Today, ZeniMax Online Studios (ZOS) announced the official release dates for The Elder Scrolls Online Orsinium DLC. As you may know, Orsinium is the second game expansion to be released for the MMORPG, following last month’s Imperial City.

RELATED: Imperial City Is Just The Beginning For ESO Fans Wanting New Content

Orsinium Launch Dates

According to ZOS, here are the Orsinium launch dates, so be sure to mark your calendars!

[table] Platform, Date

PC/Mac, 11/2/15

Xbox One, 11/17/15

PlayStation 4, 11/18/15 [/table]

Orsinium Cost

Like Imperial City, Orsinium will be free for players who maintain an active ESO Plus membership (for more information on ESO Plus, please click here). Players who don’t have a membership can purchase Orsinium for 3,000 crowns in the ESO Crown Store.

In addition, a special Orsinium DLC Collector’s Bundle is being made available for 5,000 crowns. The bundle will include the DLC game pack, the Cave Bear Mount, the Cave Bear Cub, and five Crown Experience Scrolls.

MUST READ: Three Reasons Why We’ll See Bear Mounts In The Elder Scrolls Online

Orsinium Features

Orsinium promises to be jam-packed with exciting new features. According to today’s announcement, the DLC includes:

• Over 20 hours of captivating story content and quests
• A long-awaited exploration of the culture of Tamriel’s Orcs
• A colossal new zone available to characters of all levels
• A new single-player progressive challenge, The Maelstrom Arena
  • Available in Normal and Veteran versions
  • Grants special rewards only obtainable by completing arenas
  • Includes class-specific leaderboards, so you can see how you match up against your fellow combatants
• Quests and objectives that contribute to rebuilding the city of Orsinium, returning it to its former glory
• Two large public dungeons, Old Orsinium and Rkindaleft, featuring all-new challenges for both solo and group play
• Special harvest nodes that scale to the most advanced material type your character can use for crafting
• Six all-new, challenging world bosses
• Powerful new gear, unique crafting styles, and other rewards inspired by the history and denizens of Wrothgar
  • Four new Provisioner recipes, only available in Wrothgar
  • 18 powerful new item sets including 6 ability-altering weapons, 9 sets obtained by participating in activities in Wrothgar, and 3 new craftable sets
  • The Ancient Orc crafting style
  • Six new collectible costumes only available in Wrothgar
• Over an hour of brand new in-game musical score

Orsinium Video

ZOS also released a YouTube teaser video offering a glimpse of what to expect in Orsinium. Take a look, and let us know what you think!

[youtube_sc url=”https://youtu.be/JrR18oQ06Zo”]

The post Orsinium Launch Dates Announced For ESO appeared first on Skyrim Fansite.

Yesterday, ZeniMax Online Studios (ZOS) announced October’s customization and convenience items available for sale in the ESO Crown Store. Not only are the new items scary-good, this month’s offerings mark the first time ZOS has made a point to celebrate an in-game holiday (Witches Festival).

RELATED: Epic Crown Store Items Coming To ESO This September

October Treats

Polymorphs

The Pumpkin Spectre and Scarecrow Spectre polymorphs will arguably generate the most fan excitement this October. Great for dungeon diving, Dolmen farming, and Witches’ Festival parties, these scary costumes allow players to take the guise of dread monsters.

Note: Both polymorphs will be available for a limited-time from October 22nd until November 2nd (all platforms).

No, it’s not the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.

Toto, I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore…

Mind-Shriven Skin

If the new polymorphs weren’t frightening enough, the Crown Store will also offer the new Mind-Shriven Skin. This skin will give your character the striking appearance of one of Molag Bal’s soulless victims. Another great choice for Witches’ Festival.

I’ve lost my soul AND my shirt. This bites!

Note: The Mind-Shriven Skin is available on all platforms for a limited time. October 8th until November 2nd.

Zombie Horse

If your character wants to do Witches’ Festival in style, he or she really needs a new ride. The Zombie Horse fits the bill, complete with rotted flesh and exposed skeletal bone. Imagine trick-or-treating in Mournhold on the back of this bad boy!

Well, at least you don’t have to feed it.

Note: The Zombie Horse is another limited time offer. Available on all platforms from October 22nd until November 2nd.

