Best ESO Arcanist Build List – Updated September 2026

Latest Update: September 3, 2026 – Categories: ESO Builds

Empowered by the secrets of Apocrypha and the forbidden knowledge of Hermaeus Mora, The Arcanist is a powerful new Class capable of destructive, restorative, or defensive magic by channeling the arcane, ancient runes and lost tomes of power.

Check out our Arcanist Class Guide for everything you need to know about the powerful Arcanist Class or see our Arcanist builds in action below!

Best ESO Arcanist Build List

Ready to manipulate arcane energies and take your Arcanist Build to the next level in ESO? Then you are in the right place! We’ve put together the BEST ESO Arcanist Builds for players of all skill levels, including Beginner Builds, Solo Builds, Group Builds, Stamina Arcanist Builds, Magicka Arcanist Builds, Subclass Builds, Meta Arcanist builds, and much more! All the Arcanist builds on this list is extremely powerful, so let’s get started!

Introduction to the ESO Arcanist Class

The ESO Arcanist class stands out as one of the most dynamic and versatile options in The Elder Scrolls Online. Drawing on the mysterious arcane energies of Apocrypha, Arcanists wield ancient runes and lost tomes to unleash devastating power, heal allies, and provide crucial support in any situation.

What truly sets the Arcanist apart is their ability to generate Crux – a unique resource that amplifies their abilities and opens up new tactical possibilities on the battlefield. Whether you’re interested in dealing massive damage, keeping your group alive, or mastering the art of support, the Arcanist class offers a flexible toolkit that adapts to your preferred playstyle.

Arcanists excel at surviving difficult content thanks to powerful shields and heals to survive big hits. The class can also slot big damage skills like the Fatecarver beam, one of the most powerful skills in the game, that gets even stronger when your cast can activate Crux. So, if you’re ready to explore the secrets of the arcane and make your mark in ESO, the Arcanist is a class capable of incredible feats in the world of Elder Scrolls Online.

Is The Arcanist A Good Class In ESO?

The Arcanist is a powerful class in The Elder Scrolls Online and is a great choice for both beginners and more experienced players. This class is capable of amazing damage in both PVE and PVP content, even while ignoring your back bar entirely and focusing on just a one bar build. While they don’t have especially great single target damage, they more than makeup for this with powerful AOE skills.

Arcanists excel in both solo and group play in ESO. They are also a very strong choice for playing in the Infinite Archive or any arena content. Any gear setups you have on other classes can also transition easily to the Arcanist class; for example, a crafted Law of Julianos set used on a Sorcerer can work just as well on an Arcanist.

What Skills Are Best For The Arcanist?

The best Arcanist Skill is Pragmatic Fatecarver from the Herald Of The Tome skill line. Also known as just “The Beam,” this arcanist skill has insane damage output, especially when empowered by a full stack of three Crux. To generate crux I recommend using skills like Cephaliarch’s Flail which also heals you and immobilizes enemies in front of you, making it even easier to nuke everything with the beam.

Skills like Inspired Scholarship are great for generating even more Crux while also restoring resources, and if you need more defense the Arcanist is also a shield and support specialist with strong abilities like Chakram Of Destiny and the Apocryphal Soldier ultimate ability Sanctum Of The Abyssal Sea.

For more information on Arcanist Skills, explore the Arcanist Skill Lines: Herald Of The Tome, Soldier Of Apocrypha, and Curative Runeforms, or review all three skill lines here: Arcanist Skill Lines.

What Weapons Are Best For The Arcanist?

The best weapon for the Arcanist Class in ESO is Dual Wield, specifically Dual Wield daggers. Daggers are recommended because the Twin Blade and Blunt passive for this skill line adds bonus Critical Chance for each dagger held.

A great Arena Weapon you should also consider for the Arcanist class is the Wrath of Elements set from Vateshran Hollows, as Arcanists also do bonus status effect damage, which stacks nicely. Consider replacing Daggers with a Lightning Staff if you exclusively use magicka and want to more easily sustain your build with heavy attacks.

What Armor Should an Arcanist Wear?

The best armor for the Arcanist class in ESO is light armor, which provides bonuses to Critical Chance, Offensive Penetration, Magicka Recovery, and Magicka Cost Reduction.

There are some exceptions to this rule, particularly if you prefer melee weapons and stamina-based skills. In this case, you will want to prioritize medium armor instead, which boosts your Critical Damage, Stamina Recovery, and Stamina Cost Reduction in combat. Medium armor can be the best choice in the endgame due to the abundance of penetration available in group content already.

Tanks, as well as players interested in PVP, will also want to invest in some solid Heavy Armor sets for extra protection.

For more information on Armor Types in ESO check out our full guide here

What Is The Best Race For The Arcanist?

The best race for an ESO Arcanist Build is Dark Elf due to their bonus Max Magicka and Max Stamina, and their increased Weapon and Spell Damage, which make it easy to switch your focus between Stamina and Magicka if you desire.

