Story Mode

max_only

One of the few things I actually want** from an Elder Scrolls title is the story. It really is some of the best writing/world building out there for my money. I would like a no reward story mode version of each dungeon. That’s right. No rewards like Undaunted busts or trophies, no blue or purple jewelry. Just the time to read the quest, take in the scenery, pose with the npcs. I want to go skipping through Falkreath forest light bow attacking squirrels and picking flowers again. I want to open every container, jump up every slight incline and stack of rocks, listen to every background conversation, make different decisions depending on the character. Instead of just mashing E through all the dialogue options.

Now I know you are going to say “join a guild that wants to go slow” and I agree. I have. That’s not enough. Even a guild that wants to go slow has other things to do with their playtime. I’m not so self centered I expect anyone to wait for me to read every note and reset my emote to get my screenshot pose juuust right. I usually loose interest in a game when I start to reach the end of story content and the only way to see the rest is to be in a group. I know some of you out there feel the same way. This is Elder Scrolls. You already have a rich history, there’s no need to flub it or waste it. If this was some eastern mmo with no background and just pretty graphics then I can understand skipping the flimsy reasons why an npc needs 10 beetle shells or whatever but this is Nirn. Tamriel. The Mundus. It’s almost as rich a playground as Middle Earth. (No I’ve never played lotro)

**

the other things I want are Bosmer cannibalism and opposite resource pool Siphoning Attacks but that’s for another post

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Casdha

There are tons of places in this game that I have never set foot in for this very reason. If I can't enjoy the Elder Scrolls part of it first, then I simply don't want to do it.

I've done each of the first zone group dungeons once and one trial and I didn't get credit for the trial because I didin't do something on the quest associated with it because everyone else had already been through it.

Mystrius_Archaion

I don't want your spoiler stuff but otherwise agreed.
FYI, Siphoning Strikes does morph to either restore magicka or stamina. The stamina morph is "Leeching Strikes".

Tasear

Casdha wrote: »

There are tons of places in this game that I have never set foot in for this very reason. If I can't enjoy the Elder Scrolls part of it first, then I simply don't want to do it.

I've done each of the first zone group dungeons once and one trial and I didn't get credit for the trial because I didin't do something on the quest associated with it because everyone else had already been through it.

There's item you should of got at end. If you click it then you get rewarded for trial quest.

Mystrius_Archaion

Tasear wrote: »

Casdha wrote: »

There are tons of places in this game that I have never set foot in for this very reason. If I can't enjoy the Elder Scrolls part of it first, then I simply don't want to do it.

I've done each of the first zone group dungeons once and one trial and I didn't get credit for the trial because I didin't do something on the quest associated with it because everyone else had already been through it.

There's item you should of got at end. If you click it then you get rewarded for trial quest.

Daily quests and the trial quest require specific steps be done. It is common to miss something when the group gets separated or, more commonly, when you join an in-progress trial.

It used to be more common before they adjusted daily quests to only require the end boss.

Blutengel

I've been playing since launch and I wanted something like this. It sucks that every dungeon story dialogue you have to skip or it gets skipped for you. I never know what the heck is going on story wise and I feel like I missed out. I really hope one day we can even get a solo mode.

Tasear

Mystrius_Archaion wrote: »

Tasear wrote: »

Casdha wrote: »

There are tons of places in this game that I have never set foot in for this very reason. If I can't enjoy the Elder Scrolls part of it first, then I simply don't want to do it.

I've done each of the first zone group dungeons once and one trial and I didn't get credit for the trial because I didin't do something on the quest associated with it because everyone else had already been through it.

There's item you should of got at end. If you click it then you get rewarded for trial quest.

Daily quests and the trial quest require specific steps be done. It is common to miss something when the group gets separated or, more commonly, when you join an in-progress trial.

It used to be more common before they adjusted daily quests to only require the end boss.

While, I understand your plight, as of currently trial quests only require final boss. If you don't pick up quest for some reason then item drops that gives equivalent credit for the trial.

max_only

Mystrius_Archaion wrote: »

I don't want your spoiler stuff but otherwise agreed.
FYI, Siphoning Strikes does morph to either restore magicka or stamina. The stamina morph is "Leeching Strikes".

No you have to spend magicka to gain magicka and you have to spend stamina to gain stamina. Before Morrowind you spent magicka to gain stamina thus the opposite pool. But anywho.....


Yes we need to let ourselves be heard! Zos! You are great fiction storytellers don’t sell yourselves short!!

TheShadowScout

max_only wrote: »

I would like a no reward story mode version of each dungeon. That’s right. No rewards like Undaunted busts or trophies, no blue or purple jewelry. Just the time to read the quest, take in the scenery, pose with the npcs.

That actually would be quite nifty, I daresay!
It is often vexing that in groupy stuff, you are limited by the other group members time contraints...

