Uploaded September 2018 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago

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Note: This is testing done on the PTS server so there might be changes every week, up until the official release, which is probably in 4-5 weeks or so. I'll try to update this if there is a large change.

Recently I uploaded a video in which I suggested that Stamina Warden could directly match the Stamina Nightblade in Single Target DPS (seen here: youtube.com/watch?v=dKsfSM1H4x0). But for many, I guess it is also hard to believe since Stamblade has been the meta for so long. We thought it would be informative to directly compare the two classes. The AOE potential of a Stamina Warden is quite likely to be higher than of the Stamina Nightblade, which is more reasonable to accept.

For each test, we had the Stamblade on 3 Bloodthirsty Jewelry Traits as a control variable - under the assumption that this combination is really good and makes the most of the Stamblade's execute phase. The Stamina Warden had varying traits for each test. The goal was to see the interaction between trait and DPS, and possibly find the best combination for both for the fastest fight. The gear worn by both players were identical, including traits and enchants of weapons, and we also ensured to expend roughly same amount of Stamina for each fight - ending the fight with around 40-60% sustain since we are in Lava Food (sustain is pretty even for both classes in this PTS version compared to live).

Stam Warden Build (only jewelry traits changed throughout) - https://i.imgur.com/AJRJlqE.jpg

I am playing as the Stamina Warden, and fellow Hodor/former Xbox EU scrub, Seb (@Web_Silliams), is playing as the Stamina Nightblade (he is definitely one of the best). His channel: youtube.com/channel/UCURCVgzTNBdYATKza8KOvnQ


Warden (3BT): Target Centurion, Lambent - DPS: 57,478 (13,183,454 in 3:49.4)
https://i.imgur.com/57xD1Hj.png
Nightblade: Target Centurion, Lambent - DPS: 55,394 (12,722,605 in 3:49.7)
cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/423133441060503565/492696333174439936/unknown.png


Warden (2INF 1BT): Target Centurion, Lambent - DPS: 57,357 (12,975,499 in 3:46.2)
https://i.imgur.com/zHwfQnm.png
Nightblade: Target Centurion, Lambent - DPS: 56,913 (12,917,675 in 3:47.0)
cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/423133441060503565/492696561818533888/unknown.png


Warden (3INF): Target Centurion, Lambent - DPS: 56,399 (12,772,888 in 3:46.5)
https://i.imgur.com/98vzLQg.png
Nightblade: Target Centurion, Lambent - DPS: 57,742 (13,064,244 in 3:46.2)
cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/423133441060503565/492696403953319936/unknown.png

As you can see, the two classes are pretty even
The less Bloodthirsty used by the Stamina Warden, the longer the execute phase. This could play a role in the reason behind the Stamblade's higher DPS with less Bloodthirsty used by the Stamina Warden. It's probably hard to make definitive conclusions based on these tests since we only did one of each, but it seems to confirm that you'll get more group DPS with a Stamina Warden using 1 Bloodthirsty (We didn't test 2 Bloodthirsty, but this would also be pretty good). Of course there is a small degree of human error involved since we both have a pretty bad connection to the PTS, and in the end, the difference in traits is so small, that it wouldn't be fair to make definitive conclusions from this.

As a side note, we also did one test where I used Ballista on the Stamina Warden - it was around 1-2k DPS less than the Bear, so thankfully the Warden is pretty viable even without the bear.

Stamina Warden and Stamina Nightblade are both in a really good spot now. The Stamina Nightblade is not miles better than other classes anymore, both in terms of sustain and damage, which is really nice. Hopefully, other Stamina classes will prove to be just as viable as these two, by the time Murkmire is officially released.



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