Accumulated XP Gain Comparison: ESO+ vs Crown Store XP Scrolls

Gidorick · June 2015

I have been waiting to write this post for when the XP pots (scrolls?) actually got released.

I wanted to compare the XP boost of ESO+ with the XP Boost of the XP Pots. To do this, let’s consider two players. One player spends their money on ESO+ and one spends their money on Crown Packs.

As you can see, Crown Player actually receives 2000 more Crowns than the ESO+ Player. Let’s assume that the ESO+ Player spends the extra 2000 Crowns on 2 packs of Crown Experience Scrolls. This makes both players virtually equal. Both players would have 9,000 Crowns and both players will have XP boosts.

Now, let’s see how those XP boosts compare:

If both players play for an equal amount of time, and only one XP scroll is used, the Crown Player will have earned more experience until both players play for a total of 10 hours.

Extending these numbers and we will see that if the Crown Player uses ALL 10 XP Scrolls, and they play an equal number of hours as the ESO+ Player, they will have to play for 100 hours for their XP to be equal.

Using the 1000 XP per hour rate, a player who uses 10 XP scrolls and plays for 20 hours will earn a total of 30,000 XP. An ESO+ Player would have to play a little more 7 hours MORE than a player who only buys Crowns in order to earn the same amount of XP.

All this makes ESO+ sound terrible, so it must be noted that if both players play more than 100 hours, the ESO+ player will have earned more than the Crown Player at a rate of 100XP per hour.

100 hours over a 180 day period comes out to about 30 minutes per day. Most players will likely be playing more than that.

While it is up to every player to decide for themselves the best route to take when paying for ESO, if you are looking to maximize XP gain and you think you may play less than 100 hours in a 6 month time, it'll be worth buying Crown Packs. If you REALLY want to maximize your XP gain, join ESO+ and use 1000 of the 1500 Crowns you receive to buy 5 XP Scrolls per month.

Tessie · June 2015

Another consideration is that the XP scrolls require you to better structure your time or you'll end up wasting them. Travel time, crafting time, inventory management time, and social interactions are all things that may cause you to get less than the maximum out of your XP scrolls. As long as you're logged in the clock is ticking and the XP scroll is being consumed.

I find the prospect of ESO+ being always on to be a better investment for my play style. If you know you're going to actively go grind and quest for two straight hours, then the XP scroll may be more fully utilized. I personally hate feeling like I've wasted consumables.

MaximumAttackG · June 2015

why are you even comparing the two? eso+ isnt solely for the extra exp, and the scrolls are primarily for players who know they are about to dedicate 2 hours to leveling.

Gidorick · June 2015

That is a good point @Tessie. I personally think XP Scrolls are FAR superior for when you are going to be grinding or earning a lot of XP at once. The point is, if both players are performing the same tasks, the player using XP scrolls is front loading their experience and the ESO+ player needs to be play for longer to match that front-loaded experience.

What else do you get with ESO+ right now @MaximumAttackG?

You get 1500 Crowns per month and XP Boosts.

I have made the claim that buying Crown Packs makes more sense than ESO+, as it gives you an additional 2K crowns for about the same money. The only benefit to ESO+ (Currently) is the XP Bonuses. So, not considering the access to the non-existent DLC, spending the extra 2K Crowns on XP boosts would give buying 6 months of ESO+ and 2 large Crown Packs the analogous benefits.

Personally, using XP bonuses during 1-50 gameplay, be they Rings of Mara, ESO+, or XP Boosts, is ill-advised. I was almost always out-leveled during the main story. The XP Boosts seem to be tailor made for CP grinding and VR progression... but that, is for another post.

Mathius_Mordred · June 2015

Nice work and very interesting, thanks.

