The Automation Crisis: Why " None UI Add-ons" on Console Violate Official Policy

heimdall14_9 · February 26

To the ESO Development Team and @ZOS_Kevin:

I am returning from a 72-hour suspension. While my previous posts used hyperbolic examples like "auto-crafting" to illustrate a point, the core issue is a serious matter of game integrity. I am presenting a formal argument regarding the current state of Gameplay Automation via third-party add-ons on console.

1. The Conflict: Intentional Design vs. "Autopilot"
ZOS invested significant resources into the UI Respec and Armory systems. These tools were intentionally built to require manual player interaction to prevent exploits and maintain the "out-of-combat" philosophy in veteran content.

The Problem: Add-ons like Wizards Wardrobe (WW) bypass these intentional design choices entirely. WW identifies the world state (Boss vs. Trash) and executes 60+ actions in a single GCD—swapping gear, skills, CP, and food—without a single player button press.

2. Violation of "UI Only" Policy
In the official Update 46 Console Announcement, ZOS stated that add-ons would be "UI add-ons only." An add-on that automatically:

Identifies encounters to trigger swaps

Auto-consumes resources (food/potions)

Auto-repairs gear
...is a Gameplay Script, not a User Interface modification. This violates the spirit of the Add-on Terms.

3. The "Unfair Burden" (Section 5.2 of the Add-on Terms)
Per Section 5.2 of the Official Add-on Terms, ZOS reserves the right to disable add-ons that create an "undue or unfair burden to the Game... or other users." * Hardware Discrimination: These tools are restricted to next-gen consoles. This places PS4 and Xbox One players at a permanent, mechanical disadvantage.

Community Toxicity: This automation creates a "mandatory" third-party meta. Guilds are already gatekeeping players who refuse to use "autopilot" scripts, destroying the manual skill-based environment console has enjoyed for 10 years.

Conclusion and Request for Clarity
If auto-swapping 60+ variables based on boss detection is permitted, then the Code of Conduct regarding automation is effectively meaningless. I am requesting a formal ruling to:

Limit Automation: Disable "auto-detect" and "auto-swap" triggers in instanced content.

Restore Interaction: Ensure all add-on functions require a physical button press by the player, maintaining the standard set by your own Armory system.

Respectfully,
Sir_Crowley / Nordic-Knights
16 Account Holder | 19x Emperor | Day 1 ESO Veteran

edited title to 'NONE' UI add-on to show point to automation over actions

SkaiFaith · February 26

PS4 and Xbox One are 2013 Hardware.
I read this as: easy solution - get rid of that hardware. Either the player upgrades or the Devs abandon it.
Would be nonsense to remove add-ons from next gen consoles just because of that, and let PC have them. Crossplay is coming; if we need an even playing field just get rid of old hardware, not add-ons.
This makes sense, not the other way around, sir.

OutLaw_Nynx · February 26

Sorry but it is 2026. We cannot and should not be held back by PS4 and Xbox One. This isn’t a really good argument to push to ZoS imo. I would hope we aren’t going to be held back by 2013 hardware

heimdall14_9 · February 26

with all due respect, this isn't a "hardware" issue—it’s a Code of Conduct issue. Upgrading to a PS5 doesn't suddenly make breaking the Terms of Service legal.

You’re missing the "One-Action Rule" that ZOS has maintained for a decade. Look at the official stance on automation:

"Finding a way to automatically switch your gear without any human input would likely be considered a violation of the ESO Terms of Service regarding automation and botting."

The "One-Action" Rule is clear:

Allowed: Pressing a button to trigger an add-on swap.

Forbidden: A script that senses you left combat and swaps 60+ items/skills/CP without you touching anything.

Why your "just upgrade" argument fails:

Parity with PC: Even on PC, ZOS's Add-on Terms forbid "macros or scripts that automate gameplay." If an add-on is playing the game for you on PC, it's just as much an exploit there as it is on console.

The "Integrity" Gap: If Crossplay is coming, the "even playing field" should be based on Player Skill, not who has the most sophisticated autopilot script.

Official vs. Unofficial: ZOS limited their own UI Respec system to keep the game fair. Allowing a third-party add-on to do 100x more work with 0% player input makes the official system look like a joke.

This isn't about holding back next-gen consoles; it's about holding add-on developers to the same rules the rest of us have to follow. Automation is automation, whether you're on a 2013 PS4 or a 2026 PC. If the player isn't the one making the change, the player isn't the one playing the game.

OutLaw_Nynx · February 26

So… should we get rid of lazy crafter too

Maybe it is good that a third party makes the original UI look bad. Shows what can be done. And you do understand this add on has been around since 2021. If ZoS didn’t like what this add on does it would have been removed…

heimdall14_9 · February 26

OutLaw_Nynx, you’re comparing apples to airplanes. There is a massive technical and legal difference between Lazy Writ Crafter and the automation in Wizards Wardrobe (WW).

1. The "Human Interaction" Requirement
Lazy Writ Crafter does nothing until the player physically walks to a board, interacts with it, walks to a station, and interacts with it. It is a "menu-filler."

Wizards Wardrobe: Identifies a boss or trash pack and executes 60+ swaps without the player touching a single button. One requires you to play the game; the other plays the game for you.

