Any tips on a Nightblade build?

ahspear37 · April 2014

Alright, so I'll get this out of the way right now and open myself up to criticism: I'm a noob. I've been playing Elder Scrolls since I was 8, but this is my first MMORPG. I understand that I'm a lowly noob, worth less than the gum stuck to the bottom of your shoe, and I'm cool with that. That's why I'm asking for help. I can admit that I don't know much about this stuff, but I'd like to enhance my overall gaming experience, and with your help, I believe that will happen.

So I'm a level 13 Nightblade right now, and I thought I was pretty happy with my build until I got on here and people are talking about how they laugh their way through this game, 1-shot killing mobs and fighting stuff in PvE that are much higher levels than they are, and I'm struggling a bit to be honest. I don't die too much, but I die every now and then, and I seem to really have to spam my funnel health to take down an opponent that's a higher level than me. I also usually can't take down more than 3-person mobs without dying, and even after those 3 I am usually at 50% health or less with no magicka.

Then yesterday, I joined my first group in a public dungeon, with a level 20 NB speced for DPS and a level 8 Sorc DPS. I was, for all intents and purposes, the healer, and we got STOMPED. I died a lot, and eventually I rage quit because we couldn't beat the boss of the dungeon.

My current build is leaning towards a Bloodmage/ Warlock, because it's been pretty fun so far and I don't like playing traditional classes.

Here's a link to my current build:

http://esohead.com/calculator/skills#mczdv0m0csc9M8IPqU8IPfV8IPPj8GFxZ8hes18IPwM85oL7hzdoQr6zdoQF8T7hzrqAi6MrqLw8v7uzanQ6NanU8C7Vczqa8F7IbzrJ6bzrK6bzrO6Mbuy6zIPAT8O7z6837z68zc7dzgePB6zgeXA8zf7MzNbo8zu7zzHfYE6zHfZd8zG7zzHQ3F8zI7czJIoX6zJIkL8zN7VzJZcY8zA7mzKpUN6zKTko6zKTkb8zL7VzK4EX

I'm only level 13, but I'm coming up to 15 soon and that'll bring BIG changes, so I thought I would ask now if I am heading in the right direction for a decent build, any recommendations for my swap weapon/skill slot, and any recommendation for future skill points. Also, I would love to hear pros and cons for becoming a vampire, and any benefits of trying to become one as soon as level 15 or if I should wait until I'm a higher level.

I know you don't have to help me, I also wouldn't blame you if you just plain don't want to help me. But I was always taught that if you don't know something, there's no shame in admitting it and asking for help. So I'm admitting it, I don't know much about this game at all, and any help I can get would be greatly appreciated

Sorpaijen_ESO · April 2014

I've not tried a nightblade healer but one thing that jumped out at me was the lack of a stamina-burning ability. Granted, you can burn stamina by blocking, interrupting and dodging, etc but it still could be handy to have a way to burn stamina offensively.

The Assassins Blade really shines against weak foes but with only five abilities I don't know that I would use that one since the foes need to be low on health for it to really shine. A more general-use ability would be more useful, I'd think.

Tactics-wise, the only warning flag that I see is the potential to use the 12-second hold and then have it broken either by another player or by your own attacks (DoTs are particularly annoying in this regard).

Just skimmed the post again and I don't see mention of which weapon/armor you use. That can have a dramatic impact.

RE: Vampires, it was my understanding that the "normal" way to become a vampire involved fighting level 40 foes. Granted, you could get some existing player vampire to bite you... it seems the ~intent~ was that you be in the 30-40s range but the mechanics seem to be there for you to change earlier (if you can get someone to bite you).

I don't HAVE a vampire yet, but looking over the info available, it seems like it's a lot of micromanagement (feeding) and some built-in disadvantages with some new skills to compete with OTHER skills on your hotkey bar. Werewolf, at least, doesn't compete with your other skills (as I understand it) - the werewolf skills replace your hotkey selections.

Tactics plays a large role in success, but there are some practical things you can do, like using potions (my alchemist makes potions that restore health AND stamina and then regenerate a little more over time after the initial bump).... and you can use food buffs to help, too.

gimmethecreepsb14_ESO · April 2014

I have a NB healer at my disposal that I enjoy too. A few things/tips/rants/whatever...

