ESO Beginner Stamina Nightblade Build

This guide gives skills, champion points, and gear for an ESO Beginner Stamina Nightblade Build, intended for the new or returning player!

This build has been updated for the Update 41 patch, Scions of Ithelia for the Elder Scrolls Online.

Why Should You Play the ESO Beginner Stamina Nightblade Build?

Welcome to the ESO Beginner Stamina Nightblade Build for The Elder Scrolls Online.  This build is intended for the new or returning player who wants a starting build with flexible options for skills and gear!  Pickup the build if you want an ultra simple, easy and hard hitting build that can dominate in any content.

ESO Beginner Stamina Nightblade Build Playstyle

This skill setup is extremely important to start off ESO on the correct path. At this stage, I’m assuming you’re level three and have completed the tutorial with three skill points to spend. From here, you’ll want to slot one skill from each of your class skill lines, regardless if you use or like the skill. Why? Because you want to reach level 50 with most of your class skill lines leveled up or at least close to max. You only level the skill lines in your class if you have one or more skills equipped. That way you can acquire skill points and max out all the passives which make you stronger WITHOUT having to slot a skill.

ESO Beginner Magicka Nightblade PvE Features and Mechanics

Below are some of the features found using the ESO Beginner Magicka Nightblade PvE in the Elder Scrolls Online:

• Class – Nightblade
• Weapon One – Lightning Staff
• Weapon Two – Restoration Staff
• Armor Types: 1 Heavy, 1 Medium, 5 Light
• Race: Dark Elf
• Attributes: 64 Magicka
• Mundus Stone: Thief

Priorities and Unlocks 

When starting the Elder Scrolls Online, it can be confusing on what you should focus on first.  Use the below list as a guide on where you should focus on first with a new character:

• Unlock Weapon Lines
• Unlock Skill Lines
• Unlock Builds
• Consumables, Bag Space & XP Boost
• Setup Armor
• Unlock Guilds
• Level 10

Unlock Weapon Lines

Your priority is to unlock two or more weapon skill lines when you initially unlock your character.  You can do this by obtaining the weapon type or choice like a destruction staff and a restoration staff or bow and two-handed. Simply equip the weapon, obtain a kill and some experience with that weapon outside of the nearest town, and then the weapon skill line will be unlocked.

It’s important to note, that you can level up your weapon skill lines without having the weapon equipped. This is done by having a skill on your bar when you earn experience.  Thus, you can level two weapon skill lines at the same time even at level 3.  This helps when you reach level 50 and have two weapon skill lines maxed out versus having to continually progress them.  More on this later, for now, stamina builds unlock bow, two-handed, and dual wield.  Magicka users unlock Destruction Staff, Restoration Staff, and Dual Wield.

Setup Armor

The next step in ESO is to unlock armor. Similar to weapon skill lines, you want to unlock the skill tree and level it throughout your adventure.  To do this, simply save up about 500 gold and go to your nearest town and vendor. You will need 3 armor types equipped at a time to unlock the skill line. Thus, equip 3 medium, 3 heavy, then 3 light armor for all the skill lines.  This doesn’t seem important but is vital regardless of what you assume you will play at end game.

From this point, it’s advisable to equip 3 of your primary armor type.  Magicka users want 3 light, 2 medium, and 2 heavy.  Stamina users want to equip 3 medium, 2 light, and 2 heavy. This will progress your armor skill lines somewhat evenly and will help reach the maximum level.

Unlock Guilds

The next series of skill lines come from guilds.  Mages guild, undaunted and Fighters guild. These will all be in your original main town with Undauned located in a tavern.  Simply do an introduction quest and unlock these straight away.  You can obtain an advanced one, Psijic order as well, but save that for later.

Setup Skill Bar

Now you need to prioritize obtain skills via skyshards, dungeon completion, main story quest completions and more.  You then want to setup your skill bar so you level two skill lines at once on your front bar.  This will result in one “dead” skill that is unusable but helps level the back bar.