I too would love to see a "storymode" option for dungeons, let's say, balanced like a public dungeon to make it a bit of a challenge for a solo player, but doable on your own, so you can take your own time to follow the story, explore the maps nooks and crannies, etc...

Rain_Greyraven

Yeah I have been asking for this for years....allow a Instanced mode where one to four players can do the dungeons in a private setting.

I could care less about gear rewards or anything else my wife and I want to be able to experience the story without hearing GOGOGOGOGOO

Nor do I want to hear about ancient ruins that no one dare step foot in for ages only to find 150 people bunny hopping inside.

If Zenimax gave us this I would have a MMO home until the doors shut.

stewhead2ub17_ESO

I was a little skeptical when I clicked on this thread, but I actually think this would be a great idea.

Mystrius_Archaion

Tasear wrote: »

Mystrius_Archaion wrote: »

Tasear wrote: »

Casdha wrote: »

There are tons of places in this game that I have never set foot in for this very reason. If I can't enjoy the Elder Scrolls part of it first, then I simply don't want to do it.

I've done each of the first zone group dungeons once and one trial and I didn't get credit for the trial because I didin't do something on the quest associated with it because everyone else had already been through it.

There's item you should of got at end. If you click it then you get rewarded for trial quest.

Daily quests and the trial quest require specific steps be done. It is common to miss something when the group gets separated or, more commonly, when you join an in-progress trial.

It used to be more common before they adjusted daily quests to only require the end boss.

While, I understand your plight, as of currently trial quests only require final boss. If you don't pick up quest for some reason then item drops that gives equivalent credit for the trial.

Not my plight, the original poster of this thread. They didn't say when they tried this either so it could have been before that change.

Mystrius_Archaion

max_only wrote: »

Mystrius_Archaion wrote: »

I don't want your spoiler stuff but otherwise agreed.
FYI, Siphoning Strikes does morph to either restore magicka or stamina. The stamina morph is "Leeching Strikes".

No you have to spend magicka to gain magicka and you have to spend stamina to gain stamina. Before Morrowind you spent magicka to gain stamina thus the opposite pool.

It was changed because people didn't really like it that way. Using stamina of your very limited supply as magicka can be hazardous to your health, for example.

I prefer using the cheap cost of my favored pool as is. The point of the skill is really the heal anyway. The restore is just to pay for it.

Coatmagic

Not really a group player due to being older and slower and generally less useful esp. since OneTam (can't even help out a newb these days hardly xD) So, I've stayed away from group content but finally decided that I should at least make an attempt to see the group dungeons for the quest/story/scenery etc. and, much as I hate to say it, thus far I am not feeling like I've missed anything spectacular. I'll likely never see a trial or DLC dungeon (been told these are harder, but I may give it a go at some point), so maybe that's where all the cool stuff is hiding Am liking the trophies for my house though, so will keep plugging away for those.

Robo_Hobo

I definitely agree with you, OP. It'd be great to have the opportunity to do that in group dungeons without having to ask people to wait around for me. It's because of that, that I took to soloing group dungeons, but unfortunately I can't solo all of them.

Numerikuu

Gods, yes please. A solo story mode for dungeons and trials would be amazing.

Gythral

yes please

max_only

Mystrius_Archaion wrote: »

max_only wrote: »

Mystrius_Archaion wrote: »

I don't want your spoiler stuff but otherwise agreed.
FYI, Siphoning Strikes does morph to either restore magicka or stamina. The stamina morph is "Leeching Strikes".

No you have to spend magicka to gain magicka and you have to spend stamina to gain stamina. Before Morrowind you spent magicka to gain stamina thus the opposite pool.

It was changed because people didn't really like it that way. Using stamina of your very limited supply as magicka can be hazardous to your health, for example.

I prefer using the cheap cost of my favored pool as is. The point of the skill is really the heal anyway. The restore is just to pay for it.

Ugh I don’t want to derail my own thread....NB have so so many self heal why did we need one more? listen Gilliamtherogue (who ZOS ended up hiring btw) explained in detail why the change to the current state of SA is a huge nerf. When I’m not on mobile I’ll get you the link. Edit: I’m home,

the Siphoning Attacks explanation starts at 34 min in https://youtu.be/fK5D32QGsy0

Anyway lol

Sto.ry. Mode
Sto.ry. Mode
Sto.ry. Mode

Let’s get a wave going!

Arcon2825

Didn’t think about this before, but yes, that would make sense.
Maybe something like scaling down the mobs to whatever level is needed to just to enjoy the story.
But of course, removing the rewards, loot or whatever.
I guess there are many great stories, I‘ve missed so far.

idk

There already is a story mode. It is called normal. Considering many have soloed vet of a number of dungeons the normal version should be easy for a great number, though not all.

Past that, this is an MMRPG and group content should remain group until Zos has decides this game is in great decay like Bioware/EA determined with SWTOR and then came out with solo of many dungeons. Not until then is it needed.

adriant1978

idk wrote: »

this is an MMRPG and group content should remain group

Look at it this way, do you really want people in your dungeon group who are there to smell the flowers and listen to every bit of NPC dialogue? They'll just hold you up when you're going for that no death speed-run achievement or trying to see how many set pieces you can farm in an hour.

