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

the build basics

Make sure to read the notes along with the graphics as they are often JUST AS IMPORTANT!

 

top races

 

This is purely a ranking by top dps passives
Other passives can be beneficial too!

Examples:

Breton: Magicka Sustain + Resistances

  • Only 3-4% DPS behind Dark Elf for Magicka

Imperial: 2k Health + 6% Cost Reduction

  • Only 3-4% DPS behind Dark Elf for Stamina

ANY race can be FINE for DPS on all modes

 

mundus stone

  • The Thief is usually the strongest for PvE

 

food & drinks

Single Primary Stat options are the highest DPS if you don’t need the additional Max Health or sustain

However, I usually recommend Bi-Stat food instead as you only lose ~1% dps but gain 5395 Max Health

Tri-Stat Health + Stamina + Magicka work great for both Stamina and Magicka stacking setups

I use these when I need a little more of my Off-Resource pool to work with but don’t want to give up the Max Health

Primary Stat + Recovery options are great for damage and sustain if you don’t mind the missing Max Health

Primary Stat + Off-Resource Recovery options are also great if your Off-Resource is harder to sustain than your Main Resource (also missing Max Health)

Health + Primary Stat + Recovery options are good compromises if you need more well-rounded stats

 

potions

UESP has a great Alchemy Calculator if you want to see all possible combinations

  • If you already have the Major Crit Chance and the Major Weapon/Spell Damage Buffs, you can craft the Tri-Stat Restoration Potions (also from Daily Login Rewards) to help with sustaining both your Stamina and Magicka

  • Heroism Potions are usually even better in this scenario as well to squeeze out more Ultimates, but the ingredients are very expensive

The Essence of Spell Power potions are recommended only if you ARE NOT getting your Sorcery/Prophecy buffs from skills and you need the additional Magicka return

The Essence of Weapon Power potions are recommended only if you ARE NOT getting your Brutality/Savagery buffs from skills and you need the additional Stamina return

 

champion points

IMPORTANT NODES

Force of Nature
Top priority over the 4 shown if more Penetration is needed

Backstabber/Fighting Finesse
Top priorities over the 4 shown if under the Crit Dmg cap

Biting Aura
In for Deadly Aim for AoE Trash encounters

Exploiter
In for Master-at-Arms if 25% or higher on Off-Balance

 

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

  • For short burst encounters, “Exploiter” moves up into the “Crit Dmg CP” range, as long as Off-Balance is coordinated

  • If Off-Balance is NOT present, choose from the best of the other remaining 4 to the left of it

 

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 #1: TRADITIONAL

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

The 1pc monster set can also be run in the “shoulder” slot instead of the “head” slot - both options are equal

 

setup #2: NO ARENA SETS

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

With this setup, you give up the Arena Set to allow for a Mythic and a full 2pc Monster Set to be run together

 

SETUP #3: DOUBLE ARENA SETS

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

With this setup, you give up your 2nd 5pc Set to allow for a Mythic, a full 2pc Monster Set, and 2 Arena Sets to be run together

 

SETUP #4: REVERSE TRADITIONAL

TWO 5 PC SETS, 1PC MONSTER SET + MYTHIC, ARENA SET front-BARRED

Similar to the “Traditional Setup” except the Arena Set is on the front bar instead of the back bar

additional NOTES

  • Configure the # of Medium/Light Armor pieces to your needs but always keep at least 1 Medium and 1 Light Armor piece

  • Body and jewelry pieces are always interchangeable as long as you are keeping the weights that you want

  • And finally, the options listed are just my favorites - there are plenty of other sets that work great too

 

skill bar setups

 

SETUP #1 - SinGLE TARGET (Trial dummy)

Able to still run Heroism or Tri-Pots WITHOUT someone providing Major Buffs through Igneous Weapons

Assumes that Engulfing Flames is already provided

Backbar: Two-Handed

Backbar: Two-Handed

Backbar: Destruction Staff

Backbar: Destruction Staff

Backbar: Bow

Backbar: Bow

Backbar: Dual Wield

Backbar: Dual Wield

ALTERNATIVE SKILLS

Noxious Breath

If you are stacking into Stamina and Burning Talons is not sustainable, you can swap to Noxious Breath instead

You can also slot Noxious Breath instead of the 4th Backbar Skill Slot (Carve if 2H) and keep Burning Talons

Engulfing Flames

Definitely swap in Engulfing Flames for encounters where this debuff is not provided

