The Elder Scrolls Online: Update 44 Early Notes

The Elder Scrolls Online Update 44 brings a lot of incredible changes to the long-running MMORPG, with some of the biggest centered around battlefields, companions, and writing. Here are all the big changes coming ESO‘s 44th update.

Battlegrounds shifts to two-sided matches

Expect to see the battlefields shift from the three-sided format to the two-sided format in ESO Update 44, now features two main match types: Four vs. Four, where two teams of four battle it out, and Eight vs. Eight, where two teams of eight battle it out. There are seven new maps to battle on, which is pretty exciting for those who enjoy PvP content.

This means that once ESO Update 44 reveals that you can no longer queue for four-on-four matches. ZeniMax may eventually bring back the long-standing three-way format in special player-versus-player events, the developers have already revealed.

Tanlorin and Zerith-var join the Companion team

Tanlorinea High Elf who uses Soul Magic with Dragon Knight abilities, and Zerith-vara Khajiit who embraces Necromancy will be available in Update 44. You can get these Companions for free if you have an active ESO Plus membership. If not, you can buy them in the Crown Store.

Like all Companions, you’ll need to complete their introductory quest in order to summon them. Given their passive benefits, you’ll definitely want to do this. Their benefits include:

• Tanlorine: Increases the time you have to pick a lock, increases the chance of a lockpick, and decreases the chance of a lockpick breaking.
• Zerith-var:Highlighting valuable loot bags found throughout Tamriel.

If for whatever reason you’re not yet convinced about these companions, you can still permanently unlock their passive abilities by completing each of their unique achievements.

Brand new support grimoire and nine grimoires are being improved

Supports take a big win in Update 44 with a new grimoire, Banner BearerThis grimoire allows you to place a banner that grants an AoE buff to your party’s abilities that correspond to your Focus.

Additionally, nine grimoires are getting buffs, meaning they give access to 14 additional Focus Scripts, which focus on increased damage and utility. We have more options to choose from when it comes to increasing damage, healing, shielding, buffing, and crowd control.

These are the three most important changes coming ESObut there’s a lot more included in the patch preview details for Update 44, which also includes further additions and bug fixes. It can be found at the ESO website. The full patch notes should be out before Patch 44 is released on October 28th for PC and Mac, and on November 13th for Xbox and PlayStation.