The Elder Scrollssingle player games have been released with a variety of expansion packs sinceThe Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind. The expansion packs forThe Elder Scrollshave all expanded the lore of Tamriel, adding nuance and complexity to the world and its characters.
The entries on this list are focused on official releases, soSkyrim’sCreation Clubhas also been excluded from this list.Oblivion’s more infamous offerings, such asHorse Armor, have, however, been included and ranked accordingly.The Elder Scrolls' official expansion packs, such asShivering IslesandDragonborn, on the other hand, are considered by many to be some of the best in gaming, and are essential add-ons when playing.
S-Tier: The Expansions That are Essential
Shivering Islesopens with a room that dissolves into a swarm of butterflies and only improves from there. It is considered by manyOblivionplayers to be one of the best expansion packs Bethesda has produced, and it’s easy to see why. Aside from the gorgeous location of the Isles, the creativity of both the setting, the characters, and the storyline, and the implications of the story as a whole,Shivering Islesas an experienceis one that is not easily forgotten.
Dragonborn, the final expansion forSkyrim, is another expansion that takes players to a Daedric Prince’s plane of Oblivion. This time it’s the plane of the Daedric Prince of Knowledge,Hermaeus Mora, and partially takes place in his Lovecraftian-esque plane of Apocrypha.Dragonbornnot only expands on the lore of the dragonborn and offers the player the chance to ask themselves what it means to be dragonborn, but also sees the return toMorrowind: Bloodmoon’s setting of Solstheim for a heady hit of nostalgia, lore, new armor sets, Shouts, and spells.
A-Tier: Lore and Improvements to the Base Games
Morrowind’s first expansion pack,Tribunal, brought the player character to Morrowind’s capital city of Mournhold and drew them into political machinations that would see the conclusion of Morrowind’s Tribunal. With such stakes at hand and the amount of lore it expanded upon,Tribunalis essential for anyMorrowindplayer, but could have done more in terms of scope. It also notably improved onMorrowind’s awful journal system, and is worth having just for that.
Dawnguardbrought with it a much-neededoverhaul for vampires inSkyrim, skill trees for both vampires and werewolves, one of the best bows inSkyrim, a quest that takes the player to one of the most interesting settings inThe Elder Scrolls, brings back an unexpected cameo, and has Serana, one of the best followers and characters inSkyrim. Dawnguard brings a lot more to the table than just vampires, especially lore-wise, and is worth the investment.
B-Tier: Unique Gameplay and Lore
LikeDawnguard,Knights of the Ninehas more going for it than appears, especially in regard to lore. While the lore surrounding Pelinal Whitestrake may seem inconsequential, as he appears to just be a knight of St Alessia and was responsible for the destruction of the Ayleid elves, he was actually the mortal incarnation of the god Lorkhan. In many ways, Whitestrake and Alessia’s relationship and battle wereparallel to the Hero of Kvatch and Martin Septim’s relationshipand the plot ofOblivion, especially when considering the events ofShivering Isles.
Hearthfirewas a unique addition toSkyrimas, rather than a questline, it added purely gameplay in the form of homesteading. As a result,Hearthfirelet players to live out their cozy game dreams inSkyrim, something that was surprisingly viable. Being able to mine clay and rock, chop wood, and build a house from the foundations, including building all the furnishings, became incredibly rewarding. Alongside homesteading came adoption and, with so manyorphans inSkyrim, the opportunity to build a house and have a family live in it became the priority, as Alduin and the threat of dragons fell by the wayside.
C-Tier: Additions to Gameplay and an Iconic Artifact
The events ofBloodmoon take place on the island of Solstheim several hundred years beforeSkyrim’sDragonborn, and deal with the establishment of the East Empire Trading Company and lycanthropy. Becoming a werewolf is unfortunately not as rewarding here as it is inSkyrim, and it is luckily fairly easy to cure. Otherwise, the change in setting, the additional culture and lore thanks to Solstheim’s proximity to Skyrim, and the new enemies and combat make this expansion worth playing.
Oblivioncame with many DLCs outside its two full expansion packs.Mehrune’s Razoris the only properly fleshed out one, with a full dungeon and the reappearance of Mehrunes Razor, a notable addition because of the role of the Daedric Prince. Considering there is no opportunity to fulfill a request forMehrunes Dagon inOblivion, it’s good that there’s the opportunity to receive his dagger in another way.
D-Tier: Oblivion’s Infamous Add-Ons
Most of the DLCs in this section are for specific builds, such asThe Vile Lairfor characters with high infamy or who are vampires, andThe Wizard’s Tower,Spell Tomes, and theOrreryfor spellcasters. All of theseitems come withOblivion, and don’t really add anything essential to the game, as there are many better alternatives in-game already.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
WHERE TO PLAY
Winner of more than 200 Game of the Year Awards, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim celebrates 10 years of adventuring in stunning detail. The Anniversary Edition includes a decade worth of content: the critically acclaimed core game and add-ons of Skyrim Special Edition, plus Creation Club content released on or prior to June 16, 2025.EPIC FANTASY REBORNSkyrim reimagines and revolutionizes the open-world fantasy epic, bringing to life a complete virtual world open for you to explore any way you choose.LIVE ANOTHER LIFE, IN ANOTHER WORLDPlay any type of character you can imagine, and do whatever you want; the legendary freedom of choice, storytelling, and adventure of The Elder Scrolls is realized like never before.YOU ARE WHAT YOU PLAYChoose from hundreds of weapons, spells, and abilities. The new character system allows you to play any way you want and define yourself through your actions.BATTLE DRAGONSBattle ancient dragons like you’ve never seen. As Dragonborn, learn their secrets and harness their power for yourself.
