ESO Magicka Dragonknight PvP Build

The ESO Magicka Dragonknight PvP Build called the Predator features insane damage over time, burst ultimates, and the ability to fight outnumbered.  Everything you need to dominate the battlefield PvP in the Elder Scrolls Online!  This build and playstyle is historically one of the most aggressive melee builds in ESO.  It’s perfect for someone wanting to charge into battle and lead the fight!

This build has been updated for the Update 40 patch of the Elder Scrolls Online.

Below is a general PvP Guide that can help anyone understand and develop their PvP knowledge and skill. This video is applicable for every build and should be viewed if you want general ESO PvP knowledge that applies to all aspects, Battlegrounds, Cyrodiil, and Imperial City.

ProsCons
God Tier SurvivabilityLacks Execute
Amazing Crowd ControlRequires Stamina Abilities
Rewards Aggressive PlaystyleVampire for Mobility
  

Skills

Skill Set 1 Front Bar

Front Bar Weapon Options: They are all good choices depending on your playstyle and needs. Experiment with what works best.

  • Dual Wield – best overall damage via passives highest DPS but without a restoration staff or Ice staff on the back bar can be brutal to sustain.
  • Fire staff – range and most single target damage and pairs well with elemental users.
  • Lightning Staff: provides easy fully charged heavy attacks for resource sustain and 10% AoE damage when channeling.
  • Two-handed has the best passives for burst.

Back Bar: Frost Staff

Back Bar Weapon Options: They are all good choices depending on your playstyle and needs. Experiment with what works best.

  • Frost Staff – can either use magicka or stamina for blocking via tri focus passive.  Frost also gives as much damage reduction as Sword and Shield and you can use the enchant and have some range.
  • Restoration staff – the best buffs and healing. The strength of Resto is fully charged heavy attacks for major mending and magicka sustain.
  • Sword and Shield – great choice when blocking The benefit of a sword and shield is using stamina for block mitigation when taking tons of pressure. Switch to sword and shield if you like a slower pace gameplay or if you struggle with survivability.

Gear Setup 1: High Burst

This setup is designed around Mech Acuity proc that gives higher critical chance and huge damage.

SlotTypeSetTraitGlyph
HeadheavyBloodspawnWell-fittedPrismatic
ShouldersmediumBloodspawnWell-fittedMagicka
ChestheavyDaedric TrickeryReinforcedPrismatic
LegsheavyArmor of the TraineeReinforcedPrismatic
GloveslightMechanical AcuityWell-fittedMagicka
BootslightMechanical AcuityWell-fittedMagicka
BeltlightMechanical AcuityWell-fittedMagicka
Weapon OneAxeMechanical AcuityNirnhonedPoison
SecondaryAxeMechanical AcuityNirnhonedFlame
Weapon TwoIce StaffDaedric TrickeryPoweredSpell damage
NecklaceSea-Serpent’s CoilInfusedMagicka Recovery
Ring 1Daedric TrickeryBloodthirstySpell Damage
Ring 2Daedric TrickeryBloodthirstySpell Damage

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Bloodspawn: found in Spindleclutch II, Veteran Dungeon, shoulder from Maj al-Ragath, Undaunted vendor. This monster set is a great offensive and defensive set that helps with ultimate generation and offers extra resistance.

FLEX OPTIONS

  1. Maarselok = the best proc dps monster set in the game.
  2. Zaan = truly god-tier dueling or single-target killer monster helm.
  3. Ozezan the Inferno = is an update 37-monster set that is great paired with heals over time.
  4. Roksa the Warped = Update 37 monster helm that gives great resource sustain without Engine Guardian droid.

Sea-Serpent’s Coil: Obtained through Mythic System click here for lead locations.  This mythic essentially provides two five-piece damage sets in one, with nearly zero drawbacks.

FLEX OPTIONS

  1. Markyn Ring of Majesty = great all-around defensive and offensive mythic
  2. Torc of Tonal Constancy = sustain mythic.
  3. Gaze of Sithis = survivability thought changes up set up and sacrifices block mitigation.
  4. Death Dealer’s Fete = max stats which equates to good damage and survivability.

Mechanical Acuity: obtained in Clockwork City, Craftable six traits. Great for huge burst damage though it has a longer cool down.

FLEX OPTIONS

  1. Burning Spellweave: = great base game set that does good damage and procs a status effect.
  2. Snake in the Stars = an update 37 set that counters players using “heal stacking.”
  3. Kynmarcher’s Cruelty = an overland set that gives massive AoE debuff.
  4. Order’s Wrath = craftable set that gives great damage overall and is easy to obtain.

Daedric Trickery = Craftable in Vvardenfell Morrowind.

Why? generates incredible buffs that stack on top of each other including Major Heroism which is the best for DK.

FLEX OPTIONS DEFENSIVE

  1. Mara’s Balm: a great defensive set that purges negative effects and heals you but was nerfed in Update 38.
  2. Powerful Assault = great set to add damage to you and your group and the buff stacks with Rallying Cry.
  3. Rallying Cry = great group utility setup but lacks ultimate generation.
  4. Robes of the Hist = great back bar healing set alternate to Mara’s Balm

Armor of the Trainee: obtained in overland starter areas or guild trader.  Added stats with a one-piece item set.

