The Unyielding North - Templar Build PvP - - ESO

• The Unyielding North: An Optimized Nord Templar PvP/PvE Hybrid Build (Update 46, July 2025)
• I. Executive Summary
• II. Introduction: Build Objectives & Game State
• III. Core Build Philosophy: Balancing Holy Might and Northern Resilience
• Leveraging Nord Racial Strengths
• Two-Bar Setup
• IV. Subclassing: Strategic Skill Line Integration 
• Optimal Subclass Selection & Rationale
• V. Scribing: Customizing Abilities for Tactical Advantage
• Grimoire Selection
• Script Combinations
• VI. Gear Configuration: PvP Dominance with PvE Flexibility
• Armor Weight Distribution
• Traits
• Set Recommendations
• Alternative PvE Set (Crafted)
• VII. Attributes, Mundus Stone, Food & Potions
• Attribute Points
• Mundus Stone
• Food & Potions
• VIII. Skills: Active Abilities and Passives
• Active Abilities
• Key Passive Abilities
• Table: Active Skills (Front & Back Bar)
• IX. Champion Points (Max CP Allocation) 
• Warfare (Blue Tree - Damage, Healing, Defenses) 
• Fitness (Red Tree - Survivability & Resource Sustain)
• Craft (Green Tree - Utility & Quality of Life)
• X. Rotation and Playstyle 
• General Principles
• PvP Playstyle 
• PvE Playstyle (Pickup Dungeons)
• XI. Skill Point Tracking
• XII. Conclusions & Recommendations

The Unyielding North: An Optimized Nord Templar PvP/PvE Hybrid Build (Update 46, July 2025)

I. Executive Summary

This report details a highly optimized Nord Templar build for Elder Scrolls Online, meticulously crafted for dominant performance in Player-versus-Player (PvP) activities such as Battlegrounds, Cyrodiil, and Imperial City, while simultaneously maintaining strong viability for Player-versus-Environment (PvE) content, specifically base-game pickup dungeons. The build fully leverages the new Subclassing and Scribing systems, which became free base-game features with Update 46. The design prioritizes a balanced approach to offensive output, resource sustainability, defensive resilience, and healing capabilities, capitalizing on the Nord's inherent hardiness and ultimate generation. The core strategic recommendation involves a two-bar setup to maximize versatility and power across diverse combat scenarios, a necessity given the constraints of excluding paid downloadable content (DLC) and Mythic items.
 

II. Introduction: Build Objectives & Game State

The primary objective of this comprehensive build analysis is to provide a competitive, current-meta character configuration for a max-level Nord Templar. The build is specifically engineered to excel in the dynamic and often chaotic environment of PvP engagements, including Battlegrounds, the expansive open-world of Cyrodiil, and the treacherous Imperial City. Concurrently, it is designed to remain highly functional and effective for casual PvE group content, ensuring smooth progression through base-game dungeons with pickup groups.

This optimization is grounded in the most recent game updates, specifically Update 46, which was deployed as of July 15, 2025. Update 46 introduced significant mechanical innovations, notably making the Scribing system a free base-game feature and implementing the transformative Subclassing system. These additions fundamentally reshape character customization and build diversity, offering unprecedented opportunities for optimization within the specified parameters.

The priorities for this build are structured in a hierarchical manner:

1. PvP Performance: The foremost consideration is maximizing the character's capacity for burst damage, survivability under focused fire, effective crowd control, and robust resource sustain during player-versus-player combat.
2. Damage Scaling: Ensuring a high offensive output is critical, allowing the Templar to inflict substantial damage against both player opponents and environmental monsters.
3. Sustainability: The build emphasizes efficient resource management for Magicka, Stamina, and Health, enabling prolonged engagements without frequent downtime.
4. Tankiness & Healing: Providing sufficient defensive capabilities and reliable self-healing, alongside the ability to support group members, is essential for surviving intense combat and contributing to group resilience.
5. PvE Viability: The build must demonstrate strong adaptability for base-game dungeons, facilitating efficient and comfortable runs with less coordinated pickup groups.

All recommendations within this report strictly adhere to the constraint of utilizing only "free" base game content. This explicitly excludes all paid DLC, including new zones, dungeons, trials, and classes such as Warden, Necromancer, and Arcanist. Consequently, all gear sets, skills, and other build components are sourced from base-game activities, with a primary focus on PvP acquisition methods (Battlegrounds, Cyrodiil, Imperial City) and a secondary allowance for a few easily obtainable PvE items. Notably, Mythic items, which are typically tied to DLC, are also excluded from consideration.
 

III. Core Build Philosophy: Balancing Holy Might and Northern Resilience

The foundational philosophy of this optimized Nord Templar build centers on creating a versatile and resilient hybrid. While leaning towards a Magicka-dominant resource pool for primary offensive and healing abilities, the build strategically incorporates Stamina-based abilities and leverages gear benefits to ensure a robust and adaptable combat profile. This hybrid approach is crucial for navigating the diverse demands of both PvP and PvE content, offering flexible offensive options and improved resource management.

Leveraging Nord Racial Strengths

The Nord race inherently provides significant advantages that align directly with the build's objectives, particularly in a PvP-centric context. Nord racial skills are known to "reflect their strong and hardy natures, giving them bonuses to two-handed weapon use, duration of effects from drinks, physical, spell, and frost resistance, ultimate generation, as well as base health and stamina". Specifically, Nords gain a substantial increase to Max Health (up to 1000), significant Frost Resistance (up to 4620), and a notable boost to Max Stamina (up to 1500). A particularly valuable passive allows Nords to gain 5 Ultimate every 10 seconds when taking damage. Furthermore, they benefit from an increase in both Physical and Spell Resistance (up to 2600).

