ESO Stamina Dragonknight PvE Build

The ESO Stamina Dragonknight PvE Build relies heavily on damage over time effects and buffs.

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

Why Should You Play the ESO Stamina Dragonknight PvE Build?

Welcome to our ESO Stamina Dragonknight PvE Build called the Butcher! The build relies heavily on damage over time effects and buffs. Consider this a hard-to-play, stamina-based, melee damage dealer because there are so many buffs and a complex rotation. However, I’ve listed flexible options to make it simpler and more survivable. High damage, you bet ESO Stamina Dragonknight PvE Build rocks!

ProsCons
Great damage over timeDifficult rotation
Good survivabilityLacks great sustain
High mobility

The ESO Stamina Dragonknight PvE Build Playstyle

Use the following rotation as the starter point. After, apply your buffs and cast the DoT skills on cooldown for the best, highest DPS. In total, the Damage over Time skills (DoTs) do more damage than your main spammable. Thus, they need to be cast less often and are easier to maintain, for example, The Degeneration from Mages Guild or the Barb Trap from Fighters Guild. Maintain DoTs and use your spammable skill as filler until you need to reapply the DoTS.

At certain percentages, replace your spammable with your in-class or weapon execute if you have one in this build. Executes are the skills that deal more damage the lower the health of the opponent becomes. Ideally, these are meant to replace your main spammable skill at anywhere between 35% (Radiant Oppression) all the way to 20% (Mages’ Fury). At a high level, execute skills become so strong that the lower the enemy’s health, the fewer DoTs you maintain because it does so much damage.

Use the healing skill when your health drops below 50% or the shield skill when you anticipate damage. Also, always use the suggested food and potions as they significantly increase your damage, survivability, and resource sustain.

If you run out of resources, do a heavy attack and return to your rotation. Remember that a heavy attack on off-balance enemies will return double the resources. Additionally, if you are a beginner or struggle with sustain, you can flex in the Consuming Trap skill instead of a DoT skill. The Consuming Trap gives you a flood of both resources when a target dies.

Skills

Front Bar – Dual Wield

Front Bar Weapon choice options:

  1. Dual Wield
  2. Two-handed
  3. Bow

Flames of Oblivion (Morph of Inferno | Skill Line : Ardent Flame) – AoE and single target nuke that cost magicka.

Venomous Claw (Morph of Searing Strike | Skill Line : Ardent Flame) – Deals poison damage to an enemy and increases the damage over time effect

Noxious Breath (Morph of Fiery Breath | Skill Line : Ardent Flame) – Breathe a poisonous flame onto enemies dealing poison damage and inflicting them with major fracture

Molten Whip (Morph of Lava Whip | Skill Line : Ardent Flame) – Update 35 radically changed the main spammable options. Molten Whip is still great except you run out of magicka. Consider Silver Shard a hard hitting, spammable that increases your overall weapon damage for merely slotting and good AoE with range. Another option is Rapid Strikes from Dual Wield which is channel and optimal single target. Or you can go with your class skill like Molten Whip. This may seem odd at first, but it’s how the game is functioning optimally at end game.

Whirling Blades (Morph of Whirlwind | Skill Line : Dual Wield) – AoE damage that acts as an execute, dealing more damage to enemies below 50% health.

Flawless Dawnbreaker (Morph of Dawnbreaker | Skill Line : Fighters Guild) – The performance of Dawnbreaker is very good now that it grants a massive spell damage boost of 300 for 20 seconds. Not to mention added spell damage from Fighters guild, Slayer passive. This is a great ultimate to use that’s low cost.

Back Bar – Two Handed

Back Bar Weapon choice options:

  1. Two-handed
  2. Dual Wield
  3. Bow

Barbed Trap (Morph of Trap Beast | Skill Line : Fighters Guild) – a trap that immobilizes target, procs minor force buff and does good single target damage.

Carve (Morph of Cleave | Skill Line : Two Handed) – AoE hard hitting DoT.

