The upcoming Update 35 of The Elder Scrolls Online adds new dungeons and other content, along with an overhaul of how base attacks deal damage.
Update 35 for The Elder Scrolls Online is currently on the public test server and makes some serious changes to the way light and heavy attacks work, along with a big change in the damage capabilities over time. While the changes are intended to reduce the disparity between the worst and best performing players, veteran Elder Scrolls Online players have expressed concern about the proposed changes.
The Elder Scrolls Online has undergone constant changes since the ZeniMax MMORPG launched in April 2014. Like any MMORPG, The Elder Scrolls Online has had numerous expansions, additional story chapters, new character classes, and all-new game mechanics over the years. Some of the changes made in the major updates have completely changed the game, such as the One Tamriel update that allows players to undertake quests in every zone of the game regardless of their level or chosen faction.
The next big update for The Elder Scrolls Online is just around the corner and is currently being evaluated on the Public Test Server. Two of the major changes coming with the update will overhaul the game's combat balance. Standard practice for dealing damage involves "weaving" or using light attacks between skill casts. These woven attacks account for up to 20% of a player's total damage. Update 35 causes these attacks to deal a fixed amount of damage regardless of stats, closing the performance gap by about 10%. Buffs, debuffs, and damage over time are also revised, usually doubling their duration, while decreasing strength per second. This relieves the stress of maintaining uptime without hurting the overall power of the power.
The update also introduces another Elder Scrolls Online DLC, The Lost Depths. The Lost Depths comes with two new 4-player dungeons: Earthen Root Enclave in High Isle and Digging Deep in Amenos. The new dungeons will drop unique item sets and Undaunted Monster Masks and will feature their own achievements, earnable titles, and unlockable body and face markings. In addition to the new content and balance adjustments, there are numerous bug fixes and minor changes that span the entire game, including changes to the new Tales of Tribute card game.
While new DLC is always eagerly anticipated, Elder Scrolls Online players have expressed concerns about the battle changes, especially the damage over time. Most non-boss enemies don't even last 10 seconds in combat, making 20 seconds of damage over time extremely useless. This hurts players who rely on damage over time and can force players to modify their builds. Hopefully ZeniMax can manage to strike a satisfying balance that won't step on too many toes.
The Elder Scrolls Online is now available for Google Stadia, Mac, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Source: Patch Notes
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