Does Faction Matter in ESO? A Comprehensive Guide to Alliances in The Elder Scrolls Online
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Yes, faction matters in The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO), but its significance largely depends on your playstyle. For players primarily interested in Player vs. Player (PvP) combat within Cyrodiil and the Imperial City, your chosen faction is extremely important. It determines who you fight alongside and against. However, for those focused on Player vs. Environment (PvE) content, such as questing, dungeons, and trials, the impact of your faction is minimal after the initial starting area. So, depending on how you want to play, the decision matters or is almost irrelevant.
Understanding Factions and Their Role
In ESO, the game world of Tamriel is divided into three warring factions, each vying for control of the Ruby Throne:
- Aldmeri Dominion: Led by Queen Ayrenn, this faction comprises the High Elves (Altmer), Wood Elves (Bosmer), and Khajiit.
- Daggerfall Covenant: Forged by High King Emeric, this alliance unites the Bretons, Redguards, and Orcs.
- Ebonheart Pact: This uneasy alliance is led by Jorunn the Skald-King and brings together the Nords, Dark Elves (Dunmer), and Argonians.
Historically, each race is associated with a specific faction, but ESO allows you to bypass this restriction by purchasing the “Any Race, Any Alliance” upgrade from the Crown Store. Without this upgrade, your race selection will limit your initial faction choice.
The Impact of Faction on Gameplay
PvP in Cyrodiil and the Imperial City
This is where faction truly shines, or becomes a restriction. Cyrodiil is a massive open-world zone dedicated to large-scale PvP battles, where the three factions clash to control keeps, resources, and ultimately, the Imperial City. The Imperial City, accessible through Cyrodiil, offers more concentrated PvP action with unique challenges.
In these zones, your faction determines your allies and enemies. You’ll fight alongside players from your alliance to capture and defend territories, earning Alliance Points (AP) and climbing the leaderboards. Coordinating with your faction members is crucial for success in Cyrodiil, making a well-organized group invaluable.
PvE Content
Outside of Cyrodiil and the Imperial City, faction largely fades into the background. ESO’s One Tamriel update removed faction restrictions for most PvE content. This means players from any alliance can group together to complete dungeons, trials, quests, and explore any zone in the game. While you will experience a specific narrative at the beginning depending on the faction you are a part of, these quickly blend together with very similar outcomes.
The only persistent PvE impact of your faction is the starting questline and zones you experience initially. Each faction has its own unique storyline that introduces you to the world of Tamriel. However, after completing the initial quests, you’re free to explore any zone and complete any questline, regardless of your faction.
Social Implications
While less impactful than PvP, your faction can influence your social experience in ESO. Some guilds may be primarily composed of players from a specific alliance, especially those focused on PvP. Joining a guild that aligns with your faction can provide a more cohesive and supportive environment for participating in alliance-based activities.
Choosing the Right Faction
Ultimately, the “right” faction depends on your preferences:
- PvP Focus: Consider which faction is most active and successful on your server. Researching server populations and faction balance is crucial. Many players consider the Ebonheart Pact to be one of the most popular and powerful for PvP.
- Social Connections: If you have friends who play ESO, choosing their faction is the easiest way to play together in Cyrodiil.
- Lore Preference: If you’re drawn to a particular race or storyline, selecting their associated faction can enhance your immersion in the game world.
- Any Race, Any Alliance: If you don’t want faction limiting your options, purchase the “Any Race, Any Alliance” perk. This lets you play any race in any alliance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I change my faction after character creation?
No, you cannot change your faction after creating a character unless you use the “Any Race, Any Alliance” perk when creating a new character.
2. Does faction affect my ability to play with friends?
Yes, it does, unless one of you has the “Any Race, Any Alliance” perk. Otherwise, you must be in the same alliance to participate in PvP together in Cyrodiil and the Imperial City. You can group up and play together for PvE content regardless of faction.
3. What is the “Any Race, Any Alliance” perk?
This perk, purchased from the Crown Store, allows you to choose any race and assign it to any alliance. This eliminates racial restrictions and enables you to play with friends regardless of their race choices.
4. Is one faction better than another?
Not necessarily. Each faction has its strengths and weaknesses, and faction balance can shift over time. Some servers may have a dominant faction, while others are more evenly matched. It depends on the server and the time of day.
5. Does faction affect my character’s stats or abilities?
No, faction does not directly affect your character’s stats or abilities. However, your race choice does provide specific bonuses that can impact your character’s performance.
6. Can I still do quests in other faction’s zones?
Yes! ESO’s One Tamriel system allows you to explore any zone and complete any questline, regardless of your faction.
7. How important is faction for PvE players?
For players primarily focused on PvE, faction is relatively unimportant after the initial starting area. You can group with players from any alliance and access all PvE content.
8. What is the best faction for beginners?
There is no single “best” faction for beginners. The ideal choice depends on your playstyle and preferences. Each starting zone is designed to introduce new players to the game mechanics and lore.
9. Can I join multiple guilds?
Yes, you can join multiple guilds in ESO. This allows you to participate in various activities and connect with different communities within the game. Joining a guild can enhance your roleplaying experience in the game.
10. What is Cyrodiil?
Cyrodiil is a massive open-world zone dedicated to large-scale PvP battles between the three factions. Controlling keeps and resources in Cyrodiil is crucial for earning Alliance Points and dominating the war effort.
11. How do I earn Alliance Points (AP)?
You earn AP by participating in PvP activities in Cyrodiil and the Imperial City, such as capturing keeps, defending resources, killing enemy players, and completing PvP quests.
12. What are the benefits of participating in PvP?
Participating in PvP allows you to earn AP, which can be used to purchase powerful gear, siege weapons, and other valuable items. You can also climb the leaderboards and earn titles and rewards for your achievements.
13. What is the Imperial City?
The Imperial City is a PvP zone accessible through Cyrodiil. It offers more concentrated PvP action with unique challenges and rewards.
14. What is the best class for PvP?
The best class for PvP depends on your playstyle and preferences. Some popular choices include the Sorcerer, Nightblade, and Dragonknight. There is no universally accepted “best” class.
15. Does the race that I choose matter?
Yes, the race that you choose does matter. Races have passive abilities that can improve your character’s stats. If you are looking to squeeze every ounce of performance out of your character then race bonuses matter.
ESO is more than just combat and faction rivalries. It’s a world of rich stories and communities, just like the Games Learning Society aims to foster in the broader gaming landscape. Learn more about community building in games at GamesLearningSociety.org.