MUST READ: New ESO Frostmare Mount Is Chill

Helstrom Ancestor Lizard Pet

The Elder Scrolls Online Crown Store will also offer a few items not directly linked to Witches’ Festival. Herpetologists from Stormhaven to Shadowfen will fall in love with the newest pet offering — the Helstrom Ancestor Lizard. Cute little guy, isn’t he?

We can’t stand the cuteness!

Note: The lizard pet will be available on all platforms October 8th.

Costumes

Rounding out the Crown Store treats this October are two new costume packs: the Imperial Battlemage and Imperial Officer packs. Fans of the Empire will finally get their due and be able to dress up Imperial style.

The Battlemage commands respect.

Imperial officers. The few and the proud.

Note: The Battlemage and Imperial Officer costumes will be available on all platforms starting October 8th.

The post October Treats Coming To ESO Crown Store appeared first on Skyrim Fansite.

Elder Scrolls Online fans who’ve been clamoring for arena style battles may finally get their wish. According to recently datamined information, Maelstrom Arena will be part of Orsinium — the game’s next DLC addon.

MUST READ: Imperial City Is Just The Beginning For ESO Fans Wanting New Content

Maelstrom Arena

Maelstrom Arena promises to offer the game’s very first solo arena experience, complete with nine combat rings and two difficulty levels. The information was found by a dataminer named Fecius.  Earlier today, he shared the following tidbit with ESO Forum readers:

THE MAELSTROM ARENA

Test your might against the fiercest enemies imaginable as you, and you alone, fight for your very life. Earn prestige with leaderboard rankings and be rewarded with some of the most powerful weapons that can be won! The Maelstrom Arena features nine combat rings and two different difficulty levels. Do you have what it takes to journey into the Maelstrom?

At the time of this article, the ESO devs haven’t officially released any information regarding Maelstrom Arena. It should be noted that datamined information isn’t final, and is subject to change.

Fecius also shared more datamined information, including Rkindaleft and Old Orsinium –two new public dungeons for Elder Scrolls Online players. You can read his original post and players reactions on the forum thread here.

MUST READ: So What Ever Happened To The ESO Warden Class?

The post Maelstrom Arena May Be Coming To ESO appeared first on Skyrim Fansite.

Hard to believe, but Summer’s just about over and Halloween is coming on fast. In only six weeks, all the little neighborhood ghouls and goblins will be ringing the front bell, ever hopeful for mini-Snickers and Kit Kats.

Like most of you, my trick-or-treating days are long since past, but if I could make the rounds again I’d definitely want to go decked out in a Skyrim Daedric helmet.

RELATED: Skyrim Helmet Fit For A Dragonborn

Skyrim Daedric Helmet

If not the best, Skyrim Daedric is arguably the coolest armor in all of Skyrim (see our article Which Is Better? Daedric or Dragonplate Armor In Skyrim? for a technical breakdown). One Skyrim fan and master craftsman obviously thinks so: Benjamin Ng Tang (who works under the moniker BlackSteelProps) is selling a wearable Daedric helmet on Etsy that looks like the real deal.

According to the Etsy write-up, over 200 hours went into the original fiberglass model the helmet’s polyurethane cast was made from. And believe me, it shows. Even Eorlund Gray-Mane would be impressed with the level of detail in this helmet. All the textures are real, and the silver on black paint paint job is simply amazing.

BlackSteelProps also creates Daedric daggers and Daedra heart stress balls (perfect for taking out frustrations after getting killed by Daedra mobs in Imperial City).

Truthfully, all of BlackSteelProps gear is probably too good for Halloween, but I know a lot of Skyrim fans who’d love to have a Daedric helmet on display in an office or man cave.

Until next time, fellow travelers! Keep your eyes to the skies, but before you do so, be sure to check the photos posted below of BlackSteelProps impressive work.

MUST READ: How To Get Daedric Gear In Skyrim Fast

Photo copyright BlackSteelProps

Photo copyright BlackSteelProps

The post This Skyrim Daedric Helmet Is The Coolest Thing We’ve Seen In A Long Time appeared first on Skyrim Fansite.

Let’s face it. The Elder Scrolls Online Imperial City DLC is geared towards Player vs Player (PvP) conflict. Yes, I know the game’s first expansion has PvE elements as well, but to access the storyline and quests you’re going to have to hoof it through the mean streets of Imperial City at some point.

So what’s a non-PvP player supposed to do?

