The RUNE KNIGHT Arcanist Tank build for The Elder Scrolls Online is a beast! With access to many powerful buffs and debuffs this build will be an outstanding addition to any dungeon or trials group in ESO!
Arcanist Class Overview
The Arcanist Class is an extremely powerful way to play in The Elder Scrolls Online. Arcanists have many similarities with other classes in ESO such as dedicated Class Skill lines for DPS, for Healing, and for Tanking. Arcanists are also extremely unique in that they make use of a powerful new game mechanic called Crux. For a more detailed guide be sure to review our ESO Arcanist Class Guide located here.
Primary Sets
Our main 5 piece set on this build is Turning Tide, which provides an extremely EASY proc while blocking that damages nearby enemies and applies Major Vulnerability, forcing them to take 10% increased damage!
The second set on this build, Powerful Assault is a simple option for buffing your group’s damage that is easily maintained on the backbar.
One of the best options for a Monster Set on the Arcanist is the Tremorscale set, providing even more armor penetration which synergizes extremely well with the Arcanist’s taunt ability.
Finally, you may choose any front bar weapon you want but a favorite option for the extra Major Maim debuff is the Vateshran Hollows One Hand And Shield also known as Void Bash.
Turning Tide
LVL 50 – CP 160
SET BONUS
(2 items) Adds 1206 Maximum Health
(3 items) Adds 1096 Maximum Stamina
(4 items) Adds 1206 Maximum Health
(5 items) When you Block, you gain Flowing Water for 10 seconds, causing your next Bash attack to deal 3016 Magic Damage to up to 6 enemies in a 10 meter line, and apply Major Vulnerability for 10 seconds, increasing their damage taken by 10%. This effect can occur once every 15 seconds and scales off your Max Health.
Powerful Assault
LVL 50 – CP 160
SET BONUS
(2 items) Adds 1206 Maximum Health
(3 items) Adds 1096 Maximum Stamina
(4 items) Adds 129 Weapon and Spell Damage
(5 items) When you cast an Assault ability while in combat, you and up to 5 group members within 12 meters gain 307 Weapon and Spell Damage for 15 seconds.
Tremorscale
LVL 50 – CP 160
SET BONUS
(1 item) Adds 1096 Maximum Stamina
(2 items) When you activate a taunt ability on an enemy, you cause a duneripper to burst from the ground beneath them after 1 second, dealing Physical damage to all enemies within 4 meters and reducing their Armor for 15 seconds. This effect can occur once every 10 seconds and scales off the higher of your Physical or Spell Resistance.
Void Bash
LVL 50 – CP 160
SET BONUS
(2 items) When you deal damage with Power Bash, you apply Call of the Void to yourself for 2 seconds. Enemies within 12 meters are immediately pulled to you. After Call of the Void ends, you apply Major Maim to enemies in the area for 10 seconds, reducing their damage done by 10%. This effect can occur once every 13 seconds.
Alternative Sets
For alternatives, there are many beginner sets that can also work that are easier to obtain, including the Ebon Armory set which buffs your entire group’s maximum Health. Also a great, easy-to-obtain Monster Set for beginners is the Bloodspawn set.
Ebon Armory
LVL 50 – CP 160
SET BONUS
(2 items) Adds 1206 Maximum Health
(3 items) Adds 1206 Maximum Health
(4 items) Adds 4% Healing Taken
(5 items) Increases your Maximum Health by 1000 for you and up to 11 other group members within 28 meters of you.
Bloodspawn
LVL 50 – CP 160
SET BONUS
(1 item) Adds 129 Stamina Recovery
(2 items) When you take damage, you have a 6% chance to generate 13 Ultimate and increase your Physical Resistance and Spell Resistance by 3731 for 5 seconds. This effect can occur once every 5 seconds.
Gear Set Up
| Weapons & Armor | Set | Trait | Weight | Glyph |
| Main Hand | Void Bash One Hand And Shield | Decisive / Sturdy | NA | Absorb Stamina / Prismatic |
| Backup | Powerful Assault Ice Staff | Infused | NA | Crusher Enchant |
| Head | Tremorscale | Infused | Medium | Prismatic |
| Shoulder | Tremorscale | Sturdy | Light | Prismatic |
| Chest | Turning Tide | Infused | Heavy | Prismatic |
| Waist | Turning Tide | Sturdy | Heavy | Prismatic |
| Gloves | Turning Tide | Sturdy | Heavy | Prismatic |
| Legs | Turning Tide | Infused | Heavy | Prismatic |
| Feet | Turning Tide | Sturdy | Heavy | Prismatic |
| Necklace | Powerful Assault | Infused | NA | Magic Recovery |
| Ring 1 | Powerful Assault | Infused | NA | Reduce Block Cost |
| Ring 2 | Powerful Assault | Infused | NA | Prismatic Reduce Cost |
Suggested Attributes
As a Tank build, you will need to prioritize your Health pool. Anything in the range of 35,000 to 40,000 Health should be more than enough for most content. Depending on your Race passives you may need to put all Attribute points into Health to achieve this value. If you have extra Attribute Points to spare you may distribute them to Magicka and Stamina.
0 Magicka
64 Health
0 Stamina
Consumables, Race, Mundus
Race
For this build I recommend being a Nord for the increased Health, Stamina, Resistances and Ultimate generation. For more details on all ESO Races and passive bonuses be sure to check out our Full ESO Race Guide.
Mundus
The Atronach
Food/Drink Buff
Bewitched Sugar Skulls
Bewitched Sugar Skulls
Increase Max Health by 4620, Max Stamina and Magicka by 4250, and Health Recovery by 462 for 2 hours.
These effects are scaled based on your level.
