Nightblade
Build 1: Brawler
Because of the good amount of survivability nightblade has, it can be played as a brawler. Despite this focus on tankiness, this type of build is able to deal huge damage burst combos, often oneshotting regular opponents.
Character
- Race: Breton
- Alternatives: High Elf, Dark Elf, Khajiit
- Attributes: 30 Magicka, 20 Health, 14 Stamina
Buffs
- Mundus: The Shadow
- Vampire Stage 3
Consumables
- Food: Orzorga’s Smoked Bear Haunch
- Potions: Stamina + Magicka + Minor Heroism, or regular tripots (Stamina + Magicka + Health)
Stats (Unbuffed)
| Gear Slot | Set | Type | Trait | Enchantment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Head |
Heavy |
Impenetrable |
Prismatic |
|
|
Shoulders |
Heavy |
Impenetrable |
Prismatic |
|
|
Chest |
Heavy |
Reinforced |
Prismatic |
|
|
Hands |
Light |
Well-Fitted |
Prismatic |
|
|
Waist |
Light |
Well-Fitted |
Prismatic |
|
|
Legs |
Light |
Well-Fitted |
Prismatic |
|
|
Feet |
Medium |
Well-Fitted |
Prismatic |
|
|
Necklace |
– |
Swift |
Spell Damage |
|
|
Ring |
– |
Infused |
Spell Damage |
|
|
Ring |
– |
Infused |
Spell Damage |
|
|
Weapon 1 |
Axe & Mace |
Nirn & Sharpened |
Shock & Absorb Stamina |
|
|
Weapon 2 |
Ice Staff |
Defending |
Berserker |
| Warfare |
|---|
Active Stars
Passive Stars
|
| Fitness |
|---|
Active Stars
Passive Stars
|
| Craft |
|---|
Active Stars
Passive Stars
|
- Ulfsild’s Contingency scripts: Flame Damage, Reduce Damage Taken, Minor Force.
- Wield Soul scripts: Healing, Resource Restore, Major Vitality. Alternative: Healthy Offering
Build 2: Ranged Magblade
One of the oldest ways to build a Nightblade is with a ranged, mobile build with Swallow Soul as spammable. This still works right now, and has become more flavourful with the addition of the Soulcleaver set.
Character
- Race: Khajiit,
- Alternatives: Breton, High Elf, Dark Elf.
- Attributes: 40 Magicka, 20 Health, 4 Stamina
Buffs
- Mundus: The Shadow
- Vampire Stage 3
Consumables
- Food: Orzorga’s Smoked Bear Haunch
- Potions: Tristat (Health+Magicka+Stamina)
Stats (Unbuffed)
Note: this gives an estimate of what kind of stats this build ends up with. Small differences can occur due to a different item quality, missing traits etc.
| Gear Slot | Set | Type | Trait | Enchantment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Head |
Heavy |
Reinforced |
Prismatic |
|
|
Shoulders |
Medium |
Impenetrable |
Prismatic |
|
|
Chest |
Heavy |
Reinforced |
Prismatic |
|
|
Hands |
Light |
Impenetrable |
Prismatic |
|
|
Waist |
Light |
Impenetrable |
Prismatic |
|
|
Legs |
Medium |
Impenetrable |
Prismatic |
|
|
Feet |
Light |
Impenetrable |
Prismatic |
|
|
Necklace |
– |
Infused |
Magical Harm |
|
|
Ring |
– |
Swift |
Magical Harm |
|
|
Ring |
– |
Swift |
Magical Harm |
|
|
Weapon 1 |
Lightning Staff |
Sharpened |
Absorb Stamina |
|
|
Weapon 2 |
Ice Staff |
Defending |
Berserker |
The CP stars for this build are listed from most important (1) to least important (2,3,…). This is in case you don’t have enough CP to get all stars yet.
| Warfare |
|---|
Active Stars
Passive Stars
|
| Fitness |
|---|
Active Stars
Passive Stars
|
| Craft |
|---|
Active Stars
Passive Stars
|
- Wield Soul scripts: Healing, Resource Restore, Major Vitality. Alternative: Healthy Offering.
