Beginner Tank Gear Setup for New ESO Players

This beginner tank setup is ideal for new players in The Elder Scrolls Online, offering an affordable way to start tanking dungeons and content. The focus is on easy-to-obtain, useful tank gear to help you learn the role.

You may need a crafter to make this gear, which can be arranged by joining up to five guilds. Ensure the gear is crafted at CP150, not CP160, to save on materials as this setup is intended to be temporary.

The build focuses on tanking with minimal group support, perfect for beginners. Its primary strengths are sustain and survival, essential for tanking duties. Magicka Recovery is crucial since a high Health pool is necessary to absorb damage, and Magicka is needed for most tank skills, including self-healing and sustain abilities. Using Armor of the Seducer reduces Magicka ability costs by 10%, enhancing sustain further.

This setup is suitable for normal dungeons, normal trials, and non-DLC veteran dungeons, enabling you to farm other useful tank sets and earn Undaunted Keys through daily pledges.

• Armor of the Seducer Crafted: 3 Traits research needed.
• Druid’s Braid Crafted: 7 Traits research needed.

Alternative Gear Options:

• Engine Guardian Looted: Veteran Darkshade Caverns II – Helmet. Shoulder buy with Undaunted Keys via Maj.
• Crest of Cyrodiil Buy: Cyrodiil, Vlastarus Elite Gear Vendor or Guild Traders.
• Torug’s Pact Crafted: 3 Traits research needed.

Beginner Tank Setup for Non-DLC Players

If you don’t own any ESO DLCs, this build is a great progression step. These sets are easy to obtain and offer slight improvements over crafted gear while providing group buffs.

• Ebon Armory: Obtainable from one of the easiest dungeons, this heavy armor set offers both personal and group health buffs.
• Worm’s Raiment: Despite being a light armor set, it’s crucial for Magicka recovery, essential for tanking. Equip it on jewellery and weapons.
• Torug’s Pact: A crafted set that serves as a good alternative to either set, offering better group buffs and a viable option until trial sets are acquired.

For monster sets, consider Bloodspawn, Lord Warden, Sentinel of Rkugamz or Tremorscale for group buffs. Alternatively, use Engine Guardian for extra self-sustain. This setup focuses on enhancing group performance and personal survivability.

• Engine Guardian Looted: Helmet from Veteran Darkshade II & Shoulder buy with Undaunted Keys from Maj.
• Torug’s Pact Crafted: 3 traits research needed.
• Ebon Looted: Crypt of Hearts I & II.
• Worm Looted: Vaults of Madness.

Tank Setup for Players with Access to DLC Dungeons

If you have access to DLC dungeons, this build offers substantial benefits to max stats, resistances, and ultimate gain. It focuses on sets that provide both personal sustain and significant group benefits.

• Engine Guardian: A fantastic sustain tool, ideal for maintaining your resources.
• Drake’s Rush: Increases max stats and provides Major Heroism, boosting ultimate gain for both you and your group. Combine it with Minor Heroism, a Decisive one-handed weapon, and regular light attacks for maximum ultimate generation.
• Crimson Oath’s Rive: Offers substantial armor to help you reach the resistance cap, reducing incoming damage, and debuffs enemies to expedite fights.

Remember, a lot of a tank’s strength comes from traits, enchants, champion points, passives, and skills, so focus on these areas if you encounter any issues.

• Engine Guardian Looted: Helmet from Veteran Darkshade II & Shoulder buy with Undaunted Keys from Maj.
• Drake’s Rush Looted: Black Drake Villa.
• Crimson Oath’s Rive Looted: The Dread Cellar.

Progressive/Easy Tank Setup

If you’re an experienced ESO player transitioning to tanking or aiming for harder content, this build is perfect. It combines gear with minimal micromanagement and offers excellent group benefits and survival, making it beginner-friendly. However, all the gear is obtained from trials, with normal trials sufficing for non-perfected versions.

• Engine Guardian: A fantastic sustain tool, but replace it with Archdruid, Tremorscale, or Nazaray for progressive content as soon as possible.
• Pearlescent Ward: Provides a group damage buff effortlessly. When group members die, it grants a stacking incoming damage reduction buff, aiding survival in tough situations.
• Saxhleel Champion: Pairs well with Pearlescent Ward, offering the Major Force buff. Use a defensive ultimate like Barrier to provide Major Force and a substantial damage shield to your group.
• Master Weapons: Equip on the front bar for self-healing with Pierce Armor, offering an additional benefit and easier to obtain by completing a 4-player arena.
• Lucent Echoes: An alternative set, though the recommended setup provides more substantial survival benefits.

The strengths of this build lie in sustain and survival, vital components for tanking. Ensure your traits, enchants, champion points, passives, and skills are optimized for best performance.

• Saxhleel Champion Looted: Rockgrove Trial
• Pearlescent Ward Looted: Dreadsail Reef Trial
• Puncturing Remedy (Masters) Looted: Dragonstar Arena
• Engine Guardian Looted: Veteran Darkshade Caverns II – Helmet. Shoulder buy with Undaunted Keys via Maj.
• Lucent Echoes Looted: Lucent Citadel Trial