Choosing the right class in The Elder Scrolls online classes can define your entire experience across Tamriel. Your class influences combat style, survivability, damage potential, group utility, and endgame effectiveness.
This comprehensive guide covers all Elder Scrolls Online classes, their strengths and weaknesses, the current meta, recommended playstyles, and the strongest builds available. You’ll also find an updated ESO class tier list, beginner recommendations, and detailed Elder Scrolls class builds for every class.
What Are the Classes in Elder Scrolls Online?
What are Elder Scrolls online classes? The Elder Scrolls Online features seven playable classes:
| Class | Primary Roles | Difficulty | Best For |
| Dragonknight | Tank, Melee DPS | Medium | Tanking and frontline combat |
| Sorcerer | Ranged DPS, Healer | Easy | Mobility and burst damage |
| Nightblade | DPS, Assassin | Hard | PvP and stealth gameplay |
| Templar | Healer, DPS | Easy | Solo players and beginners |
| Warden | Tank, Healer, DPS | Medium | Group support |
| Necromancer | DPS, Tank, Healer | Hard | Advanced players |
| Arcanist | DPS, Support | Easy-Medium | Meta gameplay and versatility |
Unlike many MMORPGs, race does not lock you into a role. Every class can become a tank, healer, or damage dealer depending on your gear, skill choices, Champion Points, and build preferences.
This flexibility is one of ESO’s defining strengths and a major reason why players constantly experiment with new setups.
Elder Scrolls Online All Classes Explained
Dragonknight
Overview
Dragonknights harness draconic power and fire magic to dominate the battlefield. They are widely considered the strongest dedicated tanks in ESO and remain a staple of endgame PvE groups.
Strengths
- Exceptional survivability
- Powerful crowd-control abilities
- Strong damage-over-time effects
- Best-in-slot tank utility
- Excellent sustain during long fights
Weaknesses
- Limited mobility
- Less effective at ranged combat
- Slower gameplay compared to other classes
Best Roles
- Main Tank
- PvE Tank
- Melee DPS
- PvP Bruiser
Who Should Play Dragonknight?
Dragonknights are ideal for players who enjoy controlling the battlefield, protecting allies, and surviving massive incoming damage.
Sorcerer
Overview
Sorcerers wield lightning, daedric summons, and powerful magical attacks. They are among the fastest and most mobile classes in the game.
Strengths
- Incredible mobility
- Powerful ranged damage
- Strong self-healing through pets
- Easy rESOurce management
- Excellent PvP performance
Weaknesses
- Vulnerable when focused
- Pet AI occasionally behaves unpredictably
- Lower durability than tankier classes
Best Roles
- Ranged DPS
- PvP Burst Damage
- Solo Farming
- Beginner-Friendly DPS
Who Should Play Sorcerer?
Players who enjoy fast-paced gameplay and explosive ranged combat will find Sorcerer one of the most satisfying classes in ESO.
Nightblade
Overview
Nightblades specialize in stealth, assassination, and high burst damage. They are feared in PvP and reward skilled players with devastating damage output.
Strengths
- Exceptional burst damage
- Stealth mechanics
- High mobility
- Strong execution abilities
- Excellent PvP performance
Weaknesses
- Fragile defenses
- High learning curve
- Punishing mistakes
Best Roles
- PvP Assassin
- Burst DPS
- Solo PvP
- Endgame DPS
Who Should Play Nightblade?
Nightblade is perfect for players seeking a challenging but rewarding class with one of the highest skill ceilings in the game.
Templar
Overview
Templars channel divine power to heal allies, protect groups, and deal consistent damage. They remain one of the most beginner-friendly classes in ESO.
Strengths
- Strong healing toolkit
- Excellent survivability
- Reliable sustain
- Great solo capabilities
- Forgiving gameplay
Weaknesses
- Predictable PvP patterns
- Lower burst damage potential
- Less mobility than Sorcerers
Best Roles
- Healer
- Solo PvE
- Beginner DPS
- Group Support
Who Should Play Templar?
If you’re searching for the ultimate ESO beginner class, Templar is often the safest recommendation.
Warden
Overview
Wardens combine nature magic, animal companions, and frost abilities into one of the most versatile kits in ESO.
Strengths
- Outstanding group utility
- Excellent healing
- Strong crowd control
- Flexible role options
- Frost-based tanking potential
Weaknesses
- Slightly slower animations
- Less dominant in solo PvP
- Higher build complexity
Best Roles
- Healer
- Tank
- Support DPS
- Group Utility
Who Should Play Warden?
Players who enjoy supporting teammates and adapting to different situations will appreciate the Warden’s versatility.
