Want to increase your DPS in The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO)? This comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know to boost your damage immediately—regardless of your class, build, or experience level. Whether you're a new player or a veteran, mastering the fundamentals of damage in ESO is the real key to success—not just copying builds.
Why ESO Feels Hard for Many Players
ESO isn't actually a high-skill gap game—it just has a steep knowledge gap. Many players misunderstand core damage concepts, especially rotation, weaving, and stat optimization. This guide teaches you the "why" behind the mechanics so you can make intelligent decisions in any scenario.
Understanding Damage in ESO: The Basics
Skills in ESO fall into two major categories:
Direct Damage – Example: Molten Whip, Surprise Attack Damage Over Time (DoT) – Example: Wall of Elements, Engulfing Flames
Each skill can also be single-target or area-of-effect (AoE), though we’ll cover that in more detail in future guides.
All damage in ESO is limited by the Global Cooldown (GCD), which allows only one skill per second. This makes understanding DPS-per-cast crucial. For instance, a DoT skill that lasts 22 seconds with 8k damage ticks every 2 seconds (e.g., Degeneration) outputs more damage per cast than a single spammable like Whip, if allowed to fully tick.
Golden Rule #1: Never Reapply DoTs Early
Reapplying DoTs too soon cuts their total value in half or worse. This is a common DPS loss. Use spammables only when all your DoTs are active and none are ready for reapplication.
Golden Rule #2: Always Be Casting (ABC)
Your time on target is critical. Every second not spent casting or weaving is a wasted opportunity for damage. Even randomly pressing skills is better than doing nothing. The secret? Consistent timing, not speed.
Light Attack Weaving & The Queue (Q) Window
Light attack weaving is about timing, not speed. The GCD has a queue window of ~400–600ms. During this window, your input is saved to fire at the right moment. If you cast too early or mash buttons, you overwrite your queued light attack.
The proper rhythm is:
Skill → Light Attack → Skill → Light Attack Think tempo over speed. Use a metronome app at 60 BPM to practice a consistent rhythm.
Stats That Matter: Penetration & Critical Damage
Penetration Cap:
18,200 – for all 4-man and 12-man content Use CP passives, light armor, monster sets, or Force of Nature to reach this cap if needed.
Critical Damage Cap:
125% max bonus Base crit damage is 50%. Buffs from race, CP, passives, and gear help reach cap.
Examples of Crit Damage Buff Sources:
Khajiit racial passive Backstabber or Fighting Finesse CP Velothi Amulet, Herald of the Tome passives, Medium Armor Dexterity passive
Buff & Debuff Optimization
You cannot stack multiple sources of the same major or minor buff, but you can combine a major and minor version. Your job is to ensure your build includes the most efficient way to get all key buffs/debuffs:
Key Buffs to Cover:
Major/Minor Sorcery & Brutality – Spell/Weapon Damage Major/Minor Prophecy & Savagery – Spell/Weapon Crit Minor Slayer – From 3-piece trial gear sets Major Breach / Minor Breach – Penetration debuffs Minor Force – From Trap Beast or Velothi Amulet
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
Having a DPS run Igneous Weapons unnecessarily Running Heroism Banner instead of using potions when group supports can handle it Copying top-tier group builds without understanding why something is slotted
Knowledge > Speed
You don’t need lightning reflexes to deal high damage in ESO. You just need to:
Understand your rotation (and avoid early DoT reapplication) Maximize your time on target (ABC) Weave light attacks with proper Q-window timing Hit stat caps: 18,200 Pen and 125% Crit Damage Optimize buffs and debuffs based on your group size and role
If you apply what’s in this guide, reaching 100k+ DPS is achievable within 10 hours or less of focused practice. Keep learning, for more info, visit ESO-GOLD.com! Cheap ESO GOLD for sale here, up to 25% off now!
