The developers of the MMORPG The Elder Scrolls: Online have introduced a new dungeon, the Cauldron. It prepares for the upcoming expansion Blackwood and features “the largest Ogrim you have ever seen.”
What kind of dungeon is this? In the eastern hills of Deshaan, there is an abandoned mine where a cult seems to be stirring: the Order of the Awakening Flame. Daedric beasts and Dremora have gathered there, wanting to build a shrine for their master.
To do this, they have captured the surrounding population and are now forcing them to work for their lord. You are to help the Dark Elf Drathas free his enslaved family. You will ultimately face the chief, Baron Zaudrus, in person.
The dungeon will be available with the “Flames of Ambition” DLC on March 8 for PC, Mac, and Stadia, and on March 16 for Xbox One and PlayStation 4. The DLC starts the saga about the Gates of Oblivion. Here you can pre-order the new expansion Blackwood.
The Cauldron – Bosses and Loot
Who do I fight against? The dungeon is teeming with cultists and Daedra who want to prevent you from freeing the captives. Special attention is given to the bosses. You will encounter:
- Master Breeder Viccia
- a molten guardian
- Oxblood the Corrupted (featured image)
- and finally Baron Zaudrus himself
Particularly, the Ogrim Oxblood is highlighted by the developers. He is said to be larger than any of his kind you have encountered in ESO so far. So prepare for a tough battle.
The Encounter Lead of ESO, Mike Finnegan, explains that you will go through three areas in the dungeon: the prison, the lava caves, and the temple itself. You will be able to find new ways to reach objectives and levers that make the dungeon even harder – aside from the Hard Mode.
What do I get for this? As a reward, new sets are available in the dungeon, including the armor of the Servants of Mehrunes Dagon. This is said to be particularly strong for stamina builds, but it also enhances AoE heals.
The mask from the final boss Baron Zaudrus increases your ultimate generation whenever you apply a status effect to an enemy. Additionally, you can complete new achievements in the dungeon and unlock new skins.
Popular characters return
What else comes with the Cauldron: The Dark Elf Drathas is not the only one wanting to brave the mine. You will also meet Lyranth, who made her debut in the first ESO DLC, Imperial City.
The somewhat dubious Dremora has been popular in the community for a while. Although she is somewhat opaque, her goals often align with those of the players. Her rebellious nature, however, resonates strongly with the community, Finnegan explains.
What else is in Blackwood? With Blackwood, a brand new story begins around the Gates of Oblivion, into which players can delve deeper over the coming year. After the story of Greymoor with werewolves and vampires is now temporarily concluded, the next chapter begins with Flames of Ambition. In our special, you can read more about the first details of the new expansion Blackwood and the content in 2021.
