My Early Review of Summerset Updated with Details

Nestor · March 2018

It's going to be Awesome!

As there are various reviews popping up, I will not go into all the details here. Here is one of the sites with a comprehensive overview:

https://alcasthq.com/eso-summerset-isles-changes-pre-pts/

The new zone is big, beautiful and full of content. I can't say much about the story as during my testing (not playing mind you, testing), I was more concerned that the quests advanced as they should and things flowed in the main quest story. Can't talk about the story anyway, as that is still covered under the NDA, but there are some neat things you will discover.

To me the two biggest things are Jewlery Crafting and Two Handed counting as two slots. This is huge for builds. Most of use a combo of a dropped set and a crafted set. However most casters can not use a Monster set unless they give up a 5th Piece bonus somewhere. Now, we can create and use so many more combos of sets. Meta? That goes out the window now as I can see dozens of combos now that will give top tier performance.

Multi Core Threading is now a thing. Not sure if it was because I was in the Corporate LAN or not, but the game ran smooth and silky on their machines, which are not gaming beasts, but are adequate. Even during the trial in the most intense combat phases, the performance was smooth and steady.

The world really builds on the Vertical concepts introduced in earlier updates. Also, the zones are full of content that I did not get a chance to explore, but I think there will be many hours of quests to do. I really enjoyed the one Public Dungeon I poked around in. There is another one that I did not get a chance to get to.

I am really looking forward to the new content and the new game mechanics and, hopefully, performance that I saw in the lab.

Recremen · March 2018

Yaaaaaaay. I mean I'm sure we all figured it would be, but still yaaaaaaaaaaaaaay.

Aliyavana · March 2018

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, I assume you were one of the playtesters

Nestor · March 2018

Also, I will add we have had devs talking to us and listening to us all day long. And they are taking pages of notes from our feeback on both new content and base game systems. They really do care.

Minno · March 2018

The quicker rundown:
"NDA. It's awesome"

Can't wait to hear of any news Tuesday

Aliyavana · March 2018

Are you allowed to say what playstyle you were in the nda thing? pve? rp?

WhiteCoatSyndrome · March 2018

Sounds like you had fun.

Anhedonie · March 2018

So warden isn't utter crap in pve anymore?

Enemy-of-Coldharbour · March 2018

Nestor wrote: »

Also, I will add we have had devs talking to us and listening to us all day long. And they are taking pages of notes from our feeback on both new content and base game systems. They really do care.

I'm just concerned who they are talking to. Would be nice if they actually asked us 'regular' folks our opinions. I've seen too much stuff changed because the elite players wanted the changes.

IAVITNI · March 2018

Enemy-of-Coldharbour wrote: »

Nestor wrote: »

Also, I will add we have had devs talking to us and listening to us all day long. And they are taking pages of notes from our feeback on both new content and base game systems. They really do care.

I'm just concerned who they are talking to. Would be nice if they actually asked us 'regular' folks our opinions. I've seen too much stuff changed because the elite players wanted the changes.

Define "regular".

PvE wise I'm not too concerned as the PvE elite usually consider how changes affect newer players as they are constantly looking to recruit, which translates into wanting beginner friendly mechanics/gameplay to not scare off potentials.

PvP is a little different. Tbh I wouldn't trust "regular" [read: casual] gamers to provide input on PvP as most only know how their class works and call anything that kills them OP.

But I agree with your point for the most part.

Nestor · March 2018

Enemy-of-Coldharbour wrote: »

Nestor wrote: »

Also, I will add we have had devs talking to us and listening to us all day long. And they are taking pages of notes from our feeback on both new content and base game systems. They really do care.

I'm just concerned who they are talking to. Would be nice if they actually asked us 'regular' folks our opinions. I've seen too much stuff changed because the elite players wanted the changes.

There is a mix of folks here. A few theory crafters a few casuals and a few who are in between. And no min maxers. I will say the group of playtesters wants this game to be good for everyone. Not just one facet over another. It is a good combination. Not once have I heard an idea from the testers and thought it would only benefit end game or pvp or any other facet.

In other words, you are in good hands with this crew.

Savos_Saren · March 2018

...and mDKs/mPlars? Are they in good hands?

starkerealm · March 2018

Enemy-of-Coldharbour wrote: »

Nestor wrote: »

Also, I will add we have had devs talking to us and listening to us all day long. And they are taking pages of notes from our feeback on both new content and base game systems. They really do care.

I'm just concerned who they are talking to. Would be nice if they actually asked us 'regular' folks our opinions. I've seen too much stuff changed because the elite players wanted the changes.

Well, I mean, I was there.

Colecovision · March 2018

I’m trying to keep expectations reasonable, but I’ll admit, I’ve been sucked into the hype.

It will be nice to level up with fully crafted gear. I tend to hit dolmen for jewelry while I’m leveling, and end up out leveling the jewelry. I’m excited about the geysers and the new skill line too. Basically, they got me.

Enslaved · March 2018

Any DK out there or again only sorc talking to devs?

Nestor · March 2018

All classes are in the conversation.

NewBlacksmurf · March 2018

Lol you’re so funny.

You get the click bait award tho

MLGProPlayer · March 2018

Anhedonie wrote: »

So warden isn't utter crap in pve anymore?

