Top 10 ESO DLC’s and Chapters (Ranked and Reviewed)

Whether you are new to ESO or a veteran player looking to further your adventure, dozens of zones are available for you to explore, but which is best? More importantly, which DLC’s and Chapters are actually worth the time and the price? In this guide I’ll detail the best DLC’s and Chapters currently available for The Elder Scrolls Online, how much they cost, and why you should purchase them.

Best ESO Chapter and DLC

The Best DLC and Chapter currently for ESO is the Greymoor Chapter.

1. Greymoor

Release Date: May 2020

Cost: 3,500 Crowns

The Greymoor Chapter for ESO is truly something special. Venture through the iconic lands of the Nords, almost 1000 years before the events of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. In this full Chapter release, ESO players can traverse the frozen tundra and snowy mountains of the new Western Skyrim zone AND delve into the perilous depths of long-forgotten areas of Blackreach.

Greymoor comes in at the top of this list not just for its heavy nostalgia but also for its signature game system called Antiquities. The Antiquities system is a type of Tamriel Archeology. Players can use this new game mechanic to scry the location of ancient relics including powerful new Mythic Items that offering some of the most powerful item sets in the game.

What makes Antiquities such a must-have system is that they are not limited to just the Greymoor chapter and Western Skyrim zone. Antiquities and Mythic items are now found across the entire game, and each subsequent chapter includes MORE powerful Mythics like the Oakensoul Ring. This fact alone makes this chapter well worth the price!

2. Summerset

Release Date: May 2018

Cost: 3,500 Crowns

With the Summerset Chapter, players can discover the ancient homeland of the High Elves and encounter beautiful, shining cities, tropical lagoons, coral caves, mysterious ruins, and more. As part of the Summerset Chapter, players will also unlock the very important skill of Jewelry Crafting, which is the primary reason why this chapter also places so high on our list. In addition, players may also unlock and level up the Psyjic Order skill line if they wish, which adds some powerful new abilities such as Channeled Acceleration and Temporal Guard.

Players who own Summerset can also participate in the 12-person Cloudrest Trial on either Normal or Veteran Difficulty to earn some of the most powerful gear sets in the game such as Perfected Arms Of Relequen.

3. Elsweyr

Release Date: June 2019

Cost: 3,500 Crowns

The Elsweyr Chapter is third on this list, unlocking the zone of Northern Elsweyr, homeland of the Khajiit. In this wild and untamed land, players will explore fertile grasslands with stalking predators, winding canyons and wild borderlands where the Khajiit grow their famous moon-sugar crops.  

Elsweyr’s capital is the beautiful city of Rimmen, currently occupied by Imperial mercenaries, where the local Khajiit are equal part residents and captives. Beyond the city, meet wandering nomads, navigate the scorching deserts of the Scar, and explore timeless Khajiiti ruins that are not as abandoned as they might seem.

What made the Elsweyr Chapter such a fantastic addition to ESO was the introduction of the Necromancer class. The Necromancer brings a completely unique style of play that allows you to summon the undead and use corpses to overwhelm your enemies and empower your attacks. This new class brings three unique and formidable Skill Lines for you to master, no matter how you play the game. Overwhelm your foes with destructive elemental spells, encase yourself in protective bone and flesh, and bolster you and your allies with living death magic. Whatever your role, the Necromancer Class brings you powerful new tools. 

Finally, in the Sunspire 12-person Trial, Dragons have overrun the ancient temple of Alkosh and claimed it as their own. You and your team must enter Sunspire, explore the temple, and put a stop to its new inhabitants. Exclusive gear and collectibles await those brave enough to stand against Nahviintaas and his followers.

4. Morrowind

Release Date: June 2017

Cost: 3,500 Crowns

The Morrowind Chapter takes fourth place on this list, bringing plenty of nostalgia to any fan of The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind. This expansion unlocks the massive Island of Vvardenfell, as well as a new trial: the Halls of Fabrications, and, best of all, the Warden class. Wardens are defenders of the Green. They wield frost spells against enemies and summon animals to aid them. 

Morrowind is the first installment of the Daedric War story arc, and the Living god Vivec is losing his powers. It’s up to you to prevent the conspiracy of what’s going on and why Lord Vivec is growing weaker. If Vivec is lost, there will be ultimate destruction upon the people of Vvardenfell.

5. Orsinium

Release Date: November 2015

Cost: 3000 Crowns (Free with ESO Plus)

Orsinium unlocks the zone of Wrothgar, the icy homeland of the Orcs. Wrothgar has snowy mountains surrounding it and a harsh windy climate. In this intriguing political tale, King Kurok of the Orsimer is planning to rebuild the abandoned Orc capital of Orsinium and restore it to its former glory. 

Orsinium is the second-ever DLC added to ESO and is the first-ever DLC to be a neutral PVE zone. Your adventure begins with receiving a letter asking adventurers from all over for help rebuilding the ruined city of Orsinium. Embark on an adventure to reunite all the divided Orc tribes while diving into the Orsimer culture and history.

Along with the fantastic zone of Wrothgar, this DLC also unlocks ESO’s first completely solo Arena, Maelstrom Arena. This Arena takes you to different areas in Tamriel and sections of Daedric Realms. Each Arena becomes progressively more challenging than the one before, though players can also customize the difficulty between Normal and Veteran Modes. If players can finish all arenas they will earn powerful Maelstrom Weapons which can supercharge their build.

6. High Isle

Release Date: June 2022

Cost: currently $39.99 for upgrade or $49.99 for the CE upgrade. (This will cost 3,500 crowns once Necrom is released.)