MaximumAttackG · June 2015

I mean if you want to talk about getting the most for your money then eso+ is clearly the better option, other then 1500 crowns (a $15 value in itself), exp boost you also get 10% bonus to gold acquisition. I'm just saying comparing eso+ to crown scrolls is alittle dumb, considering eso+ is a package deal and you dont need to worry how you spend your hours playing to maximizing exp gain.. while with scrolls you feel the need to efficiently play for the next 2 hours. basic your comparing a convenient package deal, to straight forward time limited exp gain.

Side note, Im brand new to eso and made it to lvl 33 in 2 days without any of that. you level up so fast in this game compared to other mmos that maximize my exp gain isnt even on my mind. The fact you went and made a graph and did all this math is just funny to me. When dlc comes out this topic will be utterly pointless, if it isnt already.

Gidorick · June 2015

As you say, you're new to this @MaximumAttackG. There have been throngs of threads discussing the viability of ESO+. In those threads there was supposition as to XP boosts. We had no idea what the XP boosts offered. Now we know, hence "all this math". lol. really?

Anyway, here was one of the first posts about this:

Gidorick wrote: »

Crown Packs:

750 Crowns = $7.99 = 94 Crowns /$
1500 Crowns = $14.99 = 100 Crowns/$
3000 Crowns = $24.99 = 120 Crowns/$
5500 Crowns = $39.99 = 137.5 Crowns/$

Plus Subscriptions:

30 Day Sub = 1500 Crowns = $14.99 = 100 Crowns/$
90 Day Sub = 4500 Crowns = $41.97 = 107 Crowns/$
180 Day Sub = 9000 Crowns = $77.94 = 115.5 Crowns/$

I also looked at it this way:

750 Crowns = 100 crows for $1.06
1500 Crowns = 100 crows for $0.99
3000 Crowns = 100 crows for $0.83
5500 Crowns = 100 crows for $0.72

Plus Subscriptions:

30 Day Sub = 1500 Crowns = 100 crows for $0.99
90 Day Sub = 4500 Crowns = 100 crows for $0.93
180 Day Sub = 9000 Crowns =100 crows for $0.86

It looks like, if you're just interested in Crowns, your best bet is to just buy the 5500 Crown pack. It's almost 1/4 off the price.

If you DON'T care about the XP boost, then the FAR better option for you would be to buy Crown Packs. Especially if you're on console and you can only buy 1 month at a time.

jamesharv2005ub17_ESO · June 2015

You get free access to any DLC with eso + as well. Hardly a good comparison.

freespirit · June 2015

@Gidorick good work as usual.

@MaximumAttackG, when you have played for over a year and been through the Vet levels on multiple occasions then this sort of maths WILL be of interest to you.

You are quite right that leveling in ESO is easy especially from 1-50 but however much you love the game 4/5/6 times through the same content and a quicker way of getting there, becomes very appealing!!

MaximumAttackG · June 2015

@freespirit im quite aware the mindset at endgame, its no different then any other mmo im sure.

freespirit · June 2015

MaximumAttackG wrote: »

@freespirit im quite aware the mindset at endgame, its no different then any other mmo im sure.

@MaximumAttackG if you are aware of the 'mindset' at endgame then why make a comment like this?

Quote:-

''Side note, Im brand new to eso and made it to lvl 33 in 2 days without any of that. you level up so fast in this game compared to other mmos that maximize my exp gain isnt even on my mind. The fact you went and made a graph and did all this math is just funny to me. ''

You are by your own admission a new player, @Gidorick's maths and graphs are of interest to us longer term players, remember we all share these Forums!!

MaximumAttackG · June 2015

I am indeed a new player to eso, but by no means new to the fact that endgame usually consists going back over content continuously. Im max level and invested in many mmos that work off this and I expect no different from eso. What I was getting at is exp maximization isnt even on my mind because even with little knowledge of the game ive mangaed to be ahead of most new people in the console community without scrolls or eso+, someone who looks at eso+ is probably wanting more then exp gain so its irrelevant to compare the two.

Gidorick · June 2015

jamesharv2005ub17_ESO wrote: »

You get free access to any DLC with eso + as well. Hardly a good comparison.

