ESODecoded

Runic Defense

Arcanist · Soldier of Apocrypha · Active — base skill and both morphs, exact values.

data retrieved 2026-06-11 · datamined via UESP

At a glance

Class / categoryArcanist
Skill lineSoldier of Apocrypha
Skill typeActive
Morphs2
Base cost3510 Magicka
Unlocks atLevel 30

Base skill & morphs

BASE Runic Defense3510 Magicka · unlocks lvl 30

Cast forth a complex rune granting you and your group members Minor Resolve for 20 seconds, increasing your Armor by 2974. You gain Minor Protection for 20 seconds, reducing your damage taken by 5%. The first time you are damaged while below 50% Health, the Minor Protection is consumed to heal you for 4800 Health, scaling off your Max Health.

MORPH Runeguard of Freedom3510 Magicka · unlocks lvl 30

Cast forth a complex rune granting you and your group members Minor Resolve for 20 seconds, increasing your Armor by 2974. You gain Minor Protection for 20 seconds, reducing your damage taken by 5%. The first time you are damaged while below 50% Health, Minor Protection is consumed to heal you for 2400 Health, scaling off your Max Health, and gain 3300 Armor and Crowd Control Immunity for 7 seconds. This immunity can occur once every 30 seconds.

MORPH Runeguard of Still Waters3510 Magicka · unlocks lvl 30

Cast forth a complex rune granting you and your group members Minor Resolve for 20 seconds, increasing your Armor by 2974. After 1 second, the spellweave immobilizes enemies within 7 meters for 3 seconds. You gain Minor Protection for 20 seconds, reducing your damage taken by 5%. The first time you are damaged while below 50% Health, the Minor Protection is consumed to heal you for 4800 Health, scaling off your Max Health.

Morph differences

What each morph changes relative to the base skill — exact datamined text only, no recommendation of which to pick.

Runic Defense BASE

Cast forth a complex rune granting you and your group members Minor Resolve for 20 seconds, increasing your Armor by 2974. You gain Minor Protection for 20 seconds, reducing your damage taken by 5%. The first time you are damaged while below 50% Health, the Minor Protection is consumed to heal you for 4800 Health, scaling off your Max Health.

Runeguard of Freedom MORPH

Changes vs base: The first time you are damaged while below 50% Health, Minor Protection is consumed to heal you for 2400 Health, scaling off your Max Health, and gain 3300 Armor and Crowd Control Immunity for 7 seconds. This immunity can occur once every 30 seconds.

Runeguard of Still Waters MORPH

Changes vs base: After 1 second, the spellweave immobilizes enemies within 7 meters for 3 seconds.

FAQ

What are the morphs of Runic Defense?

Runic Defense has 2 morphs: Runeguard of Freedom, Runeguard of Still Waters.

What's the difference between the Runic Defense morphs?

Runeguard of Freedom: The first time you are damaged while below 50% Health, Minor Protection is consumed to heal you for 2400 Health, scaling off your Max Health, and gain 3300 Armor and Crowd Control Immunity for 7 seconds. This immunity can occur once every 30 seconds.

Runeguard of Still Waters: After 1 second, the spellweave immobilizes enemies within 7 meters for 3 seconds.

How much does Runic Defense cost?

3510 Magicka.

Where does Runic Defense come from?

Arcanist · Soldier of Apocrypha skill line.