Chat is a system primarily used for communicating with other online players of Elder Scrolls Online. It also serves as a means of inputting commands to the game that affect the player character. Note that text-based chat is primarily only available on PC/Mac; PS4 and Xbox One players must use voice chat or a limited selection of 22 "Quick Chat" phrases instead.
Text Chat (PC/Mac)
Players can bring up a chat window by pressing the "Enter" key (Windows) or "Return" key (OS X). A box appears in the bottom left corner, which contains a log of what other players have recently said as well as a text field for the player to add to the conversation. A profanity filter is in place in order to prevent other players from reading offensive content.
Audience Scope
The scope of the audience that will receive the chat is specified by prefacing the chat message with one of the following commands. Any future chats will continue to use the same scope until a new chat is used.
Command |
Audience |
Audience Can be Anywhere |
/s or /say |
Players in the surrounding area (this is the default channel) |
2No |
/e , /emote , /me |
Players in the surrounding area; has a different display format to /say , used to roleplay character actions (e.g., /me waves would give a chat result of "[Name] waves") |
2No |
/g , /group , /p , or /party |
Players who are currently part of the user's group |
1Yes |
/g# , /guild# |
Members of the guild, where # is 1 through 5 corresponding to one of the 5 guilds you may belong to (e.g., /guild1 ) |
1Yes |
/o# , /officer# |
Officers of the guild only, where # is 1 through 5 corresponding to one of the 5 guilds you may belong to (e.g., /officer1 ) |
1Yes |
/t , /tell , /w , or /whisper |
A user who is indicated by @AccountName (e.g., /whisper @ExampleUser would cause subsequent messages to only be heard by ExampleUser) |
1Yes |
/r , /reply , or /respond |
The user who last whispered you as the target. |
1Yes |
/y or /yell |
Players in the surrounding area (wider than /say but not as wide as /zone ). |
2No |
/z or /zone |
Players who are in the same zone. |
2No |
/dez or /dezone |
German-speaking players who are in the same zone. |
2No |
/enz or /enzone |
English-speaking players who are in the same zone. |
2No |
/frz or /frzone |
French-speaking players who are in the same zone. |
2No |
Chat Bubbles
Currently in beta, chat bubbles can be activated from the Interface Settings menu and display a text box above a player's head when they use the chat system. There are toggle options for displaying bubbles for each of the available audience scopes except for /zone and /guild, as well as the option to only see the chat bubbles of those players who are known to you, either through your Contacts list or Guild rosters[verification needed — is that what Known Players means?].
Special Commands
Several game commands, often referred to as slash commands, are activated by being typed into the chat box. These commands do not appear in the chat log of other players. Emotes are also activated using slash commands.
Command |
Effect |
/reloadui |
Reloads the user interface and closes all open menus. Useful for when you are stuck on a menu or need to reload a plug-in. Does not kill you. |
/stuck |
For the cost of a regular teleport, characters can be teleported to the nearest wayshrine with this command. It is useful for getting out of places that a character cannot emerge from; for example, phasing into the ground by accident. |
/logout |
Logs the player out. This bypasses normal game restrictions for when a player is not permitted to log out (e.g. combat). |
/quit |
Quits the game. This bypasses normal game restrictions for when a player is not permitted to quit (e.g. combat). |
/chatlog |
Saves a copy of the character's chatlog to \Documents\Elder Scrolls Online\Logs\ChatLog.log (Windows) |
/bug |
Brings up the bug report window. |
/feedback |
Brings up the feedback window. |
/help |
Brings up the help window. |
/chat |
Brings up the chat with customer support window. |
/fps |
Displays the current frame rate. |
/latency |
Displays the current server/client latency. |
/played |
Displays the total play time for the user. |
/invite |
Invite another player to your group (e.g., /invite PlayerName would invite PlayerName to your group, or /invite @AccountName to use the player's @AccountName) |
/script |
Run a Lua API function. |
The following can also be used to enter a different instance or "shard" of a zone (if the target is in that instance) in an attempt to reach an instance with a lower population. |
/jumptofriend |
Jump to the Wayshrine closest to a named friend. (e.g., /jumptofriend CharacterName or /jumptofriend @AccountName ) |
/jumptogroupmember |
Jump to the Wayshrine closest to a named group member. (e.g., /jumptogroupmember CharacterName or /jumptogroupmember @AccountName ) |
/jumptoguildmember |
Jump to the Wayshrine closest to a named guild member. (e.g., /jumptoguildmember CharacterName or /jumptoguildmember @AccountName ) |
/jumptoleader |
Jump to the Wayshrine closest to the group leader. |
Voice Chat (Consoles)
Using the built-in console systems, PS4 and Xbox One players can chat with other players in-game as long as they have the appropriate peripheral, such as a headset. There are a number of different chat channels that can be joined, each of which can be muted individually. You can choose to speak in any one channel at a time, or choose none to just listen to other players. You can listen concurrently to Area chat and any one other channel.
Channels
Emotes
A character using an emote
Emotes are commands that cause your character to perform an animation. They are simply aesthetic, and add an extra level to in-game socialization.
