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Removing Map Based Leads?
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Thoriorz✭✭✭Hi, after a break of several months, I've returned to playing ESO. What I enjoyed most (and still enjoy) is completing the Antiquities codex, so I've returned to this activity. I last played when the first part of Solstice was added and completed the codex for all Antiquities to 3/3, except for the Leads from treasure map, where I was at 1/3 or 2/3.
Now I've returned to ESO and found that there is an event that makes a solid number of treasure maps available on the market, so I started buying maps from the market and opening treasure map chests. Currently, I am missing 3 Leads and I have a 3/3 codex on all things from treasure maps, and I have spent around 13 million gold (I buy maps for up to 30k/piece, sometimes you can buy them for less, so the average is 25k/ map, I would say), so it's easy to calculate how many maps I've bought so far, and as I said, I still need 3 Leads to complete everything to 3/3, so... I was lucky to return to ESO during this event...
It's similar to when I was doing Leads from treasure maps in West Weald, where I also needed several hundred. And when I was doing the codex at Apocrypha Well, I almost gave up until finally the pan tamriel event came along, where was the bonus that chance of dropping Leads from treasure maps were increased, so thanks to that I got it to 3/3.
Personally, I'm not against Leads being in treasure maps, but either reduce the number of them in treasure maps or increase the chance of them dropping on the second and third codex entries. Because you need to open hundreds of chests to complete the codex and considering that treasure maps aren't exactly something you can farm specifically (not counting IA...), this is something the devs should definitely take a closer look at.PCEU3 -
MidnightDuel✭✭✭Why do we – the players who do practically all the types of content, just to get our items for the gameplay we actually most want to do – have to be stretched so far? Geez it's tiring.
It comes down to three things:- Housing players are less vocal outside our guilds and tight-knit player groups. "Housers" are happy to build in our houses silently and solitarily, only to share our creativity with friends in-game when we've finished. We're less likely to form angry mobs or pick up pitch forks and flaming torches. So, in general, we housing players are seldom seen posting on forums, reddit, etc. to air our concerns and justified grievances. Such players are also more likely to quietly quit playing ESO altogether than to openly and blatantly burn bridges on their way to play Guild Wars 2, WoW Midnight, or Pax Dei.
- There are relatively few content creators/influencers that have a focus on housing. While these topics are discussed in Discord servers or on Twitch streams, those streams often have fewer viewers than streams that focus on PvP, trials, dungeons, etc. Whereas YouTube has countless videos criticizing the latest combat changes, Housing videos generally are positive in nature and avoid conflict by highlighting player creations or showcasing the latest houses and furnishings in the most positive light possible. In short, Housing voices are drowned-out by out-sized voices on social media.
- Historically, MMOs have been games known for their "grind." When a game has few and infrequent updates, developers believe they need to extend the content through artificial means, including low drop rates, resource scarcity, and difficult content. In other words, grind is designed to keep players playing (and paying) longer for the same content and rewards. With the introduction of transmuting (and recreating) gear, stickerbook collection, and set-item curation, the grind for combat related rewards in ESO has been significantly reduced. Even the outfit style system has gotten easier, and now cheaper with U49 when Outfit slots become account-wide. For ESO to maintain its status as an MMO, the "grind" had to go somewhere and that easy target was housing, specifically double-locked furnishings from a variety of sources, including scarce Treasure Maps.
The Elder Scrolls Online is a mature MMO with many thousands of hours of game play and endless repeatability. The is no need for artificial grind to keep players' attention. To the contrary, with eleven years of regular, quarterly updates, there is ample content to keep players engaged indefinitely.
The grind we saw during the Writing Wall Event last year angered and infuriated players like nothing else in the history of ESO. I've lost count of the number of friends who've permanently stopped playing ESO as a result of the disastrous 2025 content. Even at 75% off the content pass, players refuse to buy or play content that was so poorly executed and plagued with endless bugs and unnecessary barriers. Despite most of the Solstice "bugs" have been "fixed," players refused to go back to the Writhing Fortress or pay any attention to the Solstice Siege Camps. It should be a clear message to ZOS that artificial grind is unwelcome in a mature MMO like ESO. It's also time housing saw the same type of positive change that has already been given to reduce the grind in other parts of the game.3 -
MidnightDuel✭✭✭Hi, after a break of several months, I've returned to playing ESO. What I enjoyed most (and still enjoy) is completing the Antiquities codex, so I've returned to this activity. I last played when the first part of Solstice was added and completed the codex for all Antiquities to 3/3, except for the Leads from treasure map, where I was at 1/3 or 2/3.