Build 3: Bombblade Classic
Applicable for: CP Cyrodiil, CP Imperial City
One of the more niche ways to play this class, bombblades are the spec for cleaning up large numbers of enemy players in a moment’s notice. This build is an old playsytle that shines in the elemination of players that are stacked and mostly standing still, be it on foot or mounted. This is for example when repairing keep doors and walls or while capturing a resource or keep flag.
With the scribing system, this build recieved an overhaul. The playstyle and set of specific situations in which this bombing build shines is very similar to the old classic bombblade though.
Character
- Race: High Elf,
- Alternatives: Khajiit, Dark Elf
- Attributes: 64 Magicka, 0 Health, 0 Stamina
Buffs
- Mundus: The Thief
- Vampire Stage 3
Consumables
- Food: Orzorga’s Smoked Bear Haunch
- Potions: Immovability (Health + Invisibility + Unstoppable)
| Gear Slot | Set | Type | Trait | Enchantment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Head |
Medium |
Divines |
Magicka |
|
|
Shoulders |
Medium |
Divines |
Magicka |
|
|
Chest |
Medium |
Divines |
Magicka |
|
|
Hands |
Medium |
Divines |
Magicka |
|
|
Waist |
Medium |
Divines |
Magicka |
|
|
Legs |
Medium |
Divines |
Magicka |
|
|
Feet |
Medium |
Divines |
Magicka |
|
|
Necklace |
– |
Infused |
Spell Damage |
|
|
Ring |
– |
Infused |
Spell Damage |
|
|
Ring |
– |
Infused |
Spell Damage |
|
|
Weapon 1 |
Lightning Staff |
Sharpened |
Berserker |
|
|
Weapon 2 |
2H Greatsword |
Decisive |
Absorb Magicka |
| Warfare |
|---|
Active Stars
Passive Stars
|
| Fitness |
|---|
Active Stars
Passive Stars
|
| Craft |
|---|
Active Stars
Passive Stars
|
- Elemental Explosion scripts: Flame Damage, Assassin’s Misery, Brittle. Alternative: Inner Light (just for passive damage, there is no other skill giving the power of Elemental Explosion)
- Ulfsild’s Contingency scripts: Flame Damage, Warrior’s Opportunity, Breach. Alternative: Shadow Image
- Skill Combo: keep Channeled Acceleration buff active. Proximity Detonation -> wait a few seconds, then run into the enemy group -> barswap -> Elemental Explosion -> Ultimate -> Power Extraction x2 -> disengage (by running away or teleporting to your Shade if you have it).
- Carry basic health potions to charge ult while riding from keep to keep.
Build 4: Bombblade Carve
Applicable for: CP Cyrodiil, CP Imperial City
One of the more niche ways to play this class, bombblades are the spec for cleaning up large numbers of enemy players in a moment’s notice. This build is a newer variation using a high amount of upfront burst and shines in the elemination of moving groups or when enemies are more spread out.
Character
- Race: High Elf, Khajiit, Dark Elf
- Attributes: 50 Magicka, 14 Health, 0 Stamina
Buffs
- Mundus: The Shadow
- Vampire Stage 3
Consumables
- Food: Bewitched Sugar Skulls
- Potions: Immovability
Stats (Unbuffed)
Note: this gives an estimate of what kind of stats this build ends up with. Small differences can occur due to a different item quality, missing traits etc.
