Xyn, Planar Purveyor (new merchant assistant)

Syldras · May 9

As a Master Wizard of Great House Telvanni, collector of obscure artifacts and admirer of creatures with many eyes and even more tentacles, I'm interested in buying hiring Xyn, the new watchling merchant. There's one thing, however, that is as important to me as the loyality of my servants: their voice. I don't want to pay 5000 coins for a hireling whose voice causes me headaches.

To put it short: Is there any website where I can listen to Xyn's voicelines or at least a short voice sample? There's nothing on Youtube yet, and unfortunately, there's no preview in the Crown Store either (which would be a nice thing for ZOS to add, in general).

Nerouyn · May 10

I don't know but I've bought him and it's delightfully comical.

I love him.

Araneae6537 · May 10

The word that came to mind to describe Xyn’s manner of speech is thespian. He has a flamboyance to him, and perhaps your wizardry would appreciate his interest in planar esoterica. I do not think he would give you a headache, although I hear one Balver Bemis of your house is concocting a remedy for such things…

Malyore · May 10

Does he portal in, or does he just fade-spawn?

DragonRacer · May 10

Thespian is a good descriptor. He fade-spawns in. My ArcTank needed an Apocrypha buddy, so I have a short video uploading now. There’s also a delightfully-delivered nod to The Rocky Horror Picture Show with one of his lines.

DragonRacer · May 10

Here you go:

https://youtu.be/iIRWwL1jxOY?si=vhR0stIZj8kyGD3e

LunaFlora · May 10

DragonRacer wrote: »

Here you go:

https://youtu.be/iIRWwL1jxOY?si=vhR0stIZj8kyGD3e

Xyn sounds cool! thanks for the video ^_^

Hapexamendios · May 10

He looks cool, but I can't see paying 5000 crowns for an assistant whose functionality I already have. If there was an option to reskin/trade out for around 1000 crowns, I would seriously consider it.

Nerouyn · May 10

Hapexamendios wrote: »

He looks cool, but I can't see paying 5000 crowns for an assistant whose functionality I already have. If there was an option to reskin/trade out for around 1000 crowns, I would seriously consider it.

That has long been my view but I'm very and newly into arcanists so got this one and love him.

I think I've seen assistants on sale for as much as 50% off. Combine with discounted crowns and that brings their effective price down to 1500 crowns (at max 40% crown pack discount). That wouldn't be too bad IMO.

But now I love Xyn so much and expect to the inevitable watchling banker (at least) that I may just stick with those.

LunaFlora · May 10

Nerouyn wrote: »

Hapexamendios wrote: »

He looks cool, but I can't see paying 5000 crowns for an assistant whose functionality I already have. If there was an option to reskin/trade out for around 1000 crowns, I would seriously consider it.

That has long been my view but I'm very and newly into arcanists so got this one and love him.

I think I've seen assistants on sale for as much as 50% off. Combine with discounted crowns and that brings their effective price down to 1500 crowns (at max 40% crown pack discount). That wouldn't be too bad IMO.

But now I love Xyn so much and expect to the inevitable watchling banker (at least) that I may just stick with those.

assistants have either never been on sale for 50% off or at least it has not happened in six years and thus it is unlikely it would happen again (i say six years as when i looked up that discount it supposedly happened in 2018. though it's unclear if it really was 50 or just 30).

the last discount was 10 or 15% which i have seen multiple times in the last four years that i've been actively playing eso. so 10/15% is likely the way it'll keep being discounted.

Syldras · May 10

DragonRacer wrote: »

Thespian is a good descriptor. He fade-spawns in. My ArcTank needed an Apocrypha buddy, so I have a short video uploading now. There’s also a delightfully-delivered nod to The Rocky Horror Picture Show with one of his lines.

Thank you!

Araneae6537 wrote: »

I do not think he would give you a headache, although I hear one Balver Bemis of your house is concocting a remedy for such things…

Oh, I've already... taken care of that dilettante.

Nerouyn · May 10

LunaFlora wrote: »

assistants have either never been on sale for 50% off or at least it has not happened in six years and thus it is unlikely it would happen again (i say six years as when i looked up that discount it supposedly happened in 2018. though it's unclear if it really was 50 or just 30).

Sorry.

I've also searched and can't find a record so it's more likely I've confused this with a 50% crown pack sale which would have brought their effective price just down to half.

I'm happy with my purchase today partly because arcanists are finally a class I enjoy with almost no reservation. Like there's just one ability that when specced mag consumes stamina (ugh) but that's nothing compared to the disappointment I still feel playing wardens.

The only reason I would buy others now - except for more apocrypha themed ones - is if I decide to start up my guild properly and they look significantly better in a guild space. But I reckon the watchlings will look good everywhere.

LunaFlora wrote: »

the last discount was 10 or 15% which i have seen multiple times in the last four years that i've been actively playing eso. so 10/15% is likely the way it'll keep being discounted.

I think it was 20% just recently. They were 4K. Though not all were on sale. Atronachs and maybe a few others.

And 25% last November.

https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/647465/assistants-for-sale-d

ArchMikem · May 10

$45-$50 for an NPC vendor.

