ESO Scribing System Guide 2026

Have you ever felt limited in your gameplay options? With the arrival of the new scribing system in ESO, you now have a way to unlock skills that can be reshaped and tailored to your own playstyle. This ESO Scribing guide will walk you through how the system works, what it offers, and how you can use it to expand your arsenal of abilities and fine-tune your character build.

The scribing system in ESO essentially works like a skill constructor. You choose the effects you want, attach them to abilities, and then create unique combinations that can drastically alter your class gameplay. By combining different effects and finding synergies with your current toolkit, you can build entirely new playstyles, making your character far more versatile and powerful.

Exploring a brand-new system like this becomes easier when you’re not struggling with a shortage of gold. If you ever find yourself low, you can always buy ESO gold at Gamer Choice. It’s a secure and fast service used by countless players. After placing an order, the gold is delivered quickly, and you can choose anywhere from 2 to 10 million. If you’re in need of gold, Gamer Choice is the go-to place.

How To Use Scribing

The scribing system might look intimidating at first, but once you understand the basics, it’s actually very simple. Here are the main elements of Scribing:

• Grimoires – these are new abilities that can be modified using the scribing system. They need to be unlocked and purchased.
• Scripts – effects that can be attached to abilities. There are three types of Scripts. They must first be unlocked and then acquired through grinding or vendors.
• Luminous Ink – the currency required to scribe abilities. Without it, you won’t be able to change or add anything.

Unlike Antiquities, scribing doesn’t introduce a dedicated skill line. Instead, you just head to the designated Scribing altar. As long as you have at least one Ink, a few Scripts, and an unlocked Grimoire, you can get started immediately. Keep in mind that every modification to a skill requires Ink. Both swapping and adding elements will consume it.

Each Grimoire has a core ability effect that always remains, but you can then insert up to three additional elements known as Focus, Signature, and Affix Scripts. This is where the real customization begins.

How To Unlock The Scribing System?

Unlocking scribing requires a few specific steps. First, you must own the Gold Road expansion—this system is locked behind it. Next, head to Skingrad, find the Mage’s Guild, and speak with Adept Irnard Rirnil. He’ll start you on a quest called “The Second Era of Scribing.”

After completing that, proceed to finish The Wing of the Indrik. Doing so will unlock the Scribing Altar, giving you permanent access. Completing Wing quests will also grant you additional Grimoires and Scripts.

Here is the full set of rewards tied to the quests:

Quest	Rewards
The Wing of the Indrik	- Scholarium Grimoire Vendor becomes available - Luminous Ink becomes a rare monster drop
The Wing of the Gryphon	- Focus Scripts become available as rewards - Focus Scripts can be bought from the Scholarium Vendor
The Wing of the Dragon	- Signature Scripts become available as rewards  - Signature Scripts can be bought from the Scholarium Vendor and the Infinite Archive Vendor - Scripts can be unlocked in Mage Guilds and through Class Mastery
The Wing of the Netch	- Affix Scripts become available as rewards - Affix Scripts can be bought from the Scholarium Vendor and the Infinite Archive Vendor  - Luminous Ink now has a chance to drop from crafting materials nodes
The Wing of the Crow	- Unlocks Soul Burst Grimoire - Unlocks True-Sight Viewing Emote - Unlocks 1 SP (Skill Point)

Be sure to complete all quests if you want access to the entire range of Grimoires and Scripts.

How to Farm Luminous Ink

Luminous Ink is absolutely essential for scribing, since every ability modification consumes it. The item is classified as miscellaneous material and, if you have ESO+, it will be stored in your crafting bag.

Ways to acquire it include:

• Quest rewards from Scribing quests (3 ink each, except the first and final ones), totaling 12 Ink.
• Rare drops from monsters.
• Rare drops from resource nodes.
• Trading with other players, since Ink is not bound.

While you can obtain Ink through multiple avenues, resource farming tends to be the most consistent method.

Complete List of Scribing Grimoires and How To Get Each One

A scribing Grimoire represents a new ability tied to an existing skill line. First, you must unlock access to it, then purchase it for 50,000 gold. Buying a duplicate later costs only 10,000 gold.

