What is the Summon Shade ability in ESO?

Learn about the Summon Shade ability, its mechanics, and how it can enhance your Nightblade gameplay in The Elder Scrolls Online.

Overview of Summon Shade

Summon Shade is an active ability available to Nightblade characters in The Elder Scrolls Online, specifically within the Shadow skill line. This ability allows players to summon a shade version of themselves to assist in combat. The shade will attack enemies and deal damage while also applying a debuff to reduce the enemy's damage output.

The base version of the ability costs 2970 Magicka to cast and lasts for 20 seconds. During this time, the shade will deal Magic Damage to the target every 2 seconds, inflicting Minor Maim, which reduces the target's damage done by 5%.

Variants of Summon Shade

There are different variants of the Summon Shade ability that players can unlock through morphing. These morphs include Dark Shade and Shadow Image, each offering unique mechanics and damage outputs. Dark Shade increases the shade's damage and allows it to attack multiple enemies within a certain radius, while Shadow Image allows the shade to attack from a distance, providing versatility in combat situations.

Usage in Gameplay

Summon Shade is particularly useful for Nightblade players looking to enhance their damage output and survivability in both PvE and PvP scenarios. The ability not only provides additional damage but also serves as a distraction for enemies, allowing players to reposition or execute other abilities without drawing immediate attention.