Nightblades in The Elder Scrolls Online are almost entirely oriented around DPS in combat, with the potential for being a decent Support/DPS hybrid through the Siphoning skill tree. When it comes to playstyle and damage output, though, one of the most important things to consider right out of the gate is the Nightblade's choice of weapon.

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The three skill trees available to Nightblades, Assassination, Shadow, and Siphoning, each grant the player access to a variety of methods to control and shred enemies. While Assassination is single-target damage oriented, Shadow has many abilities based on subterfuge and AoE damage. Meanwhile, Siphoning turns the Nightblade into a flurry of damage and healing. It's a class that typically likes to dance around enemies at near-melee range, even in the Support role. With that in mind, here are some of the best tools for dealing damage.

5 Ranged Physical: Bows

The Bow weapon skill tree offers a smattering of AoE, single-target, and cleave abilities that are best used at mid-range. Nightblades tend to move in and out of combat, thanks to the mobility granted by abilities like Path of Darkness and Teleport Strike. This might lead players to believe that the Bow is a good backup weapon at the least for the class.

However, the Destruction Staff and Restoration Staff surpass this weapon. Generally, the bow doesn't add much to the class that it doesn't already get through innate skill trees. The cleave and damage-over-time spell Acid Spray is outclassed by several Nightblade abilities. Scatter Shot is not as useful as the Nightblade's other crowd control abilities, and even the Bow's ranged AoE spell Volley is outclassed by the Destruction Staff's Wall of Elements or Pulsar abilities. The Bow is by no means a bad weapon, but it isn't as helpful for Nightblades as it is for other classes.

4 Two-Handed Weapons: Greatswords, Battle Axes, Mauls

Nightblades tend to thrive when they can deal a ton of damage (or apply damage-over-time debuffs) and then quickly move onto a new target. The Two-Handed Weapon skill tree offers the Nightblade some good utility. For example, the powerful Battle Rush passive boosts Stamina Regeneration upon killing an enemy. The Forward Momentum ability gives a huge boost to Weapon Damage and Stamina Regeneration, as well as removing immobilization debuffs.

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The downside of the Two-Handed weapon tree for Nightblades, though, is that it relies on slow, powerful swings rather than a flurry of attacks. The Nightblade can make some use of its abilities, especially the skills mentioned above. Ultimately, though, it is better served with weapons that complement its unique class skills.

3 Ranged Support: Restoration Staffs

Nightblades might come across as a bunch of knife-wielding killer-in-the-night types, but they can actually be played nicely in the Support role as well as DPS. The Siphoning skill tree specifically is home to a number of party-wide heals and buffs as well as powerful damage-support hybrid spells. A Restoration Staff gives the Nightblade a number of similar spells, making it the go-to Support weapon for both the primary and back weapon slots.

The Siphoning skill tree gives powerful multi-target heals like Funnel Health, and the self-sacrifice spell Malevolent Offering. The Restoration Staff skill tree offers additional powerful abilities that don't directly damage opponents. The skill Combat Prayer is a go-to for many Support builds for its AoE heal and buff effect, while Steadfast Ward gives the Nightblade the ability to shield allies. In the back bar, it can make the Nightblade an effective off-Support, in case the party's main Support needs a little assistance.

2 Ranged Magical: Lightning Staffs, Inferno Staffs, Ice Staffs

When it comes to dealing damage at a range, there's no better option (for most classes) than the Destruction Staff. In the secondary weapon slot, it gives the player access to spells that complement the Nightblade's close-combat class trees. The Ultimate Eye of the Storm is a great pairing with the Nightblade's mobility. Meanwhile, the Magicka-draining ability Elemental Drain can be helpful in refreshing the player's resources before switching back to a close-combat weapon.

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While the Destruction Staff is a great weapon for the Nightblade's back bar, it doesn't do so well in the main bar for either a DPS or Support build. Nightblades spend the majority of their combat time in close combat. Thus, the primary weapon slot is much better suited for something that can do lots of burst damage.

1 One-Handed Weapons: Axes, Swords, Maces, Daggers

The One Handed Weapon and Shield skill tree is, all things considered, only okay for Nightblades; it focuses on Tanking abilities and self-defense. However, the Dual Wield tree is the Nightblade's signature weapon of choice. Players can unlock this by equipping and using two One-Handed weapons at once. Interestingly enough, it is equally as good at damaging enemies as it is debuffing and healing the Nightblade, much like the Siphoning skill tree.

The Bloodthirst and Blood Craze abilities are must-takes for soloing Nightblades for their self-sustain. Abilities like the thorny buff Blade Cloak and the powerful damage-buff-cc hybrid spell Shrouded Daggers are also go-to picks. One thing to keep an eye on, though, is what types of One-Handed weapons characters have equipped. The passives Twin Blade and Blunt grant special bonuses that depend on the weapons in the primary and secondary slot. This mostly depends on the player's preferred playstyle.

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