General:2025 ESO Direct—Seasons of the Worm Cult Preview

Originally published April 10, 2025. The original article can be found here.

Get a closer look at 2025’s new zone and storyline, plus discover the Worm Cult’s return to their vile schemes in this preview!

ESO’s next big adventure is here as part of the new 2025 Content Pass, and it returns to the root of it all for a storyline 10 years in the making! The villainous Worm Cult from the game’s original main story questline is back, and it’s eager to resume their plans of domination.

[In original article is embedded youtube video The Elder Scrolls Online: Return of the Worm Cult link here]

You can experience your first taste of the Worm Cult’s revenge in-game right now with the free prologue quest. Prepare for the challenges ahead and face off against the cult’s new weapons, the Soul Reapers, in a story that leads directly into Seasons of the Worm Cult Part 1.

Seasons of the Worm Cult Part 1

Seasons of the Worm Cult Part 1 launches on June 2 for PC/Mac and June 18 for Xbox and PlayStation consoles and is included as part of the 2025 Content Pass. In this new storyline and zone, you must uncover and investigate the Worm Cult’s new base of operations on the tropical island of Solstice.

The city of Sunport in Solstice

In Part 1, as you explore Western Solstice, you will quickly discover that the Worm Cult is far from defenseless. They’ve erected a massive arcane barrier using soul magic—the Writhing Wall—that divides the island, and for now, Eastern Solstice (and its secrets) is sealed off by this arcane edifice.

The Worm Cult has gathered great strength

Despite being a zone divided, you will find that Western Solstice is full of challenges and rewards, including new World Bosses, Delves, a Public Dungeon, and a brand-new Trial, the Ossein Cage. There are 16 Antiquities (including three new Mythic items), four new Trial item sets (including Perfected versions), and a host of other rewards, including even more item sets, and a ton of Collectibles, from crafting motifs to pets. You’ll also receive a 10% experience boost from adventuring in Solstice all year!

Seasons of the Worm Cult Parts 1 and 2 Rewards

Writhing Wall Event

As exciting as all that is, Seasons of the Worm Cult Part 1 is only the beginning, with more unlocking over 2025 as part of the same purchase. In Q3/Q4 (exact timing TBD), you can band together with other players across Tamriel to bring down the Writhing Wall in a world-changing one-time event.

Bring down the Writhing Wall

Using the advantages gained in your Seasons of the Worm Cult Part 1 adventures, the forces opposing the Worm Cult have a plan to pierce the barrier and prepare for a true assault on the Worm Cult’s base in Eastern Solstice.

They’ll need help to do it though—help from all across Tamriel. Join with other players for activities in Solstice and beyond to complete the event and unbar the way forward. You can even help the war effort with just base game access, as people all across Tamriel can gather resources to help fuel the assault.

Seasons of the Worm Cult Part 2

Seasons of the Worm Cult Part 2 arrives in Q4 and gives you the opportunity to finally uncover just what these villains have been hiding behind the arcane barrier. Be warned, Eastern Solstice is far less welcoming than the previous territory, thanks to the Worm Cult’s malign influence.

What lurks in Eastern Solstice?

Solstice’s second half introduces yet more challenges and rewards, with additional World Bosses, Delves, another Public Dungeon, and new rewards both exclusive to the new content and shared across the unified Solstice zone. You can expect three new overland item sets (giving Solstice six in total once Part 2 unlocks), three more Mythic items, and many more items and collectibles to earn.

Dungeon Packs

The year’s new content isn’t limited to Solstice, as the 2025 Content Pass also includes access to a host of four-player dungeons in 2025. Two of them—Exiled Redoubt and Lep Seclusa—are already available as part of the Fallen Banners dungeon pack.

Tamriel is beset with strife on all sides

In Q3, you’ll also face new threats in the Feast of Shadows dungeon pack, which contains the dungeons Black Gem Foundry and Naj Caldeesh. Assault a Daedric forge supplying the Worm Cult from Coldharbour and fight to stop their corruption of an ancient Xanmeer as you battle through these new four-player challenges, each with their own unique rewards!

Seasons of Adventure & Danger

With four major releases, including both Western and Eastern Solstice, four dungeons, and a special one-time event, there's a full year of adventures, challenges, and changes coming your way with the 2025 Content Pass. How do you plan to make your stand against the Worm Cult’s return? Are you excited to begin your journey into Solstice? Let us know via Bluesky, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook.

Seasons of the Worm Cult Part 1 is included within the 2025 Content Pass and 2025 Premium Edition and arrives on June 2, 2025, for PC/Mac and June 18, 2025, for Xbox and PlayStation consoles.