ESO Stamina Dragonknight PvP Build

Table of Contents

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

Last Updated: 2023-03-16

ESO Stamina Dragonknight PvP Build

The ESO Stamina Dragonknight PvP Build is one of the tops in the game. This build has everything you need to be successful in PvP.  A burst ultimate, damage over time effects that melt enemies, and crazy survivability.  Pick this build-up if you want something that plays well offensive, defensive, group, or solo.  This build plays the hybrid style, blending both magicka and stamina skills and weapon choices to give it the most flexibility in the game.

Last updated March 16th, 2023: I played this in Update 37, Scribes of Fate and keep the current setups as they remain just as viable.  There are essentially a few ways to play this build, bomber, 1vX and plague break group utility.  I believe the strongest for solo players is 1vX setup while “bomber” is great playing with coordinated groups or specifically in Cyrodiil.  Update 37 nerfed the healing of Mara’s Balm but remains the strongest defensive set due to the cleanse that the DK lacks innately.  Moreover, the DoT pressure combined with Maarselok monster helms remains god-tier single target pressure. 

Vampire Mist Form has changed recently, which gives this build access to high mobility.  I personally don’t use Mist Form on this build due to the lack of bar space. Feel free to go stage three vampire if you struggle with mobility due to Sea-Serpent Coil.  Additionally, Wrecking Blow now gives Major Berserk which you can easily swap to a Two-handed setup, drop Sea-Serpent Coil for another mythic and have another great setup.

Pros	Cons
Best Survivability	Magicka Dependent
Easy to Start	Requires Vampire for Mobility
Amazing Resource Sustain
Flexibility in Builds

The Stamina Dragonknight PvP Build (hybrid) remains the strongest class in ESO PvP.  It hits the sweet spot between resource sustain, survivability, mobility, damage, and ease of play.  Pick this up as a sweatlord or a beginner and you will feel powerful with or without meta gear.  You have flexibility in skills, gear and weapon choices, and now with Elusive Mist rework, high mobility.  The major downside is the use of many magicka skills to make it work, which you could argue is more of a magdk than stamdk.  The major pros of the Stamina Dragonknight:

• 12 Seconds of near invincibility and 100% penetration on direct damage with Corrosive Armor.
• Some of the best resources sustain and ultimate generation for playing aggressively.
• Built-in major breach, major/minor brutality, major defile, and major mending.
• Great burst healing and healing overtime from multiple sources.
• Gear sets give you a huge advantage when using procs and defensive sets.
• All of your ultimates are amazing for defensive and offensive potential.

When you build the DK right, you’ll be sitting at around 6,000 Weapon Damage, 30,000 Resistance, high critical, multiple proc sets and a massive stat pool.  The easiest experiment you can do for” is this class the best” is look around at all the “high” level players.  What are they playing battlegrounds?  What are they playing in Imperial City? And who’s leading the charge in PvP?  Most likely it will be a Stamina Dragonknight and if you haven’t tried it yet I would, it’s the strongest it’s ever been in Update 37 Scribes of Fate.

Skills

Front Bar: 1vX Playstyle

The Stamina Dragonknight PvP Build Front Bar Weapon Options: They are all good choices depending on your play style and needs. Experiment with what works best. I prefer DW/2H and it works great in any context.

• Dual Wield has the best passives for pure damage and big AoE damage.  DW is great for big massive damage.
• Two-handed has the best passives for sustain and burst. 2H is better for dueling and 1v1 fights.
• Bow has great burst damage with the Toxic Barrage ultimate at the range but needs 2-3 abilities for damage to make it work.

Shattering Rocks (Morph of Petrify | Skill line: Earthen Heart) - Stun that cannot be avoided by dodging and block. Used to setup opponents before a kill shot. I take this morph for increased healing.

Molten Whip (Morph of Lava Whip | Skill line: Ardent Flame) - Whip gives bonus to weapon damage and a magicka dump offensively. Use this after a stun when an opponent is vulnerable. Build up stacks with Flames of Oblivion before engagements.

