Subclassed Beam Damage Dealer

Any class can beam. Herald of the Tome and Dawn's Wrath on every variant, with a third line that suits your class.

Update 52 (PTS)PvE · Damage DealerSubclassedBeginnerMeleeStaminaBeamLast reviewed 2026-10-27

Update 52 (PTS) version

This page is the Update 52 version of this damage dealer build. Update 52 is on the PTS until January 19, 2027, so numbers can still move. Skill and set tooltips still show the live Update 51 text; hover one that changes to see what's new. For what works in game today, switch to Update 51 in the version picker (top right, or in the menu on phones). The full list is in the Update 52 patch notes.

Overview

The Beam build borrows the Arcanist's Pragmatic Fatecarver for any class through subclassing. The beam reaches 22 metres, hits everything in its line at full strength, and shields you while you hold it, so it's strong on bosses and packs alike.

Every variant pairs Herald of the Tome with the Templar's Dawn's Wrath: Radiant Glory is the execute and Solar Barrage makes every class skill hit 5% harder. The third line depends on your class: Assassination for an Arcanist, Templar or Nightblade, Aedric Spear for a Templar, and Animal Companions for an Arcanist, Templar or Warden.

Subclassing turns Class Mastery off, so a pure-class build does more damage once you have the gear. The Beam is the easiest way to deal good damage on a class you haven't mastered yet.

Strengths

Works on most classes, with the same simple loop as the Arcanist.
Strong on packs: the beam cleaves.
A shield while you beam, and healing from Radiant Glory and Cephaliarch's Flail.

Weaknesses

No Class Mastery, so it parses below the best pure-class builds.
You stand still while you beam.
Brings little for the group.

Buffs and debuffs you bring on bosses

You get

Your group gets

What changes in Update 52

Update 52 is on the PTS (patch 12.2.0, from 26 October 2026) and goes live on 19 January 2027. This version follows the first PTS week, so numbers can still move. Skill and set tooltips on this page still show the live Update 51 text.

Class. No Herald of the Tome changes. Solar Barrage becomes a toggle that drains Magicka every 3 seconds, and Vampire's Bane lasts 45 seconds (60 against monsters).

Traits. Nirnhoned weapons rise to 20% more weapon damage (from 15%) and Precise to 7.4% Critical Chance (from 7.2%), while Charged drops to 225% (from 235%). Nirnhoned main hands get a little stronger against Charged ones; the gear table stays as written until PTS numbers settle.

DPS Simulation

The Boss setup played by the DPS Simulator on the 21 million Health Trial dummy, with its group buffs and debuffs, Light Attack weaving and a full Ultimate bar to start. It's #7 of 16 for single target on the tier list, #5 overall.

Simulated DPS: 148,277
Fight: 141.6 s
Front bar: 6,184 damage · 69% crit · 125% crit damage

Where the damage comes from

Pragmatic Fatecarver30.1%
Radiant Glory13.4%
Cephaliarch's Flail8.1%
Stampede6.9%
Inspired Scholarship4.8%
Fulminating Rune4.5%
GLFlame glyph4.2%
GLPoison glyph4.0%
…Everything else24.1%

Damage type

Frost1.1%
Flame8.4%
Magic65.1%
Poison4.0%
Physical21.4%

73.2% direct, 26.8% over time.

Group buffs it leans on most

Major Vulnerability−10.1k
Major Courage−7.8k
Major Slayer−7.0k
Minor Vulnerability−5.5k
Minor Brutality−5.1k
Minor Courage−4.6k

DPS lost if the group didn't bring it.

A simulation, not a parse: it uses UESP tooltip numbers, plays a clean rotation and assumes you sustain it. Light Attack, status effect and pet damage are estimates. Open this run in the DPS Simulator to change gear, buffs or the rotation and see the full breakdown.

Simulated DPS: 144,390
Fight: 145.5 s
Front bar: 6,184 damage · 61% crit · 125% crit damage

Where the damage comes from

Pragmatic Fatecarver29.8%
Radiant Glory11.7%
Cephaliarch's Flail7.6%
Stampede6.8%
Inspired Scholarship4.5%
•Burning Light4.5%
Crescent Sweep4.4%
Fulminating Rune4.4%
…Everything else26.5%

Damage type

Frost1.2%
Flame7.6%
Magic67.4%
Poison3.5%
Physical20.3%

72.5% direct, 27.5% over time.

Group buffs it leans on most

Major Vulnerability−14.9k
Major Courage−11.2k
Major Slayer−8.5k
Minor Vulnerability−4.3k
Minor Savagery−4.2k
Minor Brutality−3.8k

DPS lost if the group didn't bring it.

Simulated DPS: 150,861
Fight: 139.2 s
Front bar: 6,078 damage · 61% crit · 125% crit damage

Where the damage comes from

Pragmatic Fatecarver27.3%
Radiant Glory11.9%
Wild Guardian10.7%
Deep Fissure8.4%
Cephaliarch's Flail6.9%
Stampede6.5%
Inspired Scholarship4.5%
GLFlame glyph3.7%
…Everything else20.3%

Damage type

Flame7.6%
Magic56.9%
Poison3.5%
Physical19.3%
Bleed12.7%

80.1% direct, 19.9% over time.

