ESO: Guide to Farming Transmutation Crystals

With the update 16 “Clockwork City”, Transmutation was newly introduced to the MMORPG The Elder Scrolls Online. However, with update 28 “Markarth”, some changes were made. As a result, the demand for transmutation crystals has increased significantly. MeinMMO provides you with valuable tips for effective farming.

Transmutation crystals are a currency in The Elder Scrolls Online that has gained importance since the end of last year. We provide you with a rough overview and valuable tips for effectively farming transmutation crystals.

What are Transmutation Crystals?

These are a type of currency that you can use in crafting. You can find them in your inventory (I) under the currency tab (at the very bottom). Unlike gold, this currency is not directly tradable.

You can own a maximum of 500, or 1000 with ESO+. All transmutation crystals that you earn beyond that will be lost. So make sure you have enough space before you open transmutation geodes (Geode = container that holds the crystals).

What do I need Transmutation Crystals for?

Transmutation crystals can only be used in crafting. 

There are 2 uses:

• Transmutation: Changing the property of a weapon, armor, or jewelry piece. This always costs 50 transmutation crystals.
• Reconstruction: Crafting a weapon, armor, or jewelry piece from the set collection. The cost depends on the completeness of the collection. If you only have 1 set item, it costs 75 transmutation crystals. If the set is complete, you only need to pay 25 crystals.

• 

• 

Always pay attention to which of the two options is cheaper for you. Because in some cases, it may be cheaper to reconstruct a set item instead of changing the property of an existing item.

Where do I get Transmutation Crystals?

In general, you can earn transmutation crystals from the following activities.

Here you are guaranteed to receive transmutation crystals:

• Daily 1st random dungeon via Group Finder
• Daily pledges of the Undaunted
• Weekly trial quests
• Leaderboards for arenas, trials, and battlegrounds
• Completion rewards for campaigns in the Alliance War (Cyrodiil)
• The 1st just reward of the day
• Maelstrom Arena (veteran mode)
• Dragonstar Arena (veteran mode)

Here there is at least the chance of receiving transmutation crystals:

• The last boss of a dungeon
• In the just reward (after opening the 1st container)
• In the random dungeon, after the first of the day 

Are there add-ons to help me keep track?

Yes, there are!

• WPamA (What Pledges at my Alts) by ForgottenLight
• Item Cooldown Tracker by Deadsoon

Either follow the links or use the add-on manager “Minion“. The latter has the advantage that you can update automatically. You can also easily find new add-ons through the search function.

How do I farm Transmutation Crystals effectively?

My personal recommendation is long-term: 

• Claim the campaign rewards on as many characters as possible. To do this, you must reach reward level 1 in the Alliance War by earning Alliance points (PvP currency). Set one of the larger campaigns as your home campaign. That’s how you earn more crystals per time in comparison. And make sure to play in your home campaign. Otherwise, there will be no level advancement of the reward level.
• Open a “Just Reward” container every day for 4-25 transmutation crystals from your inbox (#). But be careful! This no longer works with every character.

If you need transmutation stones in the short term, you should do the following:

• Complete the daily random dungeon (normal). You can also do this with all your characters. If you have all character slots unlocked, it’s at least 180 transmutation stones per day.
• If you still need more transmutation crystals, I recommend doing the daily pledges. If you complete the quest in veteran mode with hard mode, you will receive a total of 15 transmutation crystals. You can also do this with all your characters and earn up to 270 crystals a day.
• If that’s still not enough, you can complete the weekly quest in trials (normal mode is sufficient). This can also be done with any character. Groups for this can often be found in Belkarth (Hammerfell) in the zone chat.

How exactly does it work in detail?

Reward Level 1

To reach reward level 1 in the Alliance War, you first need to call up the menu (L). At the top right, you will find the tab for the campaign. There you can choose a campaign. 

When you hover the mouse over the campaign name, you will see below the options. After you have set the campaign as your home campaign (R), you can enter the campaign (E). Or better said, you will enter the waiting queue to join the campaign. 

• 

• 

During prime time, this can take quite a while. Therefore, avoid times between approximately 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM if you are in a hurry. Otherwise, you can bridge the time, of course.

Once you arrive in Cyrodiil, you have several options to earn Alliance points:

• Defeating other players
• Capturing or defending castles and resources
• Repairing walls and gates (tip: use sets and a Mundus Stone that increases your healing)
• Completing quests

Just Reward

Conveniently, you earn the “Just Reward” alongside, which you receive as a message. You can see when the next reward will be in your inbox in the Alliance War (L) overview. Under the “Points” tab, there is a countdown: “Next Points Evaluation”.

Daily Random Dungeon

Entering a random dungeon is simpler. In the “Group & Activity Finder” menu (P), you will find the “Dungeon Finder” tab. There you land directly in the right selection: Random Dungeon (normal).

Only select your role at the top left and then click below on “Join Queue”. Here you may have to be patient. Tanks and healers often have it easier to find a group quickly. 

Do with this information what you will.

But always be aware that the daily bonus reward in the overview is always purple. Otherwise, you have a cooldown and do not receive the guaranteed 10 transmutation crystals, but only a chance for them.

Daily Pledges with the Undaunted

To accept the quests, you must have reached at least level 45. For veteran mode, you need at least level 50. You can find the quest for the daily pledges in the Undaunted Enclave in each capital of the 3 alliances:

• Ebonheart Pact: Gramfest (Deshaan)
• Aldmeri Dominion: Elden Root (Grahtwood)
• Daggerfall Covenant: Wayrest (Stormhaven)

There are the following 3 quest givers:

• Maj al-Ragath → all dungeons of the first 2 areas*
• Glirion the Redbeard → all dungeons of the last 3 areas*
• Urgarlag Chief’s Curse → all DLC dungeons

You can also enter the dungeons via the “Group & Activity Finder” menu. This time, however, you must select the “Specific Dungeons” option at the top right in the dungeon search. Now you can click on the desired dungeon (or multiple) and be placed in the queue.

Or you can find 3 other players for a group yourself. In principle, you can also reach the dungeons via the wayshrines.

Important: For the 5 transmutation crystals, you must complete the respective dungeon in veteran mode with hard mode. Otherwise, there will be fewer crystals.

Weekly Trial Quest

You receive this quest from a quest giver in the entrance of a trial. For a trial (English: raid), 12 players are generally intended. Depending on the strength of the players, sometimes fewer are sufficient.

You can turn in the quest after you have defeated the final boss. This only requires completion in normal difficulty.

Unlike dungeons, there is no group search for this. However, players in Tamriel have found a solution for this. The zone chat in Hammerfell is a popular way to form groups for trials.

So travel there and pay close attention to the chat. Or maybe you already have a guild or group with which to tackle the trial. Generally, having a guild offers many advantages in ESO. They can be a valuable asset not only in gameplay but also for fun.

This article gives you an insight into the crazy adventures of an ESO guild: Easter egg hunting and naked raid – A good guild makes MMORPG ESO even better