The Elder Scrolls Online:

April 30, 2020 Noah

The Elder Scrolls Online is a “Massive Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Game,” or MMORPG for short.

After a rather humble start in 2014, “The Elder Scrolls Online” from Zenimax became one of the most played MMORPGs.

The most important information about The Elder Scrolls Online at a glance:

“The Elder Scrolls Online” by Zenimax:

What is The Elder Scrolls Online about?
What are the PC system requirements, and on which console is ESO playable?
The game objectives?
What races, peoples, and factions are there?
How does the level system work?
What PvE gameplay content can you expect?
How does the crafting system work?
What can PvP players expect from The Elder Scrolls Online?
What does the subscription model of ESO offer you?
How has The Elder Scrolls Online evolved since its release in 2014 over the years?

The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) is a classic MMORPG where you create a character and immerse yourself in the world of Tamriel. Here, you solve quests alone, with friends or with a guild, pursue quest lines, complete dungeons, and challenging raids.

In PvP, you fight on different battlefields and in large faction versus faction battles in Cyrodiil. Different crafting professions with which you can craft equipment, buff food, and housing items help you progress in the game and overcome the endgame content.

What is The Elder Scrolls Online about?

The story of The Elder Scrolls Online takes place on the planet Nirn, where there are six different continents: Akavir, Atmora, Aldmeris (according to legend), Pyandonea, Yokuda, and Tamriel.

The Elder Scrolls Online takes place on Tamriel. The lore states that Yokuda has already sunk into the sea during the First Era. The different continents on Nirn are divided into different regions. According to the Elder Scrolls saga, during the reign of the Second Cyrodiilic Empire, which ruled over large parts of Tamriel from 2703 of the First Era, the regions later became provinces.

The provinces of Tamriel are:

Skyrim, Cyrodiil, High Rock, Hammerfell, Morrowind, and Argonia, also called the Black Marsh or Argonia. Argonia was largely occupied by the Empire during the First Era, but the occupiers could not hold it, so Argonia did not remain an imperial province for long.

You can find more interesting stories about Elder Scrolls lore here: Elder Scrolls LORE

On which console is ESO playable? What are the PC system requirements?

ESO is available for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

PC system requirements:

The minimum requirements to play ESO on PC are:

Operating System: Windows 7 64bit

Processor: Intel Core i3 540 or AMD A6-3620

Graphics Card: Nvidia GeForce 460 or AMD Radeon 6850

RAM: 3 GB RAM

Storage: 85 GB of free storage space

Recommended Configuration Operating System: Windows 7 64bit

Processor: Intel Core i3 2300 or AMD FX4350

Graphics Card: Nvidia GeForce GTX 750 or AMD Radeon HD 7850

RAM: 8 GB RAM

The ESO game objectives…

Most players want to reach the maximum level with their character.

On the adventurous journey, there are two major goals: level 50, where you reach Champion level 10 directly, and from level 160, you have reached the maximum level for loot and drops, now you should start farming for your weapons and armor sets:

Here you will find all helpful information about the ESO weapons and armor sets.

An ambitious goal is to become Emperor of Tamriel in PvP.

For those who want to take it easy, exploring Tamriel, meeting companions for fishing, collecting resources, and setting up their homes.

Many also appreciate the benefits of an ESO guild with common goals, a beautiful guild house, and many hours of fun in online parties.

Here you will find the ESO guild “Scales of Waverly Place”

Scales of Waverly Place on Facebook

Which races, factions, and peoples are there?

The human races Bretons and Redguards as well as the Nords. The Altmer, Bosmer, and Dunmer are the three elvish races, The green-skinned Orcs, the cat-like Khajiit, and the Argonian lizard race, also known as very good swimmers. The alliances: The human Bretons ally with Redguards and Orcs, while the Nords pact with the Dunmer and Argonians. The elven Altmer rule with an iron hand over the Bosmer and Khajiit.

Daggerfall Covenant (Bretons, Orcs, Redguards):

Under the leadership of the Bretons and their High King Emeric, the three communities try to reintroduce an equal democracy modeled after the second empire. However, the Orcs are disadvantaged as the only non-human race, and the alliance’s pursuit of prosperity and the expansion of trade routes is viewed with suspicion by the other factions.

Aldmeri Dominion (High Elves, Wood Elves, Khajiit):

The Aldmeri Dominion, founded by the High Elves, is tightly organized and has strict laws. It seeks to establish the rule of the High Elves (Altmer) and wants to govern the younger races to prevent them from foolishness. Internally, there is plenty of resistance from very conservative forces against the young, more cosmopolitan High Elf Queen Ayrenn.

