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19 March 2025 | Elder Scrolls Online

ESO: Necromancer Class Overview

The Necromancer is one of the most unique and versatile classes in The Elder Scrolls Online, offering a dark, thematic playstyle centered around raising the dead, manipulating corpses, and harnessing destructive elemental magic. Unlike other classes, Necromancers consume fallen enemies to fuel their abilities, making them a high-risk, high-reward choice..

image of Necromancer ESO
Necromancer ESO

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the Necromancer’s strengths, weaknesses, skill lines, and optimal playstyles, helping you determine whether this powerful and sinister class is the right choice for your adventures in ESO.

ESO Necromancer OverviewIcon

The Necromancer in The Elder Scrolls Online is a powerful and versatile class that commands undead minions, manipulates life and death, and wields destructive elemental magic. With three class-focused skill lines: Grave Lord (DPS), Bone Tyrant (Tank), and Living Death (Healer) the Necromancer can effectively adapt to any combat role in both PvE and PvP.

Necromancer Overview
Necromancer Image Skill Lines: Grave Lord, Bone Tyrant, Living Death
Class Synergies: Grave Robber, Pure Agony
Class Features: Corpse Manipulation, Summoning, Damage over Time, Survivability
Class Armor: Death Shroud
Melee Style: Clawing Shadows, Dark Tendrils
Specialties: Undead Minions, Battlefield Control, Corpse-Based Healing & Buffs

The Necromancer class in ESO is perfect for those who wield dark magic and command the dead. Mastering this class requires careful corpse management, as many abilities are enhanced by consuming fallen enemies.

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ESO Necromancer Strengths & Weaknesses

The Necromancer class in ESO offers a versatile and powerful toolkit, excelling in damage, tanking, and healing roles. However, mastering its corpse-based mechanics and resource management requires skill and strategy. This section highlights key strengths and weaknesses to help you determine if the Necromancer playstyle suits you.

Strengths Weaknesses
Versatile Playstyle: Effective as a Magicka (ranged DPS, healer) or Stamina (melee DPS, tank) character. High Skill Ceiling: Requires resource management, corpse tracking, and precise skill rotation.
Corpse Mechanic: Many skills become more powerful when consuming corpses, allowing for unique synergies. Limited Mobility: Lacks instant escape or movement skills, making positioning crucial.
Strong AoE Damage: Abilities like Boneyard and Frozen Colossus excel at hitting multiple enemies. Resource Intensive: Some abilities have high Magicka or Stamina costs.
Crowd Control: Can immobilize, fear, and debuff enemies for battlefield control. Criminal Acts: Casting certain Necromancer abilities in cities can attract guards.
High Healing Potential: Can resurrect allies, provide strong sustain, and remove debuffs.

ESO Necromancer Skills Lines & Abilities

The Necromancer in ESO Necromancer Skills lines, each specializing in a different combat role — damage dealing, tanking, or healing. Unlike other classes, the Necromancer’s abilities interact with corpses, making corpse management an essential part of mastering the class.

Each skill line offers a variety of active and passive abilities, allowing for powerful burst attacks, area-of-effect (AoE) damage, high survivability, and healing potential. Below is a detailed breakdown of the Necromancer’s skill lines, abilities, and their best uses.

Grave Lord (DPS – Elemental & Corpse-Based Damage)

"Raise relentless undead and unleash elemental destruction."

The Grave Lord skill line focuses on offensive magic, dealing Fire, Frost, Shock, Disease, and Poison damage. This skill line is best suited for DPS roles, allowing the Necromancer to summon undead minions, command elemental forces, and consume corpses to fuel destructive spells.

