ESO Update 50 PTS: First Look at the Next Major Update

The Elder Scrolls Online has finally kicked off Season Zero, and in my opinion it has gone over quite well within the community. I know I’ve personally been having a great time with it and I’m excited for everything still to come.

Speaking of upcoming content, ESO’s next major update is right around the corner. Update 50 is currently available on the Public Test Server (PTS), allowing PC and Mac players to try out the new features before the official launch expected in June.

Update 50 introduces a variety of new systems, gameplay adjustments, and quality-of-life improvements. In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the biggest features currently available on the PTS and what players can expect once the update officially releases.

Note: All features shown are from the PTS and may change before release.

Update 50 Overview

Update 50 introduces several new gameplay systems that give players additional progression paths and mechanics to explore.

PvP players are receiving some attention with new progression tied to activities like Cyrodiil, Battlegrounds, and Imperial City. Players will also have new options for adjusting the game’s difficulty if they want a greater challenge while exploring Tamriel.

Some skill lines and systems are also being adjusted to smooth out older mechanics. At the same time, new quests and seasonal systems continue the direction ESO has started with Season Zero.

Overall, Update 50 focuses more on expanding and improving existing systems rather than introducing a brand new zone.

Challenge Difficulty

One exciting feature coming with Update 50 is the ability to adjust the overworld difficulty directly from your character sheet. Players will be able to switch between several difficulty options:

• Adventurer (default difficulty)
• Seasoned – take 100% more damage | deal 20% less damage | receive 50% more gold | gain 20% more XP
• Master – take 300% more damage | deal 50% less damage | receive 100% more gold | gain 75% more XP
• Vestige – take 600% more damage | deal 80% less damage | receive 200% more gold | gain 100% more XP

PvP Veterancy System

As I don’t spend much time in PvP outside of the occasional battleground, I’ll keep this section brief based on what has been shared in the official patch notes. The PvP Veterancy System, arriving sometime in Season Zero, adds a new progression path for players who regularly participate in PvP activities.

Some key points include:

• Progress is mainly earned through Alliance Points (AP) with some XP gains contributing as well.
• Players progress through 100 ranks each season.
• A season lasts around six months.
• Rewards include cosmetics, titles, consumables, and perks.
• Some rewards unlock automatically while others must be claimed.
• Reaching the maximum rank allows players to earn repeatable rewards.

Vengeance Campaign

The Vengeance Campaign will be available as a full-time Cyrodiil campaign and is designed to support much larger battles than normal. This mode features modified abilities, preset loadouts, unique perks, and a significantly higher population cap.

Other changes include:

• The campaign runs on a 30-day cycle.
• Veterancy perks can be applied to loadouts while playing Vengeance.
• New loadout skill lines are available for Soldier, Vanguard, Battle Medic, and Scout.
• Gray Host remains available while Ravenwatch, Icereach, and Blackreach will be removed for now.
• Developers will monitor population after launch and adjust campaigns if needed.

Class Mastery System

The Class Mastery system rewards players who fully commit to their class. Once you reach level 50 in all three native class skill lines and are not subclassing, you unlock a Class Mastery skill line that provides unique passive bonuses.

Quick details:

• Unlocks after maxing all three class skill lines
• Uses Class Mastery Points separate from normal skill points
• Players receive two points when unlocked
• Each class has unique passive upgrades
• Subclassing disables Class Mastery until you return to your base skill lines

Dynamic Encounters

One feature I’m personally thrilled about is Dynamic Encounters. These are world events that appear throughout the overworld, giving players something new to jump into while exploring.

Instead of picking up a traditional quest, players can participate as the event happens and complete its objectives.

Initial encounters include:

• Vampire Hunt
• Farm Aflame
• Bilsa's Delivery

These encounters appear across the world and respawn roughly every 30 minutes, offering regular opportunities for players to participate and earn rewards.

Tamriel Tomes Updates

Tamriel Tomes, ESO’s battle pass–style system introduced with Season Zero, is also receiving improvements in Update 50. I’ve enjoyed how this system works so far, so it’s nice to see it already being expanded.

New features include:

• Players can switch between owned Tomes and spend Tome Points on whichever one they choose.
• Up to 2,000 Tome Points can carry over to the next Tome.
• Extra rerolls can be purchased beyond the five weekly rerolls (starting at 500 gold).
• Weekly challenges can be repeated once bonus pages are reached.

Werewolf Skill Line Changes & Dragonknight Updates

The Werewolf skill line is receiving several adjustments in Update 50, along with some visual improvements to the transformation itself to help the playstyle feel smoother overall.

Dragonknight is also getting a few additions, including Emerald Green skill styles for Dragonfire Breath, Searing Strike, and Magma Armor, a Molten Weapons style that doesn’t override weapon appearance, and an updated Earthspike Mantle animation that appears more aggressive.

New Questlines

This is probably the part I’m most excited about: new PvE questing content.

Update 50 introduces a new Thieves Guild questline set in Glenumbra, along with another storyline involving the return of Sheogorath.

• The Thieves Guild storyline includes eight story quests plus Finder quests and opens additional areas in Glenumbra.
• The Sheogorath storyline includes six story quests that take players through both new and familiar locations.

Players can also earn new rewards, including items, a pet, and a new emote.

Favors

Favors are a new type of daily quest tied to specific characters. They are introduced by an organization known as the Freerunners and appear on posting boards in each major alliance.

Completing a Favor rewards players with loot and a letter that continues that character’s story. Each character offers 20 quests, sending players across the world to complete various activities.

Achievements & Collectibles

Update 50 also adds 58 new achievements, introducing four titles and seven dyes tied to different accomplishments.

The achievement menu is also being reorganized to make navigation easier, with new sections like Arenas, DLC Dungeons, Trials, and Recent Seasons.

Players will also be able to earn new collectibles such as costumes, emotes, pets, outfits, furnishings, player housing, and skill styles tied to achievements and activities.

Zeal of Zenithar (In Game Event)

Zeal of Zenithar is a seasonal event focused on trade, crafting, and completing various activities for extra rewards.

Players can start the event by picking up “The Unrefusable Offer” from Amminus Varo outside Belkarth, or by using the free Crown Store quest starter. Completing the intro unlocks the daily quest “Honest Toil,” which rewards Trade Bars and a gold-quality reward box.

The event hub outside Belkarth also features special vendors, including Nenulaure the Indrik vendor and Zanil Theran the Luxury Furnisher.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Update 50 looks like a solid update for ESO. While it may not introduce a brand new zone, it does add several new systems, improvements, and some fresh PvE content for players to check out. Personally, I’m most excited about the new questlines and Dynamic Encounters. As always, everything shown here is from the PTS, so some details may still change before the update officially launches.

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