Eso plus or buy?

Misty

I was wondering what you guys would recommend. Buy crowns to own the DLC and stuff, or subscribe to ESO plus?

Beardimus

Well I find ESO plus is the cheapest was to buy crowns, so I sub, try the DLC for a month or two, if I like it cancel and buy it. If I don't I won't. Then rinse / repeat for next DLC.

But then I stocked up cheap Crowns in the sale

sirrmattus

WELL. 180 day sub is 9000 crowns. After 180 days then decide what to do

Wolfchild07

I think it depends how much "stuff" you plan to get. If you think you're just going to buy the DLC's, or only certain ones, plus a mount or 2, then buying is a better option. If you think you will stock up on multiple mounts, pets, costumes, etc, then sub is probably cheaper with the extra crowns every month.

anitajoneb17_ESO

I wouldn't think of it that way.
The choice is rather :

- Get ESO+ permanently and never actually buy DLCs, and use crowns for costumes and pets and such
OR
- Get ESO+ temporarily to get enough crowns to buy DLCs and unsub inbetween DLCs.

Option 2 is about 30 to 50% cheaper than option 1, but you don't get the extra shinies (pets, etc..) with it.
Option 2 is "safer" because you own the DLCs and you're not bound to carry on subscribing "forever".

The crafting bag coming with next update is a big part of the equation, too.

But buying "raw crowns", outside from special sales where they are cheaper, is mathematically a bad deal.

nudel

I do both. Subscribe to buy DLC. :P
Initially I subbed in order to use the subscription crowns to purchase all existing DLC. Now, with crafting bags coming, I'll probably just maintain my sub and still use the crowns for DLC. It may seem redundant, but I like to actually 'own' a game/ software so if there ever comes a time where I can't afford the sub for a few months, I can still play.

NewBlacksmurf

Try before you buy unless there is some reason you particularly won't try ESO plus.

mistermutiny89

Always ESO plus.

Xp, crowns, try without buy.

A great example is The Thieves Guild dlc.

Vapid main quest, minuscule map, all the best stuff came from base game. Not worth $5 let alone $20. But the sub gives you access and crowns to use on better things!

Fallen_Ray

It really depends on what you want. For me it's cheaper to just buy the DLC. Here's how I've done it so far:

Bought $25 on crowns (3000) to get Imperial City
Took advantage of the thief's guild crown sale and bought $24 on crowns (5500) to get Orsinium & Thieves Guild.

The remaining crowns from Imperial City I added em with a few more purchases to get the scarecrow polymorph & mind shriven horse.

And I still have 500 crowns remaining. On DLC only so far I've spent $49. On a sub well just add those $15 every month for a year. Yeah you will also get crowns and DLC access but from my point of view you will also pay more in the long run

Lysette

If you like to craft, ESO+ is certainly the way to go - as it is not any likely that ZOS will make the crafting bag available outside of ESO+ membership. The crafting bag is another compartment in your inventory, which each character having the same bag, when you login. So for a crafter there is no real alternative to being an ESO+ member. It does not just make crafting a lot easier, if you are crafting with several alts, but it frees as well much of the valuable space in your inventory and your bank.

Misty

Thank you for your advice guys, and based on that advice I think I will go with the ESO+

rotaugen454

Lysette wrote: »

If you like to craft, ESO+ is certainly the way to go - as it is not any likely that ZOS will make the crafting bag available outside of ESO+ membership. The crafting bag is another compartment in your inventory, which each character having the same bag, when you login. So for a crafter there is no real alternative to being an ESO+ member. It does not just make crafting a lot easier, if you are crafting with several alts, but it frees as well much of the valuable space in your inventory and your bank.

This is the one thing that will decide if I keep ESO+ or drop sub and buy DLC. It is cheaper to buy crowns and DLC (especially if you stock up during a crown sale). I already have several maxed characters and can make the XP potions, so if they ever offer the bag for crowns, I'll drop ESO+, otherwise I will keep it. It isn't a "fair or not fair" issue, it is strictly a money issue.