Group buffs it leans on most

Major Vulnerability−14.9k
Major Courage−9.9k
Major Slayer−8.8k
Minor Vulnerability−6.7k
Minor Savagery−4.0k
Minor Brutality−3.8k

DPS lost if the group didn't bring it.

Skill Setups

Every damage dealer build has a Boss setup for single targets and a Trash setup that swaps a slot or two for packs. The gear stays the same for both.

Herald of the TomeDawn's WrathAssassination

For an Arcanist, Templar or Nightblade. Soul Harvest takes the front-bar Languid Eye: the boss takes 20% more damage from you, and kills refund Ultimate. Hemorrhage adds Critical Damage and gives the group Minor Savagery when you crit. About 145k on the dummy.

Single target: every slot either hits the boss harder or buffs you. Keep your damage over time effects and buffs up, then spam your spammable in between.

What this setup brings

You get

Your group gets

Front bar

Dual Wield

1

2

3

4

5

R

Back bar

Two Handed · Greatsword

1

2

3

4

5

R

Slot	Skill	Why it's slotted
Front 1	Cephaliarch's Flail Herald of the Tome Cast time: 0.3 secondsCost: 2,984 Stamina Area hit that builds Crux, heals you, and makes enemies take 5% more damage from you.	Area hit that builds Crux, heals you, and makes enemies take 5% more damage from you.
Front 2	Pragmatic Fatecarver Herald of the Tome Channel time: 4.5 secondsCost: 630 Magicka / 1s Your main damage: spend Crux on a 22-metre beam that hits everything in its line at full strength and shields you while you channel.	Your main damage: spend Crux on a 22-metre beam that hits everything in its line at full strength and shields you while you channel.
Front 3	Radiant Glory Dawn's Wrath Channel time: 3.8 secondsRange: 28 metresCost: 648 Magicka / 1s Execute channel: it starts scaling at 33% Health and beats the beam below about 20%. Heals you for 15% of its damage.	Execute channel: it starts scaling at 33% Health and beats the beam below about 20%. Heals you for 15% of its damage.
Front 4	Quick Cloak Dual Wield Cast time: InstantDuration: 30 secondsCost: 3,780 Stamina Major Evasion, a burst of speed, and 30 seconds of damage that procs your weapon glyphs while you can't Light Attack.	Major Evasion, a burst of speed, and 30 seconds of damage that procs your weapon glyphs while you can't Light Attack.
Front 5	Camouflaged Hunter Fighters Guild Cast time: InstantDuration: 5 secondsCost: 5,130 Stamina Slotted for Major Savagery, Minor Berserk when you crit from the flank, and the Fighters Guild's Slayer passive.	Slotted for Major Savagery, Minor Berserk when you crit from the flank, and the Fighters Guild's Slayer passive.
Front R	Soul Harvest Assassination Cast time: 0.4 secondsRange: 7 metresCost: 70 Ultimate Cheap: the boss takes 20% more damage from you, and kills refund Ultimate while it's slotted.	Cheap: the boss takes 20% more damage from you, and kills refund Ultimate while it's slotted.
Back 1	Solar Barrage Dawn's Wrath Cast time: 0.8 secondsRange: 28 metresCost: 2,700 Magicka A toggle since Update 52: damage around you every 3 seconds and 5% more damage with every class skill, the beam included, while it's on.	A toggle since Update 52: damage around you every 3 seconds and 5% more damage with every class skill, the beam included, while it's on.
Back 2	Fulminating Rune Herald of the Tome Cast time: InstantRange: 22 metresDuration: 20 secondsCost: 3,510 Stamina A damage over time effect that also gives three allies a strong area damage synergy.	A damage over time effect that also gives three allies a strong area damage synergy.
Back 3	Inspired Scholarship Herald of the Tome Cast time: InstantDuration: 30 secondsCost: 4,455 Magicka Lots of damage, Major Brutality while slotted, and at least one Crux when your beam ends.	Lots of damage, Major Brutality while slotted, and at least one Crux when your beam ends.
Back 4	Stampede Two Handed Cast time: InstantRange: 22 metresDuration: 15 secondsCost: 4,590 Stamina Gap closer that leaves a burning patch under the boss. It procs your weapon glyph over and over, and with Merciless Charge it adds direct damage.	Gap closer that leaves a burning patch under the boss. It procs your weapon glyph over and over, and with Merciless Charge it adds direct damage.
Back 5	Vampire's Bane Dawn's Wrath Cast time: InstantRange: 28 metresDuration: 30 secondsCost: 2,970 Magicka A burn that lasts 60 seconds on a boss since Update 52, and Major Savagery for you.	A burn that lasts 60 seconds on a boss since Update 52, and Major Savagery for you.
Back R	The Languid Eye Herald of the Tome Cast time: InstantRange: 15 metresDuration: 6 secondsCost: 175 Ultimate Area damage for 6 seconds that you can steer by pressing it again. On both bars so it counts for Splintered Secrets.	Area damage for 6 seconds that you can steer by pressing it again. On both bars so it counts for Splintered Secrets.

Open the Boss setup in the Build Editor to change skills, gear and stats.

Simulate it on the Trial dummy to see its DPS, where the damage comes from and what each buff is worth.