1. Don't worry about being a n00b. Most people who come from 10 years of MMO experience are n00bs in this game. Go to Glenumbra or any starting zone and tell people you're a nightblade healer, and see the oooh's and ah's or awkward lol's like they think you're kidding. You know. Because in their native WoW, Rogue's don't heal, and nightblade must be a rogue, right? lol. So don't worry about being a n00b.

2. It's the internet. Everyone says they wiz through this stuff. Hey guys, I just made a lvl 1 DK and killed Molag Bal. Must have happened now, right? But in all honesty the learning curve comes from knowing when/how to CC and use abilities, along with when/how to move to not get stomped by bosses and whatnot.

3. Your building a healing nightblade. We can call it a bloodmage, a warlock, a shaman, a chloromancer, a witchdoctor, a shaman, whatever. It's a healer, you're using resto staff and the siphon tree to heal with, so you need to accept that with siphon tree powers and resto staff (support weapon and support tree) Your DPS is going to be pretty bad. Funnel Health really is going to be your most significant DPS pretty much forever down that path.

4. Healing on a NB healer is tough at low levels because you don't have much in the way of an "oh crap!"button. Put all your healing powers on your bar when you're the healer, you'll need all of them, especially when you do your first group dungeon. Drop healing springs under where the group will be fighting the mobs as the tank pulls, pop off funnel health and throw a few mutagens (regeneration morph) out. I dont see any of the resto staff passives being taken in your build, you NEED essence drain and restoration expert. restoration expert has pretty good synergy with Mutagen and essence drain is literally free healing.

5. I'd go down the Shadow tree before going down assassination. path of darkness is pretty cool when you morph it for some self healing and the shadow barrier passive is really nice for survivability.

6. I'd go 5 light 2 heavy. Not 4 and 3, although I'm sure you're just doing that because of quest rewards and stuff.

7. Second weapon I'd go Destro-staff or Bow. Bow can bring some good CC and Destro staff can give really solid AoE later on. Either way, you're wearing light armor, keep the mobs away from yourself.

8. Vampirism is going to really do nothing for you early on. Mistform is really good but getting to vamp rank 3 at lvl 13-15 takes forever, it seems to level much faster for higher level players (35+) All it does before you get Mistform and supernatural recovery is get you killed by scamps (lol) shooting fire at you. Vampire for a build like this imo is preference, The passives are worth something if you don't cap them somewhere else. Undeath is REALLY nice but more for tanks.

ahspear37 · April 2014

Thanks for the input Sorpaijen!

In the link to my build it shows my armor/weapon but I have no problem putting it here: I go 4/3 Light/heavy armor and I carry a Resto staff to help recover magicka.

I just don't have a lot of offensive weapon skills right now that help me out because of the level, and my healing skills eat magicka unless it is my funnel health, which still makes me eat magicka if I have to spam it, which I normally do. I will look into that though, thank you for the suggestion!

As for food/potions, I guess it's just not an area I'm familiar with. In all my years playing TES I have never once used Alchemy, but I guess I have to change my tactics because it really does make sense to craft my own potions, especially if they have the potential to help like how you described.

Thank you again for your advice!

ahspear37 · April 2014

Thanks for the help gimmiethecreeps!

I'm just used to seeing people get torn apart on forums for being noobs so I thought I would get that out of the way lol.

I really appreciate your advice, it makes me feel a bit easier about how my character is playing. For a bit I was struggling with "Oh man, did I completely screw up my build? I'm not blowing through people like everyone else on here."

I will definitely invest in the Healing tree passives and re-arrange my resto staff skills to fit my skill bar.

I was hoping you'd say Destruction Staff! I built a (terrible) Dark Elf Templar Sorc, and although I completely screwed up that build, I did love using the Destruction Staff so I will definitely look into that for my secondary weapon.

Basically I just go 4/3 for the defense, but if you recommend 5/2 I will for sure give it a shot. Thanks so much!

Kyubi_3002b16_ESO · April 2014

My advice? either run resto staff, strife from siphon or invigorating drain (vampire)

The base of any good build is always to have at least 1 serious healing source.

ahspear37 · April 2014

Thanks Kyubi for the advice!

I tried to switch up my play style a bit more yesterday:
I added all of my healing skills onto my skill bar (instead of just 1)
put my armor 5/2 light/heavy
Concentrated more on snare and immobilizing techniques
and I basically breezed through 3 hours of game play.

