Unraveling Time: How Long is a Day in The Elder Scrolls Online?
A day in The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) doesn’t adhere to the standard 24-hour cycle we experience in real life. Instead, one full day/night cycle in ESO lasts approximately 5 hours and 28 minutes in real-time. This means you’ll witness roughly four complete day/night cycles within a 24-hour period while adventuring in Tamriel. While the official statement once cited 6 hours, player experience and observation have refined this understanding to the more accurate timeframe. This accelerated passage of time adds a dynamic element to the game, influencing everything from NPC routines to atmospheric changes.
Delving Deeper: The ESO Day/Night Cycle Explained
The intricacies of the ESO day/night cycle extend beyond just the overall duration. The cycle is further divided into dawn, daylight, dusk, and night, each with varying lengths.
- Dawn to Dawn: 5 hours, 28 minutes
- Dusk to Dawn: 1 hour, 28 minutes (Night)
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 4 hours
It’s important to note that the “daylight” period is significantly longer than the “nightlight” period. This is because dawn and dusk are relatively bright compared to the deepest hours of night. This imbalance ensures players have ample opportunity for daytime activities, while still providing a contrasting nighttime atmosphere. The absence of a precise in-game clock compounds the challenge of tracking the specific timing of dawn and dusk. The day/night cycle subtly shifts daily making it difficult to pinpoint exact times without careful observation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Time in ESO
Here are some of the frequently asked questions that players have in regard to time in ESO.
1. How Can I Track My Playtime in ESO?
Curious about how much time you’ve dedicated to your ESO character? Simply type /played into the chat box. This command will display the total time played on that specific character. This can be handy for tracking your progress or just satisfying your curiosity.
2. How Long Does It Take to Achieve 100% Completion in ESO?
Embarking on a 100% completion journey in ESO is no small feat. The estimated time to unlock all achievements is 1000+ hours. This figure considers the vast amount of content, diverse activities, and extensive exploration required to experience everything the game has to offer.
3. What Happens After I Reach Level 50 in ESO?
Reaching level 50 in ESO marks a significant milestone, but the adventure doesn’t end there. You then begin leveling as a Veteran, acquiring Veteran Ranks (now replaced with Champion Points in the current system). You continue to gain skill points and stat points as you progress through these ranks, further enhancing your character’s capabilities.
4. How Does ESO’s Map Size Compare to Skyrim’s?
The world of ESO dwarfs that of Skyrim. The total world size of The Elder Scrolls Online is approximately 400 square kilometers, making it significantly larger than Skyrim’s map, which spans around 37 square kilometers. This expansive world allows for countless hours of exploration and discovery.
5. Which Elder Scrolls Game Takes the Longest to “Beat”?
When considering the time investment required to complete the main story and a reasonable amount of side content, The Elder Scrolls Online emerges as the longest game in the series, averaging around 87 hours. This is due to its MMO structure and continuous updates.
6. How Many Years Before Skyrim is ESO Set?
ESO is set in the Second Era of Tamriel, approximately a millennium (1000 years) before the events of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. This places it roughly 800 years before the events of The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.
7. How Long Does it Take to Reach Level 50 in ESO?
The time required to reach level 50 in ESO varies depending on your playstyle. If you focus solely on quests, it can take around 100 hours. Completing all content in each zone can extend this to 200 hours. Engaging in group dungeons and leveling professions can push the time commitment to 250-300 hours.
8. Is It Too Late to Start Playing ESO?
Absolutely not! It’s never too late to start playing ESO. The game is designed to accommodate both new and veteran players. Enemies and quests scale to your level, and most storylines are self-contained. You can jump in and enjoy the content at your own pace.
9. What Daily Activities Should I Focus On in ESO?
Maximizing your progress in ESO involves incorporating certain daily activities into your routine. These include:
- Daily Crafting Writs: Provide valuable rewards and experience.
- Mount Training: Enhances your mount’s speed, stamina, and carrying capacity.
- Trait Research: Essential for crafting powerful gear.
- Mages/Fighters Guild Dailies: Level up these skill lines for powerful abilities.
- Daily Dungeon and Battlegrounds: Offer unique rewards and challenging content.
10. Can you Remarry in ESO?
Yes, characters can marry more than once in ESO. However, players are prevented from exploiting the system by two factors. Firstly, the benefits of marriage only apply when wearing one of the Rings of Mara. Because players have a limited amount of ring slots, the potential bonuses are restricted.
11. Does ESO Have a Level Cap?
While the hard character level cap is 50, the progression does not end there. Once you reach level 50 you begin to earn Champion Points (CP). While technically there is no level cap on the amount of CP you can earn, only a certain amount can be spent.
12. What is the Max CP Level in ESO?
Technically, the Champion Points (CP) system is uncapped at 3,600 points; but there is a soft cap on performance increase at 1500 CP.
13. What is the shortest race in Elder Scrolls Online?
The male Bosmer, or Wood Elves, are the shortest race in terms of height in The Elder Scrolls Online.
14. Would I like ESO if I like Skyrim?
Whether you would enjoy ESO after liking Skyrim depends on your preferences. ESO offers a multiplayer experience with an engaging social aspect, with tons of quests and bosses to fight, mounts to collect, and crafting. If you favor Skyrim’s single-player focus, then ESO might not appeal as much to you.
15. How does learning relate to playing video games like The Elder Scrolls Online?
The Games Learning Society has extensively researched how gaming can promote learning and skill development. Games like ESO demand problem-solving, strategic thinking, collaboration, and resource management. These skills are transferable to real-world situations, illustrating the educational value of gaming. The GamesLearningSociety.org is at the forefront of understanding these connections.
Conclusion: Embracing the Flow of Time in Tamriel
Understanding the passage of time in ESO enhances your immersion and strategic planning. By knowing the duration of the day/night cycle, you can optimize your activities, anticipate NPC behavior, and fully appreciate the dynamic environment of Tamriel. Happy adventuring!