Story Mode could be seen as advantageous to people who enjoy group content because it will give the "bads and casuals" something else to do instead of dragging down "serious" groups.

max_only

Blutengel wrote: »

I've been playing since launch and I wanted something like this. It sucks that every dungeon story dialogue you have to skip or it gets skipped for you. I never know what the heck is going on story wise and I feel like I missed out. I really hope one day we can even get a solo mode.

This is what I’m saying. Or put it into a journal. There was only one game I played that let me re watch cut scenes and it wasn’t a very interesting story. Not like Elder Scrolls.

AcadianPaladin

I would love to see group dungeons scale to the number of players. I enjoy soloing and duoing. More than that is like herding cats. When I'm grouped (healer here) I focus totally on the group and ignore the questibits. I also adjust my pace to that of the group.

What I like about group dungeons is that when you do take it nice and slow to really explore and immerse in the story, the darn mobs you just killed don't respawn on your head - like they do in public dungeons and delves.

[Edited for reference to removed content]

max_only

adriant1978 wrote: »

idk wrote: »

this is an MMRPG and group content should remain group

Look at it this way, do you really want people in your dungeon group who are there to smell the flowers and listen to every bit of NPC dialogue? They'll just hold you up when you're going for that no death speed-run achievement or trying to see how many set pieces you can farm in an hour.

Story Mode could be seen as advantageous to people who enjoy group content because it will give the "bads and casuals" something else to do instead of dragging down "serious" groups.

I agree 100% We casual care-bears won’t be clogging up your queues and achievement run.

Cardthief

I am totally for this idea, I actually thought of a similar idea, which is more for experiencing or recording completed main quests, basically, like the lore library you have that records all of the books you read, you have some sort of magical device that lets you relive some past main quest fights, such as the fight with Molag Bal. For such an epic cinematic fight I really want to experience it again without having to make a new character and get them to that point, I personally would very much like to record a video of my main battling a Daedric Prince that I have beaten years ago but never thought of recording.

Fischblut

I support tho whole idea! And Falkreath Hold is especially in desperate need of solo story mode - everytime I think about all those urns which remain unlooted there...

Danikat

I'd love this too.

I don't mind doing dungeons as part of a group, I've even used the LFG tool sometimes. But I'd love to be able to explore them on my own, taking as much time as I want and I'd be fine with getting no rewards from the dungeon if I did it that way.

WhiteCoatSyndrome

I try to /chatlog during Dungeons and Trials but that only works on free-spoken dialogue not the kind that happens when you go up to the NPC and press E. Sometimes I go on a print-screen frenzy for those but that tends to get interrupted. Either way it's not the same.

max_only wrote: »

**

the other things I want are Bosmer cannibalism and opposite resource pool Siphoning Attacks but that’s for another post

.

There are some PvE quests in the Valenwood zones that bring up the cannibalism.

Kuwhar

idk wrote: »

There already is a story mode. It is called normal. Considering many have soloed vet of a number of dungeons the normal version should be easy for a great number, though not all.

Past that, this is an MMRPG and group content should remain group until Zos has decides this game is in great decay like Bioware/EA determined with SWTOR and then came out with solo of many dungeons. Not until then is it needed.

How would a no reward story mode affect the group scene? The issue now is groups rush past the story to get the rewards... this won't pull those people away.

Talking about soloing dungeons... yet you want group content to remain group?

Anyways, I use GF all the time and I would love something like this. I've never been in a group where they waited for dialogue, and i've probably done 500+ PUGS.

Because nobody wants to be that guy, it'll get you kicked. Which leads to me missing 100% of the actual story.

I'd also really like to see the GF have another setting like: Speed-run.

So those of us who don't feel the need to sprint to the end and can find like minded players and players who want to finish it ASAP can also find like minded players.

max_only

Cardthief wrote: »

I am totally for this idea, I actually thought of a similar idea, which is more for experiencing or recording completed main quests, basically, like the lore library you have that records all of the books you read, you have some sort of magical device that lets you relive some past main quest fights, such as the fight with Molag Bal. For such an epic cinematic fight I really want to experience it again without having to make a new character and get them to that point, I personally would very much like to record a video of my main battling a Daedric Prince that I have beaten years ago but never thought of recording.

Yeah some kind of magical device that let you see your past victories would be nice.

The idea in this thread though, I feel like story mode will be the least strenuous for the devs.

MLGProPlayer

Normal dungeons are very easy to solo if you are a DPS. They are just a little bit more difficult than public dungeons. However, I agree that there should be a mode that is even easier where you can just read the dialogue. Also, no matter how easy normal mode is, some dungeons simply have group mechanics which prevent solo progress.

Same thing would be nice for trials (those aren't soloable in any mode).