Eruption (Morph of Ash Cloud | Skill Line : Earthen Heart) – Hard hitting DoT that cost magicka per second and is great if you can sustain the magicka cost. Consider this your flex spot.

Stampede (Morph of Critical Charge | Skill Line : Two Handed) – Gap closer with hard hitting dot that is amplified by back bar weapon.

Echoing Vigor (Morph of Vigor | Skill Line : Assault) – Strong heal overtime for you and your group and stacks with other group healing.

Standard of Might (Morph of Dragonknight Standard | Skill Line : Ardent Flame) – Deals flame damage to nearby enemies, applying major defile to them. You can stand in the area to reduce damage to you, and increase the damage given to enemies

Gear

Z’en’s DK

This is what everyone wants in their trial group because of the group buffs.

SlotTypeSetTraitGlyph
HeadmediumZaanDivinesStamina
ShoulderslightZaanDivinesStamina
ChestmediumRoar of AlkoshDivinesStamina
LegsmediumRoar of AlkoshDivinesStamina
GlovesmediumRoar of AlkoshDivinesStamina
BootsmediumRoar of AlkoshDivinesStamina
BeltmediumRoar of AlkoshDivinesStamina
Weapon OneDaggerZ’en’sNirnhoned>PreciseFire
SecondaryDaggerZ’en’sChargedPoison
Weapon Two2H SwordPerfected Merciless ChargeInfusedWeapon Damage
NecklaceZ’en’sBloodthirstyWeapon Damage
Ring 1Z’en’sBloodthirstyWeapon Damage
Ring 2Z’en’sBloodthirstyWeapon Damage

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

Zaan: Veteran dungeon Scalecaller Peak, Dragon Bone DLC.

FLEX OPTIONS

  1. Kjalnar’s Nightmare – great single target damage ONLY one player can have this in your group.
  2. 1pc Slimecraw and 1pc Harpooner’s Wading Kilt Set this setup still strong, make sure you don’t hit crit damage cap.
  3. Kra’gh â€“ one pc is great for pen, two piece does good single target damage
  4. Stormfist â€“ always works, easy to obtain and  AoE DPS set.

Z’en’s Redress: obtained in Lair of Maarselok, DLC Scalebreaker.

  • Why? incredible damage buff for the entire group.

FLEX OPTIONS

  1. Pillar of Nirn = high damage producing proc set if you want to play selfish.
  2. Perfect Whorl of the Depths = another S tier proc damage set.
  3. Kinra’s Wrath = great damage boost if you can light attack weave consistently

Roar of Alkosh: obtained in Maw of Lorkhaj dungeon.

  • Why? great armor reduction for entire group, especially for medium armor users.

FLEX OPTIONS

  1. Perfected Arms of Relequen = the bust pure damage set in the game.
  2. Perfected Coral Riptide = god tier damage if you run low stamina (dodge roll a bit before pull)
  3. Order’s Wrath = great craftable option though watch for too much critical damage (125% cap)
  4. Leviathan = easy base game dungeon set with high critical

Perfected Merciless Charge: obtained in Veteran Maelstrom Arena though you can do normal for a lesser version.

  • Why? still one of the hardest hitting back bar arena weapons.

FLEX OPTIONS

  1. Perfected Thunderous Volley Set = great if you prefer range than melee back bar.
  2. Perfected Spectral Cloak = must change out blockade for Deadly Cloak, also niche but high damage

Best in Slot

This is the highest damage possible.

