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Explore the best classes for PvE, PvP, and beginners as we present the top 10 builds in 2024 for the Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) in Update 40.
ESO build crafting can be a complex series of factors that contribute to a character’s effectiveness, such as race, class, attributes, skills, gear, and playstyle. It also involves understanding how different mechanics interact with each other and how to optimize your character’s build to take advantage of these interactions. Update 40 patch has been released, and we intend to answer the question in this build: What are the Best Builds for The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO)?
This 2024 Builds Guide has been updated for the Update 40 patch of the Elder Scrolls Online (ESO).
What are the Best 10 Builds for ESO in Update 40
The best Builds in ESO Update 40 are the Arcanist, Dragonknight, and Nightblade. The Arcanist excels at any role and is best suited for high player vs. environment (PvE) damage dealing (DPS). Moreover, the class uniquely can tank, heal, play solo, PvP, and just about anything else though requires a DLC Necrom Chapter to unlock. The Dragonknight is a powerful damage dealer that also performs well as a tank, PvE Magicka DPS, and PvP. Lastly, the Nightblade is commonly second or third in many categories and ESO and is a favorite for solo PvP and PvE.
However, the Arcanist is the one class that can excel at any build in the entirety of the game. While it’s unfortunately locked behind a paywall, the power is substantial and we will offer alternatives in this guide if you are unable to purchase the Necrom Chapter.
The 10 best builds for Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) Update 40:
- Solo PvE – Stamina Arcanist
- Group DPS PvE Stamina – Arcanist
- Group DPS PvE Magicka – Dragonknight
- PvP Stamina – Dragonknight
- PvP Magicka – Nightblade
- PvE Healer – Warden
- PvE Tank – Dragonknight
- PvP Healer – Templar
- One Bar DPS – Arcanist
- Beginner – Magicka Sorcerer
10 Beginner
Below are some of the features found using the ESO Beginner Magicka Sorcerer PvE in the Elder Scrolls Online:
- Class – Sorcerer
- Weapon One – Lightning Staff
- Weapon Two – Restoration Staff
- Armor Types – 1 Heavy, 1 Medium, 5 Light
- Race – Dark Elf
- Attributes – 64 Magicka
- Mundus Stone – Thief
- Base Game – Yes
What makes the Magicka Sorcerer especially helpful for beginners is its ease of play, high survivability, and range. You start immediately with some of your best skills, and with pets, you can do damage and healing all in one. Moreover, the class has built-in mobility allowing you to zip around the map seamlessly and avoid pressure. Lastly, the Magicka Sorcerer has no issues with resource sustain, especially if using the World skill, Consuming Trap.
The downside of the class is weak area-based damage in comparison with stamina builds or a Magicka Templar. Templar is a great alternative to this class if you prefer melee and more area damage.
9 One Bar DPS
Below are some of the features found using the ESO One Bar PvE Magicka Arcanist in the Elder Scrolls Online:
- Class – Arcanist
- Weapon One – Lightning Staff
- Armor Types – 5 Light, 1 Medium, 1 Heavy
- Mythic – Oakensoul
- Race – Dunmer
- Attributes – 64 Magicka
- Mundus Stone – Thief
- Base Game – No, Requires Necrom Purchase
The Arcanist stands out as the premier one-bar build in ESO, offering a blend of high damage output, survivability, and group support within a single class. Unlike its counterparts, the Arcanist doesn’t rely on heavy attacks with the Lightning Staff. Instead, it leverages Oakensoul and various base game, crafted, or PvP sets for damage. The cornerstone of this build is the 4.5-second Fatecarver skill, which runs counter to traditional Oakensoul setups emphasizing heavy attack damage.
However, the Arcanist does deviate from the typical heavy attack builds and necessitates the purchase of the Necrom Chapter. While we believe it to be the optimal choice overall, those unable or unwilling to acquire the Necrom chapter may consider the Templar as a viable alternative.
