Summary:
The Elder Scrolls Online Update 51 could dramatically reshape PvP, with major passive and skill changes pushing Sorcerer toward higher damage and mobility while making Templar far tougher. Here’s why both classes could become the next PvP meta favorites.
ESO Update 51 Could Shake Up PvP
The Elder Scrolls Online is preparing for another major PvP shake-up with Update 51. While the patch includes changes across the game, The Elder Scrolls Online Items, two classes stand out as particularly interesting: Sorcerer and Templar. Their updated passives, skills, and class item interactions could give them powerful new roles in PvP.
Sorcerer appears to be receiving a significant offensive boost, especially through increased penetration and changes to Crystal Weapon. However, this power comes with a price, as some resource recovery and healing effects are being reduced. Templar, meanwhile, is moving in almost the opposite direction. The class is gaining more armor and offensive power, potentially turning it into a durable PvP powerhouse.
If these changes make it to the live game as currently planned, both classes could become major parts of the next ESO PvP meta.
Sorcerer Gains 3,000 Offensive Penetration
One of the most important Sorcerer changes affects the Exploitation passive. Previously, this passive provided Minor Prophecy, but the updated version instead grants 3,000 Offensive Penetration.
That is a substantial bonus for PvP builds. Penetration is extremely valuable when fighting heavily armored opponents, and having an additional 3,000 points available through a class passive could make Sorcerers much more threatening.
The main trade-off is that players will need to find Minor Prophecy from another source if they still want the buff. Nevertheless, the extra penetration should make offensive Sorcerer builds significantly easier to optimize.
For players already investing heavily into damage, this change could be one of the biggest reasons to revisit Sorcerer when Update 51 arrives.
Crystal Weapon Could Become Even More Important
Another major Sorcerer adjustment involves Crystal Weapon. The skill currently activates after two Light Attacks, allowing Sorcerers to gain additional physical damage.
With Update 51, the requirement is being increased to three Light Attacks.
At first glance, requiring an additional attack might sound like a nerf. However, the change can also provide more opportunities to maintain the skill's effect and potentially increase the overall damage output of Sorcerer builds.
Crystal Weapon is already a popular part of Sorcerer gameplay, so its continued importance means players could see the ability even more frequently in PvP after the update.
Combined with the new 3,000 Offensive Penetration from Exploitation, Sorcerers could become exceptionally dangerous when they successfully maintain pressure.
Sorcerer Sacrifices Healing and Resource Recovery
The increased offensive power does not come for free. Several Sorcerer defensive and sustain-related effects are being reduced.
Energy Sustain is being weakened, with resource recovery effectively cut by half. The Blood Magic passive is also receiving a similar reduction to its healing effect when using abilities from the Dark Magic skill line.
These changes could make Sorcerers less forgiving than before.
Instead of relying on strong sustain to survive prolonged engagements, players may need to focus more heavily on movement, positioning, and burst damage. Sorcerers could become a classic hit-and-run PvP class: extremely dangerous when attacking but vulnerable if caught in a prolonged fight.
This creates an interesting identity for the class. Rather than standing toe-to-toe with opponents, successful Sorcerers may spend more time moving around the battlefield, avoiding incoming attacks and using mobility to control engagements.
Templar Could Become the New PvP Tank
While Sorcerer is gaining offensive pressure, Templar could become one of the strongest defensive classes in Update 51.
The biggest reason is the reworked Balanced Warrior passive. Previously, it provided a flat percentage bonus to Weapon and Spell Damage as well as armor. The new version instead provides 2% additional armor and 100 Weapon and Spell Damage for every assigned Templar ability.
With six Templar abilities equipped, that translates into:
12% additional armor
1,200 Weapon and Spell Damage
That combination is extremely powerful for PvP. Templar players can gain substantial defensive strength without giving up significant offensive potential.
The result could be a class capable of taking heavy punishment while still dealing impressive damage.
Illumination Adds Even More Durability
Templar's Illumination passive is also being adjusted. The class will no longer receive Minor Sorcery from this effect, creating a small offensive loss that players will need to compensate for elsewhere.
However, the passive now provides 3,000 additional armor after casting an ability from the Dawn's Wrath skill line.
When combined with the redesigned Balanced Warrior passive, this could make Templar exceptionally difficult to kill.
The resulting playstyle is almost the opposite of Sorcerer. Sorcerers may rely on speed and mobility to avoid danger, while Templars could simply absorb incoming pressure and continue fighting.
This combination of durability and damage could make Templar an extremely frustrating opponent in PvP.
Aetheric Lancer Becomes More Reliable
The Aetheric Lancer class set is also receiving an interesting adjustment, although the change is primarily about reliability rather than raw damage.
Previously, its effect could activate randomly. After Update 51, the effect is expected to activate directly in front of the player, while its size is being slightly reduced.
That makes the set much more predictable and easier to use.
Aetheric Lancer already has applications in PvP, providing magical damage, applying a debuff, and increasing Weapon and Spell Damage. Making its activation more reliable could encourage more Templar players to experiment with it.
Instead of chasing a randomly positioned effect, players should have much more control over where it appears.
Sorcerer vs. Templar: Two Very Different Meta Builds
The most interesting part of Update 51 may be how differently these two classes are developing.
Sorcerer is becoming a high-pressure, mobile damage dealer. Increased penetration and stronger Crystal Weapon interactions should improve its offensive potential, while weaker healing and resource recovery force players to rely on movement and positioning.
Templar, on the other hand, is becoming a durable frontline fighter. Increased armor, additional Weapon and Spell Damage, and stronger defensive passives could allow Templars to stay in combat for extended periods.
In simple terms, Sorcerer wants to move, attack, and avoid damage, while Templar wants to stand its ground, survive pressure, and hit back hard.
Will Sorcerer and Templar Define ESO PvP Update 51?
Update 51 could create a fascinating shift in The Elder Scrolls Online's PvP environment. Sorcerer's increased penetration and Crystal Weapon changes give the class a powerful offensive identity, while reduced sustain means players will need greater skill to survive.
Templar appears even more straightforward: become tougher, hit harder cheap The Elder Scrolls Online Items, and refuse to go down.
Of course, the final PvP meta will depend on the complete patch, item combinations, player experimentation, and any changes made before the update reaches live servers. But based on the announced adjustments, Sorcerer and Templar are two classes that PvP players should definitely watch closely.
If these changes remain largely intact, Update 51 could make Sorcerer and Templar two of the most influential classes in the next ESO PvP meta.
