I am returning having not played since 2017

Ravinsild

I have about 300 champions points, and 6 level 50's, but I am honestly lost. I have no real idea exactly what to do. I'm not in any guilds, I don't really know anyone, but I like the game. Not sure where to start or what to do. I'm subscribed to ESO+ because it's worth it IMO.

Where do I start again?

xxthir13enxx

caperb

First thing you should know is that the game is more broken than ever. We have daily server crashes and login issues, Cyrodiil lag making it almost unplayable and group finder working even less than before.

About the game, a lot has changed in the meantime. Jewellery crafting has been added, combat skills and some mechanics have changed drastically, all the meta sets changed (most of them being locked behind chapters/DLC's), a lot more story content has come out and much more.

On which platform are you playing?

Gundug

I think you would need to let us know what sorts of things you are interested in. Do you like solving harder group content? PVP? Crafting? Housing?

If you are interested in the social aspect of the game, you can use the in-game guild finder tool to search for guilds that share the same interests you have and apply to them.

Jolipinator

Try a dungeon using the new and improved activity finder.

Visit Cyrodiil and conquer all foes to become Emperor.

Log in.

Get out while you still can.

vibeborn

If you still have uncompleted zone quests, world bosses, delves etc there has been added a zone guide to each zone now to make it easier to see what you are missing

Shantu

Join a guild or two, be upfront about where you are in the game, and ask some questions.

Lady_Linux

you wont like it more now than you did then, pretty sure.

BejaProphet

Get out of the forums fast.

Idinuse

I take it it's a good a time as any to return...

Ragnork

caperb wrote: »

combat skills and some mechanics have changed drastically, all the meta sets changed

All racial passives re-worked; mostly to the negative. Some just lore breaking e.g. woodelf is no longer sneaky but detects sneak.

Casul

Start by getting skyshards because even if the game is running bad you still need them sweet sweet skillpoints.

NBrookus

Join a social guild or three. There's a new guild finder.

if you like overland content there's a lot of new stuff for you to play.

svartorn

I just returned after quitting in '17 too.

Cyrodiil and Battlegrounds are nearly unplayable, but I'm enjoying casually going through the old DLCs and Chapters.

Kel

Ravinsild wrote: »

I have about 300 champions points, and 6 level 50's, but I am honestly lost. I have no real idea exactly what to do. I'm not in any guilds, I don't really know anyone, but I like the game. Not sure where to start or what to do. I'm subscribed to ESO+ because it's worth it IMO.

Where do I start again?

Be interested to hear what you think of all these changes.

Keep us informed, OP.

Nordic__Knights

WOWjust wow why now id say turn it back off for an year or so the way the game is today well make you hate eso so do yourself an favor and find something different tell they get an group that knows what their doing in or have fun something most dont do ANYMORE on eso

WillhelmBlack

Everything is really easy apart from some vet dungeons but a lot of the DLC stories/questing is great. PvP is a no go until you get used to how clunky the combat is now.

Ravinsild

caperb wrote: »

First thing you should know is that the game is more broken than ever. We have daily server crashes and login issues, Cyrodiil lag making it almost unplayable and group finder working even less than before.

About the game, a lot has changed in the meantime. Jewellery crafting has been added, combat skills and some mechanics have changed drastically, all the meta sets changed (most of them being locked behind chapters/DLC's), a lot more story content has come out and much more.

On which platform are you playing?

Are you positive? I was here at launch and in beta, and back then it was...really, REALLY broken. It seemed like it had done nothing but improve since that time.

I am playing on the PC. Also Jewelry Crafting is hype! That's exciting! Apparently 2 new classes were also added! That's exciting! (Warden and Necromancer).

Ravinsild

Gundug wrote: »

I think you would need to let us know what sorts of things you are interested in. Do you like solving harder group content? PVP? Crafting? Housing?

If you are interested in the social aspect of the game, you can use the in-game guild finder tool to search for guilds that share the same interests you have and apply to them.

Yes. I have 99% of the research completed across weapons and armor. I have maxed crafting professions on each of my 50's probably 2 apiece, including cooking. Alchemy, Woodworking, Blacksmith, Leatherworker, etc...

