The Elder Scrolls Online: Blackwood and Update 30 Available
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Continuing the bigger Gates of Oblivion story, The Elder Scrolls Online's Blackwood chapter is now live for PC/Mac and Stadia, and should be coming to Xbox and PlayStation on June 8, 2021.
The Blackwood chapter introduces a vast new area to explore, a fresh storyline, plenty of solo and group content, the Companions system, and more, while the free Update 30 revamps the game's tutorial, adds the so-called Endeavors system and good deal of miscellaneous quality of life stuff.
Introducing the expansion is this new cinematic trailer:
And here are some additional details:
BLACKWOOD CHAPTER
The Daedric Prince of Destruction, Mehrunes Dagon, has dire plans for the people of Tamriel, and they begin in the lush marshlands of Blackwood. This new adventure features a complex tale of ambition and revolution that is part of the larger Gates of Oblivion year-long saga that began with the Flames of Ambition DLC in February and continues throughout all of 2021.
In the Blackwood Chapter, you can experience:Blackwood Zone
- A massive new zone to explore: Blackwood
- A mysterious new main storyline to unravel of Daedric ambitions and schemes
- A new system: Companions
- A new 12-player Trial: Rockgrove
- A new type of world event: Oblivion Portals
- A host of new and unique side quests, stories, characters, and challenges
- A selection of new item sets, collectibles, and Achievements
In this new Chapter, you can explore the region of Blackwood, nestled among the swamps of the Black Marsh, the warm sands of Elsweyr, and the rolling hills of Cyrodiil. With a local population made up of Imperials, Argonians, and Khajiit, Blackwood is a unique melting pot of different cultures and peoples. Beyond the high walls of the cities of Leyawiin and Gideon, you’ll experience an untamed wilderness filled with ancient sites of long-forgotten empires, dangerous and diverse local creatures, and the rising Daedric threat from realms beyond.
A New Storyline
In the Blackwood Chapter, you must uncover the truth behind the emerging Daedric threat and its connection to the Longhouse Emperors. In this tale of Imperial and Daedric ambitions, what you discover in your adventures in Blackwood will have dire consequences for the people of Tamriel and set up the story for the rest of the year-long Gates of Oblivion saga.
Companions System
With the new Companions system, you’ll never have to explore Tamriel alone again. Recruit, equip, and fight with one of two new Companions available with this Chapter and take them to almost every corner of Tamriel. As you battle beside your new Companions, they’ll level up and gain new unique skills. In addition, you can increase (or lower) your rapport with your Companions by engaging with them and performing certain actions, allowing you to unlock unique quests and other rewards.
Oblivion Portals
New world events unique to the Chapter, portals to the Deadlands have begun to appear within the wilds of Blackwood. From these doorways to Oblivion, you and your allies can invade Mehrunes Dagon’s realm and confront the Daedric hordes that now prepare for war.
Rockgrove Trial
Gather your allies for a new 12-player Trial and defend Rockgrove against the invading Daedric cultists. Contend with the empowered devotees of Mehrunes Dagon and battle your way through the city and into the Deadlands itself. New gear, Achievements, and collectibles await those willing to stand against the forces of the Prince of Destruction!
You can discover and read more about Blackwood on our official site.
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UPDATE 30
Releasing in tandem with the Blackwood Chapter, Update 30 is a free base-game patch for all ESO players that includes a host of new features, quality-of-life improvements, and fixes—no additional purchase needed!
Endeavors System
With the new Endeavors system, going live later this month, you can complete daily and weekly tasks to earn a new type of currency, called Seals of Endeavor, used to acquire Crown Crate items. Previously, the only way to own these rare items was by either opening Crown Crates or by spending gems, but with this new system, you can acquire them simply by playing the game. The daily and weekly Endeavors includes all kinds of regular ESO activities such as combat, exploration, questing, crafting, etc., and rewards variable amounts of Seals each day.
This new system arrives with Update 30, but it won’t be active until later in June. Keep an eye out for more information on Endeavors later this month and read more about the new system in this announcement article.
New Tutorial System
Update 30 introduces a brand-new default Tutorial for all ESO players and all versions of the game. Within the mysterious Isle of Balfiera, you must help the mage Norianwe navigate ancient Direnni ruins and investigate the emergence of mysterious portals. Upon completion of the tutorial quest, you can choose where you wish to begin your adventures in Tamriel via a portal room granting access to the starting locations of any of the Chapters you own or any of the starting locations for the three base-game Alliances.
Be warned, once you’ve selected your starting location and entered the portal, you can’t go back! For more on the new Tutorial, see this preview article.
Ability Bar Timers
A new addition to your Combat Settings menu, Ability Bar Timers allow you to see a timer over an ability’s icon that indicates the remaining duration of its effect. You can enable this timer for both your front and back bars, helping you stay on top of things during ESO’s fast-paced combat. These options are set to “off” by default, but you can enable them for both Keyboard and Gamepad within your Settings.
These are, of course, just some of the most notable features coming with Update 30, but you can discover a host of other additions and improvements with this patch, including new Monster Masks, bankable Outfit Style pages, and Master Writ quest assistance. Read all about this and more in our official patch notes.