Here’s the list of Grimoires, their effects, and how to obtain them:

Grimoire	Skill Line	How to Obtain
Elemental Explosion	Destruction Staff	Complete the Wing of the Indrik quest
Mender’s Bond	Restoration Staff	Complete the Wing of the Indrik quest
Shield Throw	One Hand and Shield	Complete the Wing of the Indrik quest
Smash	Two-Handed	Complete the Wing of the Indrik quest
Soul Burst	Soul Magic	Finish the Wing of the Crow quest; then complete the Second Era of Scribing on other characters
Wield Soul	Soul Magic	Automatically unlocked during the Scribing tutorial quest
Torchbearer	Fighters Guild	Complete the Wing of the Indrik quest
Trample	Assault	Complete the Wing of the Indrik quest
Traveling Knife	Dual Wield	Complete the Wing of the Indrik quest
Ulfsild’s Contingency	Mages Guild	Complete the Wing of the Indrik quest
Vault	Bow	Complete the Wing of the Indrik quest

To summarize: Grimoires are unlocked through completing specific quests and purchased from the Scholarium. Some, like Soul Burst, require extra steps such as achievements or additional quests. Others are automatically granted during the tutorial.

Scribing Scripts Explained

Scripts are the second vital component of scribing. They add extra effects or modifiers to your Grimoires. Scripts are divided into three categories:

• Focus Scripts – determine the main effect of the ability, such as damage type, healing, or crowd control.
• Signature Scripts – alter how Focus effects function, for example adding resource restoration or a slowing effect.
• Affix Scripts – apply buffs or debuffs, such as reducing enemy healing or increasing your defense.

Each type of Script is unlocked by completing specific Wing quests. Once unlocked, you need to obtain the Scripts themselves. Here’s how they’re categorized:

Focus Scripts

Script	How to Obtain
Magic Damage	Earned through the Second Era of Scribing quest
Healing	Earned through completing the Wing of the Indrik quest
Physical Damage	Collected from the Mages Guild (Vulkhel Guard - Auridon)
Stun	Collected from the Mages Guild (Daggerfall - Glenumbra)
Damage Shield	Collected from the Mages Guild (Davon’s Watch - Stonefalls)
Bleed Damage	Acquired through dailies (Rewards of the Worthy, Mages Guild, and Delves) after acquiring the Sigil of Luminary Gryphon
Disease Damage	Acquired through dailies (Rewards of the Worthy, Mages Guild, and Delves) after acquiring the Sigil of Luminary Gryphon
Dispel	Acquired through dailies (Rewards of the Worthy, Mages Guild, and Delves) after acquiring the Sigil of Luminary Gryphon
Flame Damage	Acquired through dailies (Rewards of the Worthy, Mages Guild, and Delves) after acquiring the Sigil of Luminary Gryphon
Frost Damage	Acquired through dailies (Rewards of the Worthy, Mages Guild, and Delves) after acquiring the Sigil of Luminary Gryphon
Generate Ultimates	Acquired through dailies (Rewards of the Worthy, Mages Guild, and Delves) after acquiring the Sigil of Luminary Gryphon
Immobilize	Acquired through dailies (Rewards of the Worthy, Mages Guild, and Delves) after acquiring the Sigil of Luminary Gryphon
Knockback	Acquired through dailies (Rewards of the Worthy, Mages Guild, and Delves) after acquiring the Sigil of Luminary Gryphon
Mitigation	Acquired through dailies (Rewards of the Worthy, Mages Guild, and Delves) after acquiring the Sigil of Luminary Gryphon
Multi-target	Acquired through dailies (Rewards of the Worthy, Mages Guild, and Delves) after acquiring the Sigil of Luminary Gryphon
Poison Damage	Acquired through dailies (Rewards of the Worthy, Mages Guild, and Delves) after acquiring the Sigil of Luminary Gryphon
Pull	Acquired through dailies (Rewards of the Worthy, Mages Guild, and Delves) after acquiring the Sigil of Luminary Gryphon
Restore Resources	Acquired through dailies (Rewards of the Worthy, Mages Guild, and Delves) after acquiring the Sigil of Luminary Gryphon
Shock Damage	Acquired through dailies (Rewards of the Worthy, Mages Guild, and Delves) after acquiring the Sigil of Luminary Gryphon
Taunt	Acquired through dailies (Rewards of the Worthy, Mages Guild, and Delves) after acquiring the Sigil of Luminary Gryphon
Trauma	Acquired through dailies (Rewards of the Worthy, Mages Guild, and Delves) after acquiring the Sigil of Luminary Gryphon

