of tank/healer/dps, and hard to find its real strengths (the existence of which I wont be discussing, since I'm not sure they exist). VR1 and I consider starting a new char, sorcerer of course.

tl;dr - if you're impatient and want to do aoe damage, choose another class for Talos' sake.

Aziz006

Enough complains about NB. Havent you enjoyed your class at some point?
For my case, I really enjoy selecting your target and eliminating it before his/her buddys

ensignedb16_ESO

Well I've had a lot of fun with my NB, dont get me wrong. With the right combos he can deal really high single target damage. Reapers mark + lethal arrow while stealthed can deal well over 1k crit damage, in addition to the poison DOT and healing reduction on enemy. But using it as an opener is difficult, since it reveals you to the enemy and all other allies immediately. Anyway I think people looking for the ultimate assassin in this game, the guy who can pick off people anywhere and get away time and again, will be disappointed. People alone, yes, but single targets in groups, even tagging just behind a group, no chance in hell.

It is possible to take on several targets at once, but I have not found an effective skill combo for that yet. I know how the Drain power skill can complement the dual wield (along with haste and siphoning strikes), but it really is crucial that you are not stunned or snared a single second to make it. Hence the immovable skill, so to a certain degree it is possible. But once again, the damage output in comparison to other class skills at same level is way lower. I only wish they made it easier to actually choose the assassin way of playing, and not that guy who always who reveals himself at the wrong places AND times, always, and barely kills a single target before getting steamrolled by the targets' friends.

khele23eb17_ESO

Mucera78 wrote: »

It would only deserve a response if the nine pages were actually people complaining.
Yet quiet a few people of all levels are saying the class is very much playable and for many of us, fun.
The only reason this has 9 pages is because of the thread title.

A lot of nightblade abilities are bugged but if you leave the game for that, then it wasnt your game to begin with.

Theres playable and theres good enough to be competitive. Cant wait to see how many dps nightblades Crag leaderboard raidgroups will have.

McWoody

I hear a former WoW player whining on the forums...

Dude, chill out, the game has literally been out barely over a month. Quit the crying and just play the way that makes you have fun (hey look a video game!) and if you die, tough titties, you're alive again and get to go die somewhere else. The game will balance itself out over time, it's best not to get caught up in the "BUT HE GOT MORE ICE CREAM THAN ME!!!" crap.

vicNBitis

frwinters_ESO wrote: »

No WAY are NB under powered. If you use stealth right I can usually kill an enemy in three to 4 attacks.

I primarily do Melee. Right now im lvl 47 im coldharbor and this is what I do.

Khajit - Stealthy rank 3 i get 10% dmg attacking from Stealth.


Go into stealth, use Ambush, Surprise Attack, Heavy hit, Rapid Strikes - Dead

Depending on if i crit sometimes they are dead after Surprise attack. If im closer to my enemy i wont even use ambush and go right for Surprise Attack. Ive one shotted enemies from stealth this way many times. I say this happens 50-75% of the time with my crits and bonus dmg from stealth.

I take on mobs of three easy. Usually using above method by the time im done with that rotation first guy is down, other mobs are just approaching me. Shadowy Disguise, rinse and repeat. I get a few hits but never go below 80% most of the time. there are always hiccups, unexpected snares or immobilization's at times, but the majority of the time, I am wrecking the enemy.

Im sure people are gonna say when i get to the VR ranks it wont be as easy. Probably not, but I know I will learn to adapt.

Plus with all the threads stating a lot of NB powers are broken and im doing the damage im doing? I cant wait for them to be fixed, then I am sure we will see tons of threads on how over powered the NB is. Im sticking it out and you all should too!

NBs are OP when it comes to single target, non-bosses. I don't think anyone would disagree with that. But, yes mostly in VR, you will be dancing around in circles repeatedly going invis and doing your intricate ballet(which if you screw up chances are you'll be shaking hands with death) while around you DKs and sorcerers will be repeatedly mashing two keys and WINNING. Sure, you'll be cuter in your super sexy armor with the kitty cat ears but they'll be VR10 and enjoying all of Craglorn while you are busy furiously leveling destro staff so you can join the party. Killing one target at a time is a viable way to level. My Khajiit NB is VR9 and I've done that since launch. It's just wayyyyyyy less than optimal once you've tried out those other two classes. Yeah, you stab and quest all week to get 5 levels...I'm going to spam AOE and get that tonight. Enjoy!

