GameTimeline

Release & story order

The Elder Scrolls timeline

Every Elder Scrolls game by release date or in-story order—from Arena and Morrowind to Skyrim and ESO—with notes on what to skip and when to play each expansion.

Updated June 2026

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Release order Story order

Release order

When each game was released. ESO is earliest in the story but sits in the middle of this list — pick a classic or modern path below. You don't need every side game.

  • Modern path → Skyrim → ESO (optional) or Morrowind → Oblivion → Skyrim
  • Classic path → Arena → Daggerfall → Morrowind → Oblivion → Skyrim → ESO optional
  • Play each game's expansions after the main story (Tribunal, Shivering Isles, Dragonborn…)
  • Side games (Shadowkey, Battlespire, Redguard, Legends, Blades) — all optional
Story order tips

When events happened inside Tamriel. ESO is the earliest; Skyrim is the latest offline game — with the Red Year and the Great War between Oblivion and Skyrim.

  • Full story order: ESO → Redguard → Arena → Shadowkey → Battlespire → Daggerfall → Morrowind → Oblivion → Red Year → Great War → Skyrim
  • Red Year and Great War explain Skyrim's civil war — they are not separate games to buy
  • Side games with shaky dates (Stormhold, Isle of Madness)—optional
  • ESO may start you in the newest chapter; that's not story order—see FAQ below

When each game was released. Tap a game for platforms, dates, and where it fits in your playthrough.

  1. The Elder Scrolls: Arena

    The Elder Scrolls: Arena

    PCRPGClassic

    The first Elder Scrolls — continent-spanning quest to rescue the Emperor.

    Overview
    Open-world fantasy RPG across all of Tamriel with day-night cycles and first-person dungeon crawling — ambitious for 1994 PC hardware.
    In-game setting
    Story late 3E (~3E 389–399): the Eternal Champion hunts Imperial battlemages to free Uriel Septim VII. Establishes the Empire and Daedric threats.
    Should you play it?
    Dated controls and procedural dungeons — most newcomers start at Morrowind or Skyrim. Useful for Emperor/Septim lore context.
    Release date
    US PC launch March 25, 1994. Later offered as a free PC download.
  2. The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall

    The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall

    PCRPGClassic

    Massive procedurally generated Iliac Bay — political factions and Daedric princes.

    Overview
    One of the largest game worlds of its era (15,000+ sq miles claimed), with deep faction reputation, spell creation, and multiple endings.
    In-game setting
    Story 3E 405–417: Agent of the Emperor uncovers the Mantella, Numidium, and the Warp in the West — events still referenced in later games and ESO.
    Should you play it?
    Classic only — skip unless you want every 3E beat. Morrowind onward is the usual entry point.
    Release date
    US PC launch August 31, 1996. Free on PC today.
  3. An Elder Scrolls Legend: Battlespire
    Optional

    An Elder Scrolls Legend: Battlespire

    PCSpin-offOptional

    Dungeon crawl on an Imperial battlemage academy — optional side story.

    Overview
    Linear action-focused spin-off instead of open-world RPG — Mehrunes Dagon invades the Battlespire pocket realm.
    In-game setting
    Story 3E 398: during Jagar Tharn's Imperial Simulacrum (3E 389–399), an apprentice is sent to the Battlespire after Mehrunes Dagon seizes the academy. Daedric lore tie-in only.
    Should you play it?
    Optional — skip for a lean playthrough. Not required for Morrowind or later mainline games.
    Release date
    US PC launch December 2, 1997 (batch shipments through early December; some sources cite Dec 5).
  4. The Elder Scrolls Adventures: Redguard
    Optional

    The Elder Scrolls Adventures: Redguard

    PCAction-adventureOptional

    Stylized pirate adventure on Stros M'Kai — Cyrus vs an undead threat.

    Overview
    Third-person action instead of RPG — fixed hero Cyrus, sword combat, and a tighter linear story on Hammerfell's island.
    In-game setting
    Story 2E 864: between Tiber Septim's conquest beats. Introduces Cyrus and Hammerfell context referenced in ESO and lore books.
    Should you play it?
    Optional side story — play after ESO in lore order if you want every Hammerfell branch; skip otherwise.
    Release date
    US PC launch October 31, 1998.
  5. The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind

    The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind

    PCXboxRPGClassic

    Vvardenfell and the Nerevarine prophecy — the series' breakthrough into mainstream RPG culture.