RELATED: Imperial City Is Just The Beginning For ESO Fans Wanting New Content

Imperial City Survival Guide

Now before you completely write-off Imperial City and get angry with the devs, there’s something you should know: non-PvP players can survive and thrive in Imperial City AND have a blast doing so.

To help you on your adventure I’ve outlined a few helpful hints. Follow the suggestions in this Imperial City survival guide and you’ll do just fine

Survival Rule 1

You need to realize from the outset that you’re going to die in the Imperial City. Not once. Not twice. But lots of times.

Whatever you do though, don’t get upset! Sure, it’s frustrating (and a tad embarrassing) having players from a different faction monkey stomp you on the cobbles in the Memorial District for all the world to see, but death is absolutely unavoidable. In PvP death happens to the very best players with the very best gear and the very best skills, so don’t sweat it. Better players than you have died, so keep your cool and realize that death is a part of the game.

Note: Unlike PvP in Cyrodiil, when you die you’ll reanimate in a safe zone relatively close to the action. No more riding a mount for endless miles just to get back into the thick of it.

Death is certain in Imperial City. Thankfully, you reanimate close to the action.

Survival Rule 2

In Imperial City you have to be aware of your surroundings. Not only do you have to worry about enemy players jumping you from the shadows, there’s also a ton of powerful Daedra just waiting to deep six you.

So what do you do? Unlike most PvE zones, you’re going to need to:

1. Be on constant alert.
2. Sneak and hide as much as possible.

Walking down the middle of the street or blindly stumbling into a building without checking it out first is a recipe for disaster. You might as well wear a neon sign around your neck that reads “Kill Me Now.”

Remember Survival Rule 1 where I say you’re going to die? Well, there’s no cause to die needlessly. Being aware of your surroundings will give you a much better chance at survival.

Note: Sneaking and stealth is actually a lot fun, reminiscent of playing a thief in the Justice System. Being forced into this play style can be exhilarating, adding a layer of excitement to the game.

Use sneak and stealth to survive the mean streets of Imperial City.

Survival Rule 3

If you’re a non-PvP player you need to come to the cold, hard realization that Imperial City is filled with lots of hardcore gamers. You can’t swing a dead Skeever in the Zone without hitting a skilled Veteran Rank 16 player.

Should this depress you because your skills aren’t up to par? Absolutely not! PvPers in your alliance are your new best friends. One of the best rules for survival in Imperial City is to run with a crew of these guys (a group of players working together is called a “zerg”).  There’s definitely strength in numbers. Not only will your life expectancy increase dramatically when in a zerg, but you can learn from the better players in your group, watching how they roll.

Note: Small groups of 3-4 players can survive quite well in most areas of Imperial City. Often times you don’t need to officially band together with the grouping tool, but can simply tag along and stick to the pack. That said, much bigger groups are necessary for the Arena and the Sewers, and you really need to group together. You can usually find groups forming for Sewer runs, etc. in your alliance’s base. Pay attention to Zone Chat for open invites or simply post a message that you’re looking to join a group.

Join with others for the best chance of survival in Imperial City.

Survival Rule 4

Your emotions are already keyed up in Imperial City. Between the sneaking, the fighting, and the dying, you’re in a constant state of edginess, and it’s easy to overreact to a situation. Whatever you do, though don’t panic. Freaking out can cause a whole lot of hurt.

Let me give you an example…

Last night, I was running the Sewers in a group of 12. We were doing fine, when we were suddenly bull rushed in a tunnel by a rival faction. About half our group wasn’t following Survival Rule 2 (staying on alert), and completely lost it. They panicked and fled faster than a group of underage drinkers hearing the wail of police sirens. The end result wasn’t pretty, and our group got completely demolished. Sadly, we actually outnumbered our attackers. If our group wouldn’t have freaked out, we could have easily won the battle.

Note: Overreacting to a situation can be disastrous. The action is hot and heavy in Imperial City, but it’s important to keep your wits about you. When you get jumped by enemy players, your first reaction shouldn’t be to flee (although fleeing may eventually be what’s called for). Think defensively at first: dodge roll, put up shields, etc. until you can see what you’re actually up against. Then you can counter-attack or flee if necessary. Remember, you’ll do much better in Imperial City by keeping your emotions in check.

The fighting in Imperial City is intense. Whatever you do, don’t panic!