Necromancer
Overview
Necromancers command corpses and dark magic to overwhelm enemies while providing strong utility.
Strengths
- Massive AoE damage
- Great survivability
- Powerful ultimates
- Strong group synergy
Weaknesses
- Complex mechanics
- Animation locking
- Requires more setup than other classes
Best Roles
- DPS
- Tank
- Group Utility
Who Should Play Necromancer?
Necromancer is best suited for experienced players looking for advanced mechanics and unique gameplay systems.
Arcanist
Overview
Introduced with the Necrom chapter, the Arcanist quickly became one of the strongest and most popular classes in ESO.
Its Crux system enables devastating damage combinations while maintaining excellent survivability and utility.
Strengths
- Exceptional damage output
- Easy rESOurce management
- Strong shields
- Excellent group synergy
- Beginner-friendly mechanics
Weaknesses
- Lower mobility
- PvP balance adjustments continue
- Positioning matters heavily
Best Roles
- DPS
- Support
- Off-Tank
- Solo Content
Who Should Play Arcanist?
Players looking for the current Elder Scrolls online best class candidate should strongly consider Arcanist.
Elder Scrolls Online Best Class for Every Playstyle
Different players enjoy different activities. Here are the strongest classes for each category.
Best Class for Solo PvE
Templar
Templars offer self-healing, sustain, and simple rotations that make solo content comfortable.
Arcanist
Arcanists combine shields, damage, and survivability into one highly effective package.
Best Class for Group PvE
Dragonknight
The gold standard for tanking difficult content.
Warden
Outstanding support and healing capabilities.
Best Class for PvP
Nightblade
Still dominates stealth-based engagements and assassination gameplay.
Sorcerer
Excels through mobility and ranged burst.
Arcanist
Continues to perform exceptionally in coordinated groups.
Best Beginner Class
For players starting ESO in 2025:
- Templar
- Arcanist
- Sorcerer
- Warden
If you’re searching specifically for the best ESO beginner class, Templar remains the most forgiving option.
ESO Class Tier List
The following ESO class tier list reflects current performance across PvE and PvP content.
| Tier | Class | Strengths |
| S Tier | Arcanist | DPS, Solo, PvE, PvP |
| S Tier | Templar | Healing, Solo Content |
| A Tier | Nightblade | PvP and DPS |
| A Tier | Sorcerer | Mobility and Burst |
| B Tier | Dragonknight | Tanking |
| B Tier | Warden | Support Utility |
| C Tier | Necromancer | Situational Strengths |
It’s important to remember that ESO balance changes regularly. Every class remains viable for nearly all content when played correctly.
Can You Change Classes in ESO?
No.
Unlike some MMORPGs, Elder Scrolls Online does not allow class changes after character creation.
However, players can:
- Create multiple characters
- Share gear through the bank
- Use Armory Stations
- Save multiple builds
- Transfer rESOurces between characters
Many veteran players maintain several characters to experience different classes.
Understanding the Arcanist Crux System
The Arcanist introduces a unique mechanic known as Crux.
Crux is generated through specific abilities and consumed by stronger skills.
Green Skills
Focused on:
- Healing
- Shields
- Protection
Blue Skills
Focused on:
- Burst damage
- Offensive pressure
- Combo execution
Purple Skills
Focused on:
- Mobility
- Utility
- Crowd control
This system makes Arcanist one of the most versatile classes currently available.
