Powerful Magicka Necromancer Build for ESO – Damage Dealer DPS
Type: Dungeon, Trial, Arena & Overland
Buildname: Curse
Table of Contents
- Magicka Necromancer Build Setup
- Resource Management
- Rotation
- AoE Setup
- Maelstrom Arena & Vateshran Hollows
- Necromancer Subclassing
- Outfit Style Showcase
- Related Content
- Update Log
Welcome to the Magicka Necromancer Build for ESO (Elder Scrolls Online). This build is optimized for group content such as dungeons, trials & arenas and has a very glass-cannon approach. The Magicka Necromancer DPS build is optimized for maximum damage. The build works best in a group but with some minor adjustments can also be played as a solo setup if necessary.
Necromancers are powerful magicka users who summon the dead. Necromancer stands out due to abilities and passives like Glacial Colossus, Unnerving Boneyard, Blighted Blastbones, Death Knell, Last Gasp and Undead Confederate that make them very powerful.
The Magicka Necromancer Build has 3 different gear setups. Tier 1 with the best gear, Tier 2 with advanced gear, and Tier 3 for beginners. If you are a new player I do recommend reading the Magicka Necromancer Beginners Guide. If you are looking for a solo build then I recommend checking out the Solo Magicka Necromancer Build.
- Double Destruction Staff Setup
- Amazing Single Target (ST) Damage
- Amazing Area of Effect (AoE) Damage
- Amazing Ranged Damage
- Good Sustain
- Easy Survivability due to Magicka Shield
- Optimized for Trials, Dungeons & Arenas
More Necromancer Builds can be found in the Necromancer class category.
Magicka Necromancer Build Setup
In this section, we are going to take a look at how you can create the Magicka Necromancer Build for ESO.
5x Perf. Whorl of Depths, 5x Pillar of Nirn, 1x Slimecaw, 1x Velothi Ur-Mage’s Amulet on a High Elf with Ghastly Eye Bowl buff food.
- Unbuffed: Out of combat, buff food active
- Buffed: Raid Target Dummy buffs, buff food, Spell Power Potion, Weapon Damage Enchantment, Arcanist pet active.
Gear – Magicka Necromancer Build
You will find 3 different setups here for the Magicka Necromancer build for ESO. Setup 1 is the preferred setup. People who do not have all the gear yet can use Setup 2 which is easier to obtain and beginners can use Setup 3.
- Setup 1 is the primary Gear setup
- Setup 2 is without Trial Gear
- Setup 3 is for Beginners
Gear Setup 1
- Whorl of Depths gives us access to the powerful Minor Slayer buff, increasing damage against monsters by 5%. Additionally, it also deals massive single-target and AOE damage.
- Pillar of Nirn is a strong proc set that deals massive damage both for single-target and AOE damage. We frontbar this set.
- Velothi Ur-Mage’s Amulet is a Mythic item that gives us an incredible damage boost, but reduces our light and heavy attack damage, which is a small tradeoff!
- Crushing Wall is slotted on the backbar to boost the damage of our Unstable Blockade.
- Slimecraw is only here for the one piece that gives us an extra crit bonus.
- No Mythic? If you don’t have access to the Mythic item, replace the Mythic and the Slimecraw piece with 2x Maw of the Infernal Monster set.
Alternatively, you can also use the Necromancer class-specific Corpseburster set.
| Gear | Set | Weight | Trait | Enchantment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chest | Pillar of Nirn | Medium | Divine | Magicka |
| Belt | Pillar of Nirn | Medium | Divine | Magicka |
| Shoes | Pillar of Nirn | Medium | Divine | Magicka |
| Pants | Pillar of Nirn | Medium | Divine | Magicka |
| Hands | Pillar of Nirn | Medium | Divine | Magicka |
| Head | Slimecraw | Medium | Divine | Magicka |
| Shoulder | Perfected Whorl of Depths | Light | Divine | Magicka |
| Necklace | Velothi Ur-Mage’s Amulet | Jewelry | Bloodthirsty | Spell Damage |
| Ring | Perfected Whorl of Depths | Jewelry | Bloodthirsty | Spell Damage |
| Ring | Perfected Whorl of Depths | Jewelry | Bloodthirsty | Spell Damage |
| Weapon 1 | Perfected Whorl of Depths | Fire | Precise | Fire Enchant |
| Weapon 2 | Perfected Crushing Wall | Fire | Infused | Weapon Damage Enchant |
Advanced – Gear Setup 2
The Gear setup 2 for the Magicka Necromancer Build is made for players who don’t have access to trial gear.
