Why Deposit Gold in ESO? A Comprehensive Guide to Banking in The Elder Scrolls Online

In The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO), depositing gold offers several key advantages: primarily, enhanced character management and increased account security. While gold can’t be directly accessed for crafting like deposited materials, banking it allows you to transfer wealth seamlessly between your characters, mitigating the hassle of mailing or trading. It also acts as a safe haven for your hard-earned coin, reducing the risk of loss from accidental death or theft (though player theft isn’t a mechanic in ESO). Let’s explore this crucial mechanic in more detail.

Understanding the ESO Banking System

The banking system in ESO is a shared resource accessible to all characters on your account. This means gold deposited by one character can be withdrawn by another, simplifying the process of funding alts or sharing resources. This is especially useful when:

• Leveling new characters: You can easily funnel gold from your established main character to a new alt to purchase training gear, crafting materials, or bag upgrades, accelerating their progression.
• Managing crafting costs: Transferring gold to a dedicated crafting character allows you to maintain sufficient funds for researching traits, improving gear, and fulfilling crafting writs.
• Sharing resources within a guild: While not a direct method of contributing to guild banks (which requires direct donations), it facilitates the internal transfer of gold within a guild through agreed-upon transactions.

Security and Peace of Mind

While ESO doesn’t feature player-versus-player thieving, banking your gold still provides a level of security. It protects your wealth from:

• Accidental spending: We’ve all been there – accidentally overpaying for an item at a guild trader. Banking the bulk of your gold reduces the risk of these costly mistakes.
• Account security breaches: While not directly preventing breaches, limiting the amount of gold on a character makes it a less attractive target for malicious actors.

More than Just Gold: Banking Other Currencies

The ESO banking system isn’t limited to just gold. You can also deposit other currencies, including:

• Alliance Points (AP): Earned through PvP activities, AP can be banked and transferred between characters for purchasing siege equipment, gear, and other items.
• Tel Var Stones: Gained in the Imperial City, these stones are used to purchase powerful gear and crafting materials. Banking them ensures you don’t lose them upon death in the PvP zone.
• Seals of Endeavor: Earned through daily and weekly endeavors, these seals can be used to buy items from the Crown Store. While not directly convertible to gold, banking them helps consolidate your resources for desired purchases.

Depositing and Withdrawing Gold: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Locate a Banker: Bankers are found in most major cities and outposts throughout Tamriel. Look for the banker icon on your map or ask a guard for directions.
2. Interact with the Banker: Approach the banker NPC and interact with them.
3. Select Currency Option: In the banker window, look for an option to switch between items and currency. Select the currency tab.
4. Deposit or Withdraw: Choose whether you want to deposit gold or withdraw it.
5. Enter the Amount: Enter the amount of gold you wish to deposit or withdraw.
6. Confirm: Confirm the transaction.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I access deposited gold directly for crafting?

No, deposited gold cannot be directly used for crafting. Crafting costs are always deducted from the gold held in your character’s inventory.

2. Is there a limit to how much gold I can deposit?

No, there is no limit to the amount of gold you can deposit in your bank. However, remember that the maximum amount of gold a single character can hold is 2,100,000,000 (2.1 billion).

3. Can guild members access my deposited gold?

No, your deposited gold is only accessible to the characters on your account. Guild banks operate separately and require direct donations.

4. What happens if I lose my ESO Plus subscription?

Your bank space will revert to its non-ESO Plus level. You won’t lose any items or gold, but you won’t be able to deposit more until you are below the base level.

5. Can I use my banked gold to buy a house?

Yes, provided you withdraw the gold from your bank to your character’s inventory first.

6. Is it safe to buy gold from third-party websites?

No, buying gold from third-party websites is against ESO’s terms of service and can result in a permanent ban. It also supports harmful practices like account hacking and botting.

7. How can I make gold quickly in ESO?

There are several ways to make gold quickly, including:

• Farming valuable overland sets: Research popular sets like Spriggan’s Thorns or Mother’s Sorrow and farm them in their respective zones.
• Crafting: Craft and sell potions, glyphs, or gear that are in high demand.
• Harvesting materials: Gather and sell raw materials like ore, wood, and herbs.
• Completing daily crafting writs: These provide a consistent source of gold and valuable crafting materials.

8. What should I spend my gold on in ESO?

Prioritize spending your gold on:

• Mount upgrades: Increasing your mount’s speed, stamina, and carrying capacity is essential for efficient travel.
• Inventory and bank space: Expanding your inventory and bank allows you to carry more items and store more resources.
• Motifs: Learning motifs allows you to craft gear with specific styles.
• Crafting materials: Stock up on materials for crafting and improving gear.
• Gear repairs: Regularly repair your gear to avoid costly performance penalties.

9. Can I deposit Crown Store items in my bank?

No, Crown Store items are usually bound to your account and cannot be deposited in the bank or traded to other players.

10. What are treasures, and should I sell them?

Treasures are items found throughout the world that can be sold to merchants for gold. Unless you’re collecting them, it’s generally recommended to sell them to free up inventory space.

11. What is the fastest way to transfer gold between characters?

The fastest way is to deposit the gold into your bank with one character and then withdraw it with the other.

12. Can I deposit items other than gold and currencies?

No, the currency tab in the bank is specifically for depositing and withdrawing currencies, not items. Items are stored separately in the main bank inventory.

13. Is ESO Plus membership required to deposit gold?

No, ESO Plus membership is not required to deposit gold. However, it increases your bank storage capacity.

14. How does the bank work with crafting?

You can craft directly with resources stored in your bank vault. This eliminates the need to constantly transfer materials between your inventory and the bank. However, you cannot directly use banked gold for crafting costs; it needs to be in your character’s inventory.

15. Can I exchange gold for crowns?

There is no direct way to exchange gold for crowns within the game. However, players often trade crown store items for gold. This involves a trusted player buying an item from the crown store as a gift, in exchange for an agreed upon amount of gold. Be wary of scammers and only trade with reputable players.

Conclusion

Depositing gold in ESO is a simple yet essential mechanic that offers numerous benefits, from streamlined character management to increased account security. By understanding the banking system and utilizing its features, you can efficiently manage your resources and enhance your overall gaming experience. Remember to play fairly, avoid buying gold from unauthorized sources, and explore the many legitimate avenues for earning gold within the game. For more insights into the intersection of games and learning, be sure to visit the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. This organization explores how games can be leveraged for educational purposes and offers valuable insights into the broader gaming landscape.