Lysette

rotaugen454 wrote: »

Lysette wrote: »

If you like to craft, ESO+ is certainly the way to go - as it is not any likely that ZOS will make the crafting bag available outside of ESO+ membership. The crafting bag is another compartment in your inventory, which each character having the same bag, when you login. So for a crafter there is no real alternative to being an ESO+ member. It does not just make crafting a lot easier, if you are crafting with several alts, but it frees as well much of the valuable space in your inventory and your bank.

This is the one thing that will decide if I keep ESO+ or drop sub and buy DLC. It is cheaper to buy crowns and DLC (especially if you stock up during a crown sale). I already have several maxed characters and can make the XP potions, so if they ever offer the bag for crowns, I'll drop ESO+, otherwise I will keep it. It isn't a "fair or not fair" issue, it is strictly a money issue.

Yes, seen from your perspective it makes sense - but seen from mine (just low level characters), keeping ESO+ up makes more sense to me. I do not have stacks of all materials yet, nor would I be able to use them. So the ability to add stuff to the bag is a necessity for me. But you are right from your perspective with all maxed out characters.

dtm_samuraib16_ESO

Not all content is unlocked in plus.
Which is a shame somewhat.

As example: Imperial Edition Upgrade: how can I see if I like it, or not?

NewBlacksmurf

dtm_samuraib16_ESO wrote: »

Not all content is unlocked in plus.
Which is a shame somewhat.

As example: Imperial Edition Upgrade: how can I see if I like it, or not?

Thats not DLC per ZOS, thats a virtual upgrade per the category of each.

rotaugen454

Lysette wrote: »

rotaugen454 wrote: »

Lysette wrote: »

If you like to craft, ESO+ is certainly the way to go - as it is not any likely that ZOS will make the crafting bag available outside of ESO+ membership. The crafting bag is another compartment in your inventory, which each character having the same bag, when you login. So for a crafter there is no real alternative to being an ESO+ member. It does not just make crafting a lot easier, if you are crafting with several alts, but it frees as well much of the valuable space in your inventory and your bank.

This is the one thing that will decide if I keep ESO+ or drop sub and buy DLC. It is cheaper to buy crowns and DLC (especially if you stock up during a crown sale). I already have several maxed characters and can make the XP potions, so if they ever offer the bag for crowns, I'll drop ESO+, otherwise I will keep it. It isn't a "fair or not fair" issue, it is strictly a money issue.

Yes, seen from your perspective it makes sense - but seen from mine (just low level characters), keeping ESO+ up makes more sense to me. I do not have stacks of all materials yet, nor would I be able to use them. So the ability to add stuff to the bag is a necessity for me. But you are right from your perspective with all maxed out characters.

If I didn't have the maxed out characters and XP potions, I would definitely keep the sub, at least long enough to try all the DLC and see which I would want to buy. After having played them all, I'd probably buy them all, but would have an order of priority. I'll be keeping my sub as long as the crafting bag is exclusive anyway. I have a LOT of materials. Several thousand of the highest level mats. I made two mules and they have horses with max capacity and they upgraded their bag space as well, so I can keep all this stuff, but the Bag of Holding will free up most of the space.

VDoom1

Personally Im getting ESO Plus soon, but it depends. If your just after the DLC´s its smarter to just go to the crown store. Also because the second you end ESO Plus you dont have access to any DLC anymore. But if you want 10% XP boost, free crown points per month, then go ESO Plus.

Gidorick

With the Crafting Bags... go with ESO+. It's a no-brainer now.

emily3989

You can buy all four DLC (IC, Orsinium, TG, DB) for 9,500 crowns.

If you buy crowns when they are 40% off, you can get 11,000 for about $45.

So for the price of 3 months of ESO+, you can permanently purchase all four DLC and a horse.

On the other hand, you could ESO+ for 3 months, try everything out, then if you cancel you have 4,500 crowns to spend, enough to pick up a couple DLC - (You can finish TG DLC easily in that time, no real reason to go back once you have completed it unless you are a end game trial person).

