As the title states I am coming back after a few years hiatus. I am a bit confused as to where and how I jump back into the game. I have recovered my account and am downloading the client. My account says I have Tamriel Unlimited (PC). Do I need to buy something else? Is there a different version? I scoured the web but the info was spotty. Do I need to sub or buy expacs? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Or maybe direct me to somewhere that can clear up the confusion. Thanks in advance.

Do you have ESO+ ? I´d highly recommend it otherwise.

I´d recommend starting a new character, the latest tutorial should be the one where you get to choose between a number of portals that exist as gateways, like so:



As for where to go...

If you want to level up your character, you will want to pick up all guilds; fighters, mages and undaunted like before, but also the Psijic guild. In order to get it you need to play through the Summerset questline until you get to Artaeum, then talk to loremaster Celarus once you get to the tower there. Once you have closed the rifts on Summerset Isle you will acquire the Psijic skilline. This is kind of important since without having it, time rifts (which contain really useful stuff) won´t show up. Then, do whatever you want.

I recommend using Minion and getting addons like Map Pins and Writ Crafter, unless you really feel like doing 'manual chores'.

When I start a new character, I do this:

1. Fix all the settings and hotkeys, since for some inexplicable reason they are not copied from your previous character(s).

2. Assign champion points (the champion system has been revamped and is a bit more confusing now, go to UESP and read up).

3. Get Lover mundus stone. Get FG, MG, undaunted and speedrun Summerset to get Psijic. This sets up the character.

4. Start the Main Quest (the 'newbie island' zones can safely be skipped, though you might want to get the skyshards).

5. Play around how I feel; play some MQ and Zone Quests, mix it up with Vvardenfell, Battlegrounds, Cyrodiil, dailies etc etc. I have the Antiquities skillines on one character, but you do not need it to acquire leads (only to actually dig).

There is a ton of content and it can be overwhelming, so I´d take it slow at first. Just get acquainted with the game. And welcome back!

You can jump around all you want in the game at the moment. You can go to the Rift and do the Zone quests there even if you have done nothing else and are in the 'wrong' alliance, for exemple.

I think that´s all. I might be forgetting something. Ask if you want.

ESO+
Gives access to a bunch of quality of life perks, and also access to ALL DLCs in the game, including their zones.

Sadly, this is not true (and you pointed this out later in your post, just clearing up any confusion). I do not get High Isle. You do get stuff that previously was 'chapter' DLC only though (and some stuff like IC was DLC and is now base game I believe). I am 'behind' in story quests played, so I do not mind it. But you do not get everything.