The Elder Scrolls Online Battlegrounds Beginner’s Guide

Publication date : 2025-11-21

What are Battlegrounds?

In ESO, there are battlegrounds, which are PvP battles with three teams, each consisting of four players. Each team has four players. Usually, the games last 10 to 15 minutes and are goal-oriented, unlike in Cyrodiil. In a small team, the game is easier to understand. It is ideal for learning PvP mechanics in ESO without being overwhelmed by large Battlegrounds.

Access & Queue Mechanics

When you reach level 10, you can participate in battlegrounds.
Press the "P" key and then click on "Battlegrounds" in the "Groups & Activity Finder" menu. You have the choice between a specific mode or joining the random queue.
If you accept the starter quest For Glory, you can complete more tasks every day and receive rewards. You can find them in the Gladiator Quarters of the Alliance starting cities.

Modes & Objectives

There are different modes to choose from, and each has its own conditions.

Deathmatch: In Deathmatch, the team that first reaches the target score (e.g., 500) through kills or assists wins.
Domination: Capture multiple flag points and hold them to collect points. The more you have, the more points you get.
Crazy King: A flag point called "King" appears, which you should hold more often than the other team.
Capture the Relic: In "Capture the Relic" you have to steal the relics from the other teams and bring them to your base. At the same time, you must defend your own relic. People who carry something often can't do everything well.
Chaosball: In Chaosball, a player is appointed as the ball carrier. If he holds onto it, he takes damage and needs help from teammates to score points.

Rewards, Points & Progress

You can earn Alliance Points (AP) by participating in battlegrounds. With AP, you can buy or unlock equipment, style pages, titles, and PvP rank progression.
After collecting 20,000 AP, you will receive a "Rewards for the Worthy" reward chest containing random pieces, outfit styles, and dyes.

Each character has a special skill line for the "Alliance War" and a PvP rank that is increased through AP and PvP activities.

Equipment & Build

First, make sure that the equipment offers a lot of life, protection, and healing. In PvP, it is important to be present for the team for a long time.
From level 15, you can use a second weapon bar to easily switch between damage and defense/dodge sets. That's very convenient.
Remember to use buffs & food: Special food for more Magicka or Stamina and good healing potions will help you improve in the early games.
In 4v4v4 combat, interrupts and mobility are often more important than high damage.
When you're ready, switch from PvE to PvP gear. Look for PvP sets that, for example, reduce the target's healing or deal more damage to players, and adjust your Champion Points accordingly.

Tips for your first matches

Remember that playing is not just about killing enemies. Beginners often lose because they want to fight alone. Winning in Battlegrounds heavily depends on controlling objects like flags or relics.
Work together with your team. In games with 4 players per team, there are often fights in small groups. It's better not to go alone to a place where 2 opponents can attack you from both sides.
Use the terrain & LoS (Line of Sight). Hide behind objects or go to higher ground to escape strong enemy attacks.
Pay attention to respawn timers and map flow. Because matches are short, every second counts. Know the spawn points, switch quickly between targets, and don't die unnecessarily.
Use your ultimate ability correctly. A big damage blow is effective when the opposing team has no defense or your team attacks together. Don't use your Ultimate for no reason.
It is important to learn from mistakes. After each game, we ask what went wrong. Did you arrive too early, not pay attention to your goal, or were you surprised? Often, it is enough to improve just one thing.
Try out roles early. Try a melee fighter with good regeneration, a ranged damage dealer, or someone who supports and heals. To find out what brings you joy, try different things.

Map knowledge & team coordination

Study well-known maps for the Battleground, such as Pit Daemons, Fire Drakes, Horned Dragon, and Stormlord. You should know where the flags and relics are, where the chokepoints are, and where ambushes might be lurking.
It is useful to use ping markers like "Flag contested," "Group up," and "Need heal" to improve communication, even without voice chat. This way, you keep better track.
When you attack a group, choose a target (usually the healer or strong attacker) and only attack that one, not multiple targets at the same time.
A defensive game can also lead to victory. It's not always about attacking when you control flags or relics. Sometimes it's important to drive away the opposing team or buy time.

From Beginner to Intermediate

If you often survive and understand the objective games, learn more about PvP-specific topics such as build optimization, meaningful champion points, and racial bonuses in PvP.
Join a group that plays Battlegrounds. A well-coordinated team is very important in small games.
Take another look at your matches. At which place were you surprised? Which place had disadvantages? It is very effective to improve things through investigation.
When you feel ready, you can try other PvP modes like Cyrodiil or Imperial City. Many skills you learn in battlegrounds are also useful in these modes.

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