Signature Scripts

Script	How To Obtain
Lingering Torment	Earned through the Second Era of Scribing quest
Sage’s Remedy	Earned through completing the Wing of the Indrik quest
Warrior’s Opportunity	Collected from the Mages Guild (Elden Root - Grahtwood)
Druid’s Resurgence	Collected from the Mages Guild (Wayrest - Stormhaven)
Hunter’s Snare	Collected from the Mages Guild (Mournhold - Deshaan)
Fencer’s Parry	Acquired through dailies (Cyrodiil, world bosses, and Fighters Guild) after obtaining the Sigil of Luminary Dragon
Cavalier’s Charge	Acquired through dailies (Cyrodiil, world bosses, and Fighters Guild) after obtaining the Sigil of Luminary Dragon
Growing Impact	Acquired through dailies (Cyrodiil, world bosses, and Fighters Guild) after obtaining the Sigil of Luminary Dragon
Gladiator’s Tenacity	Acquired through dailies (Cyrodiil, world bosses, and Fighters Guild) after obtaining the Sigil of Luminary Dragon
Warmage’s Defense	Acquired through dailies (Cyrodiil, world bosses, and Fighters Guild) after obtaining the Sigil of Luminary Dragon
Wayfarer’s Mastery	Acquired through dailies (Cyrodiil, world bosses, and Fighters Guild) after obtaining the Sigil of Luminary Dragon
Thief’s Swiftness	Acquired through dailies (Cyrodiil, world bosses, and Fighters Guild) after obtaining the Sigil of Luminary Dragon
Knight’s Valor	Acquired through dailies (Cyrodiil, world bosses, and Fighters Guild) after obtaining the Sigil of Luminary Dragon
Anchorite’s Potency	Acquired through dailies (Cyrodiil, world bosses, and Fighters Guild) after obtaining the Sigil of Luminary Dragon
Anchorite’s Cruelty	Acquired through dailies (Cyrodiil, world bosses, and Fighters Guild) after obtaining the Sigil of Luminary Dragon
Crusader’s Defiance	Acquired through dailies (Cyrodiil, world bosses, and Fighters Guild) after obtaining the Sigil of Luminary Dragon
Leeching Thirst	Acquired through dailies (Cyrodiil, world bosses, and Fighters Guild) after obtaining the Sigil of Luminary Dragon
Immobilizing Strike	Acquired through dailies (Cyrodiil, world bosses, and Fighters Guild) after obtaining the Sigil of Luminary Dragon
Assassin’s Misery	Acquired through dailies (Cyrodiil, world bosses, and Fighters Guild) after obtaining the Sigil of Luminary Dragon
Class Mastery	Acquired by collecting 50 Class Mastery scraps, which can be earned through master writs, trials, dungeons, arenas, and PvP (drop rate is very low)

Affix Scripts

Script	How to Obtain
Breach	Earned through the Second Era of Scribing quest
Resolve	Earned through completing the Wing of the Indrik quest
Off Balance	Earned through completing the Wing of the Indrik quest
Vitality	Collected from the Mages Guild (Rawl’ka - Reaper’s March)
Maim	Collected from the Mages Guild (Riften - The Rift)
Vulnerability	Collected from the Mages Guild (Evermore - Bangkorai)
Berserk	Acquired through dailies (World events, Undaunted, and Imperial City) after obtaining the Sigil of Luminary Netch
Brittle	Acquired through dailies (World events, Undaunted, and Imperial City) after obtaining the Sigil of Luminary Netch
Brutality and Sorcery	Acquired through dailies (World events, Undaunted, and Imperial City) after obtaining the Sigil of Luminary Netch
Courage	Acquired through dailies (World events, Undaunted, and Imperial City) after obtaining the Sigil of Luminary Netch
Cowardice	Acquired through dailies (World events, Undaunted, and Imperial City) after obtaining the Sigil of Luminary Netch
Defile	Acquired through dailies (World events, Undaunted, and Imperial City) after obtaining the Sigil of Luminary Netch
Empower	Acquired through dailies (World events, Undaunted, and Imperial City) after obtaining the Sigil of Luminary Netch
Enervation	Acquired through dailies (World events, Undaunted, and Imperial City) after obtaining the Sigil of Luminary Netch
Evasion	Acquired through dailies (World events, Undaunted, and Imperial City) after obtaining the Sigil of Luminary Netch
Expedition	Acquired through dailies (World events, Undaunted, and Imperial City) after obtaining the Sigil of Luminary Netch
Force	Acquired through dailies (World events, Undaunted, and Imperial City) after obtaining the Sigil of Luminary Netch
Heroism	Acquired through dailies (World events, Undaunted, and Imperial City) after obtaining the Sigil of Luminary Netch
Intellect and Endurance	Acquired through dailies (World events, Undaunted, and Imperial City) after obtaining the Sigil of Luminary Netch
Interrupt	Acquired through dailies (World events, Undaunted, and Imperial City) after obtaining the Sigil of Luminary Netch
Lifesteal	Acquired through dailies (World events, Undaunted, and Imperial City) after obtaining the Sigil of Luminary Netch
Magickasteal	Acquired through dailies (World events, Undaunted, and Imperial City) after obtaining the Sigil of Luminary Netch
Mangle	Acquired through dailies (World events, Undaunted, and Imperial City) after obtaining the Sigil of Luminary Netch
Protection	Acquired through dailies (World events, Undaunted, and Imperial City) after obtaining the Sigil of Luminary Netch
Savagery and Prophecy	Acquired through dailies (World events, Undaunted, and Imperial City) after obtaining the Sigil of Luminary Netch
Uncertainty	Acquired through dailies (World events, Undaunted, and Imperial City) after obtaining the Sigil of Luminary Netch