MUST READ: Tel Var Stones: What We Know So Far In ESO

Survival Rule 5

Some PvE players are completely dead set against PvP. That’s OK. The Elder Scrolls Online caters to several different play styles, but if you want to participate in Imperial City you’ll need to be open-minded. Play within your abilities, but don’t be afraid to learn new things and try new skills. Some of the things that work well in PvE may not work as well in PvP.

Take my main character for instance: an Imperial Templar. My Templar is a Magicka based healer, and I’ve always done an admirable support job in PvE dungeons, etc. True, I can still offer a great deal of support in whatever zerg I’m rolling with in Imperial City, but it didn’t take much time to realize that I needed to give more thought to offensive capabilities. Watching other Templars in action, I quickly added the Radiant Destruction skill to my bag of tricks in order to deal a little damage (actually, quite a bit of damage if truth be told). I still tend to play my character in a support role, but I can do my bit fighting as well, which has definitely helped me survive.

Note: Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and try new skills or a new play style. Watch other players, ask questions, and don’t hesitate to experiment. Change can be good. Not only will your survival rate increase, you just might find yourself having more fun in The Elder Scrolls Online.

Imperial City offers a world of possibilities. Don’t be afraid to try new skills and play styles.

Recap

Here’s a quick recap of the Imperial City survival guide for non-PvP players:

1. Realize that you’re going to die often, and don’t get mad about it.
2. Be aware of your surroundings and use sneak and stealth.
3. Run with a zerg.
4. Don’t panic and overact to in-game situations.
5. Play within your abilities, but don’t be afraid to learn new skills and play styles.

Final Thoughts

In the end, Imperial City may not be your cup of Psijic Ambrosia, but you’re really doing yourself a disservice if you shut yourself off completely from the DLC. Truthfully, I’ve never considered myself a PvP player, but I’m having great fun in the Zone. I’ve had my butt handed to me more times than I care to remember, but I’ve done my share of damage too. By adhering to the rules I’ve outlined above, I’ve gone from a noob PvPer to a capable player able to survive the rigors of Imperial City.

Good luck fellow travelers! And please be sure to share your Imperial City survival tips in the Comments section below.

The post Imperial City Survival Guide For Non-PVP Players appeared first on Skyrim Fansite.

Last week, an ESO fan with the handle Blade_07 posted screenshots on The Elder Scrolls Online forums showing his idea for weapon special effects. In the pics, Blade_07 takes the game’s ordinary magic staves and makes them even more… magical.

MUST READ: Elder Scrolls Fan Film Full Of Magic, Mayhem, and Mischief

ESO Weapon Special Effects

For the most part, Blade_07’s ideas resonated well with fellow players. A few posters were concerned with special effects contributing to an “overblown style,” not in keeping with the atmosphere of previous Elder Scrolls games. However, others were supportive, with players suggesting that special effects could be earned in game or purchased in the Crown Store.

A poster named Avonna wrote:

i mentioned this along the lines , like working as a dye station. but instead of the dyes, you can choose different effects for armors or weapons.

i like the idea myself, and a toggle to help performance would be a nice addition.

imagine a nightblade coming towards you and all you see is a smoke cloud behind him…..dangerous.

or a dragonknight that has small fires where he steps.

sorc could have a small electrical storm around them

templars could have a soft glow follow them.

oh and let us dye or armor and weapons while your at it..

Athas24 added:

Personally I think this is a Bada$$ idea OP! I LOVE IT! I love the designs you posted too. I’d buy those with crowns or whatever too. I think it’s a fantastic idea. I think it’s a little more to the extension of fantasy in a make believe world where magic already exists so why not. yay! I hope ZoS looks at this and implements the idea at some point!

Blade_07 further suggested that special effects on staves, swords, etc. would need to be turned off in Cyrodiil to prevent PvP lag (just like the Zone’s current deactivation of vanity pets).

MUST READ: Elder Scrolls Online – PvP – Where Do You Stand?

Screenshots

Here are the ESO weapon special effect screenshots posted by Blade_07…

Which one is your favorite, and do you support such functionality in The Elder Scrolls Online? Share your thoughts and opinions in the Comments section below.

ESO Lightning Staff

ESO Restoration Staff

ESO Fire Staff

ESO Ice Staff

The post One Fan’s Brilliant Idea For ESO Weapon Special Effects appeared first on Skyrim Fansite.

