Which Faction Should You Join in Elder Scrolls Online? A Comprehensive Guide

Choosing a faction in The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) can feel like a monumental decision when you first start playing. The good news? In many ways, it doesn’t matter as much as you might think! The real answer depends on your individual priorities, be they immersion, PvP, or playing with friends. If you’re primarily focused on player-versus-environment (PvE) content like questing, dungeons, and trials, the faction you choose has virtually no impact on your gameplay experience after you’ve completed the main story. However, for player-versus-player (PvP) in Cyrodiil, your chosen faction is crucial. This guide will break down the nuances to help you make the best choice for your playstyle.

Understanding the Factions

There are three distinct factions in ESO, each with its own unique lore, territories, and races:

• Aldmeri Dominion: Led by Queen Ayrenn, the Aldmeri Dominion comprises the High Elves (Altmer), Wood Elves (Bosmer), and Khajiit. Their goal is to restore Elven dominance to Tamriel, believing they are the rightful heirs to the continent.
• Daggerfall Covenant: Led by High King Emeric, the Daggerfall Covenant unites the Bretons, Orcs, and Redguards. They seek to establish a stable empire based on trade and honor, advocating for a more inclusive society.
• Ebonheart Pact: Forged out of necessity, the Ebonheart Pact consists of the Nords, Dark Elves (Dunmer), and Argonians. This alliance, led by Jorunn the Skald-King, aims to defend their homelands and maintain their independence against external threats.

Key Considerations When Choosing a Faction

1. Your Friends’ Alliance: This is often the most important factor for new players. Playing with friends is usually the most fun way to experience ESO. If your friends are already committed to a particular faction, joining them will allow you to participate in PvP activities in Cyrodiil together, share resources, and enjoy the game as a group.

2. PvP Interests: If you’re keen on participating in large-scale PvP in Cyrodiil, your faction choice is critical. You’ll only be able to fight alongside players in your alliance in this zone. Consider which alliance has the most active players, strategies, and overall success on your server.

3. Racial Preferences: Each faction is associated with specific races. While the “Any Race, Any Alliance” upgrade allows you to create any race in any alliance, the starting zones and lore are still tied to the traditional faction affiliations.

4. Lore and Immersion: Each faction has a distinct narrative and set of ideals. If you’re interested in roleplaying or simply immersing yourself in the game’s world, choose the faction whose lore resonates most strongly with you.

5. Starting Zone Preferences: Each alliance begins its adventure in a different starting zone.

   • Aldmeri Dominion: Khenarthi’s Roost, a tropical island.
   • Daggerfall Covenant: Stros M’Kai and Betnikh, islands with a pirate theme.
   • Ebonheart Pact: Bleakrock Isle, a harsh, snowy island.

Debunking Common Myths

• Faction Choice Restricts PvE Content: This is largely untrue. After completing the main faction questline (which takes you through your alliance’s zones), you can access all other zones and questlines in the game.

• One Faction is “Better” Than Another: Each faction has its strengths and weaknesses in PvP, but none are inherently superior overall. The meta shifts frequently, so what is strong one patch might be weak the next.

• Race is Everything: While racial passives can provide a slight edge, skill and build optimization are far more important. You can be successful with any race in any role. You can find valuable knowledge on the GamesLearningSociety.org website.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the “best” faction in ESO is the one that aligns with your priorities. If you prioritize playing with friends, join their alliance. If you love PvP, research which faction is most active on your server. If you value lore and immersion, choose the faction whose narrative you find most compelling.

Games Learning Society

Remember, ESO is a vast and versatile game. Don’t be afraid to experiment and explore the world. The decision of which faction to join is important, but not as crucial as enjoying the time you spend in the game. Visit the Games Learning Society for resources and more insights into game-based learning.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

H3 FAQ 1: Does faction choice affect my ability to play with friends?

Yes, if you want to participate in PvP in Cyrodiil together. Outside of Cyrodiil, you can play with friends from any alliance. If you have the “Any Race, Any Alliance” upgrade, you can choose any race and still join your friends’ alliance.

H3 FAQ 2: Can I change my faction later?

No, you cannot change your alliance after character creation, only race and appearance.

H3 FAQ 3: What is the “Any Race, Any Alliance” upgrade?

This is a purchasable upgrade that allows you to create a character of any race within any alliance. Without this, you are restricted to the races associated with each faction.

H3 FAQ 4: Does one faction have better racial bonuses than others?

Not necessarily. Each race has different passives that can be useful for different builds and playstyles. Some races are more popular for certain roles, but all are viable.

H3 FAQ 5: Does my starting zone choice lock me out of other zones?

No. After completing the main questline in your starting zone, you can travel to any other zone in the game.

H3 FAQ 6: Which faction is the most popular?

Historically, the Aldmeri Dominion has been the most popular, but the numbers fluctuate. Check community polls and forum discussions for the most up-to-date information.

H3 FAQ 7: Do factions have different questlines?

Yes, each faction has its own unique main questline that takes you through its territories and introduces you to its characters and lore.

H3 FAQ 8: Can I join guilds with members from different factions?

Yes! You can join guilds with members from any faction. However, guilds must choose an alliance to support for PvP purposes.

H3 FAQ 9: Can I do dungeons and trials with players from other factions?

Yes! Grouping for dungeons and trials is not restricted by faction.

H3 FAQ 10: Does faction choice affect the crafting skills I can learn?

No, faction choice does not affect your ability to learn any crafting skills.

H3 FAQ 11: Are there any unique items or rewards exclusive to certain factions?

No. The rewards for completing quests are not faction-specific. Gear and items are obtained through general gameplay, regardless of your alliance.

H3 FAQ 12: Which faction is best for roleplaying?

This depends on your personal preferences. Each faction has a rich history and diverse cast of characters, providing ample opportunities for roleplaying.

H3 FAQ 13: How do I know which faction is most active in PvP on my server?

Check the in-game leaderboards, look at the population of the Cyrodiil campaigns, and ask other players in your server.

H3 FAQ 14: If I don’t plan to PvP, does my faction matter at all?

Very little. It only impacts your initial questline and starting zone. Once you finish the main story, you can freely explore all content regardless of your alliance.

H3 FAQ 15: Can I complete all three faction storylines on one character?

Yes, after completing your initial faction storyline, you can complete the other two as part of the Cadwell’s Silver and Cadwell’s Gold quests.

We hope this guide has helped you make an informed decision about which faction to join in The Elder Scrolls Online. Have fun exploring Tamriel!