You might have heard Elder Scrolls Online has hit Steam at 50% off its original price. I decided to take the plunge and buy the game, I purchased the Imperial Edition for $50 because the price seemed right.
There are no advantages in the Imperial Edition
First things first: the Imperial Edition gives you no advantage whatsoever over the Standard Edition. I purchased the Imperial Edition instead of the standard one out of impulse because it was 50% off, I didn’t really read what you got in the Imperial version (in-depth anyway), I didn’t care.
This is a game I’ve been contemplating buying since it was publicly released (I played the beta), but I couldn’t justify the expensive price on-top of the ongoing monthly subscription cost when it first came out.
I actually am glad that the Imperial Edition contains no advantages over the Standard Edition. It would be unfair to segregate players who cannot afford to buy the more expensive version (or in many cases parents).
Aesthetics
The Imperial Edition is purely a cosmetic advantage, not a tactical one (with exception of a mount). If you assume the Imperial Edition will give you rare items or advantages, think again. This would be unfair for a PtP (Pay to Play) subscription game, it would make people not want to purchase a subscription. You get a unique exclusive class, a white Imperial horse mount, a mudcrab vanity pet and a few other additions (mostly cosmetic).
Imperial Perks
- Boost to one handed and shield weaponing
- Ability to look like an Imperial Soldier
- Ability to play within any alliance
- Exclusive White Imperial horse (slightly faster than a standard mount) and the white horse cannot be obtained any other way
- A Mudcrab vanity pet
- A pair of Rings of Mara (an XP boost for you and a friend when playing together)
Which Version Should You Buy?
If missing out on the Imperial race, exclusive white Imperial horse and the other mostly cosmetic perks doesn’t phase you, save yourself $20 and get the Standard Edition. If you think getting the Imperial race and the aesthetic perks that come along with it and an extra $20 is nothing to you, buy the Imperial Edition.
While I could have easily just bought the Standard Edition, I want to help support the developers and hopefully fund further improvements/expansions to the game.
