The BEST Weapon Traits In ESO

Weapon Traits can make a huge difference for your build! The right trait can provide more damage, better healing, and even stronger defenses. In this guide we’ll cover everything you need to know so you can pick the BEST weapon traits for you.

How Weapon Traits Work in ESO

Weapon traits provide powerful bonuses to your overall stats or combat performance such as increased Critical Chance or improved Weapon and Spell Damage. Weapon Traits are not the same as Weapon Enchants, though some Weapon traits such as Infused can also boost whatever weapon enchant you are currently using. Weapon Traits are found on all weapon types in ESO including Destruction Staff, Restoration Staff, Dual Wield, Two handed, One Hand And Shield and Bow.

Weapons in The Elder Scrolls Online can have one of nine different traits:

1. Charged – Increases your chance to apply Status Effects
2. Decisive – Chance to gain additional Ultimate anytime that Ultimate is gained
3. Defending – Increases total Armor
4. Infused – Reduces enchantment’s cooldown by 50% and Increases Weapon Enchantment effect
5. Nirnhoned – Increases Weapon and Spell Damage
6. Powered – Increases Healing Done
7. Precise – Increase Weapon and Spell Critical
8. Sharpened – Increases Physical and Spell Penetration
9. Training – Increases experience gained

Can you change Weapon Traits in ESO?

YES! If you find a weapon but it’s not the specific trait you want there are a few options to change it out for something else. The best option to change a weapon trait in ESO is to use a Transmute Station. This costs 50 Transmutation Crystals but allows you to change the trait of any jewelry item, armor piece or weapon as long as your character has the new trait researched.

For example, if you obtain a Greatsword with the Powered Trait but want to transmute it to Infused, your character would need to have previously researched the Infused Trait on Greatswords to have that option available.

Another option is to Reconstruct the weapon using the Transmute Station. Reconstruction can cost more or less Transmutation Crystals depending upon how many set pieces you have collected already from that specific set.

For more information on Set Collection and Reconstruction see our complete guide here or watch the video below.

How to get more Weapon Traits

Weapons are found everywhere in The Elder Scrolls Online. Weapons can be crafted, earned as quest rewards, dropped from defeated enemies or traded by players. Weapons that drop from enemies or are found in treasure chests can come in any random weapon trait with the exception of the Nirnhoned trait. Players can complete the Craglorn main storyline to get a chance at getting an Exemplary Nirnhoned Weapon.

In addition, players can purchase Weapons with specific traits such as Infused or Precise from other players directly or from guild traders. These tradable weapons can then be Researched to help you learn those traits.

Weapon Traits Gems

If you are crafting a Weapon yourself you will also need the correct Weapon Trait gem. The full list of gems and which trait they create are listed below.

• Charged – Increases your chance to apply Status Effects
• Charged – Amethyst
• Decisive – Citrine
• Defending – Turquoise
• Infused – Jade
• Nirnhoned – Potent Nirncrux
• Powered – Chysolite
• Precise – Ruby
• Sharpened – Fire Opal
• Training – Carnelian

Best Weapon Trait for DPS Builds

The focus of every DPS build should be to do the maximum amount of damage possible. To help you improve your damage the best Weapon Traits in ESO are:

1. Precise – this trait scales the best and will produce the highest DPS at endgame
2. Infused – use this to boost your Spell and Weapon damage as high as possible
3. Charged – great for applying powerful status effects like Burning

Best Weapon Trait for Tank Builds

Tanks are different from any other build in ESO as their main focus is survival and group utility. The best Weapon Traits for tanks in ESO are:

1. Infused – use this to amplify your weapon glyphs for stronger debuffs
2. Decisive – generate more ultimate
3. Charged – apply powerful status effects to debuff enemies

Best Weapon Trait for Healer Builds

As a Healer, you need to keep your team alive and keep your own resources flowing. The best Weapon Traits for healers in ESO are:

1. Powered – amplify your healing potential
2. Infused – use this to boost your damage (which also boosts healing) or for stronger debuffs
3. Charged – apply powerful status effects to debuff enemies

Best Weapon Trait for Solo Builds

As a Solo Build, you need to stay alive and deal damage at the same time. The best Weapon Traits for Solo Builds in ESO are:

1. Precise – this trait scales the best and will produce the highest damage
2. Infused – use this to boost your damage (which also boosts healing)
3. Sharpened – greater armor penetration

Best Weapon Trait for PVP Builds

PVP players need to focus on survival, damage and mobility. The best Weapon Traits for PVP Builds in ESO are:

1. Sharpened – greater armor penetration
2. Powered – amplify your healing potential
3. Defending – stay alive longer by taking more damage

Where to go next in ESO

Ready to continue your journey learning everything there is to know about The Elder Scrolls Online? Then check these additional helpful guides and resources!