Learn how to create a deadly Nightblade ranged PvP build with the help of subclassing introduced in Elder Scrolls Online Update 46.
PvP Nightblade build for Update 46 (Image via Bethesda Softworks)
The Nightblade Sniper PvP build in Elder Scrolls Online focuses on burst damage from stealth, utilizing subclassed skills to amplify critical hits and precision strikes. By combining Nightblade’s stealth tools with Dark Magic and Herald of the Tome abilities, this setup delivers devastating ranged attacks using Crystal Weapon and powerful buffs like Recuperative Treatise. The Khajiit race further enhances the build’s stealthy tactics, making it ideal for players who enjoy striking first and hard in competitive encounters across Cyrodiil or Battlegrounds.
Elder Scrolls Online: Nightblade-Sorcerer-Arcanist PvP Build
Nightblade-Sorcerer-Arcanist build (Image via Bethesda Softworks)
Class – Nightblade
Weapon One – Shattered Fate Bow
Weapon Two – Darloc Brae’s Battle Axe
Armor Types – 1 Heavy, 6 Medium
Race – Khajiit
Attributes – 64 Magicka
Mundus Stone – The Lover
Class Skill Lines
Shadow
Dark Magic
Herald of the Tome
Subclassing
Subclassing into Dark Magic and Herald of the Tome allows the Nightblade to gain access to key skills to maximize burst damage potential. The Herald of the Tome Arcanist skill line introduces Recuperative Treatise to the build, which increases weapon and spell damage by 20% passively upon being slotted on either ability bar with Major Brutality and Major Sorcery. The skill works well in conjunction with Crystal Weapon (Dark Magic) to generate Crux and amplify damage.
Also Read: ESO Subclass Power Leveling Guide 2025
Nightblade-Sorcerer-Arcanist Skills
While in stealth, the character will get a passive called Sneak, which will stun the first enemy hit for 2 seconds with a Critical Strike. The caveat to this powerful ability is that it triggers with a melee attack, and the enemy must not be facing you. Crystal Weapon is a melee skill, and using it will cause your next bow attack to be counted as a melee attack, stunning the target. The Khajiit’s lower detection race bonus helps ambush players and strike them from the flanks, bringing the build together.
While buffing, use Recuperative Treatise followed by Crystal Weapon and Shadowy Disguise, and light attack a target to apply them and deal immense damage. When your attack generates or consumes a Crux, it triggers Fated Fortune (Herald of the Tome passive) and increases critical damage by 12% for 7 seconds.
Primary:
Crystal Weapon
Sundering Soul
Camouflaged Hunter
Shadowy Disguise
Silver Bolts
Dawnbreaker (Ultimate)
Backup:
Defensive Rune
Resolving Vigor
Healing Contingency
Channeled Acceleration
Recuperative Treatise
Temporal Guard (Ultimate)
Attributes
Max out Magicka for the build to power all the Magicka-based skills. Additionally, having more Magicka than stamina will cause the former to be used to calculate attack damage by the game.
Mundus Stone
Choose “Boon: The Lover” Mundus Stone to increase spell and physical penetration and amplify damage significantly.
Champion Points
Warfare Constellation Champion Points
Master-at-Arms
Wrathful Strike
Deadly Aim
Fighting Finesse
Fitness Constellation Champion Points
Sustained by Suffering
Pain’s Refuge
Bastion
Celerity
Craft Constellation Champion Points
Steed’s Blessing
Sustaining Shadows
Equipment
Darloc Brae and Shattered Fate sets (Image via Bethesda Softworks | @ArzyeL Gaming/YouTube | @Kerkhoff/YouTube)
SlotTypeSet HeadMediumAnthelmir’s ConstructShouldersHeavyAnthelmir’s ConstructChestMediumJack of the TraineeLegsMediumDarloc Brae’sHandsMediumShattered FateFeetMediumShattered FateWaistMediumShattered FateWeapon OneBowShattered FateWeapon TwoBattle AxeDarloc Brae’sNecklaceN/ADarloc Brae’sRing 1N/AMonomyth Reforged Ring 2N/ADarloc Brae’s
Consumables
Mistral Banana-Bunny Hash
Essence of Health
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