Suggestions on Getting Started?

IrishGirlGamer

Hi, I just bought TESO on Friday and downloaded it yesterday. Starting today and just looking for suggestions on race/class/starting faction, as well as any gameplay suggestions. Anything to help me get started.

Thanks!

ThePonzzz

Well, what sort of player are you? Your starting alliance won't hinder gameplay, as a single character can experience all alliance quests.

Valn

Everyone has the same main story, with one or two choices.

When you finish your factions quests you can do the other 2 factions quests, so everyone has the same quests.

Getting a horse will cost you about 17200 gold. Good luck getting that at lower levels, conveniently you can buy one for $15 on the website.

Sorcs are most powerful class. Don't bother making any stamina builds, magicka is superior.

And if you enjoy story then youll enjoy doing the veteran quest areas, otherwise it will just be a grind.

Adramelach

Well, the going theory around here is that whatever alliance you pick, go whatever race best cranks up your magicka, pick sorcerer, and immediately begin working on your Light Armor, Destruction Staff, and Restoration Staff skills. That is the current "recipe for success" with all other builds being distant seconds or worse.

Some have talked about DragonKnights too... with Light Armor, Destruction Staff, and Restoration Staff.

Or MAYBE Templar or Nightblade... with Light Armor, Destruction Staff, and Restoration Staff. But even with the LA/Destro/Resto combo, I've read about severe class ability complaints in both of those camps.

Anyway, research the forums perhaps, or play around in the Public Test Server, and see if you come up with powerful alternatives.

IrishGirlGamer

Thanks for fast responses!

What kind of player am I? In the TES games, I've always been a ranged weapon stealth player. Nightblade was my favorite class in Oblivion. In Skyrim I went for sneak first to get the attack bonus.

But I've done some homework and lurked on these forums (funny how much you can read during a 12 hour flight from Japan ) and there's a lot of talk about the nightblade being broken.

I played a little bit with magic in Oblivion, but rarely used it in Skyrim. I don't think I created a single magic-based character. So if Sorcs are the best class that's too bad.

I'm a slow player. It took me almost eight months to complete the main quest in Skyrim ... well, I have a bit of real life, too. I think I did the main quest in Oblivion once ... main quests aren't really my thing.

Maybe I should ask: what's a good starting region? So in Skyrim, I might start in Solitude or Riften, depending on my build. Is there a good place to start for a stealth based character.

Thanks again.

Edit: @ Adramelach: What if you don't want to use a staff? I've like never used a staff in any game.

Aeradon

Race is totally dependent on whether which race you love or whether you wanna min max your character. You may check racial skills at any calculator.

Class is supposed to be insignificant to your role and prowess, but still needs rebalancing. Choose whatever your play style is, none is supposed to be better than another. You can check the class skills at any calculator.

http://esohead.com/calculator/skills

Alliances
Daggerfall Covenant - Lead by Bretons who believe that they could provide a better economy for all. Joined by Orcs and Redguards.

Aldmeri Dominion - Lead by High Elves who believe the race of Man are still young, and Mer should lead being the wiser and older race. Joined by Wood Elves and Khajiits.

Ebonheart Pact - Lead by Nords who believe in the strength of their ancestry in leadership. Joined by Dunmers and Argonians.

Check with your friends because you have to be in the same alliance to have fun together

Should you be unable to decide, this one on behalf of Daggerfall Covenant would like to extend our greetings.

Worstluck

The area you start in is determined by your chosen faction. It doesn't really matter, except who you want to start out doing quests for.

Daggerfall - Glenumbra - Redguard, Orc, Breton
Aldmeri - Auridon - Altmer, Bosmer, Khajiit
Ebonheart - Stonefalls - Nord, Dunmer, Argonian

Nightblade is not as broken as the forum would have you believe, but what is broken is stamina-based builds at the later game, so keep that in mind. I've leveled all classes, 2 to VR, others still in their 30's and I've had the easiest time with Dragonknight and Sorcerer, light armor builds. The game is not very balanced at the moment, so things could change drastically, who knows.

