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..
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 Overview
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
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.
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 Skull
Throws a fire skull at an enemy. Every third cast deals 50% increased damage.
Rank 1
2700 Magicka
Instant
28m (Enemy)
Venom 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 Skull
Third cast bounces to two additional enemies, dealing AoE damage.
Rank IV
2700 Magicka
Instant
28m/8m (Enemy)
Boneyard
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 Boneyard
Applies Major Breach, reducing enemy Spell/Physical Resistance by 5948.
Rank IV
2970 Magicka
Instant (10s)
28m/6m (Ground)
Avid Boneyard
Allows self-activation of synergy instead of waiting for an ally.
Rank IV
2970 Magicka
Instant (10s)
28m/6m (Ground)
Skeletal Mage
Summons a skeletal mage that attacks every 2s for 20s. Creates a corpse on death.
Rank 30
2970 Magicka
Instant (20s)
Self
Skeletal Archer
Converts to Stamina, deals Physical Damage, and each attack increases damage by 15%.
Rank IV
2525 Stamina
Instant (20s)
Self
Skeletal Arcanist
Deals Shock Damage to all nearby enemies instead of a single target.
Rank IV
2970 Magicka
Instant (20s)
4m (Area)
Shocking 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 Siphon
Converts to Disease Damage. Corpse explodes at the end, dealing additional AoE damage.
Rank IV
-
Instant (20s)
28m (Ground)
Mystic 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
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
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
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
Casting Skeletal Mage, Blastbones, or Spirit Mender reduces the cost of the next summon by 50%.
Rank 8
Death Knell
Increases Critical Strike Chance by 8% per active Grave Lord ability when attacking enemies under 25% Health.
Rank 14
Dismember
While a Grave Lord ability is active, gain 1500 Spell and Physical Penetration.
Rank 22
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
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
Converts to Stamina, deals Bleed Damage, applies Hemorrhaging, and Off Balance (7s).
Rank IV
2754 Stamina
Instant
7m (Cone)
Hungry Scythe
Applies a Heal-over-Time effect for 10s after hitting enemies.
Rank IV
2970 Magicka
Instant
7m (Cone)
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
Pulls ranged enemies every 2s while active. Reduces cost.
Rank IV
2430 Magicka
Instant (20s)
Self
Summoner's Armor
Reduces the cost of Blastbones, Skeletal Mage, and Spirit Mender by 15%.
Rank IV
2700 Magicka
Instant (20s)
Self
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
Doubles duration (4s per corpse) and grants Major Protection (-10% damage taken).
Rank IV
-
Instant
12m (Area)
Necrotic Potency
Generates 6 Ultimate per corpse instead of 2.
Rank IV
-
Instant
12m (Area)
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
Totem can be placed up to 28m away. Reduced cost.
Rank IV
3240 Magicka
Instant (9s)
28m/6m (Ground)
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
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
Increases snare, immobilize, and stun durations (7s/6s/5s).
Rank IV
3780 Magicka
Instant (1s)
18×5m (Area)
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 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 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 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 Gleaning
Restores 666 Magicka and Stamina when a nearby enemy dies in combat.
Rank 8
Disdain Harm
Reduces DoT damage taken by 15% while a Bone Tyrant ability is active.
Rank 14
Health Avarice
Increases Healing Received by 2% per Bone Tyrant ability slotted.
Rank 22
Last 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 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 Flesh
Grants the target Physical & Spell Resistance equal to half the amount healed (3s).
Rank IV
4320 Magicka
Instant
28×12m (Area)
Blood Sacrifice
Consumes a corpse to heal a second target.
Rank IV
4320 Magicka
Instant
28×12m (Area)
Expunge
Removes up to 2 negative effects and reduces ability costs by 3% while slotted.
Rank 4
1940 Health
Instant
Self
Expunge & Modify
Restores 515 Magicka and Stamina per effect removed.
Rank IV
1940 Health
Instant
Self
Hexproof
Removes up to 4 negative effects.
Rank IV
1670 Health
Instant
Self
Life 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 Undeath
Consuming a corpse also removes up to 3 negative effects.
Rank IV
3510 Magicka
Instant
8m (Ground)
Enduring Undeath
Can consume multiple corpses, increasing the duration of healing over time.
Rank IV
3510 Magicka
Instant
8m (Ground)
Spirit 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 Guardian
Transfers 10% of the damage you take to the spirit instead.
Rank IV
4320 Magicka
Instant (16s)
Self
Intensive Mender
Lasts only 8s but heals twice as much.
Rank IV
2160 Magicka
Instant (8s)
Self
Restoring 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 Tether
Also heals allies in a radius around you.
Rank IV
-
Instant
28m
Mortal 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)
Reanimate
Instantly resurrects up to 3 allies at the target location.
Rank 12
335 Ultimate
Instant
28m, 12m radius (Ground)
Renewing Animation
Restores 5300 Magicka and Stamina per resurrected ally.
Rank IV
335 Ultimate
Instant
28m, 12m radius (Ground)
Animate 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 Curse
Increases healing done by 8% while affected by a negative effect.
Rank 8
Near-Death Experience
Healing critical strike chance increases (up to 20%) based on the target’s missing health.
Rank 14
Corpse Consumption
Using corpse-based abilities generates 10 Ultimate (16s cooldown).
Rank 22
Undead 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
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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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