The Elder Scrolls Online: Tips for New (and Old) Players

Steam Community guide by Phobos.

Add-ons

One significant advantage of playing ESO on a PC is the use of add-ons. There are many add-ons available that enhance various aspects of gameplay, such as experience tracking, combat logs, and more. However, in my humble opinion, the following add-ons are essential:

SkyShards by Garkin, AssemblerManiac and Ayantir

Download Link: Click here[www.esoui.com]
Skyshards are giant stones emitting a white light that can be found throughout the world or in delves. They are often hidden, and finding them can be a tedious task, especially if you don't know where to look. Collecting three skyshards grants you one skill point, which is crucial for creating a crafting character. Garkin's add-on conveniently marks all skyshard locations on your map, making them easier to find.

Lorebooks by Garkin, Kyoma and Ayantir

Download Link: Click here[www.esoui.com]
Lorebooks emit a blue glow (different from the usual golden glow) and are used to level up the Mages Guild skill line. This skill line offers useful spells for sorcerers and healers, such as Meteor, which unlock as you progress through the levels. If you plan to unlock these skills or if you're a completionist, this add-on is a must-have.

Map Pins by Hoft

Download Link: Click here[www.esoui.com]
Map Pins is a fantastic addition to ESO's map, allowing you to see unexplored points of interest, such as settlements, dolmens, delves, and more. It also helps track world event achievements, like "This One's on Me," where you find members of the Undaunted and buy them a drink, "Crime Pays," where you rob or buy from a merchant, and "Lightbringer," where you encounter two novice adventurers struggling to light a fire. Note that this add-on DOES NOT display Lorebooks and Quests, and according to its creator, it never will.

HarvestMap by Shinni

Download Link: Click here[www.esoui.com]
If you follow my advice to create a master crafter character or want to earn money by selling crafting materials, fishing, or chest hunting, this add-on is for you! HarvestMap shows resource nodes, chests, and fishing spots on the map. Its heatmap mode also highlights areas dense with resources for maximum farming efficiency, saving you time from aimlessly wandering in search of materials.

AwesomeGuildStore by sirinsidiator

Download Link: Click here[www.esoui.com]
At first glance, the default guild store interface is lacking. It misses essential features like search history, detailed filtering, subcategories, and more, making store searches frustrating. AwesomeGuildStore enhances the guild store interface by adding these features and more, ensuring you find what you need quickly and efficiently.

MasterMerchant by Philgo68

Download Link: Click here[www.esoui.com]
Understanding ESO's market is a huge advantage and can significantly boost your income. MasterMerchant collects data from your guild traders and provides insights such as item prices, sales frequency, your sales performance over time, and more. It's an invaluable tool that I highly recommend to everyone.
WARNING: There have been reports that MasterMerchant may cause random crashes in certain delves. While I haven't confirmed this myself, if you encounter any issues, simply disable the add-on before entering a delve and reactivate it afterward.

Tamriel Trade Center by cyxui

Download Link: Click here[www.esoui.com]
If MasterMerchant isn't to your liking, Tamriel Trade Center (TTC) is a great alternative. This add-on works differently by collecting data from every server listing, providing a more comprehensive view of price trends—not just from the guilds you're in. However, be aware that TTC is a heavier add-on and may require a more powerful PC to run smoothly.

Srendarr - Aura, Buff & Debuff Tracker by Phinix, Garkin, Kith, silentgecko

Download Link: Click here[www.esoui.com]
Srendarr allows you to track buffs and debuffs on yourself and others (even group members!). It tracks standard abilities listed in the Character window as well as special buffs like enchantments and gear procs that usually only show through graphical effects (or not at all). This is one of the best combat add-ons available and can make a significant difference, especially in PVP, since ESO lacks a built-in feature like this.

Bandits User Interface by Hoft

Download Link: Click here[www.esoui.com]
Bandit UI is my personal favorite for combat. This add-on simplifies and cleans up the interface, offering different UI styles, including one that resembles the vanilla interface but with timers for every skill and buff. Check it out if you prefer a more vanilla experience with added combat metrics.

