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

the build basics

This basic information that is consistent across all of the DPS Builds has been moved!
Check out this page here for the Top Races, Mundus Stone, Food/Drinks, and Potions

champion points

**IMPORTANT NODES**

**Backstabber/Fighting Finesse**
Priorities over the 4 shown if under the Crit Dmg cap
**Force of Nature**
Priority over the 4 shown if more Penetration is needed
**Biting Aura**
In for Deadly Aim for AoE encounters
**Exploiter**
In for Thaumaturge if 25% or higher on Off-Balance

Need help with the Penetration and Crit Damage caps? Check out these charts

TOP GEAR Setups

For a full list of the best DPS sets, check out my tier list
For more details on when to use what, check out top DPS sets video

setup A: TRADITIONAL

TWO 5 PC SETS, 1PC MONSTER SET + MYTHIC, ARENA SET BACKBARRED

The most common configuration used
(click the left/right arrows to cycle through examples)

AoE Trash Example (Deadly Only Good w/ Torch Spam)

Single Target
Arms of Relequen
AoE/ST
Runecarver’s Blaze
Ansuul's Torment
Mora Scribe's Thesis
Highland Sentinel
Order’s Wrath
AoE
Azureblight Reaper
Support
Roar of Alkosh
AoE
Sul-Xan’s Torment
AoE/ST
Runecarver's Blaze
Aegis Caller
Whorl of the Depths
Ansuul’s Torment (if in Azure or Runecarver, otherwise always active)
Yandir’s Might
Single Target
Slivers of the Null Arca
Pillar of Nirn
Short Burst
Mechanical Acuity
Burning Spellweave
Briarheart
Large Bosses Only
Flame Blossom
Support
Z’en’s Redress
Roar of Alkosh
Most Common
Harpooner’s Wading Kilt - S-Tier damage if bonus can be maintained
Velothi Ur-Mage's Amulet - S-Tier damage with no stacks or mini-game
Mora’s Whispers - A-tier damage with no stacks or mini-game
Ring of the Pale Order - Great for healing solo or in a small group with no healers
More Situational
Thrassian Stranglers - S-tier for damage for some solo or small group encounters if getting enough killing blows
Sea-Serpent’s Coil - S-Tier damage if maintaining/benefiting from both bonuses
Spaulder of Ruin - Group buff option but no personal DPS gain
Esoteric Environment Greaves - Great defense but no DPS gain
Top Backbar Arena Options
Crushing Wall (Maelstrom Inferno Staff)
Caustic Arrow (Dragonstar Bow)
Thunderous Volley (Maelstrom Bow)
Merciless Charge (Maelstrom Greatsword)
Spectral Cloak (Blackrose Prison Daggers)
If you would prefer to run a full 2pc Monster Set, drop the Mythic and move your Set A “shoulder” piece to your ‘legs” slot
Single Target Priority
Zaan
Selene
Nerien’eth
Stormfist
AoE Priority
Prior Thierric
Situational
Balorgh (Amazing Short Burst)
Iceheart (Mix of Dmg/Survival)
Support
Encratis’s Behemoth
Archdruid Devyric

setup B: NO ARENA SETS

TWO 5 PC SETS (1 FRONT BAR + 1 BACK BAR) + 2PC MONSTER SET + MYTHIC

This type of setup is usually for short burst scenarios
(click the left/right arrows to cycle through examples)

Short Burst Setup Example (Solo, Small Group, or Support)

Slightly Longer Burst Setup Example using Torchbearer (Solo, Small Group, or Support)

Alternative Elf Bane Burst Setup Example

SETUP C: DOUBLE ARENA SETS

5 PC SET, 2PC MONSTER SET, MYTHIC, 2 arena sets, 2PC cRIT CHANCE

Popular for bow setups or slightly tankier melee setups
(click the left/right arrows to cycle through examples)

Trial Set is Recommended
Arms of Relequen
Sul-Xan’s Torment
Mora Scribe's Thesis
Ansuul's Torment
Whorl of the Depths
Bahsei’s Mania
Yandir’s Might
Non-Trial Set Options
Azureblight Reaper
Runecarver's Blaze
Support
Roar of Alkosh
Single Target Priority
Zaan
Selene
Nerien’eth
Stormfist
AoE Priority
Prior Thierric
Situational
Balorgh (Short Burst)
Iceheart (Mix of Dmg/Survival)
Support
Encratis’s Behemoth
Archdruid Devyric
Most Common
Harpooner’s Wading Kilt - S-Tier damage if bonus can be maintained
Velothi Ur-Mage's Amulet - S-Tier damage with no stacks or mini-game
Ring of the Pale Order - Great for healing solo or in a small group with no healers
More Situational
Thrassian Stranglers - S-tier for damage for some solo or small group encounters if getting enough killing blows
Sea-Serpent’s Coil - S-Tier damage if maintaining/benefiting from both bonuses
Esoteric Environment Greaves - Gret defense but no DPS gain
Top Front Bar Arena Options
Spectral Cloak (Blackrose Prison Daggers)
Executioner’s Blade (Vateshran Daggers)
Titanic Cleave (Master’s GS or Maul)
Caustic Arrow (Dragonstar Bow)
Point Blank Snipe (Vateshran Bow)
Virulent Shot (Blackrose Prison Bow)
Top Backbar Arena Options
Crushing Wall (Maelstrom Inferno Staff)
Caustic Arrow (Dragonstar Bow)
Thunderous Volley (Maelstrom Bow)
Merciless Charge (Maelstrom Greatsword)
Spectral Cloak (Blackrose Prison Daggers)

additional gear setup NOTES

The 1pc monster set can also be run in the “shoulder” slot instead of the “head” slot - both options are equal
Configure the # of Medium/Light Armor pieces to your needs but usually keep at least 1 Medium / 1 Light Armor piece
Body and jewelry pieces are always interchangeable as long as you are keeping the weights that you want
If your Ultimate is not ready on the Setup #2 burst setups, Prior Thierric is a nice Monster Set option
And finally, the options listed are just my favorites - there are plenty of other sets that work great too

skill bar setups

DUAL WIELD front-BAR / STAFF BACK-BAR

If Major Brutality/Sorcery is not already present, slot Igneous Weapons or Degeneration.
(click the left/right arrows to cycle through examples)

Standard Flexible Setup for Mag or Stam DK

Standard Mag DK Talons Setup (Too Mag Heavy for Stam DK to Sustain)

Simplified Magicka DK Setup w/ Camo Front Bar

Setup for Stam DK w/ Stam Based Spammable and Talons

NOTES ON SCRIBING SKILLS

Ulfsild’s Contingency

Flame Focus | Lingering Torment Signature | Your choice for the Affix

Torchbearer

Flame Focus | Class Mastery Signature | Your choice for the Affix

Traveling Knife

Poison or Shattering Focus | Class Mastery, Lingering Torment, or Warrior’s Opportunity Signature | Your choice for the Affix

DUAL WIELD front-bar / 2h back-bar