Arcanist tank
This is a strong Arcanist Tank PVE Build in ESO! The Arcanist is a Class of Eldritch Horror, that relies on Magic Damage and the Crux system to destroy its enemies! A superb Support Class that offers several buffs and shields to its group, as well as multiple debuffs against your targets. A flexible Tank Build with several alternative sets you can use.
Build Setup
Below you can find different Setups for harder but also easier group content. The Setups will help you tank Trials or Dungeons and allow you to assist Stamina or Magicka(Encratis’s Behemoth) based Groups! A few good alternative Sets you can use include (Perfected)Claw of Yolnahkriin, (Perfected)Pearlescent Ward, Nazaray, Archdruid Devyric.
Trials Build : This is a Tank setup for harder Group content.
| Piece | Set | Type | Trait | Enchantment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heads | Tremorscale | Heavy/Medium/Light | Divines | Prismatic Defense |
| Shoulders | Tremorscale | Heavy/Medium/Light | Divines | Prismatic Defense |
| Hands | Turning Tide | Heavy | Divines | Prismatic Defense |
| Legs | Turning Tide | Heavy | Divines | Prismatic Defense |
| Chest | Turning Tide | Heavy | Divines | Prismatic Defense |
| Waist | Turning Tide | Heavy | Divines | Prismatic Defense |
| Feet | Turning Tide | Heavy | Divines | Prismatic Defense |
| Necklace | Powerful Assault | Jewel | Harmony | Prismatic Recovery |
| Ring | Powerful Assault | Jewel | Harmony | Prismatic Recovery |
| Ring | Powerful Assault | Jewel | Harmony | Prismatic Recovery |
| 1 Handed Weapon | Powerful Assault | Sword | Infused | Weakening |
| Off Hand | Powerful Assault | Shield | Divines | Prismatic Defense |
| Staff | Powerful Assault | Lightning/Ice/Fire | Infused | Crusher |
Easier Group Content Build
| Piece | Set | Type | Trait | Enchantment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heads | Lord Warden | Heavy/Medium/Light | Divines | Prismatic Defense |
| Shoulders | Lord Warden | Heavy/Medium/Light | Divines | Prismatic Defense |
| Hands | Drake's Rush | Heavy | Divines | Prismatic Defense |
| Legs | Drake's Rush | Heavy | Divines | Prismatic Defense |
| Chest | Drake's Rush | Heavy | Divines | Prismatic Defense |
| Waist | Drake's Rush | Heavy | Divines | Prismatic Defense |
| Feet | Drake's Rush | Heavy | Divines | Prismatic Defense |
| Necklace | Powerful Assault | Jewel | Harmony | Prismatic Recovery |
| Ring | Powerful Assault | Jewel | Harmony | Prismatic Recovery |
| Ring | Powerful Assault | Jewel | Harmony | Prismatic Recovery |
| 1 Handed Weapon | Powerful Assault | Sword | Infused | Weakening |
| Off Hand | Powerful Assault | Shield | Divines | Prismatic Defense |
| Staff | Powerful Assault | Lightning/Ice | Infused | Crusher |
Armor Sets Locations
- Tremorscale: Veteran Volenfell, Glirion the Redbeard
- Turning Tide: Shipwright’s Regret Dungeon
- Powerful Assault: Imperial City, Tel Var Vendor
- Encratis’s Behemoth: Veteran Black Drake Villa, Urgarlag Chief-Bane
- Lord Warden: Veteran Imperial City Prison, Urgarlag Chief-bane
- (Perfected)Claw of Yolnahkriin: (Veteran)Sunspire Trial
- (Perfected)Pearlescent Ward: (Veteran)Dreadsail Reef Trial
- Drake’s Rush: Black Drake Villa Dungeon
- Nazaray: Veteran Shipwright’s Regret, Urgarlag Chief-Bane
- Archdruid Devyric: Veteran Earthen Root Enclave, Urgarlag Chief-Bane
Skills
The following Skills will allow you to hold aggro and Tank effectively almost every PVE content.
| Front Bar | Back Bar |
|---|---|
| Runic Sunder | Unstable Wall of Elements |
| Silver Leash | Reconstructive Domain |
| Cruxweaver Armor | Runeguard of Freedom |
| Impervious Runeward | Rune of the Colorless Pool |
| Defensive Stance | Razor Caltrops |
| Aggressive Horn | Gibbering Shelter |
Skills Explanations
- Runic Sunder(Runic Jolt): Taunts, debuffs and generates Crux.
