The BFG - ESO One Bar Arcanist Build
Watch the full breakdown of the ESO One Bar Arcanist BFG Build in guide on YouTube: ▶ View the BFG Video Guide. This build is now up to date for Update 51!
ESO Arcanist Build – The BFG One Bar DPS Build
The BFG is a powerful One Bar Arcanist DPS build for ESO, designed around a very simple rotation while still producing excellent damage. There is no bar swapping and very little to maintain, making this an easy build to pick up and play.
The build focuses on the Arcanist's Crux system, using Cephaliarch's Flail to generate Crux before spending it with Pragmatic Fatecarver. This gives the BFG its simple Flail → Flail → Fatecarver rotation.
The current setup also uses skills from the Warden Animal Companions skill line. Bull Netch provides additional resource recovery when needed, while Wild Guardian gives the build a powerful Ultimate that can follow targets between fights.
Because this is a One Bar Arcanist build, we use the Oakensoul Ring to provide the major buffs normally gained from additional skills and a second ability bar. This allows the build to remain simple without giving up the buffs needed for PvE damage.
Why Play The BFG?
- One bar with no weapon swapping
- Simple Arcanist rotation built around generating and spending Crux
- Strong PvE damage without a complicated rotation
- Built-in sustain with Bull Netch available when resources are needed
- Mobile damage from Fatecarver and Wild Guardian
- Suitable for solo arenas, overland, world bosses, dungeons and group PvE
If you're looking for an ESO Arcanist build that doesn't require a complicated rotation, the BFG gives you a straightforward way to play the class. Build your Crux, fire Fatecarver, maintain the few skills that need your attention, and use Wild Guardian whenever the Ultimate is available.
The sections below cover the complete BFG Arcanist build, including skills, rotation, Champion Points, race, Mundus Stone, attributes, food, potions and the full gear setup.
ESO Arcanist Build Skills
The BFG is a simple One Bar Arcanist build, updated for ESO Update 51. It uses powerful Arcanist abilities alongside key Warden support skills for excellent sustain and consistent high damage.
One Bar Build
| Slot | Icon | Skill | Skill Line |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Inspired Scholarship | Arcanist (Herald of the Tome) |
| 2 |  | Pragmatic Fatecarver | Arcanist (Herald of the Tome) |
| 3 |  | Bull Netch | Warden (Animal Companions) |
| 4 |  | Cephaliarch’s Flail | Arcanist (Herald of the Tome) |
| 5 |  | Shock Banner (Banner Bearer) | Alliance War (Support) |
| Ultimate |  | Wild Guardian | Warden (Animal Companions) |
NOTE: We are also taking advantage of the Aedric Spear skill line for the Templar Class! However, since we are using no active skills it's not on the chart.
BUT this is what you need to do. Unlock and buy ALL passive skills, specifically Balanced Warrior and Burning Light! Those two will enhance your damage a huge amount by providing extra free damage for doing damage, applying a constant weapon and spell damage bonus, and as an extra perk, you also have extra resistances.
Passives are key! Get them!
💥 ESO Arcanist Build Rotation
This is the easiest and most powerful Arcanist rotation you’ll ever play — no advanced timing or bar swaps required!
- ✅ Inspired Scholarship should be maintained at all times. It has a long duration (30s), so refreshing it is simple.
- ✅ Keep Shock Banner (Banner Bearer) active during combat to boost all direct damage and gain bonus damage while under speed buffs. ⚠️ It drains resources over time, so be sure to toggle it OFF between fights.
- ✅ Use Bull Netch when needed to restore resources or cleanse a negative effect.
- ✅ Fire your Wild Guardian ultimate as soon as it’s ready for massive, target-tracking damage!
⚔ Building Crux:
- Any damage will build a Crux if you have fewer than three.
- Cephaliarch’s Flail is your main generator — each cast gives 1 Crux.
- Shock Banner (Banner Bearer) generates increased weapon and spell damage and boosts direct damage overall.
✅ Your goal is to reach 3x Crux quickly — and you’ll do that by using Flail twice.
🚀 Rotation Loop:
- Cast Cephaliarch’s Flail (tentacle).
- Cast it again.
- Now you have 3x Crux — unload with Pragmatic Fatecarver!
💡 Repeat this cycle endlessly:
Flail → Flail → Fatecarver → Flail → Flail → Fatecarver
Add a light attack between each ability cast for optimal performance:
Flail → LA → Flail → LA → Fatecarver → repeat
💡 Keep it Simple:
There’s no need to worry about frame-perfect timing — just make sure you activate your next skill before the beam (Fatecarver) ends. ESO’s global cooldown handles the rest.
