History VideoGame / TheElderScrollsOnline

** Dragons, essentially mobile world bosses fought in ''Elsweyr'' or ''Dragonhold'' zones, [[MakeMeWannaShout will periodically attack you]] [[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim using their Thu'um]].

** Rolling to dodge can help you get out of the way of strong attacks that may do a lot of damage or even kill you, and doesn't cost much Stamina to perform to begin with. But, there also exists a debuff called Dodge Fatigue that you cannot cleanse, which ramps up the Stamina cost with every successive roll, causing this maneuver to become very resource intensive very quickly, which serves as a deterrent for players just rolling all over the place to avoid damage and crowd control, especially in PvP.

** The incredible buff of the Imperial City-specific set Imperial Physique is counterbalanced by your character having a bright blue glow about them, especially when you're carrying enough Tel Var stones to make full use of its five-piece effects. In the right hands, Imperial Physique is a scary set to come across, but when used by those less experienced with PvP, all you're doing is putting a huge advertisement over your head that screams "I'm carrying a ton of stones, please kill me!" to every enemy player around you.

** The Bosmer race seems to have been engineered more for [=PvP=] than PvE, which is reflected in their major passives and stats spread. They boast high resistance to Poison and Disease damage (and prior to Update 30, ''immunity'' to both of their relevant status effects), both of which are very rare in PvE, but abundant in PvP. [[TrueSight Stealth detection]] is pointless in most PvE situations as enemies will never sneak up on you like players do, and while the bonus to movement speed is nice, it doesn't make for a huge boon outside of PvP, where rapid relocation that the enemy can't track can be vital in many fights. Pre-{{Nerf}}, their playstyle also involved a lot of dodge rolling to proc Hunter's Eye and increase their offensive penetrations, which is a rewarding maneuver in [=PvP=] where armor with the Impenetrable trait reduces a lot of your raw damage thus necessitating a means of circumventing this protection, but is of questionable usefulness in PvE where the typical group setup is more than capable of helping you reach penetration cap anyway with just a few buffs. It stands to reason that Bosmers were hit the hardest with the Nerf bat in Update 30, which aimed primarily at balancing content for [=PvP=] over PvE.

* KickTheSonOfABitch: During the Forgotten Crypts questline, should you leave Sela behind with the [[spoiler:cannibal]] refugee group while you search for her husband and destroy their food stocks, you'll later come back to find her missing, and their leader, Danus, boasting about [[spoiler:having her butchered to feed them, with particularly smug emphasis on her cinnamon perfume being like seasoning for them]]. If you so choose, you can enact your revenge for Sela and Garil on the spot, as Danus loses his essential status after the conversation ends and dies in one hit.

* AuthorityGrantsAsskicking: Upon becoming Emperor, a player receives several passive skills that make them even better in [=PvP=] combat.

* BellyDancer: The first set of female Redguard cultural costumes had bare bellies, with "Song of the Night" Ensemble and Whisperweft Gala Wear appearing more like the stereotypical belly dancer.

** ''Dragonguard'': Sai Sahan from the base game's main quest in involved in the main storyline here. You can encounter Skordo the Knife from the Daggerfall Covenant in a quest as well as Zhasim from Orsinium. Adara’hai from the Maw of Lorkhaj appears, making this the first time a character from a trial makes a reappearance. [[spoiler:Abnur Tharn appears late in the story as well.]]

It was released on April 4th, 2014 for Mac and PC (with a 3-to-5-day early start for preorders), with the UsefulNotes/{{PS4}} and UsefulNotes/XBoxOne versions set for a June 9, 2015 release date. On March 17, 2015, the payment model changed to only require the initial purchase, with an optional premium account system offered as well.

* DropTheHammer: While hammers technically don't exist as usable weapons in-game, many maces and mauls can appear as such when specific outfit styles are applied. Certain enemy types like Minotaurs also use hammers [[TelephonePolearm the size of tree trunks to smack you with.]]

