The Elder Scrolls Online: Expansion Pack Tier List Revealed!

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Since its debut in 2014, I’ve been utterly captivated by the continuous growth of The Elder Scrolls Online. Over time, it has undergone numerous significant expansions, dubbed Chapters, and smaller DLC packs. These additions have significantly enriched the game’s lore, narrative, and gameplay, offering a variety of features that elevate my experience in countless ways, even beyond the boundaries of the new regions and stories they introduce.

Over the last ten years, there has been a significant amount of additional content released, known as expansion packs. These expansions have had differing levels of quality when it comes to enhancing gameplay and developing the overall narrative. Initially, they all seemed promising, but unfortunately, some failed to deliver on their promised content, particularly in terms of storytelling.

S-Tier: Combining Storytelling with Gameplay Features

  • Morrowind
  • Summerset
  • Thieves Guild
  • Clockwork City

Stepping back onto the island of Vvardenfell in the realm of Morrowind feels like a homecoming for me as a gamer. The refreshed melodies that echo Nerevar Rising take me back, while revisiting locations from The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind offers an exhilarating experience. For those who’ve delved into the single-player Morrowind game before, this return is nothing short of magnificent. But even if you’re new to it all, Vvardenfell’s captivating landscapes, encounters with the enigmatic Vivec, and a gripping narrative have something to offer everyone. Best of all? It’s completely free, making it an opportunity I can’t resist. And if you’re already immersed in ESO, don’t forget to check out the add-on, Clockwork City, where you’ll find Sotha Sil, another member of the Tribunal.

The Thieves Guild boasts an engaging plotline and a set of intricate heists that require skill to execute, avoiding the monotonous, routine tasks commonly found in MMO games. The central hub for this guild, situated in Abah’s Landing, Hammerfell, is bustling and offers a refreshing twist to Tamriel’s collection of landscapes.

In the realm of The Elder Scrolls Online, the Summerset Isles – the grand capital of the Aldmeri Dominion – offers one of the most prized locations. Steeped in rich history, this expansion introduces the enigmatic Psijic Order, a unique Skill Line, and Jewelry Crafting, along with challenging group activities for players to engage in. The Summerset Isles sprawl out over an expansive area larger than Vvardenfell itself, providing adventurers with vast new territories to traverse and hidden gems to uncover.

A-Tier: Expanding Lore and Returning to Familar Places

  • Dark Brotherhood
  • Necrom
  • Orsinium

In the realm of “The Elder Scrolls,” one of its renowned guilds, the Dark Brotherhood, reappears in “ESO” through the “Dark Brotherhood” DLC. This narrative unfolds within the Gold Coast area of Cyrodiil, a region that was significant in “Oblivion.” Notably, this storyline includes the famous city of Kvatch, where the protagonist of “Oblivion” earned their hero’s nickname.

As a gamer immersed in the world of Morrowind, I delve into the captivating tale that unfolds within one of its prominent Houses – the Telvanni. This adventure transpires on the very peninsula that bears their name. The Telvanni’s connection to Hermaeus Mora’s plane, Apocrypha, shrouds it in mystery, making it a hauntingly enigmatic location. This game continues the gripping narratives of ‘Shadows Over Morrowind’ and ‘Secrets of Apocrypha’, keeping the suspense alive.

The city of Orsinium offers valuable depth and understanding into the Orc race, a group frequently overlooked in the narrative of The Elder Scrolls, despite their intriguing lore and culture. With an engaging storyline, delightful side characters, and a captivating environment, Orsinium is one of the standout smaller DLC offerings within ESO.

B-Tier: Solid Adventures in New Places

  • Elsweyr
  • High Isle
  • Blackwood

In simpler terms, Elsweyr is the native land of the Khajiit, the feline folk in Tamriel, and this province mirrors their diversity, featuring jungles, savannah, and deserts. The main storyline of ‘Elsweyr’ revolves around invading dragons and also introduces the Necromancer class. However, the way the plot unfolds in ‘Elsweyr’ didn’t resonate well with many players.

The new region, titled High Isle, presents an entirely fresh part of Tamriel for players, offering a distinct ambiance unprecedented in the chronicles of The Elder Scrolls. Visually comparable to Summerset, this breathtaking locale shines, yet its narrative doesn’t fully live up to the expectations set by its surroundings. Instead, it slips into a pattern of predictability that has unfortunately been a recurring issue in the story arcs of ESO.

ESO’s Blackwood expansion unfolds primarily in the region surrounding Leyawiin, deep within southern Cyrodiil. It draws inspiration from Oblivion in numerous aspects, such as an engaging boss fight involving gates to the Oblivion realms. This expansion introduces a companion system, allowing players to recruit two companions who can be summoned at will. The landscape is nothing short of breathtaking, showcasing marshy areas and the desolate Deadlands.

C-Tier: Smaller Add-Ons and Those That Don’t Meet Their Potential

  • Dragonhold
  • Imperial City
  • Deadlands
  • Greymoor
  • Gold Road

These smaller DLC expansions, such as Dragonhold, Imperial City, and Deadlands, may not offer as much content as their full-fledged counterparts, but they still manage to deliver on their promises. Some players might find them appealing due to their unique features, although they cater more to specific types of gamers. Notably, Imperial City is designed for player versus player (PvP) combat and may prove challenging for those without the appropriate game build, as they could face defeat from other players in this particular zone.

As an enthusiastic fan, I’m thrilled that we’re venturing back to Skyrim once more with Greymoor, this time with a spotlight on the Western holds and the legendary Blackreach – a location from 2011’s Skyrim that left quite an impression. One of the exciting new features in Elder Scrolls Online with Greymoor is the Antiquities system. This allows players to dig up and sell artifacts for gold, a system that could add a deeper sense of purpose and satisfaction to our adventures.

In a less engaging manner, Gold Road delved deeper into the character of Ithelia, a newly introduced Daedric Prince in The Elder Scrolls series since Shivering Isles. However, it’s unfortunate that Ithelia, the Daedric Prince of Fate, didn’t live up to her potential for many gamers due to weak story development and character writing. Despite Gold Road’s innovative features like Scribing and its portrayal of Skingrad, its handling of Ithelia places it at the bottom end of this list.

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2025-01-20 22:14