ESO Zones in Chronological Story Order in 2025

This guide to the Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) zones will show you the zones in order to play chronologically to explore the story lore.

Each alliance has a different starting zone and six faction story zones. When creating a new character, you will automatically start in the zone of the latest unlocked chapter. If you want to play the story from the start, simply head to the starter zone for your alliance via a wayshrine.

ESO Starter Zones in Order

For the Aldmeri Dominion the starter zone is Khenarthi's Roost. Completing this zone will take you to Auridon to continue the faction storyline.

For the Daggerfall Covenant the starter zone is Stros M'Kai and Betnikh. Completing these two small zones takes you to Glenumbra for the faction story.

Finally, for the Ebonheart Pact you start in Bleakrock Isle and Bal Foyen. Completing these two small zones will take you to Stonefalls.

After the starter zones, you will be taken to the alliance capital for your faction where you can continue the faction storyline and pick up the main storyline, starting with "Soul Shriven in Coldharbor"

ESO Zones in Order for Each Alliance

This is the recommended order to play zones for each faction. Once you get to the end you can start to pick up the additional chapter zones or you can do the zones for the other two factions.

I would also recommend doing the zones for your faction first, then proceeding to Cadwell's Silver and then Gold quests. This will present the optimum story experience.