** In Elden Hollow II, the quest-giver [[spoiler: is possessed by a powerful daedra, and you have the option to spare him so his sister can look for help. The daedra threatens to come after you, but this story is not followed up on]].

* ArcVillain: The game usually provides an Arc Villain for each zone, as well as for group dungeons, trials, arenas and other dungeon-themed content.

*** [[spoiler: The Khajiit Fighters Guild member Aelif is secretly is this for the Fighters Guild questline.]]

*** The Nord Worm Cult necromancer Thallik Wormfather is this for The Rift zone. [[spoiler: Together with the Giant spirit of Sinmur after the zone quest "Shattered Hopes".]]

*** The Breton sibling bandit leaders Allene Pellingare and Varaine Pellingare serve as this for the Wayrest Sewers I group dungeon in the Stormhaven zone. [[spoiler: The siblings return as the Arc Villains of the Wayrest Sewers II group dungeon as now undead bandits]]

*** The Redguard siblings Uwafah and Alasan [[spoiler:, along with their sister Shiri,]] are this for the Alik'r Desert zone as leaders of the Withered Hand necromancer cult. [[spoiler: After all three siblings are killed, their resurrected father Suturah briefly is this too to the zone]].

*** [[spoiler: The Maormer Ambassador Ulondil is this for the Khenarthi's Roost zone, as the mastermind behind the assassination of the Silvenar Edhelorn and supporting the invading Sea Viper Maormer forces on the island.]]

*** [[spoiler: The Altmer High Kinlady Estre of Skywatch is this for the Auridon zone, as the secret leader of the Veiled Heritance supremacists, known as "The Veiled Queen".]]
*** The Thalmor Canonreeve Oraneth is this for the Elden Hollow I group dungeon in the Grahtwood zone. [[spoiler: Later on her Daedric master, a Daedric Titan named Bogdan the Nightflame, is this for the Elden Hollow II group dungeon.]]
*** [[spoiler: The Altmer Prince Naemon is secretly this for both the Grahtwood and Greenshade zones, returning in the latter as an undead lich called The Shade of Naemon.]]

*** The Bosmer Werewolf [[spoiler: Ulthorn]] the Hound is this for the Malabal Tor zone.

*** [[spoiler: The Dunmer arena announcer Hiath the Battlemaster himself]] is this for the Dragonstar Arena group arena in the Craglorn zone.

*** [[spoiler: The Imperial Regent Cassipia, mortal leader of the Scalec Court, is ultimately this for the Craglorn zone, transforming briefly in the end of the zone questline into the Celestial Exalted Viper, to try to usurp the Celestial Serpent's place, so she instead can conquer Nirn.]]

*** [[spoiler: the Orc King Kurog himself is secretly this for the Orsinimum questline, having grown tired of not all Wrothgar's chiefs swearing loyality to his kingdom and now plotting to secretly assissinate said chiefs.]]

*** [[spoiler: The Imperial former Guildmaster of the Thieves Guild, Nicolas, is secretly this for the Thieves Guild questline, posing initially as the newly arisen Merchant Lord of Abah's Landing, Lord Cosh.]]

*** [[spoiler: The Nocturnal Shrieke]] Dyzera is this for the Morrowind prologue.

*** [[spoiler: The Nord mage Bonafryd is secretly this for the Clockwork City prologue.]]

*** [[spoiler: The Daedric Prince Nocturnal is this for the Clockwork City questline, as the power behind the Daedric invasion of the realm.]]

*** [[spoiler: The Redguard Psijic mage Josajeh ends up being this for the Psijic Order questline, trying to rewrite history using the stolen Staff of Towers.]]

*** [[spoiler: The Argonian Kassandra is this for the Murkmire questline, using her position as benefactor of Cyrodilic Collections to search for the fabled Remnant of Argon artifact.]]

*** The Dragon Laatvulon serves as this for the Dragonhold questline, as leader of the New Moon Cult aiming to destroy Tamriel. [[spoiler: This is ultimately subverted after Laatvulon is killed two thirds into the Dragonhold questline, revealing that he had been serving Kaalgroontiid, the Big Bad of "Elsweyr", the entire time, who then returns to take over the remnants of the New Moon Cult for the rest of the questline.]]