Now I've returned to ESO and found that there is an event that makes a solid number of treasure maps available on the market, so I started buying maps from the market and opening treasure map chests. Currently, I am missing 3 Leads and I have a 3/3 codex on all things from treasure maps, and I have spent around 13 million gold (I buy maps for up to 30k/piece, sometimes you can buy them for less, so the average is 25k/ map, I would say), so it's easy to calculate how many maps I've bought so far, and as I said, I still need 3 Leads to complete everything to 3/3, so... I was lucky to return to ESO during this event...
It's similar to when I was doing Leads from treasure maps in West Weald, where I also needed several hundred. And when I was doing the codex at Apocrypha Well, I almost gave up until finally the pan tamriel event came along, where was the bonus that chance of dropping Leads from treasure maps were increased, so thanks to that I got it to 3/3.
Personally, I'm not against Leads being in treasure maps, but either reduce the number of them in treasure maps or increase the chance of them dropping on the second and third codex entries. Because you need to open hundreds of chests to complete the codex and considering that treasure maps aren't exactly something you can farm specifically (not counting IA...), this is something the devs should definitely take a closer look at.
Welcome back @Thoriorz ! May you have better luck than the rest of us with leads from maps!1 -
Emeratis✭✭✭✭I've done 150+ maps this event to try to get my last map lead in the Telvanni Peninsula and all I have to show for it is a bunch of wasted time and gold. Got five Solstice maps this event and only gotten a lead out of one. I still am not getting drops out of West Weald maps despite still missing first codex entries on leads there. This really needs to change...Edited by Emeratis on February 17, 2026 10:31PM2 -
MoonPile✭✭✭✭✭
✭MidnightDuel wrote: »...
The Elder Scrolls Online is a mature MMO with many thousands of hours of game play and endless repeatability. The is no need for artificial grind to keep players' attention. To the contrary, with eleven years of regular, quarterly updates, there is ample content to keep players engaged indefinitely.
This.
If I could, I would send this screenshot as in-game Feedback to the "That's Awesome!" category: I'm having a lot of fun during this event, killing a boss that has a GOOD lead drop rate on an item I love, while getting extra goodies in Mara parcels – now on both of my accounts thanks to the sale!
↑ That is a great thing! I'm way, WAY more likely to return to content to get stuff I like if I know I actually have a good chance of getting it.
Conversely, I'm not doing Solstice Maps at all. (Ok, I tried ONE or maybe 2 free ones since my tests ended in September: got nothing and one item 1/3, as expected.) I'm also not going back to S. Elsweyr for the Moon-Blessed pool (though I'd love more of those "for free") because of what a hassle that thing was. Devs, why not keep content evergreen via rewarding drops, instead of tiring us out so badly that we never want to return? A little grind is ok if it's actually rewarding.
.Edited by MoonPile on February 18, 2026 7:37AM0 -
Apollosipod✭✭✭✭✭I still have a few mythic items (specifically one requiring Alik'r maps) that haven't dropped for me. So it's been actual years and who knows how many maps without a lead drop. It's not fun.0
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MidnightDuel✭✭✭I've done 150+ maps this event to try to get my last map lead in the Telvanni Peninsula and all I have to show for it is a bunch of wasted time and gold. Got five Solstice maps this event and only gotten a lead out of one. I still am not getting drops out of West Weald maps despite still missing first codex entries on leads there. This really needs to change...
Unfortunately, Necrom was where this whole double-locked Antiquities Leads from Treasure Maps started. Before then, maps only had leads for motifs, which dropped regularly and there were plenty of maps to keep collectors happy. While Blackwood, The Deadlands, and High Isle maps limited the supply of other motifs, a lucrative player trade kept players with enough gold supplied with the unbound motifs.
The leads for the mushroom book and the three-part Apocrypha Well have been among the hardest to get. Things only got worse with West Weald and are now untenable with Solstice. Completely agree that "This really needs to change" now!I'm having a lot of fun during this event, killing a boss that has a GOOD lead drop rate on an item I love, while getting extra goodies in Mara parcels – now on both of my accounts thanks to the sale!
