Update 47 brings significant changes to The Elder Scrolls Online, and DPS Arcanists need to adapt quickly to remain competitive in trials. Whether you are pushing veteran hard mode content or just starting out, understanding the new balance shifts is essential. This guide covers everything you need to know to prepare your Arcanist for the most demanding group content. From updated skill priorities to refined gear choices, we will walk through the optimal setup for maximizing single-target and area damage. You will also learn how to fine-tune your rotation, manage resources, and tackle specific trial mechanics with confidence. Let us dive in.
Understanding Update 47 Changes for Arcanists
The latest patch rebalances several core aspects of the Arcanist class. Fatecarver, your primary damage skill, now deals slightly less damage against off-balance enemies but costs less stamina to channel, making it more sustainable in longer fights. Runeblades no longer require a target to be in range for crux generation, which is a huge quality-of-life improvement. Additionally, Abyssal Impact’s Major Berserk duration has been extended by 2 seconds, giving you a longer burst window. Set changes also affect your build. The trial set Vesture of the Void from Sanity’s Edge now grants a stacking weapon and spell damage bonus that synergizes perfectly with Fatecarver’s channeling. Meanwhile, Deadly Strike has been adjusted to no longer double-dip with light attack damage, shifting the focus toward pure spell damage sets.
Skill Adjustments
- Fatecarver: Damage vs off-balance targets reduced by 5%, but channel cost decreased by 10%. This means you can rely on it more as a spammable even when sustain is tight.
- Runeblades: Now generates one crux per cast regardless of distance, and the final hit always applies minor breach.
- Fulminating Rune: The damage over time effect now lasts a full 12 seconds, matching your standard buff cycles.
- Camouflaged Hunter: The minor berserk buff is no longer triggered by critical hits from this ability, so you must use potions or other sources to maintain it.
Gear and Set Changes
New trifecta trial achievements have introduced Perfected versions of existing sets, but the real shift is in accessibility. Perfected Whorl of the Depths remains top-tier for its raw damage proc, but sets like Pillar of Nirn now benefit from the increased penetration cap, making them viable even in organized groups. The mythic item Oakensoul Ring has been nerfed for group content due to the Major Slayer absence, so dedicated trial DPS should consider switching to Velothi Ur-Mage’s Amulet, which boosts your light and heavy attacks and synergizes with your crux spending.
Gear and Build Optimization
Choosing the right gear is critical. After Update 47, you want to maximize your spell damage and critical chance while maintaining enough penetration. For solo or unoptimized groups, you need to reach the 18,200 penetration cap, but in coordinated trials, tanks and supports will provide most of it, letting you focus on damage stats.
Best-in-Slot Sets for Update 47
Configuration: 5x Perfected Whorl of the Depths (jewelry and frontbar weapons) + 5x Pillar of Nirn (body pieces) + 2x Zaan’s monster set + Velothi Ur-Mage’s Amulet. This combo delivers high single-target burst and constant pressure. For trash fights, swap Zaan’s for Grothdarr’s for more AOE damage, and consider using a Maelstrom Inferno Staff backbar for the extra spell damage buff.
Weapon Setup: Dual wield daggers front bar (one nirnhoned, one precise) with poison enchant, or fire enchant for status effects. Back bar: Inferno Staff infused with weapon damage enchant.
Traits and Enchants: Armor pieces all divines with max magicka enchants, except one heavy chest reinforced for survivability if needed.
Alternative Budget Sets
If you cannot acquire trial gear yet, Orders Wrath (crafted) paired with Mother’s Sorrow (overland) performs admirably. Add a monster set like Iceheart for added shield, which helps while learning mechanics.
Skill Rotations and Priority
Your rotation revolves around building crux with Runeblades, then spending it with Fatecarver while keeping your damage-over-time abilities active.
Static Rotation: Pre-buff with Structured Entropy (if using) and Camouflaged Hunter for minor berserk from potions. Apply Fulminating Rune and any other DOTs like Degeneration (if running Mages Guild). Light attack weave Runeblades to reach 3 crux, then channel Fatecarver. Repeat, refreshing DOTs every 12 seconds and using Abyssal Impact on cooldown for Major Berserk.
