Build Concept
This build operates in two main ways:
1. Standard Frost Oaken Build
2. AoE Chill Build: A damage-focused specialization centered around the Chill status effect.
This guide will primarily focus on the AoE Chill Build (Point 2).
As a recent example, this build has been successfully used to nearly solo Ghishzor without relying on "stacking outside walls".
In this particular battle, Permafrost's uptime was about 90%. (Permafrost means Sleet Storm's morph.)
※ Permafrost: dealing 158 Frost Damage every 1 second for 13 seconds to enemies around you and reducing their Movement Speed by 70% and applying the Chilled status effect.
Previous Build similar concept:
Ice Dancer
https://eso-hub.com/en/builds/shinntarou4649/9d28b7fa-b7b2-4305-a595-3c243853d1b1/ice-dancerone-bar-solo-cheap-gear-can-vet-arenasbefore-subclass-no-more-updated
Core Mechanic
The Chill status effect is the most critical component of this build's performance.
Chill triggers Baron Zaudrus, which is essential for cycling your Ultimate ability.
Permafrost, Arctic Blast, and Elemental Susceptibility apply Chill.
Shimmering Shield, Prism, Restoring Spirit, and Savage Beast provide a direct boost to Ultimate.
All three relevant class skill lines—Animal Companions, Winter's Embrace, and Dawn's Wrath—are tightly interwoven and mutually dependent.
Simply put, a Warden can only truly spam their Ultimate ability when using Permafrost.
I think the build is fun to play.
Warden is fun.
CP(Slottable)
- [Occult Overload]: This is a good potential source of damage for only one slot. It also applies other status effects.
- [Reaving Blows]: This star is effective in this build because the majority of your damage comes from Direct Damage sources. (2025/11/9 Confirmed Chill is direct and single target damage but NEVER triggers Reaving Blows. sorry. )
- [Shield Master]: Useful for spamming Shimmering Shield.
Skill Swap
The Weapon skill and Subterranean Assault are considered fixed. I recommend keeping the 3rd to 5th skill slots easily swappable.
3rd Skill
- Living Dark: A defensive option.
- Power of the Light: An offensive option.
4th skill
- Blue Betty: Offensive. Removing negative effects is important when fighting DoT-heavy enemies (e.g., Dragons). Spam Netch!
- Shimmering Shield: In 1vX situations, this skill can perform well.
5th skill
- Arctic Blast: Default choice. It provides AoE Direct Damage and Self-Healing. To maximize Baron Zaudrus's performance, you should maintain the uptime of at least one Chill-applying skill at all times.
- Torchbearer([Chilling Torch]): Stamina AoE skill. If you want to save Magicka and if Permafrost's uptime is high enough (for effective killing). Banish the Wicked earns Ultimate (nearly equal to Arctic Blast).
- Winter's Revenge: Ranged Chillable skill, proccing every 1 second (compared to Arctic Blast's 2 seconds). Due to Baron Zaudrus's 1-second cooldown, using both Arctic Blast and Winter's Revenge simultaneously is not efficient for this build.
- Radiant Oppression:
Ultimate
- Permafrost: Default as 1vX.
- Wild Guardian: Default as DD.
- Eternal Guardian: Since the build does not prioritize healing your bear, an auto-respawn bear is a solid choice.
Gear Set & Alternatives
5Set
- Tide-Born Wildstalker: This is the best damage set for this build because the majority of your damage comes from Direct Damage sources.
- Heartland Conqueror: I recommend creating the heavy pieces of this set. The set can play multiple roles via your weapon trait.
If the Charged trait is used, the effect increases from 240% to 480%. If the Decisive trait is used, it accelerates your Ultimate cycle. In this build, alternative sets are required to boost Chill or boost Ultimate. If you keep the gear, you don't need to bring other sets(Akaviri Dragonguard Glacial Guardian Symmetry of the Weald). - Frostbite: Outdated. If you convert to the set from Tide-Born Wildstalker, your 3Mdummy score will drop by about 2k.
Weapon Set
- Blessing of the Potentates: Against many enemies.
- Perfected Wrath of Elements: For fewer enemies (or Single Target). Of course, the overall DPS without Ultimate is better than that of Potentates.
- Perfected Destructive Impact: For pure DPS.
- Concentrated Force: Low DPS and high cost. However, if you need both DPS and interrupt, it is probably better than Potentates with Crushing Shock or Soul Burst.
Monster Set
- Iceheart: Considering Glacial Presence, it is the only choice for this build's damage profile.
- Baron Zaudrus: I feel that if Permafrost's uptime is over about 80%, Baron's DPS is better than Iceheart's.
Dummy
48k on a 3M dummy (Destructive touch, Fetcher Infection). See Screenshot (SS).
Tips / Addon Advice
Skill Swapping
This build is designed for the player to adjust the Weapon, the 3rd to 5th skills, and the Ultimate based on the content.
To facilitate swapping, I created multiple Dressing Room presets, each containing only one specific skill.
See the image for an example. (Potentates Page, Tips: How to swap skills quickly (Dressing Room))
Dressing Room 2018
https://www.esoui.com/downloads/info1911-DressingRoom2018.html
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