Official Feedback Thread For 2025 ESO Direct & Seasons of the Worm Cult

Elvenheart · April 13

Very excited for the upcoming Seasons of the Worm Cult Content

I’m honestly curious, to those who say Subclassing ruins the class identity of their characters, if you don’t swap out any skill lines how is class identity ruined for you if other players do? Do you mean it’s important to you to be able to look at another player’s character and tell what class they are by what skills they are using?

SilverBride · April 13

Need to hear more/try it out before I decide

Elvenheart wrote: »

I’m honestly curious, to those who say Subclassing ruins the class identity of their characters, if you don’t swap out any skill lines how is class identity ruined for you if other players do? Do you mean it’s important to you to be able to look at another player’s character and tell what class they are by what skills they are using?

Yes it is. Class identity has been an important part of this game for 11 years. I hate to see it destroyed.

Just like I hate to see it go from the most realistic MMO I've ever played to a cartoon world full of loud bright mounts and recalls and costumes.

We don't have to use a feature to be negatively affected by it because it is all around us, and it changes the world we all live in.

Ingenon · April 13

Somewhat excited for the upcoming Seasons of the Worm Cult Content

Okay, I watched the 2025 ESO Reveal. Thanks for doing it!

Seasons of the Worm Cult: I have done the main quest on multiple alts and I'm fine with seeing more of the Worm Cult

Content Pass: Not sure how getting a zone in two pieces with a wall down the middle is different than getting High Isle in the middle of the year and Galen in the end of the year. I plan to buy it and hope that the quests are fun.

4 dungeons and 1 trial this year: Sign me up, looking forward to them.

Subclassing: 2000 possible ways to build each of my alts? Sorry, my head just exploded. No way I'm going to try 2000 different builds. Hopefully someone more into theory crafting will post some builds online that work for me to do the things I like in game.

Pixiepumpkin · April 13

Wanted something different for the upcoming Seasons of the Worm Cult Content

SilverBride wrote: »

Yes it is. Class identity has been an important part of this game for 11 years. I hate to see it destroyed.

Just like I hate to see it go from the most realistic MMO I've ever played to a cartoon world full of loud bright mounts and recalls and costumes.

We don't have to use a feature to be negatively affected by it because it is all around us, and it changes the world we all live in.

This is what concerns me. I bought Elder Scrolls Online to play classes. Seeing them diluted to the point where class is merely a suggestion really bothers me. Weapon skills and guild skill lines were bad enough, but this just takes it to a whole new level.

Elvenheart · April 13

Very excited for the upcoming Seasons of the Worm Cult Content

SilverBride wrote: »

Elvenheart wrote: »

I’m honestly curious, to those who say Subclassing ruins the class identity of their characters, if you don’t swap out any skill lines how is class identity ruined for you if other players do? Do you mean it’s important to you to be able to look at another player’s character and tell what class they are by what skills they are using?

Yes it is. Class identity has been an important part of this game for 11 years. I hate to see it destroyed.

Just like I hate to see it go from the most realistic MMO I've ever played to a cartoon world full of loud bright mounts and recalls and costumes.

We don't have to use a feature to be negatively affected by it because it is all around us, and it changes the world we all live in.

Ahh...put that way I can understand better how this will be upsetting to the people who value class identity. I think I wasn't understanding it before because for me, having to choose a class always made me feel limited.

When I create a character I pick the class that best works with the idea I have in my head, even if it isn't an exact fit, just because that's the choice I'm limited to. For example, I have two vampires, and each one is a Redblade (thanks to the permaglow). The Redblade skills just fit my mental concept of what I wanted my vampires to be like the best (well, until the permaglow). And I wanted a Druid character, so I chose Warden even though it wasn't an exact fit with the Vvardenfall themed animal companion line. And I have one pet sorcerer that's fine cavorting with Daedra so no changes there but two no-pet sorcerers that refuse to summon Daedra so one-third of their class is pretty much wasted space, and they can't do other things one would imagine a sorcerer could do.

SilverBride · April 13

Need to hear more/try it out before I decide

Pixiepumpkin wrote: »

I don't know how to react to a SilverBride meme. I kinda like it!

