Maintenance for the week of April 6:
• ESO Store and Account System for maintenance – April 8, 9:00AM EDT (13:00 UTC) - 6:00PM EDT (22:00 UTC)
We are currently investigating connection issues some players are having on the European megaservers. We will update as new information becomes available.

Does anyone use the Crown store alt-convenience options?

cjdean128ub17_ESO
I'm talking the Skyshard unlocks, skill line max, etc.

On my main guy, I've unlocked all skyshards, maxed all skill lines, etc.

So when I made my alt recently I remembered reading that you could purchase those things you've already unlocked for a price.

So I went to the crown store and my God I think the pricing is completely incorrect for those options.

800 crowns for a single zone full of skyshards? 700 crowns for a WW/Vamp bite or cure? Several thousand to max a skill line out?

I understand that ultimately ESO is a product that needs to be monitized as much as possible for shareholders, but I'm wondering if anyone has ever actually paid those incredibly steep prices to get their alt on equal standing to their main character.

I genuinely doubt that they're making much - if any money from those conveniences at their current pricing.

I support a drastic reduction in alt-boosting options. Obviously keep the requirement to have previously unlocked all skyshards, grinded skill lines, etc, but drop the Crown cost by half or more.
Edited by cjdean128ub17_ESO on February 3, 2021 8:57PM
  • Mojmir
    Mojmir
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    Not one bit, even if they were a dollar a pc i wouldnt spend it.
  • worrallj
    worrallj
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    Hell no. I'm already a subscriber, that's how I support the game. I will not normalize & encourage the cancer that is videogame cash shops.
    Edited by worrallj on February 3, 2021 9:06PM
  • Sylvermynx
    Sylvermynx
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    Oh heck no. I love getting skyshards, lorebooks, wayshrines, antiquities etc. on my alts! It's why I have them....
  • Tandor
    Tandor
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    Sylvermynx wrote: »
    Oh heck no. I love getting skyshards, lorebooks, wayshrines, antiquities etc. on my alts! It's why I have them....

    Me too!

    Trivialising the playing of alts for those only interested in "endgame" (whatever that is) is one thing, doing it through a cash shop is another thing altogether. Some of us actually want to play the game with those alts! That said, for those willing to contribute extra through the cash shop to the revenue for the game's maintenance and development I suppose I should be grateful. The trouble is, it's a slippery slope that we all end up suffering from at some point, and the overall game certainly doesn't benefit from it.
  • Lephrel
    Lephrel
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    I'm not proud of it, but yes...bought quite a few skill line upgrades.
    It's an incredibly scummy business model though. Subjecting every new alt to a gruelling grind (probably 48hrs+) or charging you 9k crowns per alt.
    Imo 500 crowns would be more appropriate for race changes and skill line upgrades. As it is, it feels like ZOS is really trying to milk the playerbase dry.
  • RunForTheHills
    RunForTheHills
    ✭✭✭
    I have bought a few. I bought several packs of 21,000 crowns at $89 each during the last sale. At that price, 800 crowns comes out to $3.39. Clearing a zone of skyshards takes an hour or two and sometimes I am in a hurry and need skillpoints for something I want to do more than farm skyshards. Everyone has different ways to enjoy the game.
  • renne
    renne
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    ✭✭
    Yes I have, but usually only if I really need something. On a new toon for a specific reason (like... trials), unlocking skill lines like mages guild or skyshards for skill points.
  • Wandering_Immigrant
    Wandering_Immigrant
    ✭✭✭✭
    Never. Doing those things is just part of the leveling process for me. I'm not sure how I would go about 1-50 if they were already unlocked, I imagine I'd feel no sense of direction.

    I think the price is fair, unlike most things on the store. They're a few bucks, that's a fraction of the cost of most mounts or anything else I would ever actually want. If you're an ESO+ member your monthly allowance gets you a skill line and the skyshards to fill it out. That seems more than fair.

    Except the vampire & werewolf stuff, the price on those is kind of ridiculous. But if you're buying those you kind deserve to get ripped off, it takes just as long to open the store and buy those as it does to travel to zone and talk to an NPC.
  • Eedat
    Eedat
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    Some of the skyshard ones. After the third toon I have no interest in running around blasting mobs that don't even fight back to pick up skyshards anymore
  • Nairinhe
    Nairinhe
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    ✭✭✭
    Nope.
    I'm not in a hurry to level my alts and I love visiting familiar places for skyshards and lorebooks or riding aroung the zone with Fighters' Guild hunter skill slotted looking around for bloodfiends of werewolves to light up. Or, y'know, other players don't bite... wait... they do, that's the point.
    Anyway, I think I'm at least ten characters away from pay-to-skip.
  • Cirantille
    Cirantille
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    ✭✭
    Never

    I'd rather progress slowly in time rather than paying for something freely exists
  • Khajiitihaswares
    Khajiitihaswares
    ✭✭✭
    Mojmir wrote: »
    Not one bit, even if they were a dollar a pc i wouldnt spend it.

