One Bar Heavy Attack Sorcerer DPS Build for ESO, using Sorcerer Class Masteries. Sorcerer pets do a lot of the damage passively while you Heavy Attack, making this one of the easiest DPS builds to play.
The Practical setup uses Oakensoul Ring , Calculated Defense and a Shock enchant. The Full Damage setup uses Rakkhat's Voidmantle , Static Reverberation and a Flame enchant.
The Practical setup simulates at 112.6k DPS, while the Full Damage setup simulates at 118.7k DPS and parsed 121.8k DPS on the 21 million HP Iron Atronach trial dummy.
Looking for more damage? Check out the Two Bar Heavy Attack Sorcerer DPS Build
Works in normal and veteran dungeons, trials, hard modes, Dragonstar Arena, and Blackrose Prison.
I built a simulator that takes the current setup from the guide and plays it through the listed rotation. It uses the listed gear, skills, Champion Points, race, food, potions, target armor and target health. It tracks skill casts, Heavy Attacks, DoT ticks, cooldowns, Ultimate casts, crits and status effect rolls.
Comparison tables in this guide use the deterministic sim on the 21 million HP Iron Atronach trial dummy. The Oakensoul setup is treated as the default.
For comparison tables I keep the setup identical and change one thing at a time. That makes the tables better for comparing options than random dummy parses, where one run can get better crits, different status effects or a better execute window.
| Run | DPS | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Full Damage - deterministic sim | Rakkhat's Voidmantle , Static Reverberation and Flame enchant | |
| Real 21m CMX parse | Recorded in game with the Rakkhat setup | |
| 100 random 21m Full Damage sims | This is why random parses are unreliable when crits and status effects roll differently | |
| Practical setup - deterministic sim | Oakensoul Ring , Calculated Defense and Shock enchant |
Class Masteries are a new U50 system where each class picks 2 of 5 passive bonuses (Class Mastery Points, not Skill Points). Activating subclassing in any capacity disables Class Mastery, so it's a tradeoff between keeping your native skill lines or subclassing.
Within you is a wellspring of near unlimited power.
Upgrades rank 2 of to work with any Sorcerer ability and increases your Weapon and Spell Damage for 10 seconds. The Weapon and Spell Damage increases by 1% for every 1750 Max Magicka or Stamina you have, whichever is higher.
Best damage option for both setups.
Success is a certainty when nothing is left to chance.
While beginning to use a Sorcerer ability or an ability with a cast time, you gain a damage shield for 0.5 seconds that can absorb Damage Shield. This effect is based off your Max Health. If the shield does not break, you and nearby group members gain 6% Weapon and Spell Damage for 20 seconds.
| Coefficient | 30% Max Health | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Tags | |||
Used by the Oakensoul setup.
The battlefield crackles with untapped potential. Make use of it.
When you deal damage, you have a 5% chance to deal Shock Damage, up to once every 0.3 seconds.
The chance increases by 1% for every 1% missing Health the target has. The chance is divided by 1 plus every permanent pet you have active.
| Coefficient | 31.56% Weapon or Spell Damage | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Status Chance | 10% | ||
| Tags | |||
Static Reverberation can replace Calculated Defense if you want to squeeze out even more damage, but only do it if another Sorcerer in the group is already providing Calculated Defense 's 6% Weapon and Spell Damage bonus.
Spellcasting is second nature to you. A skill honed by tireless study.
Upgrades rank 2 of to work with all abilities with a cost, excluding cost per tick abilities, and restores Magicka and Stamina when it activates.
| Coefficient | 2% Max Magicka | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Coefficient | 2% Max Stamina | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Not worth it for this setup.
Magicka extends your reach, a benefit to those who fight beside you.
