[Datamine] 2021 Chapter Name and Details

Cactus_Back

As many of us expected, today's patch added new information regarding the next chapter to the ESO text files.

The chapter is named Blackwood and here's the main story description:

"Long before the Oblivion Crisis, the Longhouse Emperors made a deal with a devil — Mehrunes Dagon. That deal comes due in the newest ESO year-long story, The Gates of Oblivion, a saga of murderous deceit and sinister revelations that lead you to the nightmare realm known as the Deadlands."

A bit more details including the pre-order bonuses and what seems to be a new system (?) here.

amertuim

Oh my god.... I cry with tears...

RecktrithiusOediphitry

Ugh, just why? It's an MMO game, get people to team up. Not to mention that overland content is already extremely easy, so why would anyone need help from an NPC is beyond me.

Sergykid

great, another long forgotten thing that will destroy existence and we will need to help a new guild to defeat it

KovalskyNestor

I'm starting to belive more and more that this chapter will involve parts of Cyrodiil and Black Marsh, and that the city in trailer was indeed Bravil or Leyawiin. We might even get acces to rest of Cyrodiil later this year.

Revokus

Donavarion wrote: »

Ugh, just why? It's an MMO game, get people to team up. Not to mention that overland content is already extremely easy, so why would anyone need a help from an NPC is beyond me.

Exactly lmao. Looks like the chapter will be underwhelming if there isn't any new weapon and just fluff.

James-Wayne

Donavarion wrote: »

Ugh, just why? It's an MMO game, get people to team up. Not to mention that overland content is already extremely easy, so why would anyone need a help from an NPC is beyond me.

Because the story content is all singleplayer content.... these companions better be useful!

Lysette

Donavarion wrote: »

Ugh, just why? It's an MMO game, get people to team up. Not to mention that overland content is already extremely easy, so why would anyone need help from an NPC is beyond me.

Oh my, the last I need is another annoying NPC, who doesn't let me play in peace. It is already annoying having to deal with those NPCs in the base game zones, who approach me and follow me around - I don't want to help them ever - because they are so insanely annoying. I hope it isn't obligatory.

Tremuto

Donavarion wrote: »

Ugh, just why? It's an MMO game, get people to team up. Not to mention that overland content is already extremely easy, so why would anyone need help from an NPC is beyond me.

Tell that to the newer players that constantly ask for help at Nindaeril's Perch

dinokstrunz

ngl it sounds pretty boring, I know ZoS cut back on new systems but damn that sounds bland as ***. This game is heading down the SWTOR road isn't it?

Giraffon

Pft. Sorcs have been doing it from day one and also wardens. Might as well let everyone else have some kind of thing following you around. As long as they don't have flappy wings or a big bear butt that blocks everything, I think it's fine.

Wolf81

Pre-order Mount I think..it was showing up on achievement tracker pages it seems

HankTwo

If an NPC companion that follows you around in overland PvE is the only new gameplay addition this will be an extremely weak chapter. Honestly, I dont get why ZOS wont go for new weapon types like a melee magicka weapon, since there are a lot of obvious skill choices for such a weapon skill line (major sorcery self buff, gapcloser, melee execute, ...)

Cactus_Back

Donavarion wrote: »

Ugh, just why? It's an MMO game, get people to team up. Not to mention that overland content is already extremely easy, so why would anyone need help from an NPC is beyond me.

My thoughts too. I don't want to be critical before the official reveal but yeah, NPCs helping us in overland is just unnecessary. Now, if we can take them to Maelstrom Arena...

Raideen

Wolf81 wrote: »

Pre-order Mount I think..it was showing up on achievement tracker pages it seems

I like it. Looks kinda like a Dewback.

MajThorax

So does this companions-thing mean trials will be for 24 characters : 12 players and 12 companions?

CaptainVenom

People complaining about the new system be like:

Like... if you don't like it, don't use it.

Tanis-Stormbinder

Hope they unlock the entire CP system and level the game to max CP then a companion may be useful

caperb

So if we have Blackwood as a zone DLC that means that either the West Weald or the Badlands will only be a quest or dungeon zone.

adriant1978

Wonder if these will be allowed to fill group spots in dungeons à la SWTOR.

Fischblut

Thank you very much for another fast datamine! Can't wait for PTS and Iron Atronach crates datamines already

I was not ready for something good in new chapter... But Deadlands Wamasu battle pet/mount/something (based on description), Battlefiend Nightmare Senche (if I understand correctly what it's based on, the pet version of this senche had one of the coolest summon animations - jumping out of the ground in clouds of flame), Jewel-Feathered Sep Adder, Nagahide Welwa Ravager for preorder?..

Depending on the looks of these items, I'm seriously afraid that I will have to pre-order this chapter

HankTwo

Furthermore, if ZOS allows the NPC companions to be used in any endgame content that would be extremely stupid and arguably the worst case of unnecessary power creep and pay2win we have seen yet. Worst case would be PvP. Imagine if every single players gets the opportunity to have an additional, targetable permanent pet around... urgh I dont even want to imagine that.

dinokstrunz

CaptainVenom wrote: »

People complaining about the new system be like:

Like... if you don't like it, don't use it.

wth is fun about an AI helping you complete quests lol? The real question is the eligibility in Dungeons, PvP, Trials and solo arenas. Imagine a group of players running around with pets everywhere, yeah that'll be great for immersion and performance right.

Lysette

CaptainVenom wrote: »

People complaining about the new system be like:

Like... if you don't like it, don't use it.

So some people will not only have like 3 pets trailing behind them but as well a companion? And I fear that dungeons and quest location will be filled with even more dead NPCs and the intended quest cannot be felt for what it's supposed to be.

Sidonius

Could one assume you'd choose between a healer/fighter. I'd just hope they would be somewhat customizable.
Race/clothes/body.. I could get used to running with a big bootied Orc healer.

Nothing Suss!

CyberOnEso

Chapter crown store art


Zone Description

From the Imperial city of Leyawiin, first featured in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, to the murky bogs of the Argonian homeland and everything in between, new challenges and stories await as you explore Blackwood, a land on the brink of destruction and beset by a rising Daedric influence

Rundown of what I have found so far

Chapter Name: Blackwood

Zone: Blackwood https://en.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Blackwood

Major Feature: Companions

Collectors Edition
• Battlefield Nightmare Senche Mount
• Jewel-Feathered Sep Adder Pet
• Temporal Grimoire Memento
• Deadlands Gladiator Outfit Style
• Offer Weapon Emote

Pre order For
• Nagahide Welwa Ravager Mount
• Nightmare Bear Cub Pet
Which you can get immediately
• Dremora Kynreeve Outfit
• Deadlands Wamasu Pet
• 1× Iron Atronach Crate
• 3× Blackwood Treasure Maps
• 2× Experience Scrolls
Which you get at launch

FAQ
New Class: No
New Weapon: No
New Skill Line: Unlikely

Mettaricana

Can we gear out the companion? Cuz having a geared out npc tank with a taunt is all ill ever need. Better if we can make our companion.

Nairinhe

If you want to group with other players, just group with other players and leave those who want NPC companions alone. Well, not alone anymore, but you get it.

But wait...

"Develop a relationship?" Relationship?

Why the heck the reveal stream if so far away! By Mora's slimy tentacles, I crave knowledge!

James-Wayne

TwinLamps

Ok, I dont mind companions system.
Just wish that is not the only thing.
I mean, its nice for a DLC feature, but it hardly adds enough flavor to entire chapter.

vhagar122

no no no no pls dont allow companions in pvp dungeons trials wtf