MAGICKA Dragonknight

PvE DPS GUIDE

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Dragonknight is heavily geared towards Flame and Poison Damage, mostly delivered as damage over time. Its long-lasting ultimate makes it especially dominant in fights or burst phases that last 20-40s, and its balance of single target and AOE pressure perform extremely well in multi-target fights. As ESO’s original tanking class, its toolkit is stacked with buffs, debuffs and other utilities, and its powerful ‘sticky’ DOTs are ideal for keeping up the Touch of Z’en debuff in organised groups.

KEY PASSIVES

Burning and Poisoned are powerful DOTs, and Dragonknights apply them more easily than other classes. An extra 40% is a massive boost, making these status effects a major source of damage.

This 5% bonus is significant since it applies to most of the class abilities we use for damage. It also boosts other Flame & Poison damage sources such as Blockade of Fire, Poison Injection and Runecarver.

Minor Brutality is the unique buff provided by this class. When there are no other Dragonknights around, you will be expected to keep it active. This passive is also a nice source of extra ultimate.

Depending on your ultimate for sustain can be a disadvantage, but the ability to store up large amounts of resources (including Health) for when you need them can also be extremely useful.

GEAR

Boss Setups


Relequen + Runecarver + Maelstrom 2H + Zaan

SLOT ITEM TRAIT ENCHANTMENT
Head Zaan's Mask Divines Magicka
Shoulders Zaan's Arm Cops Divines Magicka
Chest Relequen's Jack Divines Magicka
Hands Runecarver's Blaze Gloves Divines Magicka
Waist Runecarver's Blaze Sash Divines Magicka
Legs Relequen's Guards Divines Magicka
Feet Relequen's Boots Divines Magicka
Necklace Runecarver's Necklace Bloodthirsty Weapon/Spell Damage
Ring Runecarver's Ring Bloodthirsty Weapon/Spell Damage
Ring Runecarver's Ring Bloodthirsty Weapon/Spell Damage
Front Bar Main Hand Relequen's Dagger Charged Absorb Stamina
Front Bar Off Hand Relequen's Dagger Charged Poison
Back Bar Main Hand The Maelstrom's Greatsword Infused Weapon Damage
Back Bar Off Hand - - -

Ansuul + Azureblight + Maelstrom Inferno + Ur-Mage

SLOT ITEM TRAIT ENCHANTMENT
Head Slimecraw's Guise Divines Magicka
Shoulders Ansuul's Arm Cops Divines Magicka
Chest Azureblight Jack Divines Magicka
Hands Azureblight Bracers Divines Magicka
Waist Azureblight Belt Divines Magicka
Legs Azureblight Guards Divines Magicka
Feet Azureblight Boots Divines Magicka
Necklace Velothi Ur-Mage's Amulet Bloodthirsty Weapon/Spell Damage
Ring Ansuul's Ring Bloodthirsty Weapon/Spell Damage
Ring Ansuul's Ring Bloodthirsty Weapon/Spell Damage
Front Bar Main Hand Ansuul's Dagger Nirnhoned Absorb Stamina
Front Bar Off Hand Ansuul's Dagger Precise Poison
Back Bar Main Hand Maelstrom Inferno Staff/Greatsword Infused Weapon Damage
Back Bar Off Hand - - -

Alkosh + Z'en + Kilt + Encratis

SLOT ITEM TRAIT ENCHANTMENT
Head Encratis's Behemoth Mask Divines Magicka
Shoulders Encratis's Behemoth Arm Cops Divines Magicka
Chest Jack of Alkosh Divines Magicka
Hands Bracers of Alkosh Divines Magicka
Waist Z'en's Sash Divines Magicka
Legs Harpooner's Wading Kilt Divines Magicka
Feet Boots of Alkosh Divines Magicka
Necklace Z'en's Necklace Bloodthirsty Weapon/Spell Damage
Ring Z'en's Ring Bloodthirsty Weapon/Spell Damage
Ring Z'en's Ring Bloodthirsty Weapon/Spell Damage
Front Bar Main Hand Dagger of Alkosh Charged Flame
Front Bar Off Hand Dagger of Alkosh Charged Poison
Back Bar Main Hand Z'en's Greatsword/Inferno Staff Infused Weapon Damage
Back Bar Off Hand - - -

