The Elder Scrolls Online Gold Road PTS has arrives and it’s introduced a ground-breaking feature to ESO: Scribing. With over 4,000 possible combinations, Scribing offers a fresh and versatile toolkit for all roles, especially tanks. Here, I delve into the top scribing skills that are redefining tanking, particularly for some of the classes traditionally considered less potent in this role.

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First up on our list is the Elemental Explosion, a formidable AoE spell that’s perfect for crowd control and debuffing enemies:

• Shock Damage: This component inflicts AoE concussion and minor vulnerability, making enemies more susceptible to incoming damage.
• Immobilizing Strike: Offers a robust 3-second immobilize with no cap, essential for managing large groups of enemies.
• Brittle: Enhances your group’s damage output by applying AoE Minor Brittle, increasing the critical damage enemies take by 10% for 20 seconds.

For tanks lacking in burst healing capabilities, like Nightblades, Templars, or Sorcerers without pets, Shield Throw emerges as a tactical choice:

• Magic Damage: Converts the skill to use Magicka, alleviating Stamina concerns.
• Sage’s Remedy: Integrates a health-scaling heal, providing crucial sustain.
• Vitality: Increases healing received and shield strength by 12% with a Major Vitality buff lasting 10 seconds.

Other great options include the Taunt and Major Maim application.

Soul Burst acts as a potential replacement for Void Bash:

• Pull: This delayed AoE pull condenses enemies, simplifying group management.
• Class Mastery: For DKs, reduces incoming damage by up to 8%, based on the number of enemies nearby.
• Minor Maim/Breach: Applies crucial AoE debuffs, filling in any gaps in your group’s debuffing capabilities.

For classes lacking a single-target chain, like Sorcerers or Wardens, Wield Soul is a game-changer:

• Pull and Taunt: Combines a single-target chain with a taunt, essential for boss encounters.
• Druid Resurgence: Restores both Magicka and Stamina, boosting overall resource management.
• Cowardice: Debuffs enemies, making it versatile enough for both add control and boss fights

Torchbearer shines as a group buff tool, though it’s Stamina-intensive and drops block as it has a cast time:

• Generate Ultimate: Provides a group-wide Ultimate generation boost.
• Gladiator’s Tenacity: Reduces damage taken by 30% for the group, enhancing overall survivability.
• Heroism: Grants Minor Heroism to the group, further enhancing Ultimate generation and reducing the need for Ultimate potions.

Though initially underwhelming, Ulfsild’s Contingency can be transformed into a powerful defensive tool:

• Damage Shield: Offers an 11k group damage shield, turning it into an essential group skill.
• Gladiators Tenacity and Protection: These enhancements reduce incoming damage and bolster group defences, respectively.

Lastly, Trample provides both mobility and combat utility:

• Magic Damage: Converts the skill to use Magicka, facilitating its integration into Magicka-based tank builds.
• Thief’s Swiftness: Grants a 15% movement speed boost to the group, useful both in and out of combat.
• Mangle: Applies AoE Minor Mangle to enemies, increasing the damage they take.

The introduction of Scribing in the Gold Road update not only broadens the horizon for ESO tanks but also invigorates the gameplay with endless customization possibilities. Whether you’re aiming to bolster your defense, enhance group utility, or redefine your role on the battlefield, these top scribing skills for tanks offer a compelling starting point.