ESO Classes Database

Everything you need to know about Classes in ESO (Elder Scrolls Online). A complete overview page about all the classes: Dragonknight, Sorcerer, Nightblade, Templar, Warden, Necromancer, and Arcanist.

Welcome to the ESO Classes (Elder Scrolls Online classes) overview page. The overview page covers all important information that you need to know regarding the different classes. Please select a class below to get more individual class information.

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Welcome to the ESO classes (Elder Scrolls Online classes) overview page. The overview page covers a summary of all seven ESO classes that currently exist and we will take a look at the races, roles and pros and cons of each Elder Scrolls Online class. If you are looking for a detailed page about each of the classes please visit the link below.

Classes and races in ESO

Choosing the right race for the right ESO class can be a very essential part in creating your character. Especially if you want to play with the highest efficiency possible. If you just want to enjoy the game though, it doesn't matter at all and in the end you can play any class with any race. Only when you want to min-max, race and class should go hand in hand.

ESO classes and roles ranking

Additionally to the races, the roles can also be very important, you can find a class role ranking for ESO (Elder Scrolls Online) below in the table. In ESO every class can fulfil any role, therefore you are really free to pick whatever you want and you will manage to create a good build. However, of course there are also differences in performance, especially while playing veteran hardmode content. Not every class will be equally good, below you can find a general ranking of the different ESO roles and classes.The takeaway here is that a good player will always be able to create a good build on any class in any role because they are aware of the strength and weakness of a class for each role. As a new player we do recommend picking one of the classes that suits best for a role, this will make your journey a lot easier and more enjoyable. Later once you are used to the game we encourage every player to actually test out other classes and roles, the challenge will be fun!

PvE

Dragonknight
Magicka-DPS: Solo - 4/5, Group - 4/5
Stamina-DPS: Solo - 4/5, Group - 4/5
Healer: 3/5
Tank: 5/5

Nightblade
Magicka-DPS: Solo 5/5, Group 5/5
Stamina-DPS: Solo 5/5, Group 5/5
Healer: 3/5
Tank: 4/5

Sorcerer
Magicka-DPS: Solo 5/5, Group 5/5
Stamina-DPS: Solo 5/5, Group 5/5
Healer: 3/5
Tank: 3/5

Templar
Magicka-DPS: Solo 5/5, Group 5/5
Stamina-DPS: Solo 4/5, Group 5/5
Healer: 5/5
Tank: 3/5

Warden
Magick-DPS: Solo 4/5, Group 4/5
Stamina-DPS: Solo 4/5, Group 4/5
Healer: 5/5
Tank: 5/5

Necromancer
Magick-DPS: Solo 5/5, Group 5/5
Stamina-DPS: Solo 5/5, Group 5/5
Healer:  5/5
Tank: 5/5

If you want to take a look at specific solo and group endgame buils please visit the ESO builds overview page.

Pros and cons of ESO Classes

Dragonknight Class


Pros:

  • Strong tank, most used tank in the game
  • good passives that focus on defense and sturdyness
  • Damage Dealers can have a high damage output in melee range

Cons:

  • not the greatest healers
  • damage dealers need to be in melee range to unleash full potential

Nightblade Class

Pros:

  • superb stealth
  • excellent damage dealers
  • great at vanishing into the shadows
  • great for solo play

Cons:

  • hard to play/master in endgame
  • not the greatest healers

Sorcerer Class

Sorcerers are one of the most popular classes in-game. They are pretty easy to play and with the support of their pets they also have a pretty easy time dealing damage passively. They have strong skills in regards to survival and are great for solo play. Unfortunately, they aren't the best Healers and also not very useful as Tanks compared to other classes.

Pros:

  • very beginner friendly
  • great for solo play
  • strong damage dealers
  • has pets for support/damage

Cons:

  • not great at tanking/healing
  • Stamina DPS is harder to learn than Magicka DPS

Templar Class

Templars are hands down the strongest healing class, as they also bring a lot of support to the table from which the entire group or trial group profits. They are also pretty strong damage dealers, but get repercussions from having to stand in melee range to unleash their true power. They are also one of the easiest classes to play, especially stamina builds. Even if you want to tank in group content, they make pretty decent tanks.

Pros:

  • excellent healers
  • great damage dealers
  • lots of support skills
  • great for solo gameplay

Cons:

  • must be in melee range to excel at DPS

Warden Class

Wardens in ESO are pretty great Tanks and Healers, but, unfortunately, in PvE only mediocre Damage Dealers. Since they rely very heavily on their pets, it can be tiresome for some players to keep an eye on recasting their netch for good sustain of their resources. Other than that though they are a pretty good class to play for solo players.

