The Elder Scrolls Online is renowned for its casual-friendly approach to MMORPGs. Whether you’re embarking on quests, delving into dungeons with friends, or engaging in massive PvP battles in Cyrodiil, everyone can easily jump into the action and make a meaningful contribution.
However, for those seeking to become formidable competitors on the battlefield, optimizing their ESO build is essential. This involves constantly assessing DPS outputs, resource management, and survival strategies. Whether you aspire to be a PvE expert, a solo adventurer, or a PvP champion, we’ve compiled some of the best ESO builds in 2021 to help you reach your goals.
Best Solo Builds in ESO
Image used with permission by OnSpec Electronic, Inc.
The Elder Scrolls Online caters remarkably well to solo players, especially with the introduction of the Companion System. If you want to optimize your solo playstyle without relying on others, there are a couple of key considerations when crafting your build.
-
Focus on DPS and self-healing: One effective approach for solo players is to combine high DPS with strong self-healing abilities. This allows you to perform the roles of both a damage dealer and a healer, akin to the “Holy Trinity” concept, with the tank role being the exception. Utilizing skills that restore health while inflicting damage or defeating enemies is crucial for solo players who wish to avoid being merely tanky.
-
Focus on tanking: Another straightforward option for solo players is to create a sturdy character with ample health. This type of build may not be as effective for high-level solo play, but it provides a stress-free experience while exploring Tamriel. By acquiring skills and passives that enhance your health and resistances, you can add one or two high-DPS skills to your arsenal, aiding you in vanquishing powerful foes. However, your primary advantage lies in your ability to withstand substantial damage before succumbing.
With these concepts in mind, here are some of the best solo builds for both PvP and PvE in The Elder Scrolls Online. It’s worth noting that there are countless ways to personalize your character, and no build can truly claim to be the absolute “best.” What matters most is finding the build that suits your playstyle, so don’t hesitate to adjust these guidelines according to your preferences.
Best PvP Solo Build
- Race: Khajiit
- Class: Nightblade
- Main attribute: Stamina
- Main weapon: Dual Wield
- Backup weapon: Bow
- Armor: Medium (Recommended sets: Eternal Hunt, New Moon Acolyte, Swamp Raider, or Balorgh)
Dual Wield Mainbar Skills
- Surprise Attack
- Camouflaged Hunter
- Deadly Cloak
- Whirling Blades
- Blood Craze
- Ultimate: Incapacitating Strike
Bow Backup Bar Skills
- Shadowy Disguise
- Resolving Vigor
- Leeching Strikes
- Relentless Focus
- Ambush
- Ultimate: Temporal Guard
Best PvE Solo Build
Image used with permission by OnSpec Electronic, Inc.
- Race: High Elf
- Class: Sorcerer
- Main attribute: Magicka
- Main weapon: Destruction Staff
- Backup weapon: Destruction Staff
- Armor: Light (Recommended sets: Necropotence, Magnus’ Gift, Iceheart, or False God’s Devotion)
Destruction Staff Mainbar Skills
- Critical Surge
- Summon Volatile Familiar
- Mystic Orb
- Elemental Drain
- Unstable Wall of Elements
- Ultimate: Shooting Star
Destruction Staff Backup Bar Skills
- Hardened Ward
- Dark Conversion
- Crystal Fragments
- Haunting Curse
- Restraining Prison
- Ultimate: Greater Storm Atronach
Best PvP Builds in ESO
Image used with permission by OnSpec Electronic, Inc.
While the previous build is well-suited for solo PvP, you may want to make adjustments when playing as part of a group. Ideally, you want to deal massive bursts of damage, preventing your target from healing or escaping before delivering a fatal blow. Alternatively, you can stack multiple Damage over Time effects on them, though skilled opponents may manage to keep their healing sustained long enough to outlast your assault.
Depending on the specific PvP situation, your team may require you to fulfill different roles, such as Tank or Healer. Regardless of your assigned task, here are some excellent builds to experiment with in PvP. However, always remember that even the best builds will fail without well-coordinated teamwork. Communicate with your team, devise strategies, and find ways to surprise and overwhelm your opponents. Ultimately, victory hinges on teamwork and strategy, regardless of how flawless your build appears to be.
DPS Build
- Race: Breton
- Class: Dragonknight
- Main attribute: Magicka
- Main weapon: Destruction Staff
- Backup weapon: Sword and Shield
- Armor: Equal mixture of Light, Medium, and Heavy (Recommended sets: Mark of the Pariah or Burning Spellweave)
Destruction Staff Mainbar Skills
- Fossilize
- Flames of Oblivion
- Elemental Drain
- Engulfing Flames
- Burning Embers
- Ultimate: Ferocious Leap
Sword and Shield Backup Bar Skills
- Degeneration
- Unrelenting Grip
- Coagulating Blood
- Volatile Armor
- Elusive Mist
- Ultimate: Corrosive Armor
Tank Build
Image used with permission by OnSpec Electronic, Inc.
