Arcanist Class Builds for ESO

Welcome to the ESO Arcanist Builds section. Here you can find all the Arcanist builds that are optimized for the Elder Scrolls Online. There are both builds for stamina and magicka Arcanist builds and for both PvE and PvP as well as beginner guides.

The ESO Arcanist builds that you can find here focus on optimizing your setup as much as possible, that way you can perform as well as possible on your Arcanist. Sometimes gear can be hard to acquire depending on the build you want to use, that is why I made sure to always include three different setups, the best in slot, advanced, and a beginner setup.

Nonetheless, I would always recommend getting the best setup as described in the build, to completely optimize your setup. Please keep in mind that combat changes occur all 3 months in the Elder Scrolls Online, therefore it is possible that certain sets will change for your Arcanist.

PvE Dungeon & Trial Arcanist Builds

The Meta Arcanist builds for ESO listed below are meant to be played in a group. The Meta Arcanist builds have a very cookie-cutter approach and rely heavily on other group members.

PvE Solo Arcanist Builds

The PvE Solo Arcanist builds are optimized for solo gameplay. The builds below have a good balance between damage, survivability, healing and movement. Everything you need to get through ESO alone. Of course, you can also use these solo builds in a group, especially useful in random groups.

One Bar Arcanist Builds

The One Bar Arcanist builds are optimized for solo gameplay. The builds only use One Bar. There is both an Oakensoul and non-Oakensoul setup.

PvP Solo Arcanist Builds

The PvP Solo Arcanist builds do have both a Cyrodiil and a Battlegrounds setup. You can play with these builds alone, but it is recommended to always join a group to increase your odds of survival.

The Arcanist Class

A quick look at all we know so far about the Arcanist class for ESO (Elder Scrolls Online). Like always it will have three class unique skill lines. The names are: Apocryphal Soldier, Curative Runeforms and Herald of Tome. Here are some images from the reveal live stream.

Become empowered by the secrets of Apocrypha and the forbidden knowledge of Hermaeus Mora. The Arcanist is a powerful new Class capable of destructive, restorative, or defensive magic by channeling the arcane, ancient runes and lost tomes of power.

Arcanist unique CRUX Mechanic

ESO introduces the “Crux” mechanic which is exclusive to the Arcanist Class. When you use certain Arcanist abilities you generate Crux. Crux can be saved up in combat and you can spend Crux when activating specific abilities. You can save up to a maximum of three Crux.

When you activate an ability that is impacted by Crux it will become more powerful and more effective. Therefore it is important to really think your rotation through, to maximize the impact of Crux on the Arcanist abilities in The Elder Scrolls Online.

In the image below you can see the Crux mechanic. The two green triangles indicate that the character has two Crux active. When he activates the next ability that can harness the power of the Crux mechanic they will disappear.

The Arcanist Skill-lines

The three class skill-lines are Apocryphal Soldier, Curative Runeforms, and Herald of Tome.

Arcanist Class skill-lines:

The Herald of the Tome (Offense)
Apocryphal Soldier (Defense)
Curative Runeforms (Support/Healing)

Herald of the Tome

The Herald of the Tome skill-line for the Arcanist class is focused on an offensive playstyle. The Herald of the Tome skills will mostly be focused on damage-dealing skills. With it, you manipulate arcane energies to bombard your foes with blasts, beams, and more!

The Runeblades skill lets you throw runes of magic at the enemy and generate Crux at the same time. Abyssal Impact lets you summon tentacles from the abyss to infuse your arm with unstable magic and transform it into a weapon.

Apocryphal Soldier

The Apocryphal Soldier skill-line for the Arcanist class is focused on a defensive playstyle. The Apocryphal Soldier skills are focused to protect the player and their allies with runes of magic. With skills like the Runespite Ward you can buff yourself and your party’s defensive capabilities and even conjure an explosive damage shield, which can be further boosted by Crux.

Curative Runeforms

The Curative Runeforms skill-line for the Arcanist class is focused on restorative playstyle. The Curative Runeforms make use of healing runes to heal yourself or your allies. You can also shield your allies from damage. The Apocryphal Gate ability is part of the Curative Runeforms skill-line and lets you summon gates that allow you to passage between worlds.