For many adventurers traversing the vast and ever-evolving lands of Tamriel in The Elder Scrolls Online, the allure of unique collectibles and powerful utility items is undeniable. Among the myriad ways to enhance your journey, Crown Crates stand out as a prominent feature, offering a chance to acquire rare treasures. Specifically, the "eso scalecaller crates" represent a particularly memorable and sought-after collection, deeply intertwined with one of the game's most iconic dungeon expansions. These crates brought forth a distinct theme, drawing directly from the chilling depths of Scalecaller Peak and the treacherous Fang Lair, two formidable dungeons introduced with the Dragon Bones DLC. Their unique aesthetic and desirable rewards have left a lasting impression on the community, sparking ongoing discussions about their past availability and potential future return.
The concept of Crown Crates in ESO is simple yet engaging: they are item bundles obtainable from the Crown Store, containing a random assortment of collectibles and utility items. Each season of Crown Crates introduces a new theme, and the Scalecaller season was no exception, offering players a chance to win unique, Scalecaller-themed rewards that perfectly captured the essence of the Dragon Bones DLC. Understanding these crates goes beyond just their contents; it involves delving into their history, the mechanics of their acquisition, and the profound impact they've had on player aspirations and the in-game economy.
Table of Contents
- What Are ESO Scalecaller Crates?
- The Mechanics of Opening Crown Crates
- A Glimpse into Scalecaller Crate Rewards
- The Legacy and Availability: When Were They Here?
- The Allure of Scalecaller Apex Mounts
- Player Experiences and the Gem System
- The Future of Scalecaller Crates: Will They Return?
- Navigating the Crown Store: Making Informed Choices
What Are ESO Scalecaller Crates?
At their core, the Scalecaller Crown Crates are a specific type of Crown Crate, representing one of the distinct "seasons" in the Elder Scrolls Online's Crown Store cycle. A crown crate, in general, is an item bundle obtainable from the Crown Store containing four or five collectibles and utility items randomly chosen from a certain pool. The Scalecaller crate is one of these seasonal offerings, granting players a chance to win unique, Scalecaller-themed rewards. These rewards are meticulously designed to align with the overarching theme, providing a cohesive and immersive experience for players. This page contains promotional renders of Scalecaller Crate rewards, giving players a visual taste of what they could potentially acquire.
Thematic Origins: Dragon Bones DLC
The Scalecaller crates were themed after the Dragon Bones DLC, which introduced two challenging dungeons: Scalecaller Peak and Fang Lair. The dark secrets of Scalecaller Peak and Fang Lair had remained undisturbed for untold centuries, but with the release of the DLC, their gates were opened, and their grim denizens burst forth, bringing with them a new wave of challenges and lore. The crates beautifully captured this menacing, draconic, and ancient aesthetic, offering items that ranged from mounts and pets to costumes and consumables, all imbued with the distinctive visual style of these formidable locations. This thematic consistency is a hallmark of ESO's Crown Crate seasons, ensuring that each crate feels like a curated collection rather than just a random assortment of items.
A Cycle of Seasons: Crown Crate Rarity
Crown Crates operate on a seasonal rotation, meaning different themes become available at various times throughout the year. The Scalecaller crate rewards are grouped by their rarity and listed, typically, within the game's Crown Store interface or on official news announcements. This tiered rarity system—ranging from Common to Epic, Legendary, and the highly coveted Apex rewards—determines the likelihood of obtaining certain items. While the specific drop rates for each item are not always publicly detailed in percentages for every single item, the game does provide general information. To view information about reward odds, players can typically open Help > Tutorials > Crown Store > Crown Crates within the game, offering a degree of transparency regarding the chances of acquiring different tiers of items.
The Mechanics of Opening Crown Crates
Opening Crown Crates in ESO is a straightforward process, but understanding the underlying mechanics can help manage expectations. Once acquired from the Crown Store, Crown Crates are opened from the Crown Crate interface within your inventory. Each crate typically contains four or five items. A crucial aspect of this system is that you are guaranteed at least four rewards, ensuring that every crate opened provides a tangible return.
Guaranteed Rewards and Randomization
When you open a crate, the card positions are randomized, adding an element of surprise to each reveal. This randomization applies to the primary four or five items you receive. Beyond these standard drops, there's also the possibility of a bonus card. The bonus card for this crate is typically referred to as "reward 5," and it always appears in the middle if you've earned one. This bonus slot often contains more desirable items or additional consumables, adding an extra layer of excitement to the opening process. It's this blend of guaranteed minimums and randomized higher-tier possibilities that keeps players engaged with the Crown Crate system.
