I am really bad at PvP, help?

iolowynhughesb16_ESO · June 2014

Hi, so I'm a lvl 48 Nord Dragonknight, and I suck at PvP.

I really want to be able to play reasonably well because the PvP looks pretty interesting (far more interesting than WoW's anyway). But I feel totally useless when I step into Cyrodiil.

I get stomped by just one person, usually I'm dead before the first knockdown animation has finished, and it just feels really bad. I don't even get a chance to pop a defensive and possibly try to swat them about the head with my axe for all the good it might do.

Are there any general tips? Or have I (and I really REALLY hate that this is a thing in PvP) picked the wrong class/specialisation? I feel like I'm constantly getting bursted into ashes by two-hander Dragonknights or Casters of pretty much any type. I hate feeling like I HAVE to play a certain way to be competitive, even though it's not my preferred style, it kinda defeats the purpose of this type of game imo.

So yeah, any tips? What armour? What skills? What stats are most important? Etc. seriously, anything would help.

Thanks to anyone that takes the time to read this and possibly give some advice.

Azarul · June 2014

iolowynhughesb16_ESO wrote: »

Hi, so I'm a lvl 48.

I stopped reading here. Come back at VR1+. Seriously, not trying to be mean, but this PvP is so broken for people under VR its tragic.

Avidus · June 2014

Azarul wrote: »

iolowynhughesb16_ESO wrote: »

Hi, so I'm a lvl 48.

I stopped reading here. Come back at VR1+. Seriously, not trying to be mean, but this PvP is so broken for people under VR its tragic.

That is not true.

Here are some tips.
I will admit that due to being a lower level you will be easier to kill, and find killing harder. Its only natural.

But there are things you can do to help!
Siege equipment is your friend, you can use siege from a distance to keep yourself safe at the same time as doing something vital to winning.

In terms of getting up close and personal, I would advise you to find a group of people and stay very close to them, even better if there is a healer there.
A big mistake a lot of people make is to run away when they get hit, and they actually run away from healers and help.
Its very important to play as a team.

Another tip is to hold block up as much as you can afford to do, to stop yourself getting chained or knocked down. It could save your life.

Another way to help even the odds, pick yourself up some food and potions!
A large amount of VR players do not use them, therefor this is could be used as a good stat distance closer.

Keep persisting and you will get there, you will learn how to stay alive and how to act to win.
Good luck!

P.S. there is no such thing as a wrong build. I am currently a crafting based healer and the now former emperor on my campaign could not kill me in 1v1 combat despite my lack of combat skills.

Dudis · June 2014

Kind of general advice here since i don't play a DK myself.

Use Talons. Hell it's not only a very strong skill if it sticks but you can make someone waste most of their staminna just rolling out of it, then knockback/stun and go to work.

Get used to doing A LOT of blocking, rolling and breaking CC (use the interrupt key when stunned or knocked down for example)

Try to stay above half stamina on your horse so you have time to dismount without getting knocked off if that's an issue for you.

Make sure you have a build with a nice mixture of damage (single and AoE), CC and survivability.
Having the option to swap between melee and ranged is also very helpful.

Invest in better crafted potions, like the combined hp/ma/sta pot. That one is incredible. Food buffs also help.

Make sure you fully invest in passives for the skills and armor you use.

And last but not least, spend half an hour in the zombie camp in coldharbour to get level 50

Here: http://i39.servimg.com/u/f39/12/51/00/69/zombie10.jpg

Sharee · June 2014

Characters under level 50 are boosted in cyrodiil to be competitive with level 50's.

This is great for level 10's, as they have ~2000 hitpoints instead of 200, etc.

However, the system is very bad for high levels who are still under 50, because it basically nerfs them to the same level as the level 10 characters (a level 10 and a level 48, both boosted, will end up with the same stats.)

A level 48 dragonknight in heavy armor might have ~1500 armor outside of cyrodiil, but the 'boost' will nerf that to 700 amor inside cyrodiil.

Best fix is to reach level 50 (which is actually vr1). Another possibility is to disable the boosting - there is na option for it in the game options (you have to use the toggle outside of cyrodiil).

iolowynhughesb16_ESO · June 2014

Hmmm, thanks everyone who's replied, given me plenty to think about =]

Azarul · June 2014

Sharee wrote: »

Characters under level 50 are boosted in cyrodiil to be competitive with level 50's.

This is great for level 10's, as they have ~2000 hitpoints instead of 200, etc.

However, the system is very bad for high levels who are still under 50, because it basically nerfs them to the same level as the level 10 characters (a level 10 and a level 48, both boosted, will end up with the same stats.)

A level 48 dragonknight in heavy armor might have ~1500 armor outside of cyrodiil, but the 'boost' will nerf that to 700 amor inside cyrodiil.

Best fix is to reach level 50 (which is actually vr1). Another possibility is to disable the boosting - there is na option for it in the game options (you have to use the toggle outside of cyrodiil).