Wrobel promised in the warden feedback thread that they would be looking at DPS across all the classes back during the Clockwork City PTS cycle (the next balance patch from that comment is Summerset). Let's hope the warden is still on the agenda. I'm tired of complaining about the class for 12 months now. Since then, templar and DK have fallen on hard times as well. The gap between NB/Sorc and Templar/DK/Warden is massive right now, with warden especially far behind (as it has been since the class released).

KingYogi415 · March 2018

MLGProPlayer wrote: »

Anhedonie wrote: »

So warden isn't utter crap in pve anymore?

Wrobel promised in the warden feedback thread that they would be looking at DPS across all the classes back during the Clockwork City PTS cycle (the next balance patch from that comment is Summerset). Let's hope the warden is still on the agenda. I'm tired of complaining about the class for 12 months now. Since then, templar and DK have fallen on hard times as well. The gap between NB/Sorc and Templar/DK/Warden is massive right now, with warden especially far behind (as it has been since the class released).

Wardens are a pvp class, specifically excelling in non CP.

MLGProPlayer · March 2018

KingYogi415 wrote: »

MLGProPlayer wrote: »

Anhedonie wrote: »

So warden isn't utter crap in pve anymore?

Wrobel promised in the warden feedback thread that they would be looking at DPS across all the classes back during the Clockwork City PTS cycle (the next balance patch from that comment is Summerset). Let's hope the warden is still on the agenda. I'm tired of complaining about the class for 12 months now. Since then, templar and DK have fallen on hard times as well. The gap between NB/Sorc and Templar/DK/Warden is massive right now, with warden especially far behind (as it has been since the class released).

Wardens are a pvp class, specifically excelling in non CP.

There is no such thing as a "PvP class".

duendology · March 2018

@Nestor

Thank You for keeping us informed! Highly appreciated!

Tholian1 · March 2018

MLGProPlayer wrote: »

KingYogi415 wrote: »

MLGProPlayer wrote: »

Anhedonie wrote: »

So warden isn't utter crap in pve anymore?

Wrobel promised in the warden feedback thread that they would be looking at DPS across all the classes back during the Clockwork City PTS cycle (the next balance patch from that comment is Summerset). Let's hope the warden is still on the agenda. I'm tired of complaining about the class for 12 months now. Since then, templar and DK have fallen on hard times as well. The gap between NB/Sorc and Templar/DK/Warden is massive right now, with warden especially far behind (as it has been since the class released).

Wardens are a pvp class, specifically excelling in non CP.

There is no such thing as a "PvP class".

I thought NB was the PvP class with all the whining about them.

Nestor · March 2018

NewBlacksmurf wrote: »

Lol you’re so funny.

You get the click bait award tho

I said NDA safe, what did you expect?

However I wish I could tell you why it's going to be great. Tuesday.

Elsonso · March 2018

Nestor wrote: »

It's going to be Awesome!

Details to come Tuesday.

I really hope so. What I have heard so far is underwhelming, compared to Morrowind.

MLGProPlayer · March 2018

Nestor wrote: »

NewBlacksmurf wrote: »

Lol you’re so funny.

You get the click bait award tho

I said NDA safe, what did you expect?

However I wish I could tell you why it's going to be great. Tuesday.

Flying mounts confirmed.

MakeMeUhSamich · March 2018

#BuffSorc

Sirona_Starr · March 2018

Anything in the conversation about a package deal, with a lower price for collector's edition for those that PURCHASED Morrowind? Not sure why those who didn't purchase it, get it for free, comparatively speaking, and those who did purchase it, pay the same? It's $90 in my country, and I don't see why those who did buy Morrowind, get a "You were stupid to buy it, because now it's free, for those who didn't." Accordingly, I can wait until this edition is free with the next release, or I will pay now for a reduced price because I bought Morrowind............makes no sense. Fool me once shame on you.........I won't be fooled twice.

NewBlacksmurf · March 2018

Nestor wrote: »

NewBlacksmurf wrote: »

Lol you’re so funny.

You get the click bait award tho

I said NDA safe, what did you expect?

However I wish I could tell you why it's going to be great. Tuesday.

I dare you to break nda ...don’t tho I’m just joking
I have a serious question no one in here will ask.

-How nice are the bathrooms?
-Do they have a cafe?
-what’s the food menu?
-Do they have ergonomic desks and chairs?
-Eyestrain monitors?
-Casual dress code?

WhiteCoatSyndrome · March 2018

Now that I think about it - are they Agile? How long is their sprint cycle? Do they do code reviews?

Kidding, I'd be very surprised if those things came up.

MLGProPlayer · March 2018

Sirona_Starr wrote: »

Anything in the conversation about a package deal, with a lower price for collector's edition for those that PURCHASED Morrowind? Not sure why those who didn't purchase it, get it for free, comparatively speaking, and those who did purchase it, pay the same? It's $90 in my country, and I don't see why those who did buy Morrowind, get a "You were stupid to buy it, because now it's free, for those who didn't." Accordingly, I can wait until this edition is free with the next release, or I will pay now for a reduced price because I bought Morrowind............makes no sense. Fool me once shame on you.........I won't be fooled twice.

Morrowind isn't factored into the cost. It's just a free addition to the package.

Dracane · March 2018

What's going to happen on tuesday ?