ESO Starting Zones Guide: Best Zone for Each Race
The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) boasts a vast, immersive world of Tamriel, filled with diverse landscapes, rich lore, and engaging quests. For new players, choosing a starting zone can feel overwhelming-especially since each playable race has deep ties to specific regions. While ESO's One Tamriel update lets you start anywhere, picking a race-aligned zone enhances your experience by weaving your character's backstory into the gameplay.
Each starting zone is designed to introduce race-specific lore, mechanics, and themes, making it easier to connect with your character. Whether you prefer sun-baked deserts, snow-capped mountains, or lush jungles, there's a perfect starting zone for every race. Below, we break down the best starting zone for each ESO race, along with why it's the ideal choice for your new adventure.
Aldmeri Dominion Races
The Aldmeri Dominion unites the Altmer (High Elves), Bosmer (Wood Elves), and Khajiit, with ties to Summerset, Valenwood, and Elsweyr. Their starting zones reflect the alliance's focus on nature, magic, and cultural heritage.
Altmer (High Elf): Auridon
Auridon is the perfect starting zone for Altmer, as it sits just off the coast of their homeland, Summerset Isle. This sun-drenched island features crystalline towers, lush gardens, and ancient elven ruins-all hallmarks of Altmer culture.
The zone's quests introduce you to Altmer nobility, their mastery of magic, and the political tensions within the Aldmeri Dominion. As a High Elf, you'll feel right at home among the scholars and mages of Auridon, making it easy to embrace your race's affinity for magicka.
Auridon is also beginner-friendly, with gentle quest progression and plenty of opportunities to practice magic-based combat-ideal for Altmer builds focused on magicka DPS or healing.
Bosmer (Wood Elf): Grahtwood
Grahtwood, a dense, ancient forest in Valenwood, is the natural starting zone for Bosmer. This lush region is teeming with wildlife, giant trees, and Bosmer settlements built into the forest itself.
Bosmer are known for their connection to nature, stealth, and archery-traits that align perfectly with Grahtwood's quests. You'll hunt game, protect the forest from outsiders, and learn about the Bosmer's Green Pact, which forbids harming the trees of Valenwood.
The zone's terrain encourages stealth and ranged combat, making it a great place to practice the Bosmer's racial strengths. Plus, Grahtwood's vibrant flora and fauna immerse you in the Wood Elves' way of life from the moment you start.
Khajiit: Reaper's March
Reaper's March, a border region between Valenwood and Elsweyr, is the best starting zone for Khajiit. This mix of desert oases and dense jungles mirrors the Khajiit's homeland of Elsweyr, blending their nomadic culture with the wilds of Valenwood.
Khajiit are renowned for their speed, stealth, and critical damage-traits that shine in Reaper's March's quests. You'll navigate bandit camps, assist Khajiit caravans, and uncover the region's secrets, all while embracing your race's natural agility.
The zone also features plenty of opportunities to practice pickpocketing and sneaking, perfect for Khajiit builds focused on thievery or stamina DPS. Reaper's March's vibrant markets and Khajiit NPCs make it feel like a home away from Elsweyr.
Daggerfall Covenant Races
The Daggerfall Covenant includes the Bretons, Redguards, and Orcs, with ties to High Rock, Hammerfell, and Orsinium. Their starting zones emphasize tradition, warfare, and resilience.
Breton: Glenumbra
Glenumbra, a misty, rolling hills region in High Rock, is the ideal starting zone for Bretons. This area is home to the Breton nobility, medieval-style castles, and ancient ruins, reflecting the race's blend of magic and chivalry.
Bretons are known for their resistance to magic and their skill in both spellcasting and swordplay-traits that align with Glenumbra's quests. You'll defend villages from witches, navigate political intrigue, and learn about the Breton's Celtic-inspired culture.
Glenumbra's gentle difficulty curve makes it perfect for new players, and its mix of magic and melee combat lets Bretons explore their versatile playstyle. The zone's misty landscapes and cozy villages also capture the charm of High Rock.
Redguard: Alik'r Desert
The Alik'r Desert, a harsh, sun-scorched region in Hammerfell, is the natural starting zone for Redguards. This desert landscape reflects the Redguards' resilience, speed, and mastery of melee combat.
Redguards are known for their endurance and skill with swords and daggers-traits that are put to the test in the Alik'r's quests. You'll navigate sandstorms, battle bandits and undead, and uncover the secrets of Hammerfell's ancient ruins.
The zone's open deserts and oasis towns immerse you in Redguard culture, from their nomadic caravans to their fierce warrior traditions. Alik'r Desert is also great for practicing stamina-based combat, ideal for Redguard DPS builds.