    Overview
    Hand-crafted open world, no level scaling, and dense lore via in-game books. Tribunal and Bloodmoon expansions extend the same year.
    In-game setting
    Story 3E 427: the Nerevarine confronts Dagoth Ur and the Tribunal on Vvardenfell. Defines Dunmer culture and the Heart of Lorkhan plot.
    Should you play it?
    Strong classic entry — or start at Skyrim for modern comfort, then backtrack here for deepest lore.
    Release date
    Xbox US launch May 5, 2002; PC followed days later. Game of the Year Edition bundled both expansions.
  6. Morrowind — Tribunal

    Morrowind — Tribunal

    PCXboxExpansionExpansion

    Return to Mournhold — Almalexia, Sotha Sil, and Vivec's crisis.

    Overview
    Adds Mournhold city dungeons and a darker political twist on the Tribunal gods you met in the base game.
    In-game setting
    Story still 3E 427 — set after the main Nerevarine quest. Play after beating Dagoth Ur.
    Should you play it?
    Essential if you finish Morrowind's main plot — short but lore-heavy.
    Release date
    US PC launch November 6, 2002.
  7. Morrowind — Bloodmoon

    Morrowind — Bloodmoon

    PCXboxExpansionExpansion

    Solstheim werewolves and Hircine's hunt — northern island expansion.

    Overview
    Introduces Solstheim (later shared with Skyrim's Dragonborn DLC) and lycanthropy as a major gameplay system.
    In-game setting
    Story 3E 427 — parallel to Tribunal events. Play after the main campaign; order vs Tribunal is flexible.
    Should you play it?
    Recommended after Morrowind base game. Either expansion order works.
    Release date
    US PC launch June 4, 2003.
  8. The Elder Scrolls Travels: Shadowkey
    Optional

    The Elder Scrolls Travels: Shadowkey

    N-GageMobileOptional

    N-Gage action RPG — optional side story between Arena and Battlespire in lore time.

    Overview
    Part of the short-lived Travels series on Nokia N-Gage — dungeon crawling with a Shadowkey artifact plot.
    In-game setting
    Story 3E 397: set during the Imperial Simulacrum era, between Arena (389+) and Battlespire (398).
    Should you play it?
    Optional — skip unless you want every Travels spin-off. Not required for Morrowind onward.
    Release date
    US N-Gage launch November 9, 2004.
  9. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

    The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

    PCXbox 360PS3RPGClassic

    Cyrodiil and the Oblivion Crisis — Martin Septim and the gates to Mehrunes Dagon's realm.

    Overview
    Radiant AI, fast travel, and fully voiced NPCs set a new open-world RPG template copied for years.
    In-game setting
    Story 3E 433: the Hero of Kvatch closes Oblivion gates and ends the Septim bloodline. Knights of the Nine and Shivering Isles extend the same era.
    Should you play it?
    Often the best middle ground between Morrowind's depth and Skyrim's pacing.
    Release date
    Xbox 360 US launch March 20, 2006; PC March 27. Game of the Year Edition included expansions.
  10. Oblivion — Knights of the Nine

    Oblivion — Knights of the Nine

    PCXbox 360PS3ExpansionExpansion

    Relic quest across Cyrodiil — crusader armor and the Umaril storyline.

    Overview
    Longer DLC questline with new knightly order mechanics and pilgrimage shrines across the province.
    In-game setting
    Story 3E 433 — can start mid-game after the main Oblivion Crisis begins. Play before or alongside Shivering Isles.
    Should you play it?
    Optional but popular — finish the main quest first if you want crisis context.
    Release date
    US launch November 21, 2006.
  11. Oblivion — Shivering Isles

    Oblivion — Shivering Isles

    PCXbox 360PS3ExpansionExpansion

    Sheogorath's realm — fan-favorite madgod storyline.

    Overview
    Entire new dimension with Jyggalag/Greymarch plot — among the best-written DLC in the series.
    In-game setting
    Story 3E 433 — set after the Oblivion Crisis main quest. You become embroiled in Sheogorath's succession.
    Should you play it?
    Play after Oblivion's main campaign — widely considered essential.
    Release date
    US launch March 27, 2007.
  12. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

    The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

    PCPS3Xbox 360RPGClassic

    Dragonborn in Skyrim — dragons return during the Civil War.

    Overview
    Dual-wield combat, dragon shouts, and a modular perk tree made this the best-selling RPG of its generation.
    In-game setting
    Story 4E 201: the Last Dragonborn faces Alduin during the Stormcloak vs Imperial Civil War — fallout from the Great War (4E 171–175) and White-Gold Concordat. Dawnguard, Hearthfire, and Dragonborn expand the same year.
    Should you play it?
    The default modern entry point. Finish the main story before expansions—see FAQ.
    Release date
    US launch November 11, 2011. Special Edition (2016) and Anniversary Edition (2021) re-released on modern consoles.
  13. Skyrim — Dawnguard

    Skyrim — Dawnguard

    PCXbox 360PS3ExpansionExpansion

    Vampire lords vs the Dawnguard — Soul Cairn and Serana.