| Gear Slot | Set | Type | Trait | Enchantment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Head |
Medium |
Divines |
Magicka |
|
|
Shoulders |
Light |
Divines |
Magicka |
|
|
Chest |
Light |
Divines |
Magicka |
|
|
Hands |
Light |
Divines |
Magicka |
|
|
Waist |
Light |
Divines |
Magicka |
|
|
Legs |
Light |
Divines |
Magicka |
|
|
Feet |
Light |
Divines |
Magicka |
|
|
Necklace |
– |
Infused |
Magical Harm |
|
|
Ring |
– |
Infused |
Magical Harm |
|
|
Ring |
– |
Infused |
Magical Harm |
|
|
Weapon 1 |
Battle Axe |
Nirnhoned |
Sorcery-Draining Poison |
|
|
Weapon 2 |
Any Ranged Weapon |
Infused |
Berserker |
| Warfare |
|---|
Active Stars
Passive Stars
|
| Fitness |
|---|
Active Stars
Passive Stars
|
| Craft |
|---|
Active Stars
Passive Stars
|
- Skill combo: keep Forward Momentum and Channeled Acceleration buffs active. Proximity Detonation -> wait a few seconds and run into the enemy group -> light Attack -> Scalding Rune -> barswap -> Onslaught -> Brawler x2 -> disengage
- Carry basic health potions to charge ult while riding from keep to keep
- Prior Thierric is a great alternative to Mora’s Whispers
- Use more attribute points into Health if you are not yet comfortable with the bombing rotation.
Build 5: Ganking
Applicable for: CP Cyrodiil, CP Imperial City, No-CP Cyrodiil & No-CP Imperial City
Updated for Update 40
Nightblades that use Shadowy Disguise always have some capability for ganking, but this build is focused purely on that. Even though some would say ganking specs are weaker now with Oakensoul and Caluurion being nerfed, this build shows that it’s still strong nonetheless. One could argue there’s actually a buff, since Concealed Weapon now gives 10% more damage. The combo and additional gameplay tips are mentioned in Important Notes, and the gameplay montage below shows a good example of how this build is played.
Character
- Race: High Elf
- Alternatives: Khajiit, Dark Elf
- Attributes: 44 Magicka, 20 Health, 0 Stamina
Buffs
- Mundus: The Shadow
- Vampire Stage 4
Consumables
- Food: Ghastly Eye Bowl
- Potions: Spell Power
Stats (unbuffed)
| Gear Slot | Set | Type | Trait | Enchantment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Head |
Medium |
Divines |
Magicka |
|
|
Shoulders |
Medium |
Divines |
Magicka |
|
|
Chest |
Medium |
Divines |
Magicka |
|
|
Hands |
Medium |
Divines |
Magicka |
|
|
Waist |
Medium |
Divines |
Magicka |
|
|
Legs |
Medium |
Divines |
Magicka |
|
|
Feet |
Medium |
Divines |
Magicka |
|
|
Necklace |
– |
Infused |
Spell Damage |
|
|
Ring |
– |
Infused |
Spell Damage |
|
|
Ring |
– |
Infused |
Spell Damage |
|
|
Weapon 1 |
Dual Wield Axes |
Nirnhoned & Sharpened |
Shock & Absorb Stamina |
|
|
Weapon 2 |
Bow |
Defending |
Absorb Magicka |
The CP stars for this build are listed from most important (1) to least important (2,3,…). This is in case you don’t have enough CP to get all stars yet.
| Warfare |
|---|
Active Stars
Passive Stars
|
| Fitness |
|---|
Active Stars
Passive Stars
|
| Craft |
|---|
Active Stars
Passive Stars
|
- The combo is simply Heavy Attack -> Incapacitating Strike -> Light Attack -> Arterial Burst. On squishier targets the Incapacitating Strike can be replaced by a first Arterial Burst.
- Be sure to keep Channeled Acceleration up. Keep your health between 45-50%, as this is what the sets rely on and what makes Arterial Burst crit. You can do this by using Vampire Stage 4 (no health regen) and Simmering Frenzy.
- Titanborn and True-Sworn Fury function in the No-CP campaigns. Balorgh however, does not, so be sure to replace that by for instance 1pc Valkyn Skoria and 1pc Balorgh.
- Going full Magicka on attribute points is best for damage, but I like the extra survivability I get from a few points in health at a minor sacrifice in damage. Should I ever get caught by a detection potion for example, this and Healthy Offering helps a lot to survive.
Build 6: No-cp
Applicable for: No-CP Cyrodiil, No-CP Imperial City
Updated for Update 40
This build is similar to the CP Brawler build, providing both high healing and burst damage. It is provided by Herbikin – check out his channel!
