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.
The Elder Scrolls Online features distinct areas with increasing difficulty. This guide covers every major location in progression order: what to do, what to get, and when to move on. For the step-by-step path, see our walkthrough.
Area Progression Order
| Order | Location | Difficulty | Key Rewards | Recommended Build |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vvardenfell | Any | Warden class intro, Morrowind storyline, trial gear | Sorcerer |
| 2 | Summerset | Any | Jewelry crafting unlock, Psijic skill line, Cloudrest sets | Sorcerer |
| 3 | Western Skyrim | Any | Antiquities leads, Kyne's Aegis gear, vampire skill line | Templar |
| 4 | Elsweyr | Any | Necromancer class intro, dragon fights, Sunspire sets | Templar |
| 5 | Cyrodiil | Any | PvP gear, Alliance rank rewards, Emperor buffs | Templar |
Vvardenfell: Starting Area
The Morrowind chapter zone around Vivec City, a great place to start with strong quests and the Halls of Fabrication trial.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Any |
| Key Rewards | Warden class intro, Morrowind storyline, trial gear |
| Recommended Build | Sorcerer |
| Key Equipment | Dual Wield Daggers |
What to Do Here
- Learn the basics of Champion Points. This is where you practice without heavy punishment.
- Collect starting resources and your first equipment upgrade.
- Clear all main content before moving to Summerset.
- If you're struggling, read our beginner's guide.
Summerset: Early Game
The high elf homeland with jewelry crafting, the Cloudrest trial, and a memorable Psijic Order questline.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Any |
| Key Rewards | Jewelry crafting unlock, Psijic skill line, Cloudrest sets |
| Recommended Build | Sorcerer |
| Key Equipment | Dual Wield Daggers |
What to Do Here
- Focus on mastering weaving light and heavy attacks. It's critical from this point on.
- Farm for Dual Wield Daggers if you don't have it yet.
- Complete all objectives for maximum rewards.
- Prepare for the difficulty spike in Western Skyrim.
Western Skyrim: Mid Game
The Greymoor zone of vampires and harrowstorms, home to the Kyne's Aegis trial.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Any |
| Key Rewards | Antiquities leads, Kyne's Aegis gear, vampire skill line |
| Recommended Build | Templar |
| Key Equipment | Dual Wield Daggers |
What to Do Here
- This is the main skill check. Bring an optimized build.
- Two-Handed Greatsword becomes accessible here. Prioritize getting it.
- Master set bonuses for the boss encounters.
- Check our boss guide if you get stuck.
Elsweyr: Late Game
The Khajiit homeland overrun by dragons, with world-boss dragon hunts and the Sunspire trial.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Any |
| Key Rewards | Necromancer class intro, dragon fights, Sunspire sets |
| Recommended Build | Templar |
| Key Equipment | Two-Handed Greatsword |
What to Do Here
- Full build optimization is expected by this point.
- Two-Handed Greatsword should be your primary, fully upgraded.
- veteran trials mastery starts mattering here.
- Farm resources for the push into Cyrodiil.
Cyrodiil: Endgame
The massive three-faction PvP zone with keep sieges, scrolls, and open-world battles.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Any |
| Key Rewards | PvP gear, Alliance rank rewards, Emperor buffs |
| Recommended Build | Templar |
| Key Equipment | Two-Handed Greatsword |
What to Do Here
- This is endgame. Best-in-slot gear and a perfected build are mandatory.
- See our boss guide for endgame fight strategies.
- The reward loop: clear content → upgrade → push harder content.
- Experiment with Warden for variety once you've mastered the meta.
Exploration Tips
- Clear areas in order: Vvardenfell → Summerset → Western Skyrim → Elsweyr → Cyrodiil. Skipping areas means missing resources you'll need later.
- Check every corner: Hidden caches and secrets are often in non-obvious locations.
- Match your equipment: Some areas favor different equipment types.
- Read the walkthrough: Our walkthrough provides exact progression milestones for each area.
- Don't rush: Clearing an area fully gives more resources than speedrunning two 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 Crafting Guide
- The Elder Scrolls Online Classes & Characters
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