In The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO), the new Update 29 is coming soon. MeinMMO editor Alexander Leitsch has already been on the test server and tested the Champion System 2.0 and a new dungeon together with developers.
What is this update about? On March 8, Update 29 will be released for PC, and on March 16 for consoles. The patch is primarily characterized by two major innovations:
- The new DLC “Flames of Ambition” is being released. It includes two new dungeons and kicks off the story for the entire year of 2021 and the Blackwood expansion.
- The Champion Points system is being completely overhauled.
Especially the aspect regarding Champion Points is exciting, as the system was implemented in 2015 and hasn’t been significantly adjusted since then. Many are correspondingly curious about how it will play in the near future.
That’s why I have already thoroughly explored the test server and also had the chance to play the new dungeon “The Cauldron” with Creative Director Rich Lambert and Encounter Lead Mike Finnigan.
I have collected my experiences and impressions for you.
The new Champion System rewards newcomers, disappoints veterans
What changes with the Champion Points? The new system still relies on constellations and stars. However, the new aspect is that there are only 3 trees instead of 9:
- “Might” refers to damage, healing, and status values
- “Strength” includes bonuses that change combat, but not just through pure numerical values
- “Skill” offers bonuses for activities outside of combat, such as crafting, gathering, stealing, or riding
Additionally, there are now strong passive effects alongside the passive effects you previously unlocked, of which you can equip a maximum of 4 per tree.
Furthermore, there are significant branches, requiring you to make decisions about how you want to develop your abilities.
What are the implications? During the first tests on the PTS, I and other players in the forum noticed that the Champion Points no longer have as much relevance, at least regarding pure damage in the endgame.
Overall, there are fewer bonuses and damage boosts than before. User tmbrinks summarizes his experience in the official forum as follows:
There is a difference of about 30% damage between a player without Champion Points and a player with maximum Champion Points – 75,000 compared to 100,000 (on a stamina Templar).
On the live server, there is a difference of about 100% (55,000 without CP and 110,000 with full points, with Magicka classes being less nerfed by the changes).
This also means that overall, less damage will be present in ESO. Whether this affects the meta remains to be seen.
Overall, the adjustments make Champion Points 2.0 better for newcomers:
- You will level up about three times faster and collect points accordingly faster
- You will receive the most important effects already with under 1,000 Champion Points, so you won’t have to grind as long as before, considering the leveling time
- Due to the reduced impact, players with fewer Champion Points will no longer be as disadvantaged as they are currently on the live server.
What is the criticism? Some veterans, however, are bothered by the new system because they feel that their progress is being devalued.
Besides the fact that Champion Points are less relevant overall, newcomers can now catch up to them faster, while many veterans now have to grind again.
Those who were previously at the soft cap of 810 points will likely remain at 810 points after the patch. However, the new cap is at 3,600 points and must be ground out first.
What do the developers say? While I was with the developers in the new dungeon, we also discussed the Champion Points system.
Rich Lambert emphasized that the revisions were deliberately made so that players can no longer have all bonuses, but must make a decision:
We are making Champion Points a bit more like our skill system. We are focusing on a kind of deck-building where you must choose your bonuses and powers yourself, and where you have to make hard decisions because you can no longer have them all.
It was also mentioned that the new system is intended to improve performance in the game because constant skill checks for passive effects and bonuses were performed with the old Champion Points.
Setting the stage for the 2021 story and many hard modes
What else did I test on the PTS? As already mentioned, I was traveling in the new dungeon “The Cauldron” with developers. This is a cursed mine located in the western hills of Deshaan.
The Cauldron represents the kickoff of the story of ESO for the year 2021. In it, you will fight against Daedric beasts and minions that belong to the villain Mehrunes Dagon.
The dungeon is divided into 3 areas and 5 bosses, all of which feature interesting mechanics.
In addition to the largest Ogrim of all time, the first boss of the dungeon, you encounter an interesting mechanic in the fourth encounter:
- You need to use an effect on the ground to create a path between a dome in the center and the generators at the edge.
- Players can try to connect 1, 2, or even 3 domes at once.
- For each destroyed dome, more enemies will appear, allowing players to create greater challenges for themselves.
Challenge is also a theme in the new dungeons. The final boss has an activatable hard mode for players who want to make it even harder for themselves.
In the second dungeon of the DLC, the Black Dragon Villa, each of the three bosses even has such a hard mode. So if you want to experiment with higher difficulties, you will find what you’re looking for here.
The final battle: In the last room of The Cauldron, you will meet Baron Zaudrus, a warlord of the Daedra. In this battle, you must keep moving, as there are several firewalls that rotate either clockwise or counterclockwise.
In my opinion, this battle was one of the best that ESO has had so far. However, we only played in normal mode. I am already looking forward to the veteran fight.
How to prepare for the dungeon and the story: If you want to prepare for the release of the new DLC and also Blackwood, you should also take another look at the story of Imperial City.
There, the character Lyranth was one of the quest givers. She plays a role in the dungeon and also in the entire story of the year.
We have also put together tasks for you to complete before the release of the update: ESO: 4 things you should definitely do before the new update 29 appears.
