ESO Arcanist PvE Tank Build

The ESO Arcanist PvE Tank Build has built sustain, a unique crux system, and healing, and in this guide, we explain how to use it in the Elder Scrolls Online.

This build has been updated for the Updated 42, the Gold Road Chapter of the Elder Scrolls Online (ESO).

Why Should You Play Arcanist Tank Build?

In ESO, the Arcanist Tank PvE is perfect for everyone looking for a unique playstyle with a complete set of tools for group gameplay. If powerful tomes of Hermaeus Mora and following what you are looking for, this build is for you! The most important tank responsibility is survival while enduring the enemy’s damage. Sometimes independently from a healer.

Second, a significant responsibility is to provide buffs and debuffs to your group. The ESO Arcanist PvE Tank Build has everything you need to succeed in tanking. We will also give different gear options in case you lack the necessary gear, whether beginner or hardcore tank in the Elder Scrolls Online.

ESO Arcanist PvE Tank Build Features and Mechanics

Below are some of the features found using the ESO Arcanist PvE Tank Build in the Elder Scrolls Online:

• Class – Arcanist
• Weapon One – Sword and Shield
• Weapon Two – Frost Staff
• Armor Types: 5 Heavy, 1 Medium, 1 light
• Race: Nord
• Attributes: 64 Health
• Mundus Stone: Atronach

Skills

Skills Bar One: Sword and Shield

Two options in tanking:

• Sword and Shield (preferred front bar)
• Frost Staff (preferred back bar)

Pierce Armor (Morph of Puncture | Skill Line : One Hand and Shield) – Single target taunt with massive armor debuff making DPS do more damage. Most mobs have 18,200 resistances, the lower, the more damage your group does. Use this on your priority target like a boss, mini boss or something you want to kill fast. If you’re using Master’s Sword and Shield this will heal you as well.

Rune of Uncanny Adoration (Morph of Rune of Eldritch Horror | Skill Line : Soldier of Apocrypha) – A range stun and powerful debuff

Silver Leash (Morph of Silver Bolts | Skill Line : Fighters Guild) – pulls mob in to quickly clear out trash. Downside it cost stamina and can be a burden to cast multiple times. Can be useful to have Void Bash two piece gear set instead. Consider this your flex spot in trials or other content when a pull isn’t needed.

Recuperative Treatise (Morph of Tome Bearer’s Inspiration | Skill Line : Herald of the Tome) – This skill provides resource sustain

Runeguard of Still Waters (Morph of Runic Defense | Skill Line : Soldier of Apocrypha) – Major Protection and another shield for you and your team.

Reviving Barrier (Morph of Barrier | Skill Line : Support) – AoE massive shield that helps get heal over time.

Bar Two: Destruction staff – Ice staff

The Ice staff passives provide block mitigation and defence.

Cruxweaver Armor (Morph of Fatewoven Armor | Skill Line : Soldier of Apocrypha) – Gives you extra resistance and reduces resistance of your enemies.

Destructive Clench (Morph of Destructive Touch | Skill Line : Destruction Staff) – Your Range Taunt, that applays Major Maim

Zenas’ Empowering Disc (Morph of Arcanist’s Domain | Skill Line : Curative Runeforms) – Another great utility skill, applies Minor Courage, Fortitude, Intellect and Endurance to you and your allies.

Elemental Susceptibility (Morph of Weakness to Elements | Skill Line : Destruction Staff) – This skill adds so much damage via the major breach debuff and the three status effects. It’s single target and doesn’t cost anything to cast with a long duration. Consider this a flex skill in group play, with Razor Caltrops from Alliance War being a strong choice.

Impervious Runeward (Morph of Runespite Ward | Skill Line : Soldier of Apocrypha) – Strong shield that absorbs damage

War Horn (Skill Line : Assault) – Massive stat and damage increase to the group, rotate with other players.

Scribing Skills & Grimoires – ESO PvE Tank Build

Ulfsild’s Contingency, Shield Throw, and Soul Burst are the best Grimoires (skills) for a PvE Tank build in ESO. Contingency grants damage reduction and damage shield, while Shield Throw can act as a pull or ranged taunt with major evasion. Soul burst is helpful for shield and ultimate generation. Below are our suggested Grimoires for Tanks:

• Ulfsild’s Contingency (Mages Guild): Damage Shield (focus script), Gladiator’s Tenacity (signature script), and Protection (affixed script). 
• Shield Throw (One-Hand and Shield): Pull or Taunt (focus script), Druid’s Resurgence (signature script), Major Evasion (affixed script).
• Soul Burst (Soul Magic): Damage Shield (focus script), Anchorite’s Potency (signature script, and Resolve (affixed script). 