A few days ago, the Imperial City DLC finally released for PC/Mac, much to the delight of gamers who have been clamoring for new ESO content. True, there have been improvements to the game since its initial release (Craglorn and the Justice System come readily to mind), but Imperial City is technically the very first DLC.

MUST READ: Imperial City Is Familiar Yet Different In The Elder Scrolls Online

Just The Beginning

As Creative Director Rich Lambert reminds us, Imperial City is just the beginning. In an official announcement heralding the DLC’s release, Lambert shared a personal message with fans. His words celebrate the successful launch of Imperial City, and emphasize how the devs are now focused on creating new, quarterly content:

Imperial City! Finally!

Today is a very exciting day for us here at ZeniMax Online Studios – the Imperial City DLC game pack is now live for PC and Mac. (Consoles, we’re coming for you in 2 weeks.) We’ve put a ton of effort into making sure this DLC is packed with amazing locations to explore, new gameplay, items, and dungeons. It hasn’t been an easy road, but we’ve crossed the finish line and hope you love it as much as we do.

The Imperial City is special. Not only because it’s our first DLC, but because it’s a huge milestone for us as a studio. We are now able to shift our focus from business model changes and console launch to creating new, meaningful content. It’s the first of many new quarterly DLC game packs, and we couldn’t be more thrilled.

It would be remiss of me to not take a moment to thank the efforts of everyone involved in getting the Imperial City completed. Thank you to the development team for their efforts in getting this done–your hard work is definitely appreciated! Special thank you also to our streamers and to all of the players that logged into PTS! It was fantastic to see you spend so much time testing out the content and giving quality bugs/feedback. The Imperial City is unquestionably a much more polished and fun experience thanks to you!

The Imperial City DLC game pack isn’t the end … it’s just the beginning. Orsinium is just around the corner—we also have tons of other new stuff and quality of life updates in the works. More details soon, so for now just sit back, buckle up and enjoy the Imperial City.

– Rich

Upcoming DLC

Imperial City represents a turning point for the game. Players can now look forward to the game’s growth, and have much to be excited about through 2016.

Here are the upcoming DLC releases planned by Lambert and the devs:

[table]DLC Expansion, Release Date

Imperial City, August 31 (PC); September 15 (Console)

Orsinium, Q4 2015

Thieves Guild | Dark Brotherhood, *Q1 |Q2 2016 [/table]

*As of the time of this article,  it’s unknown whether the Thieves Guild or Dark Brotherhood will release first in 2016.

MUST READ: Thieves Guild and Dark Brotherhood Coming To ESO

The post Imperial City Is Just The Beginning For ESO Fans Wanting New Content appeared first on Skyrim Fansite.

All right, ESO fans. This is the Crown Store launch we’ve all been waiting for. Kicking off the newest cash-shop release this September is Imperial City, two unique costume packs, a creepy mount and pet, and storage space upgrades.

RELATED: Imperial City Is Familiar Yet Different In The Elder Scrolls Online

Epic Crown Store Items

Imperial City DLC

It’s been a long time coming, but the Imperial City expansion is finally launching this September. Imperial City has been in the works for over a year, but the devs needed to ensure a smooth console release before the game expansion could be made available.

This new Elder Scrolls Online zone packs a wallop, offering great PvP and PvE opportunities for gamers. Imperial City also expands the current Veteran Ranks from 14 to 16, and brings about the new Tel Var Stones in-game currency (click here to learn more).

Note: Imperial City will be available for sale in the Crown Store on August 31 (PC/Mac), September 15 (Xbox One), and September 16 (PlayStation 4). The DLC expansion will cost 2,500 Crowns.

I am so ready to get beat up and have all my Tel Var Stones stolen in Imperial City!

ESO Costume Packs

In September, the ESO Crown Store is releasing not one, but two special costume packs:

• The Mages Guild Pack includes some of the most readily known uniforms in the prestigious Mages Guild.
• The Soul-Shriven Pack includes the rag-tag clothing of Coldharbour’s Soul-Shriven.

Note: The Mages Guild Pack will be available in late September. The Soul-Shriven Pack will be available with the release of Imperial City per platform.

Dressing it up Mages style.

Nice to see that torn jeans are still in style.

