ESO Arcanist Class Overview

Learn all you need to know about Arcanist Class in ESO on this page! Here you can find Skills, Guides and other important information for the Arcanist class!

Table of contents

Arcanist Overview

Arcanist Class

The Arcanist class in The Elder Scrolls Online offers a dynamic and versatile playstyle, excelling in various combat roles. With the ability to harness arcane energies and forbidden knowledge, Arcanists can adapt to numerous scenarios, making them a popular choice among players.

By exploring the diverse skill lines and utilizing tailored builds, Arcanists can maximize their potential in both PvE and PvP content. Whether you prefer unleashing powerful spells from a distance or engaging enemies up close with melee attacks, the Arcanist class provides the tools necessary for a rewarding and impactful experience in Tamriel.

Arcanist Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✅ High Damage Potential: Arcanists can deal significant damage with their offensive abilities.
  • ✅ Versatile Playstyles: Capable of fulfilling DPS, tank, and healer roles effectively.
  • ✅ Unique Mechanics: The Crux system adds depth and strategic options to gameplay.
  • ✅ Strong Defensive Options: Access to abilities that provide shields and damage mitigation.
  • ✅ Effective Healing: Potent healing abilities support both self-sustain and group healing.

Cons

  • ❌ Resource Management: Requires careful management of Magicka or Stamina to maintain effectiveness.
  • ❌ Complex Rotations: Optimal performance may require mastering intricate skill rotations.
  • ❌ Learning Curve: The Crux system and class mechanics may take time to master.
  • ❌ Gear Dependency: Performance can be heavily influenced by gear quality and set bonuses.
  • ❌ Mobility Limitations: Some builds may lack mobility compared to other classes.

Arcanist Skill Lines

View all Arcanist skills
Vitalizing Glyphic icon

Curative Runeforms

The Curative Runeforms skill-line is part of the Arcanist toolkit and has a focus on offensive abilities. In addition to the powerful skills, you can also select passives that boost your power even further. The Curative Runeforms skill-line is the first out of three Arcanist focused class skill-lines.

  • Vitalizing Glyphic: Summon an Apocryphal glyphic, which you and your allies can heal. The glyphic spawns at 30% Health and grows stronger th...
  • Zenas' Empowering Disc: Draw forth your tome and invoke the enigmatum of Morian Zenas to conjure a vortex of eldritch power. Entering this vortex grants you and your allies M...
  • Intricate Runeforms: Your status as illuminatus reduces the cost and increases the strength of your damage shields by 10%.
Gibbering Shield icon

Soldier of Apocrypha

The Apocryphal Soldier skill-line is part of the Arcanist toolkit and has a focus on offensive abilities. In addition to the powerful skills, you can also select passives that boost your power even further. The Apocryphal Soldier skill-line is the second out of three Arcanist focused class skill-lines.

  • Gibbering Shield: Gather the true strength of Apocrypha around you, forming protective tentacles and a damage shield that absorbs 60% of a...
  • Implacable Outcome: The will of an Arcanist is absolute. When you consume Crux, gain 4 Ultimate. This effect can occur once every 8 seconds.
  • Wellspring of the Abyss: Apocryphal knowledge bubbles up from the depths of your psyche, increasing your Health, Magicka, and Stamina Recovery by 81 for each Soldier of Apocry...
The Unblinking Eye icon

Herald of the Tome

The Herald of the Tome skill-line is part of the Arcanist toolkit and has a focus on offensive abilities. In addition to the powerful skills, you can also select passives that boost your power even further. The Herald of the Tome skill-line is the third out of three Arcanist focused class skill-lines.

  • The Unblinking Eye: Tear open the fabric of the Aurbis to summon a scion of Hermaeus Mora. This being casts forth a beam that rends asunder...
  • Pragmatic Fatecarver: Channel a beam of energy in front of you for up to 4 seconds, dealing 879 Magic Damage every 0.3 seconds to up to 6 enemies, and gain a damage shield...
  • Psychic Lesion: Your attacks wound the mind with heretical knowledge, increasing damage dealt by Status Effects by 15% and Status Effect Chance by 55%.
Vengeance Vitalizing Glyphic icon