Maythor · April 13

Personally I'm on the fence about subclassing. I've long since come to forums to give my opinion, however, I realise that likely it's like blowing into the wind and nothing will come of it! Because of that I will make the best of it when it's added to the game as I do with any mechanic .. or avoid it with a fervour of a stubborn mule (I still have not looked at ToT as I did not like that it was a major mechanic with a chapter .. though now we are not getting a major system added with the "chapter" this year, seems I didn't know when I was better off!)

But, I can see why people are struggling with it since ZOS has seemed committed to their class "power fantasy" model for the last few years. It seemed they were focussing down on making DK's more flamey etc .. now it seems we have this spin around to anything going with any class if we subclass it, and colours shifting up if a style is released for a certain skill.

I wonder if this is another of those misunderstandings between players and devs that could have been lessened or solved by more explanation of what is going on behind the scenes and greater communication with the community? Or is this a pipe dream that can never come to pass since they'd be giving away ideas to competitors?

shadyjane62 · April 13

Wanted something different for the upcoming Seasons of the Worm Cult Content

Pixiepumpkin wrote: »

SilverBride wrote: »

Yes it is. Class identity has been an important part of this game for 11 years. I hate to see it destroyed.

Just like I hate to see it go from the most realistic MMO I've ever played to a cartoon world full of loud bright mounts and recalls and costumes.

We don't have to use a feature to be negatively affected by it because it is all around us, and it changes the world we all live in.

This is what concerns me. I bought Elder Scrolls Online to play classes. Seeing them diluted to the point where class is merely a suggestion really bothers me. Weapon skills and guild skill lines were bad enough, but this just takes it to a whole new level.

Lmao! I know how he feels. I rarely agree with SilverBride but I respect her judgement as hers. But in this I agree.

ADarklore · April 13

Very excited for the upcoming Seasons of the Worm Cult Content

I keep reading 'they didn't listen to us, we didn't want subclassing' and yet, players have VERY LOUDLY been asking for a 'class change token' for years. Rich even said SUBCLASSING was their solution to all the class change token requests.

IMO, I feel extremely limited by 'class identity'. It's why I left the game. I got bored of having to have upteenth many alts just to be able to do something new when I got bored... and it just sucked the enjoyment out of the game for me. Now, with subclassing, I can switch whenever I get bored. Honestly, this breathes new life into the game for me, and I'm sure a great many other players who left the game for similar reasons. I see most of the negative comments coming from long-term players who most seem absolutely against ANY change... but if ESO is going to continue and gain back lost players, this is exactly the kind of freshness they need on this, sad to say, product gone stale.

Mesite · April 13

Somewhat excited for the upcoming Seasons of the Worm Cult Content

I don't like the idea of sub-classing. Probably only because I have a full roster of single class-based characters.

Most of my characters use the oakensoul ring. I'll need to get used to switching between skill bars again.

I'm not sure why people still subscribe to ESO+. The new arrangements appear to erode the usefulness even further.

I like everything else.

SkaiFaith · April 13

Copying here what I wrote in another thread:
"If all the exact same preorder bonuses (recall too) were available in a bundle that offers everything aside from the 4 Dungeons for the price of: what it is currently priced minus the price of 1 month of ESOPlus, and this bundle would have been purchasable ONLY if you already have ESOPlus active...
THIS would have been a perfect solution, IMO."

With that said, I am excited about subclasses but afraid of the possible incoming nerfs.
I am glad for the furnishing vault but I am sad there is still a cap to Transmutes, and companions can't carry their gear.
I'm intrigued by this year zone and adventure, but I would have wanted to hear more about the continuation of the rework of old zones and overland difficulty.

I would say mixed feelings...

Morvan · April 13

Very excited for the upcoming Seasons of the Worm Cult Content

Since the Pandora box is open, I think the best ZOS can do with subclassing is to treat it as a versatility tool, not just nerf to death a skill line just because it goes well on another class, that would only lead to pure classes suffering more.

The best way to properly balance subclassing is to ensure pure classes aren't behind any combinations you can get, it's bound to have exceptions both ways, but that's what balancing should be focusing at.

This will ensure some diversity will still be a thing on top end scenarios, and people who decide to not subclass won't feel far off meta.

