Worth crafting while leveling?

cesmode

Hi,
Curious if it is worth crafting while leveling? Im finding that I have a few skill points here and there that I could throw into crafting and get going with that. Or should I wait until max level when I can respec and throw a ton of points into it?

Also, is it worth while to make one character lets say a blacksmith/tailor, and another character(alt) alchemist/enchanter ? I plan on leveling a few alts, but curious if its worth splitting up the crafting professions amongst my toons.

Thanks!

PatchMax

Not sure there's a clearly "best" way of doing things (others may have another opinion though). But whether you invest the skill points now or later, it's important to at least gain crafting XP as you level up, so that whenever you do decide to invest points, you can actually do so. Though with enough cash or friends, you can easily get items to deconstruct or materials to create items with, and advance your crafting XP pretty quickly.

I chose to invest points in crafting "as you go" because I just like to be able to craft the exact items I need/want at the level I am. Haven't felt disadvantaged as a result (now at VR2) in terms of mastering quests and mobs. But perhaps a lack of investment in other skills will cause problems at higher levels or in PvP?

I've heard that if you're diligent at accumulating skill points you can max out all crafts on one character and still have a playable character. That's a lot of skill points into crafting, though, so my main character invested in provisioning/woodworking/clothing (blacksmithing too a little later), but I have an alt for alchemy and enchanting (who basically just produces potions and glyphs for my main or resale).

It's not my chosen style, but many people develop multiple crafting alts so they can "employ" more hirelings across their account and accumulate more materials for use or sale.

I've also heard provisioning is one to level as you go, because of issues with finding the right recipes/ingredients for leveling (??). Not my expertise, but there are some discussion threads around that cover that in more detail.

Would be interesting to hear about how other people approach it.

cesmode

Thanks.

I was planning on having a few professions on one character, and a few on another. I hope that does not gimp me in anyway...

Which leads me to another question: Do people have an abundance of skill points available upon reaching lvl 50, enough where they can build their characters abilities the way they want AND put quite a few points into crafting? Is the system set up so you can do both comfortably without feeling compelled or obligated to have one character a pure crafter?

PatchMax

Do people have an abundance of skill points available upon reaching lvl 50, enough where they can build their characters abilities the way they want AND put quite a few points into crafting? Is the system set up so you can do both comfortably without feeling compelled or obligated to have one character a pure crafter?

I'd say yes and yes, but it will depend on how diverse and large you want your skill set to be.

At VR2, I'm pretty much maxed out (skill point wise) on 4 crafts, but have enough other skill points for all the skills I want from the three sorcerer skill lines, destruction staff and restoration staff, plus all light armour passives and a couple of skills from the fighters and mages guild.

But...I'm into crafting. Would probably otherwise have three crafts initially and use the saved points for other skills and passives...then add in the other crafts later on as a Veteran.

elwhy

I leveled all my crafting as I went, mostly by deconning what I looted and making my own sets of armor every 4-6 levels. Everything stayed right around my actual level, except enchanting (I had to grind that out at vr14 to get from around level 42 to 50 in it).

As far as skill points, I have collected almost all of them and all skyshards and have about 15 left (I've been vr14 for awhile). That's with points in all three armors (all maxed except the 5-piece bonus only in medium), all weapon passives in three weapons maxed with a couple abilities in each one (1h/s, duel-wield, bow), all crafting have points but not fully maxed (like the sight ones I only have one in alchemy, and nothing in beverages), all class passives (I love NB passives), 3-4 skills for each of the three class lines, all fighters guild passives and a couple skills, only a few points in mages guild, all racial passives, and a few others here and there.

That list is a little hard to navigate, but basically I have points in everything I want, including all crafting, and still have some leftover. I've had to respec a few times as my playstyle has changed and I've leveled areas I don't use anymore. So if you never want to respec then it will be hard I think, but if you're okay with doing it a few times after level 50 then I think you'll be fine maxing out crafting while still having points left for whatever else you want.

Another benefit, I'm able to craft whatever I want, have made a bit of extra coin without even trying by making item sets for random people in zone or in guild, and have just boosted my karma by making stuff for guildies.

cesmode

elwhy wrote: »

I leveled all my crafting as I went, mostly by deconning what I looted and making my own sets of armor every 4-6 levels. Everything stayed right around my actual level, except enchanting (I had to grind that out at vr14 to get from around level 42 to 50 in it).

