Some challenges with creating a new Class

Erickson9610 · April 30

ESO has 7 playable Classes, and with Update 46 implementing Subclassing, it's now even less likely that we'll see an 8th Class.

For starters, here's a promotional image showcasing the 7 Classes using the Class Sets in the Infinite Archive:

(pictured left to right: Necromancer, Warden, Templar, Arcanist, Sorcerer, Dragonknight, and Nightblade)

If a new Class would be added, that would entail adding the same number of Class Sets to the 8th Class as well as creating a new motif. It's unlikely, but still doable.

Now, here's what the new "Class Master of the Second Era" achievement looks like:

The description reads: "Prove your mastery of Second Era martial and magical disciplines by completing the achievements listed below."

If a new Class would be added, would it be added to this list? If so, that would require updating the icon. What would happen to players who earned this achievement before additional requirements would be added to it? To avoid that problem, would the new Class Mastery achievement be in a separate Achievement? If so, then it wouldn't be listed as one of these Second Era martial and magical disciplines. This achievement implies that these 7 Classes are the only martial and magical disciplines of this Era, so it wouldn't make sense to have any more than these.

Finally, here's what the quest NPC for Subclassing has to say regarding the kinds of Classes you can pick:

There are three broad categories: the study of the high arcane, the duality of light and dark, and the powers of the natural world. In those categories, the eligible Classes are directly referenced by name.

If a new Class would be added, then it would invariably require the voice actress to record new voice lines to accommodate the new options. While you could fit a new Class into one of the three broad categories, the dialogue within those categories would have to specify the new Class by name. If, instead, a new broad category was made to avoid that problem, then the dialogue describing the broad categories would need to be updated to include the new broad category.

This is why I think we will never get another Class in ESO. We may get new Skill Lines (akin to how we got the Psijic Order Skill Line rather than a Psijic Order Class) but I think the way things are structured in various areas of the game imply that adding an 8th Class is infeasible. There is a finality to how the 7 Classes are presented as the playable Classes, and I don't think anything will change that.

tomofhyrule · April 30

I fear that Subclassing is a big "finale" of sorts and it definitely looks like new Classes are not coming, which is honestly my biggest fear about Subclassing. I want a new Class more than anything else in the game because I just love being able to see the world with fresh eyes and play with a brand new set of skills and do everything all over again.

However, to play Devil's Advocate, none of the issues that you presented are insurmountable, and many have already been done in other ways previously:

Yes, an 8th Class would need a new style and new Class sets for each line. But they don't all need to happen at once - even the 7 existing Classes didn't drop sets for all three lines at the same time (we're still waiting for the third line), and they use the same styles for all of their sets. Also, all of the Class Set weapons share the same style save the Class sigil, so they don't even need to remake weapon models beyond making a new sigil.
We've had several examples before of new things added to Achievements like that - the primary example is the "Permanent Tenant" achievements that used to get updated every Chapter since a new Inn Room was buyable. Starting in Necrom, the Inn Room was actually given its own achievement. Consider also the "Cake Devourer" Anniversary achievement that was awarded for getting a slide of each cake from 2016-2024. The 2025 cake got its own achievement and nothing changed with the previous conglomerate one. So they could easily do the same if we got a new Class.
Adding new dialogue is something they need to get the VA back for, but it's totally possible. The best example is Pledges - every time a new Dungeon DLC releases, they need to get Urgarlag's voice actress back to record the Pledger dialogue for the two new dungeons. Again, a Class is a big enough thing that they could totally just get Bahtra's VA back to record another variation talking about the new Class.

The one thing I think that a new Class would be favored here would be that they would no longer need to add new character slots if they added a new Class. When they released the other DLC Classes, they always came with a free Character slot and two more buyable (except Necrom, which only brought one more buyable) so players could experience the new Class... and then that led to consternation since you have to level up everything *again*... which some people like and others don't. Now, with Subclassing, a new Class would mean that existing characters could just pick up those lines and you wouldn't need to start from scratch unless you wanted to delete and remake a character.

And another thing: 7 is such a weird number. Pretty well everything in ESO goes in multiples of 4 - group sizes, instance sizes, 4 base classes, etc. To have only 3 DLC Classes just feels... wrong. Especially since the Character Creation screen puts the classes as rows of 3, 3, 1, making Arc look like an afterthought. A new Class would allow them to do rows of 3, 2, 3 or even 4, 4 (so 4 base, 4 DLC...) which would make things look a lot more even.