IrishGirlGamer

@ Worstluck: Thanks. I'll take your word on the Nightblade class. I just can't seem myself playing a magician.

As to area: I know you start in a faction, but then you have the map to explore, right? Once you get out of the starter dungeon, that is. So if I start as a Breton, I'm not stuck in Glunumbra. I can go to any region in the Daggerfall Covenant. Or am I missing something?

Aeradon

Worstluck wrote: »

The area you start in is determined by your chosen faction. It doesn't really matter, except who you want to start out doing quests for.

Daggerfall - Glenumbra - Redguard, Orc, Breton
Aldmeri - Auridon - Altmer, Bosmer, Khajiit
Ebonheart - Stonefalls - Nord, Dunmer, Argonian

Nightblade is not as broken as the forum would have you believe, but what is broken is stamina-based builds at the later game, so keep that in mind. I've leveled all classes, 2 to VR, others still in their 30's and I've had the easiest time with Dragonknight and Sorcerer, light armor builds. The game is not very balanced at the moment, so things could change drastically, who knows.

Agreed. Though levelling is done easily on Dragonknight and Sorcerer. I had the most fun playing Nightblade and Templar. It's just personal preference I suppose. Nightblades have really fun skills that rewards sneaking and proper planning. Though one may argue that any game/class would reward brains.

The monsters for the zones are pretty much the same with a few exceptions. So starting out anywhere wouldn't matter. And you get to see all infrastructures and architectures regardless of where you're from.

Worstluck

Well, the game doesn't work exactly like previous TES, it's more linear. So while you can go to any zone within the Daggerfall Convenant if you choose that faction, you wont be able to do anything, as the quests and NPC's are too high level.

You can definitely explore within the zone you can quest in and I highly recommend it. Current progression for Daggerfall is Glenumbra>Stormhaven>Rivenspire>Alik'r Desert>Bangkorai.

Adramelach

IrishGirlGamer wrote: »

Edit: @ Adramelach: What if you don't want to use a staff? I've like never used a staff in any game.

Well... you've pretty much hit on the core issue at the heart of the angst over Staves being the only viable option, especially in Veteran play, which you won't get to for a while, but may as well know now.

I don't have that particular problem, as I happen to have "picked wisely" and got started in early access with a sorceror. Like you, I am rather slow at my leveling, and only completed the 1-50 game on my main alt yesterday - the one I created on day one of 5-day early access, months ago.

Nevertheless, I have a drow Nightblade kicking around Ebonheart Pact at level 10... been sitting there for a couple months now, as I've read the problems with the NB, and rather than suffer the frustration, have put that alt on ice and focused on my main, the 'correct' build for ESO.

To be honest, I really hope they fix the "stamina-based weapons" problem... well, frankly, I hope the fix innumerable massive issues, such as the veteran content balance problem.

Here's the basic issue with Stamina-based abilities (and not staff):
1. Stamina in general doesn't receive the love that magicka does from armor and other passives. Magicka enjoys major reductions in cost of abilities, buffs to maxes and regen, and skills (like Dark Exchange) that allow fast regeneration of magicka on the fly, during combat, etc. Your stamina will drain quickly as you lack the cost-reduction buffs the magicka folks have to a large extent, and you will have few options beyond a potion to quickly revive it again.

2. Perhaps worse (far worse) is that other critical skills ALSO rely on and draw stamina, and these competing drains will very quickly hamper your ability use. Blocking and Dodging come easily to mind. On my sorceror, for instance, in my own battles, I often see my magicka and stamina both dropping about the same speed - my magicka from active skill use, and my stamina from *only* dodging "red zone" attacks and blocking. Often, when I go to use Dark Exchange to recharge magicka using stamina, I am frustrated and shocked to see my stamina already almost gone or completely gone, just from those uses. At times like that, I wonder how Stamina-based characters can survive at all... if nothing but my dodging and blocking is draining my stamina as quickly as my active skills are draining my magicka, how could I handle things if stamina were my main source for both?