Casting a damage shield on yourself or an ally grants an additional shield that absorbs up to Damage Shield for 4 seconds and 225 Health, Magicka, and Stamina Recovery for 12 seconds.
| Coefficient | 25% higher Max Health or Max Magicka | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Cap | 25% of target's Max Health | ||
| Tags | |||
Not worth it for this setup.
| Class Mastery | Simulated Parse | Damage vs Calculated Defense |
|---|---|---|
| Static Reverberation | +1.9% | |
| Calculated Defense | Baseline |
A base setup that will work for most situations and which should be your starting point when making situational setups
| Front Bar | Back Bar |
|---|---|
| Slot 1: Elemental BlockadeMorph of Wall of Elements | |
| Slot 2: Daedric PreyMorph of Daedric Curse | |
| Slot 3: Crystal WeaponMorph of Crystal Shard | |
| Slot 4: Summon Volatile FamiliarMorph of Summon Unstable Familiar | |
| Slot 5: Summon Twilight MatriarchMorph of Summon Winged Twilight | |
| Ultimate: Summon Charged AtronachMorph of Summon Storm Atronach |
Summon Volatile Familiar is the safest to replace, but if someone else takes care of Off Balance you can replace Elemental Blockade , and if you don't need the heal you can replace Summon Twilight Matriarch .
| Rotation | Simulated Parse | Damage Change |
|---|---|---|
| Priority List | Baseline | |
| Static Rotation | -1.0% |
Priority List
This is just a list of priorities. Simply recast abilities when they run out and follow this list of priorities when there are multiple things to refresh.
Static Rotation
This might be easier for some players, but it is weaker than the priority list.
Summon Charged Atronach stays outside this repeating Static Rotation. Cast it when available.
Pre-buff
These abilities can be pre-cast before entering combat
A skill setup for when you're replacing Oakensoul Ring with other options like Rakkhat's Voidmantle , Anthelmir's Construct or Maw of the Infernal
| Front Bar | Back Bar |
|---|---|
| Slot 1: Ulfsild's Contingency | Slot 1: Bound AegisMorph of Bound Armor |
| Slot 2: Daedric PreyMorph of Daedric Curse | |
| Slot 3: Crystal WeaponMorph of Crystal Shard | |
| Slot 4: Summon Volatile FamiliarMorph of Summon Unstable Familiar | |
| Slot 5: Summon Twilight MatriarchMorph of Summon Winged Twilight | |
| Ultimate: Summon Charged AtronachMorph of Summon Storm Atronach |
Changes compared to the Base Setup
Static Rotation
Pre-buff
These abilities can be pre-cast before entering combat
| Setup | Simulated Parse | Damage vs Base Setup |
|---|---|---|
| No Oakensoul Setup (with Rakkhat's Voidmantle ) ( Matriarch changed to Tormentor ) | +3.1% | |
| Base Setup ( Matriarch changed to Tormentor ) | +2.0% | |
| No Oakensoul Setup (with Rakkhat's Voidmantle ) | +1.3% | |
| Base Setup | Baseline |
There are no passives you need to skip with this build
Class
Weapon
Armor
Guild
Alliance War
Racial
Craft
Class - Dark Magic
Unholy Knowledge
- Medium Priority
Blood Magic
- Medium Priority
Persistence
- Low Priority
Exploitation
- High Priority
Class - Daedric Summoning
Rebate
- Low Priority
Power Stone
- High Priority
Daedric Protection
- Low Priority
Expert Summoner
- Medium Priority
Class - Storm Calling
Capacitor
- Low Priority
Energized
- High Priority
Amplitude
- High Priority
Expert Mage
- High Priority
Weapon - Destruction Staff
Tri Focus
- High Priority
Penetrating Magic
- High Priority
Elemental Force
- Medium Priority
Ancient Knowledge
- High Priority
Destruction Expert
- Low Priority
Armor - Light Armor
Grace
- Low Priority
Evocation
- Low Priority
Spell Warding
- Low Priority
Prodigy
- High Priority
Concentration
- High Priority
Armor - Medium Armor
Dexterity
- High Priority
Wind Walker
- Low Priority
Improved Sneak
- Not needed
Agility
- High Priority
Athletics
- Low Priority
Armor - Heavy Armor
Resolve
- Medium Priority
Constitution
- Low Priority
Juggernaut
- Medium Priority
Revitalize
- Low Priority
Rapid Mending
- Low Priority
Guild - Mages Guild
Persuasive Will
- Not needed
Mage Adept
- Low Priority
Everlasting Magic
- Low Priority
Magicka Controller
- High Priority
Might of the Guild
- High Priority
Guild - Undaunted
Undaunted Command
- Low Priority
Undaunted Mettle
- High Priority
Alliance War - Support
Magicka Aid
- Low Priority
Combat Medic
- Not needed
Battle Resurrection
- Not needed
Race - Your Race
Get all of your racials, no matter which race you are
Craft - Alchemy
Solvent Proficiency
- Not needed
Keen Eye: Reagents
- Not needed
Medicinal Use
- High Priority
Chemistry
- Not needed
Laboratory Use
- Not needed
Snakeblood
- Not needed
Base Setup is your starting point and works for most situations. Crafted Only is a beginner version using only craftable sets. No Oakensoul is the Rakkhat's Voidmantle setup.