On trash, Proximity Detonation takes Vampire's Bane's slot; the beam already hits the whole pack. With a destruction staff on the back bar, you can also run Elemental Blockade for Stampede and Elemental Rage as the back-bar Ultimate.

What this setup brings

You get

Your group gets

Front bar

Dual Wield

1

2

3

4

5

R

Back bar

Two Handed · Greatsword

1

2

3

4

5

R

Slot	Skill	Why it's slotted
Front 1	Cephaliarch's Flail Herald of the Tome Cast time: 0.3 secondsCost: 2,984 Stamina Area hit that builds Crux, heals you, and makes enemies take 5% more damage from you.	Area hit that builds Crux, heals you, and makes enemies take 5% more damage from you.
Front 2	Pragmatic Fatecarver Herald of the Tome Channel time: 4.5 secondsCost: 630 Magicka / 1s Your main damage: spend Crux on a 22-metre beam that hits everything in its line at full strength and shields you while you channel.	Your main damage: spend Crux on a 22-metre beam that hits everything in its line at full strength and shields you while you channel.
Front 3	Radiant Glory Dawn's Wrath Channel time: 3.8 secondsRange: 28 metresCost: 648 Magicka / 1s Execute channel: it starts scaling at 33% Health and beats the beam below about 20%. Heals you for 15% of its damage.	Execute channel: it starts scaling at 33% Health and beats the beam below about 20%. Heals you for 15% of its damage.
Front 4	Quick Cloak Dual Wield Cast time: InstantDuration: 30 secondsCost: 3,780 Stamina Major Evasion, a burst of speed, and 30 seconds of damage that procs your weapon glyphs while you can't Light Attack.	Major Evasion, a burst of speed, and 30 seconds of damage that procs your weapon glyphs while you can't Light Attack.
Front 5	Camouflaged Hunter Fighters Guild Cast time: InstantDuration: 5 secondsCost: 5,130 Stamina Slotted for Major Savagery, Minor Berserk when you crit from the flank, and the Fighters Guild's Slayer passive.	Slotted for Major Savagery, Minor Berserk when you crit from the flank, and the Fighters Guild's Slayer passive.
Front R	Soul Harvest Assassination Cast time: 0.4 secondsRange: 7 metresCost: 70 Ultimate Cheap: the boss takes 20% more damage from you, and kills refund Ultimate while it's slotted.	Cheap: the boss takes 20% more damage from you, and kills refund Ultimate while it's slotted.
Back 1	Solar Barrage Dawn's Wrath Cast time: 0.8 secondsRange: 28 metresCost: 2,700 Magicka A toggle since Update 52: damage around you every 3 seconds and 5% more damage with every class skill, the beam included, while it's on.	A toggle since Update 52: damage around you every 3 seconds and 5% more damage with every class skill, the beam included, while it's on.
Back 2	Fulminating Rune Herald of the Tome Cast time: InstantRange: 22 metresDuration: 20 secondsCost: 3,510 Stamina A damage over time effect that also gives three allies a strong area damage synergy.	A damage over time effect that also gives three allies a strong area damage synergy.
Back 3	Inspired Scholarship Herald of the Tome Cast time: InstantDuration: 30 secondsCost: 4,455 Magicka Lots of damage, Major Brutality while slotted, and at least one Crux when your beam ends.	Lots of damage, Major Brutality while slotted, and at least one Crux when your beam ends.
Back 4	Stampede Two Handed Cast time: InstantRange: 22 metresDuration: 15 secondsCost: 4,590 Stamina Gap closer that leaves a burning patch under the boss. It procs your weapon glyph over and over, and with Merciless Charge it adds direct damage.	Gap closer that leaves a burning patch under the boss. It procs your weapon glyph over and over, and with Merciless Charge it adds direct damage.
Back 5	Proximity Detonation Assault Cast time: 1 secondRange: 28 metresDuration: 4 secondsCost: 3,510 Magicka Cast it as you run in: it bursts for more the more enemies are near.	Cast it as you run in: it bursts for more the more enemies are near.
Back R	The Languid Eye Herald of the Tome Cast time: InstantRange: 15 metresDuration: 6 secondsCost: 175 Ultimate Area damage for 6 seconds that you can steer by pressing it again. On both bars so it counts for Splintered Secrets.	Area damage for 6 seconds that you can steer by pressing it again. On both bars so it counts for Splintered Secrets.

Open the Trash setup in the Build Editor to change skills, gear and stats.

Simulate it on the Trial dummy to see its DPS, where the damage comes from and what each buff is worth.

Playing this variant

Master Assassin needs you to hit from the flank, so stand to the boss's side.

Herald of the TomeDawn's WrathAedric Spear

Templar only, and the highest parse of the three at about 146k. Crescent Sweep takes the front-bar Languid Eye as a cheap area Ultimate. Piercing Spear adds Critical Damage and Balanced Warrior adds Armor, which helps in real fights more than on the dummy.

Single target: every slot either hits the boss harder or buffs you. Keep your damage over time effects and buffs up, then spam your spammable in between.