Scripts can be bought from Chronicler Firandi, the Scholarium vendor, or from Filer Ool, a weekly vendor located in the Infinite Archive, Apocrypha.

Script Type	Initial Price (Scholarium)	Initial Price (Archival Fortunes)	Discounted Price (Gold)	Discounted Price (Archival Fortunes)
Affix Scripts	25k	10k	5k	2k
Focus Scripts	75k	30k	15k	6k
Signature Scripts	100k	40k	20k	8k

Scripts appear as items until consumed. Once you use them, your character permanently learns them. At that point, they can’t be traded or stored.

Best Scribing Scripts Combos

According to the developers, there are potentially over 4,000 different Grimoire-Script combinations in the scribing system. Below are some example setups that work well for different roles. Keep in mind that you should always adapt combinations to your build and playstyle.

Tank Role

Tank players can find great combos using Leaching Burst, Warding Contingency, and Heroic Torch.

Grimoire	Focus Script	Signature Script	Affix Script
Lashing Burst	Pull	Hunter’s Snare	Interrupt
Leashing Soul	Pull	Druid’s Resurgence	Cowardice
Warding Contingency	Damage Shield	Gladiator’s Tenacity	Protection
Heroic Torch	Generate Ultimate	Gladiator’s Tenacity	Heroism

Healer Role

Healers gain access to new mechanics with Grimoires that allow alternative ways to support allies.

Grimoire	Focus Script	Signature Script	Affix Script
Mender’s Bond	Mitigation	Sage’s Remedy	Courage
Dazing Explosion	Stun	Druid’s Resurgence	Brittle

Damage Dealer Role

DPS roles can explore poison-based DoT combinations for increased damage output.

Grimoire	Focus Script	Signature Script	Affix Script
Venomous Knife	Poison Damage	Warrior’s Opportunity	Berserk

Solo Player

Solo adventurers benefit from survivability-focused Grimoires, providing shields or control effects.

Grimoire	Focus Script	Signature Script	Affix Script
Warding Burst	Damage Shield	Anchorite’s Potency	Resolve
Repelling Torch	Knockback	Hunter’s Snare	Mangle
Dazing Trample	Stun	Hunter’s Snare	Mangle

F.A.Q.

How to unlock the Scribing System in ESO?

You can unlock the Scribing System by starting the quest “The Second Era of Scribing” from Adept Irnard Rirnil in Skingrad. Completing this quest grants you access to the feature.

What is ESO Scribing?

Scribing is a gameplay system that introduces eleven brand-new abilities, each of which can be customized with Scripts to alter their effects and functionality.

What are Grimoires in ESO?

Grimoires are unique skills tied to the Scribing system. They act as base abilities that you can personalize by applying different Scripts.

How to get Scripts for Scribing in ESO?

Scripts become available after completing Wing questlines. Once unlocked, they can be purchased from vendors or earned through rewards such as daily challenges.

What are the best Grimoires to use in ESO?

• Tank – Lashing Burst
• Healer – Mender’s Bond
• Damage Dealer – Venomous Knife
• Solo Player – Warding Burst

Conclusion

The scribing system introduces eleven new customizable skills that can be enhanced with up to three Scripts, allowing for thousands of possible ability variations. While it requires completing quests and gathering resources before you can fully explore its depth, the payoff is massive when it comes to expanding your character’s options.

You’ll need to work through a series of quests to unlock everything, collect resources like Ink, and gather Scripts across Tamriel. With enough gold, you can bypass some of the grind by buying Scripts outright. Once that’s done, you’re free to experiment and craft unique ability combinations that truly redefine your character’s gameplay.

That concludes our detailed ESO Scribing guide. We hope it has helped you understand this new system, and we’ll catch you in the next guide!