Character
- Race: Khajiit
- Alternatives: Wood Elf, High Elf, Dark Elf
- Attributes: 30 Magicka, 34 Health, 0 Stamina
Buffs
- Mundus: The Shadow
- Vampire Stage 3
Consumables
- Food: Orzorga’s Smoked Bear Haunch, Jewels of Misrule
- Potions: Tristat (Health+Magicka+Stamina)
- Poison: Double DoT
Stats (Buffed)
Note: this gives an estimate of what kind of stats this build ends up with. Small differences can occur due to a different item quality, missing traits etc.
| Gear Slot | Set | Type | Trait | Enchantment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Head |
Medium |
Impenetrable |
Prismatic |
|
|
Shoulders |
Medium |
Well-Fitted |
Prismatic |
|
|
Chest |
Heavy |
Reinforced |
Prismatic |
|
|
Hands |
Medium |
Well-Fitted |
Prismatic |
|
|
Waist |
Light |
Well-Fitted |
Prismatic |
|
|
Legs |
Medium |
Well-Fitted |
Prismatic |
|
|
Feet |
Light |
Well-Fitted |
Prismatic |
|
|
Necklace |
– |
Swift |
Weapon Damage |
|
|
Ring |
– |
Swift |
Weapon Damage |
|
|
Ring |
– |
Swift |
Weapon Damage |
|
|
Weapon 1 |
Dual Wield Axes |
Nirn & Sharpened |
Double DoT Poison |
|
|
Weapon 2 |
Ice Staff |
Defending |
Berserker |
- There are no notes for this build.
Build 7: Bowblade
Although not the strongest of Nightblade specs, this bowblade build provides a large amount of constant pressure from range. Constant use of these DoTs and the Nightblade’s mobility toolkit allows for a fun to play ranged option.
Character
- Race: Wood Elf
- Attributes: 0 Magicka, 40 Health, 24 Stamina
Buffs
- Mundus: The Serpent
- Vampire Stage 3
Consumables
- Food: Orzorga’s Smoked Bear Haunch
- Potions: Stamina + Weapon Crit + Weapon Damage
- Poisons: Double DoT Poison
Stats (unbuffed)
Note: this gives an estimate of what kind of stats this build ends up with. Small differences can occur due to a different item quality, missing traits etc.
| Gear Slot | Set | Type | Trait | Enchantment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Head |
Impenetrable |
Prismatic |
||
|
Shoulders |
Impenetrable |
Prismatic |
||
|
Chest |
Medium |
Impenetrable |
Prismatic |
|
|
Hands |
Impenetrable |
Prismatic |
||
|
Waist |
Medium |
Impenetrable |
Prismatic |
|
|
Legs |
Impenetrable |
Prismatic |
||
|
Feet |
Impenetrable |
Prismatic |
||
|
Necklace |
– |
Bloodthirsty |
Weapon Damage |
|
|
Ring |
– |
Infused |
Weapon Damage |
|
|
Ring |
– |
Infused |
Weapon Damage |
|
|
Weapon 1 |
Bow |
Charged |
Fire |
|
|
Weapon 2 |
Bow |
Sharpened |
Double DoT Poison |
The CP stars for this build are listed from most important (1) to least important (2,3,…). This is in case you don’t have enough CP to get all stars yet.
| Warfare |
|---|
Active Stars
Passive Stars
|
| Fitness |
|---|
Active Stars
Passive Stars
|
| Craft |
|---|
Active Stars
Passive Stars
|
- Alternatives to Venomous Smite include Gryphon’s Ferocity, Gryphon’s Reprisal, Scavenging Demise and Twice-Fanged Serpent. The latter of these sets is probably the best option, but does require farming the Sanctum Ophidia Trial.
- This build relies on consistent damage over time to pressure down enemies. These DoTs include Poison Injection, Acid Spray, Sheer Venom, Blackrose, Double DoT Poisons and more. Hence, it is important to also apply all of these DoTs rather than just spamming Poison Injection over and over.
- Nightblade has an excellent healing toolkit, but keep in mind that mobility is the main defensive strength of this build. Good positioning and use of Shadow Image, Shadowy Disguise and Magnum Shot to keep enemies away from you is paramount. The gameplay down below showcases this further