Unlocking Tamriel: What ESO Plus Doesn’t Cover – A Deep Dive
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ESO Plus is the premium subscription service for The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO), offering a wealth of benefits that enhance the gaming experience. It grants access to DLC game packs, a crafting bag, monthly crowns, and other perks. However, it’s crucial to understand that ESO Plus doesn’t unlock everything in Tamriel. It’s a fantastic value proposition, but certain content remains exclusive and must be acquired separately.
ESO Plus does not include:
- The latest Chapter release: Each year, ESO releases a new Chapter, which expands the game’s story, map, and gameplay mechanics. These Chapters are not included in ESO Plus at launch. You’ll need to purchase them separately from the ESO store, Steam, Xbox Store, or PlayStation Store.
- The Necromancer Class: The necromancer is a playable class in ESO, but it is not included with ESO Plus, and it’s not granted through any of the chapter upgrades. It must be purchased separately from the Crown Store using Crowns. This is a one-time purchase that unlocks the class for all your characters.
Delving Deeper: What’s Outside the ESO Plus Umbrella?
While ESO Plus provides significant value, it’s important to be aware of its limitations. This helps players make informed decisions about their purchases and expectations. Understanding exactly what is not part of ESO Plus is just as important as understanding what is included.
Chapters vs. DLC Game Packs
One of the most common points of confusion is the distinction between Chapters and DLC game packs. Chapters are larger content drops, typically released annually, featuring expansive zones, new storylines, and sometimes, new systems or classes. Examples include High Isle or Necrom.
DLC game packs, on the other hand, are smaller, more frequent releases that add dungeons, zones, and questlines. Examples include the Thieves Guild and the Dark Brotherhood.
ESO Plus grants access to all DLC game packs available in the Crown Store. It does not grant access to new chapters. New chapters often provide a substantial amount of content, including large zones to explore and multiple quests, and can add hundreds of hours of playtime.
The Crown Store: A Gateway to Exclusivity
The Crown Store offers a wide array of items for purchase using Crowns, ESO’s premium currency. While ESO Plus provides a monthly stipend of Crowns, many items in the Crown Store are permanently exclusive and cannot be obtained through ESO Plus. These include:
- Cosmetic items (skins, hats, etc.)
- Mounts
- Pets
- Houses and furnishings
- Convenience items (experience scrolls, skill respec scrolls)
While ESO Plus offers numerous benefits, certain things like the Necromancer class are acquired directly from the Crown Store. While ESO Plus does allow you to acquire access to DLC’s like Clockwork City, certain items are simply not included.
Frequently Asked Questions About ESO Plus
Here are some frequently asked questions that delve deeper into the intricacies of ESO Plus.
1. Will I eventually get all Chapters with ESO Plus?
Not immediately. Newly released Chapters are not included in ESO Plus at launch. However, after a Chapter has been out for a while, it typically becomes included in ESO Plus when the next Chapter releases.
2. If I buy the Necrom Chapter, do I get ESO Plus benefits?
No, buying a Chapter is a one-time purchase that grants permanent access to that Chapter’s content. It does not provide ESO Plus benefits like the crafting bag, monthly Crowns, or access to other DLC game packs.
3. Can I buy Chapters with Crowns instead of real money?
Yes, but not immediately. Chapters become available for purchase with Crowns in the Crown Store once the subsequent Chapter is released.
4. Does ESO Plus include all dungeon DLC?
Yes, ESO Plus grants access to all dungeon DLC game packs currently available in the Crown Store. These DLCs often include challenging group content and unique rewards.
5. What happens to the DLC I have access to when my ESO Plus subscription ends?
When your ESO Plus subscription ends, you lose access to the DLC game packs that were unlocked through the subscription. You will still retain any items or progress you made while playing those DLCs, but you will not be able to enter those zones or access those quests until you resubscribe or purchase the DLC separately.
6. Is ESO worth playing without ESO Plus?
Absolutely. The base game of ESO offers a significant amount of content, including multiple zones, storylines, and activities. ESO Plus enhances the experience, but it’s not essential to enjoy the game.
7. How does the crafting bag work?
The crafting bag is a unique benefit of ESO Plus that provides unlimited storage for crafting materials. This is incredibly convenient, as it frees up inventory space and eliminates the need to manage multiple characters for storage purposes.
8. Do I keep the Crowns I receive from ESO Plus even if I cancel my subscription?
Yes. Any Crowns you receive as part of your ESO Plus membership are yours to keep, even if you cancel your subscription. You can use these Crowns to purchase items from the Crown Store.
9. Is the unlimited storage from the crafting bag shared between all characters?
Yes, the crafting bag is shared across all characters on your account. This makes it easy to manage crafting materials regardless of which character you’re playing.
10. Does ESO Plus give me access to previous Collector’s Edition content?
No, ESO Plus does not grant access to previous Collector’s Edition content. These items are exclusive to the specific editions they were released with.
11. Can I earn Crowns in-game without an ESO Plus subscription?
No, the primary way to obtain Crowns is by purchasing them with real money. ESO Plus provides a monthly stipend of Crowns as part of its benefits.
12. Does ESO Plus grant any account-wide bonuses beyond access to DLC?
Yes, ESO Plus provides several account-wide bonuses, including increased experience gain, increased gold acquisition, increased crafting inspiration, and increased archivement points gained.
13. How do I access the free ESO Plus trial?
During free ESO Plus trial periods, you can access the trial by logging into the game, navigating to the Crown Store, selecting the ESO Plus tab, and choosing the “Free Trial” option.
14. If I buy a Chapter, do I also need to buy the base game?
When purchasing an ESO Chapter, there are two options available. If you are already an ESO player, you can buy the upgrade version. The other option, the full collection, is if you are new to ESO. If you purchase the full collection, you will have access to the base game as well.
15. What happens to the items I stored in the double bank space when my ESO plus runs out?
If you have more items in your bank than the normal bank limit, when your ESO Plus subscription ends, you will not be able to deposit any more items into the bank until you remove enough items to be below the normal limit. You can still withdraw items from the bank, but cannot deposit them.
Making the Right Choice
ESO Plus is a valuable subscription for players who want to access a wide range of content and benefits. It simplifies crafting, enhances progression, and provides a steady stream of Crowns. However, it’s crucial to understand its limitations. Recognizing what’s not included—particularly the latest Chapters and certain Crown Store exclusives—allows players to make informed decisions about how to spend their money and maximize their enjoyment of The Elder Scrolls Online.
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