So, that seems to be the current situation, as far as i can tell.

Aeradon

IrishGirlGamer wrote: »

@ Worstluck: Thanks. I'll take your word on the Nightblade class. I just can't seem myself playing a magician.

As to area: I know you start in a faction, but then you have the map to explore, right? Once you get out of the starter dungeon, that is. So if I start as a Breton, I'm not stuck in Glunumbra. I can go to any region in the Daggerfall Covenant. Or am I missing something?

For level 1-50, you will be bound to your faction. You are free to explore all 7 zones of Covenant for example, however, all zones are catered to different levels. Catered in the sense that you would not get xp for mobs with level difference more than 7. You can kill them, just no xp.

For example:
Beginner: Stros M'kai, 3-7
Beginner: Betnikh, 5-11
Zone 1: Glenumbra, 5-16
Zone 2: Stormhaven, 12-26
Zone 3: Rivenspire, 23-37
Zone 4: Alik'r, 32-45
Zone 5: Bangkorai, 38-50
Cold Harbor: 39-50

Then you proceed to the next faction.

AlexDougherty

IrishGirlGamer wrote: »

@ Worstluck: Thanks. I'll take your word on the Nightblade class. I just can't seem myself playing a magician.

Best faction Story is Aldmeri Dominion, but not by that much.
Dunmer racial skills mesh well with Dragon Knight.
In the Endgame Light Armour and Staff seems to be the prefered choice, but they will eventuall nerf that combo to rebalance the game.

IrishGirlGamer

Thanks to everyone for the comments!

@ Worstluck: Linear is a word I despise. While you answering, I was doing research and you're right - and it's something I wished I'd known before buying the game. The TESO website doesn't say anything about this little limitation.

Well, my heart's not broken yet. It must not be that limiting or some players would be crying about it.

But really, there's no level scaling at all? You just move from zone to zone? And if you go back to a zone it's super-easy? What about when you go to a faction (after completing yours). They're all level 1, right?

Thanks,

AlexDougherty

IrishGirlGamer wrote: »

Thanks to everyone for the comments!

@ Worstluck: Linear is a word I despise. While you answering, I was doing research and you're right - and it's something I wished I'd known before buying the game. The TESO website doesn't say anything about this little limitation.

Well, my heart's not broken yet. It must not be that limiting or some players would be crying about it.

But really, there's no level scaling at all? You just move from zone to zone? And if you go back to a zone it's super-easy? What about when you go to a faction (after completing yours). They're all level 1, right?

Thanks,

You get no exp if your enemy is more than five levels lower than you, sure you can go back, but won't do you any good.

mutharex

After you hit level 50 you start Veteran Ranks and the mobs are scaled to that, they are actually quite hard

Tavore1138

Welcome.

Don't be put off from being a stealthy NB type, it is plenty good enough from 1-50 and unless you are going to focus on PvP it is serviceable in VR too with the caveat that you will not have it as easy as some builds.

I have taken one almost all the way through all the questing and while there have been moments of frustration I have enjoyed sticking to the class type I love playing rather than following a 'best build'.

Going outside your level zone can be risky but it can be done and there is much to explore as always in these games. If you really feel brave get someone to befriend you and you can teleport to them on any of the areas in your current quest faction, although a level 5 meeting a level 40 beastie is going to get squished

Just enjoy the story and try not to get bogged down in the bugs. And be aware that it can get laggy at times, at those times avoid anything that depends on response times... gather some crafting stuff, explore a bit etc.

In your second & third factions mobs start at 50++ and get harder, you will probably die a bit... and even when you are at the end of the third faction the first area of faction two is no cakewalk. Mileage on this varies.

I come from the TES background with no online gaming and I have mostly found this an enjoyable experience seasoned with moments of wonder and occasional utter fury

Aeradon

IrishGirlGamer wrote: »

Thanks to everyone for the comments!

