The Elder Scrolls Online » Discussions


ESO: Battlegrounds Feature #1 Ald Carac

Tags: #ESO  #PvP  #Battlegrounds 
  • Member
    March 15, 2017

    Taken from the official ESO site:

     

    “Fighting in a Dwarven ruin? You have two enemies: your opponents, and the ruins themselves." – Merric at-Aswala

    Battlegrounds are coming to The Elder Scrolls Online: Morrowind, including three unique maps at launch. To help you prepare for the battles to come, we are featuring Vvardenfell's battlefields all month. The first map to be covered? The mysterious Dwarven ruins of Ald Carac.

    WATCH EVERY CORNER

    Ald Carac is designed to encourage players to engage in tight close combat, and the stone walls and buildings of the long-absent Dwarven race block line of sight and provide a lot of cover for surprise attacks or quick getaways.

    The deeper you travel into the Dwarven ruins, the more cramped and claustrophobic the space becomes. As a result, the center of the Battleground is a hotspot for group fights. Circled by an elevated walkway, the center is vulnerable to players above, meaning those trying to control this space need to keep an eye above for attackers at all times. This elevated threat makes the center very hard to capture and hold.

    The center of the map is not completely without advantage, however, as it is the only location that allows an unobstructed view into each team's base. In Ald Carac, visibility is at a premium, making controlling the center an important, but dangerous, strategic option. All Battlegrounds are 4v4v4 matches, so knowing exactly where your opponent is located is vital, regardless of the game type.

    Ald Carac slowly opens up the further out from the center you go. The middle ring has more space, but it still features a fair amount of cover, including stairs up to the center overlook that grants vision into two bases. The outer ring finally provides mostly unobstructed views, so you can always travel around the outside of the map if your team wants to avoid surprises. 

    PATH TO VICTORY

    In Team Deathmatch, there are no objectives to focus everyone's attention, and because the map is so enclosed, the first thing you and your squad will need to do is try to locate both of the enemy teams. You might think it best to avoid the map's deadly center; however, if your team manages to control that space and the visibility it provides, it will give you a clear advantage.

    Domination is a different matter. While three of the capture points are on the outer ring between each team's base, the fourth one is right in the center. If you do manage to take the center capture point, retreating out and defending it from the elevated walkway above might be the best option. Constantly moving from point to point will also help to avoid being caught between the other two teams.

    In Capture the Flag, Ald Carac's tight spaces and cover can certainly benefit a flag carrier, but it also makes it hard to avoid ambushes or clever defenders. Because each team's flag is located right at their base, the clear sightlines available in the center will help you identify the best time to attack and defend, but it might not be as safe as navigating around the sides.

    HOW WILL YOU NAVIGATE THE DWARVEN RUINS?

    Ald Carac, with its high walls and tight spaces, represents a unique challenge to its competitors. Do you take the open paths around the edges? Or are you willing to dive right into the center and control the map's heart? How your team decides to navigate the ruins could be the difference between victory and defeat. We have a lot more information coming, so keep an eye out for more details on the individual Battlegrounds this month

  • Member
    March 16, 2017

    I know this type of content isn't for everyone, including me. However, I am a bit intrigued by how the battlegrounds seems to be designed. At first, I thought that Battlegrounds would be a 4v4v4 arena where we would just hack, slash, and burn until there is only one team left standing. Instead, it appears as though that team success will depend on serious strategic moves and map awareness. Color me interested.

  • Member
    March 16, 2017
    Interesting. Though I really wish there were battlegrounds outside of Vvardenfell. I want a Grahtwood arena or something. Still, the focus on strategy is pretty nifty.
  • Member
    March 16, 2017

    Tenebrous said: Interesting. Though I really wish there were battlegrounds outside of Vvardenfell. I want a Grahtwood arena or something. Still, the focus on strategy is pretty nifty.

