What to Expect From The Elder Scrolls Online’s Subclass System

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Summary

  • ESO introduces subclasses, allowing over 3,000 unique ability combinations beyond the limited 7 classes.
  • Subclass update is account-wide, allowing inheritance of skill ranks, but progress might be slower due to new requirements.
  • Players must reach level 50 and maintain one original skill line while selecting one from other classes to subclass.

After ten years of being active, it’s reasonable to assume that a massive multiplayer online game like The Elder Scrolls Online would commemorate its anniversary with significant storyline updates and rewards. As expected, they have planned a series of in-game and real-life events for ESO’s anniversary year, but that’s not the only surprise they have prepared for players. The creators of ESO, Zenimax Online Studios, are making waves by adding subclasses to the game, which provides numerous roleplaying and combat possibilities for every player.

In April 2014, “The Elder Scrolls Online” debuted with a class system that remained consistent for more than a decade. When players pick a class, they gain access to three skill tree options. Each tree contains unique abilities that players can activate. For instance, one of the Nightblade’s skill trees is Siphoning, which includes abilities that often drain an enemy’s life energy to heal oneself or allies. The upcoming subclass update for ESO will allow players to surpass the limitations of their chosen class’ skill tree choices, thereby providing extensive character customization possibilities.

What Players Should Know About the Elder Scrolls Online’s Subclass Update

The ESO (Electronic Arts’ Star Wars: The Old Republic) subclass characteristic is set to debut with the Seasons of the Worm Cult Part 1 update, slated for PC and Mac on June 2, 2025. Console users can expect the update around June 18. Here are some essential points players should keep in mind before exploring this new feature.

How Subclasses Work in ESO

In “The Elder Scrolls Online,” players have the flexibility to draw skills from various class trees, not just their character’s original class. This feature, as revealed by Rich Lambert, game director of ESO, offers more than 3,000 distinct ability combinations for players to explore. Compared to the three limited skill lines associated with each of the seven current classes, this is a significant expansion. Fortunately, this enhanced feature is included in the base game, so free-to-play players don’t need to purchase any new DLC. They merely need to ensure their ESO copy remains up-to-date.

This feature applies across all accounts, allowing players to share their skill line progress among their characters. The rank in these skill lines can be passed on, meaning less grinding is needed when switching between characters for subclassing purposes. For instance, if someone has been eager to play a Spellblade, they can now combine the Sorcerer and Arcanist skill lines with their Nightblade, or vice versa, to create their desired blend of physical and magical prowess. Additionally, players can crossbreed the Warden and Necromancer skill trees to unlock a diverse range of summonable units.

The Requirements and Tradeoffs of ESO’s Subclasses

For ESO’s subclassing, there are many options available, yet it’s important to note that they aren’t infinite. The system does have certain limitations, which are as follows:

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ESO’s subclassing offers numerous possibilities, but it’s crucial to understand that it isn’t boundless. There are specific boundaries within the system, and here’s what they entail:

  • Level Requirement: All players need to go through a short quest called “A Study in Discipline” to start subclassing, which they can access starting at level 50.
  • Subclassing Boundaries: Players need to keep at least one skill line from their original class, and they can only select one line from each of the other classes.
  • Slower Progress for Subclass Skill Lines: Maxing out a skill line rank only unlocks its abilities for other characters in the account. This means that players still need to use skill points to access each ability. Each subclass’s ability costs two SP, compared to the one SP that the main class skills usually cost. As such, players should expect their subclass progression to be slower.

The latest update to the subclass allows players a greater degree of freedom when personalizing their hero, enabling them to tailor their character according to their preferences. Furthermore, this upgrade offers account-wide skill line rank advancement which caters particularly well to those who possess characters spread across multiple classes within ESO. Simultaneously, restrictions such as only choosing one skill line per subclass and the two SP sacrifices for subclass skills ensure that the system maintains a sense of equilibrium amidst the vast array of options it presents.

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2025-05-31 20:24