Future QoL suggestions, A Proposal (Expanding Player Identity in The Elder Scrolls Online)

aspergalas4 · March 7

Having played The Elder Scrolls Online since beta , I’ve watched the game evolve into a leading MMO but with still much unrealised potential. Given recent revelations as to why the game was seemingly neglected for years I think the time for change in the right direction has come with new hands on the wheel. From what I can tell regarding U49 feedback seems to be being listened to. So for this reason, I would like to contribute as best I can as a player to further improving the parts of the game with the most potential, given the time and financial investment I have put into it and my love for the Elder scrolls in general.

One of ESO's greatest long-term engagement drivers is the “fashion endgame”, the creative expression players achieve through the Outfit System and cosmetic collections. And that is the focus of these QoL suggestions I put forth.

This proposal outlines a set of incremental but high-impact enhancements that build upon existing systems, particularly the Outfit Station, to deepen character individuality while increasing the long-term value of cosmetics within the game ecosystem. These changes align closely with the personalisation ethos of the single-player The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (through mods) and the broader The Elder Scrolls franchise.

Proposal: Expanding the Outfit System as a Customisation Hub

The Outfit Station already serves as the foundation of ESO’s cosmetic system. By expanding its capabilities, it can evolve into a true character identity platform, empowering players to create deeper, more personal avatars.

1. Hair, Tattoo, and Adornment Dyeing

Adding further tabs within the Outfit Station dedicated to cosmetic coloration would allow players to apply the existing dye system to:

- Hairstyles
- Tattoos and body markings
- Facial adornments and markings

Currently, many tattoos and facial markings are locked to fixed colours. Allowing them to use unlocked dyes would dramatically expand their usability and increase cosmetic variety without requiring entirely new assets. There is also room for incorporating these items into the current outfit tab so as to be linked to an outfit specifically (this could override a separate Hair/Tattoo/Adornment tab when used).

Implementation considerations:

- Multi-colour tattoos could feature multiple dye channels
- Unique designs can remain intentionally non-dyeable

Introduce a transparency slider for:

- Tattoos
- Face markings
- Scale/fur patterns for beast races

This would enable subtle detailing and far greater personalization.

2. Improved Cosmetic Categorisation & Layering

ESO’s cosmetic library has grown substantially, but some categories overlap in ways that limit player creativity.

A restructured category system could separate:

- Eyes
- Makeup
- Facial hair
- Face paint
- Horns/antlers
- Tattoos
- Scars/Blemishes

Within select categories, players could equip multiple cosmetics simultaneously, stacking them in a chosen order.

Benefits include:

- More unique character designs
- Greater use of existing collectibles
- Increased incentive to collect cosmetics (or buy new ones released)

As an additional improvement, Argonian horns could be separated from hair/feather categories to allow greater visual diversity for that race.

3. Mount Tack Dyeing

Rather than dyeing entire mounts, which risks undermining mount identity, players could dye mount equipment only, including:

- Saddles
- Bridles
- Mount armour
- Bags

This allows players to match their mounts with their outfits while preserving the artistic design of the mount itself.

Advantages:

- Maintains the collectible value of mounts
- Adds personalization without replacing mount cosmetics
- Encourages additional dye collection and outfit experimentation

4. Expanded Dye Channels & Toggle Options

Some armour styles include non-dyeable components that restrict outfit design.

There are two possible solutions as I see it:

- Add additional dye channels where technically feasible.
- Provide toggle options to hide certain undyeable decorative elements.

Examples include:

- Dyeable/Toggleable Faction badges (Dragonguard, Pyrewatch etc.)
- Dyeable Decorative furs (Legion Zero Vigiles, Ancestral Reach)
- Toggleable Hip flaps and similar attachments (removal long requested and serves as compromise for those that like them and therefore wish to keep them)

This would preserve artistic intent while allowing players to better integrate armour pieces into their outfits.

5. Costume System Overhaul & Cosmetic Back Slot

Currently, many costumes are essentially full armour sets packaged as a single item.

A system refresh could:

- Convert armour-based costumes into Outfit Station components whilst leaving "costume" costumes as is.
- Introduce a dedicated cosmetic back slot

Potential back slot items could include:

- Backpacks (featured already in existing costumes and style pages)
- Banners (Similarly to certain enemies like Coldharbour Elite Guard in IC Sewers)
- Trophies (skulls, pelts, treasure items)
- Cloaks or capes (where technically feasible)

This would unlock a new layer of cosmetic design and could support future collectibles.

6. Outfit Piece Scaling & Positioning Tools

Certain armour pieces clip or float due to fixed proportions.