Vengeance Curative Runeforms

  • Vengeance Vitalizing Glyphic: Call forth an Apocryphal glyphic for 6 seconds, which heals you or up to 3 allies around it for 9000 Health every 1 seco...
  • Vengeance Apocryphal Gate: Breach the world walls to create a portal at a target location, teleporting yourself to it immediately and generating Crux.
  • Vengeance Arcanist's Domain: Draw forth your tome and invoke the vigoratum of Hermaeus Mora to conjure a vortex of eldritch power. You or up to 3 nearby allies gain Minor Berserk,...
Vengeance Gibbering Shield icon

Vengeance Soldier of Apocrypha

  • Vengeance Gibbering Shield: Gather the true strength of Apocrypha around you, forming protective tentacles and a damage shield that absorbs 60% of a...
  • Vengeance Runespite Ward: Like the rune knights of old, summon a shield that absorbs 12600 damage for 6 seconds. Consume Crux to heal yourself for 1200 Health, scaling off you...
  • Vengeance of Eldritch Horror: Etch an incomprehensible rune on your enemy's mind, paralyzing them in fear after a 1 second delay, stunning them for 4 seconds. This terror applies M...
Vengeance The Unblinking Eye icon

Vengeance Herald of the Tome

  • Vengeance The Unblinking Eye: Tear open the fabric of the Aurbis to summon a scion of Hermaeus Mora to attack your target. This being casts forth a be...
  • Vengeance The Imperfect Ring: Summon a flawed rune under an enemy that etches them and up to 2 foes nearby with scrawled glyphs, dealing 14172 Magic Damage over 5 seconds.
  • Vengeance-Bearer's Inspiration: Etch a series of runes onto your weapon that pulse with power, generating a Crux if you have none while granting you Minor Force for 20 seconds, incre...

Arcanist Recommended Builds

View ESO Builds Database

DPS Builds

Focuses on maximizing damage output in various scenarios.

Tank Builds

Emphasizes defensive abilities and crowd control for tanking roles.

Healing Builds

Utilizes Arcanist abilities to provide effective healing and support.

Solo Builds

Balanced for solo play, offering survivability and sustained damage.

PvP Builds

Designed for competitive play, focusing on burst damage and mobility.

Top Arcanist builds on ESO-Hub

View ESO Builds Database
[100k+ DPS] [PVE] [NO Trials Gear] Arcanist Beam [Stamina ver.]
8
Arcanist
PvE
[100k+ DPS] [PVE] [NO Trials Gear] Arcanist Beam [Stamina ver.]
Lebkuchen
Arcanist subclassing bomber build - Update 47
10
Arcanist
PvP
Arcanist subclassing bomber build - Update 47
spineda
140K+ DPS Magicka Arcanist Build🟢 | Templar + Nightblade Subclass | ESO Meta
4
Arcanist
PvE
140K+ DPS Magicka Arcanist Build🟢 | Templar + Nightblade Subclass | ESO Meta
Awbys
110k HA Arca u49
4
Arcanist
PvE
110k HA Arca u49
WolfgangPetrow
Kal's Full Metal Arcanist
4
Arcanist
PvE
Kal's Full Metal Arcanist
Kalamon
🔥 Delete Zergs Instantly With This Easy Bomber Build | Subclass Bomber Build | ESO
3
Arcanist
PvP
🔥 Delete Zergs Instantly With This Easy Bomber Build | Subclass Bomber Build | ESO
spineda

Top Arcanist Subclassing Builds on ESO-Hub

View ESO Builds Database
[100k+ DPS] [PVE] [NO Trials Gear] Arcanist Beam [Stamina ver.]
8
Arcanist
PvE
[100k+ DPS] [PVE] [NO Trials Gear] Arcanist Beam [Stamina ver.]
Lebkuchen
110k HA Arca u49
4
Arcanist
PvE
110k HA Arca u49
WolfgangPetrow
Arcanist subclassing bomber build - Update 47
10
Arcanist
PvP
Arcanist subclassing bomber build - Update 47
spineda
140K+ DPS Magicka Arcanist Build🟢 | Templar + Nightblade Subclass | ESO Meta
4
Arcanist
PvE
140K+ DPS Magicka Arcanist Build🟢 | Templar + Nightblade Subclass | ESO Meta
Awbys
Kal's Full Metal Arcanist
4
Arcanist
PvE
Kal's Full Metal Arcanist
Kalamon
🔥 Delete Zergs Instantly With This Easy Bomber Build | Subclass Bomber Build | ESO
3
Arcanist
PvP
🔥 Delete Zergs Instantly With This Easy Bomber Build | Subclass Bomber Build | ESO
spineda

