Any critique on this build would be greatly appreciated!

Hi guys n gals :-)

I am thinking of rolling out with a toon that looks like this. I am certainly no master at this stuff, so I wanted to run it by the guild and see if there are some problems with the build, or some cool suggestions. My thinking behind the build is this:

I am in Australia and a shift-worker. Previous experience in MMOs has shown me that end up playing as much solo as grouped because of this. I want this toon to be very capable of solo play in pve and pvp so there is an emphasis on buffing and healing.

I like the idea of buffing up like crazy on the Resoration staff side, switching to dual wield, going in invisible, blasting some AoE and then finishing of with some single target stuff.I went Argonian because they look mega-cool and i get more heals out of my buffs.

Some of the replies could seem a bit funny, as they might relate to previous versions of the build. I'm editing as the advice comes in.

Lateralus Guttersnipe

Argonian Nightblade

7/7 light armor

Bar 1  Dual Wielding

1       Teleport strike >Lotus fan = Teleport to target + magic dmg + 1.5sec Stun + AoE + snare                                              - Assassination
2       Path of darkness >Refreshing Path = AoE + movement speed bonus + heal - 10sec duration                                         - Shadow
3       Whirlwind >Whirling blades = AoE weapon attack + restore stam for each target hit                                                       - Weapon
4       Strife >Swallow souls = Magic dmg + heals for 30% of dmg inflicted + increases healing w/slotted - 10sec duration       - Siphoning
5       Assassin's blade >Killer's blade - Magic dmg +300% for low health target + heal if killing blow                                        - Assassination

Ult.   Consuming darkness >Veil of blades = DoT AoE dmg + dmg reduction - 15sec duration                                                   - Shadow

Bar 2  Restoration Staff

1      Restoration >Mutagen =  Heal over time for 2 allies + burst heal at <20% health - 20sec duration                         - Restro staff
2      Grand healing >Illustrious healing = AoE heal on ground at caster                                                                           - Restro staff
3      Steadfast ward >Ward ally = Damage shield +  shield ally - 6sec duration                                                               - BUFF Restro staff
4      Blessing of protection >blessing of restoration = AoE heal + armour and spell resist buff - 8sec duration               - BUFF Restro staff
5      Blur >Mirage = Enemies have %20 miss chance + chance to be set off balance - 20sec duration                            - BUFF Assassin

Ult.   Consuming darkness >Veil of blades = DoT AoE dmg + dmg reduction  - 15sec duration                                         - Shadow

OTHER

Soul trap >Consuming trap = DoT + fill soul gem, gives health, magicka, stamina if enemy dies while affected       - Soul Magic  SWAPPED IN AND OUT AS NEEDED

 Drain power >Sap essence = AoE + Weapon dmg buff + heal + increase w/each hit - 17sec duration       - BUFF Siphoning MAY BRING THIS IN AT HIGHER LVL

Shadow cloak >Shadowy Disguise = Invis + more crit dmg on next attack - 2.5sec duration        - Shadow  MAY SWAP THIS IN AND OUT

Strife >Swallow souls is just there to have a siphoning skill slotted for advancement

Couple of things to point out...

Bar 1

1) Shadowy Disguise is good when effectively using it, but it's an expensive skill if all you are looking for is crit.  Instead use a crit potion

2) In order to do well in the AoE dps you have to commit to it so having a weapon set that just has 2 AoE's not including your ultimate is kind of meh, IMHO.  Try morphing teleport strike to lotus fan and using dual wield for the whirlwind.

3) Drain Power ability will take a LONG TIME to get unlocked, so keep that in mind.

4) Leeching strikes will only work with weapon attacks making it a single target ability and the reduced damage when toggle makes it seem more of a tank ability.  I would see potential synergy with Lighting Staff (with the first passive) and two handed (also with the first passive)

5) The ultimate does NOT invis you....It's a synergy that only other allies can activate, but it is a great ultimate for the NB

Bar 2

1) Healing Springs seems to really only be a beneficial morph if say in group/AvA situations because the magicka you gain is per person healed and really don't see the awesome til those situations.

2) I would not combine a damage shield and a evasion in the same skill set unless I was tanking in some respect.  Since you have restoration staff on this one I would HIGHLY recommend Steadfast Ward -> Ward Ally because it's a life saver and pretty easily can become the best damage shield available as a regular ability. 

3) Blessing of restoration is decent but I wouldn't use both that and healing springs.  Maybe throw in the regeneration instead.  Both morphs of regen are very useful but seeing as you'll be a NB I would probably suggest Mutagen because if you get below 20% it will burst heal you.

So that's just my 2 cents.  If you want help theorycrafting anything less just let me know or if you want me to post some ideas.  I like to theorycraft as well.

P.S- If you put an actual buff on yourself it doesn't matter if you switch weapon set you'll continue to have it working on you, but passive buffs from abilities like siphoning strike would stop working if you switch to a weapon set that didn't have the same ability on.

Awesome feedback Barren. Thanks a heap. I'm off to work right now, but will take it all in properly when i get home tonight. Thanks again!

Changes have been made to reflect the input. Any other ideas/recommendations people? I'd particularly like some ideas on what to swap out both of the leeching strikes to? Thanks in advance!

If you buff on the staff skills and switch weapons the buffs will run their duration.

Thanks Blienmeis!

Very nice build. It seems like it would work well in solo and group play in PVE.

You should be aware that the DOT effect on soul trap is very weak. I normally only slot it when I need to fill soul gems, then take it off the bar again. The morph you chose helps a little, but the spell overall is just too weak to take up a permanent spot.

I had written up a long reply, but I got logged out and it didn't post...so leaving the condensed version :P

Would not have the same Ultimate on both bars, I would personally use Fearless Dawnbreaker  from the Fighters Guild on Bar 1 as it does great damage and passively will increase Whirlwinds damage. Also as Orsan said, the DoT from Soul Trap is low and the return on kills is meh, you'd probably be better served grabbing Degeneration from the Mages Guild as it heals no matter if the target dies or not and adds a percentage on hit to heal for a good amount of the damage done.

The only thing I would have on one of the bars, especially for pvp is Killers Blade/Impale. Having an execution attack makes a big difference.

All in all the build will should work well.

Thanks guys, i really appreciate the input. I will now only swap soul trap in as needed - great advice. Checking out Dawnbreaker, killer's blade and Degeneration now. Thanks again. I need all the help i can get.