Sorcerer PVE Tank Guide for ESO

Introduction

The Sorcerer, a versatile class known for its potent magical abilities, can also excel in the tank role for PVE content in Elder Scrolls Online (ESO). With the right skills, gear, and strategies, a Sorcerer tank can provide substantial protection and support for their team in dungeons and trials.

Skills and Abilities

Essential Skills

• Crystal Fragments: Summons a circle of ice shards that deal damage and snare enemies. This is the Sorcerer's primary taunt and crowd control ability.
• Power Surge: Grants a large increase to Magicka recovery and spell damage. This is crucial for sustaining your tanking abilities.
• Bound Aegis: Creates a magical shield that absorbs damage and grants Magicka recovery. This is a targeted ability that can be used to protect specific allies or mitigate heavy incoming damage.
• Dark Conversion: Converts your Magicka into Health, allowing you to survive critical hits. This ability should be used strategically to avoid overextending or dying.

Recommended Additional Skills

• Hardened Ward: Grants minor protection to nearby allies, reducing incoming damage.
• Conjure Familiar: Summons a pet that provides additional damage and healing.
• Surge: A self-heal that can be used to supplement Bound Aegis and Dark Conversion.

Gear and Attributes

Gear

• Tanking Sets: Focus on sets that provide high Health, Magicka recovery, and damage mitigation. Some popular choices include:
  • Ebon Armory: Increases Health and grants a damage shield.
  • Plague Doctor: Reduces enemy damage and provides a spell damage buff to allies.
  • Stonekeeper: Grants Health bonuses and reduces incoming damage.
• Attributes:
  • Health: Prioritize Health to increase your survivability.
  • Magicka: Ensure adequate Magicka for casting abilities and sustaining buffs.
  • Stamina: Invest a small amount of points into Stamina for blocking and sprinting.

Equipment

• Weapons: Use a sword and shield combination for maximum protection and blocking capabilities.
• Jewelry: Choose jewelry with traits like Reinforced (Health), Sturdy (Armor), and Magicka Recovery.
• Enchantments: Focus on enchantments that increase Health, Magicka recovery, or damage mitigation.

Gameplay and Strategies

Tanking Fundamentals

• Position: Position yourself between enemies and your team to intercept incoming attacks.
• Taunting: Use Crystal Fragments to taunt enemies and draw their aggro. Recast as necessary to maintain threat.
• Blocking: Hold down the block button to mitigate incoming physical damage.
• Resource Management: Manage your Magicka and Health carefully, using Power Surge and Dark Conversion as needed to sustain yourself.

Advanced Techniques

• Magicka Management: Utilize Power Surge, potions, and other sources of Magicka recovery to keep your abilities flowing.
• Crowd Control: Use Bound Aegis to protect allies from specific attacks or mitigate large amounts of damage.
• Pet Control: Position your pet strategically to deal damage, draw aggro, or provide healing.
• Buff Management: Maintain Hardened Ward on your group to reduce incoming damage.

Tips and Tricks

• Use Your Pets: The Sorcerer's pets can provide valuable support. Use them to damage enemies, soak up aggro, or heal allies.
• Prioritize Taunting: Crystal Fragments should be your primary taunt, followed by other abilities that generate aggro.
• Communicate with Your Healer: Coordinate with your healer to ensure you receive adequate healing and support.
• Don't Overextend: Avoid pulling more enemies than you can handle. If you're overwhelmed, use Dark Conversion to heal yourself and retreat.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Ignoring Resource Management: Run out of Magicka or Health by not managing your resources effectively.
• Poor Taunting: Failing to maintain aggro on enemies, leaving your team vulnerable to attacks.
• Overreliance on Pets: Relying solely on your pets for aggro or support, neglecting your own abilities.
• Inconsistent Blocking: Failing to block consistently, resulting in increased damage taken.
• Poor Positioning: Placing yourself incorrectly, allowing enemies to bypass your tanking and attack your team.

FAQs

1. What is the best race for a Sorcerer tank? Any race can be effective, but the Imperial and Argonian have racial bonuses that enhance survivability.
2. Is the Sorcerer a good tank compared to other classes? Yes, the Sorcerer can provide excellent tanking capabilities with the right skills and build.
3. Can I solo content as a Sorcerer tank? While not designed for soloing, a well-equipped Sorcerer tank can handle some solo content with caution.
4. What are the most important stats for a Sorcerer tank? Health, Magicka recovery, and damage mitigation should be prioritized.
5. How do I improve my threat generation? Focus on taunting enemies, keeping your buffs up, and damaging enemies with your own abilities.
6. What should I do if I lose aggro? Recast Crystal Fragments or use other taunting abilities immediately to regain aggro and protect your team.