The MMORPG The Elder Scrolls Online is getting a new chapter with Greymoor (PC, PS4, Xbox One), which will be released in Summer 2020 and leads into Skyrim. Details about new DLCs have also been released. The entire year is themed under the title “The Black Heart of Skyrim.”
What is planned for 2020 in ESO? Throughout the year 2020, the MMORPG ESO will receive three new DLCs and the major expansion Greymoor.
All content comes together under the name “The Black Heart of Skyrim,” which already indicates the direction of the story:
- You will explore western Skyrim.
- You will fight against an ancient evil that seeks to devour the souls of Skyrim.
- Iconic locations will be featured, such as Solitude and Blackreach.
- The events take place around 900 years before The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
- The focus is on an ancient vampire lord leading an army of vampires, witches, and werewolves.
You can purchase Greymoor in different versions, including a Collector’s Edition.
Where does the information come from? The information about the new content of The Elder Scrolls Online comes from an interview that we from MeinMMO conducted with Creative Director Rich Lambert, a live event that took place on Thursday, January 16, and various blog posts from ESO itself.
Release of Greymoor and the DLCs 2020
When is Greymoor being released? For the new Skyrim chapter, there is already a release date:
- Greymoor was originally supposed to be released on May 18 for PC. The release was postponed due to Corona to May 26. Although the expansion has officially been released, it faced some issues and downtime.
- Greymoor was supposed to be released on June 2 for PS4 and Xbox One. It has also been delayed by about a week. The new release date is June 9.
- Additionally, a release for Google Stadia is planned.
When will the other contents be released? Every quarter, the MMORPG ESO will be expanded:
- It started in February with the DLC Harrowstorm.
- In the second quarter, Greymoor will be released.
- In the third quarter, there will be a DLC dungeon pack.
- At the end of the year, a regular DLC will follow.
When was Harrowstorm released? Harrowstorm is a dungeon DLC and was released on February 25 along with Update 25, which significantly reduced the size of the MMORPG client.
Harrowstorm includes the following instances:
- Icecrown – In this, you delve into the storm of grief that sweeps over the sea.
- Unholy Tomb – In this, you investigate an ancient burial site that has been excavated.
Additionally, there is a prologue quest with new story content for Greymoor.
What do we know about the other DLCs? So far, there is no information about the DLCs for the third and fourth quarters. More will be revealed in the live stream, likely during E3.
In the stream, there was only a hint that the last DLC is related to “The Reach.”
These are the contents of Greymoor, the Skyrim expansion
What are the biggest innovations in the chapter? In Greymoor, you travel to western Skyrim. There, you encounter many dangers, but also many new contents, including:
- A dark main story and many eerie side quests that should contain a total of 30 hours of new storytelling.
- The Storms of Grief – A group event in the open world.
- Kynes Aegis, a trial for 12 players.
- New dungeons and open-world dungeons.
- The new antiquity system.
- Additional content that is expected to be available for free to all players.
Is Greymoor bringing a new class?
The Elsweyr expansion introduced the Necromancer as a new class. However, Greymoor does not have such an innovation.
Instead, there will be major adjustments to vampire skills. They are expected to become more active and encouraged to bite their enemies and drink their blood. Some players, however, are rebelling against the changes because it alters the lore.
New maps in Greymoor
What areas are waiting to be discovered? In western Skyrim, new and iconic areas await discovery. One special area will be Blackreach.
It is expected to make up about 40% of the playable area and is one reason why Greymoor will be the largest expansion of ESO in terms of land area. The developers have already shown how the new maps will look in a live stream on April 21.
Western Skyrim 
Blackreach
Developer Rich Lambert emphasized to MeinMMO that the new maps should feel familiar:
The main hub of the chapter will be located in “Solitude”, which is the huge, iconic city on the cliff with the blue palace. It should feel directly familiar.
We have even more places in the area that you know and love like Morthal, Dragonbridge, Shadowgreen; all these areas are there to be discovered.
With Skyrim, another part of Tamriel will be explored. However, even if Tamriel is one day complete, the world of The Elder Scrolls still offers many exciting zones.
New feature: Mythic Gear
What is Mythic Gear? With Greymoor, the new Mythic Gear is introduced. However, you can only wear one piece at a time. The equipment enhances the way you play.
For example, there is a piece of jewelry that gives a speed buff, even during combat. This buff will be stronger when you are not in combat. Another piece of equipment will be a heavy chest piece that restores Magicka.
The new Mythic Gear can only be earned through the antiquity system, which is also a new feature in Greymoor.
New feature: The Antiquity System
What is the Antiquity System? In this new activity, you can track down artifacts throughout Tamriel and excavate them in various minigames.
Creative Director Rich Lambert revealed some details about this to us from MeinMMO during the interview:
- The Antiquity System is the biggest innovation since housing, having nothing to do with combat or quests. Lore is at the forefront.
- To improve your skill, you must complete two tasks.
- First, you have to find the locations where the items are hidden.
- Secondly, you must dig them up. There will be minigames influenced by Minesweeper and Battleship.
The puzzles become more challenging with higher skill and better rewards, but can be repeated as many times as you like if you fail.
Rewards include new furniture, cosmetic items for your character, the new Mythic Gear, and even a mount at the end.
Who is Greymoor worth it for?
A new chapter is the ideal moment to start with the MMORPG ESO. With the new DLC Harrowstorm, a whole new story begins, for which you do not necessarily need to know the previous chapters.
Additionally, there are game versions that include the old chapters along with the expansion, so returners and newcomers have immediate access to the most important content.
