How do item sets work?

TimeDazzler

Hey guys I'm new to ESO and was wondering how item sets work... I want to run a 2 item head-shoulder set, and two 5 item sets for a total of 12 items. Is it possible with a two-hand and bow or will I have to dual wield? Also are item sets specific to your current weapon or do both your weapons apply to the set bonus at all times?

For example:
-Helm and shoulder have set A
-Chest, belt, shoes, legs, hands have set B
-Twohand, Bow, Ring, Ring, Necklace have set C

Will my set C be 4/5 or 5/5 for when im using my weapon?

Turelus

The sets are specific to your active weapons, so yes you'll be able to get more set bonuses if you dual weild.

Most people will run the following types.

2/5/3/1 (boss set, armour set, jewellery set, maelstrom weapon)
5/5/1 (2x armour sets, Maelstrom weapons)
2/5/5 (boss set, 2x armour sets by using two weapons)

Belidos

Two handed weapons (staves, bows, and two hand melee) only cont as one piece, so you would only be 4/5

Erraln

You can have that setup, Cries, but only if it activates a 5-piece effect which sticks with you when you barswap. Constant stat grants or other effects which don't have durations will leave you when you swap to the bar which reduces them to 4 items.

Example: Scathing Mage robes proc a damage grant which then has a timer. That effect stays with you. Law of Julianos, a constant damage grant, would not.

greylox

2 handed weapons only count for one piece. I tend to use 1 monster piece (shoulders or helm ) to make 2 x 5 piece sets work.

Alternatively, you can have the 2 5 sets final pieces as the weapons, so one bar is one set and the other the 2nd set. Doing it like that will allow you to wear a 2 piece set but up time will be less.

Tldr, yeah you need to use DW to do what you want.