Board Thread:Online Discussion/@comment-1600847-20140225150953

I felt like sharing a few things you with guy/gals that were learned during the Beta:

First and foremost: ADJUST EXPECTATIONS. If you're expecting Skyrim Online, you're going to be very disappointed.

Second, I learned a fact that's probably going to make a LOT of Elder Scrolls fans stop playing early in the game: you know how in the single-player titles once you were done the tutorial, the entire world opens up and you can go and do whatever you please? Not so in ESO. Once you escape Coldharbour, you go to an in-escapable starting island which you can only leave after about an hour of questing (if you only focus on the main quest). You'd think after that'd you'd be done, right? All MMOs have such a starting island/area, so one is understandable. Nope. After you escape the first starting island, you have A SECOND inescapable starting island, one which requires two-three hours of questing to escape. Only after that do you have the freedom to go do whatever you want like in the single-player titles.

Also, the Dominion seems to have an advantage over the other 2 factions which might imbalance the factions. Their starting islands are apparently smaller and more compact, allowing players to level up much faster than Covenant or Pact players early in the game.

Now a few things about Armor and Weapons: In ESO, Light Armor is clothing. Light Armor from the previous games (Leather, Elven, Fur etc) is now considered Medium Armor. Heavy is still Heavy, at least. As to weapons, there is no skill line for a single One-Handed  weapon. There's only One-Handed and Shield. Not much of a problem, but it bugs me since all my spellswords have a sword/axe in one hand and a spell in the other but I won't be able to gain skill in that.

If you want more in-depth coverage (as I didn't play the Beta), here's some links to where I got my information:


 * Angry Joe Show: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upE802rZl7Q


 * PvP:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I82pz60iGL0


 * ShoddyCast: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jT6mR_JYk28


 * PvP:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-18qjhldUZM

Also, tamrielfoundry.com has some good info about skills, racial bonuses and is forming guilds for the game. Seems that the Pact has the most member so far, followed by the Dominion and the Covenant is in last place by about 700 members.

Feel free to comment, discuss and rage in the comments as appropriate. 