Installing Add-ons

To install an add-on, all you have to do is follow these steps:

• Navigate to C:\Users<your username>\Documents\Elder Scrolls Online\live\AddOns.
• Download the .zip file of the add-on you want and extract it to this folder.
• Start the game and go to the Character Creation screen.
• Open the Add-ons menu and enable the add-on from there.
• WARNING: Ensure you tick the Allow out-of-date add-ons box, or the add-on may not work.
  Lastly, I highly recommend downloading the ESO Toolkit app from the Play Store on your smartphone. It includes timers for hirelings, riding upgrades, alchemical recipes, and much more that will be useful on your journey.

Races and Alliances: Aldmeri Dominion

In the following Races and Alliances sections, we will go through every race's recommended classes, roles, racial passives, and information about each Alliance you will encounter in the game.
In Elder Scrolls Online, there are 3 Alliances and 10 Races to choose from. If you have purchased the standard edition, keep in mind that races are locked to specific alliances, except for the Imperials, who can join any of the three factions. This means that if you choose a certain race, like the Nords, for example, you will be forced to join their Alliance. This choice mainly impacts PvP; if you are a PvE player, you won't notice much difference. To manually choose both your race and alliance, you must purchase the Adventurer Pack from the Crown Store, which costs 1,900 crowns.

Our first Alliance is the Aldmeri Dominion. This faction is a combination of beasts and elves, so you won't find many humans here. Their main belief is that the races of men are young, naive, and have a tendency to create chaos, thus needing guidance to achieve peace and prosperity.
The Aldmeri Dominion comprises the races of High Elves (Altmer), Wood Elves (Bosmer), and Khajiit.

• Colors: Yellow, Silver
• Sigil: Eagle
• Leader: Queen Ayrenn
• Capital: Elden Root in Grahtwood
• Motto: For Queen Ayrenn!

Story

When word reached the High Elves of Alinor that the Imperial City had fallen under the control of the human supporters of Molag Bal, the Aldmeri Dominion was formed. The High Elves reached out to the neighboring races of Wood Elves and Khajiit with a plea that their combined forces might prevent the younger races of Tamriel from bringing disaster to the world, as they had so many times in the past. The High Elves were the original settlers of Tamriel and created the common tongue used throughout the continent today. They are also naturally proficient with magic. The Wood Elves inhabit the thick, near-impenetrable forests of Valenwood. They are supreme hunters, guides, and masters in sneaking and thievery. They are also the most gifted archers in all of Tamriel. The Khajiit, a proud feline race, are fearsome warriors, proficient with bladed weapons. They stand proudly at the forefront of every battle. The power and determination of the Aldmeri Dominion should not be underestimated.

Races

High Elf (Altmer)

• Recommended Starting Classes: Sorcerer, Templar
• Recommended Roles: Magicka DPS, Healer
  Description: The High Elves, or Altmer, arrived in Tamriel thousands of years ago from Old Aldmeris. They see themselves, perhaps justifiably, as the ruling race of Tamriel. They are a highly cultured people, known for their breathtaking architecture and massive libraries of histories and creative works. They tend to be isolationists, largely remaining on Summerset Isle, and only emerge when they perceive a great threat to their homeland. They are powerful mages and warriors, and the de facto leaders of the Aldmeri Dominion.
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Racial Passives

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Description

** Highborn Increases your experience gain with the Destruction Staff skill line by 15%. Increases your experience gained by 1%. Spell Recharge When you activate an ability, you restore 200/400/625 Magicka or Stamina, based on whichever is lowest. This effect can occur once every 6 seconds. When you are using an ability with a channel or cast time, you take 1/2/3% less damage. Syrabane's Boon Increases your Max Magicka by 600/1200/2000. Elemental Talent Increases your Weapon and Spell Damage by 86/172/258.