Is it worth starting for new players? With the release of the new chapter Greymoor, new players can also directly immerse themselves in the story. There will be a new tutorial and starting area right in Skyrim.
ESO generally has no level barriers, so entry is possible in all areas and at all times. Therefore, if you want to relive the world of TES5 Skyrim, you should give ESO a chance, as it can easily be experienced as a solo player.
“The Black Heart of Skyrim” – The Story of Greymoor
What is the story about? The story revolves around something evil that is rising in the depths of Skyrim. Along with the evil vampire lord, many dark and dangerous monsters awaken in Blackreach and threaten to plunge all of Tamriel into darkness.
We will explore a fortress deep within Blackreach. This fortress is named “Fort Greymoor.” At the same time, the history and structure of vampires in ESO will also change.
How does it begin? You start your adventure by defending the besieged Nords while supernatural storms of grief appear in western Skyrim. Then you set out to explore the causes in western Skyrim.
We from MeinMMO have already told you how you can best get started in Greymoor.
How dark will Greymoor be? In the description of the entire content of “The Black Heart of Skyrim,” it is repeatedly emphasized how dark and grim the new story will be. The theme does not only refer to Blackreach, as Lambert revealed:
The Black Heart of Skyrim has many meanings. Yes, one of them is that you go into the dark underground, but it also helps describe the story.
This will be a much darker, gothic story than what we told compared to Elsweyr.
So you can look forward to a thrilling and very dark adventure in Skyrim. However, dragons do not play a major role there. Rich Lambert revealed to MeinMMO and GameStar in a joint interview that there will not be a Dovahkiin in this timeline.
Intentionally forgoing dragons, Dimitry Halley from GameStar believes to be the best story decision in ESO: Greymoor. In his column, he explains how this could create room for better storytelling.
Buy and pre-order Greymoor
The three new DLCs can be purchased for crowns in the shop corresponding to their release, or accessed via ESO+. The chapter Greymoor, however, must be purchased and can already be pre-ordered.
How much does Greymoor cost? You can pre-order Greymoor in the ESO store, on Steam, and in the Microsoft Store. Only PlayStation users currently have to wait for a corresponding offer.
The following versions can be purchased:
- The Elder Scrolls Online: Greymoor Standard Edition – 69.99 Euro
- Digital The Elder Scrolls Online: Greymoor Collector’s Edition – 89.99 Euro
- Digital The Elder Scrolls Online: Greymoor Upgrade – 39.99 Euro
- Digital The Elder Scrolls Online: Greymoor Collector’s Edition Upgrade – 54.99 Euro
- Physical The Elder Scrolls Online: Greymoor Collector’s Edition – Limited quantity available on Amazon – 129.99 Euro
Standard and Collector’s Editions
What are the differences between the versions? The two versions with the name “Upgrade” contain only the expansions without the previous chapters. The Standard Edition and the Digital Collector’s Edition each also contain the previous chapters:
- Morrowind
- Summerset
- Elsweyr
The two Digital Collector’s Editions contain the following in-game items:
- Exclusive Companion: Death Hound
- Exclusive Memento: Ball of Magnus
- Exclusive Mount: Crypt Warden Death Hound
- Exclusive Outfit Style: Swordthane
- Exclusive Action Pack: Skyrim
What does the Physical Collector’s Edition contain? The Physical Collector’s Edition contains, in addition to the in-game items from the Digital Collector’s Edition, the following physical contents:
- Vampire Lord statue
- Set of four collector coins
- Exclusive steelbook
- Map of western Skyrim
- One month of ESO Plus
You can only purchase this in Germany via Amazon.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
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![The Elder Scrolls Online: Greymoor - Collectors Edition [PlayStation 4]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/411aZjPDn-L._SL160_.jpg)
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The Elder Scrolls Online: Greymoor - Collectors Edition [PlayStation 4]* | Zu Amazon | ||
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The Elder Scrolls Online: Greymoor - Collectors Edition [Windows]* | Zu Amazon |
*Affiliate-Links. Wir erhalten bei einem Kauf eine kleine Provision von Amazon. Vielen Dank für Eure Unterstützung!
Pre-order bonuses for Greymoor
What do pre-orderers receive? Anyone who buys Greymoor in advance will also receive rewards. It does not matter which version you choose. The rewards include:
- Jarllook (costume)
- Victim-bag mammoth as a companion
- Crown preview box: Nightfall
- Treasure maps for western Skyrim
- Jarl crown (decoration)
- Two crown scrolls of learning
Additionally, there is a new Festbreaker Warhorse as an instant reward as soon as Greymoor is pre-ordered.
The system requirements
Minimum
- Operating System: Windows 7 64-bit
- Processor: Intel® Core™ i3 540 or AMD A6-3620
- Memory: 3 GB
- Storage Space: 85 GB
- Graphics Card: Direct X 11 compatible graphics card with 1GB RAM (NVIDIA® GeForce® 460 / AMD Radeon™ 6850)
- Sound: DirectX compatible sound card
- Broadband internet connection
Recommended
- Operating System: Windows 7 64-bit
- Processor: Intel® Core™ i5 2300 or AMD FX4350
- Memory: 8 GB
- Storage Space: 85 GB
- Graphics Card: Direct X 11 compatible graphics card with 2GB RAM (NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 750 or AMD Radeon™ HD 7850) or better
- Sound: DirectX compatible sound card
- Broadband internet connection
Along with the DLCs and the new chapter, there will also be technical updates. Some information about the innovations in 2020 has already been announced.