Orc (Orsimer): Betnikh
Betnikh, a small island off the coast of High Rock, is the best starting zone for Orcs. This rugged, mountainous region is home to Orc strongholds, where you'll learn about the Orsimer's warrior culture and their quest for honor.
Orcs are known for their strength, stamina, and tanking abilities-traits that shine in Betnikh's quests. You'll defend Orc settlements from invaders, prove your worth in combat, and embrace the Orsimer's code of loyalty and bravery.
Betnikh's compact size makes it easy to navigate, and its focus on melee combat lets Orcs practice their racial strengths. The zone also introduces you to the Orcs' relationship with the Daggerfall Covenant, setting the stage for future adventures in Wrothgar, their homeland.
Ebonheart Pact Races
The Ebonheart Pact unites the Nords, Dunmer (Dark Elves), and Argonians, with ties to Skyrim, Morrowind, and Black Marsh. Their starting zones are defined by harsh climates, ancient lore, and resilience.
Nord: Eastmarch
Eastmarch, a snow-capped region in Skyrim, is the perfect starting zone for Nords. This frigid landscape features snow-covered mountains, Viking-style longhouses, and fierce wildlife-all hallmarks of Nord culture.
Nords are known for their strength, resistance to cold, and skill with two-handed weapons-traits that align with Eastmarch's quests. You'll battle frost trolls, defend villages from bandits, and embrace the Nord's warrior spirit.
Eastmarch's harsh environment also lets you practice surviving in extreme conditions, a key part of Nord lore. The zone's ties to Skyrim's history make it a nostalgic choice for fans of The Elder Scrolls series, and its combat-focused quests are perfect for Nord tank or DPS builds.
Dunmer (Dark Elf): Stonefalls
Stonefalls, a volcanic region in Morrowind, is the ideal starting zone for Dunmer. This ashen landscape features volcanic peaks, ancient Dunmer ruins, and the iconic Red Mountain-all central to Dark Elf lore.
Dunmer are known for their resistance to fire, skill in magic and melee combat, and their complex history. Stonefalls' quests introduce you to the Dunmer's culture, their conflicts with other races, and their connection to the Daedric Princes.
The zone's volcanic terrain and fire-based enemies let Dunmer leverage their racial resistance to fire, making it easier to survive early combat. Stonefalls also serves as a gateway to Vvardenfell, the Dunmer's homeland, making it a great starting point for exploring Morrowind's rich lore.
Argonian: Shadowfen
Shadowfen, a murky, swampy region in Black Marsh, is the natural starting zone for Argonians. This waterlogged landscape is teeming with reptilian life, ancient ruins, and misty swamps-reflecting the Argonians' connection to nature and their amphibious heritage.
Argonians are known for their resistance to disease, ability to breathe underwater, and stealth-traits that shine in Shadowfen's quests. You'll navigate swamps, battle giant crocs, and learn about the Argonians' unique culture and their relationship with the Hist, the ancient trees that give them life.
Shadowfen's waterways and dense foliage encourage stealth and exploration, perfect for Argonian builds focused on thievery or healing. The zone's murky atmosphere and reptilian NPCs make it feel like a true home for the Argonians.
Imperial: Blackwood
The Imperial race, available as a purchasable option, can join any alliance-and their best starting zone is Blackwood. This diverse region, located between Cyrodiil and Black Marsh, reflects the Imperials' adaptability and connection to Tamriel's heartland.
Blackwood features a mix of forests, rivers, and imperial outposts, making it ideal for Imperials who value versatility. The zone's quests introduce you to the Imperial Legion, their role in Tamriel's politics, and their reputation as skilled warriors and diplomats.
Imperials are known for their balanced stats and leadership abilities, and Blackwood's mix of combat and quest types lets them explore their versatile playstyle. The zone also ties into ESO's main quest, making it a great starting point for any Imperial character.
Final Tips for Choosing Your Starting Zone
While the zones above are the best for each race, remember that ESO lets you start anywhere. If you're more interested in a specific landscape or questline, don't hesitate to pick a different zone-all zones scale with your level, so you'll never feel underpowered.
No matter which zone you choose, completing the main quest in Coldharbour is essential. This questline unlocks free skill points and helps you understand ESO's overarching story, making your adventure more cohesive. By completing it, you can obtain more Elder Scrolls Online Gold, resources, and other rewards, as well as advance your progress in the game.
Ultimately, the best starting zone is the one that makes you feel connected to your character. Whether you're exploring the snow of Eastmarch as a Nord or the swamps of Shadowfen as an Argonian, Tamriel's starting zones are designed to kickstart your journey in style.
MMOexp Elder Scrolls Online Team