What this setup brings

You get

Front bar

Dual Wield

1

2

3

4

5

R

Back bar

Two Handed · Greatsword

1

2

3

4

5

R

Slot	Skill	Why it's slotted
Front 1	Cephaliarch's Flail Herald of the Tome Cast time: 0.3 secondsCost: 2,984 Stamina Area hit that builds Crux, heals you, and makes enemies take 5% more damage from you.	Area hit that builds Crux, heals you, and makes enemies take 5% more damage from you.
Front 2	Pragmatic Fatecarver Herald of the Tome Channel time: 4.5 secondsCost: 630 Magicka / 1s Your main damage: spend Crux on a 22-metre beam that hits everything in its line at full strength and shields you while you channel.	Your main damage: spend Crux on a 22-metre beam that hits everything in its line at full strength and shields you while you channel.
Front 3	Radiant Glory Dawn's Wrath Channel time: 3.8 secondsRange: 28 metresCost: 648 Magicka / 1s Execute channel: it starts scaling at 33% Health and beats the beam below about 20%. Heals you for 15% of its damage.	Execute channel: it starts scaling at 33% Health and beats the beam below about 20%. Heals you for 15% of its damage.
Front 4	Quick Cloak Dual Wield Cast time: InstantDuration: 30 secondsCost: 3,780 Stamina Major Evasion, a burst of speed, and 30 seconds of damage that procs your weapon glyphs while you can't Light Attack.	Major Evasion, a burst of speed, and 30 seconds of damage that procs your weapon glyphs while you can't Light Attack.
Front 5	Camouflaged Hunter Fighters Guild Cast time: InstantDuration: 5 secondsCost: 5,130 Stamina Slotted for Major Savagery, Minor Berserk when you crit from the flank, and the Fighters Guild's Slayer passive.	Slotted for Major Savagery, Minor Berserk when you crit from the flank, and the Fighters Guild's Slayer passive.
Front R	Crescent Sweep Aedric Spear Cast time: 0.3 secondsDuration: 6 secondsCost: 75 Ultimate Cheap area Ultimate: a spear sweep and 6 seconds of damage around you.	Cheap area Ultimate: a spear sweep and 6 seconds of damage around you.
Back 1	Solar Barrage Dawn's Wrath Cast time: 0.8 secondsRange: 28 metresCost: 2,700 Magicka A toggle since Update 52: damage around you every 3 seconds and 5% more damage with every class skill, the beam included, while it's on.	A toggle since Update 52: damage around you every 3 seconds and 5% more damage with every class skill, the beam included, while it's on.
Back 2	Fulminating Rune Herald of the Tome Cast time: InstantRange: 22 metresDuration: 20 secondsCost: 3,510 Stamina A damage over time effect that also gives three allies a strong area damage synergy.	A damage over time effect that also gives three allies a strong area damage synergy.
Back 3	Inspired Scholarship Herald of the Tome Cast time: InstantDuration: 30 secondsCost: 4,455 Magicka Lots of damage, Major Brutality while slotted, and at least one Crux when your beam ends.	Lots of damage, Major Brutality while slotted, and at least one Crux when your beam ends.
Back 4	Stampede Two Handed Cast time: InstantRange: 22 metresDuration: 15 secondsCost: 4,590 Stamina Gap closer that leaves a burning patch under the boss. It procs your weapon glyph over and over, and with Merciless Charge it adds direct damage.	Gap closer that leaves a burning patch under the boss. It procs your weapon glyph over and over, and with Merciless Charge it adds direct damage.
Back 5	Vampire's Bane Dawn's Wrath Cast time: InstantRange: 28 metresDuration: 30 secondsCost: 2,970 Magicka A burn that lasts 60 seconds on a boss since Update 52, and Major Savagery for you.	A burn that lasts 60 seconds on a boss since Update 52, and Major Savagery for you.
Back R	The Languid Eye Herald of the Tome Cast time: InstantRange: 15 metresDuration: 6 secondsCost: 175 Ultimate Area damage for 6 seconds that you can steer by pressing it again. On both bars so it counts for Splintered Secrets.	Area damage for 6 seconds that you can steer by pressing it again. On both bars so it counts for Splintered Secrets.

Open the Boss setup in the Build Editor to change skills, gear and stats.

Simulate it on the Trial dummy to see its DPS, where the damage comes from and what each buff is worth.

