This ESO DragonKnight Tank build is capable of taking on all content in the game. Its a strong choice, and by far the most meta option available in elder scrolls online today. DK Tank Builds have been the meta consistently for years and for good reason.
ESO BUILDS APPROVED FOR GOLD ROAD
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DRAGONKNIGHT TANK BUILD
OVERVIEW
- Race: Imperial or Nord
- For other great alternatives see our race guide here.
- Mundus: Atronach
- Attributes:
- Magicka: 0
- Health: 64
- Stamina: 0
- Consumables
- Food: Bewitched Sugar Skulls
- Potion: Essence of Health (Tri-Stat)
CONTRIBUTIONS
Massive thanks to Gofure (Godslayer tank) for his valuable insights while putting this build together
GEAR – DRAGONKNIGHT TANK
In this section we will go over the beginner and veteran gear for this Dragonknight Tank Build
SLOT | SET | WEIGHT | TRAIT | ENCHANTMENT |
---|---|---|---|---|
Head | Magma Incarnate / Nazaray | Medium | Sturdy | Prismatic Defence |
Shoulder | Magma Incarnate / Nazaray | Light | Sturdy | Prismatic Defence |
Chest | Turning Tide | Heavy | Reinforced | Prismatic Defence |
Belt | Turning Tide | Heavy | Sturdy | Prismatic Defence |
Shoes | Turning Tide | Heavy | Sturdy | Prismatic Defence |
Hands | Turning Tide | Heavy | Sturdy | Prismatic Defence |
Pants | Turning Tide | Heavy | Infused | Prismatic Defence |
Necklace | Powerful Assault | Jewelry | Infused | Reduce potion cooldown |
Ring 1 | Powerful Assault | Jewelry | Infused | Reduced Block Cost |
Ring 2 | Powerful Assault | Jewelry | Infused | Reduced Block Cost |
S+B (Sword + Board) | Void Bash | Sword + Shield | S – Decisive / B – Infused | S – Reduce Target Weapon Damage B – Multi-Effect |
Back Bar | Powerful Assault | Ice Staff | Infused | Crusher |
- Magma Incarnate drops in Vet Dread Cellar
- Nazaray drops in Shipwright’s Regret
- Turning Tide drops in Shipwright’s Regret
- Yolnahkriin drops in Sunspire (Trial)
- Powerful Assault can be purchased from Guild Traders (frost staff is EXPENSIVE feel free to use fire or lightning staff until you can afford it)
- Cast Vigor once every 10 seconds to proc PA
- And of course, once you get to Vet Trials grab the Monster sets requested by your raid lead!
STARTER TANK GEAR
NOTE: Starter does not mean it is bad, it just means that it is obtainable earlier in the game!
SLOT | SET | WEIGHT | TRAIT | ENCHANTMENT |
---|---|---|---|---|
Head | Engine Guardian | Medium | Sturdy | Maximum Health Enchantment |
Shoulder | Engine Guardian | Medium | Sturdy | Maximum Health Enchantment |
Chest | Crest of Cyrodiil | Heavy | Sturdy | Maximum Health Enchantment |
Belt | Crest of Cyrodiil | Heavy | Sturdy | Maximum Health Enchantment |
Shoes | Crest of Cyrodiil | Heavy | Sturdy | Maximum Health Enchantment |
Hands | Crest of Cyrodiil | Heavy | Sturdy | Maximum Health Enchantment |
Pants | Crest of Cyrodiil | Heavy | Infused | Maximum Health Enchantment |
Necklace | Torug’s | Jewelry | Healthy | Magicka Recovery Enchant |
Ring 1 | Torug’s | Jewelry | Healthy | Magicka Recovery Enchant |
Ring 2 | Torug’s | Jewelry | Healthy | Magicka Recovery Enchant |
S+B (Sword + Board) | Torug’s | Sword + Shield | S – Infused / B – Infused | S – Hardening B – Multi-Effect |
Back Bar | Torug’s | Ice Staff | Infused | Crusher Enchant |
- Engine Guardian drops in Darkshade Caverns II
- Crest of Cyrodiil can be purchased from Vlastarus, Elite Gear Vendor in Cyrodiil (or guild traders anywhere)
- Torug’s is a crafted set
SKILL – DRAGONKNIGHT TANK
Green Dragon Blood | Heroic Slash | Pierce Armor | Igneous Shield | Power Slam | Aggressive Horn |
Resolving Vigor | Elemental Blockade | Inner Rage | Unrelenting Grip | Choking Talons | Magma Shell |
Honorable mentions:
Use Igneous Shield and then Green Dragon Blood for self heals
>
Magma Shell is OP and great for getting back resources
Balance is a great skill that allows you to swap Health for Magicka. (This is when those Mages guild passives come in handy!)