Example Skill Bar Stamina

• Flurry (morph to Bloodthirst) – Dual Wield
• Uppercut (dead skill just leave to level) – Two-Handed
• Class Skill Line 1 (first skill line skill any)
• Class Skill Line 2 (second skill line skill any)
• Class Skill Line 3 (third skill line skill any)
• Ultimate: unlocked later, but choose a survivability one

Example Skill Bar Magicka

• Force Shock (morph to Force Pulse) – Destruction Staff
• Grand Healing (dead skill just leave to level) – Restoration Staff
• Class Skill Line 1 (first skill line skill any)
• Class Skill Line 2 (second skill line skill any)
• Class Skill Line 3 (third skill line skill any)
• Ultimate: unlocked later, but choose a survivability one

Progression

Now, your skills and armor will level up simultaneously with one dead skill. Flex in and out the weapon types but the premise remains for a good leveling experience.  Put one skill from each of your skill lines on your bar, two weapon skills, and the ultimate of choice.  Once you unlock your back bar at level 15, use that for healing and buffs.

Consumables, Bag Space & XP Boost

Make sure to use consumables like food, potions, and experience boosters.  Every town has a vendor with basic food.  You will earn purple crown store food which you should consume.  Depending on experience, you will likely need “recovery” food or a refreshing drink. This helps you continue to cast spells and prevent death. 

Next, save gold to expand your bag space. This will be helpful as you collect and deconstruct.  The bag space vendor will be the main story.

Level 10

At level 10, Elder Scrolls Online opens up drastically.  You should focus on the following:

• Go to Cyrodiil, do intro quest, 2 skill points
• Do an undaunted intro quest by completing dungeon
• Complete daily dungeon quest via the que finder for massive XP
• Continue to progress through main story

From here, the easiest way to level is by completing all the normal dungeons as you level up and the main story.  This gives you a lot of skill points and makes it much easier to level quickly.  Rely on the dungeon finder to find a group until you make friends.

Daily Priorities

Make sure to check out our daily priorities list. This helps to give you a series of helpful actions to complete each day beyond this guides scope.

Skills

Level 3 Starter – Brand New Character – Dual Wield

Work towards advancing and unlocking skills. It’s especially helpful to change out skills and at least get them to the “morphed” stage. You can always change these later for a very small fee so don’t worry if you make a mistake.

Swallow Soul (Morph of Strife | Skill Line : Siphoning) – An insane heal over time, even though it cost magicka, it’s worth casting every 10 seconds just for the heal over time. You’ll get more defensives and healing later, early on keep it on the bar.

Surprise Attack (Morph of Veiled Strike | Skill Line : Shadow) – One of the best spammables in the game. The only issue is, do you have enough healing? Early on use Bloodthirst if you struggle otherwise still with this as your primary attack.

Killer’s Blade (Morph of Assassin’s Blade | Skill Line : Assassination) – A single target execute that should be used at or below 25% of the enemies HP. This is super helpful due to the healing.

Bloodthirst (Morph of Flurry | Skill Line : Dual Wield) – This is a main spammable that you shouldn’t sleep on. If you struggle with healing use this as a main spammable because it heals you so well. No, it’s not the most damage, but it’s better than being dead! Your goal is to work towards Whirlwind in the skill line for big AoE

Uppercut (Skill Line : Two Handed) – This skill is simply slotted for quick leveling of the two handed skill line. I don’t really morph or use this right away. This will be a “dead” unusable skill without a two handed equipped, but trust me it’ll save you massive amount of time later and only at level 15 you’ll get a back bar then it becomes VERY useful. Use Bow if you plan on doing a ranged build or another weapon type of your choice.

Incapacitating Strike (Morph of Death Stroke | Skill Line : Assassination) – You won’t be able to get this skill right away, but it’ll be a game changer for damage and sustain and should be your primary target when you unlock ultimate’s.

Level 15 – Front Bar – Dual Wield

At this stage, you should have the ability to bar swap. This comes in very handy to have leveled two handed, because you can put high damage abilities on your secondary bar and also use two handed stampede as a gap closer and huge damage. I’ll list front bar skills, but in general put armor, healing, mobility, and consuming trap from world soul magic skill line on the back bar. You won’t be getting much XP since nearly all your kills should be on the front.