Mind-Shriven Horse

The Mind-Shriven Horse joins the ranks of the other specialty horses in The Elder Scrolls Online (Nightmare Courser and Frostmare). This creepy looking mount has been twisted by Daedric magic, and will definitely appeal to characters not afraid of the dark side.

Note: The Mind-Shriven Horse will be available with the launch of the Imperial City per platform.

I wouldn’t want to meet guy who put the saddle on THAT horse.

Daedrat

If the Mind-Shriven Horse wasn’t creepy enough, the Crown Store will also be offering the Daedrat pet for critter-loving ESO players. This Daedric rodent will make for one very interesting Tamriel pet.

Note: The Daedrat will be available with the launch of the Imperial City per platform.

I wonder if it likes cheese?

RELATED: Clouded Leopard Mount Headlines New ESO Crown Store Items

Upgrades

For the very first time, The Elder Scrolls Online Crown Store will be offering both Bag and Bank Upgrades for sale. These upgrades are definite convenience items, and will help players manage their characters’ inventory space.

Each consumable upgrade will increase inventory or bank capacity by 10 slots (though it can’t exceed the maximum size available by in-game Bag Merchants or Bankers).

Note: Bag and Bank upgrades will be available in early September (PC/Mac) and mid-September (Xbox One and PlayStation 4).

No need to clean out the garage. More space for all your stuff.

The post Epic Crown Store Items Coming To ESO This September appeared first on Skyrim Fansite.

It’s no secret that gamers have been waiting impatiently for the release of Fallout 4. The video game series has legions of dedicated fans, just waiting to dust off their 10mm SMG’s and travel the Wasteland once again, seeking action and adventure.

In a few short months, the game will launch (November 10, 2015 to be exact). And like a Fat Man nuking a mob of Super Mutants, Fallout 4 will surely be a smashing success.

MUST READ: Bethesda Announces Fallout 4 Giveaway

Fallout 4 Bigger Than Skyrim

How big a hit will the game be? Well, according to Pete Hines, Bethesda’s VP of Marketing, Fallout 4 could be bigger than Skyrim. In an interview given to MVC last week, Hines said:

I think this can top Skyrim. It could be our biggest release ever. But we will see. It is part of my job to build the megaphone that we hold up to the game, and the game decides how loud it goes. Just how big it is going to be is hard to say. Skyrim was a massively big deal.

And Skyrim was a massively big deal. Winner of over 200 game of the year awards, Skyrim became Bethesda’s biggest hit ever, winning over Elder Scrolls fans and critics alike. The game is still enjoyed by gamers worldwide, despite the fact of being almost 4 years old (a lifetime in video game years).

But can Fallout 4 top a game that’s defined a generation? Hines seems to think so, and he’s in a position to know better than just about anyone.

Reasons It Could Be Bigger

The game will undoubtedly be spectacular, but here are four things Fallout 4 has going for it that may actually help it trump Skyrim:

1. Open-world building system.
2. Next-generation Creation Engine.
3. No level cap.
4. Console modding.

Eventually time will tell, but Fallout 4 appears to have the muscle to actually be a bigger hit than Skyrim, taking the lead as Bethesda’s most successful game ever.

MUST READ: Why Skyrim’s Mistakes Will Help Fallout 4

Final Thoughts

So what do you think? Do you agree with Hines and think that Fallout 4 could be bigger than Skyrim? Why or why not? Share your thoughts and opinions in the Comments section below. We’d love to hear what you have to say.

Until next time fellow travelers! Keep your eyes to the sky.

The post Fallout 4 Bigger Than Skyrim? appeared first on Skyrim Fansite.

Ever since ZeniMax Online Studios (ZOS) introduced Psijic Ambrosia back in June, it’s been my goal to gather all seven recipe fragments to craft my very own Experience booster. It’s taken a few months, but through the completion of daily Provisioner writs and a few shrewd trades, I can finally make this most elusive of drinks.

RELATED: How To Craft Psijic Ambrosia In The Elder Scrolls Online

Making The Most Of Psijic Ambrosia

Naturally, as soon as I learned the new recipe I wanted to test out my new creation. Unlike other drinks in The Elder Scrolls Online however, Psijic Ambrosia is very expensive to make. The three necessary ingredients (Frost Mirriam, Bervez Juice, and Perfect Roe) don’t come cheap. Even with my Brewer passive maxed, it costs roughly 3,250 gold to craft a single dose of Psijic Ambrosia — not much cheaper than the average Guild Store price of 3,700 gold.