- Silver Leash(Silver Bolts): Pulls enemies closer and assist with Crowd Control.
- Cruxweaver Armor(Fatewoven Armor): Generates Crux, protects you and debuffs enemies.
- Impervious Runeward(Runespite Ward): Provides a shield, deals damage and consumes Crux to heal you.
- Defensive Stance(Defensive Posture): Essential skill for tanking. Provides a shield, increases the amount of damage you can block and reduces the cost of blocking.
- Aggressive Horn(War Horn): Main Ultimate. Use this mostly against strong enemies, Bosses, to buff your team.
- Unstable Wall of Elements(Wall of Elements): Use this ability to deal damage and apply the Crusher debuff to your targets.
- Reconstructive Domain(Arcanist’s Domain): AOE ability that Heals and buffs your group.
- Runeguard of Freedom(Runic Defense): Defensive skill that also heals you.
- Rune of the Colorless Pool(Rune of Eldritch Horror): Debuffs and fears enemies.
- Razor Caltrops(Caltrops): Debuffs enemies and triggers Powerful Assault.
- Gibbering Shelter(Gibbering Shield): Powerful defensive Ultimate that shields your group as well.
Passive Skills
Very important passive skills that can help you maximize the potential of your Arcanist Tank Build.
- All Passive Skills from your Class’ Lines
- All Passive Skills from Weapon Lines you are using
- Passive Skills from Armor Lines you are using
- Passive Abilities from Guild lines(Fighters Guild, Mages Guild, Psijic Order) that affect your skills/Build
- Undaunted Passives
- Your Racial Passives
- Medicinal Use Passive from Alchemy to boost the effectiveness of Potions
Champion Points
Below you will find the best Champion Points setup for the Build.
Warfare
- Slottable Stars: Unassailable, Bulwark, Reinforced, Duelist’s Rebuff
- Passive: Eldritch Insight, Tireless Discipline, Piercing, Flawless Ritual, War Mage, Battle Mastery, Mighty, Quick Recovery, Hardy, Elemental Aegis, Preparation, Precision, Blessed
Craft
- Slottable Stars: Rationer, Liquid Efficiency, Master Gatherer, Steed’s Blessing
- Passive: Gilded Fingers, Fortune’s Favor, Wanderer, Steadfast Enchantment, Treasure Hunter(slottable, required for path)
Fitness
- Slottable Stars: Fortified, Strategic Reserve, Rejuvenation, Boundless Vitality
- Passive: Sprinter, Hasty, Tireless Guardian, Fortification, Hero’s Vigor, Mystic Tenacity, Tumbling, Defiance, Nimble Protector, Savage Defense, Bashing Brutality
Consumables
We are using Longfin Pasty with Melon Sauce or Bewitched Sugar Skulls and crafted Tri-Stat Essence of Health.
Info for Arcanist Tank Build
Several important info for the Arcanist Tank PVE Build. What Mundus to use, the best race for the build and how to assign your attribute points.
Attribute Points
22-24 points to Magicka, 6 to Health and 34-36 to Stamina
Mundus Stone
The Atronach for better Magicka Recovery.
What Race is Best for Arcanist Tank Build
Nord – Imperial – Orc – Argonian is the best race for a Tank Build. You can find more about the playable races in my ESO Race Guide!
Vampire or Werewolf
Neither is necessary.
Rotation for Arcanist Tank Build
The gameplay of a tank is pretty easy. Taunt your target with Runic Sunder and block. Pull enemies closer with Silver Leash. Your main concern is applying your crusher debuff with Unstable Wall of Elements and keeping it up all the time. When necessary Bash your target to trigger Turning Tide! Buff yourself with Cruxweaver Armor, Impervious Runeward, Runeguard of Freedom and cast Reconstructive Domain for buffs and heals. Razor Caltrops to debuff enemies and trigger Powerful Assault, along with Rune of the Colorless Pool for more debuffs! Activate Defensive Stance(optional) to give yourself a shield. Use your Aggressive Horn ultimate when dealing with bosses and your Gibbering Shelter to protect your group.