Healthy Offering (Morph of Malevolent Offering | Skill Line : Siphoning) – The only way I’d take off Swallow Soul is for Healthy Offering burst heal. Swap in Swallow Soul here if you like the extra damage and or put it on the back bar for even more healing.

Surprise Attack (Morph of Veiled Strike | Skill Line : Shadow) – Keep this on and level up the skill line, swap to this as main attack if you have good healing.

Killer’s Blade (Morph of Assassin’s Blade | Skill Line : Assassination) – A single target execute that should be used at or below 25% of the enemies HP. This is super helpful due to the healing.

Stampede (Morph of Critical Charge | Skill Line : Two Handed) – At this point, continue to level and morph skills even though it’s a dead skill on the bar. Stampede is a great back bar gap closer and AoE DoT. Cycle this to either another skill line, weapon, or work towards unlocking Cleave and morph it to Carve. This is another end game meta DPS ability and it’ll be useful to have on the back bar. If it’s too difficult swap to another skill but it’ll help out tremendously at end game when most of the line is maxed.

Whirling Blades (Morph of Whirlwind | Skill Line : Dual Wield) – Used as your main AoE skill though keep on Bloodthirst if you don’t have enough healing.

Incapacitating Strike (Morph of Death Stroke | Skill Line : Assassination) – Great ultimate choice here. You can put Soul Shred morphed into Soul Tether on the back bar for survivability if you prefer.

Level 50 – Front Bar – Dual Wield

At this stage, you should have the ability to bar swap. This comes in very handy to have leveled two handed, because you can put high damage abilities on your secondary bar and also use two handed stampede as a gap closer and huge damage. I’ll list front bar skills, but in general put armor, healing, mobility, and consuming trap from world soul magic skill line on the back bar. You won’t be getting much XP since nearly all your kills should be on the front.

Consuming Trap (Morph of Soul Trap | Skill Line : Soul Magic) – A single target dot that deals magic damage. When the enemy dies, your restore Health, Magicka, and Stamina. A fantastic skill for resource sustain.

Relentless Focus (Morph of Grim Focus | Skill Line : Assassination) – Huge single target damage that requires you to light attack weave. Heals for 33% of damage dealt if your in melee range

Power Extraction (Morph of Drain Power | Skill Line : Siphoning) – AoE damage that also buffs your damage.

Surprise Attack (Morph of Veiled Strike | Skill Line : Shadow) – Stamina main spammable that can be replaced with Concealed Weapon if you can sustain magicka.

Killer’s Blade (Morph of Assassin’s Blade | Skill Line : Assassination) – Single target execute that hits very hard! Replace it with your main spammable around 25% of enemies’ health.

Incapacitating Strike (Morph of Death Stroke | Skill Line : Assassination) – Low cost ultimate that gives us a small burst window and extra resource sustain for slotting. Switch to Rend from Dual wield for crazy survivability if you struggle.

Level 50 – Back Bar – Two Hander

At this stage, you should have the ability to bar swap. This comes in very handy to have leveled two handed, because you can put high damage abilities on your secondary bar and also use two handed stampede as a gap closer and huge damage. I’ll list front bar skills, but in general put armor, healing, mobility, and consuming trap from world soul magic skill line on the back bar. You won’t be getting much XP since nearly all your kills should be on the front.

Twisting Path (Morph of Path of Darkness | Skill Line : Shadow) – Used for mobility and to proc increased damage via Concealed weapon on the front bar.

Carve (Morph of Cleave | Skill Line : Two Handed) – AoE damage and huge shield when hitting targets.

Leeching Strikes (Morph of Siphoning Strikes | Skill Line : Siphoning) – Your sustain tool. It may seem odd, but I use a lot of stamina to dodge roll, so I prefer the Leaching morph to make sure I never run out of stamina. Take another morph if you’re magicka starved.

Stampede (Morph of Critical Charge | Skill Line : Two Handed) – AoE damage over time that hit likes a truck with massive AoE.

Resolving Vigor (Morph of Vigor | Skill Line : Assault) – Stamina based heal over time.

