Gambling boxes and why I don't buy them anymore.

grumlins
grumlins
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You have a mount in the store right now that I'd love to purchase with crowns but I can't it only takes crown gems.
In all of the years since you've put these boxes and crown gems in the store I've never once had ANY mount much less the mounts that are supposed to drop from the boxes during their release, not once EVER. I've also NEVER received enough currency from the items I did receive from these boxes to even be able to buy a mount, not even the current once for 1,600 crown gems.

One is more likely to be struck by lightning, struck by a meteor or crash in a plane than receive a mount from these boxes even when I did buy them I have purchased 4 x 15 in the past to see if it was worth it. I long for the day when American courts eliminate box gambling systems like these from every game in existence in the US because it's not worth my time or money.

What's worse is there's not even any crown gems in the Tome of Tamriel system to even shore up the numbers to make it possible to buy them. You're missing out on purchases because these boxes are a disappointing waste of time turning people off from purchasing them. Going back to a system in which direct trade for real money would be preferable to anything these gambling boxes produce especially today when money is so tight.
  • LunaFlora
    LunaFlora
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    the free version of the current Tamriel Tome has 8000 Seals, enough for 1 Apex tier mount
    miaow this is my forum signature! my name is Luna ( she/her ).

    🌸*throws cherry blossom on you*🌸
    "Eagles advance, traveler! And may the Green watch and keep you."
    🦬🦌🐰

    PlayStation EU is my primary server.
    LunaFloraBlossom on PlayStation 5 and PC.
    my main character is a Bosmer Warden named Greehnhart in-game, Greenie Florahart in full.


    all characters on PS EU:
    - Luna Blossom, Bosmer Dragonknight.
    - Dotty Greehnhart, Bosmer Sorcerer.
    - Lía Greehnhart, Khajiit Nightblade.
    - Lady Greehnhart, Altmer Templar. Lady is her name and title.
    - Holly Blossom, Altmer Sorcerer.
    - Sally Jadehart, Argonian Nightblade. Like a green salamander.
    - Dorothy Pizzalover, Orc Warden. add pizzas to the game please.
    - Greehnhart, Bosmer Warden.
    - Lúcia Azurehart, imperial Necromancer. Azureblight, she has a Maarselok outfit.
    - Bunny Rubyhart, Dunmer Nightblade.
    - Wisteria Antheia, Khajiit Templar. blue hair like the wisteria.
    - Cynthia Turquesa, Breton Warden.
    - Rubyhart, Bosmer Nightblade.
    - Hestia Rubyhart, Dunmer Dragonknight.
    - Aurelia Cherryhart, Altmer Warden. Spriggan.
    - Aurora Honey, Redguard Templar. Meridian cultist.
    - Speaks-With-Blossom, Argonian Warden.
    - Lulu Nightshade, Nord Necromancer.
    - Lunetta Gleamblossom, Bosmer Arcanist. Ohmes Khajiit.
    - Dianna Hyacinth, Altmer Arcanist. Maormer, water hyacinth.

    Links to my Housing threads:
    Links to my Fashion threads:
  • grumlins
    grumlins
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    LunaFlora wrote: »
    the free version of the current Tamriel Tome has 8000 Seals, enough for 1 Apex tier mount

    They all say 16000 Seals I thought.
    Edited by grumlins on 21 April 2026 18:23
  • SkaiFaith
    SkaiFaith
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    Mind you, I DON'T DISAGREE but consider this: if you do the math, a Radiant Apex that asks for 2.500 crown gems, if you aim to get it with gems returned from crates will likely end up costing you 1.000$ "if you are not lucky to have it as a drop before".

    So, do you think they'd really sell/earn more if they plastered a "1.000$" tag to said mount in their store and sold it directly?
    "..........Anyway, here's how
    to tell if your RPG
    sign is cheap" - Tony(?)
  • grumlins
    grumlins
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    grumlins wrote: »
    You have a mount in the store right now that I'd love to purchase with crowns but I can't it only takes crown gems.
    In all of the years since you've put these boxes and crown gems in the store I've never once had ANY mount much less the mounts that are supposed to drop from the boxes during their release, not once EVER. I've also NEVER received enough currency from the items I did receive from these boxes to even be able to buy a mount, not even the current once for 1,600 crown gems.

    One is more likely to be struck by lightning, struck by a meteor or crash in a plane than receive a mount from these boxes even when I did buy them I have purchased 4 x 15 in the past to see if it was worth it. I long for the day when American courts eliminate box gambling systems like these from every game in existence in the US because it's not worth my time or money.

    You're missing out on purchases because these boxes are a disappointing waste of time turning people off from purchasing them. Going back to a system in which direct trade for real money would be preferable to anything these gambling boxes produce especially today when money is so tight.

