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New Dragon Knight Skill Visual overhaul

danko355
danko355
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How would you rate the new skill styles? Personally, I’m a bit disappointed. Some look great, but others feel a bit too cartoonish to me. The new Spiked Armor looks awful, and I feel the same about Dragon Blood and Protective Scale, they look much worse than the original versions.
Edited by danko355 on January 12, 2026 7:51PM

New Dragon Knight Skill Visual overhaul 123 votes

I like all new DK animations
30%
daryl.rasmusenb14_ESOGatheredMystrlindsey912nub18_ESOPsychopoteMartoCaptainVenomCerboltmeekmikoStriiiksrothan117MyGTXruengdet2515ArchangelIsraphelSendirradinokstrunzAScarlatoAardappelboomSilverStreekBardokRedSnowDrakeHellfire 37 votes
I dislike all new DK animations
9%
MaverickWerewolfAsysPersonofsecretsNserGabrielzavadskisalander7LesserCirclealternateldererdYrrsonJAZZKaDexterMorg4nWup_sa 12 votes
I like most of the new DK animations
47%
MaddjujuKikazaruSluggyFaulgorNemesis7884nwilliams2107b16_ESODecimusflizomicaSotha_SilDaiKahnGarethjolnirUrQuanJimT722DestaiOhtimbarrafaelcsmaiarobbybobby82OutLaw_NynxemilyhyoyeonElrond87 59 votes
I like only a few of the new DK animations
12%
Sythen88411loaganb16_ESOiyxSmokedpyrotechWhizzinglanexylenaNightwiishTyrobagNotaDaedraWorshipperMXVIIDREAMPeacefulAnarchyTallon_IVOverameraCrimsonXReaperdanko355 15 votes
  • spartaxoxo
    spartaxoxo
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    I like most of the new DK animations
    IDK I'm on console
  • Radiate77
    Radiate77
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    I like all new DK animations
    spartaxoxo wrote: »
    IDK I'm on console

    I’m sure someone will have a video up in no time, assuming there isn’t one already.
  • Cooperharley
    Cooperharley
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    I like all new DK animations
    I *love* all new DK animations. Same for 2H.
  • Cooperharley
    Cooperharley
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    I like all new DK animations
    spartaxoxo wrote: »
    IDK I'm on console

    They've posted an intro video to get an idea of what they look like on their website I believe. It can also be viewed in their livestream, which you can find on YouTube.
  • Warhawke_80
    Warhawke_80
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    I like all new DK animations
    They are most excellent....I hope this is a glimpse of things to come for the rest of the classes
    ““Elric knew. The sword told him, without words of any sort. Stormbringer needed to fight, for that was its reason for existence...”― Michael Moorcock, Elric of Melniboné
  • BardokRedSnow
    BardokRedSnow
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    I like all new DK animations
    Excited, I've wanted and been asking for this for a long time.
    Zos then: Vengeance is just a test bro

    Zos now: Do you want Vengeance permanent or permanent...
  • AScarlato
    AScarlato
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    I like all new DK animations
    Looks decent to me. Looking forward to Werewolf and Templar.
    Edited by AScarlato on January 12, 2026 9:08PM
  • iyx
    iyx
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    I like only a few of the new DK animations
    I like new Dragonblood (but cute little heart hovering over the character's head is a bit much, imo).

    The rest is too bright, flashy, and "wide" in terms of visual zone of ​​effect (not the best solution for PvP and other large groups of players), but that's just my taste.

    We also NEED green skill styles, so they at least visually resemble the old poison morphs. But not acid green like the Arcanist's, thank you very much.
  • Desiato
    Desiato
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    They look great, but they're impractical.

    FX spam is one of the biggest problems with ESO combat and is why addons like Code's Combat Alerts have become necessary because it is often impossible to observe visual cues.

    It's so obvious to me that the visual effects of an ability shouldn't interfere with the combat mechs!

    On top of that, it goes against the design ethos they started with. A reason ESO combat is so reliant on addons is because they actually designed the UI with a minimalist philosophy because they wanted players to play the game by reading and reacting to combat cues instead of playing a UI like in so many other MMOs -- RIP.

    There was a middle road. ZOS could have improved the existing animations instead of reinventing them. I think a lot of DK enthusiasts would have preferred this.

    Edited by Desiato on January 13, 2026 3:42AM
    spending a year dead for tax reasons
  • Gabriel_H
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    Desiato wrote: »
    On top of that, it goes against the design ethos they started with. A reason ESO combat is so reliant on addons is because they actually designed the UI with a minimalist philosophy because they wanted players to play the game by reading and reacting to combat cues instead of playing a UI like in so many other MMOs -- RIP.

