Elder Scrolls Online Update 26: Everything You Need to Know
By Jack O'Dwyer
Elder Scrolls Online Update 26 is just one of a handful of patches being implemented by ZeniMax Online Studios for the express purpose of completely restructuring the game as we know it. ZOS claims each patch will improve the game at its core with better handling of memory and more stability.
Originally, there were four patches planned, but two of these—24 and 25—have already been implemented. Update 26 is next in queue and handles a whole new genre of issues for players across both megasevers.
Elder Scrolls Online Update 26: Everything You Need to Know
ESO Update 26 is slated to arrive on the Public Test Server (PTS) on April 20 alongside the new expansion chapter, Greymoor.
While Update 25 paved the way with a patching overhaul, the first of the frame rate improvements, behind-the-scenes combat improvements, and more, Update 26 will be more focused on the overall stability of the game.
Update 26 features server optimization and stability via changes in how the platform loads the player character as well as how it handles the player's vanity non-combat pets. This part of the patch is designed to "work better, more efficiently, and take up less overhead/resources on the server."
There will be an upgrade in combat, as well, regarding AoE ability and performance. The goal is to make the ability types "more specialized so that they are more efficient on server performance." According to ZOS, the changes shouldn't affect player functionality or damage output.
This patch will also include the final upgrades to the special effects in-game.
Additionally, players can expect great client optimization by centering processing around the player. They intend to spread "this work out over multiple cores" in regards to how characters and assets are constructed on the client.
Update 27 is still in the works and will be handling database improvements as well as the final installment of upgrades in frame rate.
More information about these patches can be found on the game's official news blog.