Akear before self and others

OVERVIEW
for full patch notes: http://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/categories/patch-notes

The Elder Scrolls Online v0.18 presents new features in addition to tons of fixes and improvements to existing content based on tester feedback, and focuses on stability at high peak user load as we prep for launch day. Here’s a brief overview of what awaits you in this test:
Streamlined and made modifications to the tutorial. It should now be faster to complete and have more interesting encounters.
Now after the tutorial completion, new characters will go directly to first alliance city where you will then have the choice to go to the starting islands.
Starting leveling is slightly quicker, while higher-level is a bit slower.
Implementation of Molag Bal’s newest threat – Dark Fissures, smaller version of Dark Anchors.
Player to NPC collision.
Improved server performance in Cyrodiil.
Thousands of fixes for quest issues across the entire game.
More orchestral music across all zones.
Many gameplay improvements, including balancing and polish to class and weapon abilities.
Many updates and improvements to the UI.

During this test, you will have access to the following areas:
Khenarthi’s Roost
Auridon
Grahtwood
Stros M’Kai
Betnikh
Glenumbra
Stormhaven
Bleakrock Isle
Bal Foyen
Stonefalls
Deshaan
Cyrodiil

TEST GOALS

For this test, we have a few goals we’d like you to try and reach while playing the game.
Start a new character, and provide feedback on the tutorial and the new starting location experience.
Find and defeat a Dark Fissure and let us know what you think!
Travel to Cyrodiil and participate in the Alliance War.


BIG CHANGES / UPDATES / NEW FEATURES

New Post-Tutorial Experience

In order to give new characters more freedom of choice, we’ve made a change to the way that characters move between the early zones. With this change, after you complete the tutorial and escape from Coldharbour, you will now arrive in the starting city for your alliance. You will have the option to visit the original starting areas, or just go forth and start adventuring immediately. Content in and around each of these cities has been adjusted to be more easily performed by characters of levels 3-6.

Aldmeri Dominion
New characters leaving Coldharbour will now arrive in Vulkhel Guard instead of Khenarthi’s Roost. Razum-dar will be waiting for you in Eagle’s Strand when you take the quest Storm on the Horizon from Captain Tremouille.
There is now a ship that will ferry you to Khenarthi’s Roost from Vulkhel Guard.

Daggerfall Covenant
New characters leaving Coldharbor now arrive in Daggerfall instead of Stros M’Kai. Kaleen will be waiting for you in Port Hunding when you take “The Broken Spearhead” from Mihayya.
There is now a ship that will ferry you to Stros M’Kai from Daggerfall.
Ebonheart Pact
New characters leaving Coldharbor now arrive in Davon’s Watch instead of Bleakrock. Rana will be waiting for you in Bleakrock when you take “A Beginning at Bleakrock” from Riurik.
There is now a ship that will ferry you to Bleakrock from Davon’s Watch.

Dark Fissures

Molag Bal has stepped up his attacks, and Dark Fissures are opening throughout Tamriel! These are smaller events than the larger Dark Anchors. To close a Dark Fissure, several Daedra will emerge from a fissure and must be slain. They are designed for solo or a small group.


NPC Collision

In order to make the world feel more substantial, you will now collide with NPCs, including collision with NPCs in combat. We’d appreciate everyone’s feedback about how this changes the way the world - and especially combat - feel, and of course any bugs you find with this new feature. Please note that this will not affect PvP combat with other players; collision is only on NPCs.


Additional Digital Content

This weekend, you will have access to the items contained in the Imperial Edition and the Explorer’s Pack, plus you’ll be joined by a pet monkey while on your journey!


Known Issues
NPC VO will be missing or off in the starting experience.
For some people, the game will freeze for 4-6 (actually 4-11 or so) seconds at irregular intervals. During this time nothing updates - the screen locks until it comes back from this issue. If you have your task manager open you will see the CPU go to 100%. We are aware of this issue. We don't have a fix yet, but we're working on getting a fix out for it as soon as possible.
If you are in any player guilds, you will see them in your guild list the first time you launch the client. If you log out to character select and back in with any character, your guild list will appear empty, but your guilds are not gone. Closing and restarting the client will populate the list again.