The new dungeons of ESO are perfect to prepare you for High Isle – If you can manage them

With the Update 33 Ascending Tide, the MMORPG The Elder Scrolls Online has received two additional dungeons. These include the dungeon Coral Bastion and Shipwright’s Gram. MiezeMelli from MeinMMO has ventured into both dungeons and reports back to you.

What are these dungeons? The Coral Bastion is located in Cliff’s Point. The Shipwright’s Gram can be found in the north of Summerset. In both dungeons, you will encounter not only the regular 3 bosses but also secret bosses that grant bonuses for the normal boss fights.

Both dungeons were tested in veteran mode with hard mode. We also faced the challenge of skipping the secret bosses, which means we forego important buffs in the regular boss fights.

You can find everything about the current DLC in our ESO Special on Ascending Tide.

Short distances between the bosses in the Shipwright’s Gram

What I really liked: There isn’t much running between the bosses. The distance you cover in the dungeon is relatively short, and you reach the next boss quickly.

The dungeon was first entered by my group and me in the following configuration:

• Tank (Necromancer)
• DD (Nightblade)
• DD (Nightblade)
• Healer (Nightblade)

In the new dungeon, you can obtain buffs, i.e., advantages for the regular boss fights, through the so-called secret bosses. But there is also an achievement for skipping them. We wanted to take on this challenge.

The first boss requires a lot of healing and a stable tank

Our healer quickly noticed in some phases that he had to heal effectively. Our tank also reported shortly after that the 1st boss is probably less fun as a Necromancer, and after a few tries, he switched to his Dragon Knight. That was definitely much more pleasant.

We quickly realized that the phase in which a flesh atronach spawns needs to be ended quickly. Every player receives a strong dot. Therefore, we directed all damage from the DDs onto the flesh colossus. The adds are also not particularly pleasant in large numbers.

The essence drain from the Nightblade does not only deal good AOE damage, but it also heals the group. This saved us in a few situations. Overall, the boss is already tough, but once you figure it out and know where to place your feet, it is definitely manageable.

The second boss reminds the tank of Bahsei from Felshain

For me as a DD, this boss was actually not too bad. The tank has more fun, especially when he also has to tank a slurper alongside the boss. Our tank compared it to the boss Bahsei in Felshain. There I have also seen some tanks regularly get taken down.

The final boss Captain Numirril is doable even without the secret buff

We definitely needed several tries before we had it figured out. But after finding out that a bit of self-healing, occasionally dealing damage to the adds, and interrupting can work wonders, the boss is also manageable without the buff from the secret boss.

Compared to the same achievement in the Coral Bastion, this boss is even quite easy in hard mode.

For completing the HM, we then received the following achievements:

• Victors of the Shipwright’s Gram (Achievement)
• Conqueror of the Shipwright’s Gram (Achievement)
• Set Sail! (Achievement)
• Without Spiritual Assistance (Achievement)
• Body Painting of the Abyssal Embrace (Collection: Body Painting)
• Trophy: Nazaray (Collection: Undaunted Trophies)
• Bust: Nazaray (Collection: Undaunted Busts)

Afterward, we also earned the achievement “Safe to the Gills” in another run. For that, you need to stand still in the area with the wave. It took me ages to get it because you really have to stand in the area for a long time, and the healer definitely has to keep an eye on you while doing so.

In the same try, we also got the “Safe Harbor” achievement. That was super easy; you just have to quickly take out the adds at the end (when the boss has only a little health left) and wait until less than 10 galleons are lying on the ground. That was a piece of cake compared to hard mode.

The Coral Bastion is a true challenge

This dungeon directly reminds one of the dungeons and vaults in Summerset. And it is precisely there that the new dungeon is also located. What initially looks like an open area by the coast ends in many nested Alinor-style vault sections. So it’s best not to lose your orientation.

I myself am not necessarily a fan of how open the dungeon is designed. I prefer paths that are a bit more defined by the surroundings and where you don’t lose your sense of direction in dead ends. But overall, I like the Summerset aesthetic.

Funny whirlpool mechanic with the 1st boss Maligalig

The boss is relatively easy compared to the other two bosses. Once you understand the whirlpool mechanic, it’s actually quick to manage. And this is also a mechanic that hasn’t been seen before in ESO.

The characters look really funny when they are spun around by the whirlpool and flail their arms and legs. That’s why I like this boss fight.

The 2nd boss Sarydil doesn’t really do much

This boss is not really difficult, just annoying. Because although it looks difficult at first, it really isn’t. The annoying part is the continuous hopping around by the boss, the far too long add phases, and the 1000 mini AOEs that you should avoid.

Especially during the add phases, I absolutely cannot understand the developers. There are simply 3 add phases in a row. These phases are really boring and annoying. I absolutely cannot understand why they thought this would be a good idea. I imagine it like this:

• “What else should we add to the boss?” – “How about an add phase?”
• “Okay. But that’s still not enough?” – “Another add phase!”
• “Hmm okay, if you insist. But that doesn’t solve the problem, we still need something…” – “Add phase! Add phase!”
• “The same song? Okay, play the same song again!”

The final boss Varallion in the Coral Bastion is a true challenge

Compared to the final boss of the other dungeon, this boss is really a cool new challenge. We still have not managed to defeat the hard mode without the secret buff. Unfortunately, this also has a bit to do with RNG.

And here we are at the point that annoys me. Both in terms of mechanics and the order of the first 3 mini bosses is completely random. Especially when multiple mechanics stack on the same person, players can sometimes simply do nothing.

The Griffin or miniboss Iliata creates a huge lightning area. Combined with the tide shift of Varallion, almost the entire floor is off-limits. Depending on where you are at the beginning, it can sometimes be impossible to reach the free spot. This is super unnecessary.

Still, I actually find it cool that we couldn’t defeat the boss right on the first day. Thus, it presents a real challenge (at least in hard mode without the secret buff).

What about you? Have you checked out the dungeons of Ascending Tide yet, or haven’t you had the chance yet? Don’t hesitate, it’s worth it! If you need some tips and are stuck, our ESO Guide to the Coral Bastion can definitely help you out.