With a lineage spanning again to 1994, it’s tough to speak about RPGs with out mentioning Bethesda Studios’ flagship franchise, the Elder Scrolls. Whether or not your first journey throughout Tamriel got here whereas battling the vicious dragon Alduin in 2011’s Skyrim otherwise you’ve been following the franchise ever since saving Emperor Uriel Septim’s life in Enviornment nearly three a long time in the past, chances are high you’ve dabbled in one among these seminal fantasy epics.
With so many Elder Scrolls video games now obtainable to play, any newcomers trying to get into the sequence are most likely questioning the place to start out. Fortunately, we’ve obtained you coated. Under, we’ve assembled a chronological timeline of each Elder Scrolls sport and main growth, displaying you how you can play the sequence so as.
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How Many Elder Scrolls Video games Are There?
There are a complete of 27 video games and expansions within the Elder Scrolls timeline – 4 completely on PC, 18 on residence console and 5 on cellular gadgets. All of those video games are canon to the timeline, telling tales set within the fictional world of Tamriel. Though some span a number of provinces, every entry within the sequence tends to give attention to a selected continent or area of Tamriel, whether or not that’s the murky swamps of Morrowind, the snowy mountains of Skyrim or the sunny meadows of Cyrodiil.
There are solely two video games that received’t characteristic on this timeline, and that’s as a result of they don’t specify the 12 months or period through which they happen. These are The Elder Scrolls Travels: Dawnstar and The Elder Scrolls Travels: Stormhold. Each cellular dungeon-crawler spin-offs are remoted from the occasions of another Elder Scrolls sport, making it very tough to put them on the timeline. With that in thoughts, let’s run by way of the chronological order of each different sport within the sequence.
Elder Scrolls Video games and Expansions in Chronological Order
These blurbs include gentle spoilers for every sport, together with characters, settings, and story beats.
1. The Elder Scrolls On-line
The primary mark on the timeline, The Elder Scrolls On-line gives a totally on-line model of Tamriel, permitting teams of gamers to crew up and discover a number of the franchise’s most iconic areas. Set through the Second Age, the story takes place throughout a time when the Imperial throne lies empty and Tamriel is with out a ruler.
With no emperor residing over Tamriel, three factions rise to battle over the throne, with the land’s fiercest warriors collaborating in a battle referred to as the Alliance Warfare. Nevertheless, politics are the least of their worries, as Molag Bal, an historical Daedric Prince, has initiated an occasion referred to as the Planemeld. This cataclysmic ritual threatens to merge Tamriel with the apocalyptic realm of Coldharbour, eternally reworking it right into a desolate wasteland.
With the Planemeld commencing, we meet the participant character: a warrior referred to as the Vestige. Following a ritual by the hands of an evil mage, the Vestige’s soul is taken. Shortly after, they wake in Coldharbour, alive however now soulless. Combating their means again to Tamriel, the Vestige begins an journey to defeat Molag Bal, reclaim their soul and put a cease to the Planemeld.
2. The Elder Scrolls On-line – Morrowind
The primary main growth added to Bethesda’s on-line tackle the franchise, The Elder Scrolls On-line – Morrowind permits gamers to enterprise to the titular elven area years earlier than the occasions of the Elder Scrolls III. It follows a narrative set within the realm of Vvardenfell, with the Vestige aiding one of many Tribunal gods, Vivec, as they try to stamp out a brand new Daedric menace and cease a meteor hurtling in direction of the island.
Learn our overview of The Elder Scrolls On-line: Morrowind.
3. The Elder Scrolls On-line – Summerset
The second main growth added to The Elder Scrolls On-line, Summerset takes place within the eponymous residence of the Excessive Elves. Gamers enterprise to Summerset as a brand new Daedric menace looms, investigating a cult referred to as the Court docket of Bedlam. Because the Vestige learns extra concerning the Daedric followers’ plans, they rally with allies to cease them.
Learn our overview of The Elder Scrolls On-line: Summerset.
4. The Elder Scrolls On-line – Elsweyr
Elder Scrolls On-line’s third main growth, Elsweyr transports gamers to the titular homeland of the Khajiti, which has been invaded by hordes of dragons. Lengthy considered extinct, the Vestige heads to Elsweyr to defeat the flying beats whereas investigating the reason is their mysterious return.
Learn our overview of The Elder Scrolls On-line: Elsweyr.