I love Raiding (Trials?) and 5 man content in other MMOs and I'm usually pushing end game.

I like PvP battlegrounds and I liked the huge roaming middle of the map stuff back when I was regularly playing.

I love housing! I have a mud hut

Ravinsild

WillhelmBlack wrote: »

Everything is really easy apart from some vet dungeons but a lot of the DLC stories/questing is great. PvP is a no go until you get used to how clunky the combat is now.

Now? Has combat significantly changed since 2017? What happened? Why are the forums on fire? The game was in a really good place before Morrowind (I never played it).

What's going on here!?

I thought this game was on a good trajectory and improving! It was great last time I played!

VerboseQuips

Welcome back, I hope you'll have a great time. Some of the new zones are really beautiful and a joy to explore.

Well, maybe pick up the story where you left it? Have a look at the history of DLCs and chapters, it is usually better to enjoy the story in the chronological order, as you'll empathize more with the NPCs if you have met them before. You can also create a new character from scratch if so you wish (it will also let you enjoy the new prologue from Elsweyr - alas, I don't think the prologue from a given chapter is any more available once you buy the next one). There might also be some kind of comical effect in repetition, if you're into that kind of humor.
There is a new type of quest marker that allows you to recognize the quests pertaining to the main questline of a zone. (Secondary quests still matter though as they can provide additionnal insight into main quests or general zone context - there is at least one in Vvardenfell you won't want to miss.)
Don't forget to loot every backpack, urn, piece of furniture or fallen enemy for furnishing plans: either you're into housing and will like knowing them, or you're not and will like the shiny coins they can bring you.
Doing your daily writs is still a very efficient way to earn gold and mats.
Questing and doing dailies will also help you forward on your journéey to CP810. If you like grinding daily stuff, I think there is an almanach in the Undaunted Enclave which describes all available daily quests. Some only unlock after you fulfill other conditions, though.

You could already start researching rings and necklaces traits. Especially the six traits from the items you cannot deconstruct, because they're older than Summerset.

Also, give the new guild finder a try :-) I am sure there are guilds out there that would happily welcome you, and help you get rich or do Dungeons/Trials, if that's your thing. Some commercial guilds might require more effort and investment than before you left, because of the new auction system that has bolstered competition.

You might find the forums a bit caustic. This is due to lasting technical issues ZOS has struggled to fix, and which have become worse lately with in-game events. Concerning events, it might be a bit too late to get an Indrik for you (I don't know exactly how many tickets are still obtainable before the end of the season), so if you're not inclined to spend crowns on them, you might wish to ignore events entirely and focus on playing however you want. You might also have to be patient if server issues persist. Whatever happens, don't let forum mood tarnish your enjoyment of the game if you're having fun. I think forum vehemence is also a sign of passion for the game.

Oh, and there are Dragons, now.

Once again, welcome back.

CiliPadi

Ravinsild wrote: »

I have about 300 champions points, and 6 level 50's, but I am honestly lost. I have no real idea exactly what to do. I'm not in any guilds, I don't really know anyone, but I like the game. Not sure where to start or what to do. I'm subscribed to ESO+ because it's worth it IMO.

Where do I start again?

I'd recommend playing another MMO or game since you don't have a lot invested in ESO. The state of the game is broken right now. Just look at the multitude of problems and issues reported in the forums. ZOS can't even run an event without the servers croaking.

Ravinsild

CiliPadi wrote: »

Ravinsild wrote: »

I have about 300 champions points, and 6 level 50's, but I am honestly lost. I have no real idea exactly what to do. I'm not in any guilds, I don't really know anyone, but I like the game. Not sure where to start or what to do. I'm subscribed to ESO+ because it's worth it IMO.

Where do I start again?

I'd recommend playing another MMO or game since you don't have a lot invested in ESO. The state of the game is broken right now. Just look at the multitude of problems and issues reported in the forums. ZOS can't even run an event without the servers croaking.

I mean I have bought some crown store stuff, level 6 level 50's on all 3 factions, I bought the like founders pack for Beta, I have a house, I also have almost all of the crafting research and crafting classes maxed.

