Tank Builds

One pure-class tank for each of the seven classes, plus a subclassed tank that borrows the best lines from several. Every build is written for group PvE: dungeons and trials.

Update 52 (PTS)8 builds

Update 52 (PTS) version

This page is the Update 52 version of the tank builds. 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.

Pure class or subclassed?

A pure-class build uses only its own three class skill lines, so it plays the way the class was designed and is the easiest place to start. Subclassing swaps up to two of those lines for lines from other classes. It's stronger at the top end, but it costs more to unlock and gear.

Pure class builds

Arcanist Tank

Intermediate · Herald of the Tome · Soldier of Apocrypha · Curative Runeforms

Hermaeus Mora's bulwark. Stacked shields, Crux-powered heals and group Major Force from a class mastery, so you don't need a set for it.

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Dragonknight Tank

Beginner · Ardent Flame · Draconic Power · Earthen Heart

A self-sufficient fire-and-scale tank with group Minor Brutality, a group heal zone and the Lead from the Front mastery. The easiest tank to pick up after the Update 49 refresh.

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Necromancer Tank

Intermediate · Grave Lord · Bone Tyrant · Living Death

A corpse-fuelled bulwark built around Glacial Colossus. It brings Major Vulnerability, Minor Vulnerability, Major Breach, Major Maim and group Minor Protection from class skills alone.

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Nightblade Tank

Advanced · Assassination · Shadow · Siphoning

A sustain-first shadow brawler. Siphoning Attacks and Dark Cloak keep you topped up, Blinding Flare and a scribed Ulfsild's Contingency cut the damage you take, and Share the Spoils feeds Ultimate to the group.

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Sorcerer Tank

Intermediate · Dark Magic · Daedric Summoning · Storm Calling

A shield-stacking tank. Regenerative Ward and a scribed Ulfsild's Contingency keep shields rolling, Revealing Flare gives Major Protection, and every Dark Magic cast gives the group Update 51 Penetration.

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Templar Tank

Beginner · Aedric Spear · Dawn's Wrath · Restoring Light

A sturdy healer-tank with strong self-heals and a group cleanse. Living Dark keeps the Update 51 Illuminate group Armor buff running all fight.

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Warden Tank

Intermediate · Animal Companions · Green Balance · Winter's Embrace

A double ice staff support tank. Group Major Resolve from Expansive Frost Cloak, near-permanent Major Brittle through Tundra's Maw, and a cleanse every five seconds from Bull Netch.

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Subclassed build

Subclass Tank

Advanced · Subclassed

Siphoning and Grave Lord with your choice of Winter's Embrace, Draconic Power or Storm Calling, plus scribed taunt, pull and shields. Works on almost any class.

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Comparison

Build	Difficulty	Signature group support
Arcanist	Intermediate	Major Force Major Vitality Major Protection
Dragonknight	Beginner	Major Berserk Major Protection Minor Brutality
Necromancer	Intermediate	Major Force Minor Protection Major Slayer
Nightblade	Advanced	Major Force Major Expedition Minor Intellect
Sorcerer	Intermediate	Exploitation Calculated Defense Minor Intellect
Templar	Beginner	Illuminate Bright Harbinger Minor Fortitude
Warden	Intermediate	Major Resolve Major Heroism Major Force
Subclass	Advanced	Powerful Assault