2. The "One-Action" Rule
The official ZOS stance on automation is clear: One player action = One game action. * When you open a crafting station, that is your one action.

WW’s "Auto-Swap" senses the environment and triggers itself. That is the definition of a Gameplay Script/Macro, which is explicitly forbidden in the ESO Code of Conduct.

3. "Because it exists, it must be legal" is a Myth
Your argument that "ZOS would have removed it if they didn't like it" doesn't hold water. ZOS has a long history of ignoring PC exploits until they bleed over and break the Console ecosystem. * Just this week, we saw ZOS remove major libraries like LibHarvensAddonSettings from consoles. They are actively moderating what belongs on PS5 and Xbox now.

The fact that a "UI-Only" promise was made for Update 46 Console Add-ons proves that automation scripts are in the crosshairs.

The Bottom Line:
Lazy Crafter saves time on chores. Wizards Wardrobe automates combat strategy. If we allow "autopilot" in Trials and Dungeons, we might as well just let the game play itself while we watch. I'm fighting for the Integrity of Combat, not against QoL tools.

OutLaw_Nynx wrote: »

So… should we get rid of lazy crafter too

Maybe it is good that a third party makes the original UI look bad. Shows what can be done. And you do understand this add on has been around since 2021. If ZoS didn’t like what this add on does it would have been removed…

OutLaw_Nynx · February 26

Why does it feel like you’re plugging your replies into chatGPT 😅

Anyways, GL on your journey to get this add on removed. I don’t see it happening as this has been around since 2021.

And before I fully disengage with this thread, I will point out that this here

3. "Because it exists, it must be legal" is a Myth
Your argument that "ZOS would have removed it if they didn't like it" doesn't hold water. ZOS has a long history of ignoring PC exploits until they bleed over and break the Console ecosystem. * Just this week, we saw ZOS remove major libraries like LibHarvensAddonSettings from consoles. They are actively moderating what belongs on PS5 and Xbox now.

is not true.

This quote is directly from @ZOS_Kevin

Hi everyone. We understand that many of you have noticed recent changes affecting the availability of LibHarvensAddonSettings (LHAS) and that this has impacted the functionality of certain ESO addons. We recognize that this situation is frustrating and may interrupt your experience. Please know that our teams have also been in communication with the relevant parties and are actively working to support continuity wherever possible while we work toward a resolution.

Thank you for your understanding and patience as we continue to address this matter.

https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/689096/current-addon-issues#latest

heimdall14_9 · February 26

OutLaw_Nynx wrote: »

Why does it feel like you’re plugging your replies into chatGPT 😅

Anyways, GL on your journey to get this add on removed. I don’t see it happening as this has been around since 2021.

Actually, you can thank the ESO community for that.

For years, whenever I brought up the physical and mental injuries I’ve had to overcome to keep playing this game at a high level, the "advice" I got from the community was always the same: "Just use AI or tools to help you communicate and organize if you're struggling." So, I did exactly what was suggested. I’m using every tool available to ensure my arguments for game integrity are clear, professional, and bulletproof. If my posts feel "too organized" for you, it's because I’m tired of seeing serious issues dismissed because of how they are phrased.

It’s ironic that you’re mocking me for using a tool to assist with a disability, while simultaneously defending an add-on that automates the actual gameplay. One helps a player speak; the other plays the game so the player doesn't have to.

I’m here to save the integrity of the game I love, and I’ll use every resource at my disposal to make sure the Devs hear that message clearly.

Sir_Crowley / Nordic-Knights

heimdall14_9 · February 26

OutLaw_Nynx wrote: »

Why does it feel like you’re plugging your replies into chatGPT 😅

Anyways, GL on your journey to get this add on removed. I don’t see it happening as this has been around since 2021.

And before I fully disengage with this thread, I will point out that this here

3. "Because it exists, it must be legal" is a Myth
Your argument that "ZOS would have removed it if they didn't like it" doesn't hold water. ZOS has a long history of ignoring PC exploits until they bleed over and break the Console ecosystem. * Just this week, we saw ZOS remove major libraries like LibHarvensAddonSettings from consoles. They are actively moderating what belongs on PS5 and Xbox now.

is not true.

This quote is directly from @ZOS_Kevin

Hi everyone. We understand that many of you have noticed recent changes affecting the availability of LibHarvensAddonSettings (LHAS) and that this has impacted the functionality of certain ESO addons. We recognize that this situation is frustrating and may interrupt your experience. Please know that our teams have also been in communication with the relevant parties and are actively working to support continuity wherever possible while we work toward a resolution.

Thank you for your understanding and patience as we continue to address this matter.

https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/689096/current-addon-issues#latest

OutLaw_Nynx, you are conflating technical maintenance with policy endorsement.

The quote from @ZOS_Kevin regarding LibHarvensAddonSettings (LHAS) is about fixing a broken UI library so that hundreds of other legitimate add-ons don't crash the game. That is standard developer support for their API. It is not a blanket approval of every script that happens to use that library.

The Distinction You are Ignoring:
ZOS can work to keep the "plumbing" (the libraries) of the game running while still having a major issue with how certain "appliances" (automation add-ons) are using that plumbing.

