The MMORPG The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) has introduced an adventurous dungeon with the new DLC Harrowstorm. “The Unholy Tomb” with its climbing points gives our author Larissa Zelda flashbacks.
What is the climbing crossbow? With the DLC Dragonhold, a grappling hook was introduced in 2019. With this climbing crossbow, you can pull yourself to fixed climbing points in the world.
This allows you to reach otherwise inaccessible places and even unlock the achievement Climbing Crossbow Pathfinder. This very grappling hook is now a central component of the new dungeon “The Unholy Tomb”.
Which dungeon is it about? “The Unholy Tomb” was introduced with the DLC Harrowstorm and Update 25 to the rank of ESO dungeons. There, you assist a member of the Dig Guard named Shelaria in exploring the tomb and driving out the enemies.
When I first looked into the dungeon, I was immediately reminded of “The Legend of Zelda”. I mentally found myself in “Ocarina of Time” or “Twilight Princess”. Even back then, I loved the hookshot, grappling hooks, and the mechanic of the adventure series. And now it comes into ESO as an important mechanic in a new dungeon.
The grappling hook is important even in boss fights
In the dungeon “The Unholy Tomb”, the climbing crossbow awaits you as a central tool. You have to navigate the entire map through climbing points using it. It is important, just like in the action-adventure Zelda, to keep an eye on your entire environment to find the points.
You don’t walk through a linear dungeon like in many other MMORPGs; you are moving dynamically and actively. But not only is the hook essential for movement, it is also integrated into part of the boss fights.
What to expect in the 2nd boss fight: As the second boss, you will encounter a stone guardian. Here, you must pull yourself with your grappling hook to the four platforms to find a symbol. If you find the symbol, you must pull the boss to the correct field in the middle.
Additionally, you will encounter archers on the platforms that you should deal with. If you don’t pull the boss to the right symbol, the fire damage around you will increase.
This is how adventurous the 4th boss fight is: Even in the fourth boss fight against Ondagore the Mad, you will rely on your climbing crossbow. The opponent is located on an island in the middle. Occasionally, he performs a dangerous attack that can kill you if you remain on the island.
Your task is to pull yourself to surrounding islands with the climbing crossbow. More enemies will spawn there. Once you have defeated all, you can return to the boss; the attack will be completed then.
For the other three bosses, you do not need the mechanic. Nevertheless, the climbing crossbow accompanies you throughout the entire dungeon, as you wouldn’t even be able to get from A to B without it. As in the old Zelda style, you cannot complete the dungeon without the grappling hook.
There’s still more to discover
In addition to movement and boss fights, you can use your grappling hook for something else. In the “Unholy Tomb,” a secret awaits you. You need your climbing crossbow to find the way to a secret chamber.
Anyone who hasn’t been reminded of an action-adventure like Zelda should definitely pay attention now. Yes, we can discover a secret chamber! Just like in “Ocarina of Time” in the Fire Temple. How exactly this works and whether you will also find golden Skulltulas there, you should find out for yourself.
Of course, a part of the Zelda series has much more to offer. But I was still reminded a bit while playing ESO. The developers’ plan to set themselves apart from other MMORPGs is working. For an MMORPG, the new dungeon “The Unholy Tomb” is very dynamic and 3-dimensional. It’s just a lot of fun to traverse it. And that’s what matters.