The inherent tankiness and ultimate generation provided by Nord racial passives are exceptionally beneficial for a PvP-focused character. In the chaotic environments of Cyrodiil and Battlegrounds, taking consistent damage is an unavoidable reality. The increased resistances and health directly translate into higher effective health and superior damage mitigation, rendering the character inherently more durable. This enhanced survivability positions the Nord Templar as a formidable frontline presence or "bruiser". Moreover, the unique ultimate generation passive ensures that the more damage the Nord Templar absorbs, the faster their ultimate meter fills. This accelerated ultimate gain is a critical tactical advantage in PvP, facilitating more frequent deployment of powerful ultimate abilities for burst damage, crucial healing, or decisive defensive buffs. This dynamic establishes a self-sustaining cycle of resilience and offensive or defensive pressure, making the Nord an ideal choice for sustained combat. This intrinsic durability also significantly contributes to viability in PvE pickup dungeons, where a character's ability to withstand damage is often paramount due to less coordinated group compositions.

Two-Bar Setup

While some players like the simplicity of a one-bar setup, a two-bar configuration is a demonstrably superior choice for achieving the stated objectives of strong performance in both competitive PvP and adaptable PvE. The decision to recommend a two-bar setup is a direct consequence of the guide's strict adherence to "free base game content" and the explicit exclusion of all paid DLC.

Many highly optimized one-bar builds in Elder Scrolls Online rely heavily on the Oakensoul Ring, a Mythic item acquired from the High Isle DLC. The Oakensoul Ring provides a comprehensive suite of Major and Minor buffs, effectively compensating for the inherent limitations of a single ability bar. Without access to this foundational item, replicating its extensive buff coverage and raw statistical output on a single bar using only base-game gear and skills is severely constrained. Attempting to force a one-bar build under these specific restrictions would inevitably lead to a significant performance deficit in terms of both damage output and survivability when compared to a meticulously optimized two-bar setup. Therefore, to meet the objective of a "highly optimized" build, a two-bar configuration is a necessary and strategic recommendation. This approach allows for a broader array of active buffs, debuffs, and utility skills, which are indispensable for the versatility required in PvP and the efficiency demanded by PvE content. The two-bar setup provides the tactical depth and adaptability crucial for a truly competitive and viable hybrid character in the current game state.

IV. Subclassing: Strategic Skill Line Integration 

The introduction of the Subclassing system in Update 46 represents a fundamental shift in character customization within Elder Scrolls Online, offering unprecedented opportunities for class hybridization. The mechanics of Subclassing permit players to replace up to two of their character's three base class skill lines with one skill line each from other available "free" base classes (Nightblade, Sorcerer, Dragonknight). A critical rule dictates that the primary class, in this case, the Templar, must always retain at least one of its original skill lines. It is important to note that subclassed skill lines level at a slower rate than original class lines, and each ability within a subclassed line costs two skill points to unlock, rather than the standard one.

Optimal Subclass Selection & Rationale

The strategic selection of subclassed skill lines is paramount for optimizing the Nord Templar for its hybrid PvP/PvE role. The goal is to augment the Templar's inherent strengths while addressing any potential weaknesses through synergistic skill acquisition from other base classes.

Templar Lines Retained:

• Restoring Light: This skill line is unequivocally indispensable for a hybrid build prioritizing survivability and support, fulfilling a core aspect of the Templar identity. It provides critical self-healing capabilities through abilities like Breath of Life, offers potent group healing, and includes essential cleansing utilities such as Extended Ritual. Furthermore, defensive buffs like Channeled Focus, which grant Major Resolve, are vital for increasing resistances. The comprehensive utility of Restoring Light is paramount for maintaining survivability and providing group sustain in both PvP and PvE scenarios.
• Dawn's Wrath: This line houses powerful offensive abilities crucial for both burst and sustained damage. Radiant Oppression is the Templar's signature execute, dealing significantly increased damage to low-health enemies. Power of the Light provides delayed burst damage and applies Minor Breach, reducing enemy resistances, which is vital for maximizing damage windows. Retaining Dawn's Wrath ensures the build maintains access to these highly efficient and iconic Templar offensive tools, directly contributing to the "Damage Scaling" priority.

Templar Line Replaced:

• Aedric Spear: This skill line is replaced to make room for the Nightblade Assassination subclass. While Aedric Spear offers Puncturing Strikes (a primary spammable with self-healing) and Radiant Ward (a damage shield), their functions can be effectively supplemented by weapon skills and other class abilities. This strategic replacement allows the build to gain significant passive benefits from Assassination without sacrificing critical healing, defensive buffs, or execute potential from the retained Templar lines.

Chosen Subclass:

• Nightblade - Assassination: This skill line stands out as a top-tier choice for DPS subclassing, offering significant enhancements to the Templar's offensive capabilities for both PvP burst and sustained PvE damage. Assassination is characterized as "pure damage," providing access to powerful execution abilities like Impale and strong single-target damage skills.
• The passives within the Assassination line further amplify the build's offensive prowess and resource management. Hemorrhage provides a 10% bonus to critical damage and Minor Savagery, increasing critical chance. Pressure Points grants additional critical chance for every Assassination skill slotted. Executioner restores 1000 Magicka and Stamina upon an enemy's death, significantly boosting sustain. Master Assassin offers increased penetration and critical chance when flanking enemies, a common tactical advantage in PvP.
• By integrating Assassination, the Templar gains access to superior burst damage and critical modifiers, which are paramount for securing kills in PvP. The enhanced resource return from Executioner and the critical chance/damage bonuses from Hemorrhage and Pressure Points contribute substantially to overall offensive and sustain efficiency. This strategic combination creates a powerful hybrid that can leverage the Templar's innate healing and defensive capabilities with the Nightblade's precision and burst potential. This specific combination has been identified as a viable and effective choice for Templar subclassing.

