Table of Contents

Welcome to the Necromancer Tank Build PvE “Colossus” for ESO (Elder Scrolls Online). Make sure to bookmark the link as I will keep updating the build for each new Update of ESO. The Necromancer Tank Build PvE “Colossus” is optimized for Dungeons, Arenas, and Trials.

Keep in mind there is a huge variety of different tank builds out there that synergize well depending on your group setup. Remember, each Dungeon or Trial needs some small adjustments to the build. So if you for example feel that you need more health, then go for it!

Other Tank Guides:

The Necromancer class has a very strong tanking toolkit, especially thanks to the Bone Tyrant skill line. Beckoning Armor is a nice ability to pull in ranged targets without paying too much attention to them. Unnerving Boneyard applies debuffs to the enemies and players can even use a synergy with this skill. Hungry Scythe scales of health and grants us great healing. More info about skills in the skills section of the build.

  • Necromancer Class
  • Trial, Dungeon & Arena
  • Tank/ Support Build
  • Heavy Armor
  • Great sustain
  • Great survivability
  • Great self-healing

Dungeon & Trial Setup Necromancer Tank Build

In this section, we are going to take a look at the ESO Necromancer Tank Build setup.

5x Perf. Saxhleel Champion, 2x Perf. Puncturing Remedy (Frontbar), 5x Crimson Oath’s Rive (backbar) 2x Archdruid Devyric with Bewitched Sugar Skills on a Nord.

  • Unbuffed: Out of combat, buff-food active.
  • Buffed: In combat, Raid Target Dummy buffs, Tri-Stat Potions, Spirit Guardian active.

Gear Necromancer Tank Build

Gear Setup

We are using Perf. Saxhleel Champion which allows us to get a great uptime on Major Force alongside Major Vulnerability from the ultimate, boosting overall damage by a lot for our group. Archdruid Devyric can be activated via Heavy Attack. Crimson Oath’s Rive is used to debuff enemy armor and is activated via Beckoning Armor, you can also select another set here if you want. On the frontbar we have Perf. Puncturing Remedy which heals and increases resistance even further.

Backbar Weapon: We use a Frost staff as a base backbar weapon, because of the Ancient Knowledge passive. However, you can also use a Lightning Staff or another sword and board if you wish to do so.

Gear Set Weight Trait Enchantment
Chest Perf. Saxhleel Champion Heavy Reinforced Tri Stat Enchantment
Belt Perf. Saxhleel Champion Heavy Sturdy Health Enchantment
Shoes Perf. Saxhleel Champion Heavy Sturdy Health Enchantment
Pants Perf. Saxhleel Champion Heavy Infused Tri Stat Enchantment
Hands Perf. Saxhleel Champion Heavy Sturdy Health Enchantment
Head Archdruid Devyric Light Infused Tri Stat Enchantment
Shoulder Archdruid Devyric Medium Sturdy Health Enchantment
Necklace Crimson Oath’s Rive Jewelry Infused Reduce Magicka Cost of Spells
Ring Crimson Oath’s Rive Jewelry Infused Reduce Magicka Cost of Spells
Ring Crimson Oath’s Rive Jewelry Infused Bracing Enchantment
Weapon 1 S&B Perf. Puncturing Remedy 1H-Weap Decisive Weakening Enchantment
Weapon 1 S&B Perf. Puncturing Remedy Shield Sturdy Tri-Stat Enchantment
Weapon 2 Destro Crimson Oath’s Rive Frost Staff Infused Crusher Enchantment

Beginner Gear Setup

This beginner setup is here for people that do not have access to the other setup now. You can ask a friend to craft Fortified Brass and Torug’s Pact for you. You could also use Plague Doctor instead of Torug’s Pact as it is very cheaply available in the Guild Stores.

Gear Set Weight Trait Enchantment
Chest Fortified Brass Heavy Reinforced Stamina Enchantment
Belt Fortified Brass Light Sturdy Health Enchantment
Shoes Fortified Brass Medium Sturdy Health Enchantment
Pants Torug’s Pact Heavy Infused Stamina Enchantment
Hands Torug’s Pact Heavy Sturdy Health Enchantment
Head Night’s Silence Heavy Infused Stamina Enchantment
Shoulder Night’s Silence Heavy Sturdy Health Enchantment
Necklace Torug’s Pact Jewelry Infused Magicka Recovery Glyph
Ring Torug’s Pact Jewelry Infused Reduce Prismatic Cost Enchant (Idenko Glyph)
Ring Torug’s Pact Jewelry Infused Bracing Enchantment
Weapon 1 S&B Fortified Brass 1H-Weap Decisive Weakening Enchantment
Weapon 1 S&B Fortified Brass Shield Sturdy Stamina Enchantment
Weapon 2 Destro Fortified Brass Frost Staff Infused Crusher Enchantment

 

Where can I get the gear?

