How easy is it to gear up?

propain · January 2025

Hello i am a returning player after many years but never got to max level and I was wondering how simple is gear progression in this game? I only want to PVE and mainly run dungeons. Are you able to basically run the dungeon and get gear that is good enough for most content? I am coming from World of Warcraft where i am use to exactly that, where you kill the boss and loot drops that will slowly upgrade your characters item level and nothing else to it. I am not looking to get into the highest most difficult content, mainly i just want to run more casual PVE content. Any help would be much appreciated.

Soarora · January 2025

Its unfortunately not very simple as different gear drops from different locations and thus you have to know what gear is good for your build, go to that place, and then farm it until you get enough pieces. That said, gear level maxxes out at cp 160.

freespirit · January 2025

There are easily available crafted sets that are entirely good enough for most if not all dungeons.

There are also sets that are tradeable and can be found at guild traders that might give a little extra edge.

Vonnegut2506 · January 2025

You mean World of Warcraft where you kill a boss, hope loot drops that you can use, hope it is an upgrade, and hope you win the roll for it? It is much easier here as every boss drops a piece of gear for every player. You just have to know which dungeon you want gear from and go get it.

Desiato · January 2025

Really easy once you get the hang of it. BUT, the game changes so much and so often, you may find it takes you longer to catch up with all the changes than it does to gear up. I don't want to discourage you though, because it's not as daunting as it may seem.

I would learn about mythics ASAP and start farming them. The most popular pve dps mythic is Velothi ur-mage amulet. The next most important thing to learn about is hybridization. For example, a strong Magicka build could be 6 medium, 1 light, with daggers front bar a greatsword backbar.

With that said, 5x orders wrath body + 5x briarheart front bar + velothi + 1 slimecraw + maelstrom inferno backbar does pretty well in vet dungeons and trials considering how easy it is to assemble. I started grinding trials with that setup before quickly moving on to trial setups. My dps was surprisingly competitive.

Here's my recent response in a different thread to another returning player. There is some good responses in that thread:

https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/comment/8238480/#Comment_8238480

freespirit · January 2025

The game does change really often but as op said he was more intending "casual PVE content" then I stand by my comment that crafted sets are good enough.

I am very lazy I do not change my gear very often and I certainly do not chase the meta!

I have two accounts I play a lot one is just shy of 2,500 CP the other is just under 1K CP, on both accounts I tend to play my Templar most, both wear the same set up Order's(crafted), Deadly(tradeable), Slimecraw(Monster Helm Wayrest Sewers1 on vet) and Oakensoul Mythic.

My main account can solo all base game dungeons that don't have mechanics to stop me, vet and normal.

The lower cp account is just starting to solo vet ones now.

I suspect it will be a bit harder as you may not have many cp and they definitely do help but for casual fun don't get too tied up on what gear you need!!

DenverRalphy · January 2025

There is zero gear progression in ESO. You choose which set you prefer, and you go get it. That's it. All gear drops at whatever level you are. Gear improvement doesn't require anything but easily obtainable materials, and anybody can improve their own gear without requiring any crafting skills.

TaSheen · January 2025

DenverRalphy wrote: »

There is zero gear progression in ESO. You choose which set you prefer, and you go get it. That's it. All gear drops at whatever level you are. Gear improvement doesn't require anything but easily obtainable materials, and anybody can improve their own gear without requiring any crafting skills.

In other words, don't start on gear until you're CP 160.

spartaxoxo · January 2025

Once you hit cp160, gear is really easy to get for casual PvP. Some of it is sourced from dungeons. You'll also only need to do trials in normal if you want to get gear good enough to clear any dungeon. You could also just craft it yourself.

Good luck getting your gear. And on selling propane and propane accessories.

PeacefulAnarchy · January 2025

TaSheen wrote: »

DenverRalphy wrote: »

There is zero gear progression in ESO. You choose which set you prefer, and you go get it. That's it. All gear drops at whatever level you are. Gear improvement doesn't require anything but easily obtainable materials, and anybody can improve their own gear without requiring any crafting skills.

In other words, don't start on gear until you're CP 160.

With the reconstruction system this is no longer true. Just don't upgrade it until CP160.

M0ntie · January 2025

I'd recommend researching the traits of gear you are going to use. eg. medium divine.
If you haven't already, level all crafting skill lines up so that improving gear will be cheaper. If you keep an Armourer slot for a crafting loadout, you won't need all the skill points for crafting AND all the skill points for your damage build. You can just have an armourer slot for each.

Orbital78 · January 2025

Super easy, base game dungeon sets and crafted gear can get you all the way into veteran content if you have learned to play your build(s).

HatchetHaro · January 2025

If your goal is just casual dungeons, just go for crafted and overland sets. Those sets are tradable. As long as you have the gold to buy that gear or to pay someone to craft that gear (or just have a generous friend), you can get geared up in no time at all.

I'm assuming you wish to be a damage-dealer, as most people do.
Recommended crafted sets: Order's Wrath, Kvatch Gladiator, Law of Julianos, Hunding's Rage, New Moon Acolyte
Recommended overland sets: Mother's Sorrow, Briarheart, Back-Alley Gourmand, Spinner's Garments, Spriggan's Thorns

SkaiFaith · January 2025

All good advices. I just want to add that as a "beginner" a set that is really friendly/forgiving is Druid's Braid, a craftable from High Isle DLC. It is a 12 pieces set that adds Health, Magicka and Stamina.
I use it on all my alt characters and any class has been able to clear the first Arc of Infinite Archive in solo. Can definitely get you through Dungeons if built properly.
Have fun!

JaxontheUnfortunate · January 2025

I think the first question is what role(DPS, tank or Healer) and playstyle do you enjoy and look into building a kit to best support that, but until you are cp160 I wouldn't be to worried about gear. For me my go-to combination for leveling a new toon is a mix of adept rider and orders wrath both are craftable sets.

Sarannah · January 2025

Gearing in ESO isn't that straightforward as in other games, but there are three things you should do to gear yourself:
1: Complete the gear stickerbook as best you can. This way you can craft all the gear you need at the transmute station, whenever you need it. (including undaunted helms/shoulders for the pledge keys(found at the undaunted enclaves in the major cities like mournhold in deshaan))
2: Finish researching everything. This way you can craft your own gear with the traits you want.
3: Gather all crafted set stations or join a guild who has those.

Other than that, just gather transmute crystals and gather tradeskill/upgrade materials to craft the gear you want. After finding a nice build ofcourse, just check any guide for good ones. These guides also usually state where to find certain gear pieces.

Do NOT start making gear before you reach champion point level 160, otherwise you will have to remake all those items. Gearlevel 50/160 CP is the maximum gear level.

Welcome back and goodluck!