The Dark Brotherhood DLC for The Elder Scrolls Online wasn’t just about embracing the shadows; it was a fundamental shift in the game’s mechanics. This update introduced a streamlined leveling system, the innovative Champion Points system, and a complete reimagining of crafting and combat, particularly for the Fighters Guild. Whether you were drawn to the allure of assassination or the thrill of refined combat, the Dark Brotherhood DLC offered a transformative experience. Let’s explore the key changes this update brought to Tamriel and how they continue to impact the game today.
Key Takeaways
- Champion Points and a level 50 cap streamlined character progression. This simplified system made it easier to level alts and experiment with different builds, encouraging players to explore various playstyles.
- The Fighters Guild and Alchemy skill lines received significant updates. Revamped Fighters Guild abilities offered greater build diversity, while the introduction of Poison Making added a new layer of strategy to crafting and combat.
- New gear sets, acquisition methods, and stealth-focused gameplay enhanced the overall ESO experience. These additions provided players with fresh challenges and opportunities, impacting both the in-game economy and individual playstyles.
ESO’s Dark Brotherhood DLC: Reshaping the Game
The Dark Brotherhood DLC wasn’t just about adding new content; it fundamentally changed how we play The Elder Scrolls Online. Beyond the shadowy assassin storyline, this DLC introduced key updates to core game mechanics, crafting, and skill lines that significantly impacted the overall ESO experience. Let’s break down the biggest shifts.
One of the most significant changes around this time was the move away from the subscription model in early 2015. This shift, as discussed in Fextralife’s analysis, helped revitalize the game and attract a wider player base, solidifying its position as a leading MMO. Coupled with this change was the introduction of the Champion System. Reaching Veteran Rank 1 (which became level 50 with this update) now granted Champion Points, offering a new layer of character progression. These points could be invested in various passive skills, adding depth and customization options for high-level characters.
Crafting also saw a significant overhaul with the addition of Poison Making to Alchemy. This introduced new crafting ingredients, many dropped by enemies, creating new farming opportunities and adding another dimension to combat strategy. Fextralife’s Dark Brotherhood overview provides more details on these crafting changes. Combat itself evolved, particularly for Fighters Guild members. The skill line received a major revamp, broadening the effectiveness of many skills and making the Fighters Guild a more versatile and viable choice for players. Fextralife’s video covers the specifics of these combat changes.
While the main Dark Brotherhood questline offered a compelling narrative, many players found the real value in the DLC’s impact on core gameplay mechanics and the engaging side quests, as seen in discussions on the ESO forums. The Dark Brotherhood DLC wasn’t just an expansion; it was a turning point for ESO, refining existing systems and setting the stage for future growth.
ESO Leveling Simplified: No More Veteran Ranks
The Elder Scrolls Online’s Dark Brotherhood DLC introduced some significant changes, most notably the removal of Veteran Ranks. This streamlined the leveling system and made reaching endgame content much more accessible. Let’s break down what this means for your gameplay and how you can level up faster.
How This Affects Your Gameplay
Before Dark Brotherhood, hitting max level meant grinding through 16 Veteran Ranks. Now, the level cap is simply 50. This simplifies the entire experience, especially for new players. You can focus on enjoying the quests, exploring Tamriel, and developing your character without the added pressure of Veteran Ranks. A huge bonus is that your Champion Points (more on those below) carry over to your other characters. This changes the game for anyone who enjoys playing multiple classes. Want a max-level Sorcerer and a Nightblade? It’s significantly easier now. According to this Dark Brotherhood changes guide by Fextralife, you can have a max-level alt in about eight hours.
Level Up Faster
So, what happened to all those Veteran Ranks? They were converted into Champion Points. For every Veteran Rank you previously held, you received 10 Champion Points. These points are now how you progress your character beyond level 50. The current Champion Point cap is 501, and you’ll see your Champion Points displayed next to your name, replacing the old VR16 tag. This allows you to quickly assess your overall progress. This system, also explained in Fextralife’s Dark Brotherhood changes video, simplifies leveling and adds a new layer of character customization through the Champion Point system. You can allocate these points into various constellations, further refining your character’s strengths and playstyle.
Level 50: ESO’s New Max Level
What is the Level Cap?
With the Dark Brotherhood DLC, ZeniMax streamlined the Elder Scrolls Online experience, replacing Veteran Ranks with a level 50 cap. This simplifies leveling, letting players focus on character development without the complexity of Veteran Ranks. This means whether you’re exploring the Gold Coast or adventuring in Cyrodiil, progression feels more direct.