What DLC do we currently have to access? @jamesharv2005ub17_ESO. DLC access doesn't factor in until we get some DLC.

freespirit · June 2015

MaximumAttackG wrote: »

I am indeed a new player to eso, but by no means new to the fact that endgame usually consists going back over content continuously. Im max level and invested in many mmos that work off this and I expect no different from eso. What I was getting at is exp maximization isnt even on my mind because even with little knowledge of the game ive mangaed to be ahead of most new people in the console community without scrolls or eso+, someone who looks at eso+ is probably wanting more then exp gain so its irrelevant to compare the two.

Actually from a PC players' point of view, having played for over a year and consequently having paid a subscription for the whole of that time, it is very, very relevant to compare the two!!......

With the advent of ESOTU us PC players had two options, continue to sub and receive the relevant bonuses or stop subbing and buy Crown packs instead.....

WHY would it not be of interest to us, which is the better value or which provides for our own personal needs better?

Also why would you presume that someone who pays for ESO+ does not do so for the extra 10% xp gain?

Trust me at Vet levels 10% can be very appealing.

Gidorick · June 2015

The basic, underlying motivation behind the comparison is to make it more apparent that ES)+ is... well... lacking. Especially while we haven't had DLC, which has been 3 months of ESO+ now.

jamesharv2005ub17_ESO · June 2015

Gidorick wrote: »

jamesharv2005ub17_ESO wrote: »

You get free access to any DLC with eso + as well. Hardly a good comparison.

What DLC do we currently have to access? @jamesharv2005ub17_ESO. DLC access doesn't factor in until we get some DLC.

It absolutely does factor in. You just want to compare apples to oranges and say they are both the same thing. IC is coming. Orsinium also by the end of the year.

Gidorick · June 2015

I agree @freespirit. I could totally see someone playing all the way up to VR one without getting ESO+ and THEN getting ESO+ to help with the Vet Grind.

Gidorick · June 2015

jamesharv2005ub17_ESO wrote: »

Gidorick wrote: »

jamesharv2005ub17_ESO wrote: »

You get free access to any DLC with eso + as well. Hardly a good comparison.

What DLC do we currently have to access? @jamesharv2005ub17_ESO. DLC access doesn't factor in until we get some DLC.

It absolutely does factor in. You just want to compare apples to oranges and say they are both the same thing. IC is coming. Orsinium also by the end of the year.

So why should I be an ESO+ subscriber BEFORE DLC?

And heck yea I'm comparing apples and oranges. I'm told that I can get my sustenance from one or the other... I'm going to give my opinion on which I think is best.

You don't have to peal an apple
Apples don't squirt juice
Applies don't have that weird membrane to bite through

Apples are CLEARLY the better fruit.

jamesharv2005ub17_ESO · June 2015

Gidorick wrote: »

jamesharv2005ub17_ESO wrote: »

Gidorick wrote: »

jamesharv2005ub17_ESO wrote: »

You get free access to any DLC with eso + as well. Hardly a good comparison.

What DLC do we currently have to access? @jamesharv2005ub17_ESO. DLC access doesn't factor in until we get some DLC.

It absolutely does factor in. You just want to compare apples to oranges and say they are both the same thing. IC is coming. Orsinium also by the end of the year.

So why should I be an ESO+ subscriber BEFORE DLC?

You said that paying for 180 days and paying for the crowns everything is equal. That is not true. In 180 days we will have at least two major DLC releases in IC and Orsinium. So while it may have made sense 8 months ago it no longer makes sense. With millions of console customers added to the mix we will see more DLC more frequently now. So again you arent taking the whole picture into account when you made this post.

Gidorick · June 2015

jamesharv2005ub17_ESO wrote: »

Gidorick wrote: »

jamesharv2005ub17_ESO wrote: »

Gidorick wrote: »

jamesharv2005ub17_ESO wrote: »

You get free access to any DLC with eso + as well. Hardly a good comparison.

