Originally published October 25, 2024. The original article can be found here.
The Scribing system and Skill Styles collectibles introduced in Gold Road and Update 42 receive further options when Update 44 launches on October 28 for PC/Mac and November 13 for Xbox and PlayStation consoles. Scribing will not only receive a brand-new skill, Banner Bearer, but also expands existing options with 14 Scripts finding their way to nine Grimoires. Meanwhile, four new earnable Skill Styles will arrive to help you stand out in the thick of combat.
Expanded Script OptionsEdit
With Update 44, 14 of the game's existing Scripts can now be added to nine Grimoires with which they were previously incompatible. These new options expand the possibilities of Scribing immensely, opening the door to all sorts of builds and creative expression. The team put a great deal of thought into how they chose to grow the system.
"We have a huge excel doc that shows every Grimoire, which Scripts it uses, and how many uses those Scripts have, so we try to make sure we're enabling as many playstyles and roleplay options as possible," explains Kira Ross Schlitt, ESO's Scribing Lead. "Expanding Frost mage roleplay was a priority for us, as well as making sure that there are equal options for Stamina & Magicka. An example of that for Update 44 is the addition of Physical Damage for Elemental Explosion."
As always, when developing and expanding the system, the team wanted to provide a variety of options that each have their own unique value.
"We don't want there to be one clear best option for any Script, whether it be Focus, Signature, or Affix. It's all about how you make these flexible skills your own; whether you're looking for fun, to flesh out your rotation, or lean into a certain damage type or roleplay!" says Schlitt.
Banner Bearer GrimoireEdit
In addition to the additional Script options, Update 44 also introduces a brand-new Grimoire, called Banner Bearer. Casting this skill summons a banner on the player's back, and provides them and their allies potent group bonuses, which vary depending on script selections. The Grimoire is available from Chronicler Firandil after Rank 5 in the Alliance War's Support skill line.
"[When developing the new Grimoire] we really wanted to try a brand-new style of skill, and Banner Bearer is pretty unique," explains Schlitt. "It's a group buff with no 'direct' resource cost while also enabling new strategies, builds, and combinations of ways players could tackle group content."
Banner Bearer, like all Grimoires, can be changed in many ways via a wide variety of Scripts. Add in the core group support role of the Grimoire, and you have the possibility to synergize not only with your own build, but that of your teammates, too.
"Banner Bearer is all about YOUR group," explains Schlitt. "Is your group using mostly Martial Damage skills? Buff those up with the Physical Damage Focus! Or would it be better to have your group be able to cast more quickly? Then try the Restore Resource Focus! Experiment to see what would best help your group be successful in your chosen content."
New Skill StylesEdit
Update 44 adds further customization options via four brand-new Skill Styles, earnable as in-game collectible rewards. This includes two skills in the Psijic skill line, Undo and Accelerate, that had yet to see any such options, and two for weapon skills, including Force Shock in the Destruction Staff skill line and Puncture for One Hand and Shield.
When working on the new Skill Styles, the team made sure they would be as appealing as possible.
"We usually start by thinking about Skills that are pretty widely used, as we want as many folks as possible to find value in these changes," says Schlitt. "From there, we look at Skills that have VFX that make sense to be changed, as some of the more subtle ones aren't good fits."
The two Psijic skills each gain a purple hue, with "Undo, Purple" earned from collecting certain lorebooks, while "Accelerate, Purple" can be rarely found in Psijic Portals. The Infinite Archive provides an alternate path to both, selling Accelerate's Skill Style and relevant lorebook furnishings among Filer Ool's rotating wares.
Meanwhile, the new styles for Force Shock and Puncture can both be collected through gathering fragments as you defeat a variety of bosses. These fragments also join Filer Ool's potential wares each week. "Force Shock, Wildburn" is the skill's second customization option, and comes with a vibrant magical effect that should be familiar to any who've explored West Weald for long. "Puncture, Lavaburst" instead heats up with a special visual effect of molten rock—sure to be popular among Dragonknight tanks, but suitable for anyone looking for something new and exciting.
"I'm particularly psyched by the molten variant of Puncture," remarks Schlitt. "It's just so wicked to see our first Skill Styles with a VFX change along with a color change."
Update 44's New PowersEdit
Owners of the Gold Road Chapter will get to play with all sorts of new Scribing options soon, while the Skill Styles will be available to all players (although some options for acquiring them require access to Gold Road or certain DLC). With these new options, customizing your playstyle opens up even more. What new possibilities are you excited to explore? Let us know via X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook.
The Update 44 base-game patch arrives October 28 for PC/Mac and November 13 for Xbox and PlayStation consoles.