tomofhyrule wrote: »

Now of course a meta will always exist. But pre U46, it was not this bad. Yes, trial teams were primarily Arcanists, but there was always a slot or two for a support DPS like an MKSorc or Z'enDK or Templar beam bot, and even things like a Corpseburster Necro outDPSed the Arcanists.

Pre-U46, Arcanists were by no means the top DPS, but they were by far the most played. A bad player on a meta Arcanist could do reasonable numbers, but a good DK or Temp or Sorc could outperform even a good Arcanist.

This highlights a problem with the "meta". It shows it isn't about the best numbers, but the perception of the spec. That falls on Raid Leaders, who strive for efficiency without considering efficiency involves a person and a lower limit.

You don't need 100% efficiency to clear content - you only need that for score pushing but the balance of the game is around trifectas. Do you clear it quicker? Usually, but not always. That's because the person comes into it. Someone who is speccing "meta" just because their RL tells them to, rather than because they enjoy it, it going to be less engaged - boredom breeds mistakes. That same said person may actually do better numbers and die less if allowed to play the spec and style they want, but that is never a consideration because it must be the "meta".

The "meta" strives for 100% efficiency on paper, but ignores that there are a dozen 99.9% effficent builds, 2 dozen 99.8% etc and those builds may actually be more fun for players, leading to better engagement, lower burnout, and trials actually fillng with competent players now and into the future.

alternatelder wrote: »

There's a word for this, but I'm not allowed to say it. They don't have to give us anything. Maybe they should start eliminating these rewards so you can go back to expecting nothing instead.

For people who have played the game for a long time, that's exactly what they are giving us -- nothing. Not only nothing, garbage that we actually have to collect and delete so an additional chore every day. Trust me, if I could not collect the overwhelming majority of this month's "rewards," I would actually be happier.

licenturion wrote: »

darkriketz wrote: »

Imagine, you're playing a ten-years-old MMORPG, Because right now all I see is just an random refusal to give players small pleasures and trinkets.

They shifted the collectable rewards to events and pursuits the last years apart from a few exceptions.

Which means they make us pay (with our time or a digital currency, the Endeavours) for something that was generously given for free before.
And you're ok with that ? Because in the end, it only makes more things paid with our time and digital currency (achievements rewards and archeology items existed before this shift) and less things freely given to reward the players' loyalty. What's the point of coming back to TESO again and again if the ones in charge don't thank players for that with pleasing items, because they believe your loyalty is unconditionally given to them ?

I never expect much from the login rewards, for years I've just deleted 90% of them so whatever, but yeah on a greater level it's just one more dull addition to a dull couple of months following a dull year. Yawn.

There's a word for this, but I'm not allowed to say it. They don't have to give us anything. Maybe they should start eliminating these rewards so you can go back to expecting nothing instead.

Neither tri pots, nor chicken

It says “Purchased from Filer Tezurs in the Infinite Archive for Archival Fortunes.” but the style is in fact sold by Maj al-Ragath for undaunted keys.

I’ve seen asset store unreal engine projects maintain more of a stylistic look and feel. Solstice is too much of a mash up and the story is complete garbage.

tomofhyrule wrote: »

I am noticing that lately there are a lot more "help for new character" rewards like research scrolls and riding lessons (surprisingly none of those this month), but there's very little reason in game for us to make new characters.

Subclassing has actually made it easier to have fewer characters since they can all be set up the same anyway.

I wish ZOS would give us something like a new Class that would allow us to use these to make new characters if we so choose. Otherwise, just make sure to give us tripots and crown chicken since those are useful regardless, unlike things like the crown drinks that nobody uses.

This.
I've created a new character last week for one single reason : I needed a safebox on Bleakrock and all my other characters (six) had finished the quests up there. And since this new character is a khajiit NB and my main is a bosmeri NB, I'm not even sure I'll keep it anyway.

In understand that many players just are saying "these rewards are meant for new players" but statistically, there are more experienced players than new ones. It's like "we don't care about the majority, we're rooting for the newbies." Those newbies won't stay newbies for long, though...