@ Worstluck: Linear is a word I despise. While you answering, I was doing research and you're right - and it's something I wished I'd known before buying the game. The TESO website doesn't say anything about this little limitation.

Well, my heart's not broken yet. It must not be that limiting or some players would be crying about it.

But really, there's no level scaling at all? You just move from zone to zone? And if you go back to a zone it's super-easy? What about when you go to a faction (after completing yours). They're all level 1, right?

Thanks,

A level 50 could still be killed by level 20 zone if not careful, well if careless plus lag. You can go around, or even complete level 42 quests with level 42 mobs at level 20, it's not that tough. When you complete your 1-50 and move on to the next faction, it will be called Veteran Rank 1-12. Mobs get a major leap in their health and attack, so it's tough for most people, reality slap or leap of joy for some.

@AlexDougherty‌ 7 levels actually. 5 is the optimum range to be in.

Rosveen

Don't be discouraged from stamina builds. Everything works in 1-50, problems don't appear until veteran ranks. Hopefully by the time you reach them ZOS will tweak the balance, but even if not, you will know the game better and have enough money and skill points to respec as you see fit. Chances are, even if you don't go for the standard dress+stick build, you'll still want to try out a different weapon than the ones you leveled with - just out of curiousity or for more versatility. So for now play whatever you want.

As for linearity, if you're a completionist, you'll start outleveling quests at some point. This will give you a bit of a leeway in what you want to do and where, though sadly not anywhere near as much as you had in single player TES. But still, you can visit higher level zones if you want, despite not being able to quest there. I walked from Daggerfall all the way to Hallin's Stand in Bangkorai at level 10, and regularly returned there to gather crafting materials. Just a bit of sneaking required...

Fleymark

Yes, if you like bow/dw stealther types then don't let what people say here deter you from going nightblade. The only things actually broken with the class are a few of the passive and they are getting fixed, some with the next patch. Some will say they are broken because they aren't putting up the same dps numbers as staff sorcs and DKs but that doesn't mean they are broken per se...Those classes are in the process of getting tuned down (nerfed) so take it with that grain of salt.

For a 4 class game, this one released fairly imbalanced. That doesn't mean theyaren't making changes to fix it, tho.

My point is, go with the skills set you like because it's all being tweaked and will eventually be balanced I'm sure. It all works pre 50 anyway.

I play a stamina build Bow/DW wood elf nightblade at VR4 and wouldn't play anything else as my main, personally.

Mablung

IrishGirlGamer wrote: »

Hi, I just bought TESO on Friday and downloaded it yesterday. Starting today and just looking for suggestions on race/class/starting faction, as well as any gameplay suggestions. Anything to help me get started.

Thanks!

Sadly you should take it back and get a full refund while you still can unless you are an alt-aholic because the game is fantastic levels 1-50 as a stand alone, solo RPG, after that total garbage.

Oh and if you do decide to keep it, roll a Sorcerer.

Nova Sky

AlexDougherty wrote: »

IrishGirlGamer wrote: »

Thanks to everyone for the comments!

@ Worstluck: Linear is a word I despise. While you answering, I was doing research and you're right - and it's something I wished I'd known before buying the game. The TESO website doesn't say anything about this little limitation.

Well, my heart's not broken yet. It must not be that limiting or some players would be crying about it.

But really, there's no level scaling at all? You just move from zone to zone? And if you go back to a zone it's super-easy? What about when you go to a faction (after completing yours). They're all level 1, right?

Thanks,

You get no exp if your enemy is more than five levels lower than you, sure you can go back, but won't do you any good.

Also, if you're into the crafting that ESO offers, you can always return to the "lesser" zones for harvesting runs and whatnot.

I've done that on occasion, particularly when I'm helping friends whose toons are at a lower level than mine. Especially when they're in a forced-solo instance ...

