For The Elder Scrolls Online, there are two dungeons in the new DLC Wrathstone. We explored the Frostvault with the developers and experienced a particularly cool final boss fight.
What is the Wrathstone DLC? The new Wrathstone DLC tells the backstory of the Season of the Dragon with two new dungeons. You must find the two halves of the Wrathstone tablet in the dungeons of Malatar and the Frostvault.
Malatar is certainly still familiar to Oblivion fans. The Frostvault, on the other hand, offers a twisted final battle that we got to face with the developers from Zenimax, including Dungeon Lead Mike Finnigan and Creative Rich Lambert.
The Frostvault: Dwemer and Goblins
At the beginning of the Frostvault, we encounter hordes of Goblins. They look different from the typical representatives of their kind. They are larger and stronger. Additionally, they have their own new models.
But why are the Goblins here and why are they so aggressive? One developer responded sarcastically: “They have had a long-standing feud with the Dwemer. You know how it is: The Dwemer once had a barbecue and the Goblins weren’t invited…”
Well, in truth, the Gobbos have probably been living in ignorance of the Wrathstone in the caves before the vault for a long time, blocking our way to the tablet. Therefore, the first bosses are various Goblins and a Troll armored with Dwemer construct parts.
These are the first bosses: The Troll hits hard, but is still quite easy to defeat. The Goblin Chief is another matter: He uses many area effects and can quickly take out group members.
The Goblin Shaman, who comes next as a boss, is even harder. One second into the battle, I just wanted to take a screenshot, and I’m already on the ground while the developers laugh. Luckily, we had enough Soul Gems because I would kiss the dirt many more times…
The Inner Chamber
After the Goblins, we use a massive Dwemer construct to blast our way into the inner chambers of the old ruins of the steampunk elves.
This is the boss mechanic of the Laser Centurion: That’s where the fun really begins. One boss is a colossal Dwemer Centurion. He uses a shield that makes him invulnerable and laser beams that sweep through the room, leaving only the shield unscathed.
We must hide behind it and quickly change position because the laser will come back from the other side shortly thereafter.
By the way, you shouldn’t touch the shield. I do it anyway, and bam, 20,000 damage and an instant death are the result. “Why did you attack the shield?” one of my teammates asks reproachfully.
Since my companions are far better, the Centurion eventually lies in a heap of scrap.
I cautiously ask, “Was that the final boss?” and elicit laughter. No, I will recognize the final boss when he is there.
The Final Battle: Clockwork Rat against Battle Machine
This is the cool final boss battle: And the developers were right. Because at the end of the dungeon, right before our eyes, the final guardian of the Wrathstone tablet is assembled. It is a massive Dwemer construct that deals massive damage with flamethrowers and chopping blades.
First, we have to blow off the monster’s arms. Then it slowly starts to rebuild itself and fires flames from its openings. But here comes our secret weapon into play: the Skeevaton.
This is actually a mechanical rat with a wind-up clockwork drive. Such creatures were already found in the Clockwork City and they can also be kept as pets.
However, here we control the Skeevatons and maneuver them into the boss’s interior in a mini-game. There we have to deal with flame traps and overload and sabotage key components of the boss.
If we do this quickly enough, we can continue to fight the boss. After several long and painful minutes and some deaths on my part, the boss finally bursts.
The way to the Wrathstone tablet is finally clear. The tablet lies ominously before me and I wonder aloud, “The Dwemer went to great lengths to protect this tablet. Should we really recover it?”
What happens at the end is already known thanks to the cinematic trailer for Elsweyr. But it remains exciting how the story about the dragons, Elsweyr, and the Wrathstone will continue.
Wrathstone will be released as a paid DLC on February 25 for PC and on March 12 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