RaikaNA · April 14

Need to hear more/try it out before I decide

@ZOS_Kevin I'm not sure if you are still reading this thread, but I also want to add that I was somewhat annoyed by the prerecorded video on the "Live" 2025 ESO Direct stream. Anything that comes from Twitch should be LIVE instead of prerecorded. all prerecorded videos should be uploaded to the official Bethesda/Zenimax YouTube channel. It just seems better that way.

wenchmore420b14_ESO · April 14

Need to hear more/try it out before I decide

deleted by author

SeaGtGruff · April 14

Very excited for the upcoming Seasons of the Worm Cult Content

Maythor wrote: »

ArchMikem wrote: »

Maythor wrote: »

ArchMikem wrote: »

Maythor wrote: »

Also with sub-classing being added to base game, this year we are seeing no new "chapter" system, are we? So that's yet another thing lacking for our cash.

Edit: honestly we're getting the supermarket treatment here ... shrinkflation with the addition of simply moving things about so they seem fresher .. all the while being told a corporation is our friend :P

Solstice is the adventure zone this year, so yes we're still getting our "chapter".

I was remarking on a system, not the zone e.g. like last year we got scribing in the chapter along with the zone.

You could claim Subclassing as a System.

Indeed you could but it's being added as a base game feature and hence not part of what we're paying for in the year long "season".

I'm guessing they felt obligated to add subclassing as a base game system rather than requiring players to purchase the 2025 Content Pass to get it, otherwise players would call it "pay to win," and ZOS has said in the past that they don't want ESO to be a P2W game.

Elvenheart · April 14

Very excited for the upcoming Seasons of the Worm Cult Content

SeaGtGruff wrote: »

Maythor wrote: »

ArchMikem wrote: »

Maythor wrote: »

ArchMikem wrote: »

Maythor wrote: »

Also with sub-classing being added to base game, this year we are seeing no new "chapter" system, are we? So that's yet another thing lacking for our cash.

Edit: honestly we're getting the supermarket treatment here ... shrinkflation with the addition of simply moving things about so they seem fresher .. all the while being told a corporation is our friend :P

Solstice is the adventure zone this year, so yes we're still getting our "chapter".

I was remarking on a system, not the zone e.g. like last year we got scribing in the chapter along with the zone.

You could claim Subclassing as a System.

Indeed you could but it's being added as a base game feature and hence not part of what we're paying for in the year long "season".

I'm guessing they felt obligated to add subclassing as a base game system rather than requiring players to purchase the 2025 Content Pass to get it, otherwise players would call it "pay to win," and ZOS has said in the past that they don't want ESO to be a P2W game.

Yes, it definitely fits better as a base game system, but it still is a new system this year even if it’s not something that’s included in the season pass (new chapter). People say the new content is worth less because it doesn’t include a system but we are getting a new system this year whether we get the pass or not.

BretonMage · April 14

Need to hear more/try it out before I decide

Morvan wrote: »

Since the Pandora box is open, I think the best ZOS can do with subclassing is to treat it as a versatility tool, not just nerf to death a skill line just because it goes well on another class, that would only lead to pure classes suffering more.

The best way to properly balance subclassing is to ensure pure classes aren't behind any combinations you can get, it's bound to have exceptions both ways, but that's what balancing should be focusing at.

This will ensure some diversity will still be a thing on top end scenarios, and people who decide to not subclass won't feel far off meta.

I agree, and I think Pandora's box was already opened with hybridisation anyway.

People being alarmed about the end of class identity probably aren't playing sorcs because we lost ours when meta expected us to use daggers and greatswords.

I think the idea of subclassing is interesting, and will wait to see how it is implemented.

SeaGtGruff · April 14

Very excited for the upcoming Seasons of the Worm Cult Content

Elvenheart wrote: »

SeaGtGruff wrote: »

Maythor wrote: »

ArchMikem wrote: »

Maythor wrote: »

ArchMikem wrote: »

Maythor wrote: »

Also with sub-classing being added to base game, this year we are seeing no new "chapter" system, are we? So that's yet another thing lacking for our cash.

Edit: honestly we're getting the supermarket treatment here ... shrinkflation with the addition of simply moving things about so they seem fresher .. all the while being told a corporation is our friend :P

Solstice is the adventure zone this year, so yes we're still getting our "chapter".

I was remarking on a system, not the zone e.g. like last year we got scribing in the chapter along with the zone.

