Elder Scrolls Online Update 46 – Subclassing, Solstice, and the Worm Cult
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We attended a preview of the upcoming Season of the Worm DLC and Update 46 for The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO), and it’s a big one. This content drop introduces Subclassing, along with a story that pushes the game's world narrative forward—something the MMO hasn’t done quite like this before.
To Solstice – Season of the Worm Part 1
At first glance, Season of the Worm might look like just another ESO DLC. But this time, the story breaks new ground by continuing the overarching narrative of the game. This surprised me, as I always assumed the DLCs followed more of a disconnected, zone-based format.
Since its launch in 2014, ZeniMax Online Studios has been expanding ESO’s world through standalone stories, having each zone deliver its own tale. Players could jump between content, whether it was the main questline, Morrowind, or Skyrim zones. Now, Season of the Worm Cult connects to the base game’s events, offering a deeper payoff for long-time fans.
The new zone, Solstice, is a secluded island in the southern part of the world map, an ideal setting for the reemergence of the Worm Cult. The island is tropical, shrouded in mystery (as the devs described), and largely unknown to Tamriel’s inhabitants.
The Writhing Wall
The zone’s most striking feature is the Writhing Wall, a massive, magical barrier taller than any structure in the area. It plays a central role in the season’s evolving narrative. ZeniMax is leaning into living storytelling, with a major event tied to the Writhing Wall set to happen this October.
The result? Solstice will change permanently based on the outcome.
Looking at the map, the wall appears to divide the island. My guess? We’ll eventually find a way to bring it down, unlocking the other half of the island in Part 2, slated for Q4 2025.
During the preview, developers highlighted how exploration ties into progression. For instance, one path is initially blocked by a broken ridge. Later, a device acquired through the story lets players rebuild it, unlocking new areas.
New monsters were added to the world of Elder Scrolls as the devs showed off Voskronian Guardians and a new creature called the Vahoth Behemoth an Argonian feathered beast that impressed the team enough that they worked towards adding the creature into the game and is now one of the many world bosses players can tackle when they land in Solstice.
Subclassing - free update for all players
The other major feature coming to the game is Subclassing, finally bringing a deeper layer of customization that aligns with the series’ “be whoever you want” philosophy. An update to the base game and not an exclusive feature in the new DLC.
This isn’t a full-blown free-for-all build system. Your main class still matters. Subclassing lets you equip up to three skill lines from other classes, with a few important restrictions:
You must keep at least one of your original class skill lines active.
You can only equip one skill line from other classes.
Class-specific sets and mastery scripts remain locked to your original class.
Despite the limits, the system opens up tons of possibilities. Want to build a summoner with both Daedric summons and undead minions? You can, by mixing Sorcerer and Necromancer lines.
Note: You’ll only be able to use subclass skill lines from classes you own. For example, if you don’t own the Necrom expansion, you can’t access Arcanist skills.
How to Unlock Subclassing
To unlock the feature:
You must have at least one character at level 50.
Once achieved, any character can take on a short quest to enable subclassing, which can be unlocked in the game’s Crown Store.
Class skill line progression is now account-wide, so if you’ve already maxed out skill lines on one character, your others will benefit. Leveling skill lines outside your original class will take longer they say, so expect a bit of a grind.
Keep in mind: subclassing is skill point-intensive. Unlocking a subclass skill and morphing it now costs two skill points instead of one. Veteran players probably have more than enough skill points banked, but newcomers will need to plan builds more carefully.
This isn’t something you can swap in and out straight from the menu, you’ll have to go to the game’s new NPC and spend 1,500 gold each time you want to swap out a class skill line.
A New Chapter for ESO
Subclassing and a connected, evolving narrative mark a major shift for Elder Scrolls Online. It’s less about just expanding content and more about evolving the world and player experience.
This change also reflects a shift in release cadence. Instead of standalone chapters, ZeniMax is rolling out year-long content arcs that include story DLCs, dungeon packs, events, and more. Season of the Worm Cult is the first of this new format, stretching from its upcoming release through the end of the year.
The story continues in Part 2 later in Q4, and all eyes are on October, when the Writhing Wall event is expected to trigger. It’s a server-wide event likely a one-time experience, that will leave a permanent mark on Solstice.
Update 46 also comes with a series of balancing changes, new content additions, and improvements, but the meat of the update is subclassing, and it’s great for it to finally be implemented in ESO.
The Elder Scrolls Online Seasons of the Wurm Cult DLC and Update 46 are now live on PC, with the content and update to go live on consoles on June 18.