I use a Resto Staff now but I have just turned lvl 15 and I think I'm going to add a frost destruction staff as my swap for the snare that comes with cold damage
I found yesterday that if I can slow an enemy I am pretty much guaranteed to outlast them by kiting. It isn't how I'm used to playing, but it was a lot of FUN.

Thanks everyone!

Kyubi_3002b16_ESO · April 2014

Agony gets things done in some fights

ahspear37 · April 2014

I usually only use that if I'm facing a melee/range combo mob. Normally I just cast cripple and then by the time they get close they die. I guess I just started thinking about ways to use my skills together instead of going "oh hey, this looks cool!" and hoping I'd have a use for it. Just smarter playing on my part, maybe I'm actually getting the hang of this lol.

Ozna · April 2014

I have a 42 NB Healer. I have pretty much maxed out siphoning, resto staff and light armor skills.

1.Gimmethecreeeps comment is pretty much on target
2. If you are a NB healer you are not dps and it will naturally take you longer to level than dps but you will be required in dungeons and high level content. You just have to be patient and get there which looks like you are.
3. Restoration Staff is your weapon period. I am able to take down 3 plus mobs at my level easily enough just takes awhile.
4. My bar looked like this around your level. Strife-Funnel Health(Main DPS forever), Agony-unmorphed for cc, Grand Healing->Healing Springs, Restoration-Mutagen, 5th can be whatever else you are leveling. ulitmate is Soul Shred.

Passives should be:
1.Essence Drain
2. Restoration Expert
3. Evocation
4. Recovery

I run with 5 light and 1 med and 1 heavy so i increase all my armor skills while i level and it wont affect you.

The way I would heal in dungeons during that time was funnel health on the mob, healing springs for the hot (healing over time) then grand healing as needed. On grand healing you can stack two or more on top of each other for some serious burst healing on people within the ring. You should also be constantly hard attacking a mob with resto staff as at the end you will regain magicka for more healing skills.

**When you can get the Warlock set as soon as you can 3 pieces. I am still wearing it at 42 because i get free magika every minute if i go under 33%. At 42 that is an extra 500.**

In case you are wondering at 42 here is my leveling/healing bar - yes they are the same
1. Funnel health IV
2. Mutagen IV
3. Healing Ward IV
4. Healing Springs IV
5. Siphoning Attacks IV - keep it off during question, on all the time in dungeons
6. Soul Shred for ultimate

I heal dungeons at this level, 42, by putting funnel health on 2-3 mobs after tank has engaged. Then i mutagen as needed and if someone drops i put a Healing Ward on them and this in combination with mutagen restores their hps quickly. If we are doing a pack of mobs then ill stack multiple healing spring IV in an area. I keep siphoning attacks IV on all the time and soul shred when full and in an oh crap moment.

For leveling i just spam Funnel health IV until the first mob is dead then hard hit another mob while getting magicka back and healing ward/mutagen myself as needed. I basically outlast them.

I hope this helps. Give me a tell in game as Ozna Bloodtail if you have other questions.

xMovingTarget · April 2014

Weel, i am running this http://esohead.com/calculator/skills#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

pretty decent build though. 4k crit away a mob with soul harvest stealth + stuns. and second set for the tiny bit of aoe purpose

ahspear37 · April 2014

Thanks so much for your help Ozna!

I would love to do the build the way you mentioned but I did notice it seems to take me longer to level than other classes. I am just trying to stay patient. The biggest problem I see is that without the Destruction Staff I really lack some solid AoE skills, but I guess if I am patient in the Mages Guild I can get the fire rune eventually. I just noticed, at least the way I've been playing, how much of a difference it makes (at least at my level) to be able to slow/snare an enemy.

I really like your combos you described though and I definitely plan on using your advice. Thank you so much!

--

Wow that's an awesome build MovingTarget! You definitely seem tough as hell. I just don't think I could roll a Rogue/Assassin type like that because I'm never been huge into them in TES. They take a lot of patience and stealth, which I have never been good at.