    Same I am good. I rather just farm it. Plus for mount speed and stuff from daily rewards I have enough stocked up >_>...
  • LalMirchi
    LalMirchi
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    ✭✭
    I don't use those options, I'm a hoarder. Like many I like playing the game at a relaxed pace.
  • Lugaldu
    Lugaldu
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    ✭✭✭✭
    No, none of that.
  • Sarannah
    Sarannah
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    ✭✭✭✭
    I bought the Cyrodiil skyshards on some characters, and am planning to buy those for more. And I bought the craglorn skyshards for some of my characters which can not do that zone solo.

    Other than that, I farm all my stuff. Which is why I am currently still dying in... uhhm, farming in the Imperial city for the ebonsteel motifs.
  • zaria
    zaria
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    Not used it, farming skill points is easy enough skyshards and quests to relax or waiting for group.
    The guild ones is easy enough to get, same with pvp skills.

    Now the treasure chest passive is made very very hard to get on alts because you only get the purple zone rewards on first pass. Still not in crown store for reasons.
    Grinding just make you go in circles.
    Asking ZoS for nerfs is as stupid as asking for close air support from the death star.
  • Mik195
    Mik195
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    I do it on specific characters. I bought skyshards so my crafter could finish out the consumables. She already had the other crafts. I also bought dark brotherhood for her since the decreased aggro is worth it. Probably spent $20-$30 which is nothing. I don't have fun playing her so why spend the tine to do it manually.
    Edited by Mik195 on February 4, 2021 12:37AM
  • phileunderx2
    phileunderx2
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    I have once. I bought the cyrodil skyshards for my achievement character.
  • caperb
    caperb
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    I bought the alliance skill line once when I forgot to gain some AP before and wanted to start using my bomber straight away, but that's it. Way too expensive and overpriced, I have to pay for my house and other things as well. It is seriously not an option for me to do that on every alt with all the skillines.

    Usually I swallow it and do a full skyshard/psijic/mages run. This may take 10 hours or more, and then I didn't even start with levelling, undaunted or fighters guild. Maybe the reason why I don't have every role of every class yet, it takes just too long before you are finally able to play your character.
  • Tandor
    Tandor
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    I have once. I bought the cyrodil skyshards for my achievement character.

    So your achievement character isn't the one who earns the achievements then?

    Interesting.
  • phileunderx2
    phileunderx2
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    It bought me 2 shards behind the DC gates.
    all she needed for tamirel skyshard hunter. So yeah.. Whatever
  • Kalik_Gold
    Kalik_Gold
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    Nope
    Main Character:
    Ras Kalik a Redguard Templar, the Vestige

    PvP Pure-class:
    Goliath of Hammerfell a Redguard Dragonknight
    Jux Blackheart a Redguard Nightblade
    Aurik Siet'ka a Redguard Necromancer
    Cacique the Sage of Ius a Redguard Warden
    Kaotik Von Dae'mon a Redguard* Sorcerer

    PvP: Subclassed or Specialty
    Movárth Piquine a Nord Vampiric Necromancer (Tank)
    Voa a Priest of Sep a Redguard* Necromancer (Healer)
    Tsar af-Bomba a Redguard Vampiric Nightblade (Bomber)
    Two-Big-Horns an Argonian Arcanist /Sorcerer
    Uri Ice-Heart the Twin a Nord Vampiric Warden (Ice-Theme)

    PvE:
    Cinan Tharn an Imperial Dragonknight (Tank)
    Herzog Zwei the Genesis an Akavari* Templar (Healer)
    Bates Vesuius of Dawnstar an Redguard** Dragonknight (Raid Damage) --- Name change needed

    PvE: Specialty
    Tyrus Septim an Imperial Sorcerer (Dungeon Damage)
    Tav'i at-Shinji a Redguard** Warden (Arenas)
    Lucky Hunch the Gambler - a Redguard Nightblade (Thief)

