Update 39 Preview—Base Game Improvements and Additions

07/11/2023

Learn about some of the key changes and additions coming with the Update 39 free base-game patch.

During the ESO Global Reveal back in January, we announced that we were taking the time during this development cycle to focus on polishing in-game systems and addressing some of the community’s longstanding requests. We are happy to announce that the first round of these changes, in addition to a host of various bug fixes, will be arriving August 21 on PC/Mac and September 5 for Xbox and PlayStation consoles in the Update 39 base-game patch. As a base-game update, Update 39 is free for all existing ESO players, with no additional purchase required. Discover some of the changes coming with Update 39 below!

General Improvements

Quest & Content Improvements for New Players

To help new players who are feeling overwhelmed upon first entering Tamriel, the team has implemented a host of changes designed to reduce the volume and frequency of quest choices presented to players in early content. Specifically, this update changes when certain quest bestowers appear and how fervent they are in chasing you down. This includes quests bestowers for the main story, Fighters Guild, Mages Guild, Battlegrounds, Undaunted, and other questlines. With Update 39, as you level up and explore, these quests will more gradually become available for you to pick up—keeping that journal in a more manageable state!

Navigator Quest Pins

This update also introduces a new system that utilizes Tamriel’s navigators: NPCs that transport players between critical destinations for free. Tracked quests (active or inactive) will now indicate whether these navigators can take you where you need to go. When approaching a navigator NPC, you’ll see a “door” pin indicating that they can help you in your journey. When conversing with these NPCs, the appropriate dialog line will also have the same pin next to it, ensuring you’re sent to the right location to continue your quest.

New Endeavor Activity Types

Update 39 also includes the addition of new types of weekly and daily Endeavors, giving you a greater variety of ways to earn your Seals of Endeavor. Examples include Endeavors that ask you to complete Tales of Tribute matches; capture Farms, Keeps, or Towns in Cyrodiil; and complete Trials with guildmates.

Earn more Seals of Endeavors in Cyrodiil

Item Management Improvements

In addition, this patch features changes that help you better understand and manage your inventory’s various items. With Update 39, certain Crown Store items that appear the same but come from different sources will all stack together, freeing up valuable inventory space. Additionally, to help clear up what items can and cannot be sold, unsellable items will now be listed as worth zero gold in your inventory. Previous zero gold items that can now be sold will be valued at one gold. This includes items such as low-level gear, some crafting materials, low-level provisions, lockpicks, and tutorial items.

PvP Additions

PvP Death Notifications

With Update 39, a new death notification system has been added during your PvP clashes in Cyrodiil, the Imperial City, and Battlegrounds. This new chat feature alerts you as to who defeated whom, tells you around what area the death occurred, and displays the Alliance ranks of those in the battle. Furthermore, you can find more information on the “Crossed Swords” map icons, showing who’s currently winning a specific battle in Cyrodiil or the Imperial City.

New PvP Rewards

Update 39 also introduces various new items for players to spend their Alliance Points on including three Cyrodiil-based Monster Masks: Jerall Mountains Warchief, Nibenay Bay Battlereeve, and Colovian Highlands General. These new Monster Masks each provide unique boons to Tamriel’s PvP warriors. For example, the Nibenay Bay Battlereeve mask automatically generates a damage shield for you whenever you are forcefully moved via a pull, knockback, or teleport ability. You can acquire these new Monster Masks from Cyrodiil Elite Gear Vendors located at the Eastern Elsweyr Gate, Southern High Rock Gate and Northern Morrowind Gate by trading Alliance Points.

Additionally, you can adorn yourself with the new Unfeathered Battle Body and Face Markings, revealing your warrior spirit. You can obtain these Markings from Gladiator's Rucksacks after completing Cyrodiil Conquest Mission Board daily quests.

Earn new Monster Masks for your Scamp hunts!

Treasure Scamp Drop Boosts

The Imperial City’s Treasure Scamps have also received a buff* in Update 39 to the number of rewards they drop when defeated. Cunning Scamps will now drop a much greater quantity of Tel Var Stones, and Trove Scamps will now drop a tradable piece of Imperial City Gear. Even more reasons to chase the hapless Daedra down should you see them—happy hunting!

Home Editor Improvements

Preview Crown Furnishings

For Housing aficionados, Update 39 includes the ability to preview the placement of Crown Furnishings (furnishings you buy from the in-game Crown Store) before making a purchase. This allows you to see exactly how a furnishing might fit into your home before committing.

Inventory Furnishing Placement

This new update also introduces the ability to place furnishings directly from your Inventory and Collectibles UI while in your home. To do so, simply find the item in your Inventory or Collectibles UI, select it, and select the “Place” option—easy!

These are just some highlights from the upcoming base-game patch. If you’d like to see the complete list of fixes, improvements, and additions, check out the patch notes on our official forums here and be sure to keep an eye out more regarding Update 39 in the near future.

You can try out the update for yourself right now by logging into our PC/Mac Public Test Server. Be sure to let us know what you think and don’t forget that this update is completely free for all existing ESO players. Are you looking forward to Update 39? Let us know what you’re most excited for via Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook!

*Although the scamps themselves might not see it that way!

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