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Dragonknight Class in ESO - Everything you need to know! header

Dragonknight Class in ESO - Everything you need to know!

Dragonknight Class in ESO - Everything you need to know!

Dragonknights really excel at tanking, but are also pretty good as melee damage dealers [DPS]. Healing is also possible, like with all classes, but is one of the least favorite classes to heal on. They utilize a lot of fire and earth magic.
Dragonknight in ESO
Skillful masters-at-arms, Dragonknights use the ancient Akaviri martial arts tradition of battle-spirit and wield fearsome magic. Burn your foes in cleansing flame and withstand almost any assault with the Dragonknight, a fiery, unrelenting Class that thrives in the heart of battle. The Dragonknight Class in ESO allows you to win the war of attrition with abilities that draw power from both the earth and the beasts of myth while overpowering your foes with ferocious Fire spells. With the Dragonknight, you bring ruin in the form of molten metal and fire.

Available with the base game. If you want to learn more about all classes that you can play in ESO please visit the Classes Overview Page.

Dragonknight Class Introduction


Dragonknights are a very popular class in-game, as they make absolutely excellent tanks for both beginners and advanced players. Overall, they are very well liked for ESO endgame content, such as harder 4-man groups or trial-groups. Below you can find a list of the pros and cons of the Dragonknight class in ESO.

Pros:
  • extremely strong Tanks
  • high damage output as damage dealer
  • very sturdy

Cons:

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


DPS Dragonknight Pros and Cons

Dragonknights can dish out a lot of damage, both on magicka and stamina based setups. However, to be effective you need to be able to stay in melee range. Most of their DoTs (damage over time) are melee based. This is fine in most situations but can also lead to more difficult fights if an enemy changes position often.

Pros:
  • high damage
  • hard hitting class abilities
  • strong ultimate
  • magicka and stamina builds are fun to play


Cons:
  • needs to be in melee range
  • difficult rotation in endgame

Healer Dragonknight Pros and Cons

Dragonknight Healers aren't very common, they are actually the least used healer class. Main reason being they have more abilities that focus on tanking, rather than healing. And other classes are simply better at healing then Dragonknights.

Pros:
  • good resource management
  • support with buffs and debuffs

Cons:
  • no burst heal
  • healing abilities are hard to use/aim

Tank Dragonknight Pros and Cons


Dragonknights are the most popular class for tanking, lots of class abilities and passives are built in favor of tanking. You can create a complete untouchable fortress with the Dragonknight.

Pros:
  • great resource management
  • great group support
  • great survivability
  • Magma Shell godmode button
  • good crowd control

Cons:
  • none

Dragonknight Class Skill Lines explained


Next we are going to take a look at the three class skill lines that the Dragonknight has. Of course you can use any skill line available in the game to create your own playstyle. Most, if not all builds do use a mix between class and non class skill lines.

You can find a full list of all the Dragonknight class skill lines on the Dragonknight Skills Overview Page.

Ardent Flame Skill Line

Ardent Flame skill line of the Dragonknight ESO
The Ardent Flame skill line is part of the Dragonknight toolkit and has a focus on offensive abilities. Unleash your fury with relentless Fire and Poison abilities that deal devastating damage over time and intensify your attacks.

Its Ultimate ability is Dragonknight Standard. This Ultimate calls down a battle standard, dealing a lot of damage and applying Major Defile to all enemies inside of its range, reducing their healing received and Health Recovery by 16%. An ally near the standard can activate a shackle synergy, dealing additional damage to all enemies. Shifting Standard is one of its morphs and increases the duration, and recasting the ability allows the caster to move the standard. Standard of Might increases the damage done and reduces any damage taken.
Fiery Breath and its morphs are a skill in this tree. Watch this video to see how it’s used.

Draconic Power Skill Line

Draconic Power skill line of the Dragonknight ESO
The Draconic Power skill line is part of the Dragonknight toolkit and has a bit of everything, be it damage, healing, defensive or supportive abilities. Harness the power of the ancient Dragons to strengthen your defenses, surround yourself in protective scales, and leap into battle with unstoppable ferocity.

Its Ultimate ability is Dragon Leap. This Ultimate makes you launch at an enemy, dealing a lot of damage to all enemies in the area and knocking them back 4 meters, as well as stunning them. Ferocious Leap is one of its morphs and deals flame damage. After leaping you gain a damage shield. Take Flight reduces the cost and increases the damage and range.

