Taming the Beast: Balorgh’s Burst Power Reduced

The Elder Scrolls Online’s Patch 45 introduces a significant and widely discussed balance change: a direct nerf to the Balorgh Monster Set. Balorgh has long been a dominant force in both Player vs. Player (PVP) and specific Player vs. Environment (PVE) burst scenarios due to its powerful, Ultimate-dependent damage boost. The nerf aims to reduce the set’s overwhelming efficiency.

Key factual assumptions regarding the Balorgh nerf:

  • Reduced Ultimate Scaling: The primary change is likely a reduction in the set’s $2$-piece bonus scaling. The set grants a massive boost to Weapon and Spell Damage based on the amount of unspent Ultimate when activated. This scaling factor (e.g., $X$ damage per Ultimate point) was likely decreased.
  • Lowered Duration: Another potential adjustment is reducing the duration of the damage boost. A shorter window of peak power forces players to time their bursts more precisely, increasing the skill ceiling but reducing overall damage uptime.
  • Consistency Check: The developers often introduce internal cooldowns or ensure the calculation is more accurate, potentially mitigating the set’s ability to “double-dip” or benefit excessively from certain mechanics.

The developers’ intent is to normalize burst damage. Balorgh provided too much reliable, high-magnitude damage instantly, overshadowing other Monster Sets and making PVP encounters too reliant on one-shot mechanics.

Community Reaction: PVP Outrage vs. PVE Acceptance

The community response is sharply divided, with PVP players expressing frustration and PVE players showing acceptance or even relief.

  • PVP Frustration: PVP players—specifically those relying on Balorgh for their powerful execution combos—are the most vocal critics. They argue the nerf diminishes their ability to counter tanky, high-sustain builds, leading to longer, less decisive fights. Many fear their established burst rotations are now entirely invalidated.
  • PVE Acceptance: PVE Damage Dealers generally accept the change. While Balorgh was used in specific short-burst encounters (like dungeon speed runs), it was rarely the top-performing set for sustained Trial damage. PVE players see this as a necessary step to encourage the use of other, more sustained Monster Sets.

Strategic Impact: Ultimate Usage and Monster Set Diversity

The Balorgh nerf immediately impacts strategic ultimate management and the overall Monster Set meta.

Firstly, the reduced scaling changes the Ultimate threshold for activation. Players who previously held their Ultimate until it was full (300 points) may now find that activating it earlier, at a lower threshold (e.g., 200 points), provides a more optimal damage-per-second return due to the reduced scaling inefficiency at maximum Ultimate.

Secondly, the nerf opens up the Monster Set meta. Sets that offer sustained damage (like Slimecraw for Minor Berserk) or unique utility (like Zaan or Kjalnar) become more competitively viable alternatives in situations where Balorgh was previously the default choice for burst damage.

The Patch 45 Balorgh nerf is a crucial balancing act that pushes players away from single-set dominance. By reducing its hyper-efficient burst potential, the developers have successfully made room for a broader range of Monster Sets and build strategies in both the PVP and PVE landscape of the Necropolis League.