Nerf crafting theory

chaz

Yeah , I said it.

Hello everyone and greetings today. So, we've all seen it, read it, ranted about it, wished it, agreed to it, dreamed about it, disagreed to it, even requested it at some point in our lives. But really, what is nerfing? Nerf, we know it's a noun, it's simplified flat definition is: "cause to be weak or ineffective." , to reconfigure, it's a slang term, association with "update" and "downgrade", in video games, "to make something in a game less useful", make less fun.

Nerf, Nerfed, Nerfing.

Just a word. Right? Maybe? Yes, No?

Say it with me, let it roll off the tongue. NERF !

Where does it fit in the world of Elder scrolls? Why does it exist at all? Well lets take a look at that in theory for our practical practice.

Nerfing. Originated in Elder scrolls universe via the installment of Elder Scrolls online. Nerf, to nerf a player that other players were having difficulty with via ONLY one section of Elder scrolls,"ONLINE". The Player versus, yes, Player. Or just commonly known as PvP.

Nerf.

So, over time, nerfing so many thing in the elder scrolls online realm, it's cause and effect took it's toll over the years. Also effecting those that were true fans of the Elder scrolls base, or meaning those that are hard core player versus environment, or commonly known as PvE. Nerf.

So, we understand, by now, that elder scrolls online has basically two functions. PvP, and Pve. We know what works and is super powerful in Pve, does not always work in PvP. and vice versa. We know, and by this point, know really good that the developers created two distinctive separate game play mechanics and rules of engagement in terms of how powerful or weak any given class is. However , in terms of nerf, and in terms of elder scrolls online, particular to online installment of elder scrolls, Nerfing for all intents and purposes for PvP players took a toll on pve players.

Nerf.

With so many changes, to so many things, we can all assume by now that these are shallow and unfamiliar waters that the developers decided to swim in. The challenges of these so called "Nerf's" or changes are in many forms. From traits, and their perks, to skill lines and their effects. Why do we put up with these nerfs? Why do we ask for them to begin with? Nerfs. The whole emphasis of Nerf is to take something that works, and fix it.

Nerf, should be right up there in urban dictionary with if it ain't broken.

Nerf, if it ain't broken.

Proverb.

Leave something alone; avoid attempting to correct, fix, or improve what is already sufficient (often with an implication that the attempted improvement is risky and might backfire). I know it's an ugly-looking antenna, but you know what they say: If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it, just Nerf it. The zenimax way.

Nerf. Ok, so a while back, my nerf crafting theory thesis in practical use is of this example. One day, and long long ago, in a land far far away, in a time lost or forgotten, I once had an indestructible Dragon knight (DK) tank that was nigh unkillable in PvP. However I would also use it on occasion in pve and it was still quite good. Then one day, *Nerf* and or *Nerfs* was introduced by zenimax and when I started playing that particular toon again in pvp, it got spanked hard. I proceeded to take it down for a test drive in pve, and even it's pve skills turned out to be trash. Leaving me with yet but one choice. Rebuild it from scratch.

Nerf.

A simple need to fix a PvP problem and or issue, bled it's way hard into PvE.

Nerf, but hey nerfing is good. Right?

I guess it would all depend if you fit that need to fix something that works. Nerfing has now become a trend. And is all too commonly expected. When ever we hear "Update", what we really see is "downgrade". To patch a shiny brand new working feature or function with that classy grade of duct tape. Sure and why not. Let's take the average middle class working person, stroll alone a fine auto dealership lot, ask the salesmen for a nice shiny, brand new, red, 2019 Toyota corolla , sticker price of $24,000 and say I like you to add some cool features like anti-theft alarm, dashboard GPS system, cellular phone feature, and oh, cover the hood with 3 pound of duct tape evenly placed, because ya know, it needs that special brand of nerf.

Nerf. What is your nerf crafting theory. How has it worked for you in the past and what nerfs have you wish listed thus far?

Thank you.

Tasear

O.o

ccmedaddy

O.o

Siohwenoeht

Umm.........

Dragneel1207

its nerf scrolls 😂

ArchangelIsraphel

Nerf thread pls

Mayrael

Nerf nerf? But why?

VaranisArano

Another thread that repeats the idea that PVP is entirely to blame for PVE nerfs.

No...

A. PVEers are constantly surprised that the Devs could ever think something is overpowered in PVE because its not like Molag Kena has a forum account.

B. Yes, the Devs do have problems with things being overpowered in PVE. Overpowered PVE things make PVE content too easy which means ZOS has to make harder content. Prime example: the Morrowind Sustain Nerfs. If you pay attention to things that are overused or powerful in PVE, its pretty easy to predict the upcoming PVE nerfs.

C. ZOS balances PVP and PVE together whenever they can. The Murkmire damage shield nerfs could have easily been handled through Battle Spirit if they were a PVP only issue. Instead, ZOS went out of their way to nerf PVE damage shields because they wanted to make PVE players balance their defense/offense.


Finally, many nerfs can be traced back to ZOS' desire for "horizontal progression", aka "let's shake the snowglobe" every update. This changes up the game, makes the meta chasers regrind to be meta again, and makes sure players don't feel satisfied, get bored, and leave. So even if PVP and PVE were completely separated, ZOS would still have incentive to nerf, change, and tweak PVE!


Asking ZOS not to nerf stuff is pointless. It's horizontal progression. Its a feature, not a bug. And that's true whether ZOS balances PVP and PVE together or separately.

yodased

Perspective. It's a thing. Your perspective, something is "working". Game developers perspective, something is "overperforming"

It's not a binary thing of broken or not, that is too simple of an explanation. The nuance comes with everything else involved, all the moving parts.

Your duct tape analogy doesn't even make sense in hyperbolic terms let alone logical.

Drummerx04

Ah yeah, remember when they nerfed stam regen while blocking because pve tanks weren't being challenged? Must be PvP's fault.

Rake

very stupid thread

Dracan_Fontom

Was the whole word break down really necessary?

generalmyrick

i prayed to all the gods that wrecking blow would get nerfed...

sorry, im bad, forgive me!

MasterSpatula

TLDR plz

VaranisArano

MasterSpatula wrote: »

TLDR plz

TLDR: When the only tool ZOS has is a Nerf Hammer, everything starts to look like a nail.

joseayalac

O.o

Shadow-Fighter

Moaarrrr buff

jainiadral

FWIW, this was a very entertaining read Props, OP! I almost never make it through first-posts of walls'o'text.

Druid40

Start a thread for the word 'trash', please.