The Elder Scrolls Online: Necrom on Steam – Arcanist Update

Explore the Necrom chapter for The Elder Scrolls Online on Steam, featuring the powerful new Arcanist class and its unique Crux combat system.

Updates
2026-07-28 · The Elder Scrolls® Online Wiki

Quick Guide

  • Necrom is a major update for The Elder Scrolls Online, available on Steam.
  • It introduces the Arcanist, a new class channeling Hermaeus Mora's power.
  • The Arcanist utilizes the unique Crux system for enhanced abilities.
  • Offers diverse playstyles: damage, healing, and defense across three skill lines.

Unveiling the Necrom Chapter and the Arcanist Class on Steam

The world of Tamriel has expanded once again with the highly anticipated Necrom chapter for The Elder Scrolls Online. This substantial content update brings a wealth of new adventures, lore, and, most notably, an entirely new playable class to the popular MMORPG. Players looking to dive into this latest chapter can readily find The Elder Scrolls Online: Necrom on Steam, offering seamless access to the secrets of Apocrypha and the power of the Arcanist. This update promises to redefine combat and role-playing possibilities for both veteran adventurers and newcomers alike.

At the heart of the Necrom update is the Arcanist, a class unlike any before it, drawing power directly from the forbidden knowledge of Hermaeus Mora. As ESO's Combat Lead, Brian Wheeler, explains, the Arcanist channels secret runes and cosmic energies to influence the battlefield. Whether you aspire to destroy your foes, heal your allies, or stand as an unyielding bulwark, the Arcanist provides a versatile toolkit to craft your ideal playstyle.

Mastering the Arcanist: A Deep Dive into Abilities

The Arcanist is designed with three distinct skill lines, each comprising five active abilities, four passives, and a powerful ultimate ability. This structure allows for significant customization, enabling players to mix and match skills to create unique and effective builds. Drawing upon the eerie realm of Apocrypha, Arcanists wield power over destructive runeblades, potent energy beams, and protective wards.

Herald of the Tome: Unleashing Destructive Power

For those who prefer to decimate their enemies, the Herald of the Tome skill line focuses primarily on damage. These abilities harness the chaotic energies of Apocrypha to devastating effect. For instance, "Abyssal Impact" allows the Arcanist to fire tentacles directly from their arm, dealing significant damage and applying a debuff to affected enemies. The ultimate ability in this line, "The Unblinking Eye," summons one of Hermaeus Mora's many eyes, unleashing a torrent of area-of-effect damage upon anyone caught in its gaze.

Curative Runeforms: Support and Healing from Apocrypha

Arcanists aren't just about destruction; they can also be invaluable allies. The Curative Runeforms skill line provides a robust set of healing and support abilities designed to keep you and your group in the fight. "Runemend" is a prime example, restoring health to an ally with arcane words of power. This skill line also introduces "Apocryphal Gate," a unique utility ability that summons a pair of portals, allowing the Arcanist and their allies to teleport across distances, significantly enhancing battlefield mobility.

Soldier of Apocrypha: Arcane Defense and Control

If standing on the front lines and shrugging off attacks is your preference, the Soldier of Apocrypha skill line offers a formidable array of defensive tools. These abilities help Arcanists survive the perilous world of Tamriel while also confounding their adversaries. "Runic Jolt," for instance, deals damage and taunts an enemy, ensuring that the Arcanist remains in control of the fight's tempo. The ultimate ability, "Gibbering Shield," surrounds the Arcanist in a defensive globe of ichor, absorbing a large amount of incoming damage before reflecting it back at their attackers.

The Crux System: Arcanist's Unique Combat Mechanic

A defining feature of the Arcanist class is its innovative combat mechanic: the Crux system. This system adds a strategic layer to every encounter, requiring players to carefully manage their abilities for maximum effect.

When an Arcanist uses certain abilities in combat, they will "generate" Crux. Other abilities are designed to "spend" Crux. The magic happens when you activate a Crux-spending ability: it gains bonus modifiers based on the amount of Crux consumed. These bonuses can manifest as increased damage, reduced resource costs, or other unique enhancements, significantly boosting the ability's effectiveness.

Players can generate and store up to three Crux at any given time. The more Crux an ability consumes, the greater its effect. For example, the ability "Runeblades" generates one Crux each time it's activated. You could use "Runeblades" three times to build up three Crux, then unleash a powerful Crux-spending ability like "Fatecarver." When "Fatecarver" spends those three Crux, its damage will be substantially increased.

Optimize your Arcanist's power by balancing Crux generation and spending.

A healthy rotation of abilities that generate Crux followed by those that spend it will unlock the full potential of your Arcanist, enhancing damage, healing, and tanking capabilities.

While the Crux system is integral to maximizing the Arcanist's efficiency and power, it's important to note that it's not a mandatory mechanic for enjoying the class. Even without meticulously managing Crux, the Arcanist remains a potent force. However, mastering this unique system is key to unlocking the class's true cosmic potential.

Exploring Necrom on Steam: What Players Can Expect

For players on PC, the Necrom chapter is readily available through the Steam platform. Accessing The Elder Scrolls Online: Necrom on Steam ensures you can seamlessly integrate this new content into your existing ESO experience. The Steam page for the update also provides important content warnings, detailing elements such as "Blood and gore," "Sexual themes," "Use of alcohol," and "Violence," ensuring players are aware of the game's mature themes.

The Necrom chapter itself invites players to journey to the Telvanni Peninsula in Morrowind and delve into the hidden mysteries of Apocrypha, fighting to preserve reality itself. This rich narrative, combined with the groundbreaking Arcanist class, offers countless hours of exploration and adventure.

Ready to embark on this new journey? You can find more details and purchase the chapter directly from the official Steam page: The Elder Scrolls Online: Necrom on Steam

Ready Your Arcanist for Battle

The introduction of the Arcanist class and the Necrom chapter marks a significant update for The Elder Scrolls Online. With its unique Crux combat system and three versatile skill lines, the Arcanist offers an exciting new way to experience Tamriel. Whether you're drawn to its destructive power, its healing capabilities, or its robust defenses, there's an Arcanist build waiting for you to discover. Dive into the mysteries of Apocrypha and unleash cosmic power as you explore The Elder Scrolls Online: Necrom on Steam. We can't wait to see the incredible builds and strategies players devise with this powerful new addition.

Frequently Asked Questions About Necrom and the Arcanist

Q1: What is the main highlight of The Elder Scrolls Online: Necrom update? A1: The primary highlight of the Necrom update is the introduction of the Arcanist, a brand-new playable class that draws power from Hermaeus Mora and features a unique Crux combat mechanic.

Q2: How does the Arcanist's Crux system work in ESO? A2: The Crux system involves generating up to three Crux with certain Arcanist abilities, then spending them with other abilities to gain powerful bonus modifiers, such as increased damage or reduced resource costs.

Q3: Is the Necrom chapter available on Steam? A3: Yes, the Necrom chapter, including the Arcanist class, is fully available for purchase and play through The Elder Scrolls Online: Necrom on Steam.

Q4: What types of roles can the Arcanist fulfill in The Elder Scrolls Online? A4: Thanks to its three distinct skill lines—Herald of the Tome (damage), Curative Runeforms (healing/support), and Soldier of Apocrypha (defense/tanking)—the Arcanist can effectively fulfill damage, healing, or tanking roles, offering great versatility.