SlotTypeSetTraitGlyph
HeadmediumZaanDivinesStamina
ShoulderslightZaanDivinesStamina
ChestmediumPillar of NirnDivinesStamina
LegsmediumHarpooner’s Wading KiltDivinesStamina
GlovesmediumPillar of NirnDivinesStamina
BootsmediumPillar of NirnDivinesStamina
BeltlightPerfect Whorl of the DepthsDivinesStamina
Weapon OneDaggerPerfect Whorl of the DepthsNirnhoned>PreciseFire
SecondaryDaggerPillar of NirnChargedPoison
Weapon TwoGreatswordPillar of NirnInfusedWeapon Damage
NecklacePerfect Whorl of the DepthsBloodthirstyWeapon Damage
Ring 1Perfect Whorl of the DepthsBloodthirstyWeapon Damage
Ring 2Perfect Whorl of the DepthsBloodthirstyWeapon Damage

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

Zaan: Veteran dungeon Scalecaller Peak, Dragon Bone DLC.

FLEX OPTIONS

  1. Kjalnar’s Nightmare – great single target damage ONLY one player can have this in your group.
  2. 1pc Slimecraw and 1pc Harpooner’s Wading Kilt Set this setup still strong, make sure you don’t hit crit damage cap.
  3. Kra’gh â€“ one pc is great for pen, two piece does good single target damage
  4. Stormfist â€“ always works, easy to obtain and  AoE DPS set.

Pillar of Nirn: obtained in Falkreath Hold, DLC Scalebreaker.

  • Why? incredible damage proc set.

FLEX OPTIONS

  1. Kinra’s Wrath = great damage boost if you can light attack weave consistently.

Perfect Whorl of the Depths: obtained in Dreadsail Reef trial, Haig Isle Chapter.

  • Why? another S tier proc damage set.

FLEX OPTIONS

  1. Perfected Arms of Relequen = the bust pure damage set in the game.
  2. Perfected Coral Riptide = god tier damage if you run low stamina (dodge roll a bit before pull)
  3. Order’s Wrath = great craftable option though watch for too much critical damage (125% cap)
  4. Leviathan = easy base game dungeon set with high critical

Harpooner’s Wading Kilt Set: obtained through the Antiquity system, Blackwood Chapter. You need five items/leads to complete the mythic gear piece.

  • Why? overall the most DPS possible for a one-piece mythic.
  • You need 5 items to be able to create the Mythic item Harpooner’s Wading Kilt. Location of the 5 pieces:
    • Murkmire – Wolf-Tail Sash Lead – Murkmire Foul Fishing Spots
    • Blackwood – Kothringi-Cut Leather Lead – World Boss Death Wart, World Boss Sul-Xan Ritualists
    • Shadowfen – Bog-Blue Jasper Fetish Lead – Ruins of Mazzatun Dungeon last boss
    • Shadowfen – Tide-Glass Beads Lead –  All water and alchemy nodes
    • Bal Foyen – Silverweave Cord Lead – Covenant Enemies, most likely all enemies

FLEX OPTIONS MYTHICS

  1. Mora’s Whisper = Update 34, 10% critical chance for great damage boost
  2. Death Dealer’s Fete = great option when taking damage

Parse

Most single target Damage on target dummy possible

SlotTypeSetTraitGlyph
HeadmediumZaanDivinesStamina
ShoulderslightZaanDivinesStamina
ChestmediumPerfected Arms of RelequenDivinesStamina
LegsmediumPerfected Arms of RelequenDivinesStamina
GlovesmediumPerfected Arms of RelequenDivinesStamina
BootsmediumPerfected Arms of RelequenDivinesStamina
BeltmediumPerfected Arms of RelequenDivinesStamina
Weapon OneDaggerPillar of NirnNirnhonedPoison
SecondaryDaggerPillar of NirnChargedFire
Weapon Two2H GreatswordPerfected Merciless ChargeInfusedWeapon & Spell Damage
NecklacePillar of NirnBloodthirstyWeapon Damage
Ring 1Pillar of NirnBloodthirstyWeapon Damage
Ring 2Pillar of NirnBloodthirstyWeapon Damage

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

  • Zaan: Veteran dungeon Scalecaller Peak, Dragon Bone DLC.  Why? The highest DPS monster helm currently which can out perform Harpooner’s Wading Kilt Set.
  • Perfected Arms of Relequen: Obtained in Veteran Cloudrest Trial Summerset chapter. The non-perfected version in normal difficulty. Why? most single target damage-producing set for stamina and magicka thanks to hybridization changes.
  • Pillar of Nirn: obtained in Falkreath Hold dungeon. WHY? one of the hardest hitting, easiest proc sets in the game.
  • Perfected Merciless Charge: from Veteran Maelstrom Arena in Orsinium DLC. WHY? Increase your overall DPS massively, must change out blockade for Stampede, considered meta, but struggle with sustain

Beginner

Starter setup for someone just starting ESO.