Wood Elf (Bosmer)

• Recommended Starting Class: Nightblade
• Recommended Role: Stamina DPS
  Description: The Wood Elves, or Bosmer, are mischievous, curious and nimble. Because their homeland of Valenwood is often attacked by the Colovian Imperials, Wood Elves are experts at the art of defense. They are also gifted archers, perhaps the best in all of Tamriel. The capital of the Aldmeri Dominion, Elden Root, lies in the heart of their homeland. It has evolved into a center of political and cultural importance and is of vital strategic importance in the battle to control Tamriel.
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Racial Passives

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Description

** Acrobat Increases your experience gain with the Bow skill line by 15%. Decreases your fall damage taken by 10%. Hunter's Eye Increases your Stealth Detection radius by 1/2/3 meters. Increases your Movement Speed by 1/3/5% and your Physical and Spell Penetration by 300/600/950. Y'ffre's Endurance Increases your Stamina Recovery by 86/127/258. Resist Affliction Increases your Max Stamina by 600/1200/2000 and your Disease and Poison Resistance by 660/1320/2310.

Khajiit

• Recommended Starting Classes: Nightblade, Templar
• Recommended Roles: Stamina DPS, Magicka DPS, Healer
  Description: The population of the proud feline Khajiit has dwindled in recent years following a devastating outbreak of Knahaten Flu. They owe a great debt to Ayrenn, Queen of the High Elves, for her help in restoring order from the chaos that followed the plague. They have a wry wit and a hedonistic outlook, but they are fearsome on the field of battle. They are the strong arm of the Aldmeri Dominion.
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Racial Passives

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Description

** Cutpurse Increases your experience gain with the Medium Armor skill line by 15%. Increases your chance to successfully pickpocket by 5%. Robustness Increases your Health, Magicka, and Stamina Recovery by 30/60/90. Lunar Blessings Increase your Maximum Health, Magicka, and Stamina by 305/610/915. Feline Ambush Increases your Critical Damage and Critical Healing by 4/8/12%. Decreases your detection radius in Stealth by 1/2/3 meters.

Races and Alliances: Daggerfall Covenant

The second Alliance is the Daggerfall Covenant. Their main goal is to prevent their people from experiencing poverty and suffering due to dwindling trade routes. To achieve this, the Covenant aims to dethrone the pretender Emperor and take control of the Empire.
The Daggerfall Covenant is comprised of the races of Bretons, Redguards, and Orsimer (Orcs).

• Colors: Blue, White
• Sigil: Lion
• Leader: High King Emeric
• Capital: Wayrest in Stormhaven
• Motto: One land! One Emperor!

Story

The Daggerfall Covenant is a compact between the peoples of northwest Tamriel—Bretons, Redguards, and Orcs—that forms an alliance of mutual defense, with a vision of establishing peace and order across Tamriel. Indeed, the kings of the Covenant take the Remans as their model, claiming to be the spiritual heirs of the Second Empire. So this is the modern Daggerfall Covenant, an alliance of the Redguards of northern Hammerfell, under King Fahara’jad, the Orcs of the mountainous northeast, under King Kurog of Orsinium, with the Breton King Emeric of High Rock presiding from his palace in Wayrest. At its best, it is a noble alliance of honorable and chivalrous peoples, representing all the best aspects of the First and Second Empires. And from this solid foundation, perhaps a third, even mightier Empire shall arise, providing all the peoples of Tamriel the benefits of mutual respect, vigorous trade, and reverence for the Divines.

Races

Breton

• Recommended Starting Classes: Templar, Sorcerer, Nightblade
• Recommended Roles: Magicka DPS, Healer
  Description: The men and women of High Rock were once ruled by High Elf overlords. Some Elven blood still runs in their veins, giving Bretons an innate grasp of magic that distinguishes them from the other human races. Passionate and flamboyant, intelligent and resourceful, the Bretons are renowned and talented craftsmen, shrewd merchants, gallant cavaliers, and inventive wizards. They can also be proud and quarrelsome. Tales of warfare between the kingdoms of High Rock account for much of their history, but most revere the Eight Divines and value prosperity over glory.
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Racial Passives

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Description

** Opportunist Increases your experience gain with the Light Armor skill line by 15%. Increases your Alliance Points gained by 1%. Gift of Magnus Increases your Max Magicka by 600/1200/2000. Spell Attunement Increases your Spell Resistance by 660/1320/2310. This effect is doubled if you are afflicted with Burning, Chilled, or Concussed. Increases your Magicka Recovery by 40/80/130. Magicka Mastery Reduces the Magicka cost of your abilities by 2/4/7%.

