The Sorcerer class started off as the main Magicka-based toon whenThe Elder Scrolls Onlinefirst released. Since the beginning, it has remained as one of the most popular classes to use, whether it be for PvE or PvP. It’s now also one of the best stamina DPS, especially in PvP.With the right build, it can be one of the hardest-hitting classes in the game. Being able to summon pets to aid them in battle just makes them deadlier.
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It’s not just their attacks that make them lethal. They have abilities that can give them amazing buffs and have shields that can take a lot of damage. Here are ten skills that players should have if they plan on playing as this powerful class.
Updated July 21, 2025 by Sarah Prado:The Sorcerer continues to remain a popular class in ESO in both PvP and PvE. With Update 31 releasing new armor sets, this class has become even deadlier. These abilities have remained steady staples for the Sorcerer, whether for PvE or PvP. The Sorcerer class mostly caters to those wanting to be either magicka or stamina DPS. Both are some of the hardest hitters in the game and have plenty of class abilities to help them out. Sorcerer tanks and healers will find some use in them as well since a few abilities raise stats.Many of the abilities were listed before Update 31, but are still useful and two more abilities have been added.
12Crystal Fragments: Spam Attack While Lowering Cost
The Magicka morph of the skill Crystal Shard. It’s one of the most annoying abilities to be used PvP. A lot of Magicka Sorcerers will use this ability as theirspam attackbecause it hits really hard and thenext non-Ultimate ability used within three seconds will cost 10% less. Casting a Magicka ability has a 35% chance of making the next Crystal Fragments to be instant, deal 66% more damage, and 50% less.
With this and depending on the player character’s race and build, Crystal Fragments can be one of the hardest-hitting abilities in the game.
11Streak: Make A Quick Getaway
A morph of the ability of Bolt Escape. Itstuns almost all enemiesthe player passes by for three seconds. It’s great for any role of the Sorcerer because it’s usually used to make a quick getaway from enemies.Enemies cannot block this attack.Thedamage done is based on the player’s highest offensive stat.The only downside to using this ability is that if the player casts it again within four seconds, it will cost 33% more Magicka.
10Negate Magic: Stun And Silent Surrounding Enemies
One of the most powerful Ultimate abilities in the game. This Ultimate creates a magical field around the player that negates all Magicka-based abilities for 12 seconds. When used in PvP, this can cancel out a lot of players' abilities if positioned right.Suppression Fieldwill stun enemies and silence player enemies in the field. It will alsodamage all enemies every 0.5 secondswhile they’re in the field.
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Absorption Fieldwill only silence enemies and stun player enemies. Instead of doing extra damage to players, this field willheal the player and their group.The player and their group can inside this bubble to prevent enemy players from using their magicka abilities while getting healed.
9Lightning Form: Run Fast And Hit Hard
An ability that is great for any role for the Sorcerer. It gives playersMajor Resolve, whichincreases their physical and spell resistance. Plus, it gives playersMajor Expedition, which increases their movement speed by 30% for four seconds.Hurricaneis great for stamina DPS because itdeals physical damage to nearby enemiesevery one second for 15 seconds. It grows stronger in damage and size, dealing up to 150% more damage and up to nine meters in size.
Boundless Stormdoesn’t increase in size or damage, but it does increase in power if morphed to this. Players will receiveMajor Resolve and Major Expedition, which isgreat for Magicka userssince extra resistance is always nice and they don’t move as fast as stamina DPS. One thing that’s great about this morph is that players get Major Expedition for a small period of time after activation.
8Summon Winged Twilight: A Pet That Heals And Fights
One of the best things about the Sorcerer class is being able tosummon Daedra into battle.The Winged Twilight is great for almost all roles for the Sorcerer. It doesdamage to enemiesand activating itsspecial ability heals allies. Another great thing about it, the Winged Twilight stays out unless it’s killed or unsummoned. TheWinged Tormentoris the best option for DPS since it does its base damage, but does itsspecial ability will do up to 53% more damageto enemies with 50% or higher health for 15 seconds.
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TheWinged Matriarchis more suited for healersor supportive tanks.The Matriarch will do damage to enemies, but its special ability is toburst heal up to two friendly targets.
7Summon Charged Atronach: Stun And Hit Enemies Mercilessly
A morph of the Ultimate ability Summon Storm Atronach. When summoned, the Charged Atronach will dealshock damage and stun enemiesaround its summoningarea for three seconds. It will attack one nearby continuously while damaging other enemies surrounding it periodically.
To make it even better, an ally canactivate the Charged Lightning synergyto give themselves and the AtronachMajor Berserk, which increases their damage by 10% for eight seconds.
6Hardened Ward: Shield Yourself And Pets
A morph of the ability Conjured Ward. Hardened Ward isone of the best shieldsin the game. It puts a shield around the player and their pets if they have any summoned. The strength of theshield caps out at 60%based on the player’s max health instead of the usual 50%.
Combining this ability with Lightning Form is one of the most popular combos among Sorcerers because of how strong it makes their resistance and gives them a shield for a short period of time. It’s especially a favorite among DPS because it makes them pretty tanky and less likely to get killed in battle.
5Summon Unstable Familiar: Small In Stature, Mighty In Power
Another ability that lets Sorcerers summon a Daedra to fight for them. It continues to fight until it’s killed in battle and relentlessly attacks enemies. TheSummon Volatile Familiarmorph is usually chosen by magicka DPS and does stronger damage. What makes this morph special is that thefinal pulse of its special ability will hit all enemies hit by it for three seconds.
TheSummon Unstable Clannfeardoes cost magicka to summon it but is usually the morph chosen by stamina DPS. This morphdoes physical damageinstead of shock damage. Thespecial ability for the Clannfear will heal itself and the player. This comes in handy for stamina DPS since most tend to use Vigor, a healing ability that costs stamina and drains the player’s resources for attacks. Players can use the Clannfear’s special ability which costs magicka and not have to worry about using up stamina.
4Liquid Lightning: A Useful Synergy That Damages
One of the morphs of the Lightning Splash ability. Liquid Lightning is the more popular version since it lasts four seconds longer than the Lightning Flood morph. Itdoes shock damageto nearby enemiesevery second for 14 seconds. It may not hit the hardest, but Sorcerers also use this ability to give their allies a synergy to hit.
Thesynergy does more damage to surrounding enemiesand will give the ally that activates it a little bit of resources if they have learned the proper passive abilities. It’s especially great if a tank is running low and needs a synergy. A Sorcerer can aim this at them and give them a boost.
3Dark Exchange: Restore Resources At A Cost
An ability that should be used wisely, but will come in handy if a player’s main resources are falling low.Dark Dealis great for stamina DPS because it will cost Magicka to use andrestore both health and stamina for a little over 20 seconds. Because it uses Magicka, stamina DPS might find themselves not being able to use Magicka-based abilities such as Streak or Lightning Form for a few seconds. It’s best to use this ability at a safe distance if possible.
Dark Conversionuses stamina and willrestore health and Magicka. It does have a reduced cost, but most Magicka-based toons tend to have a low stamina pool. Using it might keep Magicka-based Sorcerers from roll dodging or blocking, but with their Magicka restored, they can Streak away and shield up.
