I wouldn't ever advocate for breaking TOS, but given how monotonous fishing actually is, I gotta admit that I wouldn't mind some kind of automation built-in, or even better, to make fishing more interesting to actually do.

Lazy Writ Crafter still requires you to go to the crafting tables yourself. The fishy bot automated the entire process so you could afk. That's literally what bots do. Like not let's pretend a botting program and a mod are the same. Anyone who used it knew they could get banned. And ZOS banned them rightfully and fairly. External programs from third party sights that automate the game completely for you so that you can leave the room and still get stuff 24/7 is obviously cheating.

YandereGirlfriend wrote: »

spartaxoxo wrote: »

Lazy Writ Crafter still requires you to go to the crafting tables yourself. The fishy bot automated the entire process so you could afk. That's literally what bots do. Like not let's pretend a botting program and a mod are the same. Anyone who used it knew they could get banned. And ZOS banned them rightfully and fairly. External programs from third party sights that automate the game completely for you so that you can leave the room and still get stuff 24/7 is obviously cheating.

I mean, I don't like either of them.

LWC's effect on the economy and overall game is likely FAR larger than the fishing program as well. Most people only do writs because of LWC. Console players are about to learn this firsthand and should prepare for the value of their gold materials dropping due to the rise in near-automated writ dailies flooding the market.

Of course, LWC uses official means so it is fine from that specific POV. But I find them both sus philosophically, as they remove friction from the player and that removal has tangible effects both in-game and on other players. Non-LWC crafters, for example, are at a distinct disadvantage versus LWC crafters, as those brief periods of automation, multiplied across characters and over years, lead to significantly more resources for significantly less time dedicated toward acquiring it.

But it is what it is. And I personally haven't done writs at all since ZOS nuked the value of Chromium two years ago. It's just not worth the time as a non-LWC player.

Carry prices would go up if writ crafting add-ons were removed so I'm all for it.

randconfig wrote: »

Twohothardware wrote: »

You guys would be better served by giving a warning prior to permanent ban to people that are using software you deem against ToS if it's being done on only an individual account. Some people may not realize that using a tool to automate a basic action in the game is against ToS when you allow addons that automatic all sorts of things like completing daily crafting writs.

This. There is no reason to automatically ban players when new addons pop-up every day online like in Minion addon manager, unless ZOS is manually testing each new addon added onto a platform like Minion, then most players are unlikely to even think twice about the potential of a new addon to be in violation of ToS.

There should be a system in the game that upon detecting ToS violating behavior, checks the addons of the player's client, then issues a warning to the player explaining what happened and/or disables the addon from loading on all clients for all players (like a server-side blacklist) where the developer of the violating addon has to contact the customer support to appeal.

Could use/assign unique ids for all addon developers that are tied to their ESO account, included alongside any addon they develop as a way to trace the originals of the addon and hold accountable the person violating the ToS by developing a bot addon, instead of players who, lets be honest, don't read the ToS until they're in trouble and players who might think that because an addon is published on a platform like Minion, that means it's safe.

Would have a few security issues to solve with this solution though:

1. some form of server-side encryption to prevent abuse of someone stealing and publishing violating addons under another developers id
2. some form of verification to prevent someone from stealing one non-rule breaking addon's id and creating a rule breaking addon using that same id

I'm no security expert, but it seems like this would something easily solvable by someone with a background in encryption/cyber security.

All that said, I have to say thank you Kevin for the transparency and public post giving the community insight into what happened. It helps reassure everyone that there's no rogue AI tracking our every action, just looking for a reason to falsely ban someone. Thank you!

I think the distinction here is that "fishybot" wasn't an addon but an application they had to run in the background. The only add-on I know of that requires a 3rd party application running in the background is TamrielTradeCenter, which in itselt has created plenty of worry/controversary over the years.

randconfig wrote: »

There should be a system in the game that upon detecting ToS violating behavior, checks the addons of the player's client, then issues a warning to the player explaining what happened and/or disables the addon from loading on all clients for all players (like a server-side blacklist) where the developer of the violating addon has to contact the customer support to appeal.