What this setup brings

You get

Front bar

Dual Wield

1

2

3

4

5

R

Back bar

Two Handed · Greatsword

1

2

3

4

5

R

Slot	Skill	Why it's slotted
Front 1	Cephaliarch's Flail Herald of the Tome Cast time: 0.3 secondsCost: 2,984 Stamina Area hit that builds Crux, heals you, and makes enemies take 5% more damage from you.	Area hit that builds Crux, heals you, and makes enemies take 5% more damage from you.
Front 2	Pragmatic Fatecarver Herald of the Tome Channel time: 4.5 secondsCost: 630 Magicka / 1s Your main damage: spend Crux on a 22-metre beam that hits everything in its line at full strength and shields you while you channel.	Your main damage: spend Crux on a 22-metre beam that hits everything in its line at full strength and shields you while you channel.
Front 3	Radiant Glory Dawn's Wrath Channel time: 3.8 secondsRange: 28 metresCost: 648 Magicka / 1s Execute channel: it starts scaling at 33% Health and beats the beam below about 20%. Heals you for 15% of its damage.	Execute channel: it starts scaling at 33% Health and beats the beam below about 20%. Heals you for 15% of its damage.
Front 4	Quick Cloak Dual Wield Cast time: InstantDuration: 30 secondsCost: 3,780 Stamina Major Evasion, a burst of speed, and 30 seconds of damage that procs your weapon glyphs while you can't Light Attack.	Major Evasion, a burst of speed, and 30 seconds of damage that procs your weapon glyphs while you can't Light Attack.
Front 5	Camouflaged Hunter Fighters Guild Cast time: InstantDuration: 5 secondsCost: 5,130 Stamina Slotted for Major Savagery, Minor Berserk when you crit from the flank, and the Fighters Guild's Slayer passive.	Slotted for Major Savagery, Minor Berserk when you crit from the flank, and the Fighters Guild's Slayer passive.
Front R	Crescent Sweep Aedric Spear Cast time: 0.3 secondsDuration: 6 secondsCost: 75 Ultimate Cheap area Ultimate: a spear sweep and 6 seconds of damage around you.	Cheap area Ultimate: a spear sweep and 6 seconds of damage around you.
Back 1	Solar Barrage Dawn's Wrath Cast time: 0.8 secondsRange: 28 metresCost: 2,700 Magicka A toggle since Update 52: damage around you every 3 seconds and 5% more damage with every class skill, the beam included, while it's on.	A toggle since Update 52: damage around you every 3 seconds and 5% more damage with every class skill, the beam included, while it's on.
Back 2	Fulminating Rune Herald of the Tome Cast time: InstantRange: 22 metresDuration: 20 secondsCost: 3,510 Stamina A damage over time effect that also gives three allies a strong area damage synergy.	A damage over time effect that also gives three allies a strong area damage synergy.
Back 3	Inspired Scholarship Herald of the Tome Cast time: InstantDuration: 30 secondsCost: 4,455 Magicka Lots of damage, Major Brutality while slotted, and at least one Crux when your beam ends.	Lots of damage, Major Brutality while slotted, and at least one Crux when your beam ends.
Back 4	Stampede Two Handed Cast time: InstantRange: 22 metresDuration: 15 secondsCost: 4,590 Stamina Gap closer that leaves a burning patch under the boss. It procs your weapon glyph over and over, and with Merciless Charge it adds direct damage.	Gap closer that leaves a burning patch under the boss. It procs your weapon glyph over and over, and with Merciless Charge it adds direct damage.
Back 5	Proximity Detonation Assault Cast time: 1 secondRange: 28 metresDuration: 4 secondsCost: 3,510 Magicka Cast it as you run in: it bursts for more the more enemies are near.	Cast it as you run in: it bursts for more the more enemies are near.
Back R	The Languid Eye Herald of the Tome Cast time: InstantRange: 15 metresDuration: 6 secondsCost: 175 Ultimate Area damage for 6 seconds that you can steer by pressing it again. On both bars so it counts for Splintered Secrets.	Area damage for 6 seconds that you can steer by pressing it again. On both bars so it counts for Splintered Secrets.

Open the Trash setup in the Build Editor to change skills, gear and stats.

Simulate it on the Trial dummy to see its DPS, where the damage comes from and what each buff is worth.

Playing this variant

Nothing changes in the rotation; the line is there for its passives.

Herald of the TomeDawn's WrathAnimal Companions

For an Arcanist, Templar or Warden. Blue Betty takes Fulminating Rune's slot for sustain, Deep Fissure takes Camouflaged Hunter's for your own Major and Minor Breach, and Wild Guardian goes on both bars in place of The Languid Eye. Advanced Species adds Critical Damage. About 145k on the dummy.

Single target: every slot either hits the boss harder or buffs you. Keep your damage over time effects and buffs up, then spam your spammable in between.

