Mastering Scrying in Elder Scrolls Online: A Beginner’s Guide

With the Greymoor DLC, Elder Scrolls Online ESO) introduced the unique Antiquities system, a treasure-hunting mini-game that encourages players to explore Tamriel for hidden artifacts. This mini-game, known as Scrying, lets players uncover historical items, relics, furnishings, and even powerful Mythic gear, adding a new dimension to ESO’s gameplay. If you’re interested in Scrying, this guide will introduce the essentials—from unlocking the skill to ESO Gold leveling up and claiming your rewards.

Getting Started: Unlocking Scrying Skills

To start Scrying in ESO, you’ll need to access the Antiquities system by visiting Solitude’s Antiquarian Circle in Western Skyrim. Here, you’ll meet Verita Numida, who will offer the quest “Calling All Antiquarians”. Complete this brief quest to receive your first Scrying tools and learn the basics of the system.

After unlocking Scrying, open your map and select the Antiquities tab to see your Leads. These Leads act as clues directing you to artifacts hidden in various locations. Leads can be acquired from several sources, including treasure chests, world bosses, and specific public dungeons, and each Lead has a difficulty level, from green (common) to gold (legendary).

Understanding Leads and Dig Sites

Leads guide players to artifacts hidden across Tamriel. Each Lead requires players to complete a Scrying puzzle. Once solved, you’ll be directed to a Dig Site where you must excavate the item. Excavating successfully depends on solving the Scrying puzzle accurately, with higher-level Leads offering more significant rewards.

Each zone in Tamriel has its own Green Lead. By completing these, you unlock progressively higher-quality Leads (Blue, Purple, and eventually Gold) with each tier increasing in difficulty and reward. Green Leads can be accessed initially, while Blue and beyond require leveling up in the Antiquarian Insight skill, ESO’s unique Scrying skill tree.

Key Scrying and Excavation Skills to Prioritize

While Scrying, several skills can boost your success rate and efficiency. Here are the most impactful ones to invest in:

1. Antiquarian Insight: Unlocks progressively harder Leads. Reaching Level 7 lets you tackle legendary Gold Leads.
2. Coalescence: This skill enables you to match multiple symbols at once, saving moves and simplifying the puzzle.
3. Scryer’s Patience: Grants extra turns in the Scrying puzzle, giving you more chances to complete tougher puzzles.

For Excavation, prioritize:

• Keen Eye: Dig Sites: Increases Dig Site visibility by 30 meters, making it easier to locate specific sites.
• Heavy Shovel and Trowel: These help clear multiple layers of soil in one move, significantly speeding up the excavation process.

Tips for Efficient Scrying

1. Use Small Zones: Smaller regions, like Artaeum or faction starter zones (Khenarthi’s Roost, Bleakrock Isle, and Stros M'Kai), have shorter travel times between Dig Sites, making them ideal for faster XP gains.

2. Follow Zone-Specific Leads: After completing a Green Lead in each zone, you unlock a Blue Lead, then a Purple. This sequence is repeatable and gives you maximum XP, which helps you level up faster.

3. Conserve Skill Points: At lower levels, stick to Green and Blue Leads before maxing out Scrying. Once you’re tackling Gold Leads, invest more points into advanced Scrying and Excavation skills for smoother gameplay.

Rewards from Scrying: More than Just Treasure

Many players overlook Scrying, but it offers several enticing rewards:

• Furnishings: Aesthetic items to personalize your homes in Tamriel.

• Mythic Items: Unique gear pieces with game-changing effects, such as the Oakensoul Ring, are exclusive to the Antiquities system. Each Mythic item requires solving five legendary Leads, so it’s best to max out your Scrying skill before aiming for these.

• Mounts and Pets: Some Dig Sites yield cosmetic rewards, including mounts and pets, adding a new layer to the appeal of the Scrying system.

Advanced Scrying Strategies: Managing Legendary Leads

As you progress, you’ll start encountering more challenging legendary Leads. These Leads require skill, patience, and full use of your Excavation tools. To succeed:

• Max Antiquarian Insight: Reach Level 7 in this skill to access Gold Leads.
• Join the ESO Community: Mythic items rarely appear in the in-game Gold Vendor pool, so check ESO community sites like Reddit to see if a rare Mythic item is available.

Troubleshooting: Common Bugs and How to Fix Them

Scrying isn’t without its issues. Occasionally, players experience a UI glitch after digging up an Antiquity, leaving their journal inaccessible. If this happens, a quick “/reloadui” command will refresh the game interface, solving most UI issues.

Embrace Scrying for a Richer Elder Scrolls Online Experience

Scrying in Elder Scrolls Online offers more than just new content; it introduces a relaxing, puzzle-focused experience that lets players engage with Tamriel’s history. With rich rewards, including Mythic items, mounts, and furnishings, the Antiquities system adds significant value for cheap ESO Gold dedicated adventurers. Embrace Scrying, enhance your skills, and uncover hidden secrets as you explore the vast world of ESO!