Last updated: Update 45 - 9th April 2025
This build is capable of soloing every Veteran dungeon that doesn’t have a specific mechanic that requires multiple people. It’s also capable of soloing most Hard Mode dungeons, and with some adjustments even the more difficult ones.
In this guide I’ll be regularly using the terms Regular and Difficult. Regular refers to content that is intended to be solo-ed (such as Maelstrom Arena or Vateshran Arena) and to any overland content such as World Bosses, Dolmens, Dragons, Volcanic Vents, Harrowstorms, Mirrormoor Incursions, etc. Majority of dungeon fights will also fall under that category. Difficult refers to extremely difficult dungeon fights.
Front Bar | Back Bar |
---|---|
Slot 1: Bloodthirst | Slot 1: Hurricane |
Slot 2: Haunting Curse | Slot 2: Critical Surge |
Slot 3: Bound Armaments | Slot 3: Elemental Susceptibility |
Slot 4: Crystal Fragments | Slot 4: Elemental Blockade |
Slot 5: Camouflaged Hunter | Slot 5: Barbed Trap |
Ultimate: Flawless Dawnbreaker | Ultimate: Summon Charged Atronach |
Haunting Curse is the skill that has to go when you need to slot something situational
Priority List
I don't use a static rotation so 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
Pre-buff
These abilities can be pre-cast before entering combat
The only passive you specifically have to skip is Tri Focus
Class - Dark Magic
Unholy Knowledge - Medium Priority
Blood Magic - Medium Priority
Persistence - Low Priority
Exploitation - High Priority
Example of a beginner setup made with just crafted gear.
Gear Slot | Set | Weight/Type | Trait | Enchantment |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() Head |
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Medium | ![]() ![]() |
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![]() Shoulders |
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Medium | ![]() ![]() |
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![]() Chest |
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Heavy | ![]() ![]() |
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![]() Hands |
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Medium | ![]() ![]() |
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![]() Belt |
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Light | ![]() ![]() |
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![]() Legs |
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Medium | ![]() ![]() |
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![]() Boots |
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Medium | ![]() ![]() |
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![]() Necklace |
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Jewelry | ![]() |
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![]() Ring |
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Jewelry | ![]() |
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![]() Ring |
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Jewelry | ![]() |
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![]() Frontbar Main Hand |
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Mace | ![]() |
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![]() Frontbar Off Hand |
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Mace | ![]() |
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![]() Backbar Main Hand |
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Ice Staff | ![]() |
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The setup in the table uses only crafted gear, but if you already own parts of the Regular setup like Ring of the Pale Order you can start using them immediately
The weight distribution of the setup from the table is 1 Heavy 5 Medium 1 Light so that you can start leveling up all your armor skill lines. Once you transition to Regular setup you'll be using 6 Medium 1 Light most of the time, switching to 1 Heavy 5 Medium 1 Light only against more difficult fights
You don't need to start with crafted gear, simply pick 2 sets from the Alternative section that are easiest for you to obtain
Gear that is easier to obtain and can be used while you work towards the best gear
Crafted:
All of these are tradable and can be bought from other players
Overland:
All of these are tradable and can be bought from other players
Dungeons:
This is my suggested setup for regular content, such as Solo Arenas, World Bosses, Dolmens, Dragons, Volcanic Vents, Harrowstorms, Mirrormoor Incursions and majority of the dungeons.
Gear Slot | Set | Weight/Type | Trait | Enchantment |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() Head |
![]() |
Medium | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() Shoulders |
![]() |
Medium | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() Chest |
![]() |
Medium | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() Hands |
![]() |
Medium | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() Belt |
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Light | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() Legs |
![]() |
Medium | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() Boots |
![]() |
Medium | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() Necklace |
![]() |
Jewelry | ![]() |
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![]() Ring |
![]() |
Jewelry | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() Ring |
![]() |
Jewelry | ![]() |
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![]() Frontbar Main Hand |
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Dagger | ![]() |
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![]() Frontbar Off Hand |
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Mace | ![]() |
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![]() Backbar Main Hand |
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Ice Staff | ![]() |
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Both 5-piece sets are replaceable. If you want to switch to a situational set which provides Minor Slayer then it usually makes more sense to replace Ansuul’s Torment. Otherwise it's usually better to replace
Beacon of Oblivion. Another aspect to consider is that
Ansuul provides a penetration line and is focused entirely on damage, while
Beacon provides a decent amount of survivability.
For example, a default setup for trash packs would replace Ansuul's Torment with
Sul-Xan’s Torment
Gear that can be stronger than the setup from the table in specific situations or when specific circumstances are present
This is my suggested setup for soloing extremely difficult fights in dungeons.
Gear Slot | Set | Weight/Type | Trait | Enchantment |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() Head |
![]() |
Medium | ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() Shoulders |
![]() |
Medium | ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() Chest |
![]() |
Heavy | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() Hands |
![]() |
Medium | ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() Belt |
![]() |
Light | ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() Legs |
![]() |
Medium | ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() Boots |
![]() |
Medium | ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() Necklace |
![]() |
Jewelry | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() Ring |
![]() |
Jewelry | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() Ring |
![]() |
Jewelry | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() Frontbar Main Hand |
![]() |
Dagger | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() Frontbar Off Hand |
![]() |
Mace | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() Backbar Main Hand |
![]() |
Ice Staff | ![]() |
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Warfare
Fitness
When it comes to solo PvE, you need both damage and survivability so pretty much all races have useful racials.
The best race for dealing damage is Khajiit. While the Critical Damage from Feline Ambush can sometimes be wasted due to Critical Damage being capped at 125%, it will never happen in solo content, because there will be no tanks or healers providing you with the Major Force buff.
The best race for survivability is Nord. The Rugged racial will provide around 6% damage mitigation.
HEALTH
0
STAMINA
64
MAGICKA
0
For most content you should put all 64 points into Stamina. For difficult content you should devote as many attribute points as necessary to Health - for some content you’ll be able to get away with 32 Health 32 Stamina, for the extremely difficult stuff you’ll need 64 Health.
Most of the time you should use Tri-Stat potions (Restore Health, Restore Stamina, Restore Magicka). They'll greatly improve you sustain. You can craft them by combining
Columbine,
Bugloss
and
Mountain's Flower.
There are better potions but they're extremely expensive. Heroism potions (Heroism, Restore Stamina, Restore Magicka) can provide a 100% uptime on Minor Heroism buff which generates ultimate, but they're extremely expensive because they're crafted by combining
Dragon Rheum,
Dragon's Blood
and
Columbine.
In situations where you need more damage mitigation and you can spare some sustain, you can instead use the Armor potions, which will increase your armor by 5280. You can craft them by combining Bugloss,
Mountain's Flower and
Mudcrab Chitin.
55k on the 6mil dummy using Regular setup
Here you can see this build tackling Veteran dungeons
Solo Veteran Moongrave Fane
Solo Veteran Unhallowed Grave (done with old version of this build)
If you've enjoyed this guide and want to support me, you can do so through Patreon. Your support will help me produce more guides.
8th April 2025
Skill Setups - Regular
Skill Setups - Difficult
Passives
Gear - Beginner
Gear - Regular
Food