ESO Magicka Sorcerer PvP Build

Table of Contents

• Skills
• Rotation
• Gear
• Passives Skills
• Race
• Mundus Stone
• Champion Points
• Consumables
• Wrap Up

Last Updated: 2023-03-16

ESO Magicka Sorcerer PvP Build

Welcome to our Mag SoPvP Build guide!  Magsorc is for players that are looking to play battleground content with high mobility, burst and survivability.  Frag-Out offers some hard-hitting burst, high mobility and great survivability.  The learning curve using a Magicka Sorcerer comes from understanding how and when to apply shields for survival but has a high ceiling for domination.  If you’re looking for a group DPS build click HERE, one bar build HERE or a PvP build HERE.  Also, consider watching me on Twitch where you can ask me questions about my current builds.

Last Updated March 16th, 2023 for ESO Update 37, Scribes of Fate.  The shield-stacking sorcerer with high burst still works in modern game-play.  However, the build struggles into be pigeon holed into purely single target-focused damage.  This build can do some nasty damage at range, but it’s hard to master because in a split second someone can catch up to you. Vampire Mist Form now gives 15 second mobility tool similar to streak and it will be harder to survive especially against traditionally slow classes like the Dragonknight.  However, the high burst single target and execute playstyle works well in open world and battlegrounds.

 

Pros	Cons
High Mobility	Constant Bar Swapping
Good Single Target	Archaic Shield Stacking
Class Execute	Limited AoE Damage
	Shutdown with Reflect Abilities

Video Guide

100k Budget Build

Skills

Front Bar: Destruction Staff - Fire Staff

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

• 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 channelling.
• 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.
• Two-handed has the best passives for burst.

 

Streak (Morph of Bolt Escape | Skill line: Storm Calling) - This ability is obviously an on-demand mobility tool. It’s used offensively to drop block by streaking through targets. You can also use it as a get away tool when in trouble. I try to dodge, streak together to use both resource pools for escaping.

Crystal Fragments (Morph of Crystal Shard | Skill line: Dark Magic) - Frags is our bursting tool and with this build you should only used when “proc’d” meaning you hear a sound and see the skill change icons to purplish. You can always save a frag proc for a burst combo so don’t feel like you need to use it every single time immediately. We won't have a spammable ability like traditional builds so "hard cast" if you have all your pressure DoTs up.

Haunting Curse (Morph of Daedric Curse | Skill line: Daedric Summoning) - Curse acts as our secondary bursting tool with two separate explosions. You’re trying to time a frags/curse explosion to get an opponent sub 20% health where your Mages Wrath kills them instantly. Swap this skill to Dampening Magicka if you struggle with high-intensity bar swaps as you must CONSTANTLY swap and apply back bar shields and hots and it can be tough for average players. 2x shields means less damage, but placing it on the same position for both bars makes it less cumbersome to use.

Mages Fury (Skill line: Storm Calling) - Our execute damage ability used to prep low health targets.

Summon Twilight Matriarch (Morph of Summon Winged Twilight | Skill line: Daedric Summoning) - Our spammable burst heal that does great at distracting and off healing allies.

Power Overload (Morph of Overload | Skill line: Storm Calling) - Single target damage-dealing ability.

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Back Bar: RestorationStaff

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

• Restoration Staff - the best buffs and healing. The strength of Resto is fully charged heavy attacks for major mending and magicka sustain.
• Frost Staff - can either use magicka or stamina for blocking and gives as much damage reduction as Sword and Shield and you can use the spell damage enchant and have some range.
• 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.

 

Hurricane (Morph of Lightning Form | Skill line: Storm Calling) - Armor buff and mobility along with damage, makes you tankier and faster with long duration.

Summon Twilight Matriarch (Morph of Summon Winged Twilight | Skill line: Daedric Summoning) - Doubled barred so it doesn't come off.

Hardened Ward (Morph of Conjured Ward | Skill line: Daedric Summoning) - survivability when our health dips or is likely to dip cast. The trick to playing a sorc is constantly swapping to apply this buff then going on offensive for 6 seconds, rinse and repeat. If you don't, you'll be exposed because you have lower resistance than other builds. So either double bar or get use to bar swapping constantly.

