If you’ve been playing Elder Scrolls Online for a while now, you know that there are many different ways to approach gameplay. For those who prefer to take on the role of a tank, the options may seem overwhelming. With so many classes to choose from, how do you know which one is the best tank class in ESO?
First, it’s important to understand what a tank’s role in the game is. Tanks are responsible for holding the attention of enemies while protecting their allies. They need to have a high amount of health and armor, as well as the ability to taunt enemies to keep them focused on them. With that in mind, we can start to examine which classes are best suited for this role.
The three classes that are often touted as the best for tanking in ESO are the Dragonknight, the Warden, and the Templar. Each of these classes has their own unique abilities and strengths, making them a viable choice for players looking to take on the tank role. So, which one is truly the best? Let’s take a closer look.
Tank role in Elder Scrolls Online
When it comes to group content in Elder Scrolls Online, tanks play a vital role in ensuring the survival of the group. A good tank is responsible for keeping enemies focused on them and absorbing as much damage as possible. They also provide support through crowd control and debuffs, making it easier for the group to take down enemies.
What is the best tank class in ESO?
- Dragonknight – This is the most popular tank class in ESO. Dragonknights have access to a wide range of defensive abilities, making them very effective at tanking. They can also deal decent damage and provide support to the group through buffs and debuffs.
- Warden – While not as popular as Dragonknights, Wardens make excellent tanks. They have a variety of defensive abilities and are great at crowd control. They also provide support to the group through healing abilities.
- Necromancer – This is one of the newest tank classes in ESO and has quickly become a favorite among players. Necromancers have a lot of defensive abilities and can summon powerful undead creatures to aid them in battle. They can also deal decent damage and provide support to the group through debuffs.
What makes a good tank?
A good tank in ESO needs to have a few key qualities. First and foremost, they need to be able to stay alive. This means they need to have a good amount of health and armor, as well as access to defensive abilities and self-healing. They also need to be able to hold aggro and keep enemies focused on them, which requires taunting abilities and crowd control. Finally, a good tank needs to be able to provide support to the group through buffs, debuffs, and healing when necessary.
Tank Stat Priority
When it comes to building a tank in ESO, there are a few key stats to focus on:
| Stat | Priority |
|---|---|
| Health | High |
| Armor | High |
| Magicka | Medium |
| Stamina | Medium |
Health and armor are the most important stats for a tank, as they directly affect their survivability. Magicka and stamina are also important, as they are needed for using abilities and blocking attacks. However, they are not as high of a priority as health and armor.
Overview of Tank Classes in ESO
Before we get into which tank class is the best in ESO, let’s first understand what a tank is. In Elder Scrolls Online, a tank is a role that focuses on absorbing damage and taking the attention of the enemies, allowing the other players in the group to deal damage without worrying about being targeted. Essentially, a tank is the backbone of any successful group in ESO, and without a good tank, things can quickly go awry.
ESO currently has three tank classes: Dragonknight, Warden, and Necromancer. Each of these classes has their own unique skills and abilities that allow them to fulfill the tank role, but some are stronger in certain aspects than others.
Tank Class Comparison
- Dragonknight: This class is the most popular choice for tanks in ESO because of their impressive crowd control and damage mitigation abilities. Dragonknights excel in close combat situations and can easily chain enemies together, keeping them focused on the tank. They also have access to a range of skills that increase their own survivability while decreasing the enemies’ damage output.
- Warden: While not as popular as Dragonknights, Wardens offer a different playstyle for tanks. They have a unique ability called “Green Balance” which focuses on healing, making them a bit more forgiving when it comes to mistakes. Their crowd control and damage mitigation abilities are not as strong as Dragonknights, but they make up for it with their ability to freeze enemies in place, giving the group a chance to reposition and recover.
- Necromancer: The newest tank class in ESO, Necromancers offer a lot of versatility. Their abilities allow them to summon undead minions to fight alongside them and even sacrifice them for extra resources. Necromancers’ crowd control and damage mitigation abilities are not as strong as Dragonknights, but their unique playstyle and ability to resurrect themselves is a welcome addition to any group.
