Sorcerers in The Elder Scrolls universe summons the elements and the weather to do their bidding. Other sorcerers that dabble in the Daedric arts can summon magical armor and Daedric sorcery to eliminate their foes. Players of The Elder Scrolls Online looking for a powerful spellcaster can create a Sorcerer, which skillsets also depend on the element they use.

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Moreover, Sorcerers offer a wide range of spells for the party. Their Daedric Summoning gives them access to offensive spells that can stun and interrupt opponents. Their Dark Magic debuffs enemies and buffs allies, while their Storm Calling wreaks havoc on enemies with offensive spells. These skill trees, combined with the right build, can make Sorcerers powerhouses for any Elder Scrolls Online party.

Updated October 20, 2021 by Erik Petrovich: The Sorcerer class in Elder Scrolls Online is one of the more powerful DPS builds, thanks mostly to its ease-of-access for new players and its relatively simple ability rotations. When it comes to PvP Sorcerers tend to be squishy (although of course every class can use every weapon and armor type) – there are many builds out there that better equip the Sorcerer to take on the front lines of the Three Banners War, and there are plenty that make the Sorcerer a force to be reckoned with in PvE content too. For many modern builds it appears that the dual Destruction Staff setup is used more often than others, thanks to its raw DPS output, though there are some builds that use melee weapons and even the Bow effectively too.

10 Windwalker Sorcerer

Elder Scrolls Online Sorcerer Builds Windwalker

Sorcerers have the ability to contribute significant single-target and AoE damage to opponents. This build from AlcastHQ relies on light attacks to build DPS. Both its skillsets rely on the additional firepower from the Unstable Clannfear. Moreover, both skillsets also have Bound Armaments to give a physical damage boost.

The dual-wield skillset relies on Whirling Blades and Deadly Cloak to envelop the Windwalker with defenses, with Rapid Strikes and Flawless Dawnbreaking adding an attack boost. The bow skillset makes use of Endless Hail, Hurricane, and Barbed Trap to immobilize and debuff opponents, with a Greater Storm Atronach providing a damage boost.

9 Apothis PvE Sorcerer

ESO Sorcerer Builds Medusa Set Heavy Armor Version

Sorcerers are very well suited for DPS in dungeons and other PvE environments thanks to their wide range of damaging abilities throughout their class tree. The Apothis build from DottzGaming capitalizes on the damage-oriented skillset of the Sorcerer alongside the use of the perfected Bahsei's Mania and Medusa sets, both of which increase Spell Critical and Spell Damage.

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The build uses a dual-wielding Fire Staff setup, granting use of the Destruction Staff skill tree in both the front and back bars. The front bar is focused on damage with abilities like Crystal Fragments and the Ultimate Flawless Dawnbreaker, while the Back Bar is more defensive and crowd-control oriented with abilities like Unstable Wall of Elements and Hardened Ward.

8 Mystic MagSorc

ESO Sorcerer Builds Mothers Sorrow Armor Set Mystic

Like many other Sorcerer builds in The Elder Scrolls Online, the Mystic build from AlcastHQ is almost entirely damage-oriented. It makes use of a dual-Destruction Staff setup, like the Apothis build, though it relies on Mother's Sorrow instead of the Bahsei's Mania set, though they both provide similar benefits. It, too, uses a Fire Staff in both the front and back bars.

The two builds diverge significantly when it comes to abilities. The front bar of the Mystic build uses Volatile Familar and the Ultimate Shooting Star, while the back bar uses other support and defense-oriented abilities if needed. Additionally, it uses the Perfected Crushing Wall weapon type, granting extra damage to enemies within the Sorcerer's Wall of Elements.

7 Werewolf Sorcerer

Elder Scrolls Online Sorcerer Builds Werewolf

Werewolf Sorcerers synergize the properties of both Sorcerers and Werewolves. Moreover, this Werewolf Sorcerer build gets the best DPS in terms of Werewolf Combinations. Both skillsets of Werewolf Sorcerers make use of Bound Armaments and Unstable Clannfear. These spells give Werewolf Sorcerers a much-needed damage boost.

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Their dual wield spec relies on Whirling Blades, Barbed Trap, and Rapid Strikes, with the Ultimate Werewolf Berserker to strike them down as a wolf. Meanwhile, Werewolf Sorcerers can use bows to cast AoE attacks such as Endless Hail, Hurricane, and Dark Deal. Their Ultimate lets them summon a Greater Storm Atronach for massive AoE damage.