Potions
Tri-Stat Potions
Sample Skill Loadout
Main Weapon: ONE HAND AND SHIELD – Click on a Skill Name to learn more
- Heroic Slash
- Power Slam or Silver Leash
- Impervious Runeward
- Runic Sunder
- Rune Of Colorless Pool
- ULT: Gibbering Shelter
Backup Weapon: ICE STAFF – Click on a Skill Name to learn more
- Elemental Blockade
- Razor Caltrops
- Runeguard Of Still Waters
- Cruxweaver Armor
- Echoing Vigor
- ULT: Aggressive Horn
Tank Rotation
Buffs: Make sure to keep up Cruxweaver Armor as this also generates Crux. Any Crux you build up can be spent on Impervious Runeward for some much-needed self-healing. Runeguard of Still Waters should also be maintained to provide Minor Resolve and Minor Protection.
Debuffs: Be sure to debuff enemies using Runic Sunder to reduce resistances as well as Heroic Slash to reduce damage and increase Ultimate. Follow this up with a Power Bash to proc the Void Bash set, which pulls in enemies and further debuffs with Major Maim.
Next, cast Elemental Blockade to maintain the Crusher enchant, then cast Razor Caltrops to proc the Powerful Assault set while also debuffing nearby enemies.
Rune Of Uncanny Adoration is a nice option to bring enemies in close to you, serving almost as a taunt. I recommend saving Rune Of Colorless Pool for bosses or elite adds that need the extra debuffs.
Passive Skills
Class Passives
- Fated Fortune
- Harnessed Quintessence
- Psychic Lesion
- Splintered Secrets
- Aegis Of The Unseen
- Wellspring Of The Abyss
- Circumvented Fate
- Implacable Outcome
- Healing Tides
- Hideous Clarity
- Erudition
- Intricate Runeforms
Weapon Passives
- Fortress
- Sword And Board
- Deadly Bash
- Deflect Bolts
- Battlefield Mobility
- Tri Focus
- Penetrating Magic
- Elemental Force
- Ancient Knowledge
- Destruction Expert
Armor Passives
Guild Passives
Racial
Other
Champion Points
Below you will find the recommended Active and Passive Champion Point Stars for this build, broken down into 300, 600, 900, and 1200 CP ranges.
For more information on Champion Points click on a Star name below or browse our detailed Champion Points Guides.
Constellation Descriptions:
Craft
The Green Craft Constellation is focused on crafting and utility-centered upgrades.
Warfare
The Blue Warfare Constellation focuses primarily on increasing player damage, healing and defenses
Fitness
The Red Fitness Constellation is focused on character survival and sustain.
Below you will find the recommended Active and Passive Champion Point Stars for this build, broken down into 300, 600, 900, and 1200 CP ranges.
For more information on Champion Points click on a Star name below or browse our detailed Champion Points Guides.
– 300 Champion Points –
GREEN
BLUE
RED
– 600 Champion Points –
GREEN
- 50 Steed’s Blessing (Slot)
- 50 Gilded Fingers
- 10 Fortune’s Favor
- 15 Wanderer
- 40 Steadfast Enchantment
- 30 Rationer (Slot)
BLUE
- 20 Tireless Discipline
- 20 Quick Recovery
- 20 Preparation
- 20 Hardy
- 20 Elemental Aegis
- 50 Duelist’s Rebuff (Slot)
- 50 Unassailable (Slot)
RED
- 50 Boundless Vitality (Slot)
- 20 Tireless Guardian
- 30 Fortification
- 16 Hasty
- 20 Sprinter
- 20 Hero’s Vigor
- 50 Fortified (Slot)
– 900 Champion Points –
GREEN
- 50 Steed’s Blessing (Slot)
- 50 Gilded Fingers
- 10 Fortune’s Favor
- 15 Wanderer
- 40 Steadfast Enchantment
- 30 Rationer (Slot)
- 50 Breakfall
- 50 Treasure Hunter (Slot)
BLUE
- 20 Tireless Discipline
- 20 Quick Recovery
- 20 Preparation
- 20 Hardy
- 20 Elemental Aegis
- 50 Duelist’s Rebuff (Slot)
- 50 Unassailable (Slot)
- 50 Enduring Resolve (Slot)
- 50 Bulwark (Slot)
RED
- 50 Boundless Vitality (Slot)
- 20 Tireless Guardian
- 30 Fortification
- 16 Hasty
- 20 Sprinter
- 20 Hero’s Vigor
- 50 Fortified (Slot)
- 30 Tumbling
- 20 Defiance
- 50 Juggernaut (Slot)
– 1200 Champion Points –
GREEN
- 50 Steed’s Blessing (Slot)
- 50 Gilded Fingers
- 30 Fortune’s Favor
- 15 Wanderer
- 50 Steadfast Enchantment
- 30 Rationer (Slot)
- 50 Breakfall
- 50 Treasure Hunter (Slot)
- 75 Liquid Efficiency (Slot)
BLUE
- 20 Tireless Discipline
- 20 Quick Recovery
- 20 Preparation
- 20 Hardy
- 20 Elemental Aegis
- 50 Duelist’s Rebuff (Slot)
- 50 Unassailable (Slot)
- 50 Enduring Resolve (Slot)
- 50 Bulwark (Slot)
- 20 Eldritch Insight
- 20 Blessed
- 20 Flawless Ritual
- 20 Battle Mastery
- 20 Precision
RED
- 50 Boundless Vitality (Slot)
- 20 Tireless Guardian
- 30 Fortification
- 16 Hasty
- 20 Sprinter
- 20 Hero’s Vigor
- 50 Fortified (Slot)
- 30 Tumbling
- 20 Defiance
- 50 Juggernaut (Slot)
- 6 Nimble Protector
- 50 Bracing Anchor (Slot)
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