The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) does not add new character classes frequently – only three have been introduced since launch. Understanding when the next class for ESO might arrive requires examining past release patterns, upcoming franchise anniversaries, and hints from developers and the community.
History of New Class Releases in ESO
ZeniMax Online Studios (ZOS) has added new classes at random intervals and sometimes by surprise, but always as part of major Chapter expansions. After ESO’s 2014 launch (with four base classes), the first new class – the Warden – arrived with the Morrowind Chapter in June 2017​. Two years later, the Elsweyr Chapter (June 2019) introduced the Necromancer class​. Fans then waited FOUR YEARS for the next class: the Arcanist, which launched with the Necrom Chapter in June 2023​.
ESO’s Creative Director Rich Lambert recently explained that creating a class is a massive undertaking – “it takes longer to build [a] class” than an entire Chapter zone, often well over 18 months​ (sportskeeda.com). The team had been hard at work on the Arcanist for many months before 2023, and Lambert noted it would have been “utter chaos” to attempt another class for the 2024 update given the focus on the new Scribing system​.
ZeniMax’s Studio Director Matt Firor also announced a shift away from rigid yearly chapters toward a “seasonal” content model in 2025, freeing the team from always targeting a June release​. This means future big features (like classes) will release “when [they are] ready” rather than on a fixed schedule​.
All of this suggests any New ESO Class will arrive only after a substantial development period, likely several years after 2023’s Arcanist.
Anniversaries and Story Tie-Ins
Another clue to ESO’s release timing is how it often aligns content with major Elder Scrolls franchise anniversaries or nostalgic themes. Past expansions have leveraged these milestones to excite the fanbase. Notably, the Morrowind Chapter in 2017 let players return to Vvardenfell 15 years after The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind (2002)​
Likewise, the 2021 chapter and year-long arc (“Gates of Oblivion”) drew heavily from The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (2006) – including the return of Daedric Prince Mehrunes Dagon as the antagonist​, highlighting that title’s 15 year anniversary.
This pattern suggests that upcoming anniversaries in the Elder Scrolls franchise could influence when the next class appears, especially if the new class ties into a classic game’s theme.
Looking ahead, several major milestones are on the horizon that ESO might leverage:
- 30th Anniversary of The Elder Scrolls: Arena (1994) – March 2024​
- 30th Anniversary of Daggerfall (1996) – September 2026​
- 20th Anniversary of Oblivion (2006) – March 2026​
- 15th Anniversary of Skyrim (2011) – November 2026
- 25th Anniversary of Morrowind (2002) – May 2027
We can see that 2026 stands out with multiple big anniversaries for the series (Oblivion, Daggerfall, and Skyrim all hit milestones in 2026). It wouldn’t be surprising if ZOS plans a major release that year to celebrate one or more of these – potentially with a new class as a headline feature. For instance, 2026 will mark 15 years since Skyrim’s release​.
A thematically appropriate class might follow such a release – perhaps something like a “Thu’um” or bardic class tapping into Skyrim’s lore, or a monk/warrior archetype if the story involves ancient Nordic or Akaviri traditions (ideas that ESO’s community has frequently tossed around). Similarly, a focus on Oblivion or Daggerfall anniversaries could inspire a class tied to those games’ themes – for example, a Daedric-themed class or a “Battlemage”/“SpellSword” nodding to classic TES playstyles.
New ESO Class Ideas Ranked
With that said, let’s now dive into my top seven missing class archetypes that could realistically be added to ESO at this point in time. Some of these are long-requested fan favorites, while others tie into older Elder Scrolls titles or the MMO genre in general.
Any of these could become a fully fleshed-out class right now, but I’ll also be ranking them based on popularity, lore fit, and how likely they are to actually happen. Of course, this is just my opinion—so if you think I missed something, let me know!
7. Warrior
First up is the Warrior or Fighter class. It’s a staple in fantasy RPGs, yet surprisingly, ESO doesn’t have a true version of this archetype.
The Warrior is all about brute strength, physical combat, and simplicity—perfect for new players and veterans who want a straight-up brawler experience. In ESO, this class could easily become a go-to tank with higher defensive stats, base armor, and taunt abilities. On the damage side, it could focus on bleed effects, berserker-style flurries, or two-handed mayhem.
While healing might seem like a stretch, adding a shamanistic angle with war cries, totems, or chants could round out its versatility. It could even be linked to a Daedric Prince like Boethiah, creating a brutal, survival-focused class with deep lore roots.