As far as skill points, I have collected almost all of them and all skyshards and have about 15 left (I've been vr14 for awhile). That's with points in all three armors (all maxed except the 5-piece bonus only in medium), all weapon passives in three weapons maxed with a couple abilities in each one (1h/s, duel-wield, bow), all crafting have points but not fully maxed (like the sight ones I only have one in alchemy, and nothing in beverages), all class passives (I love NB passives), 3-4 skills for each of the three class lines, all fighters guild passives and a couple skills, only a few points in mages guild, all racial passives, and a few others here and there.

That list is a little hard to navigate, but basically I have points in everything I want, including all crafting, and still have some leftover. I've had to respec a few times as my playstyle has changed and I've leveled areas I don't use anymore. So if you never want to respec then it will be hard I think, but if you're okay with doing it a few times after level 50 then I think you'll be fine maxing out crafting while still having points left for whatever else you want.

Another benefit, I'm able to craft whatever I want, have made a bit of extra coin without even trying by making item sets for random people in zone or in guild, and have just boosted my karma by making stuff for guildies.

So...do you have points in everything(aside from all weapon trees)???

It sounds like you/we are able to put points into nearly everything once you accumulate all of the skyshards. Is this true? Thats kind of...crappy. If this is true, then that sort of eliminates having to make a decision: Do I put the point here or there? I only have a limited amount!

Rosveen

It's possible, but if you want an effective character, you will need to gather a ton of skyshards.

I'd split it between two characters: one for blacksmithing, clothing and woodworking (so you need only one set of motifs) and another for alchemy, enchanting and provisioning. Actually, I split the last three even further to avoid inventory issues, but I did it because I knew I'd be actively playing at least three characters anyway.

Whatever you decide to do, the one you should level up right away is Provisioning. Enchanting will grow naturally as you decon all looted glyphs and the others can be comfortably leveled in veteran ranks if you want, but low level recipes and ingredients can be difficult to come by in VR.

elwhy

cesmode wrote: »

elwhy wrote: »

I leveled all my crafting as I went, mostly by deconning what I looted and making my own sets of armor every 4-6 levels. Everything stayed right around my actual level, except enchanting (I had to grind that out at vr14 to get from around level 42 to 50 in it).

As far as skill points, I have collected almost all of them and all skyshards and have about 15 left (I've been vr14 for awhile). That's with points in all three armors (all maxed except the 5-piece bonus only in medium), all weapon passives in three weapons maxed with a couple abilities in each one (1h/s, duel-wield, bow), all crafting have points but not fully maxed (like the sight ones I only have one in alchemy, and nothing in beverages), all class passives (I love NB passives), 3-4 skills for each of the three class lines, all fighters guild passives and a couple skills, only a few points in mages guild, all racial passives, and a few others here and there.

That list is a little hard to navigate, but basically I have points in everything I want, including all crafting, and still have some leftover. I've had to respec a few times as my playstyle has changed and I've leveled areas I don't use anymore. So if you never want to respec then it will be hard I think, but if you're okay with doing it a few times after level 50 then I think you'll be fine maxing out crafting while still having points left for whatever else you want.

Another benefit, I'm able to craft whatever I want, have made a bit of extra coin without even trying by making item sets for random people in zone or in guild, and have just boosted my karma by making stuff for guildies.

So...do you have points in everything(aside from all weapon trees)???

It sounds like you/we are able to put points into nearly everything once you accumulate all of the skyshards. Is this true? Thats kind of...crappy. If this is true, then that sort of eliminates having to make a decision: Do I put the point here or there? I only have a limited amount!

I do have points in a lot of things. I'm built for stamina DPS, but I used points enough to be able to tank as well. At this point, there's no way I could heal, or switch to a magicka-based DPS, without having to respec. Also, if I became a vampire or WW I'd have to respec. So I can't necessarily do everything, but I've played enough to be spec'd to do what I want with a few extra points.

For me, the hard part isn't not having enough skill points but deciding what to slot on my bars. At earlier levels, even up to about vr6 probably, I did have difficulty deciding what to put points into, especially since I always kept points in crafting. Now, however, I do have extra points but that's mostly because, like I said, I've decided how I want to play and have put points accordingly.

Edit: Also, keep in mind that this is after a lot of playing and having collected all skyshards, done all main quests in all three factions (so those skill points), and all dungeon skill points. So after playing the entire game basically and figuring out how you want to play, I think it makes sense that you have enough skill points to spec how you want. But the key is playing the whole game and deciding how to play (like I said, I can't heal, be magicka-based, run destro staff, or be a vamp or WW without respecing).

cesmode

Rosveen wrote: »

It's possible, but if you want an effective character, you will need to gather a ton of skyshards.