Lazrael

Mucera78 wrote: »

Lazrael wrote: »

scy22b14_ESO wrote: »

Hey, a comment from Zenimax...

Oh never mind, just another copy/pasted warning post. The customer relations from this company are among the worst i've ever seen.

Exactly, this thread is nine pages long, and has spent the past week in the "Best Of." I would think that would be enough to deserve some form of ACTUAL response from a Dev. Really disappointed.

It would only deserve a response if the nine pages were actually people complaining.
Yet quiet a few people of all levels are saying the class is very much playable and for many of us, fun.
The only reason this has 9 pages is because of the thread title.

A lot of nightblade abilities are bugged but if you leave the game for that, then it wasnt your game to begin with.

Not saying that I intend to leave, nor am I saying I don't enjoy my class. I do think there are some issues, with the classes current design, but that is far from a major issue. But I do think that the amount of bugs in the class is a major issue that deserves more formal addressing.

Outside of that, yeah, I suppose it is a rather eye catching title.

I've been a ES fan for a very long time, and I really enjoy this game, but if you ask me, love for something give you all the more reason to criticize it's flaws, and paying for something gives you every right.

Selodaoc

If your going melee stealther in pve, you pretty much have to figure out if a open world boss/public dungeon boss is stunnable or not.
Then you use stealth > suprise attack > stealth > suprise attack > stealth...
If you dont, you are screwed against everything.

And then there comes a DK or Sorc and just spam one button and kills it in 1/10 of the time.

If your fighting 2 normal mobs, you can manage to take one out by crouching > suprise attack, but fighting the second target becomse soooooo extremly slow since you dont have the opener anymore and are limited to using your weak ass dmg skills. Your also out of most resources by now, even using siphoning strikes.

Corithna

dardywood69connectb16_ESO wrote: »

Dear NB out there,

I play a v10 NB with decent Gear.
I've had no trouble at all going through the vet ranks. Our class has the most enjoyable power out there: invisibility. So maybe playing a stealth CC build to lvl up is not what you wish for, and you want to kill 5 mobs in 10 secs like a DK. But do not tell me it is hard to lvl up when you can chain CC pretty much 99% of the mobs out there.

Concerning the PvP, I really enjoy playing an assassin and I think NB perfectly fits the role. I can see a zerg go by, kill the last guy, and vanish before anyone can do anything. I can go invisible long enough to flee after killing a guy in a group of 5-8 enemies. I can 2v1 vet10's because of the insane burst and the survivability stealth and pots give me. Yes, there's a reason one of our passives (this one works!) has increased effects on pots.

I can play in Cyrodiil for 4hours straight without being killed, and killing around 10 players an hour. How much more of "assassin-like" can it get? This is solo pvp of course, but in general assassins are lone souls.

So before complaining, please just work on your build and understand the way a class is meant to be played "efficiently". The "play the way you want" argument is still valid, but ZOS never said you could be OP the way you wanted.

Now it is true that there are lots of bugs with passives, and we are all missing like 10-20% crit because of that. It is true that the shadow cloak does not cure a lot of Dots and that you can't cast it unless you have a minimum amount of Magicka left(test it, the minimum requirements to cast my 400 magicka cloak is actually 700magicka! The skill icon is greyed out and the skill is unusable unless I have 700magicka... Yet when I use it it costs 400... O.o).

Despite all of that, I think NB is an effective assassin. And when you think about it why would you roll a nightblade if you just want to AOE the *** out of people?

Be smart, use ruse, use stealth and invisibility... Become a shadow... and watch enemies look for you for 10 minutes after you killed a slacking-behind friend of theirs.

Bottom line: We just need the passives to work, no tweak is needed in my opinion. NB might be the hardest class to master but it is well worth it imo.

Edit: I am Breton, medium armor, DW&Two Handed... Not a khajit heavy blabla...