For a beginner build on the Arcanist Class, many players also prefer Khajiit as their race choice due to increased recovery and Critical Damage. High Elf is another great option, particularly for Solo Arcanist Builds as this race has a useful passive that reduces your damage slightly while channeling Fate Carver.

It is important to note that sometimes other races can be preferred depending on what particular build you are trying to optimize for. For more details, be sure to review our ESO Race Guides for each role.

Optimizing Your Arcanist Build

To get the most out of your Arcanist build in Elder Scrolls Online, it’s essential to tailor your setup to your preferred playstyle and the challenges you’ll face. The Arcanist class features several powerful skill lines, including Apocryphal Soldier, Curative Runeforms, and the Herald of the Tome. For players focusing on DPS builds, investing in the tome skill line can significantly boost your critical chance and critical damage, making it easier to take down priority targets in both solo and group content. Stamina recovery and max stamina are also key stats to prioritize, especially for stamina-based Arcanist builds that need to sustain their abilities during difficult fights. Experimenting with different skill lines, gear sets, and ability combinations will help you find the perfect balance for your Arcanist, whether you’re tackling dungeons, solo content, or endgame group encounters. By optimizing your build, you’ll ensure your Arcanist is always ready to manipulate arcane energies and dominate any fight in ESO.

Mastering the Arcanist Class

Achieving true mastery of the Arcanist class in Elder Scrolls Online means going beyond the basics and fully understanding the class’s unique mechanics and skill lines. One of the most important aspects of playing an Arcanist is learning how to generate and spend Crux efficiently. Abilities like Cephaliarch’s Flail are excellent for building up Crux, which can then be unleashed through powerful attacks such as Pragmatic Fatecarver for massive damage output. But it’s not just about offense – mastering defensive magic is equally vital. Skills like Chakram of Destiny provide essential protection, helping you survive even the toughest fights. By honing your ability to manage Crux, choosing the right abilities for each situation, and balancing your offensive and defensive options, you’ll unlock the full potential of the Arcanist class. With practice and a deep understanding of the Arcanist’s skill lines, you’ll become a formidable force in both solo and group content throughout Elder Scrolls Online.

ESO Arcanist Builds FAQ

1. Is the Arcanist a good class in ESO?

Yes. The Arcanist is one of the strongest and most versatile classes in the game, with excellent AOE damage, powerful self-sustain, and the ability to perform well in DPS, healer, and tank roles across both solo and group content.

2. Is the Arcanist good for beginners?

The Arcanist is one of the best choices for new players. It delivers strong damage from level one, has built-in healing and shields to help you survive, and performs extremely well even on a simple one bar setup that requires no complex rotation.

3. Do I need to buy the Necrom Chapter to play the Arcanist?

Yes. The Arcanist class is unlocked by purchasing the Necrom Chapter as a DLC upgrade or through a collection that includes Necrom. It is not included with ESO+ and is not available through the Crown Store separately.

4. What is Crux and how does it work?

Crux is a unique resource exclusive to the Arcanist that stacks up to three when you use certain abilities. Spending Crux on skills like Pragmatic Fatecarver dramatically increases their damage or effectiveness, and managing your Crux generation and spending is the core of playing the class well.

5. Can the Arcanist do solo content in ESO?

Absolutely. The Arcanist is one of the best solo classes in the game, with enough self-healing, shielding, and damage output to handle Overland content, Delves, World Bosses, Public Dungeons, and arena content like the Infinite Archive with ease.

6. Can the Arcanist be played as a healer or tank?

Yes. The Curative Runeforms skill line makes the Arcanist a strong healer option, and the Apocryphal Soldier line gives it solid tools for tanking. All three playstyle roles are genuinely viable at a high level.

7. Is the Arcanist good in PvP?

Yes, though strong AOE damage builds translate differently in PvP compared to PvE. The Arcanist has dedicated PvP build options for both Cyrodiil and Battlegrounds, with the class’s shields and sustain helping it survive the burst-heavy nature of player versus player combat.

8. Can I use gear from other classes on my Arcanist?

Yes. Any non-class-locked gear set transitions directly to the Arcanist. A set like Order’s Wrath used on a Sorcerer, for example, works just as well on an Arcanist with no modification needed.

9. Do I need trials gear to play the Arcanist effectively?

No. Many of the most popular Arcanist builds, including several one bar and beginner setups, are built entirely around overland and craftable sets. Trials gear improves your ceiling further but its not required to clear most content in the game.

About Hack The Minotaur

Hack The Minotaur (HTM) is a professional Gaming Writer and YouTube Creator with decades of experience in Gaming. Hack is the owner of HackTheMinotaur.com – a gaming site for helpful character builds and guides for some of the biggest video game franchises in the world.

Hack loves gaming content, particularly Traditional RPG’s, Action RPG’s and MMO’s. Go check out his main YouTube Channel for builds and guides on popular series like the Elder Scrolls and Fallout, check out his 2nd Channel for even more gaming guides, and make sure to check out his X Profile for updates on what content is coming next!