Switching gear for trash packs isn't worth it unless you're using gear-swap addons
Usually I show both Light and Medium armor setups, with the Medium armor setups being stronger but requiring more penetration from your team. In this case, I'm only showing the Light setup because Noble Duelist's Silks is so much stronger than other sets that it beats them despite being Light. There's no reason to go with Medium armor unless you simply don't own Noble Duelist's Silks .
| Gear Slot | Set | Weight/Type | Trait | Enchantment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Head |
Slimecraw | Medium | Divines | Magicka |
 Shoulders |
Noble Duelist's Silks | Light | Divines | Magicka |
 Chest |
Sergeant's Mail | Heavy | Divines | Magicka |
 Hands |
Noble Duelist's Silks | Light | Divines | Magicka |
 Belt |
Noble Duelist's Silks | Light | Divines | Magicka |
 Legs |
Noble Duelist's Silks | Light | Divines | Magicka |
 Boots |
Noble Duelist's Silks | Light | Divines | Magicka |
 Necklace |
Sergeant's Mail | Jewelry | Bloodthirsty | Increase Magical Harm |
 Ring |
Sergeant's Mail | Jewelry | Bloodthirsty | Increase Magical Harm |
| Ring |
Oakensoul Ring | Jewelry | Bloodthirsty | Increase Magical Harm |
 Frontbar Main Hand |
Sergeant's Mail | Lightning Staff | Precise | Shock |
Fallback Gear
If you don't have it, use in order
If you don't have it, use in order
Alternative (same bonus)
This is the crafted gear setup you can start with
| Gear Slot | Set | Weight/Type | Trait | Enchantment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Head |
Highland Sentinel | Medium | Divines | Magicka |
| Shoulders |
Highland Sentinel | Medium | Divines | Magicka |
| Chest |
Order's Wrath | Light | Divines | Magicka |
| Hands |
Order's Wrath | Light | Divines | Magicka |
| Belt |
Order's Wrath | Light | Divines | Magicka |
| Legs |
Order's Wrath | Light | Divines | Magicka |
| Boots |
Order's Wrath | Light | Divines | Magicka |
| Necklace |
Highland Sentinel | Jewelry | Bloodthirsty | Increase Magical Harm |
| Ring |
Highland Sentinel | Jewelry | Bloodthirsty | Increase Magical Harm |
| Ring |
Highland Sentinel | Jewelry | Bloodthirsty | Increase Magical Harm |
| Frontbar Main Hand |
Assassin's Guile | Lightning Staff | Precise | Shock |
The setup in the table uses only crafted gear, but if you already own parts of the Base Setup like Oakensoul Ring , Sergeant's Mail or Noble Duelist's Silks you can start using them immediately.