Perfected Saxhleel Champion: vRockgrove Trial
Saxhleeel Champion: Rockgrove Trial
Crimson Oath’s Rive: The Dread Cellar dungeon
Perfected Puncturing Remedy: vDragonstar Arena
Puncturing Remedy: Dragonstar Arena
Archdruid Devyric: vThe Earthen Root Enclave, Undaunted Enclave Rewards
Fortified Brass: Craftable
Torug’s Pact: Craftable
Night’s Silence: Craftable
Plague Doctor: Deshaan, Guildstore

Skills Necro Tank Build

ESO-Hub Skill iconESO-Hub Skill iconESO-Hub Skill iconESO-Hub Skill iconESO-Hub Skill iconESO-Hub Skill icon
ESO-Hub Skill iconESO-Hub Skill iconESO-Hub Skill iconESO-Hub Skill iconESO-Hub Skill iconESO-Hub Skill icon
S&B Mainbar Destro Staff off-bar
Slot 1: Unnerving Boneyard Slot 1: Spirit Guardian
Slot 2: Expunge and Modify Slot 2: Elemental Blockade
Slot 3: Pierce Armor Slot 3: Inner Rage
Slot 4: Deaden Pain Slot 4: Spell Symmetry
Slot 5: Hungry Scythe Slot 5: Beckoning Armor
Ultimate: Temporal Guard Ultimate: Glacial Colossus

 

Skills explanation:

  • Unnerving Boneyard: Applies Major Breach to all enemies in the skill area, debuffing their resistances and also provides a Synergy.
  • Expunge and Modify: Used to cleanse debuffs and also restores resources. Also reduces all ability cost by 3%. (Flex Spot, you can use another skill here if you want)
  • Pierce Armor: This is your main taunt ability.
  • Necrotic Potency: While slotted applies 3% Damage mitigation. Also increases ultimate regeneration a lot if there are corpses on the ground.
  • Hungry Scythe: This ability scales of your Max Health and can be used whenever you need a heal.
  • Temporal Guard: This is only passively slotted for the extra 5% damage mitigation that we gain through Minor Protection. While blocking, we also gain a small shield.
  • Spirit Ward: The ghost heals you and also mitigates damage you take by 10%. It also keeps the Undead Confederate passive active.
  • Elemental Blockade: If you are using a frost staff, this can proc Minor Brittle and Minor Maim on the enemy, which increases enemy critical damage taken and reduces enemy damage. Also provides a small shield to allies.
  • Inner Rage: This is your main taunt ability.
  • Spell Symmetry (Flex Spot): Trade Health for Magicka, be careful as this reduces healing done for 50%.
  • Beckoning Armor: Buffs your resistances and pulls in ranged enemies that hit you.
  • Glacial Colossus: Applies Major Vulnerability for 15 seconds, increasing damage done to targets by a lot. Also stuns enemies.

Champion Points for the ESO Necromancer Tank Build

Below you can find the Champion Points setup for this build. Work your way from top to bottom in your allocation. For more information on Champion Points, please visit the Champion Points Overview Page on ESO-Hub.com.

Important:

  • Warfare Tree: This tree gives you a mix between damage, healing and damage mitigation.
  • Fitness Tree: This tree gives you extra health, sustain and defensive buffs.
  • Craft Tree: This tree is mostly optional, nothing really “impacts” combat, therefore you can pick whatever you prefer, or use the preset below.
  • Perks: Hovering over each perk will give you insights on what it does. Presets are also provided for each of the allocations below.

Click the tab below to open the allocation.

195 Champion Point Allocation

Preset used for this allocation: https://eso-hub.com/en/champion-points/calculator?preset=d651d071-0ad9-42ce-884d-6d2e71cdcb80

Warfare Tree Points Allocation

Fitness Tree Points Allocation

Craft Tree Points Allocation

300 Champion Point Allocation

Preset used for this allocation: https://eso-hub.com/en/champion-points/calculator?preset=f9310224-a582-4e5c-afa8-c216842abbb7

Warfare Tree Points Allocation

Fitness Tree Points Allocation

Craft Tree Points Allocation

600 Champion Point Allocation

Preset used for this allocation: https://eso-hub.com/en/champion-points/calculator?preset=bd44e72b-7924-4e1c-8660-9f3e8ba6976e

Warfare Tree Points Allocation

Fitness Tree Points Allocation

Craft Tree Points Allocation

900 Champion Point Allocation

Preset used for this allocation: https://eso-hub.com/en/champion-points/calculator?preset=9fd821fc-cf6a-4a62-b7f9-c5bc0d301e54

Warfare Tree Points Allocation

Fitness Tree Points Allocation

Craft Tree Points Allocation

1230 Champion Point Allocation

Preset used for this allocation: https://eso-hub.com/en/champion-points/calculator?preset=0542104c-9316-4d78-b5ff-9c485e6829a0

Warfare Tree Points Allocation

Fitness Tree Points Allocation

Craft Tree Points Allocation

1560 Champion Point Allocation

Preset used for this allocation: https://eso-hub.com/en/champion-points/calculator?preset=816f0926-705e-4fb0-a92a-7f66b03ebdbd

Warfare Tree Points Allocation

Fitness Tree Points Allocation

Craft Tree Points Allocation


Important Info for Necromancer Tank Build PvE

Buff-food

In general, most Tanks like to go with max resource buff foods such as the Bewitched Sugar Skulls or the cheaper version Longfin pasty with Melon Sauce. However, you could also use Jewels of Misrule which provides Health and a lot of Magicka and Stamina recovery.