Noxious Breath (Morph of Fiery Breath | Skill line: Ardent Flame) - AoE hard hitting DoT that reduces resistances. This is a must before burst combo to lower resistance and ability status effect.

Flames Of Oblivion (Morph of Inferno | Skill line: Ardent Flame) - Critical buff, 3x targets and instance damage unlike Venomous Claw. Claw is great in longer lasting fights/duels. If you can't sustain use claw or go with Camo hunter for passive increase damage.

Rending Slashes (Morph of Twin Slashes | Skill line: Dual Wield) - This is your flex spot on the bar. Ideally, you'll be using the Master's Duel Wield setup to nuke down solo targets. If you want more AoE, drop and use Whirling Blades. If you want a Two-Handed Playstyle, use Wrecking Block.

Ferocious Leap (Morph of Dragon Leap | Skill line: Draconic Power) - massive burst damage and great damage shield.

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Back Bar: 1vX Playstyle

The Stamina Dragonknight PvP Build 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.
• Two-handed great - for buffs and healing. The Rally skill has the best passives for sustain and burst healing.
• 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.

Volatile Armor (Morph of Spiked Armor | Skill line: Draconic Power) - armor buff that does AoE damage and gives us healing received bonus.

Degeneration (Morph of Entropy | Skill line: Mages Guild) - Degeneration provides more single-target DoT pressure, though Molten Armaments is great when not playing a 1vX build. Apply this on your back bar first before launching into combat.

Elemental Susceptibility (Morph of Weakness to Elements | Skill line: Destruction Staff) - One of the best skills in the game for single target bursting combined with a Vateshran Ice staff is absolutely insane! If you're not using the Vateshran back bar setup, consider this your flex spot. I prefer either Race Against Time or Vampire Elusive Mist running stage 3 here for mobility.

Coagulating Blood (Morph of Dragon Blood | Skill line: Draconic Power) - Magicka based burst heal. Use this when very low and relay predominately on Resolving Vigor when above 60% health.

Resolving Vigor (Morph of Vigor | Skill line: Assault) - burst heal over time. Recast this skill every 20 seconds for minor resolve.

Corrosive Armor (Morph of Magma Armor | Skill line: Earthen Heart) - defensive ultimate which you’ll need without pocket healers helping you. In group, I swap to Shifting Standard for more synergy damage.

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Bomber Setup: 2 Handed Front Bar

Used for bombing or destroying large groups at once.

Choking Talons (Morph of Dark Talons | Skill line: Draconic Power) - Lock enemies in place with this.

Noxious Breath (Morph of Fiery Breath | Skill line: Ardent Flame) - AOE debuff and damage.

Camouflaged Hunter (Morph of Expert Hunter | Skill line: Fighters Guild) - Slotted for critical damage and minor beserk proc.

Carve (Morph of Cleave | Skill line: Two Handed) - Your main spammable with Master's Weapon and tons of players hits super hard.

Draw Essence (Morph of Inhale | Skill line: Draconic Power) - Huge damage and healing on front bar.

Ferocious Leap (Morph of Dragon Leap | Skill line: Draconic Power) - Used to stun and knockback.

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Bomber: Bar Two Sword and Shield

Volatile Armor (Morph of Spiked Armor | Skill line: Draconic Power) - Armor buff

Volcanic Rune (Morph of Fire Rune | Skill line: Mages Guild) - Used to pull in targets with Dark Convergence.

Molten Armaments (Morph of Molten Weapons | Skill line: Earthen Heart) - Used for weapon damage buff. Swap to Degeneration on the 1vX Build for extra DoT pressure.

Resolving Vigor (Morph of Vigor | Skill line: Assault) - Heal over time

Coagulating Blood (Morph of Dragon Blood | Skill line: Draconic Power) - Burst heal

Corrosive Armor (Morph of Magma Armor | Skill line: Earthen Heart) - Pop before charging in for insane damage and damage reduction. Swap to Shifting Standard if you're playing in a group with a healer.

