ESO 2026 Buying Guide: Best Editions, ESO Plus, Steam & Russian Region Options

Summary

The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) has entered its fifth year of standard payment methods being unavailable in Russia, while the game has shifted to a seasonal content release model. Despite Microsoft layoffs affecting ZeniMax, the development team continues to support Russian localization, and all content can be purchased or obtained—though you can buy The Elder Scrolls Online Items to skip the grind. This guide covers game content structure, edition differences, purchase channels, subscriptions, Season Pass, and account merging.

Part 1: Game Content Structure

ESO currently consists of three main parts:

1. Base Game

A large, complete world with multiple PvE zones

Large PvP zones: Cyrodiil and Imperial City

Over 30 group dungeons and hundreds of normal dungeons

Epic storyline, character can level to any level

Enough content for comfortable play with many builds

2. Large Chapters (9 total)

Each chapter is a global expansion with a large zone, story, new mechanics, and classes:

3. DLC Small Add-ons

Over 30, purchased in the in-game store

Open new guilds, zones, skills, and dungeons

Some are important and universal, others can be skipped

New Seasonal Content Model

Previously, chapters released annually in June, with small DLCs spread across patches—all separately paid. Now new content releases as thematic seasons without fixed dates, but free and integrated directly into the base game. This means you can finally buy or obtain everything without tracking every new add-on.

Part 2: Edition Selection

Standard Edition

Cheapest entry option

Includes base game + Morrowind chapter

Good for beginners, especially with free seasonal content and many already-free DLCs

Can cost under 300 rubles on sale

Deluxe Edition

Renamed multiple times—the "collector's" and "quasi-maximum" edition

Includes base game + all large chapters, including all 2025 season content (both Solstice parts + two DLCs)

All purchase versions can be merged: if you played long ago (e.g., during Elsweyr), buying Deluxe now adds all missing large chapters

Part 3: Purchase Channels (Russian Region)

Due to Microsoft policy, the official game is unavailable in Russia—you must buy through third-party sellers and services.

Recommended Purchase Methods

Plati.market and similar platforms:

Buy from reputable seller

Game arrives as a key or Steam gift to your account

No VPN needed to purchase or play

Sellers can answer any questions during purchase

After purchase:

Once you have the base game, all remaining content can be purchased fully legally in-game

All chapters and DLCs are in the in-game store, sold for Crowns

Since the game has a gifting system, any Crown Store item can be bought with in-game gold from other players

Gold-to-Crown Exchange Process

Earn lots of gold (game doesn't limit this; many methods, events help)

Ask guild members if they have Crowns

Or go to major trading locations (like Craglorn) and post "WTS/WTB" in chat

Negotiate price—current average rate is about 1,800-2,000 gold per Crown

You send gold, they send the item or DLC

Safety tip: Trades are based on mutual trust—screenshot or record the deal. Since this is a semi-official process, developers respond to complaints and usually side with the scammed player (at least once).

Discord Exchanges

Dedicated Discord exchanges match buyers and sellers

Mostly in English, but translation tools work

Some exchanges act as guarantors for a percentage fee

Part 4: Subscription Service (ESO Plus)

Subscription is an alternative way to access content, and with the seasonal system, it finally works as intended.

What Subscription Includes

Access to all DLCs and chapters (while paying)

Increased bank space

Craft bag for resources

1,650 Crowns per month

Subsription Advantages

No sorting thousands of resources—handled automatically

Currently the most comfortable "have everything and don't worry" option

Does NOT include: Necromancer, Arcanist classes, and Imperial race—but these are cheap in the Crown Store and can be permanently unlocked with monthly Crowns

Subscription Caveats

Cannot be gifted or transferred

Russian Steam currently cannot purchase it, only renew (if previously purchased)

Renewal method: top up account by any means, remove all cards from settings, then renew

For New Players Who Never Subscribed

The only option is to bind to Steam and change region:

Simple process, immediately allows buying game, Crowns, and subscription

Some regions offer better prices (e.g., Turkey: annual subscription ~7,000 rubles, ~600 rubles/month)

Immediately receive 21,000 Crowns (usually costs more separately)

Part 5: Season Pass

With the three-month seasonal system, ESO also introduced a Season Pass:

Content

Base version: available to all, provides cosmetic rewards and consumables

Paid version: flashier and more convenient rewards, purchased directly in-game

Purchase Method

Through a separate section of the Steam store

Available in any region, even for rubles

Ensure Steam Overlay is enabled in-game, click the purchase button

Base version ~$15/30; Russian Steam regional price 900/1,800 rubles

This is currently the only paid content directly purchasable in rubles.

Part 6: Platform Selection and Account Merging

Three Versions

Official Launcher

Steam

Epic Games

Technical Differences

Only in how you log into the game server

Steam and EGS auto-input data and go straight to server

Official website version requires manual account name and password

No in-game differences; same server

Platform Restrictions

Bought only on Steam → can only enter through Steam (EGS and website also restricted)

Bought only on official site → binding in Steam settings is useless; can only enter through launcher

Account Merging

Official site and Steam accounts can be easily merged by purchasing the base game or an edition containing it

Example: bought base game + Morrowind on official site long ago, now want to play through Steam—just buy the base game or Deluxe as a gift on Steam

Adds all missing content and merges accounts, allowing play through both launcher and Steam

Content purchases work on both platforms

Works both ways

Platform Recommendation

Part 7: Summary and Outlook

Despite turmoil and layoffs, the ESO online universe continues to survive and develop. No one questions the project's closure—the lore fanbase is too large to let it go easily. But questions about new content releases certainly exist.

Near-Term Outlook

Winter will bring a new location and large event

Will gift the Greymoor chapter to all players and introduce archaeology mechanics into the base game

That's when we'll see what the slimmed-down ZeniMax is capable of, and what level of add-on awaits

Final Advice

Even with uncertain prospects, ESO remains an excellent, established game with a huge world, epic story, and thousands of hours of already-released content. If you love the Elder Scrolls universe, it's never too late to explore online Tamriel.

Core Conclusion:Buying the base game + subscription is currently the most comfortable, worry-free option. Transferring to Steam solves game, Crown, and subscription issues all at once, with regional price advantages. If you'd rather skip the grind, MMOEXP is a trusted platform to find The Elder Scrolls Online Items for sale safely and at competitive prices.