    Leveling...
    Styx of Akatosh a Goblin*** Arcanist --- Race change needed
    Zenovia at-Tura a Redguard** Lycan Sorcerer
    Yesi af-Kalik a Redguard Templar
    ======
    Passives of another race used:
    *Breton
    **Imperial
    ***Argonian




    __________________________Backstories:_________________________

    Ras Kalik the Vestige, a renown Redguard warrior; He has been blessed to save Tamriel from Molag Bal’s destructive Planemeld while reuniting the Five Companions. His further accomplishments after defeating Molag Bal, has been to stop the destruction of Morrowind, the Clockwork City, return order to the isle of Summerset and create a new king in Wrothgar and a queen in Elsywer. These events have made him a living legend and continue to lead him into new adventures throughout Tamriel, as well as into the hearts of many ladies including the Elf Queen, Aryenn. Over many years of adventurous travels, Ras Kalik had become a loner, until he re-visited his homeland of Alik'r.

    Alik'r and it's cities were overrun by the undead Ra-Netu and therefore he made an allegiance with Alik'r's own Ash'abah tribe. These Ash'abah with his help, cleansed the city of Sentinel in Alik'r desert and it's surrounding areas of the undead brought to life by the Withered Hand. After rescuing Sentinel from the undead zombies, King Fahara’jad’s personal bodyguard the Goliath of Hammerfell, who was given this name by Imperials in the region; was asked to assist the tribe after learning of the defeat of the Withered Hand to the Ash'abah. Kalik promised Goliath he would task him with fighting living enemies on the battlefield if he so desired. Goliath being a Yokudan warrior wields a massive sword in respect to the Ansei, a gift given by the Imperial, Cinan Tharn. Not many soldiers are able to wield double two handed weapons, but Goliath loves to get up and personal in a fight, so he also carries a giant maul, both weapons laced with magical flames.

    Jux Blackheart is a master thief that masquerades as a Bard at the Sisters of the Sands inn, with his younger sidekick Lucky Hunch for pilfering and gambling during this time. Jux was known to infiltrate any towns bank vault he came across and even delved into Ayelid ruins without detection. Kalik can vividly recall the night he met the famed thief. Jux found himself rummaging thru a slightly inebriated Kalik’s pocket for too long, on a full-mooned night and because of his greed and the glimmer of his golden armor in the moonlight. He lost his left pinky fingertip as a lesson! But in return, he gained a new friend, as it was his first time since a child being caught red-handed...

    Upon arrival back in the Alik'r after many moons of adventuring, Ras Kalik ventures to Bergama. Visiting The Winking Jackal, he runs into Jux Blackheart, who introduces him to the coin game Crowns vs Forebearers (Heads vs Tails) and Golden Dwemer (RBG).... Jux constantly takes gold from the unfortunate thru theft or gambling, his biggest gambling victim is actually his partner in crime known as Lucky Hunch the Gambler. Lucky doesn't mind losing any gold coins to Jux... as Jux saved him from Altmer slavers in Summerset, by stealing a key and sending him on a boat to the mainland years prior. Lucky spent years in slavery with Khajiits in Summerset and picked up the art of subterfuge, using illusion magic disguises and stealing there.

    Kaotik Von’Daemon an outcast, and a half-caste between a Breton mother and a Redguard father. Kaotik become a pariah due to his conjuration of Daedra pets. He was taught healing magic during his childhood years by his Breton mother. His father due to Redguard customs exiled him from the desert, sending him by wagon caravan to be a soldier in the war in Cyrodiil. He happened to meet Kalik while traveling from Alik'r, during this long caravan ride the caravan he was in was ambushed in Bangkorai by a group of bandits. Kalik by chance was also traveling thru this area on his Auridon Warhorse (which was bestowed to him by his friend, Darien Gautier). During this ambush, Kalik was able to rescue five hostages from the bandits. Kaotik was the first rescued, and Ras Kalik also recruited him to be in the Ash'abah tribe. These core Ash'abah tribesmen may never be seen together in travel as they partake in their own adventures but they always know what each other is doing; as they frequent a hideout in northern Bankorai. Their hideout an old Orc castle ruin, is kept watch by Nuzhimeh and she passes messages written between them, and frequently they also enjoy her company and her bed.

