magicka arcanist dps
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Magicka Arcanist DPS

Hydra is a powerful Magicka Arcanist DPS Build(Hybrid) for PVE Gameplay in ESO! The Arcanist is a Class of Eldritch Horror, that relies on Magic Damage and the Crux system to destroy its enemies! It can deal massive damage to single targets but also groups of enemies thanks to its powerful abilities. A flexible Class with strong offensive skills that use your primary resource. Hydra is a DPS Build that is offering different setups, depending on the difficulty of the content.

The Build is designed to use a combination of Arcanist Class skills and Weapon abilities in order to help you clear almost every PVE content in ESO. If you are a new player, you can take a look at my Arcanist Beginner Guide. If you are looking for a different setup, you can find more Arcanist Builds in the Arcanist Builds page.

Table of Contents

Magicka Arcanist DPS Build Setup

The Build offers different setups, depending on the difficulty of the content you wish to complete but also the gear you wish to wear! Below you can find setups for Trials Group DPS, a No Trial Gear Setup and a Beginner Setup(c160). The Magicka Arcanist may have some Magicka sustain issues but we can work around this with Magicka Recovery glyphs and Magicka restore abilities!

Trials Group DPS

This setup is for dedicated group gameplay, is using Trial gear and it aims to achieve the best damage possible. The goal of this setup is to help you clear harder PVE content, like Trials and Dungeons. You can use it in easier content if you wish. For a more traditional Magicka Build that is using two Staves, you can take a look at my Magicka Arcanist PVE Build Guide! You can replace Aegis Caller with Whorl of the Depths or Pillar of Nirn!

PieceSetTypeTraitEnchantment
HeadSlimecrawLightDivinesMax. Magicka
Shoulders(Perfected)Arms of RelequenMediumDivinesMax. Magicka
Hands(Perfected)Arms of RelequenMediumDivinesMax. Magicka
LegsHarpooner’s Wading KiltMediumDivinesMax. Magicka
Chest(Perfected)Arms of RelequenMediumDivinesMax. Magicka
Waist(Perfected)Arms of RelequenMediumDivinesMax. Magicka
Feet(Perfected)Arms of RelequenMediumDivinesMax. Magicka
NecklaceAegis CallerJewelBloodthirstySpell Damage
RingAegis CallerJewelBloodthirstySpell Damage
RingAegis CallerJewelBloodthirstySpell Damage
One Hand WeaponAegis CallerDaggerNirnhonedFire Damage
One Hand WeaponAegis CallerDaggerChargedPoison
Two Handed Weapon(Perfected)Merciless ChargeGreatswordInfusedWeapon Damage

No Trial Gear

No-Trial Gear setup is a great alternative that is not using any Trial based Armor Set. You can use this instead of the dedicated Group Setup if you do not wish to farm Trials for gear!

PieceSetTypeTraitEnchantment
HeadKjalnar’s NightmareLightDivinesMax. Magicka
ShouldersKjalnar’s NightmareLightDivinesMax. Magicka
HandsWar MaidenLightDivinesMax. Magicka
LegsWar MaidenLightDivinesMax. Magicka
ChestWar MaidenLightDivinesMax. Magicka
WaistWar MaidenLightDivinesMax. Magicka
FeetWar MaidenLightDivinesMax. Magicka
NecklaceAegis CallerJewelBloodthirstySpell Damage
RingAegis CallerJewelBloodthirstySpell Damage
RingAegis CallerJewelBloodthirstySpell Damage/Magicka Recovery
One Hand WeaponAegis CallerDaggerNirnhonedFlame Damage
One Hand WeaponAegis CallerDaggerChargedPoison
Two Handed Weapon(Perfected)Merciless ChargeGreatswordInfusedWeapon Damage

Beginner Setup

There are various sets you can use as a beginner. Armor Sets that can help you understand the play-style while boosting your Stamina and Magicka offensive capabilities. Some of these sets include Stormfist, Selene, Ilambris as full Monster Sets. As well as Order’s Wrath, Hunding’s Rage, Law of Julianos, Night mother’s Gaze, Morkuldin or Armor of the Seducer.

