Modernizing ESO's Forgotten PvE Support Sets

SonOfAsura · August 6

# Modernizing ESO's Forgotten PvE Support Sets

After looking through the Update 51 item set changes, I think there are still a few older PvE support sets that could benefit from modernization. None of these suggestions are intended to make the sets overpowered—they're mainly aimed at improving consistency, usability, and bringing them in line with ESO's current item design.

## Sluthrug's Hunger

I think this set should trigger from overhealing as well.

The current tooltip requires actual healing, meaning someone has to be missing health for the effect to apply. In organized PvE, this makes the set less reliable than it should be. Allowing overheals to trigger Blood Hungry wouldn't make the set overpowered, but it would make it much more practical and optimal to use.

I also think the effect should only work against Monsters.

Suggested tooltip:

Healing yourself or an ally, including overhealing, makes the recipient Blood Hungry for 3 seconds. When you deal direct damage to a Monster, the Monster becomes Bloodied for 3 seconds. Bloodied Monsters take 4% more damage from and deal 4% less damage to Blood Hungry targets.

This prevents unnecessary PvP balance concerns while allowing the set to be balanced around its intended PvE role.

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## Master Architect & War Machine

These sets should use the same smart targeting system as Powerful Assault.

When two players use these sets at the same time, they can both apply their buffs to the same targets, leaving other DPS without the buff. This is especially noticeable in progression groups where maximizing buff coverage is important.

Powerful Assault already solved this problem. Applying the same targeting logic to these older support sets would improve consistency without increasing their overall power.

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## Z'en's Redress

I think Z'en's Redress could use some modernization.

Since both Magicka and Stamina support DPS use this set in trial groups, the current stat lines feel outdated.

Suggested changes:

(2 items) Adds Weapon and Spell Damage

(3 items) Adds Critical Chance

(4 items) Adds Critical Chance

I also think the 5-piece bonus has fallen behind. Reaching the current 5 DoT cap is trivial for many builds, so it no longer rewards maintaining additional damage over time effects.

Increasing the cap from 5% to 10% (1% per DoT, up to 10%) would better reward DoT-focused gameplay and help the set remain competitive with modern trial support options.

## Claw of Yolnahkriin

I think Claw of Yolnahkriin could also use a modernization.

Minor Courage has become much easier to obtain from other sources, making this set less unique and significantly weaker than it once was.

Instead of granting Minor Courage, I think the set should simply grant **300 Weapon and Spell Damage** to affected group members. This would keep the set relevant as a main tank support option while avoiding unnecessary buff overlap with other classes and sets.

The goal isn't to make Yolnahkriin overpowered, but to give it a meaningful place in today's PvE support meta.

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Overall, I think these changes would modernize several older support sets without introducing unnecessary power creep. They improve consistency, encourage better group play, and align these sets with ESO's current hybrid and support design philosophy.

SonOfAsura · August 6

I Forgot to mention;
Xanmeer Spellweaver

Morag Tong exists for Poison and Disease Damage, so why isn't there an equivalent set for Magical Damage?

Xanmeer Spellweaver would be a perfect fit.

Suggested 5-piece bonus:

(5 items) When you deal direct damage, you cause the enemy to take 10% more damage from Magical Damage attacks for 10 seconds.

Morag Tong primarily benefits Nightblade and Necromancer, while there is no comparable support set for Magical Damage. A Magic Damage version would give classes that deal primarily Magical Damage, such as Dragonknight, Templar, and Arcanist, an equivalent support option and encourage more diverse raid compositions.

Usureki · August 6

I'd love to see such revival of older sets, it would be a new thing to do for ZOS.

Maybe let's make use of their User Suggestion page and do these proposals?

SonOfAsura · August 6

Usureki wrote: »

I'd love to see such revival of older sets, it would be a new thing to do for ZOS.

Maybe let's make use of their User Suggestion page and do these proposals?

Yes, it can be done. I just wanted to highlight these suggestions because they're directly related to the modernization and hybridization goals of Update 51, and I hope the developers will take them into consideration for Week 2.

Elendildur · August 6

SonOfAsura wrote: »

## Z'en's Redress

I think Z'en's Redress could use some modernization.

Since both Magicka and Stamina support DPS use this set in trial groups, the current stat lines feel outdated.