Edited: misread post

Censorious · June 2014

Playing effectively at low level is all about recognising your limitations and not getting yourself into the meat grinder.
This is not a bad thing because it teaches you vital skills that will make you even more effective at cap.
I always have a little chuckle when I see people saying 'don't PvP until you get to VRx'. They're the very one's you see later screaming for nerfs because 'this other class' is OP. Every MMO I've played, I always level through PvP if I can. Practice, practice practice makes perfect.

General advice:-
1/ Throw away the melee weapon. You don't want to mix it with melee - you need to be ranged. Think about it - if you got toe-to-toe with a VR12 melee DK, who's gonna win? Your chances are zero.
If however, you use a bow or some ranged spell you stand a far better chance to do some damage before he hits you - especially if he is busy with another opponent at the same time.
2/ Stealth - all the time at every opportunity. You need to hit hard and fast then get out of there and hide. You do NOT want to be noticed.
3/ Group - always stay with others and stay at the back. Attack opponents who are already fighting your allies. Never initiate a fight on a full HP opponent all by yourself. That's suicide.

Siege weapons - I don't know. I have mixed feelings. You will be the target for everybody in the entire enemy army. Do you really want that? It's a different matter if you're safely on top of a wall - but out in the open, taking fire from enemy shot and stealthed skirmishers? Good way to get killed IMO.

In short, get crafty, get cowardly, get downright dirty and learn to be a street-fighter.

Helspyre · June 2014

I'd suggest trying to find a guild that does both PvE and PvP, and has some sort of organized PvP nights/events so you can have people to get feedback from. I think it's great that you aren't giving up at the first sign of adversity. Stick with it man, PvP can be an extremely fulfilling aspect of gaming.

Your preferred "style" can often find it's place better in the context of a group.

Halrloprillalar · June 2014

Azarul wrote: »

iolowynhughesb16_ESO wrote: »

Hi, so I'm a lvl 48.

I stopped reading here. Come back at VR1+. Seriously, not trying to be mean, but this PvP is so broken for people under VR its tragic.

Yea... it's sad but true. As a low-level, your best bet is to hang out with larger groups and man sieges/repair and occasionally chain pull people to get mauled by the zerg.

nukeyoo · June 2014

For a small fee; I just had

come pick me up and now I'm in the top 10000 on Wabbajack. If all these other suggestions don't help you should definitely check it out.

wayfarerb14_ESO · June 2014

Remember that you have to die a lot in PvP to learn how to die less, lol. A lot of the advice already given is spot on. Find a group and don't stray too far away. Join a PvP guild if you think you'll like to PvP more often. Use food items and healing potions. Sneak when you are alone and trying to reconnect with your group. Be very wary of 1v1 ing that guy looking at his map- chances are there are 2-3 of his allies waiting in stealth for someone to take the bait. And above all else, have fun! It takes a while to learn the ropes of PvP- embrace it and play with your skill bar until you find the most effective combo. Happy hunting!

belugian · June 2014

i ve started pvping around lvl 13 so a zillion deaths
it s frustrating but gives you some experience.
i would not say ' i suck ' till u reach the same level as all the others tho.
i was a very decent daoc player and i can barely kill anything here

Gilvoth · June 2014

Avidus wrote: »

Azarul wrote: »

iolowynhughesb16_ESO wrote: »

Hi, so I'm a lvl 48.

I stopped reading here. Come back at VR1+. Seriously, not trying to be mean, but this PvP is so broken for people under VR its tragic.

That is not true.

Here are some tips.
I will admit that due to being a lower level you will be easier to kill, and find killing harder. Its only natural.

But there are things you can do to help!
Siege equipment is your friend, you can use siege from a distance to keep yourself safe at the same time as doing something vital to winning.

In terms of getting up close and personal, I would advise you to find a group of people and stay very close to them, even better if there is a healer there.
A big mistake a lot of people make is to run away when they get hit, and they actually run away from healers and help.
Its very important to play as a team.

Another tip is to hold block up as much as you can afford to do, to stop yourself getting chained or knocked down. It could save your life.

Another way to help even the odds, pick yourself up some food and potions!
A large amount of VR players do not use them, therefor this is could be used as a good stat distance closer.

Keep persisting and you will get there, you will learn how to stay alive and how to act to win.
Good luck!

P.S. there is no such thing as a wrong build. I am currently a crafting based healer and the now former emperor on my campaign could not kill me in 1v1 combat despite my lack of combat skills.

awesome post and a true encouragement!
i agree with this man.
the main thing is to level up slowly and learn what works and what does not work. why did you die? what is it that can hurt people that you are not doing?
ask questions, learn why your dying, work, work, work! it will pay off in just a week or 2 youll see a BIG difference if you keep working at it!

Junipus · June 2014

As has been said on here - stay towards the back until you're higher level.

You'll be insta-killed by AoE or targeted by those looking for a quick kill otherwise.

Stick with a group, or a guild, and you'll survive much longer. I've seen players around the lvl 20 mark zerg with guilds and survive.