PieceSetTypeTraitEnchantment
HeadIlambris/StormfistHeavy/Medium/LightDivinesMax. Magicka
ShouldersIlambris/StormfistHeavy/Medium/LightDivinesMax. Magicka
HandsLaw of JulianosLightDivinesMax. Magicka
LegsLaw of JulianosLightDivinesMax. Magicka
ChestLaw of JulianosLightDivinesMax. Magicka
WaistLaw of JulianosLightDivinesMax. Magicka
FeetLaw of JulianosLightDivinesMax. Magicka
NecklaceHunding’s RageJewelArcane/RobustMagicka Recovery/Spell Damage
RingHunding’s RageJewelArcane/RobustMagicka Recovery/Spell Damage
RingHunding’s RageJewelArcane/RobustMagicka Recovery/Spell Damage
One Hand WeaponHunding’s RageDaggerNirnhoned/PreciseFire Damage
One Hand WeaponHunding’s RageDaggerInfused/ChargedAbsorb Magicka or Stamina/Poison
Two Handed WeaponHunding’s RageGreatsword/Battle AxeInfusedWeapon Damage

Armor Sets for Magicka Arcanist DPS Build

Skills for Magicka Arcanist DPS Build

The following Skills will help you achieve great DPS for Group content but can also help you in easier Solo gameplay.

Deadly CloakWrithing RunebladesTentacular DreadBarbed TrapInspired ScholarshipFlawless Dawnbreaker
StampedeCarveFulminating RuneRuneguard of FreedomSpell SymmetryThe Tide King’s Gaze

Passive Skills for Magicka Arcanist DPS Build

Very important passive skills that can help you maximize the potential of your Magicka Arcanist DPS Build.

  • All Passive Skills from your Class’ Lines
  • All Passive Skills from Weapon Lines you are using
  • Passive Skills from Armor Lines you are using
  • Passive Abilities from Guild lines(Fighters Guild, Mages Guild, Psijic Order) that affect your skills/Build
  • Fighters Guild Passives: Intimidating Presence, Slayer, Banish the Wicked, Skilled Tracker
  • Mages Guild Passives: Mage Adept, Everlasting Magic, Magicka Controller, Might of the Guild
  • Undaunted Passives
  • Your Racial Passives
  • Medicinal Use Passive from Alchemy to boost the effectiveness of Potions

Champion Points for Magicka Arcanist DPS Build

Below you will find the best Champion Points setup for the Build. If you would like to learn more about Champion Points and how they work, you can read my ESO Champion Points Guide.

Warfare

  • Slottable Stars: Deadly Aim, Master-at-Arms, Wrathful Strikes, Thaumaturge
  • Passive: Tireless Discipline, Flawless Ritual, War Mage, Piercing, Battle Mastery, Mighty, Quick Recovery, Hardy, Elemental Aegis, Preparation, Precision, Blessed, Eldritch Insight

Craft

  • Slottable Stars: Rationer, Liquid Efficiency, Master Gatherer, Steed’s Blessing
  • Passive: Gilded Fingers, Fortune’s Favor, Wanderer, Steadfast Enchantment, Treasure Hunter(slottable, required for path)

Fitness

  • Slottable Stars: Boundless Vitality, Rejuvenation, Fortified, Celerity
  • Passive: Sprinter, Hasty, Tireless Guardian, Hero’s Vigor, Mystic Tenacity, Tumbling, Defiance

Consumables for Magicka Arcanist DPS Build

We are using Clockwork Citrus Filet or Orzorga’s Smoked Bear Haunch and Essence of Spell Power as Potions.

Info for Magicka Arcanist DPS Build

Several important info for the MagArc DPS PVE Build. What Mundus to use, the best race for the build and how to assign your attribute points.

Attribute Points

All points to Magicka

Mundus Stone

The Thief to boost Critical Chance.

What Race is best for Magicka Arcanist DPS Build

High Elf – Dark Elf – Khajiit – Breton is the best race for a DPS focused Build. Any Race with Magicka bonuses can work well though. You can find more about the playable races in my ESO Race Guide!

Vampire or Werewolf

Neither is necessary.

Rotation for Magicka Arcanist DPS Build

This is a dynamic rotation, relying on your spammable to deal damage while refreshing your other abilities when necessary! Buff yourself with Inspired Scholarship, Runeguard of Freedom, cast Deadly Cloak and place Barbed Trap. Attack with Stampede, Carve x3, Fulminating Rune. Switch bars, apply Abyssal Ink with Tentacular Dread and attack with Writhing Runeblades. Keep attacking with Writhing Runeblades as your spammable and refresh the other abilities when necessary. Restore Magicka with Spell Symmetry, use your Ultimate when ready and always Light Attack before skills to boost your DPS!

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