Adding size and position sliders to these specific slots could resolve many of these issues:

- Helmets
- Pauldrons
- Waist items

Additional positioning controls for belts could allow forward/backward adjustments to better match chest pieces.

This small adjustment would significantly improve outfit cohesion and player satisfaction. From personal experience I hate when I have an outfit and just need a belt, and the right design doesnt sit where it needs to be to work and ends up clipping or floating.

Value proposition of these QoL changes

These improvements would deliver several key advantages to both ZOS and us players:

1. Increased Player Expression (Players)
More customisation directly supports the core Elder Scrolls identity.

2. Greater Cosmetic Value (Players)
Existing collectibles become more versatile and desirable.

3. Expanded Monetisation Opportunities (ZOS)
More customisation systems naturally encourage engagement with the Crown Store.

4. Stronger “Fashion Endgame” Engagement
Fashion is already a major social activity within ESO communities, it being a staple of the single player series means improvements in this area might draw back some of those players looking for a more TES centric experience that found the MMO format less accommodating originally at launch.

To conclude

The success of The Elder Scrolls Online has always been rooted in its ability to combine MMO systems with the deep role-playing identity of The Elder Scrolls, these changes play into this strength by maximising the potential of what's already in the game.

By expanding the Outfit Station into a comprehensive character customization platform, ZOS could significantly deepen player identity, extend the lifespan of cosmetic content, and reinforce the player-driven creativity that defines ESO’s community.

Emeratis · March 7

Fashion addict here. I've had a similar loose idea of things for a style overhaul a lot of our stuff overlaps, I just want to add a few things that could refine a few parts or a few things you missed here or there.

2. Improved Cosmetic Categorization & Layering
For this part you forgot scars. It's been a longterm pain point for me that my characters with scars/burns cannot use tattoos/body paint without losing their scars (especially when the scar would not be covered by the tattoo/body paint I selected).

Another thing I'd put here is some skins/tattoo combos will have the tattoo show and others will not (example of this is Sanctified Silver shows the Meridian Sunburst Body Tattoos but Dro'm-athra skin does not, using this example because both skins are fully covering but one shows and one hides).

3. Mount Tack Dyeing
I'd like them to go further than this. I want a system like D4 where you can swap saddles for the same type of mounts as well as hide it and maybe have ornaments like shields and banners and the like to equip. Afaik from people who do model viewer stuff this probably could be done with little effort and it would be very nice. Obviously saddles would be roped into mount type similar to the system I reference (cat saddles interchangeable but can't use a cat saddle on a horse for example).

4. Expanded Dye Channels & Toggle Options
Again, like this but also have the crown store dye stamp locked dye colors freed and integrated into the actual dye system so bright pinks and other dyes we don't have an alternative for aren't locked behind costume only one time use dye stamps.

My Additions/Other things
Could probably go under costume section but releasing unreleased clothing styles and things out in the world. Also, our styles that have been item locked for years like the asylum weapons and the other half of the IC monster helms like Zoal (talking about things that are seemingly not on the radar/schedule to release like this, not dungeon monster sets that will eventually be released with this).

Skill style dye/recoloring. I think reimagining skill styles like Blade Cloak Mirrormoor, Unblinking Eye Hollowjack, etc that have model and other changes should be the earnable/buyable things but for hte life of me idk why we can't just recolor our skills with a preset of colors so they match better instead of waiting for something like Wall of Elements Blue or Grand Healing Green. Something for skill styles and simple recolors would be nice and make skill styles from other sources (achievement, store) feel more interesting and impactful.

If I think of more I'll post again but love the overall ideas you've got here and wanted to help expand on it/fill some blind spots. Would love to see the game further embrace the love of cosmetics the playerbase has.

aspergalas4 · March 7

Emeratis wrote: »

Fashion addict here. I've had a similar loose idea of things for a style overhaul a lot of our stuff overlaps, I just want to add a few things that could refine a few parts or a few things you missed here or there.

2. Improved Cosmetic Categorization & Layering
For this part you forgot scars. It's been a longterm pain point for me that my characters with scars/burns cannot use tattoos/body paint without losing their scars (especially when the scar would not be covered by the tattoo/body paint I selected).

Another thing I'd put here is some skins/tattoo combos will have the tattoo show and others will not (example of this is Sanctified Silver shows the Meridian Sunburst Body Tattoos but Dro'm-athra skin does not, using this example because both skins are fully covering but one shows and one hides).