Ultimately, the best tank class in ESO comes down to personal preference and playstyle. Each class offers something unique to the role, so it’s important to experiment and find the one that fits your playstyle the best. No matter which class you choose, remember that communication and coordination with your group are key to success as a tank in ESO.
Tank Class Skills Comparison Table
| Class | Crowd Control | Damage Mitigation | Self-Survivability | Resource Management |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dragonknight | Strongest | Strongest | Moderate | Moderate |
| Warden | Moderate | Moderate | Strongest | Moderate |
| Necromancer | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Strongest |
This table gives a quick comparison of the crowd control, damage mitigation, self-survivability, and resource management abilities of each tank class in ESO. Keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list, and each class has access to a range of skills that can be used to fulfill the tank role in different ways. Experiment with different builds and skills to find the one that works best for you and your group.
Dragonknight as a Tank Class in ESO
When it comes to the tanking role in Elder Scrolls Online, the Dragonknight class is a popular choice among players. With a focus on damage mitigation, crowd control, and buffing allies, the Dragonknight is a versatile and powerful tank class that can excel in any group content.
Dragonknight Tank Skills
- Earthen Heart: This skill line provides the Dragonknight with defensive buffs, crowd control abilities, and ultimate generation. The skill “Magma Shell” grants the Dragonknight and their allies immunity to most damage for a short period of time.
- Draconic Power: This skill line focuses on self-healing and damage mitigation. The skill “Spiked Armor” not only increases the Dragonknight’s physical and spell resistance, but also reflects damage back to the attacker.
- Weapon and Shield: This skill line is essential for any tank class, and the Dragonknight has access to powerful abilities such as “Puncture,” which reduces the target’s resistance to damage, and “Shield Charge,” which knocks back enemies and stuns them.
Dragonknight Tanking Strategies
The Dragonknight’s tanking strategy revolves around keeping enemies at bay, reducing the amount of damage taken, and providing support for allies. This is accomplished through crowd control abilities such as “Fiery Grip,” which pulls enemies toward the Dragonknight, making them easier to control and avoid damaging the rest of the group. The Dragonknight can also buff allies with “Igneous Weapons,” increasing their weapon damage and granting them extra resources.
With the Dragonknight’s strong focus on damage mitigation, it’s important to use their defensive abilities wisely and be aware of incoming attacks. The “Obsidian Shield” skill, for example, provides a huge amount of damage absorption but has a long cooldown, so it should be saved for particularly heavy hits. Additionally, the Dragonknight’s ultimate ability – “Dragon Leap” – not only deals damage and knocks down enemies, but also grants the Dragonknight increased resistance to both physical and spell damage.
Dragonknight Tanking Attributes
A Dragonknight tank should focus on balancing their attributes between health, stamina, and magicka. Health is the highest priority as it determines the Dragonknight’s survivability, but stamina is also important for blocking and dodging attacks. Magicka, while not as high of a priority, is still useful for using crowd control abilities and supportive skills.
| Attribute Priority | Recommended Allocation |
|---|---|
| Health | 35-40 points |
| Stamina | 25-30 points |
| Magicka | 15-20 points |
Overall, the Dragonknight is a versatile and powerful tank class that can excel in any situation. With their focus on damage mitigation, crowd control, and ally support, they are a valuable addition to any group.
Warden as a Tank Class in ESO
When it comes to tanking in The Elder Scrolls Online, the Warden class has proven to be an excellent choice for many players. In this section, we’ll dive into the reasons why.
- Strong Defensive Abilities: The Warden class has a variety of defensive abilities that make them a durable tank. They have access to shields, damage mitigation abilities, and even healing spells which adds another layer of utility to their kit.
- Excellent Crowd Control: The Warden’s Ice Skill Line provides some of the best crowd control options in the game with abilities like Frozen Device and Crystallized Slab. This not only helps the tank in locking down enemies but also allows them to provide support to the rest of the group during encounters.
- Group Support: The Warden class has several abilities that enhance group performance. For example, their passives can provide a boost to group sustain while their Warhorn ultimate provides a significant increase in group DPS.