Elemental Blockade creates an elemental Barrier dealing damage to enemies and setting them off Balance
Reviving Barrier is a good alternative Ult for health and protection for you and your party (handy in no-death runs)
SKILL LINEAGE – DRAGONKNIGHT TANK
SKILL (MORPH) | BASE ABILITY | SKILL TREE |
---|---|---|
Green Dragon Blood | Dragon Blood | Dragonknight > Draconic Power |
Heroic Slash | Low Slash | Weapon > One Hand and Shield |
Pierce Armor | Puncture | Weapon > One Hand and Shield |
Igneous Shield | Obsidian Shield | Dragonknight > Earthen Heart |
Power Slam | Power Bash | Weapon > One Hand and Shield |
Aggressive Horn | War Horn | Alliance War > Assault |
Resolving Vigor | Vigor | Alliance War > Assault |
Elemental Blockade | Wall of Elements | Weapon > Destruction Staff |
Inner Rage | Inner Fire | Guild > Undaunted |
Unrelenting Grip | Fiery Grip | Dragonknight > Aredent Flame |
Choking Talons | Dark Talons | Dragonknight > Draconic Power |
Magma Shell | Magma Armor | Dragonknight > Earthen Heart |
SITUATION + STRATEGY – DRAGONKNIGHT TANK
Tanking in ESO is situational. You have a lot of flexibility when it comes to skills and gear, depending on the fight, your raiding party or the achievement you’re going for. In this build, I have a few go-to skills for self-sustain and some flex spots where I can switch out certain skills as needed.
My tank strategy is pretty simple:
- Grab the boss (always turn away from the DPS)
- Chain in ads
- Lock with talons (keep everything tight so DPS can stack their dots)
- Melee Taunt:
Pierce Armor
Next, chain in ads with Unrelenting Grip > Lock down with Choking Talons
> - Range Taunt:
Inner Rage
*TIP – Heavy Attack with a frost or ice staff for a free taunt (with the tri-focus passive)
Remember: As a tank, self-sustain is key. A good tank doesn’t rely on the healer to stay alive.
- Self-Sustain:
Ingenious Shield > Green Dragon Blood
>
Magma Shell
*PRO TANK TIP:
My favorite skill (and in my opinion, the most underrated one as a tank) is Shield Discipline. In general, the tank is THE LAST to rez. That being said… there will be times when your party wipes and you’re the last one alive. That’s when this Ulti comes in handy and can save the run.
- Shield Discipline allows you a free block, giving you just enough time to rez someone without getting interrupted. Lazer boss in Frostvault anyone?? I’d say it’s for more experienced tanks, but one I highly recommend!
PASSIVES – DRAGONKNIGHT TANK
- CLASS
- All passives
- WEAPON
- 1 Hand + Sword: All Passives
- Staff: All Passives
- ARMOR
- Light Armor:
- Medium Armor: All
- Heavy Armor: All
- WORLD
- None
- GUILDS
- Mages Guild: All Passives except Might of the Guild
- Undaunted Guild: All Passives
- Alliance
- Assault: First passive (1 point only)
- Racial: All Passives
- Alchemy: Medicinal Use
CHAMPION POINTS – DRAGONKNIGHT TANK
In this section, we will go over the Dragonknight Tank champion point setup 2.0.
Warfare Tree
CP Level | Perk | Points |
---|---|---|
Eldritch Insight | 20 | |
Tireless Discipline | 20 | |
Quick Recovery | 20 | |
Preperation | 20 | |
Elemental Aegis | 20 | |
Hardy | 20 | |
Duelist’s Rebuff (slot) | 50 | |
Enduring Resolve (slot) | 50 | |
Unassailable (slot) | 50 | |
Ironclad (slot) | 50 | |
Blessed | 20 | |
Piercing | 10 | |
Battle Mastery | 40 | |
Flawless Ritual | 20 | |
Mighty | 30 | |
War Mage | 30 | |
Precision | 20 |
Fitness Tree
CP Level | Perk | Points |
---|---|---|
0-150 | Boundless Vitality (slot) | 50 |
150-300 | Fortified (slot) | 50 |
300-450 | Rejuvenation (slot) | 50 |
Tireless Guardian | 20 | |
Fortification | 30 | |
Hasty | 16 | |
Hero’s Vigor | 20 | |
Tumbling | 30 | |
Defiance | 20 | |
Nimble Protector | 6 | |
Mystic Tenacity | 10 | |
Expert Evasion (Slot) | 50 | |
Savage Defense | 30 | |
Bashing Brutality | 20 | |
Sprinter | 20 | |
Piercing Gaze | 30 | |
Tempered Soul | 50 |
Craft Tree
CP Level | Perk | Points |
---|---|---|
0-150 | Steed’s Blessing (slot) | 50 |
150-300 | Breakfall | 50 |
300-345 | Wanderer | 15 |
345-375 | Steadfast Enchantment | 10 |
375-465 | Rationer (slot) | 30 |
465-690 | Liquid Efficiency (slot) | 75 |
690-870 | Wanderer | 60 |
870-990 | Steadfast Enchantment | 40 |
990-1140 | Fortune’s Favor | 50 |
1140-1290 | Gilded Fingers | 50 |
1290-1380 | Out of Sight | 30 |
1380-1500 | Fleet phantom | 40 |
1500-1599 | Soul Reservoir | 33 |
1599-1749 | Treasure Hunter (slot) | 50 |
1749-1884 | Inspiration Boost | 45 |
1884-2034 | Meticulous Disassembly | 50 |
2034-2259 | Master Gatherer | 75 |