Bethesda and Zenimax's The Elder Scrolls Online does much to differentiate itself from other MMOs. Having decades of lore from the Elder Scrolls franchise available certainly helps stitch together a cohesive and engaging story, but its gameplay elements are also unlike any other MMO on the market.

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Being a story and choice-driven game, The Elder Scrolls Online boasts one of the most immersive questing experiences, but that's not to say it's lacking in end-game content, in fact, the opposite. With a suite of expansions and DLC available to players new and old, there's never been a better time to start exploring the vast world of Tamriel set thousands of years before the events of the main franchise.

Updated May 16, 2022 by Erik Petrovich: The release of Elder Scrolls Online High Isle, the latest Chapter for the MMO, is on the horizon, and fans of the now 8-year-old game are coming back to prepare for the Breton-themed expansion. The setting is bringing in new fans of the Elder Scrolls series to the MMO, too. Though you may have played other similar games, ESO is unique in the genre for a lot of reasons – not just because you can explore Skyrim with friends. There are a few things to keep in mind when heading into Second-Era Tamriel for the first time, including combat tips, gameplay mechanics, and other unique aspects of this underrated MMO.

14 It's Less An MMO, More An RPG

Greymoore MMO ESO Elder Scrolls Online Tips Guide

While The Elder Scrolls Online has plenty of end-game and community-building content (perhaps one of the best crafting guild systems in any MMO), it's the exploration and story that make the game what it is today. Player choices matter, quests are engaging and interesting, and there's an almost overwhelming number of builds each basic class can follow.

When one looks at games like World of Warcraft and Guild Wars 2, the main draw of new expansions and content is the end-game. For The Elder Scrolls Online, that content is there for players who want to experience it, but the majority of the game is spent immersed in the narrative.

13 Loot All The Things

Loot Everything Rats Be Eatin Food Tho Elder Scrolls Online Tips Guide

Backpack space is certainly an issue for new players, especially if they don't have upgraded bags or bank space. Nonetheless, players can loot just about everything in the world and sell it to vendors for a tidy profit – that is, if it wasn't stolen.

Where The Elder Scrolls Online really differs from other MMOs is in its worldbuilding and interactivity. Players can take everything from cheese wheels to weapons laying on the ground, but unfortunately, it's not possible to drag corpses and make them do silly poses.

12 Don't Sell Old Gear, Deconstruct It Instead

Deconstruct Weapon Crafting Table Elder Scrolls Online Tips Guide

The Elder Scrolls Online crafting system takes much inspiration from its single-player counterpart games. In Skyrim, players can deconstruct weapons into smaller parts that are then used for crafting. It's no different in ESO.

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It's wildly tempting to sell all the gear the character doesn't need at the nearest vendor to free up space. Instead, look for a crafting bench that will yield profession experience and new crafting materials from unusable gear.

11 Try Out Every Skill Tree

Another way The Elder Scrolls Online differs from other MMOs is in its skill tree system. Just because a player chooses to be a Nightblade, it doesn't mean they can't use ranged spells or learn hybrid skills that might not fit the traditional rogue archetype.

While each class has its own particular focus (Dragonknights are great tanks, and Wardens are fantastic support), they can all use just about every weapon and armor set found in the game, provided the player has the skill to wear such gear. The game doesn't hole the player into a specific role, so be sure to spend some time and explore the options available to each class.

10 Just About Everything Scales

Level Scaling MMO Online RPG Elder Scrolls Online Tips Guide

It's become a recent trend within MMOs and RPGs for the world to scale to the player. What this means is that it doesn't matter where the player decides to pick up quests; they will always be scaled to the player's current level.

One of the exceptions to this is the PvP area, Cyrodiil, where players are automatically scaled up to Level 50. Players can start out in the traditional starting areas, or decide to skip it all and head straight for later-game areas without being under-leveled.

9 Heavy Attacks Regenerate Magicka and Stamina...

Heavy Attack Dragonknight Class Elder Scrolls Online Tips Guide

This is something not many Elder Scrolls Online players take full advantage of. Heavy attacks with all weapons will restore resources to the player. This means a heavy sword swing, a charged staff attack, or a power shot can equally restore magicka and stamina.

This benefits hugely from the hybrid class builds encouraged by the game. A sorcerer can restore magicka with a charged staff shot from far away just as well as she can charge into battle wielding a two-handed sword, for example.

