ESO Magicka Nightblade PvP Build

This guide gives skills, champion points, and gear for an ESO Magicka Nightblade PvP Build, intended for a PvP player!

ESO Magicka Nightblade PvP Build

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

Why Should You Play ESO Magicka Nightblade PvP Build?

Welcome to our ESO Magicka Nightblade PvP Build, for which we will give you two options to play.  One will be the 1vX style, ideal for solo players or dueling.  The second is the “bomber,” which instantly destroys large groups despite low survivability.  Magblades play in the shadows and excel at single-target kills. In the current meta, the Magblade is the strongest solo class in the game. It has the most burst, the best healing and most single-target kill potential in the game.  The major downside is, that the skill cap required makes it very challenging to play.

Below is a general PvP Guide that can help anyone understand and develop their PvP knowledge and skill. This video is applicable for every build and should be viewed if you want general ESO PvP knowledge that applies to all aspects, Battlegrounds, Cyrodiil, and Imperial City.

ESO Magicka Nightblade PvP Build Features

  • Class: Nightblade
  • Attribute: 32 Health, 32 Magicka
  • Primary Weapon: Dual Wield
  • Secondary Weapon: Frost Staff
  • Armor Set 1: Order’s Wrath 
  • Armor Set 2: Rallying Cry
  • Monster Helm: Balorgh
  • Mythic: Markyn Ring of Majesty
  • Infection: Vampire Stage 3
  • Armor Weight: 3 Light, 2 Medium, 2 Heavy
  • Race: Khajiit
  • Mundus Stone: Shadow

Skills

SETUP 1: 1vX Build Front Bar

Front Bar Weapon Options: They are all good choices depending on your playstyle and needs. Experiment with what works best.

Dual Wield – best overall damage via passives highest DPS but without a restoration staff or Ice staff on the back bar can be brutal to sustain.
Fire staff – range and most single target damage and pairs well with elemental users.
Lightning Staff: provides easy fully charged heavy attacks for resource sustain and 10% AoE damage when channeling.
Two-handed has the best passives for burst.

Merciless Resolve (Morph of Grim Focus | Skill Line : Assassination) – Use light attacks 5x times while weaving for a spectral bow proc. Use Mass Hysteria to drop block and make target vulnerable and fire.

Power Extraction (Morph of Drain Power | Skill Line : Siphoning) – AoE damage and minor courage buff. Use this as execute since it’s 8 meter range.

Concealed Weapon (Morph of Veiled Strike | Skill Line : Shadow) – melee spammable mainly used to increase damage passively. You can swap to Force Pulse and play a ranged build with Asylum staff.

Mass Hysteria (Morph of Aspect of Terror | Skill Line : Shadow) – Crowd control used to block drop and shoot a 5x stack of Merciless Resolve.

Shadowy Disguise (Morph of Shadow Cloak | Skill Line : Shadow) – Can cloak and gain the critical damage buff major savagery.

Soul Tether (Morph of Soul Shred | Skill Line : Siphoning) – AoE bursting tool swap to Incap for single target.


SETUP 1: 1vX Build Back Bar

Siphoning Attacks (Morph of Siphoning Strikes | Skill Line : Siphoning) – Your sustain tool that can be swapped out for Lingering Flare for extra damage reduction.

Refreshing Path (Morph of Path of Darkness | Skill Line : Shadow) – Our mobility tool keeps the 10% damage buff up for concealed weapon and a good heal over time.

Elemental Susceptibility (Morph of Weakness to Elements | Skill Line : Destruction Staff) – A armor debuff that triggers status effects.

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

Healthy Offering (Morph of Malevolent Offering | Skill Line : Siphoning) – Burst heal for survivability.

Temporal Guard (Morph of Undo | Skill Line : Psijic Order) – Used for damage reduction on the back bar.