I'd split it between two characters: one for blacksmithing, clothing and woodworking (so you need only one set of motifs) and another for alchemy, enchanting and provisioning. Actually, I split the last three even further to avoid inventory issues, but I did it because I knew I'd be actively playing at least three characters anyway.

Whatever you decide to do, the one you should level up right away is Provisioning. Enchanting will grow naturally as you decon all looted glyphs and the others can be comfortably leveled in veteran ranks if you want, but low level recipes and ingredients can be difficult to come by in VR.

About provisioning...I think I plan on doing that on the second toon I create.

Im level 34 right now on my templar. Once I hit 50, I am not even going to bother with veteran ranks yet. Going to re-roll with another class and get to 50 there and if I have the stomach for it, re-roll a third(one for each faction). Then choose one or two to play actively through veteran ranks. I think toon #2 will be my provisioning one.

PatchMax

one for blacksmithing, clothing and woodworking (so you need only one set of motifs)

That's a great point. Needing two or more of every motif would be OK for the common ones, but involve an awful lot of expense (or farming time) for the rarer ones.

AlexDougherty

cesmode wrote: »

About provisioning...I think I plan on doing that on the second toon I create.

I've done Provisioning on every Alt I've done, it's too useful not to, the food buffs are brilliant.

cesmode

Ok, so whats a motif? I've gotten two of them...blue...used them. Not sure what they are..allows me to craft in the different racial styles? I thought all I needed was the racial gem or material for it(i.e. bone for bosmer, for example?)

elwhy

cesmode wrote: »

Ok, so whats a motif? I've gotten two of them...blue...used them. Not sure what they are..allows me to craft in the different racial styles? I thought all I needed was the racial gem or material for it(i.e. bone for bosmer, for example?)

Nah, you need to 'know' how to use the materials. So you need to read the motif to learn it, and have the materials (bone, etc.) to make it. Except for your race, you don't have to learn your race's motif.

AlexDougherty

cesmode wrote: »

Ok, so whats a motif? I've gotten two of them...blue...used them. Not sure what they are..allows me to craft in the different racial styles? I thought all I needed was the racial gem or material for it(i.e. bone for bosmer, for example?)

No, you need to learn the motif first, I have had loads of Palladium, but I can't use it yet, I need to get the motif first. You read the book and suddenly you know that racial style.

The stone is still need when you actually craft, but it's useless without the motif being learned.

Rosveen

The blue ones, representing nine standard playable races, are common and you can get them for just a few hundred gold. Purple (Primal, Barbaric, Daedric and Ancient Elf) go for like 35k+. Gold - Imperial - is even more expensive. The new purple, Dwemer, is the worst of them all if you add up all individual chapters. But it's new, so the price will go down eventually.

cesmode

Ok, so a motif is a pattern/recipe for the entire racial gearset ?

Do the purple motifs...primal,barbaric, daedric, etc...have better stats or just different stats?

Example: If the 50 Bosmer robe that I create has 100 magicka on it , would the daedric robe have 100, or more?

PatchMax

The motifs just give you access to new designs/styles - how the resultant piece of armor or weapon looks. They have no impact on stats.

The purple motifs are just more expensive because they are rare.

The more motifs you know, the more choice of designs you have. So there is currently no practical advantage to having more motifs, but there are certainly aesthetic advantages.

If you specialize in selling items to other players, then more motifs might translate into more sales, since some players will want items with a specific style. If you don't know that style, you can't help them.

cesmode

You guys have been incredibly helpful, so thanks for answering a noobs questions...

Woolenthreads

I have leveled my crafting for all sixteen Alts (STFU I am not an Altoholic!) so that the gear I make matches their Level. I update their armour and craft from the "hidden" stations every even level, which is when they upgrade gear levels. I find that the value of dropped set items is crap, levelling to L50, because you don't find enough pieces, before you've out-levelled them, to be worth it.

Unless you are creating a character specifically for Crafting then you're probably best off sticking to levelling your build needs and selling the rest. Alternatively, if you do have alts with different builds the current alt can transfer non-build related gear to the other Alts to raise crafting.

I think that if you aren't using the "hidden" crafting sets then the need for developing crafting skills is only mediocre.

AlexDougherty

Woolenthreads wrote: »

I have leveled my crafting for all sixteen Alts (STFU I am not an Altoholic!) so that the gear I make matches their Level. I update their armour and craft from the "hidden" stations every even level, which is when they upgrade gear levels. I find that the value of dropped set items is crap, levelling to L50, because you don't find enough pieces, before you've out-levelled them, to be worth it.

