ESO Dragonknight Tank PVE

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

►Brand New Power Level Guide! Right Here!
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DRAGONKNIGHT TANK BUILD

  1. Overview
    • Race
    • Mundus
    • Attributes
    • Consumables
  2. Gear
  3. Skills
  4. Rotation
  5. Passives
  6. Champion Points

OVERVIEW

  • Race: Imperial or Nord
    • For other great alternatives see our race guide here.
  • Mundus: Atronach
  • Attributes:
    • Magicka: 0
    • Health: 64
    • Stamina: 0
  • Consumables

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


SLOTSETWEIGHTTRAITENCHANTMENT
HeadMagma Incarnate / NazarayMediumSturdyPrismatic Defence
ShoulderMagma Incarnate / NazarayLightSturdyPrismatic Defence
ChestTurning TideHeavyReinforcedPrismatic Defence
BeltTurning TideHeavySturdyPrismatic Defence
ShoesTurning TideHeavySturdyPrismatic Defence
HandsTurning Tide HeavySturdyPrismatic Defence
PantsTurning TideHeavy InfusedPrismatic Defence
NecklacePowerful AssaultJewelryInfusedReduce potion cooldown
Ring 1Powerful AssaultJewelry InfusedReduced Block Cost
Ring 2Powerful AssaultJewelry InfusedReduced Block Cost
S+B (Sword + Board)Void BashSword + ShieldS – Decisive / B – InfusedS – Reduce Target Weapon Damage
B – Multi-Effect
Back BarPowerful AssaultIce StaffInfusedCrusher

  • 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!

SLOTSETWEIGHTTRAITENCHANTMENT
HeadEngine GuardianMediumSturdyMaximum Health Enchantment
ShoulderEngine GuardianMediumSturdyMaximum Health Enchantment
ChestCrest of CyrodiilHeavySturdyMaximum Health Enchantment
BeltCrest of CyrodiilHeavySturdyMaximum Health Enchantment
ShoesCrest of CyrodiilHeavySturdyMaximum Health Enchantment
HandsCrest of CyrodiilHeavySturdyMaximum Health Enchantment
PantsCrest of CyrodiilHeavy InfusedMaximum Health Enchantment
NecklaceTorug’sJewelryHealthyMagicka Recovery Enchant
Ring 1Torug’sJewelry HealthyMagicka Recovery Enchant
Ring 2Torug’sJewelry HealthyMagicka Recovery Enchant
S+B (Sword + Board)Torug’sSword + ShieldS – Infused / B – InfusedS – Hardening
B – Multi-Effect
Back BarTorug’sIce StaffInfusedCrusher 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 BloodHeroic SlashPierce Armor Igneous ShieldPower SlamAggressive Horn
eso skills power slam
Resolving VigorElemental BlockadeInner RageUnrelenting GripChoking TalonsMagma Shell
ESO Skills Elemental Blockade

Honorable mentions:
Use Igneous Shield and then Green Dragon Blood for self heals
ESO Skills Igneous Shield >

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!)
ESO Skills Balance

Elemental Blockade creates an elemental Barrier dealing damage to enemies and setting them off Balance
ESO Skills Elemental Blockade

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 ABILITYSKILL TREE
Green Dragon Blood Dragon BloodDragonknight > Draconic Power
ESO Skills Heroic Slash Heroic Slash Low SlashWeapon > One Hand and Shield
ESO Skills Pierce Armor Pierce Armor PunctureWeapon > One Hand and Shield
ESO Skills Igneous Shield Igneous Shield Obsidian ShieldDragonknight > Earthen Heart
eso skills power slam Power Slameso skills reverberating bash Power BashWeapon > One Hand and Shield
ESO Skills Aggressive Horn Aggressive Horn War HornAlliance War > Assault
ESO Skills Resolving Vigor Resolving Vigor VigorAlliance War > Assault
ESO Skills Elemental Blockade Elemental Blockade Wall of ElementsWeapon > Destruction Staff
ESO Skills Inner Rage Inner Rage Inner FireGuild > Undaunted
Unrelenting Grip Fiery GripDragonknight > Aredent Flame
Choking Talons Dark TalonsDragonknight > Draconic Power
Magma Shell Magma ArmorDragonknight > 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:

  1. Grab the boss (always turn away from the DPS)
  2. Chain in ads
  3. Lock with talons (keep everything tight so DPS can stack their dots)

  • Melee Taunt:
    Pierce Armor
    ESO Skills Pierce Armor
    Next, chain in ads with Unrelenting Grip > Lock down with Choking Talons
    >

  • Range Taunt:
    Inner Rage
    ESO Skills Inner Rage

*TIPHeavy 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
    ESO Skills Igneous Shield >
    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!
    ESO Skills Shield Discipline

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 LevelPerkPoints
Eldritch Insight20
Tireless Discipline20
Quick Recovery20
Preperation20
Elemental Aegis20
Hardy20
Duelist’s Rebuff (slot)50
Enduring Resolve (slot)50
Unassailable (slot)50
Ironclad (slot)50
Blessed20
Piercing10
Battle Mastery40
Flawless Ritual20
Mighty30
War Mage30
Precision20

Fitness Tree

CP LevelPerkPoints
0-150Boundless Vitality (slot)50
150-300Fortified (slot)50
300-450Rejuvenation (slot)50
Tireless Guardian20
Fortification30
Hasty16
Hero’s Vigor20
Tumbling30
Defiance20
Nimble Protector6
Mystic Tenacity10
Expert Evasion (Slot)50
Savage Defense30
Bashing Brutality20
Sprinter20
Piercing Gaze30
Tempered Soul50

Craft Tree

CP LevelPerkPoints
0-150Steed’s Blessing (slot)50
150-300Breakfall50
300-345Wanderer15
345-375Steadfast Enchantment10
375-465Rationer (slot)30
465-690Liquid Efficiency (slot)75
690-870Wanderer60
870-990Steadfast Enchantment40
990-1140Fortune’s Favor50
1140-1290Gilded Fingers50
1290-1380Out of Sight30
1380-1500Fleet phantom40
1500-1599Soul Reservoir33
1599-1749Treasure Hunter (slot)50
1749-1884Inspiration Boost45
1884-2034Meticulous Disassembly50
2034-2259Master Gatherer75

Credits

Skill descriptions are based off of ESO Skillbook, an amazing resource for all things ESO!