Library vs. Logic: LHAS is a settings menu tool. Wizards Wardrobe is an automation script. Supporting the existence of a menu library does not mean ZOS supports an add-on that plays the game for you.

The "2021" Argument: Just because an exploit has existed on PC since 2021 doesn't make it legal; it just means it hasn't broken the Console ecosystem until now. When Add-on Support was brought to consoles in June, the rules changed because the playing field changed.

The Code of Conduct is Absolute: No matter what @ZOS_Kevin says about a library, the Code of Conduct still explicitly forbids "macros or scripts that automate gameplay." 60+ actions with zero player input is the definition of a script.

You can "disengage" by hiding behind a technicality about a library, but it doesn't change the fact that Automation violates the Add-on Terms. If ZOS wants to maintain the integrity of their own Armory and UI Respec systems, they cannot allow third-party scripts to bypass the "One-Action" rule.

I'm not on a "journey" to remove add-ons; I'm on a journey to ensure that the ESO community on console remains a place where players play the game, not scripts.

frogthroat · February 26

heimdall14_9 wrote: »

Wizards Wardrobe: Identifies a boss or trash pack and executes 60+ swaps without the player touching a single button. One requires you to play the game; the other plays the game for you.

You have to physically walk to the trigger point. Same as with Lazy Writ Crafter, but it does not interact with the crafting table for you any more than WW will open the door to the boss room for you.

heimdall14_9 wrote: »

2. The "One-Action" Rule
The official ZOS stance on automation is clear: One player action = One game action. * When you open a crafting station, that is your one action.

If crafting a daily writ requires just one player action, why would addons be needed? That's because they need multiple player actions and you know it.

heimdall14_9 wrote: »

WW’s "Auto-Swap" senses the environment and triggers itself. That is the definition of a Gameplay Script/Macro, which is explicitly forbidden in the ESO Code of Conduct.

It's a swap you do in menus. It does not play for you. You still need to kill the boss. WW doesn't do that for you.

heimdall14_9 wrote: »

Just this week, we saw ZOS remove major libraries like LibHarvensAddonSettings from consoles.

Are you deliberately misrepresenting the situation or do you genuinely not understand what is going on with this?

heimdall14_9 wrote: »

The fact that a "UI-Only" promise was made for Update 46 Console Add-ons proves that automation scripts are in the crosshairs.

What skills do you need to use in order to swap gear? WW is "UI-only" although it does not show the UI. It does absolutely nothing that is outside of menus.

heimdall14_9 wrote: »

Lazy Crafter saves time on chores. Wizards Wardrobe automates combat strategy.

No, both save time on tedious menu scrolling. Same rules apply than if you would manually swap your setup. No swapping during combat, no assigning skills/CP that you haven't opened.

heimdall14_9 wrote: »

If we allow "autopilot" in Trials and Dungeons, we might as well just let the game play itself while we watch.

There is no autopilot with WW. It does what you would do in the menu, but automatically. You might find looking at menus in the middle of a dungeon exciting and an integral part of the gameplay experience, but many of us don't. We just want to play the dungeon and not do inventory management in the middle of it.

heimdall14_9 · February 26

Executive Summary:
The introduction of add-on support to consoles in June 2026 was intended to enhance the UI experience. However, certain add-ons currently available on PS5/Xbox Series X have bypassed "User Interface" functionality and transitioned into Gameplay Automation. This creates an unfair competitive environment, discriminates against players on older hardware (PS4/Xbox One), and renders official systems like the Armory and UI Respec obsolete.

Citations of Violation:

Breach of Section 5.1 (Add-on Terms): Add-ons like Wizards Wardrobe (WW) utilize environmental triggers (Boss vs. Trash detection) to execute 60+ gear, skill, and CP swaps in a single GCD without player input. This is a direct violation of the prohibition against tools that "automate gameplay."

Violation of the "One-Action Rule" (Code of Conduct):
ZOS policy mandates a one-to-one ratio of player input to game action. "Autopilot" gear swapping bypasses the manual intentionality required by the official Armory System.

Creation of "Undue Burden" (Section 5.2 Add-on Terms):
The automation meta has created a toxic environment where elite guilds mandate scripts for participation. Furthermore, because these scripts cannot run on PS4 or Xbox One, a significant portion of the console community is being mechanically gatekept from veteran content.

Clarification on Current Library Issues:
While ZOS has expressed support for the continuity of LibHarvensAddonSettings, this technical maintenance of a UI library is not an endorsement of the automation scripts that utilize it. Technical stability of the API must not be confused with the legal approval of gameplay exploits.

Requested Action:

Enforce a Manual Input Trigger for all gear and skill-swapping functions within the API.

Disable Environmental Auto-Detection triggers that allow add-ons to play the game on behalf of the user.

Uphold the promise that console add-ons remain "UI Only" as stated in the Update 46 Announcement.

Submitted by:
Sir_Crowley / Nordic-Knights
Release-Day Veteran | 19x Emperor

im not here to fight anyone im just here pointing out an issue !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

heimdall14_9 · February 26

frogthroat wrote: »

heimdall14_9 wrote: »

Wizards Wardrobe: Identifies a boss or trash pack and executes 60+ swaps without the player touching a single button. One requires you to play the game; the other plays the game for you.