In TES I am normally a breach and clear 2H or (in Skyrim) a 1 handed spell/1 handed weapon user, so even just dedicating my toon to this style of play is stepping out of my comfort zone. I will say this though, I bet you could take on some very formidable foes. Remind me to avoid you if I ever do PvP lol

xMovingTarget · May 2014

nah mate. I struggle much with this build and die alot aswell. nightblades are pretty weak in later Veteran level. Since most you have is singletarget dps und you always have packs of at least 2. a 3 mob pack most of the time kills me..

always getting jelous of dragonknight or sorcs. they just run in a mob group, do a lil pew pew and everthing is dead within seconds. something we nightblades can only dream about.

ahspear37 · May 2014

I've thought about that a lot MovingTarget. It definitely seems like the Nightblade class struggles with taking out large groups, at least in the traditional "Jump in guns blazing" kind of way that other classes seem to do with ease.

For the hell of it though, I decided I'd try to roll a Sorc. It's ok, but I notice that they don't have much in line of healing skills and tend to be pretty glass cannon about things. I didn't really want to use a Resto staff again either (which I use for my Bloodmage), but it seems like if I don't cave and use one eventually then I'll wind up dying a lot come higher levels.

After a lot of thinking last night, I did in fact equip a Frost Destruction staff as my weapon swap. Honestly? It's awesome so far! My Bloodmage has always had trouble taking on groups of more than 2, so I was pretty much amazed last night as I carved through mobs of 3-4 that were a level above me. I just kept slowing them, snaring them, and draining them. It was almost too easy in comparison to how much I was struggling when I first created this thread.

Again though, I'm just level 16, I'm NOWHERE near facing the tough fights that come at VR, so I'm certainly not trying to compare the two. I'm just saying that, for my gaming experience personally, slowing down crowds of enemies seems to really work for my Bloodmage because it gives me time to kite them, recover my magicka, and spam Funnel Health if they are boxing me in. I'm not sure I would do as well, at least where I'm at right now, if I hadn't considered snaring and freezing for my CC.

Azzuria · May 2014

Nightblade Healer you say? Called it a Bloodmage, did you?

Color mama intrigued.

ahspear37 · May 2014

Have you tried that build Azzuria? I've made 3 toons so far, and The Bloodmage is the one I can't seem to get enough of. I made a "Holy Mage" Templar, and I hated it. I couldn't roll him right at all and I wound up deleting him. It was not a good experience for me. I also made a Storm-calling Sorc like I said in my previous post. He was okay, but I was dying a lot because he didn't have much on the lines of a healing skill.

My Bloodmage is SUPER fun though. Even when I was struggling with him early on (when I first posted this thread), in as little as a week I've adjusted my playing style (thanks to all the fantastic advice on here! Thank you!) and it's tough for me to ever sign off and put the computer away. I just want to keep playing him, keep figuring out new ways to take out mobs and out-think their power in numbers. When it comes down to it, at least in my experience so far, I've noticed that while you can't really run in and DPS everyone to death, you can use strategy to take down almost every foe you encounter. It's changed the way I look at this game, at least for that character. I'm having a ton of fun playing as a Bloodmage!

Dominulf · May 2014

I hope you enjoy struggling with a super buggy and outclassed class. My best tip for those wanting to play Nightblade is to not play one at the moment and wait for this game to finish looking like a beta with it's mechanics and balance.

ahspear37 · May 2014

Dominulf - I'm sorry you've had some poor experiences playing as a Nightblade.

Over the weekend I rolled a pretty legit DK, and maybe it's just because I play on a Mac, or I don't use any of the bugged skills, or luck of the draw, but I'm having a WAY more fun time playing as my Bloodmage than my DK.

Again, at this time I don't really use any other skills besides the Siphoning Tree and the Resto Staff, with a couple Destruction Staff skills mixed in. None of them are bugged or appear to be bugged as they don't really affect my game play and overall I am still pretty good at strategically defeating the groups I come along (for now at least, I'm not saying it'll last forever or that I won't reach an obstacle I can't beat). Overall I love playing my Bloodmage and I haven't run into any problems because of bugs. However, I'm not playing PvP yet nor have I gotten super far into the story so I could face those things later. That being said, so far the Bloodmage is still my favorite build.

As for my DK, I specced him for raw damage, AoE, with a bit of shielding. So far I've noticed a TON of bugs with this class. Again, maybe it's my Mac, maybe just the luck of the draw, but I'm finding it extremely difficult for me to play this class because many of my skills have like a 60/40 chance of failing and my sword swings don't always connect. It's been pretty nightmarish, and I love the character which is why I'm struggling to play as him instead of delete him.

tl;dr - No bugs from my Nightblade, lots of bugs from my DK.