Understanding Drop Rates and Bonus Cards
While the exact Scalecaller crate item drop rates for individual items are not always explicitly published in detailed percentages for every single item, the general rarity tiers give players an idea of their chances. Apex mounts, for example, are the rarest and most sought-after items, appearing far less frequently than common consumables or pets. This rarity system means that while every crate guarantees a certain number of items, obtaining a specific rare item often requires opening multiple crates. This is where player experiences can vary wildly; some might get incredibly lucky with just a few crates, while others might open many without getting their desired Apex reward. The bonus card mechanism is a small way to increase the perceived value of each crate, as it often provides a slightly better chance at a more valuable item or a useful consumable like an XP scroll.
A Glimpse into Scalecaller Crate Rewards
The appeal of the Scalecaller Crown Crates lay in their diverse range of rewards, all meticulously crafted to fit the Dragon Bones theme. These rewards encompassed everything from practical utility items to highly coveted cosmetic enhancements, making them desirable for a wide array of players. The Scalecaller crate rewards are grouped by their rarity, providing a clear hierarchy of desirability and exclusivity.
From Utility to Apex Mounts
The contents of a Scalecaller Crown Crate typically included a mix of consumables, cosmetic items, and the much-desired mounts and pets. Players could expect to find items such as:
- Potions and Scrolls: These are common utility items, often including experience scrolls, crafting boosters, or health/magicka/stamina potions. For instance, a player might receive 3 150% XP scrolls, which are highly valuable for leveling up characters.
- Costumes and Adornments: Unique Scalecaller-themed outfits, hats, and other cosmetic accessories that allowed players to customize their characters with a distinct, draconic flair.
- Pets: Adorable or fearsome companions that follow the player around, such as the Scalecaller Guar, a popular mount that also had a pet version.
- Mounts: The true gems of any Crown Crate season. The Scalecaller crates featured several unique mounts, including the majestic Scalecaller Guar and the formidable Great Elk. These mounts are not just aesthetic; they are functional in-game transportation that stand out.
- Apex Rewards: These are the pinnacle of Crown Crate rewards, typically consisting of ultra-rare mounts with unique visual effects. Anyone who gets Apex mounts from these crates is getting some of the best-designed Apex mounts in the game, in my opinion, making them very lucky indeed. The Scalecaller Sabre Cat, for example, was one such highly sought-after Apex mount, embodying the ferocity and grandeur of the Dragon Bones theme.
The variety ensured that even if a player didn't get their absolute top desired item, they often received something useful or visually appealing, contributing to the overall value proposition of the crate.
The Legacy and Availability: When Were They Here?
The Scalecaller Crown Crates were a seasonal offering, meaning their availability was limited to a specific window. The Scalecaller Crown Crates were available from mid-March to mid-June in 2018. This fixed period of availability creates a sense of urgency and exclusivity around Crown Crate seasons. Once a season ends, the crates are removed from the Crown Store, and players can no longer directly purchase them. This limited-time nature contributes to the ongoing discussion and speculation about their potential return.
The cyclical nature of Crown Crates means that older seasons *can* return, but there's no fixed schedule. Players often keep an eye on official announcements and patch notes for any indication of returning crates. For example, in October 2022, Stonelore Crates were released, indicating that older themes eventually cycle back, though not always in a predictable pattern. The community often expresses a desire for specific crates to return, and the Scalecaller crates are frequently mentioned due to their unique aesthetic and desirable Apex mounts.
The Allure of Scalecaller Apex Mounts
Among the many rewards offered by the Scalecaller Crates, the Apex mounts stand out as the most coveted. These mounts are characterized by their exceptional design, intricate details, and often unique visual effects that set them apart from standard mounts. The Scalecaller Sabre Cat, for instance, is not just a mount; it's a statement piece, reflecting the rugged and ancient power associated with Scalecaller Peak. Players who managed to acquire these Apex mounts often consider themselves very lucky, and for good reason. Their rarity and visual appeal make them status symbols within the game, showcasing a player's dedication (or fortune) in acquiring such a prestigious item.
The desire for these Apex mounts often drives players to purchase multiple crates, hoping to beat the odds. The excitement of potentially obtaining one of these beautifully designed mounts is a significant draw, contributing to the overall popularity and enduring legacy of the Scalecaller Crown Crates. For many, these mounts represent the pinnacle of cosmetic achievement within that particular crate season, making them highly sought after years after their initial release.
