Mastering Weaponry: A Dragonknight’s Guide to ESO Arms

Dragonknights in The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) are versatile and powerful, capable of filling various roles from formidable tanks to devastating damage dealers. While class skills are crucial, the right weapon can significantly enhance their effectiveness. Dragonknights effectively wield a variety of weapons depending on their role and build. A Dragonknight tank typically uses a one-handed weapon and shield on their primary bar for survivability and an ice staff on the back bar for utility and ranged combat. Damage-focused Dragonknights often employ dual-wield weapons, two-handed weapons, or destruction staves to maximize their offensive capabilities.

Dragonknights: An Overview

The Dragonknight class in ESO is known for its fiery abilities, earth-shattering powers, and exceptional resilience. Their skill lines—Ardent Flame, Draconic Power, and Earthen Heart—offer a range of options for dealing damage, tanking, and providing support. Understanding how these skills synergize with different weapon types is key to unlocking a Dragonknight’s full potential. A Dragonknight’s strength lies in their ability to control the battlefield with fiery abilities and earth-shattering powers.

Weapon Choices by Role

The optimal weapon choice for a Dragonknight depends heavily on their intended role within a group. Let’s explore the most effective options for each:

Tanking Dragonknight

A Dragonknight tank thrives on survivability and control. Their weapon setup reflects this:

• Front Bar (One-Handed and Shield): This is the quintessential tanking setup. A sword provides a balance of damage and mitigation, while a mace offers increased armor penetration. The shield is crucial for blocking attacks and using skills like Defensive Stance to mitigate damage further.
• Back Bar (Ice Staff): An ice staff provides ranged options and crucial utility. The Destructive Clench ability taunts enemies from a distance, while heavy attacks generate shields, improving survivability. Furthermore, the chilled status effect applies a debuff, hindering enemy damage output.

Damage Dealing Dragonknight (DPS)

Dragonknight DPS builds focus on maximizing offensive capabilities, and several weapon choices can achieve this:

• Dual Wield (Swords, Daggers, Axes, Maces): Dual-wielding offers high sustained damage output. Daggers provide critical strike chance, swords increase overall damage, axes offer bleed damage, and maces grant armor penetration.
• Two-Handed (Greatsword, Battle Axe, Maul): Two-handed weapons deliver powerful burst damage and area-of-effect attacks. Greatswords offer balanced damage, battle axes inflict bleed damage, and mauls provide high armor penetration.
• Destruction Staff (Fire, Lightning, Ice): Destruction staves are excellent for magicka-based Dragonknights. Fire staves increase single-target damage, lightning staves excel in area-of-effect damage, and ice staves offer crowd control and sustain.

Hybrid Dragonknight

For players seeking a more balanced approach, a hybrid Dragonknight combines elements of both tanking and DPS. This build often utilizes a one-handed weapon and shield on one bar for survivability and either dual-wield weapons or a destruction staff on the other bar for damage.

The Significance of Weapon Traits and Enchantments

Beyond the type of weapon, its traits and enchantments play a vital role in a Dragonknight’s effectiveness. Weapon traits modify weapon stats, while enchantments add additional effects. Here are some optimal choices:

• Tanking:
  • Traits: Defending (increased armor and spell resistance), Infused (increased enchantment effect)
  • Enchantments: Hardening Glyph (increased armor), Absorb Stamina (restore stamina on hit)
• DPS:
  • Traits: Sharpened (increased armor penetration), Precise (increased critical strike chance)
  • Enchantments: Flame Glyph (fire damage), Shock Glyph (shock damage), Poison Glyph (poison damage)

Skill Synergies and Weapon Passives

Certain Dragonknight skills synergize exceptionally well with specific weapon types. For example, the Burning Embers skill from the Ardent Flame line benefits greatly from fire staves, as it applies a damage-over-time effect that scales with fire damage. Similarly, the Stonefist skill from the Earthen Heart line pairs well with two-handed weapons, providing a powerful melee attack.