Suggested changes:

(2 items) Adds Weapon and Spell Damage

(3 items) Adds Critical Chance

(4 items) Adds Critical Chance

I also think the 5-piece bonus has fallen behind. Reaching the current 5 DoT cap is trivial for many builds, so it no longer rewards maintaining additional damage over time effects.

Increasing the cap from 5% to 10% (1% per DoT, up to 10%) would better reward DoT-focused gameplay and help the set remain competitive with modern trial support options.

I feel like increasing the cap to 10% would make it near impossible to reach that, unless you're using a very specific build

SonOfAsura · August 6

Elendildur wrote: »

SonOfAsura wrote: »

## Z'en's Redress

I think Z'en's Redress could use some modernization.

Since both Magicka and Stamina support DPS use this set in trial groups, the current stat lines feel outdated.

Suggested changes:

(2 items) Adds Weapon and Spell Damage

(3 items) Adds Critical Chance

(4 items) Adds Critical Chance

I also think the 5-piece bonus has fallen behind. Reaching the current 5 DoT cap is trivial for many builds, so it no longer rewards maintaining additional damage over time effects.

Increasing the cap from 5% to 10% (1% per DoT, up to 10%) would better reward DoT-focused gameplay and help the set remain competitive with modern trial support options.

unless you're using a very specific build

Yeap that's the point

SolarRune · August 6

Yeah I tried sluthrugs for the first time this weekend and was left disappointed. I also think anyone who is blood hungry should be able to proc bloodied not just the sluthrugs wearer. Again the five piece isn't going to change the world but it would be a nice viable other support set. It all feels really lacking at the moment (for healers and tanks).

HatchetHaro · August 6

I don't quite agree with the Z'en's one, and maybe 10% might be a bit much for Spellweaver since Magical attacks are way more abundant than Poison and Disease.

The rest seem like interesting positive changes.

Thal · August 7

I think that Dolorous Arena also deserves a retouch, despite being very new. It’s such a cool visual effect to take a back seat to a decade old set (Alkosh).

Update 51 is introducing group penetration on demand from Sorcs. This is also already less consistent and a lesser debuff than Alkosh.

Perhaps something like a 1% damage taken unique debuff per stack to enemies in the field (stack 5 times instead of 3, still 2 seconds between stacks). And AoE armor + to you and allies or unique -% damage taken, also stacking.

SonOfAsura · August 7

Thal wrote: »

I think that Dolorous Arena also deserves a retouch, despite being very new. It’s such a cool visual effect to take a back seat to a decade old set (Alkosh).

Update 51 is introducing group penetration on demand from Sorcs. This is also already less consistent and a lesser debuff than Alkosh.

Perhaps something like a 1% damage taken unique debuff per stack to enemies in the field (stack 5 times instead of 3, still 2 seconds between stacks). And AoE armor + to you and allies or unique -% damage taken, also stacking.

Could be like this

When you successfully Taunt an enemy, you gain Distortion Barrier for 12 seconds. While active, you gain 614 Armor every 2 seconds, stacking up to 3 times. The taunted enemy emits a distortion field that reduces the Armor of itself and nearby enemies within 8 meters by 1843 every 2 seconds for 5 seconds, stacking up to 3 times. This effect can occur once every 8 seconds.

SonOfAsura · August 7

HatchetHaro wrote: »

I don't quite agree with the Z'en's one, and maybe 10% might be a bit much for Spellweaver since Magical attacks are way more abundant than Poison and Disease.

The rest seem like interesting positive changes.

Imo I don't think 10% is too much for Magical Damage. Classes that primarily deal Magical Damage, especially Dragonknight and Arcanist, aren't performing particularly well in optimised raid groups right now.

Thal · August 7

SonOfAsura wrote: »

Thal wrote: »

I think that Dolorous Arena also deserves a retouch, despite being very new. It’s such a cool visual effect to take a back seat to a decade old set (Alkosh).

Update 51 is introducing group penetration on demand from Sorcs. This is also already less consistent and a lesser debuff than Alkosh.

Perhaps something like a 1% damage taken unique debuff per stack to enemies in the field (stack 5 times instead of 3, still 2 seconds between stacks). And AoE armor + to you and allies or unique -% damage taken, also stacking.

Could be like this

When you successfully Taunt an enemy, you gain Distortion Barrier for 12 seconds. While active, you gain 614 Armor every 2 seconds, stacking up to 3 times. The taunted enemy emits a distortion field that reduces the Armor of itself and nearby enemies within 8 meters by 1843 every 2 seconds for 5 seconds, stacking up to 3 times. This effect can occur once every 8 seconds.

