In Update 51, the best healer classes in ESO include Arcanist and Templar, while tanks like Sorcerer and Warden shine. For DPS meta, Nightblade excels at single-target damage, and Dragonknight remains resilient as the top solo class for challenging content.
Understanding Update 51 Class Changes
Update 51 brought important tweaks to class balance in The Elder Scrolls Online. Notable adjustments include:
- Dragonknight received changes to skills like Landslide and Power Lash, which reduced PvP burst potential while improving PvE sustain and damage consistency.
- Templar benefited from changes to skills such as Balanced Warrior and Judgment’s Brand, improving its damage output and utility in group DPS and healer setups.
- Necromancer saw modifications to ultimate abilities and passive decay mechanics, which improved sustain while addressing overperformance in specific situations.
- Warden changes are still a work in progress, with targeted updates enhancing specific skills like Arctic Blast and Fetcher Infection.
These changes were aimed at improving PvP balance and providing more competitive options for PvE encounters while maintaining the newly introduced Class Mastery dynamics.
Top Healer Classes for ESO Update 51
The healer role in ESO Update 51 prioritizes utility and group buff/debuff capabilities alongside healing output. Analysis of the healer rankings are as follows:
- S-Tier Healers: The Arcanist leads the healing meta with powerful burst healing, exceptionally strong group buffs like Major Force, and an effective passive ultimate generation. The Templar closely follows, excelling in high ultimate generation, group sustain, and defensive utility.
- A-Tier Healers: Warden remains a solid choice due to its defensive buffs like Major Resolve and Minor Toughness while offering offensive utility via Major Brittle and Major Heroism.
- B-Tier Healers: Nightblade has excellent healing output and defensive buffs, but its utility for offensive damage is relatively limited compared to higher-tier options.
- C-Tier Healers: Sorcerer and Necromancer don’t offer much beyond adequate HPS and isolated utility compared to the dominant choices in the meta.
Best Tank Classes in ESO Update 51
In ESO Update 51, tank rankings favor classes with exceptional survivability and group utility:
- S-Tier Tanks: The Sorcerer shines with immense survivability and group utility, and the Warden excels with Major Brittle, Minor Toughness, and its ability to place gates for optimized trial pulls.
- A-Tier Tanks: The Dragonknight provides significant group buffs, including Major Berserk, unique weapon damage bonuses, and stagger, though these buffs require precise execution.
- B-Tier Tanks: The Arcanist, while extremely durable, lacks significant group utility. The Necromancer provides useful buffs like Major Cowardice but is often better utilized in DPS roles.
- C-Tier Tanks: The Templar falls short in survivability compared to other options and lacks unique utilities that can’t be sourced from more efficient choices like healer builds.
DPS Tier List for Update 51
These rankings assess performance in 12-player content under Update 51’s rebalancing:
- S-Tier: The Nightblade is the undisputed meta leader for DPS, excelling at single-target combat with impressive execute-phase damage.
- A-Tier: Necromancer remains a top AoE DPS choice, while Templar is now a viable contender with its strengthened skills.
- B-Tier: Arcanist offers versatile tools alongside consistent trash-clearing capability, making it ideal for achievement runs or less optimized groups. The Sorcerer excels at single-target DPS but falls behind in group scenarios with limited AoE contributions.
- C-Tier: Dragonknight and Warden, once competitive, aren’t strong enough in DPS-focused group metas but contribute in niche scenarios.
Solo Content Class Rankings in ESO Update 51
Solo content emphasizes survivability and damage output as critical factors. Rankings are as follows:
- S-Tier Solo Classes: Dragonknight, Arcanist, and Warden are the top picks due to their balance between high survivability and decent damage output.
- A-Tier Solo Classes: Nightblade exceeds in older solo content with its burst damage but struggles in prolonged fights lacking strong mitigation.
- C-Tier: Sorcerer struggles with AoE damage and mitigation, making newer solo content challenging.
FAQ
What are the best classes in ESO Update 51?
The best classes in ESO Update 51 vary by role. Arcanist and Templar are top healers; Sorcerer and Warden lead as tanks; Nightblade shines in the DPS meta, especially in single-target scenarios; and Dragonknight stands out for solo play due to its resilience.
Which healer classes are top tier in ESO Update 51?
In Update 51, Arcanist and Templar are the best healer classes. They provide unmatched group utility, strong healing output, and excellent ultimate generation for high-level content.
How does the DPS meta shift in ESO's Update 51?
Nightblade has risen to dominate the single-target DPS meta in Update 51 due to its exceptional damage bonuses and strong execution phase performance. Dragonknight and Warden have dropped in DPS tiers due to reduced output and utility.
What class is best for solo content in ESO Update 51?
Dragonknight remains the top choice for solo content in Update 51 thanks to its resilient damage and superior survivability. Warden and Arcanist are also S-tier options for balancing damage with durability.
What changes did Update 51 bring to ESO class balance?
Update 51 introduced rebalancing across several classes, adjusting damage output, sustain mechanics, and group utility. Notable changes include buffs to Templar and Nightblade skills and tweaks to Dragonknight's burst and sustain potential.
What’s the best tank class in ESO update 51?
The best tank classes in Update 51 are Sorcerer and Warden, both of which provide high survivability and strong group utility such as Major Brittle, Major Resolve, and additional buffs critical for trial content.
Sources
This guide was written from the videos below. All rights remain with their creators.
- Class Rankings for Update 51 | DPS, Tank, Healer Tier List — Eigh1 Puppies, August 25, 2026
Checked against:
- Combat Updates – Update 51 PTS — ZOS_Kevin, 2026-08-13
