With the new chapter "Gold Road", which will be released for PC on June 3 and for consoles on June 18 this year, a new game element is introduced in the game: the Scribing System. It allows you to further customize your skills and adapt them to your needs.
Scribing is a so-called precursor to the Spellcrafting system, that we already know from The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, for example, which came about 1,000 years later. This feature has been requested by the ESO community for years and is finally implemented in the game.
The new Scribing System is formed by
so-called Grimoires and Scripts. Grimoires form the basis that define
how the new skills will work. The look can be modified by a new Styling
system. There should be the possibility to adjust the colors of skills,
for example. How exactly this will work is not yet known.
Once you have decided on a Grimoire, it can be refined by the so-called Scripts. There are three different categories of Scripts, of which you can use one in each. Primary Scripts define the base effect of the skill, i.e. whether it is a damage shield, healing or damage skill, for example. For a damage skill, you should then be able to choose which type of damage, whether frost, fire or poison, you want to use. In addition, an extra effect can be added by the Secondary Script, such as unique buffs or debuffs, restoring resources or converting soul gems to Ultimate Value. Through the Tertiary Script, typical buffs or debuffs can also be added to the skill, such as Minor Prophecy, Minor Force or Lifesteal.
ZOS gives us an example of this: If you take a Grimoire called Soul Touch, it allows you to first take soul magic from yourself and apply it to a nearby enemy or friend. This can be adjusted by the mentioned Scripts. For example, the Primary Script could be used to pull enemies to you or cast a damage shield as support for an ally, or to cause magical, physical or lightning damage to an enemy. In addition, the Secondary Script could be used to consume a soul gem and convert the released energy into Ultimate Power.
At the start of Gold Road, it will only be possible to change weapons,
world and guild (Fighters and Mage) skills through Scribing. We do not
yet know if there will be only one Grimoire per skill line or more. At
the moment it seems that it will not affect the class skills. More
information will follow from ZOS in the coming months.
Scribing will be introduced by a new story quest line that you can start with a NPC called Ulfsild. The magical historian sends you on a journey alongside a Knight of the Lamp, where you learn how Scribing works and how to scribe and acquire Grimoires. You will also learn the history behind Scribing and get more insights into the lore associated with an ancient magic that draws the attention of the Mages Guild.
Regarding ZOS's statement that Scribing is the “precursor to Spellcrafting”, there are two different interpretations. On the one hand, this could be seen as a test run to possibly implement the full Spellcrafting later, or on the other hand, as a precursor about 1,000 years before Oblivion, which then evolved into Spellcrafting.
Overall, this new game system is also under the theme of "Play your way" and should give the player even more possibilities to live out their individual play style.
You can find everything we know so far about Scribing and the new magic system in our guide. Until June, there are still a few months left. Therefore, this new game system could still undergo some changes. We will know more about this when the new update is on the PTS in April. As usual, we will keep you updated.
To use the new magic system, you must own the new chapter “Gold Road”. You can pre-order it now on the common platforms.
