What is the purpose of this Chronological Timeline Guide?

This guide is designed to help players experience the vast story of The Elder Scrolls Online in its intended chronological order. ESO has many chapters, DLCs, and zones, and it can be confusing to know where to start or what comes next in terms of the overarching narrative. This guide provides a clear path to follow.

Why should I play ESO in chronological order?

Playing chronologically allows you to:Experience the story as it unfolds: Understand character motivations, plot developments, and the build-up to major events more clearly.Avoid spoilers: Content released later sometimes contains references or direct spoilers for earlier storylines. Playing in order prevents these.Enhance immersion: Feel more connected to the world and its history as you progress through its timeline.Appreciate the full narrative arc: See how smaller stories contribute to the grand saga of Tamriel.

Is this guide for new players or veteran players?

New players can use it from the very beginning to ensure they follow the story correctly.Veteran players who may have played content out of order can use it to replay or catch up on missed chronological pieces, or simply to plan their next playthrough for a more cohesive experience.

Do I need to own all expansions and DLCs to follow this guide?

To experience the entire chronological story, yes, you will eventually need access to all relevant chapters and story DLCs. However, the guide will clearly delineate which content belongs to which part of the timeline, so you can progress as far as your owned content allows. ESO Plus subscription grants access to most DLCs, which is a great way to follow the guide without buying each one individually.

Will following this guide prevent me from playing with friends or doing other content?

Not at all! This guide focuses on the story content. You are still free to engage in any other aspects of ESO you enjoy, such as PvP, dungeons, trials, crafting, housing, or overland exploration with friends, regardless of where you are in the chronological story. The guide simply provides a recommended order for questing.

How frequently will this guide be updated?

This guide will be updated with each major story release (new chapters, DLCs that add significant story content) to ensure it remains current and accurate with the evolving timeline of ESO.

What if I've already played some content out of order? Can I still use this guide?

Absolutely! You can jump into the guide at the point corresponding to the earliest story content you haven't completed yet, or simply use it as a reference to see what you've missed and prioritize future playthroughs. It's never too late to start playing chronologically!

Does this guide cover every single quest in the game?

No, this guide focuses on the main storyline arcs and significant side quests that contribute to the overarching narrative or introduce major characters/factions. It does not aim to list every single daily quest, repeatable quest, or minor side quest that doesn't directly impact the main timeline. We do also have a daily quest guide you can take a look at!

ESO Chronological Timeline Guide - Best Way to Play the Story and Avoid Spoilers - ESO Hub

The Elder Scrolls Online has years of story content spread across Chapters, DLCs, Dungeon DLCs and Prologues. Since the One Tamriel update in 2016, you can explore the game in any order, but doing so often leads to spoiled plot reveals and a disjointed experience. This guide places every major story beat into its canonical narrative order so you can follow the full ESO storyline from start to finish without confusion.

This is a guide, not a prison. You can leave the chronological path at any point and explore Tamriel with friends. You are never locked into this order. But if you want the best possible narrative experience in ESO, this is how to do it.

TIP: Prologue quests can be picked up from the Crown Store for free.

Check out our Coming Back Guide for a full list of what each update has added to the game.

1. The Base Game (The Planemeld Saga) in ESO

The first story arc in ESO focuses on your character's personal quest and the Three Banners War against the Daedric Prince Molag Bal.

Main Quest - The foundational storyline, revolving around the Prophet, the Five Companions and the fight against Molag Bal.
Aldmeri Dominion - Zone story arcs for the Elven, Khajiiti and Bosmer alliance, covering Khenarthi's Roost through Reaper's March.
Daggerfall Covenant - Zone story arcs for the Breton, Redguard and Orc alliance, covering Stros M'Kai through Bangkorai.
Ebonheart Pact - Zone story arcs for the Nord, Dunmer and Argonian alliance, covering Bleakrock Isle through The Rift.
Coldharbour - Molag Bal's realm. The final sequence of the Base Game story and the climax of the main quest.
Craglorn - The first post-launch zone. A group-oriented questline focused on the Celestial beings.

2. Pre-Chapter Story DLCs in ESO

These DLCs bridge the gap between the Planemeld and the first multi-year conflict in The Elder Scrolls Online. Each is a standalone story.

Imperial City - A PvPvE zone with story quests focused on the Daedric conflict in the heart of Cyrodiil. Features Imperial City Prison and White-Gold Tower dungeons
Wrothgar (Orsinium) - Aid King Kurog in rebuilding the Orc capital.l.
Hew's Bane (Thieves Guild) - Explore Abah's Landing and assist the Thieves Guild.
The Gold Coast (Dark Brotherhood) - Join the assassins of the Dark Brotherhood.
Shadows of the Hist - The first Dungeon DLC, featuring two Argonian-themed dungeons: Cradle of Shadows and Ruins of Mazzatun.

3. Daedric War Storyline: First Story Ark in ESO

This arc centers on conflicts between Daedric Princes and the fate of Nirn, building toward the Summerset Chapter. It is the second main story arc in ESO.

The Missing Prophecy - Prologue quest introducing the threat in Vvardenfell.
Vvardenfell (Morrowind Chapter) - Investigate the mysterious illness affecting the Living God Vivec.
Horns of the Reach - A Dungeon DLC introducing the Minotaur threat with Bloodroot Forge and Falkreath Hold.
Of Knives and Long Shadows - Prologue quest ahead of Clockwork City that leads you to Sotha Sil's hidden realm.
Clockwork City - A story DLC continuing the events of Vvardenfell into Sotha Sil's mechanical world.
Dragon Bones - A Dungeon DLC that features Fang Lair and Scalecaller Peak, introducing a major antagonist for the next chapter.
Through a Veil Darkly - Prologue quest ahead of Summerset that begins the investigation into the mysterious crystal found after the Dragon Bones event.
Summerset - The Summerset Chapter; a grand finale focused on the Psijic Order and major Daedric threats.
Wolfhunter - A Dungeon DLC focused on werewolf threats, featuring Moon Hunter Keep and March of Sacrifices.
Ruthless Competition - Prologue quests ahead of Murkmire that involve an Argonian-themed artifact hunt.
Murkmire - A story DLC delving deep into the Argonian homeland of Black Marsh.

4. Season of the Dragon: Third Story Arc in ESO

A year-long saga built around the return of Dragons to Elsweyr. This is the third main story arc in The Elder Scrolls Online.

Wrathstone - A Dungeon DLC setting the stage for the year, focused on finding the two halves of the eponymous artifact in Frostvault and Depths of Malatar.
The Demon Weapon - Prologue quests ahead of Northern Elsweyr that involve Abnur Tharn and the immediate threat of the Dragons' return.
Northern Elsweyr - The Elsweyr Chapter; dragons return to Tamriel, bringing chaos to the northern Khajiit territories.
Scalebreaker - A Dungeon DLC that furthers the Dragon threat, featuring Moongrave Fane and Lair of Maarselok.
The Dragonguard's Legacy - Prologue quest ahead of Dragonhold that focus on gathering aid for the Dragonguard.
Southern Elsweyr (Dragonhold) - The final fight to protect Elsweyr from the dragon threat, with a focus on forming the Dragonguard.

5. Dark Heart of Skyrim: Fourth Story Arc in ESO

A gothic storyline about ancient vampirism and Daedric influence over the Nord homeland. Fourth main story arc.

Harrowstorm - A Dungeon DLC setting the stage for the year's events in Icereach and Unhallowed Grave.
The Coven Conspiracy - Prologue quests ahead of Greymoor that involve investigating a mysterious coven terrorizing Western Skyrim.
Western Skyrim (Greymoor) - The Greymoor Chapter; uncover a dark conspiracy in Western Skyrim and the massive subterranean Blackreach.
Stonethorn - A Dungeon DLC continuing the vampire threat, featuring Castle Thorn and Stone Garden.
The Ravenwatch Inquiry - Prologue quests ahead of Markarth that lead you to the wilder region of The Reach.
The Reach (Markarth) - The conclusion to the Dark Heart of Skyrim storyline in the eponymous region.

6. Gates of Oblivion: Fifth Story Arc in ESO

A journey into the realm of Mehrunes Dagon, the Daedric Prince of Destruction. Fifth main story arc in The Elder Scrolls Online.

Flames of Ambition - A Dungeon DLC dealing with the fallout of the Dark Heart of Skyrim and foreshadowing the Oblivion threat in Black Drake Villa and The Cauldron.
A Mortal's Touch - Prologue quest ahead of Blackwood that deal with Daedric worship and the mysterious destruction of a secret council.
Blackwood - The Blackwood Chapter; a tale of Daedric cults and political intrigue in the border regions of Black Marsh and Cyrodiil.
Waking Flame - A Dungeon DLC that deepens the Daedric War storyline, featuring The Dread Cellar and Red Petal Bastion.
An Apocalyptic Situation & The Key and the Cataclyst - Prologue quests ahead of The Deadlands that lead you to investigate the rift to Oblivion.
Deadlands - The climactic finale that takes players directly into Mehrunes Dagon's domain.