    The other men rescued were a Dunmer banker, an Imperial mercenary and two other soldiers, an Imperial and a Breton Knight, stating proudly he was an Akavir descendent. One of the Imperials, Cinan, claimed to be related to Abnur Tharn the Battlemage of the Imperial Elder Council (One of Ras Kalik's mentors in the Five Companions). Cinan Tharn was really Abnur's drunkard treasure hunting illegitimate son. He was caught smuggling artifacts out of the Ayleid ruins in Cyrodiil and the elder of the two Imperials was Tyrus Septim a retired Imperial navy battle-mage (now a Lycan mercenary living in the city of Rimmen) and guard to the Tharn family. As much as Abnur Tharn hated his half-sister Euraxia, he dislikes his bas†ard son Cinan more. Tyrus now a ruffian and privateer had been paid by Abnur Tharn to watch over Cinan as much as possible. Cinan Tharn a drunkard, loves to drink at least a quarter barrel of Nord mead before he raids various delves and dungeons for relics to sell on the black market. Cinan also plans to one day, run an illegal gambling ring... which he thinks will net him more gold for his wares.

    The Dunmer captive shackled to the Imperials looked familiar to Kalik from his time in Morrowind.... and he recognized him as Tythis Andromo a House Telvanni slave-owner and banker from Vvardenfell. During a rough interrogation to Tythis, Ras Kalik learnt why the bandits accosted him. The racist Dunmer was providing slaves as soldiers for the Three Banner War. The bandits were trying to negotiate a lucrative ransom for Andromo and the Imperials.... Kalik did not need any of this gold and he could never set Tythis free as he did with the two Imperial soldiers. His past involvement with slavery and war crimes, made Kalik's blood boil. He chose not to execute Tythis, as he figured the worse punishment for this former rich and opulent slave owner, is to now be an imprisoned servant for Ras Kalik and the tribe.

    Herzog Zwei the Genesis a reknown Imperial/Akavirri battle-mage. His roots going back to Akavir through his mother’s bloodline. (His mother is descended from the Akaviri, through Versidue-Shae, and his Imperial father met her in Hakoshae, while traveling) Herzog earned the nickname "the Genesis" from his father as a child, as he was his mother's first born child, and last, as she tragically died in child-birth.

    Herzog was seeking to purchase an artifact from Cinan Tharn, before their capture and was meeting Tyrus while in Rimmen, who introduced him to Cinan. This artifact being the Ayelid artifact; the sword Sinweaver. After their rescue and the exchange of gold to Cinan for the sword he decided to slip away before Ras Kalik could question who he was, and why the Akavir descendant really wanted that sword. Herzog was headed to Nagastani — An Ayleid ruin in eastern Cyrodiil. He had read in scrolls that the Sword would give him magical powers to meet his mothers spirit, if he performed an Ayleid ritual at an old shrine hidden there. Equipped with the artifact sword, he was off to start his own adventure but Ras Kalik, did indeed notice the sword however and instead sent a letter to Jux Blackheart (whom also was interested in Ayleid treasures), to attempt to find Herzog and acquire the sword. (*Azani Blackheart in Elder Scroll's Oblivion is Jux's descendant some 747 years later)

    And so the Redguard, Imperial and Akaviri men parted ways ... While Ras Kalik went off to Elsweyr to encounter the latest threat to Tamriel, with Abnur Tharn and Sai Sahan - - DRAGONS!! Little did Ras Kalik know a few people were awaiting him in Senchal besides Sai. A necromancer survived his attack on the Withered Hand, while in Alik'r. The necromancer known as Auriek Siet'ka is also following him to the land of the Khajiits and Cacique the Sage of Ius a Shaman mystic who has become attuned spiritually with Tu'whacca (a Redguard God) and Ius (the Animal God), after being burned severely by the escaped dragons in Elsywer, is awaiting his arrival also. Aurik is a soldier of the Daggerfall Covenant that was introduced to necromancy while in the military, even though this magicka art is not spoken of openly by most of the Military leaders. He came to Alik'r and worked with the Withered Hand before Ras Kalik intervened on their plans. After the defeat of the Withered Hand, he aligned with the Worm Cult, and is constantly adapting and perfecting his necromantic arts.

    After his journey to Rimmen, Kalik heads south to Senchal, in the southern regions of Elyswer. This new adventure will also put him on a path to meet a strange Redguard man. The stranger which was infected with an untreated Peyrite disease and also was the exiled from the Order of the New Moon cult, due to his sickness. He originally joined the cult to worship Laatvulon, the green dragon, mistakenly thinking it was the Daedric prince Peyrite. This confused and suffering cultist is known as Tsar al-Bomba and he is on a path to spread the disease. He was originally infected in Orccrest while recruiting members there. Can Ras Kalik and the shaman Cacique cure this poor soul, only time will tell. Little does Tsar al-Bomba know, that his infection is tied to Vampirism, and eventually the desire for blood will take over his mind. Senchal also offers Kalik his latest love interest... Aeliah. Whom he fondly led thru battles with the Dragonguard.

