JavaRen wrote: »

Then why do we call it by that name?

It actually wasn't originally called that name and there were other alternative names for it that were popular too. Unfortunately, it really gained prominence at the same time those COD/Halo lobbies where people were just saying things the most offensive way possible all the time.

The whole process of asking a player not to teabag when there may be no way to message them, and immediately start videoing not only the first teabagging but the request to stop, and then them not stopping, all to prove it happened seems very cumbersome at best.

Just change the crouching animation and put an end to this.

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

Hi All! We are looking to understand how Update 46 and the launch of Subclassing, and more recently making Scribing a part of the base game, may have changed the play experience and character build for you and the content you engage in.

• Did your ability to play and/or complete certain types of game content improve after the launch of Update 46?
• If so, prior to the launch of Update 46, what was your character build?
• What did you change to your character build when Update 46 launched that allowed you to play or complete content that you had trouble with before?
• What game content was it?

Any and all feedback is helpful for us to relay back to the Combat Team. That way, they have anecdotal experience to add to their existing data. Thanks in advance to all constructive feedback!

(This is strictly to get feedback on your play experience between Update 45 and Update 46. We are not factoring Update 47 PTS feedback in this since it is not available to everyone at the moment).

Hi Kevin,

Wouldn't it be useful to add follow-up questions for the people who answer "no" to your first question as well?

I'm pretty sure it's just a matter of hastily overlooking this, and not a matter of ill intent, but right now it appears to me like you're not looking for actual feedback, and are instead looking for positive user experiences to use in your next bit of marketing. Optics matter.

SilverBride wrote: »

Something needs to be done because this issue isn't going to just go away.

Not everything some people don't like needs to go away. Pretty much everything is disliked by someone. It is literally impossible for society to adapt to the sensitivities of every individual. So we need to put things into perspective and learn to deal with the things we don't like to the greatest degree possible.

This is especially important when living in a free society. Something too many people have forgotten.

Desiato wrote: »

tbagging is what's called gamesmanship in sports.

It's also one of the most universal gestures in video gaming, if not THE most universal one. It's extremely common. Most PvP gamers have experienced it, seen it, or partaken themselves, I'd imagine. It's so universal that game companies even made ads and it's been featured in The Simpsons. It's the equivalent of flipping the bird IRL, which is another gesture that you can use as an emote in this game, although that one is done tongue and cheek rather than the full thing. It just means "I'm better at the game than you," at this point. Taunts are a part of a lot of competitive environments.

Erickson9610 wrote: »

SilverBride wrote: »

Whether a player finds teabagging offensive or not, it does create a LOT of conflict that could be eliminated if the crouching animation was just changed. They could make the player semi transparent, for example. Anything other than what it is now.

The way is it now is just creating a lot of work for customer service, and this conflict isn't going to go away unless this animation is changed to something different.

Why change the animation? It's meant to show your character preparing to stealthily sneak around. That animation is important for other aspects of the game.

Something needs to be done because this issue isn't going to just go away.

tbagging is what's called gamesmanship in sports. It exists because it's effective. It is part of ALL competitive environments from sports to business.

In hockey, it's actually part of some summer camps for young people hosted by pros because it's so effective -- and also because learning to deal with it is an essential skill to learn. Not just in hockey, but in life.

Learning to deal with it is a rite of passage which many gamers celebrate by engaging in it.

I understand some people have had experiences that make it very stressful for them, and I am very sympathetic to them. Yet, it's actually impossible for society to adapt to every sensitivity that people may have.

There's a big difference between actually being harmed by it and not being able to deal with taunting; the latter is FAR more common IMO.

Furthermore, I happen to believe the policy is weaponized to hurt others far more often than it actually causes harm to someone. I can't prove that of course. I don't tbag often, but when I do I usually have some understanding of the player who died and I know for a fact they are unbothered by it. Yet, those who complain to me and threaten to report would LOVE it if they could get someone suspended or banned for doing it.

Out of curiosity, what about two players crouching and uncrouching repeatedly bothered you, exactly?

I know what the act is intended to represent, yet the way I described it is what they were actually doing. How did this affect you?

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

Hi All! We are looking to understand how Update 46 and the launch of Subclassing, and more recently making Scribing a part of the base game, may have changed the play experience and character build for you and the content you engage in.

