Reasons for playing a underpowered class when you have better alternatives?

rustic_potato

This is something that has intrigued me for a while. ZOS balancing of the game seems to be cyclical where one particular class gets uberbuffed and performs significantly better than other classes. I typically figure out which class performs best for a patch based on my PTS testing and main that class for the period of that patch for both PVE and PVP.

For example in PVE I used to main a magplar from Thieves guild to Homestead. mSorcs became uber strong in Homestead and I switched to those. In Morrowind it became clear that mNB would be the best performing magika class after PTS testing and have enjoyed playing the class since then.

However I see players who continue to play classes that are underpowered and clearly not the best for that patch and then complain a lot on the forums. I don't really understand why people stick to these classes. Wouldn't the game be more fun if you have a variety of options to choose from and choose the best of those?

GrumpyDuckling

"Best" class is never my concern. I want my class skills to be fun and effective enough to feel good to use.

Kiralyn2000

Perhaps their enjoyment of a class isn't based on "currently most powerful"?

r3turn2s3nd3r

rustic_potato wrote: »

I don't really understand why people stick to these classes.

Loyalty to their 'main' character.

rustic_potato

GrumpyDuckling wrote: »

"Best" class is never my concern. I want my class skills to be fun and effective enough to feel good to use.

Well for me best translates to best performance from the role that I'm currently doing. If your class skills are not fun and effective enough why not switch to another that is?

geonsocal

you create a character, you build up the character, spend countless hours refining the character...you become attached to the character...

there's only a limited amount of content which requires the character you are playing to be truly optimized...

for the vast majority of the content - it's simply superfluous...

Avran_Sylt

Of course it would be good to have a lot of options, and balance is continually being addressed.
However, even if a class is underpowered, the mechanics alone might be enough to allure players into sticking with a class through thick and thin.

You care about stats, others might care about playstyle.

For me, my preferred play-style is a high risk/high reward class with a lot of mobility and disengage. That's why I play Nightblade. No other class comes even close to this type of playstyle. Even if it got nerfed to the ground, I'd still play it because I just enjoy the core mechanics of it so damned much.

DieAlteHexe

For the fun of it. I'm not one for BiS or FoTM stuff. I like to explore, experiment, try things instead of marching along with the crowd.

emilyhyoyeon

rustic_potato wrote: »

Wouldn't the game be more fun if you have a variety of options to choose from and choose the best of those?

I don't get fun out of playing the best option. I choose based on RP reasons. I've noticed other people play based on RP too, and I think the complaining partly comes from the possibility that every class option could be equally balanced in an ideal world.

rustic_potato

Kiralyn2000 wrote: »

Perhaps their enjoyment of a class isn't based on "currently most powerful"?

That was just an example on how I choose my class. They should have a criteria for choosing a class to play and if that criteria is not met why continue playing that class?

Hurtfan

Only have time for 1 toon, and I've always played magic users. So magsorc became the natural choice for me. And I'm stubborn I guess. I went through this with EQOA where Rogues were the better damage dealers but stuck with a Wizard anyway.

SirAndy

rustic_potato wrote: »

GrumpyDuckling wrote: »

"Best" class is never my concern. I want my class skills to be fun and effective enough to feel good to use.

Well for me best translates to best performance from the role that I'm currently doing. If your class skills are not fun and effective enough why not switch to another that is?

What if my current "role" is "solo" and i don't give a damn about someone else's perceived superiority?

"best" means different things for different people. Not sure if you have ever noticed that not everyone out there is like you or wants to be like you, but they aren't and they don't.

rustic_potato

Avran_Sylt wrote: »

Of course it would be good to have a lot of options, and balance is continually being addressed.
However, even if a class is underpowered, the mechanics alone might be enough to allure players into sticking with a class through thick and thin.

You care about stats, others might care about playstyle.

For me, my preferred play-style is a high risk/high reward class with a lot of mobility and disengage. That's why I play Nightblade. No other class comes even close to this type of playstyle. Even if it got nerfed to the ground, I'd still play it because I just enjoy the core mechanics of it so damned much.

That is perfectly fine. You enjoy playing a character because you consider it strong even though it might not be for others. However that is typically not the reaction I see on these forums. Players complain when their class doesnt meet their requirements instead of exploring other options.

Kiralyn2000

rustic_potato wrote: »

Kiralyn2000 wrote: »

Perhaps their enjoyment of a class isn't based on "currently most powerful"?

That was just an example on how I choose my class. They should have a criteria for choosing a class to play and if that criteria is not met why continue playing that class?

Because they enjoy it? Perhaps they like the way the skills function, perhaps they just like ranged casters, etc.

Personally, I don't play just one class. I skip around between several (I'm leveling a Stam Warden right now because I just got Morrowind + the new leveling rewards. My "main" is a bow StamBlade. It's an awful build & truly ineffective... but it's my main. I like bows, I like stealth, it's the character I've played the most... why stop? That said, I don't do dungeons or trials, so I don't need a Super Effective character. I explore, craft, and quest.)

