Yes. The addons from the major sites, like ESOUI are safe for use. Addons are supported and even encouraged by ZOS, so they won't get you banned.

Addons are LUA scripts used to modify the UI and can only effect what has been opened in the API by the dev team.

Hacks and other programs that modify the actual game code or scripts that perform multiple actions (botting) will get you banned, but these are not accepted on the major addon sites and are written in a language other than LUA.

The addons themselves will not hack your account or install malware. They are simply text files that are interpreted by the game and are limited to what the game allows. The addons are considered safe for all intents and purposes.

People will tell you that it is possible for the ZIP file that contains the addon to contain malware. While technically possible, I have yet to encounter any. I never open ZIP files using Windows Explorer (double clicking on them) until they have been checked.

The addon manager that you might use to install and maintain them will be as safe as any application that you download from the internet. I know at least two of these managers have caused problems in the past, for other games, so even popular addon managers can suddenly become a problem.

As for banning, in general you will not have an issue here as long as you stick to the main ESO addon sites (Nexus, ESOUI, Curse). There could be some addons that are pushing the edge of the code of conduct, but the majority of them will not be doing this intentionally.

Wuggums47 wrote: »

Before I go, which addons would you reccomend, I plan on rolling a sorcerer with the stormcalling spells.

Play the game for a while and find out what annoys you (missing, broken, etc) and then look for addons to solve the problem.

I don't recommend trying what people suggest before you decide for yourself.

Wuggums47 wrote: »

Thank you so much to everyone who replied! I can tell already we have a good community here. If I asked something like this to people from games I've played in the past, they would probably tell me delete system 32 or something along those lines. But all of you who posted were mature and helpful. Thank!

Before I go, which addons would you reccomend, I plan on rolling a sorcerer with the stormcalling spells.

Skyshards, Lorebooks, Treasuremaps, Shopkeeper, Wykkyd's framework, EMM minimap, research assistant, researchaigrid, recipebook.

You might also want a conversion addon to automatically sync your out of date addons to the new version."compatability tool for update 3".
Maybe a good "reload ui" as well so you can keybind that.

Foundry tactical combat is a good dps counter with buff cooldown meters although I prefer to use it with the frames set to off.

I could go on

50/50
I think the term 'Buyer beware' is relevant here. You take your chances and no comebacks.

onlinegamer1 wrote: »

To the OP:

1. AddOns are 100% safe. They do not execute computer code, they are simply data files (no executable code at all) which are read by the ESO Client.

2. AddOns cannot get you banned, at all, ever. They use an API (Application Programming Interface) published by ZoS themselves, and can only do what that API allows. Therefore, they cannot, by definition, do anything "illegal" in an AddOn.

Hope this helps.

1. Wrong, the very fact that you have to download them means they contain .exe files, they don't just magically appear organised in the game client. They have to be told where and what to do.
They wont ever damage the game but they can be used to plant malicious software in your hard-drive, which is why no games company will ever endorse them.

2. Wrong, although most addons are harmless, they can be used to create exploit's which take advantage of game bugs, like the Farming one where chars would appear half under the ground and travel through mountains and walls.

Thanks for posting this and for the responses. I've also wondered the same thing.

Cuyler wrote: »

Wuggums47 wrote: »

Thank you so much to everyone who replied! I can tell already we have a good community here. If I asked something like this to people from games I've played in the past, they would probably tell me delete system 32 or something along those lines. But all of you who posted were mature and helpful. Thank!

Before I go, which addons would you reccomend, I plan on rolling a sorcerer with the stormcalling spells.

Skyshards, Lorebooks, Treasuremaps

This is the kind of addons I wouldn't recommend without knowing what kind of player you are. For someone like me who loves exploration, revealing all hidden objects from the start takes away a lot of enjoyment.

It would be best to play without addons for a while, anyway. See what you want to change first. Some UI addons are almost indispensable though, especially if you're planning to create multiple characters. Inventory management is pretty terrible in this game, so definitely use Advanced Filters and some kind of bank assistant (I have Personal Assistant, but there are others).
Guild Store Search Extended, AwesomeGuildStore and Shopkeeper if you want to trade through guilds.
Research Assistant, AI Research Grid, Craft Research Timer, Sous Chef if you're a crafter.
ShowMotifs, Wykkyd's mods, SoftcapInfo and possibly something to show buffs and debuffs, for general utility. Librarian if you like reading.