The Elder Scrolls Online has put Update 52 on the PC/Mac Public Test Server. It includes features from the current Season Two: Echoes of Skyrim and the next season. The headline feature is a playtest of Jerall Pass, a new PvP zone. The update is scheduled to go live on January 19.
Jerall Pass: three-way PvP north of Cyrodiil
Jerall Pass is a new open-world PvP zone built around the three Alliances. It sits in the Jerall Mountains north of Cyrodiil, the range that separates Cyrodiil from Skyrim. On the PTS it runs as a 40v40v40 zone. ZeniMax says that format could change depending on queue times, population and server performance.
- One central keep and resources to capture
- Quest boards, Skyshards, fishing spots and named bosses
- A new currency, Jerall Marks, earned from repeatable quests and boss kills. You spend it on older Veterancy rewards and rotating gear.
According to the reports, Jerall Pass becomes permanently available on January 27, when Season Three starts.
Rimegales hit Eastmarch and the Rift
Rimegales are new world events in two zones Skyrim players know well: Eastmarch around Windhelm and the Rift around Riften. Icy storms roll in with Rime Giants, and bonfires counter the Frigid Chill debuff. The events run on a fixed schedule: every hour on the hour in the Rift and every half hour in Eastmarch. While a Rimegale is active it takes over all three Dark Anchor locations in that zone. The Anchors come back once the storm ends.
Want to compare with the modern holds? Our interactive Skyrim map shows the same areas centuries later. Eastmarch is also where you find the artifact Shadowrend.
Minimap, housing and companions
- Minimap: an optional minimap in the UI. No details have been shared yet.
- Higher furnishing limits for Classic and Notable homes, made possible by new furniture streaming tech. The biggest difference is expected on consoles. Exact numbers have not been given.
- More companion customization
- Armory support for Scribing, and area-of-effect taunts and pulls on some abilities
How to try it
On PC/Mac, enable the Public Test Environment in the ESO launcher settings and download the PTS client. You can send feedback in-game with /feedback and /bug.
Our take
Rimegales are an easy reason for Skyrim fans to visit ESO’s Eastmarch and the Rift, especially now that Greymoor is free. If house decorating is more your thing, the higher furnishing limits will matter. For comparison, here is how buying homes works in our Skyrim player homes guide. And if you are mostly waiting for the next main game, our Elder Scrolls VI hub tracks what is confirmed and what is rumour.
Sources: ESO – Update 52 PTS, ESO – season preview, Massively OP, MMOHuts
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