What DLC do we currently have to access? @jamesharv2005ub17_ESO. DLC access doesn't factor in until we get some DLC.

It absolutely does factor in. You just want to compare apples to oranges and say they are both the same thing. IC is coming. Orsinium also by the end of the year.

So why should I be an ESO+ subscriber BEFORE DLC?

You said that paying for 180 days and paying for the crowns everything is equal. That is not true. In 180 days we will have at least two major DLC releases in IC and Orsinium. So while it may have made sense 8 months ago it no longer makes sense. With millions of console customers added to the mix we will see more DLC more frequently now. So again you arent taking the whole picture into account when you made this post.

Hmm.. You're right about that. I concede that point to you @jamesharv2005ub17_ESO. But my point is valid UNTIL some DLC comes out. RIGHT now... if you buy 6 months of ESO+ OR 2 5500 Crown packs, this comparison holds true.

Of course, when that happens I'll be sub hopping and getting to play through IC for $15 so, to me... long-term ESO+ is still a bad deal.

ElricFrancis · June 2015

I never had an issue with this because if I need to spend crown to level or if I have to grind I will just stop playing and go back to GTA V which usues the same formula but does not punish a player making them feel forced to acquire such nonsense.

I spent over 110 dollars on crowns alone for fun believe it or not. Now if I am willing to spend that much you think well I'll grab exp scrolls for crowns too right?

wrong.

I spent cause I been enjoying myself. When the grind hits my joy stops and the spending stops and goes back to GTAV if anything.
They need to drastically improve end game if they feel this sort of thing will make money. I know if I have an urge to do this I'd just stop playing and spend my money elsewhere.

MaximumAttackG · June 2015

Elric hit it right on the head, while im sure alot of players want to get the most exp as possible playing through content for the hundreth time there are others who choose to pay nothing at all and just continue to play because they like the game..you cant tell me every vet player is looking for a exp boost.

Preyfar · June 2015

MaximumAttackG wrote: »

Elric hit it right on the head, while im sure alot of players want to get the most exp as possible playing through content for the hundreth time there are others who choose to pay nothing at all and just continue to play because they like the game..you cant tell me every vet player is looking for a exp boost.

Especially with the fact we can craft the potions in game. For vet players, it makes the scrolls moot. As it stands, the scrolls are crown sinks for people to spend on who don't know what else to do with their crowns... or for people who have a lot of excess cash.

jamesharv2005ub17_ESO · June 2015

Gidorick wrote: »

jamesharv2005ub17_ESO wrote: »

Gidorick wrote: »

jamesharv2005ub17_ESO wrote: »

Gidorick wrote: »

jamesharv2005ub17_ESO wrote: »

You get free access to any DLC with eso + as well. Hardly a good comparison.

What DLC do we currently have to access? @jamesharv2005ub17_ESO. DLC access doesn't factor in until we get some DLC.

It absolutely does factor in. You just want to compare apples to oranges and say they are both the same thing. IC is coming. Orsinium also by the end of the year.

So why should I be an ESO+ subscriber BEFORE DLC?

You said that paying for 180 days and paying for the crowns everything is equal. That is not true. In 180 days we will have at least two major DLC releases in IC and Orsinium. So while it may have made sense 8 months ago it no longer makes sense. With millions of console customers added to the mix we will see more DLC more frequently now. So again you arent taking the whole picture into account when you made this post.

Hmm.. You're right about that. I concede that point to you @jamesharv2005ub17_ESO. But my point is valid UNTIL some DLC comes out. RIGHT now... if you buy 6 months of ESO+ OR 2 5500 Crown packs, this comparison holds true.

Of course, when that happens I'll be sub hopping and getting to play through IC for $15 so, to me... long-term ESO+ is still a bad deal.

