ESO's Update 45 is here, and it's packed with fresh content and quality-of-life tweaks that'll make your Tamriel adventures smoother than ever. From new dungeons to map cleanups and combat tweaks, there's a lot to unpack. Whether you're a veteran or just dipping your toes into Elder Scrolls Online, this guide breaks down the key changes and how to make the most of them. Let's dive in!
1. New Dungeons: Exiled Redoubt & Lepus Eusa
The Fallen Banners DLC drops two brand-new dungeons: Exiled Redoubt and Lepus Eusa. These aren't for the faint of heart—hard mode especially will test your skills. Think tight mechanics and juicy rewards.
Pro Tip: Gear up properly. These dungeons hit hard, and showing up underprepared is a one-way ticket to a group wipe. Trust me, nobody wants to be that player.
2. Map Overhaul: Less Clutter, More Clarity
Say goodbye to chaotic maps. Update 45 tidies them up, adding customizable options so you can tailor the view to your liking. It's a small change that feels huge in practice.
Why It Matters: Newbies won't get lost, and vets can find that obscure quest marker without a headache. It's a win-win.
3. Disguise Collectibles: Clear Your Inventory
Those random disguises clogging your bags? Now, when you finish a quest tied to one, it becomes a collectible. Stash it and reclaim that inventory space.
Player Buzz: Reddit's been hyped about this. No more hoarding “just in case” disguises—finally, some breathing room!
4. Mount Speed Boost: Zoom Zoom
Mounts are getting a speed upgrade. Fresh mounts feel snappier out of the gate, while fully trained ones stay about the same. It's a subtle buff that makes travel less of a slog.
If you're rocking a new mount, you'll notice the kick right away. No more feeling like you're riding a sleepy mudcrab.
5. Zone Makeovers: Starter Zones Look Fresh
Starter zones like Bleakrock, Bal Foyen, and Karthy Roost got a visual overhaul. They now match the polish of newer spots like West Weald. It's a gorgeous refresh that keeps the game feeling alive.
This could hook new players longer. A shiny first impression goes a long way in an MMO.
6. Champion Stars: Passive Power
Nine green Champion stars are flipping from active to passive. No more fiddling with them mid-session—just slot 'em and go.
Forums have been clamoring for this since CP 2.0 dropped. It's a low-key game-changer for build management.
7. New Encounters: Dark Fisher Replacements
Dark Fishers are gone, replaced by new random encounters with tied-in collectibles. It's a fun little shake-up for your open-world treks.
Explore More: Keep your eyes peeled while roaming. These pop-ups add a sprinkle of surprise to the grind.
8. Console Add-On Support: Coming Soon
Console players, good news! Update 45 lays the foundation for add-on support, though it's not live yet—expect it later this year.
This levels the playing field with PC. Console folks, your time is almost here.
9. Cyrodiil Test: Simplifying Combat
Late March brings the Cyrodiil Champions test, stripping combat to basics—no gear, no passives, just pure skills. It's a performance check, not a permanent shift, to help ZOS iron out Cyrodiil's lag woes.
A smooth test could mean better PvP down the line. We're all rooting for less stutter in those big battles!
10. Combat & Balance Changes: What's Shifting?
Class balance is quiet this time, but item sets got some love (and a few nerfs):
Unleashed Ritualist: Swapped magical boosts for damage lines. It's better, but still not PvE DPS royalty.
Arms of Requin: Tweaked to weapon/spell damage and penetration. A tiny DPS dip in perfect groups, a slight gain in chaos.
Poisonous Serpent: Proc damage gutted by 92%, now guarantees Poisoned status. X is scratching its head—most call it a nerf dressed as a buff.
Nothing here will flip the meta, but the tweaks keep things interesting without sparking outrage.
11. New Item Sets: Jeny's Bladestorm & Noxious Boulder
Two shiny new sets to chase:
Jeny's Bladestorm: Massive AOE proc damage, but it's rooted in place. S-tier if enemies cooperate, B-tier if they dance around.
Noxious Boulder: The beefiest proc for heavy attack builds, with a 15-second cooldown. King of burst, solid for sustained fights.
Jeny's shines in static brawls, while Noxious Boulder is a heavy hitter's dream. Both are worth the grind.
12. Azer Blight Fix: AOE Meta Shift
Azer Blight now counts as AOE damage, syncing up with skills like Shattering Banner. Arcanist squads, this is your cue to dominate.
Build Alert: Swap in Shattering Banner if you're on Azer Blight. The combo's too spicy to ignore.
Thanks for Reading
Update 45 feels like a cozy patch—nothing wild enough to pull you back from a break, but plenty to keep current players happy. The QoL stuff, like passive stars and cleaner maps, shows ZOS gets what we've been griping about on forums. That said, I'm already daydreaming about April's seasonal reveal. If it's got a juicy storyline or some crazy new system, that's where the real hype's at. For now, this patch is like a solid tavern meal—satisfying, not revolutionary.
Update 45 brings a mix of fresh dungeons, cleaner maps, and handy tweaks to make your ESO life easier. Whether you're farming new sets or just enjoying the revamped starter zones, there's something for everyone. Stay tuned to MMOJUGG for more tips and updates as we dive deeper into Tamriel!