Unleash Your Inner Mage: Why Bretons Excel in Elder Scrolls Online

Bretons in The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) are masters of Magicka sustain, resilience, and versatility. They are exceptionally good for roles that require a high Magicka pool, efficient spellcasting, and the ability to withstand magical assaults. This makes them outstanding Healers, potent Magicka DPS, and surprisingly effective Tanks in specific builds. Their racial passives provide significant advantages in managing Magicka, making them a reliable choice for both new and experienced players looking to dominate the magical landscape of Tamriel.

The Breton Advantage: Racial Passives Explained

Bretons gain distinct advantages through their racial passives. Let’s break down why these passives make them so strong:

• Gift of Magnus: This passive increases your Maximum Magicka by 2000. A larger Magicka pool translates to more spells cast, longer uptime in combat, and greater overall effectiveness, particularly in prolonged fights.
• Magicka Mastery: This powerful passive reduces the Magicka cost of your abilities by 7%. Lowering the cost of spells allows you to sustain your Magicka resources for a longer duration, crucial for both DPS and healing roles.
• Spell Attunement: This passive increases your Magicka Recovery by 130. More Magicka recovery translates to faster regeneration of your Magicka pool, thus improving your sustainability. Additionally, this increases your resistance to spell damage by 2310, making Bretons remarkably resilient against magic attacks.
• Opportunist: This passive increases alliance points gained by 15%, so you can get into the pvp of ESO more effectively.
• Expeditious Incantation: This passive increase experience gain with the light armor skill line by 15%.

These racial passives synergize incredibly well, providing both offensive and defensive boosts that empower Magicka-focused characters.

Bretons: The Ideal Class Choices

Given their racial passives, certain classes naturally shine when played as Bretons:

• Templar: Breton Templars make excellent Healers. The Templar’s already potent healing abilities are amplified by the Breton’s superior Magicka sustain, allowing for consistent and powerful healing output.
• Warden: Similar to Templars, Breton Wardens excel as Healers. Their diverse skill set, combined with the Breton’s Magicka efficiency, provides a robust and sustainable healing platform.
• Nightblade: Breton Nightblades are formidable Magicka DPS. The Nightblade’s focus on burst damage and resource management is perfectly complemented by the Breton’s Magicka sustain, allowing for extended periods of high damage output.
• Sorcerer: While other races might parse slightly higher DPS, Breton Sorcerers offer excellent Magicka DPS with unmatched sustain. This makes them ideal for longer encounters where resource management is paramount.
• Necromancer: A less common but effective choice, Breton Necromancers can excel as either Healers or Magicka DPS, leveraging their Magicka sustain to maintain their powerful abilities.
• Dragonknight: Breton Dragonknights, with their large Magicka pool, are ideal for running double staff builds or wanting additional magicka sustain

Thinking Outside the Box: Breton Tanking

While not traditionally considered top-tier tanks, Bretons can be surprisingly effective in this role, particularly in builds focused on blocking and resource management. Their Spell Attunement passive, combined with skills and gear that further boost their Magicka pool and spell resistance, allows them to withstand significant magical damage. Furthermore, their excellent Magicka sustain allows for frequent use of defensive abilities, making them durable and reliable tanks in specific group compositions.

The Breton Aesthetic: A Matter of Taste

Beyond their statistical advantages, many players appreciate the Breton’s lore and aesthetic. As descendants of both humans and elves, they possess a unique cultural identity that blends elements of both races. This makes them a versatile choice for character customization, allowing players to create a character that is both powerful and visually appealing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Bretons in ESO

1. Are Bretons the best race for healers in ESO?

While other races might offer niche benefits, Bretons are widely considered one of the best races for healers due to their exceptional Magicka sustain and spell resistance. Their passives allow for prolonged healing output and improved survivability, making them a reliable choice for both beginner and experienced healers.

2. Can Bretons be effective DPS characters?

Absolutely! While High Elves or Khajiits might parse slightly higher numbers in optimal conditions, Bretons are excellent Magicka DPS characters due to their superior Magicka sustain. They excel in longer fights where resource management is critical.

3. Are Bretons good for PvP?

Yes! The Breton’s increased resistance to spell damage, combined with their increased Magicka sustain, makes them incredibly durable and effective in PvP situations. They can withstand magical assaults that would quickly deplete the resources of other races. Their opportunist passive also allows them to get alliance points faster.

4. What is the best class for a Breton in ESO?

Templar, Warden, and Nightblade are generally considered the best classes for Bretons due to their synergy with the Breton’s racial passives. However, Sorcerers and Necromancers can also be highly effective.

5. Do Breton racial passives affect stamina builds?

Not directly. Breton racial passives primarily benefit Magicka-focused builds. If you’re looking for stamina-focused racial bonuses, consider races like Redguard or Orc.

6. Is Breton a good choice for solo play?

Yes! Their Magicka sustain and spell resistance make them incredibly durable and self-sufficient, allowing them to tackle solo content with ease.

7. How important is race choice in ESO?

Race choice can provide a noticeable advantage, particularly at the endgame. However, skill and build optimization are far more important than race choice. A skilled player with a well-optimized build can outperform a less skilled player with a “meta” race.

8. Can I play a stamina Breton effectively?

While not optimal, you can certainly play a stamina Breton. However, you’ll be missing out on the benefits of their Magicka-focused passives. If you’re committed to playing a Breton, consider a hybrid build that incorporates both Magicka and Stamina abilities.

9. What is the best attribute distribution for a Breton?

Generally, investing the majority of your attribute points into Magicka is recommended for Breton characters. You can then distribute remaining points into Health or Stamina depending on your specific build and playstyle.

10. How do I maximize my Breton’s Magicka sustain?

In addition to racial passives, you can maximize your Breton’s Magicka sustain by using gear sets that provide Magicka recovery bonuses, consuming potions that restore Magicka, and utilizing skills that provide Magicka regeneration or cost reduction.

11. Is Breton a good choice for a beginner?

Yes! Their Magicka sustain and spell resistance make them a forgiving and easy-to-learn race, ideal for new players who are still learning the game’s mechanics.

12. What is the lore behind the Breton race in Elder Scrolls?

Bretons are a race of humans inhabiting the province of High Rock. They are descendants of both humans and elves, and possess a natural affinity for magic. Their culture is a blend of human and elven traditions, and they are known for their diplomatic skills and mercantile prowess.

13. Can a Breton be a Dragonborn?

According to existing lore, the answer is Yes. Tiber Septim, the founder of the Third Empire, was a Breton. Dragonborn can be from any race.

14. How do I choose between Breton and High Elf for a Magicka character?

Both races are excellent choices, but Bretons excel in sustain, while High Elves excel in raw damage output. If you prioritize resource management and survivability, choose Breton. If you prioritize maximizing your damage, choose High Elf.

15. Where can I find more information about character builds and strategies for ESO?

There are many online resources available, including forums, websites, and YouTube channels. It is also helpful to connect with experienced players in the game and seek their advice.

Embrace the Arcane: Unleash Your Breton’s Potential

Bretons are a versatile and powerful race in ESO, perfectly suited for players who want to master the magical arts. Whether you choose to be a stalwart healer, a devastating DPS, or a resilient tank, the Breton’s racial passives provide a solid foundation for success. Embrace the arcane, hone your skills, and unleash your Breton’s full potential in the world of Tamriel.

If you are interested in the intersection of games and learning, be sure to check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.