Discover the best one-bar Builds in ESO as this PvE Tier list ranks the best and worst for The Elder Scrolls Online Update 42 Gold Road Chapter.
This build has been updated for theUpdated 42, theGold Road Chapterof the Elder Scrolls Online (ESO).
ESO one-bar builds are commonly referred to as “heavy attack builds.” These builds use the Oakensoul Mythic and other five-piece gear sets to do really solid damage using only one bar. ESO combat is complicated, and it’s especially difficult for newer players who are trying to learn gameplay mechanics, dps rotations, and light attack weave efficiently all at the same time. Instead, using a heavy attack build can help you hit really high numbers, while giving you the chance to focus on positioning and gameplay instead of your ability bars. It can even accelerate your progression into veteran difficulty content, getting you some much needed gear andmonster helmets.
In the current meta, one bar (heavy attack) builds perform well, but they aren’t as strong as well optimizedtwo-bar PvE builds. Still, they give you a simpler rotation, better survivability, and unless you’re already very competent on a two-bar build, they’ll probably do more damage in the Elder Scrolls Online too. Our tier list ranks the best and worst classes using a medium armor, magicka-based heavy attack build setup.
What’s the Best One Bar Build in ESO?
The best one-bar build in ESO Update 42Gold Road Chapteris the Sorcerer because of damage, survivability, and ease of play.Ranked as an S+ tier, the Sorcerer one bar using Oakensoul Mythic with pets makes the build less complex and produces the highest single-target damage. A secondary choice is the Templar, which has excellent damage and survivability due to its executeRadiant Glory. Moreover, the Templar has additional group utility with synergy skills, making it a perfect choice for group-oriented players. These are ESO’s best and worst One Bar PvE Builds and classes in Update 42.
ESO PvE One Bar Class and Build Tier List:
The Table below ranks and lists all ESO Classes using the one bar build from the best to the worst:
7Dragonknight| C Tier
On our list, we rank the Dragonknight (DK) as a C Tier, marking it as the least effective one-bar build in ESO. The problem is not that DKs are weak, they’re actually one of the strongest dps classes in the game right now, its that the DK’s strengths clash with the strengths of a heavy attack build. A lightning staff heavy attack takes2.2 seconds to channel, butBurning Talons, the DK’s strongest ability, lasts for 5 seconds. You’re almost always either missing damage ticks or causing downtime in your strongest aoe ability.
There’s also the problem of melee versus ranged dps. Heavy attack builds are usually ranged, due to the lightning staff doing the most damage. The DKs strongest abilities are all melee ranged, however. That isn’t necessarily an issue, it just forces you to get up close to enemies, whereas staying at range is huge for your survivability. you’re able to of course still do solid damage heavy attacking with the DK, other classes just don’t have these problems, putting DKs last on the list.
Dragonknight Heavy Attack Pros
Dragonknight Heavy Attack Cons
If you think about every class like a tool, the strength of the Dragonknight is its ability to put out almost its total single target damage in an area around your character. DKs have quite a few of the strongest DoTs in the game, one of the best damage ultimates, and tons of utility forsolo PvE play. Heavy attacking on a one bar build conflicts with your heavy attacking channel, and you lose out on several really strong DoTs when you limit the DK to one bar.
We suggest you not play the DK in a one-bar build. If you want to play the DK, commit to learning the rotation and load up a second bar with ourMagicka DK PvE build. It’s more difficult, but the DK is so strong that it’s worth taking the time to learn. Up next on our Best One Bar Build for ESO PvE Tier List is another class with similar problems using Oakensoul, the Nightblade.
6Nightblade| B Tier
The Nightblade is ranked B tier on our one-bar list due to its overall weak dps in content.Concealed Weapon was changed, requiring stealth to gain a damage bonus, thus making it an entirely PvP-focused skill.This leaves the Nightblade with weak magicka-based spammables and weaker DoTs than other classes on this list. Similar to the DK, if you really want to play a Nightblade, you’re better off just learning a fullstamina Nightblade two-bar build. There are just plenty of better options for heavy attacking in the Elder Scrolls Online.
Nightblade Heavy Attack Pros
Nightblade Heavy Attack Cons
The main issue with the Nightblade One Bar build is the lack of bar space. This lack of bar space makes you compete for good single target damage or okay aoe damage. You ultimately have to choose between the two, but not have both simultaneously. However, the Nightblade can be fun and fast to play solo, with great range and ultimate generation. It is still one of the weakest one-bar builds and not one we suggest using.
5Necromancer| B+ Tier
Ranking B+ Tier on our One Bar PvE Tier list, the Necromancer is still weaker than other classes on this list while providing some additional group utility than classes lower on this list.The Necromancer has one of the best sources of Major Vulnerability through its ultimateGlacial Colossus. While the Necro just doesn’t do as much dps as other classes on this list, you do help the rest of the group do more dps.
Necromancer Heavy Attack Pros
Necromancer Heavy Attack Cons
The cons of the Necro one bar are more complex rotation, weaker single target, and lack of bar space. Necros have fallen behind other classes in dps for the last couple of patches, and this isn’t different for heavy attack builds. In fact, it’s worse because Blighted Blastbones doesn’t line up well with the lightning staff heavy attack, similar to the Dragonknight. You do get the extra group source of Major Vulnerability, however.