You have to physically walk to the trigger point. Same as with Lazy Writ Crafter, but it does not interact with the crafting table for you any more than WW will open the door to the boss room for you.

heimdall14_9 wrote: »

2. The "One-Action" Rule
The official ZOS stance on automation is clear: One player action = One game action. * When you open a crafting station, that is your one action.

If crafting a daily writ requires just one player action, why would addons be needed? That's because they need multiple player actions and you know it.

heimdall14_9 wrote: »

WW’s "Auto-Swap" senses the environment and triggers itself. That is the definition of a Gameplay Script/Macro, which is explicitly forbidden in the ESO Code of Conduct.

It's a swap you do in menus. It does not play for you. You still need to kill the boss. WW doesn't do that for you.

heimdall14_9 wrote: »

Just this week, we saw ZOS remove major libraries like LibHarvensAddonSettings from consoles.

Are you deliberately misrepresenting the situation or do you genuinely not understand what is going on with this?

heimdall14_9 wrote: »

The fact that a "UI-Only" promise was made for Update 46 Console Add-ons proves that automation scripts are in the crosshairs.

What skills do you need to use in order to swap gear? WW is "UI-only" although it does not show the UI. It does absolutely nothing that is outside of menus.

heimdall14_9 wrote: »

Lazy Crafter saves time on chores. Wizards Wardrobe automates combat strategy.

No, both save time on tedious menu scrolling. Same rules apply than if you would manually swap your setup. No swapping during combat, no assigning skills/CP that you haven't opened.

heimdall14_9 wrote: »

If we allow "autopilot" in Trials and Dungeons, we might as well just let the game play itself while we watch.

There is no autopilot with WW. It does what you would do in the menu, but automatically. You might find looking at menus in the middle of a dungeon exciting and an integral part of the gameplay experience, but many of us don't. We just want to play the dungeon and not do inventory management in the middle of it.

frogthroat, you are fundamentally misdefining "Automation" as it applies to the Code of Conduct.

1. The "Walking to a Trigger" Fallacy
Walking to a boss room is a movement action; it is not a menu action.

The Reality: In Lazy Writ Crafter, the player must still manually interact with the board and the station to trigger the add-on's logic.

The Violation: In Wizards Wardrobe, the add-on uses a passive environmental check to trigger 60+ swaps. The player never touches a button to initiate the swap. If the player isn't pressing a key to start the process, the script is playing the character, not the person.

2. The "One-Action" Rule
You asked: "If crafting a daily writ requires just one player action, why would addons be needed?"

The Fact: Add-ons for crafting fill in the blanks after a player interacts with a station. WW triggers without a player interaction.

Under the Add-on Terms, any tool that bypasses the need for player input to change character state (gear, CP, skills) is Gameplay Automation. ZOS built the Armory System specifically to require a manual "Commit" button to avoid exactly what WW does.

3. "UI-Only" means Human-Operated
You claim WW is "UI-only" because it works in menus. That is incorrect.

The Fact: The Update 46 Console Announcement defined add-ons as tools to help the player, not replace the player. If the UI is performing 60 actions while it is invisible and the player hasn't touched the controller, it isn't "saving time in menus"—it's a Background Script running an automated macro.

4. Combat Strategy is Gameplay
You say you just want to "play the dungeon" and not do "inventory management."

The Fact: In a competitive MMO, Preparation is Gameplay. Choosing when to swap gear and having the skill to do it quickly between pulls is a part of the veteran experience. When you automate that, you aren't "saving time," you are removing a layer of player skill and replacing it with a script.

If we accept your logic, then an add-on that "automatically blocks" because it's "tedious to hold the trigger" would also be legal. It's the same principle: No player input = No integrity.

Maitsukas · February 26

heimdall14_9 wrote: »

The quote from @ZOS_Kevin regarding LibHarvensAddonSettings (LHAS) is about fixing a broken UI library so that hundreds of other legitimate add-ons don't crash the game. That is standard developer support for their API. It is not a blanket approval of every script that happens to use that library.

Where exactly did Kevin mention that it was broken? From what the players have known so far, someone had issued a false copyright strike for that specific library.

Code of Conduct still explicitly forbids "macros or scripts that automate gameplay." 60+ actions with zero player input is the definition of a script.

If you use an external program to assign multiple actions (like a full DPS rotation) into a single keybind just to gain an advantage in combat, then that is a bannable offense.

Wizard's Wardrobe already follows the technical limitations - you can't swap gear, skills or Champion Points while in combat, Subclassed skill lines still require manual swapping with respeccing, Mundus Stone buffs do not get saved in the add-on and you must physically go to one in the Overland Zones to get a different buff or use the Armory outside leaderboard content.

It honestly feels like you will not win this fight, no matter how long it continues.

heimdall14_9 · February 26

Maitsukas wrote: »

heimdall14_9 wrote: »

The quote from @ZOS_Kevin regarding LibHarvensAddonSettings (LHAS) is about fixing a broken UI library so that hundreds of other legitimate add-ons don't crash the game. That is standard developer support for their API. It is not a blanket approval of every script that happens to use that library.