Gear SETUP 2: Burning Spell Weave

This setup is a bit easier to use and more survivable.

SlotTypeSetTraitGlyph
HeadheavyRoksa the WarpedWell-fittedPrismatic
ShouldersmediumRoksa the WarpedWell-fittedMagicka
ChestheavyDaedric TrickeryReinforcedPrismatic
LegsheavyArmor of the TraineeReinforcedPrismatic
GloveslightBurning Spell WeaveWell-fittedMagicka
BootslightBurning Spell WeaveWell-fittedMagicka
BeltlightBurning Spell WeaveWell-fittedMagicka
Weapon OneMaceBurning Spell WeaveNirnhonedFlame
SecondaryAxeBurning Spell WeaveChargedPoison
Weapon TwoFrost StaffDaedric TrickeryPoweredSpell Damage
NecklaceDaedric TrickerySwiftSpell Damage
Ring 1Markyn Ring of MajestySwiftSpell Damage
Ring 2Daedric TrickerySwiftSpell Damage
  • Roksa the Warped: best in slot resource sustain when playing a vampire.
  • Daedric Trickery = generates incredible buffs that stack on top of each other including Major Heroism which is the best for DK.
  • Burning Spellweave: = great base game set that does good damage and procs a status effect.
  • Markyn Ring of Majesty = a great all-around defensive and offensive mythic also doesn’t snare you.

SETUP 3: Bomber

Play this for huge multi-kills in large scale fights

SlotTypeSetTraitGlyph
HeadheavyGaze of SithisDivinesPrismatic
ShoulderslightMagma IncarnateDivinesMagicka
ChestheavyArmor of the TraineeDivinesPrismatic
LegsmediumPlaguebreakDivinesPrismatic
GloveslightRallying CryDivinesMagicka
BootslightRallying CryDivinesMagicka
BeltlightRallying CryDivinesMagicka
Weapon OneDaggerPlaguebreakPreciseDamage Health
SecondaryDaggerPlaguebreakPreciseDamage Health
Weapon TwoRestoration StaffRallying CryPoweredSpell Damage
NecklaceRallying CryBloodthirstySpell Damage
Ring 1PlaguebreakBloodthirstySpell Damage
Ring 2PlaguebreakBloodthirstySpell Damage

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  • Plaguebreak: applies debuff and explodes targets if they die.
  • Rallying Cry = back bar set that gives you a big boost to weapon and spell damage
  • Gaze of Sithis = massive survivability mythic and you need to wear light armor and do not block. Switch to Restoration staff and Rapid Regeneration in replacement of Vigor.
  • Magma Incarnate: great sustain for a one-piece item set.

Gear No Proc

Meant for specific rule sets

SlotTypeSetTraitGlyph
HeadlightMagma IncarnateWell-fittedPrismatic
ShouldersmediumOrder’s WrathWell-fittedMagicka
ChestheavyMark of the PariahReinforcedPrismatic
LegsheavyMark of the PariahWell-fittedPrismatic
GlovesheavyMark of the PariahWell-fittedMagicka
BootslightOrder’s WrathWell-fittedMagicka
BeltlightOrder’s WrathWell-fittedMagicka
Weapon OneMaceOrder’s WrathNirnhonedFlame
SecondaryAxeOrder’s WrathChargedPoison
Weapon TwoIce StaffBlessing of PotentatesPoweredSpell Damage
NecklaceTorc of Tonal ConstancyInfusedSpell Damage
Ring 1Mark of the PariahInfusedSpell Damage
Ring 2Mark of the PariahInfusedSpell Damage

Desktop hover for set bonuses, mobile click once for set bonuses

  • Magma Incarnate: Monster Set – helmet obtained from Veteran Dread Cellar dungeon (Blackwood zone), Waking Flame DLC. Shoulders obtained from Vendor: Urgarlag Chief-bane (Undaunted Pledge Master). WHY? great sustain for a one-piece item set.
  • Mark of the Pariah: obtained from Wrothgar overland, Orsinium DLC or bought from traders. WHY? most tankiness from a 5pc in no proc PvP
  • craftable set that gives great damage overall and is easy to obtain.
  • Blessing of Potentates: obtained in Cyrodiil Vlastarus Elite Gear Vendor or bought from traders. WHY? great damage reduction two-piece.
  • Torc of Tonal Constancy = sustain mythic and works in no proc PvP.
  • Order’s Wrath = craftable set that gives great damage overall and is easy to obtain.

Race

Best Choice

Dark Elf

A great option if you want to switch between magic and stamina builds. It has good high damage though it lacks sustain passives.

Secondary Choice

Khajiit

Optimal for the most burst possible.

Attributes

Health

Stamina

Magicka

32032

Mundus Stone

Warrior – Increases Weapon Damage by 238

Champion Points


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