Venomous Smite + Order's Wrath + Ur-Mage

SLOT ITEM TRAIT ENCHANTMENT
Head Slimecraw's Guise Divines Magicka
Shoulders Order's Wrath Epaulets Divines Magicka
Chest Venomous Jack Divines Magicka
Hands Venomous Bracers Divines Magicka
Waist Venomous Belt Divines Magicka
Legs Venomous Guards Divines Magicka
Feet Venomous Boots Divines Magicka
Necklace Velothi Ur-Mage's Amulet Bloodthirsty Weapon/Spell Damage
Ring Ring of the Order's Wrath Bloodthirsty Weapon/Spell Damage
Ring Ring of the Order's Wrath Bloodthirsty Weapon/Spell Damage
Front Bar Main Hand Dagger of the Order's Wrath Charged Flame
Front Bar Off Hand Dagger of the Order's Wrath Charged Poison
Back Bar Main Hand Inferno Staff of the Order's Wrath Infused Weapon Damage
Back Bar Off Hand - - -

Null Arca + Sentinel + Maelstrom 2H + Zaan

SLOT ITEM TRAIT ENCHANTMENT
Head Zaan's Guise Divines Magicka
Shoulders Zaan's Arm Cops Divines Magicka
Chest Highland Sentinel Jack Divines Magicka
Hands Highland Sentinel Bracers Divines Magicka
Waist Highland Sentinel Belt/Sash Divines Magicka
Legs Highland Sentinel Guards Divines Magicka
Feet Highland Sentinel Boots Divines Magicka
Necklace Null Arca Amulet Bloodthirsty Weapon/Spell Damage
Ring Null Arca Ring Bloodthirsty Weapon/Spell Damage
Ring Null Arca Ring Bloodthirsty Weapon/Spell Damage
Front Bar Main Hand Null Arca Dagger Charged Flame
Front Bar Off Hand Null Arca Dagger Charged Poison
Back Bar Main Hand The Maelstrom's Greatsword Infused Weapon Damage
Back Bar Off Hand - - -

Do not use just ONE setup. Adjust for different groups and encounters.

  • Trial set: Relequen remains excellent for sustained, single target damage, but Ansuul, Null Arca and Whorl offer greater flexibility.

  • Secondary set: Runecarver works great against single or multiple targets, but Azureblight should outperform against 3+ stacked enemies, and especially if others in your group are also using the set.

  • Perfected gear is NOT needed. The bonuses are nice to have, but small.

  • 1-2 x Light is recommended, but adjust the Medium-to-Light ratio depending on your sustain, penetration and Critical Damage.

Which back bar is best?

The Maelstrom 2H and Maelstrom Inferno are more or less interchangeable. The deciding factor is usually SUSTAIN, with a 2H taking pressure off our Magicka whilst offering higher single target damage (the Maelstrom 2H also buffs Azureblight explosions). An Inferno staff with Blockade of Fire covers a larger ground area, is buffed by Encratis and takes pressure off our Stamina.

A Bow or Dual Wield back bar is also perfectly viable.

MUNDUS BOON: THE THIEF

CHAMPION POINTS

Deadly Aim - Backstabber - Master-at-Arms - Wrathful Strikes

These are for when all necessary penetration and crit buffs/debuffs are provided.

Outside of these conditions, use Fighting Finesse or the Kilt to reach the 125% Critical Damage cap, and Force of Nature to meet the 18,200 penetration cap (adjusting Medium-to-Light Armor ratio also helps). In fights where your AOEs and DOTs rise as a proportion of your total DPS against key targets, you can slot slot Biting Aura and/or Thaumaturge to boost these damage types instead.

