ESO Update 49 Makes Four Classic DLC Free for All Players

The long running MMORPG The Elder Scrolls Online is about to become significantly larger for anyone who owns the base game. Developer ZeniMax Online Studios has confirmed that four of the game’s earliest DLC adventures will soon be integrated directly into the base game as part of the upcoming Update 49.

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This change means players will no longer need to purchase the DLC individually or access them through an optional subscription. Once the update goes live, anyone who owns the base game will automatically gain access to the new zones, questlines, and skill systems included in those expansions.

The move is part of a broader shift in how the MMO will deliver content going forward, with older expansions gradually becoming part of the core experience as the game transitions toward a seasonal update model.

DLC Packs Joining the Base Game

With Update 49, four early expansions will become permanently available to all base game owners.

These expansions originally required players to either purchase them with the game’s premium Crown currency or access them through the optional ESO Plus membership.

Once the update arrives, the content will be unlocked automatically without additional purchases or claims.

What Each DLC Brings to the Game

Each of the four expansions adds a distinct playstyle or region to explore across Tamriel.

Orsinium introduces the mountainous Wrothgar region and a large story campaign focused on rebuilding the Orc capital. The DLC also includes the challenging Maelstrom Arena, a solo combat gauntlet that became one of the most iconic endgame activities in the game.

Imperial City blends PvE questing with open PvP combat inside the ruined capital of Cyrodiil. Players battle across districts, collect Tel Var Stones, and explore two group dungeons set within the city.

Thieves Guild expands the game’s stealth gameplay with a new skill line focused on crime, heists, and smuggling operations across the desert region of Hew’s Bane.

Dark Brotherhood adds assassination missions and a unique progression path built around becoming a professional killer in the Gold Coast region.

Together, the four DLC packs represent dozens of hours of quests, multiple zones, and new gameplay systems that previously required separate purchases.

Release Timing and Update Details

The DLC integration arrives with Update 49, scheduled to launch in March 2026 across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox versions of the game.

In addition to the base game expansion, the update also includes gameplay adjustments and new systems tied to the MMO’s evolving seasonal content model.

Some of the other notable changes expected alongside the update include:

• Class balance updates and combat adjustments
• New item sets and collectibles
• Additional housing options and seasonal systems

The patch represents one of the largest accessibility changes the game has introduced in recent years.

A Larger Shift in ESO’s Content Model

The decision to fold older DLC into the base game reflects a broader strategy shift for Bethesda Softworks and ZeniMax Online Studios.

Starting in 2026, the MMO is moving away from its traditional annual expansion format and toward a seasonal update structure. These seasons will deliver new storylines, events, and gameplay changes in smaller but more frequent updates.

By integrating older DLC into the base experience, the developers are aiming to reduce barriers for new players and make it easier for returning players to jump back into the game without worrying about which expansions they own.

There are also plans to continue this trend later in the year, with the Greymoor chapter expected to join the base game in winter 2026.