Soul Tether (Morph of Soul Shred | Skill Line : Siphoning) – AoE bursting tool

Passives Skills

Consider taking all of the passives in the below skill trees to increase your builds performance without slotting any skills:

• Siphoning (class skill line)
• Shadow (class skill line)
• Assassination (class skill line)
• Destruction Staff (weapon skill line)
• Light Armor
• Medium Armor
• Heavy Armor
• Undaunted
• Mage’s Guild
• Fighters Guild
• Psjiic Order
• Racial
• Alliance War Support
• Alliance War Assault
• Crafting, Alchemy Medicinal Use

Gear Setup 1: Leveling

If you have crafting on another character or can ask a guild member, this will help you out tremendously!

Slot	Type	Set	Trait	Glyph
Head	medium	Armor of the Trainee	Training	Stamina
Shoulders	light	Armor of the Trainee	Training	Stamina
Chest	heavy	Vampire’s Kiss	Training	Stamina
Legs	medium	Vampire’s Kiss	Training	Stamina
Gloves	medium	Vampire’s Kiss	Training	Stamina
Boots	medium	Vampire’s Kiss	Training	Stamina
Belt	medium	Vampire’s Kiss	Training	Stamina
Weapon One	Daggers > Swords	Heartland Conqueror	Training	Flames
Secondary	Daggers > Swords	Heartland Conqueror	Training	Poison
Weapon Two	Two Handed Sword	Heartland Conqueror	Training	Berserker (spell damage)
Necklace		Heartland Conqueror	Robust	Stamina Recovery
Ring 1		Heartland Conqueror	Robust	Weapon Damage
Ring 2		Heartland Conqueror	Robust	Weapon Damage

Gear Sets

This gear setup is designed to get you the most experience possible without dying frequently while leveling.  Use this as a template for max XP gains while leveling.

Vampire’s Kiss: five trait craftable item. Locations are Alik’r Desert, Eastmarch, Malabal Tor.

• This is base game and gives great healing received upon kill which is a big issue when playing stamina early on.

Heartland Conqueror: craftable set in Blackwood,7 traits required.  If you don’t own Blackwood, you can have someone craft or buy from traders.

• Why? this unique set doubles weapon trait effectiveness, giving you even more benefit for using the training trait.  See flex options below if you don’t have this set.

Armor of the Trainee: obtained in the starter zones in the game from chest and enemies.  Location Bal Foyen, Betnikh, Bleakrock Isle, Khenarthi’s Roost and Stros M’Kai.

• Why? gives set bonuses per piece and comes in training trait.

ALTERNATIVE OVERLAND SETS (these are all base game no DLC required)

• Witchman Armor: obtained in the Rift Zone, Ebonheart Pact faction or you can buy from guild traders. Drops from delves, world bosses, public dungeons and dark anchors in that zone.
  • Why? Great sustain and survival set when using an ultimate to get a flood of resources.
• Spriggan’s Thorns: obtained in Bangkorai, Daggerfall Covenant faction or you can buy from guild traders.  Drops from delves, world bosses, public dungeons and dark anchors in that zone.
  • Why? One of the best overland damage sets.
• Shadow of the Red Mountain: obtained in Stonefalls, Ebonheart Pact faction or you can buy from guild traders.  Drops from delves, world bosses, public dungeons and dark anchors in that zone.
  • Why? Incredible proc damage in both PvE and PvP
• Way of Air: obtained in Craglorn.  Drops from delves, world bosses, public dungeons and dark anchors in that zone.
  • Why? Niche stamina set but works great in PvP.
• Soulshine: obtained in Reaper’s March drops from delves, world bosses, public dungeons and dark anchors in that zone.
  • Why? An awesome 5pc for templar who’s main spammable is a channel.

