The Elder Scrolls Online: Antiquities Leveling Guide
The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) continues to evolve with each expansion, introducing new mechanics and systems that expand the game's depth and complexity. One of the most intriguing additions is the Antiquities System, introduced in the Greymoor expansion. This system allows players to discover and uncover hidden treasures scattered across Tamriel, diving deep into the rich lore of the Elder Scrolls universe. Antiquities offer players the opportunity to explore, solve puzzles, and acquire valuable rewards, from powerful gear to rare collectibles.
If you're looking to level up your Antiquities skill line efficiently, you've come to the right place. In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about the Antiquities leveling process, including how to level up your Antiquities skill line, the best strategies for gathering antiquities, and some tips to optimize your efforts.
What is the Antiquities System
The Antiquities System in ESO allows players to search for ancient artifacts and relics scattered across the world. These artifacts can be researched, unearthed, and restored by the player, providing a unique and rewarding gameplay loop. There are two primary components to the system:
Scrying: This is the process of using a magical device known as the Antiquarian's Eye to detect and reveal the location of hidden treasures.
Excavating: Once you've discovered a potential site, you'll need to dig through the earth and solve a mini-puzzle to unearth the item.
To use the Antiquities system, you'll need to progress through the Greymoor main questline and unlock the Antiquarian's Eye tool, which grants you the ability to scry and find the buried artifacts.
How to Unlock the Antiquities System
Before you can start leveling your Antiquities skill line, you must first unlock the system. Here's a step-by-step guide:
Reach Level 6: Your character must be level 6 to begin the questline that introduces you to the Antiquities system. This is a relatively early level, so it shouldn't take long.
Begin the Greymoor Main Quest: Once you've reached level 6, you'll need to start the Greymoor main questline. This questline will eventually lead you to the Antiquarian's Eye, which is the tool needed for scrying.
Complete the Quest "A Thief in the Night": After following the Greymoor questline for a while, you'll eventually be asked to complete a quest called A Thief in the Night, which unlocks the Antiquities system. Once completed, you'll gain access to the Antiquities interface and can start your journey as an Antiquarian.
Access the Antiquities Interface: The Antiquities interface can be accessed through the Character menu, under the Skills tab. Here, you'll see the Antiquities skill line, which will begin at level 1, and from there, you'll be able to level it up as you complete scrying and excavation activities.
Leveling the Antiquities Skill Line
The Antiquities skill line in ESO functions differently from other skill lines, as it's based on your ability to find and unearth hidden relics. It has a total of 10 ranks, with each rank providing various passive bonuses to aid in the process. Here's how to level up this skill line effectively:
1. Scrying and Excavation Basics
To begin leveling your Antiquities skill line, you'll need to engage in Scrying and Excavating activities. Here's a breakdown of the two primary activities:
Scrying: Scrying is the first step of the Antiquities process. When you activate your Antiquarian's Eye, it will reveal a number of potential locations across Tamriel where you can dig for artifacts. These locations are randomly generated, meaning you'll have to travel across different zones to uncover new antiquities. Scrying is a simple puzzle mechanic that requires you to match symbols and shapes to reveal the location of a buried artifact.
Excavating: Once you've scryed a location, you'll need to head to the spot and begin excavating. Excavation is a mini-game where you'll need to solve a series of puzzles. The puzzles get progressively harder as you level up. Essentially, you must dig through layers of dirt by matching symbols and angles. The faster you complete these puzzles, the more valuable the artifact you unearth will be.
As you continue scrying and excavating, your Antiquities skill line will gradually level up. The more artifacts you uncover, the more experience you gain, and each rank unlocks new perks.
2. Antiquities Skill Line Perks
As you progress through the Antiquities skill line, you'll unlock powerful perks that enhance your scrying and excavation abilities. Here's a look at the perks:
Rank 1: Treasure Hunter - Unlocks the ability to gain more valuable artifacts, including higher-quality relics.
Rank 2: Enthralled Antiquarian - You gain a higher chance of successfully scrying artifacts, reducing the chances of failure.
Rank 3: Fast Excavator - Increases your excavation speed, allowing you to uncover treasures faster.
Rank 4: Master of the Deep - You gain a higher chance of unearthing rare and valuable treasures.
Rank 5: Precise Scryer - Increases your scrying accuracy, making it easier to locate treasures on the map.
Rank 6-10: These higher ranks improve the likelihood of finding more treasures, reducing the difficulty of puzzles, and boosting your rewards from completed artifacts.
Unlocking these perks is essential for improving your efficiency in antiquities leveling. Focus on gaining higher Excavation and Scrying speeds early on to minimize the time it takes to level up your skill line.
3. Tips for Efficient Leveling
To level up the Antiquities skill line as efficiently as possible, here are some useful tips:
Focus on Completing the Main Storyline: The main story quests in Greymoor guide you through the Antiquities system. Completing these quests will give you a solid foundation for starting your adventure and provide you with an early boost to your Antiquities skills.
Use the Right Tools: Equip gear and items that provide increased experience or bonus rewards. Some guilds and alliances offer items that can help you level up your skill line faster, especially if you participate in group activities or events.
Scry and Dig in Zones You Haven't Explored: Scrying and excavation locations are scattered throughout the world of Tamriel, often in zones you might not have explored yet. While you can do this content anywhere, exploring new regions is a great way to level up your skills and earn new rewards.
Keep an Eye on the Antiquities Interface: The Antiquities system provides a lot of information on what you've already discovered and what you still need to find. Use this interface to track your progress and make sure you're focusing on regions and artifacts that give you the most experience and rewards.
Group Up for Harder Excavations: Some artifacts are more difficult to unearth than others, especially when they come with challenging puzzles. If you're struggling to dig through a difficult area, consider teaming up with a friend to tackle these more difficult puzzles together.
Check for Daily and Weekly Quests: ESO frequently offers daily or weekly quests related to the Antiquities system. These quests can provide additional experience, ESO gold, and sometimes rare rewards, so always check what's available to you.
Rewards for Antiquities Leveling
As you level up your Antiquities skill line, you'll gain access to a wealth of rewards. These include:
Powerful Items: Uncovering artifacts can reward you with powerful gear, including set pieces, weapons, and jewelry that can be equipped or sold.
Decorative Items: Some of the rewards from Antiquities are purely cosmetic, including rare trophies and furnishings for your house.
Experience and Gold: Completing excavation and scrying activities grants valuable experience points and gold, which you can use to level up your character and purchase other resources.
Rare Relics: Some of the more challenging antiquities provide you with rare relics that can be crafted, sold, or used to upgrade your gear.
Leveling your Antiquities skill line in The Elder Scrolls Online adds a rewarding layer to the gameplay experience, offering you the opportunity to uncover hidden treasures while exploring the vast world of Tamriel. Whether you're a lore enthusiast looking to learn more about the history of the Elder Scrolls universe or simply a player searching for valuable rewards, the Antiquities system provides plenty of opportunities for progression.
By following the strategies outlined in this guide-focusing on efficient scrying and excavation, unlocking perks, and utilizing the right tools-you'll be well on your way to becoming a master antiquarian in ESO. So, grab your Antiquarian's Eye, get out there, and start unearthing Tamriel's long-lost relics today!
MMOexp Elder Scrolls Online Team