Summary
Though it definitely had a rocky launch,The Elder Scrolls Onlinehas blossomed into an epic MMORPG. It lets fans explore the vast range of theElder Scrollsuniverse, sinking hundreds of hours into the deep lore of Tamriel. As enticing as that sounds, they have to start somewhere.
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The first ten hours ofElder Scrolls Onlineare pivotal. They lay the foundation for the rest of the experience, letting players work out which skills they want and how they want their characters to look. While their journeys are entirely up to them, there are certain tasks that they should focus on. These milestones make the experience objectively easier. In turn, fans are more likely to keep playing and not quit out of frustration.
5Pick The Arcanist
The most recent character class came with theNecromexpansion, and it’s arguably the most fun of all. The Arcanist’s enjoyment stems from harnessing the energy of Apocrypha.This manifests as various spells. Of course, there are standard defense and healing moves, but the class also has some truly twisted magic never seen inESO. Players can sweep the arena with demonic tentacles or blast enemies with cataclysmic beam attacks. They can also open interdimensional gates, letting them (and their friends) teleport around the area. These tricks are unconventional yet extremely satisfying in how they mix up the typicalESOgameplay. They’re not just for show, though.
These spells can also be more powerful. As players cast magic, they build up crux charges. They can then use these charges to amplify their abilities. This mechanic encourages fans to stay in the action and rewards them for doing so. They use those rewards how they see fit, thereby adding more strategy to each encounter. It’s one of the many subtle ways the Arcanist distinguishes itself.
4Get A Companion
TheElder Scrollsseries is about finding one’s own adventure. As such, players are on their own most of the time. Such solitude can get lonely, and fellowships are a treasured trope of the fantasy genre. Because of that, some entries let players recruit an NPC companion.
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ESOis among these entries, and would-be adventurers should take advantage of this opportunity.The companions hereall have unique dialogue about numerous scenarios, providing some intriguing perspective in the moment and making the world feel more alive. In addition, that world is less daunting with an ally by one’s side. Companions are a potential saving grace in combat, especially when outnumbered.
Fans even determine how effective their partners are. Each companion comes with gear and abilities to equip, and players pick ones that complement their characters. Not only does this create a killer team, but it adds a whole new layer of customization.One wishes thatElder Scrollsutilized party mechanics more often.
3Buy A Mount
As in real life, players travel on foot by default. It can be extremely tedious, particularly when backtracking or trekking to a distant destination. Tamriel is a big place, after all. Fans can’t always rely on the Fast Travel function. Thankfully, as in most open-world titles,ESOhas a convenient solution.
Fans simplyacquire a mount. The game has a few ways to do this. Players can buy one from a stable with their in-game currency. Alternatively, they could fork over real money to get one from the Crown Store. Those short on cash earn one automatically at Level 10. Depending on how adept gamers are at MMORPGs, they might achieve this in a few hours. The resulting mount may be low-tier, but it’s still better than walking. However they’re attained, mounts save a heap of time on travel. Fans can then put that time toward more exciting exploits.
2Focus On Quests
A core appeal ofElder Scrollsis going anywhere and doing anything. That remains the case here, albeit not in the most consistent fashion. Fans freely enter any main questing areas, such as Skyrimor Morrowind.Each comes with hundreds of quests–both story chapters and side missions. That’s good since gamers should stick with them for most of their playtime. Not only are they the most surefire way to rack up experience and level up, but they’re also the most reliable in terms of performance.
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Detractors have lambastedESOfor its stability issues. Much of that is justified, and nowhere is it more apparent than in Cyrodiil. This area serves as the PvP zone. In moments of high traffic, the frame rate could slow to a crawl. For that reason, it’s best to visit it sparingly.
1Inventory
A staple of RPGs–MMOs in particular–is looting.Players earn various weapons, armor, and other materials. They then use these to buff up their characters or accumulate more money. Sadly, they hit a roadblock once they reach maximum capacity.
That’s whyESOfans should invest in a larger inventory. To do this, they visit pack merchants and purchase more bags. It may seem like a waste at first, butfans will be surprised at how quickly their inventory fills up. Moreover, few things are more frustrating than seeing a valuable treasure and being forced to leave it behind. Having enough space means players can keep the stuff they find and reap greater benefits in the process.
The Elder Scrolls Onlineis currently available for PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox One and Series S/X.