Where exactly did Kevin mention that it was broken? From what the players have known so far, someone had issued a false copyright strike for that specific library.

Code of Conduct still explicitly forbids "macros or scripts that automate gameplay." 60+ actions with zero player input is the definition of a script.

If you use an external program to assign multiple actions (like a full DPS rotation) into a single keybind just to gain an advantage in combat, then that is a bannable offense.

Wizard's Wardrobe already follows the technical limitations - you can't swap gear, skills or Champion Points while in combat, Subclassed skill lines still require manual swapping with respeccing, Mundus Stone buffs do not get saved in the add-on and you must physically go to one in the Overland Zones to get a different buff or use the Armory outside leaderboard content.

It honestly feels like you will not win this fight, no matter how long it continues.

Maitsukas, whether the library was "broken" or "removed due to a false copyright claim" is a side-track. The point remains: @ZOS_Kevin supporting the API infrastructure (LHAS) is not a legal endorsement of Gameplay Automation (WW).

1. The "Single Keybind" vs. "Zero Keybind" Argument
You admitted that assigning multiple actions to a single keybind is a bannable offense.

The Logic: If 10 actions on 1 button press is a bannable macro, how can you argue that 60 actions on 0 button presses is legal?

The Reality: Wizards Wardrobe doesn't even require a single keybind to swap; it triggers based on the environment. That is the ultimate macro—a script that monitors the game state and plays for you.

2. Technical Limitations vs. Policy Violations
You listed what WW cannot do (swapping in combat, Mundus, etc.) to prove it's "safe."

The Fact: Just because an add-on respects the "Out of Combat" flag doesn't mean it respects the Code of Conduct.

The Add-on Terms (Section 5.1) forbid "scripts that automate gameplay." Period. "Saving time in menus" ceases to be a UI tweak the moment the human is removed from the loop. If the script senses a boss and changes your character's stats while you're just standing there, the script is playing the game.

3. Why I Will "Win" This Fight
You say I won't win, but the history of The Elder Scrolls Online says otherwise.

ZOS built the Armory and UI Respec systems with manual "Commit" buttons for a reason. They want the player to be the one making the choice.

By bringing these "autopilot" scripts to PlayStation and Xbox, the community is now divided between those who play manually and those who use scripts. ZOS has never allowed that kind of mechanical disparity to last on console.

I’m not fighting against "convenience"; I’m fighting against the transition from a Skill-Based MMO to a Script-Based MMO. If you think ZOS will choose a third-party script over the integrity of their own official systems, you haven't been paying attention to 10 years of console history.

Sir_Crowley / Nordic-Knights

frogthroat · February 26

heimdall14_9 wrote: »

frogthroat, you are fundamentally misdefining "Automation" as it applies to the Code of Conduct.

Took you in total 6 minutes to write three lengthy responses, including the time it took you to read them and think of a response?

Sorry, but it is not humanely possible to write that fast. I do not debate robots.

Using addons to automate something you would do in the menu is fine by me but using this kind of automation as a substitute for discussion is not.

heimdall14_9 · February 26

frogthroat wrote: »

heimdall14_9 wrote: »

frogthroat, you are fundamentally misdefining "Automation" as it applies to the Code of Conduct.

Took you in total 6 minutes to write three lengthy responses, including the time it took you to read them and think of a response?

Sorry, but it is not humanely possible to write that fast. I do not debate robots.

Using addons to automate something you would do in the menu is fine by me but using this kind of automation as a substitute for discussion is not.

frogthroat, you are proving my point for me.

You find it "dehumanizing" that I use a tool to help me organize my thoughts and overcome my physical and mental injuries, yet you find it perfectly acceptable to use a tool that dehumanizes the combat of the game by automating 60+ actions.

1. On "Debating Robots"
I have been 100% transparent: I use AI to help me communicate because of my injuries. The ideas are mine; the logic is mine; the 10 years of experience on console are mine. The AI simply helps me put those thoughts into a structure that you can't easily dismiss. If you choose to stop debating because my responses are "too fast" or "too organized," that tells me you have no actual counter-argument to the Add-on Terms I’ve cited.

2. Automation vs. Assistance
You said: "Using addons to automate something you would do in the menu is fine by me."

The Distinction: I am using a tool to assist me in a discussion that I am actively leading. I am reading your posts, I am deciding the strategy, and I am hitting "Post."

The Issue: Wizards Wardrobe doesn't assist; it automates. It removes the player's decision-making process during a trial by triggering itself based on boss detection.

3. The Hypocrisy
It is incredibly ironic that you are calling for "humanity" in a forum discussion while defending the "dehumanization" of The Elder Scrolls Online gameplay. You want me to struggle to type my replies manually, but you don't want to have to manually change your gear in a dungeon.

I will continue to use every tool available to me—just as the community suggested I do for years—to protect the Code of Conduct of this game. If you'd rather "disengage" than address the fact that zero-input automation is a violation, that is your choice. But the facts I’ve presented regarding the One-Action Rule still stand.

