The Elder Scrolls Online lets you wander all of Tamriel with thousands of other players, from Morrowind's ashlands to the cliffs of Summerset. Combat rewards skill expression through weaving and resource management rather than gear score alone. You can level by questing, crafting, or grinding group content, and the whole map scales to you.
Picking the right build determines how your experience plays out. These builds are ranked by overall effectiveness, factoring in damage, survivability, gear requirements, and how well they scale into endgame. New to the game? Start with our beginner's guide first.
Quick Rankings
| Build | Tier | Playstyle | Core Gear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Templar | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Sorcerer | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Nightblade | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Dragonknight | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Warden | A | Balanced | Best available |
For detailed meta rankings, see our The Elder Scrolls Online tier list.
A-Tier: Templar
Templar is a top-performing option in The Elder Scrolls Online.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Two-Handed Greatsword | A stamina staple with a strong execute and an ultimate that buffs the whole group. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Champion Points | Past level 50 you earn Champion Points that fill three constellation trees for combat, crafting, and survival. |
How to Play Templar
Templar focuses on a balanced approach to content.
What makes this build work: The synergy between Two-Handed Greatsword and Champion Points creates a gameplay loop that outperforms other options. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Highest overall performance
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Popular pick, resources may be contested
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Sorcerer
Sorcerer is a strong option in The Elder Scrolls Online.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Dual Wield Daggers | The highest damage stamina setup thanks to off-hand crit and fast attacks. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | weaving light and heavy attacks | Inserting a light attack between every ability, then cancelling its recovery into the next cast, raises your damage substantially. |
How to Play Sorcerer
Sorcerer focuses on a balanced approach to content.
What makes this build work: The synergy between Dual Wield Daggers and weaving light and heavy attacks creates a gameplay loop that offers reliable performance. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Most versatile option
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Lower peak damage than S-tier
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Nightblade
Nightblade is a strong option in The Elder Scrolls Online.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Lightning Staff | The default magicka weapon, its heavy attack hits in an area and restores Magicka. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | set bonuses | Gear comes in sets that grant escalating bonuses at two, three, four, and five pieces. |
How to Play Nightblade
Nightblade focuses on a balanced approach to content.
What makes this build work: The synergy between Lightning Staff and set bonuses creates a gameplay loop that offers reliable performance. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Best survivability
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Slower clear speeds
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Dragonknight
Dragonknight is a specialized option in The Elder Scrolls Online.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Restoration Staff | The healing weapon with ground heals, shields, and resource support for the group. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Mundus Stones | Standing at a Mundus Stone grants a permanent passive like extra weapon damage or critical chance. |
How to Play Dragonknight
Dragonknight focuses on a balanced approach to content.
What makes this build work: The synergy between Restoration Staff and Mundus Stones creates a gameplay loop that provides a unique approach. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Strong in group/team content
- Straightforward gearing path
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- Weaker solo performance
- Requires deep game knowledge
A-Tier: Warden
Warden is a specialized option in The Elder Scrolls Online.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Bow | A ranged stamina backbar for damage-over-time and the Endless Hail area pressure. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | veteran trials | Twelve-player veteran trials are the hardest PvE content, with score timers, hard-mode toggles, and unique gear. |
How to Play Warden
Warden focuses on a balanced approach to content.
What makes this build work: The synergy between Bow and veteran trials creates a gameplay loop that provides a unique approach. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Unique, rewarding playstyle
- Straightforward gearing path
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- High skill floor, punishing when misplayed
- Requires deep game knowledge
Build Progression Path
- Start with Sorcerer: the most forgiving option for learning the game
- Transition to Templar once you understand core mechanics and have access to Two-Handed Greatsword
- Keep a Nightblade setup for content that keeps killing you
- Try Warden for a fresh experience once you've mastered the basics
Follow our walkthrough for the optimal progression path through each area.
Gearing Tips
- Invest in your primary equipment first, since it gives the biggest power spike. See our weapons guide for rankings.
- Learn light-attack weaving in a target dummy session before you worry about gear, it is your biggest damage source.
- Run normal versions of dungeons first to learn mechanics, then step up to veteran for better gear.
- Don't spread upgrade resources across multiple builds until endgame
More The Elder Scrolls Online Guides
- The Elder Scrolls Online The Elder Scrolls Online Overview
- The Elder Scrolls Online Tier List
- The Elder Scrolls Online Walkthrough
- The Elder Scrolls Online Beginner's Guide
- The Elder Scrolls Online Tips & Tricks
- The Elder Scrolls Online Weapons Guide
- The Elder Scrolls Online Combat Guide
- The Elder Scrolls Online Boss Guide
- The Elder Scrolls Online Maps & Locations
- The Elder Scrolls Online Crafting Guide
- The Elder Scrolls Online Classes & Characters
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