No it doesnt because we know for a fact we have at least two major DLC releases coming in the next 6 months. So paying for ESO+ makes a lot of sense. If a mount is 2000 crowns or more IC will probably be at least 5000 crowns possibly more. If it was only an xp bonus and thats it i would agree with you that they are both about equal. Since you get more than a simple 10% bonus to XP its apples to oranges. You also get 10% more gold from everything. 10% more inspiration. 10% more crafting research gain. Then on top of all that you also get all DLC included in the price.

Gidorick · June 2015

jamesharv2005ub17_ESO wrote: »

Gidorick wrote: »

jamesharv2005ub17_ESO wrote: »

Gidorick wrote: »

jamesharv2005ub17_ESO wrote: »

Gidorick wrote: »

jamesharv2005ub17_ESO wrote: »

You get free access to any DLC with eso + as well. Hardly a good comparison.

What DLC do we currently have to access? @jamesharv2005ub17_ESO. DLC access doesn't factor in until we get some DLC.

It absolutely does factor in. You just want to compare apples to oranges and say they are both the same thing. IC is coming. Orsinium also by the end of the year.

So why should I be an ESO+ subscriber BEFORE DLC?

You said that paying for 180 days and paying for the crowns everything is equal. That is not true. In 180 days we will have at least two major DLC releases in IC and Orsinium. So while it may have made sense 8 months ago it no longer makes sense. With millions of console customers added to the mix we will see more DLC more frequently now. So again you arent taking the whole picture into account when you made this post.

Hmm.. You're right about that. I concede that point to you @jamesharv2005ub17_ESO. But my point is valid UNTIL some DLC comes out. RIGHT now... if you buy 6 months of ESO+ OR 2 5500 Crown packs, this comparison holds true.

Of course, when that happens I'll be sub hopping and getting to play through IC for $15 so, to me... long-term ESO+ is still a bad deal.

No it doesnt because we know for a fact we have at least two major DLC releases coming in the next 6 months. So paying for ESO+ makes a lot of sense. If a mount is 2000 crowns or more IC will probably be at least 5000 crowns possibly more. If it was only an xp bonus and thats it i would agree with you that they are both about equal. Since you get more than a simple 10% bonus to XP its apples to oranges. You also get 10% more gold from everything. 10% more inspiration. 10% more crafting research gain. Then on top of all that you also get all DLC included in the price.

Ok bud. Keep drinking that coolaid. Since I've been without eso+ I've not "felt" the lack of the 10% bonus.

ADarklore · June 2015

But what about those of us who subscribe AND use the XP Boost? Is that not a 60% XP bonus?!?

For me, I subscribe not just for the boost to XP, Crafting Inspiration, Gold or monthly Crowns... but also because I like to support the game I'm playing and want to play for a long period of time.

jamesharv2005ub17_ESO · June 2015

Gidorick wrote: »

jamesharv2005ub17_ESO wrote: »

Gidorick wrote: »

jamesharv2005ub17_ESO wrote: »

Gidorick wrote: »

jamesharv2005ub17_ESO wrote: »

Gidorick wrote: »

jamesharv2005ub17_ESO wrote: »

You get free access to any DLC with eso + as well. Hardly a good comparison.

What DLC do we currently have to access? @jamesharv2005ub17_ESO. DLC access doesn't factor in until we get some DLC.

It absolutely does factor in. You just want to compare apples to oranges and say they are both the same thing. IC is coming. Orsinium also by the end of the year.

So why should I be an ESO+ subscriber BEFORE DLC?

You said that paying for 180 days and paying for the crowns everything is equal. That is not true. In 180 days we will have at least two major DLC releases in IC and Orsinium. So while it may have made sense 8 months ago it no longer makes sense. With millions of console customers added to the mix we will see more DLC more frequently now. So again you arent taking the whole picture into account when you made this post.

Hmm.. You're right about that. I concede that point to you @jamesharv2005ub17_ESO. But my point is valid UNTIL some DLC comes out. RIGHT now... if you buy 6 months of ESO+ OR 2 5500 Crown packs, this comparison holds true.