Sir_Crowley / Nordic-Knights

Yudo · February 26

For someone so concerned about 'human interaction' in the game, you’ve certainly outsourced a lot of it to your keyboard.
When you are confused, and you get help from a source that is hallucinating. May Julianos bless us all.

heimdall14_9 · February 26

Yudo wrote: »

For someone so concerned about 'human interaction' in the game, you’ve certainly outsourced a lot of it to your keyboard.
When you are confused, and you get help from a source that is hallucinating. May Julianos bless us all.

Yudo, calling a clear citation of the Code of Conduct a "hallucination" is a convenient way to avoid the facts, but it doesn't make the rules go away.

1. Facts vs. Hallucinations
An AI doesn't need to "hallucinate" to read Section 5.1 of the Add-on Terms, which states: "You may not create, utilize, or transact in any... add-on that automates gameplay." That text is public, permanent, and directly contradicts the "auto-swap" logic of Wizards Wardrobe.

2. Outsourcing vs. Accessibility
I haven't "outsourced" my interaction; I have empowered it. I have been playing this game since Launch Day. My 19 Emperor titles and my 16 accounts weren't earned by a keyboard—they were earned by me. Using a tool to help me structure my arguments due to my injuries is no different than a player using a high-contrast UI mode to help with vision.

3. The Real Hallucination
The only "hallucination" here is the belief that console players will accept a script-based meta. We have spent 10 years building a community based on manual skill and controller mastery. The idea that a third-party script can come in and automate the Armory and Respec systems without ZOS eventually stepping in to protect their own game integrity is the real fantasy.

May Julianos give you the wisdom to see the difference between Accessibility (which helps people join the conversation) and Automation (which removes people from the gameplay).

Sir_Crowley / Nordic-Knights

frogthroat · February 26

heimdall14_9 wrote: »

The ideas are mine; the logic is mine;

X to doubt.

heimdall14_9 wrote: »

It removes the player's decision-making process during a trial by triggering itself based on boss detection.

Ah, so you do not know how WW works? Ok, it is a wonderful tool where you prepare for a dungeon or a trial, or basically anything you want to play by making different setups. And you have to choose where to swap those. There are ready templates for when it swaps them but you still have to make the setups yourself. The templates are ok, as you have trash and different bosses separately. But in the high-end scorepushing that may not be enough. You might want to optimise per encounter. You can still save the setups in WW and it makes it faster. This is actually what I use in my solo runs where I want to use one setup for this trash encounter and another in the next encounter.

heimdall14_9 wrote: »

It is incredibly ironic that you are calling for "humanity" in a forum discussion while defending the "dehumanization" of The Elder Scrolls Online gameplay.

As far as I know ESO is not sentient. It's a game.

heimdall14_9 wrote: »

You want me to struggle to type my replies manually,

No, but I want you to actually respond. No way you are reading, understanding and then formulating your responses to three posts with multiple points each all in 6 minutes. Especially if you have some issues in writing things yourself. I highly doubt the ideas are yours. If your workflow would be read the message -> think of an answer -> write points -> ask chat GPT to restructure it and make it more coherent, fine. No problem there. But you are for sure skipping the "think of an answer" and "write points" parts. And that's the problem. I am not debating you here. I am debating chat GPT.

heimdall14_9 · February 26

I’m signing off for the evening, but I want to leave one final, honest point for @ZOS_Kevin and the developers to consider.

Despite what some in this thread think, this was never about a "PC vs. Console" argument. Add-ons are a brand-new frontier for us on console, and we are still learning the reality of how they impact our ecosystem.

The Truth: I would never have even looked at these add-ons, nor would I have cared about their existence, if they hadn't already forced the ESO Dev Team to change the official UI Respec system. That change was the "canary in the coal mine." It proved that these automated tools are now dictating how the official game is developed and restricted.

I’ve played this game for 10 years because I love playing it—not watching a script play it for me. When a third-party automation tool starts influencing official UI and gameplay design, it ceases to be an "optional helper" and becomes a fundamental threat to the game’s integrity.

I'm not here to argue with players who enjoy their "autopilot"; I'm here to ensure that the console version of The Elder Scrolls Online remains a game where player skill and manual interaction still matter.

I look forward to a formal clarification on the Add-on Terms regarding zero-input automation.

Goodnight, all.

Sir_Crowley / Nordic-Knights

heimdall14_9 · February 26

frogthroat wrote: »

heimdall14_9 wrote: »

The ideas are mine; the logic is mine;

X to doubt.

heimdall14_9 wrote: »

It removes the player's decision-making process during a trial by triggering itself based on boss detection.

Ah, so you do not know how WW works? Ok, it is a wonderful tool where you prepare for a dungeon or a trial, or basically anything you want to play by making different setups. And you have to choose where to swap those. There are ready templates for when it swaps them but you still have to make the setups yourself. The templates are ok, as you have trash and different bosses separately. But in the high-end scorepushing that may not be enough. You might want to optimise per encounter. You can still save the setups in WW and it makes it faster. This is actually what I use in my solo runs where I want to use one setup for this trash encounter and another in the next encounter.

heimdall14_9 wrote: »

It is incredibly ironic that you are calling for "humanity" in a forum discussion while defending the "dehumanization" of The Elder Scrolls Online gameplay.