| Gear | Set | Weight | Trait | Enchantment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chest | Law of Julianos | Medium | Divine | Magicka |
| Belt | Law of Julianos | Medium | Divine | Magicka |
| Shoes | Law of Julianos | Medium | Divine | Magicka |
| Pants | Law of Julianos | Medium | Divine | Magicka |
| Hands | Law of Julianos | Medium | Divine | Magicka |
| Head | Maw of the Infernal | Medium | Divine | Magicka |
| Shoulder | Maw of the Infernal | Light | Divine | Magicka |
| Necklace | Mother’s Sorrow | Jewelry | Bloodthirsty | Spell Damage |
| Ring | Mother’s Sorrow | Jewelry | Bloodthirsty | Spell Damage |
| Ring | Mother’s Sorrow | Jewelry | Bloodthirsty | Spell Damage |
| Weapon 1 | Mother’s Sorrow | Fire | Precise | Fire Enchant |
| Weapon 2 | Mother’s Sorrow | Fire | Infused | Weapon Damage Enchant |
Gear Setup 3 Beginner
The beginner setup for the ESO Necromancer Build is made for players that just started out, you can join a guild and ask someone to craft you Law of Julianos and Magnus’ Gift. Willpower can be bought in Guildstores for very little money.
| Gear | Set | Weight | Trait | Enchantment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chest | Law of Julianos | Medium | Divine | Magicka |
| Belt | Law of Julianos | Medium | Divine | Magicka |
| Shoes | Law of Julianos | Medium | Divine | Magicka |
| Pants | Magnus’ Gift | Medium | Divine | Magicka |
| Hands | Magnus’ Gift | Medium | Divine | Magicka |
| Head | Magnus’ Gift | Medium | Divine | Magicka |
| Shoulder | Magnus’ Gift | Light | Divine | Magicka |
| Necklace | Willpower | Jewelry | Arcane | Spell Damage |
| Ring | Willpower | Jewelry | Arcane | Spell Damage |
| Ring | Willpower | Jewelry | Arcane | Magicka Recovery |
| Weapon 1 | Law of Julianos | Fire | Precise | Fire Enchant |
| Weapon 2 | Law of Julianos | Fire | Infused | Weapon Damage Enchant |
Where can I get the gear?
Perfected Whorl of Depths: vDreadsail Reef Trial
Whorl of Depths: nDreadsail Reef Trial
Pillar of Nirn: Falkreath Hold
Velothi Ur-Mage’s Amulet (Mythic): Antiquities
Perfected Crushing Wall: vMaelstrom Arena
Slimecraw: vWayrest Sewers 1
Maw of the Infernal: The Banished Cells 2
Mother’s Sorrow: Deshaan, Guildstores
Perf. Ansuul’s Torment: vSanity’s Edge Trial
Law of Julianos: Craftable
Willpower: Guildstore
Magnus’ Gift: Craftable
Skills – Magicka Necromancer Build
| Fire Staff Mainbar | Fire Staff bar |
|---|---|
| Slot 1: Detonating Siphon | Slot 1: Unstable Wall of Elements |
| Slot 2: Skeletal Arcanist | Slot 2: Avid Boneyard |
| Slot 3: Ricochet Skull | Slot 3: Harness Magicka |
| Slot 4: Blighted Blastbones | Slot 4: Mystic Orb |
| Slot 5: Scalding Rune | Slot 5: Necrotic Potency |
| Ultimate: Shooting Star | Ultimate: Glacial Colossus |
Skills Explanation
- Detonating Siphon: Deals great single target and area of effect damage. This ability needs a CORPSE to be activated.
