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ESO One Bar PvE Magicka Templar Build

Table of Contents

Last Updated: 2023-03-21

Welcome to the ESO One Bar PvE Magicka Templar build is a Heavy Attack build for Templar that relies on fully charged heavy attacks in combination with champion points, base game gear and a mythic.  This will absolutely destroy a parse dummy and any content.  Even though we are using “magicka” skills, we still use medium armor and sustain via fully charged heavy attacks, and with the hybrid changes, there’s a blending of stam/magicka and that’s what you have with this optimal one bar build.

We also included flexible gear options for those with or without Oakensoul Ring mythic.

Related: How to Obtain Oakensoul Ring Guide

Last updated March 13th, 2023, update 37 and the Scribes of Fate DLC: The ESO One Bar PvE Magicka Templar Build is now one of the most popular and most powerful builds in the game.  We changed relevant item sets, Sergeant’s and Storm Master, and the most effective parse bar. The champion points suggested also assume you want the most damage, not survivability. Adjust where you see fit or add a healing skill to your bar to help with more challenging content. Also, make sure to use a two-bar build for Veteran Cloudrest, where bar swapping is required.

The Best One Bar Magicka Templar – Heavy Attack build for Templar

ESO Templar One Bar Build

In ESO, the One Bar Magicka Templar is perfect for everyone, and literally. Great for beginners, veterans, players of any age and experience. It’s easy to understand and doesn’t require bar swapping – the game element that simplifies the gameplay without hurting the potential damage per second. So if a heavy attack builds playstyle and following “pros” is what you are looking for, this build is for you!

Pros

  • Simplistic and effective
  • Great resource sustain
  • Good AoE damage and single target

Cons

  • Heavy attacks outperform spammable until 15% (not that effective)
  • Sweeps/jabs no longer is used, lowering fun faction/survivability

Heavy Attack Build Playstyle

It requires you to do fully charge heavy attacks in between abilities. You need to cast the wall of elements at the beginning of the fight and then refresh it to apply the off-balance buff on cooldown for the best and highest DPS.  It’s critical for this build to work. However, you’ll get used to the playstyle quickly, and applying the wall of elements will become second nature. You can also use the addon “DebuffMe” on PC to track your off-balance buff status.

Video Guide (older version)

Skills

One Bar Lightning Staff - Solo | High Survivability Setup

Front Bar Weapon = We've tested them all and Lighting Staff does the most damage out of all the weapons REGARDLESS of class/passives.

  • Lightning Staff: provides easy fully charged heavy attacks for resource sustain and AoE damage when channeling.  Lighting staff has two important passives, Tri Focus which allows Heavy Attacks damage nearby enemies for 100% of the damage done and Ancient Knowledge increases your damage done with area of effect abilities by 10%
This build rewards you for fully charging heavy attacks and building up stacks of Sergeants Mail. At 4 stacks, you'll do HUGE heavy attack damage.  BUT you need to be constantly casting fully charged heavy attacks rather than many DoT.  Thus the best builds are ones with longer lasting DoTs and simplistic damage over time or pets.

Elemental Blockade (Morph of Wall of Elements | Skill line: Destruction Staff) - Blockade acts as a massive damage ground base AoE and the tool we used to proc off balance. Off balance is key to high DPS with the build due to Champion Point passive Exploiter along with huge area damage. You can “spam” or repeatedly cast the skill for an instant explosion doing area damage during “trash” or multiple mob non-boss fights. Consider this an important damage over time to maintain, and remember, an off-balance proc has a 7-second up time and 15-second downtime.

Honor The Dead (Morph of Rushed Ceremony | Skill line: Restoring Light) - Most solo builds require a burst heal, and as a Templar, Honor the Dead is our best option. The morph choice gives us back magicka, so if we use it once in a while or spam it, we should be able to maintain our resources when it is trouble.

Blazing Spear (Morph of Spear Shards | Skill line: Aedric Spear) - Spear remains one of the strongest damage over time abilities the Templar possess. It does damage up front, damage over time and can proc the Burning Light passive. Moreover, slotting this skill on our front bar will increase overall critical damage by 10%, making it a very strong choice and a damage-over-time effect you want to maintain throughout the fights.

Radiant Glory (Morph of Radiant Destruction | Skill line: Dawns Wrath) - Most one-bar heavy attack builds do not use an execute. Almost all are weaker than simply heavy attacking repeatedly, but not the Templar! This morph, Radiant Glory, sacrifices a little damage for massive healing during execute phase. You’ll want to use this: wait for a boss or a mini-boss to be around 15%, stop using heavy attacks, and just repeatedly use a beam. If doing a parse, you will still want to set off balance via Blockade to take advantage of Exploiter Champion Point passive. You can also “beam” at a much higher health threshold if you need healing.

