
Table of Contents
- Should You Play This Build?
- Skills
- Rotation
- Gear
- Passives Skills
- Race
- Mundus Stone
- Champion Points
- Consumables
- Wrap Up
Last Updated: 2023-05-09
Should you play this build?
Welcome to the ESO One Bar PvP Magicka Arcanist Build for The Elder Scrolls Online. If you are looking for information about the Arcanist and everything we know about the class check out our The Elder Scrolls Online: Arcanist Class Guide. For more ESO builds click HERE. Also, consider watching me on Twitch where you can ask me questions about my current builds.

When the Arcanist is officially released, we will include flexible gear options for those with or without Oakensoul Ring mythic.
Related: How to Obtain Oakensoul Ring Guide
Last updated May 9th, 2023 for The Elder Scrolls Online Necrom Chapter launching on June 5th PC and June 20th on Consoles. This build and information were updated from the latest testing cycle and will be updated after Necrom launches. Keep in mind, the Arcanist requires a Chapter purchase and is not a base game.
The Best Arcanist PvP Build
The Arcanist PvP build focuses on a long damage-dealing channel Fatecarver. This build will try to keep you alive at range and do massive bursts with Fatecarver ability. Keep in mind, you’ll need to aim it alongside keeping yourself healed.
Pros | Cons |
Ranged damage | Weak healing |
Huge AoE | Can be interrupted |
Good class ultimates |
Crux System and Crux Generation on Arcanist Class in ESO

The Arcanist uses abilities to create and consume Cruxes, small triangular glyphs floating around the character (3 max). You will use specific skills to generate Cruxes and additional abilities that consume them, amplifying abilities and triggering important class passives.
Crux consumption could provide more damage, longer duration, cheaper resource cost, and more healing. Additionally, it generates and activates important passives. For example, Crux-consumption can give you more weapon/spell or critical damage. The more you use Cruxes, the better.
The following brief guide explains the combat with the ESO Arcanist class in builds:
- Use one primary skill as a tank, damage dealer, or healer to generate Crux.
- Consume that Crux with one or two skills for better damage, healing, and defenses.
- Start building Crux again to use the other skill for another in-combat advantage.
- In between combing Crux, maintain your buffs, healing, and damage over time skills.
- Your build wants to find the sweet spot of constantly generating Crux and consuming it for bonuses.
- You don’t want your build to have zero Crux or constantly three without a “dump” skill.
Skills
Lighting Staff
Lightning Staff: provides easy fully charged heavy attacks for resource sustain and AoE damage when channeling.
Runeguard Of Freedom (Morph of Runic Defense | Skill line: Soldier Of Apocrypha) - This skill is your protection and should be kept up every 20 seconds. When you drop below 50%, you receive a decent burst heal. Combine that with Runemend for survival.
Cephaliarchs Flail (Morph of Abyssal Impact | Skill line: Herald Of The Tome) - This ability heals, does AoE damage and build's Crux for us at range. Perfect for our main damage ability Pragmatic Fatecarve. Having three stacks of Crux reduces the cost of Pragmatic Fatecarver so you won't destroy your resource sustain.
Rune Of The Colorless Pool (Morph of Rune of Eldritch Horror | Skill line: Soldier Of Apocrypha) - This abillity is simply one of the best stuns in the game. You want to use this on you primary target just before you launch a three-stack Pragmatic Fatecarver.
Pragmatic Fatecarver (Morph of Fatecarver | Skill line: Herald Of The Tome) - Fatecarver is a long channel that cannot be interrupted while your shield holds. You will need to aim and time this appropriately so don't "spam" it until the situation is right. Be at the range, with three stacks up and high health pool and aim it at a large crowd for huge damage. You can cancel the animation by dodging or blocking if you are in trouble.
Evolving Runemend (Morph of Runemend | Skill line: Curative Runeforms) - An in-class heal over time acts as a burst heal. In order to survive you'll need to combine this with the sub-50 % burst heal from Runeguard of Freedom which can be difficult at times.
Sanctum Of The Abyssal Sea (Morph of Gibbering Shield | Skill line: Soldier Of Apocrypha) - The weakness of the Arcanist is its weak healing and needing 2-3 skills for survival when taking pressure. Thus, we will use this defensive ultimate when under melee pressure. If you don't struggle with survivability swap to The Tide King's Gaze.
Rotation
Rotation
Gear
Optimal with Oakensoul
This is for the highest damage loadout possible, flex options below if you don't have this gear
Slot | Type | Set | Trait | Glyph |
Head | heavy | Daedric Trickery | Well-fitted | Prismatic |
Shoulders | light | Magma Incarnate | Well-fitted | Magicka |
Chest | heavy | Daedric Trickery | Reinforced | Prismatic |
Legs | heavy | Daedric Trickery | Reinforced | Prismatic |
Gloves | medium | Deadly Strikes | Well-fitted | Magicka |
Boots | light | Daedric Trickery | Well-fitted | Magicka |
Belt | light | Daedric Trickery | Well-fitted | Magicka |
Weapon One | Lighting Staff | Deadly Strikes | Sharpened | Spell Damage |
Weapon Two | ||||
Necklace | Deadly Strikes | Swift | Spell Damage | |
Ring 1 | Oakensoul ring | Infused | Magicka Recovery | |
Ring 2 | Deadly Strikes | Swift | Spell Damage |
Desktop hover over gear for set bonuses, mobile click once for set bonuses
Magma Incarnate: obtained from Vet Dread Cellar; requires Waking Flame DLC
- Why? Best all-around 1pc monster helm for sustain.