    They designed the UI with a minimalist philosophy because it saves on development costs, and they knew people would replace it with addons.
    PC EU
    Never get involved in a land war in Asia - it's one of the classic blunders!
  • Desiato
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    Gabriel_H wrote: »
    They designed the UI with a minimalist philosophy because it saves on development costs, and they knew people would replace it with addons.

    You can think what you want, but they explained this in interviews during the development of the game. They specifically said they wanted players to play the game and not the UI.
    spending a year dead for tax reasons
  • Radiate77
    Radiate77
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    I like all new DK animations
    Spiked Armor needs to be adjusted…

    Honestly, just move the spikes to our arms and legs, that thing on our back just looks like a spiked slug. 😂
  • xylena
    xylena
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    I like only a few of the new DK animations
    New Spike Armor makes it look like I'm dying of grayscale. Put it back in the oven.
    PC/NA || Cyro/BGs || solo/smallscale || retired until Dagon brings a new dawn of PvP
  • silky_soft
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    What the heck they do to the dragon wing and leap animations haha. Surely it's broken. Surely they wouldn't push the wings detached half way down the street.

    Heart above the head is horrible.

    The fire animations are nice though. I hope wirh the update they push all fire like that.

    Also, in before they change all the animations then sell us back a "eso classic" animation pack.
    This recent update has made me sad. Sad for the game. Sad for the community. Sad to pay whatever it is now. I want the previous eso back.
  • MXVIIDREAM
    MXVIIDREAM
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    I like only a few of the new DK animations
    I want to start by saying I’m genuinely excited about the upcoming Dragonknight updates. There’s a lot here to love, and it’s great to see the class getting meaningful attention again.

    However, there is one change that’s really difficult for me — and clearly many others — to accept: the new Dragonknight Spikes animation.

    The original spikes weren’t just a visual effect; they were a core part of the Dragonknight’s identity. Full-body, outward-facing, aggressive spikes that instantly communicated power and intimidation. This animation has existed for over a decade, appearing in trailers, previews, and promotional material, and it’s something many of us have played with and grown attached to for years.

    The new version feels more like a small spiked shell or backpack rather than a transformation, and it breaks the established class fantasy and lore that Dragonknight players have loved for so long.

    To be clear, this isn’t about the gameplay changes — those are fine. This is purely about preserving the iconic visual identity of the class.

    I respectfully ask that the original spike animation be restored, or at least offered as an option, while keeping the updated skill effects intact. Dragonknight spikes are synonymous with the class, and changing them this drastically takes away something fundamental.

    Thank you for listening, and thank you for continuing to support Dragonknight. 🐉🔥
  • MXVIIDREAM
    MXVIIDREAM
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    I like only a few of the new DK animations
    xylena wrote: »
    New Spike Armor makes it look like I'm dying of grayscale. Put it back in the oven.

    I’ve made a post about this I want to know how to get some traction and get it reverted the skill is brilliant but the visuals haven’t wanting to, just stop playing to be honest

  • MXVIIDREAM
    MXVIIDREAM
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    I like only a few of the new DK animations
    Please revert this animation

    3xwycozgh9u6.jpeg
    low6tdzao2wn.jpeg
  • Desiato
    Desiato
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    Love for the old DK fx:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWZT0KXDKSM

    My first DK is the one in red. RIP.

    Edited by Desiato on January 12, 2026 11:00PM
    spending a year dead for tax reasons
  • MXVIIDREAM
    MXVIIDREAM
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    I like only a few of the new DK animations
    Had a reply from a dev they are going to look into our request of potentially restoring the old spikes
  • Marto
    Marto
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    I like all new DK animations
    It looks absolutely fantastic!

    I particularly love the delay and sound for Dragonknight Standard. Makes it feel so much more impactful, like I'm pulling the banner from the freaking sky.

    The new flip animation for whip really compliments the new AoE effect.

    I love that Dragon's Blood now has a temporary visual effect, instead of permanently making you transparent. While still retaining the slightly unnerving organic look. Thank you ZOS!