Overall, the Warden is a great choice for those looking to tank in The Elder Scrolls Online. They combine excellent survivability with damage mitigation and group support which makes them incredibly versatile on the battlefield.
Here’s a breakdown of the Warden’s key abilities:
| Ability | Effect |
|---|---|
| Green Balance | Healing Skills, Resource Management |
| Animal Companion | Damage Skills, Pet Support |
| Winter’s Embrace | Defensive Skills, Crowd Control |
| Ultimate – Northern Storm | Charges toward an enemy and deals damage, stunning enemies in a cone in front of you. |
As you can see, the Warden class brings a lot to the table and is definitely worth considering if you’re looking to become a tank in ESO.
Necromancer as a Tank Class in ESO
The Necromancer is a versatile class in Elder Scrolls Online that has the ability to act as both a damage dealer and a tank. With its various skill lines, a Necromancer tank can control the battlefield by summoning undead minions, causing elemental damage, and manipulating corpses to heal, buff, or debuff. However, while Necromancers may not be the most popular choice for tanking in ESO, they can definitely hold their own when played correctly.
Pros of Necromancer Tanking
- Necromancer tanks have a unique set of skills that allow them to be a powerhouse in both offense and defense.
- Their ultimate ability, Frozen Colossus, can taunt enemies and deal a significant amount of damage.
- Necromancers have access to corpses, which can be used to heal and increase their damage output.
Cons of Necromancer Tanking
There are a few drawbacks to using the Necromancer as a tank class:
- They are not as popular as other tanking classes, which may make it harder to find groups for end-game content.
- Their skill lines are relatively new, so they may not be as polished or optimized for tanking as other classes.
- They are heavily reliant on their resource management, which can be difficult to manage in certain situations.
Skills for Necromancer Tanking
To be effective as a tank, a Necromancer needs to have the right set of skills. Here are some skills that are useful for Necromancer tanking:
- Bone Shield: Provides damage shield and passive resistance.
- Deaden Pain: Heals the caster and grants damage shield.
- Bone Goliath Transformation: Provides a significant health bonus and reduces incoming damage.
- Expunge and Modify: Removes negative effects and grants major mending.
- Living Death Ultimate: Allows the caster to resurrect during combat.
Necromancer Tanking – A Viable Option
Overall, Necromancers are a viable option for tanking in ESO, especially if you enjoy playing an off-meta class. While they may not be as popular as other tanking classes, they have unique skills that make them effective in both defense and offense. So, if you are looking for a new experience in tanking or want to explore the versatility of Necromancers, give it a try and see how it works for you!
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Powerful offensive and defensive skills | Not as popular as other tanking classes |
| Unique ultimate ability that can taunt and deal damage | Relatively new skill lines that may not be optimized for tanking |
| Access to corpses for healing and damage increases | Resource management can be difficult to manage |
Templar as a Tank Class in ESO
Tank classes are vital to any group in Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) and choosing the right one can make or break a group’s chances of success. One of the most popular tank classes is the Templar, thanks to its unique set of skills and abilities that make it an excellent choice for players who prefer to be at the forefront of the gameplay.
Why Choose Templar as a Tank Class in ESO
- The Templar’s unique ability, Spear Shards, provides a group with a synergy that restores resources. This is incredibly useful in group battles, as it allows players to keep fighting without worrying about running out of resources.
- Another essential ability that makes the Templar an excellent choice is Puncturing Strikes, which deals damage to enemies in front of the player and also reduces their resistances. This ability is beneficial in both group and solo play, making it a versatile skill.
- Finally, the Templar’s ultimate ability, Nova, is a damaging area-of-effect skill that can significantly reduce the damage taken by group members. This makes it the perfect choice for group battles where damage is being dealt from all sides.
Skills and Abilities of a Templar Tank in ESO
Players who choose to play a Templar as a tank will need to make use of a variety of skills and abilities. Some of the most useful ones include:
- Restoring Light skill line – This skill line provides the Templar with a variety of abilities that focus on healing and restoring resources, making it an excellent choice for players who prefer to play as supportive tanks.
- Aedric Spear skill line – This skill line focuses on dealing damage and reducing enemies’ resistances, making it an ideal choice for players who prefer more offensive tanks.