In the High Isle Chapter, players will explore two unique islands, High Isle and Amenos, a land never-before-seen in The Elder Scrolls. Both islands are situated north of the Summerset Isles and south of Glenumbra, known as Systres Archipelago. High Isle shares many characteristics with Summerset, with its beautiful scenery of idyllic meadows, stunning white cliffs, and majestic castles. Amenos is a dense and hostile jungle with a hazardous coastlines of jagged rocks – not a place to stick around for long, unless you’re imprisoned here! High Isle and Amenos are part of the Legacy of the Bretons year-long story, which is an in-depth look at Breton lore and culture.

The High Isle Chapter also introduces the new Collectible Card Game called Tales Of Tribute as a way to unwind and relax while in Tamriel. Players can compete with friends or test their mettle against NPCs in this exciting deck-building game.

Players may also gather together for the new 12-person Trial known as Dreadsail Reef and strike back against the Dreadsail pirates within their dangerous island hideaway.

This Chapter introduces two powerful Companions which make for fantastic supports while in combat: Isobel, a Templar, and Ember, a Sorcerer.

Finally, several powerful Mythic Items are introduced in the High Isle chapter including the Oakensoul Ring which makes one-bar builds a very viable option for all types of content in ESO.

7. Blackwood

Release Date: June 2021

Cost: 3500 Crowns

The Blackwood Chapter is part of the Gates of Oblivion year-long story, with Blackwood being at the center of it all. Placed 800 years before the events of Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, the Daedric Prince, Mehrunes Dagon, is scheming to take over Tamriel, and you need to stop him before it’s too late.

Blackwood takes you to the border of Cyrodiil and the Black Marsh and has three regions: The Niben Forest to the north, Gloomire to the south, and Blackwood Bog extending eastwards, getting closer to the border of the Black Marsh. Embark on an adventure and find diverse cultures of the Argonians and the Imperial’s ambitions.

By unlocking this new zone of the same name, you will find a new trial called Rockgrove and as well as ESO’s first two Companions: Bastian and Mirri. Companions in ESO are combat followers with unique backstories, likes and dislikes. Not only can they make your time adventuring more interesting but they can make it much easier to complete content like World Bosses and Dungeons on your own!

8. Imperial City

Release Date: August 2015

Cost: 2500 Crowns (now Free with ESO Plus)

The Imperial City DLC is a unique PVP-focused DLC which adds the Imperial City zone to the center of Cyrodiil. This includes two primary areas comprised of multiple zones: the Districts of Imperial City and the Imperial City Sewers. Also included are two ESO dungeons which are favorites of many players: Imperial City Prison and White Gold Tower. Imperial City is the first ever DLC added into ESO after a year of release. 

Imperial City brings players to the central City of Cryodiil, now overrun by Daedric overlords and Worm Cult generals. Players must compete with members of all three alliances in this hybrid PVE/PVP zone to take it back!

Along the way, players can collect Tel Var Stones, a new currency used to purchase powerful gear sets and other valuable items. But be warned! Players from other alliances also patrol the depths, and if they defeat you, your Tel Var Stones will be theirs to plunder!

9. Thieves Guild

Release Date: March 2016

Cost: 2000 Crowns (Free with ESO Plus)

The Thieves Guild DLC focuses on the renowned guild of pilferers and cutthroats known by the same name. This Guild has appeared in every classic Elder Scrolls game since Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall so it was no surprise that it would eventually come to ESO too! With this DLC, you unlock a new zone, Hew’s Bane, a new trial called Maw of Lorkhaj and the Thieves Guild skill line.

The Thieves Guild skill line allows players to enhance their character with all-new thieving, sneaking, and stealing-related passive skills. The Thieves Guild in Abah’s Landing will teach you these skills as you progress through the ranks of the organization. Become a master thief and fill your coffers with your ill-gotten gains!

Heists, a new quest type, also allow you to hone your thieving skills by adding trespassing and stealth/hiding mechanics that enable you to break into warehouses and homes in Abah’s Landing to relieve merchants and citizenry of their goods, but beware of the guards!

10. Dark Brotherhood

Release Date: June 2016

Cost: 2000 Crowns (Free with ESO Plus)

Much like the Thieves Guild listed above, the Dark Brotherhood is one of the best-known factions of the Elder Scrolls franchise. Since Elder Scrolls Arena, the Dark Brotherhood has been in every Elder Scrolls game, and ESO is no exception. The Dark Brotherhood DLC unlocks a new zone, the Gold Coast, with many quests and activities to complete as well as a way for players to actually join this Deadly group of assassins and add the Dark Brotherhood Guild skill line to their character.

Though at the height of their power, the Dark Brotherhood now faces a grave threat in the form of a mysterious black-armored warrior capable of bringing down their best agents. Venture forth for another exciting adventure in the Elder Scrolls Online as you carve a bloody swath across Tamriel in the name of the Dark Brotherhood, from simple assassination contracts to killing sprees on the blood-soaked streets of Tamriel’s sprawling cities! The truly skilled may engage in special missions at the behest of their dark masters and fulfill a Black Sacrament, slaying a victim named by the Night Mother herself.

Players that join the Dark Brotherhood also unlock a unique game mechanic called the Blade Of Woe which can be used to assassinate vulnerable NPC’s in order to complete quests, fulfill bounties or simply to wreak havoc in the lands of Tamriel.

Where to go next in ESO

Ready to continue your journey learning everything there is to know about The Elder Scrolls Online? Then check these additional helpful guides and resources!