ESO Necromancer Active Abilities

Ability Description Unlock Cost Cast Time (Duration) Range/Radius (Target)
Flame SkullFlame Skull Throws a fire skull at an enemy. Every third cast deals 50% increased damage. Rank 1 2700 Magicka Instant 28m (Enemy)
Venom SkullVenom Skull Converts to Stamina, deals Poison Damage, and casting any Necromancer ability counts towards the third skull. Rank IV 2295 Stamina Instant 28m (Enemy)
Ricochet SkullRicochet Skull Third cast bounces to two additional enemies, dealing AoE damage. Rank IV 2700 Magicka Instant 28m/8m (Enemy)
BoneyardBoneyard Creates a necrotic zone that deals AoE Frost Damage over 10s. Consuming a corpse increases damage by 30%. Allies can activate Grave Robber synergy. Rank 20 2970 Magicka Instant (10s) 28m/6m (Ground)
Unnerving BoneyardUnnerving Boneyard Applies Major Breach, reducing enemy Spell/Physical Resistance by 5948. Rank IV 2970 Magicka Instant (10s) 28m/6m (Ground)
Avid BoneyardAvid Boneyard Allows self-activation of synergy instead of waiting for an ally. Rank IV 2970 Magicka Instant (10s) 28m/6m (Ground)
Skeletal MageSkeletal Mage Summons a skeletal mage that attacks every 2s for 20s. Creates a corpse on death. Rank 30 2970 Magicka Instant (20s) Self
Skeletal ArcherSkeletal Archer Converts to Stamina, deals Physical Damage, and each attack increases damage by 15%. Rank IV 2525 Stamina Instant (20s) Self
Skeletal ArcanistSkeletal Arcanist Deals Shock Damage to all nearby enemies instead of a single target. Rank IV 2970 Magicka Instant (20s) 4m (Area)
Shocking SiphonShocking Siphon Drains energy from a corpse, dealing Shock Damage over 20s to all nearby enemies. While slotted, increases damage done by 3%. Rank 42 - Instant (20s) 28m (Ground)
Detonating SiphonDetonating Siphon Converts to Disease Damage. Corpse explodes at the end, dealing additional AoE damage. Rank IV - Instant (20s) 28m (Ground)
Mystic SiphonMystic Siphon Restores 150 Health, Magicka, and Stamina Recovery while siphoning. Rank IV - Instant (20s) 28m (Ground)

ESO Necromancer Ultimate Abilities

Ultimate Ability Description Unlock Cost Cast Time (Duration) Range/Radius (Target)
Frozen Colossus Frozen Colossus Summons a giant undead Flesh Colossus that smashes the ground three times, dealing Frost Damage per hit and applying Major Vulnerability (30% increased damage taken for 12s). Rank 12 175 Ultimate Instant (3s) 28m/8m (Ground)
Pestilent Colossus Pestilent Colossus Deals Disease Damage instead of Frost. Each smash increases in damage and applies Diseased status effect. Rank IV 175 Ultimate Instant (3s) 28m/8m (Ground)
Glacial Colossus Glacial Colossus Final smash stuns all enemies for 4s and Major Vulnerability lasts 17s instead of 12s. Rank IV 175 Ultimate Instant (3s) 28m/8m (Ground)

ESO Necromancer Passive Abilities

Passive Description Unlock
Reusable Parts Reusable Parts Casting Skeletal Mage, Blastbones, or Spirit Mender reduces the cost of the next summon by 50%. Rank 8
Death Knell Death Knell Increases Critical Strike Chance by 8% per active Grave Lord ability when attacking enemies under 25% Health. Rank 14
Dismember Dismember While a Grave Lord ability is active, gain 1500 Spell and Physical Penetration. Rank 22
Rapid Rot Rapid Rot Increases damage over time effects by 10%. Rank 39

Bone Tyrant (Tank – Defensive & Health Sustain)

"Bend the dead to your will, fortifying yourself with their remains."

The Bone Tyrant skill line is focused on defensive and self-sustaining abilities, allowing Necromancers to mitigate damage, control the battlefield, and absorb health from enemies.