    I have some nitpicks and complaints, sure. The floating heart looks goofy, the armor spikes could be a bit bigger, and I think Magma Armor needs more armor chunks around your character to really sell the look. But overall, I think they did a great job to modernize the class.
    Edited by Marto on January 12, 2026 11:26PM
    "According to the calculations of the sages of the Cult of the Ancestor Moth, the batam guar is the cutest creature in all Tamriel"
  • Emeratis
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    I like most of the new DK animations
    Leaning towards positive on it. I think some of the animations are a very nice glow up. Favorite one has to be the new dragon blood animation, especially in the blue skill style. It just gives me spooky briarheart vibes and I'm here for it. image.png?ex=6966b242&is=696560c2&hm=93caac66749c5757e353c9629322f741517120e4c1bb46a0d6aa59d16d6cdf40&

    For the mid, a lot of the new skills' morphs look very samey without an easy distinction for some. Some of the circular flame aoes also look a bit too samey for visual clarity's sake for what they do. I admit I didn't do too much so maybe I'll get used to it more over time but for now it's a little awkward.

    For bad, some of the morphs need to go back to the drawing board like the infamous turtle shell and the sideways wing bug but these have already been commented on by dev responses so I'm not too worried.
  • GloatingSwine
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    MXVIIDREAM wrote: »
    Please revert this animation

    3xwycozgh9u6.jpeg
    low6tdzao2wn.jpeg

    What's wrong? Is your class fantasy not "world's smallest ninja turtle".
  • BardokRedSnow
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    I like all new DK animations
    Radiate77 wrote: »
    Spiked Armor needs to be adjusted…

    Honestly, just move the spikes to our arms and legs, that thing on our back just looks like a spiked slug. 😂

    Nah its too iconic, they better not. Thats part of class identity, and its how the dovah look. The spikes with the wings go hard, Ive grown to love it.
    Zos then: Vengeance is just a test bro

    Zos now: Do you want Vengeance permanent or permanent...
  • TheMajority
    TheMajority
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    I like most of the new DK animations
    Radiate77 wrote: »
    Spiked Armor needs to be adjusted…

    Honestly, just move the spikes to our arms and legs, that thing on our back just looks like a spiked slug. 😂

    Nah its too iconic, they better not. Thats part of class identity, and its how the dovah look. The spikes with the wings go hard, Ive grown to love it.

    the new spikes animation is inferior to the old tho
    Time flies like an arrow- but fruit flies like a banana.

    Sorry for my English, I do not always have a translation tool available. Thank you for your patience with our conversation and working towards our mutual understanding of the topic.
  • Apollosipod
    Apollosipod
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    I like most of the new DK animations
    The only DK animations I don't like are the protective scale and leap animations. Hopefully what I've seen is a glitch, but the animations I saw show the wings apart from the character's body? It looks incredibly wrong. Just put the wings on the character model and it's great.

    Edit: Remove the heart floating above the player and the rest is much better.

    2H update is just...*chef's kiss*
    Edited by Apollosipod on January 13, 2026 1:05AM
  • Pepegrillos
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    I like most of the new DK animations
    I rather have spikes than the little turtle on the back. Outside of that, most new animations look nice/good/ok.
  • Whizzinglane
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    I like only a few of the new DK animations
    Bolder, flashier! I like some of the skills rework. One main gripe I have at present is: the Blood of the Dragon or Elder Dragon Blood rework.

    The animation does not remain; it disappears quickly upon activation. The OG visual has helped me in a many a fight. Now, I will have to micro-manage it.

    I like the look/visual of the older blood of the dragon: a visible beating heart against a shadowy background... the beating heart, pulsating, pumping blood, so, so cool. If only we can have an updated version, non-flashy, of course.
  • Radiate77
    Radiate77
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    I like all new DK animations
    Radiate77 wrote: »
    Spiked Armor needs to be adjusted…

    Honestly, just move the spikes to our arms and legs, that thing on our back just looks like a spiked slug. 😂

    Nah its too iconic, they better not. Thats part of class identity, and its how the dovah look. The spikes with the wings go hard, Ive grown to love it.

    7p8ob1dk86ks.jpeg

    No. This is how dovah look. Notice the ratio comparison between the spikes on their back compared to their body? What we had was an abomination, now it’s still bad, but slightly better.

    If we’re going after Dragon mimicry, then the spikes need to be smaller and less intrusive, yet spikes on your back do not look good with any form of metal armor, something a typical Knight would adorn.
  • Desiato
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    skyrim_dragons_odahviing.jpg

    There are spiky dragons in the TES universe!

    Anyway, it's a purely subjective thing. I always thought spiked armor was cool. As a nb main years ago, I was jealous of how cool looking dk abilities were compared to mine!
    spending a year dead for tax reasons
  • JimT722
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    I like most of the new DK animations
    I dislike every skill with wings. They are so bad and I wonder why they went from growing wings to a single goofy floating wing. Redo wing buffet and dragon leap. Everything else looks good and is an improvement visually.
    Edited by JimT722 on January 13, 2026 6:19AM
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