Elemental Susceptibility (Morph of Weakness to Elements | Skill line: Destruction Staff) - In solo PvE content at the Veteran difficulty, enemies have 18,200 resistances. The closer you get to this total without “spilling” or going over, the better your overall damage will be. Not only does Elemental Susceptibility reduce armor, but it applies three important status effects. An additional reason it remains powerful, it costs zero resources and can be used at very long ranges. Normally this skill isn’t needed in group play because either your tank, healer or another damage dealer will reduce armor. In solo play, it’s all up to you. A flex skill in this location is Razor Caltrops from the Alliance War skill line. The advantage of this skill is it costs stamina, and it’s AoE damage, not a single target. This is a great option outside of boss fights.

Shooting Star (Morph of Meteor | Skill line: Mages Guild) - The strongest damage ultimate remains Shooting Star from the Mage’s Guide. The downside is if the fight requires high mobility or massive AoE, the ability doesn’t shine. Moreover, getting Mage’s Guild skill line fully unlocked is very annoying. But if you want the best range damage, this is your skill. An alternative and something I use in the solo arenas is Elemental Rage Destruction Staff skill line ultimate. The advantage here is it provides massive AoE, quick channel time and doesn’t require a target. Thus in solo arenas, you can pre-cast the ability right as enemies spawn, giving you a damage advantage.

One Bar Lightning Staff - Group | Damage Setup

Front Bar Weapon = We've tested them all and Lighting Staff does the most damage out of all the weapons REGARDLESS of class/passives.

  • Lightning Staff: provides easy fully charged heavy attacks for resource sustain and AoE damage when channeling.  Lighting staff has two important passives, Tri Focus which allows Heavy Attacks damage nearby enemies for 100% of the damage done and Ancient Knowledge increases your damage done with area of effect abilities by 10%
This build rewards you for fully charging heavy attacks and building up stacks of Sergeants Mail. At 4 stacks, you'll do HUGE heavy attack damage.  BUT you need to be constantly casting fully charged heavy attacks rather than many DoT.  Thus the best builds are ones with longer lasting DoTs and simplistic damage over time or pets.

Elemental Blockade (Morph of Wall of Elements | Skill line: Destruction Staff) - Used to proc our off-balance consistently and AoE damage while active.

Ritual Of Retribution (Morph of Cleansing Ritual | Skill line: Restoring Light) - Imagine having a skill that does crazy high AoE damage and provides a powerful group synergy? That’s what you get with Ritual of Retribution, and you should maintain this skill alongside Blazing Spear for huge AoE damage. Keep in mind you’ll need to come in close range and place down, so you hit the maximum amount of targets.

Breath Of Life (Morph of Rushed Ceremony | Skill line: Restoring Light) - This gives you and your group a panic button and burst healing when health gets low. I typically run when no healers are available. Consider this a flex spot if a healer is present on your survivability is high. Usually, a good option here is either Power of the Light for good single-target damage and debuff or Razor Caltrops for debuff and massive AoE damage.

Blazing Spear (Morph of Spear Shards | Skill line: Aedric Spear) - Spear is our best damage over time and should be maintained until executing phase. Remember, this skill also gives resource-sustaining synergy, so do not only use this in a damage context but chuck it to someone if they need resources.

Radiant Oppression (Morph of Radiant Destruction | Skill line: Dawns Wrath) - This ability replaces our heavy-attacking at around 15% healthy. For the most damage, you will want to maintain an off-balance proc with blockade and light attack weave in between beams. Take the other morph, Glory, if you feel weak survivability.

Elemental Rage (Morph of Elemental Storm | Skill line: Destruction Staff) - I prefer this ultimate instead of Shooting Star due to the massive AoE and quick channel time. Zero mobility fights, switch to Mage’s Guild Shooting Star.

One Bar Lightning Staff - Parse | Optimal Damage Setup

Front Bar Weapon = We've tested them all and Lighting Staff does the most damage out of all the weapons REGARDLESS of class/passives.

  • Lightning Staff: provides easy fully charged heavy attacks for resource sustain and AoE damage when channeling.  Lighting staff has two important passives, Tri Focus which allows Heavy Attacks damage nearby enemies for 100% of the damage done and Ancient Knowledge increases your damage done with area of effect abilities by 10%
This build rewards you for fully charging heavy attacks and building up stacks of Sergeants Mail. At 4 stacks, you'll do HUGE heavy attack damage.  BUT you need to be constantly casting fully charged heavy attacks rather than many DoT.  Thus the best builds are ones with longer lasting DoTs and simplistic damage over time or pets.

Elemental Blockade (Morph of Wall of Elements | Skill line: Destruction Staff) - Used to proc our off-balance consistently and AoE damage while active.

