In Elder Scrolls Online, the goal is clear - pilage crates, craft recipes, horde gold items and kill anything that moves. But proving your the biggest badass in Tamriel isn’t always as simple as picking a character that looks cool and button-bashing till someone’s dead.
No, my friends, there is more to it than that. And if you want to survive Cyrodiil without getting trampled by vampiric zergs, or making your way through PvE in a timely and unstoppable fashion...then you need a character of sheer overpowering awesomeness.
Thankfully, these combatants of the tenacity do exist. And I’m about to let you in on the secrets.
Dragon Knight - The Fury - PvP
A tanky, vampiric, berserker behemoth that will surely cut down your Cyrodiil enemies like butter. A stamina build with an edge, The Fury is a mountain; able to dish out as much damage as it takes, whilst making inferior recruits flee for their worthless lives. With 10k max magic, 32k health, and 35k max stamina, The Fury is no man's fool.
The Fury is best for PvP due to its:
- Tankiness - get stuck in and cave in skulls with little risk to your own health
- Hard to kill - between the crit resistance of this monster and its ability to move, The Fury won’t go down easy.
- DPS - The Fury hits hard, and has the ability to hit hard with the more damage it takes
How to create The Fury:
- Attribute Points - Stamina
- Mundus Boon - The Lover
- Infliction - Vampirism
- Food and/or Drink - Braised Rabbit with Spring Vegetables - Dubious Camoran Throne
- Potion (s) - Max Health & Stamina
- Set 1 - Blood Spawn - 2 Pieces
- Set 2 - Heem-Jas - 5 Pieces
- Set 3 - Fury - 5 Pieces in Weapons (2 Handed and Bow)
Skills 1:
- Critical Rush
- Dizzying Swing
- Venom Claw
- Rally
- Reverse Slice
- Ultimate: Take Flight
Skills 2:
- Resolving Vigor
- Poison Injection
- Hardened
- Molten
- Lethal Arrow
- Ultimate: Corrosive Armour
Champion Points:
- The Apprentice -- Blessed
- The Atronach -- Master-at-Arms - Physical Weapon Expert
- The Ritual -- Thaumaturge - Mighty - Precise Strikes - Piercing
- The Steed -- Ironclad - Resistant
- The Lady -- Thick Skinned - Hardy - Elemental Defender
- The Lord -- Expert Defender - Quick Recovery
- The Tower -- Warlord
- The Shadow -- Tumbling
Dragon Knight - Burning Butcher- PvE
The mighty Butcher is a fun, death-dealing tyrant capable of charging you through solo PvE and group activities alike. This amazing damage dealer is a great character to roll for players who love to explore dungeons and delves by themselves and will leave bosses shivering in their proverbial boots.
The Burning Butcher is best for PvE due to its:
- Solo Bosses - survive the sewers and strike fear into the hearts of all the big bad monsters
- High DPS - just sheer awesome power
- Fantastic Tank in Dungeons - this build is great for solo play and groups alike
How to create the Burning Butcher:
- Build Race - Dark Elf - Redguard - Imperial - Orc
- Attribute Points - Stamina
- Mundus Boon - The Warrior
- Infliction - Vampirism
- Food and/or Drink - Bi-state health and stamina at max level
- Set 1 - Valkyn Skoria - 2 Pieces
- Set 2 - Hunding’s Rage - 5 Pieces
- Set 3 - Night Mothers (Duel Weapons, ie daggers, with Weapon Damage and Fire Glyphs)
- Set 4 - Agility - 3 Pieces (Jewellery)
Skills 1:
- Burning Breath
- Unstable Flame
- Flames of Oblivion
- Rapid Strikes
- Steel Tornado
- Ultimate: Flawless Dawnbreaker
Skills 2:
- Razor Caltrops
- Rally
- Flames of Oblivion
- Igneous Weapons
- Executioner
- Ultimate: Standard of Might
Champion Points:
- The Tower -- Warlord
- The Lover -- Mooncalf
- The Apprentice -- Elemental Expert
- The Atronach -- Blade Expert
- The Ritual -- Precise Strike - Mighty - Piercing
- The Lady -- Hardy -- Elemental Defender
- The Steed -- Medium Armor Force - Spell Shield
Sorcerer - Dawnbringer - PvP
If you are looking for a build with the ability to sustain its power in a fight then Dawnbringer is a great option. With buffs coming out the ying-yang this build is balanced and crit heavy in battle, bringing the fun of making things go ‘poof’ to the foreground.
