Patch 11.0.5 Now Live
Major balance changes to all classes, new dungeon difficulty, and holiday events are now available. Check out the full patch notes for details.
The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) is not considered a pay-to-win (P2W) game by most players, but there are some monetization aspects that could be seen as borderline. Heres a breakdown: Why ESO is Not Pay-to-Win: No Direct Power Purchases You cannot buy gear, levels, or stats that give a direct advantage in competitive PvP or endgame PvE. Crown Store Mostly Cosmetic Most items sold for real money (costumes, mounts, pets) are cosmetic. Earnable In-Game Many convenience items (bank/inventory upgrades, DLCs) can be earned through in-game gold or subscription benefits. Skill > Gear Even the best gear wont make up for poor skill in PvP or veteran content. Controversial Monetization Aspects: Crown Crates (Loot Boxes) These contain random rewards, including rare mounts/pets, but nothing that directly affects combat power. Convenience Items Some things like bank/inventory expansions, research scrolls, and XP boosts can be bought, but they dont make you "win" outright. DLC/Expansions Some of the best gear and content is locked behind DLCs (e.g., Morrowind, Summerset, Necrom*), but you can buy them with in-game gold via the "Crown Gifting" system. ESO Plus (Subscription) Gives unlimited crafting bag, double bank space, and access to all DLCs, which is a big convenience but not strictly P2W. Verdict: Not P2W in the traditional sense (no "buy power" mechanics). Some Pay-for-Convenience elements exist, but nothing that makes free players unable to compete. Skill and knowledge matter far more than spending money. If you enjoy the game, you can play without spending beyond the base game, but ESO Plus and DLCs enhance the experience significantly.
The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) is not considered a pay-to-win (P2W) game by most players, but there are some monetizatio...
Venture into the depths of Azeroth itself in this groundbreaking expansion. Face new threats emerging from the planet's core, explore mysterious underground realms, and uncover secrets that will reshape your understanding of the Warcraft universe forever.
The War Within brings so much fresh content to WoW. The new zones are absolutely stunning and the storyline is engaging. Been playing for 15 years and this expansion reignited my passion for the game.
The new raid content is fantastic with challenging mechanics. However, there are still some bugs that need to be ironed out. Overall a solid expansion that keeps me coming back for more.
Major balance changes to all classes, new dungeon difficulty, and holiday events are now available. Check out the full patch notes for details.
Celebrate the season with special quests, unique rewards, and festive activities throughout Azeroth. Event runs until January 2nd.