3. Mount Tack Dyeing
I'd like them to go further than this. I want a system like D4 where you can swap saddles for the same type of mounts as well as hide it and maybe have ornaments like shields and banners and the like to equip. Afaik from people who do model viewer stuff this probably could be done with little effort and it would be very nice. Obviously saddles would be roped into mount type similar to the system I reference (cat saddles interchangeable but can't use a cat saddle on a horse for example).

4. Expanded Dye Channels & Toggle Options
Again, like this but also have the crown store dye stamp locked dye colors freed and integrated into the actual dye system so bright pinks and other dyes we don't have an alternative for aren't locked behind costume only one time use dye stamps.

My Additions/Other things
Could probably go under costume section but releasing unreleased clothing styles and things out in the world. Also, our styles that have been item locked for years like the asylum weapons and the other half of the IC monster helms like Zoal (talking about things that are seemingly not on the radar/schedule to release like this, not dungeon monster sets that will eventually be released with this).

Skill style dye/recoloring. I think reimagining skill styles like Blade Cloak Mirrormoor, Unblinking Eye Hollowjack, etc that have model and other changes should be the earnable/buyable things but for hte life of me idk why we can't just recolor our skills with a preset of colors so they match better instead of waiting for something like Wall of Elements Blue or Grand Healing Green. Something for skill styles and simple recolors would be nice and make skill styles from other sources (achievement, store) feel more interesting and impactful.

If I think of more I'll post again but love the overall ideas you've got here and wanted to help expand on it/fill some blind spots. Would love to see the game further embrace the love of cosmetics the playerbase has.

Appreciate the feedback and engagement from a fellow fashion addict. I've since incorporated the scar/blemishes as suggested because they did slip my mind as I made the post. As for skins yes there needs to be a gaugeable relationship between the skin and the markings we use. I suggested a transparency slider so perhaps a skin transparency slider with all markings being visible underneath would work. Or a layering system of sorts so Skins can be placed below or above other cosmetics. Would require some deeper thought.

As for saddles yes I also thought this because you are right certain mount types have multiple saddles. Being able to mix and match saddle types with the armour types would allow a significant amount of customisation in itself. When you add dying to the mix it would really grease the wheels of matching our characters with our mounts. Adding ornaments (perhaps from achievements) would be very cool too.

In full agreement regarding unlocking locked styles like IC monster helms and unique weapons like Asylum. Some base game sets like Red Mountain with unique appearances could do with a visual overhaul and unlocked as a style also. I very much want the first 50 or so motifs in the game graphically upscaled/updated to better match the newer styles we get, so many cool designs that just don't fit well with the newer stuff because the quality gap is huge.

As for skill styling I'm with you 100%. If its just a colour palette change there should just be a set of preset colours we can use. Animation changes can stay earnable.

AScarlato · March 7

Love the idea to break up costumes into more parts. It would give many of them new life. Especially ones that could really benefit from being able to wear just the top, pants, or shoes alone without the entire outfit.

LunaFlora · March 7

i agree mostly.
i want those things too.

For back items:
should also include Wings from:
- Ra Gada Motif.
- Welknyar motif.
- Khenarthi's Pride style.

Dye channels:
Personally i want 6 instead of the current 3 and more is always better.

infinity Nikki is another game i play and some clothing pieces in there have more than 15 dyeable parts. it is a dress up game, but ESO fashion could benefit from being more like Nikki.
Plus it has hair dyeing ♥

Appearance categories:
here is a list i made in the past, very long so in spoiler tags, but very detailed.

b]Head markings, Hairstyles, and Facial Hair divided into:[/b]
- Head tattoos.
- Head scars.
- Eye colours.
- Lipstick.
- Eyeshadow, lashes, liners.
- Full face makeup. such as Midnight Rising and Obnoxious Mute face paint.
- Face Spikes, for Argonians.
- Head Spikes and Horns, for Argonians and Bosmer.
- Ears? for Argonians. i couldn't think what else Webbed Ears and Roostertail Frills would fit in.
- Hairstyles and Featherstyles.
- Facial hair. actual hair on the bottom half of your face.
- Eyebrows. as we have the Feather Brows of Mystery.

Body Markings and Skins divided into:
- Body Tattoos.
- Body Scars.
- Body Paint.
- Fur and Scale Patterns.
- Skins, that replace the entire skin.
- Glowy/magical markings.
- Partial skins, such as
• Scales of Akatosh
• Meridian Purified
• Borealis Wolf Pelt
• Enveloping Scales for Argonians.