I'm still praying that we will get a new Class coming. I want a Dwemer Artificer very badly, and it's fit in so well with the lore (and the fact that we have several characters in ESO who could easily be retconned into Artificers like Tharayya, Neramo, and the Vanos twins).

Rungar · April 30

if subclassing is popular and brings people to the game i can see them making each individual line unique like in other elder scrolls games the game switch over from a class game to a make your own class game, meaning you would be able to pick any 3 lines at the beginning of the game with a bunch of popular templates to choose from if your a new player. If it dont its in maintenance mode, they have nothing to lose really. I dont see any new classes coming either way.

Urzigurumash · April 30

A Pink Crescent Moon suggests otherwise

tsaescishoeshiner · April 30

A new class could launch without an Archive set or have one added as part of its patch.

An achievement can be changed or just dated--like the 10-year Anniversary achievements that don't include newer content.

I don't think it would be excessively hard to add to the voice actor's lines or just add a class into one of the existing categories.

Compared to the massive design, balancing, bug fixing, and animation involved in adding a new class, these issues raised above just seem smaller. In fact, the work (and ongoing balance/bug-fixing) involved in adding a new class is the more likely reason why we wouldn't get a new one. But, it would also be fun with subclassing lol.

Artim_X · April 30

Very insightful. Although ZOS has scrapped concepts in the past like The Gates of Adamant tutorial. The final room of that tutorial was interesting since there was a set number of gates for zones a player could be sent to. There were blank gates on the upper floor so it could have been used for many more years if they kept that release formula. The dialogue for all the old tutorial NPCs are essentially sunsetted.

Infinite Archive and holiday events are good examples of content that get new achievements when they are updated. So if a new class were added, ZOS would likely add new achievements associated for it.

ZOS_Kevin · April 30

Just want to be clear here. We have never stated that we will not do classes in the future. The team is always testing and playing around with class ideas. While we don't have anything to share currently, it does not mean we will never have a new class in the future.

LunaFlora · April 30

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

Just want to be clear here. We have never stated that we will not do classes in the future. The team is always testing and playing around with class ideas. While we don't have anything to share currently, it does not mean we will never have a new class in the future.

that's awesome to know ♥

tomofhyrule · April 30

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

Just want to be clear here. We have never stated that we will not do classes in the future. The team is always testing and playing around with class ideas. While we don't have anything to share currently, it does not mean we will never have a new class in the future.

…a ray of hope for the one character I have waiting in the wings…?

I love making highly detailed backstories for my characters, and I’ve really enjoyed the “one character per class” thing I’m doing - each having his (or her) own skills makes them each feel very special to me.

But there was a certain cosmetic that released after I got my full roster of 7 that - shall we say - rampaged in like a bull in a china shop and wrote his whole backstory even without a class ready.

I’m really hoping he’ll get a new Class soon. He’s getting antsy

Thanks for giving me this little sliver of hope for him back!

NettleCarrier · April 30

Honestly, with this subclass system in place now I'd love to see them just add single lines. Don't want to add a "monk" type class? Fine, just add one class line that specializes in unarmed combat. No bard? Add in a class line that focuses on songs for group buffs. The possibilities are endless and it kills me that they aren't being utilized (or dare I say I'd even pay for one...)

Dagoth_Rac · April 30

There were, and remain, achievements for learning all the runes. Except then they added new runes! So they added new achievements. Achievements for all the no deaths! Then they added new dungeons. I really don't think ZOS make any gameplay or marketing decisions based on whether they will violate an existing achievement. For purely financial reasons, I don't think they would straitjacket themselves that way.

Plus, a new class almost feels more likely now. If they came out with one next year, everyone would be excited not just about a new character for that specific class, but how it interacts with all their other characters, and what kind of fun mixing and matching to do with new skill lines. What to keep? What to drop? What to add? I would expect a new class to get even more engagement with subclassing than before subclassing.

Orbital78 · April 30

The druid class will be added eventually.

greenmachine86 · April 30

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

Just want to be clear here. We have never stated that we will not do classes in the future. The team is always testing and playing around with class ideas. While we don't have anything to share currently, it does not mean we will never have a new class in the future.

