What Happens When You Become Emperor in Elder Scrolls Online?
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Becoming Emperor in The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) is the pinnacle of PvP achievement, a hard-fought victory that grants significant advantages, cosmetic rewards, and a place in Tamriel’s history. When crowned Emperor, the player gains powerful stat bonuses, the exclusive Emperor’s Regalia costume, and the ‘Emperor’ title. This status is temporary, ending when your Alliance loses control of the key Imperial City keeps, leading to the title changing to ‘Former Emperor’ while retaining access to the cosmetic rewards.
The Spoils of Victory: Benefits of Emperorship
Upon achieving Emperorship, your character is immediately enhanced with several powerful benefits:
- Significant Stat Boosts: These bonuses increase your character’s health, magicka, stamina, and resource regeneration, making you a formidable force on the battlefield. Specific boosts include increased Weapon and Spell Damage, and improved Healing Done.
- The Emperor’s Regalia: This unique costume is delivered via in-game mail upon coronation and signifies your status as ruler of Cyrodiil.
- The ‘Emperor’ Title: A prestigious title displayed beneath your character’s name, showcasing your achievement to all other players.
- Throne of Cyrodiil: A special furnishing item which can be bought from the Achievement Furnisher in Cyrodiil, allowing you to display your past glory in your home.
- Skills: Emperor skills add percentage increases to stats like maximum health, magica, and stamina.
- Renown: Players will also gain renown, which they can use to buy special items or to upgrade towns in the Tamriel.
However, the path to and reign as Emperor is demanding, requiring dedication, teamwork, and strategic prowess in Cyrodiil’s Alliance War.
Achieving Emperorship: The Road to the Throne
The process of becoming Emperor involves a combination of accumulating Alliance Points (AP) and coordinating with your faction to capture strategic locations:
- Accumulate Alliance Points: You must be the highest-ranked player in your Alliance in the current campaign. AP is earned through PvP activities such as killing enemy players, capturing keeps, defending resources, and completing quests in Cyrodiil.
- Capture the Ring Keeps: Your Alliance must control all six keeps surrounding the Imperial City simultaneously: Blue Road Keep, Castle Alessia, Castle Roebeck, Chalman Keep, Fort Aleswell, and Fort Ash.
- Coronation: If you meet both conditions at the same time, you will be crowned Emperor, instantly receiving the associated rewards and benefits.
Timing is crucial. Scoreboards reset periodically, offering fresh opportunities to rise to the top. Often, players will coordinate with their alliance to maximize AP gains immediately after a reset. It is a grueling test of endurance and requires constant engagement in Cyrodiil’s PvP scene.
Losing the Crown: The Fall from Grace
Emperorship is not permanent. The reign ends when your Alliance loses control of all six ring keeps simultaneously. Losing individual keeps does not immediately dethrone you; only the collective loss triggers the change.
Upon being dethroned:
- You lose the active stat bonuses.
- Your title changes to ‘Former Emperor’.
- You retain the Emperor’s Regalia costume.
- The Throne of Cyrodiil furnishing remains in your possession.
While the power fades, the prestige and cosmetic rewards serve as lasting reminders of your time on the throne.
FAQs: Your Questions About Emperorship Answered
How hard is it to become Emperor in ESO?
Becoming Emperor is one of the most challenging achievements in ESO. It requires significant time investment, dedication to PvP, strategic gameplay, and effective teamwork with your Alliance. Competition is fierce, and maintaining the lead in AP requires constant activity. It’s advisable to dedicate a long weekend or break to seriously pursue Emperorship.
How do I earn Alliance Points (AP) quickly?
Efficient AP farming involves a combination of strategies. Participate in large-scale battles (zergs), capture and defend keeps, complete PvP quests, and utilize consumables that boost AP gains. Focusing on activities that yield high AP rewards per time invested is crucial.
What are the best classes/builds for becoming Emperor?
There isn’t a single “best” class or build, as effectiveness depends on playstyle and team composition. However, classes with strong survivability, healing, and crowd control are generally favored. Popular choices include Templars, Wardens, and Dragonknights built for tanking or supporting large groups.
Can I become Emperor solo?
While technically possible, achieving Emperorship solo is extremely difficult. It requires exceptional skill, gear, and map awareness. Working with a well-coordinated group greatly increases your chances of success.
What happens if two players have the same AP?
In the rare event of a tie in AP, the player who reached that AP total first will be crowned Emperor.
Do Alliance Points reset?
Yes, Alliance Points reset periodically with each campaign. This provides a fresh opportunity for players to compete for the throne.
Can I become Emperor in a non-CP campaign?
Yes, you can become Emperor in both CP (Champion Point) and non-CP campaigns. The process is identical, but the gameplay dynamics may differ.
What are the key keeps to defend?
The six ring keeps surrounding the Imperial City (Blue Road Keep, Castle Alessia, Castle Roebeck, Chalman Keep, Fort Aleswell, and Fort Ash) are the most critical to defend, as losing control of all six simultaneously leads to dethronement.
How long does the Emperorship last?
The duration of your reign depends on your Alliance’s ability to maintain control of the six ring keeps. It can range from a few hours to several days or even weeks.
What happens to my skills after I lose Emperorship?
After you lose Emperorship, you’ll lose the Emperor skills, stat bonuses, and other perks associated with the title. However, you retain the Emperor’s Regalia costume and the ‘Former Emperor’ title.
Can I still enter Cyrodiil if I’m not participating in the Alliance War?
Yes, you can enter Cyrodiil even if you’re not actively participating in the Alliance War. However, you’ll be vulnerable to attack from enemy players.
Is there a minimum level to participate in the Alliance War?
No, there is no minimum level to participate in the Alliance War. However, it’s generally recommended to reach at least level 50 and equip appropriate gear to be competitive.
Can I become Emperor on multiple characters?
Yes, you can become Emperor on multiple characters, provided you meet the requirements on each character individually.
Are there any achievements related to Emperorship?
Yes, there are several achievements related to becoming and remaining Emperor, including “Emperor!,” “Former Emperor,” and achievements for holding the throne for extended periods.
Where can I learn more about PvP strategies in ESO?
You can learn more about PvP strategies in ESO through various online resources, including guides, forums, and video tutorials. Participating in PvP and observing experienced players is also a great way to improve your skills. Consider exploring resources from organizations like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org which can give you more insight.
Becoming Emperor in ESO is a testament to skill, dedication, and teamwork. While the reign may be fleeting, the rewards and prestige are well worth the effort for dedicated PvP enthusiasts. Good luck on your journey to the throne!