Last Updated: 10/23/2023
Make Your Mark on Tamriel
So you've created a character and have started exploring everything The Elder Scrolls Online has to offer, this means you'll need to know how to get around, how to fight, and how to develop your character as you try to save Tamriel! Read this short guide for basic information on exploration, leveling, and combat!
Exploring the World
The Elder Scrolls Online is an open-world RPG that doesn't place any level caps on any of its zones. This means you can travel freely inside and between areas in the game without having to worry about being under-powered for that area. This also includes any dungeons and PvP areas!
Of course, you don't have to travel solely on foot. In ESO, you can acquire mounts to help you navigate Tamriel's wilds. Look for a nearby stable or on the Crown Store for a new ride. You can even earn a free mount through the level-up rewards available in game. In addition to mounts, you can quickly travel throughout Tamriel by using nearby Wayshrines. These act as Fast Travel points; as soon as you discover the location of a Wayshrine while exploring, you can use it to instantly teleport around Tamriel. Get exploring!
Keep an eye out for points of interest during your travels. They will appear on your compass and in your map as quest markers, dungeons, world bosses, and more. Once you see these icons, travel to them, for there's a good chance there's adventure to be had!
Leveling your Character
As you explore, defeat enemies, craft, and complete quests in The Elder Scrolls Online, your character will grow and develop.
New rewards come with every level you earn, such as items, unlocks, and Skill and Attribute Points. Skill Points allow you to purchase new active and passive abilities. Meanwhile, Attribute Points shape the fundamental resources you have at your disposal and they are used to improve your base Attributes: Health, Magicka, and Stamina. Your Health determines how much damage you can take before you are killed; your Magicka determines how big a Magicka pool you have to use Magicka abilities; and Stamina determines how big of a Stamina pool you have to use physical abilities.
No matter which class you choose to play, you'll be able to improve all the Skills available to you just by playing. Take on monsters with spells and special attacks and your abilities will become more powerful over time. The same applies to crafting and gathering: the more you do it, the more proficient you'll become at creating high quality, rare items. In short: How you play determines how your character develops!
Attacking and Defending
ESO's combat system places a strong emphasis on resource management, regular attacks, and ability use.
There are two basic attacks: Light Attacks are quick and do modest damage, while Heavy Attacks are slower, but do greater damage. Most importantly, Heavy Attacks restore either Magicka or Stamina, giving you resources for your Abilities. To defend yourself, you can Block to reduce damage taken, Dodge to dive out of the way of an attack, and Interrupt an enemy attempting to use an Ability of their own.
Your Abilities are associated with your Skill Lines and vary in their effects. Some dish out damage or control the enemy, while others can heal or shield allies. In ESO, Abilities have no cooldown, meaning you can use them as often and as quickly as you'd like – but beware, they cost resources to use (either Stamina or Magicka).
Have additional questions about the game? You can check out our additional New Player Guides on the right of this page, and don't forget you can always ask the ESO Community for help on our Players Helping Players forum.
Guides
Guides
Getting Started
The Basics
- Antiquities System: Basics Guide FAQ
- New Player Guide: Controls and Keybindings
- New Player Guide: Character Creation
- New Player Guide: Combat Basics
- New Player Guide: Questing & Exploration
- Dungeons Guide: The Basics
- Imperial City Guide: The Basics
- Homestead: Basics Guide
- Clockwork City – Introducing Transmutation
Character Management
- New Player Guide: Inventory & Items
- New Player Guide: Skills & Leveling Up
- New Player Guide: Chat & Grouping
- Update 11 Guide: Costume Dyes
- Outfit System: Basics Guide
Activities
- New Player Guide: Group PvE Challenges
- New Player Guide: Gathering & Crafting
- New Player Guide: Player vs Player Challenges
- Your Guide to Dueling in ESO
- Homestead: Basics Guide
- Homestead Guide: Housing Editor & Home Decorating
Advanced Guides
- Guide to Event Tickets & Rewards
- Check out Jewelry Crafting With this Preview & Guide
- Homestead Guide: Housing Editor & Home Decorating
- Homestead Guide: Furnishing Crafting FAQ
- Homestead Guide: Master Writs
- Orsinium Guide: Maelstrom Arena
- Imperial City Guide: Tel Var Stones
- The Imperial City Guide: The Basics
Community Guides
- Community Guides–Flames of Ambition & Update 29
- Community Guides – Markarth & U28 Special
- Community Guides—Stonethorn & Update 27 Special
- Community Guides – Greymoor & Update 26 Special
- ESO Community Guides—New Player Special
- Community Guides – Harrowstorm & Update 25 Special
- ESO Community Guides—Dragonhold Special
- ESO Community Guides – September 2019
- Community Guides—Scalebreaker Special
- ESO Community Guides – July 2019
- ESO Community Guides – June 2019
- Community Guides – Elsweyr & Update 22 Special
- ESO Community Guides – Wrathstone Special
- ESO Community Guides – January 2019
- ESO Community Guides – November 2018