ThePonzzz

As a slow player who chose a khajiit nightblade for lore/RP purposes, I'll say I haven't had a lot of the problems described in the level 1 - 50 range. I haven't hit VR yet, and I know that's the biggest game changer. I'm also not into PvP, so there is that too.

Nightblades are capable of holding their own, the problem is with people min/maxing. You'll never be a high DPS. You'll never be as good a healer. You'll never be as good a tank. But if you can break away from those stereotypes and find people that look beyond the numbers, I think any class will be fine.

But... Craglorn, as it stands now (and the only end game content there is), is built around high performance players. You can still enjoy it being a mediocre player, but you won't reap the benefits.

manyrabidrats

magic in this game isnt quite like that in others..
currently my main is a heavy armor with 2 light armor sorc, sword and shield melee. its in V1 right now and can solo mobs of 2 or 3 without any problems. I've found it to be a very capable tank when using restro staff and the 2nd weapon and lightning form to give a large boost to armor and magic resist.

all these guys on forums.. i tend to dissagree ( at least for levels 1-50 ) pretty much any build is viable though perhaps not the MOST successful. people have made it to vet content with all sorts of builds.

stumpy999

Given that men never ask for directions then I suggest joining an all girl guild

Dusty5

If you want to have fun. Log out and play something else. TESO is not worth your time and effort.

Falmer

Best advice: Play the game like you would play Skyrim and don't listen to much on the forums.

Play each alliance with its own character from 1-50. You can play any class/any race/any style you want this way.

Don't worry about the VR stuff. There is nothing in it you can't experience with alts in each alliance.

Rosveen

Falmer wrote: »

Don't worry about the VR stuff. There is nothing in it you can't experience with alts in each alliance.

Craglorn and any new content coming out.

Merlin13KAGL

@IrishGirlGamer‌, you strike me as the type that plays Elder Scrolls because you love Elder Scrolls.

So, play it like an Elder Scrolls game... (I can already hear them lighting the torches.)

Everyone has their opinion, and yes, there are aspects of various builds that are not perfected yet. Do not let that dissuade you from trying something you want to try because you have, in past, enjoyed playing that style.

Don't pick your characters solely on numbers. Pick your character based on what you would want and learn to play it the best you can. You'll know within 10 levels whether or not it seems like a good fit.

It is a little different than the stand-alone's were (here come the pitchforks), but I think you'll find it familiar enough that you'll settle into a build you enjoy. If it means you switch to an Alternate character at level 10, you've lost some time, but you've learned in the process.

The same could easily happen if you started out with any of 100 'recommended' builds that people will offer up.

Make your character your character.

There are people that love their ('non-ideal') build and play it well. This goes for race, class, faction...

Don't sweat the 'linear' thing...it's only half true.

Quests (main, especially) follow questlines. It's what they do.

Zones are set up for level ranges and there are generally physical barriers that keep you from wandering into that level 40ish zone when you're level 5 (and this is a good thing for survival.) Zenimax missed some opportunity here, as there were places you steered clear of wherever you were in the stand-alones because you knew they were beyond you. The physical barriers keep you from stumbling into those Atronachs playing Texas Hold 'em at too low a level...nothing says you can't still feel compelled to sneak up and try to see what cards they're holding though!

Just because there are quests unfinished at the bottom of the map doesn't mean you can't go collect on at the top...the game is set up to give you a direction to follow...but nothing obligates you to follow it.

It doesn't mean you can't still wander... In fact, IMO, you'll find the game more rewarding if you do take the occasional peek at that next area. You'll get good loot (even if you can't wear some of it yet), and you'll see something different, even for a minute.

Let death and panic be your guide...they'll always let you know 'not yet.'

You will end up outleveling your zone quests (some of them anyway), so don't worry so much about it. You'll still get end of quest rewards and XP's, as well as any Skillpoints and Achievements that go along with it. You'll simply stop receiveing mass loot and XP's from the mobs along the way (which won't be as big of a deal, because you'll get combat practice and they won't hurt you as much as they did 6 levels ago). It's a perfect low-risk opportunity to try new techniques, skills, and spells...

