Uploaded May 2019 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago

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This video displays a possible Magicka Nightblade rotation for use in the Elsweyr patch. This was filmed on the PTS 5.0.4 but is good to go for the Elswyer live server.

This is a rotation performed on the new Raid Dummy. This means there are a selection of buffs and debuffs present, which allows easy comparison between different classes, and for other players to compare against each other, if they wish, as a 'solo' player, without the need of help from another player; a really valuable addition to the game.

Here I have made the decision to use the 'Ghastly Eye Bowl' food. This is so that we can compare more fairly with the Stamina classes where I used the equivalent food for Stamina classes. Also, to make up potential small sustain deficits from no availability from this dummy of Spell Absorption passive and resource return from extra synergies. The dummy also takes 4 minutes to kill. Considering very few fights need this type of sustained damage, and that my Magicka Drain is similar to that of the 6 Million Dummies I posted prior to this, I think this is reasonable. The DPS numbers for these dummies are mainly for comparison purposes.

Gear-wise I used Zaan, Spell Strategist and Siroria here, and I will do so for all the Magicka Class Comparisons (with the exception of Magicka Pet Sorcerer). The new False God's Devotion set, which drops from Sunspire, looks to be an excellent set. In many real encounters where Siroria is not optimal, I may well be using Spell Strategist (or Mother's Sorrow) paired with this set and use Double Bloody Mara (which is now the best Bi-stat food).

Summary of the relevant changes for Magblade in PVE and my comments:
- No more Minor Berserk from Merciless Resolve (instead we get a 33% heal from Bow Proc). Also reduction to damage taken by 3% for each stack up to 5 times. The damage reduction is pretty nice to have, and you will have it permanently even if the buff fades. Can be handy in some execute phases if you have a Bow Proc ready but don't use it.
- Summon Shade (Dark Shade morph) is now worth using. It does pretty good damage now thanks to a buff.
- Crippling Grasp is now 10 seconds long instead of 8, though overall DPS is the same. The other morph gives Minor Magickasteal, which might be nice.
- Lotus Fan gives a fairly strong DOT and Minor Vulnerability to those affected. Still not worth using in pure Single Target fights because it is more expensive and clunky to use.
- Incapacitating Strike, while slotted, grants Reave, which restores up to 100 Magicka and Stamina when dealing damage with a Light or Heavy Attack on a target with a negative effect active on them. In my opinion, this morph is more useful now since the actual damage is only a little less but you get a generous amount of sustain from this.

Build used in the video -- https://i.imgur.com/DIVDZn6.png
CMX parse from video (87.3k) -- https://i.imgur.com/Xpg9P4O.png
Similar CMX parse (I appreciate the one above has pretty lucky crits - 86.2k) -- https://i.imgur.com/skFJgJY.png

--- Rotation

This is a dynamic rotation. Generally, focus on keeping up DOTs without reapplying too early/late. Fire a bow proc as soon as possible if you have it. Blockade is the most important DOT to keep up. Twisting Path, Crippling, Shades and Rearming Trap/Channeled Acceleration rather equally less so. Otherwise, use Elemental Weapon if there is nothing else to keep up.

There is a priority shift when Incap/Soul Harvest is used. Try and have as many DOTs down with a long duration as you can. This is a burst phase so it is better to load up with Bow Procs and Elemental Weapon casts here. It's hard to get perfect because there is so much to keep up and they don't all last very long, so don't get too hung up on making everything line up perfectly. If using Meteor/Destro Ultimante instead, then just keep up dots as normal.

In execute, best to drop Crippling, Twisting and Shades. Keep up trap until the last full cast and Blockade. Use Impale for the rest of the time.

This is a very brief overview of the otherwise somewhat complicated rotation. If there are specific questions I am happy to answer them in the comments.

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