You could claim Subclassing as a System.

Indeed you could but it's being added as a base game feature and hence not part of what we're paying for in the year long "season".

I'm guessing they felt obligated to add subclassing as a base game system rather than requiring players to purchase the 2025 Content Pass to get it, otherwise players would call it "pay to win," and ZOS has said in the past that they don't want ESO to be a P2W game.

Yes, it definitely fits better as a base game system, but it still is a new system this year even if it’s not something that’s included in the season pass (new chapter). People say the new content is worth less because it doesn’t include a system but we are getting a new system this year whether we get the pass or not.

I understand their point, but I always look at subscribing to ESO Plus, pre-purchasing the new content each year, and buying all of the DLC content despite being subscribed to ESO Plus as a matter of supporting the game's continued life. I personally don't try to micro-analyze the value of everything, but I guess that's just me.

XSTRONG · April 14

Wanted something different for the upcoming Seasons of the Worm Cult Content

I dont mind pay for content if its worth the money but what I dont like is paying for content to get it 2 weeks after PC and the content you are paying for is not released all at once instead it comes during the year.

I really hope Zos fix this mess until next season.

I also wonder when season of Worm cult end do we have to wait 6 monts until June 2026 for a new one to start?

They said some season might be 3 months, I wonder how they will monitize a 3 month season.

In Diablo 4 season are free to play for anyone that own the game with an optional battlepass and only the Expansion cost money, Season of wormcult seems more like a expansion then a season or are Zos gonna push out a new zone in every season?

Arunei · April 14

Cooperharley wrote: »

Arunei wrote: »

Cooperharley wrote: »

Arunei wrote: »

Arunei wrote: »

So now that the after show is over, yes, it was said several things (Sloth Pet, a Mount, several Motifs) could be earned BETWEEN update 46 and update 48 (till the end of the year).

@ZOS_Kevin
Does this mean that all content is NOT permanently available once a Season Pass is bought, then? Because it sure doesn't sound like it will be, unless I'm misunderstanding the phrasing.

Still waiting on clarification for this. We were told earlier in the year and then again in the stream and here that all content is yours to keep when you buy the Season Pass.

But can you still EARN those Collectibles after the Worm Cult Season Pass ends? Are those Collectibles more like the pre-order ones you only get if you pre-order in a way?

If I buy the Season Pass and for some reason don't get the Sloth Pet during the timeframe listed, does that mean I can no longer earn it at all despite still owning the content it comes from?

Was it just poor phrasing? Is it supposed to mean that you have that time period to get the Season Pass so you have the chance to earn the things but keep the ability to earn those things no matter how long into the future it is when you try to do so?

It'll probably just depend on what you have to do to earn it. If it's a drop from some live show, then probably not. If it's something you do in game, then you likely will as long as it's not tied to a limited time event. A vast majority of content is earnable forever after you get it, but there will always be, in some games, things that are limited time.

That's usually true for certain things, but aside from Motifs that are CS only and have set release periods (like Frost Caller I think it is), Motifs have never been limited time to earn.

This is a possibility tho, maybe these will be CS exclusives as well or something? It's hard to tell because they just say you can get them in a time frame but don't tell you if they're from in-game content, from promotions, from the CS...if it's something like the latter two then it makes sense they might be limited time. But if they're earned from doing in-game stuff like questing or gathering fragments, we've never had the ability to earn them removed. If I want the one Ginger cat pet, I can still get the pieces. If I want the one Peryite robe, I can still go farm the pieces.

If it's like you say and it's just these things are tied to whatever limited event or something that would be fine. I'm just worried about losing the ability to earn stuff that's from gameplay.

Have we ever completely lost the ability to earn stuff from gameplay? Not including things like golden pursuits and limited time events? Like one day we could earn the godslayer mount and the next we couldn't for instance? I dont think so... but I could be mistaken.

Aside from Golden Pursuits and events like the Jubilee, I can't think of a single thing we've lost the ability to earn things in-game (from doing in-game content like quests and Dungeons that is).

But Golden Pursuits and events are free to take part in, CS-exclusive stuff that cycles in and out you only pay for it if you want it (and can afford to get it when it's out). You don't buy a pass for Pursuits and then only have that Pursuit's time frame to earn them. My worry is if we pay for a Season Pass and these certain Collectibles AREN'T from limited-time things or from the CS or whatever, it's kinda BS and it's part of what I know people were concerned about back when Seasons were first announced; losing access to things/access to earning them after the Season Pass ended/expired.

