As a Magblade how could you not like it? It’s obvious that the devs are trying to curb NB dps so changed merciless. They took away the damage buff and added a heal and mitigation.

How could they buff it more? Add a stun? An I win button? I don’t get the complaints at all.

I mean, have you seen our rotations

Narvuntien wrote: »

What are you talking about with RAT reference I am confused...?

I think he means limited bar space and the devs removing ‘overlap’ in our abilities will make it almost impossible to slot everything. A lot of builds won’t be able to have RAT (Race against time) and Merciless.

I really hated this change on paper but after testing it I think that it's alright to be honest. 3% mitigation per stack might be a bit too high tho, needs to be tested out and maybe finetuned. I really like the idea to add some mini-games, same reason why I start liking the new essence thief set. Grim Focus now feels interesting and unique to use again which is very important for a core class skill.

The thing which I don't like tho is that it makes heavy armor builds even more tanky, which are meta since years now but I think this is an issue for itself. Heavy sets and sword and board could really need some nerfs (or 2h, bow and dw buffs).

Heal based on damage is pretty ridiculous. Another post in another thread had detailed out some “heals” they actually received from it. 5 GCD proc for 1 vigor tick sounds stunning...

Now they only have to nerf cloak for stam NBs and the class will finally be as strong as the other 4.
1 or 2 more little buffs for mag NB would be nice tho.

Very hard choice between "Yes" and "Has too many sick RATs and got the plague."

Ended up to vote Yes regardless. And why that's so?

I'm playing as solo mag blade and adapted non-cloack playstyle at live servers. My whole backbar is filled with different kind of protecting buffs, including shield, heals and shady stuff like dark cloack and shade. I did not suffer from snares earlier and I'm not gonna remove essential skills in order to slot RAT. I move with shade.

When I did read that dark cloack got nerfed in PTS, that was giant disappointment and that of course is another topic of its own whether that skill should get buffed again and how much.
However these news of increased damage mitigation for my class via Grim Focus were pleasant news due it does decrease the amount of damage I receive and therefor my heals have less left to overheal and my shields lasts slightly longer.

And before someone screams "DID YOU TEST THIS OUT?!??112#", I can say I did and I also did like what I saw in PTS server.
It's not really an issue to hold the bow a bit longer when I'm under higher pressure and wait for the burst window, when my combo is ready. And at those moments when I fire my bow, I of course throw all gained mitigation out of window, but it's not really problem to re-active shield/buffs and start pressuring enemy again. My playstyle did not change and I'm more than fine with that.

TriangularChicken wrote: »

Now they only have to nerf cloak for stam NBs and the class will finally be as strong as the other 4.
1 or 2 more little buffs for mag NB would be nice tho.

Yea, magblade will be in a good spot with all these changes (for pvp), I’m sure of it.

The only thing left to address is maybe the size of refreshing/twisting path. I remember saying the heal on refreshing is strong enough... now thinking about it I’m not sure. 6 target limit and someone has to get 4 tlcks to heal for just as much as combat prayer.

The HPS is double that of ritual, but it also has a shorter duration and no secondary cleanse effect and no snare.

If increasing the value would make it OP then increase the size at least. I still use it now in pvp because it’s a shadow ability plus another form of hot. Some change in either duration, size, value... whatever would be nice. Literally the only thing left outstanding to resolve for NB from my perspective.

Increasing the execute range on impale to 35 or 40% and reducing the damage a bit would also be a good change for pvp, but I’m fairly sure the pvers would go insane. Best for ESO to leave it and not upset the pvers for a pvp issue, because pve and casual players are ESO’s base.

P.S. - melee/stam also don’t have easy access to expedition. With RAT the value of expedition on path will go down, but will help stam not be perma kited by magicka using RAT... if the size is increased.