Uploaded August 2019 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago

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Here we have a Stamina Nightblade vMA Dual Wield PVE build and Iron Atronach Parse for the Scalebreaker patch.

If you're looking for a Surprise Attack rotation: youtu.be/ZfmrIPphpfw


There have been loads of changes across the board for combat in ESO. I would recommend you to read the relevant patch notes.

This is the main important one; very relevant to this video and rotation:
The bonus spell/weapon damage from the Maelstrom Dual Wield is now set at 1000 (previously 2003). However, this bonus will apply to qualifying DOTs cast within 4 seconds of the bonus being applied, rather than being consumed by only the next DOT. This means we can use Rapid Strikes, then apply up to 3 DOTs in succession (for example Rending then Consuming Trap then Barbed Trap).

I am using the Max Stam/Stam Regen food, with 64 points into Stamina for all Stamina Setups in these rotations. This is simply for comparison purposes in this test environment.


The Stamina Nightblade's toolkit has, for a long time, relied on its hugely effective direct, burst damage. With the changes made in Scalebreaker, it will be harder than previously, to make the most of this, relative to other Stamina classes out there. However I will note that this is a vMA Dual Wield PVE build. The Surprise Attack DW build (link above) still tries to make the most of its strengths.


Gear:
5x Lokkestiiz Body, 5x Relequen Body, 1x vMA Axe, 1x vMA Dagger, 1x Master's Bow. (See build screenshot for full details).


CMX Parse - https://i.imgur.com/x3oKFSh.png
CMX Build Screenshot (Skillbars, Gear, CPs) - https://i.imgur.com/2JDpLCp.png


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Rotation

This rotation still tries to make the most of the Stamina Nightblade's main themes, which is phases of bursty direct damage. It is a 10-second rotation because Arrow Barrage, Poison Injection, Rending Slashes and Consuming Trap are each 10 seconds long.

Cruel Flurry actively affects Rending Slashes, Consuming/Soul Splitting Trap, Barbed Trap and Poison Injection.

The minimum backbar rotation is: Arrow Barrage - Poison Injection. Usually, you will have to apply the Shades and Barbed Trap every other rotation on average.

The minimum front bar rotation is usually Rapid Strikes - Rending Slashes - Consuming Trap. If you have a bow proc ready, then it is usually fine to use it any time here. You should always finish your front bar rotation with a Rapid Strikes if you need to reapply both Poison Injection and Barbed Trap on your backbar. Otherwise, it is fine to use Rapid Strikes as your penultimate ability on the front bar with a Bow Proc as the last. During your front bar rotation, you may have an Incap ultimate ready. Normally, you can use it as soon as possible on the front bar rotation, or if you've already cast Rapid Strikes once. It depends on if you have more than 6 seconds left before Arrow Barrage expires at the time of casting Incap. Try and get as many Rapid Strikes and Bow Procs in as you can, without misapplying your DOTs or lengthening your front bar rotation too long so that Arrow Barrage runs out for more than 1 second. Some advice here, therefore, is don't get too carried away by trying to cast your Bow Proc exactly when you reach 5 stacks. As long as you cast one during the Incap phase then you're fine.

During execute, it is worth casting Rending Slashes and Soul Trap if you will get a full duration of them. However at this point, do not bother trying to empower your DOTs anymore, it's not worth it. The best time to cast your Incap, is with these DOTs up, and following the Incap up with a series of Killer's Blade casts. In short fights, you may expect that casting all of your DOTs prior to reaching 25%, then just doing the classic Killer's Blade spam may be worth it. On your last rotation, if you anticipate 5 or more seconds of pure Killer's Blade spam at the end, then it is worth it to at least reapply Poison Injection if it runs out, for 1 last berserker proc and the Master's Bow damage, before continuing to execute.


Proposed Static Rotation:

Start (setup and the starting burst):
Shade - Relentless Focus - Barbed Trap - Arrow Barrage - Injection
Rapids - Incap - Rending - Soul Trap - Bow Proc - Rapids - Rapids


Part 1 (without incap)
Arrow Barrage - Poison Injection - Barbed Trap - Shade
Bow Proc/Relentless - Rapids - Rending - Soul Trap - Rapids - (Bow Proc if up)

Part 2 (with incap)
Arrow Barrage - Poison Injection
Rapids/Relentless/Bow Proc - Incap - Rending - Soul Trap - Rapids - Bow Proc - Rapids

Refresh Relentless Focus every 3 'parts' if you can remember, at the beginning of the front bar rotation.


Thanks for reading. If there's anything in mind, let me know in the comments.

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