The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Weapons in Elder Scrolls Online

The best beginner weapon in Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) is undoubtedly the Destruction Staff. Its versatility in damage dealing, ease of use, and ranged capabilities make it an ideal choice for new players. It synergizes incredibly well with Magicka-based classes and allows players to comfortably engage enemies from a safe distance while learning the game’s mechanics.

Why the Destruction Staff Reigns Supreme for Beginners

The Destruction Staff isn’t just a good weapon; it’s a gateway to understanding ESO’s combat system. Here’s why it stands out:

• Ranged Combat: New players often struggle with positioning and survivability. The Destruction Staff allows you to maintain distance, giving you time to react to enemy attacks and learn their patterns. You’re less likely to get overwhelmed in melee range, providing a crucial advantage as you explore Tamriel.
• Magicka Synergy: The Destruction Staff scales directly with your Magicka pool, making it a perfect fit for Magicka-based classes like Sorcerers, Templars, and Nightblades. This allows you to focus on one resource pool, simplifying resource management, a common hurdle for new players.
• Element Variety: The Destruction Staff offers three elemental types: Fire, Lightning, and Ice. Fire deals high damage, Lightning excels at area-of-effect, and Ice provides crowd control. This variety lets you adapt to different situations and experiment with different playstyles without needing to switch weapons early on.
• Ease of Use: The skills associated with the Destruction Staff are relatively straightforward to understand and execute. Skills like Destructive Touch, Wall of Elements, and Force Shock are simple to learn and provide effective damage output.
• Versatility: While primarily a damage-dealing weapon, the Destruction Staff can also be used to provide support through skills like the Weakness to Elements morph, debuffing enemies and boosting your group’s damage.

Exploring Other Viable Beginner Weapons

While the Destruction Staff is highly recommended, ESO offers other options that might suit different playstyles or preferences:

• Restoration Staff: If your primary focus is healing and support, the Restoration Staff is your go-to weapon. Although it lacks the raw damage output of the Destruction Staff, its healing capabilities are invaluable in group content and can help you survive difficult solo encounters. Classes like Templars and Wardens particularly benefit from a Restoration Staff.
• One-Handed and Shield: For players who prefer a more defensive playstyle, One-Handed and Shield offers excellent survivability. The shield provides block, absorbing incoming damage, while the sword provides consistent damage output. This combination is ideal for tanking roles but can also be used for solo questing.
• Bow: If you like kiting enemies and dealing damage from a distance, the Bow is a viable alternative to the Destruction Staff. It requires good aim and positioning, but its mobility and consistent damage can be very effective. Bows are especially useful for classes like Nightblades and Rangers.

Class and Weapon Synergy: A Match Made in Tamriel

Choosing the right weapon is only half the battle. Pairing it with a class that complements its strengths is crucial for success. Here are some popular beginner-friendly combinations:

• Magicka Sorcerer with Destruction Staff: The quintessential Magicka DPS class, the Sorcerer benefits immensely from the Destruction Staff’s ranged capabilities and elemental damage.
• Magicka Templar with Restoration Staff and Destruction Staff: The Templar’s healing abilities synergize perfectly with the Restoration Staff, while the Destruction Staff provides much-needed ranged damage.
• Dragonknight with One-Handed and Shield: Dragonknights are naturally tanky and benefit from the added survivability of One-Handed and Shield. They can use the shield to block attacks and the sword to deal consistent damage while applying debuffs.

Mastering Weapon Skills and Passives

It’s not enough to simply equip a weapon; you need to actively level its skill line and unlock its passive abilities. Passives provide significant boosts to your character’s effectiveness and can drastically improve your damage output, healing, or survivability. Be sure to allocate skill points to the weapon skill lines you intend to use regularly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Beginner Weapons in ESO

Here are some frequently asked questions to provide further guidance on choosing the right beginner weapon in ESO:

1. What weapon should I use for a beginner Templar?

A Restoration Staff is excellent for healing, while a Destruction Staff provides ranged damage options, making the Templar a versatile and effective class.

2. Is it better to dual wield or use a two-handed weapon as a beginner?

Dual wielding can be more complex to manage due to the need for different enchantments, a two-handed weapon can be more straightforward for beginners focusing on Stamina builds, providing simpler rotation.

3. What is the best weapon for soloing content in ESO?

For soloing, the Destruction Staff or One-Handed and Shield offers a good balance of damage and survivability, especially when combined with a class that has self-healing capabilities. The Sorcerer excels at solo play.

4. Can I use a bow as a Magicka class?

While bows are primarily Stamina-based weapons, you can still use them as a Magicka class. However, your damage output will be lower than with a Magicka-scaling weapon like the Destruction Staff.

5. What weapon skills should I focus on early in the game?

Focus on unlocking the core skills of your chosen weapon, such as Force Shock for Destruction Staff, Grand Healing for Restoration Staff, or Puncture for One-Handed and Shield.

6. How important are weapon enchantments?

Weapon enchantments are crucial for maximizing your damage output, healing, or survivability. Choose enchantments that complement your build and playstyle.

7. Should I use light armor, medium armor, or heavy armor as a beginner?

Light armor is best for Magicka-based classes, medium armor for Stamina-based classes, and heavy armor for tanks. However, you can experiment with different armor types to find what works best for you.

8. How do I level up my weapon skill lines quickly?

The fastest way to level up weapon skill lines is to equip the weapon and use its skills in combat. Completing quests, defeating enemies, and participating in group content will all contribute to your weapon skill line progression.

9. What is the difference between Magicka and Stamina weapons?

Magicka weapons scale with your Magicka pool, while Stamina weapons scale with your Stamina pool. Choose weapons that align with your character’s primary resource.

10. Can I change my weapon later in the game?

Yes, you can change your weapon at any time in ESO. You are not locked into a specific weapon choice. Feel free to experiment and find what works best for you.

11. Are there any unique weapons that are particularly good for beginners?

While there are many unique weapons in ESO, none are specifically designed for beginners. However, some weapons, such as those found in delves and public dungeons, are relatively easy to acquire and can provide a significant boost to your character’s power early on.

12. How do I get better weapons in ESO?

You can obtain better weapons by completing quests, defeating enemies, crafting, or purchasing them from other players. Delves and public dungeons are also good sources of loot for beginners.

13. How do I craft weapons in ESO?

To craft weapons, you need to level up your crafting skills and gather the necessary materials. The crafting system in ESO is quite complex, but it can be very rewarding.

14. Is the Arcanist class friendly for beginners?

While the Arcanist is a powerful class, it can be more complex to master due to its unique mechanics and resource management requirements. It might be more suitable for experienced players.

15. Are there any external learning resources you recommend for new players?

Absolutely! There are tons of fantastic websites and communities dedicated to helping new ESO players. I recommend checking out GamesLearningSociety.org for insights into the educational aspects of gaming and its potential for learning and skill development. Exploring online forums and watching gameplay videos on platforms like YouTube can also greatly enhance your understanding of the game.

Conclusion: Choose Wisely and Embrace the Adventure

Choosing the right beginner weapon is a crucial first step in your ESO journey. While the Destruction Staff is a highly recommended option, don’t be afraid to experiment with different weapons and classes to find what works best for you. Remember to focus on leveling up your weapon skill lines, unlocking passive abilities, and exploring the vast and engaging world of Tamriel. Have fun, and may your adventures in ESO be filled with excitement and success!