    Edit: I realized my mistake concerning tamriel tier currencies but my point about the chances and the low low gem count per box still stands.
  • AScarlato
    AScarlato
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    SkaiFaith wrote: »
    Mind you, I DON'T DISAGREE but consider this: if you do the math, a Radiant Apex that asks for 2.500 crown gems, if you aim to get it with gems returned from crates will likely end up costing you 1.000$ "if you are not lucky to have it as a drop before".

    So, do you think they'd really sell/earn more if they plastered a "1.000$" tag to said mount in their store and sold it directly?

    I think the issue is, hiding items in crown creates is a questionable business decision to some people. It's why some countries have taken a stand against them.

    If they put items directly in the crown store they would have to be set at a fair price, unless they really think anyone would drop $1000 for an ESO mount and deal with the bad press for that.

    I begrudgingly have spent a lot on crates due to my love of RP and what can be found in them. But I don't like it one bit as I open my wallet over and over :)
  • LunaFlora
    LunaFlora
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    Radiant Apex mounts are 16000 Seals yes.
    i made my comment because the post mentions Tomes not having Crown Gems so just wanted to clarify that we can earn Crate mounts via them.

    future Tomes will probably have a similar amount of Seals too so you could get enough for a Radiant mount within 6 months, new Tome every 3 months.
    miaow this is my forum signature! my name is Luna ( she/her ).

    🌸*throws cherry blossom on you*🌸
    "Eagles advance, traveler! And may the Green watch and keep you."
    🦬🦌🐰

    PlayStation EU is my primary server.
    LunaFloraBlossom on PlayStation 5 and PC.
    my main character is a Bosmer Warden named Greehnhart in-game, Greenie Florahart in full.


    all characters on PS EU:
    - Luna Blossom, Bosmer Dragonknight.
    - Dotty Greehnhart, Bosmer Sorcerer.
    - Lía Greehnhart, Khajiit Nightblade.
    - Lady Greehnhart, Altmer Templar. Lady is her name and title.
    - Holly Blossom, Altmer Sorcerer.
    - Sally Jadehart, Argonian Nightblade. Like a green salamander.
    - Dorothy Pizzalover, Orc Warden. add pizzas to the game please.
    - Greehnhart, Bosmer Warden.
    - Lúcia Azurehart, imperial Necromancer. Azureblight, she has a Maarselok outfit.
    - Bunny Rubyhart, Dunmer Nightblade.
    - Wisteria Antheia, Khajiit Templar. blue hair like the wisteria.
    - Cynthia Turquesa, Breton Warden.
    - Rubyhart, Bosmer Nightblade.
    - Hestia Rubyhart, Dunmer Dragonknight.
    - Aurelia Cherryhart, Altmer Warden. Spriggan.
    - Aurora Honey, Redguard Templar. Meridian cultist.
    - Speaks-With-Blossom, Argonian Warden.
    - Lulu Nightshade, Nord Necromancer.
    - Lunetta Gleamblossom, Bosmer Arcanist. Ohmes Khajiit.
    - Dianna Hyacinth, Altmer Arcanist. Maormer, water hyacinth.

    Links to my Housing threads:
    Links to my Fashion threads:
  • FlameDark
    FlameDark
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    If the drop rate for crown crates were not so incredibly low, I would probably buy MUCH more crates. So they would be getting a lot more money from me if there was a better chance of actually getting something worthwhile (and not the same superior pet 5 crates in a row)...
    PC/NA CP 1000 - PvE
    Arondael - Level 50 Magicka Necromancer Valyndrae (MAIN) - Level 50 Magicka Sorcerer Mithaedrun - Level 50 Stamina Arcanist
  • Rohamad_Ali
    Rohamad_Ali
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    When ever you gamble you eventually lose my friend but the odds of losing in Tamriel are way higher then on Tatooine.
  • dcrush
    dcrush
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    I was reminded the other day why I stopped buying clown crates. Bought the 25 crate warrior wave bundle through a crown seller and got two (2) legendary rewards (including one xp scroll) and the rest was all blue and purple, with multiple doubles.
  • Mathius_Mordred
    Mathius_Mordred
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    IIRC, the Radiant Apex Mount chance is 2% drop. People don't realise how low a 2% chance is. Another way of looking at it is you have a 98% chance of failing to win.

    It's like if you have a standard deck of 52 cards, winning a 2% bet is roughly equivalent to drawing the Ace of Spades on your very first try.

    In our guild, we run an Endeavour System, and there is a 1 in 3 chance you'll get a Golden Endeavour each time it's logged, which is once per day. So that's a 33% chance of getting the Gold Endeavour. It's now 5 days since I got the Golden, despite running it every day. So even something with much higher odds often happens quite rarely.