    After the trek thru the heat, tropical and desert climate of Northern and Southern Elyswer, Ras Kalik heads north to the cold mountain range of Skyrim. His companion friend Lyris beckons for him with a letter sent by crow...

    Movárth Piquine - a former vampire hunter (now infected), within the Fighter's Guild (and a secretive necromancer) was in Skyrim working with the Morthaal Guard. On a patrol mission he was caught in Frewien's ice curse outside of Morthaal with the frozen undead. Movárth's vampiric infection kept him from becoming an undead minion to the curse. He was able to use necromantic ice-magic to encase himself safely until he was freed with Freiwen, when the Vestige Ras Kalik broke the curse.

    Uri Ice-Heart - brother of Urfon Ice-Heart. The twin sons of Atli and Oljourn Ice-Heart. The Ice-Heart family are originally from Markarth but now reside on the Jerall Mountain range near Cyrodiil, with their younger sister Araki. The twins had joined the Winterborn Reachmen while living in Markarth. Urfon pushed west to Orsinium with the Winterborn Clan, leaving his family behind. Uri stayed behind with his parents and sister to live in the family cabin for safety, avoiding the Vampire plague infiltrating the Reach. After news reaches him and he hears of Urfon's death... Uri leaves and heads home and is seeking vengeance. Meanwhile, his sister has also moved on to Windhelm to join the Fighter's guild. He will visit his sister, once before going to seek vengeance and she will craft him armor mixed with ice, called Stalhrim armor. Uri fearing death, after his brother's passing, falls victim to the convincing talk of Movárth at a Nordic tavern, and will also becomes a vampire.

    {time moves forward through the hour-glass}
    PS5/NA - Ras Kalik a Redguard Templar - Daggerfall Covenant
  • Danikat
    Danikat
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    I haven't bought them, but it's nothing to do with the price. As other people said I make additional characters because I actually want to play them, not pay extra to skip chunks of the game.

    I suppose if you're making a new character purely to play one specific area of the game - like maybe your trial group needs a necromancer or whatever and somehow the best option is for you to create one from scratch - then it could make sense to buy the unlocks so you can just make them and (almost) immediately get to what you want to be doing. But otherwise I don't see the point.

    But pay-to-not-play as I call it seems to be an increasing trend - buy a game then keep paying more to skip as much of it as you can. So I assume there is demand for it somewhere.
    PC EU player | She/her/hers | PAWS (Positively Against Wrip-off Stuff) - Say No to Crown Crates!

    "Remember in this game we call life that no one said it's fair"
  • Vhale
    Vhale
    ✭✭✭
    I got a couple of the opposite faction Cyrodil skyshards for a farming alt. Everything else seems very overpriced to me. Granted, I don't mind questing and I can make my own gear.
    The Ska'vyn Exchange
    Savage Blade
    Vhale Sirothe -Templar - Grand Master Crafter - Daggerfall
  • Carthelion
    Carthelion
    ✭✭✭
    The only one I'd consider is Mages Guild. Without an add-on to keep track on what you've found and haven't, it's a nightmare. Plus the online guides though helpful, sometimes aren't up to date and it's still difficult to track.
  • B0SSzombie
    B0SSzombie
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    I got my alt the Cyrodiil Skyshards, since having to go behind the enemy gates is a PITA.
  • zaria
    zaria
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    I have once. I bought the cyrodil skyshards for my achievement character.
    At the end of this event the overflow campaigns tend to be PvE zones with single color maps, nice time to farm all the sky shards.
    Grinding just make you go in circles.
    Asking ZoS for nerfs is as stupid as asking for close air support from the death star.
  • Vevvev
    Vevvev
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    I only spend crowns on permanent account wide items, so no I don't buy these pay to skip items.
    PC NA - Ceyanna Ashton - Breton Vampire MagDK
  • Bucky_13
    Bucky_13
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    Only one time. After I created and started to level my pacifist, I realized I really needed the Psijic Order skill line. Sadly, you can't unlock it without killing NPCs, so I bought it for that character purely for that reason. Besides that, there's no way in hell I'd buy any of them, it's a waste of money.
  • Athan1
    Athan1
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    Alts? Ain't nobody got time for that.
    Athan Atticus Imperial Templar of Shezarr
Sign In or Register to comment.