ESODecoded

Dragonknight Stamina TANK build

A complete, datamined-and-cited tank build for Dragonknight. Every gear and skill choice links to the exact game data; the role-level choices follow our published theorycraft rules.

Meta #1 · #1 TANK across 19 sampled endgame encounters Tier 3 — meta-validated data retrieved 2026-08-23 · datamined via UESP

Gear · 5pc A + 5pc B + (1 mythic + 1 monster piece) OR (2pc monster set)

SlotSetTraitEnchant
Front bar weaponUmbral EdgeInfusedWeapon Damage / elemental glyph
Back bar weaponMaelstrom/arena weapon that amplifies a slotted DoTInfusedWeapon Damage glyph (boosts back-bar DoTs)
HeadThe RuckusSturdy/Reinforced/InfusedMax Health
ShoulderUmbral EdgeSturdy/Reinforced/InfusedMax Health
ChestStonehulk DominationHeavyMax Health
HandsStonehulk DominationSturdy/Reinforced/InfusedMax Health
WaistStonehulk DominationSturdy/Reinforced/InfusedMax Health
LegsStonehulk DominationHeavyMax Health
FeetStonehulk DominationSturdy/Reinforced/InfusedMax Health
NecklaceThe Saint and the SeducerRobust/TriuneRecovery/Reduce block cost (Idenko)/Bracing
Ring 1Umbral EdgeRobust/TriuneRecovery/Reduce block cost (Idenko)/Bracing
Ring 2Umbral EdgeRobust/TriuneRecovery/Reduce block cost (Idenko)/Bracing

Skills

Front bar (damage / spammable)

  1. Pierce Armor — 1350 Stamina · buff · direct · taunt
  2. Fire Keeper — 0 Magicka · buff · dot · heal
  3. Cauterize — 4050 Magicka · buff · dot · heal
  4. Molten Whip — 1148 Magicka,1148 Stamina · direct
  5. Chains of Devastation — 3780 Magicka · buff · direct

Ultimate:

  1. Shifting Standard — 200 Ultimate · buff · dot · heal

Back bar (DoTs / buffs / setup)

  1. Blood of the Elder Dragon — 4320 Magicka · buff · heal
  2. Disintegrating Dragonfire — 2984 Stamina · buff · dot
  3. Heart of Flame — 3510 Magicka · dot · heal
  4. Searing Claw — 2295 Stamina · dot
  5. Burning Talons — 3510 Magicka · dot

Ultimate:

  1. Ferocious Leap — 125 Ultimate · direct · heal

Buffs & debuffs this build provides

Auto-detected from the chosen sets & morphs (the coverage model). Each links to every source in the game.

Major BerserkMajor BreachMajor CourageMajor DefileMajor EvasionMajor ExpeditionMajor ForceMajor FortitudeMajor ProphecyMajor ProtectionMajor ResolveMajor VulnerabilityMinor BreachMinor BrittleMinor CourageMinor CowardiceMinor FortitudeMinor HeroismMinor MaimMinor Vulnerability

Setup

Race

Nord/Imperial/Argonian

Mundus

Lord/Atronach/Lady

Food

Bewitched Sugar Skulls

Potion

tri-stat / Heroism (ult gen)

Attributes

Magicka 20, Health 20, Stamina 24

Vampire

Stage 3 optional (Undeath ~30% dmg reduction at low HP)

Champion Points CP cited from datamined cp2 tree

Four slottable stars per tree (the build's priority). Each links to its datamined star page with the exact per-stage value; ✓ confirms it's slottable in the current CP tree.

Warfare
  • Ironclad
  • Duelist's Rebuff
  • Enduring Resolve
  • Unassailable
Fitness
  • Boundless Vitality
  • Fortified
  • Bracing Anchor
  • Ward Master
Craft
  • Steed's Blessing
  • Gifted Rider
  • War Mount
  • Master Gatherer

The numbers to hit (build toward, never past)