DeadlyRecluse

When considering PvE, it only really matters for the very endgame content, and then yeah, I'd agree it's silly. If you are going for leaderboard scores on the weekly or pushing your guild's progression in the very hardest content, then there's really no reason not to hop to the most tuned class that patch.

For "mere mortal" PvE (vet dungeons, vet craglorn trials, normal post-craglorn trials) there isn't much reason to class-hop. I don't perform in the top .5 percent of DPS players on my magplar, so I don't expect to perform in the top .5 percent of players on magsorc/NB/whatever--so why would i relearn another class just to get another 1k DPS when the content I play doesn't actually require that razor-edge advantage?

PvP is, obviously, a different game. Pretty sure a quick browse through the forum reveals that people think every single class is underpowered (except stamden, lol).

rustic_potato

SirAndy wrote: »

rustic_potato wrote: »

GrumpyDuckling wrote: »

"Best" class is never my concern. I want my class skills to be fun and effective enough to feel good to use.

Well for me best translates to best performance from the role that I'm currently doing. If your class skills are not fun and effective enough why not switch to another that is?

What if my current "role" is "solo" and i don't give a damn about someone else's perceived superiority?

"best" means different things for different people. Not sure if you have ever noticed that not everyone out there is like you or wants to be like you, but they aren't and they don't.

I wasn't clear enough. I was just explaining my reasoning behind choosing what to play. Different people have different reasons. However they stick to a particular class even when that reason or requirement is not met. Which is strange.

DocFrost72

Some people (like me) enjoy the way a class feels. I have one of everything including hybrid dps of more than one class. I've likely logged similar time in the pts as most other testers, but the difference is I'm logging it for my idea of fun.

You sound like the type of person that can hop onto any dps spec and break 30k self buffed, which is great! Lot to be said for that.

I'm the type of person that will accept being 2k dps under someone else if it means I can continue to play my stamplar. I really don't think people will say "nah, won't take you since you pull 34k self buffed and this stamblade pulls 35."

Knootewoot

rustic_potato wrote: »

This is something that has intrigued me for a while. ZOS balancing of the game seems to be cyclical where one particular class gets uberbuffed and performs significantly better than other classes. I typically figure out which class performs best for a patch based on my PTS testing and main that class for the period of that patch for both PVE and PVP.

For example in PVE I used to main a magplar from Thieves guild to Homestead. mSorcs became uber strong in Homestead and I switched to those. In Morrowind it became clear that mNB would be the best performing magika class after PTS testing and have enjoyed playing the class since then.

However I see players who continue to play classes that are underpowered and clearly not the best for that patch and then complain a lot on the forums. I don't really understand why people stick to these classes. Wouldn't the game be more fun if you have a variety of options to choose from and choose the best of those?

I play my class (mNB) because when ESO came out I already wanted to play this class. Not because it was the most powerfull. I was a hybrid on launch though, a magical bowtard. Weak, not with softcaps. But i had to make a choice after (i believe) 1.5 and i went full magicka.
I stick to my melee magblade because i just like it for my vampire Breton character.

usmcjdking

rustic_potato wrote: »

This is something that has intrigued me for a while. ZOS balancing of the game seems to be cyclical where one particular class gets uberbuffed and performs significantly better than other classes. I typically figure out which class performs best for a patch based on my PTS testing and main that class for the period of that patch for both PVE and PVP.

For example in PVE I used to main a magplar from Thieves guild to Homestead. mSorcs became uber strong in Homestead and I switched to those. In Morrowind it became clear that mNB would be the best performing magika class after PTS testing and have enjoyed playing the class since then.

However I see players who continue to play classes that are underpowered and clearly not the best for that patch and then complain a lot on the forums. I don't really understand why people stick to these classes. Wouldn't the game be more fun if you have a variety of options to choose from and choose the best of those?

The best option for me beating Ninja Gaiden Black would have just been put it on Ninja Dog mode and crushed it.

I instead put it on Ninja Master and broke two controllers at Alma.

So yeah, you're right.

Number_51

You won't find me complaining anywhere, but I do actually prefer to play under-powered (and sometimes completely off-the-wall) builds. I play them in both PvE and PvP simply because I like the challenge and believe my own gameplay will improve by playing something a little more difficult to master. There's just no incentive to improve, no motivation to learn mechanics, and no reason to even pay full attention if you can just blow through everything with whatever the current OP meta is today.

Having said that, I also wouldn't take any of my under-powered, niche builds into vet trials either. Even playing the meta in those there's more then enough incentive to "get good".

SirAndy

rustic_potato wrote: »

I wasn't clear enough. I was just explaining my reasoning behind choosing what to play. Different people have different reasons. However they stick to a particular class even when that reason or requirement is not met. Which is strange.

I have 4 mains that i have been plying since PC launch, each of which can solo most group dungeons on vet and has cleared vMA.

I'm not going to change how they are setup just because someone on the internet decided to proclaim that the current flavor of the month has changed.

WillhelmBlack

Playstyle and diversity. That simple.