Unless you are creating a character specifically for Crafting then you're probably best off sticking to levelling your build needs and selling the rest. Alternatively, if you do have alts with different builds the current alt can transfer non-build related gear to the other Alts to raise crafting.

I think that if you aren't using the "hidden" crafting sets then the need for developing crafting skills is only mediocre.

True, two or three sets of bonuses for crafted gear make a huge difference.

cesmode

I dont really need any crafted sets while leveling...with my build, and maybe overall, leveling has been fairly easy. A few difficult fights where I die once or twice while I learn whats going on but other than that I have found that dropped gear suits me fine.

At this point Im just saving up materials on my few go-around. With my second character, I might level crafting as I go.

AlexDougherty

cesmode wrote: »

I dont really need any crafted sets while leveling...with my build, and maybe overall, leveling has been fairly easy. A few difficult fights where I die once or twice while I learn whats going on but other than that I have found that dropped gear suits me fine.

At this point Im just saving up materials on my few go-around. With my second character, I might level crafting as I go.

Um, how to put this, try looking at the set bonuses, they really do make a difference. My DK and Templar both use a combination of Alessia's Bulwark and The Willow's Path (my personal Pref nothing more), and they are a lot stronger for it. The link below has the set bonuses and where to find them.

Set+Bonus+Crafting+Locations

cesmode

AlexDougherty wrote: »

cesmode wrote: »

I dont really need any crafted sets while leveling...with my build, and maybe overall, leveling has been fairly easy. A few difficult fights where I die once or twice while I learn whats going on but other than that I have found that dropped gear suits me fine.

At this point Im just saving up materials on my few go-around. With my second character, I might level crafting as I go.

Um, how to put this, try looking at the set bonuses, they really do make a difference. My DK and Templar both use a combination of Alessia's Bulwark and The Willow's Path (my personal Pref nothing more), and they are a lot stronger for it. The link below has the set bonuses and where to find them.

Set+Bonus+Crafting+Locations

Thanks, I'll have a look.

But as I said, I haven't found the game to be so difficult that I need to have set bonuses while leveling. I clear packs of 3 my level or 4 lvls higher in a matter of 5 seconds...I go into a public dungeon 3 or 4 levels higher than me and Im able to clear all packs of mobs in under 10 seconds and not lose any hp...(its just the bosses that I'll obviously die at ).

I guess the prime reason for this thread initially was: If I am having no issue leveling with my current gear from drops, is there any benefit or reason to level crafting as I level? Or can/should I just do it at max level sometime? I don't like to sit still in game too long without gaining XP...would rather be out there killing things and leveling up than crafting and deconning things.

But I'll have a look at the link. Thanks!

rotaugen454

I'm at Vet 14, and I have maxed all crafts except enchanting (which is level 41). I find the writs to help give points towards it. I kept the crafting up on the others to create items at the level I was at when I needed better gear. I still have shards to find in Craglorn and have 26 unused skill points, so if you grab every shard and do every quest, you can have a very playable character who is maxed in crafting, which frees the points for alts, as you can have a semi-retired max crafter making items for your alts.

Nestor

cesmode wrote: »

I dont really need any crafted sets while leveling...with my build, and maybe overall, leveling has been fairly easy. A few difficult fights where I die once or twice while I learn whats going on but other than that I have found that dropped gear suits me fine.

At this point Im just saving up materials on my few go-around. With my second character, I might level crafting as I go.

I will make a deal with you. I will make a you a complete Crafted Set for your character, a 5 piece plus 4 piece set. For free just because once you try a crafted set, you will understand. Note, once you understand, you will want to research traits and I sell traited research items for 100 Gold. Call me a Crafted Set Pusher, I don't mind

That being said I did get all the way into my 40's and even to VR not using any crafted or dropped sets as I was way behind on the Trait Research Curve so I could not make much. But, once I started using them, bang, it was like a whole new character. I can add 40 points to my Base Weapon Damage before Buffs, I more than double my Critical Strike chance and the list goes on. Now I won't roll without them. Nice thing is, 2 and 3 traits will give you some nice sets to use. You can get the Set Love quite easily.

Send me a PM with your race, class, level (if your close to the next even one like your 41 with a few points to 42, then let me know) armor type and base attributes and stats.

