ESO Greymoor Free access began on October 19, 2026, when Greymoor joined The Elder Scrolls Online base game alongside Wolfhunter. Players who own ESO can now explore Western Skyrim, unlock Antiquities and enter Kyne’s Aegis without buying the Greymoor Chapter separately.
If you’re returning for Season Two: Echoes of Skyrim, you can start Greymoor’s story, visit Solitude or hunt relics straight away. Markarth is the next Skyrim DLC joining the base game, on November 9. Here’s how to get started and which activities are included.
When did ESO Greymoor Free access begin?
Greymoor and Wolfhunter became base-game content on Monday, October 19, 2026, two days before Season Two launched. That moved Greymoor forward from the older November schedule. The ESO Greymoor Free change adds content to a copy of ESO you already play; it does not mean ESO itself is now free to acquire.
What does ESO Greymoor Free include?
Western Skyrim is home to Solitude, Greymoor’s quests and the northern entrances into Blackreach. The chapter also includes Harrowstorms, delves, world bosses, public dungeons and collectibles. For players who’ve never tried it, the Antiquities system is one of the biggest additions.
| Included content | What it offers |
|---|---|
| Western Skyrim | Solitude, quests, delves and world bosses |
| Blackreach | Underground zones and exploration |
| Antiquities | Scrying, Excavation and the Antiquarian’s Eye |
| Kyne’s Aegis | 12-player trial |
| Other activities | Harrowstorms, Labyrinthian and Nchuthnkarst public dungeons |
All of these are part of Greymoor. You can play the storyline on its own, but completing it before Markarth also helps you follow the full Dark Heart of Skyrim adventure.
How to access ESO Greymoor Free in Western Skyrim
Open the world map and travel to Western Skyrim. The Solitude Docks Wayshrine is a useful starting point for an existing character.
- Install any available ESO updates.
- Open the map and select Western Skyrim.
- Travel to the Solitude Docks Wayshrine and enter Solitude.
- Follow the Greymoor quest markers, or visit the Antiquarian Circle if you want to unlock Antiquities first.
To start through the quest menu, open Collections → Stories → Chapters → Greymoor and accept “The Gathering Storm.” You can play its prologue, “The Coven Conspiracy,” first if you want the earlier story setup.
Be sure to choose Western Skyrim rather than The Reach. The Reach belongs to Markarth, which has a separate November 9 base-game date.
How to unlock Antiquities with ESO Greymoor Free
Visit the Antiquarian Circle in Solitude, near the Bards College and Blue Palace. Speak to Verita Numida to begin the tutorial, unlock Scrying and Excavation, and learn to use the Antiquarian’s Eye.
When you obtain an Antiquity Lead, Scrying narrows down the area where the object is buried. Go to that area, use the Antiquarian’s Eye to find the dig site and excavate your discovery. Start with the introductory Leads before attempting ones that require higher skill levels.
You can discover Leads through bosses, treasure chests, quests and exploration. Rewards include furnishings, cosmetics and components of Mythic equipment. Some discoveries sit in other DLC areas, so having access to Antiquities doesn’t automatically unlock every location that contains a Lead.
When does Markarth become free after Greymoor?
November 9, 2026. ZeniMax’s Season Two calendar confirms when Markarth joins the base game. This is later than the October 19 release of ESO Greymoor Free, so the two pieces of the Skyrim story do not become available to base-game owners on the same day.
Markarth opens The Reach, Arkthzand Cavern and the Vateshran Hollows solo arena. It also concludes the Dark Heart of Skyrim plot, with bonus finale quests unlocked by finishing both Greymoor and Markarth’s storylines.
If you’re playing in order, finish Greymoor first and continue into Markarth after its free access begins. Its exact November 9 unlock hour hasn’t yet been specified in the Season Two announcement.
Wolfhunter and the new solo dungeons
Wolfhunter also became base-game content on October 19. It contains the original four-player Moon Hunter Keep and March of Sacrifices dungeons. Their rebalanced single-player versions followed with Season Two on October 21.
Those solo modes let you play with or without an NPC Companion, with extra difficulty settings and rewards. Our Moon Hunter Keep and March of Sacrifices guides cover their individual mechanics and entrances.
Do you need ESO Plus for ESO Greymoor Free?
No. If you already have ESO, you don’t need ESO Plus or a separate Greymoor purchase to enter the content added to the base game. ESO Plus still offers its usual benefits, including the Craft Bag and access to other eligible DLC.
You may still want a bundle that includes Greymoor if it contains other chapters or collectibles, but check what’s included before buying. You don’t need to pay just for Western Skyrim or the Antiquities system now that both are base-game content.
Is the Skyrim Golden Pursuit confirmed?
Yes. The Skyrim Golden Pursuit begins on November 9, alongside Markarth’s planned inclusion. It’s a separate event with its own objectives and rewards, not a requirement for unlocking Greymoor or Markarth.
The complete objective and reward list isn’t in ZeniMax’s current Season Two schedule. Check the dedicated event notice or in-game Golden Pursuit panel when it launches. In the meantime, ESO Greymoor Free gives you Western Skyrim and Antiquities to explore now.
Related Guides
Official source: ZeniMax Online Studios, Season Two: Echoes of Skyrim.
