In the latest ESO Update 39, the developers have delivered some unexpected and significant balance changes. Alongside bug fixes and quality of life improvements, this update introduces class adjustments and weapon skill rebalancing that will impact various builds. In this guide, we will delve into the major changes and help you understand how they might affect your gameplay. Keep in mind that these changes are currently on the PTS server and subject to potential adjustments before the update goes live.

• Class Balance Changes
• Weapon Skill and Passive Changes
• Graphical Enhancements
• Zone Expansions
• Enhanced Gameplay Features

↖ Class Balance Changes

• The Arcanist: The focus of this update for The Arcanist class revolves around bug fixes, with minimal changes to skills such as Abyssal Impact and Apocryphal Gate.
• Dragon Knights: The Combustion passive has been nerfed, reducing the damage bonus to burning and poison effects from 50% to 33%. This adjustment aims to align Dragon Knights' damage output with other classes without drastically altering their playstyle. Additionally, the Dragon's Blood morph, Green Dragon's Blood, now offers a small heal-over-time effect, scaling with max health to provide more diverse gameplay options.
• Necromancers: The Frozen Colossus Ultimate has undergone significant improvements. The cost of the Ultimate and its morphs has been reduced from 225 to 175, while all versions of the Ultimate now deal 11% more damage per hit. The Pestilent Colossus morph guarantees the disease status effect, and the Glacial Colossus morph extends the duration of major vulnerability from 12 to 17 seconds. These changes aim to address the previous imbalance in Necromancer gameplay and offer improved versatility.
• Nightblades: The Grim Focus ability has received a major change. It no longer requires activation to generate stacks; instead, it generates stacks passively whenever the original requirements are met. This update reduces clunkiness and allows for smoother gameplay. Other Nightblade skills, such as Shadow Cloak and Dark Cloak, now grant additional bonuses when slotted on either bar, making them more versatile and useful in different scenarios.
• Templars and Wardens: Templars and Wardens have received bug fixes without significant changes to their skills.

↖ Weapon Skill and Passive Changes

• Bow: The Long Shots passive has been revamped, providing a 5% damage increase against enemies within 15 meters and an increased critical chance against enemies beyond 15 meters. This change aims to make the bow more versatile and rewarding for different build options.
• Destruction Staff: Ancient Knowledge passives have been adjusted for each Destruction Staff type. Flame staves now provide a 500 bonus to the initial hit of status effects, while Lightning staves focus on damage over time and channel attacks. The Penetrating Magic passive now ignores approximately 3,000 spell resistance. These changes offer distinct gameplay options and promote build diversity.
• Dual Wield: The Twin Blade and Blunt passive has undergone slight nerfs, reducing the bonuses for maces, swords, and daggers. The follow-up passive, which triggers after a fully charged heavy attack, now grants a 10% damage increase to all two-handed attacks for 4 seconds. These changes aim to balance the effectiveness of different weapon types and improve the overall gameplay experience.
• Other Weapons: Several fixes and adjustments have been made to restoration staff, two-handed weapons, and other weapon skills, primarily addressing bugs and ensuring consistency.

↖ Graphical Enhancements

With Update 39, the developers at ZeniMax Online Studios have spared no effort in improving the visual quality of ESO. Prepare to be mesmerized by the enhanced lighting effects, detailed textures, and vibrant colors that breathe new life into the world of Tamriel. Whether you're exploring the lush forests of Valenwood or venturing into the depths of Coldharbour, the upgraded graphics will transport you into a breathtaking realm of immersive beauty.

↖ Zone Expansions

In Update 39, ESO introduces 2 new expansive zones, expanding the already vast world for you to explore. Let's take a closer look at these captivating additions:

• The Lost Island of Artaeum: Artaeum, a long-lost island shrouded in mystery, emerges as a new zone awaiting intrepid adventurers. Delve into the secrets of the Psijic Order as you traverse its hidden landscapes and encounter ancient artifacts. Uncover the island's rich history, engage in thrilling quests, and unlock powerful abilities under the tutelage of the enigmatic Psijic monks.
• The Sunless Depths, Blackreach Caverns: Descend into the fathomless depths of Blackreach Caverns, a sprawling underground network teeming with untold wonders and lurking dangers. Traverse the subterranean city of Blackreach, where awe-inspiring architecture and unique flora and fauna await your discovery. Engage in challenging PvE content, uncover hidden treasures, and confront formidable foes as you navigate this awe-inspiring subterranean realm.

↖ Enhanced Gameplay Features

Update 39 brings a plethora of exciting gameplay enhancements that promise to enrich your ESO experience. Let's explore some of the notable additions:

• Thrilling Trial: Halls of Sotha Sil - Prepare for an exhilarating challenge as the Halls of Sotha Sil open their gates. This new trial presents veteran players with a formidable test of skill and coordination. Gather your allies, face the trials that lie ahead, and earn prestigious rewards that showcase your mastery of ESO's toughest encounters.
• Reforging the Past: Transmutation Overhaul - With the Transmutation Overhaul, ESO introduces a revamped system that allows you to alter the traits of your weapons and armor. Experiment with different combinations, optimize your gear and tailor your character's build to perfection. This exciting feature empowers you to fine-tune your playstyle and adapt to any challenge that awaits you in the ever-evolving world of Tamriel.

Conclusion:

ESO Update 39 brings surprising balance changes, reshaping gameplay dynamics for various classes and weapon skills. With buffs, nerfs, and adjustments, it's crucial to understand how these changes affect your playstyle and build choices. Whether you're a Necromancer reveling in new ultimate enhancements or a Nightblade benefiting from passive adjustments, these alterations offer fresh opportunities for experimentation and customization. Stay vigilant for further updates and adapt your strategies to harness the full potential of these changes.