The MMORPG The Elder Scrolls Online now includes a total of 44 dungeons. In a survey from August 2021, the community on Reddit allowed players to choose the easiest to the hardest dungeons. We present the results from August 18, 2021.
Dungeons are likely the first group content that players try out in ESO. But which dungeon is easier and suitable for inexperienced players? Which dungeons are super difficult and challenge even experienced players?
On Reddit, the user grim7259 is looking for the hardest dungeon. A survey was conducted for this. Based on the results, a ranking was created from the rating “Easy” to “Hard”. Furthermore, distinctions were made according to the difficulty levels:
- Normal
- Veteran
- Veteran (Hardmode)
Reddit Ranking: Hardest Dungeons
This is the difficulty ranking for 2021: According to grim7259, the survey consists of about 150-200 responses. The most responses came for the normal difficulty level. There is no point scale, only a ranking from Easy to Hard. Not every dungeon had to be rated.
The 3 Hardest Dungeons in ESO
We take a closer look at the last 3 dungeons on the scale.
The 3 Hardest Dungeons (Normal)
- Place 1: Scalecaller Peak (Scalecaller Peak): DLC dungeon from the DLC “Dragon Bones” 2018
- Place 2: Moon Hunter Keep (Moon Hunter Keep): DLC dungeon from the DLC “Wolfhunter” 2018
- Place 3: Castle Thorn (Castle Thorn): DLC dungeon from the DLC “Harrowstorm” 2020
The 3 Hardest Dungeons (Veteran)
- Place 1: Scalecaller Peak (Scalecaller Peak): DLC dungeon from the DLC “Dragon Bones” 2018
- Place 2: Depths of Malatar (Depths of Malatar): DLC dungeon from the DLC “Wrathstone” 2019
- Place 3: Stone Garden (Stone Garden): DLC dungeon from the DLC “Stonethorn” 2020
The 3 Hardest Dungeons (Veteran with Hardmode)
- Place 1: Fang Lair (Fang Lair): DLC dungeon from the DLC “Dragon Bones” 2018
- Place 2: Stone Garden (Stone Garden): DLC dungeon from the DLC “Stonethorn” 2020
- Place 3: Scalecaller Peak (Scalecaller Peak): DLC dungeon from the Dungeon DLC “Dragon Bones” 2018
According to the survey, Scalecaller Peak in Normal & Veteran mode is the hardest dungeon. Fang Lair is the hardest dungeon in Veteran mode with Hardmode according to these results.
Feedback on the Reddit Ranking: Hardest Dungeons
As grim7259 himself suspects in his post, the ranking appears skewed for experienced players. Moreover, it must be noted that the number of responses (150-200) in relation to the total player count of ESO may not be truly significant.
He also mentions that not every dungeon had to be rated. Players who did not know a dungeon did not have to rate it. I think this is problematic, especially in the presentation of a scale.
My feedback on the “Normal” ranking: For experienced players, normal dungeons are actually all very easy. They are often completed without a healer and with one more DD (Damage Dealer) instead. Sometimes the tank is also swapped for extra damage.
I cannot create any ranking so easily, as the dungeons at the normal difficulty level are really significantly easier than at other difficulty levels. Only in the newer DLC dungeons am I sometimes surprised that a certain attack can one-hit a DD. I’m thinking of the werewolves in Moon Hunter Keep, for example.
My feedback on the “Veteran” ranking: In Veteran mode, experienced players at least notice the differences. Often you can orient yourself very well regarding the difficulty based on the release date. The DLC dungeons that came later are significantly more difficult.
While it is possible to complete some dungeons of the base game (Mushroom Cave I or Darkshade Caverns I) as a DD with self-healing alone, you should not attempt this with the DLC dungeons.
However, I cannot understand how the DLC dungeon Scalecaller Peak was chosen as number 1. The dungeon was really tough right after its release. But that was about 3 years ago. Since then, it has been nerfed once or even several times.
I would still consider the Hardmode as demanding because you have to coordinate the end boss at least to some extent. However, it is noticeable to me as a DD that the boss, the Nereid, the Frostatronach, and the adds in the ice phase fall really quickly compared to earlier.
I suspect that this result is due to the fact that not every respondent had to know all the dungeons.
My feedback on the “Veteran with Hardmode” ranking: The top 3 places also surprised me. While I would indeed name Stone Garden as a difficult hard mode, the dungeon Fang Lair is in first place. And again, we have Scalecaller Peak in 3rd place.
The dungeon Fang Lair was released in the same DLC as Scalecaller Peak. In Veteran mode, I would personally take at least one tank. In Hardmode, I certainly wouldn’t want to miss a healer. But this dungeon has also been nerfed since release.
I still remember that back within my raid guild there was always a small unofficial competition on who completed the dungeons and achievements in hard mode first. Just like Scalecaller Peak, Fang Lair was also very challenging.
Nevertheless, I would consider many dungeons that came after Dragon Bones to be more difficult. But I think this result also reflects that the respondents did not have to know all the dungeons.
I suspect that currently the new dungeons from Update 31 Waking Flame present the biggest challenge. Unfortunately, these are not yet reflected in the ranking.
The Easiest Dungeon in ESO
What I like about the survey: In one thing, all players seem to agree. And I can confirm this from my experience within my guilds: Mushroom Cave I is the absolute No. 1 when it comes to finding the easiest dungeon in ESO.
What are your opinions on the Reddit ranking? Have you run all dungeons on all difficulty levels? In the article The new dungeon in ESO is a hell with creepy crawlies and I had to play it, you will get a taste of what to expect in the new dungeon “Schreckenskeller”.
