Let's see how wardens are doing (Wolfhunter edition)

MLGProPlayer

Leader board representation on PC/NA...

HRC = 28/705 (4%)
AA = 25/620 (4%)
SO = 36/671 (5.4%)
MoL = 13/528 (2.5%)
HoF = 3/184 (1.6%)
AA = 22/491 (4.5%)
CR = 10/314 (3.2%)
DSA = 9/249 (3.6%)

Average = 3.6%

Other classes for reference (let's use MoL):

DK: 102 (19.3%)
Sorc: 91 (17.2%)
Templar: 112 (21.2%)
NB: 211 (40%)
Warden: 13 (2.5%)

This is what balance looks like at ZOS HQ.

Finviuswe

#BuffStamden

Seri

MLGProPlayer wrote: »

Other classes for reference (let's use MoL):

DK: 102 (19.3%)
Sorc: 91 (17.2%)
Templar: 112 (21.2%)
NB: 211 (40%)
Warden: 13 (2.5%)

I know this math is _very_ rubbery (and making assumption what roles are tank and heals), but the 528 ppl / 12 = approx 44 groups, and dividing it out:
2.3 DKs per group (2 tanks)
2 Sorcs
2.5 Temps (2 heals + a token stamplar every 2nd group?)
4.8 NB
0.3 Warden

Yes, I know this isn't accurate as groups may be broken up on the boards, and so on.

Even still, Warden is in a poor spot obviously (or at least no-one uses them if they're not comfortable - I've seen some pretty solid warden tanks in vSO before), but take out the 4 traditional support of 2x Templar and 2x DK, it shows that DK and Temp aren't much better outside of their traditional role.

coplannb16_ESO

would only be representative if you could do that chart with only accounts that bought the warden.

paywalled class will always be behind free ones

MLGProPlayer

coplannb16_ESO wrote: »

would only be representative if you could do that chart with only accounts that bought the warden.

paywalled class will always be behind free ones

Up until Summerset, you had to own the warden in order to play HoF (there was no other way to run it). The class still only had around 2% usage there, so your argument is moot.

This is also a list of endgame players. The vast majority will own the warden class as they bought Morrowind when it came out to get access to the latest trial.

Also, new classes typically have much higher than 3% usage in other MMOs.

coplannb16_ESO

MLGProPlayer wrote: »

coplannb16_ESO wrote: »

would only be representative if you could do that chart with only accounts that bought the warden.

paywalled class will always be behind free ones

Up until Summerset, you had to own the warden in order to play HoF (there was no other way to run it). The class still only had around 2% usage there, so your argument is moot.

Also, new classes typically have high representation in most MMOs.

I know but still. another factor is that assume you are a DK tank or a templar healer. you are fully leveled, got all the gear including vMA/Master weapons and trial gear, all skill points and skill lines and so on. you now buy the warden and play around with it. you see, yeah, you can decently tank or heal with it, but
#1 you are more accustomed to your older toons / your main
#2 you would have to invest a huge amount of time to get the Warden up to the same level of progress as your main
#3 other people having prejudices versus the warden, they might tell you oh dude, couldnt you bring your DK tank or templar healer instead of the warden, never change a running system ...

I got a mag and stam warden. I like both of them. Both aint perfect, especially mag could still use help (more/better ice damage availability). Bear is stupid most of the time and too slow (esp. in the Swift-meta pvp, also if you sneak it doesnt seem to hide, people spot it and uncover you easily)...

edit:
you could even say, to bring Warden up in the percentages you would have to make it legit overpowered for quiet some time (see NBs, they were low pop for a long time...)

max_only

Agree. With the way Zos balances they’ll have to make Warden sickeningly OP for a patch and then shave them down once population is better. Nbs were practically forbidden in pve, groups ran 8 Sorcs for months.

I love my Warden. I’m a tank though and I don’t have a goal of endgame vet trials. Normal trials are enough for me and if I can get in as the 2nd tank I’m very happy.

Dps and healer Wardens need the steroid buff just so that they are less rare. Tank Wardens are in a good place I feel (no need to have big damage numbers, great defensive skills on par with Dk, reset fights and rescue near wipes with some of the skills too)

It’s a shame leaderboards don’t bring more Wardens, the rest of the population seems healthy with them if the plethora of bear butts in cities are any indication.

abigfishy

As said there are reasons besides the quality of the class such as:

Paywall
People already had their main
Takes a long time to get them up to the standard of older characters

However the biggest issue is for this sort of endgame content you want the best:
Best Healer: Templar
Best Tank: DK
Best Aoe DPS: Magsorc
Best Single Target Burst DPS: Stamblade

Every other class has a reason to be there. What is worse is that while you might occasionally see a DPS Templar or DK you will almost never see a DPS Warden as they are by far the worst DPS class. I would imagine the tiny few wardens that we do see in Endgame content are healers or tanks where Wardens are probably the second and third best class.

I do not think ZOS should hit this with a sledgehammer but I doubt anyone would object to a slight buff to Warden DPS.