Is Clockwork City DLC Worth It? A Deep Dive for Elder Scrolls Online Players
Absolutely, Clockwork City DLC is worth it, especially for Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) players seeking a unique and engaging experience. This DLC offers a compelling storyline, a fascinating new zone to explore, valuable rewards, and access to the Transmutation System, making it a worthwhile addition to your ESO journey, whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a relatively new player. This mechanical marvel, crafted by the enigmatic Sotha Sil, provides a refreshing departure from the typical Tamrielic landscapes, offering a rich tapestry of lore, challenging content, and valuable rewards that continue to resonate with players years after its initial release.
Why Clockwork City Stands Out
Clockwork City isn’t just another DLC; it’s a masterfully crafted expansion that offers a multitude of benefits for ESO players:
- Compelling Storyline: The main questline is a thrilling mystery involving the disappearance of Clockwork Apostles and a looming threat to the City’s delicate balance. Sotha Sil’s influence is felt throughout, and the narrative explores themes of ambition, creation, and the consequences of tampering with the natural order. The characters are well-developed, and the story keeps you engaged from start to finish.
- Unique Zone Exploration: The Clockwork City itself is a visual marvel. Its intricate gears, gleaming metal structures, and surreal landscapes provide a stark contrast to the more traditional environments of Tamriel. Exploring the Brass Fortress, the city’s central hub, and venturing into the surrounding wilderness, like the shadowfen-esque Radius, offers a sense of wonder and discovery.
- Valuable Rewards: Clockwork City provides access to powerful item sets, crafting motifs, and other valuable rewards that can enhance your character’s capabilities. The daily quests offer a consistent source of income and crafting materials, while the delve and world boss encounters provide challenging combat and the opportunity to earn unique loot.
- The Transmutation System: While you can purchase a Transmutation Station for your home now, the Clockwork City was originally the primary location to access transmutation. The Transmutation System allows players to change the traits of their gear, giving them greater control over their character’s builds and optimizing their equipment for specific roles. This is a game-changer for min-maxers and those looking to fine-tune their characters.
- Asylum Sanctorium Trial: This challenging 12-player trial provides a significant endgame challenge for organized groups, offering unique rewards and a thrilling cooperative experience. It tests teamwork, coordination, and individual skill, making it a rewarding experience for those who enjoy high-level content.
Is it still relevant today?
Despite being one of the older DLCs, Clockwork City’s core elements remain relevant and beneficial to ESO players. The Transmutation System is a permanent fixture of the game, and the zone’s unique aesthetic and engaging storyline continue to appeal to players seeking a memorable experience. It’s a fantastic addition to the base game for players who enjoy quests, crafting, and learning more about the lore.
Frequently Asked Questions About Clockwork City
To further clarify the value and features of the Clockwork City DLC, here are 15 frequently asked questions:
1. Do I need Clockwork City to transmute items in ESO?
No, but its release introduced the mechanic. While the first public Transmutation Station was located in the Brass Fortress, you can now purchase a personal Transmutation Station from Rolis Hlaalu, the Mastercraft Merchant, in any faction’s capital city.
2. How do I start the Clockwork City DLC questline?
You can initiate the Clockwork City quest by traveling to a portal located behind the waterfall near the Tribunal Temple in Deshaan. This is the same waterfall you visit during the opening quest, “To The Clockwork City.”
3. How do I obtain Clockwork City crafting motifs?
Clockwork City motifs can be acquired through daily quests:
- Razgurug’s resupply quests.
- Blackfeather Court tribute “quests.”
- Clockwork Facilitator world boss quests.
- Clockwork apostle delve quests.
4. How much does the Clockwork City DLC cost?
The Clockwork City DLC is included with an active ESO Plus Membership or can be purchased for 2000 crowns in the in-game Crown Store.
5. What are the key changes that came with the Clockwork City DLC?
The Clockwork City DLC brought about several significant changes, including a new zone, a new story questline, the introduction of the Transmutation System, and the addition of the Asylum Sanctorium Trial. It also introduced new crafting motifs and item sets.
6. Is Clockwork City a DLC or a Chapter?
Clockwork City is a DLC (Downloadable Content), not a Chapter. Chapters are larger expansions that typically introduce new classes, skill lines, and larger zones.
7. What is the fastest way to obtain Transmute Crystals?
Effective methods for acquiring Transmute Crystals include:
- Completing Random Dungeons (especially on Veteran difficulty).
- Completing Undaunted Pledges.
- Participating in Daily Battlegrounds Matches (placing 1st or 2nd).
- Engaging in PvP activities.
- Completing Trials.
8. How much does it cost to transmute gear in ESO?
Transmuting a piece of gear costs 50 Transmute Crystals. You must also have researched the desired trait for that item type.
9. What is the significance of the Clockwork City in Elder Scrolls lore?
The Clockwork City is a mechanical realm created by Sotha Sil, a living god of Morrowind. It serves as a testament to his ambition to perfect the world through mechanical means and is a vital piece of the Elder Scrolls lore.
10. How many Transmute Crystals can I obtain per day?
You can easily obtain 10 Transmute Crystals once per day by completing the daily random dungeon. Battlegrounds are another avenue to acquire 10 Transmute Crystals per day as well.
11. What is the purpose of the Clockwork City?
The Clockwork City was created by Sotha Sil to perfect what he considered a flawed Aedric creation. His goals included ensuring the redemption of Tamriel, unifying competing forces, and destroying the Daedra.
12. Is the Clockwork City DLC included with ESO Plus?
Yes, the Clockwork City DLC is free to all ESO Plus members.
13. What is Asylum Sanctorium?
Asylum Sanctorium is a 12-person trial located within the Clockwork City. It was introduced with the Clockwork City DLC and provides a challenging endgame activity for experienced players.
14. How big is the Clockwork City in terms of in-game space?
The Clockwork City is represented as a miniature realm within a globe, requiring individuals to be magically shrunk to enter. While not as expansive as some other zones, it offers a unique and densely packed environment to explore.
15. Can you get achievements in the Clockwork City?
Yes, the Clockwork City DLC offers a range of achievements for completing various quests, defeating bosses, and exploring the zone. These achievements provide additional goals for players to pursue and demonstrate their mastery of the content.
The Enduring Appeal of Clockwork City
The Clockwork City DLC stands as a testament to the creativity and ambition of the Elder Scrolls Online development team. Its engaging storyline, visually stunning environment, and valuable rewards make it a worthwhile investment for any ESO player looking to expand their horizons. While some aspects of the DLC have been integrated into the base game, the core experience remains unique and rewarding. Its legacy extends beyond simple entertainment, touching on aspects of game-based learning and cognitive development. Engaging in such detailed virtual environments and intricate questlines enhances problem-solving skills and spatial reasoning, aligning with the principles explored by organizations like the Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org).
Whether you are a seasoned veteran or a new adventurer, the Clockwork City offers a journey into the heart of innovation and intrigue. Explore, discover, and delve into the secrets of Sotha Sil’s mechanical masterpiece.