ESO Best Beginner Sets | Best Starter Sets The Elder Scrolls Online
Table of Contents
Introduction
ESO has a plethora of Armor Sets you can use in order to fulfill the role of your choice and complete your favorite content. Some of the Best Armor Sets in-game can be found in DLC Zones/Dungeons but there are several great Sets that are available with the base game as well.
The goal of this Best Beginner Sets Guide is to share with you the best non-DLC Armor Sets in The Elder Scrolls Online for new players and every Role, that can also help you in harder content later. I have also included a few Armor Sets from the Imperial City DLC which is at the moment Free for all players.
When should you start worrying about Sets and farming gear though?
You can start wearing full Crafted Armor Sets from level 10(earlier actually) and replace them with better versions every 10-20 levels. Do this if you can afford it and/or have access to a crafter(friend/guild-member).
For Armor Sets that drop in Dungeons/Trials or Overworld I would not bother with any serious “farming” before c160, which is also the gear cap.
For the Best Armor Sets (DLC+non-DLC) for every role you can take a look at my Stamina DPS Sets, Magicka DPS Sets, Tank Sets and Healer Sets Guides.
For the Best Hybrid DPS Sets you can take a look here.
Stamina DPS
Armor Sets
Hunding’s Rage
Location: Reaper’s March, Bangkorai, The Rift – Crafted
A crafted Armor Set, perfect for almost everyone and every situation.
Despite being considered a starter Stamina Armor Set, Hunding’s Rage can be great for Magicka Builds and veteran players as well. Easy to get and use.
Night Mother’s Gaze
Location: Reaper’s March, Bangkorai, The Rift – Crafted
Night Mother’s Gaze is another great Crafted, DPS Set that provides the Major Breach debuff and can help new players.
Strength of the Automaton
Location: Darkshade Caverns I & II, Normal & Veteran mode
Strength of the Automaton is an easy to get set that can boost your overall Physical Damage.
Leviathan
Location: Crypts of Heart I & II, Normal & Veteran mode
Leviathan is a nice starter option that can boost Critical Chance and Stamina.
Agility
Location: Daily Dungeon Reward
Agility is a Stamina Set with 3 bonuses only that can complement your builds well and assist you early in the game.
Deadly Strike
Location: Cyrodiil, Bruma Vendor – PVP Rewards
Deadly Strike is a decent DPS Set, especially effective when combined with DOT builds. Great option for every kind of gameplay difficulty.
Requires some PVP done before you can get it but you can also buy it from other players.
Berserking Warrior
Location: Craglorn, Hel Ra Citadel Trial
Berserking Warrior or Advancing Yokeda as it is also known, is one of the strongest DPS Sets in the game.
Since this is a Heavy Armor Set we are mostly using its Jewels and Weapons in PVE gameplay. Requires Melee Weapons to use it effectively.
Vicious Serpent
Location: Craglorn Trials – Aetherian Archive, Hel Ra Citadel, Sanctum Ophidia
Vicious Serpent is another great main armor alternative that is focusing on Stamina management.
This set is offering reduced cost for our Stamina skills and the ability to restore Stamina with every kill.
Great option to assist with Stamina management and in general harder Solo content, like the Veteran Maelstrom Arena.
Bone Pirate’s Tatters
Location: Blackheart Haven, Normal & Veteran mode
Basically a Stamina Sustain Armor Set that is focusing on giving us more Stamina and better Stamina Recovery.
Bone Pirate’s Tatters is a great set that helps with stamina sustain.
Spriggan’s Thorns
Location: Bangkorai, Overland
Spriggans Thorns is an excellent offensive Set that boosts Damage and Penetration, helping you achieve better DPS overall.
Can be really strong for specific builds and a nice option for both PVE and PVP gameplay. Easy to farm since it is an Overland Set.
Shadow of the Red Mountain
Location: Stonefalls, Overland
Shadow of the Red Mountain boosts Damage, Critical Chance and Maximum Stamina with its 2 to 4 pieces. This makes it a good option for every Stamina build. Its special effect deals additional Flame damage whenever we deal damage with a weapon.
Twice-Fanged Serpent
Location: Craglorn, Sanctum Ophidia Trial
Twice-Fanged Serpent is a decent option to increase your Offensive Penetration and boost your overall DPS.
Seventh Legion Brute
Location: Bangkorai, Overland
Another strong Heavy armor set for DPS builds. Seventh Legion Brute can boost Damage and Health Recovery when you try to increase your Resistances. It works very well with Dragonknights.
Monster Sets
Selene
Location:
Head – Veteran Selene’s Web
Shoulders – Glirion the Redbeard
Selene is one of the top Stamina DPS options for melee Stamina DPS builds. It procs on melee damage so you have to be close to your target to take advantage of this Monster Set.