Passives Skills

Below are the lines of the passive skill that add power without requiring a skill slot while playing the ESO PvP Magicka Nightblade Build. Consider taking all the skill passives in the skill tree listed below:

  • Siphoning (class skill line)
  • ‎Shadow (class skill line)
  • Assassination (class skill line)
  • Destruction Staff (weapon skill line)
  • Dual Wield (weapon skill line)
  • Restoration Staff (weapon skill line)
  • Light Armor
  • Medium Armor
  • Heavy Armor
  • Undaunted
  • Psijjic Order
  • Fight’s Guild
  • Vampirism
  • Racial
  • Alliance War Support
  • Alliance War Assault
  • Crafting, Alchemy Medicinal Use

Gear – Best in Slot

This build is for solo players wanting the most damage and survivability possible using ESO Magicka Nightblade PvP Build:

SlotTypeSetTraitGlyph
HeadheavyBalorghWell-fittedPrismatic
ShouldersmediumBalorghWell-fittedMagicka
ChestheavyArmor of the TraineeReinforcedPrismatic
LegsmediumOrder’s Wrath Well-fittedPrismatic
GloveslightOrder’s Wrath Well-fittedMagicka
BootslightOrder’s Wrath Well-fittedMagicka
BeltlightRallying CryWell-fittedMagicka
Weapon OneAxeOrder’s Wrath NirnhonedFlame
SecondaryAxeOrder’s Wrath SharpenedDisease
Weapon TwoFrost StaffRallying CryPoweredSpell Damage
NecklaceRallying CryInfusedMagicka Recovery
Ring 1Markyn Ring of MajestySwiftSpell Damage
Ring 2Rallying CrySwiftSpell Damage
Best in Slot Gear for Magblade PvP Build
Monster and Mythic

Markyn Ring of Majesty = great all-around defensive and offensive mythic. Boost our stats without the slow of Sea-Serpent.

Balorgh obtained in March of Sacrifices Veteran Dungeon, Wolfhunter DLC.

Armor of the Trainee: obtained in overland starter areas or guild trader.  Added stats with a one-piece item set.

FLEX OPTIONS

  • Sea-Serpent’s Coil great if you don’t mind the snare, which hinders a nightblade.
  • Death Dealer’s Fete = max stats which equates good damage and survivability
  • Wild Hunt = easy to obtain mythic making you much faster.
  • Gaze of Sithis = drop monster helm for huge survivability.
  • Roksa the Warped = Update 37 monster helm that gives great resource sustain without Engine Guardian droid.
  • Ozezan the Inferno = is an update 37-monster set that is great paired with heals over time.
  • Zaan = is truly god-tier dueling or single-target killer monster helm.
  • Druid’s Braid = craftable high isle gives 1pc bonus just smaller.
Gear Sets

Rallying Cry: obtained via rewards of the worthy from PvPing in mail. Provides the best damage reduction with massive weapon and spell damage.

Order’s Wrath: craftable set in the High Isle. Gives great burst damage without food requirement of Back-Alley Gourmand.

Alternative Sets

  • True-Sworn Fury – high burst damage set that increases when health low.
  • Shattered Fate – good craftable set that you can use for penetration bonus with five piece.
  • War Maiden = decent spell damage set to the front bar.
  • Scathing Mage = good front bar that will help with your damage and healing if playing with staff.
  • Stygian – good overland set if using cloak frequently.
  • Shadow of the Red Mountain – good burst ganking set.
  • Stuhn’s Favor – great penetration 5pc if not using AoE proc set.
  • Back-Alley Gourmand– light armor set that can be front bar for max burst.
  • Ashen Grip – good craftable proc set.
  • Powerful Assault = great set to add damage to you and your group and the buff stacks with Rallying Cry.
  • Robes of the Hist = great back bar healing set alternate to Mara’s Balm.
  • Clever Alchemist = insane burst potential when using potion and combined with Balorgh.

Skill – Bomber

Front Bar: Bomber Playstyle

Concealed Weapon (Morph of Veiled Strike | Skill Line : Shadow) – Buffs our damage if we maintain Refreshing Path.

