Welcome to the ESO Subclassing Guide. This guide focuses on everything related to the Subclassing System. With this powerful new system, adventurers can now blend class skill lines from different archetypes, creating fresh and exciting combinations without rerolling.
In this guide, we’ll break down how ESO Subclassing works, its limitations, and how to start theorycrafting your next build.
Table of Contents:
- What is the ESO Subclassing System and How It Works
- How to Unlock Subclassing in ESO
- How to Level Subclassing
- How to change Subclasses
- Subclassing Limitations
- Subclassing ESO Builds
- Summary of Subclassing
What Is The ESO Subclassing System and How Does It Work?
With subclassing, your character gains new powerful combinations while retaining the core identity of their original class.
The core concept of ESO’s Subclassing is to allow your character to access and use skill lines from classes other than their original class. It is introduced as a base game account-wide feature to provide greater player freedom, flexibility, and expression in building characters, allowing players to create unique combinations they previously could not.
With the Subclassing System, players can transcend the boundaries of their original class by integrating skill lines from other classes into their existing builds. Whether you’re looking to expand your combat repertoire, experiment with hybrid playstyles, or simply refresh your character’s identity, subclassing introduces an unparalleled level of flexibility and creative freedom.
To access Warden, Necromancer and Arcanist subclass skill lines you must have purchased the specific DLC’s or classes to use them. Rest of the classes are included in ESO’s base game.
- Expand their combat options
- Create off-meta or hybrid builds
- Min-max PvE or PvP performance
- Try new playstyles without creating a new character
How to Unlock Subclassing in ESO
How to unlock the Subclassing Quest in ESO
The ESO Subclassing System becomes available once any of your characters reaches level 50. To activate it on a specific character, you’ll need to complete a brief introductory quest titled “A Study in Discipline.”
You can begin this quest by either:
- Claiming it from the Quest Starters section of the Crown Store, or
- Speaking directly with Bahtra at-Hunding, an adventurer who can be found near the Wayshrines in Riften (The Rift), Evermore (Bangkorai), or Dune (Reaper’s March).
To make locating her easier, a new “Adventure Camp” map icon has been added to mark her location easier to access the Subclasses System.
How to Level Subclassing
Subclassing skill lines and abilities in ESO progress at a slower rate compared to standard class skills. However, progression is account-wide, meaning you only need to level each subclass skill line once across your entire account.
It’s important to note that subclass skills and passives cost 2 skill points each, doubling the investment compared to normal class skills. As a result, you’ll need 40 skill points per subclass line, instead of the usual 20.
Make sure to read our in-depth ESO Subclassing Power Leveling Guide to get all useful tips.
How to Change Subclasses Skill Lines
After completing the introductory subclassing quest for the first time, you’ll be able to select your subclass skill lines once for free. Any future changes will require a 1,500 gold fee, similar to standard skill respecs. When changing subclass lines, any spent skill points will be refunded.
- Bahtra at-Hunding
- Speak to Bahtra in Riften (The Rift), Evermore (Bangkorai), or Dune (Reaper’s March). Cost: 1,500 gold.
- Crown Store
- Use a Respecification Scroll available in the Crown Store.
Important Note: You cannot change a subclass skill line until it has either reached Rank 50, or the original version of that skill line has been previously leveled to Rank 50 on any character in your account.
Subclassing Limitations
When subclassing in ESO, players must retain one skill line from their original class. For instance, if you’re playing a Sorcerer, at least one Sorcerer skill line must remain untouched. The other two class-based skill lines can be swapped out with those from any other class, providing full access to their active abilities, morphs, and passives.
While this system offers tremendous flexibility and enables highly personalized builds, it also includes a few important limitations to preserve balance and class identity within the game:
- One original class skill line must always be kept. You can’t replace all three with subclass options.
- Only one skill line per subclass can be selected. For example, you can’t pick two Sorcerer lines unless your base class is Sorcerer.
- Entire skill lines must be selected. You cannot mix and match individual abilities from different classes.
According to ZeniMax Online Studios (ZOS), this subclassing approach unlocks over 3,000 unique skill line combinations, allowing players to create anything from min-maxed PvP powerhouses to creative PvE hybrids.
If you have any questions or need clarification on the system, feel free to join our Discord community. You’ll find plenty of helpful and knowledgeable players there!
Examples of Subclassing Possibilities
Make sure to visit our ESO Subclassing Builds page to get a look at the most overpowered builds. Here are some examples:
- Subclassing Sorcerer, Nightblade Heavy Attack DPS Build
- Subclassing Dragonknight, Arcanist, and Warden Tank Build
- Subclassing Nightblade, Arcanist, and Templar DPS Build
- Subclassing Templar, Warden, and Necromancer Healer Build
- Subclassing Warden, Nightblade, and Templar Healer Build
- Subclassing Necromancer, Dragonknight, and Arcanist Tank Build
- Subclassing Arcanist, Nightblade, and Templar DPS Beam Build
- Subclassing Stealth Thief Build for all Classes
The theorycrafting potential is massive because there are so many options available.
Summary of ESO’s Subclassing System
The ESO Subclassing System is a major leap forward in character customization, offering unmatched freedom to mix class skill lines and create builds that truly reflect your playstyle. Whether you’re crafting a meta-defining PvP monster or a flavorful PvE hybrid, subclassing opens the door to over 3,000 unique combinations, all without rerolling your character.
Just remember the key rules: at least one original class skill line must remain, only one skill line can be taken per subclass, and full lines, not individual abilities, must be selected. With proper planning, these limitations serve to balance the system while still allowing for deep creativity and strategic diversity.
As the meta evolves and new builds emerge, we’ll continue to update our content to reflect the most powerful and innovative subclass setups. Until then, dive into the possibilities, experiment boldly, and craft your perfect playstyle.
