Elder Scrolls Online continues to shape expectations for action RPG design in 2018, offering deep character customization and evolving class fantasy. Understanding the best class choices that year helps players align their playstyle with group content, PvP objectives, and solo exploration on Tamriel.
The following breakdown highlights key builds, roles, and performance factors for 2018, supported by a detailed comparison and practical guidance for new and returning players.
| Class | Primary Role | Key Stats | Best Use Case 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dragonknight | Tank / Support | Stamina, Block, Recovery | Group content with strong survivability and utility |
| Sorcress | Healer / DPS | Intelligence, Crit, Spell Damage | Versatile healing and high burst damage in dungeons |
| Nightblade | DPS / Hybrid | Agility, Crit, Spell Damage | Mobile DPS with healing and evasion tools |
| Templar | Tank / DPS | Strength, Crit, Block | Solo play and heavy-hitting tanking in group settings |
| Archer | DPS / Debuffer | Agility, Critical Damage, Poison | Sustained DPS and kiting in PvE and PvP |
Tank Builds and Sustain in 2018
Tanking classes remained central to endgame progression in Elder Scrolls Online 2018, where survivability and threat management defined group success. Dragonknight and Templar excelled in this role by blending high armor with resource-efficient healing and crowd control.
Dragonknight offered reliable self-heal through Dragon Pulse and shielding mechanics that reduced incoming damage, while Templar leveraged heavy attacks and empowered blocks to maintain threat without sacrificing offensive pressure.
DPS and Burst Damage Options
For players focused on consistent damage output, 2018 favored versatile builds that balanced burst with sustained damage. Nightblade and Sorcress provided high DPS windows alongside defensive tools that kept them alive in chaotic encounters.
Nightblade’s mobility and energy regeneration allowed aggressive rotations, while Sorcress dominated single-target content with powerful magicka-based nuke spells and smart use of synergy effects to amplify damage.
Healing and Utility in Groups
Healer classes like Sorcress shaped the pace of dungeon clears by ensuring the group stayed healthy through clever use of shields, light armor, and area heal spells. In 2018, Sorcress healing specs capitalized on the dense magicka pool and efficient cost mechanics introduced in prior expansions.
Support-focused builds incorporated ward timing, group buffs, and enemy debuffs to control battlefield flow, making Sorcress a preferred choice for pick-up groups and progression teams alike.
PvP and Dueling Viability
In competitive modes, players sought the best class 2018 Elder Scrolls Online offered for one-on-one duels and coordinated battlegrounds. Archer and Nightblade combined evasion, gap-closers, and burst to pressure squishy targets, while Dragonknight disrupted enemy plays with interrupts and knockbacks.
Sorcress brought sustain and crowd control to matches, using sleep, silence, and protective barriers to outlast aggressive opponents in prolonged engagements. Understanding skill timing and resource management remained essential for success in high-level PvP.
Optimizing Your 2018 ESO Build
Choosing the best class in Elder Scrolls Online 2018 depends on how you want to experience Tamriel, from tanking dungeons to dominating PvP arenas.
- Identify your primary role, such as tank, healer, or DPS, before selecting a class.
- Test playstyles in solo scenarios to gauge comfort with resource management and skill timing.
- Consider group composition needs, especially for endgame content that requires reliable healing and strong threat control.
- Evaluate PvP habits, since dueling and battlegrounds reward different stat distributions and skill builds.
- Track balance updates and patch notes throughout 2018 to refine rotation, prioritize gear traits, and adjust skill allocations.
FAQ
Reader questions
Which class is easiest for new players in 2018?
Dragonknight is often the easiest due to strong self-healing, straightforward rotation, and forgiving mechanics that let new players focus on positioning and timing without complex resource juggling.
What is the best class for solo questing in 2018?
Templar stands out for solo questing thanks to durable defenses, efficient damage, and tools that handle most enemy types, reducing downtime and reliance on party support.
Which class dominates high-level PvE content in 2018?
Sorcress is highly regarded for high-level PvE, where reliable healing, powerful burst phases, and synergy-based damage optimization make difficult bosses more manageable for the entire group.
How does PvP performance compare between Nightblade and Archer in 2018?
Nightblade offers superior mobility and all-in burst, while Archer provides consistent DPS from range with strong debuffs, so the choice depends on whether a player prefers close-quarters pressure or safe kiting tactics.