Reaching Level 50
Reaching level 50 is now faster, with some players reporting hitting the cap in about eight hours of gameplay. The transition from Veteran Ranks to Champion Points is also smooth. You receive 10 Champion Points for each Veteran Rank previously earned. So, a Veteran Rank 16 character now has a Champion Rank of 200. These Champion Points apply to your other characters, giving your alts a head start and making it easier to try different builds and playstyles.
Champion Points: Power Up Your Alts
This section covers Champion Points, a system designed to keep the game engaging even after hitting the level cap. Whether you’re a seasoned ESO veteran or just starting, understanding Champion Points is crucial for maximizing your character’s potential, especially when playing multiple characters (alts).
How Champion Points Work
The Champion System gives players who reach level 50 a way to continue progressing their characters. You earn Champion Points (CP) and invest them in a wide range of passive skills. These passives enhance various aspects of your character, including damage, defense, and regeneration. The more points you invest, the stronger the effect. This system replaced the old Veteran Ranks. If you played back then and had 200 Champion Points as a VR16, you now have a Champion Rank of 200. The current cap is 501, displayed next to player names. For a deeper dive into these changes, check out Fextralife’s Dark Brotherhood DLC Update Guide.
Optimize Your Alts
The best part? Champion Points are account-wide! All your characters benefit from your earned CP, making it much easier to level and gear new ones. Want to try a different class? Your Champion Points let you get a new alt to max level quickly. This system encourages players to explore different playstyles and roles within ESO.
New ESO Gear: Revamped Sets and Strategies
Gearing up in ESO just got a whole lot more interesting. The Dark Brotherhood DLC introduced a bunch of new sets and revamped some old favorites, changing how we approach builds and gameplay. Let’s break down what’s new and how you can take advantage of these changes.
Key New Gear Sets
Ten new sets have arrived, each with unique bonuses. Four of the most exciting sets dropped into Imperial City. You can find these shiny new pieces at the Tel Var Stone Vendor—get ready to barter! Of course, if haggling isn’t your thing, you can always snag them from other players. Three more crafted sets are available for those who prefer the satisfaction of making their own gear. Finally, three additional sets are hidden throughout the Gold Coast, waiting to be discovered in chests or earned through Daily Repeatable Quests. So get exploring!
Existing Gear Changes
Not only are there new kids on the block, but eight existing sets also got a makeover. Two sets, in particular, saw significant shifts: the Dreugh King Slayer and the Viper Sting sets. The Dreugh King Slayer set now passively grants Major Brutality. While this sounds awesome, it might actually make it less useful for some builds that already have Brutality covered. On the flip side, the Viper Sting set got a serious damage boost, making it a potential powerhouse for certain playstyles.
How Gear Impacts Gameplay
Beyond individual sets, the way we acquire gear has changed, too. Many sets, especially those from Trials and PvP, now scale to Champion Point 160. This levels the playing field and makes older sets relevant again. Also, say goodbye to buying specific gear pieces directly from vendors in Cyrodiil, including the Elite Gear Vendor. Now, you’ll purchase boxes for 20,000 AP (much cheaper than before!) that contain random pieces. These boxes are helpfully categorized by weight (light, medium, heavy) and playstyle (offensive/defensive), making the hunt for specific gear a bit more strategic.
ESO Crafting Gets Poisonous: A New Alchemy Skill
The Dark Brotherhood DLC shook up more than just Tamriel’s underworld—it brought some exciting changes to crafting, too. Specifically, it introduced a new alchemy skill: Poison Making. Now, you can extend your alchemy expertise to crafting toxins, adding a strategic layer to combat. This new mechanic, as noted by the ESO Academy, adds another dimension to both crafting and combat (ESO Academy, “Poison Making”).
The New Poison Making Skill
Poison Making isn’t just a minor update; it’s a full-fledged crafting mechanic. It lets you create poisons with various effects, opening up new tactical possibilities in fights. Imagine debilitating your enemies with a carefully crafted poison. It adds a whole new level of strategy to consider when preparing for your next dungeon run or PvP battle.
New Ingredients and Where to Find Them
New poisons, of course, require new ingredients. You’ll be searching Tamriel for these venomous components, often in the same areas you already gather alchemy ingredients. So, those familiar foraging routes will still prove useful. This integration into the existing alchemy system streamlines the process, as discussed on the MMORPG forums, where players highlighted this expansion of the alchemy tradeskill (MMORPG, “Making Rather Delightful Looking Poisons in Dark Brotherhood”).