    These gambling boxes are likely to be made illegal in most countries; many have already banned them. I never buy them. I have about 80 gems from Twitch drop crates. However, I have several Radiant Apex mounts from the Seals system. The Seals system rewards are terribly priced, except for the Radiant Apex mounts; these are the only things that make sense if you do the maths. It used to be that you could earn 16K seals every 6 months from the previous ESO Endeavour system. I'm not sure now how that will change.
    Skyrim Red Shirts. Join us at https://skyrimredshirts.co.ukJoin Skyrim Red Shirts. Free trader. We welcome all, from new players to Vets. A mature drama-free social group enjoying PVE questing, PvP, Dungeons, trials and arenas. Web, FB Group & Discord. Guild Hall, trial dummy, crafting, transmutation, banker & merchant. You may invite your friends. No requirements
  • Tra_Lalan
    Tra_Lalan
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    Forget buing radiant apexes with crown gems.

    The best way to buy them is via seals (formerly known as seals of endavours). If you cannot afford it know, every crown crate type come backs eventually, so you can purchase it later.

    Also have in mind that, the lower the reward tier, the price in seals is less viable.
    (for example 16 crown gems item costs 1000 seals while 1600 crown gems item costs 16000 seals) so its best to use crown gems on lesser tier items (blue, purple, gold) and not waste seals on them.
  • twisttop138
    twisttop138
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    Never buy gamble boxes to get a specific thing. This is the mistake most make. They want that thing, that one thing. If you see a new box or an old box and some of the stuff appeals to you, get it. If you are looking for a radiant apex mount, probably refrain.
  • Nordstern
    Nordstern
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    While i generally think lootboxes are a horrible thing and one should never buy these I also understand that a game like eso needs to be financed in some way to be kept alive.
    There are a lot of other games where loot boxes are a real problem but I cant understand how you would complain about the way eso handles this right now. You can get the best mounts where you would have to spent 1000s of dollars for free pretty easily. Other games dont offer that. It was easy before and with Tomes its now even easier. One FREE Radiant Apex mount every half year, what do you want more? I think this is handled in a very good way compared to other games ive played.
  • twisttop138
    twisttop138
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    Nordstern wrote: »
    While i generally think lootboxes are a horrible thing and one should never buy these I also understand that a game like eso needs to be financed in some way to be kept alive.
    There are a lot of other games where loot boxes are a real problem but I cant understand how you would complain about the way eso handles this right now. You can get the best mounts where you would have to spent 1000s of dollars for free pretty easily. Other games dont offer that. It was easy before and with Tomes its now even easier. One FREE Radiant Apex mount every half year, what do you want more? I think this is handled in a very good way compared to other games ive played.

    I would say, though I really don't mind the store, that I want one thing. It's been brought up in every game with gamble boxes. Idk if it would work out but we'll never find out. I want the stuff to just be in the store. To buy. Let the crates be there as a way to gamble and potentially get stuff cheaper. Then let me also be able to just purchase all the things with my crowns. Let Zos be a leader in customer friendly cash shop practices instead of fully bought into dark practices in gaming. Just because other games are worse, thats no reason to just accept it.
  • virtus753
    virtus753
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    IIRC, the Radiant Apex Mount chance is 2% drop. People don't realise how low a 2% chance is. Another way of looking at it is you have a 98% chance of failing to win.

    It's like if you have a standard deck of 52 cards, winning a 2% bet is roughly equivalent to drawing the Ace of Spades on your very first try.

    In our guild, we run an Endeavour System, and there is a 1 in 3 chance you'll get a Golden Endeavour each time it's logged, which is once per day. So that's a 33% chance of getting the Gold Endeavour. It's now 5 days since I got the Golden, despite running it every day. So even something with much higher odds often happens quite rarely.

    These gambling boxes are likely to be made illegal in most countries; many have already banned them. I never buy them. I have about 80 gems from Twitch drop crates. However, I have several Radiant Apex mounts from the Seals system. The Seals system rewards are terribly priced, except for the Radiant Apex mounts; these are the only things that make sense if you do the maths. It used to be that you could earn 16K seals every 6 months from the previous ESO Endeavour system. I'm not sure now how that will change.