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Werewolf Bar (when transformed)

If you choose to play this as a Werewolf, here's what you need to know. In this build Werewolf pairs greatly with a new mythic, the Oakensoul Ring, because as the werewolf, you have only one bar regardless. If you are playing as Werewolf, use these skills and ultimate:

Feral Pounce (Morph of Pounce | Skill line: Werewolf) - Great for closing distance and double cast for execute.

Hircines Bounty (Skill line: Werewolf) - Incredible heal that gives us major brutality

Deafening Roar (Morph of Roar | Skill line: Werewolf) - AoE stuff that sets off balance and gives major breach and minor maim.

Howl Of Agony (Morph of Piercing Howl | Skill line: Werewolf) - Strong conal damage in front hits harder.

Claws Of Life (Morph of Infectious Claw | Skill line: Werewolf) - Incredible debuff and damage over time that heals very well.

Pack Leader (Morph of Werewolf Transformation | Skill line: Werewolf) - The ultimate gives you a boost to weapon damage/spell damage via minor courage and you take 10% less damage.

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Rotation

Burst Combo

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Gear

1vX Gear

This is meant for 1v1 or Playing solo with very good pressure and damage.

Slot	Type	Set	Trait	Glyph
Head	medium	Maarselok	Well-fitted	Prismatic
Shoulders	light	Maarselok	Well-fitted	Stamina
Chest	heavy	Mara's Balm	Reinforced	Prismatic
Legs	heavy	Mara's Balm	Well-fitted	Prismatic
Gloves	medium	Armor of the Trainee	Well-fitted	Stamina
Boots	heavy	Mara's Balm	Well-fitted	Stamina
Belt	medium	Druids	Well-fitted	Stamina
Weapon One	Mace	Perfected Stinging Slashes	Sharpened	Flame
Secondary	Axe	Perfected Stinging Slashes	Nirnhoned	Poison
Weapon Two	Frost	Perfected Wrath of Elements	Powered	Weapon Damage
Necklace		Sea-Serpent's Coil	Bloodthirsty	Weapon Damage
Ring 1		Mara's Balm	Bloodthirsty	Stamina Recovery
Ring 2		Mara's Balm	Bloodthirsty	Weapon Damage

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This Stamina Dragonknight PvP Build gear loadout is what I use in open-world Cyrodiil, one-vs-one fights.  It has the most single target pressure and damage in the game.

Perfected Wrath of Elements: obtained in Veteran Vateshran Hollows.

• WHY? absolutely god tier damage with destruction staff Elemental Susceptibility skill and Maarselok monster. drop a skill on back bar for elemental susceptibility

FLEX OPTIONS Arena Weapons

If you don’t want to run arena weapons, run a defensive on the back bar, not on at all times, and switch to another 5pc damage set only on the front bar.

1. Plaguebreak = AoE kills and bomber playstyle with dual wield.
2. Witch Knights Defiance = great pure weapon damage option.
3. Snake in the Stars = an update 37 set that counters players using “heal stacking.”
4. Order’s Wrath = good craftable option
5. Ashen Grip = early access two traits craftable proc set.

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

• WHY? one piece set bonus that gives us extra health.

Druid’s Braid: craftable high isle gives 1pc bonus just smaller.

• WHY? another one piece set bonus that gives us extra health.

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Plaguebreak Bomber

Meant for small group bombing with a pocket healer.