Mostly useful in PVE but can work in PVP as well.
Stormfist
Location :
Head – Veteran Tempest Island
Shoulders – Glirion the Redbeard
Stormfist is a great Stamina DPS Monster Set.
It provides Stamina recovery and procs reliably from melee and ranged attacks. Perfect for every type of Stamina DPS.
Kra’gh
Location:
Head – Veteran Fungal Grotto I
Shoulders – Maj Al-Ragath
Kragh is another decent option for melee users that want to increase their Offensive Penetration. It drops in the easiest Dungeon in-game and is good for solo gameplay.
Slimecraw
Location:
Head – Veteran Wayrest Sewers I
Shoulders – Maj Al-Ragath
Slimecraw is one of the best options to boost Critical Chance and get the Minor Berserk buff permanently. Great option for PVE, decent for PVP as well.
Scourge Harvester
Location:
Head – Veteran Wayrest Sewers II
Shoulders – Maj Al-Ragath
Scourge Harvester is a defensive Monster Set that helps with heals when fighting.
Magicka DPS
Armor Sets
Law of Julianos
Location: Wrothgar, Crafted
Law of Julianos may be a DLC Set(Orsinium DLC) but you can easily buy it from other players or have someone craft it for you, even if you do not have access to the DLC Zone.
The Set is included in the list because it is one of the best starter options for DPS Builds.
Armor of the Seducer
Location: Grahtwood, Stormhaven, Deshaan – Crafted
Armor of the Seducer is a great starter option, that reduces the cost of your Magicka Abilities.
Magnus’ Gift
Location: Greenshade, Rivenspire, Shadowfen – Crafted
Magnus’ Gift is another great starter option, that has a chance to negate the cost of your Magicka Abilities.
Mother’s Sorrow
Location: Deshaan, Overland
Mother’s Sorrow boosts your Critical Chance and can help you achieve really good DPS. Perfect for almost every DPS and situation.
You can use this Set to fight strong single targets or large groups of enemies.
Medusa
Location: Arx Corinium Dungeon, Normal & Veteran
Medusa is a Heavy Armor Set very similar to Mother’s Sorrow. It boosts your Critical Chance and provides a permanent Minor Force buff. Since it is a Heavy Armor Set it is best used as Jewels and Weapons.
Burning Spellweave
Location: City of Ash I & II, Normal & Veteran mode
Another great DPS Set. Burning Spellweave is best combined with builds that use a lot of fire damage skills. Relatively easy to get.
Necropotence
Location: Rivenspire, Overland
Necropotence is the go-to Set for Pet Sorcerers and in general classes that can have a Pet assisting them in combat.
A very simple but strong Armor Set for that specific type of gameplay.
Willpower
Location: Daily Dungeon Reward
Willpower is a Magicka Set with 3 bonuses only that can complement your builds well and assist you early in the game.
Spinner’s Garments
Location: Malabal Tor, Overland
Spinner’s Garments is an excellent offensive Set that boosts your Damage and Penetration. Thanks to these stats it is a potent PVP Set.
Can be used in PVE as well.
Spell Strategist
Location: Cyrodiil – PVP Rewards
Spell Strategist is a nice Set that boosts your damage against single targets. Some PVP done is required to get it but you can also buy it from other players.
Elf Bane
Location: Cyrodiil, Vlastarus Vendor
Elf Bane is a Heavy Armor Set best combined with Fire Damage based Builds. The set boosts the duration of Fire Damage over Time abilities and is a great option for Magicka Dragonknights.
Since it is a Heavy Armor Set it is best used as Jewels and Weapons or two Body Armor and Jewels.
Spider Cultist Cowl
Location: Fungal Grotto I & II Dungeons
Spider Cultist Cowl is an easy to farm Set that can boost the damage of your Destruction Staff Abilities.
Scathing Mage
Location: Imperial City Prison, Normal and Veteran (Imperial City DLC)
Scathing Mage has a nice chance to boost your Damage when dealing direct Damage. Very good option for classes that rely on direct damage skills.
Rattlecage
Location: Vaults of Madness Dungeon
Rattlecage provides Buffs all the time and is a nice set for new players. Since it is a Heavy Armor Set it is best used as jewels and weapons or 2 Body Armor and jewels.
Monster Sets
Ilambris
Location:
Head – Veteran Crypts of Heart I
Shoulders – Glirion the Redbeard
Ilambris is a very good Monster Set for new and veteran players. Can proc from flame or shock damage, making it perfect for almost all classes. A PVE primarily Monster Set.
Maw of the Infernal
Location:
Head – Veteran Banished Cells II
Shoulders – Maj Al-Ragath
Maw of the Infernal is a strong Fire Damage based Pet Monster Set. Good mostly for PVE but can work in PVP as well. Nice option to complement Pet Sorcerer Builds.
