In addition to this, Istirus Outpost is also the first Battleground that allows players to mount. Previously, if you wanted to navigate an arena as quickly as possible, you had to either sprint or use an ability, consuming resources.

“When we were playtesting Istirus, we found that the map felt pretty large, and because we liked pushing the concept of it being wider and bigger, mounts became necessary to ensure you’re not losing resources when running from point to point.”

With this new mobility option, you are able to get into the fight quicker than ever, ensuring that the action never lets up.

KEEP RECALL STONES

Update 19 also introduces a new Alliance War item: Keep Recall Stones. Now, if you have a Keep Recall Stone, you can instantly teleport to any of your faction’s currently owned Keeps, potentially saving you a long trip.

You are able to use Keep Recall Stones from your Inventory or Quickslot wheel to teleport to a Keep or Outpost. Note that much like typical Keep teleportation shrines, you can’t teleport to a location that is under attack and flagged. You also won’t be able to use the stones when in combat, from inside the Imperial City, while standing near a Keep, Resource, Outpost, or Town, or while carrying an Elder Scroll.

“With Keep Recall Stones, we want to give players a means to get across Cyrodiil quicker that is not dependent on the Keep transit network,” explains Wheeler. “It opens up a style of play that our players don’t have right now, allowing transit to some Keeps that might not otherwise be possible. You can go deep into enemy territory, take a Keep, and then have your people instantly recall to that location.”

You are able to pick up a Keep Recall Stone for 20,000 Alliance Points, but they also have a chance to drop within Rewards of the Worthy bags.

If you pay close attention to the ever-shifting tides of battle, Keep Recall Stones are a powerful-but-expensive tool to ensure you’re always right in the middle of the action, and because of this, the team is going to closely watch how they are utilized after they go live.

“This’ll shake up gameplay in Cyrodiil quite a bit, so we’re going to heavily monitor their use to see if any further tweaks or changes are required after launch.”

KEEP DEGRADATION & RESOURCE CHANGES

With Update 19, we’ve also made a major change to Cyrodiil’s Keeps and their surrounding Resources. Now, both Keeps and Resources have two levels, and Keeps will suffer degradation should they lose their Resources prior to an attack.

“This means that if you capture its Resources first, a Keep will be easier to take,” explains Wheeler. “This makes it more important than ever to defend your outer objectives, and it is designed to give additional incentives for players to fight over the Resources.”

With these changes, the time it takes to assault and capture a Keep will be dramatically faster should you have first captured the Resource points around it. If you’re defending a Keep, pay close attention to your Mine, Lumber Mill, and Farm – should they come under assault, you might need to venture beyond your stronghold’s high walls.

NEW BATTLEGROUNDS OUTFIT STYLES

Update 19 also introduces a set of all-new Battlegrounds-themed Outfit Styles. Now, you’ll be able to earn the Outfit Style pages for the three Battlegrounds teams: Pit Daemons, Storm Lords, and Fire Drakes.