FOOD & POTIONS

Melon-Baked Parmesan Pork
or
Mistral Banana-Bunny Hash
or
Solitude Salmon-Millet Soup

Increase Max Health by 5395 and Max Magicka by 4936 for 1 hour.

Food > Savoury
White Meat, Melon, Cheese
Small Game, Bananas, Seasoning
Fish, Tomato, Millet

Tri Restoration Potion
or
Essence of Health

Restore 8369 Health, 7582 Magicka, and 7582 Stamina immediately.

Grants Major Fortitude, Major Intellect, and Major Endurance which increase your Health Recovery, Magicka Recovery, and Stamina Recovery by 30% for 36.3 seconds.

These effects are scaled based on your level. (45 second cooldown)

Bugloss + Columbine + Mountain Flower
Lady's Smock + Columbine + Mountain Flower
Bugloss + Columbine + Dragonthorn

+

These are recommended for typical group content. Alternatives include:

Maximum Damage: Max-level Fruit recipes for Magicka
Maximum Sustain: Ghastly Eye Bowl for Magicka + Magicka Recovery
Sustain & Survivability: Witchmother’s Potent Brew for Health + Magicka + Magicka Recovery

Crunchy Spider Skewer for Magicka + Stamina Recovery

Essence of Spell Power for Major Sorcery + Prophecy + Intellect
Essence of Heroism for Major Intellect + Endurance and Minor Heroism
(expensive and rarely needed)

abilities

Front Bar: Barbed Trap, Degeneration, Molten Whip, Burning Talons, Deadly Cloak, Flawless Dawnbreaker

Back Bar: Stampede / Blockade of Fire, Eruption, Flames of Oblivion, Venomous Claw, Engulfing Flames / Carve, Standard of Might

IGNEOUS WEAPONS

Degeneration grants us Major Brutality & Sorcery, essential damage buffs which we don’t get from potions since we use tri-restoration potions wherever possible. However, in trials you may be expected to run Igneous Weapons if not other Dragonknights are present. If Major Brutality & Sorcery are already provided, this becomes a flex spot.

ROTATION

Stampede and Blockade are interchangeable - they both last 15s so the rotation does not change.

The priority is Talons every 5s. Then Stampede and Eruption every 15s or after every third Talons. After this you can maintain the rest of your DOTs as dynamically or statically as you like, and fill in the gaps with Whip. Getting Minor Heroism from potions or allies with Banner can add even more oomph if your group is ambitious, but is not required. If Magicka sustain is super tight, skip some Talons casts near the start of the fight. Recast Trap, Claw and Degen dynamically.

Prebuff with Oblivion, Cloak and Trap. Depending on fight time, drop Standard immediately or once all DOTs are up.

You can recast Oblivion early where necessary to keep Seething Fury at 3 stacks for maximum damage.

Recasting Eruption early as shown will ease bar swaps after Stampede, and only results in a very minor DPS loss due to the big upfront hit. Always try to drop Standard the instant it is ready, but save the last one for the final 20s. If it is not ready but Dawnbreaker is, use that in execute instead. In the last 8s make sure Trap and Stampede are rolling, cast one last Talons and spam Whip until the target is dead.