The Scribing System utilizes one of 11 new skills from the Gold Road Chapter called Grimoires.  With Grimoires, you can customize spells via Scripts.  The scribing feature requires the purchase of the Gold Road Chapter (sponsored link).  To learn more about scribing, check out our full guide here.

Passives Skills

Consider taking all of the passives in the below skill trees to increase your builds performance without slotting any skills:

• The Herald of the Tome (class skill line)
• Apocryphal Soldier (class skill line)
• Curative Runeforms (class skill line)
• Destruction staff (weapon skill line)
• Restoration Staff (weapon skill line)
• Light Armor
• Medium Armor
• Heavy Armor
• Undaunted
• Fighters Guild
• Psjiic Order
• Racial
• Alliance War Support
• Alliance War Assault
• Crafting, Alchemy Medicinal Use

Gear 1: Main Tank Trial Gear

Slot	Type	Set	Trait	Glyph
Head	medium	Nazaray	Sturdy	Prismatic
Shoulders	light	Nazaray	Sturdy	Prismatic
Chest	heavy	Perfected Pearlescent Ward	Reinforced	Prismatic
Legs	heavy	Perfected Pearlescent Ward	Sturdy	Prismatic
Gloves	heavy	Perfected Pearlescent Ward	Sturdy	Prismatic
Boots	heavy	Perfected Pearlescent Ward	Sturdy	Prismatic
Belt	heavy	Perfected Pearlescent Ward	Sturdy	Prismatic
Weapon One	Sword	Perfected Puncturing Remedy	Decisive	Weakening
Secondary	Shield	Perfected Puncturing Remedy	Sturdy	Health
Weapon Two	Ice Staff	Crimson Oath’s Rive	Infused	Crusher
Necklace		Crimson Oath’s Rive	Infused	Magicka Recovery
Ring 1		Crimson Oath’s Rive	Triune	Magicka Recovery
Ring 2		Crimson Oath’s Rive	Triune	Magicka Recovery

Monster Helm and Arena Set

Nazaray: obtained in Shipwright’s Regret DLC Ascending Tide. Considered best in slot due to extending all the important debuffs adding huge damage to your group.

FLEX OPTIONS

• Magma Incarnate 1pc + 1pc Spaulder of Ruin  =  incredible combo if you have another Nazaray tank
• Encratis’s Behemoth = great damage increase when running heavy magicka builds in group
• Sentinel of Rkugamz = decent healing and sustain for you and others
• Roksa the Warped = Update 37 monster helm that gives great resource sustain without Engine Guardian droid.
• Engine Guardian = incredible selfish base game (just you) sustain set
• Scourge Harvester = great self survivability monster

Perfected Puncturing Remedy: obtained in Veteran Dragonstar Arena in Craglorn though can do normal and get a lesser version. Perfect set to front bar, which adds a ton of resistance and amazing self-healing for something we are doing anyway: taunting!

FLEX OPTIONS

• Void Bash  = great if you want to pull trash in easily

Gear Sets

Crimson Oath’s Rive: obtained in the Veteran Dread Cellar, Waking Flame DLC. Similar to Tremorscale, this set adds massive damage if you’re using heavily focused meta stamina builds.

• Drake’s Rush = great for dungeons
• Powerful Assault = great if you can manage casting echoing vigor on your back bar every 10 seconds.
• Saxhleel Champion = great option for necro tanks running barrier
• Aegis of Galenwe = great buff to great while blocking
• Leeching Plate = incredible self-survivability set

Perfected Pearlescent Ward: found in Dreadsail Reef trial, High Isle Chapter. A passive buff is useful to all players in the trial.

FLEX OPTIONS BACK BAR

• Perfected Claw of Yolnahkriin: useful for off tank or secondary set to increase groups damage via minor courage.
• Torug’s Pact = beginner set that can reduce armor for you
• Battalion Defender = incredible survivability and group utility set

Gear 2: Off Trials Tank

The below gear setup is intended for 12-player trials when you are the secondary tank ESO Arcanist PvE Tank Build:

