The Elder Scrolls Online team revealed the first details of Update 44, from a major Battlegrounds update, new companions, a new grimoire and expanded Scribing, more skill styles, and improvements.
There will be some major PVP updates and changes, in the update when it arrives on October 28th on PC/Mac and November 13th on console. Battlegrounds are getting a major overhaul, including a shift from three-sided matches to two-sided matches.
The 4v4v4 format will retire from queues but Zenimax says it might return as part of events. The two available options to queue up for will be the competitive 4v4 and a standard 8v8 mode. The 8v8 mode will feature powerups spawning through the match and they could be useful and giving your team an advantage with the boosts they provide. The traditional Battlegrounds modes will still remain available, with Chaosball and Capture the Relic being 8v8 only. With the changes, ESO will introduce seven new maps.
One of the other highlights of the stream was the reveal of two new companions. Tanlorin is a “scrappy” High Elf that uses Soul Magic with Dragonknight abilities. Zerith-var is a Khajit, described as stoic, who uses Necromancy. Tanlorin’s passive perk helps you more efficiently open locks, while Zerith-var’s highlights loot bags around Tamriel. If you’re a subscriber, you can get both at the update’s launch or purchase them from the Crown Store.
Scribing, introduced in Gold Road, is getting its first expansion, with a new Grimoire, Banner Bearer. This is a support skill that lets you put a banner on your back that creates an AoE buff to your group's abilities that match your chosen Focus. When the update arrives, there will also be 14 more Focus Scripts for additional build options.
The Elder Scrolls Online is getting its own battle pass style system, Golden Pursuits. The system lets you earn limited time rewards by taking on these one-off campaigns to laim rewards for completing them and work towards a special capstone reward.
Other changes include updates to the in-game tutorial, itemization improvements for Imperial City, new skill styles, HDR support on PC, resource updates, and more.
These reveals are just some of what’s in Update 44, and they promise more details over the coming weeks.