trash setups

SLOT ITEM TRAIT ENCHANTMENT
Head Prior Thierric’s Mask Divines Magicka
Shoulders Prior Thierric’s Arm Cops Divines Magicka
Chest Jack of Sul-Xan’s Torment Divines Magicka
Hands Burning Spellweave Gloves Divines Magicka
Waist Burning Spellweave Sash Divines Magicka
Legs Guards of Sul-Xan’s Torment Divines Magicka
Feet Burning Spellweave Shoes Divines Magicka
Necklace Velothi Ur-Mage's Amulet Bloodthirsty Weapon/Spell Damage
Ring Ring of Sul-Xan’s Torment Bloodthirsty Weapon/Spell Damage
Ring Ring of Sul-Xan’s Torment Bloodthirsty Weapon/Spell Damage
Front Bar Main Hand Dagger of Sul-Xan’s Torment Nirnhoned Disease/Flame
Front Bar Off Hand Dagger of Sul-Xan’s Torment Precise Absorb Stamina
Back Bar Main Hand Burning Spellweave Inferno Staff Infused Weapon Damage
Back Bar Off Hand - - -
SLOT ITEM TRAIT ENCHANTMENT
Head Slimecraw's Guise Divines Magicka
Shoulders Arm Cops of Sul-Xan's Torment Divines Magicka
Chest Azureblight Jack Divines Magicka
Hands Azureblight Bracers Divines Magicka
Waist Azureblight Belt Divines Magicka
Legs Azureblight Guards Divines Magicka
Feet Azureblight Boots Divines Magicka
Necklace Velothi Ur-Mage's Amulet Bloodthirsty Weapon/Spell Damage
Ring Ring of Sul-Xan's Torment Bloodthirsty Weapon/Spell Damage
Ring Ring of Sul-Xan's Torment Bloodthirsty Weapon/Spell Damage
Front Bar Main Hand Dagger of Sul-Xan’s Torment Nirnhoned Disease/Flame
Front Bar Off Hand Dagger of Sul-Xan’s Torment Precise Absorb Stamina
Back Bar Main Hand Maelstrom Inferno Staff Infused Weapon Damage
Back Bar Off Hand - - -

  • Perfected gear is NOT needed. The bonuses are nice to have, but small.

  • Sul-Xan will not work well if your group takes long pauses between trash pulls; swap to Ansuul or another trial set.

  • 1-3 x Light is recommended. It depends on your sustain and Critical Damage.

  • You can swap Slimecraw for a Stormfist, Kra’gh or Skoria 1-piece, depending on what you need.

  • For big nukes, you can use Mechanical Acuity & Balorgh with Spellweave or Elf Bane.

  • If you’re still missing penetration, use Sharpened weapons on the front bar, equip more Light Armor pieces or slot Force of Nature.

Biting Aura - Exploiter - Master-at-Arms - Wrathful Strikes

The best CPs depend on your group and how long the fight lasts. Use Backstabber if you are below the crit cap (or Fighting Finesse if you cannot flank). Drop Exploiter if no one in your group is triggering Off-Balance consistently.

Patch Notes

Fallen Banners (Update 45)

  • Various Craft Champion Points changed to be always active (not slottable).

Update 44

  • Banner Bearer Grimoire introduced.

  • Azureblight set reworked. Base damage reduced, scaling damage per target massively increased.

  • Golden Pursuits and 2-sided Battlegrounds introduced.

  • Imperial City Keys and Vaults system replaced with Imperial Fragments and merchants.

Dragonknight

  • Cauterize changed to target up to 4 allies, tick rate increased, healing ticks reduced by 33%.

Update 43

  • Curation added to dungeon-specific Undaunted Monster set shoulder coffers.

  • Undeath passive damage reduction lowered to 15% from 30%.

  • New arenas, bosses, Verses and Visions added to Infinite Archive.

  • Various Scribing tooltips tweaked, Affix Script compatibility increased.

  • Home Tours introduced.

Dragonknight

Gold Road (Update 42)

  • Scribing and Skill Styling systems introduced

  • Lucent Echoes, Null Arca and Highland Sentinel sets added.

  • Gradual Ravage Health potions fixed to not trigger item sets.

  • Various damage reduction effects fixed to be multiplicative rather than additive.

  • Mages Guild passive Everlasting Magic duration increased changed from 20% to 2s.

  • Delay added to Rush of Agony proc, range increased from 10m to 12m.

  • Various Werewolf abilities tweaked to increase its general effectives in PvE.