The Elder Scrolls Online lets you wander all of Tamriel with thousands of other players, from Morrowind's ashlands to the cliffs of Summerset. Combat rewards skill expression through weaving and resource management rather than gear score alone. You can level by questing, crafting, or grinding group content, and the whole map scales to you.
Resource management and crafting determine how quickly your power scales. This guide covers what to prioritize, where to farm, and how to avoid wasting resources on the wrong upgrades.
Crafting Priority List
The order you should invest resources:
| Priority | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Primary equipment | Biggest damage increase per resource spent |
| 2 | Core build gear | Enables your build's key synergies |
| 3 | Defensive upgrades | Survivability for boss fights |
| 4 | Secondary equipment | Situational options for specific content |
| 5 | Consumables | Temporary boosts for hard content |
Resource Farming by Area
Vvardenfell
Key resources: Warden class intro, Morrowind storyline, trial gear Farming efficiency: Low value per run, but safe and consistent
Focus on gathering materials for Dual Wield Daggers upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Summerset
Key resources: Jewelry crafting unlock, Psijic skill line, Cloudrest sets Farming efficiency: Good early-game farming spot
Focus on gathering materials for Dual Wield Daggers upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Western Skyrim
Key resources: Antiquities leads, Kyne's Aegis gear, vampire skill line Farming efficiency: Best mid-game farming, worth revisiting
Focus on gathering materials for Dual Wield Daggers upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Elsweyr
Key resources: Necromancer class intro, dragon fights, Sunspire sets Farming efficiency: High-value materials for late-game upgrades
This is where you farm materials for Two-Handed Greatsword max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Cyrodiil
Key resources: PvP gear, Alliance rank rewards, Emperor buffs Farming efficiency: Best resources in the game, requires strong build
This is where you farm materials for Two-Handed Greatsword max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Upgrade Path
Early Game (Vvardenfell to Summerset)
- Upgrade your starting equipment to functional level
- Craft basic defensive gear
- Save specialty materials, since you'll need them later
- Focus on Dual Wield Daggers once accessible
Mid Game (Western Skyrim)
- Push Dual Wield Daggers to mid-level upgrades
- Start collecting materials for Two-Handed Greatsword
- Craft situational consumables for boss fights
- Upgrade build-specific gear pieces
Late Game (Elsweyr to Cyrodiil)
- Max out Two-Handed Greatsword. This is your top priority
- Complete your build's core gear set
- Craft endgame consumables
- Optional: upgrade secondary equipment for variety
Crafting Mistakes to Avoid
- Spreading upgrades across multiple equipment: Focus one weapon to max before diversifying.
- Hoarding materials: Use them. The game provides enough if you farm efficiently.
- Upgrading the wrong gear: Check our builds guide before investing.
- Ignoring Western Skyrim farming: This area has the best resource-to-time ratio in mid-game.
- Crafting consumables too early: Save specialty materials for late-game recipes.
Resource Efficiency Tips
- Learn light-attack weaving in a target dummy session before you worry about gear, it is your biggest damage source.
- Farm Western Skyrim during mid-game for the best return on time
- Check the walkthrough to know when each resource becomes available
- Match your farming route to your build. Some classes farm faster in certain areas
More The Elder Scrolls Online Guides
- The Elder Scrolls Online The Elder Scrolls Online Overview
- The Elder Scrolls Online Best Builds
- The Elder Scrolls Online Tier List
- The Elder Scrolls Online Walkthrough
- The Elder Scrolls Online Beginner's Guide
- The Elder Scrolls Online Tips & Tricks
- The Elder Scrolls Online Weapons Guide
- The Elder Scrolls Online Combat Guide
- The Elder Scrolls Online Boss Guide
- The Elder Scrolls Online Maps & Locations
- The Elder Scrolls Online Classes & Characters
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