When you get tired of the greyed-out quests, don't hesitate to move to the next zone. You'll find the fights challenging again, you'll get loot and XP's, and you can always go back and finish the other quests later at your convenience.

I've one character that is basically a zone and a half ahead because of the out-leveling issue. I'm hopeful they implement scaling of some kind in future, but for now, it's ok. We're enjoying ourselves. We're still leveling without issue, and we'll complete the others later.

On that note, a few non-obvious tips:

1. Check the level recommendation of the quest, but remember it's a recommendation only. Don't be afraid to try the level 10 quest at level 8. Don't be afraid to come back at level 12 if it kicks your butt...
2. If you don't mind running around the map, proceed with the lowest level quests first if you can. This will ensure you get rewarded for your mob fights and aren't just clearing the path to clear the path.
3. If you don't like running around the map, look at the map and hit the quest markers nearby. It will not greatly affect your leveling one way or the other and you won't spend as much time feeling like a ping-pong ball.
4. Hit every dungeon...there's a skyshard in every single one without a doubt...so they are easiest to find and they add up after a while.
5. If it doesn't look like you can go there, go there anyway... There are tons of subtle, beautiful, hidden away treasures to find in this game that will be missed if you just stay on the path and take the plow-up-the-middle approach.
6. Once a quest/mob is more than 5 levels below you, you'll no longer get XP from killing them. Accordingly, unless you are practicing something new, as indicated above or it's a named-enemy (achievement) or boss, you can avoid some of the mobs and save on armor repairs. (It doesn't mean you're scared, it means you now view them with the same level or fear and concern as that rabbit you just saw hopping along the way.) This is a great time saver when finishing a greyed out quest.
7. Don't not revisit an area because you've outleveled it. If you enjoy it, go back...XP's are important, but the Dev's want you to enjoy the game. If you like an area, go there.
8. This one's important... Be careful about picking up every quest you see, especially if you occasionally peek behind the curtain (go to a higher zone). You can only have 25 active quests in your roster at any one time... After that, you'll have to finish some. (This is a great opportunity to knock out some of those greys.)
9. Along with the linear/non-linear thing, who says you have to choose just one? You have 8 character slots...you don't have to play your first character in one sitting all the way to VR12. Try a different build on a different character in a different faction... You'll see even faster what you do and don't like about _______ (fill in the blank as you see fit) and when you do find the one, you can focus more on that character and you'll find yourself enjoying your game and not someone else's.

I did not create my characters around a certain build. I did not research stats. I did not use calculators. I did not go for ideal/optimum (Gasp!). Instead, I did what I've done with every Elder Scrolls game. I create a build around my character. It makes it unique and forces me to deal with the benefits and shortcomings (compared to an ideal build). I feel it makes me a better player. More importantly, it makes the character my own.

Don't be afraid to ask questions along the way, but keep in mind, this is an Elder Scrolls game. People have been finding their way in TES since the beginning, and you will too. It's supposed to be half the fun.

Happy adventuring...and keep us updated on what you choose and how you like/don't like it!

One last thing, for bonus point on the grey's: When you have (massively) outleveled some the zone quests, get naked! Seriously, we ran a dungeon that we'd somehow missed in a prior zone with nothing but a sword and a smile... It keeps you from repair costs on something you'll get no mob XP's for, and the looks you'll receive from other players is priceless! (Just don't forget to put your pants back on when you're done...) You get an achievement for this...(Ok, so it's a personal one, but hey...what's roleplaying for if you can't have a little fun?)

hk11

Play a sorcerer. If you don't like casters, you may want to move on to another game.

mutharex

hk11 wrote: »

Play a sorcerer. If you don't like casters, you may want to move on to another game.

Look why don't you make a sticky with this so you don't have to derail every thread with the same message? Or a macro that every time someone posts and intelligent question or reflection, it automatically posts some random flame bait