Power Extraction (Morph of Drain Power | Skill Line : Siphoning) – AoE damage used after our “bomb” combo.

Lotus Fan (Morph of Teleport Strike | Skill Line : Assassination) – Gap closer used to proc our Rush of Agony gear set.

Mass Hysteria (Morph of Aspect of Terror | Skill Line : Shadow) – Used as mass fear and stun to drop block.

Camouflaged Hunter (Morph of Expert Hunter | Skill Line : Fighters Guild) – Used for critical buff on front bar.

Soul Tether (Morph of Soul Shred | Skill Line : Siphoning) – Our bomb ultimate after Proxy Detonation explodes


Back Bar: Bomber Playstyle

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.

Proximity Detonation (Morph of Magicka Detonation | Skill Line : Assault) – This is our bomb skill we try to time with soul tether for instant nuke.

Race Against Time (Morph of Accelerate | Skill Line : Psijic Order) – Mobility tool and pre-buff for bigger critical damage.

Siphoning Attacks (Morph of Siphoning Strikes | Skill Line : Siphoning) – Resource sustaining tool. Slot radiating regeneration for group play if you don’t have sustain issues.

Healthy Offering (Morph of Malevolent Offering | Skill Line : Siphoning) – Burst heal.

Life Giver (Morph of Panacea | Skill Line : Restoration Staff) – Defensive ultimate.

Gear – Bomber

This build is for solo players wanting the most damage and survivability possible.

SlotTypeSetTraitGlyph
HeadheavyBalorghWell-fittedPrismatic
ShouldersmediumBalorghWell-fittedMagicka
ChestheavyVicious DeathReinforcedPrismatic
LegslightVicious DeathWell-fittedPrismatic
GloveslightVicious DeathWell-fittedMagicka
BootslightVicious DeathWell-fittedMagicka
BeltlightVicious DeathDivinesMagicka
Weapon OneDaggerRush of AgonyPrecise Drain Health
SecondaryDaggerRush of AgonyPreciseDrain Health
Weapon TwoRestoration StaffBlessing of the PotentatesPoweredSpell Damage
NecklaceRush of AgonyInfusedMagicka Recovery
Ring 1Rush of AgonySwiftSpell Damage
Ring 2Rush of AgonySwiftSpell Damage
  • Rush of Agony: Pulls in enemies in a large radius. Obtained in the Dread Cellar, Waking Flame DLC.
  • Balorgh: Saves up ultimate to add damage and penetration. Obtained in March of Sacrifices, Wolfhunter DLC.
  • Vicious Death: Provides massive area based kills. Obtained in PvP Cyrodiil Vendor, base game.
  • Blessing of the Potentates: Gives damage mitigation on back bar. Obtained in PvP Cyrodiil Vendor, base game.

Race

The best race choices for PvP Magblade:

  1. Khajiit: best overall due to burst critical damage bonus.
  2. Dark Elf: good max stats and weapon and spell damage.
  3. Argonian: It’s a powerful defensive tank race all around.

Attributes

You should aim to reach 32,000 health; therefore, we recommend 32 health and 32 magicka attribute split.

Mundus Stone

Shadow is the best mundus stone because it provides critical damage, which adds to burst damage.

Champion Points – ESO Magicka Nightblade PvP Build

Warfare Constellation Champion Points

ESO Warfare Champion Tree

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 ESO Magicka Nightblade PvP Build:

  1. Precision 10
  2. Extended might – sub – con – piercing 10
  3. Master-at-arm (slottable) 50
  4. Mastered curation – sub-con – blessed 10
  5. Mastered curation – sub-con – focused mending (slottable) 50
  6. Eldritch insight 10
  7. Staving death – sub con – quick recovery – 10
  8. Staving death – sub con – ironclad –(slottable) 50
  9. Duelist’s rebuff (slottable) 50

This would be the bare minimum setup, spending 250 CP (750 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 10
  5. Blessed 20
  6. Quick recovery 10
  7. Battle mastery 40
  8. Mighty 30
  9. Flawless ritual 40
  10. War mage 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