    Overview
    First Skyrim DLC — adds vampire lord form, crossbows, and two faction paths with Serana as a companion.
    In-game setting
    Story 4E 201 — after the main Dragonborn quest is typical. Introduces Volkihar clan lore tied to later books.
    Should you play it?
    Play after Skyrim main campaign. Order among Skyrim DLC is flexible except Dragonborn last for many players.
    Release date
    Xbox 360 US launch June 26, 2012; PC and PS3 followed.
  14. Skyrim — Hearthfire

    Skyrim — Hearthfire

    PCXbox 360PS3ExpansionExpansion

    Build homesteads in Skyrim — adoption and house crafting.

    Overview
    Land ownership, house building, and family adoption — low on main plot, high on role-play.
    In-game setting
    Story 4E 201 — side content anytime after reaching the appropriate level. No major lore gates.
    Should you play it?
    Optional cozy content — skip if you only want main lore beats.
    Release date
    US launch September 4, 2012.
  15. Skyrim — Dragonborn

    Skyrim — Dragonborn

    PCXbox 360PS3ExpansionExpansion

    Return to Solstheim — Miraak and Apocrypha.

    Overview
    Solstheim island, Dragonborn cult lore, and Hermaeus Mora's realm — ties back to Morrowind geography.
    In-game setting
    Story 4E 201 — Miraak's return connects to Dragon War history. Many players save this DLC for last.
    Should you play it?
    Best after main Skyrim + optionally Dawnguard. Strongest lore payoff among Skyrim DLC.
    Release date
    US launch December 4, 2012.
  16. The Elder Scrolls Online

    The Elder Scrolls Online

    PCPS4Xbox OneOnlinePrequel

    Always-online Tamriel — set in 2E 582, centuries before the single-player games.

    Overview
    Zone-based MMO across all provinces with regular chapter expansions (Morrowind, Summerset, Elsweyr, etc.).
    In-game setting
    Story 2E 582: the Vestige fights Daedric plots during the Interregnum — before the Septim Empire unifies Tamriel.
    Should you play it?
    Earliest lore, mid-list release — optional for offline-only players. See FAQ on ESO vs single-player order.
    Release date
    PC NA launch April 4, 2014; consoles 2015. Requires internet; One Tamriel update removed level-gating zones.
  17. The Elder Scrolls: Legends
    Optional

    The Elder Scrolls: Legends

    PCMobileCard gameOptional

    Digital card game with story campaigns — optional lore, not main saga.

    Overview
    Collectible card game with solo campaigns covering Great War battles, Dark Brotherhood fallout, and Clockwork City.
    In-game setting
    Card game story dates (not the 2017 release): Forgotten Hero during the Great War; Fall of the Dark Brotherhood a few years later; Return to Clockwork City around Skyrim's time. Isle of Madness—approx. date; see FAQ.
    Should you play it?
    Optional — skip for a lean playthrough. Useful for Great War context before Skyrim if you enjoy card games.
    Release date
    PC launch March 9, 2017; later mobile ports. Official support ended 2020 — campaigns still offline where installed.
  18. The Elder Scrolls: Blades
    Optional

    The Elder Scrolls: Blades

    MobilePCSwitchMobileOptional

    Free-to-play mobile dungeon builder — side spin-off, not main saga.

    Overview
    Touch-first town rebuilding and arena combat — stripped-down Elder Scrolls for phones.
    In-game setting
    Story 4E 180: mobile spin-off about a former Blade rebuilding a town — set after the Great War, decades before Skyrim (4E 201).
    Should you play it?
    Skip unless you want every licensed side game — the in-world timeline places it between the Great War and Skyrim.
    Release date
    Early access March 27, 2019 (iOS/Android); left early access May 12, 2020. PC and Switch ports followed.

FAQ

Where to start, what you can skip, and when to play each expansion.

Release order

Story order is when events happened in Tamriel—from ESO centuries before Skyrim up to Skyrim itself. Release order is what you buy and play, usually Morrowind → Oblivion → Skyrim, or Skyrim first. Optional entries and uncertain dates can be skipped on Story order. ESO is earliest in the lore but many players tackle it later or skip it. Use Release order to decide purchases; use Story order to follow the full plot.

Skyrim if you want a modern open-world feel, or Morrowind if you want the classic deep-dive. Then play Oblivion for the emperor's story. Read “What happened between Oblivion and Skyrim?” below before the civil war dialogue lands. ESO is optional if you want the earliest part of the timeline.

Story & history

Elder Scrolls Online

Spin-offs & date debates

Editions & remasters

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.