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

Click here for testing results for multiple 120k+ DPS Setups

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
Top 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 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 to the top, 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

(click the left/right arrows to cycle through examples)

Non-Dual Wield Template

Non-Dual Wield Template

Dual Wield Back-Bar Template

Dual Wield Back-Bar Template

Boss Setup Example

Boss Setup Example

Non-DW Boss Setup Example

Non-DW Boss Setup Example

AoE Heavy Boss Example

AoE Heavy Boss Example

Light Armor / AoE Trash / Short Burst Example

Light Armor / AoE Trash / Short Burst Example

Light Armor / AoE Trash Example

Light Armor / AoE Trash Example

AoE Trash / Ult Dump Example

AoE Trash / Ult Dump Example

Dual Wield Front-Bar Template

Dual Wield Front-Bar Template

setup #2: NO ARENA SETS

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

(click the left/right arrows to cycle through examples)

Non-Dual Wield Front-Bar Template

Non-Dual Wield Front-Bar Template

Boss Setup Example

Boss Setup Example

Boss Setup Example 2

Boss Setup Example 2

Light Armor Boss Setup Example

Light Armor Boss Setup Example

Short Burst Setup Example

Short Burst Setup Example

Solo, Small Group, or Support / Short Burst Setup Example

Solo, Small Group, or Support / Short Burst Setup Example

Dual Wield Front-Bar Template

Dual Wield Front-Bar Template

SETUP #3: DOUBLE ARENA SETS

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

(click the left/right arrows to cycle through examples)

Non-Dual Wield Template

Non-Dual Wield Template

Dual Wield Back-Bar Template

Dual Wield Back-Bar Template

Double Dual Wield Template

Double Dual Wield Template

Example Setup #1

Example Setup #1

Example Setup #2

Example Setup #2

Dual Wield Front-Bar Template

Dual Wield Front-Bar Template

SETUP #4: REVERSE TRADITIONAL

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

(click the left/right arrows to cycle through examples)

Example Setup

Example Setup

Dual Wield Front-Bar Template

Dual Wield Front-Bar Template

SETUP #5: 1 BAR ONLY SETUP

AN ASSORTMENT OF OPTIONS FOR USING ONLY 1 SKILL BAR

(click the left/right arrows to cycle through examples)

Non-DW Front Bar / Heavy Attack Build Example

Non-DW Front Bar / Heavy Attack Build Example

Dual Wield Front Bar Template

Dual Wield Front Bar Template

Dual Wield Front Bar Example

Dual Wield Front Bar Example

Non-DW Front Bar Arena + Monster Set Template

Non-DW Front Bar Arena + Monster Set Template

Non-DW Front Bar Arena + Monster Set Example

Non-DW Front Bar Arena + Monster Set Example

Dual Wield Arena + Monster Set Template

Dual Wield Arena + Monster Set Template

Dual Wield Arena + Monster Set Example

Dual Wield Arena + Monster Set Example

Non-DW Front Bar Template

Non-DW Front Bar Template

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

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

skill bar setups

SETUP #1 - DUAL WIELD front bar / boss fights

This assumes Major Brutality/Sorcery is present with Igneous Weapons or Potions. If not, see notes for adjustments.
(click the left/right arrows to cycle through examples)

Dual Wield and Bow Example

Dual Wield and Bow Example

Dual Wield and Two-Handed Example

Dual Wield and Two-Handed Example

Dual Wield and Staff Example / Stone Giant

Dual Wield and Staff Example / Stone Giant

Dual Wield and Bow Example / Stone Giant

Dual Wield and Bow Example / Stone Giant

Dual Wield and Two-Handed Example / Stone Giant

Dual Wield and Two-Handed Example / Stone Giant

Dual Wield and Staff Example

Dual Wield and Staff Example

SETUP #2 - BOW front bar / boss fights

This also assumes Major Brutality/Sorcery is present with Igneous Weapons or Potions. If not, see notes for adjustments.
(click the left/right arrows to cycle through examples)

Lethal Arrow Spam Version / Slightly Lower AoE

Lethal Arrow Spam Version / Slightly Lower AoE

Easier to Manage / Vateshran Bow Setup / High Single Target but Lower AoE

Easier to Manage / Vateshran Bow Setup / High Single Target but Lower AoE

Stone Giant / Stagger Version

Stone Giant / Stagger Version

Maelstrom or Master Back-Bar + 5pc Bow Front Bar / Mostly Melee Setup / Lots of AoE

Maelstrom or Master Back-Bar + 5pc Bow Front Bar / Mostly Melee Setup / Lots of AoE

NOTES ON SKILLS

Igneous Weapons / Degeneration / Venom Arrow

If Major Sorcery/Brutality is not provided you will need to slot one of these. Igneous is preferred if the whole group needs the buffs.

Fiery Rage

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

Poison Injection / Venom Arrow

Swap this to the Front Bar and Venomous Claw to the Back Bar if running the Master’s Bow on the Front Bar

SETUP #3 - AoE HEAVY SCENARIOS

This also assumes Major Brutality/Sorcery is present with Igneous Weapons or Potions. If not, see notes for adjustments.
(click the left/right arrows to cycle through examples)

AoE Trash Setup / Master's 2H Front Bar

AoE Trash Setup / Master's 2H Front Bar

AoE Trash Setup / Dual Wield Front Bar

AoE Trash Setup / Dual Wield Front Bar

NOTES ON SKILLS

Standard of Might

For longer AoE encounters, you will see better results with Standard of Might over Fiery Rage

Igneous Weapons

If Major Sorcery/Brutality is not provided for the group you will need to slot it in a flex spot

Molten Whip

Can be slotted for the 300 Weapon/Spell Damage but it is harder to keep up for trash now that you cannot prebuff it

Anti-Cavalry Caltrops

For really short pulls, it isn’t really worth the slot… but if you are getting close to the full 15s from these, they are nice

VIDEO GUIDES

Here are some demonstrations from other great content creators

Thanks for stopping by

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

If these guides have been helpful to you, please consider checking out my Patreon!
A lot of work goes into these and the support really helps a ton!