Crafting Poisons Effectively
Simply gathering ingredients isn’t enough to become a master poisoner. You’ll need to understand their properties and how they interact to craft effective poisons. The Dark Brotherhood DLC encourages experimentation. Mix and match different ingredients to discover new and potent concoctions. A helpful alchemy guide on the Elder Scrolls Online forums emphasizes the importance of mastering this crafting process (Elder Scrolls Online Forums, “[GUIDE] Alchemy”). So, put on your alchemist’s hat and start brewing!
Fighters Guild Reforged: Enhanced Combat
Dust off those Fighters Guild abilities, folks, because they’ve gotten a serious overhaul. This isn’t a minor tweak; it’s a near-complete rebuild. Where these skills were once niche, primarily for fighting the undead, they’re now effective against all enemy types. This dramatically increases build diversity and opens exciting new possibilities. As Fextralife’s Dark Brotherhood Changes guide explains, the entire skill line has been redesigned. Many skills with Stamina morphs now inflict Poison, Disease, or Physical damage, synergizing with Champion System passives like Mighty. This alone could shake up the meta and inspire creative builds.
Updated Skill Mechanics
The shift in damage types for Fighters Guild skills is a game-changer. More skills now benefit from crucial Champion System passives, directly impacting your damage. This isn’t just about strengthening existing builds; it’s about creating entirely new playstyles. A Stamina-based DPS build centered around Fighters Guild abilities is suddenly viable. This update revitalizes a skill line that had become a bit stale. It’s a smart move by the developers, and I’m excited to see how players use these changes.
Adapt Your Combat Style
Rethink your rotations, because some familiar skills function differently. Wrecking Blow, for instance, lost its knockdown and stun. That functionality moved to Dizzying Swing, which lost its Maiming properties. Now, you choose: knockdown utility or increased damage. It’s a trade-off that requires strategic thinking. Meanwhile, Dawnbreaker is much improved. It now deals Physical damage and the Smiting morph knocks down any enemy. That extra damage against Undead/Daedra? Gone. Then there’s Guard. This formerly lackluster skill now redirects 30% of damage from a targeted player to you. This has huge implications for both PvP and PvE, making Guard potentially invaluable in group content. As Fextralife highlights in their Dark Brotherhood Changes video, these skill adjustments encourage players to adapt and explore new strategies.
Assassination and Stealth: Embrace the Shadows
The Dark Brotherhood DLC brings a thrilling new dimension to ESO: stealth and assassination. Become a shadowy operative, taking on missions that demand careful planning and precise execution. This isn’t about brute force; it’s about cunning, using the environment to your advantage, and disappearing without a trace. Ready to embrace your inner assassin?
Mastering Dark Brotherhood Missions
The Dark Brotherhood questline throws you into a world of intrigue, where targets must be eliminated discreetly. Forget charging in headfirst—these missions require a different approach. Think strategically: how can you use the environment to reach your target unnoticed? The official Dark Brotherhood DLC page highlights the strategic depth of these missions, emphasizing careful planning and execution. You’ll need to observe patrol patterns, identify hiding spots, and time your strikes perfectly. One wrong move, and you’ll blow your cover, facing the consequences. Success hinges on your ability to remain undetected, making each successful assassination a testament to your skill as a master of the shadows. This focus on stealth adds a new layer of challenge and excitement to ESO, offering a refreshing change of pace from traditional combat.
Using Stealth Effectively
Stealth is your greatest weapon in the Dark Brotherhood. Forum discussions highlight the importance of using shadows and cover to your advantage. Don’t just rely on sneaking—experiment with the different stealth mechanics ESO offers. Skills that enhance your ability to remain hidden become essential tools. Consider how you can use the environment to distract enemies, create diversions, and remain unseen. Mastering these skills will allow you to slip past enemies, infiltrate secure locations, and execute your targets with deadly precision. The Dark Brotherhood DLC isn’t just about killing; it’s about the art of the silent takedown.
ESO’s Shifting Economy: Gear and Resources
The Dark Brotherhood DLC didn’t just bring new content to ESO; it shook up the in-game economy, particularly around gear and resources. Let’s break down the changes and what they mean for you.
How to Get New Gear
The update introduced ten shiny new sets, tweaked eight existing ones, and improved the scaling on even more. Four of these new sets are tucked away in the Imperial City. To get your hands on these, you’ll need to barter with the Tel Var Stone Vendor. Of course, you can always buy these sets from other players if bartering isn’t your style. Three more sets are craftable, giving dedicated artisans something new to create. The remaining three sets drop from daily repeatable quests or treasure chests scattered around the Gold Coast. So, get exploring!