7. Legacy of the Bretons: Sixth Story Arc in ESO

Political conflict and a struggle for peace among the Bretons on the High Isle. Sixth main story arc

Ascending Tide - A Dungeon DLC focused on the rising threat of the Ascendant Order featuring Coral Aerie and Shipwright's Regret.
Ascending Doubt - Prologue quest ahead of High Isle that start the investigation into the Ascendant Order and the kidnapping of a royal figure.
High Isle - The High Isle Chapter; a spy thriller surrounding the peace talks of the Three Banners War.
Lost Depths - A Dungeon DLC featuring Earthen Root Enclave and Graven Deep, which set the stage for the next zone.
Sojourn of the Druid King - Prologue quest ahead of Firesong that introduces the ancient Druid conflict.
Firesong - The Firesong DLC; concludes the Legacy of the Bretons arc on the Druid island of Galen.

8. Secrets of Apocrypha: Seventh Story Arc in ESO

A return to the Daedric Prince Hermaeus Mora, featuring cosmic locations and the threat of a rival Prince. Seventh main story arc in ESO.

Scribes of Fate - A Dungeon DLC that opens the storyline into forbidden knowledge and the mysterious city of Necrom featuring Bal Sunnar and Scrivener's Hall.
Eye of Fate - Prologue quest ahead of Necrom that introduces the major antagonist and the immediate threat to Hermaeus Mora's secrets.
Necrom - The Necrom Chapter; a story that takes you to the Telvanni Peninsula and the unsettling Daedric realm of Apocrypha.
Scions of Ithelia - A Dungeon DLC that sets the stage for the events of the Gold Road Chapter. Features Oathsworn Pit and Bedlam Veil.
Prisoner of Fate - Prologue quest ahead of Gold Road that introduces the new Daedric Prince and the main conflict in West Weald.
Gold Road - The Gold Road Chapter; the beginning of the latest arc, set in the newly revealed West Weald region.

9. Seasons of the Worm Cult: Eighth Story Arc in ESO

Centered on a resurrected foe and the fallout of previous events.

Fallen Banners - A Dungeon DLC with two war themed dungeons: Exiled Redoubt and Lep Seclusa
A Guild in Crisis - Prologue quest ahead of Part 1 that involve the Fighters Guild and foreshadow the return of the Worm Cult.
Seasons of the Worm Cult Part 1 - Begin your adventure on the mysterious Western Solstice island and establish the Stirk Fellowship to oppose the Worm Cult's schemes.
Feast of Shadows: A Dungeon DLC that continues the Worm Cult narrative, featuring: Black Gem Foundry, Naj-Caldeesh
Writhing Wall Event: Team up with fellow adventurers to breach the Writhing Wall, leading the charge into the final zone.
Seasons of the Worm Cult Part 2 - The conclusion to the 2025 adventure, venturing into Eastern Solstice to face the Worm Cult's final threat and complete the year-long storyline.

Useful Tips for Adventuring in ESO

In order to focus on your journey and in order to not get confused or side-tracked, here's a couple of useful tips which will help you in being more efficient in your chronological journey through Tamriel.

You can also pick up Zone DLC and Chapter story quests from your Collections tab in stories.
Sign up with Mages Guild , Fighters Guild and Undaunted as soon as possible.
If you own Blackwood or High Isle recruit a companion to help you in combat. Here's a helpful guide on companions!
If you own Greymoor go to the Antiquarian Circle in Solitude to unlock Scrying .
Do NOT buy Vampire, Werewolf (or the Cure) from the Crown Store. We have a useful guide on how to get Vampire Bite and Werewolf Bite here!
When you reach level 10 you can go to Cyrodiil and get your introduction quest. This will help you later down the line when you decide to go to the Imperial City.
Do NOT accept Prologue quests in cities or towns, except for the Main Story Quest!
The best thing you can purchase for guild are bag and bank upgrades.
If you loose track of your Zone Main Quests, open your map and browse to Zone Guide.
As soon as you get your first mount, go to the stable and train it daily. Invest in Speed first, then Bag Space and then Stamina.
Food or Drinks help you with questing and not going down so easily. Also having a Mundus Stone helps!

Soul Shriven Style Master	Learn the Soul Shriven style book, found by completing Cadwell's Silver.
Soul Shriven in Coldharbour	Complete Main Quest Chapter 1.
The Harborage	Complete Main Quest Chapter 1.5.