The Dawnbringer is best for PvP due to its:
- Hard-hitting
- Speedy
- Demonic Servants
- Buffs and regen galore
How to create the Dawnbringer:
- Race - High Elf
- Attribute Points - Magicka
- Mundus Boon - The Mage
- Infliction - Vampirism
- Food and/or Drink - Clockwork Citrus Filet
- Potion (s) - Witchmother’s Potent Brew
- Set 1 - Necropotence - 5 Pieces
- Set 2 - Bright-Throat’s - 5 Pieces
Skills 1:
- Crystal Fragments
- Haunting Curse
- Endless Fury
- Summon Twilight Matriarch
- Flame Reach
- Ultimate: Dawnbreaker of Smiting
Skills 2:
- Dark Conversion
- Ball of Lightning
- Power Surge
- Summon Twilight Matriarch
- Hardened Ward
- Ultimate: Lights Champion
Champion Points:
- The Tower -- Warlord - Siphoner - Sprinter
- The Apprentice -- Elfborn - Spell Erosion - Elemental Expert
- The Atronach -- Shattering Blows - Master-at-Arms - Staff Expert
- The Steed -- Ironclad - Spell Shield - Resistant
- The Lady -- Hardy - Light Armor Focus - Elemental Defender - Thick Skinned
- The Lord -- Bastion
Sorcerer - Shock Master - PvE
A solo PvE build, the Shock Master holds the key to damage and survivability, plus lots of cool lighting effects. This build is so strong it can tackle every PvE situation, from destroying bosses all on your onsies to completing Vet Dungeons and Pledges without breaking a sweat.
- The Shock Master is best for PvE due to its:
- Solo Play - power through all aspects of PvE easily
- Combination of passives - great shields, passive healing, and fantastic damage
- Fun - there is no frustration with this build, it's a pure pleasure to play with
How to create the Shock Master:
- Race - High Elf
- Attribute Points - Magicka
- Mundus Boon - The Mage
- Infliction - Vampirism
- Food and/or Drink - Purple Tri-Stat Foods
- Potion (s) - Tri-Stat Potions
- Set 1 - Spinner’s - 5 Pieces
- Set 2 - Iceheart’s - 5 Pieces
- Set 3 - Armor Master - 5 Pieces
Skills 1:
- Summon Volatile Familiar
- Inner Light
- Dampen Magic
- Crystal Fragments
- Daedric Prey
- Ultimate: Temporal Guard
Skills 2:
- Summon Volatile Familiar
- Blockade if Storms
- Liquid Lightning
- Power Surge
- Boundless Storm
- Ultimate: Greater Storm Atronach
Champion Points:
- The Tower -- Warlord - Sprinter
- The Lover -- Tenacity - Arcanist - Mooncalf
- The Shadow - Tumbling - Shadow Ward
- The Apprentice -- Blessed - Elfborn - Spell Erosion - Elemental Expert
- The Atronach -- Staff Expert - Master-at-Arms
- The Ritual - Thaumaturge
Nightblade - Crit Blade - PvP
Swift, invisible and deadly, the Crit Blade is a stamina nightblade with the ability to produce major DPS whilst maintaining the swiftness of a gazelle should things turn hairy. An ultimate build for anyone looking to do some damage in Battle Grounds or Alliance Wars. This monstrosity holds 3.5k health regen, along with 128% crit damage making him not only hard to kill but fun to play.
The Crit Blade is best for PvP due to its:
- Speed - it’s nice to be able to run like a little coward when things don’t go your way
- Regeneration - having your health come back quicker then the other noobs can kill you is always a plus
- Ability Rotation - the key to any good build is knowing our cool downtime and with this build, you can optimize your attacks and spells for ultimate rhythm and efficacy
- Solo PvP - that right, you can run keeps on your lonesome without getting pounded like a pansy
- Invisibility - because, if you can, why wouldn’t you?
How to create the Crit Blade:
- Choose a race with bonuses to stamina and/or regeneration. Top candidates include Khajit and Wood Elf, though Orc works too.