As far as I know ESO is not sentient. It's a game.

heimdall14_9 wrote: »

You want me to struggle to type my replies manually,

No, but I want you to actually respond. No way you are reading, understanding and then formulating your responses to three posts with multiple points each all in 6 minutes. Especially if you have some issues in writing things yourself. I highly doubt the ideas are yours. If your workflow would be read the message -> think of an answer -> write points -> ask chat GPT to restructure it and make it more coherent, fine. No problem there. But you are for sure skipping the "think of an answer" and "write points" parts. And that's the problem. I am not debating you here. I am debating chat GPT.

one last response
frogthroat, since you’re so focused on my "workflow," let’s clarify how modern accessibility works so you can stop "doubting" my humanity.

1. Speech vs. Typing
I am using Speech-to-Text. I can speak my thoughts and points out loud much faster than you can type them with your hands. I talk, my tool organizes those thoughts into the logical structure you see here, and I hit post. Just because I have physical injuries that prevent me from "manual typing" doesn't mean my brain has stopped working. It simply means I’m using 2026 technology to stay in a fight you’d rather I stay out of.

2. You’re Debating a Veteran, Not a Script
You claim you’re "debating a robot," but a robot didn't earn 19 Emperor titles. A robot didn't spend 10 years on the PlayStation and PC servers watching this community grow. The logic you are failing to beat—that zero-input automation violates the Code of Conduct—is mine. If you find my arguments "too fast" to handle, that is a reflection of your position, not my keyboard.

3. You Just Confirmed the Violation
Thank you for explaining how Wizards Wardrobe works. You admitted it uses "ready templates for when it swaps."

That "when" is the environmental trigger.

That "when" is the script sensing the boss and executing 60+ actions while you stand there.

You just confirmed that the add-on is making the execution choice for you. In high-end scorepushing, that is a massive mechanical advantage over anyone playing the game manually.

The Bottom Line:
I use Speech-to-Text to assist my voice because I have to. You use Wizards Wardrobe to automate your character because you want to. One is an accessibility tool; the other is a gameplay script. If you can’t see the difference, then you’re the one who is confused.

I’m signing off now. I’ve made my points, I’ve cited the Add-on Terms, and I’ve provided a solution for @ZOS_Kevin. Attack my "typing speed" all you want—it won't change the official rules.

Sir_Crowley / Nordic-Knights

lillybit · February 26

You clearly feel very passionately about this.

What's also clear is that the gamebase doesn’t agree with you.

More importantly, ZoS doesn't agree with you.

They absolutely have the power to ban exploits and have always done so quickly and in some cases harshly.

They know exactly what their tems say. Crucially, they also know what they mean too. Your interpretation of them is just that; yours.

Do you think WW is still around because they just missed it? In 5 years they just didn't notice what it was doing? Or just maybe they know everything about it any it's ok, because how you are choosing to use the terms to support your argument isn't what was covered by them.

You don't have to like the addon. You definitely don't have to use it. You're entitled to be angry about the changes you've experienced in the game.

But you are a single candle in the vast night sky. You alone want this. In all the many posts you've made about it, I haven't seen a single person agree with you. You can't punish everyone else because you don't like it.

If, say for the sake of a quiet life, ZoS did in fact ban WW. I have no doubts there would be a mass exodus of high end players. The game cannot afford that. If you love the game as much as you claim, you need to let it go. Fighting this hard against something everyone else wants isn't good for anyone's mental health.

Avran_Sylt · February 26

OutLaw_Nynx wrote: »

So… should we get rid of lazy crafter too

Maybe it is good that a third party makes the original UI look bad. Shows what can be done. And you do understand this add on has been around since 2021. If ZoS didn’t like what this add on does it would have been removed…

I mean yeah?

Lazy crafter is used by players (and likely bot accounts) with dozens of mule characters to pump out as many resources from daily writs to get the most gold/surveys/materials as fast as they can with the least amount of effort.

Trivializing the burden of all that UI navigation and sweeping the monotonous design issues of such writs behind 3rd party QoL.

"Dolgubons is the finest add-on in the game, bar none IMO. (there are other fantastic add-ons as well of course, but not many make it so you can earn 5k plus materials, sometimes gold mats, in 2 min on every toon.)"

frogthroat · February 26

heimdall14_9 wrote: »

you’d rather I stay out of.

Do not put words in my mouth. Especially after I have clarified this is not what I meant.

heimdall14_9 wrote: »

a robot didn't earn 19 Emperor titles. A robot didn't spend 10 years on the PlayStation and PC servers watching this community grow.

Your 19 emperor titles and 10 years of gameplay is not in question here.

heimdall14_9 wrote: »

That "when" is the environmental trigger.

That "when" is the script sensing the boss and executing 60+ actions while you stand there.

From the API point of view, there is no difference. The Lazy Writ Crafter detects "am I in a Woodworking station? If yes, trigger this menu script." The WW detects "am I in the boss room? If yes, trigger this menu script."

heimdall14_9 wrote: »

You just confirmed that the add-on is making the execution choice for you.

Did you get to the boss room by accident? Or did you actually have to do something to get there? And you have complained about preparation. How do you think the setups in WW get made? Does WW farm the items for you? Does WW reconstruct the set for you? Does it automatically save the setup for each encounter for you? No, you need to make preparations yourself.

