Master weapons are rare drops that Elder Scrolls Online added back in September of 2014. I’m now starting to see these turn up and wanted to share how you can get them and implement them into your builds. So let’s get started with our ESO Master Weapon Guide.
Table of Contents
- Master Weapon Basics
- Bow
- Dagger
- Fire Staff
- Frost Staff
- Healing Staff
- Lighting Staff
- Two Handed Sword
- Sword
Version
11/28/2014 – Original Release
Basics
The best way to describe these jaw dropping weapons comes directly from developers. In a post on September 4, 2014, ZOS describes them as the following:
Ability-altering enchantments are special weapon enchantments that players can find on weapons dropped as loot in the Dragonstar Arena or from the Serpent Trial on veteran mode. They can also be acquired as rewards from the Alliance War Leaderboards. Players who already have certain weapon abilities can use weapons with ability-altering enchantments to gain a special bonus on the following:
- Grand Healing: This ability will be able to restore stamina to allies in the area.
- Cleave: This ability will deal bonus damage on the initial hit.
- Puncture: This ability will heal the caster.
- Twin Slashes: This ability will deal additional bleed damage every tick.
- Poison Arrow: This ability will increase weapon damage when attacking enemies affected by Poison Arrow.
- Destructive Touch: This ability will deal more damage and cost less.
Now let’s talk about how they are dropping. Currently, Dragonstar Arena (DSA) level 10 is the, Veteran Serpent Trials and PvP are only way to obtain these weapons. On normal, DSA will award Veteran Rank (VR) level 13 staffs while the Veteran mode awards VR 14.
The traits are random though the Enchantment is what makes these weapons so special. Normal weapons drop at blue quality and can be upgraded to legendary. While the Veteran version start off on purple quality. One thing to note is that you remove the enchantment by placing another one on top of it. I highly recommend not doing this, the Enchantment is what makes it special, not the actual weapon.
Speaking of special, each weapon has a unique look, sound, and appearance. While some of these items aren’t the Best in Slot (BiS) meaning the absolute best item, they are amazing to witness. Some might be trophy’s (like Inferno staff) some might be invaluable to your build (stamina build with Daggers) either way they are worth getting and here’s what you can expect from each.
Bow
Dagger
Inferno Staff
Frost Staff
Healing Staff
Lighting Staff
Two Handed Sword
Sword
The Destructive Touch skill (especially for Inferno Staff) is actually very good if used as a CC skill rather than damage. You know the annoying and dangerous spheres and mages that freeze, negate, and one-shot us in the Dwemer stage of DSA? They won’t do any of that while lying on their ass 🙂
That being said, I do agree this is a skill for specific use against dangerous CCable opponent rather than spamming.
The Master’s Fire Staff, Restoration Staff and Greatsword are gonna be very, very good in update 1.6. I think I am going to run DSA more often before 1.6 goes live.
Do you have an updated damage amount for these weapons?
you can also get legendary master weapons from pvp by finishing in the top 2% of your alliance when a campaign ends
MAster SWORD in VT14 level damage1132 .and puncture heal 2015 and max live increased 747. Precise weapon and spell increased in 3.5%
ICE MASTER STAFF in vt 14level damage1132 and destructive abilities aditional 998 and the cost reduced 12% max magica increased 996. weapon atack increased in 12%
MASTER GREAT SWORD in vt 14level damage 1332 cleave abilities hit 664 aditional weapon atack increased 166. SHARPENED increased and spell penetration in 14%
im onli have this 3 items
I got a VR13 Master Sword the first time I completed DSA. As a tank, it was the perfect drop. Additionally, it came with the Infused trait, which increases the enchantment effect.
I’ve completed DSA about 8 times since and haven’t gotten dookey.
Hi, quick questions, how do you craft level 10 weapons? All I seem to craft is lvl 1, sorry but first time ever playing Elder Scrolls thank god it was for the PS4
There’s a button to pump up the level.
Add more material ups your lvl for crafting then use better material for higher lvls
Hey Deltia I just got VR1 recently after switching to console and 1.6 dropped yesterday. However I want to role a Templar soon and I wanted to know if you had a video of a leveling build. I can’t really use your VR14 DPS templar builds or the nice healing ones since i’ll be starting fresh. If you could email me. Thanks bud I enjoy your video’s they have helped me out alot. Have a blessed day!
all the numbers and damage on these items are way way outdated
hi, Deltia. I have a question regarding the crafting designs of these weapons. Are these only limited to these master weapons? I’m asking this because i thought these could be crafted in this particular style from VR1 and up. This is, however, not the case.
The style of these Master weapons is avalible in game, Bow is Bosmer and 2H is Redguard. I don’t know what the rest are.
Are these craftable by any chance? Managed to steal a staff that looks like the Masters Lightning staff though. Can’t wait till i get my hands on the dunmer version. PS: love your vids, they really helped me making my dunmer dk alot more powerfull 🙂
Do the weapons still drop on normal DSA, or only vet?
vet only