- Race: Nord
- Class: Dragonknight
- Main attribute: Stamina
- Main weapon: Sword and Shield
- Backup weapon: Two-Handed Greatsword
- Armor: Heavy (Recommended sets: Ironblood, Torug’s Pact, or Plague Doctor)
Sword and Shield Mainbar Skills
- Resolving Vigor
- Unrelenting Grip
- Power Slam
- Defensive Stance
- Elusive Mist
- Ultimate: Shield Discipline
Two-Handed Greatsword Backup Bar Skills
- Immovable
- Rally
- Wrecking Blow
- Stampede
- Brawler
- Ultimate: Magma Shell
Healer Build
Image used with permission by OnSpec Electronic, Inc.
- Race: High Elf
- Class: Templar
- Main attribute: Magicka
- Main weapon: Restoration Staff
- Backup weapon: Restoration Staff
- Armor: Light (Recommended sets: The Worm’s Raiment, Earthgore, or Spell Power Cure)
Restoration Staff Mainbar Skills
- Siphon Spirit
- Illustrious Healing
- Radiating Regeneration
- Combat Prayer
- Healing Ward
- Ultimate: Life Giver
Restoration Staff Backup Bar Skills
- Breath of Life
- Ritual of Rebirth
- Extended Ritual
- Inner Light
- Repentance
- Ultimate: Solar Prison
Best PvE Builds in ESO
Image used with permission by OnSpec Electronic, Inc.
Designing a reliable character for Dungeons and Trials requires a different approach than creating a build for PvP. Instead of facing a couple of formidable foes, you’ll encounter swarms of weaker enemies. Eventually, you’ll confront high-level bosses, but careful positioning and timing can help you evade their devastating, telegraphed attacks.
Here are three ESO builds for the “Holy Trinity” that will aid you in PvE adventures within The Elder Scrolls Online.
Tank Build
- Race: Argonian
- Class: Dragonknight
- Main attribute: Health
- Main weapon: Sword and Shield
- Backup weapon: Destruction Staff
- Armor: Heavy (Recommended sets: Ironblood, Torug’s Pact, or Plague Doctor)
Sword and Shield Mainbar Skills
- Absorb Missile
- Unrelenting Grip
- Igneous Shield
- Defensive Stance
- Heroic Slash
- Ultimate: Shield Discipline
Destruction Staff Backup Bar Skills
- Sanguine Blood Altar
- Elemental Blockade
- Inner Rage
- Balance
- Inner Rage
- Ultimate: Magma Shell
DPS Build
Image used with permission by OnSpec Electronic, Inc.
- Race: Khajiit
- Class: Nightblade
- Main attribute: Stamina
- Main weapon: Dual Wield
- Backup weapon: Bow
- Armor: Medium (Recommended sets: Eternal Hunt, New Moon Acolyte, Swamp Raider, or Balorgh)
Dual Wield Mainbar Skills
- Deadly Cloak
- Killer’s Blade
- Whirling Blades
- Relentless Focus
- Rapid Strikes
- Ultimate: Thrive in Chaos
Bow Backup Bar Skills
- Resolving Vigor
- Endless Hail
- Leeching Strikes
- Ambush
- Lethal Arrow
- Ultimate: Rapid Fire
Healer Build
- Race: Breton
- Class: Templar
- Main attribute: Magicka
- Main weapon: Restoration Staff
- Backup weapon: Destruction Staff
- Armor: Light (Recommended sets: The Worm’s Raiment, Symphony of Blades, or Spell Power Cure)
Restoration Staff Mainbar Skills
- Energy Orb
- Repentance
- Radiating Regeneration
- Combat Prayer
- Healing Ward
- Ultimate: Life Giver
Destruction Staff Backup Bar Skills
- Elemental Drain
- Elemental Blockade
- Elemental Ring
- Balance
- Overflowing Altar
- Ultimate: Practiced Incantation
Best Beginner Builds in ESO
Image used with permission by OnSpec Electronic, Inc.
If you’re new to The Elder Scrolls Online, avoid overwhelming yourself by attempting to create the perfect character right away. Not only is this approach prone to failure, given the complexity of the game, but there’s no guarantee you’ll enjoy the playstyle you’re striving for. Instead, take some time to discover skills you find enjoyable and determine which role suits you best in combat. Create multiple characters to explore healing, tanking, and damage dealing. Engage in both PvE and PvP content to discover your preferred style of play, as seasoned players often favor one over the other.
The Elder Scrolls Online is exceptionally forgiving to new players, even allowing you to respec your skills and attributes later on. Therefore, there’s no need to stress about finding the best beginner build when starting out. Choose a visually appealing class and dive into the action; you can’t go wrong with any choice. However, keep these general tips in mind as you embark on your personal ESO build:
-
Don’t neglect passive skills: Maximize all passives in the skill lines you’re using, as they significantly enhance the performance of your active skills. They can also boost related stats and attributes.
-
Focus on a few weapons: You can only equip a Mainbar and a Backup bar, so there’s no need to invest in more than two weapon lines. Instead, allocate your points to leveling up all the skills on your Hotbar.
-
Experiment with armor mixtures: While it’s generally advisable to focus on a single armor set, you can create an excellent ESO build by combining Light, Medium, and Heavy armor. Don’t hesitate to mix and match gear, as this can give you an edge in combat.
-
Try different classes: Before reaching the maximum level with a character, experiment with two or three other classes to determine which playstyle suits you best. While you can always respec your skills, your class choice is permanent, so it’s crucial to discover your preference before reaching the endgame.