Of course, when that happens I'll be sub hopping and getting to play through IC for $15 so, to me... long-term ESO+ is still a bad deal.

No it doesnt because we know for a fact we have at least two major DLC releases coming in the next 6 months. So paying for ESO+ makes a lot of sense. If a mount is 2000 crowns or more IC will probably be at least 5000 crowns possibly more. If it was only an xp bonus and thats it i would agree with you that they are both about equal. Since you get more than a simple 10% bonus to XP its apples to oranges. You also get 10% more gold from everything. 10% more inspiration. 10% more crafting research gain. Then on top of all that you also get all DLC included in the price.

Ok bud. Keep drinking that coolaid. Since I've been without eso+ I've not "felt" the lack of the 10% bonus.

What you "feel" is irrelevant. The fact is you get alot more for your money than a xp boost.

Lionxoft · June 2015

MaximumAttackG wrote: »

why are you even comparing the two? eso+ isnt solely for the extra exp, and the scrolls are primarily for players who know they are about to dedicate 2 hours to leveling.

As it's widely known, that's not the main reason to use these boosters.

MaximumAttackG · June 2015

Lionxoft wrote: »

MaximumAttackG wrote: »

why are you even comparing the two? eso+ isnt solely for the extra exp, and the scrolls are primarily for players who know they are about to dedicate 2 hours to leveling.

As it's widely known, that's not the main reason to use these boosters.

Whether your leveling to 50, leveling your vet rank or getting CP, youre still leveling.

jamesharv2005ub17_ESO · June 2015

Hell even after you hit vr14 you still have CP to earn. Otherwise would be kind of pointless to hit VR14 and continue to play.

Gidorick · June 2015

jamesharv2005ub17_ESO wrote: »

Gidorick wrote: »

jamesharv2005ub17_ESO wrote: »

Gidorick wrote: »

jamesharv2005ub17_ESO wrote: »

Gidorick wrote: »

jamesharv2005ub17_ESO wrote: »

Gidorick wrote: »

jamesharv2005ub17_ESO wrote: »

You get free access to any DLC with eso + as well. Hardly a good comparison.

What DLC do we currently have to access? @jamesharv2005ub17_ESO. DLC access doesn't factor in until we get some DLC.

It absolutely does factor in. You just want to compare apples to oranges and say they are both the same thing. IC is coming. Orsinium also by the end of the year.

So why should I be an ESO+ subscriber BEFORE DLC?

You said that paying for 180 days and paying for the crowns everything is equal. That is not true. In 180 days we will have at least two major DLC releases in IC and Orsinium. So while it may have made sense 8 months ago it no longer makes sense. With millions of console customers added to the mix we will see more DLC more frequently now. So again you arent taking the whole picture into account when you made this post.

Hmm.. You're right about that. I concede that point to you @jamesharv2005ub17_ESO. But my point is valid UNTIL some DLC comes out. RIGHT now... if you buy 6 months of ESO+ OR 2 5500 Crown packs, this comparison holds true.

Of course, when that happens I'll be sub hopping and getting to play through IC for $15 so, to me... long-term ESO+ is still a bad deal.

No it doesnt because we know for a fact we have at least two major DLC releases coming in the next 6 months. So paying for ESO+ makes a lot of sense. If a mount is 2000 crowns or more IC will probably be at least 5000 crowns possibly more. If it was only an xp bonus and thats it i would agree with you that they are both about equal. Since you get more than a simple 10% bonus to XP its apples to oranges. You also get 10% more gold from everything. 10% more inspiration. 10% more crafting research gain. Then on top of all that you also get all DLC included in the price.

Ok bud. Keep drinking that coolaid. Since I've been without eso+ I've not "felt" the lack of the 10% bonus.

What you "feel" is irrelevant. The fact is you get alot more for your money than a xp boost.

It's relevant because I'm a customer and I don't feel like the service is worth it.