I’m writing this to address something I think many of us in the PvP community feel strongly about: we need a competitive 4v4 Deathmatch queue in Elder Scrolls Online. Right now, the current system with random Battlegrounds forces us into objective-based modes that often dilute the PvP experience. While objective modes have their place, it’s clear that a dedicated Deathmatch queue would benefit the competitive scene and those of us who love PvP.
Why Deathmatch Matters
In many other MMOs, PvP thrives because of the clear, competitive focus in Deathmatch modes—where the primary objective is out-skilling your opponents in a head-to-head fight. There’s no running around for flags, no need to score medals by standing on points or holding relics. It’s about fighting and winning through sheer combat skill. Here’s why Deathmatch deserves its own queue:
True PvP Experience: ESO’s combat system shines when players engage in combat directly. People want to duel, fight groups, and test their builds and skill in battle—not chase objectives that don’t promote actual player vs. player action.
Competitive Play: Having a dedicated Deathmatch queue will allow players to hone their skills in a competitive environment, much like other MMOs with structured PvP. It gives everyone clear goals: beat the other team. This drives the kind of intense, focused gameplay that PvP players crave.
Current Modes Water Down PvP: Let’s be honest, while objective-based games can be fun at times, they don’t always capture what many of us log in for when we queue for Battlegrounds. We want to fight other players. Often, objective modes turn into "PvE in PvP," with people playing the objective and avoiding combat. Medal scores can get frustrating when the focus is on PvP, not objectives.
Player Demand: Every time I’m in BGs or talking to other players, I hear the same sentiment: ignore objectives and DM. A Deathmatch-only queue, without objectives, where kills and skill determine the winner, is exactly what ESO needs to enhance its PvP community.
Other MMOs Have It, Why Not ESO?
If you look at successful PvP-focused MMOs, almost all have competitive Deathmatch modes or arenas. It encourages a more competitive atmosphere, develops a better ranking system, and keeps players coming back for that pure adrenaline rush. By introducing a Deathmatch queue alongside objectives, you’d give everyone more choice, and let those of us who just want to fight, do so in the best environment possible.
The Solution: Simple Queue Changes
Separate Deathmatch Queue: Create a queue for Deathmatch games only. Keep the objective modes in a different queue so players can pick the experience they want.
In short, ZOS, we love ESO’s combat system. It’s deep, it’s complex, and it’s one of the best in MMOs right now. But we need a way to truly test it in a pure PvP setting. Please give us the option to queue specifically for Deathmatch, just like other MMOs that recognize how important pure PvP is to a thriving competitive community.
Let’s keep the fights going, and let PvP shine as it should!