ALTERNATIVE CRAFTING BASE GAME

• Hunding’s Rage: six trait craftable item set. Locations Bangkorai, Reaper’s March, The Rift.
  • Why? The staple in PvE DPS for stamina beginners.
• Shacklebreaker: six trait craftable item set.  Location Morrowind.
  • Why? Gives a great blend of sustain and max stats which equals damage.
• Night Mother’s Gaze: six trait craftable item set. Locations Bangkorai, Reaper’s March, The Rift.
  • Why? Great damage set IF your class doesn’t have major breach through a skill.
• Torug’s Pact: three trait craftable item set.  Locations Deshaan, Grahtwood, Stormhaven.
  • Why? Great damage set to pair with a duel wield playstyle running flame/Poison enchants.
• Ashen Grip: two trait craftable item set. Locations Auridon, Glenumbra, Stonefalls.
  • Why? Great AoE damage IF playing a melee build. Also a great PvP set.
• Oblivion’s Foe: eight trait craftable item set found in Coldharbour.
  • Why? Top notch proc set damage and one of the best in late game PvP to this day.  Must use soul trap skill from world skill line.
• Twice-Born Star: nine trait craftable item set found in Craglorn.
  • Why? This use to be meta DPS set due to two mundus (shadow/thief).  Still good just takes very long time to craft.

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Level 50 Gear Setup

Use this as a template until you can progress to better gear sets.

Slot	Type	Set	Trait	Glyph
Head	medium	Hunding’s Rage	Divines > Any	Stamina
Shoulders	light	Hunding’s Rage	Divines > Any	Stamina
Chest	medium	Hunding’s Rage	Divines > Any	Stamina
Legs	medium	Hunding’s Rage	Divines > Any	Stamina
Gloves	medium	Spriggan’s	Divines > Any	Stamina
Boots	medium	Spriggan’s	Divines > Any	Stamina
Belt	medium	Hunding’s Rage	Divines > Any	Stamina
Weapon One	Dagger	Agility	Precise	Flame
Secondary	Dagger	Agility	Charged	Poision
Weapon Two	Two Handed Sword	Agility	Infused	Berserker (spell damage)
Necklace		Spriggan’s	Robust	Stamina Recovery
Ring 1		Spriggan’s	Robust	Weapon Damage
Ring 2		Spriggan’s	Robust	Weapon Damage

The premise in ESO is base game overland is the easiest gear to obtained.  Because at any level, you can go to zone and farm it.  Crafting is second as it takes time to unlock traits and my require DLC.  Dungeons, on normal are third because it takes certain level requirements or DLC to access so that will be the priority of gear in general.  Your priority after obtaining the below gear sets is as follows:

• Start doing undaunted pledges and obtain a base game damage monster helm.  My two favorite are Stormfist from Tempest Island for damage or Ice Heart from Direfrost Keep for survival.
• Next target is to remove Vampire’s Kiss with a higher producing damage set. I suggest checking out the builds page for more suggestions.
• Now start working on obtaining dungeons, trials ,and mythics for more damage sets.

Gear Sets

Hunding’s Rage: six trait craftable item set. Locations Bangkorai, Reaper’s March, The Rift

• Why? The staple in PvE DPS for stamina beginners.

Spriggan’s Thorns: obtained in Bangkorai, Daggerfall Covenant faction or you can buy from guild traders.  Drops from delves, world bosses, public dungeons and dark anchors in that zone.

• Why? One of the best overland damage sets.

Agility: obtained in Imperial City, dungeon finder or bought for very cheap on build traders.

• Why? great base game two piece se that gives huge stat bonuses.

• WHY? huge damage with Stampede on your back bar using a two handed.

Gear Progression

MONSTER HELM PROGRESSION

1. Zaan’s = consider the best overall monster helm for DPS
2. Stormfist: = always works, easy to obtain and AoE DPS set.
3. Iceheart = great survivability
4. Selene = easy to obtain starter DPS monster helm and great for PvP

PROGRESSION 5pc SETS OPTIONS

1. Pillar of Nirn = best overall damage set
2. Briarheart: = Overland can be bought from traders great option for healing and weapon damage boost
3. Medusa = great damage set with always on minor force but you’ll need weapon and jewelry
4. Leviathan = great beginner dungeon set and base game
5. Order’s Wrath = best craftable option but High Isles set

MYTHIC PROGRESSION

1. Pale Order = best heals per second solo in the game
2. Oakensoul= the best one bar build for DPS – 5 Leads are here
3. Death Dealer’s Fete = high max stats and requires no effect but in combat

ARENA WEAPON PROGRESSION

Perfected Merciless Charge: from Veteran Maelstrom Arena in Orsinium.  Do normal mode if you cannot complete Veteran, there’s not much of a difference in performance.