5. The Elder Scrolls On-line – Greymoor
The fourth main growth added to The Elder Scrolls On-line, Greymoor takes gamers to Skyrim years earlier than the occasions of The Elder Scrolls V. Despatched to analyze a sequence of mysterious supernatural storms, the Vestige heads to the house of the Nords, discovering themselves dealing with off in opposition to a strong vampire lord and his historical military, the Grey Host. Battling vampires, werewolves, zombies and different monsters, they need to battle to avoid wasting Skyrim from its undead invaders.
Learn our overview of The Elder Scrolls On-line: Greymoor.
6. The Elder Scrolls On-line – Blackwood
The Elder Scrolls On-line’s fifth main growth, Blackwood is about within the marshes simply past Leyawin, taking gamers to the setting of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion tons of of years earlier than the occasions of the sport. The Vestige ventures to the area after studying {that a} cult referred to as the Longhouse Emperors have entered right into a pact with the Daedric Prince of Destruction, Mehrunes Dagon. Hoping to cease the demonic god, the Vestige groups up with new allies in an effort to finish his monstrous ambitions.
Learn our overview of The Elder Scrolls On-line: Blackwood.
7. The Elder Scrolls On-line – Excessive Isle
The sixth main growth for The Elder Scrolls On-line, Excessive Isle takes gamers to the house of the Bretons, the place they uncover a mysterious conspiracy that threatens all of Tamriel. Pursuing a battalion of knights referred to as the Ascendant Order, the Vestige discovers their chief, the Ascendant Lord, is plotting to plunge the world into an period of everlasting battle. Teaming with allies, they embark on an journey to cease the plan and take the Ascendant Lord down.
8. The Elder Scrolls On-line – Necrom
The Elder Scrolls’ seventh main growth, Necrom returns to the province of Morrowind, permitting gamers to discover the area of Telvanni Peninsula. Whereas venturing by way of the idyllic land, they arrive throughout a brand new Daedric plot, uncovering cosmic secrets and techniques that threaten all of Morrowind and the realms past.
9. The Elder Scrolls Adventures: Redguard
Set through the last years of the Second Period, The Elder Scrolls Adventures: Redguard is an action-focused spin-off of the primary sequence. As a violent civil conflict rages following the demise of Hammerfall’s former king, gamers take management of a Redguard mercenary named Cyrus, who returns to the continent looking for his lacking sister, Iszara.
Cyrus’ investigation takes him throughout Hammerfell, as he battles pirates, guards and Daedric forces. Alongside the best way, he learns extra about Hammerfell’s rulers and their connection to his sister, uncovering sinister, long-hidden secrets and techniques.
10. The Elder Scrolls: Enviornment
The primary mainline entry within the sequence, Elder Scrolls: Enviornment takes place tons of of years after Redguard, shifting the franchise into the Third Period. After being usurped by the treacherous battle mage Jagar Tharn, Tamriel’s ruler, Emperor Uriel Septim, is trapped in an alternate realm, with Tharn disguising himself because the monarch and taking his place on the Imperial Throne.
As Tharn settles into his new position as emperor, he throws a younger warrior into the dungeons, unknowingly starting the Everlasting Champion’s journey. Moving into the sneakers of this unfortunate warrior, the participant is visited by the spirit of a mage named Ria Silmane, who Tharn murdered after she witnessed the emperor’s betrayal. Silmane helps the champion escape, permitting them to embark on a quest to trace down the Workers of Chaos and put an finish to Tharn’s evil plans.
11. The Elder Scrolls Travels: Shadowkey
Set through the occasions of The Elder Scrolls: Enviornment, The Elder Scrolls Travels: Shadowkey follows a anonymous hero that embarks on an journey after their city is raided by bandits. Whereas infiltrating the bandit’s base, they free a prisoner named Skelos Undriel, who’s being hunted by Jagar Tharn and his males.
Helping Undriel, the participant learns that Tharn is pursuing a monster imbued with highly effective darkish magic referred to as the Umbra’ Keth. If Tharn was to search out the beast, he may use its skills to inflict unspeakable horrors on his enemies. To forestall Tharn from utilizing it for evil, the hero tracks down particular artifacts to defeat the Umbra’ Keth and put a cease to Tharn’s plans.