Pros:

  • excellent at tanking and healing
  • great solo class
  • good damage dealers
  • easy to learn class

Cons:

  • can be a bit hard in regards to managing resources

Necromancer Class

Necromancers in ESO have a lot of of great abilities for all roles. Necromancers are great at dps and also very good healers and tanks. They have a very dynamic playstyle and are surprisingly beginner friendly but hard to master in endgame. Most groups have at least one or two Necromancers because they provide one of the greatest debuffs called Major Vulnerability.

Pros:

  • Good at everything, excelling at DPSing
  • very dynamic gameplay
  • can summon helpers
  • has useful synergies

Cons:

  • a lot of fun, but hard to master in endgame
  • pets aren't permanent (they function more like normal skills)

Conclusion ESO Classes Overview

ESO Classes are vastly different from other MMOs. They aren't pushed into one playstyle. Any class can play any role, of course not every class will be able to perform the same. However, a good player can create a good ESO build with any class on any role. Mainly because you can make trade-offs with sets and skills in ESO (Elder Scrolls Online). if one class doesn't have good sustain with a certain role, you could make use of a sustain set to make up for that weakness without any problem. This is just one example, there are so many good sets and skills in ESO that you can test out and create a worthy build.

If you have any further questions about ESO classes (Elder Scrolls Online classes) you also have the option to join our ESO community discord partner server.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions from other players
Which class is best for beginners?
While all classes are viable, some are more beginner-friendly:
  • Templar: Known for their versatility and strong self-healing abilities, making them forgiving for newcomers.
  • Sorcerer: Offers powerful ranged attacks and pets that can assist in combat, providing a balanced experience for new players.
These classes provide a good balance of offense and defense, aiding in solo and group play.
Can any class fulfill any role (DPS, Tank, Healer)?
Yes, each class in ESO can be tailored to fit any role:
  • DPS (Damage Per Second): All classes can be built for damage, either focusing on Magicka or Stamina.
  • Tank: Classes like Dragonknight and Warden have abilities that enhance survivability and crowd control, making them effective tanks.
  • Healer: Templars and Wardens possess strong healing abilities, but with the right build, any class can serve as a healer.
Your choice of weapons, armor, and skills will define your role more than your class alone.
How do I choose between Magicka and Stamina builds?
Your preferred combat style influences this choice:
  • Magicka Builds: Focus on spellcasting and ranged attacks. Ideal for players who prefer using magical abilities.
  • Stamina Builds: Emphasize physical attacks and melee or ranged weapon use. Suitable for those who favor weapon-based combat.
Consider the class's strengths and your playstyle when deciding between Magicka and Stamina.
Are certain races better suited for specific classes?
Each race offers unique passive abilities that can complement certain classes and roles:
  • High Elf (Altmer): Increased Magicka, beneficial for Magicka-based classes like Sorcerer or Templar.
  • Orc: Enhanced Stamina and health, advantageous for Stamina-based roles and tanking.
  • Breton: Reduced Magicka cost and increased Magicka, suitable for healers and Magicka users.
While racial passives can provide advantages, any race can effectively play any class.
Can I change my class after character creation?
No, once a class is chosen during character creation, it cannot be changed. However, you can reset your skill points and attributes to experiment with different builds within your class.
How do I unlock new abilities for my class?
As you gain experience and level up, you'll earn skill points. These can be allocated to unlock and morph class abilities, weapon skills, and other skill lines. Engaging in various activities, such as questing, exploring, and participating in dungeons, will help you accumulate skill points.
Are there hybrid builds that use both Magicka and Stamina?
Yes, hybrid builds utilize both resources, allowing for a mix of abilities. While more complex to manage, hybrids can offer versatile playstyles. With recent updates, hybrid builds have become more viable, but they may require more advanced understanding of game mechanics.
How important is weapon choice for my class?
Weapon choice significantly impacts your combat style and available abilities:
  • Staves: Complement Magicka builds, offering ranged magical attacks.
  • Swords, Axes, and Daggers: Ideal for Stamina builds, focusing on melee combat.
  • Bows: Suitable for Stamina builds preferring ranged attacks.
Experimenting with different weapons can help you find the best fit for your desired playstyle.
Are there any class-specific quests?
No, ESO does not have class-specific questlines. All classes have access to the same quests and storylines throughout the game.Remember, ESO is designed to offer flexibility, allowing you to tailor your character to your preferred playstyle. Don't hesitate to experiment with different classes and builds to discover what suits you best.