Before You Buy Elder Scrolls Online <2025-2027>
This is the "test the waters" version. It includes the base game and the Morrowind chapter , providing over 100 hours of fully voiced content. As of 2025/2026, it also includes DLCs like Thieves Guild , Dark Brotherhood , and Orsinium for free.
This is a newer separate purchase required for the most recent yearly content (e.g., the Solstice update). Note that even Premium editions might not include the absolute newest expansion content, which must often be bought separately. 2. The Role of ESO Plus (Optional Subscription) before you buy elder scrolls online
You do need a monthly subscription to play on PC, though console players require Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus for multiplayer access. However, the ESO Plus sub ($15/mo) offers: This is the "test the waters" version
This version typically includes the base game plus all previous "Chapters" (major expansions like Summerset , Greymoor , and Gold Road ). It is the best value if you want permanent access to all major zones and classes like the Necromancer and Arcanist . This is a newer separate purchase required for
Before purchasing The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) in 2026, it's important to understand its multi-tiered content structure, which can be confusing for new players.