Cool idea, but my point was that the armor reduction is both redundant and not as strong as a decade old set. It should be tweaked to something slightly stronger or have reduction that exceeds Alkosh

SonOfAsura · August 7

I hope at least can we get magical dmg set like morag tong \ Smart target war machine-master architect\ Sluthrug proc with overheal update ?
Please @ZOS_Kevin

SonOfAsura · August 26

Imo, people are posting on this forum for nothing. I don't think the developers care in the slightest, or even click on and read any of these posts.

Sordidfairytale · August 27

SonOfAsura wrote: »

# Modernizing ESO's Forgotten PvE Support Sets

---

## Master Architect & War Machine

These sets should use the same smart targeting system as Powerful Assault.

When two players use these sets at the same time, they can both apply their buffs to the same targets, leaving other DPS without the buff. This is especially noticeable in progression groups where maximizing buff coverage is important.

Powerful Assault already solved this problem. Applying the same targeting logic to these older support sets would improve consistency without increasing their overall power.

---

All of these sets (PA included) need to just simply provide their buff to you and up to 11 members of your group. Reduce the duration of the buff to encourage two members to wear the sets still if needed, but for the love of Dolly, just simplify the application of the buffs.

madmufffin · August 27

I think Xanmeer buffing ele damage would be more applicable to Morag than all magic, but other than that I like them all. Anything for more comp variety is welcomed.

acanca · August 27

I agree with all of these except z'en change, 10% group wide unnamed damage buff is way too good.
I agree that achieving a good upkeep on 10 sticky dots is probably not realistic and wouldnt easily happen but still, why buff something thats already great.

ItsNotLiving · August 27

I really wish a lot of older sets were looked at. A lot of just garbage that could be useable with a little bit of number tweaks.

Olanero · September 1

I agree that Z'en should probably receive the same hybridisation treatment as a lot of other stuf.
I do not agree, that the other sets should be changed in the way originally described.
This would just be more power creep and we already had a large spike with pure classing, while simultaneously no new raid was introduced.
I do not think that nerfing that would be good, because there are groups progressing fights all the time and nerfs mid progress can really throw teams back, however buffing even further at the current point is probably too much.
We are already getting more buffs with the hybridisation changes adding ~3k armor via templar and ~3k pen via sorcerer.
Now imagine giving us 4% damage, better slayer uptime without required coordination, 300 spell dmg, ... you name it.
I personally like being buffed as much as anyone, but this would drive good endgame players away from the game (no I don't consider myself good;) - but I know a lot of players who are already frustrated with the lowered difficulty).

CatalinaWineMixer2 · September 1

Un nerf my Pillager gear

SonOfAsura · September 2

They keep adding even worse sets to the game instead of fixing the terrible sets that already exist. 90% of all the sets in the game are basically garbage. Instead of focusing on PvE/PvP balance and improving existing sets, they keep piling on pointless content.

Why does nobody care about the contents they add after the first week? Because people complete the achievements and get tired of doing the same thing over and over again.

If ZOS keeps going down this path, it’s entirely possible that ESO will eventually die.

Finedaible · September 2

I also roll my eyes so far back into my my head when they add another redundant sustain set with a new update. Latest example was Xanmeer Genesis I think; It's just utterly pointless when there are so many better sustain sets in the game, and it's just pointless filler.

Necrotech_Master · September 3

the thing that really needs to be improved for support sets should be monster sets

for tanks there is a severe lack of "support/debuff" monster sets, your basically really tied into using archdruid (for major vuln), or tremor (for armor debuff)

other sets like lord warden affect a small area so wouldnt always work for a main tank, and most teams prefer debuffing the enemy to buffing players

like we have already seen, you dont have to tie new monster sets to dungeons either (such as the ones added with the night market)

Finedaible · September 3

I kinda want to see monster sets in general become relevant again. Aside from Balorgh, Maarselok, and maybe Kjalnar sets, there's hardly any other monster set that I feel is worth including. Monster sets used to add more flavor and variety, but these days end up not being worth the opportunity cost.

keto3000 · September 3

All the older sets ( and many newer ones) are way overdue to be thoroughly vetted, and either updated, or discarded, if they are useless, imho.