Congrats on the Gazebo leads @MoonPile !! Still a grind, but without the hopelessness of map leads.3 -
MidnightDuel✭✭✭Apollosipod wrote: »I still have a few mythic items (specifically one requiring Alik'r maps) that haven't dropped for me. So it's been actual years and who knows how many maps without a lead drop. It's not fun.
What mythic lead are you looking for in the Alik'r, @Apollosipod ? "Singersteel Clasp" for the Lefthander's Aegis Belt? I'm 99.9% sure that lead drops from any overland Treasure Chest in Alik'r Desert and not from Treasure Maps. Although if you're on PC/NA, I'd be happy to send you Alik'r maps or show you my chest farm run.
I had a few mythic leeds that took a long time to drop too. I still hate DSA and the years-long hunt for "Sturdy Silver Prongs" to complete the Death Dealer's Fete mythic. When I finally got that lead, it showed up at the Merchant in Infinite Archive for sale the next week.
While mythic leads drop from treasure chests, I'm not aware of any that require a zone treasure map for the lead.2 -
cozmic72✭✭✭✭On PS I have multiple Solstice TM IV that I can’t dig because the dirt pile doesn’t show. Frustrating.1
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MidnightDuel✭✭✭On PS I have multiple Solstice TM IV that I can’t dig because the dirt pile doesn’t show. Frustrating.
Is that a known bug on PS?
If I recall correctly, Solstice Treasure Map IV is closest to the Xor-Hist Wayshrine, correct? If so, it is up on the top of the cliff, and it takes a few seconds once you're there for the dig site to show. Unfortunately, one has to go the long way around, but the trip back to the wayshrine can be faster.
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cozmic72✭✭✭✭MidnightDuel wrote: »On PS I have multiple Solstice TM IV that I can’t dig because the dirt pile doesn’t show. Frustrating.
Is that a known bug on PS?
If I recall correctly, Solstice Treasure Map IV is closest to the Xor-Hist Wayshrine, correct? If so, it is up on the top of the cliff, and it takes a few seconds once you're there for the dig site to show. Unfortunately, one has to go the long way around, but the trip back to the wayshrine can be faster.
I’ve submitted a bug report. I know where it’s located but nothing there when I go.0 -
Thoriorz✭✭✭MidnightDuel wrote: »Hi, after a break of several months, I've returned to playing ESO. What I enjoyed most (and still enjoy) is completing the Antiquities codex, so I've returned to this activity. I last played when the first part of Solstice was added and completed the codex for all Antiquities to 3/3, except for the Leads from treasure map, where I was at 1/3 or 2/3.
Now I've returned to ESO and found that there is an event that makes a solid number of treasure maps available on the market, so I started buying maps from the market and opening treasure map chests. Currently, I am missing 3 Leads and I have a 3/3 codex on all things from treasure maps, and I have spent around 13 million gold (I buy maps for up to 30k/piece, sometimes you can buy them for less, so the average is 25k/ map, I would say), so it's easy to calculate how many maps I've bought so far, and as I said, I still need 3 Leads to complete everything to 3/3, so... I was lucky to return to ESO during this event...
It's similar to when I was doing Leads from treasure maps in West Weald, where I also needed several hundred. And when I was doing the codex at Apocrypha Well, I almost gave up until finally the pan tamriel event came along, where was the bonus that chance of dropping Leads from treasure maps were increased, so thanks to that I got it to 3/3.
Personally, I'm not against Leads being in treasure maps, but either reduce the number of them in treasure maps or increase the chance of them dropping on the second and third codex entries. Because you need to open hundreds of chests to complete the codex and considering that treasure maps aren't exactly something you can farm specifically (not counting IA...), this is something the devs should definitely take a closer look at.
Welcome back @Thoriorz ! May you have better luck than the rest of us with leads from maps!
Hey, well, I guess I'm in the same boat as everyone else. Yesterday, when I wrote my comment, I was missing 3 leads, and after opening about 40 maps, I got one lead drop.
Today, I opened just over 60 maps and, unsurprisingly, exactly as expected, 0 lead drops... So I guess luck is not on my side.
Unfortunately, I'm at work today, but tomorrow is my day off, so I hope luck will smile on me and that there will still be maps available at the market.
Edited by Thoriorz on February 18, 2026 4:48AMPCEU0 -
katanagirl1✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭✭✭Interesting that you cited the grind for the Writhing Wall as something that drove players away.
That was nothing like the grind for these furnishing leads. It was long and boring, but it did have an end to it.