- Skeletal Arcanist: Deals good damage and is mainly here to give you the 200 extra Magicka Recovery from the Undead Confederate passive and the extra 1500 Spell Penetration from the Dismember passive.
- Ricochet Skull: This is your main spammable ability (Alternatively you can also use other spammables such as Elemental Weapon or Force Pulse).
- Blighted Blastbones: This is a strong single target and AoE ability which also provides a corpse for your other abilities. It is your main source of corpses, make sure to remember that the travel distance can vary depending on how far you are away from the enemy.
- Scalding Rune: Strong stationary damage over time effect.
- Shooting Star: We use this ultimate for trash packs, deals great AoE damage and also returns ultimate per enemy it.
- Unstable Wall of Fire: This needs to be on the ground all the times as it deals a lot of damage with a strong explosion and also buffs the damage of your Light Attacks if you have a Maelstrom Staff.
- Avid Boneyard: Deals really good AoE damage, make sure that you activate this ability while a CORPSE is on the ground to get the 50% damage boost! You can also activate your own synergy to deal extra damage. Applies Minor Vulnerability to all enemies in the skill area.
- Harness Magicka: This is your shield in case you get hit by a lot of damage, can bolster your health by a lot.
- Mystic Orb: Very powerful Single Target and AoE damage.
- Necrotic Potency: Can be used to drain corpses on the ground for extra ultimate points.
- Glacial Colossus: Can be activated to deal a lot of damage and apply Major Vulnerability to the enemy for a short duration.
Necromancer Scribing Skills
The ESO Scribing System offers plenty of adjustable skills to add to our build. Right now none of the new ESO Scribing Skills maximizes our DPS. Therefore I don’t recommend slotting any of them. However, there are two viable options that you can test out and play with if you still want to give it a try. More great combos might be discovered over time because there are so many available combinations. Make sure to bookmark this ESO Necromancer Build and check back later for changes.
Important: Please read here how to get Grimoires, Focus Scripts, Signature Scripts and Affix Scripts for the ESO Scribing System.
Base Scribing Skill:
- Destruction Staff: Elemental Explosion
- World: Wield Soul
To unlock the Elemental Explosion skill, you need to reach level 25 in the Destruction Staff skill line. To unlock the Wield Soul skill you need to complete the Scribing Tutorial Quest.
Elemental Explosion
Elemental Explosion turns into Fiery Explosion with our Scribing scripts.
- Focus Script
- Signature Script
- Lingering Torment (Damage over time)
- Affix Script
- Brittle (Applies Brittle to the enemy, increasing their Crit Damage taken)
Wield Soul
Wield Soul turns into Shocking Soul with our Scribing scripts.
- Focus Script
- Signature Script
- Lingering Torment (Damage over time)
- Affix Script
You can also test more combinations out with the ESO Scribing Simulator.
Champion Points – Magicka Necromancer Build
Below you can find the Champion Points setup for this build. Work your way from top to bottom in your allocation. For more information on Champion Points, please visit the Champion Points Overview Page on ESO-Hub.com.
Hovering over each perk will give you insights on what it does. Presets are also provided for each of the allocations below.
Click the tab below to open the allocation.
Important Info for Magicka Necromancer Build PvE
In this section of the Magicka Necromancer Build we are going to take a look at buff-food, mundus stone, race, potions, passives and attributes. These things are very important for the Magicka Necromancer Build as they help with damage and sustain.
Buff-food
You can use several good buff foods for this Magicka Nightblade Build in ESO. As a base we are using the Ghastly Eye Bowl if you want the highest max magicka and magicka recovery boost. If you want more health in combination with max magicka and magicka recovery then you could also use Clockwork Citrus Filet or the much cheaper version Witchmother’s Potent Brew. All buff foods and drinks can also be found on the Buff Food and Drink Overview Page.
Ghastly Eye Bowl
(Max Magicka, Magicka Recover)
Clockwork Citrus Filet
(Max Health, Max Magicka, Magicka Recovery)
Witchmother’s Potent Brew
If you can’t afford Clockwork Citrus Filet, then I recommend getting the way cheaper Witchmother’s Potent Brew which has similar effects.