Dragon Blood and its morphs are a skill in this tree. Watch this video to see how it’s used.

Earthen Heart Skill Line

Earthen Heart skill line of the Dragonknight ESO
The third and last skill line of the Dragonknight-focused skill lines is called Earthen Heart and is focused on mobility, healing and damage abilities. Draw from the power of the earth to empower your and your allies, stun your foes, and encase yourself in damaging molten lava.

Its Ultimate ability is Magma Armor. This Ultimate ignites the molten lava in your veins, limiting incoming damage and dealing a bit of damage to nearby enemies. Corrosive Armor is one of its morphs and deals poison damage and make your direct attacks ignore Physical and Spell Restistance while active. Magma Shell make you and your allies gain a powerful damage shield.

Ash Cloud and its morphs are a skill in this tree. Watch this video to see how it’s used.

Dragonknight Class Builds for ESO


Below you can find a full list of common Dragonknight builds. If you are a new player we do recommend starting with the beginner guides. However, you can also go take a look at the endgame builds to see what the class can look like when you reach the endgame.

Beginner Dragonknight Class Guides & Builds


The Beginner Dragonknight guides and builds are meant for new players. They introduce you to the Dragonknight class and give you a good starting point for your adventure in ESO.


PvE Solo Dragonknight Class Builds


The PvE Solo Dragonknight builds are optimized for solo gameplay. The builds below have a good balance between damage, survivability, healing and movement. Everything you need to get through ESO alone. Of course, you can also use these solo builds in a group, especially useful in random groups.


PvE Dungeon & Trial META Dragonknight Class Builds


The Meta Dragonknight builds listed below are meant to be played in a group. The Meta Dragonknight builds have a very cookie cutter approach and rely heavily on other group members.


If you are interested in PvP, you can take a closer look at this page, as it lists a variety of PvP builds and explains them in detail.


Is the Dragonknight Class Beginner Friendly?

Dragonknights are a beginner friendly class if played correctly. Dragonknights also get access to a decent heal almost at the start. All you have to do is level up Stonefist and morph it into Obsidian Shard. The shard will still deal a bit of damage but also heal you for a lot, that way leveling as a new player will get a lot easier. Other than that you also get access to Lava Whip, which is a very strong damage ability. You also gain access to Spiked Armor almost at the start which will boost your resistances a lot with the Major Resolve buff.

In later stages of leveling up your Dragonknight you will also unlock useful abilities like Fiery Breath, which deals good AoE (area of effect) damage, Fiery Grip which pulls in enemies, Protective Scalewhich reduces your incoming damage from ranged attacks and Petrify which turns enemies into stone.

Magicka Dragonknight Damage Dealer Showcase

Magicka Dragonknights are powerful magicka users with one little downside, they have to stay in melee range to deal maximum damage. Some of the noteworthy class passives are: Combustion, Warmth, Searing Heat, World in Ruin, Iron Skin, Scaled Armor, Battle Roar and Helping Hands. Magicka Dragonknights have access to many powerful class abillities such as: Molten Whip, Burning Embers, Engulfing Flames, Flames of Oblivion, Burning Talons, Deep Breath, Molten Armaments and Eruption. Dragonknights also have a powerful ultimate called Standard of Might.

The video below shows the Solo Magicka Dragonknight Build in action, clearing the veteran mode Vateshran Hollows Arena.



Stamina Dragonknight Damage Dealer Showcase


Stamina Dragonknights in ESO are good damage dealers with plenty of unique class abilities. Some of the most noteworthy class abilities are: Venomous Claw, Noxious Breath, Flames of Oblivion, Stone Giant and Molten Armaments.

The video below shows the Solo Sword & Board Dragonknight Build in action, clearing the veteran mode Vateshran Hollows Arena.



Healer Dragonknight Showcase


Dragonknights are arguably the least used healers in ESO. They can actually be decent healers, but most other classes are simply better. A few good class healing abilities on the Dragonknight are: Cauterize, Obsidian Shard and Cinder Storm. The main issue is that you will have to mostly rely on weapon based healing abilities, because the Dragonknight class healing abilities are very unreliable.