Sorry Kevin but this update destroys the current classes the game has. Why would you bother adding more

DenverRalphy · April 30

Yeah yeah, never say never.

But realistically, how likely would it be to see the resources put forward to develop a fully fleshed out class knowing full well it's going to be chopped into 3rds within a couple days after release?

ArchMikem · April 30

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

Just want to be clear here. We have never stated that we will not do classes in the future. The team is always testing and playing around with class ideas. While we don't have anything to share currently, it does not mean we will never have a new class in the future.

I'm sure there are people that would pay money to be a Bard.

Alaztor91 · May 1

The time gap between Necromancer and Arcanist was 4 years, so I think it is a bit too early to declare something like this, even with Subclassing coming to the game.

A new Class is also probably a good marketing tool since I personally would be more willing to purchase a ''Content Pass'' that comes with a new Class. Adding Subclassing as a free base game update is nice, but when the main ''feature'' of the year isn't really part of the ''Content Pass'' it just makes me think that it has less value compared to previous year Chapters.

Erickson9610 · May 1

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

Just want to be clear here. We have never stated that we will not do classes in the future. The team is always testing and playing around with class ideas. While we don't have anything to share currently, it does not mean we will never have a new class in the future.

Ack, well now I feel dumb for making this thread. Thank you for the clarification.

This does give me hope for the future. If a new class does eventually get made, I'll look forward to whatever it is! Plus, with Subclassing, I'll have even more reason to try it out.

G0K4R · May 1

Erickson9610 wrote: »

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

Just want to be clear here. We have never stated that we will not do classes in the future. The team is always testing and playing around with class ideas. While we don't have anything to share currently, it does not mean we will never have a new class in the future.

Ack, well now I feel dumb for making this thread. Thank you for the clarification.

[...]

Don't feel bad. You kind of got a point there.
The game can be changed in the future and adapt to a new class but it's not very likely.

But it maybe won't matter anyways since subclassing could possibly end ESO for lots of players for good.
We'll see. I am more than worried and I don't like it. But it's coming with the potential to ruin the game in the long run...

GeneralGrundmann · May 1

Read it here on the forums somewhere but I can't find it again.

Developing the arcanist took two whole years for a team of people. From first ideas, early concepts through testing and tweaking to the final design. It's a huge investment of time and money.

And with 21*20*14= 5.880 class skill line combinations it should be possible to create a character for everyone's liking.

The original 4 classes had clear role concepts in PvE:

DK = Tank
Templar = Healer
Sorcerer = Magicka DD (because of the extra magical crit chance)
Nightblade = Stamina DD (because of the extra stamina crit chance)

Necromancer and Warden were already created with a broader approach to role concepts, although necromancer are very good tanks and wardens are very good healers.

Then the hybrid-changes shook things up, the damage scales with the highest ressource and not either magicka or stamina.

The arcsnist is possibly the most well rounded class. Because of the beam and it's multitarget cleave damage best suited as DD.

My point is, what can (or should) a new class bring to the game that is not already there, especially with multiclassing available?

Erickson9610 · May 1

GeneralGrundmann wrote: »

My point is, what can (or should) a new class bring to the game that is not already there, especially with multiclassing available?

I'd personally like an interesting theme for a class which has an engaging mechanic or rotation, and now with Subclassing soon to be released, something that we can benefit from Subclassing into.

For instance, regarding theme — the Warden is a very appealing class for Subclassing, because it encompasses the ice, nature, and animal themes with its skill lines. I'd argue that Warden's theme variety is spread out too much, while Necromancer's theme variety is too small. An entire class dedicated to necromancy, with damage dealing, tanking, and healing lines for that one concept sounds overkill, while a class with the variety of Warden means that you only have a few skills to match your preferred role in the theme that you like.

Regarding mechanics, Arcanist's Crux management minigame was probably the best class specific mechanic we've received. Necromancer's corpse mechanic comes close, but it's important that a new class have some synergy between its skills — some abilities require one of a few other abilities in the toolkit for maximum effect. I'll mention the Werewolf feeding mechanic here also, since that's an example of the mechanics of a playstyle pushing you to act in a lore friendly way — in that case, you have the need to constantly hunt and devour prey alongside other werewolves to stay transformed.

