Basic SpellBlade Subclass Build?

ArchMikem · June 2025

For TES:V and now IV I've always defaulted to a SpellBlade character. Now with Subclassing I can do it here!

Thing is I am NOT a theory crafter. Best I've done so far is take my Nightblade main, and swap out Shadow for Storm Calling. Trying to at least get that Crit Surge ability, maybe Lightning Splash too.

tsaescishoeshiner · June 2025

Crit Surge is nice to feel tanky with a mage feel.

As far as dealing the most damage, it seems like the most popular combo right now is Assassination, Herald of the Tome, and Dawn's Wrath/Aedric Spear on an Arcanist base class.

So if any of those other 3 skill lines look interesting to you, that could be powerful, if you feel an Apocrypha/light theme would work. As far as healing skills, Herald of the Tome has Cephaliarch's Flail, Aedric Spear has Puncturing Sweep and Sun Shield, and Dawn's Wrath has Living Dark. So it depends on what you want to use for a spammable.

Ardent Flame is also represented a lot in parses, and you can throw some fireballs or do some fun (but not meta) tricks with Veiled Blade + Flame Lash.

ArchMikem · June 2025

tsaescishoeshiner wrote: »

Crit Surge is nice to feel tanky with a mage feel.

Ardent Flame is also represented a lot in parses, and you can throw some fireballs or do some fun (but not meta) tricks with Veiled Blade + Flame Lash.

I did juggle between Storm Calling and Ardent Flame. Flame Lash is a staple of my StamKnight, I love the acrobatic whip when i set something off balance. But in the end I figured my Nightblade would fit better with Shock over Fire. Plus Crit Surge is a fantastic source of Crit Chance AND passive Healing. Especially on a Crit Kitty.

Zodiarkslayer · June 2025

I have a "crit kitty", too. But I subbed out Siphoning for Storm Calling, not Shadow.
My reasoning was that I only have direct damage and healing in Siphoning and ultimately Shadow offers me more. And my direct damage attacks on the frontbar are all from Assassination, so Siphoning would effectively only offer me passives.

The Dark Shade and Twisting Path are good damage DoTs and have secondary effects. Shadowy Disguise can be backbared for Maj Savagery. The Shadow passives are good for tankiness and Mass Hysteria is a very much underrated debuff skill.

Together with Storm Calling's Crit Surge and Hurrican I have a Kitty with nigh on 75% crit chance, 110% Crit Damage, while being at pen cap and 6k Weapon Damage. 3 out of 4 heals crit for over 6k health.

@ArchMikem I can't tell you this is the only way to do a crit Kitty, but I have trouble finding and even thinking of anything stronger, that isn't beaming.

Armanie · June 2025

@Zodiarkslayer Impressive! What gear do you use? And what's your spammable?

Zodiarkslayer · June 2025

I use Tzogvin's Warband and Order's Wrath with Mora's Whispers and a one piece Nerien'eth.
UESP has incorporated the subclassing mechanics into their editor. Here is my complete build.

It is optimised for SOLO and Group Dungeons. It can be altered for Trials easily by using a Trials set like Relequen or whatever fits the respective Trial best. One can also swap out Mora's and should also swap the Lover. Although, I have heard that in U46, Raid leads opt for more individual penetration values than previously.