12. An Elder Scrolls Legend: Battlespire
Additionally happening through the story of Elder Scrolls: Enviornment, An Elder Scrolls Legend: Battlespire follows a anonymous battlemage apprentice that takes on the forces of Mehrunes Dagon after discovering themself trapped within the realm of Oblivion.
The sport unfolds over seven ranges, because the apprentice faces more durable foes and forges deeper into the depths of Dagon’s fiery hellscape in hopes of returning to Tamriel. It’s one of many only a few Elder Scrolls video games to characteristic multiplayer, permitting two warriors to tackle Dagon’s forces concurrently.
13. The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall
The second mainline entry within the sequence, Daggerfall takes the motion to Hammerfell and Excessive Rock, introducing gamers to a brand new locale and lead character. Set throughout a interval of intense political strife, the participant takes on the position of an Imperial agent as they embark on a journey to Illiac Bay. Beneath strict orders from Emperor Uriel Septim, they’re to analyze the ghostly reemergence of the late king of Hammerfell, who was supposedly killed in battle a 12 months prior.
The king’s spirit has been seen wandering the streets of Hammerfell, demanding vengeance for an unknown crime. Alongside trying into this paranormal phenomenon, the agent can be tasked with monitoring down a mysterious letter despatched to his spouse, the previous queen, which Septim claims is of immense significance.
Because the agent’s mission progresses, they notice it’s of far grander significance than it first appeared, with a hidden conspiracy surrounding an historical Dwemer artifact probably threatening all life in Illiac Bay.
14. Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
Elder Scrolls’ third mainline launch, The Elder Scrolls: Morrowind was the primary sport within the franchise to let gamers discover a totally 3D world. Free of their shackles after being mysteriously pardoned by Emperor Uriel Septim, the participant takes on the position of a prisoner that’s launched into the marshes of Morrowind and joins forces with a secret group of Imperial brokers referred to as The Blades. Swept right into a world of prophecies and legends, the hero is tasked with investigating a sequence of mysterious disappearances.
As they study extra concerning the lacking residents, they realise their presence on this battle could also be right down to extra than simply likelihood, studying that they’re a prophecized warrior referred to as the Nerevarine. With the load of future on their shoulders, they’re pressured to stroll the Nerevarine’s path, all of the whereas being pursued by the villainous Dagoth Ur and his monstrous cult, the Sixth Home.
Learn our overview of The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind.
15. Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind – Tribunal
The primary of two growth packs launched for Morrowind, Tribunal continues the adventures of the Nerevarine. The growth’s important quest begins after the participant is attacked by a Darkish Brotherhood murderer. Surviving the try on their life, they head to town of Mournhold, hoping to search out leads concerning the Darkish Brotherhood and the id of the person who carried out the Black Sacrament.
Whereas there, they help Morrowind’s ruler, King Helseth, who rapidly drags them right into a battle with a bunch of gods referred to as the Tribunal. Stated to look at over Morrowind and produce prosperity to its folks, the Tribunal is worshipped throughout the area. Nevertheless, because the participant begins to study extra concerning the trio of deities, they notice one among these gods has intentions which might be removed from pure.
16. The Elder Scrolls III: Bloodmoon
The ultimate growth launched for Morrowind, Bloodmoon permits gamers to constitution a ship to the isle of Solstheim. Whereas exploring the island, they’re attacked by werewolves, starting a brand new journey to find the supply of the feral beasts. Heading to the village of Skaal, they uncover extra concerning the werewolves on the island and their connection to a Daedric lord referred to as Hircine.
17. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
The fourth mainline entry within the sequence, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion takes the franchise to the Imperial area of Cyrodil throughout a Daedric invasion referred to as the Oblivion Disaster. Oblivion’s story begins within the dungeons of the Imperial Metropolis, with the participant character, who’s serving time for an unknown crime, waking to search out Emperor Uriel Septim on the door to their cell.
Escorted by an entourage of guards, Septim is fleeing assassins which have infiltrated the Imperial Palace, hoping to make use of a secret escape route accessed through a pretend wall within the participant’s cell. After aiding the emperor’s makes an attempt to flee, Septim reveals that the participant is destined to play a serious position in a cataclysmic battle to return, entrusting them with an amulet and asking that they ship it to a priory in North Cyrodil. Shortly after, Septim is murdered.
