Summary
The Elder Scrolls Online Update 51 is bringing a large number of changes to Tamriel, but five of them stand out because they can directly change how you build characters, level up, farm items, and play PvP.
From a complete Mundus Stone adjustment to an Alchemy overhaul, Antiquities becoming part of the base game, and a major Battlegrounds redesign, Update 51 has something important for both new and veteran players. To prepare for these sweeping changes, buy The Elder Scrolls Online Items and secure the gear.
Here are the five changes you should know before Update 51 arrives.
1. Mundus Stones Are Being Reworked
Mundus Stones are being updated to better fit ESO's hybridized combat system.
Warrior and Apprentice Changes
The Warrior Stone previously focused on Weapon Damage. With Update 51, it will increase both Weapon Damage and Spell Damage, making it a stronger choice for players who simply want more raw damage.
The Apprentice Stone is receiving an even bigger change. Instead of providing Spell Damage, it will grant additional Experience and Inspiration.
This makes the Apprentice Stone particularly useful for players who are:
Leveling a new character
Grinding Champion Points
Crafting and gaining Inspiration
Starting ESO for the first time
Since ESO has not previously had a Mundus Stone dedicated to XP gains, the Apprentice can become a valuable tool for speeding up character progression. Combining it with XP gear and other experience bonuses could make reaching your next level or Champion Point considerably faster.
2. Major and Minor Buffs Are Changing
Update 51 is also cleaning up ESO's Major and Minor buff system as part of the game's continued hybridization.
Sorcery and Prophecy Are Being Replaced
Major Sorcery and Minor Sorcery are being removed.
In their place, Major Brutality and Minor Brutality will provide both Weapon Damage and Spell Damage.
The same philosophy applies to critical chance.
Major Prophecy and Minor Prophecy are being removed and replaced by Major Savagery and Minor Savagery, which will now increase both Weapon Critical and Spell Critical.
This means players no longer need to think about separate weapon and spell versions of these buffs when building a hybrid character.
New Vexation Debuff
Update 51 is also introducing Vexation, a new debuff connected to Alchemy.
Vexation reduces the amount of healing a target can do, making it particularly interesting for PvP players. It can potentially become a useful tool in activities such as Cyrodiil and Battlegrounds, where reducing an enemy's healing can be extremely valuable.
3. Alchemy Is Getting a Major Overhaul
Alchemy is being redesigned to match the new hybrid combat system.
Fewer Potion Traits, New Ingredients
Four existing traits related to Weapon and Spell Power and their respective Critical effects are being consolidated into two.
The Weapon Power and Spell Power effects will become a combined effect, while Weapon Critical and Spell Critical will also be combined.
This means potion creation should become more streamlined for hybrid builds.
Update 51 will also introduce four new ingredients to Tamriel. These are designed to support different roles, including tanks, healers, and damage dealers.
The exact locations of the new ingredients were not revealed in the source material, so players should watch for more information closer to launch.
Your Existing Recipes Aren't Being Reset
If you're worried about losing your favorite potion recipes, there is good news.
Existing potion recipes will remain the same, and daily Alchemy crafting writs will not be disrupted.
Master Writs affected by the ingredient changes will also be updated so players aren't left with an impossible crafting requirement.
Previously unlocked Alchemy achievements will remain unlocked as well. However, players may need to rediscover effects for ingredients they have not fully researched.
4. Antiquities Are Joining the Base Game
For new and returning players, this could be the biggest change of the five.
Scrying and Digging Without DLC
As Greymoor is folded into the base game with Update 51, the Antiquities system will become available to every player without requiring DLC.
That means everyone can access Scrying and Digging and begin hunting for Antiquities.
The system itself will become available after the High Isle of Tamriel story event concludes. A new Crown Store quest starter will also provide a direct way into the Antiquities introduction for players who have never tried the system.
Antiquities Will Be Faster to Farm
Lead chase times are also being reduced.
Green leads will take roughly half as long, while Blue and Purple leads will be reduced by around one-third.
The Antiquarian's Eye is also being adjusted to make the process easier. It will prompt players to use it as soon as they reach a dig site, reducing confusion about where to begin digging.
Older Antiquities are getting attention as well. Antiquities released before High Isle will have their drop rates increased to match the more generous rates used today.
Leads will also continue dropping at their full chance until you complete the related Codex rather than only receiving that full chance on the first pickup.
For collectors, this should make older Antiquities considerably less frustrating to complete.
5. Battlegrounds Are Getting a Major Overhaul
PvP players will see some of the most obvious gameplay changes in Battlegrounds.
Big Team Battles and Competitive Queue
Two-sided and three-sided Battleground formats are being combined into a new queue called Big Team Battles.
These matches will use 9v9 teams.
Players who prefer a more competitive experience can continue using the competitive queue, which remains 4v4.
This gives players a clearer choice between larger team battles and a smaller competitive format.
New Medals and Better Scoreboards
Update 51 is also adding new medals that recognize contributions beyond simply dealing damage or getting kills.
Players can earn medals for providing damage shields as well as applying Major and Minor buffs or debuffs to teammates.
However, these medals have specific requirements.
For a damage-shield medal, the shield must cover at least 20% of the target's maximum health and absorb at least 50% of the damage it was designed to block before expiring.
Buffs and debuffs must last for at least four seconds to qualify.
The scoreboard is also being expanded with three new categories:
Damage dealt
Healing done
Objectives contributed
This should give healers and support-focused players more recognition for their actual impact on Battleground matches.
What These Update 51 Changes Mean for Players
Update 51 is not simply adding new content. Several of these changes affect systems that players interact with every day.
The Warrior Stone becomes more useful for hybrid damage builds, while the Apprentice Stone provides a completely new way to accelerate progression. The new buff system and Alchemy changes further simplify hybrid builds.
For collectors and new players, bringing Antiquities into the base game could be the most important change of all. Faster lead progression and improved older drop rates should also make the system more accessible. To make the most of this update, The Elder Scrolls Online Items can help you acquire the tools.