Table 1: Optimal Subclass Selection & Rationale

CategorySkill LineOriginal/SubclassedRationale & Key Benefits (PvP Focus, PvE Viability)Retained TemplarRestoring LightOriginalIndispensable for self/group healing, cleansing negative effects, and providing defensive buffs (Major Resolve). Crucial for survivability and sustain in both PvP and PvE.Retained TemplarDawn's WrathOriginalProvides Templar's powerful execute (Radiant Oppression) and burst (Power of the Light). Core offensive tool for both PvP and PvE.Replaced TemplarAedric SpearReplacedReplaced to gain access to Nightblade Assassination. Its primary spammable (Puncturing Sweeps) can be replaced by a Destruction Staff skill, and its shield (Radiant Ward) by a Light Armor skill.Chosen SubclassNightblade - AssassinationSubclassedTop-tier DPS line, offering superior burst damage, critical modifiers, and execution abilities. Passives (Hemorrhage, Pressure Points, Executioner) significantly boost offensive output and resource sustain, vital for PvP kills and PvE damage.

V. Scribing: Customizing Abilities for Tactical Advantage

The Scribing system, a new base game feature introduced with Update 46, offers an unprecedented level of ability customization, allowing players to tailor skills to their specific build needs. This system enables the creation of unique "Scribed Skills" by combining a base "Grimoire" with three distinct "Scripts": a Focus Script, a Signature Script, and an Affix Script.

For this Nord Templar hybrid build, the strategic integration of a Scribed Skill is designed to enhance both offensive pressure and defensive resilience, creating a synergistic loop with the character's racial strengths.
 

Grimoire Selection

The Wield Soul Grimoire, originating from the Soul Magic skill line, is recommended for its versatility and offensive potential. This Grimoire launches a concentrated blast of soul magic at a target, providing a solid base for a damage-focused Scribed ability.

Script Combinations

The effectiveness of a Scribed Skill lies in the careful selection of its accompanying Scripts:

• Focus Script: Magic Damage
  • This script defines the primary function of the Scribed Skill, ensuring it contributes directly to the build's offensive output. By selecting "Magic Damage," Wield Soul will deal Magic Damage, scaling with the character's Spell Damage.
• Signature Script: Templar Class Mastery
  • This is a crucial choice that directly enhances the build's core strengths. The Templar Class Mastery Script provides the effect: "Gain Lightweaver for 4 seconds, increasing your Armor and snaring you by 50%. If you are at 50% or less Health, gain 1 Ultimate".
  • This effect is highly synergistic with the Nord's racial passives. The Nord's inherent Max Health and Physical/Spell Resistance are further bolstered by the "Armor" gain from Lightweaver. The additional "1 Ultimate" generated when below 50% Health directly complements the Nord's ultimate generation passive (5 Ultimate every 10 seconds when taking damage). This creates a powerful feedback loop: as the Nord Templar takes damage in PvP, they become tankier and generate ultimate faster, allowing for more frequent deployment of powerful ultimate abilities. The temporary snare is a minor drawback, but the defensive and ultimate generation benefits far outweigh it in the context of a frontline PvP presence. This dual benefit of defense and ultimate generation from a single Scribed ability significantly enhances both offensive pressure (more ultimates for burst) and defensive resilience (more armor, more healing ultimates).
• Affix Script: Brutality and Sorcery
  • This powerful script grants Major Brutality and Major Sorcery, increasing both Weapon and Spell Damage by 20% for 6 seconds. This provides a significant self-buff to offensive output, directly contributing to the "Damage Scaling" priority.

This Scribed Skill provides a versatile tool that can be adapted to different combat needs, reinforcing the build's hybrid nature and maximizing its effectiveness within the constraints of free base-game content.

VI. Gear Configuration: PvP Dominance with PvE Flexibility

The selection of gear sets is critical for optimizing performance, especially under the strict constraint of using only "free" base game content, with a primary focus on PvP acquisition and limited easy PvE sources. The exclusion of DLC Mythic items, such as the Oakensoul Ring, necessitates a two-bar setup to achieve competitive levels of power and versatility.

Armor Weight Distribution

To balance survivability, resource management, and damage output, a mixed armor weight distribution is recommended: 5 pieces of Heavy Armor and 2 pieces of Medium Armor.

• Heavy Armor: Provides significant Physical and Spell Resistance, along with increased Maximum Health and Health Recovery. This is crucial for the frontline nature of the build in PvP, enhancing the Nord's inherent tankiness.
• Medium Armor: Contributes to Weapon and Spell Critical, Stamina Recovery, and Stamina Cost Reduction. This supports the hybrid nature of the build, providing offensive benefits and aiding in stamina-based utility skills.

Traits

• Armor Pieces: For PvP, Impenetrable on all armor pieces is paramount to mitigate critical damage from other players. For PvE, Divines on all armor pieces is preferred to amplify the effects of the chosen Mundus Stone. On larger pieces (Head, Chest, Legs), Infused can be considered for increased glyph effectiveness, particularly for resource recovery or maximum stat glyphs.
• Jewelry: For optimal PvE damage, Bloodthirsty is recommended to increase damage against low-health enemies. For PvP, Protective (for added resistances) or Infused (for glyph effectiveness) are strong choices, depending on the need for raw defense or resource sustain.
• Weapons: Sharpened is generally preferred for PvE to increase penetration. For PvP, Nirnhoned (for increased Weapon/Spell Damage) or Decisive (for ultimate generation) are strong choices.

Set Recommendations

The following gear sets are selected to maximize the build's performance within the "free base game content" and acquisition constraints:

• Set 1 (5-piece): Mara's Balm (PvP, Heavy Armor)
  • Bonuses: (2 items) Adds 1487 Armor; (3 items) Adds 424 Critical Resistance; (4 items) Adds 4% Healing Taken; (5 items) When a negative effect is removed from you, restore 1106 Health. When you take damage and have 6 or more negative effects, restore 1106 Health per negative effect and then cleanse all (once every 30 seconds).
  • Acquisition: Acquired in Cyrodiil, often available from the Vlastarus Elite Gear Vendor or as drops from PvP activities. This set is a cornerstone for PvP survivability, providing significant self-healing and cleanse utility, which is crucial for a frontline hybrid. It directly counters the heavy debuff application common in PvP.
  • Slots: Chest, Legs, Waist, Hands, Boots (5 Heavy Armor pieces).
• Set 2 (5-piece): Deadly Strike (PvP, Medium/Light Armor)
  • Bonuses: (2 items) Adds 129 Weapon and Spell Damage; (3 items) Adds 657 Critical Chance; (4 items) Adds 129 Weapon and Spell Damage; (5 items) Increase the damage of your Damage Over Time and Channeled Abilities by 15%.
  • Acquisition: Primarily obtained from the Elite Gear Vendor in Cyrodiil using Alliance Points. This set is exceptionally powerful for Templars due to Radiant Oppression being a channeled ability, directly amplifying its damage. It also boosts any other damage-over-time effects applied by the character.
  • Slots: Necklace, Ring 1, Ring 2 (Jewelry) and Front Bar Weapon (Deadly Strike Inferno Staff). In Elder Scrolls Online, a two-handed weapon (like a staff) counts as two items towards a set bonus, completing the 5-piece bonus on the front bar.
  • Important Note: The 5-piece bonus of Deadly Strike is only active when your front bar is equipped. When you swap to your back bar, this bonus will be lost. This is a common design choice to maximize offensive power on the primary damage bar, while the back bar focuses on defensive and utility sets.
• Monster Set (2-piece): Iceheart (Base Game Dungeon, Light/Medium Armor)
  • Bonuses: (1 item) Adds 657 Critical Chance; (2 items) When dealing Critical Damage, there is a 20% chance to gain a damage shield that absorbs 5000 damage for 6 seconds. While the shield holds, it deals 500 Frost Damage to enemies within 5 meters every 1 second.
  • Acquisition: Head piece drops from the final boss in Direfrost Keep (a base game dungeon). Shoulder piece is obtained from Undaunted pledges (specifically from Maj al-Ragath). This set offers a valuable combination of offensive (critical chance, AoE damage) and defensive (damage shield) benefits, making it an excellent choice for both PvP and PvE.
  • Slots: Head (Medium Armor) and Shoulders (Medium Armor). This ensures the overall armor distribution is 5 Heavy / 2 Medium.
• Back Bar Weapon: Generic Restoration Staff.
  • This staff is not part of any set. When on the back bar, only the 5-piece Mara's Balm and the 2-piece Iceheart bonuses will be active. This setup prioritizes the utility and healing of the Restoration Staff without needing the Deadly Strike damage bonus on this bar.
  • Trait: Infused.
  • Glyph: Weapon/Spell Damage.

Table 2: Recommended Gear Setup (PvP Focus)

Gear SlotSetWeightTraitGlyphHeadIceheartMediumImpenetrablePrismatic DefenseShouldersIceheartMediumImpenetrablePrismatic DefenseChestMara's BalmHeavyImpenetrablePrismatic DefenseHandsMara's BalmHeavyImpenetrablePrismatic DefenseWaistMara's BalmHeavyImpenetrablePrismatic DefenseLegsMara's BalmHeavyImpenetrablePrismatic DefenseFeetMara's BalmHeavyImpenetrablePrismatic DefenseNecklaceDeadly StrikeJewelryProtective / InfusedWeapon/Spell DamageRing 1Deadly StrikeJewelryProtective / InfusedWeapon/Spell DamageRing 2Deadly StrikeJewelryProtective / InfusedWeapon/Spell DamageFront Bar WeaponDeadly Strike (Inferno Staff)StaffPrecise / NirnhonedFlame DamageBack Bar WeaponRestoration StaffStaffInfusedWeapon/Spell Damage

Note: The choice between Sharpened (PvE penetration) and Nirnhoned (PvP raw damage) for the front bar weapon depends on the primary focus of the session. An Inferno Staff is recommended for single-target damage, while a Lightning Staff is better for AoE.

Alternative PvE Set (Crafted)

For players seeking an easily obtainable and versatile set for PvE content, Order's Wrath is a highly recommended crafted option.

• Bonuses: (3 items) Adds 129 Weapon and Spell Damage; (5 items) Adds 943 Critical Chance, Increases your Critical Damage and Critical Healing by 8%.
• Acquisition: This set is craftable (requires 3 traits researched), making it very accessible. It can be crafted in any weight and with any trait.
• Usage: Order's Wrath can be used to replace pieces of Deadly Strike or Mara's Balm for PvE content where their specific PvP bonuses are less critical, providing a strong boost to critical chance and damage.

Table 3: Recommended Gear Setup (PvE Alternative)

Gear SlotSetWeightTraitGlyphHeadIceheartLightDivinesMagickaShouldersIceheartLightDivinesMagickaChestOrder's WrathLightDivinesMagickaHandsOrder's WrathLightDivinesMagickaWaistOrder's WrathLightDivinesMagickaLegsOrder's WrathLightDivinesMagickaFeetOrder's WrathLightDivinesMagickaNecklaceOrder's WrathJewelryBloodthirstyWeapon/Spell DamageRing 1Order's WrathJewelryBloodthirstyWeapon/Spell DamageRing 2Order's WrathJewelryBloodthirstyWeapon/Spell DamageFront Bar WeaponInferno StaffDestruction StaffPreciseFlame DamageBack Bar WeaponRestoration StaffRestoration StaffInfusedWeapon/Spell Damage

Note: This PvE setup prioritizes Magicka and critical chance/damage for optimal dungeon performance. The Iceheart set remains a strong choice for its shield and crit bonus.
 

VII. Attributes, Mundus Stone, Food & Potions

Optimizing core character statistics is fundamental to any high-performance build.

Attribute Points

The recommended distribution for attribute points is 0 Health / 32 Magicka / 32 Stamina. This balanced split is designed to leverage the Nord's inherent Max Health and Physical/Spell Resistances, allowing for robust Magicka and Stamina pools. This ensures sufficient resources for both Magicka-based offensive/healing abilities and Stamina-based utility/defensive skills, which is crucial for a truly effective hybrid. While PvP healers are often advised to aim for 30k-40k Health, the Nord's racial bonuses and heavy armor pieces in the PvP gear set should naturally push the health pool to a comfortable and survivable level (typically 25k+), allowing more attribute points to be invested into primary offensive resources.
 