Arcanist Beginner Tips & Guides

If you're new to The Elder Scrolls Online and looking to start with the Arcanist class, this guide will help you build a strong foundation. Arcanist is very versatile, capable of dealing high damage, tanking, and even offering some support capabilities. Here are a few key tips to get started:

Tips for New Arcanist Players

  • Manage Crux – Generate and spend Crux strategically to enhance your abilities.
  • Utilize Offensive Skills – Abilities like 'Runeblades' provide strong damage output.
  • Leverage Defensive Abilities – Skills such as 'Runespite Ward' offer protection and can be augmented by Crux.
  • Maximize Healing – Use 'Remedy Cascade' to heal yourself and allies effectively.
  • Stay Versatile – Adapt your build to fulfill different roles as needed.
  • Choose the Right Build – Magicka for spellcasting and healing, Stamina for melee and physical damage.

Essential Beginner Guides

For more in-depth beginner guides, check out the following resources:

Welcome to the ESO Arcanist Class overview page (Elder Scrolls Online). Arcanist was added in the Necrom chapter in 2023. If you are looking for Arcanist builds, please visit the ESO Arcanist Builds Page.

ESO Arcanist Class Introduction

The Arcanist is a powerful new class which can channel destructive, restorative or protective magic using ancient arcane runes and lost tomes of power. 

Arcanists are empowered with the secrets of Apocrypha and the forbidden knowledge of the Daedric Prince Hermaeus Mora. They will carry their own personal Tome, containing arcane knowledge gleaned from the Prince of Fates that they can use to damage enemies, defend themselves or heal and support their allies.

It's expected that the Arcanist class will be fairly versatile in terms of how it can be used, possessing options that allow you to easily fit into a DPS, Tank or Healer role if you are playing as this class. 

We will be updating this page with further information about the Arcanist class as it becomes available, including skill lines, skills, passives and more.

ESO Arcanist Class
ESO Arcanist Class

Arcanist Class Skill Lines in ESO

The Arcanist class in the Elder Scrolls Online will have three skill lines. Each skill line for the Arcanist class specializes in abilities which aid specific roles in ESO, namely DPS, tank and healer/support. 

The three Arcanist skill lines are:

  • Herald of the Tome: Manipulate arcane energies to bombard your foes with damaging blasts, beams, and more. This will be the main offensive skill line for the Arcanist and you'll probably be using it a lot if you're playing as a DPS role. 
  • Curative Runeforms: Make use of healing runes to keep yourself and your group healthy and shield your allies from damage. This skill line is primarily focused on support and healing, so it will probably see the most use by healers and tanks. 
  • Apocryphal Soldier: This skill line helps you to play defensively and protect your allies, and also allows you to dominate your foes' attentions and buff yourself and your group's defensive capabilities. It is likely that this skill will contain a taunt ability and be used mostly by tanks. 
Arcanist Runes in ESO
Arcanist Runes in ESO

Arcanist Class Skills in ESO

We currently know about four skills for the Arcanist Class in ESO. We don't have any info about the tooltip values of these skills yet, such as damage, cost or duration values, but we do know roughly how the skills will function and what their purpose is going to be.

The currently known Arcanist skills are:

  • Runeblades: This is a skill from the Herald of the Tome skill line. It will launch lethal projectiles at your foes, and will generate Crux. 
  • Apocryphal Gate: This is from the Curative Runeforms skill line, and will allow you to summon a gateway to a nearby location (within line of sight). This gateway then allows you or an ally to teleport to the other side. 
  • Runespite Ward: This is from the Apocryphal Soldier skill line. Runespite Ward conjures a damage shield which will explode after some time, damaging nearby enemies. This skill can be empowered by consuming Crux. 
  • Abyssal Impact: Infuses your armour with unstable magic, transforming it into a tentacular weapon which can then be used to attack enemies. We don't yet know which skill line this skill belongs to. 

There are also a couple of other skills that were briefly seen during the Global Reveal of Necrom and the Arcanist Class, but we don't know anything about these yet, not even their names. 

