Developer ZeniMax Online Studios and publisher Bethesda Softworks took to Twitch to reveal The Elder Scrolls Online’s year-long adventure, a series of DLC that make up the Gates of Oblivion. These expansions introduce new content for players to experience on PC, PlayStation 4, Stadia, and Xbox One.
There will be four pieces of DLC sprinkled throughout the year. The first, Flames of Ambition, drops on March 8 for PC and Stadia, and March 16 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Meanwhile, headlining DLC the Blackwood chapter comes out just two months later: June 1 for PC and Stadia, and June 8 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. The other two expansions, one unannounced dungeon pack and one unannounced story zone, launch in Q3 and Q4, respectively. Exact release dates have not been stamped.
The Flames of Ambition kicks off the Gates of Oblivion adventure. The expansion introduces two new PvE dungeons–Black Drake Villa and The Cauldron–that task players with attacking a shrine belonging to the Deadric Prince Mehrunes Dagon to find a tome before it’s destroyed. Players will be joined by some familiar faces, including newcomer Eveli Sharp-Arrow and recurring character Dremora Lyranth, and can unlock new gear and collectibles.
The Blackwood chapter is the focus of the Gates of Oblivion adventure and it comes with a number of additions, such as a new zone, quests, gameplay mechanics, and quality-of-life improvements. At over 30 hours long, the expansion offers a brand-new storyline chapter for players to experience by themselves or with an NPC ally through the new Companions system.
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With Companions, players can recruit, travel with, and fight alongside an NPC that will have their own personalities. These allies can join players in most adventures, level up, and use customized gear and abilities to assist while traipsing through Tamriel.
As for the story, the Blackwood chapter takes players to several familiar locations, including the Imperial City of Leyawiin first seen in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. The main storyline tasks players with uncovering a conspiracy theory orchestrated by the Daedric Prince. There are also tons of new gear to collect, side quests to embark on, and world events to participate in.
The Elder Scrolls Online: Blackwood is now available for preorder and comes with unlocks, like an outfit, pet, experience scrolls, treasure maps, and one Iron Atronach crate stuffed with other in-game items. The Blackwood chapter is found in a few editions that feature just the expansion itself or the expansion, the base game, and previously released chapters. Conversely, players who already own all of The Elder Scrolls Online’s content can pick up the Blackwood Upgrade edition to take part in Gates of Oblivion.
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