Mundus Stone

For overall damage consistency and to benefit from the build's emphasis on critical strikes, The Shadow Mundus Stone is highly recommended. It increases Critical Damage and Healing by 11%, which can be amplified to 17% with 7 pieces of Divines trait armor. This choice further amplifies burst potential, especially when combined with the critical chance bonuses from Nightblade Assassination passives.

Food & Potions

• Food: Bewitched Sugar Skulls is the optimal food choice for this hybrid build. It provides a substantial increase to Maximum Health, Magicka, and Stamina, along with a bonus to Health Recovery. This comprehensive stat boost is ideal for a character that needs all three resources and enhanced survivability in both demanding PvP and PvE scenarios.
• Potions: Tri-Stat Potions (crafted with Blessed Thistle, Columbine, and Mountain Flower) are essential. These potions provide an instant burst recovery of all three primary resources (Health, Magicka, and Stamina), along with Major buffs to Weapon and Spell Critical and Weapon and Spell Damage. They are invaluable for clutch sustain in intense PvP engagements and challenging PvE encounters.

VIII. Skills: Active Abilities and Passives

The active and passive skills are carefully selected to maximize the Nord Templar's hybrid capabilities, blending Templar's holy power with Nightblade's lethal precision, while ensuring viability across PvP and PvE content.

Active Abilities

Front Bar (Weapon: Destruction Staff - Inferno Staff for Single Target/Flame, Lightning Staff for AoE/Shock)

1. Force Pulse (Destruction Staff morph of Force Shock): This is a versatile ranged Magicka spammable ability. It deals Flame, Frost, and Shock damage to a single target and up to two nearby enemies. It serves as the primary spammable, providing consistent offensive pressure.
2. Power of the Light (Dawn's Wrath morph of Backlash): This ability applies a delayed burst of Magic Damage to a single target and also applies Minor Breach, reducing their Physical and Spell Resistance. It is crucial for setting up burst windows in PvP and for debuffing high-priority targets or bosses in PvE.
3. Radiant Oppression (Dawn's Wrath morph of Radiant Destruction): Affectionately known as the "Jesus Beam," this is a powerful channeled execute ability that deals significantly increased Magic Damage to low-health enemies. It is essential for finishing off opponents in PvP and for rapidly concluding boss encounters in PvE.
4. Impale (Nightblade Assassination morph of Assassin's Blade): A crucial Magicka-based execute ability. It deals increased Magic Damage to enemies below 25% Health. This skill is vital for securing kills in PvP and accelerating boss fights in PvE, complementing Radiant Oppression for execute potential.
5. Scribed Skill (Wield Soul): This custom ability is configured with:

• Focus Script: Magic Damage (to ensure it deals Magic Damage).
• Signature Script: Templar Class Mastery (to gain Lightweaver, increasing Armor and generating Ultimate at low health, with a 50% snare). This synergizes with the Nord's ultimate generation.
• Affix Script: Brutality and Sorcery (for Major Weapon/Spell Damage buff).
• This Scribed skill offers a versatile offensive ability that also enhances the character's tankiness and ultimate generation, making it a multi-purpose tool for both PvP and PvE.

1. Ultimate: Soul Harvest (Nightblade Assassination morph of Death Stroke): A low-cost, powerful single-target ultimate that deals Magic Damage and causes the target to take increased damage from the caster. It also generates ultimate on kill, making it excellent for chaining ultimates in PvP and quickly executing priority targets in PvE.

Back Bar (Weapon: Restoration Staff)

1. Breath of Life (Restoring Light morph of Rushed Ceremony): An instant, powerful burst heal that targets the most wounded ally (or the caster) and two other nearby allies. This is a critical emergency heal for both self and group members in high-pressure situations.
2. Extended Ritual (Restoring Light morph of Cleansing Ritual): Creates an AoE ground effect that heals allies over time and immediately cleanses up to 2 harmful effects from the caster. Allies in the area can activate a synergy to cleanse all harmful effects from themselves. This is a must-have for removing debilitating debuffs in PvP and providing sustained group healing in PvE.
3. Channeled Focus (Restoring Light morph of Rune Focus): Places a rune on the ground that grants Major Resolve (Physical and Spell Resistance) to the caster for 20 seconds. While standing in the rune, the caster also receives significant healing and Magicka sustain. This is a key defensive and sustain tool, particularly useful for holding ground in PvP or managing resources in PvE.
4. Resolving Vigor (Assault Guild skill): A strong Stamina-based heal-over-time (HoT) that is essential for self-healing and maintaining resource flexibility in a hybrid build. It provides reliable healing over a duration, complementing the burst healing of Breath of Life.
5. Healing Ward (Restoration Staff morph of Steadfast Ward): Protects you or the lowest health ally with a damage shield that absorbs damage. The shield's strength increases based on the target's missing health, providing a strong defensive layer. This skill is a reliable Magicka-based shield that synergizes with the Restoration Staff on the back bar.
6. Ultimate: Practiced Incantation (Restoring Light morph of Rite of Passage): Channels a powerful group heal over 8 seconds, allowing the caster to move freely while channeling. This provides sustained healing for the group while maintaining mobility, which is crucial in dynamic PvP encounters.

Key Passive Abilities

All passive abilities from the retained Templar skill lines, the subclassed Nightblade Assassination line, and relevant weapon/armor/guild lines should be fully unlocked to maximize the build's effectiveness.