Many MMO’s and RPG’s have a themed Warrior class, so why not The Elder Scrolls Online?
6. Battlemage
The Battlemage was originally planned as one of the game’s first classes and has a long history in the Elder Scrolls franchise. Though scrapped pre-launch, it still lingers in the game files—and with some updates, could be revived.
Battlemages blend weapon and magic combat, using schools like Destruction, Alteration, and Mysticism. While the Necromancer and Arcanist have filled some of that space, there’s still room for a true hybrid.
One cool direction? Leaning into storm magic or even introducing a new playable race like the Maormer (Sea Elves) to tie in with the theme. There’s a foundation in the lore and game design already, so this one could realistically return—if it can differentiate itself from existing classes.
5. Monk
The Monk is one of my favorite class ideas. We’ve already seen several monk-style NPCs in ESO, complete with unique unarmed combat animations—making this one an easy candidate for a new class.
Take the Pyroturge boss from the Black Drake Villa dungeon—he blends martial arts with elemental attacks and even summons weapons mid-fight. It’s the perfect blueprint for a Monk class that mixes melee, spiritual energy, and rare elemental magics like wind, earth, and water.
Instead of traditional weapons, Monks could summon spirit weapons temporarily, similar to how Nightblades or Templars visually manifest their abilities. As a class, they’d offer a fast, tactical playstyle focused on agility, inner strength, and utility—great for DPS, tanking, or even unique healing styles.
4. Alchemist
This one’s a bit of a wild card: the Alchemist. While Alchemy already exists as a crafting profession, imagine turning it into a full-on combat class.
We’ve seen chemist-style NPCs who throw potions and deal AoE damage. What if a class could buff allies, debuff enemies, and even trigger transformations through concoctions?
Think polymorphing foes into critters, or turning yourself into a hulking behemoth for massive defense or damage spikes. ESO’s Stone Garden dungeon already plays with this idea, and with creative skill design, this could be one of the most unique and flexible classes ever added.
3. Dwemer Engineer
The Dwemer Engineer (or Artificer) would focus on ancient Dwarven tech—think summoning constructs, deploying traps, and wielding steampunk-style weaponry.
Rather than playing as a Dwemer (which isn’t likely), you’d be a scholar or tinkerer, much like the Arcanist is tied to Hermaeus Mora. This class could summon Dwemer spiders, spheres, or centurions, craft defensive constructs, or wield mechanical enhancements.
With characters like Telleno, Kireth, and Raynor already established in ESO lore, there’s clear precedent. And from a visual and thematic standpoint, this class would be incredibly distinct—especially popular among fans who love the Dwemer mysteries.
2. Bard
The Bard is a beloved class across many MMOs and could finally bring something new to ESO: the support role.
Bards could fill hybrid roles—buffing allies, controlling crowds, and offering unique utilities like movement speed, magicka regen, or resistances. Imagine mixing songs tied to specific instruments (lute, drums, voice) with toggled abilities or cooldown-based effects.
ESO’s action combat system would make Bards highly interactive, possibly allowing multiple songs to be played or layered. And if ESO ever introduced 5-player dungeons, the Bard could be the perfect support class to round out party composition.
With the Bards College located in Skyrim, this class would tie in perfectly with any future expansion returning to that region.
1. Dragonborn / Shout-Based Class
Finally, we come to the most likely (but maybe not most exciting) class: a Dragonborn-style class based on Shouts or Thu’um.
While not a personal favorite for gameplay, from a business standpoint, this has massive potential. With 2026 marking the 15-year anniversary of Skyrim, there’s a high chance ESO will return to Skyrim in a big way—and introducing a class that lets players use Shouts would bring in a wave of nostalgic Skyrim fans.
There are dozens of Shouts from Skyrim—summoning storms, pushing enemies, fooling them with thrown voices, speeding up attacks, and more. These effects would be new to ESO and could lead to a very flavorful and marketable class. Even if not called “Dragonborn,” a Greybeard-style or Shoutmaster class could be a perfect fit for a future chapter.
The Final Word
So there you have it—my top seven picks for missing classes in The Elder Scrolls Online, plus when we might see a New Class revealed. Whether it’s a classic Warrior, a magic-wielding Battlemage, or a tech-savvy Dwemer Engineer, there are so many creative directions ESO could take. My hope is that we see one of these great options soon and continue expanding on the world of ESO!
What do you think the next ESO class will be?