Configuring WW is part of the preparation.

It seems to me you have no idea how WW works. But hey, the automatic swap is just a small part of WW. A part that you still have to configure yourself. In casual trials I use the templates so it swaps automatically. But if you really want to have a lot of setups, I assign hot keys. My number keypad is basically just for WW. + and - keys are "next setup" and "previous setup", numbers 0-9 are different specific setups.

So, in Lazy Writ Crafter, you have to be in the crafting station. You need to press a button to get into the crafting stations but once in, the addon does everything automatically. You are fine with this.

In WW you have to set up each and every setup yourself. You can configure automated swapping that triggers when you are in the correct place, but don't have to. You have to play the content to get to the point. Need to press a button (in most cases) to get to the place where it triggers the swap. And then it selects the one that you have prepared and setup in advance. But this is an issue?

Just to clarify, the fact that simply walking into an area triggers the swap is your main concern? Would you be ok with WW if you would have to do what many already do and press "next setup" button yourself? That would actually make very little difference. Most cases I wouldn't even notice the difference since I mostly do that already.

Or is it the amount of things it does? Like with the writ crafter it does something like 10 things once you enter. I haven't calculated but I take your word that WW does 60. So what is the acceptable amount of things one button can do? Something between 10 and 60? And why that number?

Avran_Sylt · February 26

Question, since I don't use WW.

How fast is the gear swap?

Can it be hot keyed and used while in stealth without breaking it?

Can it be used in PvP zones? (Cause it really does annoy me that I can't use the armory station in BG's)

frogthroat · February 26

Avran_Sylt wrote: »

How fast is the gear swap?

A second to a couple of seconds. But you need to prepare the setup beforehand. It just swaps your food, skills, items and CP what you would otherwise spend ages in the menus scrolling.

Avran_Sylt wrote: »

Can it be hot keyed and used while in stealth without breaking it?

Good question. Don't know. But I would assume if you can swap items/skills/CP while in stealth, then yes. It doesn't do anything you can't do in the menu. Less, actually, since in the menus you can add skill points to open new skills and add CP to open new stars - WW cannot do these things.

Avran_Sylt wrote: »

Can it be used in PvP zones? (Cause it really does annoy me that I can't use the armory station in BG's)

Yes. But it does not replace the armory station. If you want to swap from one build to another successfully, you need to have all the CPs, all the skills and all the gear from both setups open. It only swaps those things, it does not open them for you. It also cannot change your mundus, attributes, your curse, open any skills, assign new CP points anywhere. It only swaps existing available things to other things that you have prepared and pre-defined.

edit: in BGs... Like with any gear/skill swapping you must be out of combat. WW is not magic. It does not override any game mechanics. Same rules apply as manual swapping. If you can swap your setup manually, you can use WW. If you can't swap your setup manually, WW can't either. (But you can queue the swap. Hit a hot key while in combat and it does it for you once you are out of combat.)

Enemoriana · February 26

Again?..

WW does nothing you can't do manually - just do it faster.

And can something be triggered by looking on anything or standing nearby? (Not sure which WW uses)
Actually, in game itself there are quite a lot of things triggered by looking on them (hp bars, interaction buttons appears) or being near (quest stage changing, locations discovery). So looking on object or coming close enough is registred by game as action. Also, at least fishing addons are using it for years, showing rare fish list when you look on fish hole.

spartaxoxo · February 26

They created the armory to bring similar add-on functionality to the game so I very much doubt WW has been deemed against the TOS.

ETA
I know it's a bit of a gray area but at the end it's not interacting with resources or gameplay for you, it's just simplifying menu interactions. So, I think it is fine. Probably why they didn't take it down but instead added something that offers a similar function to the base game.

Lykeion · February 26

I have no interest in engaging in discussions started by LLMs, and the forum shouldn’t tolerate this kind of thing happening. They’re just spam bots injected with pre-programmed viewpoints. If it’s that hard to personally take part in the discussion, then why keep starting new threads to push an already unpopular opinion?

spartaxoxo · February 26

Lykeion wrote: »

I have no interest in engaging in discussions started by LLMs, and the forum shouldn’t tolerate this kind of thing happening. They’re just spam bots injected with pre-programmed viewpoints. If it’s that hard to personally take part in the discussion, then why keep starting new threads to push an already unpopular opinion?

I think when it's being used as assistance for disability, that's different.

OP you may want to tell the LLM to clean up your grammar without changing your text and to be more concise. This way it's easier to parse what's from you and what is from AI.

frogthroat · February 26

Lykeion wrote: »

pre-programmed viewpoints.

This is key here. Not the typing speed. I've been typing since the '80s and have been discussing online before the internet in BBS times. Most time consuming part for me is to formulate the idea to type down. The typing itself is trivial. There is absolutely no possible way I could read three posts with multiple points and formulate answers to each of them in under 6 minutes. At least, if I want to give a thoughtful answer. Sure, s**tposting can be done faster, but if I respect the people I discuss with, thinking what I will answer will be more than 6 minutes.

But just like spartaxoxo said, as an aid, AI is great. If it helps to write down, clean up and organise, go for it. But it won't make your thinking faster, unless it takes that part of your workflow over, too.