Goose8676

I worked on all of them as I played except provisioning, BIG MISTAKE. Alchemy was by far the easiest. I'm VR5 right now and all crafts are maxed except enchanting is 35. I can craft just about anything except glyphs higher than VR7. I plan on respeccing once enchanting is 50, then use only the skill points i need to craft the higher level equipment. I'm sure that will only save me a few skill points, but right now I still have a few left and many sky shards left to find. Don't forget to research, that takes forever.

Woolenthreads

Goose8676 wrote: »

Don't forget to research, that takes forever.

True. It's not just the research, you also have to get the piece of gear to research. I've been playing almost six months and my first Alt, who is my highest levelled character and my "Everything" Crafter has yet to have found every item he needs for research, I'd say he's 95% there not including nirncrux.

#edit: Also, even with no time loss and the 10% reduction, you would still take 83 days to complete any single line of gear research.

PatchMax

True. It's not just the research, you also have to get the piece of gear to research.

Also true! It's a tough task if you just rely on finding the right traited items through questing etc. If you get stuck, guild stores will often stock what you need for research (for a price) or you can find a friendly helping hand in your guilds.

Nestor

Goose8676 wrote: »

Don't forget to research, that takes forever.

Another thing people over look about Research is the Inspiration you gain from it. That can be huge on a multiday research item.

Woolenthreads wrote: »

Crafter has yet to have found every item he needs for research, I'd say he's 95% there not including nirncrux.

PatchMax wrote: »

you can find a friendly helping hand in your guilds.

If you guys need any traited items, send me a PM in the game on the NA server and I will make you the item for 100 Gold. No Nirncrux though.

8/8 in Wood
Almost 8/8 in Clothing (3 items being researched for the 8th, then one more and it's 8/8 for cloth,
6/8 in Medium (I see nothing in the 8 trait lines to benefit medium armor, but I have all the items to research so cloth first)
6-7/8 in Smithing (really lacking in Divines on that line right now and I am concentrating on armor, I have sword and dagger at 8 and that is all I need there all others I have 6)

alkoriak

I typed in wrong post....to delete

Woolenthreads

Nestor wrote: »

Goose8676 wrote: »

Don't forget to research, that takes forever.

Another thing people over look about Research is the Inspiration you gain from it. That can be huge on a multiday research item.

Woolenthreads wrote: »

Crafter has yet to have found every item he needs for research, I'd say he's 95% there not including nirncrux.

PatchMax wrote: »

you can find a friendly helping hand in your guilds.

If you guys need any traited items, send me a PM in the game on the NA server and I will make you the item for 100 Gold. No Nirncrux though.

8/8 in Wood
Almost 8/8 in Clothing (3 items being researched for the 8th, then one more and it's 8/8 for cloth,
6/8 in Medium (I see nothing in the 8 trait lines to benefit medium armor, but I have all the items to research so cloth first)
6-7/8 in Smithing (really lacking in Divines on that line right now and I am concentrating on armor, I have sword and dagger at 8 and that is all I need there all others I have 6)

Well I can provide the missing Mace and Axe if you want them for completion. My paper records state I have Cuirass, Sabatons, Gauntlets, Helm and Greaves with Divines. So I can help you out on those @Nestor.

I have a full Bow, Inferno and Restoration line but, for me, RNG seems to not drop Ice or Lightning for wood.

cesmode wrote: »

AlexDougherty wrote: »

cesmode wrote: »

I dont really need any crafted sets while leveling...with my build, and maybe overall, leveling has been fairly easy. A few difficult fights where I die once or twice while I learn whats going on but other than that I have found that dropped gear suits me fine.

At this point Im just saving up materials on my few go-around. With my second character, I might level crafting as I go.

Um, how to put this, try looking at the set bonuses, they really do make a difference. My DK and Templar both use a combination of Alessia's Bulwark and The Willow's Path (my personal Pref nothing more), and they are a lot stronger for it. The link below has the set bonuses and where to find them.

Set+Bonus+Crafting+Locations

But as I said, I haven't found the game to be so difficult that I need to have set bonuses while levelling. I clear packs of 3 my level or 4 lvls higher in a matter of 5 seconds...I go into a public dungeon 3 or 4 levels higher than me and Im able to clear all packs of mobs in under 10 seconds and not lose any hp...(its just the bosses that I'll obviously die at ).

I took out Mannimarco at Sancre Tor with a Sorcerer just using Bound Armour, so yeah, you don't need it, but it's nice to not run out of resource etc so often. It was off because I forgot to put the Armour back on after taking it off, expecting to die, getting past his delaying critters.