I wouldn't say I don't have much investment...

ArenGesus

Ravinsild wrote: »

WillhelmBlack wrote: »

Everything is really easy apart from some vet dungeons but a lot of the DLC stories/questing is great. PvP is a no go until you get used to how clunky the combat is now.

Now? Has combat significantly changed since 2017? What happened? Why are the forums on fire? The game was in a really good place before Morrowind (I never played it).

What's going on here!?

I thought this game was on a good trajectory and improving! It was great last time I played!

Devs touched things. They were not gentle.

Ravinsild

ArenGesus wrote: »

Ravinsild wrote: »

WillhelmBlack wrote: »

Everything is really easy apart from some vet dungeons but a lot of the DLC stories/questing is great. PvP is a no go until you get used to how clunky the combat is now.

Now? Has combat significantly changed since 2017? What happened? Why are the forums on fire? The game was in a really good place before Morrowind (I never played it).

What's going on here!?

I thought this game was on a good trajectory and improving! It was great last time I played!

Devs touched things. They were not gentle.

Did they entirely rework the combat system from the ground up or something?

ArenGesus

Ravinsild wrote: »

ArenGesus wrote: »

Ravinsild wrote: »

WillhelmBlack wrote: »

Everything is really easy apart from some vet dungeons but a lot of the DLC stories/questing is great. PvP is a no go until you get used to how clunky the combat is now.

Now? Has combat significantly changed since 2017? What happened? Why are the forums on fire? The game was in a really good place before Morrowind (I never played it).

What's going on here!?

I thought this game was on a good trajectory and improving! It was great last time I played!

Devs touched things. They were not gentle.

Did they entirely rework the combat system from the ground up or something?

Not yet, but they seem intent to. Racial passives were all changed, which I personally didn't see as too big of a deal. But they then started doing some massive "rebalancing" by setting standards for how much damage class skills should do, then they started swinging the ratio of those standards all over the place. Dot damage exploded, then was dramatically nerfed. Then it kind of rebounded, but who knows because they're nowhere close to finished. It is fatiguing people who have to re-gear with every patch.

They tried to rewrite the group finder from bottom up and instead nuked it from existence. They put on event after event to attract new players, but haven't invested in the game's infrastructure to support them. So their data center looks like Chernobyl, people can't log in, lag/stutter just standing still, logouts from porting with wayshrines, etc. Meanwhile more and more glitz appears on the crown store, which never has a bug or glitch. It seems they're just trying to cycle in new players to unload some $$ for a fancy mount and then get out to make room for a new batch who aren't sick of paying for broken software and services.

Odovacar

find a guild...they can be posted into zone chats now so travel to major city and give it a minute or two..read description and see if its applicable to you (click to apply). Be social and find some guild members to run dungeons/quests etc. The rest should come back to you...GL!

Ravinsild

Odovacar wrote: »

find a guild...they can be posted into zone chats now so travel to major city and give it a minute or two..read description and see if its applicable to you (click to apply). Be social and find some guild members to run dungeons/quests etc. The rest should come back to you...GL!

I found it strange that zone chat was turned off by default, and also that nobody was talking in the capital city zone chat (Deshaan, Mournhold where I was last night).

It was incredibly quiet but I saw people all over the place. I don't know, I didn't get any responses though asking questions haha.

tinythinker

Ravinsild wrote: »

I have about 300 champions points, and 6 level 50's, but I am honestly lost. I have no real idea exactly what to do. I'm not in any guilds, I don't really know anyone, but I like the game. Not sure where to start or what to do. I'm subscribed to ESO+ because it's worth it IMO.

Where do I start again?

First, if you hit M (if you're using keyboard and mouse) you will now get a list of things you have/haven't completed in the zone by opening your map. That's one way to get started.


Also, primary quests for the base game and DLC now get a modified quest marker to make it easier to get (back) and stay on track with those stories.

Between those two things alone you can get objectives to work on.



It's also easier now to find and join a guild that can offer advice and assistance (39 second mark below)...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92UR0kLVT58

Ravinsild

ArenGesus wrote: »

Ravinsild wrote: »

ArenGesus wrote: »

Ravinsild wrote: »

WillhelmBlack wrote: »

Everything is really easy apart from some vet dungeons but a lot of the DLC stories/questing is great. PvP is a no go until you get used to how clunky the combat is now.