8 PvP Healer
Below are some of the features found using the ESO Templar PvP Healer Build in the Elder Scrolls Online:
- Class – Templar
- Weapon One – Restoration staff
- Weapon Two – Sword and Board
- Armor Types – 2 Light, 3 Medium, 2 Heavy
- Mythic – Pearls of Ehlnofey
- Race – Argonian
- Infection – Vampire Stage 3
- Attributes – 32 Magicka, 32 Health
- Mundus Stone – Ritual
- Base Game – Yes
The Templar in Player vs. Player (PvP) action remains one of the strongest for beginners or seasoned players. The Templar can supply allies with Shards for resources, cleanse for removal of negative effects, and high mobility with Vampire Elusive Mist. Moreover, the Templar is designed to be sturdy and, with a sword and shield, can hold blocks and reduce damage. Lastly, the Templar remains one of the simplest and least complex PvP builds and is highly recommended especially for smaller groups.
A downside of the Templar is weaker resource sustain. Moreover, no heal scales off of max health like the Warden, who also struggles with weaker resource sustain. Consider the Warden a good alternative, as well as the Nightblade, who excels at increasing speed.
7 PvE Tank
Below are some of the features found using the ESO Dragonknight PvE Tank Build in the Elder Scrolls Online:
- Class – Dragonknight
- Weapon One – Sword and Shield
- Weapon Two – Frost Staff
- Armor Type – Heavy
- Race – Nord
- Attributes – 64 Health
- Mundus Stone – Atronach
- Base Game – Yes
Dragonknight Tanks in PvP dominate at survivability and group utility. The ultimate of choice Magma Armor is used to survive nearly any incoming damage, and skills like Talons produce high damage synergies for allies. Moreover, the Dragonknight class has a unique resource sustain system by using ultimate. Combine high ultimate generation in PvE with high survivability, and you get the Dragonknight!
While all classes can tank in ESO, the sheer survivability and group utility make the Dragonknight overall the best. However, the Arcanist and Necromancer make great alternatives due to the group buffs they provide the group. Therefore, you will oftentimes see trials with two tanks run multiple classes to gain this advantage.
6 PvE Healer
Below are some of the features found using the ESO Warden PvE Healer in the Elder Scrolls Online:
- Class – Warden
- Weapon One – Restoration Staff
- Weapon Two – Lightning Staff
- Armor Types – 6 light, 1 medium
- Race – Breton
- Attributes – 64 Magicka
- Mundus Stone – Atronach
- Base Game – Yes
Warden healers are the best overall in PvP group play due to their healing per second, group buffs, and high survivability. Most group content in ESO revolves around optimizing your party’s damage per second with gear and skills. Moreover, any class that has synergies built in can provide passive resource sustain with an undaunted passive. Thus, you end up having the most organized and serious PvE groups focusing on healers, dps, and tanks that are focused on group buffs and synergies.
Thus, you have the Warden who’s entire job is to buff the party with increased armor, resource sustain, and damage. Other powerful healers are the Arcanist, Nightblade, Necromancer, and Templar.
5 PvP Magicka
Below are some of the features found using the ESO Magicka Nightblade PvP Build in the Elder Scrolls Online:
- Class – Nightblade
- Attribute – 32 Health, 32 Magicka
- Primary Weapon – Dual Wield
- Secondary Weapon – Frost Staff
- Armor Types – 4 Light, 1 Medium, 2 Heavy
- Infection – Vampire Stage 3
- Race – Khajiit
- Mundus Stone – Shadow
- Base Game – Yes
What makes the Magicka PvP Nightblade special is its burst potential in any context. With the most single target, area, and multi-kill potential, the Magblade is one of the strongest to ever grace ESO. Moreover, the class, build, and playstyle can be suited for solo, group, and or “bombing” and excels at each role. Additionally, this Magblade can be adapted slightly and even make a great PvP healer!
The downside of the class is it requires a high level of skill to execute. Unlike other builds that have longer buffs, or require fewer actions, the Magblade remains difficult for some to master. However, the mobility, raw damage, and stealth potential make it one of the 10 best builds in ESO.