    That's a good point. They still might put a few outside of Vvardenfell. ZOS never said that they would exclusively be in Vvardenfell (although the first three clearly are), only that Battlegrounds would be coming with Vvardenfell. Who knows. 

  • Member
    March 16, 2017

    My only issue with this is how split PvP is going to be after this is released. Between Cyyrodiil, the Imperial City, and Vvardenfell I fear it'll be difficult to find a populated server. 

  • Member
    March 16, 2017

    RogueSilver said:

    My only issue with this is how split PvP is going to be after this is released. Between Cyyrodiil, the Imperial City, and Vvardenfell I fear it'll be difficult to find a populated server. 

    You haven't been to Cyrodiil or the Imperial City lately, have you? During prime time, a number of campaigns are pop-locked and the servers are being strained with so many people. This is a documented issue. IC is a ghost town. Plus, you have to que into a PvP server just to access IC.

    Battlegrounds will help alleviate the server stress from so many PvPer, which I believe will improve performance. Plus, battle grounds are only 4v4v4. With 3 battlegrounds coming with Morrowind, we're only talking about 36 people at a time.

  • Member
    March 16, 2017

    Patriarch said:

    RogueSilver said:

    My only issue with this is how split PvP is going to be after this is released. Between Cyyrodiil, the Imperial City, and Vvardenfell I fear it'll be difficult to find a populated server. 

    You haven't been to Cyrodiil or the Imperial City lately, have you? During prime time, a number of campaigns are pop-locked and the servers are being strained with so many people. This is a documented issue. IC is a ghost town. Plus, you have to que into a PvP server just to access IC.

    Battlegrounds will help alleviate the server stress from so many PvPer, which I believe will improve performance. Plus, battle grounds are only 4v4v4. With 3 battlegrounds coming with Morrowind, we're only talking about 36 people at a time.

    MMO's aren't exactly my strong suit, just an assumption I made.That's good to hear though.

  • Member
    March 16, 2017

    RogueSilver said:

    Patriarch said:

    RogueSilver said:

    My only issue with this is how split PvP is going to be after this is released. Between Cyyrodiil, the Imperial City, and Vvardenfell I fear it'll be difficult to find a populated server. 

    You haven't been to Cyrodiil or the Imperial City lately, have you? During prime time, a number of campaigns are pop-locked and the servers are being strained with so many people. This is a documented issue. IC is a ghost town. Plus, you have to que into a PvP server just to access IC.

    Battlegrounds will help alleviate the server stress from so many PvPer, which I believe will improve performance. Plus, battle grounds are only 4v4v4. With 3 battlegrounds coming with Morrowind, we're only talking about 36 people at a time.

    MMO's aren't exactly my strong suit, just an assumption I made.That's good to hear though.

    No worries. It's going to do the opposite of your fear. PvP will be a lot smoother and a bit more strategic since the zerg trains will be smaller (I'm looking at you, Ebonheart Pact!).

  • Member
    March 16, 2017

    Patriarch said:

    RogueSilver said:

    Patriarch said:

    RogueSilver said:

    My only issue with this is how split PvP is going to be after this is released. Between Cyyrodiil, the Imperial City, and Vvardenfell I fear it'll be difficult to find a populated server. 

    You haven't been to Cyrodiil or the Imperial City lately, have you? During prime time, a number of campaigns are pop-locked and the servers are being strained with so many people. This is a documented issue. IC is a ghost town. Plus, you have to que into a PvP server just to access IC.

    Battlegrounds will help alleviate the server stress from so many PvPer, which I believe will improve performance. Plus, battle grounds are only 4v4v4. With 3 battlegrounds coming with Morrowind, we're only talking about 36 people at a time.

    MMO's aren't exactly my strong suit, just an assumption I made.That's good to hear though.

    No worries. It's going to do the opposite of your fear. PvP will be a lot smoother and a bit more strategic since the zerg trains will be smaller (I'm looking at you, Ebonheart Pact!).

    Certainly, anything to make the servers less strained and therefore less laggy is a plus for me!