So... Gold Road! How IS It? (No Spoilers)

[@willprotector]

Smaller stories can have a much bigger, tangible impact than world ending threats. The intense drama actually devalues the plot.

[@Agumon5]

Please correct me if I am mistaken, my understanding from what developers have said about scribing is that it was never meant to completely upend the meta. It was meant to be more options / supplemental, and to allow people to play in ways that they want to play while still remaining viable. I don't think that scribing needs to be so good that it needs to be used in every role. As long as it's good enough to be viably used in every role. I really don't get why there's always this kind of mindset that every new thing needs to be the best otherwise it's not worth using. Scribing allows for many role-playing possibilities as well, which is something they specifically brought up during their promotional videos.

[@Cooperharley0204]

They did say this - yes. It supposed to provide alternatives to gameplay, which is what it’s doing now. They just need to buff some of the dps options to make it more appealing than it is currently :)

[@jrpgnation6375]

Because players are basters and will maximize the fan out of their games.

[@MarioSMB]

The problem there being the amount of grinding needed to get into scribing, it doesn't make sense to put in all that work for something that's "just okay" or supplemental to some builds.

[@notiowegian]

Zos follows obvious formulas. They release new zones, with world events, generic Daedric world ending quests, and with each chapter they must have a system. Scribing is nothing more than their yearly system like mythic or companions or tales of tribute. The systems SEEM modular as if they can be added to but instead they become after thoughts, as Zos isn't trying to make an interesting game but instead are following a money making formula. It sucks because the game has so many possibilities if the developers had heart and desire and could be left alone by microsoft and blizzard to make a great game instead of just making a profit.

[@markus.schiefer]

In my opinion, the main feature of any expansion should be something that every player can enjoy and benefit from. Right now, I think, Scribing doesn't achieve that because of its extremely varying usefulness for different classes, roles and weapons. A few casual players will probably just use it for the sake of using it, but many will recognize that it's marginally useful for them or not useful at all. Based on that I'd consider the system in its current form a failed main feature, just like the card game, though unlike the card game Scribing can be fixed, while you won't ever get someone to love a card game who really doesn't. The zone is great and I surprisingly liked the story, even though it made me do things that I didn't want to do: I was team Ithelia pretty much from the start and still think a lot could have been avoided. I blame Mora. As for the end, I didn't like it even though it was interesting and the only way it could have ended considering the Elder Scrolls lore. The incursions are great, the ink drops suck, and the styles are a bit lackluster: I would have wished for styled class styles, and the fact that the much harder to unlock class script achievement does reward a 2-h weapon style instead of 6 class styles, one for each class, is stupid and a missed opportunity.

[@Cooperharley0204]

I think it’s an extremely beneficial system as is for support players currently and solo dps players. Can’t speak for PvP. It launched with 11 abilities and it’s only going to expand from here on out, also expanding its usefulness to different play styles

[@markus.schiefer]

@@Cooperharley0204 I didn't say otherwise, neither regarding that it's good for some players, mostly support and tanks, nor expandability, though I wouldn't say it's good for solo dps without qualifying it, because depending on class and weapon choice it's not. But I still think that a main feature that is relevant only for some players, at least at launch, is somewhat of a failed introduction. I'm sure they'll improve it over time and maybe we'll even get to see class specific skills. Until then I'm enjoying the expansion and I have still a ton to do on my templar, since I finally want a character that has it all, or rather close to it.

[@1848revolt]

I'm still working on how scribing works. Seems like a lot of grinding for the best in slot effects

[@Cooperharley0204]

It’s really not bad. I’ve collected a ton of great scripts and didn’t even start trying to get them until this past Sunday since I took so long (took my time) with all the questing stuff first - did scribing last. I think a lot of people just want every affix at the start. Expac has only been out for over a week now :) it’s not as bad as you think. NOW, with that said, the grind on alts is different. I think script usage and unlocks should be account wide 100%

[@1848revolt]

@@Cooperharley0204 yeah that's my point I have 20 toons on one server and 12 on the other.

[@Nautiklez]

@@Cooperharley0204 I'm not a fan of how RNG getting the scripts on alts work. I was under the impression that my alts would be able to buy the scripts that my main found from the vendors, but nope. The vendors only rotate about three or so scripts a week each. I guess I'll just store the 50 or so unique scripts in the bank until one of my alts needs something. Otherwise, I've really enjoyed this chapter. The zone, main story, the trial is pretty fun and entertaining.