FLEX OPTIONS
- Baron Thirsk = 1pc magicka and stamina recovery
- Chokethorn = 1pc magicka recovery
- Shadowrend = 1pc magicka recovery
Deadly Strikes: obtained in Cyrodiil Bruma Elite Gear Vendor.
- Why? massively increases the damage of the two main attacks we are using.
FLEX OPTIONS
- Order’s Wrath = high damage, healing and big crits
- Rallying Cry = great group utility setup
- War Maiden = great damage for pure magicka users
- New Moon = good craftable option.
Daedric Trickery: craftable, Vanderfell zone.
- Why? Generates incredible buffs that stack on top of each other, including Major Heroism which is the best for one-bar builds.
FLEX OPTIONS DEFENSIVE
- Mara’s Balm = great survivability set.
- Wretched Vitality = great recovery/Sustain
- Mark of the Pariah = another good defensive set.
- Buffer of the Swift = awesome damage reduction
Oakensoul: obtained through ESO Mythics/antiquities system. You need 5 items to be able to create the Mythic item. CLICK HERE FOR LEADS:
- 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)
Why? the best one-bar build for DPS and the entire premise behind the build requiring High Isle chapter.
Passives
Class Passives
Curative Runeforms
- Healing Tides
- Hideous Clarity
- Erudition
- Intricate Runeforms
Herald of the Tome
- Fated Fortune
- Harnessed Quintessence
- Psychic Lesion
- Splintered Secrets
Soldier of Apocrypha
- Aegis of the Unseen
- Wellspring of the Abyss
- Circumvented Fate
- Implacable Outcome
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
N/A
Alliance Passives
N/A
World Passives
N/A
Races
High Elf
This is a great choice for damage reduction channeling which is our main two attacks.
- Highborn
- Spell Recharge
- Syrabane's Boon
- Elemental Talent
Breton
Great for pure resource sustain.
- Opportunist
- Gift of Magnus
- Spell of Attunement
- Magicka Mastery
Dark Elf
Great if playing a vampire.
- Ashlander
- Dynamic
- Resist Flame
- Ruination
Attributes
Health
32
Stamina
0
Magicka
32
Mundus Stone
Atronach - Use for resource sustain.
Champion Points
Warfare
Focused Mending (Slottable) - 50Increases your Healing Done with single target heals by 2% per stage.
Ironclad (Slottable) - 50Reduces your damage taken by direct damage attacks by 3% per stage.
Duelist's Rebuff (Slottable) - 50Reduces your damage taken by single target attacks by 3% per stage.
Master-at-Arms (Slottable) - 50Increases your damage done with direct damage attacks 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)
Fitness
Celerity (Slottable) - 50Increases your Movement Speed by 2% per stage.
Survival Instincts (Slottable) - 50While afflicted with a Status Effect, your core combat skills cost 5% less per stage.
Pain's Refuge (Slottable) - 50Reduces your damage taken by 1% per negative effect active on you, up to a maximum of 20%.
Fortified (Slottable) - 50Grants 34.6 Armor 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), Defiance (20), Hasty (16), Tireless Guardian (20), Fortification (30), Sprinter (20), Nimble Protector (6), Savage Defense (30), Bashing Brutality (20), & Piercing Gaze (30)
Crafting
Steed's Blessing (Slottable) - 50Increases your out of combat Movement Speed by .4% per stage.
War Mount (Slottable) - 120Improves your mastery with mounts, removing all mount Stamina costs outside of combat.
Gifted Rider (Passives) - 100Increases your Mount Speed by 2% per stage.
Liquid Efficiency (Slottable) - 75Whenever 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
Orzorga's Smoked Bear Haunch
Type: Foods
BEST FOR SUSTAIN: Increase Max Health by 4312, Health Recovery by 406 and Stamina and Magicka Recovery by 369 for 2 hours. Ingredients: Frost Mirriam (1), Perfect Roe (1), Red Meat (1), Tomato (1), White Cap (1)
Jewels of Misrule
Type: Foods
CHEAP ALTERNATIVE: Increase Stamina and Magicka Recovery by 357 and Max Health by 3927 for 2 hours. These effects are scaled based on your level. Ingredients: Bervez Juice (1), Lotus (1), Mint (1), Rose (1), Columbine (1)
Bewitched Sugar Skulls
Type: Foods
BIG STAT POOL: Great for Max Stats if you aren't struggling with sustain. Increase Max Health by 4620, Max Stamina and Max Magicka by 4250, and Health Recovery by 462 for 2 hours. Ingredients to make Scrib Jelly (2), Flour (5), Columbine (2), Bervez Juice (2), Honey (5)
Tri-potion
Type: Potions
BIG HEALING: Restore 7329 Health, 6618 Magicka, and 6618 Stamina immediately. It Grants Major Fortitude, Major Intellect, and Major Endurance which increase your Health Recovery, Magicka Recovery, and Stamina Recovery by 20%. Ingredients: Bugloss, Columbine, Mountain Flower
Wrap Up
Additional Guides
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