Escaping the Imperial Palace, the participant embarks on a mission to ship the amulet. What begins as a easy favor rapidly turns into a grand quest to avoid wasting Cyrodil and past, as mysterious demonic gates seem across the realm and the Daedric Prince of Destruction, Mehrunes Dagon, begins a full-scale invasion. Investigating cults, traversing fiery hellscapes and defending the inheritor to the Imperial throne, the participant rapidly turns into Cyrodil’s final hope, main the realm’s forces in a battle to shut shut the jaws of Oblivion.
Learn our overview of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.
18. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion – Knights of the 9
The primary of two expansions launched for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Knights of the 9 sees the participant character enterprise to town of Anvil, the place they uncover the native chapel has been destroyed and its inhabitants murdered. Talking to a preacher outdoors the church, they’re instructed that an Ayleid god known as Umaril the Unfeathered is behind the bloodbath, with the immortal sorcerer putting again on the 9 Divines.
The participant units out on a quest to defeat Umaril, studying that he can solely be killed by the Divine Crusader: a warrior blessed by the gods and bearing holy relics. To develop into this champion of legend, they need to show their price, monitoring down armor and artifacts belonging to a long-dead faction of warriors referred to as the Knights of the 9.
19. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion – The Shivering Isles
The second and last Oblivion growth, The Shivering Isles provides a brand new realm and prolonged questline to the bottom sport. After a mysterious gateway seems in Cyrodil, the participant is transported to the Shivering Isles: the house of the Daedric Prince of Insanity, Sheogorath.
After assembly Sheogorath in his palace, the participant rapidly enters his service, becoming a member of him in stopping a catastrophic occasion referred to as the Greymarch. In accordance with Sheogorath, when the Greymarch begins, an historical being referred to as the Jyggalag will seem and eradicate the Shivering Isles, killing all the things in its path. To forestall the Greymarch, the participant units forth on an journey throughout the Shivering Isles, all of the whereas contending with the eccentric locals, reality-bending occasions and twisted monsters that lurk on the island’s madness-tinged shores
20. The Elder Scrolls: Legends
A collectable card sport set within the Elder Scrolls’ universe, The Elder Scrolls: Legends follows a anonymous warrior referred to as the Forgotten Hero. Embarking on a quest to cease the ruthless Lord Naarifin after the Altmer normal invades the Imperial Metropolis, the Forgotten Hero fights their means throughout Cyrodil, battling varied enemies and surviving more and more overwhelming odds. As they enterprise nearer in direction of an encounter with Naarifin, the overall begins cooking up a demonic scheme, starting an occult ritual that can bolster his military with Daedric forces and make him nigh on unstoppable.
Learn our overview of The Elder Scrolls: Legends.
21. The Elder Scrolls: Blades
A cellular spin-off of The Elder Scrolls, The Elder Scrolls: Blades casts the participant as a anonymous survivor of the emperor’s personal military, the Blades. After their fellow brothers-in-arms are hunted down and slain by the Thalmor through the occasions of the Nice Warfare, our hero flees to the province of Cyrodil, hoping to flee seize and depart peacefully in exile.
Fleeing to their hometown, they return to search out it fully destroyed. Lengthy earlier than the participant’s return, an historical crypt beneath the city was unsealed, releasing an Ayleid necromancer known as Celemaril Mild-Bringer. Free to roam as soon as extra, Celemaril cursed the land and destroyed the city, leaving it in ruins. Hoping to cease the sorcerer and reclaim their residence, the participant begins recruiting townsfolk, repairing buildings, and exploring dungeons, all of the whereas inching nearer to their last battle with Celemaril and his military of the lifeless.
22. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
The fifth important entry within the timeline, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim takes the sequence to the titular residence of the Nords. Set throughout a violent civil conflict, Skyrim slots the participant into the boots of a prophecised warrior referred to as the Dragonborn.
Starting the sport on an execution block in an remoted fort, the participant escapes demise after the traditional dragon god, Alduin, assaults the settlement. Narrowly escaping with their life, the participant learns that dragons have returned to Tamriel, with Alduin resurrecting the race of long-extinct beasts.
Nevertheless, Skyrim could have one final hope. Shortly after escaping execution, the participant realizes they’re the final in a legendary line of warriors referred to as the Dragonborn. With dragon blood flowing by way of their veins, they’ve the flexibility to soak up the souls of dragons and wield their skills by way of using magical shouts. Teaming with two surviving members of the Blades and a bunch of highly effective sorcerers referred to as the Greybeards, they observe Alduin, starting a journey to defeat the dragon god and fulfill their future.