SlotTypeSetTraitGlyph
HeadmediumBriarheartDivinesStamina
ShouldersmediumBriarheartDivinesStamina
ChestmediumHunding’s RageDivinesStamina
LegsmediumHunding’s RageDivinesStamina
GlovesmediumHunding’s RageDivinesStamina
BootsmediumHunding’s RageDivinesStamina
BeltmediumHunding’s RageDivinesStamina
Weapon OneDaggerAgilityPrecise or SharpenedDamage Health Poison
SecondaryDaggerAgilityPrecise or SharpenedDamage Health Poison
Weapon Two2H SwordAgilityInfusedWeapon Damage
NecklaceBriarheartRobustStamina Recovery
Ring 1BriarheartRobustWeapon Damage
Ring 2BriarheartRobustWeapon Damage

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

  • Briarheart: obtained in overland Wrothgar (Orsinium DLC) or from traders. WHY? great burst damage and nice healing and easy to obtain set.
  • Hunding’s Rage: craftable 6 traits, crafting stations found in Bangkorai, Reaper’s March, The Rift. WHY? Craftable set that has well-balanced stats.
  • Agility: found in Imperial City with keys or Dungeon Finder via random dungeons and or traders sell. WHY? easy to obtain with massive stats as a two-piece set.

Race

Best Choice

Dark Elf

Best if you’re doing serious trials or parsing and don’t want to reach over 125% critical damage.

Secondary Choice

Khajiit

Best if you’re not doing serious trials and parsing.

Attributes

Health

Stamina

Magicka

0640

Mundus Stone

Thief – Increases the Critical Strike rating by 1212

Champion Points

Passives

  • Class Passives
  • Racial Passives
  • Weapon Passives
    • Dual Wield
    • Two Handed
  • Armor Passives
    • Light
    • Medium
    • Heavy
  • Guild Passives
    • Fighters Guild
    • Undaunted
    • Mages Guild
    • Psijic Order
  • Alliance Passives
    • Assault Support
  • World Passives
    • Soul Magic

Consumables

Lava Foot Soup-And-Saltrice

Type: Foods

SUSTAIN but NO HEALTH: Increase Max Stamina by 4575 and Stamina Recovery by 457 for 2 hours. (effects are scaled based on your level)

Artaeum Takeaway Broth

Type: Foods

OVERALL: Increase Max Health by 3326 and Health Recovery by 406 and Max Stamina by 3080 and Stamina Recovery by 338 for 2 hours. (effects are scaled based on your level)

Dubious Camoran Throne

Type: Foods

CHEAP: Increase Stamina Recovery by 319 and Max Stamina and Max Health by 3192 for 2 hours. (effects are scaled based on your level)

Essence of Weapon Power

Type: Potions

BEST DAMAGE: Grants major brutality with increases weapon damage by 20% for 47.6 seconds. Grants major savagery which grants you 2191 weapon critical rating for 47.6 seconds. Restore 7582 stamina immediately. Grants you major endurance which increases your stamina recovery by 20% for 47.6. Potions have a 45sec cooldown. IMPORTANT: make sure you have three points into medicinal use passive in alchemy crafting. (INGREDIENTS: Blessed Thistle, Dragonthorn and Wormwood)


Looking For More ESO Builds?

Thank you for reading ESO Stamina Dragonknight PvE Build Guide. We provide the latest news and create guides for ESO. Also, watch me play games on Twitch or visit my YouTube channel!