Having been added in the Necrom chapter, the Arcanist is the newest class in Elder Scrolls Online. Deriving power from the Daedric realm of Apocrypha, their arcane magick is flexible for a number of roles. If you’re looking to build one for PvE and want to focus on Stamina, here are some suggestions.
I’ll probably start off every build article by telling you that ESO has a very flexible build system, so there isn’t ever just one way to create an effective character. If something about this build isn’t working for you, feel free to slot in a skill of similar usage. Experimentation is key.
Also, this probably doesn’t need to be stated, but you’ll want your Stamina to be as high as possible for this build. Direct your level up stat increases and CP into Stamina boosts, primarily.
Skills for Stamina Arcanist PvE Build
Since you’ll mainly be leaning on class skills, your choice of weapon isn’t absolutely crucial when it comes to Stamina Arcanist PvE setups. I’m partial to dual-wield primary, two-handed secondary, but that’s mostly personal. A bow would be another worthwhile addition. However, this build I’m suggesting is for dual-wield and two-handed.
Weapon: Dual Wield
| Skill | Skill line | Base skill | Use |
| Pragmatic Fatecarver | Herald of the Tome | Fatecarver | Damage over time |
| Cephaliarch’s Flail | Herald of the Tome | Abyssal Impact | Debuff |
| Deadly Cloak | Dual Wield | Blade Cloak | Defense/Damage |
| Barbed Trap | Fighters Guild | Trap Beast | Damage buff |
| Camouflaged Hunter | Fighters Guild | Expert Hunter | Damage buff |
| Flawless Dawnbreaker | Fighters Guild | Dawnbreaker | Buff/Damage |
Weapon: Two-Handed
| Skill | Skill line | Base skill | Use |
| Stampede | Two-Handed | Critical Charge | Attack |
| Carve | Two-Handed | Cleave | Attack |
| Inspired Scholarship | Herald of the Tome | Tome bearer’s inspiration | Damage buff |
| Fulminating Rune | Herald of the Tome | The Imperfect Ring | Area of Effect |
| Resolving Vigor | Alliance War | Vigor | Self-Heal |
| The Languid Eye | Herald of the Tome | The Unblinking Eye | Area of Effect |
Your rotation should start with Inspired Scholarship. Flip bars, then use Deadly Cloak and Barbed Trap. Swap, then use the classic combination of Stampede, Carve, Carve. Add a Fulminating Rune and flip again. Cephaliarc’s Flail twice, Pragmatic Fatecarver, then start again with Inspired Scolarship. Resolving Vigor should be used when your health starts depleting and Languid Eye whenever your Ultimate is filled enough. Note that Camouflaged Hunter can just sit in your bar passively unless there’s actually an invisible enemy nearby.
I just really love the Stampede, Carve, Carve. I have it on all my two-handed characters.
Inspired Scholarship>Deadly Cloak>Barbed Trap>Stamped>Carve>Carve>Fulminating Rune>Cephaliarc’s Flail>Cephaliarc’s Flail>Pragmatic Fatecarver
Gear for Stamina Arcanist
Good equipment is important for any build. If you want to get the most out of your Stamina Arcanist, here are some styles to consider. Remember, if they don’t look the way you want for your character, you can always use an Outfit station or wear a costume overtop.
Pillar of Nirn
For most spell-based Stamina builds, it’s hard to do better than Pillar of Nirn for your armor. It’s medium armor that can be gained in the Falkreath Hold dungeon (which I think is a fun dungeon.) Check out these bonuses:
- (2 items) Adds Adds 1096 Maximum Stamina
- (3 items) Adds 657 Critical Chance
- (4 items) Adds 129 Weapon and Spell Damage
- (5 items) When you deal damage, you create a fissure underneath the enemy after 1 second, dealing 623 Bleed Damage to all enemies within 2.5 meters and causing them to bleed for an additional 3132 Bleed Damage over 10 seconds. This effect can occur once every 10 seconds and scales off the higher of your Weapon or Spell Damage
Deadly Strike
It’s a good idea to plumb the Cyrodiil battlefield for some Deadly Strike equipment. It’s useful for boosting just about every kind of build.
- (2 items) Adds 129 Weapon and Spell Damage
- (3 items) Adds 657 Critical Chance
- (4 items) Adds 129 Weapon and Spell Damage
- (5 items) Increase the damage your damage over time and channeled attacks do by 15%
Other considerations
Beyond what has already been listed here, there are a few other things you’ll want to consider.
Dark Elf (Dunmer) are the best for this build because they have improved Dual Wield experience and, damage, and stamina. However, race is sometimes helpful but never crucial in ESO.
For your Mundus alignment, The Thief is a good pick because it enhances your critical effectiveness. The Apprentice isn’t a bad pick either for general spell damage, but there is also weapon damage in the mix. The Tower can further increase your Stamina if your character can’t keep up their rotation.
Finally, you will probably want some healing potions on stand by. I’ve slotted a slow heal into this build, but if you’re taking damage too fast, you may want a backup. And, as always, I’d recommend keeping some food that will give you a bonus to Health/Stamina/Magicka.
