General:Five Ways to Prepare for The Elder Scrolls Online: Ascending Tide

Originally published March 8, 2022. The original article can be found here.

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The Elder Scrolls Online: Ascending Tide arrives soon, but there is still so much to do! Here are our tips on how you can prepare your characters for the upcoming dungeon DLC.

Meet the (Dungeon) Characters!

In Ascending Tide's dungeons, you will encounter a host of colorful characters, including Captain Kaleen, the scoundrel Jakarn, and Captain Za'ji. Each of these individuals can be found in other parts of Tamriel before (or after) you encounter them here:

• You can find Kaleen and Jakarn in Stros M'Kai (base game)
• You can find Za'ji in the Southern Elsweyr (Dragonhold DLC) city of Senchal

The stalwart Captain Kaleen

Of course, you can team up with these NPCs in any order you choose, including starting with the dungeons, but if you'd like to get to know these three rogues before Ascending Tide's launch, they're waiting for you right now!

Join a PvE Guild

Ascending Tide introduces two new dungeons for four-player groups, Coral Aerie and Shipwright's Regret, and while both are packed full of new and unique rewards, they're also very challenging PvE experiences. One good way to ensure you always have the right team for the job is to join a PvE-focused Guild.

Follow these steps below to find the Guild that is right for you:

1. Navigate to your "Social" menu.
2. Navigate to "Guilds" and choose the "Guild Finder" option.
3. Select "Browse Guilds" and highlight "Group PvE" on the drop-down menu.
4. Apply for any Guilds that appear on the "Results" tab that pique your interest.
5. You may need to provide some basic information about your character.
6. Wait to be formally accepted.

After admission, you'll have access to all the benefits that accompany being a Guild member, including Guild Traders, Guild Banks, easier access to organized play, as well as advice and assistance from veteran players.

Gear Up for a Challenge

Even with the right group, the forces you will encounter within the Ascending Tide's dungeons won't be easy to overcome, and you'll need to be well equipped to survive. There's hundreds of item sets and consumables that can help, but if you're unsure, here's some of our favorite base-game items to get you started.

• Spriggan's Thorns overland set (for Stamina-based builds)
  • Dropped in the Bangkorai zone.
• Plague Doctor zone set (for tanking builds)
  • Dropped in the Deshaan zone.
• Necropotence zone set (for Magicka-based builds)
  • Dropped in the Rivenspire zone.
• Seducers crafted set (for healing builds)
  • Crafted in the Temple of the Eight in Grahtwood, Fisherman's Island in Stormhaven, and Berezan's Mine in Deshaan.
• Dubious Camoran Throne Stamina consumable
  • This recipe can usually be looted during the Jester's Festival in-game event, but you can often find it available (both the recipe and consumables) for purchase from Guild Traders, too.
• Witchmother's Potent Brew Magicka consumable
  • This recipe can usually be looted during the Witches Festival in-game event, but you can often find it available (both the recipe and consumables) for purchase from Guild Traders, too.

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Prepare for adventure

Study the PTS Patch Notes

You can get the inside scoop on everything coming with the Ascending Tide DLC and Update 33 base-game patch by reading the Public Test Server patch notes on the official forums. There, you can get all the details on the new dungeons, balance changes, base-game additions, item sets, rewards, achievements, and more.

When Ascending Tide launches, the official patch notes will be available for all to read in the Patch Notes section of the official forums.

Play It on PTS!

Before the DLC even hits live servers, you can preview all the upcoming content, including the new dungeons, by hopping onto the Public Test Servers on PC/Mac.

If you'd like to access the PTS, follow the steps below:

1. Boot up the PC/Mac ESO launcher.
2. Toggle the "Show Public Test Environment" option underneath the "Games" menu.
3. Wait for the testing environment to download.
4. Select the play option and voilà—you now have access to Update 33 and the Ascending Tide!

We suggest taking this opportunity to get in a couple of practice runs on the upcoming dungeons prior to launch. That way, running them will be a cinch for you once they hit live!

Practice your dungeon runs on PTS

Feedback and bug reports on the PTS are always welcome before and beyond the launch of the update. Remember that to submit a report, just type "/feedback" or "/bug" in chat.

That's it! Hopefully, with these tips, your characters will be more than ready to tackle both the Coral Aerie and Shipwright's Regret. How are you preparing for the upcoming Ascending Tide dungeon DLC? Let us know via Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook!

The Elder Scrolls Online: Ascending Tide arrives on PC/Mac and Stadia* March 14, and Xbox and PlayStation consoles March 29. You can get access to this new dungeon DLC via ESO Plus™ membership or via purchase with crowns from the in-game Crown Store.

*Available only in limited territories.