Furthermore, weapon skill lines offer passive abilities that enhance a Dragonknight’s capabilities. The Twin Blade and Blunt passive from the dual-wield skill line increases damage with daggers, swords, axes, and maces, while the Heavy Weapons passive from the two-handed skill line increases damage and reduces the cost of heavy attacks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Dragonknight Weapons

1. What is the best weapon for a Dragonknight tank in ESO?

The best weapon setup for a Dragonknight tank is typically a one-handed weapon and shield on the front bar and an ice staff on the back bar. This combination provides excellent survivability, control, and utility.

2. Can Dragonknights effectively use dual-wield weapons?

Yes, Dragonknights can effectively use dual-wield weapons for damage-focused builds. Daggers, swords, axes, and maces each offer unique advantages depending on the desired playstyle.

3. Are two-handed weapons viable for Dragonknights?

Absolutely. Two-handed weapons are a great option for Dragonknights who want to deal high burst damage and excel in area-of-effect combat.

4. What type of destruction staff is best for a Dragonknight?

The best type of destruction staff depends on the Dragonknight’s build and playstyle. Fire staves are ideal for single-target damage, lightning staves are excellent for area-of-effect damage, and ice staves offer crowd control and sustain.

5. Which weapon traits are best for a Dragonknight tank?

The best weapon traits for a Dragonknight tank are Defending (increased armor and spell resistance) and Infused (increased enchantment effect).

6. What enchantments should a Dragonknight tank use on their weapons?

A Dragonknight tank should prioritize enchantments that enhance survivability, such as Hardening Glyph (increased armor) and Absorb Stamina (restore stamina on hit).

7. What weapon traits are best for a Dragonknight DPS?

The best weapon traits for a Dragonknight DPS are Sharpened (increased armor penetration) and Precise (increased critical strike chance).

8. What enchantments should a Dragonknight DPS use on their weapons?

A Dragonknight DPS should use enchantments that increase damage, such as Flame Glyph (fire damage), Shock Glyph (shock damage), or Poison Glyph (poison damage).

9. How do Dragonknight skills synergize with different weapon types?

Certain Dragonknight skills, such as Burning Embers and Stonefist, synergize exceptionally well with specific weapon types like fire staves and two-handed weapons, respectively.

10. Can a Dragonknight heal effectively?

While Dragonknights are primarily known for tanking and damage dealing, they can provide decent healing with the right skills and gear. However, they are not as specialized as Templars or Wardens in this role.

11. Is a Dragonknight a good class for solo play?

Yes, Dragonknights are excellent for solo play due to their survivability, damage output, and self-healing capabilities.

12. What armor type is best for a Dragonknight?

Heavy armor is typically the best choice for a Dragonknight tank, while medium or light armor may be preferred for DPS builds depending on their resource management needs.

13. What race is best for a Dragonknight?

The best race for a Dragonknight depends on the intended role. Nords and Imperials are excellent choices for tanks due to their increased health and resistances, while Dark Elves and Orcs are strong options for DPS builds.

14. How important is weapon mastery for a Dragonknight?

Weapon mastery is crucial for a Dragonknight, as it allows them to unlock powerful passive abilities and optimize their damage output or survivability.

15. Where can I learn more about ESO builds and strategies?

You can find a wealth of information about ESO builds and strategies on various online forums, websites, and YouTube channels. Communities like the Games Learning Society offer invaluable resources and support for players of all skill levels. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org for more resources.

Conclusion

Choosing the right weapon for your Dragonknight is a critical step in maximizing their potential. Whether you’re aiming to be an impenetrable tank, a devastating damage dealer, or a versatile hybrid, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each weapon type will help you create a build that suits your playstyle. So, experiment, explore, and find the weapons that allow your Dragonknight to truly shine in the world of The Elder Scrolls Online. Remember to stay informed and continue learning to evolve your strategy as the game changes.