WARDEN pve dps guide

Updated for the Ascending Tide DLC

Remember to treat this as a base to work from…
Always adjust as needed for your specific situation!

 

the build basics

 

top races

 

  • This is just from a pure damage standpoint

  • Other racial passives may be beneficial even if not for damage

    • Ex: Imperials’ 2000 Health plus 6% Cost Reduction

  • Really any race is fine for all levels of content as a DPS

 

mundus stone

  • The Thief is generally the strongest for PvE

  • The Lover can be okay situationally if you are hurting for penetration

 

food/drinks

  • Single-Stat “Stamina-only” or “Magicka-only” are the strongest for DPS if you don’t need the health or sustain

  • I’d usually recommend Bi-Stat over those in that situation as you only lose 1k resource but gain 5400 health

  • Health + Main Resource + Recovery are okay compromises if you need well rounded stats

  • Stat + Primary Resource Recovery is great damage and sustain if you don’t mind missing the health

  • Stat + Off Resource Recovery is great if you need help with your off-resource and don’t mind missing health

  • Tri-stat or Max Mag + Max Stam can work for either Mag stacking or Stam stacking setups

 

potions

  • The Essence of Spell Power potions are highly recommended if you aren’t getting your Sorcery/Prophecy buffs from skills and you need the Magicka return

  • Make sure to run Spell Damage Glyphs on your jewelry with these regardless of whether you stack Stamina or Magicka

  • The Essence of Weapon Power potions are highly recommended if you aren’t getting your Brutality/Savagery buffs from skills and you need the Stamina return

  • Make sure to run Weapon Damage Glyphs on your jewelry with these regardless of whether you stack Stamina or Magicka

  • If you already have your Major Crit Chance Buffs and Major Weapon/Spell Damage Buffs you can run Tri-pots or Heroism Pots to help with sustaining both your Magicka and Stamina

  • Heroism ingredients are a bit expensive but can be nice to squeeze out more Ultimates

 

champion points

  • Fighting Finesse > Backstabber if you can’t flank

  • Thaumaturge > Backstabber if over the crit dmg cap

  • Thaumaturge or Fighting Finesse > Deadly Aim for AoE heavy scenarios (depending on crit damage needs)

 

gear / skills / rotations

 

  • Diamond’s Victory is an easy-to-get craftable set that also works well front barred on a Warden

    • I overlooked it when putting together these charts, but it is pretty solid as long as your rotation supports it

notes

  • The Harpooner’s Wading Kilt with a 1pc Slimecraw will generally be a slight DPS improvement over a Monster Set when the fight allows for it

  • Daggers are highly recommended over an Inferno Staff front bar whenever you can be in melee for the full fight

  • Light Armor pieces will be stronger where slottable if under the penetration cap, otherwise Medium Armor pieces are stronger

 
 
 
 
 

stamina stacking skill layout coming soon!

 

updated COMBAT ROTATIONS FOR THE ASCENDING TIDE DLC
WILL BE COMING SOON!

 

Thanks for stopping by

Thanks to UESP.net as well for the great tools for some of the screenshots