Redguard

• Recommended Starting Classes: Dragonknight, Nightblade
• Recommended Roles: Stamina DPS
  Description: The Redguards of Hammerfell are talented and athletic warriors, born to battle. A desert people, their ancestors migrated to Tamriel from the lost continent of Yokuda. Their culture is based on preserving ancient traditions and defying their harsh environment. They prize honor and dignity above all else, combining a deep reverence for the divine with a suspicion of all things magical. Their capital is the merchant port of Sentinel, but their roots are deep in the sands of the Alik’r Desert. In their youth, Redguards endure a rite of passage in the desolate wastes of Alik’r as a test of endurance and discipline. Only the strongest survive.
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Racial Passives

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Description

** Wayfarer Increases your experience gain with the One Hand and Shield skill line by 15%. Increases the duration of any eaten food by 15 minutes Martial Training Reduces the cost of your weapon abilities by 2/4/8%. Reduces the effectiveness of snares applied to you by 5/10/15%. Conditioning Increases your Max Stamina by 600/1200/2000. Adrenaline Rush When you deal damage, you restore 333/666/1005 Stamina. This effect can occur once every 5 seconds.

Orsimer (Orc)

• Recommended Starting Classes: Dragonknight, Nightblade
• Recommended Roles: Stamina DPS, Tank
  Description: Though other races often regard the Orcs as barbarians and even beasts, these noble warriors have an ancient culture forged from endless warfare in their harsh mountain homelands. Orcs live under a simple code of honor by which the strong survive and the strongest rule. As the greatest smiths in Tamriel, their weapons and armor are prized by warriors everywhere. During the reign of the Second Empire, when their kingdom of Orsinium was finally granted provincial status, its restoration helped solidify their devotion to the new Daggerfall Covenant.
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Racial Passives

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Description

** Craftsman Increases your experience gain with the Heavy Armor skill line by 15%. Increases your crafting inspiration gained by 10%. Brawny Increases your Max Stamina by 333/666/1000. Unflinching Rage Increases your Max Health by 300/600/1000. When you deal damage, you heal for 700/1400/2125 Health. This can occur once every 4 seconds. Swift Warrior Increases your Weapon and Spell Damage by 86/127/258. Reduces the cost of Sprint by 4/8/12% and increases the Movement Speed bonus of Sprint by 3/6/10%.

Races and Alliances: Ebonheart Pact

The third and final Alliance is the Ebonheart Pact. Not long ago, the people of the Ebonheart Pact were invaded by the Akaviri, a nation from beyond the seas. The three races of the Pact united to resist the invaders with great success. Now, with the Empire in crisis, the Pact feels threatened by the other Alliances and the forces of Molag Bal. As a result, its armies stand ready to ensure the safety of their people.
The Ebonheart Pact is composed of three races: the Nords, the Dark Elves (Dunmer), and the Argonians.

• Colors: Red, Black
• Sigil: Dragon
• Leader: High King Jorunn
• Capital: Mournhold in Deshaan
• Motto: Blood for the Pact!

Story

Jorunn, of Eastern Skyrim, is acting High King of the Great Moot, but he does not rule absolutely. His decisions must be ratified by all three races in a unique form of governance called The Great Moot. He is down-to-earth, humorous, and has an iron will to succeed. The alliance was born in dark times, when Nord, Dunmer and Argonians fought as one to repel the invasion of the Akaviri slavemasters. Their greatest strength is the adversity they have overcome. While the Pact is the most fragile alliance of the three thanks to the distrust and former hostilities between the three races, its resolve to conquer the Ruby Throne and its military might are unquestionable and a force to be reckoned with.

Races

Nord

• Recommended Starting Classes: Dragonknight
• Recommended Roles: Tank, Stamina DPS
  Description: The Nords once conquered most of Tamriel, and as a result, feel a certain entitlement to rule. They broke the power of the Ayleids, nearly drove the High Elves out of High Rock, and conquered much of Resdayn, the precursor to Morrowind. The Nords are excellent with arms. They are quick to anger, boisterous, and strong. They are natural-born warriors who fight with an ecstatic ferocity that terrifies their enemies.
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Racial Passives

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Description

** Reveler Increases your experience gain with the Two Handed skill line by 15%. Increases the duration of any consumed