Is The Elder Scrolls Steam ESO Plus Worth It for You?

Stepping into the vast world of Tamriel in The Elder Scrolls Online, especially through Steam, can be an incredible journey. As you delve deeper, you might encounter discussions about ESO Plus, the game's optional subscription service. For players on the Steam platform, understanding if The Elder Scrolls Steam ESO Plus is a worthwhile investment for their specific playstyle is a common question. This guide will break down the perks, costs, and help you determine if this membership is the right choice for your adventures.

What Exactly is The Elder Scrolls Steam ESO Plus?

The Elder Scrolls Online: Plus Membership is an optional subscription that enhances your gameplay experience in Tamriel. Available directly through Steam, it provides a suite of benefits designed to improve quality of life, expand content access, and offer regular rewards. While The Elder Scrolls Online is not a mandatory subscription game, ESO Plus adds significant value, particularly for those who spend a lot of time crafting, exploring DLC, or customizing their characters and homes.

Unpacking the ESO Plus Benefits

ESO Plus offers a robust package of advantages. Here's a detailed look at what you gain:

All-Access DLC Library

One of the most appealing benefits is immediate access to nearly all of ESO's vast library of DLC game packs. This includes zones, quests, dungeons, and more. Instead of purchasing each DLC individually, your subscription unlocks a wealth of content, allowing you to explore new regions, tackle challenging group dungeons, and experience additional storylines. While the very latest Chapter (like Gold Road, in some release models) might not be included immediately, previous years' content typically becomes available. This is a massive boon for players looking to catch up on lore or experience content they missed.

The Game-Changing Craft Bag

Perhaps the most universally praised feature of ESO Plus is the unlimited Craft Bag. Inventory management can be a constant struggle in The Elder Scrolls Online, especially for crafters. This specialized bag provides infinite storage for all your crafting materials, reagents, and ingredients, keeping your main inventory and bank clear. Community reports frequently highlight the Craft Bag as a primary reason for subscribing, as it dramatically reduces inventory headaches and allows players to hoard materials without consequence.

Boost Your Progression & Bank Space

ESO Plus members receive a valuable 10% bonus to several key progression rates:

• Experience gain
• Gold acquisition
• Archival Fortune acquisition
• Crafting Inspiration
• Alliance Points
• Tel Var Stones
• Trait Research rates

These bonuses apply across the board, helping you level up faster, earn more currency, and advance your crafting or PvP endeavors more efficiently. Additionally, you get double bank space for all characters on your account, further alleviating storage concerns for gear, motifs, and other valuable items.

Crowns, Companions, and Customization

Every month your subscription is active, you receive 1,650 Crowns to spend in the Crown Store. This stipend effectively offsets a portion of the subscription cost, allowing you to acquire cosmetics, mounts, helpful items, or even future DLCs permanently. ESO Plus also grants you unique companions, like Tan Lauren and Zerithar, available for free from the Crown Store.

For those who enjoy personalizing their look, ESO Plus allows you to dye costumes with any colors you've unlocked, offering far greater customization than non-subscribers have. Housing enthusiasts benefit from double furnishing and collectible space, enabling more elaborate and detailed home decorations.

Double Transmute Crystal Storage

Transmute Crystals are crucial for changing item traits, and ESO Plus doubles your storage capacity from 500 to 1,000. This is incredibly useful for endgame players who frequently optimize their gear or participate in events that reward many crystals.

ESO Plus Costs and Value on Steam

The cost of ESO Plus varies depending on the subscription length you choose. Purchasing longer durations offers a better monthly value:

(Prices are approximate and subject to change. Check the official Steam page for current rates.)

When evaluating the cost, remember the monthly Crown stipend. The 1,650 Crowns you receive each month are worth a significant portion of the subscription fee if you would typically purchase Crowns anyway. This effectively reduces the "out-of-pocket" cost for the other benefits. You can find more details on the official Steam page for The Elder Scrolls Online: Plus Membership.

Is The Elder Scrolls Steam ESO Plus Right for Your Playstyle?

The decision to subscribe to ESO Plus largely depends on how you play the game.