Grothdarr
Location:
Head – Veteran Vaults of Madness
Shoulders – Glirion the Redbeard
Grothdarr is a great AOE Flame Damage Monster Set that works well with PVE and PVP Builds.
Iceheart
Location:
Head – Veteran Direfrost Keep
Shoulders – Glirion the Redbeard
Iceheart is a very nice Monster Set for Critical based builds but also Frost damage based Magicka builds. Solid option for PVE Frost Damage based builds and Magicka DPS PVP Builds.
Valkyn Skoria
Location:
Head – Veteran City of Ash II
Shoulders – Glirion the Redbeard
Valkyn Skoria is the first option for every DOT based Magicka DPS Build. The more active Damage Over Time abilities you have the higher your chances to proc it and increase your Damage.
Engine Guardian
Location:
Head – Veteran Darkshade Caverns II
Shoulders – Maj Al-Ragath
Engine Guardian restores Health, Magicka and Stamina when we use an ability. Mostly a PVP Monster Set that increases your survivability.
Slimecraw
Location:
Head – Veteran Wayrest Sewers I
Shoulders – Maj Al-Ragath
Slimecraw is one of the best options to boost your Critical Chance and get the Minor Berserk buff permanently. Great option for PVE, decent for PVP as well.
Tank
Armor Sets
Ebon Armory
Location: Crypt of Hearts I & II, Normal & Veteran Dungeon
Ebon Armory is one of the top options for new and veteran Tanks in ESO right now. The reason for this is its 5-piece bonus that provides extra health for the entire group.
This allows Damage Dealers to focus on a more offensive setup and deal more damage. It also helps with surviving harder content. Mostly a PVE Tank Set. Easy to farm Set.
Hatchling’s Shell
Location: Shadowfen, Overland
Hatchling’s Shell is a good starter option that provides a strong shield.
Shalk Exoskeleton
Location: Stonefalls, Overland
Shalk Exoskeleton is a Magicka based Heavy Armor Set that provides Minor Heroism all the time. A decent Tank set for Tanks with plenty of Magicka abilities and a good PVP – PVE option, thanks to the extra Ultimate generation.
Duneripper’s Scales
Location: Volenfell Dungeon
Duneripper’s Scales boosts resistances while blocking. A decent starter tank option.
Green Pact
Location: Grahtwood, Overland
Green Pact is a starter set that increases Health and Health Recovery.
Plague Doctor
Location: Deshaan, Overland
Plague Doctor is a nice option for easier and harder content. Good set to maximize your Health.
Torug’s Pact
Location: Grahtwood, Deshaan, Stormhaven – Crafted
Torug’s Pact is a nice option to increase the potency of Weapon enchantments like Crusher. Good for starters and veteran players. Decent for both PVE and PVP Builds.
Akaviri Dragonguard
Location: Eastmarch, Overland
Akaviri Dragonguard is great because it allows you to use your Ultimates faster. A perfect option for Dragonknight Tanks to take advantage of their strong Passives by “spamming” Ultimates. Can be useful in both PVE and PVP gameplay.
Battalion Defender
Location: Cyrodiil, PVP Rewards for the Worthy
Battalion Defender is a good Tank support set that heals you and your group. A very good choice for Tank/Healer hybrids, especially good for Templar Tanks.
Thunderbug’s Carapace
Location: Malabal Tor, Overland
Thunderbug’s Carapace deals damage when you take Physical Damage and can work as a decent starter set.
Leeching Plate
Location: Imperial City Prison Dungeon (Imperial City DLC)
Leeching Plate heals you while dealing damage. Decent for PVE and PVP Builds.
Brands of Imperium
Location: White-Gold Tower Dungeon (Imperial City DLC)
Brands of Imperium is a very nice Tanking option that provides a shield to you and your group, making it easier to deal with hard encounters. PVE Set mostly.
Powerful Assault
Location: Imperial City, Tel Var Vendor (Imperial City DLC)
Powerful Assault is good for tanks that utilize skills from the Assault line, like Caltrops. Easy to boost your group’s Spell & Weapon Damage like this.
Beekeeper’s Gear
Location: Greenshade, Overland
Beekeeper’s Gear boosts Health Recovery and is a decent starter option.
Meridia’s Blessed Armor
Location: Coldharbour, Overland
Meridia’s Blessed Armor offers Armor, Stamina Recovery and can help you dodge all incoming attacks when blocking an attack. Decent option for PVE and PVP gameplay.
Tormentor
Location: Banished Cells I & II, Normal and Veteran
Tormentor is a nice option for classes and builds that do not have access to a Taunt ability or do not want to use one. Especially good for Werewolves trying to tank easier content. The extra resistances can be useful in PVP as well.
