Single versus Multiple Toons

Whisper292

I read in another threat that the game favors a single main char over alt builds, and I've noticed this a lot when interacting with other players in the game and on the forums. I'm just curious: what's the charm?

When I was playing Skyrim, one of my pet peeves was that it was next to difficult to have more than one char going at a time. Now that I'm in ESO, I can play up to 16 different toons at once. I certainly don't have that many, but I do have a handful of toons that I play at different times and for different purposes. I also don't consider any one of them my main and the others as alts. They're all sort of mains in their own right. I was just wondering why many people play a single character to the end instead of trying out other options.

crislevin

because it takes forever to fully develop one toon due to all the grinding of VR.

Falmer

Just play your alts like you would in Skyrim and forget VR. There is no set in stone way to play this game.

So many players and posters here on this forum seem to think hitting VR12 is a MANDATORY option for all players.

I played Skyrim for 1200+ hours across numerous characters, none of which were ever higher than lvl 40. LOVED the game.

I have 2 characters (VR1) so far that have reached the end of their stories. I will probably have 6 VR1 characters before I finally tire of the game.

Vis

The time it takes to level and gear a toon versus the time between content updates.

The larger the gap between content and the shorter the grind, the more that game favors alts.

The opposite is true for games that promote single player (not to mention more than 2/3 of your skills/passives do not come from your class).

ebondeath

Aside from the immense amount of time it takes to get through veteran ranks, I'm heavily invested in my toon both financially and emotionally. My main has a backstory and her own personality (in my head anyway) and I'm rather attached to her. Every new zone is a chapter her adventure and experiencing new things with this particular character is just more exciting.

Don't get me wrong, I have and love alts, but I love my main and won't focus on alts at least until I've gotten to whatever max veteran rank it is when I get there.

SDZald

I have 6 characters, at least one in each faction so I can get the flavor of all the zones. My two 'main' characters are level 48 and 46 and I am in NO rush to hit the veteran ranks.

Play the game the way you want to, ignore all the 'experts' telling you the 'best' way to play, have fun your way.

Whisper292

ebondeath wrote: »

Aside from the immense amount of time it takes to get through veteran ranks, I'm heavily invested in my toon both financially and emotionally. My main has a backstory and her own personality (in my head anyway) and I'm rather attached to her. Every new zone is a chapter her adventure and experiencing new things with this particular character is just more exciting.

Don't get me wrong, I have and love alts, but I love my main and won't focus on alts at least until I've gotten to whatever max veteran rank it is when I get there.

This response made me happy because I do the same with my characters. I've even written fanfiction with them, so I understand what you're saying. Thanks for the response!

Eorea

I have muliple toons for my roleplay guild alone. Granted, most of them are still level 4-10, but that's changing now that I have a VR1 and don't plan to go any higher. I'll be playing the other factions with another toon, so I don't need to bother with VR ranks on any one of them. I mean maybe I would if the progression didn't make us go through the other faction areas, but I don't want any spoilers for my other two 1-50 alts, you know?

ebondeath

Whisper292 wrote: »

ebondeath wrote: »

Aside from the immense amount of time it takes to get through veteran ranks, I'm heavily invested in my toon both financially and emotionally. My main has a backstory and her own personality (in my head anyway) and I'm rather attached to her. Every new zone is a chapter her adventure and experiencing new things with this particular character is just more exciting.

Don't get me wrong, I have and love alts, but I love my main and won't focus on alts at least until I've gotten to whatever max veteran rank it is when I get there.

This response made me happy because I do the same with my characters. I've even written fanfiction with them, so I understand what you're saying. Thanks for the response!

I keep meaning to write her story into fanfiction (all of my characters, main +alts, are all connected together), but I never get around to it because Im too busy playing the game.

Gremlis

I used up all 8 with mains, alts and mules. I understand the VR grind and might make it thru 2 despicable VR grinds to 12. I will wait to try the med armor/stamina builds after they FIX it. They are in their 20's now and are on hold. Blacksmith, woodworker and clothing in their mid 40's. Enchanting in the mid 30's and provisioner maxed of course.

AlexDougherty

If you are a member of a guild other than a trading guild, then having a main or even only character is essentially mandatory. Any major time spent away from your guild makes others wonder if you're disgruntled, because why wouldn't you be spending time with your guildies.

I on the other hand prefer to play muliple characters, getting a feel for multiple classes and stories. But that's one of the choices you have to make.

Whisper292

AlexDougherty wrote: »

If you are a member of a guild other than a trading guild, then having a main or even only character is essentially mandatory. Any major time spent away from your guild makes others wonder if you're disgruntled, because why wouldn't you be spending time with your guildies.

Then again, since guilding is player-centered and not character-centered, you could always just do a message to your guild saying, "I still love you but I'm playing this other toon today."

neueregel

I currently have 7/8 players. I have one 'main' player. I use the others as mules to hold stuff. I also leveled the others to get 2/3 hirelings for each trade skill so they get materials everyday. I am working on my last mule soon. I get lots of purple and gold mats having 7 players get mats everyday. Also, I get rare provisioning items once and a while.

SirAndy

I have 3 main chars, one in each faction. I prefer to experience the faction content from the bottom up, plus the chars have completely different classes and skillsets which keeps this much more interesting.

Only one of the 3 is going through the VR grind, i currently have no plans to level the other two beyond VR1.

1. EP - Naked Nord Dragon Knight, Dual Wielding Axes and Resto Staff
2. AD - Wood Elf Templar, Bow and Destro Staff
3. DC - Breton Sorcerer, Two Handed Axe and Destro Staff

;-)

hk11

My normal plan in an MMO is to get all the characters to cap, and then play the one I enjoy the most in respect to balance changes etc.

In ESO, my plan is to level the classes to 49 and then ?... I don't really like the VR thing very much.

PBpsy

I don't have and will never have any 'toons'.
I have characters. One main NB one alt DK and a bunch of argonians hauling stuff.