In this Weapon and Armor Sets Beginner Guide for ESO I will try to explain the importance of these sets, as they can make a lot of difference in gameplay.
Like in other games, The Elder Scrolls Online has weapons and armor for combat, as well as jewelry.
You can receive all of this from different content, be it Overland (meaning in the world like worldbosses or delves) or from trials, dungeons and PvP.
You can even craft your own sets or have them crafted, as crafted weapon and armor sets can require a lot of pre-requisites that you need to accomplish first in order to craft them, like having several traits researched or having access to a DLC zone.
Bonuses
Both Weapon and Armor Sets have bonuses, which is what makes them so strong and unique.
It can range from maximal 2 Bonuses up to a maximum of 5 Bonuses, which is often referred to as 5-5-2, meaning you are utilizing two different 5 set bonuses and one 2 set bonus.
Not every set has all weapons, armors or jewelry available, though, so if you are looking for something specific you might want to check ESO-Sets.com.
Traits
Weapons, armor and jewelry can come in 9 different traits each. A trait is a special bonus that is usually already on an item, and in most times randomly applied, or is either added specifically on crafted weapons, armor or jewelry.
You can change the trait of an item by using a Transmutation station if you have access to one via your guild or a friend’s house, or in the Clockwork City DLC. Be aware though that you need to have researched the trait of what you want to change and trait changing will lock the item to your account.
The quality of an item improves the trait and makes it stronger, so a Common quality item will have a lesser percentage value of the item than the Legendary upgrade.
Weapon Traits
- Charged
- Decisive
- Defending
- Infused
- Nirnhoned
- Powered
- Precise
- Sharpened
- Training
Armor Traits
- Divines
- Impenetrable
- Infused
- Invigorating
- Nirnhoned
- Reinforced
- Sturdy
- Training
- Well-Fitted
Jewelry Traits
- Arcane
- Bloodthirsty
- Harmony
- Healthy
- Infused
- Protective
- Robust
- Swift
- Triune
You can find all Crafting guides here: Crafting Category
Weapon Sets
There are currently 6 Weapon Skill lines in the game;
- Two-Handed
- One-Handed and Shield
- Dual Wield, Bow
- Destruction Staff
- Restoration Staff
Every weapon that occupies two slots in the character screen (Two-Handed, Bow, Destruction Staff and Restoration Staff) counts as two bonuses.
It’s also worth noting that shields do not count as weapons, but count as armor.
Amor Sets
Armor is currently available in 3 different weights: Light, Medium and Heavy Amor.
Each weight has its own skill line and profits from various Passive Abilities, too. Light Armor utilizes Magicka, whereas Stamina setups benefit the most from Medium Armor and tanks usually want to use the Heavy Amor skill line.
Even your Champion Points can influence the type of armor you are wearing.
One of few exceptions are the so-called Monster Sets. These are available as Head and Shoulder slot only. The helmet drops from veteran dungeons at the endboss and the shoulder drops from the respective chest at the Undaunted Enclave (consumes one Undaunted key).
If you want to know more about it, check out this page about Monster Sets. It will show you the bonuses, the location where it drops and from which chest.
Jewelry Sets
Before Summerset was released in 2018 it was not possible to get Jewelry Sets for crafted sets, but with that chapter (which is now a DLC) Jewelry Crafting was first introduced. So, aside from the jewelry that can already drop in the game from Overland, dungeons and trials or is being sold by various vendors, you are now able to craft jewelry for gear sets that can be crafted.
Additionally you can now upgrade the quality of a piece of jewelry and change its trait at a Transmutation station, if you have the trait researched.
Enchantments
Enchantments on weapon, armor and jewelry are so-called Glyphs that add special enhancements to your items and boost your capabilities, such as damage, health or magicka regeneration. They make your items, and yourself, even stronger.
You can craft Glpyhs at an Enchanting Station, typically found in bigger towns. You have to mix Runes in order to create a Glyph.
A detailed Guide on Glyphs can be found here.
Important!
Earning EXP and dying will sap on the durability of your Armor. Traits, enchantments and set bonuses will no longer work and you will have to repair it.
Weapons can’t break, but their Enchantment will run out eventually. You need a Soul Gem in order to fill it back up (right click on the weapon and choose Charge).
Jewelry can neither break, nor can their enchants run out.