- Attribute Points - All to stamina
- Mundus Boon - The Shadow
- Infliction - Lycanthropy
- Food and/or Drink - Orcrest Agony Pale Ale / Orzorga’s Smoked Bear Haunch
- Potion - Essence of Health
- Set 1 - The Troll King - 2 Pieces
- Set 2 - Gryphon's - 5 Pieces
- Set 3 - Archer’s Mind - 5 Pieces inc Greatsword (front bar)
- Set 4 - Senche - 2 Pieces inc Bow (back bar)
Skills 1:
- Surprise Attack
- Ambush
- Camouflaged Hunter
- Rally
- Relentless Focus
- Ultimate: Incapacitating Strike
Skills 2:
- Poison Injection
- Efficient Purge
- Siphoning Attacks
- Shadow Image
- Shadowy Disguise
- Ultimate: Incapacitating Strike
Champion Points:
- The Tower -- Warlord - Siphoner
- The Lover -- Arcamist - Healthy - Mooncalf
- The Shadow -- Shadow Ward - Tumbling
- The Atronach -- Physical Weapon Expert - Master-at-Arms
- The Ritual -- Precise Strikes - Mighty - Piercing
- The Steed -- Ironclad - Spell Shield - Resistant - Medium Armor Focus
- The Lady -- Hardy - Elemental Defender - Thick Skinned
Nightblade - Sting - PvE
An awesome dual wielding, deadly stamblade. Fast, lethal and able to provide fast damage in solo and group situations. With a swift rotation through abilities, the Sting is an effective DPS character that can whizz through a fight with range capabilities.
The Sting is best for PvE due to its:
- Survival - A somewhat tanky stamblade that can hold their own
- Ultimates - Rapid used of ultimate abilities
- Buffs, buffs baby!
- Fast Rotation
- High single target damage
How to create the Sting:
- Attribute Points - Stamina
- Mundus Boon - The Shadow
- Infliction - Vampirism
- Food and/or Drink - Sticky Pork And Radish Noodles - Garlic Cod with Potato Crust - Artaeum Takeaway Broth
- Potion (s) - Weapon Power Potions
- Set 1 - Kra-Gh - 2 Pieces
- Set 2 - Arms of Relequen - 5 Pieces
- Set 3 - Mechanical Acuity - 5 Piece inc duel weapons
- Set 4 - Maelstrom - 1 Piece inc bow
Skills 1:
- Blood Craze
- Rearming Trap
- Relentless Focus
- Surprise Attack
- Killer’s Blade
- Ultimate: Flawless Dawnbreaker
Skills 2:
- Resolving Vigor
- Poison Injection
- Razor Caltrops
- Leeching Strikes
- Endless Hail
- Ultimate: Incapacitating Strike
Champion Points:
- The Steed -- Ironclad
- The Lady -- Elemental Defender - Hardy - Thick Skinned
- The Lord -- Quick Recovery
- The Lover -- Mooncalf - Tenacity
- The Shadow -- Shadow Ward - Tumbling
- The Atronach -- Physical Weapon Expert - Master-at-Arms
- The Ritual -- Thaumaturge - Precise Strikes - Mighty - Piercing
Templar - The Shredder - PvP
The build with a guild - the ultimate Templar for anyone who loves running groups, PVP and taking on the lead role in game. Not only does this build have wicked DPS and a bit of a bomb ability, but it works so well in groups for the added advantage of the templars healing properties, keeping comrades and campaign alive.
The Shredder is best for PvP due to its:
- Healing - an invaluable ability
- Perfect for PvP - with a little bit of everything this build can not only cause destruction but also survive
- Survivability
How to create the Shredder:
- Race - Dark Elf
- Attribute Points - Magicka
- Mundus Boon - The Atronach
- Infliction - Lycanthropy
- Food and/or Drink - Magicka and Stamina Recovery
- Potion (s) - Magicka and Stamina Recovery
- Set 1 - Warlock - 5 Pieces
- Set 2 - Arena - 5 Pieces
- Set 3 - Torgus Pact - 5 Pieces
Skills 1:
- Shield Assault
- Puncturing Sweeps
- Blazing Shield
- Defensive Stance
- Repentance
- Ultimate: Solar Prison
Skills 2:
- Dark Flare
- Purifying Ritual
- Retreating Maneuvers
- Blazing Spear
- Breath of Life
- Ultimate: Remembrance
Champion Points:
- The Lover - Arcanist - Mooncalf - Synergizer
- The Tower -- Warlord - Magician
- The Shadow - Tumbling
- The Apprentice -- Blessed - Elemental Expert - Elfborn - Spell Erosion
- The Atronach - Staff Expert
- The Ritual - Thaumaturge
- The Steed - Block Expertise
- The Lady - Spell Absorption - Hardy - Elemental Defender - Thick Skinned
- The Lord - Quick Recovery
Templar - Simplar - PvE
As the name suggests the Simplar isn’t a hard build to create and yet it packs a punch in Player vs Environment. With solid damage dealing and the ability to survive even the stickiest situations, the Simplar is a great build for anyone looking to cause havoc whilst staying alive.
