Elder Scrolls: Where to Start as a New Player

The Elder Scrolls series is one of the most influential RPG franchises ever made. Each game offers an enormous world, deep character customization, memorable quests, and the freedom to approach nearly every situation the way you want. But for new players, the series can feel overwhelming. There are multiple mainline entries, each with a different tone and mechanical focus. Now that Oblivion has been remastered, all three modern titles are more accessible than ever.

If you want to experience Elder Scrolls but are unsure where to begin, this guide will break down the strengths of each major entry and help you find the starting point that fits your playstyle. Whether you want open-world freedom, classic RPG structure, challenging progression, or a more modern experience, there is an Elder Scrolls game that meets you where you are.

Start Here If You Want the Most Accessible Entry: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Skyrim has remained popular for more than a decade because it is the easiest Elder Scrolls game for newcomers to jump into. It offers freedom right away. The moment you escape Helgen, you can walk in any direction and stumble into caves, towns, ruins, quests, or dragons. It never forces you into a specific path. The controls are simple, the combat is straightforward, and the progression systems are forgiving.

Skyrim also gives players a lot of room to experiment. You can swap between weapons, spells, and playstyles without committing to one path early on. Want to become a stealth archer after playing a warrior for five hours? Skyrim lets you do that with no penalty. This flexibility is perfect for new players who are still learning what they enjoy.

The world itself is a major part of the appeal. Skyrim’s snowy mountains, ancient tombs, and Norse-inspired architecture make it one of the most atmospheric fantasy worlds in gaming. The quests are easy to follow, the UI is modern, and the pacing is friendly to players who want to casually explore without getting lost.

This is why most people recommend Skyrim as a starting point. It provides the clearest entry into the franchise’s style while still offering hundreds of hours of content for those who want to go deeper.

Start Here If You Want Classic RPG Structure: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (Remastered)

With the new remaster, Oblivion has become a fantastic place for new players who like older RPGs with structured storytelling and more defined questlines. It sits between the complexity of Morrowind and the accessibility of Skyrim. The world is bright, varied, and filled with personality. The cities feel alive, especially the Imperial City, which remains one of the franchise’s most memorable locations.

Oblivion’s main quest is more prominent than Skyrim’s and provides a strong narrative backbone. The Oblivion Gates create a clear sense of growing threat across Cyrodiil, giving the player a reason to engage with the story beyond simple curiosity. New players who enjoy narrative-driven RPGs often find Oblivion to be the sweet spot.

The remaster solves some of the friction points that used to hold new players back, especially the leveling system and dated visuals. Combat feels smoother, UI navigation is cleaner, and the new lighting and environments make Cyrodiil feel fresh again. With these improvements, Oblivion becomes a great starting point for players who want something more old-school but not as mechanically dense as Morrowind.

What really makes Oblivion stand out is its quest design. The Dark Brotherhood questline, the Thieves Guild arc, and many one-off quests remain some of the best in the series. If you value handcrafted stories with memorable characters, Oblivion is an excellent first step into The Elder Scrolls.

Start Here If You Want Deep Role-Playing and Challenge: The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind

Morrowind is often described as the most unique game in the series, but also the most challenging. It is not designed like modern open-world games. It expects players to read directions, think carefully about character creation, and embrace the idea of role-playing more strictly. Your early stats matter. Your choices matter. The world will not scale to your level. This creates a sense of commitment and identity that few RPGs offer today.

The world of Vvardenfell is unlike any other in fantasy. Giant mushrooms tower over towns. Ash storms sweep across volcanic plains. Every faction, house, religion, and political group has its own history and agenda. It feels alien, mysterious, and hand-crafted in a way that many modern games do not attempt.

Starting with Morrowind is ideal for players who want to understand the roots of the franchise. This is the game that defined what The Elder Scrolls would become. Exploration feels earned. Progression feels earned. Victory feels earned. If you enjoy deep lore, open-ended role-playing, and the satisfaction of overcoming early hardships, Morrowind is a powerful place to start.

That said, it is not the easiest introduction. But for players who want something richer, slower, and more personal, Morrowind still stands tall.

Start Here If You Want a Multiplayer Take: The Elder Scrolls Online

Some new players come to Elder Scrolls through MMOs, and The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) works surprisingly well as an entry point. It borrows the visual and structural style of Skyrim while offering enormous amounts of content, frequent expansions, and a combat system that blends action with RPG depth.

ESO lets players explore nearly every major region across the franchise, from Morrowind to High Rock. For newcomers who want to get a broad look at Elder Scrolls culture and worldbuilding, ESO gives you more geography and history than any single-player entry. You can experience the world at your own pace and never feel punished for stepping outside the main quest.

Combat is more active than the older games, and building your character around specific skills offers flexibility similar to Skyrim. You can play solo comfortably or join groups for more difficult content. For a certain type of player, ESO is the perfect hybrid of Elder Scrolls exploration and MMO structure.

Start Here If You Want the Fastest Jump Into Elder Scrolls Lore: Skyrim or ESO

Some new players want to begin the series because of interest in the lore. In that case, Skyrim and ESO are the easiest on-ramps. Skyrim introduces many major factions and historical events in a way that is digestible and straightforward. ESO dives deeper into the lore while spreading it across a much larger world.

Both games are excellent choices for players who want to absorb the universe without navigating more dated mechanics.

Which Elder Scrolls Game Should You Start With?

Here is the simplified recommendation:

• Start with Skyrim for accessibility, modern gameplay, and an easy introduction to the series.
• Start with Oblivion (Remastered) for classic RPG design, structured storytelling, and some of the best quests ever written.
• Start with Morrowind if you want the deepest role-playing experience and do not mind older systems.
• Start with ESO if you want a multiplayer world with tons of content and flexible play.

There is no wrong starting point. Each game highlights different strengths, and many players eventually enjoy them all.

Closing Thoughts

The Elder Scrolls series remains one of the most influential RPG franchises because it allows players to carve out their own adventures. New players often feel unsure where to start, but the truth is that each major entry offers something special. Skyrim gives you freedom and approachability. Oblivion gives you structure and unforgettable quests. Morrowind gives you depth and distinctiveness. ESO gives you scale and social play.

Your ideal starting point depends on what you value most in an RPG. Once you find the entry that fits your style, the rest of the series becomes much easier to enjoy. No matter where you begin, you will enter a world filled with history, mystery, and the freedom to create your own story.