I like that we'll get to engage with the Crux and corpse mechanics if we Subclass into those classes. I also like that we have a wide variety of skill line themes to choose from when Subclassing. Hopefully a new class is both fun on its own, and fun with just one of its skill lines by itself.

ZOS_Kevin · May 1

Erickson9610 wrote: »

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

Just want to be clear here. We have never stated that we will not do classes in the future. The team is always testing and playing around with class ideas. While we don't have anything to share currently, it does not mean we will never have a new class in the future.

Ack, well now I feel dumb for making this thread. Thank you for the clarification.

This does give me hope for the future. If a new class does eventually get made, I'll look forward to whatever it is! Plus, with Subclassing, I'll have even more reason to try it out.

No reason to feel bad. It is a fair question with subclassing on the horizon. So totally understand.

Vaqual · May 1

If anything they opened a nice window of opportunity for themselves. They can now release classes without stretching the fantasy over 3 lines and condense whatever is important a bit more.

sans-culottes · May 1

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

Erickson9610 wrote: »

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

Just want to be clear here. We have never stated that we will not do classes in the future. The team is always testing and playing around with class ideas. While we don't have anything to share currently, it does not mean we will never have a new class in the future.

Ack, well now I feel dumb for making this thread. Thank you for the clarification.

This does give me hope for the future. If a new class does eventually get made, I'll look forward to whatever it is! Plus, with Subclassing, I'll have even more reason to try it out.

No reason to feel bad. It is a fair question with subclassing on the horizon. So totally understand.

At this point, the seven-class framework and their existing skill lines are more of a hindrance than a foundation. If ZOS is serious about courting single-player TES fans and preserving coherent role identities, then the current compromise system—layering subclassing atop brittle class lines—misses the mark.

This isn’t flexibility in any meaningful sense. The devs are trying to preserve the illusion of distinct classes while retrofitting them into a pseudo-modular system. The result? The worst of both worlds. Neither the thematic clarity that class-based players value, nor the structural openness that Elder Scrolls sandbox fans expect.

If they want to move forward, then they need to stop splitting the difference. Retire the current lines and rebuild around a more flexible, lore-consistent skill school system that doesn’t cling to MMO-era scaffolding out of habit. Subclassing might have been an opportunity. Instead, it’s a symptom of design inertia.

Pixiepumpkin · May 1

sans-culottes wrote: »

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

Erickson9610 wrote: »

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

Just want to be clear here. We have never stated that we will not do classes in the future. The team is always testing and playing around with class ideas. While we don't have anything to share currently, it does not mean we will never have a new class in the future.

Ack, well now I feel dumb for making this thread. Thank you for the clarification.

This does give me hope for the future. If a new class does eventually get made, I'll look forward to whatever it is! Plus, with Subclassing, I'll have even more reason to try it out.

No reason to feel bad. It is a fair question with subclassing on the horizon. So totally understand.

At this point, the seven-class framework and their existing skill lines are more of a hindrance than a foundation. If ZOS is serious about courting single-player TES fans and preserving coherent role identities, then the current compromise system—layering subclassing atop brittle class lines—misses the mark.

This isn’t flexibility in any meaningful sense. The devs are trying to preserve the illusion of distinct classes while retrofitting them into a pseudo-modular system. The result? The worst of both worlds. Neither the thematic clarity that class-based players value, nor the structural openness that Elder Scrolls sandbox fans expect.

If they want to move forward, then they need to stop splitting the difference. Retire the current lines and rebuild around a more flexible, lore-consistent skill school system that doesn’t cling to MMO-era scaffolding out of habit. Subclassing might have been an opportunity. Instead, it’s a symptom of design inertia.

100% and extremely well said! (I must say, I admire your communication prowess).

I am to the point that they should just put all the abilities in a box and let players choose what they want to play. Then let A.I.slap a "class" that others can read based on those chosen abilities.

The more I consider subclassing, the more disbelief I am in that this idea made it out of the brainstorming stage. Its obvious and apparent to me that the myriad of things players are looking for is lost on the dev team. There really needs to be greater communication to showcase they are actually listening to us, because I don't feel my voice has any representation whatsoever.