Economic Impact of the Changes
These changes have a ripple effect on ESO’s economy. With more ways to acquire gear, we should see more build diversity and a welcome shift in the market. You can no longer buy sets directly from Elite Gear Vendors or other vendors in Cyrodiil. Now, you’ll purchase boxes containing random pieces. This gamble adds an element of chance, but the significantly reduced cost (20,000 AP) and the categorization of boxes by weight (light, medium, heavy) and playstyle (offensive/defensive) make acquiring specific gear types more accessible. This shift will likely impact the prices of individual set pieces, making some more valuable and others less so, depending on their drop rates and desirability. It’s a dynamic system that will keep players engaged and the market lively. Learn more about these changes and their impact from Fextralife.
Community Feedback: Shaping ESO’s Future
Player Reactions
The Dark Brotherhood DLC, while generally well-received, sparked a variety of reactions within the Elder Scrolls Online community. Many players celebrated the robust additions, including the new zone, questline, side quests, daily missions, and skill line. “The Dark Brotherhood DLC has a zone, a questline, sides quests, dailies, a skill line, etc… Yes, I really enjoyed the Dark Brotherhood DLC…” commented one player, highlighting the sheer amount of new content. This positive sentiment reflects the DLC’s success in delivering a substantial gameplay experience.
However, some players voiced concerns about the main quest’s narrative and how the Dark Brotherhood itself fit into the broader game world. “Dark Brotherhood is a great DLC but the main quest, sadly, does little to prove that. Gameplay mechanics and the side quests are what end up saving the Dark Brotherhood…” one player observed, suggesting a disconnect between the core story and the engaging gameplay features. Others compared the Dark Brotherhood’s limited presence to the more integrated Thieves Guild: “It’s so odd that the Thieves Guild is universal everywhere getting its own secret area in every city of every zone… while the dark brotherhood just allows you to one shot an npc, no contracts in zones, no brotherhood sanctuaries…” This comparison reveals a desire for a more immersive and pervasive Dark Brotherhood experience within the game. Read more player reactions on the official forums.
How Feedback Influences the Game
Community feedback is a driving force in ESO‘s ongoing evolution. While the Dark Brotherhood DLC initially garnered praise, some players felt it was subsequently overlooked. “ZOS abandoned Dark Brotherhood completely. It’s a shame. The DLC was very good and I thought ZOS will bring Dark Brotherhood stories to other regions,” one player expressed, highlighting the community’s hope for continued development of the storyline. Discuss this further on Reddit.
It’s important to understand that game development is a multifaceted process. Zenimax Online Studios (ZOS) often releases content incrementally. Their official patch notes explain, “Dark Brotherhood, like our previous updates, will come in two parts—the DLC game pack, and the base game patch.” This phased approach allows developers to incorporate player feedback and refine content over time. Check out the patch notes for more details. While not every suggestion can be immediately implemented, community input significantly influences the future direction of ESO and its expansions. Recognizing this process helps players appreciate the complexities of game development and the valuable role their feedback plays in shaping the world of Tamriel. Join the conversation on Reddit.
Frequently Asked Questions: ESO Dark Brotherhood DLC
What exactly changed with the Dark Brotherhood DLC, besides the new storyline?
This DLC was a game-changer. It wasn’t just a new zone and questline; core elements of ESO were revamped. The leveling system was simplified, crafting got a new alchemy skill (Poison Making), the Fighters Guild skill line was completely rebuilt, and gear acquisition was altered. These changes impacted everything from character progression to combat strategies.
I’m a new player. What do I need to know about Champion Points?
Champion Points are how you progress your character after you hit level 50 (the new cap, replacing Veteran Ranks). You earn them by gaining experience, and they’re account-wide, meaning all your characters benefit. You invest these points in passive skills within constellations, further customizing your character’s strengths.
How does Poison Making work, and why should I care?
Poison Making adds a new layer of strategy to combat. You gather ingredients, just like with regular alchemy, and combine them to create poisons with different effects. These poisons can give you an edge in fights, whether you’re taking on a tough dungeon or battling other players.
Are the Fighters Guild skills actually good now?
Yes! The Fighters Guild skill line received a major overhaul. Skills that were once only useful against undead are now effective against all enemy types. Many skills now inflict different damage types, making them synergize better with Champion Point passives. This opens up a lot of new build possibilities.
How did the Dark Brotherhood DLC affect gear and the in-game economy?
The DLC introduced new gear sets, revamped existing ones, and changed how we acquire gear, especially in Cyrodiil. These changes, along with updates to gear scaling, have had a ripple effect on the in-game economy, impacting player trading and the value of different items.