Slot	Type	Set	Trait	Glyph
Head	heavy	Balorgh	Divines	Prismatic
Shoulders	light	Balorgh	Divines	Stamina
Chest	heavy	Armor of the Trainee	Divines	Prismatic
Legs	medium	Plaguebreak	Divines	Prismatic
Gloves	medium	Plaguebreak	Divines	Stamina
Boots	medium	Plaguebreak	Divines	Stamina
Belt	medium	Powerful Assault	Divines	Stamina
Weapon One	Dagger	Plaguebreak	Precise	Decrease Health
Secondary	Dagger	Plaguebreak	Precise	Decrease Health
Weapon Two	Frost Staff	Powerful Assault	Powered	Weapon Damage
Necklace		Sea-Serpent's Coil	Infused	Stamina Recovery
Ring 1		Powerful Assault	Bloodthirsty	Weapon Damage
Ring 2		Powerful Assault	Bloodthirsty	Weapon Damage

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This Stamina Dragonknight PvP Build gear loadout is what I use for dual-wield bombing during PvP events.

SKILL CHANGES NEEDED (from 1vX build skills)

• Elemental Susceptibility change to Elusive Mist (vampire only) or Race Against Time for mobility.
• Rending Slash change to Whirling Blades for massive AoE damage.
• Degeneration change to Molten Armaments for higher uptime on weapon damage buff.

GEAR SETUP

• Balorgh = used for the best possible burst when using an ultimate ability.
• Powerful Assault = great back bar set that adds tons of damage to you and a small group and it stacks with Rallying Cry.
• Sea-Serpent’s Coil = the most damage-producing mythic in PvP with the downside of a snare.  Use Vampire or Race Against Time to counter the slower speed.
• Armor of the Trainee = simply adds a little extra health.
• Plaguebreak = used for a mass explosion on killing one target.

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Two-handed AoE Bomber

This is designed for huge plague break bombs kills and is weak against single target.

Slot	Type	Set	Trait	Glyph
Head	heavy	Bloodspawn	Well-fitted	Prismatic
Shoulders	light	Bloodspawn	Well-fitted	Stamina
Chest	medium	Plaguebreak	Reinforced	Prismatic
Legs	medium	Plaguebreak	Well-fitted	Prismatic
Gloves	medium	Plaguebreak	Sturdy	Stamina
Boots	medium	Plaguebreak	Sturdy	Stamina
Belt	medium	Plaguebreak	Sturdy	Stamina
Weapon One	Maul	Perfected Titanic Cleave	Sharpened	Weapon Damage
Weapon Two	Sword	Dark Convergence	Powered	Weapon Damage
Secondary	Shield	Dark Convergence	Sturdy	Health
Necklace		Dark Convergence	Bloodthirsty	Weapon Damage
Ring 1		Dark Convergence	Bloodthirsty	Stamina Recovery
Ring 2		Dark Convergence	Bloodthirsty	Weapon Damage

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This Stamina Dragonknight PvP Build gear loadout is what I use “bombing” with 

• Bloodspawn: = used to build ultimate before charging in.
• Plaguebreak = used for a mass explosion on killing one target.
• Perfected Titanic Cleave = makes Carve hit insanely hard.
• Dark Convergence = used to pull targets in, can swap in Rush of Agony with leap skill.

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Werewolf Specific Gear Sets

Use this if you wish to run Werewolf in PvP

Slot	Type	Set	Trait	Glyph
Head	medium	Magma Incarnate	Well-fitted	Prismatic
Shoulders	light	Dragon's Appetite	Well-fitted	Prismatic
Chest	heavy	Dragon's Appetite	Reinforced	Prismatic
Legs	medium	Dragon's Appetite	Well-fitted	Prismatic
Gloves	medium	Unleashed Terror	Well-fitted	Prismatic
Boots	medium	Unleashed Terror	Well-fitted	Prismatic
Belt	medium	Unleashed Terror	Well-fitted	Prismatic
Weapon One	Mace	Dragon's Appetite	Sharpened	Flame
Secondary	Mace	Dragon's Appetite	Nirnhoned	Poison
Weapon Two
Necklace		Unleashed Terror	Swift	Triune Recovery
Ring 1		Unleashed Terror	Swift	Triune Recovery
Ring 2		Oakensoul Ring	Swift	Triune Recovery

