Idea for build diversity: random character traits/unique items opened by achievement points

MartiniDaniels

So what's boring around ESO is that there is clear meta in everything, like fire for magicka dps, high-crit for stamina etc
This is determined by fact that absolutely any build can be relatively easy copied.

Idea is to add random character traits, which provide affinity bonuses like "+10% to cold damage, -5% to fire damage", "use highest penetration for both magicka/stamina, but lowest crit chance" which will made each character build unique. This traits can be opened only by achievement points so just spamming character creator won't help.
For example first trait is opened at 2k achievement points, 2nd at 4k... 5th at 32k. given that each trait will have detrimental effects, character with 32k+ points will be more powerful then one with 2k, but still not OP. Well, in some rare cases it will be OP, but this is realistic, there are talented "OP" people IRL.

Alternative variant is similar to described in this post:
https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/470781/special-1-time-armor-and-weapon-sets-that-you-cant-get-again

It may be not character traits, but random hereditary items (character bound), up to 5 1- or 2- piece set items which will be opened by achievement points. If you don't like them, don't use them, but if you wanna build ice mage or hybrid those traits/items may provide edge necessary to be effective in end game.

BNOC

It doesn't really matter what you add, there will always be something that's the best among them.

It also is heavily advantageous to role players and single character accounts, further winding up the weaker or less dedicated players who can't keep up as it is.

Artim_X

Very bad idea. There is a reason for why permanent emp passives are gone.

AcadianPaladin

I don't like the idea, partly for fear that it will simply add 'achievement point grinding' to the meta and the game really does not need any more grinding. I also find build considerations already more than complicated enough without adding more factors to work against/around.

Wandering_Immigrant

I'm all for more 1 or 2 piece sets to use a filler in a build. Especially basing them on elemental strength/weakness as I'm always wishing the game had more emphasis on that. There could even be some give and take to it, like any piece that gives +10 to ice would also give -5 to fire. Maybe the weapons affect your attack with the element and armor pieces affect your defence while jewelry pieces are capable of going either way.

But tying them to achievements gets a big fat hell no from me. I don't even like that dyes are attached to achievements, following some arbitrary list of (mostly) menial tasks telling me where to go / what to do next is not my idea of fun. Kill 1000 scamps to unlock fire armor! No thanks, I'll pass.

How about, if we're sticking to the elemental theme, they introduce Atronauch world bosses. They could spawn randomly (or at least seemingly so; similar to how the random groups of deadra spawn from the sky near dolmens), and each one drops a random piece of its element type. Maybe the fire ones can spawn in volcanic areas, the ice ones in snow covered. The lightning ones near water? Idk.

Wandering_Immigrant

You could get an achievement for killing these Atronauchs, I suppose, if you like.

dazee

Really bad idea. that will just add "must have 100 hours grinding for achievment points done" to the list of things people are expected to do before vet dungeons and any trials.

MartiniDaniels

AcadianPaladin wrote: »

I don't like the idea, partly for fear that it will simply add 'achievement point grinding' to the meta and the game really does not need any more grinding. I also find build considerations already more than complicated enough without adding more factors to work against/around.

There are no any difficulty in build consideration. just go BiS builds, any fluctuation from BiS build greatly reduce your efficiency, at least in PVE and CP PVP. In no-CP PVP, yes there is some freedom. Believe me I tried all viable-in-theory alternatives. They all cut your dps down.

Wandering_Immigrant wrote: »

I'm all for more 1 or 2 piece sets to use a filler in a build. Especially basing them on elemental strength/weakness as I'm always wishing the game had more emphasis on that. There could even be some give and take to it, like any piece that gives +10 to ice would also give -5 to fire. Maybe the weapons affect your attack with the element and armor pieces affect your defence while jewelry pieces are capable of going either way.

Locking this behind achievement points is to prevent RNG abuse to get "optimal" random items/traits. It can be done via character experience received too, but XP grind is much easier then achievement grind.
Why I came with this idea? Inspired by that thread of unique items. Because after playing for a year and using majority of builds/sets, I am really bored and don't see what I can do more to entertain myself. I'm in couple of guilds where I have "online friends" and we run progression trials etc, and this is only reason I'm continue playing. RPG is about builds and there are no place for various builds in ESO, only those massive changes to balance woke up some interest, but as soon as new meta will be determined it will be again all the same each day.

MartiniDaniels

dazee wrote: »

Really bad idea. that will just add "must have 100 hours grinding for achievment points done" to the list of things people are expected to do before vet dungeons and any trials.

This mentality is reason why this game over the years turned into what it is now. Yeah, I play only from 2018, but I see how Wrothgar, Imperial city and Craglorn are superior to new content, combat/immersion-wise. From "One Tamriel" game was separated in 2 parts, one for "new" players where they can do wherever they want without any effort/challenge and second "end-game" part where you are learning HM mechanics a-la Indiana Jones. I like DLC/DLC vets but they are just a mini-games from another genre and as soon as you complete them, there is no point to come back.
Actual RPG gameplay utilizing game skills and ability mechanics exists only in PVP.

Wandering_Immigrant

MartiniDaniels wrote: »

Wandering_Immigrant wrote: »

I'm all for more 1 or 2 piece sets to use a filler in a build. Especially basing them on elemental strength/weakness as I'm always wishing the game had more emphasis on that. There could even be some give and take to it, like any piece that gives +10 to ice would also give -5 to fire. Maybe the weapons affect your attack with the element and armor pieces affect your defence while jewelry pieces are capable of going either way.

Locking this behind achievement points is to prevent RNG abuse to get "optimal" random items/traits. It can be done via character experience received too, but XP grind is much easier then achievement grind.
Why I came with this idea? Inspired by that thread of unique items. Because after playing for a year and using majority of builds/sets, I am really bored and don't see what I can do more to entertain myself. I'm in couple of guilds where I have "online friends" and we run progression trials etc, and this is only reason I'm continue playing. RPG is about builds and there are no place for various builds in ESO, only those massive changes to balance woke up some interest, but as soon as new meta will be determined it will be again all the same each day.

Well, the "meta" is why I suggest the give and take mechanic, it puts a build-in counter on it. Fire is the meta? Equip lightning for an advantage. At least for PVP idk how relevant it would be to PVE.

I still prefer RNG gear acquisition though. The last MMO I played used a token system for gear progression, doing dungeons started feeling like I was clocking in at work, adding up my paycheck at the end of a run to count down the days till my next upgrade. No sense of excitement to it, just do this X amount of times to get that.