Inner Light (Morph of Magelight | Skill line: Mages Guild) - We merely slot Inner Light for the passive boost the max magicka. This makes the rotation easier and all the abilities high much harder.

Barbed Trap (Morph of Trap Beast | Skill line: Fighters Guild) - A super hard-hitting damage ability that procs the hemorrhage status effect. Even though the buff is reduction (minor force), you are using this primarily for hemorrhage status effect which equals insane damage.

Blazing Spear (Morph of Spear Shards | Skill line: Aedric Spear) - Our best in class damage over time effect and should be maintained until execute phase.

Radiant Oppression (Morph of Radiant Destruction | Skill line: Dawns Wrath) - This ability replaces our heavy-attacking at around 15% healthy. For the most damage, you will want to maintain an off-balance proc with blockade and light attack weave in between beams.

Shooting Star (Morph of Meteor | Skill line: Mages Guild) - Highest burst damage on boss fights.

Rotation

Normal rotation

Start with pre-buffing your character. Then drop all damage dots, in order from longest duration to shortest. Then end with the wall of elements to proc the off balance. Do 4 Heavy attacks, and repeat. Use healing skills if needed.

Gear

Heavy Attack build, Optimal with Mythics

Use this if you want best in slot options

Slot Type Set Trait Glyph
Head light Slimecraw Divine Magicka
Shoulders medium Storm Master Divine Magicka
Chest heavy Sergeant's Mail Divine Magicka
Legs medium Storm Master Divine Magicka
Gloves medium Storm Master Divine Magicka
Boots medium Storm Master Divine Magicka
Belt medium Storm Master Divine Magicka
Weapon One Lighting Staff Sergeant's Mail Precise Flame
Weapon Two
Necklace Sergeant's Mail Bloodthirsty Spell Damage
Ring 1 Oakensoul ring Bloodthirsty Spell Damage
Ring 2 Sergeant's Mail Bloodthirsty Spell Damage

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

Slimecraw: obtained from Wayrest Sewers 1, a base game dungeon

  • Why? the best 1pc critical damage bonus piece in the game.  Pen is also a good option, but this is consider best in slot for a one piece.

FLEX OPTIONS

Storm Master: obtained in the Tempest Island dungeon, Malabar Tor zone (base game dungeon).

  • Why? overall the best DPS option for heavy attack builds, increases our damage for something we are already doing, heavy attacks.

FLEX OPTIONS

Sergeant’s Mail: obtained in Wayrest Sewers I & II, dungeon, Stormhaven zone (base game).

  • Why? this builds stacks buy heavy attacking, at 5x stacks you’ll due huge damage in combination with off balance and exploiter CP.  The downside is, it comes in heavy thus putting on jewelry, weapons and 1x body.

FLEX OPTIONS

Oakensoul: obtained through ESO Mythics/antiquities system.  You need 5 items to be able to create the Mythic item. 5 Leads are here:

  • Igneous Inlays Volcanic Vents in the High Isle and Amenos zone (High Isle)
  • Larimar Gems Titanclaw boss at Mudcrab Beach (south-west) (Stormhaven)
  • Petrified Oak Loop Murkmire Strongboxes (Murkmire zone)
  • Sacred Resin Any Mob (Malabal Tor)
  • Stone Shank Frame Blacksmithing nodes in Glenumbra (High Isle) Click for Map

Why? the best one-bar build for DPS because it gives an insane amount of buffs, freeing up bar spots and making us tankier with zero effort.

FLEX OPTIONS

Without Mythics

For those who may not have access to High Isle

Slot Type Set Trait Glyph
Head heavy Iceheart Divine Magicka
Shoulders medium Iceheart Divine Magicka
Chest light Shacklebreaker Divine Magicka
Legs light Shacklebreaker Divine Magicka
Gloves light Shacklebreaker Divine Magicka
Boots light Shacklebreaker Divine Magicka
Belt light Shacklebreaker Divine Magicka
Weapon One Lightning Staff Hexos' Ward Precise Shock
Weapon Two
Necklace Hexos' Ward Arcane Spell Damage
Ring 1 Hexos' Ward Arcane Magicka Recovery
Ring 2 Hexos' Ward Arcane Spell Damage

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

Iceheart: obtained Veteran Direfrost Keep; base game dungeon

  • Why? Great survivability

FLEX OPTIONS

Shacklebreaker: craftable set obtained in Vvardenfell; requires Morrowind DLC

  • Why? gives big max stat pool and resource sustain

FLEX OPTIONS

Hexos’ Ward: overland set obtained in the Deadlands; requires Deadlands DLC

  • Why? easy to obtain and huge increase in survivability for the average player but will require transmuting to Arcane for optimal setup.

