When was the last time you attempted Veteran Maelstrom Arena?

YamiKuruku · May 2018

It's been almost a month

I can't seem to beat it

but i really want the bow but it's so hard... no matter how hard i try i get stressed out so much that i need to take a long break

LadyLethalla · May 2018

It's been almost a month

ReachHalo wrote: »

@LadyLethalla so i finally got the time to dedicate to try to finish vMA in one go. Died only 9 times, mostly on Stage 6 with that stupid enraged spider. Score was 398 thousand... i think it was mostly cause i got interrupted halfway through. Guess my new goal is boosting my score. Won't be trying a new character there for a while... not good or game enough to do it without my huge ward lol

Congrats @ReachHalo

I'm constantly surprised at the time difference for each run... well, unless I attempt it during the Lagfest.

My biggest problem with the last boss is how damn nervous I get when I get to phase 3. Heart racing, sweaty hands... I really hope that goes away at some point.

mr_wazzabi · May 2018

I've tried it this week

bloodthirstyvampire wrote: »

I'm on frozen blood at the moment, I just Can't get past round 4 I'm a stamblade imperial

Drop caltrops and endless hail on the spawn portals. Use an ult on the giants if you have to. Focus on burning the mages, then, archers, then nyriads, then giants.

DoTHurts · May 2018

I've tried it this week

@LadyLethalla @ReachHalo Job done!

I can't believe I finally did it, must be 6 months worth of trying. Maelstrom inferno staff for my troubles, not too bad. Anyway, thanks for the encouragement, was about to give up - now back to the start to do it all over again...

Wooo Hooo!

LadyLethalla · May 2018

It's been almost a month

DoTHurts wrote: »

@LadyLethalla @ReachHalo Job done!

I can't believe I finally did it, must be 6 months worth of trying. Maelstrom inferno staff for my troubles, not too bad. Anyway, thanks for the encouragement, was about to give up - now back to the start to do it all over again...

Wooo Hooo!

Congrats! @DoTHurts Great feeling isn't it... I was shaking for like 10-15 min the first time I killed that SOB Voriak Solkyn.
You'll be faster this time too. Practice makes perfect! And nice drop - the only staves I've gotten so far are one Ice and two Restos. Every other drop has been a stam weapon.

disintegr8 · May 2018

Never

1014 Champion Points and never set foot into VMA.

ReachHalo · May 2018

I've tried it this week

@DoTHurts that is fantastic...huge congrats to you!! And an inferno staff!!! Wow!!!

Now let us know how your next runs are

@YamiKuruku you just got to keep at it... i uninstalled the game coz i couldn't complete stage 5 and it was stressing me out and i was getting [snip] at my family. A couple of weeks later, reinstalled, stage 5 complete then 6 and then i was on the last boss in stage 9 for weeks!!! And then it happened for me, and now i find it soooooo much easier... actually flawless till stage 6
You'll get it... trust me

[Edited to remove profanity]

Asardes · May 2018

2-3 months

disintegr8 wrote: »

1014 Champion Points and never set foot into VMA.

If you mostly PvP there's literally no reason to ever do. Maybe the resto and 1H+S can help certain builds, but they are by no means BiS.

greenmachine · May 2018

I've tried it this week

Lucky28 wrote: »

greenmachine wrote: »

Last night, probably spent 20 hours dying to the final boss over the last week. Crematorial Guards crushing me, guess I'd better drop vamp for it.

feed and reduce your vampirism to level 1. then you should be good.

Finally got Stormproof last night and I really think dropping vamp to stage 1 was critical.

DoTHurts · May 2018

I've tried it this week

@LadyLethalla @ReachHalo Done it 3 times this weekend for an inferno, ice and restoration staves - looking for lightning of course. Still die A LOT, often buttons don't work, bar swapping doesn't work, not standing in red and even occasionally from being stupid! Flawless is never going to happen though...

exiars10 · May 2018

Never

Lats night I finally tried Maelstrom Arena... on normal.

I don't know how can you play on veteran - it's so much bugged with lag spikes... I even had to re-log to continue to play as I got totally stuck and nothing worked...

What's the point of normal version (title is beyond useless / only good thing is skill point)?
Most mobs have 11k health and get one shot from bow LA

... Mobs are harder in overland content, not to mention public dungeons or dolmens.

61AB7481993655627C59D8A2EA6701FAD43E33D0

LadyLethalla · May 2018

It's been almost a month

DoTHurts wrote: »

@LadyLethalla @ReachHalo Done it 3 times this weekend for an inferno, ice and restoration staves - looking for lightning of course. Still die A LOT, often buttons don't work, bar swapping doesn't work, not standing in red and even occasionally from being stupid! Flawless is never going to happen though...

@DoTHurts After a really good recent run I was looking to improve my time... but no. Lag and/or slower reflexes due to tiredness said No.

Happy to say though that the Infused Lightning staff more than made up for it

And on a better note I think I'm getting less nervous on the final boss fight.

TazESO · May 2018

Never

I already have medicine controlled rage issues.... don’t need the triggers.