ESO Necromancer Active Abilities

Ability Description Unlock Cost Cast Time (Duration) Range/Radius (Target)
Death Scythe Death Scythe Slashes in a cone, dealing 1742 Magic Damage and healing for 2400 per target hit (scales with Max Health). The heal increases by 800 per additional target, up to 5. Rank 1 3240 Magicka Instant 7m (Cone)
Ruinous Scythe Ruinous Scythe Converts to Stamina, deals Bleed Damage, applies Hemorrhaging, and Off Balance (7s). Rank IV 2754 Stamina Instant 7m (Cone)
Hungry Scythe Hungry Scythe Applies a Heal-over-Time effect for 10s after hitting enemies. Rank IV 2970 Magicka Instant 7m (Cone)
Bone Armor Bone Armor Encases in bone armor, granting Major Resolve (5948 Physical & Spell Resistance) for 20s. Creates a corpse when it expires. Rank 4 2700 Magicka Instant (20s) Self
Beckoning Armor Beckoning Armor Pulls ranged enemies every 2s while active. Reduces cost. Rank IV 2430 Magicka Instant (20s) Self
Summoner's Armor Summoner's Armor Reduces the cost of Blastbones, Skeletal Mage, and Spirit Mender by 15%. Rank IV 2700 Magicka Instant (20s) Self
Bitter Harvest Bitter Harvest Consumes corpses, granting 2 Ultimate per corpse and healing for 682 per second (2s per corpse). Reduces damage taken by 3% while slotted. Rank 20 - Instant 12m (Area)
Deaden Pain Deaden Pain Doubles duration (4s per corpse) and grants Major Protection (-10% damage taken). Rank IV - Instant 12m (Area)
Necrotic Potency Necrotic Potency Generates 6 Ultimate per corpse instead of 2. Rank IV - Instant 12m (Area)
Bone Totem Bone Totem Places a totem at feet, granting Minor Protection (-5% damage taken) to allies for 11s. After 2s, fears enemies every 2s for 4s. Rank 30 4050 Magicka Instant (9s) 6m (Area)
Remote Totem Remote Totem Totem can be placed up to 28m away. Reduced cost. Rank IV 3240 Magicka Instant (9s) 28m/6m (Ground)
Agony Totem Agony Totem Increases duration (13s). Allies can activate Pure Agony synergy (2100 Magic Damage over 5s, applies Minor Vulnerability (5% more damage taken)). Rank IV 4050 Magicka Instant (13s) 6m (Area)
Grave Grasp Grave Grasp Summons skeletal claws in a line. The first patch slows (-30%, 5s), the second immobilizes (4s), and the third stuns (3s). Applies Minor Maim (-5% damage for 10s). Rank 42 3780 Magicka Instant (1s) 18×5m (Area)
Ghostly Embrace Ghostly Embrace Increases snare, immobilize, and stun durations (7s/6s/5s). Rank IV 3780 Magicka Instant (1s) 18×5m (Area)
Empowering Grasp Empowering Grasp Buffs allies with Empower (increased Light Attack damage) and boosts Skeletal Mage/Spirit Mender healing by 1000. Rank IV 3510 Magicka Instant (1s) 18×5m (Area)

ESO Necromancer Ultimate Abilities

Ultimate Ability Description Unlock Cost Cast Time (Duration) Range/Radius (Target)
Bone Goliath TransformationBone Goliath Transformation Transform into a giant undead creature, increasing Max Health by 30,000 for 20s and instantly restoring 30,000 Health. While transformed, Light Attacks restore 319 Health and Fully Charged Heavy Attacks restore 800 Health. Rank 12 250 Ultimate Instant (20s) Self
Pummeling GoliathPummeling Goliath Bash attacks now hit multiple enemies in a cone and deal 1799 Physical Damage, scaling off offensive stats. Rank IV 250 Ultimate Instant (20s) Self
Ravenous GoliathRavenous Goliath Deals AoE Magic Damage every second and heals for the same amount while transformed. Rank IV 250 Ultimate Instant (20s) Self

ESO Necromancer Passive Abilities

Passive Description Unlock
Death GleaningDeath Gleaning Restores 666 Magicka and Stamina when a nearby enemy dies in combat. Rank 8
Disdain HarmDisdain Harm Reduces DoT damage taken by 15% while a Bone Tyrant ability is active. Rank 14
Health AvariceHealth Avarice Increases Healing Received by 2% per Bone Tyrant ability slotted. Rank 22
Last GaspLast Gasp Increases Max Health by 1250. Rank 39

Living Death (Healer – Support & Resurrection)

"Harness life and death itself to restore your allies."

The Living Death skill line specializes in healing, support, and resurrection, using corpses to enhance healing abilities.

ESO Necromancer Active Abilities

Ability Description Unlock Cost Cast Time (Duration) Range/Radius (Target)
Render FleshRender Flesh Heals you or an ally for 1232 Health but applies Minor Defile (-8% Healing Received, 4s). Rank 1 4320 Magicka Instant 28×12m (Area)
Resistant FleshResistant Flesh Grants the target Physical & Spell Resistance equal to half the amount healed (3s). Rank IV 4320 Magicka Instant 28×12m (Area)
Blood SacrificeBlood Sacrifice Consumes a corpse to heal a second target. Rank IV 4320 Magicka Instant 28×12m (Area)
ExpungeExpunge Removes up to 2 negative effects and reduces ability costs by 3% while slotted. Rank 4 1940 Health Instant Self
Expunge & ModifyExpunge & Modify Restores 515 Magicka and Stamina per effect removed. Rank IV 1940 Health Instant Self
HexproofHexproof Removes up to 4 negative effects. Rank IV 1670 Health Instant Self
Life Amid DeathLife Amid Death Heals you and allies for 821 Health. If a corpse is consumed, grants additional 795 Health over 5s. Rank 20 3510 Magicka Instant 8m (Ground)
Renewing UndeathRenewing Undeath Consuming a corpse also removes up to 3 negative effects. Rank IV 3510 Magicka Instant 8m (Ground)
Enduring UndeathEnduring Undeath Can consume multiple corpses, increasing the duration of healing over time. Rank IV 3510 Magicka Instant 8m (Ground)
Spirit MenderSpirit Mender Summons a spirit for 16s that heals the lowest-health ally every 2s for 695 Health. Creates a corpse when it expires. Rank 30 4320 Magicka Instant (16s) Self
Spirit GuardianSpirit Guardian Transfers 10% of the damage you take to the spirit instead. Rank IV 4320 Magicka Instant (16s) Self
Intensive MenderIntensive Mender Lasts only 8s but heals twice as much. Rank IV 2160 Magicka Instant (8s) Self
Restoring TetherRestoring Tether Siphons a corpse to heal for 4842 over 12s to yourself and allies between you and the corpse. Increases Healing Done by 3% while slotted. Rank 42 - Instant 28m
Braided TetherBraided Tether Also heals allies in a radius around you. Rank IV - Instant 28m
Mortal CoilMortal Coil Restores 170 Magicka and Stamina every 2s while siphoning the corpse. Rank IV - Instant 28m

