Elder Scrolls Online: Sorcerer Subclassing Build Guide

Transform your Sorcerer character into a Nightblade in Elder Scrolls Online, focusing on high burst damage and Magicka, by utilizing this finely-tuned PvP build.

In Update 46 of Elder Scrolls Online, the game’s strategy has undergone a significant transformation due to the introduction of subclassing. This change allows for innovative ways to optimize builds for both Player versus Environment (PvE) and Player versus Player (PvP), by blending skill lines from multiple classes. An especially powerful demonstration of this is the Sorcerer adopting the Nightblade subclass, resulting in an extraordinarily high burst damage output.

In this write-up, we’ll detail an offensive Magicka Sorcerer character that crosses over into the Nightblade ability set, designed for inflicting massive damage on opponents in just a few strikes – ideal for swiftly defeating other players.

Sorcerer-Nightblade Subclassing Build in Elder Scrolls Online

  • Class – Sorcerer
  • Weapon One – Crafty Alfiq’s Lightning Staff
  • Weapon Two – Inferno Staff of Wretched Vitality
  • Armor Types – 6 Medium, 1 Heavy
  • Race – Dark Elf / Breton / High Elf
  • Attributes – 64 Magicka
  • Mundus Stone – Mage
  • Best Grimoires – Ulfsild’s Contingency, Traveling Knife, Soul Burst

Class Skill LinesĀ 

  • Daedric Summoning
  • Storm CallingĀ 
  • AssassinationĀ 

Subclassing

In this reimagining, we’ll swap out the Dark Magic skill set from the Sorcerer class for the Assassination toolkit usually found in the Nightblade’s arsenal. This change comes at a cost, as you’ll no longer have access to the beneficial skills like Crystal Shard burst and the sustain ability of Dark Exchange. Instead, you’ll gain the enhanced burst damage of Merciless Resolve, along with an improved set of passive abilities.

Assassination Passive Abilities

  • Master Assassin: Increases critical chance rating when flanking enemies.
  • Executioner: Restores Magicka when an enemy dies within two seconds of being damaged.
  • Pressure Points: Increases critical chance rating for every Assassination ability slotted.
  • Hemorrhage: Increased critical damage.Ā 

Sorcerer-Nightblade Skills

Primary:

  • Shocking SoulĀ 
  • Merciless ResolveĀ 
  • Hardened WardĀ 
  • StreakĀ 
  • Inner Light
  • Energy Overload (Ultimate)

Backup:

  • Vigor
  • Haunting Curse
  • Healing Contingency
  • Critical Surge
  • Bound Aegis
  • Summon Charged Atronach (Ultimate)Ā 

Attributes

When distributing attribute points, it’s wiser to invest in 64 Magicka, as this boosts your healing abilities, damage output, and protective shields.

Mundus Stone

For this particular build, the Mage Mundus Stone is the optimal selection because it significantly amplifies your Magicka, and since the Sorcerer character receives percentage increases, the potency of this stone grows even stronger.

Champion Points

Warfare Constellation Champion Points

  • Master-at-Arms
  • Weapons Expert
  • Deadly Aim
  • Arcane SupremacyĀ 

Fitness Constellation Champion Points

  • Fortified
  • Pain’s RefugeĀ 
  • Bastion
  • Celerity

Craft Constellation Champion Points

  • War Mount
  • Gifted Rider
  • Sustaining Shadows

Equipment

Slot Type SetĀ 
Head Medium Mighty Chudan
Shoulders Medium Wretched Vitality
Chest Heavy Armor of the Trainee
Legs Medium Wretched Vitality
Gloves Medium Wretched Vitality
Boots Medium Wretched Vitality
Belt Medium Crafty Alfiq
Weapon One Lightning Staff Crafty Alfiq
Weapon Two Inferno Staff Wretched Vitality
Necklace N/A Crafty Alfiq
Ring 1 N/A Crafty Alfiq
Ring 2 N/A Death Dealer’s Fete

Consumables

  • Artaeum Pickled Fish Bowl: Increases Max Health and Max Magicka.
    • or Witch Mother’s Potent Brew: Increases Max Health, Max Magicka, and Magicka Recovery.
  • Health, Magicka, and Stamina potions.Ā 

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2025-06-19 15:17