Tazzy · April 14

Need to hear more/try it out before I decide

I don't mind at all when subclasses are introduced. It will definitely bring some variety to combat. I love subclasses in BG3, but it's hardly comparable to ESO. I haven't decided yet whether I will buy the pass. I've never really been interested in the dungeons, if they weren't included in the pass and it was a bit cheaper, I wouldn't have hesitated, because I'm curious about the story, since I liked the prologue. (For the first time in years.) Maybe I wait until it's on sale before I buy it.

Celticmagick · April 14

Need to hear more/try it out before I decide

SilverBride wrote: »

Elvenheart wrote: »

I’m honestly curious, to those who say Subclassing ruins the class identity of their characters, if you don’t swap out any skill lines how is class identity ruined for you if other players do? Do you mean it’s important to you to be able to look at another player’s character and tell what class they are by what skills they are using?

Yes it is. Class identity has been an important part of this game for 11 years. I hate to see it destroyed.

Just like I hate to see it go from the most realistic MMO I've ever played to a cartoon world full of loud bright mounts and recalls and costumes.

We don't have to use a feature to be negatively affected by it because it is all around us, and it changes the world we all live in.

Agreed 100%. This was one of the reasons I left WoW and began my life here in Tamriel. I felt the world of Azeroth changed way too much. And while I don't like the flamboyant mounts and fashions in this game, we at least have more realistic options still available to us.

The other issue is that they'll focus on things from a subclassing perspective and ignore things for the classes themselves. In other words, those that want to retain their class identity will be ignored and left behind from this point forward - no improvements or the much-needed changes with regards to class identity. Also, with subclassing being the focus they'll end up nerfing some abilities for the sake of subclassing which will then hurt the base class. I mean, shouldn't they balance things between the classes first before throwing everything into a blender?

ADarklore · April 14

Very excited for the upcoming Seasons of the Worm Cult Content

In all honesty, I never thought I'd be coming back to ESO... never even missed it in the past year I've been away. However, hearing about subclassing being added, definitely is a reason for me to return. Finally being able to build my OWN class, which is something I've wanted from the beginning. I would leave so often because of getting bored with my 'class', I have maxed number of alts because of that boredom, and eventually I'd just leave. Now, I can have ONE character and when I get bored with one subclass, I can create a new one... it's an awesome change IMO.

disky · April 14

Wanted something different for the upcoming Seasons of the Worm Cult Content

SilverBride wrote: »

Elvenheart wrote: »

I’m honestly curious, to those who say Subclassing ruins the class identity of their characters, if you don’t swap out any skill lines how is class identity ruined for you if other players do? Do you mean it’s important to you to be able to look at another player’s character and tell what class they are by what skills they are using?

Yes it is. Class identity has been an important part of this game for 11 years. I hate to see it destroyed.

Just like I hate to see it go from the most realistic MMO I've ever played to a cartoon world full of loud bright mounts and recalls and costumes.

We don't have to use a feature to be negatively affected by it because it is all around us, and it changes the world we all live in.

But why though? Why does class identity matter? Coming from other TES games which have custom class options, I was honestly kind of surprised and disappointed to find that ESO had hard class restrictions during the beta, and I feel like this is a turn toward that more open-ended buildcraft which TES games have traditionally provided to the player.

Can you explain why you would prefer classes to remain closed? This response only seems to show dissatisfaction with change, it doesn't provide an explanation for why that change is bad.

SilverBride · April 14

Need to hear more/try it out before I decide

disky wrote: »

SilverBride wrote: »

Elvenheart wrote: »

I’m honestly curious, to those who say Subclassing ruins the class identity of their characters, if you don’t swap out any skill lines how is class identity ruined for you if other players do? Do you mean it’s important to you to be able to look at another player’s character and tell what class they are by what skills they are using?

Yes it is. Class identity has been an important part of this game for 11 years. I hate to see it destroyed.

Just like I hate to see it go from the most realistic MMO I've ever played to a cartoon world full of loud bright mounts and recalls and costumes.