Dragonknight Build Guide
Best PvE Tank Build
Core Skills
- Heroic Slash
- Pierce Armor
- Igneous Shield
- Absorb Magic
- Green Dragon Blood
- Unrelenting Grip
Recommended Gear
- Ebon Armory
- Turning Tide
- Tremorscale
- Drake’s Rush
- Spaulder of Ruin
Best PvP Build
Core Skills
- Fossilize
- Flames of Oblivion
- Protective Plate
- Shattering Rocks
- Ferocious Leap
Recommended Gear
- Plaguebreak
- Rallying Cry
- Engine Guardian
- Markyn Ring of Majesty
Sorcerer Build Guide
Best PvE DPS Build
Core Skills
- Crystal Fragments
- Bound Armaments
- Daedric Prey
- Twilight Matriarch
- Streak
Recommended Gear
- Mother’s Sorrow
- Deadly Strike
- Zaan
- Harpooner’s Wading Kilt
Best PvP Build
Core Skills
- Crystal Weapon
- Haunting Curse
- Streak
- Overload
Recommended Gear
- Dark Convergence
- Mechanical Acuity
- Balorgh
Nightblade Build Guide
Best PvE DPS Build
Core Skills
- Surprise Attack
- Killer’s Blade
- Relentless Focus
- Trap Beast
- Incapacitating Strike
Recommended Gear
- Relequen
- Advancing Yokeda
- Velidreth
- Oakensoul Ring
Best PvP Gank Build
Core Skills
- Concealed Weapon
- Shadowy Disguise
- Merciless RESOlve
- Fear
Recommended Gear
- Balorgh
- Caluurion’s Legacy
- New Moon Acolyte
Templar Build Guide
Best PvE Healer Build
Core Skills
- Breath of Life
- Combat Prayer
- Luminous Shards
- Ritual of Rebirth
- Solar Prison
Recommended Gear
- Olorime
- Spell Power Cure
- Earthgore
- Pearlescent Ward
Best PvP Support Build
Core Skills
- Extended Ritual
- Radiant Glory
- Rune Focus
- Cleanse
Recommended Gear
- Rallying Cry
- Transmutation
- Mara’s Balm
- Gaze of Sithis
Warden Build Guide
Best PvE Frost Tank Build
Core Skills
- Ice Fortress
- Arctic Blast
- Gripping Shards
- Bull Netch
- Northern Storm
Recommended Gear
- Claw of Yolnahkriin
- Frostbite
- Lord Warden
Best PvP Hybrid Build
Core Skills
- Subterranean Assault
- Bird of Prey
- Arctic Blast
- Healing Thicket
Recommended Gear
- Markyn Ring of Majesty
- Wretched Vitality
- Bloodspawn
Necromancer Build Guide
Best PvE DPS Build
Core Skills
- Blighted Blastbones
- Ricochet Skull
- Unnerving Boneyard
- Skeletal Archer
Recommended Gear
- Zaan
- Briarheart
- Scathing Mage
- Ring of the Pale Order
Best PvP Defensive Build
Core Skills
- Spirit Guardian
- Beckoning Armor
- Mortal Coil
- Bone Goliath
Recommended Gear
- Mara’s Balm
- Foolkiller’s Ward
- Gaze of Sithis
Arcanist Build Guide
Best PvE Burst DPS Build
Core Skills
- Pragmatic Fatecarver
- Apocryphal Gate
- The Imperfect Ring
- Runespite Ward
- Vitalizing Glyphic
Recommended Gear
- Order’s Wrath
- Whorl of the Depths
- Slimecraw
Best PvP Meta Build
Core Skills
- Cephaliarch’s Flail
- Tentacular Dread
- Runeblades
- Chakram of Destiny
- The Tide King’s Gaze
Recommended Gear
- Balorgh
- Rallying Cry
- Sea-Serpent’s Coil
Why Connection Quality Matters in ESO
Large-scale battles in Cyrodiil, Imperial City, and battlegrounds can quickly expose connection issues.
A stable connection helps players:
- Reduce latency
- Improve ability responsiveness
- Avoid rubberbanding
- Maintain smoother combat performance
Competitive PvP players often prioritize network stability just as much as gear optimization.
Tips for Choosing the Right ESO Class
Before selecting a class, ask yourself:
Do You Prefer Solo Play?
Choose:
- Templar
- Arcanist
Do You Love PvP?
Choose:
- Nightblade
- Sorcerer
- Arcanist
Want to Tank Endgame Content?
Choose:
- Dragonknight
- Warden
Interested in Healing?
Choose:
- Templar
- Warden
Looking for Maximum Flexibility?
Choose:
- Arcanist
- Warden
- Necromancer
Final Verdict On Elder Scrolls Online Classes
Whether you’re looking for an ESO class guide, researching Elder Scrolls class builds, comparing the latest ESO class tier list, or searching for the ideal ESO beginner class, the best Elder Scrolls online classes are ultimately the ones that match your preferred playstyle. For those wanting to improve your experience in the game even more, you can count on tools like ExitLag, which allow you to have optimized performance and reduced lag.
FAQ
Arcanist is currently considered the strongest all-around class due to its excellent damage output, survivability, and versatility.
Templar remains the best beginner-friendly class thanks to its strong self-healing and forgiving gameplay.
Yes. Every class can perform all three major roles through different builds and equipment choices.
Nightblade remains one of the most dangerous PvP classes because of stealth mechanics and burst damage potential.
Absolutely. Arcanist remains one of the most effective and popular classes in ESO for both new and experienced players.
No. Once created, a character’s class cannot be changed.
Arcanist, Nightblade, and Sorcerer are currently among the highest-performing DPS classes in endgame content.
Templar and Arcanist are generally considered the strongest options for solo questing, arenas, and overworld content.
Yes. Every class can complete veteran dungeons, trials, and PvP activities when properly geared and played.
Arcanist, Templar, Sorcerer, and Nightblade consistently rank among the most-played classes due to their strong performance and versatility.
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