• Templar Passives:
• Dawn's Wrath: Enduring Rays (increases duration of Dawn's Wrath abilities), Prism (generates Ultimate when healing allies), Illuminate (grants Minor Sorcery/Brutality), Restoring Spirit (reduces Magicka, Stamina, and Ultimate cost).
• Restoring Light: Mending (increases healing done), Sacred Ground (Minor Mending and snare/root immunity in Cleansing Ritual), Light Weaver (further increases healing done), Master Ritualist (increases resurrection speed/health).
• Nightblade Passives (Assassination): Master Assassin (penetration/crit from flanking), Executioner (resource on kill), Pressure Points (crit chance), Hemorrhage (crit damage/Minor Savagery). These are vital for burst damage and sustain.
• Weapon Passives: All passives from the Destruction Staff and Restoration Staff lines should be taken to maximize their effectiveness. (e.g., Destruction Staff: Tri Focus, Penetrating Magic, Elemental Force, Ancient Knowledge, Destruction Expert; Restoration Staff: Essence of Restoration, Restoration Expert, Cycle of Life, Absorb, Restoration Master).
• Armor Passives:
• Heavy Armor: Resolve, Constitution, Juggernaut, Revitalize, Rapid Mending (active with 5 pieces).
• Medium Armor: Dexterity, Wind Walker, Agility, Athletics (active with 2 pieces).
• Guild Passives:
• Undaunted: Undaunted Mettle (increases Max Health, Magicka, and Stamina based on the number of Light, Medium, and Heavy armor pieces equipped).
• Mages Guild: Persuasive Will (utility passive for dialogue).
• Fighters Guild: None (as Banish the Wicked now requires an active skill from the line, which this build does not slot).
• Assault: Continuous Attack (grants Major Gallop for mount speed, and conditional Weapon/Spell Damage and recovery after capturing objectives), Combat Frenzy (generates Ultimate on enemy player kill). These are active due to Resolving Vigor being slotted.
• Alchemy Passives: Medicinal Use (extends potion duration).
• Racial Passives: All Nord racial passives (Reveler, Resist Frost, Stalwart, Rugged) should be fully unlocked to gain maximum benefits from increased resistances, Max Health/Stamina, and ultimate generation.

Table: Active Skills (Front & Back Bar)

BarSlotSkill NameMorphResourcePrimary Use (PvP)Primary Use (PvE)JustificationFront Bar1Force ShockForce PulseMagickaPrimary Ranged Damage SpammablePrimary Ranged Damage SpammableVersatile elemental damage, consistent offensive pressure. 2BacklashPower of the LightMagickaSingle-Target Burst, Minor BreachSingle-Target Debuff, BurstKey for focused damage and resistance reduction. 3Radiant DestructionRadiant OppressionMagickaExecute, High Burst DamageExecute, High Burst DamageDevastating finisher for low-health targets. 4ImpaleImpaleMagickaSecondary Execute, Burst DamageSecondary Execute, Burst DamageComplements Templar execute, strong burst for low health targets. 5Wield SoulMagic Damage, Templar Class Mastery, Brutality and SorceryMagickaRanged DoT, Major Buff Uptime, Armor/Ult GenRanged DoT, Major Buff Uptime, Armor/Ult GenCustom Scribed skill for sustained damage, major offensive buff, and defensive synergy. UltimateSoul HarvestSoul HarvestUltimateSingle-Target Burst, Ult Gen on KillSingle-Target Burst, Ult Gen on KillLow cost, high damage ultimate, excellent for chaining kills.Back Bar1Rushed CeremonyBreath of LifeMagickaInstant Burst Heal (Self/Ally)Instant Burst Heal (Self/Ally)Crucial emergency healing for critical situations. 2Cleansing RitualExtended RitualMagickaCleanse, HoT, Area ControlCleanse, HoT, Area ControlEssential for removing debuffs and providing sustained healing. 3Rune FocusChanneled FocusMagickaMajor Resolve, Magicka SustainMajor Resolve, Magicka SustainKey defensive buff and resource regeneration tool. 4VigorResolving VigorStaminaStrong Self-Healing over TimeStrong Self-Healing over TimeReliable self-healing for sustained survivability. 5Steadfast WardHealing WardMagickaDamage Shield, Burst ProtectionDamage Shield, Burst ProtectionProvides a strong Magicka-based damage shield for critical mitigation. UltimateRite of PassagePracticed IncantationUltimateMobile Group Heal, Damage ImmunityMobile Group Heal, Damage ImmunityUltimate defensive ability for surviving extreme pressure while maintaining mobility.

IX. Champion Points (Max CP Allocation) 

At max Champion Points (CP), strategic allocation across the Warfare (Blue), Fitness (Red), and Craft (Green) trees is essential for optimizing the Nord Templar's performance in both PvP and PvE.

Important Note on Slotted vs. Passive Stars: In the Champion Point system, "Slotted Stars" are active perks that must be placed into one of the four available slots within each constellation to provide their benefits. "Passive Stars" provide their benefits simply by having points invested in them, without needing to be slotted. The recommendations below distinguish between these two types.
 

Warfare (Blue Tree - Damage, Healing, Defenses) 

The Warfare tree is primarily focused on increasing offensive output, healing effectiveness, and combat defenses.

• Slotted Stars (Recommended for Active Use):
  • Deadly Aim (50 points): Increases damage done by single target direct damage abilities. Crucial for Impale, Power of the Light, and Radiant Oppression.
  • Biting Aura (50 points): Increases damage done by AoE abilities. Enhances Force Pulse (when hitting multiple targets) and Proximity Detonation (if slotted).
  • Fighting Finesse (50 points): Increases Critical Damage and Critical Healing. Synergizes with the build's critical focus and healing capabilities, amplified by Nightblade Assassination passives and The Shadow Mundus Stone.
  • Thaumaturge (50 points): Increases damage done by Damage Over Time and Channeled abilities. Directly boosts Radiant Oppression and DoTs from weapon enchants or Scribed Wield Soul.
• Passive Stars (Points Allocated):
  • Blessed (20 points): Increases Healing Done.
  • Precision (20 points): Increases Critical Chance.
  • Piercing (20 points): Increases Offensive Penetration, helping to bypass enemy resistances.
  • Eldritch Insight (20 points): Increases Max Magicka.
  • Preparation (20 points): Reduces damage taken from Non-Player attacks. Crucial for PvE survivability.
  • Quick Recovery (20 points): Increases Healing Received.
  • Hardy (20 points): Reduces damage taken from Physical, Poison, and Disease attacks.
  • Elemental Aegis (20 points): Reduces damage taken from Flame, Frost, and Shock attacks.
  • Flawless Ritual (40 points): Increases DoT effects.
  • Tireless Discipline (20 points): Increases Max Stamina.
  • War Mage (30 points): Increases Spell Damage.
• Total Warfare Points: 450 points

Fitness (Red Tree - Survivability & Resource Sustain)

The Fitness tree is dedicated to enhancing character survival and resource sustain, vital for a durable hybrid.

