\Classes inThe Elder Scrolls Onlinetake their combat abilities from two primary locations: their innate class skill trees and their weapon skill trees. There are, of course, skill trees oriented around guilds, crafting, chosen race, etc. as well. But when it comes to making a build for battle, the most important factors are the player’s choice of class and weapon.
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TheElder Scrolls Online’s Dragonknight class is typicallyplayed as a front-line bruiser, thanks to its variety of close-range abilities in its three class-specific skill trees. However, just like any class inThe Elder Scrolls Online, the Dragonknight is perfectly capable of picking up a Restoration staff to play a support role. They can also powerfully wield a Dual Wield or One-Hand and Shield in melee range.
Updated June 28, 2025 by Erik Petrovich:Dragonknights in The Elder Scrolls Online tend to be relegated to the Tanking role, though they can be equally good at damage output (and even Support, with the right build). Thebest weapons ESOoffers for Dragonknights, though, tend to be close-range, with the notable exception of the Dual-Wielding spec. Weapons that favor the Dragonknight’s skillset enhance the class' close-range capabilities and their class skills, such as in the One or Two-Handed skill lines. Though they like to keep the distance between them and their opponents pretty close, it’s a good idea to keep a ranged weapon like a Bow or Destruction Staff on the back bar for evasive foes that like to dart in and out of melee range.
6Dual Wielding Weapons: Axes, Swords, Maces, Daggers
The Dual-Wielding skill line inThe Elder Scrolls Onlineis almost entirely dedicated to DPS output. However, it’s outclassed by most other DPS-based skill lines in the game, though it does have some particular offerings that other weapons can’t match. For example, several skills (and morphs) in the Dual Wield skill tree heal the player based on their damage output, such as the ultimate ability Lacerate and the Twin Slashes morph Blood Craze.
While the DPS output of Dual Wielded weapons is pretty good, players won’t find themselves relying on these skills that don’t have much of an additional upside. Skills like Whirlwind do good damage in an area, but several Dragonknight abilities (and other weapon skill lines) do more damage over time without as much dependence on Stamina, which tends to deplete very quickly in a Dual Wield build. Dual Wielded weapons are far fromThe Elder Scrolls Onlinebest weaponsfor Dragonknights, but they can be serviceable in certain builds.
5Ranged Support: Restoration Staffs
Restoration staffs inThe Elder Scrolls Onlineunlock a skill tree dedicated to the art ofhealing and buffing the rest of a party(and oftentimes oneself). It contains single-target and AoE heals likeRapid Regenerationand the Ultimate abilityLife Giver.Additionally, players gain access to multi-purpose hybrid abilities likeCombat PrayerandForce Siphon. Ultimately, it’s the go-to weapon of choice for players in the Support role.
Unfortunately, Dragonknights typicallydon’t thrive when playing as Support. The Earthen Heart skill tree and Draconic Power class skill trees contain some party-wide buffs and support abilities likeMolten WeaponsorFragmented Shield; however, they aren’t powerful heals when compared to the offerings from other classes. Still, it can be useful as a Dragonknight to keep a Restoration Staff in the back bar. It can come in handy in case theparty healer can’t keep upand the player needs to pop off a few quick self-heals in the middle of a fight.
4Ranged Physical: Bows
The Bow weapon skill tree inThe Elder Scrolls Onlineis home to a variety of stamina-based abilities. Most players would think these would give a Dragonknight the edge for ranged combat. However, because Dragonknight class abilities revolve so heavily aroundmelee combat, a player must spec significantly and precisely to make the best use of this weapon in the primary or secondary slot.
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One of the major downsides to the Bow is that it does use Stamina as a resource. A lot of Dragonknight abilities and morphs rely on Stamina, too, meaning that this weapon skill tree will always becompeting for Stamina with class abilities. It does offer utility in the AoE stunBombardand the cleave poison attackPoison Injection. If a player wants to keep a ranged DPS weapon on the back bar, though, the Destruction Staff is a muchmore powerful and well-roundedoption.
3Two-Handed Weapons: Greatswords, Battle Axes, Mauls
While Dragonknights thrive in close combat situations, they are not perfectly suited to every melee weapon skill tree. It’s a better primary weapon option than some others; however, the Two-Handed Weapon skill tree can be less effective than the other two melee weapon skill trees for Dragonknights if not played properly.
In general, it tends to be an underwhelming tree for late-game and party content across the board. It offers some utility for classes without similar abilities, like the stunningDizzying Swingor distance-closingCritical Charge.However, the Dragonknightalready has abilities like this in the Ardent Flame and Draconic Power skill trees. Thus, it’sjust not as good of an optionas going for the One-Hand and Shield skill tree, though it can complement their innate abilities through passives.
2Ranged Magical: Destruction Staffs (Lightning, Inferno, Ice)
Dragonknights, typically, aren’t particularly powerful at a range. Several of their class abilities, likeFiery Gripor theUltimate Dragon Leap, get the player right next to their target. This typically makes the use of a Destruction Staff inferior to the use of a different Melee weapon. Theinnate power of the Destruction Staffskill tree, though, makes this a perfectly viable back bar option for Dragonknights.
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Dragonknights have some good crowd control abilities at their disposal, but the Destruction Staff skill tree expands these options and is typically home toThe Elder Scrolls Onlinebest weapons(at least in terms of ranged choices). With abilities likeCrushing Shock,Wall of Elements, and even the weapon’s UltimateElemental Storm, Dragonknights can keep a formidable offense even when backing out of meleefor a quick breather. However, players should choose the Restoration Staff if they want to build a Tanking Dragonknight.
1One-Handed and Shield: Axes, Swords, Maces, Daggers
To drive the point home one last time, Dragonknights thrive best inclose-quarters combat, either in the melee DPS or Tanking roles. For both of these purposes, One-Handed weapons are great choices as, they give access to both theOne-Handed and Shield and Dual Wield weaponskill lines. One-Handed and Shield is home to some of thebest weaponsESOoffers for Tanks, while the Dual Wield skill tree is a decent hybrid ofself-sustain and damage output.
The most important thing to remember when Tanking is to actuallyblock attacks. Past that, it’s vital that Tanking Dragonknights spec into the threat-generating abilityPunctureand one of theLow Slashmorphs for its cleave debuffing ability. When it comes to Dual Wielding, at max level it’s important to consider which exact weapons are equipped to make preferred use of theTwin Blade and Blunt passive.Additionally, players should consider taking theFlurry,Whirlwind, andBlade Cloakabilities quickly.
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