Mundus Stone
The Thief Mundus Stone increases our overall Spell Critical chance by a lot which will result in more overall damage. You can learn more about all the other Mundus Stones on the Mundus Stone Overview Page.
The Thief Mundus Stone (Increased Spell Critical Chance)
Race
Any race with magicka based passives will work with this setup. You can find out more about all the racial passives in the Racial Overview page.
Potions
Spell-Power Potions
(Spell-crit, Spell Damage, Magicka)
(Cornflower, Ladys Smock, Water Hyacinth)
Passives
You want to learn all the passives listed below for the Magicka Necromancer Build.
- Grave Lord: Reusable Parts, Death Knell, Dismember, Rapid Rot
- Bone Tyrant: Death Gleaning, Disdain Harm, Last Gasp
- Living Death: Curative Curse, Corpse Consumption, Undead Confederate
- Destruction Staff: Tri Focus, Penetrating Magic, Elemental Force, Ancient Knowledge, Destruction Expert
- Light Armor: Grace, Evocation, Spell Warding, Prodigy, Concentration
- Mages Guild: Mage Adept, Everlasting Magic, Magicka Controller, Might of the Guild
- Psijic Order: (Only if you use Channeled Acceleration) Clairvoyance, Spell Orb, Concentrated Barrier, Deliberation
- Undaunted: Undaunted Command, Undaunted Mettle
- Racial: All
- Alchemy: Medicinal Use
Attributes
All into Magicka
Resource Management – Magicka Necromancer Build
For our Magicka Necromancer Build we are using a mix of self sustain and sustain through group members such as the healer and thank.
- Undead Confederate
- Mystic Siphon
- Orb Synergy
- Potions
- Heavy Attack
Undead Confederate gives us extra Magicka Recovery as long as we keep up our Skeletal Arcanist.
Mystic Siphon also returns Magicka as long as it is active.
Energy Orb will always be present in a good group via Healer or Tank. When you get close to the Orb you can activate its synergy to regain resources.
Potions should always be used on cooldown to gain the maximum benefit from them.
Heavy Attacks help you restore Magicka, if you drop low on resources do a few Heavy Attacks between skills to refill your Magicka.
Rotation for the Magicka Necromancer Build
Here is a quick explanation of what you have to do with all the skills on your bar.
- Your main spammable is Ricochet Skull.
- Your semi spammable is Blighted Blastbones, preferably activate this after every second or third skill.
- Reapply DoTs (damage over time) effects after they run out: Detonating Siphon, Skeletal Arcanist, Avid Boneyard, Unstable Wall of Elements, Mystic Orb and Scalding Rune.
- Activate the Glacial Colossus ultimate whenever it is ready.
- Always light attack between each ability.
Area of Effect Setup for the Magicka Necromancer Build
Here you can find an optimized AoE setup for the build. There are plenty of other good options available.
| Gear | Set | Weight | Trait | Enchantment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chest | Azureblight Reaper | Medium | Divine | Magicka |
| Belt | Azureblight Reaper | Medium | Divine | Magicka |
| Shoes | Azureblight Reaper | Medium | Divine | Magicka |
| Pants | Azureblight Reaper | Medium | Divine | Magicka |
| Hands | Azureblight Reaper | Medium | Divine | Magicka |
| Head | Slimecraw | Light | Divine | Magicka |
| Shoulder | Ansuul’s Torment | Medium | Divine | Magicka |
| Necklace | Velothi Ur-Mage’s Amulet | Jewelry | Bloodthirsty | Spell Damage |
| Ring | Ansuul’s Torment | Jewelry | Bloodthirsty | Spell Damage |
| Ring | Ansuul’s Torment | Jewelry | Bloodthirsty | Spell Damage |
| Weapon 1 | Ansuul’s Torment | Shock | Nirnhoned | Fire Enchant |
| Weapon 2 | Perfected Crushing Wall | Shock | Infused | Weapon Damage Enchant |
Skills
ESO Necromancer Subclassing Build Options
ESO’s Subclassing offers a lot of variety, allowing you to swap, mix, and match different skill lines of various classes all on one character. Read our How does Subclassing work in ESO guide to get an understanding of how the subclass system works. We also have plenty of ESO Builds optimized for Subclassing.