It parses 84.8k DPS (using the "No Oakensoul" skill setup)
This is the No Oakensoul setup with Rakkhat's Voidmantle
| Gear Slot | Set | Weight/Type | Trait | Enchantment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Head |
Slimecraw | Medium | Divines | Magicka |
| Shoulders |
Rakkhat's Voidmantle | Medium | Divines | Magicka |
| Chest |
Noble Duelist's Silks | Light | Divines | Magicka |
| Hands |
Noble Duelist's Silks | Light | Divines | Magicka |
| Belt |
Noble Duelist's Silks | Light | Divines | Magicka |
| Legs |
Noble Duelist's Silks | Light | Divines | Magicka |
| Boots |
Noble Duelist's Silks | Light | Divines | Magicka |
| Necklace |
Sergeant's Mail | Jewelry | Bloodthirsty | Increase Magical Harm |
| Ring |
Sergeant's Mail | Jewelry | Bloodthirsty | Increase Magical Harm |
| Ring |
Sergeant's Mail | Jewelry | Bloodthirsty | Increase Magical Harm |
| Frontbar Main Hand |
Sergeant's Mail | Lightning Staff | Precise | Shock |
Changes compared to the Base Setup
You could also use Anthelmir's Construct or Maw of the Infernal there.
Use the Penetration Calculator to fine-tune your penetration for different content. Overland enemies have 9,100 armor while Instanced enemies (Arenas and Dungeons) have 18,200.
Damage comparison for set options.
Body (Light)
Compares X Light body set + Sergeant's Mail weapons and jewelry, while using Oakensoul Ring and Slimecraw .
| Body Set | Source | Simulated Parse | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noble Duelist's Silks | Dungeon - Blessed Crucible | Best | |
| Undaunted Unweaver | Dungeon - Blackheart Haven | -3.8% | |
| Highland Sentinel | Crafted |
-4.8%
-7.8%
|
|
| Mother's Sorrow | Overland - Deshaan | -7.2% | |
| Order's Wrath ? | Crafted | -7.2% | |
| Law of Julianos | Crafted | -8.0% | |
| Tide-Born Wildstalker | Crafted | -8.1% | |
| Hunding's Rage | Crafted | -9.0% | |
| Infallible Mage | Trial - Aetherian Archive | -10.3% | |
| Threads of War | Crafted | -10.5% | |
| Tharriker's Strike | Crafted | -12.2% |
Body (Medium)
Compares X Medium body set + Sergeant's Mail weapons and jewelry, while using Oakensoul Ring and Slimecraw . These all use Deadly Aim instead of Backstabber .
| Body Set | Source | Simulated Parse | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Storm Master | Dungeon - Tempest Island | Best | |
| Undaunted Infiltrator | Dungeon - Arx Corinium | -1.4% | |
| Highland Sentinel | Crafted |
-1.5%
-4.9%
|
|
| Ansuul's Torment | Trial - Sanity's Edge |
-1.7%
-6.0%
|
|
| Slivers of the Null Arca | Trial - Lucent Citadel | -2.4% | |
| Sul-Xan's Torment | Trial - Rockgrove |
-2.9%
-8.0%
|
|
| Order's Wrath ? | Crafted | -3.9% | |
| Tzogvin's Warband | Dungeon - Frostvault | -4.6% | |
| Pillar of Nirn | Dungeon - Falkreath Hold | -5.5% | |
| Tide-Born Wildstalker | Crafted | -5.5% | |
| Law of Julianos | Crafted | -5.5% | |
| Hunding's Rage | Crafted | -6.0% | |
| Briarheart | Overland - Wrothgar | -6.4% | |
| Deadly Strike | PvP - Cyrodiil | -6.8% | |
| Threads of War | Crafted | -7.5% | |
| Tharriker's Strike | Crafted | -9.6% |
Weapons + Jewelry
Compares Noble Duelist's Silks body + X weapons and jewelry set, while using Oakensoul Ring and Slimecraw .
