Maps

Exploration is a core pillar of The Elder Scrolls Online, and understanding the various maps at your disposal is crucial for navigating Tamriel, discovering hidden treasures, and completing your adventures. This guide will delve into the different types of maps you'll encounter and how to effectively utilize them.

World Map (M Key)

The primary tool for navigating the vast world of Tamriel is the World Map, accessible by pressing the 'M' key (default PC keybind). This map provides an overview of your current zone, highlighting key locations and points of interest.

Key Features & Navigation

• Zoom Levels: You can zoom in and out to view different scales, from a localized area to the entire continent.
• Filtering Options: The map offers various filters to display or hide specific icons, such as Wayshrines, Quest Givers, Crafting Stations, and more. Utilize these to declutter your map and focus on what's important to you.
• Quest Markers: Active quests are clearly marked, guiding you to your next objective.
• Wayshrines: These crucial fast-travel points are always visible once discovered. Clicking on a discovered Wayshrine allows for instant travel, though a small gold fee may apply if traveling from a location other than another Wayshrine.
• Undiscovered Locations: Areas you haven't yet explored will appear as faded or grayed-out sections, encouraging further exploration.

Strategic Use

• Efficient Questing: Before embarking on a quest, open your map to plot the most efficient route, potentially combining multiple objectives in one trip.
• Resource Gathering: If you're farming specific crafting materials, use the map to identify areas with a high concentration of resource nodes (though these are not explicitly marked, knowing the terrain helps).
• Exploration Achievements: Many achievements involve discovering all locations in a zone. The map is your best friend for tracking your progress.

Treasure Maps

Treasure Maps are consumable items that, when used, reveal the location of a hidden treasure chest within a specific zone. These maps are a fantastic source of valuable loot, including crafting materials, gear, and sometimes even rare motifs.

Acquiring Treasure Maps

Treasure Maps can be obtained through various activities:

• Enemy Drops: Many enemies, particularly bosses and delve bosses, have a chance to drop Treasure Maps.
• Daily Quests: Completing certain daily quests, especially those from crafting writs or Undaunted pledges, can reward you with Treasure Maps.
• Harvesting Nodes: There's a small chance to find a Treasure Map when gathering crafting resources like ore, wood, or plants.
• Purchasing: Players often sell Treasure Maps at Guild Traders. Prices vary greatly depending on the zone and rarity (e.g., "Master" maps are more valuable).

Types of Treasure Maps

Treasure Maps come in different tiers, indicating their difficulty and the quality of loot they provide:

• Basic Treasure Maps: These are the most common and typically lead to chests containing standard gear and crafting materials.
• Master Treasure Maps: These are rarer and lead to chests with significantly better loot, often including blue or purple quality items, more valuable crafting materials, and a higher chance for rare motifs.

Decoding Treasure Maps: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough

Each Treasure Map presents a hand-drawn sketch of a specific landmark within a zone. Your task is to match this sketch to a location in the game world.

1. Identify the Zone: The first step is to read the map's description. It will explicitly state which zone the treasure is located in (e.g., "Stonefalls Treasure Map," "Glenumbra Treasure Map").
2. Examine the Sketch: Open your inventory, navigate to the "Miscellaneous" tab, and right-click on the Treasure Map to view the sketch. Pay close attention to unique landmarks:
   • Distinctive rock formations
   • Unusual trees or groves
   • Ruins or structures (even small ones)
   • Water features like waterfalls, rivers, or ponds
   • Roads or paths
3. Open Your World Map: Travel to the specified zone and open your World Map ('M' key).
4. Compare and Locate: This is the most challenging part. Systematically compare the sketch to areas on your World Map. Look for the landmarks you identified.
   • Strategy 1: Landmark Matching: If the sketch shows a prominent ruin, look for similar ruins on your World Map.
   • Strategy 2: Area of Interest: Often, the treasure will be near a known point of interest, a delve, or a public dungeon. Consider these areas first.
   • Strategy 3: Edge Exploration: Many treasure chests are located near the edges of a zone or along less-traveled paths.
   • Strategy 4: Online Resources (If Stuck): If you're truly stumped, community-made guides and websites often have screenshots of treasure map locations. Search for "[Zone Name] Treasure Map Locations" to find visual aids.
5. Digging for Treasure: Once you believe you've found the correct spot, approach the area. A small mound of dirt will appear, indicating the treasure chest. Interact with it to dig up your loot. You will hear a distinct sound effect and see a visual cue when you are very close to the dig site.

Pro Tip: Treasure maps are consumed upon use, but the treasure chest only appears for you. Other players cannot steal your treasure, and you can only dig up a specific treasure once per map.

Survey Reports

Similar to Treasure Maps, Survey Reports are consumable items that reveal a concentrated cluster of high-yield crafting nodes within a specific zone. These are invaluable for crafters looking to gather materials efficiently.

Acquiring Survey Reports

Survey Reports are primarily obtained as rewards for completing daily crafting writs for any of the six crafting professions (Blacksmithing, Clothing, Woodworking, Jewelry Crafting, Alchemy, Provisioning, Enchanting).

Decoding Survey Reports: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough

1. Identify the Zone and Craft: The Survey Report will specify both the zone (e.g., "Deshaan Blacksmithing Survey") and the crafting profession it pertains to. This tells you what type of nodes to expect.
2. Examine the Sketch: Just like Treasure Maps, Survey Reports feature a hand-drawn sketch of a landmark. Analyze it for unique features.
3. Open Your World Map: Travel to the specified zone and open your World Map ('M' key).
4. Compare and Locate: Match the sketch to a location in the game world. The concentrated nodes will typically be found in a small, often secluded, area.
   • Strategy: Look for areas that seem less populated or off the main roads. Survey nodes are often tucked away behind rocks, in small clearings, or along cliffs.
   • Online Resources: If you're struggling, online guides and add-ons can pinpoint exact survey locations.
5. Harvesting the Nodes: Once you reach the correct location, you will find a cluster of 6-8 rich crafting nodes. These nodes yield significantly more materials than regular nodes, making them highly efficient for farming.

Pro Tip: Ensure you have enough inventory space before heading to a Survey Report location, as you'll be gathering a large quantity of materials!