Is ESO Plus Worth It? An Expert’s Deep Dive
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Absolutely. For most players, ESO Plus is more than just a subscription; it’s a gateway to a significantly enhanced Elder Scrolls Online experience. While the base game offers hundreds of hours of content, ESO Plus unlocks a wealth of benefits that streamline gameplay, accelerate progression, and ultimately make your time in Tamriel more enjoyable and rewarding. It isn’t strictly necessary, but the convenience and perks it offers, especially the Craft Bag, make it a strong contender for any serious ESO player.
Unveiling the Benefits: What You Get with ESO Plus
ESO Plus provides a buffet of benefits designed to improve various aspects of your gameplay. Let’s break down the key advantages:
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Full Access to DLC Game Packs: This is arguably the biggest draw. ESO Plus grants you access to nearly all DLC game packs available in the Crown Store for the duration of your membership. This includes content like the Orsinium, Thieves Guild, Dark Brotherhood, Clockwork City, Summerset (as a DLC after the next Chapter release), and many more. Each DLC adds new zones, quests, dungeons, and storylines, vastly expanding the world you can explore. Note that the most recent Chapter is not included.
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1650 Monthly Crowns: Crowns are the premium currency in ESO, used to purchase cosmetic items, utility items, and even DLCs permanently. Receiving 1650 crowns per month adds up significantly over time and allows you to acquire items you might otherwise hesitate to buy. You can save them up for DLCs if you prefer owning them outright.
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The Craft Bag: This is a game-changer for crafters and hoarders alike. The Craft Bag is an unlimited storage space specifically for crafting materials. Without ESO Plus, managing your inventory and bank space can become a constant headache, forcing you to spend time selling or destroying materials instead of crafting. With the Craft Bag, you can gather resources to your heart’s content without worrying about running out of space.
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Double Bank Space: Another welcome addition for inventory management. Doubling your bank space gives you more room to store gear, potions, and other valuable items that you want to keep but don’t need on hand all the time.
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Bonuses to Progression: ESO Plus provides a flat 10% bonus to experience gain, gold acquisition, crafting inspiration, and crafting research speed. These bonuses may seem small individually, but they add up over time, allowing you to level up faster, earn more gold, and improve your crafting skills more quickly.
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Increased Furniture Placement Limits: If you enjoy decorating your houses in ESO, ESO Plus increases the number of items you can place in your homes, allowing you to create even more elaborate and personalized spaces.
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Costume Dyeing: Another cosmetic benefit, ESO Plus allows you to dye your costumes, giving you more control over your character’s appearance.
Is ESO Plus a Good Value? Considering the Cost
The cost of ESO Plus varies depending on the length of your subscription:
- 1 Month: Around $14.99
- 3 Months: Around $41.99
- 6 Months: Around $77.99
- 12 Months: Around $139.99
The annual membership offers the best value, saving you a significant amount compared to subscribing monthly. To determine if it’s worth it, consider how much you play ESO and how much you value the benefits offered. If you play regularly and enjoy crafting, exploring DLC content, and managing your inventory efficiently, ESO Plus is likely a worthwhile investment. However, if you only play occasionally or are primarily interested in the base game’s main storyline, the subscription may not be necessary. Remember to check the Games Learning Society for more information on gaming engagement and community. Also find insights on player experiences and gaming dynamics at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Alternatives to ESO Plus: Is There Another Way?
While ESO Plus provides significant benefits, it’s not the only way to enjoy the game. You can purchase DLCs individually with crowns if you only want access to specific content. You can also manage your inventory and bank space carefully to minimize the impact of limited storage. Crafting can be more tedious without the Craft Bag, but it’s still possible. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to subscribe to ESO Plus depends on your individual playstyle and preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about ESO Plus
1. What happens to my DLC access if my ESO Plus subscription expires?
You will lose access to any DLC game packs you were granted access to through ESO Plus. You will need to purchase the DLCs individually to regain access.
2. Do I keep the crowns I receive from ESO Plus if I cancel my subscription?
Yes, you keep all the crowns you have already received, even after your subscription ends. You can spend them on anything in the Crown Store.
3. What happens to the items in my Craft Bag if my ESO Plus subscription expires?
The items in your Craft Bag will remain there, but you will not be able to add any new items until you resubscribe or move items out to bring the total below your normal inventory limit.
4. Can I access the Necromancer class with ESO Plus?
No. The Necromancer class is only available for purchase with Crowns in the Crown Store and is not included with ESO Plus.
5. Does ESO Plus include all chapters?
No, ESO Plus does not include the most recent Chapter. Chapters must be purchased separately. However, older chapters will eventually become DLC and therefore accessible through ESO Plus (after the next chapter is released).
6. How often does ESO Plus go on sale?
ESO Plus itself rarely goes on sale, but Zenimax occasionally offers free trial periods.
7. Can I gift ESO Plus to a friend?
No, there is no direct way to gift an ESO Plus subscription.
8. Is it easy to cancel my ESO Plus subscription?
Yes, you can cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings on the Elder Scrolls Online website or platform store (Steam, PlayStation Network, Xbox Live).
9. Does ESO Plus improve my character’s power?
Not directly. ESO Plus provides bonuses to experience gain, gold acquisition, and crafting, which can indirectly help you progress faster and acquire better gear. However, it doesn’t grant any inherent stat boosts or combat abilities.
10. Can I play ESO without ESO Plus?
Yes, you can absolutely play ESO without ESO Plus. The base game offers a significant amount of content.
11. Is ESO Plus worth it for new players?
For new players planning on playing ESO consistently, ESO Plus is generally worth it, due to the Craft Bag, increased experience gain, and the ability to try out all the DLCs before committing to purchasing them.
12. How do I claim the free ESO Plus trial?
During a free trial period, you can claim the trial through the Crown Store in-game. Navigate to the ESO Plus tab and select “Free Trial!”
13. Does ESO Plus give me access to the Imperial race?
No, the Imperial race is not included with ESO Plus and must be purchased separately.
14. What is the best way to manage inventory without ESO Plus?
Focus on selling or deconstructing unwanted items regularly. Use a mule character to store extra items, and prioritize which items are most important to keep. Learn which items are valuable and which are not to maximize your gold earning potential.
15. What happens if I subscribe to ESO Plus in the middle of a DLC questline?
You will be able to continue the questline as normal for the duration of your ESO Plus subscription. If your subscription expires, you will need to purchase the DLC to continue the questline.