Player Experiences and the Gem System
Player experiences with Crown Crates, including the Scalecaller ones, are incredibly varied, largely due to the inherent randomness of the system. Some players report significant luck, while others find themselves with a surplus of items they don't necessarily want. For example, one player recounted, "I also bought 15 crates and I got the Scalecaller Guar and the Great Elk, and 3 150% XP scrolls which I traded for gems, to get the Scalecaller Sabre Cat." This highlights a crucial aspect of the Crown Crate system: the ability to convert unwanted items into Crown Gems.
Crown Gems are a secondary currency obtained by converting items from Crown Crates that you already own or don't desire. This gem system provides a valuable safety net for players. Even if you don't get the specific Apex mount or rare item you want directly from a crate, you can accumulate gems from duplicate or unwanted items. These gems can then be used to purchase specific items from the current Crown Crate season's offerings, including the highly coveted Apex mounts, albeit at a significant gem cost. So far, many players might just get gems since they convert less desirable items. This system allows players to work towards a specific rare item, mitigating some of the frustration associated with pure randomness. It transforms the "gamble" into a more predictable path for dedicated players, ensuring that every crate opened, even if it doesn't yield the desired item directly, contributes to a larger goal.
The Future of Scalecaller Crates: Will They Return?
The question of whether Scalecaller crates will be back this year is a recurring one within the ESO community. Given their popularity and the desire for their unique rewards, particularly the Apex mounts, players frequently speculate about their return. The cyclical nature of Crown Crate releases means that older seasons do eventually make a comeback, but the timing is always uncertain. For instance, the comment "Celestial crates didn't make the week of the 21st, pretty bummed and not sure why" reflects the community's anticipation and occasional disappointment when a hoped-for crate doesn't appear. However, the sentiment "Hopefully Scalecaller, since it's by far the most overdue" indicates a strong community desire for these specific crates to return, suggesting they are a prime candidate for a re-release.
While there's no official confirmation on when (or if) specific older crates will return, the pattern of previous re-releases suggests it's always a possibility. Zenimax Online Studios, the developers of ESO, often bring back popular crate seasons, sometimes with minor adjustments or new bonus items. As ESO heads into its next decade, the ESO team wishes to change things up and introduce content in new and exciting ways, which could include revisiting beloved older content like the Scalecaller crates. Keeping an eye on official ESO news, patch notes, and community forums is the best way to stay informed about potential re-releases of the Scalecaller Crown Crates or any other desired crate season.
Navigating the Crown Store: Making Informed Choices
For players considering purchasing Crown Crates, whether it's for the Scalecaller season if it returns, or any other current season, making informed choices is paramount. Crown Crates involve real money, as they are purchased with Crowns, which are bought with real-world currency or obtained through an ESO Plus membership. Membership plans range from 30, 90, 180, or 365-day memberships, or if you have a prepaid ESO Plus membership time code, you can select the enter option to activate it. ESO Plus members also receive a monthly allotment of Crowns, which can be used to purchase crates.
Understanding the odds, the gem conversion system, and the value you place on specific items is crucial. While the excitement of a random draw is part of the appeal, it's important to remember that direct acquisition of a specific rare item is not guaranteed. The gem system provides a more reliable, albeit often more expensive, path to acquiring desired Apex mounts or other rare items. For instance, if a player receives a Fire Atronach Crown Crate as a reward for hitting level 50, and they specifically want a Scalecaller Crate instead, they would need to purchase Crowns or convert items from the Atronach Crate into gems to save up for a potential Scalecaller Crate purchase when available, or to buy a Scalecaller item directly with gems if it's in the current gem store rotation. Although many players might be tempted to use their Crowns immediately, careful consideration and a clear understanding of the mechanics can lead to a more satisfying experience. Always check the official Crown Store information and any available reward odds before making a purchase decision.
Conclusion
The eso scalecaller crates hold a special place in the hearts of many Elder Scrolls Online players, representing a unique blend of thematic immersion, desirable rewards, and the thrilling unpredictability of the Crown Crate system. Rooted in the lore of the Dragon Bones DLC, these crates offered a chance to acquire some of the game's most visually striking mounts and cosmetics, particularly the highly sought-after Apex mounts like the Scalecaller Sabre Cat. While their initial availability was limited, the community's enduring interest and the cyclical nature of Crown Crate releases keep the hope alive for their eventual return.
Whether you're a veteran player reminiscing about past seasons or a newcomer hoping to complete your collection, understanding the mechanics of Crown Crates—from their randomized card positions and bonus rewards to the invaluable gem conversion system—is key to navigating the Crown Store effectively. The journey to acquire these rare items can be a test of patience and luck, but with informed decisions, players can maximize their chances of obtaining the treasures they desire. What are your favorite memories or most desired items from the Scalecaller Crates? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let's keep the discussion going about these legendary collections!
