Disclaimer: This article is written from a PvP perspective and focuses solely on the importance of inspecting other players within PvP scenarios in ESO.

Inspecting other players should be a core mechanic of PvP because it directly supports the competitive nature of the game.

Atm you're forced to guess, which is not only frustrating but puts you at a disadvantage compared to those who have access to detailed information. Without an inspection feature, you’re left in the dark, guessing at the opponent's build, making it impossible to develop an intelligent counter-strategy. Moreover, with the increasing number of players using cosmetic skins for spell and scribing, reading a player's build or determining their skill usage has become nearly impossible. This makes the already difficult task of understanding an opponent’s build even more challenging. What’s the point of even trying to study an enemy player at this point? Why should I waste time fumbling around trying to guess what your setup is?
It’s like playing a game of “guess the ability” when you're already at a disadvantage. The cosmetic skins may look cool, but they add an unnecessary layer of confusion that hinders any meaningful competitive interaction, especially when combined with the lack of an inspection feature.

Oh, and I can hear the people in the back screaming, "You can just ask them lol."

Well, let's be honest here, most PvP players don’t want to share their builds. They’ve spent hours perfecting their setups, testing what works best, and putting in the work to gain an edge. Asking them for that info? You're not likely to get a response, or if you do, it’s often vague or unhelpful. The reality is, many players keep their builds to themselves to maintain their competitive advantage. That's why having the ability to inspect their gear, abilities, and buffs is so essential. It’s not about interrupting the flow or bothering anyone, it's about leveling the playing field and ensuring that knowledge is accessible, not just hoarded by the few who are willing to share.

Then, there’s the issue of player knowledge and growth. Inspections are not just about "checking out" your opponent they’re about learning. How did that player do so much damage? Why are they healing so much? What set are they using that gives them that insane defense? These are questions that should drive us to improve our own gameplay. Instead, without an inspection feature, we're left to guess, or worse fall into a toxic loop of trial and error. If I could see what gear, traits, or abilities you're running, I could adjust my own strategies and builds to actually learn and evolve as a player. Isn't that what PvP is about? Testing your skills, adapting, and getting better?

I've also heard the argument about the fact that it will "promote elitism"

The very idea that inspecting someone’s gear or abilities somehow promotes elitism or a sense of superiority is a weak excuse. If anything, not being able to inspect gear only helps the truly elitist players: those who have the best setups but refuse to share their knowledge. Let’s be real here: someone with better gear should be able to showcase that gear without fear of being judged for it. If a player is running a top-tier build, they should want others to see it because it’s the result of their effort, knowledge, and investment. But without an inspection feature, players with suboptimal setups are left to assume that everyone has the same opportunities which is far from true.
Furthermore, not having an inspection feature ruins the sense of community and cooperative learning. When players can’t inspect each other, it fosters an environment of secrecy and isolation. Yes, players can ask each other what they’re wearing, but that depends on the willingness of the other player to actually share this information. And if they don't want to? Tough luck. The game should provide the means to encourage communication and shared learning without having to jump through hoops. If I see someone kicking butt in PvP, I should be able to inspect them, learn from them, and potentially even mimic or adapt their tactics. Instead, without that feature, it feels like we're stuck in the dark ages of MMO design, where players only succeed through trial, error, and pure luck.

Finally, nowadays content creators have become the only reliable sources of build knowledge and PvP strategies.
But here's the catch !
These creators are becoming increasingly rare. Fewer and fewer players are willing to pour their time into creating guides, builds, and tutorials. This is especially problematic for new or casual players who rely on these creators to understand the game's complex mechanics. Without an inspection system in place, players are left at the mercy of these rare guides, which may not always be up to date or easy to find. It's frustrating that the game itself doesn't support this kind of learning through basic features, forcing players to jump through hoops or rely solely on outside sources, which is neither efficient nor sustainable in the long run.