Jumping back in and playing Elder Scrolls Online like so many of us? First time? Either way, welcome! I highly recommend buying and playing the base game first before any DLC.
With Update 46 of Elder Scrolls Online, the latest release that includes the new Seasons of the Worm Cult chapter and the new area Solstice, many people are diving into the game for the first time — or returning. I returned a while ago myself, before all the update hubbub, but I’ve definitely been excited about it.
Here’s the thing, I’m not even close to enjoying the new content yet. And if this is your first time, or you’re returning after a long hiatus, it’s likely you won’t be ready for the DLC either. That’s because there’s so much to do in the base game.
Don’t worry about the new content if you’re just starting
If this is your first time diving in, don’t worry about the new content. Sure, there are some cosmetics you can enjoy if you get one of the more expensive bundles, but you can unlock a lot of that in the base game too.
I highly recommend picking up the base package for $4 or $5 — it’s $4.39 right now on Fanatical. Fanatical gives you the option to order a Steam key or a native key, through the official launcher. It’s also about $5 on Steam if you want to grab it there.
If you are going to get more content, I would simply subscribe to Elder Scrolls+ (ESO+) which is about $15 per month. ESO+ does not include the new content that was just released. You have to buy that separately but that’s also why I recommend avoiding it for now.
Eventually, the new stuff will come to plus, when more new stuff releases, and by then, you’ll either be able to enjoy it, or you will have bought it. There are no level gates in the game, at least not traditionally outside some of the higher level activities. But trust me when I say there’s just so much to do in the base game, you’ll be kicking yourself for spending that extra money when you didn’t need to.
Also, it works great on the Steam Deck, I play all the time on mine. If you do have a Deck and want to start playing Elder Scrolls Online, I would buy it through Steam, as if that was a question.
