Wrathstone kicks off the year-long Season of the Dragon, a new series of downloadable content for The Elder Scrolls Online. Each new DLC released this year will build off the last and continue the story throughout the year. The DLC plunges players into two new dungeons, each of which holds half of the Wrathstone. Players must work together in a team of four to help an artifact hunter recover the Wrathstone. The path is dangerous, but the content is fantastic.
Late last year, ZeniMax Online Studios and Bethesda wowed us with their release of the Murkmire DLC for The Elder Scrolls Online. Only a couple months into the new year and they’ve done it once again with the new Wrathstone DLC.
Wrathstone brings players two new four-player dungeons. Players meet Tharayya, a Dwemer artifact hunter, who is searching for the two halves of the Wrathstone tablet: one hidden away in the Depths of Malatar, the other locked away in Frostvault. Each is fraught with danger as players help Tharayya with her quest. Each dungeon can be played through on Normal, Veteran, or Veteran Hard difficulty. Playing through on Veteran or Veteran Hard provides extra rewards for the players upon completion.
Check out the awesome official trailer here:
The Depths of Malatar
This dungeon may seem familiar to some; it is reminiscent of one that can be found in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. Once again, the developers made sure to keep their lore tightly knit together as they provide familiar encounters and locations for long-time fans of the franchise.
The Depths of Malatar is, like the rest of the game, absolutely awe-inspiring. The story that unfolds through the dungeon is wonderful, as is the build. Unfortunately, it is a little difficult to take it all in.
Everything in the dungeon wants to kill you. The Depths of Malatar is full of formidable foes and terrifying beasts. You will find yourself constantly on the edge of your seat as you and your team battle brainwashed Imperials, nightmare-inducing monsters, and larger-than-life guardians.
Upon completion of the dungeon, the players are rewarded with finding the first half of the Wrathstone tablet. The players are also rewarded with gear sets, and, if they complete the dungeon on Veteran mode, a new skin for your character.
Completing this dungeon is cause for celebration; it is no easy feat. Teamwork is crucial for finding both halves of the Wrathstone tablet. But don’t get comfortable, there is still another dungeon to explore.
Frostvault
This dungeon is where we got the most experience since we sat down with some devs who graciously walked us through it. As we traversed the dungeon that was no less dangerous than The Depths of Malatar, I couldn’t help but be awestruck. The icy dungeon looks fantastic as do the creatures that lurk within.
Frostvault is a Dwarven vault where the Coldsnap Goblin tribe has decided to reside. Though, they do not get along too well with the guardians left behind to protect the vault. As you progress through the dungeon, your team moves from fighting goblins to facing off against mechanical wonders.
After fighting through the goblin tribe, you must help Tharayya start up an ancient Dwemer mining robot. To find the pieces for this bot, the players must face off against some mini-bosses. Each mini-boss present a new and unique challenge to test the players’ fortitude and teamwork.
When the players blast open the doors in front of the mining bot, they face the biggest threat the dungeon has to offer: a giant Dwemer guardian who will do whatever it takes to see that you fail. To tackle this marvelous mechanical monster, the players must take control of skeevatons, little mechanical mice. Controlling these mice to attack the guardian from within present its own, memorable challenge.
After a few rounds of playing as a skeevaton and fighting the Dwemer guardian as your character, the guardian powers down for the final time as your team is rewarded with the other half of the Wrathstone tablet. Completing the dungeon will also allow access to armor and weapon sets. Completing the dungeon on Veteran will also reward the players with a Monster Mask set. This more challenging setting also grants the players a non-combat pet: the Icebound Dwemer Spider.
Season of the Dragon
The Wrathstone DLC is a wonderful introduction to the Season of the Dragon. After you gain both halves of the tablet, the Wrathstone tablet is made whole again. Doing this may not have been the best idea, and its repercussions will be explored in the next part of the Season of the Dragon.
Additions to The Elder Scrolls Online never seem to disappoint. From the rich stories to the beautiful environments, Wrathstone is a delight through and through. Clearing the dungeons is no easy feat and will push you to the edge of your abilities.
This summer we will see the Elsweyr chapter expansion that will continue the story, and we cannot wait to see where ZeniMax and Bethesda take us this time.