On PC and Mac, all emotes are activated by bringing up the chat window, then typing in the emote command and nothing else. These commands do not appear in the chat log of other players. On PS4 and Xbox, emotes must be selected through the "Social" menu, and up to eight emotes can be assigned to quick-slots accessed using D-pad Right.
Quick Chat
There are 22 premade phrases that can be selected and assigned to the emote quick-slots. When you use a Quick Chat phrase, it will appear as a text chat bubble, visible to those around you. A few phrases also have an accompanying emote. Quick Chat is available by default on consoles, and on PC with the Gamepad UI mode.
Phrase |
Text |
Emote |
Hello |
Hello. |
Greet |
Goodbye |
Goodbye. |
Greet |
Heal Me |
Heal me. |
None |
Low on Magicka |
I am low on Magicka. |
None |
Low on Stamina |
I am low on Stamina. |
None |
No |
No. |
No |
Yes |
Yes. |
Nod head |
Group up? |
Would you like to join a group? |
None |
Trade |
Would you like to trade? |
None |
Spread out |
Spread out. |
None |
Get close |
Get close to one another. |
None |
|
Phrase |
Text |
Emote |
Attack the boss |
Attack the boss. |
None |
Handle the adds |
Handle the adds. |
None |
Synergy |
Synergy ability is cast. |
None |
Move away |
Move away from me. |
None |
Is everyone ready? |
Is everyone ready? |
Follow me |
Pulling |
I am pulling. |
None |
Tank the boss |
Tank and taunt the boss. |
None |
Ignore the adds |
Ignore the adds. |
None |
Sorry |
I'm sorry about that. |
Humble |
Good job. |
God job, everyone. |
Celebration |
Self-congratulate |
That's right, I'm pretty amazing. |
Brush off shoulder |
|
Ceremonial
Emote |
Slash Command |
Attention |
/attention |
Bestow Blessing |
/bestowblessing |
Bless† |
/bless |
Blessing |
/blessing |
Bow |
/bow |
Bow 2† |
/bow2 |
Hand to heart |
/handtoheart |
Honor |
/honor |
Kneel |
/kneel |
Kneel praying |
/kneelpray |
Pray |
/pray |
Ritual |
/ritual |
Salute 1 |
/salute |
Salute 2 |
/salute2 |
Salute 3 |
/salute3 |
Salute Loop 1 |
/saluteloop |
Salute Loop 2 |
/saluteloop2 |
Salute Loop 3 |
/saluteloop3 |
Cheers and Jeers
Emote |
Slash Command |
Approve |
/approve |
Booing |
/boo |
Cheer |
/cheer |
Clap |
/clap |
Disapprove |
/disapprove |
Dishonor |
/dishonor |
Dismiss 1 |
/dismiss |
Dismiss 2 |
/goaway |
Dismiss 3 |
/leaveme |
Doom |
/doom |
|
Emote |
Slash Command |
Exasperated |
/exasperated |
Facepalm |
/facepalm |
Fistpump |
/fistpump |
Grats |
/grats |
Hands on hips |
/handsonhips |
Impatient |
/impatient |
Rude gesture |
/rude |
Shake fist |
/shakefist |
Shout |
/shout |
Shush |
/shh |
|
Emote |
Slash Command |
Spit |
/spit |
Taunt |
/taunt |
Thanks |
/thanks |
Thank You |
/thank
/thankyou |
Threaten |
/threaten |
Thumbs down |
/thumbsdown |
Thumbs up |
/thumbsup |
Wag finger |
/wagfinger |
Whistle |
/whistle |
|
Emotion
Emote |
Slash Command |
Angry |
/angry |
Annoyed |
/annoyed |
Arms crossed |
/armscrossed |
Broken Hearted |
/heartbroken |
Confused |
/confused |
Cry |
/cry |
Cuckoo |
/cuckoo |
Disgust |
/disgust |
Downcast |
/downcast |
Drunk |
/drunk |
|
Emote |
Slash Command |
Guffaw |
/lol |
Humble |
/humble |
Laugh |
/laugh |
Sad |
/sad |
Scared |
/scared |
Scratch head |
/headscratch |
Sigh |
/sigh |
Surprised |
/surprised |
Surrender |
/surrender |
Weep |
/crying |
|
Entertainment
Emote |
Slash Command |
Applaud |
/applaud |
Blow horn |
/horn |
Bored |
/bored |
Celebration |
/celebrate |
Dance |
/dance |
Dance Argonian |
/danceargonian |
Dance Breton |
/dancebreton |
Dance Dark Elf |
/dancedarkelf
/dancedunmer |
Dance drunk |
/dancedrunk |
Dance High Elf |
/dancealtmer
/dancehighelf |
|
Emote |
Slash Command |
Dance Imperial |
/danceimperial |
Dance Khajiit |
/dancekhajiit |
Dance Nord |
/dancenord |
Dance Orc |
/danceorc |
Dance Redguard |
/danceredguard |
Dance Wood Elf |
/dancebosmer
/dancewoodelf |