Of if the thought of losing a crafting bag 90 days from now scares the hell out of you, then just sub and forget about it.

KanedaSyndrome

I'm in the buy to own camp.

KanedaSyndrome

Gidorick wrote: »

With the Crafting Bags... go with ESO+. It's a no-brainer now.

I'm not sure about that. I have a crafter char that knows all trades, and he has no inventory problems. I won't be going ESO+

Asherons_Call

If you plan on investing a lot of time into the game, it makes sense to sub so you get the full benefit of the increased XP, gold, inspiration, 1500 monthly crowns, and crafting bags (coming soon!)

Lysette

rotaugen454 wrote: »

Lysette wrote: »

rotaugen454 wrote: »

Lysette wrote: »

If you like to craft, ESO+ is certainly the way to go - as it is not any likely that ZOS will make the crafting bag available outside of ESO+ membership. The crafting bag is another compartment in your inventory, which each character having the same bag, when you login. So for a crafter there is no real alternative to being an ESO+ member. It does not just make crafting a lot easier, if you are crafting with several alts, but it frees as well much of the valuable space in your inventory and your bank.

This is the one thing that will decide if I keep ESO+ or drop sub and buy DLC. It is cheaper to buy crowns and DLC (especially if you stock up during a crown sale). I already have several maxed characters and can make the XP potions, so if they ever offer the bag for crowns, I'll drop ESO+, otherwise I will keep it. It isn't a "fair or not fair" issue, it is strictly a money issue.

Yes, seen from your perspective it makes sense - but seen from mine (just low level characters), keeping ESO+ up makes more sense to me. I do not have stacks of all materials yet, nor would I be able to use them. So the ability to add stuff to the bag is a necessity for me. But you are right from your perspective with all maxed out characters.

If I didn't have the maxed out characters and XP potions, I would definitely keep the sub, at least long enough to try all the DLC and see which I would want to buy. After having played them all, I'd probably buy them all, but would have an order of priority. I'll be keeping my sub as long as the crafting bag is exclusive anyway. I have a LOT of materials. Several thousand of the highest level mats. I made two mules and they have horses with max capacity and they upgraded their bag space as well, so I can keep all this stuff, but the Bag of Holding will free up most of the space.

I subbed when I heard that the crafting bag will be available for ESO+ members. This was kind of a litmus test for me, if that bag would be really useful and well made, I will stay subscribed - and it looks like they did a fantastic job with those bags, so I will stay subscribed - I have as well no rush to go into DLC territory - well, TG and DB are exceptions - but otherwise I will go there if I feel like it. I will have access as long as am subbed and I will stay subbed as long as I play - so buying DLCs does not make sense - I already regret to have bought 2 of them, before I knew that the crafting bags will come.

rotaugen454

emily3989 wrote: »

You can buy all four DLC (IC, Orsinium, TG, DB) for 9,500 crowns.

If you buy crowns when they are 40% off, you can get 11,000 for about $45.

So for the price of 3 months of ESO+, you can permanently purchase all four DLC and a horse.

On the other hand, you could ESO+ for 3 months, try everything out, then if you cancel you have 4,500 crowns to spend, enough to pick up a couple DLC - (You can finish TG DLC easily in that time, no real reason to go back once you have completed it unless you are a end game trial person).

Of if the thought of losing a crafting bag 90 days from now scares the hell out of you, then just sub and forget about it.

I'm sitting on 10,000 crowns right now, saved up from ESO+. Will hold on to them and see if they keep the crafting bag exclusive. If they keep it exclusive, they have me hooked. Otherwise I can buy all the DLC and just wait for the next crown sale to stock up again. The 10% bonus to XP is nice when you start out though, but it's the bag that will keep people.

I liked the Thieves Guild, but it was over far too quickly. Wrothgar is the DLC I would buy first. IC is nice too, especially if you like PvP.

jzholloway

Subscribe - so you get the crafting bag

Lysette

rotaugen454 wrote: »

emily3989 wrote: »

You can buy all four DLC (IC, Orsinium, TG, DB) for 9,500 crowns.