Ebonheart Pact (Argonians, Dark Elves, Nords):

All member races are nominally equal.

While the Argonians still have to cope with their regained freedom from slavery by the Dark Elves, the leading races in the Ebonheart Pact are the Nords and Dark Elves. The Pact’s task is to preserve the freedom and independence of the three races and prevent the reconstruction of a new empire.

Which classes are playable, and what are their abilities?

Dragon Knight:

With powerful fire and earth abilities, the Dragon Knight is either a strong DD Damage Dealer and an excellent tank. He is a skilled master of weapons and masters the ancient Akavir combat art tradition with which he enters battle with fiery magic. Thanks to his defensive abilities, the Dragon Knight also strengthens his own armor, reflects magic, and heals himself.

Sorcerer:

As a master of dark and lightning magic, the sorcerer is a powerful DD Damage Dealer with or without summoned companions who can use many different types of negative effects on opponents, inflict a lot of damage, and hinder them in combat. He summons and controls weather phenomena such as tornadoes, calls on daedric powers to summon storm atronachs and magical armor, hurls lightning, creates static fields, and impenetrable mists.

Nightblade:

The Nightblade is a classic DD (Damage Dealer) who specializes in assassination, often operating from the shadows and relying on speed. They possess powerful blade skills and are known for their life-stealing and confusion attacks, making them one of the most powerful DD classes and a true killing machine.

Templar:

The Templar uses the power of light and the scorching sun to deal massive damage to their enemies while also serving as a supporter with their supportive abilities that strengthen allies. They are also an ideal companion for dungeons and trials with their healing abilities, restoring their allies’ health, magicka, and stamina.

Warden:

The Warden uses powerful nature magic to harm enemies or heal allies, and their ultimate skill summons an aggressive bear companion to fight by their side. Other briefly summoned animal helpers support the Warden with their abilities in combat.

Necromancer:

The Necromancer is the newest class added to ESO with the Elsweyr expansion. They are the all-rounder of all playable classes, excelling in dealing damage, tanking, and even healing. Their strong bone magic AOE and ability to summon short-lived companions make them great DDs, while their dark magic and strong healing abilities make them solid supporters. With their powerful bone skills, they can strengthen their defenses and become tanks.

But beware, using abilities marked with a crime in inhabited settlements and cities will earn you a hefty bounty, as the people of Tamriel fear the undead! Abilities marked with (Corpse) produce a usable corpse after the ability expires.

How does the leveling system work?

For each killed NPC enemy, each discovered hotspot (cities, villages, caves, anchors, …) on the map, and for each completed quest, players receive rewards in the form of experience points. From level 1 to 50, players receive 1 to 3 skill points on each level up, which they can freely distribute among the previously unlocked skill lines.

Whether you strengthen or unlock class skills, choose new weapon skills, or unlock bonuses in the crafting skill area is up to you. Additionally, on each level up, players distribute an attribute point to health, magicka (mana), or stamina, increasing the value of the chosen attribute.

Players can distribute 13 skill points among various skills.

Three basic class skill lines and your racial skills are available to your character from the start of the game.

However, these must be increased and unlocked through level ups and game progress. Additional skill lines can be obtained through: battles in the PvP Alliance War, joining one of the specialized guilds (such as the Mages Guild, Fighters Guild, or Thieves Guild), using new weapons, or acquiring crafting knowledge.

To obtain new skills within a skill line, you must use the underlying ability, weapon, or crafting skill, and for Mage Guild skills, you search for blue glowing books distributed throughout the game world.

Champion points are distributed among the Thief, Warrior, and Mage constellations.

Champion level and specialization

If you reach the maximum level 50 with the first character you create, you will earn Champion levels for every character above level 50 on your account by earning experience points. For each Champion level, you receive a Champion point to distribute among the three constellations of the Warrior, Mage, and Thief. Each constellation has three spheres, with which you further specialize your character. For example, if you invest many points in “The Lover” from the Thief sphere, you increase your regeneration and stamina. Depending on the amount of points distributed in each sub-sphere, you also unlock useful extra effects, such as a greater chance of critical magic hits or more resource yield when collecting crafting resources. With increasing Champion level, you can also use higher quality equipment. You can earn a maximum of 810 Champion points per character and invest a maximum of 270 points in each constellation. Special bonus: All other characters above level 50 can also distribute Champion points earned by the highest level character!

As a solo player, you visit various vaults in each area, offering you a single player dungeon challenge. In addition, you can complete recurring events at Daedra anchors or fight world bosses without a group.