• Slotted Stars (Recommended for Active Use):
  • Boundless Vitality (50 points): Increases Max Health. Directly contributes to the build's robust health pool for PvP.
  • Rejuvenation (50 points): Increases Health, Magicka, and Stamina Recovery. Essential for overall resource sustain.
  • Siphoning Spells (50 points): Restores Magicka when you kill an enemy. Provides sustain for the Magicka-leaning hybrid.
  • Bastion (50 points): Increases the effectiveness of your Damage Shields and healing done to your Damage Shields. This benefits Healing Ward.
• Passive Stars (Points Allocated):
  • Sprinter (20 points): Reduces the cost of Sprint.
  • Hasty (16 points): Increases movement speed.
  • Hero’s Vigor (20 points): Increases Max Health.
  • Tumbling (30 points): Reduces the cost of Roll Dodge.
  • Piercing Gaze (30 points): Increases stealth detection.
  • Tempered Soul (50 points): Resurrect with more resources.
  • Defiance (20 points): Reduces the duration of Break Free. Critical for PvP mobility.
  • Tireless Guardian (20 points): Reduces of Block.
  • Fortification (30 points): Increases the amount of damage you can block.
  • Mystical Tenacity (50 points): Reduces duration of elemental status effects.
• Total Fitness Points: 486 points

Craft (Green Tree - Utility & Quality of Life)

While primarily non-combat focused, certain Craft stars offer significant quality-of-life and utility benefits.

• Slotted Stars (Recommended for Active Use):
  • Steed’s Blessing (50 points): Increases out of combat movement speed. Useful for traversing Cyrodiil.
• Passive Stars (Points Allocated):
  • Gilded Fingers (50 points): Increases gold gained.
  • Fortune’s Favor (50 points): Increases the quality of items found in treasure chests.
  • Wanderer (50 points): Reduces the cost of Wayshrine usage.
  • Steadfast Enchantment (50 points): Reduces chance to consume weapon enchantment charge.
  • Rationer (30 points): Extends the duration of food and drink buffs. Maximizes uptime of Bewitched Sugar Skulls.
  • Breakfall (50 points): Reduces fall damage.
  • Liquid Efficiency (50 points): Potions and poisons have a chance to not be consumed. Improves potion sustain.
  • Treasure Hunter (50 points): Increases the quality of items found in treasure chests. Useful for farming gear or gold.
• Total Craft Points: 430 points

X. Rotation and Playstyle 

The effectiveness of this optimized Nord Templar build hinges on a dynamic and adaptive playstyle, leveraging its hybrid nature for both aggressive offense and resilient defense across PvP and PvE content.

General Principles

• Buff and Debuff Maintenance: Consistent application and refreshing of buffs (e.g., Major Brutality/Sorcery from Scribed Skill, Major Resolve from Channeled Focus) and debuffs (e.g., from gear sets or Scribed Skill) are paramount.
• Light Attack Weaving: Incorporating light attacks between every ability cast maximizes damage output and resource generation.
• Resource Management: Actively monitor Magicka and Stamina. Utilize Tri-Stat Potions for burst recovery, and rely on passive recovery, Nord racial ultimate generation, and the resource return from Nightblade's Executioner passive.
• Situational Awareness: Especially in PvP, constant awareness of enemy positioning, incoming threats, and ally health is critical for survival and effective target prioritization.

PvP Playstyle 

The primary focus in PvP is to leverage the build's burst damage, high survivability, and ultimate generation to control engagements and secure kills.

• Offensive Burst & Pressure:
  • Initiate combat by applying buffs and debuffs. A Scribed Wield Soul (with Brutality/Sorcery and Templar Class Mastery) can be used to open, applying damage and important buffs/defensive synergy.
  • Follow up with Power of the Light to apply a delayed burst and Minor Breach, setting up for subsequent damage.
  • Prioritize Force Pulse as the primary damage spammable, weaving light attacks between casts.
  • As enemy health drops, transition to Impale and Radiant Oppression to execute low-health targets. The Nightblade Assassination passives (Hemorrhage, Pressure Points) will amplify critical damage and chance, making these executes highly potent.
  • Deploy Soul Harvest ultimate strategically for focused single-target burst or to chain kills in rapid succession, benefiting from its ultimate return on kill. The Nord's ultimate generation from taking damage will contribute to more frequent ultimate usage.
• Defensive and Sustain Play:
  • Maintain Channeled Focus for Major Resolve, significantly boosting Physical and Spell Resistance. Always try to stand within its rune for enhanced healing and Magicka sustain.
  • Use Healing Ward for immediate damage shields, especially when anticipating incoming burst or engaging multiple enemies.
  • Breath of Life is the primary burst heal for emergency situations, both for self and allies. Resolving Vigor provides a consistent HoT.
  • Extended Ritual is crucial for cleansing negative effects, particularly important against debuff-heavy opponents. The Mara's Balm set will provide additional healing when debuffs are removed, creating a strong defensive synergy.
  • Leverage the Nord's ultimate generation and the Templar Class Mastery Script's ultimate gain to have Practiced Incantation (mobile healing ultimate) ready for sustained group fights or personal recovery under pressure.
  • Effective use of roll dodging, blocking, and line-of-sight (LOS) is paramount for survival.

PvE Playstyle (Pickup Dungeons)

The build's PvE playstyle is designed to be straightforward yet effective for pickup groups, focusing on reliable damage output and flexible support.