What this setup brings

You get

Enemies get

Front bar

Dual Wield

1

2

3

4

5

R

Back bar

Two Handed · Greatsword

1

2

3

4

5

R

Slot	Skill	Why it's slotted
Front 1	Cephaliarch's Flail Herald of the Tome Cast time: 0.3 secondsCost: 2,984 Stamina Area hit that builds Crux, heals you, and makes enemies take 5% more damage from you.	Area hit that builds Crux, heals you, and makes enemies take 5% more damage from you.
Front 2	Pragmatic Fatecarver Herald of the Tome Channel time: 4.5 secondsCost: 630 Magicka / 1s Your main damage: spend Crux on a 22-metre beam that hits everything in its line at full strength and shields you while you channel.	Your main damage: spend Crux on a 22-metre beam that hits everything in its line at full strength and shields you while you channel.
Front 3	Radiant Glory Dawn's Wrath Channel time: 3.8 secondsRange: 28 metresCost: 648 Magicka / 1s Execute channel: it starts scaling at 33% Health and beats the beam below about 20%. Heals you for 15% of its damage.	Execute channel: it starts scaling at 33% Health and beats the beam below about 20%. Heals you for 15% of its damage.
Front 4	Quick Cloak Dual Wield Cast time: InstantDuration: 30 secondsCost: 3,780 Stamina Major Evasion, a burst of speed, and 30 seconds of damage that procs your weapon glyphs while you can't Light Attack.	Major Evasion, a burst of speed, and 30 seconds of damage that procs your weapon glyphs while you can't Light Attack.
Front 5	Deep Fissure Animal Companions Cast time: InstantDuration: 9 secondsCost: 2,700 Magicka Two big hits that put Major and Minor Breach on the boss. Pre-cast it before trash pulls.	Two big hits that put Major and Minor Breach on the boss. Pre-cast it before trash pulls.
Front R	Wild Guardian Animal Companions Cast time: 2.5 secondsCost: Free The bear stays out while it's on both bars.	The bear stays out while it's on both bars.
Back 1	Solar Barrage Dawn's Wrath Cast time: 0.8 secondsRange: 28 metresCost: 2,700 Magicka A toggle since Update 52: damage around you every 3 seconds and 5% more damage with every class skill, the beam included, while it's on.	A toggle since Update 52: damage around you every 3 seconds and 5% more damage with every class skill, the beam included, while it's on.
Back 2	Blue Betty Animal Companions Cast time: InstantDuration: 25 secondsCost: Free Restores Magicka over 25 seconds and gives you Major Brutality. It cleanses an effect every 5 seconds, or gives 5% more damage.	Restores Magicka over 25 seconds and gives you Major Brutality. It cleanses an effect every 5 seconds, or gives 5% more damage.
Back 3	Inspired Scholarship Herald of the Tome Cast time: InstantDuration: 30 secondsCost: 4,455 Magicka Lots of damage, Major Brutality while slotted, and at least one Crux when your beam ends.	Lots of damage, Major Brutality while slotted, and at least one Crux when your beam ends.
Back 4	Stampede Two Handed Cast time: InstantRange: 22 metresDuration: 15 secondsCost: 4,590 Stamina Gap closer that leaves a burning patch under the boss. It procs your weapon glyph over and over, and with Merciless Charge it adds direct damage.	Gap closer that leaves a burning patch under the boss. It procs your weapon glyph over and over, and with Merciless Charge it adds direct damage.
Back 5	Vampire's Bane Dawn's Wrath Cast time: InstantRange: 28 metresDuration: 30 secondsCost: 2,970 Magicka A burn that lasts 60 seconds on a boss since Update 52, and Major Savagery for you.	A burn that lasts 60 seconds on a boss since Update 52, and Major Savagery for you.
Back R	Wild Guardian Animal Companions Cast time: 2.5 secondsCost: Free On both bars so the bear stays out.	On both bars so the bear stays out.

Open the Boss setup in the Build Editor to change skills, gear and stats.

Simulate it on the Trial dummy to see its DPS, where the damage comes from and what each buff is worth.

What this setup brings

You get

Enemies get

Front bar

Dual Wield

1

2

3

4

5

R

Back bar

Two Handed · Greatsword

1

2

3

4

5

R

Slot	Skill	Why it's slotted
Front 1	Cephaliarch's Flail Herald of the Tome Cast time: 0.3 secondsCost: 2,984 Stamina Area hit that builds Crux, heals you, and makes enemies take 5% more damage from you.	Area hit that builds Crux, heals you, and makes enemies take 5% more damage from you.
Front 2	Pragmatic Fatecarver Herald of the Tome Channel time: 4.5 secondsCost: 630 Magicka / 1s Your main damage: spend Crux on a 22-metre beam that hits everything in its line at full strength and shields you while you channel.	Your main damage: spend Crux on a 22-metre beam that hits everything in its line at full strength and shields you while you channel.
Front 3	Radiant Glory Dawn's Wrath Channel time: 3.8 secondsRange: 28 metresCost: 648 Magicka / 1s Execute channel: it starts scaling at 33% Health and beats the beam below about 20%. Heals you for 15% of its damage.	Execute channel: it starts scaling at 33% Health and beats the beam below about 20%. Heals you for 15% of its damage.
Front 4	Quick Cloak Dual Wield Cast time: InstantDuration: 30 secondsCost: 3,780 Stamina Major Evasion, a burst of speed, and 30 seconds of damage that procs your weapon glyphs while you can't Light Attack.	Major Evasion, a burst of speed, and 30 seconds of damage that procs your weapon glyphs while you can't Light Attack.
Front 5	Deep Fissure Animal Companions Cast time: InstantDuration: 9 secondsCost: 2,700 Magicka Two big hits that put Major and Minor Breach on the boss. Pre-cast it before trash pulls.	Two big hits that put Major and Minor Breach on the boss. Pre-cast it before trash pulls.
Front R	Wild Guardian Animal Companions Cast time: 2.5 secondsCost: Free The bear stays out while it's on both bars.	The bear stays out while it's on both bars.
Back 1	Solar Barrage Dawn's Wrath Cast time: 0.8 secondsRange: 28 metresCost: 2,700 Magicka A toggle since Update 52: damage around you every 3 seconds and 5% more damage with every class skill, the beam included, while it's on.	A toggle since Update 52: damage around you every 3 seconds and 5% more damage with every class skill, the beam included, while it's on.
Back 2	Blue Betty Animal Companions Cast time: InstantDuration: 25 secondsCost: Free Restores Magicka over 25 seconds and gives you Major Brutality. It cleanses an effect every 5 seconds, or gives 5% more damage.	Restores Magicka over 25 seconds and gives you Major Brutality. It cleanses an effect every 5 seconds, or gives 5% more damage.
Back 3	Inspired Scholarship Herald of the Tome Cast time: InstantDuration: 30 secondsCost: 4,455 Magicka Lots of damage, Major Brutality while slotted, and at least one Crux when your beam ends.	Lots of damage, Major Brutality while slotted, and at least one Crux when your beam ends.
Back 4	Stampede Two Handed Cast time: InstantRange: 22 metresDuration: 15 secondsCost: 4,590 Stamina Gap closer that leaves a burning patch under the boss. It procs your weapon glyph over and over, and with Merciless Charge it adds direct damage.	Gap closer that leaves a burning patch under the boss. It procs your weapon glyph over and over, and with Merciless Charge it adds direct damage.
Back 5	Proximity Detonation Assault Cast time: 1 secondRange: 28 metresDuration: 4 secondsCost: 3,510 Magicka Cast it as you run in: it bursts for more the more enemies are near.	Cast it as you run in: it bursts for more the more enemies are near.
Back R	Wild Guardian Animal Companions Cast time: 2.5 secondsCost: Free On both bars so the bear stays out.	On both bars so the bear stays out.

