Frost Warden/Arcanist PvP U47 @Yettichu: Tankier (Staff) - Build - ESO

• Frost Warden/Arcanist PvP Build Guide

Frost Warden/Arcanist PvP Build Guide

Welcome to the guide for my updated Frost Mage PvP build, which incorporates Warden and Arcanist elements to optimize performance in combat.

• Build Philosophy

The primary goal of this build is to maximize Frost-based damage and crowd control while addressing the crucial needs for sustainability and healing in PvP. For a Frost Warden/Arcanist, a few foundations are non-negotiable:

Herald of The Tome: An excellent source of both active and passive damage, fundamental to the Arcanist.

Winter's Embrace: Provides armor buffs, damage and defensive passives, and a powerful Ultimate.

However, the crucial question was: how do we optimize sustain and healing without compromising the Frost identity? The answer came from exploring options outside of the Arcanist's skill lines.

• Healing & Support Options & The Warden's Choice

Initially, I considered using Scribing or Restoring Light for healing and sustain. While the Arcanist's Crux generation is useful for Scribing, it wasn't quite game-changing enough. The real "aha" moment came when comparing synergies with the Warden.

For anyone who has played PvP, the Warden's Charm ability is notorious. It's frustrating to deal with, offers incredible utility, and when combined with Frost gameplay, the synergy feels natural.

I decided, then, to "transform" my Arcanist into a Warden base class, taking the best of both worlds:

The result feels more like a true Frost Mage than ever before.

Frost Damage skills like the Arcanist's Tentacular Dread, combined with the Chilled Status Effect and the Warden's Ultimate Northern Storm, ensure constant Frost pressure.

Crowd Control (CC): A variety of Immobilize, Snares, and the powerful Charm, all with Area of Effect (AoE) capabilities.

•  Gear & Setup Overview

This gear setup focuses on Frost damage, pressure, and survivability. 

Hrothgar’s Chill for explosive AoE Frost damage. Wretched Vitality excellent for resource sustain. Balorgh’s provides a powerful damage burst after using an Ultimate.

For Mythic any of the following works: Saint and Seducer, Markyn Ring of Majesty, Malacath's Band of Brutality, Death Dealer’s Fete, or Torc of the Last Ayleid King.

•  Skills & Skill Bars

I tested two primary skill setups: one focused on survivability with Restoring Light and another on damage with the Warden's Animal Companions.

•  Gameplay Tips & Combos

The gameplay for this build is fairly straightforward and effective:

The key here is timing—knowing when to brawl and when to disengage to reposition or heal. This build plays like a mid-range caster, so don't forget to abuse your range advantage whenever possible.

Feel free to experiment and adjust this build to your own playstyle. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to comment on my Youtube or in-game @Yettichu (PC NA).