| Set | Source | Simulated Parse | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sergeant's Mail | Dungeon - Wayrest Sewers | Best | |
| Storm Master | Dungeon - Tempest Island | -4.7% | |
| Undaunted Unweaver | Dungeon - Blackheart Haven | -5.2% | |
| Undaunted Infiltrator | Dungeon - Arx Corinium | -6.1% | |
| Ansuul's Torment | Trial - Sanity's Edge |
-6.3%
-10.6%
|
|
| Highland Sentinel | Crafted |
-6.5%
-9.0%
|
|
| Slivers of the Null Arca | Trial - Lucent Citadel | -6.6% | |
| Sul-Xan's Torment | Trial - Rockgrove |
-7.2%
-12.6%
|
|
| Mother's Sorrow | Overland - Deshaan | -8.2% | |
| Order's Wrath ? | Crafted | -8.6% | |
| Tzogvin's Warband | Dungeon - Frostvault | -8.8% | |
| Pillar of Nirn | Dungeon - Falkreath Hold | -9.1% | |
| Tide-Born Wildstalker | Crafted | -9.1% | |
| Law of Julianos | Crafted | -9.1% | |
| Hunding's Rage | Crafted | -10.6% | |
| Briarheart | Overland - Wrothgar | -11.4% | |
| Deadly Strike | PvP - Cyrodiil | -11.6% | |
| Threads of War | Crafted | -12.6% | |
| Infallible Mage | Trial - Aetherian Archive | -12.6% | |
| Tharriker's Strike | Crafted | -14.5% |
| Set | Simulated Parse | Damage vs Oakensoul Ring |
|---|---|---|
| Rakkhat's Voidmantle | +1.3% | |
| Oakensoul Ring | Baseline | |
| Maw of the Infernal | -0.9% | |
| Anthelmir's Construct | -1.2% |
Warfare
Fitness
CraftThe difference between best and worst race is about 5% of DPS and there is no content in the entire game that you'd be blocked from completing because of choosing a bad race.
Spell Recharge
≈104 lower resource per second, 5% less damage taken while channeling
Syrabane's Boon
2000 Max Magicka
Elemental Talent
258 Weapon & Spell Damage
Dynamic
1910 Max Stamina & Magicka
Resist Flame
4620 Flame Resistance
Ruination
258 Weapon & Spell Damage
Feline Ambush
12% Critical Damage
Lunar Blessings
915 Max Health, Stamina and Magicka
Robustness
90 Health, Stamina, Magicka Recovery
| Race | Simulated Parse | Damage vs Dark Elf |
|---|---|---|
| Dark Elf | Baseline | |
| High Elf | +0.0% | |
| Khajiit ? | -2.0% | |
| Orc | -2.4% | |
| Breton | -2.5% | |
| Argonian | -3.8% | |
| Imperial | -4.8% | |
| Nord | -4.8% | |
| Redguard | -4.8% | |
| Wood Elf | -4.8% |
You should always put all 64 attribute points into Magicka.
This build doesn't have sustain issues so you only need to choose between damage and survivability
| Setup | Simulated Parse | Damage Change |
|---|---|---|
| Tomato Garlic Chutney | +0.7% | |
| Artaeum Pickled Fish Bowl | Baseline |
Use Armor Potions as your default.
Use Spell Power Potion only when you're not using Oakensoul Ring .
All parses are recorded on the 21 million Target Dummy.
Spell Power Potion
It's both. A Heavy Attack has 2 channeled ticks which are considered Damage over Time and 1 final tick which is considered Direct Damage.
High Elf and Dark Elf are best for 12-man Trials because of their Weapon and Spell Damage. Khajiit is best for 4-man content because 12% Critical Damage from Feline Ambush is more valuable when your supports can't cap your Critical Damage.
Yes, this build parsed 121.8k DPS with the Rakkhat setup. The Oakensoul setup simulates at 112.6k DPS and the Rakkhat setup simulates at 118.7k DPS, which is strong enough for all Veteran content in ESO. It's also one of the easiest DPS builds to play because Sorcerer pets do a lot of the damage passively.
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Shock
Lingering Torment
Force
Bugloss
Mountain Flower
Mudcrab Chitin
Lady's Smock
Namira's Rot
Corn Flower