With multiple players, you either face a group challenge in the form of “dungeons” or raids called “trials.” In addition, you complete both combat and crafting daily quests or dedicate yourself to tasks given by regularly appearing in-game events.

What PvE game content awaits you …

In addition to the main story, which is the same for each character and has the background story of the theft of your character’s soul by a dark Daedra prince, there is a storyline that spans several areas for each faction. Each area contains its own quest line, which you receive from NPCs at various locations in different areas or settlements and must solve various tasks while often being asked for help.

The larger quests in Morrowind and Summerset, Elsweyr and Greymoor, and smaller area DLCs in Clockwork City, Orsinium, Murkmire, etc. provide you with new quest lines, dungeons, raids, crafting recipes, and much more.

For more information on the order of the DLCs and how to best play the story, visit: ESO.

How does the crafting system work?

In every faction capital and larger settlement, you’ll find crafting stations for the crafting professions Alchemy, Blacksmithing, Jewelry Crafting (only usable with the Summerset Chapter), Clothing, Woodworking, Provisioning, and Enchanting. At these stations, you can create new items like armor, weapons, jewelry, and buff food/potions and poisons.

To do so, you’ll need not only basic materials found in the world like herbs, ore, wood, and similar, but also style materials for the chosen appearance. You can obtain new style books that allow you to craft items in the style of different races or factions as a random drop from loot of defeated enemies, through daily quests, or by purchasing Crown Crates with the game’s premium currency. In each region, you’ll also find set crafting stations where you can craft items with different bonuses suitable for your playstyle and class.

What can PvP players expect from The Elder Scrolls Online?

As a PvP player, you’ll either visit smaller battlegrounds or engage in the Alliance War in larger groups. In the Alliance War, you fight on your alliance’s side in the province of Cyrodiil, which is reserved for PvP, and capture various fortresses and positions. This grants you access to fast travel points and similar advantages for your alliance to eventually conquer, hold, and crown your emperor in the imperial city in the middle of the province.

You can visit battlegrounds through the group finder and compete against each other in small groups in modes such as Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, Crazy King, Chaos Ball, and Domination. In battlegrounds, you don’t earn points for your alliance but fight in one of three 4-player teams, each with a different color. Here, it’s not just about killing other players but, for example, healing allies or capturing specific objectives.

How is the story of The Elder Scrolls Online told?

You’ll learn most of the story by completing your character quest, the zone questlines, and by traveling through different regions. But that’s not all. Whenever you click on a bookshelf, you’ll find a short text related to the area, giving you deep insight into the folklore, history, and important events of the Tamriel game world.

This collection is interspersed with folk songs, erotic stories, and entertainment short stories by contemporary authors of different races. It’s worth bringing some time to read if you want to learn more about the game world and its inhabitants.

In addition, Zenimax releases one extra game chapter annually and several smaller DLCs, through which you can obtain additional information about the regions, races, and their history through their zone quests and dungeons.

What do you get out of ESO’s subscription model?

When considering getting the ESO subscription model, you should already have some player experience. If you want to extensively use the game’s crafting system, a subscription is definitely worthwhile, as you’ll receive an additional, infinitely large bag where all the collected crafting materials go. This way, they no longer take up space in your inventory, leaving you more room for all kinds of loot.

Thanks to the zone guide, you can see what content you still need to complete in the area.

In addition, you’ll receive 10% more experience points and use all smaller and larger DLCs for free during your subscription (except for the latest DLC that is a chapter until it’s replaced by a new one) – so after you’ve completed the free story in the Pay2Play model, new regions like Clockwork City, Murkmire, Orsinium, and other areas with additional stories, dungeons, and other content await you.

Based on the chosen subscription model (monthly, quarterly, etc.), you will receive a certain amount of the premium currency Crowns for the in-game shop, which you can use to permanently purchase cosmetic items, small boost items, housing buildings, and DLCs.

How has The Elder Scrolls Online developed since its release in 2014?

With the release of The Elder Scrolls Online in 2014, many players were excited about the Skyrim feel. However, poor performance, lots of lag, and many crashes due to bad server stability significantly dampened the gaming experience. The difficult PvE cooperation between characters of different factions was also a major flaw and caused significant criticism. These were only eliminated with the update “One Tamriel” in the summer of 2016.

In the fall of 2015, ESO was changed from a pure subscription model to a pay-to-play model. From now on, players could continue playing for free after the initial purchase and gain access to comfort functions and DLCs by buying additional subscriptions. In the fall of 2016, the game was supplemented with a housing system that offers a wide selection of different types of houses.

The crafting system was also supplemented with a large number of craftable furniture and many other housing items.

What do you think about this?