4Arcanist| A Tier
This is a bit of a cop-out, considering it isn’t a heavy attack build.
The Arcanist one-bar build does not utilize Oakensoul due to the Fatecarver skill which is still a very long channel. Thus,we rank it A Tier on this listdue to its damage and survivability, but ultimately, it doesn’t play with heavy attacks. The premise of the class is the 4-second channel Fatecarver skill, eliminating the possibility of heavy attacking consistently. Still, you have a similar amount of downtime while dealing damage, and Oakensoul gives you a ton of buffs, allowing you to hit really hard even without heavy attacking.
Arcanist Pros
Arcanist Cons
The problem with a one-bar Arcanist class is you might as well use Fatecarver instead of heavy attacking. If you’re running Fatecarver, however, you might as well run a full two-bar build. It just isn’t that much more difficult, and your damage is a lot higher, especially in group content. Moreover, you still need to purchase the Necrom chapter to obtain the class, creating a paywall for players. Try this one-bar build if you like the Arcanist, and want something more straightforward and still effective. You should definitely be looking to running thefull two-bar build though.
3Warden| A+ Tier
If you want a sturdy and durable one-bar build, look no further than the Warden ranked A+ tier on our list. Update 41 changed and improved elemental status effects, making chilled do even more damage and improving the Warden’s damage overall. Moreover, this high ranking is partially because the Warden performs so strongly in the Infinite Archive area. With passive healing, good area damage, and high survivability, the Warden makes a fantastic one-bar build for that type of content. Its power fades in solo arenas, but the Warden is in a great place for most players.
Warden Heavy Attack Pros
Warden Heavy Attack Cons
Consider playing the Warden if you want something with high survivability, group utility, and area damage. This is a great all around build to take into most content, and Wardens have some of the best skill animations in the game.
2Templar| S Tier
The second best one-bar build is the Templar, which ranks S tier due to its best execution skill, group utility, and great overall damage. Templar’s Radiant Glory is an execute that out performs your heavy attack at around 15-20% boss health. This execute also heals based on damage done, keeping you healthy during the last portion of a boss fight. Moreover, you have a good balance of area damage and single target with good survivability.
The best advantage to the Templar is how easily you can tweak a few skills to make this build a competent healer. You can easily swap your morphcheck out the buildto see how to do that.
Templar Heavy Attack Pros
Templar Heavy Attack Cons
The major weakness of the Templar is it just does less damage than the next class on this list, and you have to change your rotation in execute. Radiant Glory is challenging to light attack weave for players who haven’t played the Templar extensively. However, if you’re looking for a great base game class to use Oakensoul heavy attack build with amazing utility and execute dps, the Templar is your choice in ESO Update 42 and beyond.
1Sorcerer| S+ Tier
The best one-bar build in ESO in Update 42 is the Sorcerer with almost no nerfs to any classes this patch, ranking it S+ tier again. The Sorcerer retains the highest single-target damage with ease of play and survivability. Using two pets carries your damage and survivability, allowing you to focus on precise heavy attack timing and rotation. Additionally, the developers buffed status effects in the previous update, resulting in more Concussed damage overall and even more for the Sorcerer. Thus, you can expect a big damage buff to an already powerful build and one bar load out.
Sorcerer Heavy Attack Pros
Sorcerer Heavy Attack Cons
The only downsides to the Sorcerer is the overall weaker aoe skills and the reality that you just have less to do with fewer skills on your bar. Still, this is the strongest class for heavy attacking, and you can competently complete most Veteran content on the build. Like all heavy attack builds, however, the main benefit is to get into harder content earlier and learn some of the mechanics before throwing in a more difficult two-bar rotation on top of mechanics you don’t fully understand yet.
Therefore, Sorcerer is still the best one bar build in ESO and we recommend it for any player looking to do heavy attacks.
Patch 10.0.5brought ten new item sets, three new mythics, andtheScribing feature. There were minor balance changes due to introducing11 new skills via Scribing called Grimoires. With new skills that can be changed via scripts, however, many skills have delays or long animations. This doesn’t fit the typical Oakensoul Heavy Attack One Bar build playstyle, though some uses can be found for buffs. The Scribing system allows you to gain buffs, healing, shields, and so forth that help fill the weakness in your builds. However, the passive and active skills still determine the overall strength of the class and why you should use them.
Here is a brief summary of the biggest changes from Update 42:
How Does One Bar Heavy Attack Build Work in ESO?
Below are some of the features found using the Oakensoul Heavy Attack builds in the Elder Scrolls Online:
These builds aim to continually hit fully charged heavy attacks to increase your damage via gear sets. Additionally, you want to proc off balance as often as possible, with 7 seconds of uptime (active) and 15 seconds of downtime. The builds prioritize one or two damage over time effects, Wall of Elements for off-balance proc, and constant fully charged heavy attacks.
With the gear loadout we have provided, which works on every class, you can easily reach 25-27,000 health, 30,000 magicka, and near infinite resource sustain. Moreover, on a 21 million health parse dummy, these fully-charged heavy attacks can see numbers over 90,000 in damage per second! The best and worst one-bar builds on this PvE tier List for ESO either do more damage and have greater survivability or ease of play.
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