Khajiit Stamblade main
Dark Elf Magsorc
Redguard Stamina Dragonknight
Orc Stamplar PVP
Breton Magsorc PVP
Dark Elf Necromancer
Dark Elf Magden
Khajiit Stamblade
Khajiit Stamina Arcanist
PS5 NA2 -
Apollosipod✭✭✭✭✭MidnightDuel wrote: »Apollosipod wrote: »I still have a few mythic items (specifically one requiring Alik'r maps) that haven't dropped for me. So it's been actual years and who knows how many maps without a lead drop. It's not fun.
What mythic lead are you looking for in the Alik'r, @Apollosipod ? "Singersteel Clasp" for the Lefthander's Aegis Belt? I'm 99.9% sure that lead drops from any overland Treasure Chest in Alik'r Desert and not from Treasure Maps. Although if you're on PC/NA, I'd be happy to send you Alik'r maps or show you my chest farm run.
I had a few mythic leeds that took a long time to drop too. I still hate DSA and the years-long hunt for "Sturdy Silver Prongs" to complete the Death Dealer's Fete mythic. When I finally got that lead, it showed up at the Merchant in Infinite Archive for sale the next week.
While mythic leads drop from treasure chests, I'm not aware of any that require a zone treasure map for the lead.
That certainly is a relief and I appreciate the offer (unfortunately, I'm on PlayStation)! Though I've still been getting the regular overland chests too with no luck! That's exactly the lead I can't get too. Hell, I don't even want the item itself, just the achievement lol.
The same thing happened to me with the Death Dealer's Fete lead!!! I feel your pain. That one was agony. My friend who never even hit champion level and has stopped playing did DSA and got it his first try too lol.0 -
MidnightDuel✭✭✭Apollosipod wrote: »That certainly is a relief and I appreciate the offer (unfortunately, I'm on PlayStation)! Though I've still been getting the regular overland chests too with no luck! That's exactly the lead I can't get too. Hell, I don't even want the item itself, just the achievement lol.
All Antiquity drops are governed by RNG, but at least you don't have to find/buy maps for Alik'r for that mythic lead. Overland chest re-spawn at a good rate, so finding a path or two with several chests and doing a few loops it should drop for you.1 -
BetweenMidgets✭✭✭✭✭Housing and PVP were the only things keeping me in the game. I am betting you all can guess how much my playtime has been reduced.
I only read the first page (of the currently four pages) but I can say I agree with the folks there. RNG leads are bad. Furnishing leads being gated behind RNG = bad. Furnishings from leads being bound = bad. Furnishings from leads requiring 3 codex = bad. Its just an awful system.
Just read Jessica's comment. Glad to see that after what... 3 years of us complaining, tagging employees, and asking for some sort of relief from this circle of hell.. NOW that information is being passed along. At least now we know.PC-NA3 -
MoonPile✭✭✭✭✭
✭I hope someone from ZOS will notice this feedback.
They know ✋ (lol)
But no, seriously, I'd spoken to the Housing team about it directly, and separately, Jessica answered here:
https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/comment/8424683/#Comment_8424683ZOS_JessicaFolsom wrote: »Hey all! Just wanted to let you know we see your feedback here and have passed it along, for future quality-of-life improvements consideration.
P.S.
@BetweenMidgets you may not have seen our survey then, but given that your game time has been reduced – please take it:BetweenMidgets wrote: »Housing and PVP were the only things keeping me in the game. I am betting you all can guess how much my playtime has been reduced...I only read the first page (of the currently four pages).
(I know others who actually quit or left temporarily. But we're not going to see many answers like that, since people who left are also unlikely to see or want to answer surveys.)The Real Endgame (a large ESO Housing community on Discord – https://discord.gg/8A9XByfhxV ) is hosting a survey about Map-exclusive Antiquities. We're seeking player input on Treasure Map Leads for Antiquity furnishings from a housing perspective. Responses will be shared with the Devs. (The sent data will be anonymized.)
Please come take the quick survey and share your map data:
⭐ https://forms.gle/Yx4D6gqzKf4Lzvc47
And feel free to share with other housers who'd be interested in improving this system for all players!
For reference, here's info + player data I've compiled from my own testing and this thread:
https://moonpile.tumblr.com/post/808642600457338880/info-treasure-map-antiquities-leads-02-2026
Edited by MoonPile on February 19, 2026 9:09PM0