Resolving Vigor (Morph of Vigor | Skill line: Assault) - Good burst heal and it gives minor armor buff to be combined with major.

Dark Conversion (Morph of Dark Exchange | Skill line: Dark Magic) - infinite resource loop with a burst heal. You trade your stamina for magicka which is great since we have a large stamina pool. It also has some sustain over time so you can use this to top off and regen. Also, this acts as our burst heal so as long as we have a shield first, we can cast this and get a nice boost to healing.

Life Giver (Morph of Panacea | Skill line: Restoration Staff) - Our panic button survival ultimate.

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Rotation

Burst Combo

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Gear

Optimal

This gear priorities max stats for big shields and resource sustain.

Slot	Type	Set	Trait	Glyph
Head	heavy	Engine Guardian	Infused	Prismatic
Shoulders	medium	Engine Guardian	Well-fitted	Magicka
Chest	light	Crafty Alfiq	Infused	Prismatic
Legs	light	Crafty Alfiq	Infused	Prismatic
Gloves	light	Armor of the Trainee	Well-fitted	Magicka
Boots	light	Crafty Alfiq	Well-fitted	Magicka
Belt	light	Crafty Alfiq	Well-fitted	Magicka
Weapon One	Fire Staff	Ancient Grace	Sharpened	Spell Damage
Weapon Two	Frost Staff	Ancient Grace	Powered	Escapist’s Poison IX
Necklace		Ancient Grace	Arcane	Magicka Recovery
Ring 1		Death Dealer's Fete	Arcane	Magicka Recovery
Ring 2		Crafty Alfiq	Arcane	Magicka Recovery

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

Engine Guardian: obtained in Darkshade Caverns II.

• Why? Great defensive set that gives near infinite resources.

FLEX OPTIONS

• Balorgh = burst damage
• Zoal the Ever-Wakeful = counter gank.
• Magma Incarnate = good all-around damage, sustain and resistances

Crafty Alfiq: obtained in overland Elsweyr zone, Elsweyr DLC.

• WHY? big pool of magicka, but effective without pets

FLEX OPTIONS

• Necropotence  = gives us the most max stats for pets
• Rallying Cry = a great offensive and defensive set that lowers the burst damage you receive and increasing your damage and healing.

Death Dealer’s Fete: obtained through ESO Mythics/antiquities system:

You need 5 items to be able to create the Mythic item. Location of the 5 pieces:

WHY? being in combat for prolongued periods of time rewards you with a lot of max stats.  This is good all around, damage and survivability but it’s not best for either.

FLEX OPTIONS

• Torc of Tonal Constancy = Sustain
• Gaze of Sithis = survivability though changes up setup

Grace of the Ancients: obtained in Cropsford PvP Vendor or sold on traders.

• WHY? Gives most max magicka for a three piece.

Armor of the Trainee: obtained in overland starter areas or trader.

• WHY? 1pc only used for little more stats.

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No Proc PvP Cyrodiil and Imperial City

Meant for specific rule sets

Slot	Type	Set	Trait	Glyph
Head	heavy	Magma Incarnate	Infused	Prismatic
Shoulders	medium	Domihaus	Well-fitted	Magicka
Chest	light	Amber Plasm	Infused	Prismatic
Legs	light	Amber Plasm	Infused	Prismatic
Gloves	light	Amber Plasm	Well-fitted	Magicka
Boots	light	Amber Plasm	Well-fitted	Magicka
Belt	light	Amber Plasm	Well-fitted	Magicka
Weapon One	Fire Staff	Crafty Alfiq	Sharpened	Shock
Weapon Two	Frost Staff	Crafty Alfiq	Defending	Escapist’s Poison IX
Necklace		Crafty Alfiq	Arcane	Magicka Recovery
Ring 1		Crafty Alfiq	Arcane	Magicka Recovery
Ring 2		Crafty Alfiq	Arcane	Magicka Recovery

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.
• Domihaus: Monster Set – helmet obtained from Veteran Falkreath Hold dungeon (Craglorn zone), Horns of the Reach DLC. Shoulders obtained from Vendor: Urgarlag Chief-bane (Undaunted Pledge Master). WHY? extra resource pool
• Crafty Alfiq: obtained from overland in Northern Elsweyr Zone, Elsweyr DLC or bought from traders. WHY?  gives us the most max stats for a five-piece.
• Amber Plasm: obtained from Ruins of Mazzatun dungeon(Shadowfen zone), Shadows of the Hist DLC. WHY? Huge damage increase for no proc PvP, also solves sustain issues on magica Sorcerer PvP.