I doubt that this would be worth the effort. I can't recall more than a couple of addons over the years that rose to the level of ZOS taking notice of them.

They have their check and client-kill for certain applications that they detect running while the game client is running. I am not sure whether they actually control what this checks for, though. It is also something that can only be changed in a patch.

Aw, I love the fishing the way it is.... Of course (aside the fact I'm not playing anyway) I have unlimited time....

Elsonso wrote: »

randconfig wrote: »

There should be a system in the game that upon detecting ToS violating behavior, checks the addons of the player's client, then issues a warning to the player explaining what happened and/or disables the addon from loading on all clients for all players (like a server-side blacklist) where the developer of the violating addon has to contact the customer support to appeal.

I doubt that this would be worth the effort. I can't recall more than a couple of addons over the years that rose to the level of ZOS taking notice of them.

They have their check and client-kill for certain applications that they detect running while the game client is running. I am not sure whether they actually control what this checks for, though. It is also something that can only be changed in a patch.

I think you're right on that. After reading more info, it sounds like addons that automate things are allowed as long as they use the API ZOS provides, so they don't really need to regulate addons outside of adjustments to the API/track addon developers.

I missed the part where this was a 3rd party application/cheat that didn't use or didn't strictly use the API. More like a java program that simulates key inputs for automation/botting.

But just to be sure, @ZOS_Kevin can you confirm a few examples of popular addons like LazyWritCrafter, Auto Recharge, and Tamriel Trading Center are allowed to be used?

• LazyWritCrafter (https://www.esoui.com/downloads/info1346-DolgubonsLazyWritCrafter.html)
• Auto Recharge and Repair (https://www.esoui.com/downloads/info1091-AutoRechargeandrepair.html)
• Tamriel Trade Centre (https://www.esoui.com/downloads/info1245-TamrielTradeCentre.html)

The most important thing is not to make erroneous locks and have a dialogue with the player. And in another game, I was banned for "using" such third-party programs, although I did not use anything like that. I filed an appeal and was refused. Then I found on the forums that their algorithms could mistakenly identify the CPU-Z application that was running as malicious.

randconfig wrote: »

Sordidfairytale wrote: »

This question is probably better asked in the Addons section of the forums.

https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/categories/add-ons-and-ui-mods

I'm not sure. I want to believe what I see other ESO players suggesting in this post, that as long as it's using the addon API, then it's safe to use, but even with that being true, the wording by Kevin implicates anything that automates gameplay, which would include LazyWritCrafter and Auto Recharge, as well as anything that uses 3rd party software, like the Tamriel Trade Centre .exe addon.

So an answer from anyone other than Kevin or another ZOS employee wouldn't give me reassurance, and that's why I'm asking here

If you ask in that forum though, you'll learn ZoS changes the API to prevent add-on authors from doing things that they do not want them to be able to do. They have done this several times over the years and Lazy Writ Crafter has been around for a decade and has never been blocked or disabled. In addition, ZoS would surely prevent people from discussing how to use it openly on the official forum for add-ons if it were not an authorized add-on. @ZOS_Kevin mentions in their original post that the offending Third Party Fishy Bot was not an authorized program.

Question Reference # 250527-002208

Date Created: 05/27/2025 01:29 PM
Date Last Updated: 05/30/2025 04:39 PM
Status: Read Answer Provided
The Elder Scrolls Online Team response on 05/30/2025 04:39 PM
Greetings,

After a thorough review of your appeal, we have confirmed that the account violated the Code of Conduct through the use of unauthorized third-party automation software. Our policy clearly prohibits the use of any external applications, scripts, or tools that alter gameplay.

Due to the severity of this violation, the ban will remain in place and all associated services will remain permanently deactivated.

This decision is final.

Regards,
The Elder Scrolls Online Team

YandereGirlfriend wrote: »

spartaxoxo wrote: »

Lazy Writ Crafter still requires you to go to the crafting tables yourself. The fishy bot automated the entire process so you could afk. That's literally what bots do. Like not let's pretend a botting program and a mod are the same. Anyone who used it knew they could get banned. And ZOS banned them rightfully and fairly. External programs from third party sights that automate the game completely for you so that you can leave the room and still get stuff 24/7 is obviously cheating.