• Damage Dealer Role:
  • Begin by applying Power of the Light to the primary target.
  • Cast Scribed Wield Soul to apply a DoT and gain Major Brutality/Sorcery.
  • Maintain Channeled Focus for resistances and Magicka sustain.
  • Spam Force Pulse as the primary damage ability. Its AoE nature is excellent for trash packs.
  • Use Impale and Radiant Oppression to execute bosses and tougher enemies below 25% health.
  • Deploy Soul Harvest ultimate on priority targets or bosses for concentrated damage.
  • Weave Light Attacks between every ability to maximize damage output and resource generation.
• Flexible Support:
  • Be prepared to off-heal if the group's dedicated healer is struggling or if unexpected damage occurs. Breath of Life provides powerful instant heals.
  • Drop Extended Ritual for group healing and cleansing, especially beneficial if group members are afflicted by debuffs.
  • The Nord's inherent tankiness and the defensive capabilities from Healing Ward allow the character to withstand more damage, reducing pressure on the tank or healer.
  • Consistently use Resolving Vigor for self-sustain.

This adaptable approach ensures that the Nord Templar remains a valuable asset in various PvE scenarios, capable of contributing significant damage while also providing crucial self-sufficiency and support.
 

XI. Skill Point Tracking

To fully implement this optimized build, including all recommended active skills, their morphs, and all relevant passive abilities, an estimated 121 skill points are required. This calculation accounts for the increased cost of subclassed skills and passives.

• Active Skills (12 skills):
  • 10 skills from native Templar/Weapon/Guild lines (1 point each for base + 1 point for morph) = 10 * 2 = 20 points.
  • 2 skills from subclassed Nightblade Assassination (1 point for base + 1 point for morph, then doubled for subclassing) = 2 * 2 * 2 = 8 points.
  • Total Active Skill Points: 28 points.
• Passive Skills:
  • Racial (Nord): 3 passives * 3 ranks = 9 points.
  • Templar (Dawn's Wrath): 4 passives * 2 ranks = 8 points.
  • Templar (Restoring Light): 4 passives * 2 ranks = 8 points.
  • Nightblade (Assassination - Subclassed): 4 passives * 2 ranks * 2 (for subclassed cost) = 16 points.
  • Weapon (Destruction Staff): 5 passives * 2 ranks = 10 points.
  • Weapon (Restoration Staff): 5 passives * 2 ranks = 10 points.
  • Armor (Heavy): 5 passives * 2 ranks = 10 points.
  • Armor (Medium): 4 passives * 2 ranks = 8 points.
  • Guild (Undaunted): 1 passive * 2 ranks = 2 points.
  • Guild (Mages Guild): Persuasive Will (1 point).
  • Guild (Fighters Guild): None (0 points).
  • Alliance War (Assault): 3 passives * 2 ranks = 6 points.
  • Alchemy: 1 passive * 2 ranks = 2 points.
  • Total Passive Skill Points: 89 points.
• Scribing Skills:
  • 1 Grimoire (Wield Soul) + 3 Scripts (Focus, Signature, Affix) = 4 points.
  • Total Scribing Skill Points: 4 points.

Total Estimated Skill Points Required: 28 (Active) + 89 (Passive) + 4 (Scribing) = 121 skill points.

A max-level character (CP 160+) can acquire significantly more than 121 skill points through leveling, quest completion, and collecting Skyshards across Tamriel. This build is highly achievable for a dedicated player.
 

XII. Conclusions & Recommendations

The optimized Nord Templar build presented in this report achieves its dual objective of strong PvP performance and PvE viability by strategically combining the inherent strengths of the Nord race with the transformative capabilities of the Update 46 Subclassing and Scribing systems, all while adhering strictly to "free base game content" constraints.

The Nord's racial passives, particularly their robust defensive bonuses and unique ultimate generation when taking damage, establish a formidable foundation for a frontline PvP character. This natural resilience is further amplified by the strategic subclassing of Nightblade's Assassination skill line, which injects critical burst damage, potent execution abilities, and vital resource sustain into the Templar's kit. This hybridization addresses traditional Templar weaknesses, allowing for a more aggressive and decisive playstyle in player-versus-player combat.

The integration of a custom Scribed Skill, specifically Wield Soul with the Templar Class Mastery Signature Script, creates a powerful synergy. This Scribed ability not only contributes to offensive output but also directly reinforces the character's tankiness and ultimate generation, creating a self-sustaining loop of defensive strength and offensive pressure that is highly advantageous in sustained engagements. The choice of a two-bar setup is a critical recommendation. The analysis confirms that without access to DLC-locked Mythic items like the Oakensoul Ring, a single-bar configuration cannot achieve the comprehensive buff coverage and raw statistical output necessary for truly optimized performance across diverse content. The two-bar setup provides the necessary versatility and tactical depth for competitive play.

Gear selection, prioritizing PvP-acquired sets like Deadly Strike and Mara's Balm, ensures the build is tailored for player-versus-player encounters, offering a balance of amplified channeled damage and crucial defensive healing. The inclusion of a base-game dungeon Monster Set like Iceheart further enhances both offensive and defensive capabilities. For PvE, accessible crafted alternatives like Order's Wrath maintain strong performance in pickup dungeons.

To maximize the effectiveness of this build, it is recommended that the player:

• Practice Resource Management: Master the timing of Tri-Stat Potions and actively manage Magicka and Stamina pools, especially in prolonged PvP skirmishes.
• Situational Awareness: Develop a keen understanding of battle flow in PvP, prioritizing targets, identifying threats, and utilizing defensive abilities and positioning effectively.
• Morph Flexibility: While the recommended morphs provide a strong generalist approach, players should be prepared to swap specific morphs (e.g., between Force Pulse and Elemental Weapon if a different weapon type is used) or even entire gear sets (between PvP and PvE configurations) to optimize for specific content.
• Scribing Customization: Experiment with different Affix Scripts on the Scribed Wield Soul to fine-tune the build for specific encounters, such as using Breach for organized group content or Protection for solo resilience.

By embracing these recommendations and diligently practicing the outlined playstyles, the Nord Templar will emerge as an unyielding force on the battlefields of Tamriel, capable of dominating PvP and reliably clearing PvE content.