Take a look at our ESO Necromancer Subclassing Build if you are interested in what you can all mix and match on a Necromancer build!
Maelstrom Arena & Vateshran Hollows Arena
Please check out the Solo Magicka Necromancer Build for the Maelstrom and Vateshran Setup. The build here focuses on group setups, therefore the Solo Magicka Necromancer Build is better suited to face the dangers of the Maelstrom and Vateshran Arena. I also highly recommend reading the full in depth Maelstrom Arena Guide & Vateshran Hollows Arena Guide.
Outfit Style Showcase of the Curse Necromancer Build for ESO
Lets take a look at the outfit style of the Magicka Necromancer PvE Build for ESO. You can find a close up shot, an image from the back and an image of the outfit editor dye station below.
- Costume: Court of Bedlam
- Dragon Bone Style Motif: Staff
- Skin: Reanimated Vampiric Thrall
- Personality: Worm Wizard
- Dyes: Void Pitch, Contraband Violet
| Slot | Name |
|---|---|
| Costume | Court of Bedlam |
| Weapon | Dragonbone Staff |
| Skin | Reanimated Vampiric Thrall |
| Personality | Worm Wizard |
| Dyes | Void Pitch, Contraband Violet |
Related Content
More Magicka Necromancer Builds & Guides:
Other Magicka DPS Builds:
- Magicka Arcanist
- Magicka Sorcerer
- Magicka Nightblade
- Magicka Templar
- Magicka Dragonknight
- Magicka Warden
Update Log – ESO Necromancer Build
11.08 2019 Updated the Magicka Necromancer Build for the SCALEBREAKER DLC, Elsweyr Chapter, Magicka Necromancer PvE Build.
20.10.2019 Updated the Build for the DRAGONHOLD DLC.
20.02.2020 Updated the Build for the HARROWSTORM DLC.
24.05.2020 Updated the Build for the GREYMOOR CHAPTER.
22.08.2020 Updated the Build for the STONETHORN DLC, Greymoor Chapter.
30.10.2020 Updated the Build for the MARKARTH DLC, Greymoor Chapter.
05.03.2021 Updated the Build for the FLAMES OF AMBITION DLC, Blackwood Chapter.
27.05.2021 Updated the Build for the BLACKWOOD CHAPTER.
13.08.2021 Updated the Build for the WAKING FLAME DLC, Blackwood Chapter.
02.09.2021 Updated the Champion Point links and added tooltips for the buff food links, WAKING FLAME DLC, Blackwood Chapter.
26.10.2021 Updated the Build for the DEADLANDS DLC, Blackwood Chapter.
10.03.2022 Updated the Build for the ASCENDING TIDE DLC, High Isle Chapter.
15.08.2022 Updated the Build for the LOST DEPTHS DLC, High Isle Chapter.
28.10.2022 Updated the Build for the FIRESONG DLC, High Isle Chapter.
13.03.2023 Updated the Build for the SCRIBES OF FATE DLC, Necrom Chapter.
01.06.2023 Updated the Build for the ESO NECROM CHAPTER.
27.10.2023 Updated the Build for the Necrom Update 40.
06.03.2024 Updated the Build for the Scions of Ithelia DLC Update 41, Gold Road Chapter
28.05.2024 Updated the Build for the Gold Road Chapter U42.
20.08.2024 Updated the Build for Update 43, Gold Road Chapter.
28.10.2024 Updated the Build for Update 44, Gold Road Chapter.
11.03.2025 Updated the Build for Update 45, Fallen Banners.
27.05.2025 Updated the Build for Update 46, Seasons of the Worm Cult Part 1.
Tags. Magicka Necromancer Build PvE, Magicka Necro Build, MagCro Build PvE, Curse Build Alcast.
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