Dynamic Priority: Always prioritize keeping your DOTs up, then use Fatecarver at 3 crux. If you have less than 3 crux and your DOTs are about to expire, finish a quick Fatecarver at 2 crux to refresh them via the Blackrose Prison dual wield set (Void Bash) passive.
Crux Management
Never begin a Fatecarver without at least 2 crux unless you are about to die. Use Runeblades as your primary builder, but remember that any Arcanist skill can generate crux, so if you need a quick heal, your shield (Runic Vigor) can also generate one.
Weaving and Cancellation
Fatecarver can be animation canceled early by blocking or bar swapping. Mastering this will increase your DPS by up to 20%. Practice on a dummy to get the timing down: just as the final tick of damage appears, tap block.
Consumables and Champion Points
Food: Lava Foot Soup and Saltrice for maximum magicka recovery, or Clockwork Citrus Filet for health and magicka if you need survivability.
Potions: Essence of Spell Power (Cornflower, Lady’s Smock, Water Hyacinth) for major sorcery and major prophecy.
Champion Points: Allocate blue points into Master-at-Arms (direct damage), Fighting Finesse (critical damage), and Deadly Aim (single target). Red points: Reaving Blows for sustain, Boundless Vitality for health. Green: Rationer for potion duration, Treasure Hunter for chests.
Mundus Stone: The Thief still offers the most consistent critical chance, but if you exceed the critical damage cap of 125%, switch to The Shadow for more crit damage.
Trial-Specific Strategies for DPS Arcanists
Each trial has mechanics where the Arcanist toolkit shines.
Sanity’s Edge: Final boss Ansuul requires precise bursting. Use your ultimate during the intermission adds. Fatecarver’s range lets you damage while safe. In the Void Corrupted realm, your shield Runic Vigor helps survive.
Rockgrove: During Xalvakka, focus single target but drop Fulminating Rune and use Abyssal Impact to cleave Flame Hounds. Oaxiltso: stay mobile with Fatecarver while dodging meteors.
Cloudrest: Portal mechanics are Arcanist-friendly: use Runeblades to build crux safely before returning with a charged Fatecarver. Outside, help with shards using your ult. For Z’Maja, position to hit boss and shades with Fatecarver’s cone.
Kyne’s Aegis: During Storm Caller, use Fatecarver on lightning adds; Major Berserk melts them. Save ult for final boss burn after tornado.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best race for a DPS Arcanist in Update 47?
High Elf (Altmer) remains the top choice for its increased spell damage and magicka sustain. Dark Elf (Dunmer) is a close second, offering balanced max stats and flame damage bonus, which benefits Inferno Staff users.
Which mythic item is most effective for trial DPS Arcanist?
Velothi Ur-Mage’s Amulet is best for maximizing single-target throughput, boosting light attack damage and synergizing with crux spending. Oakensoul is decent for solo or survivability but loses Major Slayer in group content.
How do I sustain magicka in long trial fights?
Use Lava Foot Soup, slot a magicka recovery glyph on jewelry if necessary, and pick Reaving Blows in red champion points. Heavy attack occasionally on the back bar to restore resources.
Is dual wield still viable for Arcanist?
Yes, dual wield daggers front bar is meta because of the Twin Blade and Blunt passive granting extra critical chance. A destruction staff back bar is essential for Ancient Knowledge passives and Unstable Wall of Elements.
Should I use Oakensoul as a DPS Arcanist in trials?
Not recommended in organized groups. Oakensoul lacks Major Slayer, and losing a bar reduces DOT capacity. It can work in unoptimized groups but yields lower DPS compared to a two-bar setup with Velothi.
How important is light attack weaving?
Crucial. Light attack weaving between skills is a major part of your damage, especially since Fatecarver procs light attacks during its channel. Practice on a dummy until you consistently land light attacks before each skill without slowing your rotation.
With these preparations, your Arcanist will be ready to tackle any trial after Update 47. Stay adaptable, because ESO is always evolving. Good luck and may your DPS soar.