- Dawn’s Wrath skill line – This skill line is an excellent choice for players who want to take advantage of the Templar’s unique abilities that reduce enemies’ damage and control the battlefield.
Equipment for a Templar Tank in ESO
As a Templar tank, players should equip themselves with gear that strengthens their defense and health while still providing them with the ability to deal damage. A few popular gear options for the Templar tank include:
| Gear Set | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Plague Doctor Set | Provides extreme health recovery and can be easily acquired in ESO. |
| Ebon Armory Set | Boosts the health of allies in the group and provides greater synergy with other tanks. |
| Akaviri Dragonguard Set | Reduces ultimate skill cost, making it easier to use powerful abilities like Nova without spending too much resources. |
Choosing the best gear set will depend on a player’s playing style and the specific needs of their group in ESO.
Nightblade as a Tank Class in ESO
When it comes to tanking in Elder Scrolls Online (ESO), the Nightblade class might not be the first choice that comes to mind. However, in the right hands, the Nightblade can be a reliable and effective tank in any dungeon or trial. Here are some reasons why Nightblade tanks can hold their own:
- Self-Sustaining: Nightblades have access to several self-healing abilities, such as Strife and Leeching Strikes. These abilities can keep the Nightblade alive and healthy, even when facing tough enemies.
- Aggro Control: With abilities like Piercing Mark and Inner Fire, Nightblade tanks can easily taunt enemies and control their aggro. This allows the rest of the group to focus on damage dealing and healing.
- Damage Mitigation: Nightblades have access to several abilities that reduce incoming damage. Blur and Mirage can increase dodge chance, while Shadow Barrier and Refreshing Path can provide temporary shields.
Of course, like any class, Nightblade tanks have their weaknesses. They may not have the same level of raw health as Dragonknights or the same group utility as Templars. However, with the right build and playstyle, Nightblade tanks can provide a unique and valuable contribution to any group.
Here is a sample Nightblade tank build for those looking to explore this class:
| Armor Set | Bonus |
|---|---|
| Ebon Armory | +1,000 Max Health and Grants Minor Mending to your group when you activate an Ultimate |
| Plague Doctor | +2,000 Max Health |
| Lord Warden’s Dusk | Grants Major Resolve and Major Ward to nearby allies when you take damage |
This build focuses on maximizing survivability and group support. Ebon Armory and Plague Doctor provide a significant boost to health, while Lord Warden’s Dusk helps mitigate incoming damage. A Nightblade tank using this build can act as a reliable off-tank, supporting the main tank and providing additional buffs to the group.
What is the best tank class in ESO?
1) What are the tank classes in ESO?
There are three main tank classes in ESO: Dragonknights, Nightblades, and Templars.
2) Which tank class is the easiest to play?
Generally, the Dragonknight class is the easiest to play as a tank due to its powerful abilities for crowd control and damage mitigation.
3) Which tank class is the most versatile?
The Templar class is considered the most versatile due to its ability to heal and buff allies while also maintaining strong tanking abilities.
4) Which tank class has the highest survivability?
The Nightblade class is known for its high survivability due to its ability to dodge attacks and evade damage.
5) Which tank class is best for group play?
All three tank classes can be effective in group play, but the Dragonknight class is often favored for its strong crowd control and group buffing abilities.
6) Can any class be a tank in ESO?
While the three main tank classes have abilities geared towards tanking, any class can technically be a tank in ESO with the right skill and gear setup.
7) What gear should I use for my ESO tank?
As a tank, it is crucial to prioritize defensive gear that provides high levels of health and resistance. Sets like Ebon Armory, Akaviri Dragonguard, and Battalion Defender are popular choices.
Closing Thoughts: Thanks for Reading!
Choosing the best tank class in ESO ultimately depends on your playstyle and preferences. Whether you favor survivability, versatility, or group play, there is a tank class that can meet your needs. Remember to focus on building a strong gear setup to complement your chosen class, and experiment with different abilities to find the ones that work best for you. Thank you for reading, and be sure to check back for more ESO tips and tricks!