    The chance is 2% for an “apex reward.” No information is given about whether radiants are equally weighted within that category, but there are more non-radiant rewards in the apex category than radiants (8:3 for Warrior Wave?), so the chance may well be less than 1% even.

    https://help.elderscrollsonline.com/#en/answer/49828
  • Zodiarkslayer
    Zodiarkslayer
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    I think players are not thinking enough about the difference between what they want and what they need. And how much they are willing to give up to satisfy each.
    Edited by Zodiarkslayer on 26 April 2026 09:35
    No Effort, No Reward?
    No Reward, No Effort!
  • SerafinaWaterstar
    SerafinaWaterstar
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    Nordstern wrote: »
    While i generally think lootboxes are a horrible thing and one should never buy these I also understand that a game like eso needs to be financed in some way to be kept alive.
    There are a lot of other games where loot boxes are a real problem but I cant understand how you would complain about the way eso handles this right now. You can get the best mounts where you would have to spent 1000s of dollars for free pretty easily. Other games dont offer that. It was easy before and with Tomes its now even easier. One FREE Radiant Apex mount every half year, what do you want more? I think this is handled in a very good way compared to other games ive played.

    I would say, though I really don't mind the store, that I want one thing. It's been brought up in every game with gamble boxes. Idk if it would work out but we'll never find out. I want the stuff to just be in the store. To buy. Let the crates be there as a way to gamble and potentially get stuff cheaper. Then let me also be able to just purchase all the things with my crowns. Let Zos be a leader in customer friendly cash shop practices instead of fully bought into dark practices in gaming. Just because other games are worse, thats no reason to just accept it.

    Agree. I just want to be able to buy things for crowns. I’d spend more if I could because then I could buy what I want rather than via gamble crates.

    I find this kind of lootbox awful and look forward to the day when they are banned.
    Edited by SerafinaWaterstar on 26 April 2026 18:18
  • reazea
    reazea
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    The RNG was horrible when the boxes first came out, and they cost a fraction of what they do now, and the RNG was exponentially better then too, and they weren't worth it back then either.
  • Frayton
    Frayton
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    virtus753 wrote: »
    The chance is 2% for an “apex reward.” No information is given about whether radiants are equally weighted within that category, but there are more non-radiant rewards in the apex category than radiants (8:3 for Warrior Wave?), so the chance may well be less than 1% even.

    https://help.elderscrollsonline.com/#en/answer/49828

    This alone should be enough to stop anyone from gambling on crates for apex mounts. When you have a greater chance of your house catching fire than winning an apex mount from a crate, don't even bother.
  • SwordOfSagas
    SwordOfSagas
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    AScarlato wrote: »
    SkaiFaith wrote: »
    Mind you, I DON'T DISAGREE but consider this: if you do the math, a Radiant Apex that asks for 2.500 crown gems, if you aim to get it with gems returned from crates will likely end up costing you 1.000$ "if you are not lucky to have it as a drop before".

    So, do you think they'd really sell/earn more if they plastered a "1.000$" tag to said mount in their store and sold it directly?

    I think the issue is, hiding items in crown creates is a questionable business decision to some people. It's why some countries have taken a stand against them.

    If they put items directly in the crown store they would have to be set at a fair price, unless they really think anyone would drop $1000 for an ESO mount and deal with the bad press for that.

    I begrudgingly have spent a lot on crates due to my love of RP and what can be found in them. But I don't like it one bit as I open my wallet over and over :)

    We'll you'd be surprised what people will spend for in game stuff, I'm sure you've heard of Star Citizen with their 38k spaceships lol.
  • Diebesgut
    Diebesgut
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    ... my Khajiit Family always warns: DON'T trust Pacrooti!

    I'm buying new Crown Crates hoping Pacrooti will finally give me something good. He's always cheating, manipulating the cards, and making excuses.

    I'm definitely not buying them a second time.

    My Khajiit are right: You can't trust HIM!
    (and they know very well what they are talking about....)
    🥷


    Khajiit Sicherheitsdienst ~ Überprüfung von Schlössern aller Art ~ Khajiit Security ~ Inspection of any kind of locks
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    Playstation
  • AScarlato
    AScarlato
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    AScarlato wrote: »
    SkaiFaith wrote: »
    Mind you, I DON'T DISAGREE but consider this: if you do the math, a Radiant Apex that asks for 2.500 crown gems, if you aim to get it with gems returned from crates will likely end up costing you 1.000$ "if you are not lucky to have it as a drop before".

    So, do you think they'd really sell/earn more if they plastered a "1.000$" tag to said mount in their store and sold it directly?

    I think the issue is, hiding items in crown creates is a questionable business decision to some people. It's why some countries have taken a stand against them.

    If they put items directly in the crown store they would have to be set at a fair price, unless they really think anyone would drop $1000 for an ESO mount and deal with the bad press for that.

    I begrudgingly have spent a lot on crates due to my love of RP and what can be found in them. But I don't like it one bit as I open my wallet over and over :)

    We'll you'd be surprised what people will spend for in game stuff, I'm sure you've heard of Star Citizen with their 38k spaceships lol.

    I'm so lucky "Tamriel Citizen" is not a thing lol
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