Open the Trash setup in the Build Editor to change skills, gear and stats.

Simulate it on the Trial dummy to see its DPS, where the damage comes from and what each buff is worth.

Playing this variant

Wild Guardian is single target, so you have no area Ultimate for trash.
Swap Blue Betty for Bull Netch if Stamina runs out before Magicka.

Flex skills

Swap these in when the fight or your group calls for it.

Incapacitating Strike
Assassination: the other Soul Harvest morph. More damage, but no Ultimate on kills.
Resolving Vigor
Self-heal for fights with constant damage. Takes Vampire's Bane or Camouflaged Hunter's slot.
Elemental Rage
The best trash Ultimate, with a destruction staff on the back bar.

Passives

The passives that shape this build. They come with the skill lines, so there's nothing to slot.

Splintered Secrets
Offensive Penetration for each Herald of the Tome skill slotted, Ultimates included.
Psychic Lesion
Your status effects deal 15% more damage and apply 55% more often.
Harnessed Quintessence
Weapon and Spell Damage whenever you restore Magicka or Stamina.
Prism
Ultimate when you cast Dawn's Wrath skills in combat.
Twin Blade and Blunt
Two daggers on the front bar: Critical Chance from each.
Heavy Weapons
The back-bar greatsword adds Weapon and Spell Damage.
Slayer
3% more Weapon and Spell Damage with a Fighters Guild skill slotted.
Dexterity
12% more Critical Damage from 6 Medium pieces.
Concentration
Offensive Penetration from 1 Light piece.

Gear

The standard setup. Slivers of the Null Arca on five Medium pieces adds Critical Chance and builds crystals from your crits, and Highland Sentinel on the rings and daggers stacks Critical Chance for every second you stand still, which you do while beaming. Nerien'eth conjures exploding crystals with your direct damage, and the Velothi Ur-Mage's Amulet mythic adds Penetration, 15% damage against monsters and Minor Force. Merciless Charge on the back-bar greatsword turns Stampede into a damage buff.

Buffs and debuffs with this gear

Gold entries come from your gear; the rest come from your skills and passives.

You get

Your group gets

Slots

Slot	Set	Type	Trait	Enchant
Head	Nerien'eth Medium (monster)	Medium (monster)	Divines	Stamina
Shoulders	Nerien'eth Light (monster)	Light (monster)	Divines	Stamina
Chest	Slivers of the Null Arca Medium	Medium	Divines	Stamina
Hands	Slivers of the Null Arca Medium	Medium	Divines	Stamina
Waist	Slivers of the Null Arca Medium	Medium	Divines	Stamina
Legs	Slivers of the Null Arca Medium	Medium	Divines	Stamina
Feet	Slivers of the Null Arca Medium	Medium	Divines	Stamina
Neck	Velothi Ur-Mage's Amulet Jewellery (mythic)	Jewellery (mythic)	Bloodthirsty	Increase Physical Harm
Ring 1	Highland Sentinel Jewellery	Jewellery	Bloodthirsty	Increase Physical Harm
Ring 2	Highland Sentinel Jewellery	Jewellery	Bloodthirsty	Increase Physical Harm
Front: main hand	Highland Sentinel Dagger	Dagger	Nirnhoned	Poison
Front: off hand	Highland Sentinel Dagger	Dagger	Charged	Flame
Back bar	Merciless Charge Greatsword (two-handed)	Greatsword (two-handed)	Infused	Berserker

Sturdy and Divines are interchangeable on armour. Tri-Stat glyphs on jewellery are a fine swap if you need more resources.

What the sets do

Nerien'ethMonster

2 pieces · Crypt of Hearts II (veteran) + Undaunted chest

(1 item)Adds 129 Weapon Damage and Spell Damage.
(2 items)When you deal direct damage, you have a 15% chance to conjure a Lich crystal that explodes after 2 seconds, dealing 1360 Magic damage to all enemies within 4 meters. Once every 3 seconds.

Slivers of the Null ArcaTrial

5 pieces · Lucent Citadel

(2 items)Adds 657 Critical Chance.
(3 items)Gain Minor Slayer, increasing damage done to monsters by 5%.
(4 items)Adds 657 Critical Chance.
(5 items)Dealing Critical Damage gives you a stack of Sliver for 10 seconds, up to once every 0.5 seconds. Upon gaining your third stack, they merge into a crystal that launches at the last enemy you damaged, dealing 1952 Physical damage. This effect scales off the higher of your Weapon Damage and Spell Damage, and you cannot gain Sliver for 4 seconds after the crystal is launched.