The Simplar is best for PvE due to its:
- An easy solo character - for billy no mates
- Simple - because why should a game be overly hard?
- Damage Dealing - it's critical
- Self-healing - it's what Templar’s were made for
How to create the Simplar:
- Attribute Points - Stamina
- Mundus Boon - The Shadow
- Infliction - Vampirism
- Food and/or Drink - Artaeum Takeaway Broth
- Potion (s) - Essence of Weapon Power
- Weapons - Dual wield (ax and dagger) and Bow
- Set 1 - Stormfist - 2 Pieces
- Set 2 - Deadly Strike - 5 Pieces
- Set 3 - Briarheart - 5 Pieces (Jewellery and Weapons)
- Set 4 - Agility (Bow)
Skills 1:
- Power of Light
- Rearming Trap
- Blazing Spear
- Biting Jabs
- Rending Slashes
- Ultimate: Flawless Dawnbreaker
Skills 2:
- Repentance
- Poison Injection
- Razor Caltrops
- Restoring Rocus
- Endless Hail
- Ultimate: Empowering Sweep
Champion Points:
- The Lady -- Hardy - Thick Skinned - Elemental Defender
- The Lord -- Quick Recovery
- The Lover -- Tenacity -- Mooncalf
- The Shadow -- Tumbling
- The Arconach -- Master-at-Arms
- The Ritual -- Thaumaturge - Precise Strikes - Mighty - Piercing
Warden - MagDen - PvP
Affectionately dubbed the bomb build, the MagDen ‘glistens with murder’. A mage with might, this frost build also works well as a kamikaze bomb with the ability to blow up several enemy players at once as they struggle to run away from your other stunning attacks.
The MagDen is best for PvP due to its:
- Ability to do great damage over time
- Multiple nerd deaths
- Easy skill rotation
- Going ‘boom’ in your enemies face
How to create the MagDen:
- High Elf - Increased Elemental Damage
- Attribute Points - Magicka
- Set 1 - War Maiden - 5 Pieces (inc Jewelry and weapons)
- Set 2 - Iceheart - min 1 Piece
- Set 3 - Spinner’s - 5 Pieces
Skills 1:
- Blue Betty
- Ice Fortress
- Proximity Detonation
- Rally
- Critical Rush
- Ultimate: Permafrost
Skills 2:
- Arctic Blast
- Leeching Vines
- Gripping Shards
- Deep Fissure
- Frost Pulsar
- Ultimate: Eye of Frost
Champion Points:
- The Steed -- Resistant
- The Lady -- Light Armour Focus
- The Lord -- Expert Defender - Bastion
- The Tower -- Warlord
- The Lover -- Tenacity - Arcanist - Mooncalf - Healthy
- The Apprentice -- Elemental Expert - Spell Erosion
- The Atronach -- Shattering Blows - Staff Expert
Warden - Yogi - PvE
Not only is the name fun to say and automatically makes you think of bears and ranger, but this build is a great ride through PvE. With all the finesse of an elven archer, the Yogi combines stunning bowmanship with animal companions wrapped up in a stamina bow. Fast, deadly, and able to kill from range, the Yogi is great for stampeding through Summerset. Just remember to have your guardian on both bars or swapping out will mean saying bye-bye.