We don't have to use a feature to be negatively affected by it because it is all around us, and it changes the world we all live in.

But why though? Why does class identity matter? Coming from other TES games which have custom class options, I was honestly kind of surprised and disappointed to find that ESO had hard class restrictions during the beta, and I feel like this is a turn toward that more open-ended buildcraft which TES games have traditionally provided to the player.

Can you explain why you would prefer classes to remain closed? This response only seems to show dissatisfaction with change, it doesn't provide a reason why that change is bad.

I said why. "Class identity has been an important part of this game for 11 years. I hate to see it destroyed."

That is all I need to say.

disky · April 14

Wanted something different for the upcoming Seasons of the Worm Cult Content

Pixiepumpkin wrote: »

This is what concerns me. I bought Elder Scrolls Online to play classes. Seeing them diluted to the point where class is merely a suggestion really bothers me. Weapon skills and guild skill lines were bad enough, but this just takes it to a whole new level.

But why does a class have to be something hard and confining? Why is that a good thing? I'm just kind of surprised that people are up in arms over the potential to receive more freedom in building the character they want to play. And also, the fact that you don't have to engage with it kind of negates any real justification for animosity, in my opinion. Do you really care what other players do?

disky · April 14

Wanted something different for the upcoming Seasons of the Worm Cult Content

SilverBride wrote: »

disky wrote: »

SilverBride wrote: »

Elvenheart wrote: »

I’m honestly curious, to those who say Subclassing ruins the class identity of their characters, if you don’t swap out any skill lines how is class identity ruined for you if other players do? Do you mean it’s important to you to be able to look at another player’s character and tell what class they are by what skills they are using?

Yes it is. Class identity has been an important part of this game for 11 years. I hate to see it destroyed.

Just like I hate to see it go from the most realistic MMO I've ever played to a cartoon world full of loud bright mounts and recalls and costumes.

We don't have to use a feature to be negatively affected by it because it is all around us, and it changes the world we all live in.

But why though? Why does class identity matter? Coming from other TES games which have custom class options, I was honestly kind of surprised and disappointed to find that ESO had hard class restrictions during the beta, and I feel like this is a turn toward that more open-ended buildcraft which TES games have traditionally provided to the player.

Can you explain why you would prefer classes to remain closed? This response only seems to show dissatisfaction with change, it doesn't provide a reason why that change is bad.

I said why. "Class identity has been an important part of this game for 11 years. I hate to see it destroyed."

That is all I need to say.

I mean, not really. That's not describing any worry over what will happen, it's not prognosticating on the potential issues with the system, you're just unhappy about a change.

"Class identity" will remain what it is now, if you choose to play the class without engaging in the subclassing system. As with overland challenge options, this system will not affect your character if you don't use it, and as we have discussed in that thread, I think it's understood that most players don't care about what other players do. So why get your feathers ruffled over it if there's not going to be a major impact to how you enjoy the game?

Honestly, I feel like some people just hate to see things change, no matter what the change actually is. Let's not grouse about something until it actually ruins our lives.

SilverBride · April 14

Need to hear more/try it out before I decide

disky wrote: »

SilverBride wrote: »

I said why. "Class identity has been an important part of this game for 11 years. I hate to see it destroyed."

That is all I need to say.

I mean, not really.

I said all I need to say and that is the end of it. So let's just agree to disagree and leave it at that.

MoonPile · April 14

Somewhat excited for the upcoming Seasons of the Worm Cult Content

MoonPile wrote: »

MoonPile wrote: »

Q: Will the Content Pass non-dungeon content be unlocked for ESO Plus / ESO+ subscribers a year later, the same as Chapter zones currently are?

...

@ZOS_Kevin or someone could you please confirm?

Anyone? It's really weird that this isn't in the FAQ. I assume the answer is yes but...

disky · April 14

Wanted something different for the upcoming Seasons of the Worm Cult Content

SilverBride wrote: »

disky wrote: »

SilverBride wrote: »

I said why. "Class identity has been an important part of this game for 11 years. I hate to see it destroyed."

That is all I need to say.

I mean, not really.

I said all I need to say and that is the end of it. So let's just agree to disagree and leave it at that.

Fine, I just wish more people would consider the reasons why they dislike something prior to voicing an unfounded concern that could shift the sentiment of others without cause.