Sorcerers inThe Elder Scrollsuniverse 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 ofThe Elder Scrolls Onlinelooking for a powerful spellcaster can create a Sorcerer, which skillsets also depend on the element they use.
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Moreover, Sorcerersoffer a wide rangeof 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 anyElder Scrolls Onlineparty.
Updated August 07, 2025 by Erik Petrovich: The Sorcerer class inElder Scrolls Online is one of the more powerful DPS builds, thanks mostly to itsease-of-access for new playersand 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.
10Windwalker Sorcerer
Sorcerers have the ability to contribute significant single-target and AoE damage to opponents.This buildfrom AlcastHQrelies 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.
Thedual-wieldskillsetrelies 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.
9Apothis PvE Sorcerer
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. TheApothis build from DottzGamingcapitalizes 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.
8Mystic MagSorc
Like many other Sorcerer builds inThe Elder Scrolls Online, theMystic build from AlcastHQis 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 extradamage to enemies withinthe Sorcerer’s Wall of Elements.
7Werewolf Sorcerer
Werewolf Sorcerers synergize the properties of both Sorcerers and Werewolves. Moreover,this Werewolf Sorcerer buildgets 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.
6Solo MagSorc
The Solo MagSorc serves as the soloPVE 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 Starfor 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.
5Solo StamSorc
The Solo StamSorc optimizes the Sorcerer’s abilities for solo play.This buildfrom 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 buildguarantees there are enoughbuffs to ensure AoE attacks stay deadly throughout an encounter.
4Capacitor Sorcerer Tank
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 byAlcastHQreinforces 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.
3Boundless PvP DPS
PvP inThe Elder Scrolls Onlineis 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. TheBoundless build from Hack the Minotaurgives 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 Atronachbring boundless supportwith this build, which can help distract enemies while a Sorcerer buffs themself (or heals themself) before getting back into the fray.
2Surge Sorcerer Healer
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. Thisbuild by AlcastHQfirst 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.
1Summoner Sorcerer
Summoner Sorcerers utilize their rotations to generate massive single-target and AOE damage, with magicka shields offering decent protection.This buildby AlcastHQhas 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 Onlineis available for PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox One and Series X|S
