What are the best Tank builds in ESO?

The Tank is the player who has the immense responsability of drawing the attention of enemies away from their party members, absorbing huge amounts of damage that would kill other players in the blink of an eye.

In this article we will go through the 5 best Tank builds currently in ESO. These builds will allow you to make the most of the Tank role in The Elder Scrolls Online, with tools to keep enemy groups under control, survive the mightiest of bosses, and also deal a good amount of damage.

5. Mistform

Mistform is a tank build for PvP that combines the tremendous tanking potential of the Necromancer class with the Vampire abilities for maximum survivability. The core of this build is based around using the vampire’s Blood Mist skill to greatly increase your damage reduction and sustain.

What Mistform excels at:

• Very high damage reduction provided by the combination of Necromancer skills and the Blood Mist;
• Powerful self-healing while in mist form;
• Great Magicka sustain from the Desert Rose armor set, allowing you to spam your abilities;
• Easy to master, being a one-bar build using the Oakensoul Ring;
• Lots of constant buffs are provided by the Oakensoul Ring.

Build Details

4. Nightblade

Nightblades have plenty of skills that are perfect for tanks on the Shadow skill tree, increasing their defensive capabilities, while also being able to effectively heal themselves using Siphoning skills. This PvE build is perfect for Nightblade players who wish to tank at endgame content without a problem.

What Nightblade excels at:

• Very high defensive buffs and self-healing capabilities using the Nightblade’s skills;
• Empowered Puncture ability, perfect for One-Handed and Shield users;
• Increased damage and additional effect on Bash, provided by the Turning Tide armor set;
• Constant Minor Aegis, which is great for dealing with Dungeon, Arena and Trial bosses;
• Good AoE damage potential.

Build Details

3. Hybrid Warden

This Warden build is an extensive guide on how to increase your performance as a tank using this class. Wardens have all the tools necessary to draw the attention of enemies and keep them at bay while your allies beat them down, while also counting on powerful summoned companions that make the tanking job much easier.

What Hybrid Warden excels at:

• Powerful summoned companions that aid you in the task of keeping your allies safe and yourself alive;
• Amazing AoE Crowd Control abilities such as the Arctic Blast;
• Very high bursts of self-healing;
• Great damage over time and healing over time effects;
• Damage shields that protect you and your allies from all incoming damage.

Build Details

2. Necromancer

Necromancers are absolute beasts when it comes to sustain and survivability, two of the most important characteristics of a tank. This PvE build utilizes all of the strengths of the Necromancer in combination with powerful armor sets to create the most durable tank possible.

What Necromancer excels at:

• Amazing defensive buffs and self-healing capabilities using the Necromancer’s abilities;
• Empowered Puncture ability, perfect for One-Handed and Shield users;
• Increased damage and additional effect on Bash, provided by the Turning Tide armor set;
• Constant Minor Aegis, which is great for dealing with Dungeon, Arena and Trial bosses;
• Increased charge rate of your Ultimate provided by traits.

Build Details

1. Dragonknight

Let’s face the truth here: Dragonknights were made to be the absolute tanks of this game. This setup ensures that you stay alive as long as you keep your block up and spam Cinder Storm. A very easy and incredibly effective build for all tank players out there who wish to improve at the game.

What Dragonknight excels at:

• Infinite Stamina using a Stamina recovery spammable ability;
• A constant source of Major Brutality to you and your allies using Igneous Weapons;
• Great Magicka sustain from the Desert Rose armor set, allowing you to spam your abilities;
• Cinder Storm is a powerful tool when it comes to Crowd Control and healing your party;
• Huge bursts of healing using Coagulating Blood.

Build Details

Also be sure to read:

• Top 10 Games Like The Elder Scrolls Online (Games Better Than ESO In Their Own Way)
• Elder Scrolls Online Best Race for Every Class Build
• ESO Auction House Guide - How to Sell to Other Players
• Why Players are Leaving World of Warcraft to Play Elder Scrolls Online
• 10 Most Interesting Rumors About Elder Scrolls VI