I mean, I don't like either of them.

LWC's effect on the economy and overall game is likely FAR larger than the fishing program as well. Most people only do writs because of LWC. Console players are about to learn this firsthand and should prepare for the value of their gold materials dropping due to the rise in near-automated writ dailies flooding the market.

Of course, LWC uses official means so it is fine from that specific POV. But I find them both sus philosophically, as they remove friction from the player and that removal has tangible effects both in-game and on other players. Non-LWC crafters, for example, are at a distinct disadvantage versus LWC crafters, as those brief periods of automation, multiplied across characters and over years, lead to significantly more resources for significantly less time dedicated toward acquiring it.

But it is what it is. And I personally haven't done writs at all since ZOS nuked the value of Chromium two years ago. It's just not worth the time as a non-LWC player.

These days when I play ESO, I really don't have a ton of time but what I do have is a ton of resources to do writs with and I spent a truck load of gold and even more time leveling you know Crafting XP for my characters and all this stuff, with many hours spent farming mats that have just been sitting in my inventory. The reason I did this is because due to other economic changes within the last year or two, primarily directly resulting from ZOS changes, especially with all the anniversaries give aways and stuff, then reducing market sales time by half for kiosk traders, it's harder now to sell things for greater values.

The result of this, is let's say I want to refit my characters with new sets and so forth, ok, where is are those mats and where is the gold for that going to come from? I'm a hardworking man; I have put much into this game ok. I worked hard to grind thru levels of Xp, skill lines, crafting, ok it takes alot of work and time spent not playing the game. LWC is something that rewards that work. I have enough stress in my life; there are certain things about the game I don't like because it's like a second job ok. I mean I still like the game, but what we don't want to do is start cutting out many quality-of-life changes. I would argue both my in-game economy and even the economy itself should benefit from things like LWC because I can more easily turn around and sell things as well. LWC is like manufacturing but even the dwarves had machines serving them. So, it's really not too far from lore to have something like this.

But no, if you do away with LWC no I won't do writs anymore.

scrappy1342 wrote: »

Vulkunne wrote: »

If do you away with LWC then no I won't do writs anymore

it's actually not too bad using the base game stations now. a couple years ago, they made the checkboxes for "quest only" on the stations. so if you have that checked, it will ONLY show what you have quests for. instead of going to each station with lazy crafter and hitting E, you go to each station and hit E, R, R, R (or sometimes less) and that's it

My keyboard gets enough abuse already. I would rather just hit 1 key.

MJallday wrote: »

Etherea1 wrote: »

Question Reference # 250527-002208

Date Created: 05/27/2025 01:29 PM
Date Last Updated: 05/30/2025 04:39 PM
Status: Read Answer Provided
The Elder Scrolls Online Team response on 05/30/2025 04:39 PM
Greetings,

After a thorough review of your appeal, we have confirmed that the account violated the Code of Conduct through the use of unauthorized third-party automation software. Our policy clearly prohibits the use of any external applications, scripts, or tools that alter gameplay.

Due to the severity of this violation, the ban will remain in place and all associated services will remain permanently deactivated.

This decision is final.

Regards,
The Elder Scrolls Online Team

Imagine getting this after say, 10 years

It’s just not worth it

In my case it is 5 years, playing since COVID times

I admit having traces and signatures of said fishing bot on my pc, have found it and cleaned everything. But having it alone should not be only reason for ban. I believe I have not being using it with TESO and I think examining gameplay data should prove that. I believe (I may be wrong) appeal was rejected without examining game logs. For example, I am not active fisherman, maybe got 10 fish in half a year for daily endevour.

Etherea1 wrote: »

I admit having traces and signatures of said fishing bot on my pc, have found it and cleaned everything. But having it alone should not be only reason for ban. I believe I have not being using it with TESO and I think examining gameplay data should prove that. I believe (I may be wrong) appeal was rejected without examining game logs. For example, I am not active fisherman, maybe got 10 fish in half a year for daily endevour.

Wait, so you just admitted having the bot and not just the Lib?