What Do You Need to Unlock Arcanist in ESO? Complete 2026 Guide

If you’re wondering what do you need to unlock Arcanist in Elder Scrolls Online, the answer lies in the highly anticipated Necrom expansion. The Arcanist will be the seventh playable class in ESO and brings unique magical mechanics inspired by Hermaeus Mora’s domain of Oblivion. With its mysterious background and versatile abilities, the Arcanist is designed to enhance every aspect of gameplay—from combat to exploration.

This new class is deeply rooted in magical power. Whether you enjoy unleashing chaotic damage or supporting your allies, the Arcanist gives players a fresh approach to building characters with unique strategies and styles. It’s not just about flashy abilities; this class adds an entirely new layer of tactical depth to ESO.

How the Arcanist Enhances Gameplay

One of the most intriguing aspects of the Arcanist class is how it introduces new types of gameplay. With the Necrom expansion, players don’t just get access to new areas—they also gain the ability to create new characters and unlock additional classes, including the Arcanist.

So, what do you need to unlock Arcanist? First, you’ll need to purchase the Necrom expansion, available with ESO Gold or via the in-game Crown Store. Once you have the expansion, you can access the Arcanist and other new content under the “Upgrades” section of the Crown Store.

The Power of Crux and Custom Playstyles

One of the core mechanics exclusive to the Arcanist class is Crux. Crux functions as a resource system that powers up your abilities— the more Crux you accumulate, the more devastating your skills become. This offers a new layer of gameplay that allows for deep customization, empowering players to create unique builds based on their preferred combat strategies.

Crux ties into three distinct skill lines tailored to a range of player types. Whether you prefer destructive offense, powerful healing, or strong defense, the Arcanist’s toolkit supports multiple playstyles. This makes it an ideal choice for players who enjoy tanking, DPS, or even hybrid support roles.

A Class for Every Role

Like other ESO classes, the Arcanist features a mix of active, passive, and ultimate abilities. These skills are designed to synergize well with group content, solo play, and everything in between. Whether you want to hold the front line, unleash magical chaos, or back up your team, the Arcanist fits all roles seamlessly.

You’ll be able to dive into this class starting June 5th on PC and June 20th on consoles, when the Necrom expansion officially launches. If you're still unsure what do you need to unlock Arcanist, remember that having access to the Necrom expansion is your ticket in.

How to Unlock the Arcanist Class

Once you've obtained the Necrom expansion, head to the in-game Crown Store. Navigate to “Upgrades,” then “Class” to unlock the Arcanist. From there, you can create a new character using this class—assuming you have free character slots available.

If you’ve already used up your character slots, don’t worry. There are a few options to consider beyond deleting an existing character, which isn’t ideal for most players.

Managing Character Slots and Companions

Still wondering what do you need to unlock Arcanist if your character slots are full? In that case, you’ll need to purchase more slots through the Crown Store. The base game allows up to nine slots, and if you also own the Elsweyr expansion, you can unlock up to ten.

With the Necrom expansion, players also gain access to two new companions—the Arcanist Redguard and Warden Argonian. These powerful allies can be summoned in combat and will support you during your adventures throughout Tamriel.

Part of the Shadow of Morrowind Storyline

The arrival of the Arcanist class isn’t just a standalone feature—it’s a key component of the larger Shadow of Morrowind storyline. This narrative arc revisits the previous four years of ESO’s storytelling structure, which often revolves around year-long content releases.

To get started with the story, you’ll want to pick up the Scribes of Fate DLC, which introduces players to the world that leads into Necrom. It’s currently available on PC and will be launching for consoles on March 28. If you have an ESO Plus™ membership, you can claim it directly from the Crown Store at no additional cost.

More Content Coming for Console Players

Scribes of Fate features two new dungeons and rich lore that sets the stage for Necrom’s full story. Once the full expansion drops, players will be able to fully explore the Shadow of Morrowind and unlock all associated content.

If you’re still asking yourself what do you need to unlock Arcanist, the answer boils down to this: get the Necrom expansion, make sure you have enough ESO Gold or Crowns, and be ready to manage your character slots. With these steps completed, you’ll be ready to unleash the power of Hermaeus Mora’s chosen class.

Conclusion

The Arcanist class introduces a fresh and powerful way to experience The Elder Scrolls Online. With its unique mechanics, deep customization, and role versatility, it’s a perfect addition to any adventurer's toolkit. If you're wondering what do you need to unlock Arcanist, it’s simple: purchase the Necrom expansion using ESO Gold, check your character slots, and access the new class via the Crown Store.

Whether you’re a long-time player or just diving into ESO, the Arcanist offers an exciting path forward—and with Gamer Choice, you can stock up on ESO Gold quickly and securely to prepare for your journey.