ESO Necromancer Ultimate Abilities

Ability Description Unlock Cost Cast Time (Duration) Range/Radius (Target)
ReanimateReanimate Instantly resurrects up to 3 allies at the target location. Rank 12 335 Ultimate Instant 28m, 12m radius (Ground)
Renewing AnimationRenewing Animation Restores 5300 Magicka and Stamina per resurrected ally. Rank IV 335 Ultimate Instant 28m, 12m radius (Ground)
Animate BlastbonesAnimate Blastbones Consumes up to 3 corpses to summon Blighted Blastbones after resurrecting allies. Rank IV 320 Ultimate Instant 28m, 12m radius (Ground)

ESO Necromancer Passive Abilities

Passive Description Unlock
Curative CurseCurative Curse Increases healing done by 8% while affected by a negative effect. Rank 8
Near-Death ExperienceNear-Death Experience Healing critical strike chance increases (up to 20%) based on the target’s missing health. Rank 14
Corpse ConsumptionCorpse Consumption Using corpse-based abilities generates 10 Ultimate (16s cooldown). Rank 22
Undead ConfederateUndead Confederate While a Necromancer summon is active, Health, Magicka, and Stamina Recovery increase by 200. Rank 39

Necromancer Gameplay & Tips

  • Utilize Corpses Effectively: Many abilities rely on consuming fallen enemies.
  • Control the Battlefield: Abilities like Agony Totem and Grave Grasp provide powerful crowd control.
  • Manage Resources: The Necromancer has strong sustain tools, but poor resource management can hinder effectiveness.
  • Focus on AoE Damage: Abilities like Boneyard and Frozen Colossus are highly effective in group fights.
  • Be Cautious in Cities: Some Necromancer skills are considered criminal acts, triggering city guards' aggression.

Necromancer Gear Recommendations

The right gear is essential for maximizing a Necromancer’s effectiveness. Below are recommended sets for each role:

  • PvE DPS Gear:
    • Magicka DPS: Mother’s Sorrow, Law of Julianos, Deadly Strike
    • Stamina DPS: Briarheart, New Moon Acolyte
  • Tank Gear: Ebon Armory, Plague Doctor, Torug’s Pact
  • Healer Gear: Spell Power Cure, Vestments of Olorime

Сonclusion

The Necromancer ESO class is ideal for players who enjoy complex mechanics, powerful AoE damage, and hybrid combat styles. Whether focusing on DPS, tanking, or healing, the Necromancer has a diverse skill set that rewards strategic gameplay. And ESO Boosting Services can provide the support you need - skip the grind and focus on what matters most dominating the battlefield and enjoying Tamriel to the fullest.

FAQ

The ESO Necromancer stands out with its corpse mechanic, allowing players to consume fallen enemies to enhance their abilities. It also has strong AoE damage, crowd control, and versatile roles for DPS, tanking, and healing.


The Necromancer ESO class has three skill lines:

  • Grave Lord – Focuses on elemental and corpse-based damage for high DPS.
  • Bone Tyrant – Provides defensive and tanking abilities using bone magic.
  • Living Death – Specializes in healing and reviving allies with life and death magic.

Necromancers perform well in both PvE and PvP. They have strong AoE abilities for dungeons and trials, while their crowd control and burst damage make them deadly in PvP.


The best race depends on the build:

  • Magicka Necromancer (DPS/Healer) – Breton, High Elf, or Dark Elf.
  • Stamina Necromancer (DPS/Tank) – Orc, Nord, or Redguard.

Yes! Necromancer ESO solo builds have great sustain, AoE damage, and defensive skills, making them strong for solo PvE and world bosses.


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Change Log

  • 19.03.2025 - ESO: Necromancer Class overview published.