Absolutely this! Of course part of the major issue many people see is that after playing another class that they've spent the time on figuring out what works well together in terms of their passives and skills they then assume that this knowledge directly translates to each of the other classes. And while this is partially true, there are many subtle differences that I think most people miss. Couple this with the fact that the younger a character the fewer skill points you have to spread around and the fact that such alts are more likely to be your crafting alts only compounds that issue. Needless to say if your not investing the same number of skill points into your combat abilities/passives you're not going to do as well. Additionally weapon choice can have a big impact on how you build your character. For instance if I try to dual wield right now with all my skills focused on bow/resto I'm not going to do very well with dual wielding.

I've been a night blade player for over seven months now counting the time on the pts. It is absolutely my favorite class in the game. And yes I play all four of them, twice over for each one. My advice for anyone just starting out in the game is first choose your class, then choose your weapon/secondary weapon. Built your strategy around these choices and make every point you put into your character count toward that focus. If you do this simple thing the game will reward you for your efforts. Flutter about with different weapons, builds, strategies, etc, and not only will it take you a hell of a lot longer to accomplish anything in this game, you'll also feel very weak compared to everyone else who's not so flighty. And that's true for every class in the game.

Selodaoc

NB CC is extremly weak compared to other classes. Even in that field we arent the best.

TheBull

Your 50 health recovery in combat/ 2sec will out heal the Night Blade Siphon skill line.

Try it. It can't kill anything.

Ravinsild

Do you think the build below would work at all? Is it viable? I am wanting to try this games version of a dark magician, black magic user...like an Affliction Lock from WoW or the Warlock from Dungeons and Dragons or something.

esohead.com/calculator/skills#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

Kangas

Stopped playing at vr3 on my main nb. Not sure if this means I am quitting or will gwlet reinterested. But its just too tedious.

Hortator Indoril Nerevar

v10 NB not willing to spend ages to go back and finish all the quests all over again as I finished all quests and shards and lore books before moving zones... not willing to do that again. Ready to quit.

My siphon skills dont even work. None of my dots, invis is derp short and slow.

Class is *** and im ready to just quit as starting again is a stupid solution.

Aoifesan

zac_sooleprb18_ESO wrote: »

v10 NB not willing to spend ages to go back and finish all the quests all over again as I finished all quests and shards and lore books before moving zones... not willing to do that again. Ready to quit.

My siphon skills dont even work. None of my dots, invis is derp short and slow.

Class is *** and im ready to just quit as starting again is a stupid solution.

Quitters never win. There are changes coming to make nightblades even better.

Aldrorius

From the "in progress know issues" thread:

Nightblade – We have many fixes coming to the Nightblade in our next patch, including fixes to abilities and passives that weren’t working properly, and adjusting the responsiveness in high-intensity combat. We’ll continue to monitor the Nightblade after we push these fixes live.

Grim13

^ it may be too little too late. The bad taste may be too strong for any fixes to wash away... lol

Seriously, I just was killed because 2 skills failed to fire, and my ultimate wouldn't work, but my ultimate points were drained... I have no issue with getting killed because I made a mistake, I needed another skill to aid the battle, or I just wasn't up to it that day... whatever! ..But I am sick to unsubbing from all of the broken stuff in this game... and I have very little faith in ZOS' ability to fix it in time.

FFS, my last death came from skills not working AND an enemy Pyromancer whose fireballs weren't being animated... but the damage was registering. LOL

Evergreen

Aldrorius wrote: »

From the "in progress know issues" thread:

Nightblade – We have many fixes coming to the Nightblade in our next patch, including fixes to abilities and passives that weren’t working properly, and adjusting the responsiveness in high-intensity combat. We’ll continue to monitor the Nightblade after we push these fixes live.

This is excellent news. Nightblade is and always will be my favorite class. I hope they fix the skill Leeching Strikes to return 4% health instead of the 2.4% its only returning right now even at max rank.

A few Nightblade skills need to be fixed but nothing that would cause me to want to leave the game or even this class. Once our skills improve just by being fixed, I think we could feel more secure in our class or that is how I see it right now.

Sleepwalker

Grim13 wrote: »

^ it may be too little too late. The bad taste may be too strong for any fixes to wash away... lol

It's been a month and a week. Whoever it may be "too late for" is way too fickle to be playing an MMO at its launch. Just sayin'.

Aziz006

Really, really bored respecs and trying new builds. Sad truth: NB is a sh*t nothing anymore.
P.S If anyone finds a way to make this sh*t work let us know.