The Elder Scrolls Online

Explore Tamriel in a buy-to-play online RPG with seven flexible classes, level-scaled zones, group dungeons, trials, alliance warfare, and free seasonal gameplay updates.

Overview

The Elder Scrolls Online is an MMORPG developed by ZeniMax Online Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks, launched in 2014. It brings the Elder Scrolls universe online with all of Tamriel explorable, from the snowy peaks of Skyrim to the swamps of Black Marsh. Every zone scales to your level, meaning you can go anywhere and play with anyone from the moment you log in.

In 2026, ESO moved from annual paid chapters to three-month Seasons. Gameplay additions are free for base-game owners; each season also has an optional paid Tamriel Tome reward track and rotating Bazaar cosmetics.

Gameplay and Freedom

ESO uses an action combat system with light attacks, heavy attacks, blocking, dodge rolling, and both class and weapon abilities. Seven classes offer distinct identities: Dragonknight, Sorcerer, Nightblade, Templar, Warden, Necromancer, and Arcanist. Any class can fill any role with the right gear and skill build.

Update 49, released March 9, 2026, overhauled the Dragonknight class with new mechanics, improved animations, and adjusted survivability. The Warden and Sorcerer class refreshes are scheduled for later seasons.

2026 Seasonal Content

Season One launched July 8 with a new Thieves Guild storyline, Favors, Dynamic Encounters, and the Season One Tamriel Tome and Bazaar. A Sheogorath story update followed on July 29.

Update 51 is scheduled for September 28 after a delay. Its announced features include the Nowhere Vault, Rumors, achievement pinning, a customizable HUD, combat hybridization, Antiquities improvements, other quality-of-life changes, and the return of three-sided Battlegrounds.

Season Two launches October 21. Group versions of Moon Hunter Keep and March of Sacrifices become free on October 12, followed by their new Solo Dungeon versions during the season. Greymoor and Markarth are scheduled to become free for base-game players on November 9.

Tips for New Players

• Go anywhere from the start. All content scales to your level, so explore whichever province interests you most.
• Join up to five player guilds. Different guilds serve different purposes: trading, PvP, social, and endgame progression.
• Try the main story quest in each zone. ESO's writing quality is consistently strong and each zone tells a self-contained story.
• Experiment with different class and weapon combinations. Any class can be a tank, healer, or damage dealer.
• Visit Cyrodiil for large-scale PvP. The three-alliance war for control of the Imperial City is a unique PvP experience.

ESO players looking for similar open-world storytelling should also check out World of Warcraft for deep raid progression, or Guild Wars 2 for another no-subscription MMO with dynamic events and a large active playerbase.

System Requirements