6 Solo MagSorc

Elder Scrolls Online Sorcerer Builds MagSorc

The Solo MagSorc serves as the solo PVE setup from AlcastHQ. This build boasts great heals and shielding to deflect most damage. Moreover, both its skillsets use the Summon Volatile Familiar for support. The Destruction Staff mainbar adds defense with Hardened Ward and Consuming Trap.

It also makes use of Crystal Fragments, Force Pulse, and the Ultimate Shooting Star for devastating damage. Meanwhile, the Destruction Staff secondary skillset buffs the player with Elemental Drain and Critical Surge, and Unstable Wall of Elements and the Ultimate Greater Storm Atronach provide AoE damage.

5 Solo StamSorc

Elder Scrolls Online Sorcerer Builds StamSorc

The Solo StamSorc optimizes the Sorcerer's abilities for solo play. This build from AlcastHQ, when in tandem with the Briarheart Set, can benefit greatly from buffs and healing from Critical Surge and Dark Deal. Its 2H mainbar buffs with Bound Armaments, Echoing Vigor, and Brawler. It also deals powerful AOE with Reverse Slice, Wrecking Blow, and Flawless Dawnbreaker.

Meanwhile, the bow secondary utilizes Endless Hail, Hurricane, Razor Caltrops, and the Ultimate Greater Storm Atronach for very painful AoE surges. Rotation-wise, this build guarantees there are enough buffs to ensure AoE attacks stay deadly throughout an encounter.

4 Capacitor Sorcerer Tank

Elder Scrolls Online Sorcerer Builds Capacitor

Capacitor Sorcerers take full advantage of their recovery abilities to cast spells that and aid allies. Moreover, their minions and defensive spells provide great support. This Capacitor Sorcerer build by AlcastHQ reinforces a Sorcerer's tank potential with its S&B main skillset. Defensive Stance and Ult Shield Discipline enable Sorcerers to go full tank. Meanwhile, Heroic Slash and Pierce Armor deal moderate damage.

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Their Destruction Staff skillset fully buffs the Capacitor Sorcerer with Boundless Storm, Inner Rage, and Dark Deal. Meanwhile, they can use Elemental Blockade and Aggressive Warhorn to boost attack and defenses. Interestingly, both skillsets make use of the Unstable Clannfear for the extra ally.

3 Boundless PvP DPS

ESO Sorcerer Builds Domihaus Armor Set Boundless PvP

PvP in The Elder Scrolls Online is a game type all its own, with many players dedicating entire builds and characters solely to dishing out the most damage they can against other players in Cyrodil. The Boundless build from Hack the Minotaur gives Sorcerers a more than competent presence in PvP, relying on the Armor of the Trainee and Domihaus to round out the Sorcerer's abilities. It also has the option to use the Death Dealer's Fete ring, which increases resource regeneration based on the length of time the player spends out of combat.

It uses a Destruction Staff, specifically a Fire Staff, in the front bar for damage alongside a Restoration Staff in the back bar, for self-sustain and a boost to defense. Abilities that summon the Twilight matriarch and the Storm Atronach bring boundless support with this build, which can help distract enemies while a Sorcerer buffs themself (or heals themself) before getting back into the fray.

2 Surge Sorcerer Healer

Elder Scrolls Online Sorcerer Builds Surge

Surge Sorcerers enable players to use their slate of recovery spells to bolster allies' magicka and health recovery. Both of their skillsets make use of the Twilight Matriarch, which can both attack and heal. This build by AlcastHQ first uses a Restoration Staff for their regenerative abilities. Radiating Regeneration and Empowered Healing grant healing. Empowered Ward and Combat Prayer provide shields and added attack. The Ultimate Absorption Field gives a quick heal.

The Destruction Staff skillset grants decent AOE with Liquid Lightning and Elemental Blockade. The Elemental Drain and Energy Orb grant magickasteal and recovery. Lastly, the ult Aggressive Warhorn significantly boosts ally attacks.

1 Summoner Sorcerer

Elder Scrolls Online Sorcerer Builds Summoner

Summoner Sorcerers utilize their rotations to generate massive single-target and AOE damage, with magicka shields offering decent protection. This build by AlcastHQ has two skillsets that summons a Volatile Familiar and the Twilight Tormentor as part of its main damage component.

Its Shock Staff mainbar debuffs opponents with Daedric Prey while offering heals with Mystic Orb. Additionally, it uses Crystal Fragments and the ult Shooting Star to cause devastating AOE. Meanwhile, its Shock Staff secondary skillset provides protection with Empowered Ward, with Unstable Wall of Elements and Lightning Flood providing decent AOE. The Greater Storm Atronach summon can pick off most enemies with the right timing.

The Elder Scrolls Online is available for PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox One and Series X|S

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