*** The Nord tomb robber Kjalnar Tombskald is this for the Unhallowed Grave group dungeon in the Bangkorai zone, looting the tomb for a mysterious benefactor. [[spoiler: This benefactor is revealed to be the Ashen Lord Rada al-Saran, leader of the Gray Host, who hired Kjalnar and his Draugrkin graverobbers to loot the tomb of the Gray Host reliquaries containing the remains of fallen Gray Host members.]]

*** There is not a definitive Arc Villain for the Markarth prologue, as the prologue deals with researching the Gray Host's past actions for the entire arc. The closest to an Arc Villain would be either [[spoiler: the Altmer Vampire Count Verandis Ravenwatch, if you completed the Rivenspire story arc before]] or otherwise the Altmer Vampire Exarch Turvon after resurrecting the Vampire with a stone husk in Grayhome. After the resurrection is complete, the given Vampire will go into a frenzy for blood and you will need to calm him down with brute force in order to question him about their involvement with the Gray Host.

** The Stonefalls Arc: [[spoiler: The Covenant is pushed back and the Brothers of Strife have been contained. Unfortunately, Serien managed to kill Garyn with his last breath, driving his father mad with grief. Tanval eventually manages to regain his senses but must sacrifice himself to stop Sadal.]]

** Regardless of your choice of [[spoiler: which Companion to sacrifice to power up the Amulet of Kings during God of Schemes]], the events of ''Dragonhold'', ''Elsweyr'', ''Orsinium'' and ''Greymoor'' basically made it clear that it's [[spoiler:Varen]] who ultimately perished. Even if you've selected either Sai or Lyris for the task, they would still show up later on, alive and ''very'' confused.

** It has been a mystery among lore-enthusiasts whether the Mane - the spiritual leader and representative of the Khajiit by birthright - is reborn upon death and thus there is only one Mane, or if there can be multiple Manes, or at least candidates, at a time. The Reaper's March confirms the latter, as you will meet two such candidates, called Lunar Champions, who are candidates to become the next Mane should the current one die or fail his duties in some way. [[spoiler: You'll have to choose which of them becomes the next Mane after the current one resigns.]]

* OutOfTheClosetIntoTheFire: [[spoiler: Regent Cassipia exclaims her love for Little Leaf only after Leaf dies defending Cassipia from the player. Cassipia immediately fights you to her own death as well. A journal can be found in the same room wherein Little Leaf expesses her own feelings for Cassipia, which you'll find only just before or just after killing them.]]

** ''Orsinium'': Rigurt the Brash from the Ebonheart Pact, as well as Neramo, Lady Clarisse Laurent and Stibbons from the Daggerfall Covenant have roles in each their side-quests. Alinon the Alchemist from Glenumbra reappears as well. At the end of the storyline, [[spoiler: the Prophet appears to warn you about Daedric threats to come]].

** ''Summerset'': Razum-dar reappears as one of the main characters in this chapter's storyline. Rigurt the Brash returns again, as well. If you completed "Bound by Love" in Vvardenfell, you can meet Tirwin on the shores of Summerset, though with no quests. Sotha Sil himself is also a part of the main quest. [[spoiler: Darien Gautier from the Daggerfall Covenant also has a major role in the story. Veya Releth from Morrowind reappears as an antagonist in the story as well]].

** The sentencing of Princess Lakana's murderer. [[spoiler: Either you kill a good man for a crime he did not want to commit or risk the Covenant losing Hammerfell's support.]]

* ArcVillain: The game usually provides an Arc Villain for each zone, as well as for Group Dungeons, Trials, Arenas and other dungeon-themed content.

*** The Nord necromancer Orryn the Black is this for the Fang Lair group dungeon in the Bangkorai zone.

*** The siblings Uwafah and Alasan [[spoiler: along with their sister Shiri]] are this for the Alik'r Desert zone as leaders of the Withered Hand necromancer cult. [[spoiler: After all three siblings are killed, their resurrected father Suturah briefly is this too to the zone]].