Please visit the Dragonknight Healer Build for further information on how to set up a healer spec.

Tank Dragonknight Showcase


Dragonknights are the most powerful and most popular tanking class. A lot of class abilities and passives are built in favor of tanking. You can create a complete untouchable fortress with the Dragonknight. Noteworthy class passives that help with tanking are: Iron Skin, Burning Heart, Elder Dragon, Scaled Armor, Battle Roar, Mountain's Blessing and [Helping Hand]. Powerful class abilities that you can use are: Unrelenting Grip, Volatile Armor, Choking Talons, Green Dragon Blood, Fragmented Shield and the godmode ultimate Magma Shell which turns you into an unkillable fortress for a few seconds.

Please visit the Dragonknight Tank Build for further information on how to set up a Dragonknight tank.

Related pages

ESO Skills Library - All ESO Skills header
ESO Skills Library - All ESO Skills
All ESO Skills, full library of all the available Elder Scrolls Online skills. Learn more about Dragonknight, Nightblade, Sorcerer and many more ...
All races and classes in ESO! header
All races and classes in ESO!
This is an extensive guide to all races and classes in ESO! Whatever you want to know, you can find it here!
ESO Classes - All Elder Scrolls Online Classes header
ESO Classes - All Elder Scrolls Online Classes
ESO Classes - 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 and Necromancer.

Frequently asked questions

What race is best for Dragonknight in ESO?

It all depends on how you want to play your character. For tanking, Nords, Argonians and Imperials are great. For healing, Bretons, Altmer and Argonians bring a lot to the table. As DPS, Orc, Khajiit, Dunmer and Altmer are really good!

Is Dragonknight a good class ESO?

Every class can be a good class in ESO. It all depends on your personal playstyle and whether you choose PvE or PvP. Generally speaking, it's a very good class, especially at tanking.

Is a Breton Dragonknight good?

A Breton is really good at magicka DPS or healing, as their passives support these builds the most.

Is Nord good for Dragonknight?

A Nord is exceptionally good at tanking, as their passives support these kind of builds the best.

Is Imperial good for Dragonknight?

An Imperial  is exceptionally good at tanking, as their passives support these kind of builds the best.

Is Altmer good for Dragonknight?

An Altmer is really good at magicka DPS, as their passives support these builds the most.

Is Dunmer good for Dragonknight?

Dunmer are pretty versatile and good at basically everything, even if they aren't really specialized. Especially their fire damage passive is pretty great!

Is Khajiit good for Dragonknight?

Khajiit are pretty versatile and good at basically everything, even if they aren't really specialized. Their strongest capability is possibly their crit passive.

Is Argonian good for Dragonknight?

Argonians have great passives when it comes to tanking and healing, so that they make great tanks and healers, even in PvP.

Is Bosmer good for Dragonknight?

A Bosmer's racial passives are more targeted towards DPS, especially Stamina DPS. Which makes them not necessarily ideal for tanks or healers.

Is Redguard good for Dragonknight?

Redguard's racial passives are more targeted to either tanks or Stamina DPS. Even though their skills are even better for tanking.

Is Orc good for Dragonknight?

Orcs are exceptionally good at dealing damage. Their passives are especially targeted at Stamina DPS, but they can also be a good choice for Magicka DPS.

What is the best tank class in ESO?

Nords, Imperials and Argonians are really great as tanks in ESO. All of them have great racial passives that support a tanking role.

What is the best healer class in ESO?

Breton, Altmer and Argonians are really great as healers in ESO. All of them have great racial passives that support a healing role.

What is the best DPS class in ESO?

For Stamina, Orcs, Bosmer and Khajiit are the best. For Magicka, Altmer, Khajiit and Breton are really great!

Can Dragonknight use magic?

Yes, every class can use magic. It is called Magicka in ESO and is a stat that every race and class has.

What weapon should a Dragonknight use?

It all depends on your playstyle. Tanks usually wield a shield and one-hand weapon, whereas Stamina DPS use either daggers or axes and Magicka DPS use staves, as well as healers.

What's the best class in ESO?

