ZeniMax Online Studios has unveiled its ambitious plans for The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) in 2025, introducing a groundbreaking Subclassing system and a new two-part storyline, Seasons of the Worm Cult, during the ESO Direct 2025 livestream. These updates mark a shift from the game’s traditional annual Chapter model to a seasonal content cadence, promising a year of fresh adventures, enhanced customization, and community-driven events for players on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms.
Subclassing: A Game-Changing Feature
The new Subclassing system, set to launch with Update 46 in June 2025, allows players to mix and match skill lines from different classes, offering unprecedented flexibility in character builds.
Once a character reaches level 50, players can replace up to two of their three class skill lines with those from any of the game’s seven classes (e.g., Dragonknight, Sorcerer, Templar), while retaining at least one skill line from their original class.
This results in over 3,000 possible skill line combinations, enabling hybrid builds like a Templar wielding Sorcerer lightning or a Nightblade with Necromancer summons.
Progression for skill lines is account-wide, meaning unlocked skills can be used across all characters, streamlining build experimentation. Subclassing is part of a free base-game update, accessible to all players, though access to certain class skills requires owning specific expansions (e.g., Arcanist skills from Necrom).
This system aims to fulfill ESO’s promise of “play your way,” giving players creative freedom to craft unique playstyles without starting new characters.
Seasons of the Worm Cult: A Sequel to the Original Story
Seasons of the Worm Cult is a two-part narrative adventure kicking off on June 2, 2025, for PC/Mac and June 18, 2025, for consoles, with Part 2 arriving in Q4 2025.
This storyline continues the base game’s 2014 plot, reviving the Worm Cult—necromancers led by Mannimarco—as they threaten Tamriel once more. Players don’t need to have completed the original story to dive in, making it welcoming for newcomers and veterans alike.
The adventure unfolds on Solstice, a new tropical island zone south of Tamriel, blending High Elf and Argonian cultures. The island’s capital, Sunport, features a vibrant mix of elven spires and Argonian craftsmanship, set against lush jungles, beaches, and mysterious ruins.
Solstice is split by the Writhing Wall, a magical barrier of souls erected by the Worm Cult to hide their eastern stronghold. Part 1 explores the western half, while Part 2, following a server-wide event, unlocks the east.
The Writhing Wall event, slated for late summer 2025, is a first for ESO, uniting the entire megaserver in a collaborative effort to breach the barrier.
Players will build siege camps, gather resources, and construct weapons to dismantle the wall, with even non-pass owners able to participate via mainland Tamriel activities. This event sets the stage for Part 2’s climactic showdown, where players will forge alliances to confront the Cult’s “seemingly limitless army.”
Returning fan-favorite characters like Razum-dar, Skordo, Gabrielle, and Vanus Galerion join the fray, alongside new foes like feathered Argonian Behemoths, stone golems, and a unique Daedra type.
A 12-player trial, Ossein Cage, set in Coldharbour, tasks players with destroying a Daedric relic that turns suffering into power, introducing fresh mechanics and rewards.
Additional Content and Accessibility
The 2025 Content Pass, priced at $49.99, bundles all major updates, including both parts of Seasons of the Worm Cult, two dungeon packs—Fallen Banners (available now) and Feast of Shadows (Fall 2025)—and the Writhing Wall event.
Each dungeon pack offers two PvE four-player dungeons with unique stories, challenges, and loot. A Premium Edition includes extra in-game perks like mounts and pets.
Update 46 also introduces Hero’s Return, a free system to ease lapsed players back into ESO with guided objectives, rewards, and revamped tutorials. Starting zones are getting graphical upgrades, and Cyrodiil’s PvP mode will see performance improvements throughout the year.
Key Features
- Subclassing System: Mix up to two skill lines from other classes for over 3,000 build combinations, with account-wide progression (June 2025, free update).
- Seasons of the Worm Cult: A two-part story on Solstice island, continuing the 2014 base game narrative with returning characters (Part 1: June 2025, Part 2: Q4 2025).
- Writhing Wall Event: Server-wide collaboration to break a magical barrier, opening eastern Solstice (Q3 2025).
- New Zone – Solstice: Tropical island with High Elf and Argonian influences, featuring Sunport, jungles, and ruins.
- Ossein Cage Trial: 12-player raid in Coldharbour to destroy a Daedric artifact (June 2025).
- Dungeon Packs: Fallen Banners (now) and Feast of Shadows (Fall 2025), each with two PvE dungeons.
- Hero’s Return: Tools and rewards for returning players, plus updated tutorials and zone visuals (June 2025, free).
- 2025 Content Pass: Access to all major updates for $49.99, with optional Premium Edition perks.
A New Era for ESO
ZeniMax’s shift to a seasonal model aims to keep ESO fresh with regular updates, moving away from the once-a-year Chapter drop.
A prologue quest for Seasons of the Worm Cult is playable now, setting the stage for June’s release. Players can purchase the Content Pass or wishlist the content on Steam, with more details to follow on ESO’s official website.
With Subclassing redefining builds and Seasons of the Worm Cult delivering a nostalgic yet bold story, 2025 promises to be a transformative year for The Elder Scrolls Online, inviting players to explore Tamriel like never before.
