Magicka NB viable? or is stamblade much more powerful (ENDGAME PVE + viability in current pvp meta)

durojerb16_ESO · February 2017

Returning player here, my questions are :

1- For engame PVE DPS how viable are mageblades vs stamblades in terms of (+ how likely are you to find groups for b) & c)) :
a) endgame soloing
b) endgame small group content (mostly veteran dungeons and stuff)
c) endgame trials

2- in terms of PVP viability in the current meta :
a) Saw a few heavy/ambush/surprise attack/incap (including variants) combos for stamblades and I get the ganking and small scale battle potential, but how about large scale? So Zergs pretty much
b) How are mageblades doing in pvp overall? doesnt seem bursty at all and seems predictable x1000

I guess the play style can change according to gear, but idk any of the sets or what they do, so if you guys could provide some info of why stamblade + certain set >>>>> mageblade with any set per se.

Thnx! (playing a lvl 50 low champ lvl NB (90ish))

thankyourat · February 2017

The good thing is you can play both by just making sure you level up all your abilities and armor types. That's what I do I just respec if I want to play stam or mag. But I think magblade is a lot more viable once you get the playstyle down For both PvE and Pvp. In PvE nightblade as a class is in a really bad spot if you are into trials, but for everything else they perform well. In PvP magblade is more beneficial for group play, and stamblade is a little better for solo play. And magblade is really strong 1v1. I think what's putting magblade over stamblade in PvP is that magblade play really well in heavy armor and that's the strongest armor for PvP. Also to note magicka builds are alot easier to play PvE. Maelstrom is cake on a magblade

Darth_Apache · February 2017

I play a stamblade in PvE. I'm very happy with it but I have always been tempted to make a Magblade as well. I just don't operate well with Magika.

I'm curious to see what kind of comparisons this post will get.

Does anyone have experience with playing both a Mag and Stam blade?

If so what do you prefer?

Tryxus · February 2017

MagBlades are one of the better classes for solo PvE (bested only by the Mag & Stam Sorcs) due to them having access to several Heals like Swallow Soul, Sap Essence and Refreshing Path as well as a Damage Shield from the Light Armor Skill Tree. They are also very mobile and can output good damage too

For regular group play, both are fine. StamBlades can hit very hard, but MagBlades are less reliant on the healer (same reasons above) which is interesting for certain dungeon mechanics. In trials, most ppl prefer Magicka DPSers.

PvP-wise, MagBlades still perform very well, being able to play both solo as well as in groups. Our burst recently was increased (Assassin's Will proc from Merciless Resolve) and we are far from predictable

Cronopoly · February 2017

Mageblades (or anyone) armed with the Destro Ultimate(s) does alot of damage in a wide AOE area. One of the, if not the most powerful spells in the game.

One so called niche meta in PVP is the "Destro Bomber" with the Destro staff "Eye of the Storm Morph" which centers the storm on you. Mageblades are suited to it due to the Lotus Fan gap close, and Sap Essence AOE/Heal - Basically cast Ulti and gap close to stick to the center of said group while Sapping for dmg and health.

Tons of variables regarding gear but the same premise gets ALOT of kills "against the uninitiated"...Bain Batman quote. You also die alot too...

P.S. In PVE you'd obviously pick the other morph so you could place the "Finger of God" spell 28m away on the Boss.

Izaki · February 2017

Stamblade is addictive in both PvE and PvP. Once you start you won't stop. Even my other main, my magicka sorc, hasn't seen as much play time lately.

People might tell you that Stam NB is garbadge in PvE. While I would agree, my 41-42k self buffed DPS checks beg to differ. They have a much higher skillcap too and they have lots of room for experimentation unlike other stamina builds.

Magicka NB... Is basically a harder and less effective version of Sorc. But that doesn't mean they are in a bad place like everyone says. Yes they have less max DPS potential, but similar to stamblade the skill cap is really high. I have a mate who mains magblade and he's beaten lots of sorcs and DKs in terms of DPS checks on Bloodspawn. The rotation is a pain, but its fun.(plz don't refresh your path as if it was an 8 sec DoT)

Overall, NBs aren't in a good spot theoretically. But they are fun and they can pull more than their weight if you're willing to put in the work. You can make DKs jealous

my opinions here.

PvP... I haven't been out there lately cause I need to prepare all my chars for next patch so I'll let someone else voice their thoughts.

Silver_Strider · February 2017

In PvE, both Magblade and Stamblade are bottom tier as far as competitive Trial Groups are concerned, although Magblades are probably more desirable due to their better survivability.

Solo play, Magblade is generally better as they have good selfheals, damage and mobility while at ranged, on top of damages shield potential

Olen_Mikko · February 2017

With my magblade, i still can easily solo normal dungeons, like Fungal Grotto, Banished Cells and Elden Hollow.

Imo stamblade is better for pvp, as they can do lot more single target damage, while magblades offers better surivability and can help groups wiping groups.

durojerb16_ESO · February 2017

And about weapons, would you still go destrostaff / DW? I heard DW got nerfed in a way that it only gives extra weapon dmg or something.

Oreyn_Bearclaw · February 2017

Unless you are trying to be a straight up ganker, I think mageblade is better than stamblade in PVP. There is nothing wrong with either from a PVP standpoint. I got a buddy that can blow up a zerg with his mageblade, its pretty amusing.

In PVE, mageblade definitely got some buffs, but I am not sold they are as good as a sorc. Both play at range. We had one mageblade in our VMOL HM clear, and he does just fine. Leveling/Solo/4-man/VMA, they are also really strong. The are great for pugging because you get really nice heals.

Stamblade is IMO the toughest class to play in competitive PVE. They can pull very good numbers, but you need VMA weapons and the rotation is very tricky.

FerrumnCutem · February 2017

Stamblade is easy to learn, but takes sometime to actually master and play skillfully.
Magblade is the same in regard to learning curve but has more interesting mechanics due to their healing potential and the entire buff/debuff system there is to master.
I have played both but feel like magblade is definetly the more fun of the two.