Because of the high cost, I really felt I should get the most bang for my buck with Psijic Ambrosia. The drink gives a 50% Experience Point bonus from all sources for 30 minutes, but what XP sources are best?

Getting Started

To find the answer, I did a little field testing this weekend, and compared the Psijic Ambrosia Experience Points gained from questing and grinding.  Before I took my first swig however, I made certain my Provisioner Connoisseur passive was maxed out. This passive jacked the Psijic Ambrosia limit from 30 minutes to 50 minutes, extending the amount of time to gain an Experience boost.

Maxing out the Connoisseur passive ability will add 20 minutes to consumed drinks.

Questing

All set, I swallowed my first dose of Psijic Ambrosia and got to work questing. In 50 minutes I completed 4 quests — a record for me. When playing The Elder Scrolls Online, I find questing a very relaxing experience. I’ve always schlepped along, taking my time and enjoying the story.

Not so with Psijic Ambrosia.

By The Nine! I was on the clock and needed to complete quests ASAP to get my money’s worth out of the drink. Feeling like a contestant on The Amazing Race, I rushed from quest to quest, speed reading NPC dialog and sprinting in a dead panic.

Somewhere between finding Harpy eggs and tracking down a lost kid, my wife casually asked if I wanted to walk the dogs, and I yelled out: “Not now, I’m QUESTING!” She wasn’t too happy (to say nothing of the dogs), but by the time the Psijic Ambrosia worked its way out of my system, I  racked up approximately 120,000 XP and gained a Champion Point. Not too shabby.

MUST READ: ESO Economy Is Insane Since The Psijic Ambrosia Launch

In 50 minutes, Questing netted me approximately 120,000 XP and 1 Champion point.

Grinding

For my next field test, I did 50 minutes worth of grinding. To make the most of grinding in The Elder Scrolls Online, you really need a partner. A partner helps you take down mobs faster than you can on your own, which results in more XP in a set amount of time.

For those unfamiliar with grinding in ESO, it basically goes like this:

1. Get a partner.
2. Find a good grinding spot (personally, I like grinding Zombies — they’re slow, don’t have ranged attacks, and respawn quickly).
3. Herd as many mobs together as you can (run like a crazy person from group to group, getting the mobs attention with fireballs, arrows, etc. and having the bad guys chase you).
4. Once surrounded, use Area of Effect abilities (AoE) to take down the mobs as fast as possible.
5. Rinse and repeat.

Grinding isn’t for everyone. I usually find the process repetitive and boring, and I honestly don’t do it that often. That said, I preferred grinding over power-questing, and by the time the Psijic Ambrosia wore off, I netted close to 370,000 XP and gained 3 Champion Points. Wow!

I gained close to 370,000 XP and 3 Champion Points grinding with Psijic Ambrosia.

Final Thoughts

In the end, grinding trumped questing when it came to gaining the most Experience Points with Psijic Ambrosia. As tedious as grinding is, I also found the process much less stressful and enjoyable than rushing through quests.

My Psijic Ambrosia field tests are by no means scientific, and you may find you achieve different results via your character and playstyle. Based on my testing however, grinding is a better choice than questing if you truly want to make the most out of your Psijic Ambrosia Experience booster.

But what say you? What XP sources have you found the best when using Psijic Ambrosia? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below.

Now where did my wife put those dog leashes…

UPDATE: One of our readers, Max, explained a much better method of Psijic Ambrosia questing than the method I tried above (Max’s advice can be read in the Comments section below). Max reminded me that questing XP is granted as soon as the quests are turned in. Instead of starting quests from scratch (like I did), simply do this:

1. Stockpile a bunch of near-completed quests beforehand at your own relaxed pace.
2. Drink the Psijic Ambrosia.
3. Spend your XP booster time limit rushing from point to point turning in your quests.

Max’s method will result in more questing XP gained than the method I described, but will it net more Experience than grinding? It’s a very real possibility. I suppose it depends on how many quests can be turned in during the time limit. I plan on testing this week and will update this post with my results. Stay tuned, and keep the great ideas coming!

The post Making The Most Of Psijic Ambrosia In ESO: Questing vs Grinding appeared first on Skyrim Fansite.