Kyubi_3002b16_ESO · May 2014

Funnel health, Sap essence,healing ward, invigorating drain, unstoppable, devouring swarm on a restoration staff with 5 light 2 heavy

The base recipe to fun

I run veteran as NB healer vampire its quite enjoyable most of the time.

ahspear37 · May 2014

I totally agree Kyubi!

Except that I don't do vampire stuff yet. I'd like to wait until I'm at least level 30 before I start that quest line. I would like to become a vampire eventually though. Right now I use a Frost staff to slow/snare for my weapon swap, but once I pursue the vampire quest line I will probably switch back to a Resto staff for both weapons. I've really had no trouble with my Bloodmage though since I've changed my battle tactics. Once I made adjustments in that way, I was able to put the build I had to use and now I do pretty well for myself. If nothing else, there's never a moment I don't enjoy as my Bloodmage.

Beldorr · May 2014

Currently VR8 Magicka based NB, I've had 3 very different build while leveling and I've soloed almost all VR solo dungeons and almost all the publics (the VR10 was not soloed :P)
1-50 is super easy, so i'll elaborate on the VR evolution of my build.

VR 1-5. The money maker? Cloak + concealed weapon. its a 4 second stun with off balance. I've use a restostaff with this (+10% damage bonus) and you can get two heavy hits in before they are back up (+20% magicka and w/e regen). This is really useful when soloing dungeon bosses. Funnel health, crippling grasp with impale as my additional abilities.

Rotation: Sneak attack bonus from behind to start > cloak > concealed stun > health funnel or Grasp > 2x Heavy Resto Attack > Cloak > concealed stun

After VR6, I transitioned into see what the big deal is with sword and board. I could kill a VR9 white troll at VR5 with the prior stun happy setup. I learned you can block, shield bash and cast concealed weapon all at the same time. Its stupid, broken, and extremely OP (once you get the block passives with damage bonus ~lvl30 one hand and shield). So Hold block, spam bash and spam your concealed weapon. On trolls, I would open with the 4 second stun, bash their face in, heavy attack knock down at the end then cloak-stun repeat until dead.

Rotation: Sneak Attack > bash/concealed > bash bash bash> concealed > bash bash bash> mob dead. very elite.

Aziz006 · May 2014

Do not rely on bashing when building a new build. It is obviously OP and it is going to get nerfed

ahspear37 · May 2014

Thanks for the advice Aziz and Beldorrub!

Although I'm going to have to agree with Aziz on this one. They will probably nerf that skill if it's one that seems to break the game mechanics.

I play a Bloodmage with my Nightblade build, so I don't really ever intend to pick up a sword and board. As it stands I really like the mechanics of my Frost Staff Snare + Slow skill bar while I kite or my Resto Staff + leeching skill bar that I use to take on tough solos or melees. It has, at least to this point, really been boosting my survival rate and I've been having a lot of fun

Kyubi_3002b16_ESO · May 2014

I run bloodmage in veteran 3+

NB was my first class ive always been actualy better at NB then with other class to begin with maybe because im one with life leeching mechanics and build

ahspear37 · May 2014

I agree Kyubi, I love the leeching abilities of the Nightblade. I've never played an MMO before this one, and I really enjoy not having to rely on potions while I play. I can completely sustain myself and a group with nothing but my resto staff and my skill bar.

Relevant story -
I was running through a group dungeon last night and I was in a group with two Templars and a DK. It was pretty interesting as far as groups go. Anyway, as we came to the boss fight, the Templars were pretty overwhelmed by the boss attacks and the DK was dying. I, who was a level below them, switched to my Resto staff and starting going to town as a mixed DPS and healer, casting Funnel Health, Healing Springs, Mutagen and using my Restoration staff to recover magicka and use heal passives. I run 5/2 light heavy, so I was fast enough to dodge the boss' big attacks. Unfortuantely, the DK was not and he died. One other Templar rushed in and started Tanking, but he kept running out of range of my spells and wound up dying. With me and one Templar, with the boss at more than 60% health, we took it out. The Templar did DPS and I did DPS/healing, and because we kept moving and didn't stay stationary like the other two, we took it down in about 30 seconds... Afterword, while we all gathered outside the dungeon, the two Templars go "Were you DPS and healing???" They added me as a friend and one asked me for tips for his NB. It was a pretty gratifying experience.