⚠️ Only break this routine if:
- Your Bear Ultimate (Wild Guardian) is ready — fire it immediately!
- Inspired Scholarship is about to expire — refresh it right away.
- You need a cleanse or resource boost — cast Bull Netch.
This is hands-down the easiest and most effective one-bar Arcanist rotation in ESO right now. 🔥
Get in, melt faces, repeat. 💪
🔁 TL;DR:
- ➡️ Keep Inspired Scholarship up
- ➡️ Keep Shock Banner (Banner Bearer) active as much as possible (toggle off between fights)
- ➡️ Use Bull Netch as needed
- ➡️ Build 3x Crux with Flail twice
- ➡️ Spam Fatecarver at 3x Crux
- ➡️ Use your Bear Ultimate (Wild Guardian) when ready
🏆 Champion Points – BFG, One Bar Arcanist Setup
Champion Points in The Elder Scrolls Online are a key part of the BFG Build setup. These choices focus on raw survival, sustain, and consistent damage output — everything you need for solo arenas, overland content, and Infinite Archive runs.
Once you hit level 50, Champion Points (CP) keep your character growing in three main constellations. This build focuses on Warfare (Blue), Fitness (Red), and minimal investment in Craft (Green) for passive travel speed, crafting bonuses, and other quality-of-life perks.
- Reaving Blows
- Wrathful Strikes
- Biting Aura
- Master At Arms
Steed’s Blessing
The green tree is mostly passive — invest here as you gain points for travel speed, crafting bonuses, and quality-of-life perks.
- Boundless Vitality
- Fortified
- Bloody Renewal
- Siphoning Spells
Note: In Infinite Archive, you can swap Biting Aura for Occult Overload if you manage to get the Focused Efforts vision for extra synergy.
Learn how to optimize your ESO Champion Points with the full breakdown here: ▶ Watch the Champion Points Video Guide
Potions, Poisons, & Food
🧪 Potion Ingredients (Tri-Pots)
🍜 Food (Max Health + Max Stamina)
Use the highest-level food you can access that provides only Max Health and Max Stamina. All of the following foods grant the same bonus — choose whichever is easiest to obtain.
- Sticky Pork and Radish Noodles
Ingredients: White Meat, Radish, Flour - Garlic Cod with Potato Crust
Ingredients: Fish, Potato, Garlic - Braised Rabbit with Spring Vegetables
Ingredients: Small Game, Greens, Seasoning
Attributes, Race, and Mundus Stone
We are using the Thief Mundus Stone .
All 64 Attribute Points are placed into Stamina.
The chosen race is Orc , due to its high max health, stamina, extra damage, built-in healing from damage done, and bonus movement speed. These bonuses synergize perfectly with the BFG's playstyle.
However, other races are also viable. Redguard is a strong substitute, but honestly, you can use almost any race you prefer. There's no hard rule. The difference in performance is minimal, and most players won't notice the gap at all.
Race is a personal choice. If you want the specific benefits listed above, go with Orc. Otherwise, pick what suits your style best. It's YOUR game!
ESO Arcanist Build Gear Setup
| Slot | Gear Set | Weight | Trait | Enchantment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Head | Deadly Strike | Medium | Divines | Max Stamina |
| Shoulders | Nerien'eth | Medium | Divines | Max Stamina |
| Chest | Tide-born Wildstalker | Medium | Divines | Max Stamina |
| Waist | Tide-born Wildstalker | Light | Divines | Max Stamina |
| Hands | Tide-born Wildstalker | Medium | Divines | Max Stamina |
| Legs | Tide-born Wildstalker | Medium | Divines | Max Stamina |
| Feet | Tide-born Wildstalker | Medium | Divines | Max Stamina |
| Ring 1 | Oakensoul Ring | Jewelry | Bloodthirsty | Weapon/Spell Dmg |
| Ring 2 | Deadly Strike | Jewelry | Bloodthirsty | Weapon/Spell Dmg |
| Necklace | Deadly Strike | Jewelry | Bloodthirsty | Weapon/Spell Dmg |
| Weapon 1 | Deadly Strike | Lightning Staff | Precise | Berserker |
✨ Highlights
- Deadly Strike – Increases channel damage by 15%, making your beam attacks significantly more powerful.
- Tide-Born Wildstalker – Boosts direct damage by 12%, including crucial synergy with both your flail and beam attacks, stacks for maximum output.
- Nerien'eth – Powerful monster shoulder piece providing flat extra weapon damage to maximize your DPS.
- Oakensoul Ring – Essential for the ultimate one bar build, packed with major buffs that simplify gameplay and maximize damage output.