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• Magma Incarnate: obtained from Veteran Dread Cellar dungeon (Blackwood zone), Waking Flame DLC.
• Dragon’s Appetite: obtained by crafting, 7 traits in Western Skyrim.
• Unleashed Terror = obtained in Castle Thorn.
• Oakensoul: obtained through ESO Mythics/antiquities system.  You need 5 items to be able to create the Mythic item. CLICK HERE FOR LEADS:

 

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No Proc PvP Cyrodiil and Imperial City

Meant for specific rule sets

Slot	Type	Set	Trait	Glyph
Head	light	Magma Incarnate	Well-Fitted	Prismatic
Shoulders	heavy	Mark of the Pariah	Well-Fitted	Stamina
Chest	heavy	Mark of the Pariah	Reinforced	Prismatic
Legs	heavy	Mark of the Pariah	Well-Fitted	Prismatic
Gloves	heavy	Mark of the Pariah	Sturdy	Stamina
Boots	medium	Witch-Knight's Defiance	Sturdy	Stamina
Belt	medium	Witch-Knight's Defiance	Sturdy	Stamina
Weapon One	Mace	Witch-Knight's Defiance	Sharpened	Flame
Secondary	Mace	Witch-Knight's Defiance	Nirnhoned	Poison
Weapon Two	2h Sword	Blessing of Potentates	Powered	Escapist’s Poison IX
Necklace		Torc of Tonal Constancy	Swift	Weapon Damage
Ring 1		Mark of the Pariah	Infused	Stamina Recovery
Ring 2		Witch-Knight's Defiance	Swift	Weapon Damage

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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

Witch-Knight’s Defiance: obtained in Markarth overland, (the Reach zone) or bought from traders.

• WHY? Huge damage increase for no proc PvP.

Blessing of Potentates: obtained in Cyrodiil Vlastarus Elite Gear Vendor or bought from traders.

• WHY? great damage reduction two-piece.

Torc of Tonal Constancy: obtained from Mythics system

• WHY? the best value for resource sustain and works in no proc.

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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

Nord

All stamina based races work in this build. Nord is best due to ultimate generation and great resistance passives for players who want more defensive gameplay and high stamina resource pool.

• Reveler
• Resist Frost
• Stalwart
• Rugged

Khajiit

The best burst race due to the 12% increase in critical damage.

• Cutpurse
• Robustness
• Lunar Blessings
• Feline Ambush

Imperial

Imperial is a sold PvP choice because it gives a bonus to stamina and health pools, and the skills cost reduction.

• Diplomat
• Tough
• Imperial Mettle
• Red Diamond

Attributes

Mundus Stone

Warrior - Great choice since DK has passive 10% increased weapon damage.

Thief - This is a great mundus choice if using Khajiit and want optimal burst.

Champion Points

Warfare

Occult Overload (Slottable) - 50
Whenever you kill an enemy under the effect of a status effect, they violently explode for 2560 Oblivion Damage per stage to all other enemies in a 4 meter radius.

Focused Mending (Slottable) - 50
Increases your Healing Done with single target heals by 2% per stage.

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

Fighting Finesse (Slottable) - 50
Increases your Critical Damage and Critical Healing done by 4% 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) - 50
Increases your Movement Speed by 2% per stage.

Survival Instincts (Slottable) - 50
While afflicted with a Status Effect, your core combat skills cost 5% less per stage.

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

Pain's Refuge (Slottable) - 50
Reduces your damage taken by 1% per negative effect active on you, up to a maximum of 20%.

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)    

Crafting

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

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

Gifted Rider (Passives) - 75
Increases your Mount Speed by 2% per stage.

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: 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

GREAT RECOVERY: 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)

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)

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

Wrap Up

Thank you for reading ESO Stamina Dragonknight PvP Build!  Check our ESO builds and guides. Also, consider watching me on Twitch, where you can ask me questions about my current builds or check out the YouTube Channel.

• Complete Beginners Guide
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• PvP Beginner Guide
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