Welcome to the May Survival Guide for Elder Scrolls Online, a month teetering between relaxed pacing and vital preparation, bridging the final leg before June’s anticipated content updates. While the month might initially seem laid-back for some, ESO veterans and newcomers alike should recognize that May carries a golden opportunity—literally. From events like the Crimewave and Golden Pursuit to XP boosts and the introduction of valuable housing assets, this month has plenty in store for every kind of player. In this guide, we’ll explore how to maximize your gains whether your goals revolve around gold, experience, furnishings, or future-proofing your character progression.

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1. The Golden Pursuit: Rewards Worth Chasing

The main attraction for May is the Golden Pursuit campaign, stretching from May 1st to May 29th. This isn’t just another seasonal gimmick—this pursuit gives players a full month to earn what may be one of the more functional and visually rewarding houses yet added to the game. More than a vanity location, the new home allows you to control weather effects and features generous furnishing capacity.

If you’re on the fence about whether to prioritize this, consider what ESO housing really offers. Your house can serve as a custom fast travel hub, workshop space with deconstruction and crafting stations, a vault extension through storage chests, and even a vampiric utility hub. Furnishings like training dummies and Mundus stones can also be placed to enhance your builds. Even if the process of earning it involves furnishing placements or other minor grinds, it’s a rare chance to snag a genuinely valuable base of operations. If things get convoluted, expect a follow-up breakdown once all conditions are public.

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2. Crimewave Event: Embrace Your Inner Outlaw

Running from May 1st to May 6th, the Crimewave event flips the usual rules of Tamriel on their head. Here, criminal behavior is not only tolerated but heavily rewarded. Pickpocketing, stealing, and other shady actions yield bonus drops during this short burst of chaos. The bigger your bounty, the better your haul—so being a certified baddie actually benefits you.

What’s key here is choosing a less crowded area. Strong choices include the castle in Evermore or the docks in Davon’s Watch, both of which offer ample opportunity for thievery without bumping elbows with fellow scoundrels. Companions can offer passive bonuses—Ember boosts pickpocketing but dislikes being caught, while Aander is a more forgiving choice with bonuses tied to stealing. Still, if you’re companionless, it won’t significantly hinder your profits.

You’ll want to aim for the pouches that drop based on your bounty level. These can contain gold, ledger-enhancing consumables, sellable contraband, and unique furnishings. The limit on fencing items remains in place, but it’s softened by the increased drop rate. For low-gold or solo players, this is one of the best opportunities all year: zero need to trade or depend on others. Just sneak, snatch, and stash.

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3. XP Boosts and the Power of Preparation

From May 29th to June 3rd, players can enjoy a 100% XP boost—an ideal time to either level up alternate characters or max out underutilized skill lines. While there’s no Jubilee-style loot box mechanic this time, the event’s stripped-down nature actually makes it more efficient for grinding pure experience.

Those preparing for the subclassing system should strongly consider taking advantage of this. Whether you want your Necromancer to benefit from Sorcerer pets or you’re planning a hybrid Warden build, the XP boost gives you a perfect excuse to break out your secondary characters and bring them up to speed.

Where should you grind? Skyreach, Black Rose Prison (round 2), Alik’r or Deshaan dolmens are always top choices. But this isn’t a full XP guide—stick to your preferred farming loop and ride the bonus wave.

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4. Additional Events and Things to Keep an Eye On

• Argonian-Themed Furnishings – These appear in daily login rewards, though their aesthetic won’t be for everyone. Love them or loathe them, just log in on May 1st to start collecting.
• Content Pass and Last Chance Recall – Players who’ve purchased the 2025 Content Pass or premium editions can claim the Mages Guild Recall action by May 7th. It’s a limited-time reward and easy to miss if you’re not checking in.
• Capture the Relic Weekend – A PvP battlegrounds event running mid-month, this mode offers 25% bonus Alliance Points. While not for everyone, it’s a good chance for support and assault skill line progression. Think of it as organized chaos with potential lopsided victories.
• The Kind of Funny Podcast – An ESO-dev centered podcast that delves into the game’s evolution, concluding May 23rd. More for lore buffs than grinders.

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5. What Kind of Player Should Focus on What?

• New Players & Gold Farmers – Focus on the Crimewave. It’s low-risk, high-reward and doesn’t rely on group coordination.
• Veterans & Completionists – Lock in the Golden Pursuit rewards. Furnishings, housing, and cosmetics stack up nicely.
• Alt-Levelers & Future Planners – Save your efforts for the XP boost at the end of the month. It’s efficient, clean, and subclassing prep has never been easier.

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Final TL;DR

If nothing else, mark your calendar for the Golden Pursuit, Crimewave event, and the XP boost. Each offers high-value returns depending on your playstyle. Whether you’re here to hoard gold, prepare your roster for subclassing, or just add another beautiful property to your collection, May is a month where effort translates directly into meaningful progression. Now go out there, commit crimes, level up, and make the most of every opportunity Tamriel throws your way.