Can You Respec Your Character in ESO? The Ultimate Guide
Yes, you absolutely can respec your character in Elder Scrolls Online (ESO)! The game offers several methods to redistribute your skill points, attributes, and even morphs, allowing you to adapt your character to new content, experiment with different builds, or simply correct mistakes made during leveling. Let’s dive into the specifics of how to respec and answer some frequently asked questions.
Understanding Character Respec in ESO
ESO understands that players’ preferences and the game’s meta can change over time. The developers have implemented a flexible respec system that caters to players of all levels. You are not locked into your initial choices and can freely adjust your character’s attributes and skills using in-game gold. This allows for continuous refinement and customization, ensuring your character remains optimized for your preferred playstyle.
Attribute Respec
Attribute points are spent to increase your character’s Health, Magicka, and Stamina. These are fundamental to your character’s survivability and resource management. If you find you’ve allocated your attribute points poorly, or your build demands a different distribution, you can easily respec.
Skill Respec
Skill points are earned by leveling up, completing certain quests, and finding Skyshards. They are used to unlock and upgrade skills in various skill lines. Experimentation is encouraged in ESO, but sometimes a skill doesn’t live up to expectations. Respecing your skills allows you to reallocate these precious points.
Morph Respec
Skills can often be morphed into two different versions. Morphs drastically alter the functionality of a skill, making it crucial to choose the right one for your build. If you regret a morph decision, you can respec and choose the other option.
Methods for Respecing Your Character
There are two primary ways to respec your character in ESO:
- Shrines: These are located in the capital cities of each alliance. You will find Shrines dedicated to Akatosh (attribute respec), and Stendarr (skill/morph respec).
- Respecification Scrolls: These are available in the Crown Store for purchase using Crowns. They provide the same functionality as the shrines, allowing you to respec either attributes or skills/morphs, but offer convenience as you can use them anywhere.
Shrine Respec: A Detailed Look
Shrines of Akatosh and Stendarr are found in the major cities of each faction. Here’s a breakdown:
- Ebonheart Pact: Mournhold (Deshaan)
- Aldmeri Dominion: Elden Root (Grahtwood)
- Daggerfall Covenant: Wayrest (Stormhaven)
Interacting with the Akatosh Shrine lets you redistribute your attribute points. Interacting with the Stendarr Shrine allows you to reallocate your skill points and change your skill morphs. The cost to respec at shrines is directly proportional to the number of skill points or attribute points you want to redistribute. The more you change, the more it will cost in gold.
Respecification Scrolls: Convenience at a Cost
Respecification Scrolls offer the same respec functionality as the shrines, but with the added convenience of being usable anywhere. They are purchased from the Crown Store, ESO’s premium currency shop. This method is often preferred by players who want to respec quickly without traveling to a shrine.
Crown Respec Scrolls come in two types:
- Attribute Respec Scroll: Allows you to redistribute attribute points.
- Skill Respec Scroll: Allows you to reallocate skill points and morphs.
Cost: The cost varies and is subject to change, so always check the Crown Store for current prices.
Tips for Respecing Efficiently
- Plan Your Build: Before spending gold or Crowns, research different builds online and theorycraft your ideal setup. This will minimize the need for frequent respecs.
- Use a Build Planner: Numerous online build planners allow you to experiment with different skill and attribute allocations without spending any resources.
- Save Gold: Respecing can become expensive, especially if you do it frequently. Make sure you have sufficient gold before visiting a shrine.
- Respec During Events: Sometimes, ESO offers discounts on respec costs during special events. Keep an eye out for these opportunities.
- Consider Partial Respecs: If you only want to make minor adjustments, consider only respecing a portion of your skills or attributes to save on costs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Respecing in ESO
1. How much does it cost to respec in ESO?
The cost of respecing at shrines scales with the number of skill points or attribute points you want to reallocate. The exact cost is shown before you confirm the respec. Respecification Scrolls cost Crowns, and the price can be found in the Crown Store.
2. Can I respec my race or class?
No, you cannot respec your race or class. These choices are permanent. If you want to play a different race or class, you will need to create a new character.
3. Where are the respec shrines located?
The shrines are located in the capital cities of each alliance: Mournhold (Ebonheart Pact), Elden Root (Aldmeri Dominion), and Wayrest (Daggerfall Covenant).
4. Can I respec my Champion Points?
Yes, you can respec your Champion Points (CP). This is done by visiting a special shrine in your alliance’s main city. The cost scales based on the number of CP you want to redistribute.
5. Does respecing reset my skill lines?
No, respecing only allows you to reallocate skill points. Your progress within skill lines (experience) remains unchanged.
6. Can I respec individual skills or morphs?
Yes, you can. The respec interface allows you to choose which specific skills or morphs you want to reallocate points from.
7. What happens to my gear when I respec?
Respecing does not affect your gear. However, you may need to change your gear to better suit your new build after respecing.
8. Can I undo a respec if I don’t like the changes?
Yes, you can respec again. However, this will cost you more gold or require another Crown Respecification Scroll.
9. Are there any restrictions on how often I can respec?
No, there are no cooldowns or restrictions on how often you can respec. You can respec as many times as you like, provided you have the gold or Crowns.
10. Do I lose any progress if I respec a skill line I’ve maxed out?
No, you don’t lose any progress. Even if you remove all points from a maxed-out skill line, it will remain at its maximum level, ready for you to reinvest your points.
11. Can I respec while I’m in combat?
No, you cannot respec while in combat. You must be out of combat to interact with a shrine or use a Respecification Scroll.
12. Are there any other ways to get free respecs?
Occasionally, ZeniMax Online Studios may offer free respecs as part of a special event or promotion, but this is rare.
13. Should I use gold or Crowns to respec?
This depends on your individual situation. If you have plenty of gold, using the shrines is generally more cost-effective. If you value convenience and don’t mind spending Crowns, Respecification Scrolls are a good option.
14. Do I need to be a certain level to respec?
No, you can respec at any level. Even a brand-new character can respec if they have allocated any attribute or skill points.
15. Can I save different builds for my character?
ESO does not have a built-in build-saving feature. However, you can use addons (if playing on PC) or manually record your build details for easy reference. Using external websites that offer build saving features is also a possibility.
In conclusion, ESO provides a robust and accessible respec system that empowers players to experiment and adapt their characters. Whether you prefer the cost-effective shrines or the convenient Crown Respecification Scrolls, you have the tools to optimize your character for any challenge. Remember to plan your builds, save your gold, and take advantage of respec opportunities to get the most out of your ESO experience!