If you're new to The Elder Scrolls Online or creating a new character, you may be curious about the best ways to level up and unlock all the game's features. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned player, this step-by-step guide will assist you in your ESO journey from level 1 to Champion Point 160 and beyond. By following the suggestions of YouTuber Lucky Ghost, you can ensure your character's progression is smooth and optimized, allowing you to fully enjoy everything ESO has to offer.
Level 1–9: Laying the Foundation
When you create a new character, you'll be prompted to either skip or play through the tutorial. If you're new, it's advisable to play through the tutorial to familiarize yourself with the basics of combat and game mechanics. Once completed, you'll be dropped into your faction's starter zone (e.g., Stros M'Kai, Khenarthi's Roost, or Bleakrock Isle).
Here's what to focus on during these early levels:
1. Complete the Starter Zone Story: Follow the zone story quest marked on your compass. If you lose track of it, use the "Zone Guide" feature to locate it.
2. Unlock Essential Skill Lines: Every class in ESO has three unique skill lines. Spend your initial skill points by placing one point in the first ability of each skill line. Equip these abilities on your action bar to ensure they level up as you progress.
3. Unlock Weapon Skill Lines: Equip a weapon of your choice (e.g., staff, sword, bow) and kill an enemy to unlock its corresponding skill line. Keep using that weapon type to level up the skill line.
4. Unlock Armor Skill Lines: Equip at least three pieces of light, medium, or heavy armor to unlock the corresponding armor skill line. The more pieces of a specific armor type you wear, the faster that skill line will level up.
5. Grab a Companion: If you have access to expansions like Blackwood or Necrom, unlock a companion early. Companions level alongside you and can equip gear found in chests. Popular choices include Ember (from High Isle) for her friendly personality and ease of rapport-building.
Level 10–45: Expanding Your Arsenal
Once you hit level 10, several new features unlock, and your leveling journey becomes more dynamic.
Key Milestones at Level 10
1. Daily Random Dungeons: Use the Dungeon Finder tool to queue for a random normal dungeon. Completing this grants significant experience points and valuable rewards like transmute crystals.
2. Mount Access: At level 10, you'll receive your first mount as a reward. Visit a stable master daily to upgrade your mount's speed, carry capacity, or stamina.
3. Unlock the Psijic Order: Highly recommended for its powerful skills, especially for magic users. Even non-magic players should unlock at least level one for access to Psijic Troves. To unlock, travel to Summerset, use the Shimmerene Wayshrine, and complete the initial quest from the NPC. This will guide you to Artaeum, where another NPC will provide the quest to unlock the Psijic Order.
4. Join PvE Guilds: Visit major cities in base game zones (e.g., Daggerfall, Vulkhel Guard, Davon's Watch) to join:
• Fighter's Guild: Level this by killing Daedra and destroying Dark Anchors.
• Mage's Guild: Level this by collecting lore books scattered across Tamriel.
• Undaunted Guild: Level this by completing dungeons and pledges (available after level 45).
5. Unlock PvP Skills in Cyrodiil: Even if you're not interested in player-versus-player combat, completing the beginner PvE quest in Cyrodiil is crucial. This quest unlocks the Assault skill line, which includes powerful passives like Continuous Attack (increases mount speed) and Resolving Vigor, an essential self-heal for stamina-based characters.
Additional Tips for Levels 10–45
• Collect Skyshards: Every three skyshards grant one skill point. Use add-ons like Map Pins to locate them easily.
• Upgrade Your Inventory: Visit pack merchants in major cities to expand your bag space. This will help you manage loot more efficiently.
• Focus on Skill Progression: Keep at least one ability from each class skill line on your bar until they reach level 50. This ensures all your class passives become available as soon as possible.
• Antiquities System: If you own the Greymoor expansion, unlock scrying and excavating in Western Skyrim. This system allows you to uncover mythic items, unique furnishings, and treasure that you can sell for TESO gold.
• Tales of Tribute Card Game: If you enjoy card games and own the High Isle expansion, unlock Tales of Tribute in Gonfalon Bay. It offers fun gameplay and unique rewards.
Level 45–50: Introducing Pledges
At level 45, an essential activity becomes available—Undaunted Pledges.
What Are Pledges?
Pledges are daily dungeon quests given by Undaunted NPCs in faction capitals (Wayrest in Stormhaven, Elden Root in Grahtwood, or Mournhold in Deshaan). These quests reward Undaunted Keys, which can be used to acquire monster set shoulders—a critical component of most builds.
How Pledges Work
• Completing a pledge on normal difficulty grants one Undaunted Key.
• Completing a pledge on veteran difficulty without hard mode also grants one key.
• Completing a pledge on veteran difficulty with hard mode activated grants two keys.
Why Do Pledges?
1. Level up your Undaunted skill line and unlock powerful passives like Undaunted Mettle.
2. Collect Undaunted Keys to acquire monster set shoulders.
3. Gain experience and loot while honing your group content skills.
Level 50–Champion Point 160: Gearing Up
Once you hit level 50, champion points (CP) are introduced. Champion points allow you to further enhance your character by investing in passive bonuses across three constellations: Warfare (combat), Fitness (survivability), and Craft (utility).
Key Goals at CP 160
1. Max Gear Level: CP 160 is the highest gear level in ESO. Once you reach this milestone, start acquiring or crafting your endgame gear sets.
2. Champion Points Allocation:
• Focus on nodes that complement your build (e.g., damage-dealing nodes for DPS players).
• If you're unsure where to invest points, consult detailed build guides for recommendations.
3. Level Up Guilds:
• Continue leveling the Fighter's Guild, Mage's Guild, Undaunted Guild, and any other guilds you've joined.
• Participate in dungeons, gather lore books, complete pledges, and destroy Dark Anchors to progress these guilds.
4. Daily Activities:
• Run random daily dungeons and battlegrounds for experience and rewards.
• Continue upgrading your mount and bag space daily.
Champion Point 160+: Endgame Awaits
Congratulations! Reaching CP 160 means you're ready for endgame content:
1. Veteran Dungeons:
• Begin tackling veteran dungeons for achievements, monster helmets, and better rewards.
• Once you reach CP 300, you'll unlock veteran DLC dungeons with unique cosmetics like skins and personalities.
2. Trials:
• Join groups to participate in trials—ESO's equivalent of raids—for high-level gear and achievements.
• Popular trials include Cloudrest, Sunspire, and Halls of Fabrication.
3. Mythic Items & Antiquities:
• Use your scrying and excavating skills to uncover powerful mythic items that enhance your build.
4. Advanced Builds:
• Consider experimenting with subclassing (introduced at level 50), which allows you to mix skill lines from other classes.
• Focus on perfecting your character with optimized builds tailored to your playstyle.
Final Thoughts
The journey from level 1 to CP 160+ in The Elder Scrolls Online is an exciting adventure filled with opportunities for exploration, growth, and mastery. By following this guide, you'll ensure that you're making steady progress while unlocking essential features that will make your character stronger over time.
Remember that ESO is a game designed for enjoyment—there's no "right" way to play it. Whether you're delving into dungeons, questing through Tamriel's rich storylines, or battling foes in Cyrodiil's PvP zones, focus on what brings you joy.
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