Elder Scrolls Online: Horns of the Reach

Score: 80%
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Developer: Bethesda Softworks
Media: Download/1
Players: 1 - 4 (4 Recommended)
Genre: MMORPG

Heroes Needed for Minotaur Abatement Project:

A new threat of man and beast plagues the Jerall Mountains. Are you ready to face the Dreadhorn Clan in the Horns of the Reach?

The Reachmen are barbarians... raiders and scavengers. They don't create, but only leave destruction in their wake. Still, they are working an ancient forge for the Minotaurs and the creations they bring forth are not of flesh and blood, but of stone and fire. Someone must investigate what they're doing with the Bloodroot Forge and to free the captives they've taken to slave at the forge. Also, the Dreadhorn's assault on Falkreath Hold is nigh complete; heroes are needed to get past the Dreadhorn troops and their siege-mammoth and to make their way through the hold, to help take a stand against the Dreadhorn threat. Must be willing to relocate to Craglorn.

In addition to these two dungeons, Horns of the Reach also includes new unique item sets, monster masks, achievements, boss collectibles and titles. Earn all of the included achievements and you'll earn exclusive costumes and a new dye to show off your accomplishments to the world, as well.

In addition to the DLC content, this update includes several changes to the base game, available to all players, including:

6 New Gear Sets (and changes to existing sets)
New Battlegrounds Content (only available if you have Morrowind)
- Arcane University
- Chaos Ball
New Player Houses
New Housing Decorations
New Cosmetics
New Crown Crates
New Holiday Events

Senior-Level Experience Required:

When possible, I tend to attempt multiplayer dungeons on my own, first. This means that I have to be careful and crafty and, typically, a much higher level than the dungeon I'm attempting. I was very low leveled going in and then, after a very short, aborted attempt at these dungeons, fast-tracked my character up to level 25, but found that level 25 is woefully low for these... even in a four person group. I took a couple of screenshots after being insta-killed by a couple of enemies and can relay that to make it through these dungeons, you'll need to be able to survive Mathgamain's lunge at almost 20k damage and a Dreadhorn Wallbreaker clobbering you for over 32K damage in a single hit.

If you're playing with a high level character and you're looking for something new to do, this DLC is built with you in mind. If you have a lower-level character, you might do well to hold off until you've leveled up a bit. You probably don't have to be level 50, but you might want to go in with at least high 30's to low 40's, assuming you have a strong group to help out and you're leveling up skills that actually help your team. If you're not familiar with the dolmen touring option, check out the link below for Tips on Leveling in a Hurry.

Team-Oriented and Goal-Driven a Must:

I know some people are all about the PVP gameplay when it comes to MMORPGs, wondering why anyone would waste their time on the environment, when there are so many noobs to pwn. Well, that's never been my thing, personally. I enjoy watching the stories play out, exploring the landscape and generally enjoying the world that's been brought to life around me. I will do this to the degree of venturing alone into areas that are intended for groups and trying to stealth my way past the mobs. I have even spent hours venturing along the tops of mountains in Rift just taking in the scenery. I would do that in ESO, as well, but they tend to keep players off the mountaintops with vertical cliffs that can't be climbed. Bummer.

As a PVE gamer who generally avoids PVP and even groups as much as possible, I can tell you that Elder Scrolls Online: Horns of the Reach has nothing to offer. This DLC is all about getting together with some friends and kickin' some ass together.

If you're a PVE player and you're thinking about getting Elder Scrolls Online: Horns of the Reach as your foray into multiplayer gaming... um, not so much. I found out quickly that, not only was my character not leveled enough, but that he was underdeveloped in the skills that were needed for successfully being part of a team. In a team situation, you're assigned a role (such as Healer) and you're expected to serve your purpose for the team. It was my job to keep my team alive. When I first started, I was trying to keep them alive with an area of effect buff that would slowly heal allies as long as they stayed in that area. As you might imagine, that didn't go over too well. When I realized I needed to use a Restoration Staff, I was at level one or two in Restoration Staves. At that level, you're not really doing much of anything. So, I needed to not only level up, but level up the skills that would best support the role I wanted to play in a group. When you're playing PVE as a lone wolf, you can opt to level up the skills you want to and no one's relying on your abilities, other than yourself. My attempts at playing in a group ended in everyone else agreeing to kick me from the group.

Interested Parties Apply Within:

Already subscribe to ESO Plus? Why didn't you say so? This is available to you for free... well, as part of your subscription, anyway. If you don't subscribe to ESO Plus, the Horns of the Reach DLC can be purchased in-game in the Crown Store for 1500 Crowns.

As for the cost of 1500 Crowns, that depends. Depending on how you purchase your Crowns, Horns of the Reach can cost between $15.98 USD down to $10.71 USD. If you were to purchase a Crown Pack of 1500 Crowns specifically to purchase this DLC, the Crown Pack would cost $14.99, but buying in bulk lowers your per-Crown price. If you're looking at picking up 1500 Crowns for buying this DLC, however, I would have to advise that you Don't Buy the 1500 Crown Pack until you read my article by the same name. (See link below)

Of course, the non-DLC upgrades that come with this update are available to all players, whether you purchase the DLC or not... and whether you want the changes or not. In the case of the gear sets being changed, it may be an unwelcome change, as some things have been nerfed. Also, remember, in order to use the Battlegrounds content, you have to also have the Morrowind DLC.

-Geck0, GameVortex Communications
AKA Robert Perkins

Heroes Needed for Minotaur Abatement Project:

Senior-Level Experience Required:

Team-Oriented and Goal-Driven a Must:

Interested Parties Apply Within:

Related Links: