Does ESO Have Flying Mounts? The Truth Revealed!
The short answer is no, The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) does not have fully functional, freely controllable flying mounts like you might find in other MMOs. While the ability to soar through the skies of Tamriel on the back of a majestic creature might sound appealing, it’s a feature that has been deliberately omitted from the game’s core design. This article will delve into the reasons behind this design choice, explore the alternatives available to players, and answer frequently asked questions about the presence, or lack thereof, of flying mounts in ESO.
Why No Flying Mounts? Design Philosophy and Level Design
The absence of flying mounts in ESO is primarily rooted in the game’s design philosophy. The developers, ZeniMax Online Studios, made a conscious decision to prioritize a specific type of player experience, one that emphasizes exploration, grounded combat, and a strong sense of place. Flying mounts would fundamentally alter this dynamic in several ways:
- Impact on Level Design: ESO’s zones are meticulously crafted, with hidden nooks, intricate details, and carefully placed encounters that are designed to be discovered through exploration on foot or mount. Flying would allow players to bypass these elements, potentially diminishing the value of the world itself. The game’s design, including the Wayshrine system for fast travel, is built around ground-based movement.
- Disruption of Combat and Encounters: Ground-based combat is a core pillar of ESO. Flying mounts would introduce aerial combat mechanics, which would require significant re-balancing of existing skills and abilities. Furthermore, it would allow players to avoid many overland encounters and challenges.
- Lore Implications: While not the primary driver, some argue that unrestricted flying doesn’t align with the established lore of the Elder Scrolls universe. While dragons exist, they aren’t generally used as personal transportation by adventurers.
- Performance Considerations: Implementing a fully functional flying system across ESO’s vast and detailed world would require significant optimization and could potentially impact performance, especially on lower-end systems.
Alternatives to Flying: Speed and Convenience in ESO
While you can’t freely fly around Tamriel, ESO offers several alternatives to help you traverse the world quickly and efficiently:
- Mounts: Various mounts can be purchased, ranging from horses and senches to guar and wolves. These mounts can be upgraded to increase speed, stamina, and carrying capacity.
- Wayshrines: These are fast travel points scattered throughout the world, allowing you to teleport instantly to any discovered Wayshrine for a small gold cost or for free.
- Skills and Abilities: Certain skills and abilities, such as the Rapid Maneuver skill line, provide temporary speed boosts.
- Alliance War: Specific keeps in Cyrodiil allow you to teleport to nearby keeps.
- Boats and Guild Traders: Various boats go to distinct regions, and certain Guild Traders also allow you to teleport to them.
Flying Mounts in Other Games and The Importance of Game Design
Other games, like those discussed at the Games Learning Society, have integrated flying mounts successfully, but often with different design goals and world structures. Some MMOs restrict flying to certain zones or require specific achievements to unlock it, while others allow it from the beginning. This highlights that there is no one-size-fits-all approach, and the decision to include or exclude flying mounts is ultimately a design choice that reflects the overall vision for the game. The GamesLearningSociety.org is a great resource for game designers to explore the impact of design choices on the player experience.
Glitches and Easter Eggs: The Illusion of Flight
Occasionally, glitches or bugs might occur that give the appearance of flying. These are not intended features and are often quickly patched by the developers. They should be considered as hidden easter eggs or temporary anomalies rather than actual gameplay mechanics.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Flying Mounts in ESO
1. Will ESO ever have flying mounts?
While anything is possible in the future, it’s highly unlikely that ESO will introduce freely controllable flying mounts as a standard feature. The game’s design is deeply rooted in ground-based exploration and combat, and introducing flying would fundamentally alter that experience.
2. Are there any mounts that can fly, even temporarily?
No, there are no mounts in ESO that can fly or hover for any extended period of time. Some mounts may have unique animations that involve brief leaps or glides, but they remain grounded.
3. Why is flying not allowed in ESO?
The main reasons are related to level design, combat balance, lore consistency, and performance considerations. The developers believe that flying mounts would detract from the core gameplay experience.
4. Are there any mods that add flying mounts?
While the modding community is creative, adding fully functional flying mounts through mods is extremely difficult due to the game’s architecture and the limitations imposed by the developers.
5. How can I travel faster in ESO without flying?
Utilize mounts, Wayshrines, speed-boosting skills, and the various transportation options available in different zones, such as boats. Maximize your mount’s speed stat through training at stable masters.
6. Does ESO have dragons that you can ride?
No, you cannot ride dragons in ESO. While dragons exist as enemies and allies in certain storylines, they are not available as mounts.
7. What is the fastest way to travel long distances in ESO?
Using Wayshrines is generally the fastest way to travel long distances. Mounts are effective for covering shorter distances and exploring the environment.
8. Will new expansions introduce flying mounts?
It’s improbable. New expansions tend to focus on adding new zones, storylines, and gameplay mechanics that complement the existing structure of the game, rather than fundamentally altering it with flying mounts.
9. Is there any indication from the developers that they might reconsider flying mounts?
No, the developers have consistently stated that flying mounts are not part of their vision for ESO.
10. Could a special event or limited-time mode feature flying mounts?
While it’s possible that a temporary event could introduce some form of limited flying, it’s unlikely to be a permanent addition to the game.
11. Are there any skills or abilities that mimic flying?
Some skills allow you to leap great distances or move quickly across the battlefield, but none replicate the experience of true flying.
12. How does the absence of flying mounts affect the game’s community?
The absence of flying mounts can be a point of contention among players, with some desiring the freedom of flight and others appreciating the grounded exploration experience. However, the community has largely adapted to the available travel options.
13. What are the advantages of not having flying mounts in ESO?
The advantages include a more immersive and detailed world, a greater emphasis on ground-based combat, and a more balanced and challenging gameplay experience.
14. If flying mounts were added, how would it impact PvP?
Introducing flying mounts would significantly impact PvP, potentially leading to new strategies and tactics, but also requiring extensive re-balancing to prevent unfair advantages.
15. What kind of mounts are available in ESO?
ESO offers a wide variety of mounts, including horses, senches, guar, wolves, bears, camels, and many more. These mounts can be customized with different appearances and upgraded to improve their performance.
Conclusion
While the dream of soaring through the skies of Tamriel remains unfulfilled in ESO, the game offers a wealth of alternative options for exploration and travel. The deliberate absence of flying mounts is a design choice that reflects the developers’ commitment to a specific type of gameplay experience, one that emphasizes grounded exploration, combat, and a strong sense of place. Embrace the available methods of transportation, delve into the intricacies of Tamriel, and enjoy the unique experience that ESO has to offer.