Thanks for opening this discussion! I'm sure there's all sorts of background work that goes into this feedback being consumable, so thanks!

Targeted Feedback:

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

Did your ability to play and/or complete certain types of game content improve after the launch of Update 46?

If I'm willing to compromise on a character's RP feel, than yes, my experience improved. I now perform better in tougher content like BRP and IA than I did previously. Instances where a class didn't have a viable shield or heal are now far fewer, given both subclassing and scribing. I find that pure class builds are not as potent as multi class builds, but are still viable for most content that I do.

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

If so, prior to the launch of Update 46, what was your character build?

I played multiple builds for multiple roles. Each of my 15 characters have at least one build per role. My main character used either frost or bow Warden builds for damage, and had meta tank & healer builds. I also played stamina templars and magicka sorcerers and DKs regularly. Most of my damage builds are sourced from SkinnyCheeks.

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

What did you change to your character build when Update 46 launched that allowed you to play or complete content that you had trouble with before?

For damage builds, I changed many of characters to have a better, more straightforward spammable and surrounding rotation. Now, many of my toons now use Aedric Spear or Herald of the Tome as their spammable line, with some base class skill line as flavoring. For instance, my main changed from a Frost warden to more of a Stamplar/Warden; it's a combination of Aedric Spear, Animal Companions, and Assassination.

This also really helped me reinvigorate some toons I didn't really like - like Necromancer. I have two - one's a heavy attack sorcerer, the other's a frost mage.

My healing builds also changed, for the better. I've always wanted my DK to be some sort of Purifier/Cauterizer-type healer, so now I slot in Templar skills and they're now a viable healer. Similar idea for one of my Sorcerers - who I fancy as a magic-lover, and is now an Arcanist/Sorcerer healer.

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

What game content was it?

The most challenging content for me with subclassing was BRP, followed by IA. Completing those is now easier. I do a lot of overland, mostly normal dungeons, and casual content. I'm engaging more in BRP, IA, and other arenas.

General Feedback.
What I like:
So, I overall like the subclassing system. For many of my toons, it's been a breathe of fresh air. I pay more attention to the passives and themes of skills, looking for synergies. I've found some really good combos like Aedric Spear + Storm Calling or Bow + Ardent Flame + Animal Companions. Subclassing also made me realize that Templar's my favorite class.

I also like Scribing. It took me a while, but I finally warmed up to it earlier this year. Especially after the Arctic Blast nerfs, using scribing has been more commonplace for me. And now with subclassing, I find it rounds out builds when there isn't a particular buff or self-heal available. When I subclass into three damage lines, it's perfect for having a self-heal that applies a valuable buff.

What I don't like.
Many skill lines don't have passives that are broadly applicable. That "forces" some skill lines to the top and leaves others in the dust. For instance, neither Daedric Summoning or Animal Companions benefit pets outside of those skill lines. Many other class skill lines have scalable passives that can be used more broadly. Assassination, Storm Calling, Ardent Flame, Aedric Spear all come to mind. Naturally, those will be more widely adopted. Even though there's theoretically countless combinations, it seems like the viable amount of them is quite narrow.

Right now, I feel like the best approach to damage is one of two flavors:
1. Aedric Spear + Assassination + Other
2. Herald of the Tome + Assassination + Other

Now, the answer isn't to nerf those skills lines. Raise up the others and give them more broadly applicable passives. And more importantly, show us what each skill line is for. Frankly, I don't feel like the combat team is clear on that themselves, and that's felt acutely in the subclassing system. For example, I can't look at Dark Magic and tell you who it's meant for. Is it a healing line? A DOT line? What is it for? Crystal Fragments is one of my favorite skills, but now I have little reason to use it because there's better options in other class lines.

I've long championed this, and maybe it just hasn't been read - but tell us what you guys want out of combat. What are you ultimately working towards? Is it to get the original 4 classes to be like the 3 DLC classes, where each line is a specific role? Subclassing is great, but it feels like you guys launch or change things, and then figure out the path later. Again, just going based off what's communicated - and what's not.

Thanks for listening!

Something needs to be done with Arcanist. EVERYONE and their mother plays Arcanist as a subclass... including me! It's just too OP right now.