Dungeons Guide: The Basics

Last Updated: 5/20/2024

The Elder Scrolls Online features a host of dangerous dungeons for you and your comrades to explore. Check out this guide to how dungeons work in ESO.

WHAT IS A DUNGEON?

In The Elder Scrolls Online, dungeons are four-player activities that require teamwork and coordination to complete and offer unique rewards not found anywhere else within the game.

Unlike delves (smaller one to two player dungeons that can be found in each zone), dungeons generally require a team of two damage dealers, one tank, and one healer. We say generally because while it is advisable to have a team made up of these core roles, it is possible to complete some dungeons with a more varied group, depending on the levels and skills of the players in question. It is even possible to complete some dungeons solo!

Dungeons in ESO feature large groups of enemies that are tougher to defeat than those typically found in overland content along with multiple bosses. Bosses in dungeons represent unique challenges, as they feature special mechanics that need to be managed by the whole group.

In dungeons, each boss typically drops a unique set item (with there being three unique sets per dungeon) and other rewards that can't be found anywhere else. Each dungeon has a quest and achievements associated with it, with the quest rewarding you with a Skill Point upon completion. Most zones in ESO have at least one dungeon, and some dungeons even have more than one version!

HOW DIFFICULT ARE DUNGEONS?

Some dungeons are more difficult than others, depending on several factors. For example, some dungeons (such as Fungal Grotto in Stonefalls) can be completed by a relatively low level, inexperienced group. Note that while you can walk into a dungeon at any level, we recommend you reach level 10 before starting dungeon content. Other dungeons tend to be more difficult, with this being especially true of the dungeons found in the DLC game packs such as Shadows of the Hist or Imperial City.

In addition to this, many dungeons also have a second version that continues that dungeon's story and features new monsters, new bosses, and higher difficulty. This is indicated by the “II" next to the dungeon's title, for example, “Fungal Grotto II."

For a greater challenge, each dungeon can also be completed in veteran mode. Veteran mode is unlocked once you reach level 50 and increases the difficulty for the group by making the monsters and bosses even tougher. In turn, veteran mode dungeon runs reward players with better quality gear and unique achievements and collectibles. To take on a dungeon in veteran mode, select the veteran option in the Group & Activity Finder menu before entering the dungeon. You can also specify normal or veteran versions of a dungeon when queuing.

Finally, when taking on a veteran dungeon, you can attempt to beat the final boss on hard mode. In some dungeons, there are hard mode challenges for multiple bosses, and you must complete each of the bosses with a hard mode with the increased difficulty in order to challenge the final boss in this way. This will offer even greater rewards (and a greater challenge)! To find out the conditions for hard mode within a unique dungeon, check the Dungeons section of your Achievements menu (found within your Journal). To activate hard mode, some bosses only require you to activate a nearby scroll or banner, while others require you to defeat the boss under unique conditions. In the case of certain dungeons, there is even an option to activate a hard mode for each boss for a truly impressive challenge.

HOW DO I TAKE ON A DUNGEON?

The simplest way to enter a dungeon is to use its entrance in the zone. You can also use your map to teleport directly to the dungeon in question, and you can use the Travel to Player option if somebody else from your group is already there. Dungeons are represented on your map with a special icon:

One common and easy way to join a group and take on a dungeon is to use the Dungeon Finder, a tool designed to help you find other players to take on group content with. Open the Group & Activity Finder from your UI, and select Dungeon Finder. From there, you should indicate your role (damage, tank, or healer) and then indicate how you want to queue. Note that you must be, at minimum, level 10 in order to use the Group & Activity Finder. Some dungeons require higher levels to access via the Dungeon Finder. Notably, DLC dungeons on normal difficulty require level of 45, base game dungeons on veteran difficulty require level 50, and DLC dungeons on veteran difficulty require you to have earned 300 Champion Points. This is true no matter which of the methods below you use to queue for your dungeon.

When queueing for dungeons, you have multiple options:

• Random Veteran Dungeon
• Random Normal Dungeon
• Specific Dungeons

Random Veteran Dungeon immediately puts you into a queue for any veteran dungeon group available. Because you are not queuing for a specific unique dungeon, you will be offered a daily bonus premium reward upon completion that includes Undaunted Exploration Supplies and XP. If you've already received your daily premium reward, you'll still earn a regular bonus reward for every other random dungeon you do for the rest of the day.

Random Normal Dungeon immediately puts you into a queue for any normal dungeon group available. Because you are not queuing for a specific unique dungeon, you will be offered a daily bonus premium reward upon completion that includes Undaunted Exploration Supplies and XP. If you've already received your daily premium reward, you'll still earn a regular bonus reward for every other random dungeon you do for the rest of the day.

Specific Dungeons allows you to choose from the entire list which dungeons(s) you would like to queue for. You can choose the veteran or normal mode versions and you can queue for multiple dungeons simultaneously. You do not receive a bonus reward when completing a dungeon you specifically queued for.

When queuing, you'll be assigned a spot in a group based on the role you selected. Some roles may take longer to find a group than others, depending on how many other players of that same role are also queued at the time.

Once a group has been found, you will need to confirm that you wish to join the group and start the dungeon. Once confirmed, you will be teleported to the start of the dungeon in question. If somebody in your group does not confirm, you will be returned to the front of a queue, meaning you shouldn't have to wait much longer to find another group.

If you wish to tackle a dungeon with a particular challenge or goal in mind, such as activating all the hard modes, exploring the environment, or devoting time to the dungeon’s story and optional dialogue, you can find like-minded adventurers through the Group Finder within the Group & Activity Finder. This tool allows you to create or search for groups with custom settings, such as requiring specific roles, levels, or Champion point totals It also offers a chance to coordinate your plans through a group description or putting in a requirement to use voice chat to discuss tactics or other elements of the dungeon.

After using the Group Finder to form a party for a dungeon, you still need to enter the dungeon in one of the ways described above. You can queue a group formed through Group Finder in the Dungeon Finder or arrange for all group members to travel to the dungeon entrance on their own.

The Undaunted and Pledges

The Undaunted is a special NPC guild in ESO that rewards you for taking on dungeons and provides a unique Skill Line. To join the Undaunted, find the recruiter within your faction's starting city (Daggerfall, Davon's Watch, or Vulkhel Guard). Complete the quest called “One of the Undaunted" (you don't need to actually clear the dungeon, just enter it and talk to the NPC) to be initiated into the group.

Once initiated, you will unlock the Undaunted Skill Line and can take part in numerous daily activities, most notably Pledges.

Pledges are daily quests that offer unique rewards that cannot be earned anywhere else and require that you be level 45 or higher. Each pledge tasks you with defeating the bosses within a unique dungeon. There are three new pledges available each day, two of them featuring dungeons in the base game and one featuring dungeons found in the DLC game packs. To pick up a pledge, find the Undaunted Enclave within your faction's capital city and speak to one of the three pledge givers.

When completing a pledge for the Undaunted, you are rewarded with Undaunted Keys. Upon completing a pledge in a normal or veteran base game dungeon, you will receive one key, and while completing the pledge in a veteran base game dungeon in hard mode you receive two. Due to the increased difficulty of DLC dungeons, you receive two keys for completing them on normal difficulty, three keys for completing them on veteran difficulty, or four keys if the final boss was defeated on hard mode in veteran difficulty. Remember that in dungeons with multiple hard mode encounters, all such challenges prior to the final boss must be completed to attempt the final boss on hard mode.  This means that between all three Undaunted Pledge giver NPCs (two base game and one DLC), you can earn up to eight Undaunted Keys every day.

Undaunted Keys are a currency (so they don't take up inventory or bank space) that can be exchanged with the Undaunted quest givers (Maj al-Ragath, Glirion the Redbeard, and Urgarlag Chief-bane). From these NPCs, you can use keys to purchase different items, including:

• Mystery coffers--containing a random shoulder monster set item from any of the game's dungeons, a chance to receive a monster shoulder style page (if any are available), and additional items
• Specialized Coffers--containing guaranteed monster shoulder set from only two potential sources
• Monster shoulder style page--a style page that changes periodically

You can earn the headpiece for the monster sets by defeating the final boss in a veteran dungeon. The monster sets are unique, powerful items that have a unique look and are associated with the dungeons themselves. During certain time-limited periods, you also have a chance to receive the monster helm style page for thatperiod by completing the relevant dungeon on veteran difficulty. Keep an eye on the Undaunted vendors to see when a dungeon is featured so you know where to go!

What are the dungeons?

Here is a complete list of all the dungeons currently available within ESO:

Base Game Dungeons (Can be accessed by anybody with ESO)

• Fungal Grotto (I & II)
• Spindleclutch (I & II)
• The Banished Cells (I & II)
• Darkshade Caverns (I & II)
• Elden Hollow (I & II)
• Wayrest Sewers (I & II)
• Arx Corinium
• City of Ash (I & II)
• Crypt of Hearts (I & II)
• Direfrost Keep
• Tempest Island
• Volenfell
• Blackheart Haven
• Blessed Crucible
• Selene's Web
• Vaults of Madness

Imperial City dungeons (Can only be accessed with the Imperial City DLC game pack)

• Imperial City Prison
• White-Gold Tower

Shadows of the Hist dungeons (Can only be accessed with the Shadows of the Hist DLC game pack)

• Cradle of Shadows
• Ruins of Mazzatun

Horns of the Reach dungeons (Can only be accessed with the Horns of the Reach DLC game pack)

• Falkreath Hold
• Bloodroot Forge

Dragon Bones dungeons (Can only be accessed with the Dragon Bones DLC game pack)

• Fang Lair
• Scalecaller Peak

Wolfhunter dungeons (Can only be accessed with the Wolfhunter DLC game pack)

• Moon Hunter Keep
• March of Sacrifices

Wrathstone dungeons (Can only be accessed with the Wrathstone DLC game pack)

• Depths of Malatar
• Frostvault

Scalebreaker dungeons (Can only be accessed with the Scalebreaker DLC game pack)

• Moongrave Fane
• Lair of Maarselok

Harrowstorm dungeons (Can only be accessed with the Harrowstorm DLC game pack)

• Unhallowed Grave
• Icereach

Stonethorn dungeons (Can only be accessed with the Stonethorn DLC game pack)

• Castle Thorn
• Stone Garden

Flames of Ambition dungeons (Can only be accessed with the Flames of Ambition DLC game pack)

• Black Drake Villa
• The Cauldron

Waking Flame dungeons (Can only be accessed with the Waking Flame DLC game pack)

• The Dread Cellar
• Red Petal Bastion

Ascending Tide dungeons (Can only be accessed with the Ascending Tide DLC game pack)

• Coral Aerie
• Shipwright’s Regret

Lost Depths dungeons (Can only be accessed with the Lost Depths DLC game pack)

• Earthen Root Enclave
• Graven Deep

Scribes of Fate dungeons (Can only be accessed with the Scribes of Fate DLC game pack)

• Bal Sunnar
• Scrivener's Hall

Scions of Ithelia dungeons (Can only be accessed with the Scions of Ithelia DLC game pack, releasing March 11, 2024 for PC/Mac and March 26, 2024 for Xbox and PlayStation consoles)

• Bedlam Veil
• Oathsworn Pit

We hope this guide to ESO's dungeon is useful to you. Now get out there and clear some dungeons!

Don't forget that if you ever have additional gameplay questions, you should navigate to the in-game Help menu for more information on the game's features and mechanics. In addition, you can visit the Players Helping Players section in the official ESO forums to talk to the ESO community or check out any of the player-made guides right here.