Now? Has combat significantly changed since 2017? What happened? Why are the forums on fire? The game was in a really good place before Morrowind (I never played it).

What's going on here!?

I thought this game was on a good trajectory and improving! It was great last time I played!

Devs touched things. They were not gentle.

Did they entirely rework the combat system from the ground up or something?

Not yet, but they seem intent to. Racial passives were all changed, which I personally didn't see as too big of a deal. But they then started doing some massive "rebalancing" by setting standards for how much damage class skills should do, then they started swinging the ratio of those standards all over the place. Dot damage exploded, then was dramatically nerfed. Then it kind of rebounded, but who knows because they're nowhere close to finished. It is fatiguing people who have to re-gear with every patch.

They tried to rewrite the group finder from bottom up and instead nuked it from existence. They put on event after event to attract new players, but haven't invested in the game's infrastructure to support them. So their data center looks like Chernobyl, people can't log in, lag/stutter just standing still, logouts from porting with wayshrines, etc. Meanwhile more and more glitz appears on the crown store, which never has a bug or glitch. It seems they're just trying to cycle in new players to unload some $$ for a fancy mount and then get out to make room for a new batch who aren't sick of paying for broken software and services.

I did notice that! Before Khajiit got +% extra crit and reduced stealth detection on two different racials. Now it's all crammed into one racial and they get bonus HP, Stamina and Magicka. That was kind of neat, felt like a buff?

ArenGesus

Ravinsild wrote: »

ArenGesus wrote: »

Ravinsild wrote: »

ArenGesus wrote: »

Ravinsild wrote: »

WillhelmBlack wrote: »

Everything is really easy apart from some vet dungeons but a lot of the DLC stories/questing is great. PvP is a no go until you get used to how clunky the combat is now.

Now? Has combat significantly changed since 2017? What happened? Why are the forums on fire? The game was in a really good place before Morrowind (I never played it).

What's going on here!?

I thought this game was on a good trajectory and improving! It was great last time I played!

Devs touched things. They were not gentle.

Did they entirely rework the combat system from the ground up or something?

Not yet, but they seem intent to. Racial passives were all changed, which I personally didn't see as too big of a deal. But they then started doing some massive "rebalancing" by setting standards for how much damage class skills should do, then they started swinging the ratio of those standards all over the place. Dot damage exploded, then was dramatically nerfed. Then it kind of rebounded, but who knows because they're nowhere close to finished. It is fatiguing people who have to re-gear with every patch.

They tried to rewrite the group finder from bottom up and instead nuked it from existence. They put on event after event to attract new players, but haven't invested in the game's infrastructure to support them. So their data center looks like Chernobyl, people can't log in, lag/stutter just standing still, logouts from porting with wayshrines, etc. Meanwhile more and more glitz appears on the crown store, which never has a bug or glitch. It seems they're just trying to cycle in new players to unload some $$ for a fancy mount and then get out to make room for a new batch who aren't sick of paying for broken software and services.

I did notice that! Before Khajiit got +% extra crit and reduced stealth detection on two different racials. Now it's all crammed into one racial and they get bonus HP, Stamina and Magicka. That was kind of neat, felt like a buff?

Yeah, the racial changes weren't bad at all, in my opinion - with some exceptions (cough woodelf cough). Actually I didn't mind most of the other changes either, though I'm not particularly fond of DKs slinging dookie all over the place. It's the rate of change and the scale that is hard to process. Even then, it would have been tolerable to me if it didn't come combined with huge performance issues side by side with times square marketing campaigns that serve only to stress a broken infrastructure further.

Putting the salt aside, here is my honest assessment - wait. Check back from time to time and see how things are going. It's the only reason I'm here, after having not logged in for weeks. If in a year from now the game is still operating, it can only be because they've resolved these performance/stability issues and worked through the majority of the rebalancing. You see what a dumpster fire the forums are - people are fed up and if something doesn't change I don't believe there will be anything to discuss 18 months from now.