Put it in place of the 4th Backbar Skill Slot (Carve if 2H) or possibly Burning Talons if you have poor Magicka sustain

Inner Light

If you are stacking into Magicka you can swap out Camo Hunter for Inner Light

 

SETUP #2 - general boss encounters

Able to run Heroism or Tri-Pots assuming SOMEONE ELSE IS PROVIDING your Major Buffs through Igneous Weapons

Backbar: Two-Handed

Backbar: Two-Handed

Backbar: Destruction Staff

Backbar: Destruction Staff

Backbar: Bow

Backbar: Bow

Backbar: Dual Wield

Backbar: Dual Wield

ALTERNATIVE SKILLS

Replacing Engulfing Flames

Some options if the debuff from Engulfing Flames is already provided:

  • Deadly Cloak is a great skill for both damage and survival

  • Move Barbed Trap to the front bar and slot another DoT or Survival skill in its place on the back bar

  • Morph Engulfing Flames to Noxious Breath if that is better for your sustain

Inner Light

If you are stacking into Magicka you can swap out Camo Hunter for Inner Light

Igneous Weapons/Degeneration

If Major Sorcery/Brutality is not provided you will need to slot one of these in place of the 4th Backbar Skill Slot (Carve on 2h)

Fiery Rage

For a short burst fight or short burst windows, you may see better results with Fiery Rage over Standard of Might

 

SETUP #3 - ALTERNATE SPAMMABLE

Able to run Heroism or Tri-Pots assuming SOMEONE ELSE IS PROVIDING your Major Buffs through Igneous Weapons

Backbar: Dual Wield

Backbar: Dual Wield

Backbar: Destruction Staff

Backbar: Destruction Staff

Backbar: Bow

Backbar: Bow

Backbar: Two-Handed

Backbar: Two-Handed

ALTERNATIVE SKILLS

Replacing Engulfing Flames

Some options if the debuff from Engulfing Flames is already provided:

  • Deadly Cloak is a great skill for both damage and survival (move Barbed Trap to the back bar)

  • Slot a different skill in its place depending on your setup/needs:

    • Carve, Poison Injection, Caltrops, Scalding Rune, Survival Skill, etc.

  • Morph Engulfing Flames to Noxious Breath if that is better for your sustain

Replacing Molten Whip

Nice to passively provide 300 Weapon/Spell Damage but can be replaced by another DoT or a Survival Skill if you prefer

Inner Light

If you are stacking into Magicka you can swap out Camo Hunter for Inner Light though Camo will still be better if you need Minor Berserk

Igneous Weapons/Degeneration

If Major Sorcery/Brutality is not provided you will need to slot one of these in place of Engulfing Flames or Molten Whip

Fiery Rage

For a short burst fight or short burst windows, you may see better results with Fiery Rage over Standard of Might

 

SETUP #4 - AoE HEAVY SCENARIOS

Able to run Heroism or Tri-Pots assuming SOMEONE ELSE IS PROVIDING your Major Buffs through Igneous Weapons

Backbar: Destruction Staff

Backbar: Destruction Staff

Backbar: Two-Handed

Backbar: Two-Handed

Backbar: Bow

Backbar: Bow

ALTERNATIVE SKILLS

Replacing Engulfing Flames

Options if the debuff from Engulfing Flames is already provided:

  • Slot Molten Whip on the back bar for the passive Weapon/Spell Damage boost

  • Morph Engulfing Flames to Noxious Breath if that is better for your sustain

  • Slot a different skill in its place depending on your setup/needs:

    • Carve, Caltrops, Survival Skill, etc.

Fiery Rage

For a short burst fight or short burst windows, you may see better results with Fiery Rage over Standard of Might

Barbed Trap/Channeled Acceleration

I prefer Barbed Trap for most AoE Heavy Boss Fights and Channeled Acceleration for the shorter AoE Pulls

  • If you can swap skills quickly, you can prebuff Channeled Acceleration for trash and then put Molten Whip in its place for the passive

  • Not necessary if you are using the new Velothi amulet

Inner Light

If you are stacking into Magicka you can swap out Camo Hunter for Inner Light though Camo will still be better if you need Minor Berserk

Igneous Weapons

If Major Sorcery/Brutality is not provided you will need to slot it in place of:

  • Engulfing if that debuff is already provided

  • Or Deadly Cloak (move Trap or FoO to the front bar and slot Igneous on the back)

Thanks for stopping by

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

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