Arcanist Armor Skill in ESO
Arcanist Armor Skill in ESO
Arcanist Apocryphal Gate Skill in ESO
Arcanist Apocryphal Gate Skill in ESO
Arcanist Apocryphal Gate Skill in ESO
Arcanist Apocryphal Gate Skill in ESO
Arcanist Abyssal Impact Skill in ESO
Arcanist Abyssal Impact Skill in ESO
An Arcanist Skill
An Arcanist Skill
Arcanist AoE Skill in ESO
Arcanist AoE Skill in ESO

The Arcanist class is a playable class in the Elder Scrolls Online, added in the Necrom Chapter. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions from other players
What role is best suited for an Arcanist?
The Arcanist is a versatile class introduced in The Elder Scrolls Online, excelling in damage-dealing (DPS), tanking, and healing roles. They wield the power of Apocryphal magic, tapping into the mysterious forces of Hermaeus Mora to unleash destructive abilities, create protective barriers, and heal allies.
  • Magicka Arcanists are powerful spellcasters, excelling in both single-target and AoE damage.
  • Stamina Arcanists utilize their abilities to deal melee or ranged weapon-based damage with high sustain.
  • Arcanist tanks are incredibly sturdy, with shields, crowd control, and resource regeneration built into their toolkit.
  • Arcanist healers use defensive wards and healing abilities to provide powerful support for allies.
Which race is ideal for an Arcanist?
The best race for an Arcanist depends on the role you choose:
  • For stamina DPS: Orcs, Redguards, and Khajiit offer stamina sustain and increased weapon/spell damage.
  • For magicka DPS: High Elves, Dark Elves, and Bretons provide magicka sustain and spell damage bonuses.
  • For healing: Bretons and Argonians excel due to their magicka recovery and healing passives.
  • For tanking: Nords, Imperials, and Argonians provide excellent health, resistances, and sustain.
    While racial passives enhance performance, any race can effectively play as an Arcanist.
What weapons should an Arcanist use?
Weapon choice depends on your build and preferred playstyle:
  • Stamina DPS: Dual wielding, two-handed weapons, and bows are great for melee or ranged combat.
  • Magicka DPS: Destruction staves (Inferno or Lightning) enhance spell damage and area control.
  • Healing: Restoration staves maximize healing potential and sustain.
  • Tanking: One-handed and shield for defense, or Ice staves for magicka-based tanking.
How should I distribute my attribute points?
  • Stamina DPS: Focus primarily on stamina for increased weapon damage and sustain.
  • Magicka DPS: Invest primarily in magicka to enhance spell effectiveness.
  • Healer: Prioritize magicka for stronger healing abilities and sustain.
  • Tank: Allocate a mix of health and stamina (or magicka for a magicka-based tank).
What are the key skills for a beginner Arcanist?
For new Arcanist players, these abilities provide a strong foundation:Herald of the Tome (DPS-focused skills):
  • Runeblades (Escalating Runeblades or Writhing Runeblades) – A spammable ranged attack that builds Crux (Arcanist’s unique resource).
  • Fatecarver (Exhausting Fatecarver or Pragmatic Fatecarver) – A channeled beam attack that deals massive damage.
  • The Unblinking Eye (Piercing Eye or Furious Eye) – Summons a destructive eye for burst AoE damage.
Soldier of Apocrypha (Tank-focused skills):
  • Runic Jolt (Runic Sunder or Runic Embrace) – A taunt ability that also debuffs enemies.
  • Runic Ward (Impervious Runeward or Abiding Runeward) – A powerful shield that absorbs damage.
  • Runespite Ward (Escalating Runeward or Implacable Runeward) – Provides damage resistance and healing.
Curative Runeforms (Healing-focused skills):
  • Vitalizing Glyphic (Resonating Glyphic or Curative Glyphic) – Summons a glyph that heals and buffs allies.
  • Chakram Shields (Tidal Chakram or Chakram of Destiny) – Grants a protective shield to you and your allies.
  • Apocryphal Gate – Creates two portals, allowing fast repositioning during combat.
Arcanists are an excellent choice for players who enjoy dark magic, reality-warping abilities, and manipulating eldritch energy. Whether you prefer channeling destructive beams, shielding allies with runes, or summoning Apocryphal constructs, the Arcanist offers a unique and dynamic playstyle in ESO.