Slot	Type	Set	Trait	Glyph
Head	medium	Tremorscale	Sturdy	Prismatic
Shoulders	light	Tremorscale	Sturdy	Prismatic
Chest	heavy	Perfected Claw of Yolnahkriin	Reinforced	Prismatic
Legs	heavy	Perfected Claw of Yolnahkriin	Reinforced	Prismatic
Gloves	heavy	Perfected Claw of Yolnahkriin	Sturdy	Prismatic
Boots	heavy	Perfected Claw of Yolnahkriin	Sturdy	Prismatic
Belt	heavy	Perfected Claw of Yolnahkriin	Sturdy	Prismatic
Weapon One	Sword	Perfected Puncturing Remedy	Decisive	Weakening
Secondary	Shield	Perfected Puncturing Remedy	Sturdy	Health
Weapon Two	Ice Staff	Crimson Oath’s Rive	Infused	Crusher
Necklace		Crimson Oath’s Rive	Infused	Magicka Recovery
Ring 1		Crimson Oath’s Rive	Infused	Magicka Recovery
Ring 2		Crimson Oath’s Rive	Infused	Reduced Block Cost

• Tremorscale: Used to debuff bosses. Obtained in Volenfell base game dungeon.
• Perfected Claw of Yolnahkriin: useful for off-tank or secondary set to increase group damage via minor courage.
• Perfected Puncturing Remedy: Heals you and grants resistance. Obtained in Dragonstar Arena base game 4-player arena.
• Crimson Oath’s Rive: Provides powerful armor debuff. Obtained in The Dread Cellar Waking Flame DLC.

Gear 3: Dungeons and Arenas

The below gear setup is designed for four-player arenas and dungeons including hard modes:

Slot	Type	Set	Trait	Glyph
Head	medium	Magma Incarnate	Sturdy	Prismatic
Shoulders	light	Spaulder of Ruin	Sturdy	Health
Chest	heavy	Drake’s Rush	Reinforced	Prismatic
Legs	heavy	Drake’s Rush	Sturdy	Prismatic
Gloves	heavy	Drake’s Rush	Sturdy	Health
Boots	heavy	Drake’s Rush	Sturdy	Health
Belt	heavy	Drake’s Rush	Sturdy	Health
Weapon One	Sword	Perfected Puncturing Remedy	Decisive	Weakening
Secondary	Shield	Perfected Puncturing Remedy	Sturdy	Health
Weapon Two	Ice Staff	Powerful Assault	Infused	Crusher
Necklace		Powerful Assault	Triune	Magicka Recovery
Ring 1		Powerful Assault	Triune	Magicka Recovery
Ring 2		Powerful Assault	Triune	Magicka Recovery

• Magma Incarnate: Provides resource sustain to you. Obtained in The Dread Cellar Waking Flame DLC.
• Spaulder of Ruin: Gives group power weapon and spell damage buff. Apart of Mythic system.
• Drake’s Rush: Used for ultimate generation. Obtained in Black Drake Villa, Flames of Ambition DLC.
• Perfected Puncturing Remedy: Heals you and grants resistance. Obtained in Dragonstar Arena base game 4-player arena.
• Powerful Assault: Adds group weapon and spell damage buff. Found in Imperial City Sewers, base game DLC.

Gear 4: Beginner

This setup is designed for someone who just started ESO or is sub 300 champion points and doesn’t have access to monster sets. 

Slot	Type	Set	Trait	Glyph
Head	heavy	Grace of Gloom	Sturdy	Health
Shoulders	heavy	Grace of Gloom	Sturdy	Health
Chest	heavy	Ebon Armory	Reinforced	Health
Legs	heavy	Ebon Armory	Sturdy	Health
Gloves	heavy	Ebon Armory	Sturdy	Health
Boots	heavy	Ebon Armory	Sturdy	Health
Belt	heavy	Ebon Armory	Sturdy	Health
Weapon One	Sword	Endurance	Decisive	Weakening
Secondary	Shield	Endurance	Sturdy	Health
Weapon Two	Ice Staff	Endurance	Infused	Crusher
Necklace		Grace of Gloom	Healthy	Reduce Bracing Cost
Ring 1		Grace of Gloom	Healthy	Magicka Recovery
Ring 2		Grace of Gloom	Healthy	Magicka Recovery

• Grace of Gloom: Gives user reduce AOE damage and healing. Found in Summerset overland, Summerset DLC.
• Ebon Armory: Provides max health to you and others. Found in base game dungeon, Crypt of Hearts I, Crypt of Hearts II.
• Endurance: Simple health buff set. Found in Imperial City Sewers, base game DLC.

Race

The best race choices for the Arcanist PvE Tank:

1. Nord: Great resistance passives for players who want more defensive gameplay and high stamina resource pool.
2. Imperial: The best overall stat pool for tanking and skill cost reduction in cost makes it.
3. Argonian: It’s a powerful defensive tank race all around.

Attributes

The best choice is 64 health, which increases your survivability.

Mundus Stone

The Atronach is the best Mundus Stone for PvE Tank Builds because it increases Magicka recovery.