[@Cooperharley0204]

@@Nautiklez that’s definitely how it SHOULD be and I hope ZOS makes that change at some point. Silly otherwise IMO

[@MarioSMB]

Scribing has a barrier to entry of needing to grind a lot to get everything required - and then having to do it all over again on other characters. At least with scrying you can remake any mythics you uncover and are not soft-capped account wide on item drops!

[@Cooperharley0204]

I think the “grind” on your main is a lot less than most think. I’ve done very little grinding and collected all the stuff minus the class script. Big thing is having to do it per character. You should be able to buy all duplicates with gold on other characters or it should simply be account wide

[@xxbloodorchidxx6711]

My internet is so bad i had to step away from eso for a little bit. But im still logging in and havent even stepped into the story yet. Trying to stay away from the spoilers. But im very excited. The lag is just too much for me and im playing a different game for a little bit ❤ty for the videooo

[@tracylamb2971]

I'm liking the story line so far, the zone is really neat. Scribing.. I've picked out some skills just for the fun of them, not really for their utility. But TBH, I'm running my 2nd account through zones they don't have because of the free Plus. EU is doing Murkmire, NA Northern Elswyer. Which leaves me doing just a single quest, plus dailies.. every day. ( the Scribing quest line is done). On NA, EU Scribing isn't started yet.

[@jeffreymccambridge9012]

I'm on console so I don't really know what I'm talking about here Since scribing isn't for class abilities and I make all builds around class abilities, I don't plan on using the system all that much. I'm mostly excited for the implications for the 2 or 3 skills on my rotation that are weapon skills I'm hoping that Scribing and Styling will be expanded to class skills and I'm glad that these new systems are in the game (regardless of drop rates or viability in the meta)

[@montanamike53]

I've done the scribing quest on three alts so far it bugged out on two of them. Unfortunately, it was the first alt. The second one went smoothly and was completed. Now the rub, because the first one was bugged and not completed I'm not able to take advantage of the easy mode of the quest for other alts. I reported the problem to ESO and this was the response: The Elder Scrolls Online Team response on 06/07/2024 01:58 PM Greetings, Thank you for contacting The Elder Scrolls Online Team! We greatly appreciate you bringing this potential bug to our attention. This information has been collected and will be passed on to our development team. You will not receive a further response to this ticket. We encourage you check the Bug Reports section of the ESO Forums as well. The development team checks these regularly and it allows you to add video and screenshots more easily to help describe the issue you're experiencing. Thank you for your continued interest and support! Kind Regards, The Elder Scrolls Online Team

[@BenvolioCapulet9]

Go through the initial steps and if they don’t work - report back to the team. They’ve been very responsive this rollout.

[@nikzel]

I got plenty of Luminous Ink... I've sold 20+ since the chapter went live... I get way more than I could use myself in any case. In the long run, there will be plenty. There's just a current lack because the chapter is new.

[@Cooperharley0204]

I’ve been playing the living crap out of the game - dungeons, trials, resource farming etc etc and have had 3 drop LOL. RIP

[@jale8455]

Sadly as you said for group play as dps there is not much use for scribing skills at this time, except for support dps. With system this promising and intriguing at least 1 skill should make spot on our bars for all classes and feel meaningful as far as pve goes. For pvp I fell there is way more use of scribing so hopefully we get some sort of rewarding/interesting/heck even competetive idc. pvp update in near future so we can actually put them to god use. Questing for unlucking scribing and all 5 doors was actually enjoyable for me even tho I rarely enjoy questing but the flow of questing felt god even tho it was repetative at times . Couldnt agree more on your point of view that quests should focus more on people and cities inside of the zone which would make world feel more alive.

[@NerdLegionInc]

Been having fun but it's ridiculous I have to spend 300k per skill per time I want to change it up to even try out the brand new shiny system. Either that or waste my time grinding quests on alts which is a snoozefest. Otherwise love the expansion. Hope to god they change the drop rates asap.

[@StudDude231]

this is a good review but I'm not sure that it was worth paying the 50ish for at this point bc they haven't said there is more to come and that they aren't going to take another almost year break. There is a lot of bugs and everything is mostly just a reskinned mob. Now with that said the trial is awesome the team that did that should have made the whole zone! scribing is great for tanks wish they would have made 1 ability for the aoe pulls radius a lot bigger but in a dps spec i don't see using anything they have at this point!

[@Cooperharley0204]

I will say the smoothness of the launch was great from a server perspective and queue perspective but yea there’s been a bunch of bugs which should largely be fixed in the incremental patch next Monday. They add on to every single previous expansion’s feature every year (see companions, TOT, mythics, etc). So they’ll definitely be adding more to that and they’ve stated as much - both to scribing and styling. Scribing is absolutely more support focused in this initial iteration in regard to the number of skills, but it’ll definitely expand in the future :-)

[@_invinciScribe_24]

Gold Road is soon starting on console can’t wait to check it out for myself i play on the Ps5 👍🏾

[@Cooperharley0204]

You’re gunna love it! Excited for ya! 🤝🏻

[@_invinciScribe_24]

@@Cooperharley0204 Yeah thanks i’m excited too

[@samkorr5579]

I liked the new story about Ithelia: a good conclusion, though a bit short. I found the zone a little too small, and the overland content a bit too easy. A tier system could help with that. Scribing is interesting, and I enjoyed the quests. Let's see how it will develop.

[@Cooperharley0204]

Yea I would’ve liked a continuation into next year to further develop ithelia, but I had fun regardless. Side quests and scribing quest line was much better imo :) Overland is always gunna be easy outside of WBs and world events for the simple reason that they want it to be very accessible for every player. Still think they’d benefit heavily from giving players the option for a toggleable higher difficulty for the questing though

[@samkorr5579]

@@Cooperharley0204 and the new skin is pretty cool ;-)

[@gamerbierjunk7604]

I did like 20 daily's on different chars and some random content and not gottan a ink yet, looks like they won't let people scribe unles you gold dump and buy ink on the marke.

[@BenvolioCapulet9]

Inks are out there - I’m at about 30 inks from just rando node farming and mob killing.

[@Felkon]

So do you think they will change how easy you can get scribing materials? Was there ever something like this in a past where they had new material too rare, and they change it in next patch/hotfix?

[@Cooperharley0204]

As far as I know, in their next incremental patch (next Monday 6/17/24) I BELIEVE I’ve heard that they’re increasing drop rates for the luminous inks but I’m not 100% on that. As for the 2nd part of your question, I can’t recall

[@DS94everXev]

​@@Cooperharley0204 They did change jewelry. Now you get a plate where before it took 10 to get a plate.

[@Cooperharley0204]

@@DS94everXev you’re totally right lol big brain fart 🤣

[@LBCreateSpace]

Agree - drop rate for inks is bad atm

[@jayr_xx]

I think the writing for this chapter is really good. I love having a villain, whose story is as interesting as this one was.

[@DirtySerb]

As an endgame player are any of the new trial sets going to replace what is meta right now?

[@Cooperharley0204]

The new tank set is more reliable than EC, so it’s replacing EC Cro. Outside of that, none of the sets are very good. Healer set gives 1667 max stam/mag to everyone and the dps sets are underwhelming as is

[@quito787]

They made Ithelia's face so ugly, like it was done on purpose lol.

[@jonathanchristenen4803]

Necro needs spammable.

[@jdm8702]

Lol I gotta say, the last time they did focus on people we ended up with high isle.

[@Cooperharley0204]

That’s true 🤣

[@DS94everXev]

And Ember. Whose the best companion ever! She is hilarious.

[@Centurion305]

Storyline aside, Gold Road has so many bugs! Almost too many! There are even videos on how to circumvent some of these bugs. Gina opened up a forum thread to address only the bugs in the scribing quest line and there are PAGES. It's only like the words "beta testing" isn't in the dev's vocabulary. I'd give it a 5/10. Scribing isn't balanced at all. Menders Bond in has made Ball Groups in Cyro completely pay to win because unless your Ball Group bought the new chapter, good luck taking down 16 ppl with Menders Bond attached to their back bar.

[@Dingus2]

Stop screaming pay to win about every expansion. New content in expansions are not pay to win. It's like you people expect them never to release anything new ffs