If you buy crowns when they are 40% off, you can get 11,000 for about $45.

So for the price of 3 months of ESO+, you can permanently purchase all four DLC and a horse.

On the other hand, you could ESO+ for 3 months, try everything out, then if you cancel you have 4,500 crowns to spend, enough to pick up a couple DLC - (You can finish TG DLC easily in that time, no real reason to go back once you have completed it unless you are a end game trial person).

Of if the thought of losing a crafting bag 90 days from now scares the hell out of you, then just sub and forget about it.

I'm sitting on 10,000 crowns right now, saved up from ESO+. Will hold on to them and see if they keep the crafting bag exclusive. If they keep it exclusive, they have me hooked. Otherwise I can buy all the DLC and just wait for the next crown sale to stock up again. The 10% bonus to XP is nice when you start out though, but it's the bag that will keep people.

I liked the Thieves Guild, but it was over far too quickly. Wrothgar is the DLC I would buy first. IC is nice too, especially if you like PvP.

I appreciate that ZOS made an effort to better game play in IC DLC - for all groups, PvP, PvE and as well solo and group play. So I have hope, that they will do that to other content as well, where they see, it is not utilized as it should be.

Asherons_Call

jzholloway wrote: »

Subscribe - so you get the crafting bag

I subbed before the crafting bag announcement but admit that this will be the one thing that gets many more players who were on the fence about it. Pretty smart decision on ZOSs part

Danikat

I much prefer paying once to own something and then using it whenever I want over paying a reoccurring fee for permission to use it. (Yes I know that's unavoidable in some circumstances, like my internet connection, it's a preference not a strict rule.) So ultimately I want to own the DLC out-right.

Also, if my maths is correct buying the 5,500 crown pack works out cheaper per crown than even a 180 day sub. (43.6p per 100 crowns for the pack vs. 46.6p per 100 crowns for the sub).

Add on the fact that I have no interest in the other benefits of a sub (a crafting bag might be useful, but I've been fine without it so far) and my play time is very unpredictable so I run a real risk of paying for a month of sub time and then being unable to play much, or at all, and the only reason I can see myself subbing is if I'm trying to choose between DLC and want to try them out before buying.

But having said all that it really depends on your own circumstances and what seems most convenient to you.

nine9six

I sub but use my Crowns to buy DLC when it launches just to "have" it. I don't find anything else on the Crown Store to be worth purchasing, but I understand some people like the Costumes and Mounts, which is good for ZOS / ESO.

Lysette

Danikat wrote: »

I much prefer paying once to own something and then using it whenever I want over paying a reoccurring fee for permission to use it. (Yes I know that's unavoidable in some circumstances, like my internet connection, it's a preference not a strict rule.) So ultimately I want to own the DLC out-right.

Also, if my maths is correct buying the 5,500 crown pack works out cheaper per crown than even a 180 day sub. (43.6p per 100 crowns for the pack vs. 46.6p per 100 crowns for the sub).

Add on the fact that I have no interest in the other benefits of a sub (a crafting bag might be useful, but I've been fine without it so far) and my play time is very unpredictable so I run a real risk of paying for a month of sub time and then being unable to play much, or at all, and the only reason I can see myself subbing is if I'm trying to choose between DLC and want to try them out before buying.

But having said all that it really depends on your own circumstances and what seems most convenient to you.

I have made the calculation for 3 years of subbing using the 6-months sub and crowns value based on the 5500 crowns packages sold at regular prices and DLCs would be in average sold at 2500 crowns. It comes down to that in average the sub costs 1.50€/month more than buying all DLCs and spending as many crowns as are included in the sub. And for these 1.50€/month more I get XP bonus and a crafting bag and have spent 30,000 crowns more on stuff I like other than DLCs - I think it is worth it, at least if you plan to play for some years to come and like crown store items other than DLCs.

joker0137

Both, spend, spend, spend!!