I bought the Gold Coast Chapter for less.

Nerouyn · May 10

ArchMikem wrote: »

$45-$50 for an NPC vendor.

I bought the Gold Coast Chapter for less.

Recent 40% crown pack sale so $30 for me.

They're not essential but they do help and IMO are one of the better buys from the crown store.

Being able to whip them out while playing to quickly sell / dump / change things and carry on can take a lot of the sting out of inventory management. I also place them in small homes with all crafting stations for others, myself and my alts.

DragonRacer · May 10

Yeah, I already have bankers/merchants. So anytime I get one for aesthetics only, I go through a guild Crown seller so it only costs me the in-game gold equivalent.

Syldras · May 10

Nerouyn wrote: »

Recent 40% crown pack sale so $30 for me.
They're not essential but they do help and IMO are one of the better buys from the crown store.
Being able to whip them out while playing to quickly sell / dump / change things and carry on can take a lot of the sting out of inventory management. I also place them in small homes with all crafting stations for others, myself and my alts.

Exactly. Portable bankers, merchants and deconstruction assistants are a helpful tool. Or one that makes the experience more convenient, at least. For me, it's also about the flow - not having to interrupt questing or what else I'm currently doing just to get into a big city to bank or sell stuff. I'm normally quite attentive with my inventory, but even 100 or 150 slots are filled in an hour or so (depending on activity, of course).

Personally, I even rarely buy crowns at all (and if so, during sales). I usually have enough left from my ESO+ subscription. Most mounts and pets don't interest me anyway, same goes for costumes. I do housing, so I occasionally buy a house guest or a bit of furniture, but it's not that much, either.

Still, I think that crown store prices can be debated. I think that some prices are quite extreme and that some people would reconsider the purchase of an item if they could see the price in real currency in the store - but that's another topic.

Malyore · May 10

ArchMikem wrote: »

$45-$50 for an NPC vendor.

I bought the Gold Coast Chapter for less.

This really is the most critical info to consider on these kind of discussions.

Nerouyn · May 10

LunaFlora wrote: »

Still, I think that crown store prices can be debated. I think that some prices are quite extreme and that some people would reconsider the purchase of an item if they could see the price in real currency in the store - but that's another topic.

Agreed that they're too expensive, especially as repeats.

I have long looked at alternatives like the kitty (because I have lots of Khajiit and love the Khajiit homes) and atronach ones (because I love the single player games and we should be able to summon combat atronachs of every element, but this would be a weak consolation prize) and thought, if only they were cheaper.

The most common banker and merchant I see are the original Tyth and Nuzh.

It is still early but so far the only Xyn I've seen is my own.

Players using alternatives not only promotes them as products, it makes the game look less like a clone farm, i.e. more beautiful and immersive and the potential financial benefits of that are substantial.

I reckon Nuzh is decently if humbly dressed but I've never loved what Tyth wears so every him on screen detracts a small amount of value from the game.

It's mainly because I'm so into arcanists that this one got over my buy-me hump. Also a little bit because watchlings look cool and totally unlike anything else available.

tsaescishoeshiner · May 11

I love their dialogue! Do we know who the voice actor is?

I would totally get if I didn't already have a merchant. Watchling combat companion when?

Granden_Woodleafson · May 11

Hapexamendios wrote: »

He looks cool, but I can't see paying 5000 crowns for an assistant whose functionality I already have. If there was an option to reskin/trade out for around 1000 crowns, I would seriously consider it.

This, and I have never been at a loss because I haven't been able to find a merchant, maybe I manage my inventory well. The only time I can see ever needing one of these assistants is when you have a collision of treasure maps. You can't hold 2 of the same in your inventory so if you want the 2nd one you have to run to a bank or one of your storage chests somewhere and store the first one, then rush back and pick up the one that collided in your inventory. AT THAT TIME it would be nice to have a BANKER assistant to store the collider. Therefore this Xyn assistant who is a merchant would be of no use to me, only a Banker.

Vicquemare · May 11

Hapexamendios wrote: »

He looks cool, but I can't see paying 5000 crowns for an assistant whose functionality I already have. If there was an option to reskin/trade out for around 1000 crowns, I would seriously consider it.

100% This. I would like to have this new merchant, but I already have Fezez, and frankly his voice has been getting on my nerves + I find flying assistants more convenient. Is there a way to swap assistants or get a refund despite the fact the purchase was made long ago? I would gladly give away Fezez and take Xyn instead...

I'd buy if it was cheaper but 4500-5000 crowns is way too much.

Scaletho · May 11

Scruut is better and way more funny. It reminds me that depressed robot from hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy movie.
Hilarious pessimist, but nice and funny.

Kallykat · May 11

Syldras wrote: »

As a Master Wizard of Great House Telvanni, collector of obscure artifacts and admirer of creatures with many eyes and even more tentacles, I'm interested in buying hiring Xyn, the new watchling merchant. There's one thing, however, that is as important to me as the loyality of my servants: their voice. I don't want to pay 5000 coins for a hireling whose voice causes me headaches.