Juggle flame |
/juggleflame |
Play drum |
/drum |
Play flute |
/flute |
Play lute |
/lute |
|
Food and Drink
Emote |
Slash Command |
Drinking from bottle |
/drink3 |
Drinking from chalice |
/drink2 |
Drinking from flagon |
/drink |
Drink potion |
/potion |
Eat a meal |
/meal |
Eat apple |
/eat3 |
Eat bread |
/eatbread |
Eat bread 2† |
/eat2 |
Eat from bowl |
/eat4 |
Eat pie |
/pie |
Eat roll |
/smallbread |
Eat soup |
/soupbowl |
Eat turkey |
/eat |
Pour |
/pour |
Stir Bowl |
/prov |
Taste from bowl† |
/bdcake |
Give Directions
Emote |
Slash Command |
Beckon |
/beckon |
Beckon 2† |
/come |
Follow me |
/followme |
Point behind |
/pointb |
Point down |
/pointd |
Point forward |
/point |
Point left |
/pointl |
Point right |
/pointr |
Point to self |
/self |
Point upward |
/pointu |
Rally |
/rally |
Search |
/search |
Stop |
/stop |
You |
/you |
Physical
Emote |
Slash Command |
Break Object |
/smash |
Cower |
/cower |
Crouch |
/crouch |
Jumping jacks |
/jumpingjacks |
Kick |
/kick |
Knock on door |
/knock |
Look up |
/lookup |
Poke |
/poke |
Push |
/push |
Push-ups strong |
/pushups |
Push-ups weak |
/pushup |
Sit ground |
/sit |
Sit ground 2 |
/sit2 |
|
Emote |
Slash Command |
Sit ground 3 |
/sit3 |
Sit ground 4 |
/sit4 |
Sit ground 5 |
/sit5 |
Sit ground 6 |
/sit6 |
Situps |
/situps |
Sleep back |
/sleep2 |
Sleep side |
/sleep |
Stagger |
/stagger |
Stomp |
/stomp |
Take |
/take |
Tap |
/tap |
Touch |
/touch |
|
Poses and Fidgets
Emote |
Slash Command |
Breathless |
/breathless |
Crack Knuckles |
/knuckles |
Dust off |
/dustoff |
Faint |
/faint |
Headache |
/headache |
Head scratch |
/scratch |
Huh |
/huh |
Idle |
/idle |
Idle angry |
/idle4 |
Idle casual |
/idle3 |
Idle heroic |
/idle5 |
Idle royalty |
/idle2 |
Knocked down |
/knockeddown |
Play dead |
/playdead |
|
Emote |
Slash Command |
Preening |
/preen |
Rub hands |
/rubhands |
Shield eyes |
/shieldeyes |
Shiver cold |
/cold |
Shiver cold 2 † |
/colder |
Shrug |
/shrug |
Sickened |
/sick |
Stretch |
/stretch |
Tilt head |
/tilt |
Wall lean (back) |
/leanback |
Wall lean (back, coinflip) |
/leanbackcoin |
Wall lean (side) |
/leanside |
Wipe brow |
/phew |
Yawn |
/yawn |
|
Prop
Emote |
Slash Command |
Dwarven control rod |
/controlrod |
Hammer crate |
/hammer |
Hammer kneel |
/hammerlow |
Hammer wall |
/hammerwall |
Rake |
/rake |
Read book |
/read |
Read letter † |
/letter |
Read letter (looking up)† |
/letterlookup |
Set fire with torch |
/torch |
Shovel |
/shovel |
Sit chair |
/sitchair |
Sweeping |
/sweep |
Twiddle |
/twiddle |
Use wand |
/wand2 |
Use wand once |
/wand |
Water bucket |
/bucketsplash |
Write |
/write |
Social
Emote |
Slash Command |
Beg |
/beg |
Beggar |
/beggar |
Blow Kiss |
/blowkiss
/kiss |
Brush off shoulder |
/brushoff |
Come here |
/comehere |
Congrats |
/congrats |
Congratulate |
/congratulate |
Curtsey |
/curtsey |
Flirt |
/flirt |
Give |
/give |
Greet |
/greet |
Hail |
/hail |
|
Emote |
Slash Command |
Hello |
/hello |
Kowtow |
/kowtow |
No |
/no |
Nod head |
/nod |
Over here |
/over |
Pay me |
/payme |
Plead |
/plead |
Waving |
/wave |
Welcome |
/welcome |
Whisper |
/whisper |
Yes |
/yes |
|
|
† |
Emote only available on PC |
|
Notes
- During the development of ESO, a community contest was held to choose an emote that would be added to the game. The winning entry was submitted by Trevor Baggett, for the
/honor
and /dishonor
emotes (video). The winner received $75 store credit for the Bethesda Merchandise Store, a poster, a t-shirt, and an invite to a beta test, as well as the chance to work with a member of the animation team while creating the emotes.
- The
/dance
emote defaults to the dance of your character's race. Some costumes and disguises will cause this to default to Breton instead.
Bugs
- Two incomplete emotes, "Read letter" and "Read letter lookup", exist in the console UI. ?