TL;DR
- Update 40 launches October 30 (PC/Mac) and November 14 (consoles) with free content for all players
- Infinite Archive offers scalable PvE challenges with unique class sets and collectible rewards
- Revamped Group Finder supports multiple activity types and custom group creation
- Grandmaster Crafting Station consolidates professions while jewelry costs are reduced
- Quest rewards standardized across content with improved XP and gold distribution
The Elder Scrolls Online’s Update 40 arrives on October 30 for PC and Mac platforms, with console versions following on November 14. This substantial content drop introduces several major systems that will significantly enhance player experience across Tamriel. All features are completely free, continuing ZeniMax’s commitment to accessible content updates that benefit the entire player base regardless of subscription status.
Infinite Archive represents ESO’s most ambitious roguelike-inspired PvE activity to date. Players venture into the ever-shifting library of the Daedric Prince Hermaeus Mora, facing procedurally generated enemy waves and boss encounters that scale in difficulty. The system supports both solo adventurers and two-player cooperative teams, offering distinct advantages for each playstyle.
As you progress deeper into the archives, you’ll encounter escalating challenges that test your build optimization and combat adaptability. Success unlocks exclusive cosmetic collectibles, achievement accolades, and powerful Class Set items that can’t be obtained elsewhere. Strategic players should focus on balancing offensive capabilities with survivability, as later stages introduce environmental hazards and complex enemy combinations that require careful positioning and ability management.

the new Group Finder tool
The completely overhauled Group Finder now serves as a comprehensive matchmaking hub for virtually all multiplayer activities. Beyond its original trial-focused functionality, it now includes dedicated categories for dungeons, arenas, PvP battlegrounds, Infinite Archive parties, and even role-playing gatherings. This expansion addresses long-standing community requests for better social tools.
Creating custom groups allows you to specify preferred playstyles, experience levels, and content objectives. This precision matching reduces the common frustration of mismatched group expectations and skill levels. For optimal results, clearly define your group’s purpose and requirements when using the tool – this simple step can dramatically improve your multiplayer experience and success rates.
Crafters gain access to the Grandmaster Crafting Station, a revolutionary housing item that consolidates all profession stations into a single interface. The integration process requires feeding your existing attunable stations to the Grandmaster unit, permanently unlocking those sets for universal access. This eliminates the need for multiple station placements and streamlines the crafting workflow significantly.
Jewelry crafting undergoes its most substantial overhaul since the system’s introduction. The complete removal of grains from the refinement process reduces material complexity and cost barriers. Now requiring only platings – similar to other crafting professions – this change makes jewelry more accessible to intermediate crafters while maintaining the prestige of master-level creations.
Update 40 implements a comprehensive rebalancing of quest rewards across Tamriel. Experience points and gold values have been standardized based on quest complexity, duration, and level requirements. This addresses longstanding player concerns about inconsistent reward structures that didn’t always reflect effort investment.
Guild daily quests receive particularly notable boosts, making these repeatable activities more rewarding for dedicated players. The adjustments create clearer progression incentives and better align reward structures with contemporary MMO standards.
To maximize your Update 40 experience, prioritize exploring the Infinite Archive during peak play hours when group availability is highest. The scaling difficulty means even unsuccessful attempts contribute to learning encounter mechanics and improving your combat effectiveness.
For crafters, immediately begin consolidating your attunable stations into the Grandmaster unit to reclaim housing space and streamline your workflow. Take advantage of the jewelry crafting changes by stockpiling existing grains before their removal, then focusing on plating acquisition for post-update crafting.
When using the new Group Finder, create detailed group descriptions that specify your objectives and requirements. This simple practice dramatically improves match quality and reduces the time spent on content that doesn’t match your goals or playstyle preferences.
Action Checklist
- Test Infinite Archive with different class builds to identify optimal strategies
- Consolidate attunable crafting stations into Grandmaster unit
- Create custom Group Finder listings with specific requirements for better matches
- Complete standardized quests to evaluate new reward values
- Adjust jewelry crafting routines to utilize new plating-only system
No reproduction without permission:GameCDjnh » Update 40 of ESO: A Comprehensive Overview ESO Update 40 brings Infinite Archive, improved group finding, and streamlined crafting systems for all players