Just thought I'd share that. I see that some threads aren't particularly kind to NB, and I'm here to say that I love this class and it's my favorite style to play. This class isn't at all broken or under-powered, it's all about how you build it. We can hold our own against bosses, while tanks and healers fall around us and look to us for help. It was an awesome experience. I plan on sharing any more that I have in the future.

Thanks again to everyone on this thread that helped me with my build!

williams226 · May 2014

nice

I am NB healer and have had similar problems to you. I just started using two resto staff ( tried bow and destro staff also ) but having extra regen helps I think....

I use for levelling solo PVE stuff

Funnel Health
Crippling Grasp
( either use Impale or Soul Magic just to level skill up)
Silver Shards ( to use up stamina and knock down affect )
Mutagen

Consuming Darkness

I was thinking of Entropy ( degeneration or structured entropy not sure yet as mage guild only level 2 ) or refreshing path instead of impale in the 3rd slot when I unlock it. Then I could drop Mutagen off and add another damaging spell. Even using refreshing path and entropy. With enough health return would should be pretty solid. Then again maybe would need a slot for syphoning strikes. So far I don't really run out of mana but then again sure that might change soon.

7 Light armour
Breton
Max Magika regen, All points into health, and gear into magika.

So far at level 20, I am doing fairly well killing packs of 3 mobs but I did struggle with Ice Troll 3 or 4 levels above. The main thing with this is you have enough health coming back, u get a speed boost from crippling grasp so you move around a lot. Concentrate on killing the first mob quick, usually before the 2nd/3rd get to you.

This setup does lack a bit of AOE though, maybe others can suggest what to do there but I havnt got that far yet. Really love playing the NB imo really fun class.

ahspear37 · May 2014

From my experience, there just isn't naturally a lot of AoE that you have at your disposal as a NB. It's just a learning curve that we have to get around. Here's how I do it though:

Lately I've been running this build: (I did have a Destruction staff but I switched to dual resto staffs and have been playing even better than before)

Resto Staff
1. Funnel of Health (strife morph)
2. Malefic Wrath (agony morph)
3. Crippling Grasp (cripple morph)
4. Healing Springs (grand healing morph)
5. Mutagen (regeneration morph)
U. Soul Siphon

With that build I can take out mobs of 3-4 solo that are at least one level above me. My tactics for Mobs of 3-4 is as follows:

find the ranged mob. initiate the attack (or if it's already initiated, attack this character first) with Malefic Wrath.
Cripple the rest
use resto staff to recover some magic
by now one or more mobs have reached you, spam funnel health on one. it should kill them quickly.
while kiting, recover magicka with with resto attacks and funnel health another mob down.
by now the ranged is done being immobilized, hit them with cripple
kill the second to last mob
take on the ranged mob 1v1, wipe them from the face of the earth
laugh manically as you walk away from the bloodshed with barely a scratch on you.

In my opinion, the key to a good Bloodmage build isn't AoE, it's distance. If you can keep enemies away from you, then you will be fine. Even ranged enemies aren't a huge deal, you just have to keep the melee ones from cutting you to shreds.

As for AoE, my best advice is to put a lot of time in the Mage's Guild so you can get Fire Rune (I haven't used it personally but I hear it's pretty good and worthy of a spot on your skill bar). At least where I'm at right now (level 22) I have no need of a true AoE attack because I've been able to out-maneuver enemies and tactically beat them.

williams226 · May 2014

with regen & funnel you dont always need to kite but you do need to dodge/block a few hits especially the strong attacks. Once one is dead other two are easy though.

ahspear37 · May 2014

Yeah you don't have to, I'll definitely agree with you, I just have trouble with blocking because I run on an old Mac so things tend to have a bit of a delay. My comp has an old processor and graphics card. I'm hoping to get a new one soon, but until then any time I use block it has to be a good second or two before I actually need to use it because the animation itself can cause my computer to lag. Minimum settings =/ lol

Grim13 · May 2014

Honestly, don't be one. You're better off picking a different class... just pick a race with stealth passives, slot medium armour, etc.. NBs are too broken, atm, to be worth considering. Trust me, NB becomes painful as a Vet...

Xnemesis · May 2014

The most effective combo I have found is an all magika based Nightblade so a Spell blade is more appropriate. I wear 5 light 2 med. I use pretty much all NB skills. I also use a Destruction staff. This is the build I use ATM

http://www.esohead.com/calculator/skills#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