FLEX OPTIONS

Passives

Class Passives

Aedric Spear
  • Piercing Spear
  • Spear Wall
  • Burning Light
  • Balanched Warrior
Dawn's Wrath
  • Enduring Rays
  • Prism
  • Illuminate
  • Restoring Light
Restoring Light
  • Mending
  • Sacred Ground
  • Light Weaver
  • Master Ritualist

Weapon Passives

Destruction Staff
  • Tri Focus
  • Penetrating Magic
  • Elemental Force
  • Ancient Knowledge
  • Destruction Expert

Armor Passives

Light
  • Light Armor Bounuses
  • Light Armor Penalties
  • Grace
  • Evocation
  • Spell Warding
  • Prodigy
  • Concentration
Medium
  • Medium Armor Bounses
  • Dexterity
  • Wind Walker
  • Improved Sneak
  • Agility
  • Athlectics
Heavy
  • Heavy Armor Bounses
  • Heavy Armor Penalties
  • Resolve
  • Constitution
  • Juggernaut
  • Revitalize
  • Rapid Mending

Guild Passives

Undaunted
  • Undaunted Command
  • Undaunted Mettle
Fighters Guild
  • Intimidating Presence
  • Slayer
  • Banish the Wicked
  • Skilled Tracker
  • Bounty Hunter
Mages Guild
  • Persuasive Will
  • Mage Adept
  • Everlasting Magic
  • Magicka Controller
  • Might of the Guild

Alliance Passives

Assault
  • Continuous Attack
  • Reach
  • Combat Frenzy

World Passives

N/A

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

    • Class skill lines
    • Armor skill lines
    • Undaunted (must have)
    • Fighter’s Guild (optional)
    • Mage’s Guild (optional)
    • Psijic (optional)
    • Crafting Alchemy (Medicinal Use for potion duration)
    • Race

    Races

    Dark Elf

    Best option when running serious content because Khajiit will be at critical damage cap, and dunmer gives BOTH stat pools and good weapon/spell damage.

    • Ashlander
    • Dynamic
    • Resist Flame
    • Ruination

    Attributes

    Health

    0

    Stamina

    0

    Magicka

    64

    Mundus Stone

    Thief - All around great option for damage and healing. Increases the Critical Strike rating by 1333. With 7 Divines armor pieces: Increases the Critical Strike rating by 2167

    Champion Points

    Warfare

    Weapons Expert (Slottable) - 50
    Increases your damage done with Light and Heavy Attacks by 3% per stage.

    Wrathful Strikes (Slottable) - 50
    Grants 41 Weapon and Spell Damage to your damaging abilities per stage.

    Thaumaturge (Slottable) - 50
    Increases your damage done with damage over time effects by 3% per stage.

    Exploiter (Passive) - 50
    Increases your damage done against Off Balance enemies by 2% per stage.

    Flex Spot(s): If you can afford, take these passives as they add power without a slottable:

    Fitness

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

    Siphoning Spells (Slottable) - 50
    Restore 300 Magicka per stage, whenever you kill an enemy.

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

    Rejuvenation (Slottable) - 50
    Grants 1.8 Health, Magicka, and Stamina Recovery per stage.

    Flex Spot(s): If you can afford, take these passives as they add power without a slottable:

    Crafting

    War Mount (Slottable) - 120
    Improves your mastery with mounts, removing all mount Stamina costs outside of combat.

    Gifted Rider (Passives) - 100
    Increases your Mount Speed by 2% per stage.

    Treasure Hunter (Slottable) - 50
    Increase the quality of items you find in treasure chests.

    Steed's Blessing (Slottable) - 50
    Increases your out of combat Movement Speed by .4% per stage.

    Flex Spot(s): If you can afford, take these passives as they add power without a slottable:

    Consumables

    Tomato Garlic Chutney

    Type: Foods

    BEST DAMAGE: This comes with zero health, ideally used on a parse dummy only where HP and resources are not needed. Increase Max Magicka by 6048 for 35 minutes. Ingredients: Garlic (1), Tomato (1)

    Bewitched Sugar Skulls

    Type: Foods

    MAX STATS: use this if you don't struggle with sustain and you want good damage and survivability. Increase Max Health by 4620, Max Stamina and Magicka by 4250, and Health Recovery by 462 for 2 hours. Ingredients: Bervez Juice (2), Flour (5), Honey (5), Scrib Jelly (2), Columbine (2)

    Jewels of Misrule

    Type: Foods

    RECOVERY: Cheap recovery food used at any level. Increase Stamina and Magicka Recovery by 357 and Max Health by 3927 for 2 hours. Ingredients: Bervez Juice (1), Lotus (1), Mint (1), Rose (1), Columbine (1)

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

    Type: Potions

    SURVIAL: Remember oakensoul gives all your major buffs so you're left with resto potion for survivability and resource sustain. 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.

    Wrap Up

    Additional Guides

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