Learn our overview of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
23. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Dawnguard
The primary of three main expansions launched for Skyrim, the Dawnguard DLC sees gamers start a brand new journey, with a bunch of vampire hunters recruiting them for an essential process. Referred to as the Dawnguard, these hunters try to cease a maniacal Vampire Lord referred to as Harkon and his military of followers from completely blocking out the solar.
Whereas working with the Dawnguard, the participant meets Harkon, who gives them the selection of turning into a fellow Vampire Lord and becoming a member of his mission. Right here, the story diverges down two paths. No matter whether or not the participant sides with the Dawnguard or the vampire legion, they’re despatched on a number of quests with Harkon’s daughter, Serana, studying extra concerning the elder scrolls and Harkon’s true plans.
Learn our overview of the Skyrim Dawnguard DLC.
24. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Hearthfire
The smallest of Skyrim’s three expansions, Hearthfire sees the Dragonborn study of three new plots of land situated in Falkreath, Dawnstar and Morthal. After shopping for any of those plots of land, they will construct a home, utilizing it to retailer gadgets, increase a household, craft weapons, brew potions and way more.
25. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Dragonborn
The ultimate growth for Skyrim, the Dragonborn DLC, provides a brand new realm to the sport. Unlocking a port in Windhelm, gamers can constitution a ship to Solstheim, permitting them to return to the setting of The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind’s second growth, Bloodmoon.
After being attacked by cultists worshipping a mysterious priest referred to as Miraak, the participant units sail for Solstheim, pursuing rumors of a second Dragonborn allegedly dwelling on the island. There, they uncover Miraak: an immensely highly effective Dragonborn with the flexibility to bend dragons to his will.
Not like the participant, nonetheless, Miraak sees his powers as a method to dominate others fairly than assist them. He’s enslaved the folks of Solstheim, manipulating them with the identical approach he makes use of to manage dragons. Utilizing this energy, he intends to invade the remainder of Tamriel. After studying of Miraak’s crimes, the participant decides to trace down and cease the highly effective warrior. As the 2 Dragonborns inch nearer in direction of an inevitable showdown, the participant begins to study extra about Miraaks’ distinctive skills, determining the means to make use of them in opposition to him.
Learn our overview of the Skyrim Dragonborn DLC.
Methods to Play the Elder Scrolls Video games by Launch Date
- The Elder Scrolls Enviornment (1994)
- The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall (1996)
- The Elder Scrolls Legend: Battlespire (1997)
- The Elder Scrolls Adventures: Redguard (1998)
- The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind (2002)
- The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind – Tribunal (2002)
- The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind – Bloodmoon (2003)
- The Elder Scrolls Travels: Stormhold (2003)
- The Elder Scrolls Travels: Dawnstar (2004)
- The Elder Scrolls Travels: Shadowkey (2004)
- The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (2006)
- The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion – Knights of the 9 (2006)
- The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion – Shivering Isles (2007)
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011)
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Dawnguard (2012)
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Hearthfire (2012)
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Dragonborn (2012)
- The Elder Scrolls On-line (2014)
- The Elder Scrolls: Legends (2016)
- The Elder Scrolls On-line – Morrowind (2017)
- The Elder Scrolls On-line – Summerset (2018)
- The Elder Scrolls On-line – Elsweyr (2019)
- The Elder Scrolls: Blades (2020)
- The Elder Scrolls On-line – Greymoor (2020)
- The Elder Scrolls On-line – Blackwood (2021)
- The Elder Scrolls On-line – Excessive Isle (2022)
- The Elder Scrolls On-line – Necrom (2023)
What’s Subsequent for The Elder Scrolls?
Throughout Bethesda’s E3 convention again in 2018, Bethesda Sport Studios formally introduced the following entry within the Elder Scrolls franchise: The Elder Scrolls VI. Within the years since, little or no has been revealed concerning the sequel, with the studio at present arduous at work on its subsequent main title, Starfield.
It’s at present speculated that the sport will happen in Hammerfell, and can characteristic a vastly upgraded model of the Bethesda Engine. Sadly, we additionally know that we’re not going to see it anytime quickly. Talking on the Elder Scrolls VI throughout Microsoft’s FTC trial earlier this 12 months, Xbox head Phil Spencer revealed that the sequel continues to be “five-plus years away”.
