The latest update for The Elder Scrolls Online, titled Seasons of the Worm Cult, introduces a new subclassing feature, restructuring the game's meta, with developers focusing on increasing difficulty levels: "Development is underway."
Dive Headfirst into The Elder Scrolls Online's latest update, Seasons of the Worm Cult, unleashed yesterday! This epic update sets the stage for some major changes in the MMO universe, and there's plenty for newbies and old-timers alike to dig their teeth into.
Subclassing, a feature I took a gander at earlier this year, is the game's biggest shake-up. Once you hit level 50, you can start mixing and matching skill lines like a popsicle maker, giving your character a unique twist - but don't get too carried away. There are a few caveats:
- You've got to have at least one main class skill line to keep things familiar.
- Grabbing skill lines from more than one class that ain't yours, is a no-can-do.
- Leveling up and grabbing abilities in your extra skill lines costs more than usual.
Still, it's a madcap new way to pimp out your character's skills, and it's free for all players - yippee! While popularity trends may come and go, for those who ain't after optimum build optimization, it's a welcome boost to character customization.
The update also tosses open the doors to Solstice, the new battleground for the game's more seasonal story structure. Solstice is a sun-drenched, mediterranean-style island, currently bisected by The Writhing Wall, a barrier of souls you'll be tearing down as the game progresses.
As for the cultural vibe, Solstice blends Altmer and Argonian influences. The Altmer exiles took over the island, booted the Argonians out, they had a stoush, and now they're (mostly) mates again.
At a presentation by zone lead Jason Barnes and systems designer Carrie Day, the team seemed dedicated to making choices from the game's base storyline matter. "It's a way for us to honor our long-term players," Barnes gushed, all hyped up on the return to the game's MMO roots.
Barnes also hinted at a difficulty adjustment feature, saying the team's been working on it - but keep your mitts crossed, as they're not ready to spill the beans just yet.
I haven't played ESO in a while, but I know MMO difficulty settings can drive you loopy - when survival depends on pleasing the masses, making challenges for everyone is nearly impossible. Here's hoping The Elder Scrolls Online can find a way to strike the balance, or maybe even let players make that choice for themselves.
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- With its latest update, Season of the Worm Cult, The Elder Scrolls Online offers fans a new bet on customizing their characters with the Subclassing feature.
- As players progress, they'll find themselves fighting in Solstice, a new battleground that promises a unique blend of Altmer and Argonian cultures.
- For those who enjoy technology and game mechanics, the Subclassing system in ESO, despite its complications, offers a new game to play and experiment with.
- In a panel with Jason Barnes and Carrie Day, the developers expressed their commitment to making choices in the game's base storyline matter, which could potentially win over long-term fans of The Elder Scrolls Online.
