The Deadlands DLC for The Elder Scrolls Online introduces a huge number of major updates to the game, including of course the addition of the Deadlands themselves. As the fourth part of the 2021 The Elder Scrolls Online: Blackwood release cycle, the Deadlands DLC wraps up the MMO's 2021 Gates of Oblivion storyline.
Players jumping into The Elder Scrolls Online for the first time to relive some of that Oblivion nostalgia in the realm of Mehrunes Dagon should know a few things before going into the new DLC. Even players who finished the Blackwood chapter might not know some important (and handy) details about the many new updates to ESO.
10 Deadlands Releases On November 16 For Console Players
The Deadlands DLC for The Elder Scrolls Online released on November 1, 2021 for PC players, but unfortunately, it is slated for a later release on consoles. For PlayStation and Xbox players, the DLC will become accessible more than two weeks later on November 16.
It's likely delayed for console users to iron out any issues that the ESO servers might have on the PC launch. In a way, it's not the worst thing in the world to wait a little longer so that no game-breaking problems come up.
9 It's A Continuation Of The Blackwood Chapter...
The Blackwood chapter for The Elder Scrolls Online was released in the Summer of 2021 as the second installment in the Gates of Oblivion storyline. While the Deadlands DLC is markedly shorter than the Blackwood chapter (having six main quests vs. 11 main quests), there is additional content beyond the Deadlands main quest that ties the two narratives together.
At first, it serves as its own independent storyline, then after completing the main questline Lyranth will offer the real final questline, provided the player has completed the Blackwood chapter.
8 ...And The Final DLC In The Gates of Oblivion Story
The Gates of Oblivion storyline started with the Flames of Ambition DLC, dedicated to three new dungeons. Then came the Blackwood chapter itself with the addition of Leyawiin and Western areas of Black Marsh as well as a main questline. After that came the Waking Flame DLC, which also introduced new dungeons following the events of the main Blackwood quest.
The Deadlands DLC serves as the final installment of the Gates of Oblivion storyline surrounding Mehrunes Dagon and his Waking Flame cult. Though the DLC mostly follows its own independent narrative arc, it ties back into the Blackwood story and Mehrunes Dagon after a few quests.
7 The Deadlands Is Home To New Delves, Bosses, And More
The Deadlands serve as the newest area for players to explore. Similar to the Clockwork City or Markarth DLCs, the Deadlands DLC is a kind of mini-expansion featuring Delves, a Public Dungeon, a new questline, new world bosses (and wandering super-world bosses), and a ton of side quests and lore to learn.
While the Flames of Ambition and Waking Flame DLCs brought a variety of dungeons and other content to the game, the Deadlands DLC has an overworld just like Tamriel, and it's also home to one of the largest cities in the history of Elder Scrolls Online.
6 Deadlands Introduces ESO's Largest City: Fargrave
Fargrave serves as the main hub for quests, NPCs, and activity within the Deadlands DLC. Though it exists outside the Deadlands as an independent entity that belongs to no Prince, it is connected to the many planes of Oblivion (and Nirn) through its vast portal network.
The city has four distinct locations: the city itself where most quests are started, the Bazaar which houses guild traders, the crafting area, and the Shambles. The Shambles is the only area of Fargrave that houses hostile enemies.
5 The Armory Allows Multiple Builds On One Character
One of the most anticipated updates to Elder Scrolls Online is the addition of the Armory system. The Armory is a system by which players are able to save and load multiple builds on one character, allowing for a kind of multi-classing not yet seen in ESO.
The Armory system will save alternate Attributes, Skill Points, Champion Points, Gear, and other character stats in selectable builds. Players start out with two slots, and a free Armory station for player homes is available in the Crown Store.
4 There Are Nine New Item Sets To Acquire...
New item sets are introduced with almost every Elder Scrolls Online expansion, including the smaller ones like the Deadlands DLC. This DLC introduces nine new sets to acquire: three of them are Mythic items that must be Scryed, three are craftable, and three are found throughout the Deadlands.
These sets give players a variety of effects, and their full set bonuses are some of the most unique the game has seen recently. For example, the Spaulder of Ruin is a Mythic item that seems to encourage Support players to crouch, while the Kynmarcher's Cruelty set acts like a debuffing Wabbajack.
3 ...And Curated Items Makes Completing Sets Easier
A major update to the game comes in the form of an RNG overhaul for dropped item sets. Before, when downing bosses that could drop an item from a set, the game would randomly select from any of the options available, no matter what players already had.
Now, with the Curated Items system, the game checks to see which items players have already gotten in a set and will only reward uncollected pieces. If nothing else, it makes grinding for a full set a lot less... grindy.
2 Lyranth Takes Center Stage In The Story, Not Eveli
There are several returning characters throughout the Deadlands DLC for Elder Scrolls Online, many of whom were front-and-center in the Blackwood chapter's main questline. While Eveli was the main questgiver in Leyawiin and beyond, though, Lyranth the Dremora serves as the player's main contact in Fargrave and the Deadlands.
Some ESO players have found Eveli's character to be charming, but ultimately a bit too over-the-top for the serious storylines she takes part in. Lyranth, on the other hand, has been a fan favorite since she debuted.
1 The Finale Unlocks If The Blackwood Chapter Is Completed
There are six new main quests to complete in the Deadlands DLC taking players from Fargrave to the Deadlands and beyond. Once these six quests are completed, the game will check whether you have also completed the Blackwood chapter main questline. If so, a secret quest is offered, reuniting the story of the DLC with the overarching Gates of Oblivion narrative.
It's a good idea to complete the main quest in Blackwood before heading to the Deadlands, if for nothing else than to understand the motives of the Waking Flame cult and the characterization of Mehrunes Dagon. Spoiler Alert: Eveli Sharp-Arrow does come to Fargrave for this finale quest.
The Elder Scrolls Online is available for PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox One and Series X|S