ReachHalo · May 2018

I've tried it this week

LadyLethalla wrote: »

DoTHurts wrote: »

@LadyLethalla @ReachHalo Done it 3 times this weekend for an inferno, ice and restoration staves - looking for lightning of course. Still die A LOT, often buttons don't work, bar swapping doesn't work, not standing in red and even occasionally from being stupid! Flawless is never going to happen though...

@DoTHurts After a really good recent run I was looking to improve my time... but no. Lag and/or slower reflexes due to tiredness said No.

Happy to say though that the Infused Lightning staff more than made up for it

And on a better note I think I'm getting less nervous on the final boss fight.

@LadyLethalla Oh seriously!! A lightning staff!!! I am so jealous. I got a sharpened inferno for my backbar, but i need the lightning now. Got something like 4 maces lol - wtf does anyone do with a mace!!.

After 10ish runs i still find Stage 6 and 7 (mechanics and rng) the hardest but i actually enjoy Stage 9 boss now and never get the same nerves or frustration. My new goal is to crack 400k score, then get better from there. Just got to get better at Stage 6 and 7!!

And so cool that @DoTHurts is the same...awesome work buddy!! Go get that flawless!!!

LadyLethalla · May 2018

It's been almost a month

@ReachHalo Thanks... ikr, RNGesus is cruel... I have 3 Restos, a Maul, Greatsword, Ice, Axe, Mace and two Swords. Just my luck too that now that I can complete the damn thing, the weapons are less relevant than ever

#RevertMaelstromWeapons

I still have the most difficulty with stages 5, 7 and 9. During my weekend runs I was even dying in stage 8, which I can normally get through with none.

I think @DoTHurts is also from my part of the world, meaning Flawless is very probably not going to happen.

(If any Australians are on PS4 EU and have managed to get Flawless, I'd love to hear from you!)

DoTHurts · May 2018

I've tried it this week

I must of died around 100 times on stage 5 the 1st time through and on my 4th not once. I don’t do anything differently, just better dps and bigger shield I think.

Stage 6 I’m starting to get the hang of, but stage 7! Just hate it, the evil genius of the poison flowers topped off with a heavy dose of lag and some RNG thrown in for good measure makes this a nightmare. For the first time though, I think I can start seeing myself farming it - at least until I get my lightning staff.

Still haven’t got a score though as I have taken breaks, will try it in one sitting on the weekend and see how I go.

Oreyn_Bearclaw · May 2018

2-3 months

Not sure attempt is the right word, but I ran it for the flawless title on my mageblade a few months ago. About once a quarter, I get the bug to get th achievement on another class/spec. Not sure what will be next.

ReachHalo · May 2018

I've tried it this week

@LadyLethalla i think flawless is possible, even with Australia's temperamental server connection. Now after 12 clears i have completed every level, except 7, with no deaths (yep even Stage 9). This effectively means that if i can get Stage 7 worked out, then there is no reason why i cant get the flawless title... just have to try and do it all in one go... lol

I read somewhere that in around 100 runs, someone got only 1 lightning staff... hope that is not me and rngeesus is kind to me...

DoTHurts · May 2018

I've tried it this week

@LadyLethalla @ReachHalo just wondering what setups you guys are using, sorcs running pets or something else? I started with a 1 bar 2 pet setup but ended up clearing with 1 pet and 2 bars as I found I needed more dps.

LadyLethalla · May 2018

It's been almost a month

@DoTHurts
I'm currently using 5pc Necro, 4 pc Queen's Elegance (will most likely change this for another 5pc set when Summerset hits) and Infernal Guardian, since it procs off your Ward/ Harness Magicka.
Using two Lightning staves on my front bar - one Nirnhoned with a Prismatic glyph for use in rounds against Daedra (1, 6, 8, 9) and a Sharp with a Shock glyph to use on the other rounds.
My back bar has a Resto staff... Powered, I think (idk what glyph).
Infused on Head, Chest, Legs, Divines on rest. Spell Damage glyphs on jewellery.
Apprentice mundus for the extra spell power.

Since I have crap internet I'm mostly on the front bar... on the back I have Healing Ward, Mutagen, Twilight, Power Surge and usually... Restraining Prison (? I think), and Shooting Star Ulti. I'll cast Mutagen and Power Surge before a fight, and during IF I get a chance.

Front bar I run Liquid Lightning, Ele Blockade, Twilight, Harness Magicka and Crushing Shock, with the Destro Ulti.
I know I'll get "why use the Matriarch instead of the Familiar?" = well, because I currently feel the need for an "Oh S**t!" heal. Yes, I know that the Familiar does AOE. But it has to be what you're comfortable with. And when I am comfortable with it, I will be putting Power Surge on my front bar, and probably putting Ele Drain somewhere as well.

Having said all that... I am going to give this a try when Summerset drops: https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/comment/5175264#Comment_5175264

@ReachHalo I wish you every success

DoTHurts · May 2018

I've tried it this week

@LadyLethalla

I have Summerset which has helped with the monster set (Infernal Guardian) and Empowered Ward, which has been buffed.