Monster Sets
Bloodspawn
Location:
Head – Veteran Splindleclutch II
Shoulders – Maj Al-Ragath
Bloodspawn is a decent support set that boosts your Ultimate generation, Stamina Recovery and Resistances. Good for PVE and PVP Builds.
Tremorscale
Location:
Head – Veteran Volenfell
Shoulders – Glirion the Redbeard
Another good option for PVE Tanking. Tremorscale deals damage and reduces the Armor of enemies when activating a Taunt ability.
Swarm Mother
Location:
Head – Veteran Splindleclutch I
Shoulders – Maj Al-Ragath
Swarm Mother is a nice option for Tanks that do not have access to a pull ability. Can be useful in PVE and PVP Gameplay.
Lord Warden
Location:
Head – Veteran Imperial City Prison (Imperial City DLC)
Shoulders – Urgarlag Chief Bane
Lord Warden is one of the best Monster Set options for Tanks.
When it procs it boosts your and your group’s resistances, making it easier to handle difficult situations. A PVE Monster Set.
Engine Guardian
Location:
Head – Veteran Darkshade caverns II
Shoulders – Maj Al-Ragath
Engine Guardian has a chance to restore Health, Magicka and Stamina when using an ability. Mostly a PVP support set.
Healer
Armor Sets
Sanctuary
Location: Banished Cells I & II Dungeons
Sanctuary is a great starter healer set. Easy to farm and a decent option for new healers and easier PVE content.
Eyes of Mara
Location: Eyevea, Mages Guild Quest-Line
Eyes of Mara is the perfect starter set for Healers. To gain access to its crafting Stations you must complete the Mages Guild Quest-Line. Alternatively you can buy the set from other players. This Set reduces the cost of your Restoration Staff Abilities.
Prayer Shawl
Location: Splindleclutch I & II Dungeons
Prayer Shawl is a nice starter set for healers.
Combat Physician
Location: Wayrest Sewers I & II Dungeons
Combat Physician offer a damage shield to your group and is a decent starter set.
Light Speaker
Location: Elden Hollow I & II Dungeons
Light Speaker is an easy to farm, Healer support set that boosts your Restoration Staff Abilities.
Healing Mage (Mending)
Location: Craglorn – Aetherian Archive Trial
Healing Mage is a more offensive healer set that reduces the damage of your enemies. Decent for PVE and PVP gameplay.
Infallible Mage (Infallible Aether)
Location: Craglorn – Aetherian Archive, Hel Ra Citadel, Sanctum Ophidia Trials
Infallible Mage applies Minor Vulnerability to enemies, making it easier to kill them.
Wise Mage
Location: Craglorn, Sanctum Ophidia Trial
Wise Mage is very similar to Infallible Mage since it applies Minor Vulnerability to enemies you damage with a fully charged Heavy Attack.
Stendarr’s Embrace
Location: Eastmarch, Overland
Stendarr’s Embrace removes all negative effects from you or an ally when you are healing yourself or allies. Decent PVP support set that can be used in PVE as well.
Worm’s Raiment
Location: Vaults of Madness Dungeon, Normal and Veteran
Worm’s Raiment is a decent starter set that boosts the Magicka Recovery of your group.
Hircine’s Veneer
Location : Selene’s Web Dungeon, Normal and Veteran
Hircine’s Veneer is a decent starter set that boosts the stamina recovery of your group.
Magicka based Healers can use effectively its Weapons and Jewelry since this is a Medium Set. Stamina based Healers can use every piece.
Spell Power Cure
Location: White-Gold Tower Dungeon (Imperial City DLC)
Spell Power Cure is a great Healer Set and easy to use.
Robes of Transmutation
Location: Cyrodiil – Rewards for the Worthy
A defensive support set. Robes of Transmutation is a strictly PVP Set.
Monster Sets
Nightflame
Location:
Head – Veteran Elden Hollow II Dungeon
Shoulders – Maj Al-Ragath
Nightflame is one of the best Monster Sets for Healers. Its fifth piece bonus will help your group survive hard encounters. Great PVE Set, decent for PVP as well.
Chokethorn
Location:
Head – Veteran Elden Hollow I Dungeon
Shoulders – Maj Al-Ragath
Very good set for new Healers. Chokethorn can be a great option for easier group content as well.
Sentinel of Rkugamz
Location:
Head – Veteran Darkshade Caverns I
Shoulders – Maj Al-Ragath
Sentinel of Rkugamz provides heals to you and your group but also restores Stamina and Magicka. Great alternative to Nightflame with less healing but additional Magicka and Stamina recovery. Good for PVE and PVP gameplay.
Troll King
Location:
Head – Veteran Blessed Crucible Dungeon
Shoulders – Glirion the Redbeard
Troll King boosts Health Recovery and is mainly a PVP Set. Can be decent in PVE too.