*** The Goblin War Chief Ozozai and the Dreugh Kra'gh the Dreugh King for the Group Dungeon Fungal Grotto I in the Stonefalls zone. Later on, the Dunmer Vila Theran is this for the Group Dungeon Fungal Grotto II.

*** The Dunmer Tervur Sadri is this for the Group Dungeon Darkshade Caverns I in the Deshaan zone. Later on, a giant Dwarven Spider called the Engine Guardian serves as the final obstacle for the Group Dungeon, Darkshade Caverns II.

*** Sellistrix the Lamia Queen serves as this for the Group Dungeon Arx Corinium in the Shadowfen zone.

*** The Nord Witch Drodda of Icereach serves as this for the Group Dungeon Direfrost Keep in Eastmarch.

*** The Dunmer Combatant called The Lava Queen serves as this for the Group Dungeon Blessed Crucible.
*** The Nord Worm Cult Necromancer Thallik Wormfather is this for The Rift zone. [[spoiler: Together with the Giant spirit of Sinmur after the zone quest "Shattered Hopes".]]

*** The Spider Daedra called The Whisperer is this for the Group Dungeon Spindleclutch I in the Glenumbra zone. Later on, a Nord vampire named Vorenor Winterbourne is this for the Group Dungeon Spindleclutch II.

*** The Breton sibling bandit leaders Allene Pellingare and Varaine Pellingare serve as this for the Wayrest Sewers I Group Dungeon in the Stormhaven zone. [[spoiler: The siblings return as the Arc Villains of the Wayrest Sewers II Group Dungeon as undead]]

*** The Breton General Vette of the Daggerfall Covenant for both the Bleakrock Isle and Bal Foyen zones in the Base Game.
*** The Goblin War Chief Ozozai and the Dreugh Kra'gh the Dreugh King for the Group Dungeon Fungal Grotto I in the Stonefalls zone in the Base Game. Later on, the Dunmer Vila Theran is this for the Group Dungeon Fungal Grotto II.
*** The Breton General Serien is this, along with the Chimer Bone Colossi Balreth and Sadal called the Brothers of Strife, for the Stonefalls zone in the Base Game.
*** The Dunmer Tervur Sadri is this for the Group Dungeon Darkshade Caverns I in the Deshaan zone in the Base Game. Later on, a giant Dwarven Spider called the Engine Guardian serves as the final obstacle for the Group Dungeon, Darkshade Caverns II.

*** Sellistrix the Lamia Queen serves as this for the Group Dungeon Arx Corinium in the Shadowfen zone of the Base Game.
*** The Altmer Dominion Alchemist Ruuvitar serves as this for the Shadowfen zone in the Base Game.
*** The Nord Witch Drodda of Icereach serves as this for the Group Dungeon Direfrost Keep in Eastmarch in the Base Game.
*** The exiled Nord Prince of Eastern Skyrim, Fildgor Orcthane, serves as this for the Eastmarch zone in the Base Game.

** The Breton General Vette of the Daggerfall Covenant for both the Bleakrock Isle and Bal Foyen zones in the Base Game
** The Goblin War Chief Ozozai and the Dreugh Kra'gh the Dreugh King for the Group Dungeon Fungal Grotto I in the Stonefalls zone in the Base Game. Later on, the Dunmer Vila Theran is this for the Group Dungeon Fungal Grotto II.
** The Breton General Serien is this, along with the Chimer Bone Colossi Balreth and Sadal called the Brothers of Strife, for the Stonefalls zone in the Base Game
** The Dunmer Tervur Sadri is this for the Group Dungeon Darkshade Caverns I in the Deshaan zone in the Base Game. Later on, a giant Dwarven Spider called the Engine Guardian serves as the final obstacle for the Group Dungeon, Darkshade Caverns II.
** The Dunmer Magistrix Urili Vox is this for the Deshaan zone in the Base Game, as leader of the Maulborn

* {{Bishonen}}: Male elves, especially Altmer, can be this.