4 PvP Stamina
Below are some of the features found using the ESO Stamina Dragonknight PvP Build in the Elder Scrolls Online:
- Class – Dragonknight
- Weapon One – Dual Wield
- Weapon Two – Frost Staff
- Armor Types – 3 Heavy, 3 Medium, 1 Light
- Race – Nord
- Attributes – 32 Stamina, 32 Health
- Mundus Stone – Warrior
- Base Game – Yes
The overall strongest build in PvP is the Stamina Dragonknight hybrid. This build uses a combination of magicka and stamina skills and blends the best of both worlds. Similar to the Magblade, the Stam DK can tank, solo play, bomb, 1v1 duel, and any aspect of PvP. You come equipped with some of the highest defensive capabilities while doing great area and single-target damage rather than having to pick one or the other. Moreover, the gear sets and options are suited for your specific class and status effect, damage over time meta loadouts just burn opposing enemy health bars.
When it comes to downsides, the Stamina Dragonknight lacks range in PvP, but that’s about it. If you prefer range, the Stamina Sorcerer with a bow is our favorite choice.
3 Group DPS PvE Magicka
Below are some of the features found using the PvE Magicka Dragonknight in the Elder Scrolls Online:
- Class – Dragonknight
- Weapon One – Dual Wield
- Weapon Two – Flame Staff
- Armor Types – 5 Light, 2 Medium
- Mythic – Harpooner’s Wading Kilt
- Race – Khajiit
- Attributes – 64 Magicka
- Mundus Stone – Thief
- Base Game – Yes
Similar to the PvP Dragonknight, the Magicka Dragonknight does massive area, single target, and damage over time all in one build. The common meta loadout is using medium armor with more magicka-based skills. Medium armor passives are better suited for high-end trials PvE, and that’s where the dragonknight shines. DKs have long-lasting damage over time that are suited for longer-lasting boss fights. Moreover, their survivability matches damage output making them less of a liability than other classes.
However, the downside of the Magicka Dragonknight is the lack of range and the need to play near boss fights. The pros outweigh the cons, and the area, single target, and overtime damage make it one of the ESO best Top 10 Builds for Update 40.
2 Group DPS PvE Stamina
Below are some of the features found using the Arcanist Stamina Build for PvE in the Elder Scrolls Online:
- Class – Arcanist
- Attribute – Stamina
- Primary Weapon – Dual Wield
- Secondary Weapon – Destruction Staff
- Armor Types – 6 Medium, 1 Light
- Mythic – Harpooner’s Wading Kilt
- Race – Dark Elf
- Attributes – 64 Stamina
- Mundus Stone – Thief
- Base Game – No, Requires Necrom Chapter
The Stamina Arcanist PvE DPS is the second-best build in ESO Update 40. The class has everything that the DK has and more, range. The Arcanist in class ultimate, passive, resource sustain, and ease of play make it the strongest in ESO. The average player can pick up this class, throw on the base game and craftable sets, and feel powerful immediately. Put the Arcanist in a seasoned player, and they have mind-blowing health bar melting power.
However, the Arcanist requires a purchase, thus not applicable to every player. The Stamina Dragonknight makes a great alternative as well as the Templar and Sorcerer. Each of those classes has incredible single-target damage though can be more complex to play.
1 Solo PvE
Below are some of the features found using the Solo Arcanist Stamina Build for PvE in the Elder Scrolls Online:
- Class – Arcanist
- Weapon One – Dual Wield
- Weapon Two – Flame staff
- Armor Types – 6 Medium, 1 Light
- Race – Khajit
- Mythic – Pale Order
- Attributes – 64 Stamina
- Mundus Stone – Thief
- Base Game – No, Requires Necrom Chapter
The best overall build in ESO Update 40 is the Arcanist due to its ease of play, range, resource sustain, and damage. As a solo PvE Player, you have some of the best damage, both single-target and area while being one of the simplest builds. The StamArc blends the holy trinity of a perfect solo build; survivability, resources sustain, and big damage.
The major downside is the build requires you to use Fatecarver and almost little else. When you channel this long-lasting beam, you will be vulnerable to damage, and heavy attacks and it requires aiming. With a highly experienced player, you won’t struggle, but you will constantly need to end the animation early when playing solo. You also need to get used to positioning on the build so you aim and hit multiple targets, but this can be picked up quickly.
Additionally, you will need a specific purchase, and we recommend the Magicka Templar (melee) or the Magicka Sorcerer (range) for solo players who don’t have the Necrom Chapter.
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