For New Players

If you've just started playing The Elder Scrolls Online through Steam, ESO Plus might not be a necessity right away. The base game alone offers hundreds of hours of content, and many players find they have plenty to do without needing immediate access to all DLCs. Focus on getting familiar with the game mechanics, leveling your first character, and exploring the initial zones.

You can always manage your inventory effectively in the early game without the Craft Bag, and the progression bonuses are less critical when you're still learning the ropes. Many players, according to community reports, played for months or even a year before feeling the need for ESO Plus.

For Experienced & Endgame Players

For veterans, dedicated crafters, or players heavily involved in endgame content, ESO Plus becomes significantly more valuable. The unlimited Craft Bag is often cited as indispensable, especially for those who dabble in multiple crafting professions across several characters. The 10% bonuses accelerate progress for high-level activities, and the double bank space helps manage an extensive collection of gear. Players focused on housing or costume customization will also find the expanded limits and dyeing options highly beneficial.

The "Try Before You Buy" Approach

If you're on the fence, consider waiting for one of the periodic free ESO Plus trials offered by ZeniMax. These trials typically last a week and allow you to experience many of the benefits firsthand, including the Craft Bag and DLC access (though not the Crowns or companions). This is an excellent way to see if the quality-of-life improvements genuinely enhance your personal gameplay. Alternatively, you could subscribe for a single month to test the waters before committing to a longer, more cost-effective plan.

What Happens If You Cancel ESO Plus?

A common concern is what happens to your benefits if you decide to cancel your subscription. The good news is that not all perks disappear instantly:

• DLC Access: You will lose access to all DLC game packs that you did not purchase permanently. Any characters or items located within those zones will remain, but you won't be able to re-enter or use their specific features until you resubscribe or buy the DLC.
• Craft Bag: Items stored in your Craft Bag will remain there and can be pulled out as needed. However, you will not be able to deposit new crafting materials into it. Any new materials you acquire will go into your regular inventory.
• Bank Space: Your bank will revert to its standard size. If you have more items than the standard limit, they will remain in the bank but you won't be able to deposit new items until you are below the limit.
• Dyed Costumes: Costumes you dyed while ESO Plus was active will retain their custom colors. However, you won't be able to change their colors again unless you reactivate your subscription.
• Transmute Crystals: Your total stored Transmute Crystals will remain at the higher limit until you use them. You just won't be able to exceed the standard cap once your subscription ends.
• Bonuses & Crowns: The 10% progression bonuses cease immediately, and you will no longer receive monthly Crown stipends.

This "grace period" for certain storage benefits means you can strategically use a short subscription or a free trial to organize your inventory or dye costumes, even if you don't plan to maintain a continuous membership.

Conclusion

Deciding whether to get The Elder Scrolls Steam ESO Plus boils down to your individual playing habits and priorities. For new players, it's often best to enjoy the base game first and consider ESO Plus once you're deeply invested. For seasoned adventurers, crafters, and collectors, the quality-of-life improvements, particularly the unlimited Craft Bag and expanded content access, make it a highly worthwhile investment. Leverage free trials or a one-month subscription to test the waters and see how it enhances your personal journey through Tamriel.

FAQ

Q1: Is The Elder Scrolls Steam ESO Plus mandatory to play the game? A1: No, The Elder Scrolls Online is not a mandatory subscription game. You can play the base game and even purchase DLCs individually without ever subscribing to ESO Plus.

Q2: Can I get ESO Plus if I play The Elder Scrolls Online through Steam? A2: Yes, ESO Plus is fully compatible and available for purchase directly through the Steam store, seamlessly integrating with your Steam account.

Q3: What's the biggest benefit of The Elder Scrolls Steam ESO Plus for crafters? A3: The unlimited Craft Bag is by far the biggest benefit for crafters, eliminating inventory clutter by providing infinite storage for all crafting materials.

Q4: Do the Crowns I get with ESO Plus expire? A4: No, the Crowns you receive each month as an ESO Plus member are added to your Crown balance and do not expire, allowing you to save them for larger purchases in the Crown Store.