TL;DR
- Start with dolmen farming until level 10, then integrate daily dungeons for maximum efficiency
- Stack training gear with XP consumables and event bonuses for up to 150% XP boost
- Prioritize Alik’r Desert and Auridon zones for optimal dolmen rotation
- Complete at least one daily dungeon per character for substantial XP rewards
- Avoid arenas and master inefficient methods that waste valuable leveling time
Navigating the leveling journey in The Elder Scrolls Online requires strategic planning rather than brute force grinding. Drawing from extensive gameplay analysis and community-tested methods, this guide provides a systematic approach to reaching level 50 efficiently while maintaining engagement. The methodology balances passive farming with active dungeon content to prevent burnout.
The foundational approach combines dolmen farming with structured dungeon integration. Begin by focusing exclusively on dolmens (also called Dark Anchors) until you hit level 10, establishing your character’s core capabilities. Once you unlock dungeon access, implement a rotation system that maximizes both passive and active XP gains throughout your progression.
While Spellscar in Craglorn presents an alternative for experienced players, it demands substantial damage output and competitive positioning that new characters typically lack. Dolmens offer superior accessibility since you only need to land a single hit on enemies to receive full XP credit, making them ideal for low-level progression.
Forming dedicated dolmen farming groups significantly accelerates the process, allowing continuous rotation between anchor spawn points that refresh every 2-3 minutes. This creates a sustainable XP flow that outperforms most solo methods.
Maximizing your experience gain requires leveraging multiple optimization systems simultaneously. The most effective players combine gear enhancements, consumable stacking, and event timing to create multiplicative XP bonuses.
Training Gear Optimization: Acquire armor sets with the Training trait as early as possible. While some veterans maintain level 1 training gear throughout their journey, upgrading every 10 levels provides better survivability and damage output. Purple quality gear offers the optimal balance between cost and XP enhancement—craft it yourself, purchase from guild traders, or commission master crafters.
Consumable Stacking Strategy: Utilize Psijic Ambrosia or experience scrolls for consistent XP boosts. These consumables stack with event bonuses, potentially providing up to 150% additional experience. Strategic timing of these items during active farming sessions yields the highest returns.
Coordinate your leveling efforts with seasonal events like the Jubilee and New Life Festival that offer double XP periods. Planning intensive farming sessions during these windows can cut your total leveling time by nearly half when combined with other optimization methods.
Dolmens represent the most accessible leveling method for new players due to their forgiving mechanics and cooperative nature. The system rewards participation rather than performance, making it ideal for building foundational character strength.
Passive Engagement Mechanics: Unlike competitive farming areas, dolmens require minimal individual contribution. Landing a single ability or attack on each enemy ensures you receive full credit when other players defeat them.
Zone Selection Strategy: Alik’r Desert and Auridon consistently rank as the premier dolmen farming locations. Alik’r Desert particularly excels due to its efficient travel routes between anchors and consistently active player populations maintaining rotation groups.
These anchors appear throughout all major zones with predictable spawn patterns. The community-driven nature of dolmen farming creates a supportive environment where players naturally cooperate without formal organization.

The social aspect of dolmen farming cannot be overstated—experienced players often carry newer ones through the process, creating an inclusive leveling experience.
While solo play remains viable, strategic grouping dramatically improves leveling efficiency. The ESO community maintains casual grouping norms that respect individual playstyles while maximizing collective benefits.
Dungeon Queue Management: Group dungeons unlock at level 10 and provide substantial XP boosts. However, you cannot queue for additional dungeons while already in a group, requiring careful planning of your dungeon rotation sequence.
Target locations like Auridon where dungeon completion times are optimized. Ensure you tag every enemy during dungeon runs to maximize XP gain, and immediately requeue upon completion to minimize downtime.
Daily Dungeon Priority System: Completing your first random dungeon daily provides one of the largest single XP sources available. Even when repeating previously completed dungeons, the daily bonus outweighs the lost quest XP.
Companion Integration: Unlocking Companions requires completing an initial quest that may challenge low-DPS characters. However, a properly geared level 20 Companion significantly enhances your damage output and enemy tagging capability.
The base game dungeon queue typically maintains 5-10 minute wait times between runs, creating perfect windows for additional dolmen rotations. This hybrid approach ensures continuous XP flow throughout your session.
Avoid arenas and other inefficient leveling methods that demand high performance for minimal returns. Focus instead on systems that reward consistent participation over individual skill.
Common Leveling Pitfalls: Many players waste hours on methods that provide suboptimal XP rates. Spellscar farming, while theoretically efficient, typically fails for new characters due to competition and DPS requirements.
Advanced players sometimes utilize crafting mastery and master writs to achieve rapid leveling, but these methods require significant preparation and game knowledge.
Time Management Framework: Allocate specific sessions for intensive farming during XP events, and use more relaxed play during normal periods to prevent burnout.
The methods outlined here provide reliable results without demanding extensive game knowledge or perfect execution. This makes them ideal for both newcomers and veterans creating alternate characters.
Remember that consistent daily dungeon completion provides more reliable progression than sporadic intensive farming sessions. The combination of structured daily goals with flexible farming methods creates sustainable leveling momentum.
For those seeking comprehensive gameplay guidance, our Complete Guide offers additional strategic frameworks applicable across different gaming contexts.
Action Checklist
- Farm dolmens in Alik’r Desert until level 10
- Acquire purple quality training gear and XP consumables
- Complete daily random dungeon for substantial XP bonus
- Unlock and gear Companion to level 20 for DPS assistance
- Combine dungeon queues with dolmen rotations during wait times
- Participate in double XP events for accelerated progression
No reproduction without permission:GameCDjnh » How to Level Up Fast in ESO While Playing Solo Expert strategies for efficient ESO leveling from 1-50 using dolmans, dungeons, and optimization techniques
