The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) has introduced a groundbreaking new skill, Banner Bearer, which offers unparalleled customization and adaptability. Part of the new scribing system, Banner Bearer is already transforming builds across PvE and PvP. Paired with major class balance changes in Update 44, ESO is providing players with new ways to tackle content, enhance group support, and boost solo survivability.
Here's a deep dive into the Banner Bearer skill, recent class updates, and everything you need to know to optimize your build in ESO.
1. Banner Bearer Skill Overview
The Banner Bearer skill is a versatile, new addition in the Alliance War skill line under Assault, which requires players to be at least rank 5. With its customizable scripts and powerful effects, Banner Bearer is highly adaptable and beneficial across both PvE and PvP scenarios.
Key Features:
Scripting Customization: Banner Bearer uses three script types—Focus, Signature, and AIC—each adding specific benefits. This allows players to tailor the skill to their exact needs, from boosting area-of-effect damage to offering utility buffs like minor heroism.
Unique Cost Mechanic: Unlike most skills, Banner Bearer drains health, Magicka, and stamina recovery instead of costing resources upfront, making it an unusual but potent choice for sustained damage or group support.
Double-Bar Requirement: The skill must be slotted on both weapon bars; otherwise, swapping bars will deactivate it.
2. Customization Options for Banner Bearer
The three script categories allow for extensive flexibility, catering to different roles, whether solo or group-based, PvE or PvP.
Focus Scripts:
Flame Script: Increases damage over time (DOT) effects by 6%.
Physical Script: Enhances martial damage, ideal for stamina-based builds.
Shock Script: Boosts direct damage, making it perfect for burst damage setups.
Multi-Target Script: Amplifies AOE damage, effective for crowd control situations.
Reduced Cost: Lowers non-ultimate ability costs by 8%, great for sustainability.
Immobilize Script: Cleanses snares and immobilizations, invaluable for PvP mobility.
Signature Scripts:
Class Mastery: Increases weapon and spell damage based on nearby enemies, ideal for solo players.
Cavalier's Charge: Boosts weapon and spell damage when movement speed buffs are active, a great PvP option.
Sage's Remedy: Provides a periodic healing effect, useful for longer engagements.
War Mage's Defense: Grants a damage shield every 3 seconds, perfect for support roles.
Warfare's Mastery: Reduces time to resurrect players in PvP areas, boosting group support.
AIC Scripts:
Minor Heroism: Increases ultimate generation, crucial for ultimate-heavy builds.
Minor Courage and Minor Resolve: Provide additional defensive and offensive buffs for group play.
Major Prophecy and Major Savagery: Boost critical chances for spell and weapon attacks, increasing DPS potential.
3. Class Balance Changes in Update 44
In addition to Banner Bearer, ESO has introduced significant balance changes to multiple classes, enhancing utility and adjusting some core abilities.
Dragonknight:
Cauterize: Now heals up to four allies every three seconds instead of one every five seconds. This faster tick rate and group-wide healing boost DK's utility in both solo and group play.
Empowering Chains: Boosts damage done with flame-based DOT abilities, solidifying Dragonknight as a top choice for fire-damage setups.
Templar:
Focus Charge: Grants a 15-second taunt for tanking and increases the duration of Major Protection, making it a solid defensive ability.
Sun Shield: Applies Minor Maim to enemies for 10 seconds and improves the scaling of the damage shield based on enemies hit. Radiant Ward and Blazing Shield morphs now scale up to 20% and 33%, respectively, further enhancing shield effectiveness.
Nightblade:
Shadow Cloak: Transformed into a toggle ability, now drains Magicka over time rather than having a one-time cost. Remaining stationary reduces the cost, encouraging strategic use for PvE players.
Teleport Strike: Lotus Fan now applies DOT to all enemies in range, making it a strong AOE ability with increased tick rate and shortened duration.
Sorcerer:
Conjured Ward: Heals have been reduced, bringing them in line with Regenerative Ward, to balance the shield's healing properties in PvP.
Warden:
Feral Companion: Improved AI behavior and minor enhancements in responsiveness, making the class more viable in group play.
Glacial Presence: Now increases the chance to apply chilled status effects across all abilities, perfect for players using frost-based builds.
Necromancer:
Ghostly Embrace: Redesigned to focus on damage and status effects. The morph no longer applies Minor Maim but now applies Chilled and Frost DOTs. This skill now generates corpses when hitting at least one enemy, adding synergy with corpse-dependent abilities.
Arcanist:
Runeguard of Freedom: Enhanced armor duration and crowd control immunity, making Arcanist a better support choice in PvP.
4. Additional Features in Update 44
Beyond combat changes, Update 44 includes exciting new content:
New Companions: Two companions, Tan Laoren and Zerar, are available for ESO Plus subscribers. Complete their questlines to unlock them permanently, even if your subscription ends.
Scribing System Enhancements: New Focus scripts are now available, offering damage types like bleed, poison, and frost damage for even more build customization.
5. Setting Up Banner Bearer: A Sample Build
For solo players or Magicka Dragonknights, here's an example of a Banner Bearer setup:
Focus Script: Flame, for increased DOT damage.
Signature Script: Class Mastery, for extra weapon and spell damage.
AIC Script: Minor Heroism, boosting ultimate regeneration and sustain.
Dragonknights gain substantial offensive and sustain bonuses with this setup, perfect for solo PvE content or Battlegrounds.
6. FAQs for Update 44 and Banner Bearer
Do I need Alliance War skill rank 5 to use Banner Bearer?
Banner Bearer requires rank 5 in the Alliance War skill line under Assault. Check your rank before attempting to unlock it.
Can I use Banner Bearer in PvE, or is it only for PvP?
Banner Bearer works well in both PvE and PvP. Its customizable scripts make it adaptable to group support, solo content, and PvP scenarios.
What happens if I swap weapon bars without Banner Bearer slotted on both?
Banner Bearer deactivates if you swap to a bar without it slotted. Ensure it's on both bars to keep it active continuously.
How does Banner Bearer impact resource management?
Banner Bearer doesn't have a traditional resource cost but reduces your health, Magicka, and stamina recovery while active. This trade-off allows it to sustain buffs without using resources.
Are there alternatives to Minor Heroism for AIC scripts?
Absolutely! Choose from a variety of AIC scripts such as Minor Courage (for DPS) or Minor Protection (for defense), depending on your role and playstyle.
How do I unlock the new companions in Update 44?
Players with ESO Plus can access Tan Laoren and Zerar's quests through the Crown Store for free. Completing their quests unlocks them permanently.
Update 44's additions, especially the Banner Bearer skill, offer incredible depth to ESO builds. Experiment with the scripting system, refine your class setups, and take advantage of these updates to make the most of ESO's evolving gameplay.
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