Longfin pasty with Melon Sauce
(Max Health+Max Stamina+Max Magicka)

Longfin pasty with melon sauce

Bewitched Sugar Skulls

The Bewitched Sugar Skulls is a slightly more advanced version that has a bit higher stats and also includes health recovery. Though it also costs more.

bewitched sugar skills food

You can also visit the Buff Food and Drinks Overview Page for more information on all food and drinks.

Mundus Stone

The Lord is a good Mundus Stone to increase maximum Health. However, you can also use other available Mundus Stones if you don’t need the extra Health. For an overview of all the Mundus Stones in ESO you can check out the Mundus Stone Overview Page.

The Lord Mundus Stone (Max Health)

Race

You can find more about racial passives on the ESO Race Overview page.

Nord
Argonian
Imperial
Orc
Redguard
Dark Elf

Potions

You can use both the crafted or the crown store Tri-Stat potion.

Tri-Stat Potion
(Health, Stamina, Magicka)
(Bugloss, Columbine, Mountain Flower)

Essence of Health Potion ESO

Crown Tri-Restoration Potion ESO

 

Passives

Attributes

I recommend placing all attributes into health. However, you can adjust the values yourself, if you feel you have too much health, then place some points in either stamina or magicka.

0 Magicka, 64 Health, 0 Stamina


Resource Management ESO Necro Tank Build

Spirit Guardian reduces your damage taken by 10%, heals you and also keeps the Undead Confederate passive active to boost your sustain.

Spell Symmetry returns Magicka, you can use this as much as you want, but be careful that your Healer is healing you. Because you loose Health while using this.

Energy Orb is a skill that Healers use to throw into the group. You can use the synergy this skill provides to regain around 4000 resources. Our max Stamina is a bit higher than our Max Magicka, that is because you will get resources depending on your higher max Stamina or Magicka. And because we are a tank, Stamina is definitely more important.

Heavy Attacks restore a big amount of stamina, if you hit an off-balanced enemy it gives twice the amount back. You don’t need to permablock, try to find time to do Heavy Attacks in your rotation.

Potions are also a key to manage your resources well, I recommend using Tri-Stat potions to regain all three resources at the same time. Further below you will learn how to craft the right potions.

Choosing an Argonian as a race for your tank will also increase sustain due to the Resourceful racial passive.


Outfit Style Showcase of the Necromancer Tank Build for ESO

Let us take a look at the outfit style of the Necromancer Tank Build for ESO. You can find a few images here and an image of the outfit editor dye station below.


Update Log for the Necromancer Tank Build

11.082019 Updated the Build for the SCALEBREAKER DLC, Elsweyr Chapter, Necromancer Tank Build PvE.
20.10.2019 Updated the Build for the DRAGONHOLD DLC, Elsweyr Chapter.
20.02.2020 Updated the Build for the HARROWSTORM DLC, Greymoor Chapter.
08.05.2020 Updated the Build for the GREYMOOR CHAPTER.
20.08.2020 Updated the Build for the STONETHORN DLC, Greymoor Chapter.
27.10.2020 Updated the Build for the MARKARTH DLC, Greymoor Chapter.
03.03.2021 Updated the Build for the FLAMES OF AMBITION DLC, Blackwood Chapter.
26.05.2021 Updated the Build for the BLACKWOOD CHAPTER.
11.08.2021 Updated the Build for the WAKING FLAME DLC, Blackwood Chapter.
01.09.2021 Updated the Champion Points and Buff Food links, WAKING FLAME DLC, Blackwood Chapter.
18.10.2021 Updated the Build for the DEADLANDS DLC, Blackwood Chapter.
03.03.2022 Updated the Build for the ASCENDING TIDE DLC, High Isle Chapter.
12.05.2022 Updated the Build for the HIGH ISLE CHAPTER.
09.08.2022 Updated the Build for the LOST DEPTHS DLC, High Isle Chapter.
24.10.2022 Updated the Build for the FIRESONG DLC, High Isle Chapter.
09.03.2023 Updated the Build for the SCRIBES OF FATE DLC, Necrom Chapter.
30.05.2023 Updated the Build for the ESO NECROM CHAPTER.
25.10.2023 Updated the Build for Necrom Update 40.
06.03.2024 Updated the Build for the Scions of Ithelia DLC Update 41, Gold Road Chapter

Tags: Necromancer Tank Build PVE, Necro Tank Build, Necro Health Tank Build PvE.

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