Uploaded December 2020 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago

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Thanks for checking out this Magicka Nightblade PVE Build for Markarth. The setup is mostly geared towards 12-man trials but can be adjusted to suit dungeon and solo playstyles too.

Not too much has changed specifically for the Magicka Nightblade since the last patch, but here is an updated parse for Markarth, with the new buffs/debuffs applied to the Iron Stone Atronach from one of the best out there - thanks to Clive for providing the footage for us!

Clive's YouTube channel: youtube.com/channel/UCvSF9_ObjAgyLcYIg9v4G1w

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Gear
Shown here:
Monster Set - Zaan
- Mother's Sorrow Body (Body)
- Siroria (Front bar and jewellery)
- The Maelstrom’s Inferno staff (Perfected)
- 3 Bloodthirsty

Alternative Gear (for all different setups):
- False God, Spell Strategist, New Moon Acolyte, Medusa, Burning Spellweave
- Monster Sets: Maw of the Infernal, Domihaus, Iceheart, 2x Crit (or other 1pc bonuses)

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Race
- Altmer in video
- Dunmer, Breton, Khajiit all fine alternatives

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Mundus: Shadow

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Blue CPs
- Elemental Expert 56, Elfborn 61
- Master-at-Arms 72, Staff Expert 6
- Thaumaturge 72 Piercing 3

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Food
For Practice on Dummy: Ghastly Eye Bowl
In Raid: Artaeum Pickled Fish Bowl (or Clockwork Citrus Fillet if you need more sustain)

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CMX Parse -- https://i.imgur.com/JjVFTQF.jpg
CMX Build -- https://i.imgur.com/WyVOKpw.jpg

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Skills
- Front Bar - Crippling Grasp, Degeneration / Inner Light, Impale, Merciless Resolve, Elemental Weapon, Ult - Soul Harvest/Incapacitating Strike
- Back bar - Twisting Path, Barbed Trap, Dark Shades, Unstable Wall of Elements, Siphoning Attacks, Ult - Soul Harvest/Incapacitating Strike

In most trial fights, you'll likely want to replace a skill above (such as Inner Light, or Siphoning Attacks if you're ok with sustain, or a Minor Force skill when using Medusa) with Mystic Orb (which is difficult to sustain solo on the raid dummy).

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Rotation

This is a fully dynamic rotation. The general focus is to keep up your DOTs to a reasonable level without reapplying too early and try to make the most out of the burst phases.
The general priority is to fire a bow proc as soon as possible (or every 6th skill for those with worse ping, not a massive difference), as well as refreshing Merciless Resolve whenever required. Twisting Path, Barbed Trap, Crippling Grasp and Shades can be then reapplied when possible, before reverting to Elemental Weapon, which is our spammable of choice.

The priority shifts, however, when Soul Harvest/Incapacitating Strike is used. If there are DOTs with 1 or maybe 2 seconds left, it can be better to refresh these DOTs first. Once you use Soul Harvest/Incapacitating Strike, you'll get the most out of it if you use only your Direct Damage attacks for the upcoming 6 seconds (Elemental Weapon, Bow Procs)

When you use Medusa set, you should replace Barbed Trap/Channeled Acceleration with some other passive/active skill (e.g.Inner Light), because Medusa gives you Minor Force passive.

To reiterate, Mystic Orb should be used in most trial fights, replacing a skill (discussed above)

Static rotation
Start:
- Dark Shades - Siphoning Attacks
- Merciless Resolve
- Barbed Trap

Repeat:
- Unstable Wall of Elements - Twisting Path - Shade/Trap
- Crippling Grasp - Spam- Bow Proc
- Spam x5 - Bow Proc

Spam = Elemental Weapon (Alternative Spammables include the Vampire Spammable, Swallow Soul, or Concealed Weapon).
Maintain skills at 25% health (or ensure they're up one last time in shorter fights) - Barbed Trap, Twisting Path, Unstable Wall of Elements, Dark Shades. Spam Impale

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See Markarth Builds and more from your favourite ESO PVE creators at liko.gg
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Thanks to my Patrons: Brad, OwnLight, Paratomick, Florian, TheRoyalPlayer, NefasQS, Al and more

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Music provided by HearWeGo (goo.gl/nDS3zR)
Artist: Nomyn
Title: Closer
Listen on YouTube: youtu.be/yLyz8ORQUVo