Elder Scrolls Online offers many challenges to its players and quests are the most ubiquitous example. There are simple ones that ask you to fetch something and there are long, winding ones that combine many tasks to tell a story. Another fine example would be running dungeons. There are many different types, but we’ll only focus on ESO Public Dungeons.

What are the types of dungeons in ESO?

There are Delves (torch icon), Public Dungeons (cave icon), Group Dungeons (doorway+ icon), and Trials (Daedra doorway+ icon). The first kind is the easiest. Players can complete them solo or in small groups. Public Dungeons will be explained in the next section. Group Dungeons are harder and Public but easier than Trials. Trials are the hardest and need about 12 people to complete.

Delves and Group Dungeons have two difficulties: Normal and Veteran. The former also has a ‘Group’ (torch with a plus) version, which is a harder version of the dungeon. Trials have the same difficulty modes but do not have a Group version. A ‘Hard Mode’ may be activated within them for the extra challenge instead.

What are ESO Public Dungeons?

Public Dungeons are un-instanced dungeons anyone can enter at any time. They’re harder than Delves but easier than Trials. Each one is associated with a quest or questline, so defeating the boss isn’t the only way to complete them. The associated quest(s) must also be finished for the game to consider the dungeon complete. Most of them even have Skyshards, so don’t miss the opportunity to get them! Skill points are precious and you need every last one. They also count for achievements as well.

Can I solo Public Dungeons?

Yes, you certainly can! They may be harder than Delves, but with a well-built character, you can easily breeze through them. If you can hunt comfortably in the surrounding area, you should have enough strength to take on the dungeon.

Where can I find public dungeons in ESO?

There is at least one in every zone while DLC areas have two. Some of them may only be accessible by buying the related expansion or subscribing to ESO+. They are marked by an arched opening that looks like a cave in the map.

Here is a list of ESO Public Dungeons:

Aldmeri Dominion

• Toothmaul Gully (Auridon)
• Root Sunder Ruins (Grahtwood)
• Rulanyil’s Fall (Greenshade)
• Crimson Cove (Malabal Tor)
• The Vile Manse (Reaper’s March)

Daggerfall Covenant

• Lost City of the Na-Totambu (Alik’r Desert)
• Razak’s Wheel (Bangkorai)
• Bad Man’s Hallows (Glenumbra)
• Obsidian Scar (Rivenspire)
• Bonesnap Ruins (Stormhaven)

Ebonheart Pact

• Forgotten Crypts (Deshaan)
• Hall of the Dead (Eastmarch)
• The Lion’s Den (The Rift)
• Sanguine’s Demesne (Shadowfen)
• Crow’s Wood (Stonefalls)

Neutral

• Village of the Lost (Coldharbour)
• Imperial Sewers (Cyrodiil)
• Orcrest and Rimmen Necropolis (Northern Elsweyr)
• Karnwasten and Sunhold (Summerset)
• Forgotten Wastes and Nchuleftingth (Vvardenfell)
• Old Orsinium and Rkindaleft (Wrothgar)

While those are the Public Dungeons of ESO so far, forthcoming expansions may add to them in the future.

What are Group Challenges in Public Dungeons?

Group Challenges are events that take place in certain Public Dungeons. Players can activate them if they know where they take place in the dungeon. A certain action within that area will start the event. These challenges range from simple actions such as lighting a brazier to complex ones like killing the boss’s minions to summon it. The challenges add another layer of difficulty, as you typically need a group to complete one. Of course, you can go through them solo, though you’ll need excellent gear and a well-built character.

Start enjoying your dungeon adventures!

We hope this helped you understand ESO Public Dungeons more. Try them out for yourself. They’re testing grounds for the harder dungeons. If you can’t finish one, you probably won’t be able to finish Group Dungeons or Trials. Whether you’re in a group or going in solo doesn’t matter. At any rate, continue enjoying your adventures throughout Tamriel!