ESO launches Seasons of the Worm Cult with big new changes

June 2, 2025, marked a landmark day for The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) as ZeniMax Online Studios released Seasons of the Worm Cult: Part 1, a major update that pushes the game's timeline forward for the first time in over a decade. Available now for PC and Mac, this new chapter brings sweeping changes to both narrative and gameplay, setting the stage for an ambitious year of content.

A new land to discover

At the heart of the update is the mysterious island of Solstice, a never-before-seen land divided by the ominous Writhing Wall, a magical barricade obscuring the sinister operations of the Worm Cult in its eastern half. Part 1 of the update allows players to explore Western Solstice, taking on fresh quests, powerful new world bosses, and "The Ossein Cage," a 12-player trial designed to test coordination and skill.

Perhaps the most revolutionary addition is the subclassing system, introduced in Update 46. This feature, available to players at level 50, gives characters access to an additional class skill line outside their primary class. While subclassing opens up new tactical possibilities for hybrid builds, it also maintains gameplay balance by preventing players from selecting two skill lines from the same class. This change is expected to significantly reshape group dynamics and PvP metas.

Alongside major content, ESO veterans and newcomers alike will benefit from a slew of quality-of-life improvements. The new "Hero's Return" onboarding feature helps returning players reacclimate to the game's evolving systems. Tutorial enhancements have also been rolled out, especially around core mechanics like Wayshrines, and the in-game map has been visually revamped for improved navigation across Tamriel.

Looking to the future, the update teases the Writhing Wall event scheduled for October. This server-wide challenge will task players with weakening the magical barrier dividing Solstice. Success will pave the way for Part 2 of the expansion, set to launch later in 2025, which promises to conclude the Worm Cult storyline in dramatic fashion.

Seasons of the Worm Cult: Part 1 is included in the 2025 Content Pass and is available now for PC and Mac users at the best price with our comparator. Console players on PlayStation and Xbox platforms can dive into the update beginning June 18.