Maximizing DPS in Elder Scrolls Online: The Ultimate Guide to PvE Builds and Perks

In Elder Scrolls Online, maximizing your damage output is essential to progress through the game's challenging content. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a new player, optimizing your character's build and perks is key to succeeding in PvE. In this guide, we'll provide actionable tips and examples to help you increase your DPS (Damage Per Second) in combat. We'll focus on five critical aspects: weapon choices, trait lines, skill trees, champion points, gear, and potions.

1. Weapon Choices

Choosing the right weapon for your character class is crucial for high DPS. Each weapon has unique passives that affect your combat style and damage output. Here are three suggestions:

a. One-handed and Shield: This weapon combo is ideal for tanks and healers due to its shield's block ability. It provides a 5% bonus to armor and stamina recovery, making it easier to sustain health during battles. The shield's block ability also grants a 25% boost to weapon damage for two seconds, making it a go-to for tanky builds. For DPS, use a one-handed sword with a destructive staff, which grants 5% weapon damage for every 100 stamina spent.

b. Two-handed: This weapon is perfect for dealing massive damage with its area of effect (AOE) attacks, making it ideal for clearing adds quickly. It's a must-have for group content.

c. Bow: Use this weapon for ranged combat and crowd control. Its passive, Piercing Shot, increases damage by 20% against enemies below 35% health, making it a top pick for boss fights.

2. Trait Lines

Trait lines determine your character's growth path. Choose one from three:

a. Warrior: This line is perfect for tanks and DPS builds. It provides a 6% bonus to health, armor, and weapon damage, as well as a 15% damage boost to your group. Its ultimate, Executioner, deals heavy damage to low health targets.

b. Arcanist: Ideal for magic users, granting 15% spell damage and a 15% bonus to stamina recovery.

c. Thief: Best for stealthy playstyles, offering 15% crit and sneak attacks.

3. Dragonknight: A must-have for DPS, granting a 10% damage boost and a 10% health bonus.

4. Skill Trees

a. Assassin: A DPS tree, granting 10% damage and 10% crit, and a 30% sneak attack bonus.

b. Arcanist: For spell-based DPS, granting 15% spell damage and 10% spell critical.

c. Archer: Ideal for ranged DPS, granting 15% ranged damage and 15% critical strike chance.

5. Champion Points

a. Blue: Provides 1% damage for every 100 points spent.

b. Green: Increases health recovery and stamina recovery.

c. Red: Gives 1% damage for every 100 points spent.

d. Yellow: Provides 1% crit and 10% damage.

e. Purple: Boosts your weapon and spell damage.

6. Gear

a. Use the best-in-slot gear for your character's weapon choice.

b. Enchantments: Enhance your gear with the best enchantments for your weapon type.

c. Jewelry: Use jewelry with the most potent enchantments for your weapon's elemental affinity.

7. Potions

a. Use the Undaunted Potion for 10% increased damage and 15% stamina recovery.

b. Use the Healthy Elixir for 25% health recovery.

c. Use the Infallible Aetherium Crown for 15% damage and 10% damage.

Remember, max out your champion points before investing in gear and potions.

1. Weapon Choice: The right weapon choice depends on your playstyle.

a. One-handed and Shield: For tanks and healers, use a shield for its block ability.

b. Two-handed: Use a bow for AOE attacks.

c. Bow: Perfect for ranged combat.

2. Trait Lines: Choose a line that suits your playstyle.

a. Warrior: For tanks and DPS builds.

b. Arcanist: Ideal for spell-based DPS.

c. Archer: For ranged combat.

3. Skill Trees: Assassin for DPS, Arcanist for spell-based DPS, Archer for ranged combat.

4. Champion Points: Blue for tanks and DPS builds, Green for healers, Red for DPS, Purple for all.

5. Gear: Use the best gear for your weapon type.

a. Use the best gear for your weapon.

b. Enchantments: Match your weapon's elemental affinity.

c. Use potions for optimal results.

Example: A Nordic DK tank/DPS build:

a. One-handed and shield, Warrior trait line, Assassin skill tree, Red champion points, Heavy Armor, and the Undaunted Potion.

b. Two-handed, Arcanist trait line, Archer skill tree, Green champion points, and the Infallible Aetherium Crown.

c. Orc Stamina Nightblade:

a. Dual Wield and Shield, Arcanist trait line, Archer skill tree, Yellow champion points, and the Healthy Elixir.

Increase your DPS through weapon choices, trait lines, skill trees, champion points, gear, and potions. Remember, max out champion points before investing in gear and potions