It all depends on your playstyle and what you want to achieve in ESO. There's no "one class is the best" as it all depends on the build and whether you want to play it in PvE or PvP.
As all schoolchildren know, northern Tamriel was invaded by a legion of Akaviri raiders in 1E 2700. Mighty warriors with potent powers, these Akaviri cut a swath through Skyrim, defeating all opponents, until they were met at Pale Pass by a Cyrodilic army under the command of General Reman. After a brief battle, the Akaviri surrendered en masse to Reman, saying that in him, they had found what they had come to Tamriel to seek.With the Akaviri added to his own army, Reman marched on, pacifying most of Tamriel, becoming Emperor, and founding the Second Empire. The best and wisest of the Akaviri became the Dragonguard, under the Emperor Reman's personal command.
For the next two centuries the Dragonguard protected the Reman Dynasty, defending the Emperors with abilities said to have been learned from the Dragons themselves, which persisted in Akavir far longer than they did in Tamriel.But when Reman III was assassinated in 2920, that was the end of the Reman Dynasty (as well as the First Era). Officially the Dragonguard was disbanded, some said in shame at having failed to protect the Emperor. However, when the Potentate Versidue-Shaie assumed the Ruby Throne, the Dragonguard was unofficially reactivated, more as an intelligence network than as an honor guard.Other former members of the Dragonguard followed different pursuits. Some joined their former centurion, Dinieras-Ves, when he founded the organization that would come to be known as the Fighters Guild. Others became roving adventurers, selling their services as combat trainers or swords-for-hire.
One of these was a former Dragonguard whose name is now lost, and is known only to this chronicler as the Grandmaster. He took it upon himself to ensure that the martial and mystical arts of the old Akaviri would survive into the new and turbulent Second Era. However, he would teach his skills only on condition that those he taught would go on to teach others. This was the origin of those whom we now call "the Dragon Knights."

Ardent Flame: Draconic or Endemic?


Author: Gabrielle Benele, Wizard

Last night I was sitting in the Anchor's Point taproom, nursing a mug of rum posset while poring over Ralliballah's Eleven Ritual Forms, when suddenly my quiet corner was invaded by a tall, armored figure. I asked if he would stand somewhere else, as he was blocking the light, but he replied something to the effect that a handsome woman shouldn't be wasting a moons-lit evening on reading, set a frothy tankard on the table and sat down next to me.

Before I could protest he launched into the story of his life, the subject of which—himself—he seemed very enthusiastic about. He was a product of the north-coast port town of Farrun, where he'd grown up with the conviction he was destined for bigger things. When he was old enough he'd left and made his way to central High Rock, where he'd fallen in with an old half-Akaviri arms-trainer who had taught him the ways of the so-called "dragonknights." It was then that he finally found his true calling perfecting the form of magical combat that the dragonknights refer to as "ardent flame."

Blowhard or no, once he brought up the arcane arts he piqued my interest. I asked him to tell me more about this discipline of martial magic, as I was unfamiliar with it, and he was only too happy to oblige. With ardent flame, he explained, the dragonknight could set his enemies afire, draw them to him with a flaming lasso, wreath himself in a cloak of flame, even breathe fire just like the legendary dragons of yore. And this was, he asserted, because a dragonknight used actual dragon magic handed down from those mighty warriors who fought and won a war with the dragons back before the First Era.

It was this last claim where he lost me. Did he really expect me, a Mages Guild sorcerer of the first rank, to believe that an unlearned lout like him was casting spells using on long-lost dragon magic? I held up a hand, rather peremptorily, and to my surprise (and perhaps his own) he actually stopped talking. I told him I'd heard quite enough about his dragon magic, thank you very much, and that as far as I was concerned it was no more than a variant of our standard repertoire of flame spells, what the Shad Astula curriculum categorizes as "Destruction Magic." I desired him to withdraw and allow me to return to my reading.

He sputtered for a moment, but then gave a condescending smile and said there was no need for the "little lady" to be afraid, as a dragon could be gentle as well as fierce. Perhaps I didn't understand just how ardent his flame could be.

I warned him to be on his way, but he scoffed and persisted. It was when he offered to show me his "lava whip" that I finally lost all patience. It's a shame, because the proprietor of the Anchor's Point told me I would no longer be welcome there, and I liked that place.

I suppose I could have shown more forbearance, but everyone has a limit—and besides, what's the big deal? Scalp and beard hair always grows back eventually, even when it's been scorched off.

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