Race

The best race choices for the Beginner Stamina Nightblade:

1. Dark Elf: Best overall damage and max stats, but weaker resource sustain.
2. Imperial: Great stamina race with good survivability and sustain.

Attributes

The best choice is 64 stamina, which increases damage, healing, and DoTs.

Mundus Stone

The Thief is the best Mundus Stone for Beginner Stamina Builds because it increases Weapon and Spell Critical Strike chance.

Champion Points – ESO Beginner Stamina Nightblade Build

Craft	Warfare	Fitness
Treasure Hunter	Endless Endurance	Boundless Vitality
Rationer	Untamed Aggression	Rejuvenation
Liquid Efficiency	Reaving Blows	Fortified
Steed’s Blessing	Master-at-Arms	Bloody Renewal

Warfare Constellation Champion Points

Below is a step-by-step method for slotting your champion points in the Warfare tree (blue).  We have used the minimum possible to reach 4 slottable selections all maxed out.  If you have more CP, consider taking more in the passives for optimal performance.

Below are recommended Warfare Champion Point selections for the Beginner Stamina Nightblade PvE Build:

1. Untamed aggression (slottable) 50
2. Arcane supremacy  (slottable) 50
3. Precision 10
4. Reaving blows (slottable) 50
5. Extended might ( sub con) piercing 10
6. Master at arms (slottable) 50

This would be the bare minimum setup, spending 220 CP (660 total required). The next step is to max out passives, that do not require a slottable but increase performance.

1. Precision 10
2. Piercing 10
3. Tireless discipline 20
4. Eldritch insight 20
5. Blessed 20
6. Quick recovery 20
7. Flawless ritual 40
8. War mage 30
9. Battle mastery 40
10. Mighty 30
11. Elemental aegis 20
12. Hardy 20
13. Preparation 20

This would max out the Warfare tree with all active and passive champion points at 520 spent 1,560 total spent.

Fitness Constellation Champion Points

Below are recommended Fitness Champion Point selections for the Beginner Stamina Nightblade PvE Build:

1. Rejuvenation (slottable) 50
2. Boundless vitality (slottable) 50
3. Fortified (slottable) 50
4. Sprinter 10
5. Winder chaser – sub con – hasty 8
6. Hero’s vigor 10
7. Siphoning spells (slottable) 50

This would be the bare minimum setup, spending 228 CP (684 total required). The next step is to max out passives, that do not require a slottable but increase performance.

1. Hero’s vigor 10
2. Tumbling 30
3. Sprinter 10
4. Defiance 20
5. Hasty 8
6. Tireless guardian 20
7. Fortification 30
8. Nimble 6
9. Mystic tenacity 50
10. Tempered soul 50
11. Piercing gaze 30
12. Savage defense  30
13. Bashing brutality 20

This would max out the fitness tree with all active passive champion points at 542 cp spent 1,626 total spent.

Craft Constellation Champion Points

Below are recommended Craft Champion Point selections for the Beginner Stamina Nightblade PvE Build:

1. Steed’s blessing (slottable) – 50
2. Breakfall 10 
3. Wanderer 15
4. Steadfast 10
5. Treasure hunter 50 (slottable)
6. rationer (slottable) 30
7. liquid efficiency (slottable) 75

This would be the bare minimum setup, spending 240CP (720 total required). The next step is to max out passives, that do not require a slottable but increase performance.

1. Steadfast enchantment 40cp
2. Breakfall 40 cp
3. Wanderer 60
4. Fortunes favor 50
5. Friends in low places 25
6. Out of sight 30
7. Fleet of phantom 40
8. Soul’s reservoir 33
9. Gilded fingers 50
10. Fortunes favor 40
11. Inspiration boost 45
12. Infamous 30

This would max out the crafting tree with all active passive champion points at 723 cp spent 2,169 total spent

Consumables

Build Summary – Beginner Stamina Nightblade PvE Build

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