8 ...But Light Attacks Are Better Than They Seem

Light attacks in Elder Scrolls Online typically come out fast but don't do a lot of damage. It might seem better to rely on Heavy attacks and your ability bar to deal the most damage, but it's actually better to alternate between abilities and Light attacks.

This technique is called Light Attack Weaving, and ESO veterans can attest to the combat style vastly increasing their overall DPS output. When you first start the game, it won't matter quite as much, but later on it's an important skill to learn, especially when it comes to soloing and Trials.

7 The Armory System Allows For Multiple Builds On One Character

ESO Deadlands Update 32 Changes Updates Armory System

In 2021 Zenimax finally added a much-requested feature to Elder Scrolls Online called the Armory System, which lets players save and load multiple builds on a single character. The Armory Station can be acquired for free in the crown store by all players, though it has to be placed in a home to be used.

Players are initially only given two slots to save different builds, though more slots can be unlocked in the crown store. It's a useful system that gives players more freedom in how they take on the challenges of the game.

6 Don't Attack NPCs (Even If It's An Option)

Innocent NPC Character Kill Elder Scrolls Online Tips Guide Beginner

On the subject of interactable environments in Elder Scrolls Online, NPCs are fully interactable and even killable. But just like in the single-player Elder Scrolls games, don't expect to get away with it easily without careful planning.

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It's best to sheathe weapons when in areas with lots of friendly NPCs. A single wild swing could set the city guard on the player, ruining progress and incurring a hefty fine.

5 Traveling Between Wayshrines Is Free

Wayrest Wayshrine Fast Travel Elder Scrolls Online Tips Guide

The cost of fast travel in The Elder Scrolls Online can be a bit inhibitive to new players with little money to their name. However, by finding a nearby wayshrine to travel from instead, players can avoid the cost of fast traveling in the field.

With that said, it's certainly best to explore the world and not try to skip the amazing content the game has to offer. If players do find themselves far away from a quest target, check the map for the nearest wayshrine to get there quickly and on the cheap.

4 ESO Lets Players Have Their Very Own Home In Tamriel

ESO Changes Since Launch Homes Homestead

One of the best parts of Elder Scrolls Online is the Player Home system. There are homes scattered throughout every single zone in Tamriel and beyond, each of which can be bought for either Gold or Crowns via the crown store.

Homes come in a variety of sizes, and each has a visual style completely its own. Players get a free home by completing the quest Looking For A Room in any major city, but the best player homes must be purchased and come with lots of room for furnishings, NPCs, pets, and other decorations.

3 Quests Come From Random NPCs

Naked Nord Random Quest NPC Elder Scrolls Online Tips Guide

Most NPCs in ESO are fully voiced with unique dialogue and tips for the player. Many NPCs that offer unique quests aren't marked on the map, and the player has to instead come across them organically while exploring.

Be sure to talk to every friendly NPC and run through their dialogue to see if there's anything unique they can offer. Chances are, they're looking for a missing person, or better yet, looking for their missing garments.

2 ESO Plus Has A Lot Of Benefits

Official artwork for The Elder Scrolls Online High Isle update

The ESO Plus subscription service is Elder Scrolls Online's version of a premium service. While the game can be played perfectly fine without being subscribed to ESO Plus, it comes with a lot of benefits that make it hard to turn down.

For one, players receive a flat rate of Crowns for each month they are subscribed, paid out as soon as the subscription begins for that period. All DLC and non-current Chapters are unlocked, hugely expanding the freedom players have in exploring the world. It also gives access to the Crafting Bag, which saves inventory space by putting all crafting materials in a separate, bottomless menu.

1 There's A Lot To Be Found Off The Beaten Path

Landscape City Mountains Elder Scrolls Online Tips Guide

While many MMOs will guide the player linearly through pre-determined paths toward the end-game, The Elder Scrolls Online puts the focus on exploration, questing, and becoming immersed in the world of Tamriel. While the single-player Elder Scrolls games each focus on a particular province within Tamriel, The Elder Scrolls Online features a huge array of areas encompassing nearly the full map of Tamriel.

Some are new, such as the Alik'r Desert and Summerset, while others return as familiar favorites, such as Morrowind and The Rift. The best pro tip new players need to know is that The Elder Scrolls Online doesn't care if it takes years to get to max level. Instead, it is solely focused on creating an immersive and beautiful experience that just so happens to have hundreds of thousands of other players running around too.

The Elder Scrolls Online is available for PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox One and Series X|S

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