Champion Points – ESO Arcanist PvE Tank Build

Craft	Warfare	Fitness
Steed’s Blessing	Duelist’s Rebuff	Bracing Anchor
Rationer	Ironclad	Shield Master
Liquid Efficiency	Unassailable	Rejuvenation
Treasure Hunter	Enduring Resolve	Fortified

Warfare Constellation Champion Points

Below is a step-by-step method for slotting your champion points in the Warfare tree (blue).  We have used the minimum possible to reach 4 slottable selections all maxed out.  If you have more CP, consider taking more in the passives for optimal performance.

Below are recommended Warfare Champion Point selections for the ESO Dragonknight PvE Tank Build:

1. Tireless discipline 10
2. Staving death – sub con – Quick recovery 10 
3. Staving death – sub con – ironclad  (slottable)– 50
4. Duelist rebuff  (slottable) – 50
5. Enduring resolve (slottable) – 50
6. Unassailable (slottable) – 50

This would be the bare minimum setup, spending 220 CP (660 total required). The next step is to max out passives, that do not require a slottable but increase performance.

1. Precision 20
2. Piercing 20
3. Tireless discipline 10
4. Eldritch insight 20
5. Blessed 20
6. Quick recovery 10
7. Flawless ritual 40
8. War mage 30
9. Battle mastery 40
10. Mighty 30
11. Elemental aegis 20
12. Hardy 20
13. Preparation 20

This would max out the Warfare tree with all active and passive champion points at 520 spent 1,560 total spent.

Fitness Constellation Champion Points

Below are recommended Fitness Champion Point selections for the ESO Dragonknight PvE Tank Build:

1. Fortified (slottable) 50
2. Boundless Vitality (slottable) 50
3. Rejuvenation (slottable) 50
4. Sprinter 10
5. Winder chaser – sub con – hasty 8
6. Tireless guardian 10
7. Walking Fortress – sub con – Nimble Protectors 3
8. Walking fortress – sub con – Bracing anchor (slottable) 50 

This would be the bare minimum setup, spending 231 CP (693 total required). The next step is to max out passives, that do not require a slottable but increase performance.  

1. Hero’s Vigor 10
2. Tumbling 30
3. Sprinter 10
4. Defiance 20
5. Hasty 8
6. Tireless guardian 10
7. Fortification 30
8. Nimble 3
9. Mystic tenacity 50
10. Tempered soul 50
11. Piercing gaze 30
12. Savage defense  30
13. Bashing brutality 20

This would max out the fitness tree with all active passive champion points at 552 cp spent and 1,656 total spent.

Craft Constellation Champion Points

Below are recommended Craft Champion Point selections for the ESO Dragonknight PvE Tank Build:

1. Steed’s blessing (slottable) – 50
2. Breakfall 10 
3. Wanderer 15
4. Steadfast 10
5. Treasure hunter 50 (slottable)
6. rationer (slottable) 30
7. liquid efficiency (slottable) 75

This would be the bare minimum setup, spending 240CP (720 total required). The next step is to max out passives, that do not require a slottable but increase performance.

1. Steadfast enchantment 40cp
2. Breakfall 40 cp
3. Wanderer 60
4. Fortunes favor 50
5. Friends in low places 25
6. Out of sight 30
7. Fleet of phantom 40
8. Soul’s Reservoir 33
9. Gilded fingers 50
10. Fortunes favor 40
11. Inspiration boost 45
12. Infamous 30

This would max out the crafting tree with all active passive champion points at 723 cp spent 2,169 total spent.

Consumables

Bewitched Sugar Skulls food and Essence of Health (tri-stat) potions are the best consumables for a PvE Tank in the Elder Scrolls Online. Bewitched gives you all three useful resources and health recovery tools for a tank. Tri-stat potions give you health and a flood of both magicka and stamina for blocking and casting spells. Longfin Pasty with Melon Sauce is an alternative to Bewitched Sugar Skulls or rewards in the crown store with max stats.

• Bewitched Sugar Skulls: Increase Max Health by 4620, Max Stamina and Max Magicka by 4250, and Health Recovery by 462 for 2 hours. Ingredients: Scrib Jelly, Flour, Columbine, Bervez Juice, and Honey.
• Longfin Pasty with Melon Sauch: increase max health, magicka, and stamina. Crafted with provisions, including fish fruit, melon vegetable, greens, and Frost Mirriam.
• Tri-Pots – grants immediate health, stamina, and magicka, along with tri-recovery. Crafted with alchemy from ingredients such as Bugloss, Columbine, and Mountain Flower,

Build Summary – ESO Arcanist PvE Tank Build

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