FLEX: If you have access to Mythics system, and need defence

• Gaze of Sithis: survivability, though changes up setup

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Budget Build

Use for Battlegrounds, 100k gold, or no CP PvP.

Slot	Type	Set	Trait	Glyph
Head	heavy	Trainee (Gaze for No Proc)	Any	Health
Shoulders	medium	Trainee	Any	Magicka
Chest	light	Crafty Alfiq	Any	Health
Legs	light	Crafty Alfiq	Any	Health
Gloves	light	Crafty Alfiq	Any	Magicka
Boots	light	Crafty Alfiq	Any	Magicka
Belt	light	Crafty Alfiq	Any	Magicka
Weapon One	Fire Staff	Willpower	Sharpened > Precise	Shock
Weapon Two	Frost Staff	Willpower	Powered > Defending	Weapon Damage
Necklace		Ancient Grace	Arcane	Spell Damage
Ring 1		Ancient Grace	Arcane	Magicka Recovery
Ring 2		Ancient Grace	Arcane	Magicka Recovery

NOTES:

• Find any trait, blue or green and upgrade glyphs to at least purple.
• Focus on traits of weapon as priority in spending.
• Use Tamriel Trade Centre for cheapest options
• Work towards replacing trainee with suggested items
• Buy better glyphs and food, prismatic

Gear Sets

• Crafty Alfiq: obtained in Elsweyr overland. WHY? gives us the most max stats for a five piece.
• Grace of the Ancients: obtained in Cropsford PvP Vendor or sold on traders. WHY? Gives most max magicka for a three piece.
• Willpower: obtained via dungeon daily rewards, traders or Imperial City. WHY? dirt cheap two piece that gives tons of max stats.
• Armor of the Trainee: obtained in overland starter areas or trader. WHY? 1pc only used for little more stats.

PROGRESSION = you want to replace the helm with Gaze of Sithis for insane survivability and the 1pc shoulder with Dominhaus or Swarmother for max larger max stats.

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Passives

Class Passives

Weapon Passives

Armor Passives

Guild Passives

Alliance Passives

World Passives

Make sure to focus on maxing out the following passives skills as they add performance to your character

• Class passives
• Weapon passives
• Armor passives
• Fighter’s Guild (optional)
• Mage’s Guild (optional)
• Undaunted (must have)
• Psijic Guild (optional)
• Crafting Alchemy (Medicinal Use for potion duration)
• Race
• Assault Alliance passives
• Alliance Support passives
• Vampire (if using)
• Werewolf (if using)

Races

Dark Elf

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

• Ashlander
• Dynamic
• Resist Flame
• Ruination

High Elf

Best overall in terms of damage and decent sustain.

• Highborn
• Spell Recharge
• Syrabane's Boon
• Elemental Talent

Breton

Great for magicka sustain and max magica. Bretons' have good spell resistance, defensive passives, valuable in PvP

• Opportunist
• Gift of Magnus
• Spell of Attunement
• Magicka Mastery

Attributes

Mundus Stone

Mage - Increases Maximum Magicka by 2023. With 7 Divines armor pieces: Increases Maximum Magicka by 3309 Locations: Deshaan, Stormhaven Grahtwood.

Atronach - Good options if you struggle with resources. Increases Magicka recovery by 310. With 7 Divines armor pieces: Increases Magicka recovery by 507

Champion Points

Warfare

Arcane Supremacy (Slottable) - 50
Increases Max Magicka by 26 per stage.

Master-at-Arms (Slottable) - 50
Increases your damage done with direct damage attacks by 3% per stage.

Deadly Aim (Slottable) - 50
Increase your damage done with single target attacks by 3% per stage.