Velothi Ur-Mage's AmuletMythic

1 piece · Antiquities: Telvanni Peninsula

(1 item)Adds 1650 Offensive Penetration.
(1 item)Increase your damage done to monsters by 15%, gain Minor Force at all times, and reduce your total damage done with Light and Heavy Attacks by 99%.

Highland SentinelCraftable

4 front / 2 back · Crafted at a set station

Only 4 of 5 pieces, so the top bonus is off.

(2 items)Adds 657 Critical Chance.
(3 items)Adds 657 Critical Chance.
(4 items)Adds 657 Critical Chance.
(5 items)Adds 986 Critical Chance.
(5 items)While in combat, each second you stand still grants you a stack of Sentinel's Eye, increasing your Critical Chance by 443 per stack, stacking up to 3 times. Each second you move, one stack is removed. Using charge and teleport abilities does not remove stacks, and exiting combat will remove all stacks of Sentinel's Eye.

Merciless ChargeArena

2 pieces · back bar · Maelstrom Arena (veteran)

(2 items)Activating Critical Charge stirs up a barbarous lust for battle within you for 18 seconds, increasing your damage done with direct damage attacks by 1%, up to a maximum of 12%. This effect scales off the higher of your Weapon Damage and Spell Damage.

Alternative sets

Sul-Xan's Torment
Best for trash and bosses that keep spawning adds.
Ansuul's Torment
Best for area boss fights.
Order's Wrath
Crafted fallback.
Tide-Born Wildstalker
Crafted fallback.
Deadly Strike
Cyrodiil fallback.

Champion Points

Slottable stars only. Spend passive points in each tree along the path to these stars.

Warfare

Biting Aura
More damage with area attacks. The beam and Flail are both area attacks, even on a single boss.
Master-at-Arms
More direct damage.
Wrathful Strikes
Weapon and Spell Damage on every damaging skill.
Fighting Finesse
Critical Damage until your group's buffs take you to the 125% cap.

Fitness

Boundless Vitality
Max Health, so one-shot mechanics don't kill you.
Fortified
Armor, for the hits you can't block.
Celerity
10% Movement Speed, which Banner Bearer's Cavalier's Charge turns into Weapon and Spell Damage.
Rejuvenation
Recovery for all three resources.

Craft

Steed's Blessing
Run between pulls faster.
Gifted Rider
Faster mount.

Good swaps

Thaumaturge
More damage over time, for builds whose damage is mostly DoTs.
Untamed Aggression
Weapon and Spell Damage, in place of Fighting Finesse once you sit at the 125% Critical Damage cap.
Backstabber
Critical Damage when you hit from the flank. Strong when the tank turns the boss away.
Exploiter
More damage against Off Balance targets, if your group keeps Off Balance up.
Bloody Renewal
Heals you when you kill an enemy. Good on trash with a fragile build.

Race

Dark Elf
Max Magicka and Stamina, and more damage with flame. Damage simulations put it first.
4-playerKhajiit
Critical Damage and Healing. Better in dungeons, where you rarely hit the Critical Damage cap.

Mundus

The Thief
More Critical Chance. Divines on the armour makes it bigger.
PenetrationThe Lover
Penetration, if your group doesn't bring Crusher, Alkosh or Tremorscale.

Attributes

64 Stamina

Every skill you cast scales from Max Stamina and Weapon and Spell Damage. Food and Boundless Vitality give you enough Health for normal content; move points into Health only if you keep dying to mechanics while you learn a fight.

Food

Hearty Garlic Corn Chowder
Max Stamina with Stamina and Magicka Recovery, so the beam never runs dry.
more HealthBraised Rabbit with Spring Vegetables
Max Health and Max Stamina with Stamina Recovery, for content that hits hard.

Potions

Essence of Health
Tri-stat: restores Health, Magicka and Stamina. Inspired Scholarship and Vampire's Bane already give you Major Brutality and Savagery.
UltimateHeroism potion
Minor Heroism for more Ultimate. Swap Banner Bearer's affix to Berserk or Courage when you drink these.

Gameplay

1Pre-cast Quick Cloak, Solar Barrage and Inspired Scholarship before the pull.
2Keep these up, most important first: The Languid Eye when it's ready, Stampede, Solar Barrage, Inspired Scholarship, Vampire's Bane, Fulminating Rune, Quick Cloak.
3Cast Cephaliarch's Flail until you have three Crux, then beam with Pragmatic Fatecarver.
4Below 20% Health, channel Radiant Glory instead of the beam. Stop refreshing damage over time effects when the boss is about to die.

FAQ

What's the difference between the Boss and Trash setups?

What gear do I need for the Beam build?

Nerien'eth, Slivers of the Null Arca, Velothi Ur-Mage's Amulet, Highland Sentinel, Merciless Charge. The Alternative sets list easier sets to start with.

Which third skill line should I pick?

Whichever your class allows. A Templar can take any of the three, and Aedric Spear parses highest. A Nightblade takes Assassination, a Warden Animal Companions, and an Arcanist either. All three are within about 1% of each other.