ESO Fitness Champion Tree

Below are recommended Fitness Champion Point selections for the ESO Magicka Nightblade PvP Build:

  1. Fortified (slottable) 50
  2. Sprinter 10
  3. Wind chaser – sub con – hasty 8
  4. Wind chaser – sub con – celerity (slottable) 50
  5. Hero’s Vigor 10
  6. Survivor’s spite – sub con – mystic tenacity 10
  7. Survivor’s spite – sub con –  pain’s refuge (slottable) 50
  8. Survival instincts 50 (slottable)

This would be the bare minimum setup, spending 238 CP (714 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 10
  5. Hasty 8
  6. Tireless guardian 20
  7. Fortification 30
  8. Nimble 6
  9. Mystic tenacity 40
  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 532 cp spent 1,596 total spent

Craft Constellation Champion Points

ESO Craft Champion Tree

Below are recommended Craft Champion Point selections for the ESO Magicka Nightblade PvP Build:

  1. Breakfall 10 
  2. Wanderer 15
  3. Steadfast 10
  4. Rationer (slottable) 30
  5. Liquid efficiency (slottable) 75
  6. Treasure hunter 50
  7. Master gatherer 15
  8. Gifted rider (slottable) 100
  9. War mount (slottable) 120

This would be the bare minimum setup, spending 425CP (1275 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 10
  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 868 cp spent 2,604 total spent.

Consumables

Food: Orzorga’s Smoked Bear Haunch

GREAT RECOVERY(A great option if you can afford it): Increase Max Health by 4312, Health Recovery by 406 and Stamina and Magicka Recovery by 369 (effects are scaled based on your level) Ingredients: Red Meat (1), Tomato (1), White Cap (1), Frost Mirriam (1), Perfect Roe (1)

Food: Jewels of Misrule

CHEAP: Increase Stamina and Magicka Recovery by 357 and Max Health by 3927 for 2 hours. (effects are scaled based on your level) Ingredients: Rose (1), Mint (1), Lotus(1), Columbine (1), Bervez Juice (1)

Potion: Tri-Restoration Potion or Essence of Health (tri-stat)

Restore 7329 Health, 6618 Magicka, and 6618 Stamina immediately. Grants Major Fortitude, Major Intellect, and Major Endurance which increase your Health Recovery, Magicka Recovery, and Stamina Recovery by 20% for 31.7 seconds. (effects are scaled based on your level) Ingredients: Bugloss, Columbine, Mountain Flower

Poisons: Escapist’s Poison IX

Immobilizes your target and grants you unstoppable, rendering you immune to control effects for 1.6 seconds. This poison will also break you free of ongoing control effects. Inflects hindrance to your target and grants you major expedition, reducing their movement speed by 40% and increasing your movement speed by 30% for 2.3 seconds. Drains stamina from your target, increasing the cost of their stamina abilities by 10% and restores 238 stamina per second to you for 2.3 seconds. (10s cooldown). Ingredients: Columbine, Namira’s Rot, Wormwood

Build Summary – ESO Magicka Nightblade PvP Build

Class: Nightblade

Race: Khajiit

Attributes: 32 Health, 32 Magicka

Mundus Stone: Shadow

Weapon One: Dual Wield

Weapon Two: Frost Staff

Armor Set 1: Order’s Wrath 

Armor Set 2: Rallying Cry

Monster Helm: Balorgh

Mythic: Markyn Ring of Majesty

Infection: Vampire Stage 3

Armor Weight: 3 Light, 2 Medium, 2 Heavy

Skill Bar 1

  • Merciless Resolve
  • Power Extraction
  • Concealed Weapon
  • Mass Hysteria
  • Shadowy Disguise
  • Soul Tether (Ultimate)

Skill Bar 2

  • Siphoning Strikes
  • Refreshing Path
  • Elemental Susceptibility
  • Resolving Vigor
  • Healthy Offering
  • Temporal Guard (Ultimate)

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