I use 5 necro and 5 Juli (2 infused, fire enchant front, spell damage back)

Skills: Emp ward, crushing shock, vol familiar, bound aegis, inner light - front
Liquid lightning, elemental blockade, vol familiar, power surge, inner light

I am currently farming BSW to go with the MA fire staff and will drop the pet and see how I go. I do like trying different setups and the link you provided has some good info I plan to look into.

The build certainly helps, but it won't save you if you don't know the mechanics and I'm learning more with each run.

ReachHalo · May 2018

I've tried it this week

@LadyLethalla @DoTHurts i started using the necro + 4 piece + 2 monster one bar sorc pet build from YouTube, after i got to Stage 9 running a mechanical acuity/willpower/skoria set with a pet but couldn't finish the last stage.

I was the same as you @DoTHurts . Changed a few things and actually completed vMA with 2 bars, running lightning front bar with liquid light, blockade, vol familiar, inner light, ward, elem storm ulti, with my inferno staff backbar looking like surge, lightning form, vol familiar, daedric curse, inner light and an ultimate i dont think i ever used. Still using these skills now, while running 5 necro (purple...lol), 3 willpower, and 2 gold skoria and julianos gold destro staffs - hence the need to keep running vMA for that lightning staff.

I'll probably go back to Mech Acuity, or even BSW (both gold) once i can feel comfortable forgoing the extra mag we get with necro, as i think they are sooo much better for my DPS. But to be honest, Necro gets me to 47k magicka, even when its purple, which in turn gives me a nice ward to hide behind, so even though my DPS is pretty lame atm, it'll be hard to give up that protection in vMA. And most of the vMA trash mobs still melt with my current set up.

And...yep... then there's those mechanics that screw everything up...

SpiderCultist · May 2018

It's been almost a month

Last time was a few days before Summerset, with hope they would buff Arena weapons... but they didn't so I won't come back. Ever.

LadyLethalla · May 2018

It's been almost a month

DoTHurts wrote: »

The build certainly helps, but it won't save you if you don't know the mechanics .

No build can save you from mechanics... or lag xD

LadyLethalla · May 2018

It's been almost a month

@ReachHalo Was it the one bar Pet Sorc build from Mistress of Apocrypha? That's the one I'm using, with the aforementioned tweaks.

ReachHalo · May 2018

I've tried it this week

@LadyLethalla yes that was the video. I tried the build but still found i wanted liquid lightning and also needed at least one bar swap for surge so just went to one pet. Plus i could never figure out what the matriarch was doing.
But i religiously watched that guy's vMA run soo many times, best clip for noobs or just useless players like me who were struggling with it. Between that video and joy's write up, i worked vMA out eventually... as do most people

DoTHurts · May 2018

I've tried it this week

@LadyLethalla @ReachHalo that's the same video build and guide that got me going in vMA, enabled me to concentrate on learning the mechanics without the added hassles of bar swaps. He also has a great chilled presentation style which works for me. Lucky video is digital these days, or that's a tape that I certainly would have worn out!

sickboy2808 · May 2018

6 months +

Couldnt get past round 4 after dying about 100 times. That was last year and it actually put me off ESO. So much that i have’nt even played Summerset yet or even completed all the quests in Morrowind. I have heard though that VMA is hardest playing a Stam DD which is what i play. Is this true? Or do i just suck LOL

LadyLethalla · May 2018

It's been almost a month

sickboy2808 wrote: »

Couldnt get past round 4 after dying about 100 times. That was last year and it actually put me off ESO. So much that i have’nt even played Summerset yet or even completed all the quests in Morrowind. I have heard though that VMA is hardest playing a Stam DD which is what i play. Is this true? Or do i just suck LOL

I too tried VMA over and over and over, spent literal days on pretty much every round, spent a fortune on repairs, ran out of soul gems and potions... and that was on a magicka character. I would suggest you learn it the easiest way possible - on a pet sorc first - before attempting it on a stam character. I've completed it I think 10 or 11 times and I still haven't managed to finish with any Vitality bonus - but as noted above in more than one post, it's a learning process. You have to learn each round's mechanics and which mobs to target first. Once I have learned it well enough to complete it with some Vitality bonus left, that's when I would consider trying it on a stam, and maybe not even until much later.

PS: everyone sucks at it to begin with... don't be so hard on yourself.

ReachHalo · June 2018

I've tried it this week

@LadyLethalla @DoTHurts - got my lightning staff yesterday... now i just have to remember how to play the rest of the game so i can get some mats/gold to gold my staffs - vMA has been my focus for so long now and totally bankrupted me

@sickboy2808 i sucked at vMA for so long... on my original character i was stuck on Stage 2, so avoided vMA for ages. Had excellent DPS, but just sucked at vMA.
Rolled a sorc, followed some good Youtube advice re mechanics for every level... peristed like crazy...and eventually beat it. Follow @LadyLethalla advice above. Sorcs have the pets and ward to just make it easier - not easy... just easier.

Then you'll be like me... 13 completes and giving everyone vMA advice lol.