The Yogi is best for PvE due to its:
- Range attacks - the bow is great for destroying your enemies from afar
- Animal companions - bears are cute and deadly
- Enjoyable - whilst not for everyone, this build is super fun if given a chance
How to create the Yogi:
- Attribute Points - Stamina
- Mundus Boon - The Shadow
- Infliction - Vampirism
- Food and/or Drink - Braised Rabbit with Spring Vegetables
- Potion (s) - Weapon Power Potions
- Set 1 - Stormfist - 2 Pieces
- Set 2 - Relequen - 5 Pieces
- Set 3 - Tzogvin-s-warband - 4 Pieces (Jewellery and Bow)
- Set 4 - Maelstrom - 1 Piece (Bow)
Skills 1:
- Bull Netch
- Cliff Racer
- Subterranean Assault
- Bird of Prey
- Lethal Arrow
- Ultimate: Wild Guardian
Skills 2:
- Vigor
- Poison Injection
- Caltrops
- Bird of Prey
- Endless Hail
- Ultimate: Wild Guardian
Champion Points:
- The Steed -- Ironclad
- The Lady -- Hardy - Elemental Defender - Thick Skinned
- The Lord - Quick Recovery
- The Lover - Tenacity - Mooncalf
- The Shadow -- Tumbling
- The Atronach -- Physical Weapon Expert - Master-at-Arms
- The Ritual -- Thaumaturge - Precise Strikes - Piercing - Mighty
Necromancer - Drunkbones - PvP
Brillant build for solo PvP, using speed and movability to control territory and annihilate your opponents. Kite away from enemies as you regenerate ultimates and buffs, yet dealing a wild blow when you run into an attack, causing surprise and mayhem to all unwitting enough to challenge you.
The Harvester is best for PvP due to its:
- Crit Rate
- Sustain
- Fast - a speedy build that allows you to dodge and run when you have to
How to create the Harvester:
- Race - Wood Elf - Orc - Khajiit
- Attribute Points - Stamina
- Mundus Boon - The Shadow
- Infliction - Vampirism
- Food and/or Drink - Lava Foot Soup & Saltrice
- Set 1 - Slimecraw - 2 Items
- Set 2 - Gryphon’s - 5 Items
- Set 3 - Hunding’s Rage - 5 Items
- Set 4 - Blackrose - 2 Items (inc Bow)
Skills 1:
- Executioner
- Critical Rush
- Evil Hunter
- Rally
- Hexproof
- Ultimate: Onslaught
Skills 2:
- Skeletal Archer
- Draining Shot
- Elusive Mist
- Blighted Blastbones
- Summoner’s Armor
- Ultimate: Pestilent: Animated Blastbones
Champion Points:
- The Tower -- Warlord - Bashing Focus - Sprinter
- The Lover -- Tenacity - Mooncalf - Arcamist
- The Shadow -- Tumbling
- The Atronach -- Physical Weapon Expert - Master-at-Arms
- The Ritual -- Precise Strikes - Piercing - Mighty
- The Steed - Spell Shield - Resistant - Medium Armour Focus
- The Lady - Hardy - Elemental Defender
- The Lord -- Quick Recovery
Necromancer - The Harvester - PvE
With death as its destruction, the Harvester is a fiend among fiends. Fighting with the forces of darkness on its side, this hard-hitting, hard to kill wielder of zombies and monstrosities, it is a build for the quick-witted among you. With rapid controls and summonings required, the Harvester will give players back what they look to put into the gameplay.
The Harvester is best for PvE due to its:
- High damage - both AOE and Single target
- Health Bonuses!
- The advantage of robbing the dead to restore your life
- Massive Ultimate gain
How to create the Harvester:
- Attribute Points - Stamina
- Mundus Boon - The Shadow
- Infliction - Vampirism
- Food and/or Drink - Artaeum Takeaway Broth - Braised Rabbit with Spring Vegetables
- Potion (s) - Weapon Power Potions
- Set 1 - Stormfist - 2 Pieces
- Set 2 - Relequen - 5 Pieces
- Set 3 - Briarheart - 5 Pieces (inc Jewelry and Weapons
- Set 4 - Maelstrom - 1 Piece (Bow)
Skills 1:
- Blighted Blast Bones
- Rearming Trap
- Detonating Siphon
- Venom Skull
- Rending Slashes
- Ultimate: Flawless Dawnbreaker
Skills 2:
- Necrotic Potency
- Poison Injection
- Razor Caltrops
- Skeletal Archer
- Endless Hail
- Ultimate: Pestilent Colossus
Champion Points:
- The Steed -- Ironclad
- The Lord -- Quick Recovery
- The Lover -- Tenacity - Mooncalf
- The Shadow -- Tumbling
- The Atronach -- Physical Weapon Expert - Master-at-Arms
- The Ritual -- Thaumaturge - Precise Strikes - Piercing - Mighty
So there it is, my list of the best (current) builds for the varying classes in ESO. For the hawk-eyed among you, you will notice certain trends that crop up amongst all the more popular builds, and the reasons for this is, if it works - use it.
However, as the game itself is always evolving and set to release new updates so too must our builds and games play improve. Learning to be unstoppable is after all just part of the fun and so I enclose below some other helpful articles written by my peers that will help you on your quest.
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