Ethan Crossfield 
The Elder Scrolls Online is entering a period of transition as ZeniMax Online Studios restructures its development plans and shifts toward seasonal content. Against that backdrop, the game has delivered a notable new feature: the Warparty Timber Mammoth, the first mount in The Elder Scrolls franchise designed to carry multiple players at once. It is now available through the in-game Crown Store.
A landmark mount for The Elder Scrolls Online
Released on August 6, the Warparty Timber Mammoth supports up to four players. The mount has one driver, who must be its owner, and can carry three additional passengers. That makes it a first not only for The Elder Scrolls Online, but for the wider franchise. Skyrim multiplayer modifications have not provided an equivalent native solution, while the single-player game's multiplayer nature can also create synchronization problems between separate mounts.
The mammoth is therefore more than a cosmetic addition or a novelty for group travel. Its shared seating gives players a new way to move through Tamriel together, with the driver's mount training determining the vehicle's practical performance.
Why the timing matters before mounted combat
The release arrives ahead of a larger combat feature planned for 2027. The delayed Crimson Veldt 12-player trial is expected to introduce The Elder Scrolls Online's first mounted combat mechanics, although ZeniMax Online Studios has not explained how those systems will work.
That uncertainty makes the mammoth particularly interesting. If mounted combat can support multiple riders, passengers might be able to handle mechanics while the owner focuses on movement and control. Nothing confirms that this will happen, so the mount should not yet be treated as a preview of a coordinated combat role. Still, its arrival gives the community an early multiplayer mount to examine before the 2027 trial provides more concrete details.
A new release during a broader development reset
The mount launches while The Elder Scrolls Online is dealing with the effects of Microsoft and Xbox layoffs involving Bethesda and ZeniMax Online Studios. The studio has been restructuring, and the planned Warden class reworks have moved to early 2027 instead of arriving with Update 51. Crown Store showcase posts have also become more limited.
ZeniMax has said the game remains in active development for current and future content, with a roadmap covering the months ahead. Game Director Nick Giacomini has also indicated that the studio will work more closely with Bethesda. The game is currently running a time-limited event centered on Battlegrounds and Cyrodiil rewards, while Season One focuses on the Thieves Guild. A second season is expected in the fall, although its exact launch timing has not been provided.
Key points
- Warparty Timber Mammoth is available in The Elder Scrolls Online's in-game Crown Store.
- The mount carries one owner as driver and up to three passengers.
- It is the first multiplayer mount of its kind in The Elder Scrolls franchise.
- Its release comes before mounted combat is expected to arrive in 2027.
Expert View
The Warparty Timber Mammoth signals how The Elder Scrolls Online can add meaningful group-facing features without relying on a full expansion or a major class overhaul. Its immediate value is social and practical, but its longer-term importance depends on mounted combat. If future mechanics allow passengers to contribute during encounters, the mount could become part of organized trial strategy rather than simply a shared taxi. For now, it is a strong first step and a rare positive feature arriving during a difficult restructuring period.
