The Elder Scrolls Online's upcoming Necrom Chapter may give MMORPG fans the game's most otherworldly class yet - the Arcanist. This is just one of many features coming with the expansion, as ZeniMax Online Studios has also shared its long-term plans for adventures spanning from Morrowind to the dimension known as Apocrypha. Drawing magic from that aforementioned realm, Arcanist characters cast spells based on the Daedric powers of Hermaeus Mora. The Elder Scrolls Online has increased its total classes to six since 2014, and Necrom is slated to bring a seventh option to the in-game lineup.
ZeniMax has been transparent about its ongoing commitment to new content in ESO, with many of these updates diving deeper into the lore of The Elder Scrolls franchise. During Necrom's reveal event, developers shared their thoughts on the Arcanist, the class's inspirations, in addition to how its abilities are balanced in both PvP and PvE. A notable skill is Apocryphal Gate, which will enable players to manually teleport between two portals; Arcanist users have a lot to gain with a spell that shifts their characters across short distances almost instantaneously.
Explaining Teleportation Abilities in ESO: Necrom
Normally, characters in ESO are limited to sprinting, jumping, and rolling when evading enemies. The Arcanist's new abilities, on the other hand, could potentially change how players position themselves in battles, as Apocryphal Gate enables snappy ambushes and quick getaways. For the sake of balancing game systems, the skill spawns two temporary portals in short-range and shouldn't render other classes obsolete in comparison. It does, however, raise the possibility of offering the game's most specialized loadout for mobility so far. Overall, ESO: Necrom's Arcanist has creative Magicka abilities, and this may excite players who like to blend sorcery into their strategies.
Outside of combat, Arcanists can reach higher or lower areas safely by aiming portals toward their desired destination. This would make navigation a breeze in zones that emphasize verticality, even if The Elder Scrolls Online's mounts can make its harsh terrain a bit more forgiving. The class' slimy gateways appear to be an indirect, versatile tool that should protect the user from frustrating pitfalls and incoming deathblows. By experimenting, careful players might find a class that offers increased survivability as a servant of one of the most elusive Daedra.
It is no secret that Necrom is integrating key elements from the domains of Oblivion, and this expansion gives fans a chance to uncover Hermaeus Mora's first big role since Skyrim. No Daedric Prince is perfect, though neither is his Arcanist -- Apocryphal Gate may run the risk of alerting nearby enemies, which could make it tricky for stealthy characters. ZeniMax has yet to clarify exactly how the skill will function in different scenarios, but there are valid concerns regarding the class' future viability.
The Elder Scrolls fans will get the chance to test the Arcanist in all of its glory this summer, and many hope that it'll prove to be a powerful contender for Magicka builds. An all-new combo system comes with the class and could shake up combat in interesting ways, teleportation being just another one of its standout talents. Approaching an exciting time in its life cycle, there are many features in The Elder Scrolls Online: Necrom to look out for, including far-reaching stories that work with the franchise's darker themes. The Arcanist is an example of how much the MMORPG has evolved over the years, and ZeniMax deserves credit for incorporating new forms of exploration in Bethesda's fantasy universe.
The Elder Scrolls Online is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.