The Gold Road is the latest DLC released for The Elder Scrolls Online, the long-supported MMO developed by Bethesda, boasts over 20 million players. This expansion takes place near Skingrad, in the West Weald, expanding upon the storyline introduced in the previous Morrowind and Necrom chapters. Completion of those chapters is highly recommended before venturing into the new region.

Meet Ithelia, the Daedric Prince of Paths

This time, the focus of the expansion is on the Daedric Prince Ithelia, also known as the Prince of Paths. The story unveils an engaging plot with intricate character development and enhanced dialogues, offering a more curated and deep narrative compared to past expansions.

West Weald, a well-known area from The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, distinguishes itself with meticulous attention to detail and world-building, making it a captivating location for exploration. The new region offers great variety, featuring sun-kissed vineyards as well as expansive wastelands and the mysterious Dawnwood forest.

Introducing Scribing, a new mechanic

While the base gameplay hasn’t changed much, Gold Road introduces Scribing, allowing players to create unique abilities using Grimoires. The feature becomes user-friendly after spending some time on it, adding more complexity to character customization and unlocking infinite possibilities to create powerful spells tailored to each playstyle.

However, reaching level 30 is required to access Scribing, with the downside of Grimoires being tied to individual characters, which necessitates multiple quest completions. Players can find Grimoires scattered throughout Tamriel, often hidden in ancient ruins or guarded by formidable foes, adding more elements of exploration and challenge to the game.

The Scribing system is tied to one side quest that acts as a tutorial but is also crucial for the entire ESO lore, as it introduces the Luminaries, mysterious beings of pure magic scattered throughout the region.

More story, less PvP in Gold Road

The Gold Road has drastically decreased the PvP content, which was once a core element of ESO, in favor of a narrative-focused gameplay experience. While this shift is not necessarily negative, it does raise questions about the game’s future, especially considering that The Elder Scrolls VI is now on the horizon and promises a proper story-focused experience.

Nonetheless, Gold Road’s immersive world, filled with ancient secrets, interesting side quests, and epic battles, makes it very appealing for streamers, especially those focused on MMOs and PvE experiences.

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The Elder Scrolls Online: Gold Road (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series) - 2024

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Summary

The Gold Road expansion celebrates the 10-year anniversary for the Elder Scrolls Online, introducing over 30 hours of content and revisiting a location once explored in Oblivion. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or new to ESO, the Gold Road and its new Scribing feature offer new intriguing quests, deeper customization and endless possibilities for creating powerful spells.