Major and Minor Adornments divided into:
- Eyewear and Masks. like Scholar's Spectacles and Galenwood Mask
- Crowns and headbands, though the Deadly Jester's Headband probably would not overlap with others.
- Hairpins, on the side of your head like the Crimson Begonia and Knower's Eye Hairpin.
- Earrings from Minor.
- Face Piercings, mostly from Minor.
- Body adornments, currently would only be Adventure-Ending Arrow.

here are a few relevant outfit threads i have made in the past.
https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/686841/please-release-all-unavailable-outfit-styles-for-outfits
This includes i believe all the styles we have as equipment, but not as styles to use in the outfit station.
- got a response from Jessica that it was sent to the Player Experience Improvement team for future consideration.

https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/650919/list-of-outfit-styles-without-tassets-and-loincloths-will-try-to-update
- in the January 12 livestream, Kira clarified (paraphrasing) that hiding them is more complicated than other pieces, but they are aware we want it.

https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/688775/please-let-us-collect-the-dye-stamp-exclusive-dyes-outfit-system-request
- this sadly did not get a response.

Emeratis · March 7

LunaFlora wrote: »

Dye channels:
Personally i want 6 instead of the current 3 and more is always better.

infinity Nikki is another game i play and some clothing pieces in there have more than 15 dyeable parts. it is a dress up game, but ESO fashion could benefit from being more like Nikki.
Plus it has hair dyeing ♥

Love your whole post and agree but I want to say Infinity Nikki is the other game I'd like to steal cosmetic things from for ESO's systems, one being having one of the best dye systems I've seen in a game (makes sense given fashion is an even larger portion of the game) and the other is the screenshot system which I think would be a wonderful addition to ESO. It's slightly off topic of this but the short version is you can change lighting, add filters, hide npcs/other players, and pause animations so you can get the perfect pose without timing it along with various other perks and features. I've asked for it before in other wishlist threads because it is an amazing system and helps support the more creative sides of the game. I also have noticed a lot of former eso players in the Infinity Nikkiverse especially those who used to post a lot of gorgeous screenshots on social media. I miss when that was more commonplace in the community and a feature like that alongside a lot of the cosmetic overhaul requests in this thread and the others linked would really do a lot for the game imo.

Castagere · March 7

They have a stream on Tuesday that I will miss. So if you can ask questions please suggest a dye vendor or just make it easier to collect dyes and not lock them behind content. Dyes locked behind pvp is just crazy.

aspergalas4 · March 7

Castagere wrote: »

They have a stream on Tuesday that I will miss. So if you can ask questions please suggest a dye vendor or just make it easier to collect dyes and not lock them behind content. Dyes locked behind pvp is just crazy.

I think dyes locked behind Alliance rank is crazy, PvP achievements though I think is fair if relatively attainable. You have to give way too much (time) for very little return for current PvP dyes. Wish alliance rank was shared across characters of the same alliance or even account wide. As for a dye vendor I think its a good idea for new dyes but dyes in general should still be something that by and large are earnable by doing content.

Someone needs to ask for dye finish being separated from colour so we can choose if we want glossy, satin or matte finish armour pieces.

Castagere · March 7

aspergalas4 wrote: »

Castagere wrote: »

They have a stream on Tuesday that I will miss. So if you can ask questions please suggest a dye vendor or just make it easier to collect dyes and not lock them behind content. Dyes locked behind pvp is just crazy.

I think dyes locked behind Alliance rank is crazy, PvP achievements though I think is fair if relatively attainable. You have to give way too much (time) for very little return for current PvP dyes. Wish alliance rank was shared across characters of the same alliance or even account wide. As for a dye vendor I think its a good idea for new dyes but dyes in general should still be something that by and large are earnable by doing content.

Someone needs to ask for dye finish being separated from colour so we can choose if we want glossy or matte finish armour pieces.

No other mmos lock dyes behind the kind of content Zos does. This idea is just strange, and I can see why you think it's ok because you are used to it. In other mmos they are given as login rewards or by completing a quest. Even Boss kill rewards. But nothing like what ZOS does because it wouldn't fly in other games. And in other games, they do have vendors that sell dyes also.

aspergalas4 · March 8

@ZOS_Kevin

Could we get any indication whether any of the items discussed here are currently in the works or at least on the agenda?

ADarklore · March 8

I'd be happy if they separated the body tattoos by arms, chest, back, legs, etc... so that it's not 'all or none' for the body.

aspergalas4 · March 15

ADarklore wrote: »

I'd be happy if they separated the body tattoos by arms, chest, back, legs, etc... so that it's not 'all or none' for the body.

While I don't think its reasonable to expect they cut up every tattoo currently to make your suggestion work I think having arm or leg only tattoos are definitely something they should explore more. Whilst allowing us to use multiple at once in a layer system.