To put it short: Is there any website where I can listen to Xyn's voicelines or at least a short voice sample? There's nothing on Youtube yet, and unfortunately, there's no preview in the Crown Store either (which would be a nice thing for ZOS to add, in general).

I was in the same boat a while back. I didn't have a deconstruction or armorer assistant, but I decided not to purchase because I couldn't find a video previewing the assistants' dialogue, and I was afraid I wouldn't like their voices or personalities. ZOS should really add dialogue previews for these guys in the crown store. @ZOS_Kevin

Hapexamendios wrote: »

He looks cool, but I can't see paying 5000 crowns for an assistant whose functionality I already have. If there was an option to reskin/trade out for around 1000 crowns, I would seriously consider it.

I agree. Even with the small discounts they run occasionally, it's still a lot to spend for a second assistant who does the same job. If they made it so that assistants of the same type were far cheaper (~70% off) once you'd purchased the first one, then I'd probably bite. I'm an altaholic, and it would be nice to have different assistants to match my different characters, just not at this price.

SickleCider · May 11

Assistants with dialogue need previews. I took it for granted that a preview would be included when I was looking at Xyn last night. The question I asked my friend was, "I don't get it: if they didn't write dialogue or hire a VA for this assistant, why is it the same price?" Thankfully for my own purposes I was just casually browsing (I'm ride or die with my crow buddies), but if I had that question, I'm sure others were wondering the same about the assistant's apparent value.

16BitForestCat · May 11

*Watches video* Whoever voices Xyn was having the time of their life during recording, haha. If I hadn't bought the kitties on sale as a holiday gift to myself not long ago, I'd totally go for Xyn. When I saw one of the lines contained "anticipation," I was half-expecting a Rocky Horror reference, and Xyn did not disappoint.

And for a little constructive criticism: yeah, ZOS, it is incredibly ridiculous that y'all still don't provide decent previews for many of your products in the Crown Store. Then you wonder why you're not getting the sales you think you should, so you try to make for it by drumming up some new junk for the store, for which you *also* fail to provide decent previews. And the cycle endlessly repeats....

LunaFlora · May 11

Nerouyn wrote: »

LunaFlora wrote: »

Still, I think that crown store prices can be debated. I think that some prices are quite extreme and that some people would reconsider the purchase of an item if they could see the price in real currency in the store - but that's another topic.

Agreed that they're too expensive, especially as repeats.

I have long looked at alternatives like the kitty (because I have lots of Khajiit and love the Khajiit homes) and atronach ones (because I love the single player games and we should be able to summon combat atronachs of every element, but this would be a weak consolation prize) and thought, if only they were cheaper.

The most common banker and merchant I see are the original Tyth and Nuzh.

It is still early but so far the only Xyn I've seen is my own.

Players using alternatives not only promotes them as products, it makes the game look less like a clone farm, i.e. more beautiful and immersive and the potential financial benefits of that are substantial.

I reckon Nuzh is decently if humbly dressed but I've never loved what Tyth wears so every him on screen detracts a small amount of value from the game.

It's mainly because I'm so into arcanists that this one got over my buy-me hump. Also a little bit because watchlings look cool and totally unlike anything else available.

huh? i didnt say that so why is my username on the quote in your comment?

Araneae6537 · May 12

When I really want something but cannot justify the price — in-game currency it is! Spent all my gold at the current rates, but I’m happy, and had the good fortune of meeting some cool people to game with as well!

fizzylu · May 12

Hapexamendios wrote: »

He looks cool, but I can't see paying 5000 crowns for an assistant whose functionality I already have. If there was an option to reskin/trade out for around 1000 crowns, I would seriously consider it.

This. I have two merchants already. I have two bankers already. First banker was a Christmas present, second one was a "thank you so much for returning to this game you think is garbage" bribe like gift. First merchant I bought myself with crowns, second merchant as well because it actually felt worth the price (the crow that has a portal when it appears and sits on your arm). Since that second merchant, my willingness to spend money on this game has practically died out entirely and no merchant/banker will ever be worth the 5k price tag now that I have four assistants in total with half of them never being used.

Lugaldu · May 12

I didn't actually need a merchant assistant since I already have one, but ZOS caught me here - a dream came true, I can finally travel with two watchers at the same time!

How much fun we have together!

And they even help with crafting

tsaescishoeshiner · May 12

My one complaint is that the book they read causes a glare. It glows through walls/characters/objects and is distracting and eyestrainy for me. It's the glare/lens flare that the Treasure Hunter personality or a lot of the brazier and torch furnishings have.

Glows are fine, it's the glare/lens flare effect that does this. And yes, I have the setting to reduce/turn off blooms.

Dagoth_Rac · May 12

Do I have a merchant already? Yep. But I also have a mount already. Like dozens and dozens. If I can buy a mount that is functionally identical to all my other mounts just because I think it looks cool, I can buy a merchant just because I think it looks cool. Pretty much everything in the Crown Store is not needed but "looks cool". And my new merchant not only looks cool, he sounds cool. And I can just straight up buy him. No worries about gambling crates and unlucky RNG.