The Elder Scrolls Online year-long Gates of Oblivion event officially begins on March 8, when the Flames of Ambition DLC arrives on PC, Mac, and Stadia. Xbox One and PS4 players can join in a week later on March 16.
Flames of Ambition is the first sizable update to ESO in 2021. It also marks the start of the long-awaited Gates of Oblivion storyline, putting you up against Mehrunes Dagon – the Daedric Prince of Destruction. Bethesda said this new DLC pack will set up the rest of the story and give you a way to earn powerful new gear.
"Your 2021 adventure begins with the Flames of Ambition DLC game pack, bringing two exciting new PvE challenges to Tamriel: The Cauldron and Black Drake Villa," reads a statement from Bethesda. "In these challenging new dungeons, you must assault a shrine to the Prince of Destruction and race to uncover a mysterious tome before it is lost to fire and ash."
While the quest won't be easy, you won't have to tackle it alone. Along the way, you'll be accompanied by Eveli Sharp-Arrow and the outcast Dremora Lyranth. Bethesda is also teasing "powerful new items and fantastic collectibles," although you'll have to wait and find out more about those when the DLC launches in March.
Once you've wrapped up Flames of Ambition, this year's main attraction – the Blackwood Chapter – will be waiting for you in June. This sees the introduction of a new region, new world events, new delves, and plenty of quality of life improvements. Two more DLC packs are planned to release in 2021 – one being a dungeon pack in Q3 and the other a story zone in Q4 – which should round out your Daedric adventures and wrap up the Gates of Oblivion questline.
The Elder Scrolls Online: Blackwood is now available for pre-order. Picking the game up ahead of its release will land you several digital exclusives, such as the Nightmare Bear Cub pet and the Nagahide Welwa Ravager mount.
Flames of Ambition will launch on March 8 for PC, Mac, and Stadia, and on March 16 for Xbox One and PS4.