Ironclad (Slottable) - 50
Reduces your damage taken by direct damage attacks by 3% per stage.

Flex Spot(s): If you can afford, take these passives as they add power without a slottable: Tumbling (30), Mystic Tenacity (10), Hero’s Vigor (20), Shield Master (10), Defiance (20), Hasty (16), Tireless Guardian (20), Fortification (30), Sprinter (20), Nimble Protector (6), Savage Defense (30), Bashing Brutality (20), & Piercing Gaze (30)

Fitness

Fortified (Slottable) - 50
Grants 34.6 Armor per stage.

Bastion (Slottable) - 50
Increases the effectiveness of your damage shields and damage against shielded enemies by 3% per stage.

Boundless Vitality (Slottable) - 50
Grants 28 Max Health per stage.

Bastion (Slottable) - 50
Increases the effectiveness of your damage shields and damage against shielded enemies by 3% per stage.

Flex Spot(s): If you can afford, take these passives as they add power without a slottable: Precision (20), Piercing (20), Eldritch Insight (20), Flawless Ritual (40), War Mage (30), Quick Recovery (20), Preparation (20), Elemental Aegis (20), Hardy (20), Blessed (20), Tireless Discipline (20), Battle Mastery (40), & Mighty (30)

Crafting

War Mount (Slottable) - 50
Improves your mastery with mounts, removing all mount Stamina costs outside of combat.

Gifted Rider (Passives) - 50
Increases your Mount Speed by 2% per stage.

Rationer (Passives) - 30
Adds 10 minutes to the duration of any food or drink that increases your character's stats per stage.

Liquid Efficiency (Slottable) - 75
Whenever you use a potion or poison you have a 10% chance to not consume it.

Flex Spot(s): If you can afford, take these passives as they add power without a slottable: Breakfall (50), Wanderer (75), Steadfast Enchantment (50), Fortune’s Favor (40), Gilded Fingers (50), & Inspiration Boost (45)

Consumables

Bewitched Sugar Skulls

Type: Foods

GOOD MAX STATS: Increase Max Health by 4620, Max Stamina and Max Magicka by 4250, and Health Recovery by 462 for 2 hours. (effects are scaled based on your level) Ingredients: Scrib Jelly (2), Flour (5), Columbine (2), Bervez Juice (2), Honey (5)

Orzorga's Smoked Bear Haunch

Type: Foods

GREAT RECOVERY(A great option if you can afford it): Increase Max Health by 4312, Health Recovery by 406 and Stamina and Magicka Recovery by 369 (effects are scaled based on your level) Ingredients: Red Meat (1), Tomato (1), White Cap (1), Frost Mirriam (1), Perfect Roe (1)

Jewels of Misrule

Type: Foods

CHEAP: Increase Stamina and Magicka Recovery by 357 and Max Health by 3927 for 2 hours. (effects are scaled based on your level) Ingredients: Rose (1), Mint (1), Lotus(1), Columbine (1), Bervez Juice (1)

Tri-Restoration Potion or Essence of Health (tri-stat)

Type: Potions

Restore 7329 Health, 6618 Magicka, and 6618 Stamina immediately. Grants Major Fortitude, Major Intellect, and Major Endurance which increase your Health Recovery, Magicka Recovery, and Stamina Recovery by 20% for 31.7 seconds. (effects are scaled based on your level) Ingredients: Bugloss, Columbine, Mountain Flower

Escapist's Poison IX

Type: Poisons

Immobilizes your target and grants you unstoppable, rendering you immune to control effects for 1.6 seconds. This poison will also break you free of ongoing control effects. Inflects hindrance to your target and grants you major expedition, reducing their movement speed by 40% and increasing your movement speed by 30% for 2.3 seconds. Drains stamina from your target, increasing the cost of their stamina abilities by 10% and restores 238 stamina per second to you for 2.3 seconds. (10s cooldown). Ingredients: Columbine, Namira’s Rot, Wormwood

Wrap Up

LIGHT ATTACK WEAVING GUIDE

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MORE BUILDS

If you’re looking for a group DPS build click HERE, one bar build HERE or a PvP build HERE.  Also, consider watching me on Twitch where you can ask me questions about my current builds.