Tasear

It's not about how much things like numbers. I think for most people just want be effective in class they in a sense raised. There's a sorta of bond born you know.

Remember this

https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/349428/sorcerer-healers-collection-dragon-bones-updated-new-build-added#latest

I could of been one of best healers in game or so they said. Yet I definitely one best and progressive leader for class and role. I think I did well

VexingArcanist

Git n meh meta!

I pass.

billp_ESO

In games, I'll frequently pick my class and skills based on what they look like and how they feel to play. I like how a Dark Elf magBlade plays, so I'll play that, not caring if at any one point in time it is over or under powered.

Right now I'm having fun with a Warden alt, a huge Nord with a giant 2H sword and bear pet. I don't even know if I'm supposed to be over or under powered. It's just fun to play.

rustic_potato

SirAndy wrote: »

rustic_potato wrote: »

I wasn't clear enough. I was just explaining my reasoning behind choosing what to play. Different people have different reasons. However they stick to a particular class even when that reason or requirement is not met. Which is strange.

I have 4 mains that i have been plying since PC launch, each of which can solo most group dungeons on vet and has cleared vMA.

I'm not going to change how they are setup just because someone on the internet decided to proclaim that the current flavor of the month has changed.

Fair enough. Now say in an extreme situation your 4 mains are nerfed to obvilion that you cannot clear first stage of vMA and there is this new class that could do it. Would you still stick to your 4 mains or would you try this new class?

Karmanorway

rustic_potato wrote: »

This is something that has intrigued me for a while. ZOS balancing of the game seems to be cyclical where one particular class gets uberbuffed and performs significantly better than other classes. I typically figure out which class performs best for a patch based on my PTS testing and main that class for the period of that patch for both PVE and PVP.

For example in PVE I used to main a magplar from Thieves guild to Homestead. mSorcs became uber strong in Homestead and I switched to those. In Morrowind it became clear that mNB would be the best performing magika class after PTS testing and have enjoyed playing the class since then.

However I see players who continue to play classes that are underpowered and clearly not the best for that patch and then complain a lot on the forums. I don't really understand why people stick to these classes. Wouldn't the game be more fun if you have a variety of options to choose from and choose the best of those?

I stick with the weakest class that patch to get better

Kelces

Imagine asking someone: "Why don't you play Real Madrid for example in your soccer game instead of your much weaker team? you'll win much easier!"

I guess the picture becomes obvious. Some people simply like underdogs winning, others go the easy road.

generalmyrick

rustic_potato wrote: »

This is something that has intrigued me for a while. ZOS balancing of the game seems to be cyclical where one particular class gets uberbuffed and performs significantly better than other classes. I typically figure out which class performs best for a patch based on my PTS testing and main that class for the period of that patch for both PVE and PVP.

For example in PVE I used to main a magplar from Thieves guild to Homestead. mSorcs became uber strong in Homestead and I switched to those. In Morrowind it became clear that mNB would be the best performing magika class after PTS testing and have enjoyed playing the class since then.

However I see players who continue to play classes that are underpowered and clearly not the best for that patch and then complain a lot on the forums. I don't really understand why people stick to these classes. Wouldn't the game be more fun if you have a variety of options to choose from and choose the best of those?

can you be sure that your testing applies to every possible situation? (real question, not baiting or whatever the young people do.)

Zhaedri

I have a ton of alts. Many are for RP and their classes were chosen to suit their personality and lifestyle. I do have at least one of each class though, so can switch up characters when I want. Only two are level 50+ though.

My preferred playstyle is 'mostly solo' and 'fun'. My main no longer falls into the last category - A stamsorc I just can't get to work nicely, who only solidly puts out 8k dps despite crafted set purple gear/purple enchants, and low health. It's not fun knowing I suck with the class and can't put out enough to play my role in any group. I asked about a class change (NB would suit her better based on class skills) and was told to suggest on the forums, where I did and was jumped all over and basically called an idiot and to just reroll 2 years+ worth of work on her by other forum members. Too invested I guess - maxed mount training, DLC storylines done, main storyline done, a bunch of cheevs, maxed crafting (still working on some motifs and 9 trait), and all the other stuff you'd expect from playing a character between RPs for that amount of time.

So why do I play a class that doesn't work for me and isn't fun? Apparently, because I must like to suffer.

Edziu

I will write here from my example and this is what @GrumpyDuckling wrote

I just remember when nb was barely playable, has nothing to offer in pve dps and nothing special in pvp, just garbage and very very rarely to meet on pvp
tbh that was the best time of playing on stamblade for me and ganking was great because almost nobody wa complaning for this as it was rare because of very low nb population

in pve as I just master my class rotation I was doing much more dps (on my stamblade which was on of worst classes for dps) than most poeple on meta class with meta builds who wasnt in hardcore endgame guilds like hodor

in pvp I also there mastered my gamplay (dont miss with overal mastered class) and as for me this time was great for me playing as underpowered? nb but maybe it was mainly because I was meeting very rarely other nb's and those wasnt on *** dodge spam monkeys builds what we have now...