Lots of general questions before I return...

Zombocalypse

Hello folks.

I played ESO on the PS4 a few years ago. After that time I experimented with other MMORPGs which are: Guild Wars 2, Warframe, World of Warcraft, Mabinogi, and presently playing Final Fantasy 14.

I'm playing Final Fantasy 14 right now. Great game with great story. Great variety too since it has lots of combat classes all with their own unique playstyles. But... Probably obviously as I'm posting here, ESO still lingers in my memory as likely the more enjoyable game. Objective overall quality is arguable on questions of which one is better, but it's easy to make a case for ESO being the more fun game because of the build-your-own-class type of thing. Final Fantasy 14 fans will tell you "Freedom is an illusion, you'll eventually be forced to follow an established proven build" but I disagree with that. Yes, FF14 is great. Yes, FF14 takes the best aspects of great MMORPGs and specializes on them. NO, its fans are NOT right in saying freedom is an illusion. The only requirement to manage well in ESO is to create a build that is not stupid, which is an activity not hard to do. And even then there's a lot of leeway. Obviously, if you wanna be a part of the top players in like PvP or high-tier PvE, you will have to settle with builds that are restrictive to what has to work as opposed to what you want, but generally, for most, that won't be necessary. The freedom-aspect of ESO is what made me love it. Anyway... I have questions before I return. I've forgotten quite a few things in the game and I need a refresher.

# 1: Is the roleplaying community... Nonexistent?

-I feel like I should explain what I mean by "roleplaying" even though a lot, if not most, of you already know what it is just to be safe. Roleplaying in the context of MMORPGs is the activity of pretty much acting, "playing a role" where your character will be his/her own person within the game-world without you, as the player, using your Godlike knowledge of things to power-through to results that you want. Your character will be restricted into doing things under a set of rules, hence why it's called ROLEplaying. You obviously do this with other players.

In many MMOs, it's popular. But back when I played ESO... Literally only 2% of all the players I met do it. Let's not even talk about the large number of players who literally have zero idea what roleplaying (RP) is. Honestly I found that VERY surprising considering how extremely rich the Elder Scrolls lore is. The difference in the demographics (of roleplayers) in ESO and FF14 is astronomical. In FF14, assuming you're on the right server, you will likely never meet a single player who didn't know well what roleplaying is. And in that game, it's friggin' EVERYWHERE.

My question is, is this still the case? Did it grow? Or is it still nonexistent? I posed the question in the negative because I felt it appropriate.

# 2: Are there major changes in gameplay from the Morrowind-expansion era to what we have now (Elsweyr)?

-This includes combat, questing, leveling, and crafting. Additions don't count, only changes that would make a second playthrough different.

I heard that the launch ESO was vastly different from present ESO.

# 3: What are the common reasons to join a guild outside of having access to those guild merchants who sell your stuff?

-With FF14 at least, joining an FC (Guild) can positively (and DIRECTLY) improve your experience with things like EXP buffs. I don't remember such things being the case with ESO guilds. So aside from socializing, what are the reasons to join a guild or guilds?

# 4: Is ESO gonna be released in the PS5?

-And if it will, is it gonna end up being exclusively PS5 without PS4 infusion? Or will the two platforms get the same servers? Or, if it gets released to the PS5, will the PS4 service be discontinued?

# 5: Crafting is obviously the primary way to make good money. But is that it?

-In FF14, there are quite a few ways to make gil (in-game currency) outside of crafting. But what does ESO have to offer in that department?

# 6: Just to clarify, your maximum amount of Stamina DIRECTLY influences your physical damage output, correct?

-I'm sure that's the case but I really just have to double-check. And the same is true for magicka with spells, correct?

# 7: Tell me about awesome archery abilities!

-I've seen players do that thing where they release arrows unto the sky and it falls as an AoE thing on enemies. I also had the crossbow ability from the Fighter's Guild I believe, and was delighted to be able to upgrade it with one of two effects in which I chose the one where it adds enemies that get hit per attack. Usually, I hate archery on RPGs, but Elder Scrolls games are absolute exceptions because of the realistic viewpoint instead of the aim-and-autokill system of other RPGs. Plus, archery is a very powerful way of fighting in the ancient world. So in respect to realism, I love archery.

# 8: So to level-up a BASIC, non-fancy skill such as, say, Heavy-armor, you just equip a heavy armor and then whatever EXP-boosting quest/activity you do or finish will directly add EXP to that particular skill-bar?

-And is it the same with something like one-handed or block?

# 9: How's the overall PvP community like?

-I heard that League of Legends and Call of Duty have toxic communities. I tried Dissidia NT, which is a 3 vs 3 fighting game, and I've never encountered a single person in that game who was uncooperative. My question is basically like this... If I (politely) suggest a strategy, will the players be like "No shut up noob you listen to me instead" or will they actually respectfully consider it? My point of reference here is my experience with Dissidia in which after I befriended two players whom I suggested a strategy I learned from reading military history books, one of the players created our party with the title of "Napoleon's Army" knowing that I'm a fan of Napoleon's military tactics. I'm not asking for that level of friendliness. I just wanna know how veteran players will react with a newbie suggesting something.

# 10: The balance of influence between pure champion rank + skill levels versus GEAR. How is it?

-I was dismayed to realize that in FF14, I would not be exaggerating when I tell you that more than 90% of your fighting power comes from what you wear. Really, it's that huge. I am a Paladin, and the difference in health and strength between my up-to-date equipment appropriate to my max level versus my low level equipment is insane. I'm aware that in ESO, during the champion ranks post level-50, you gain passive perks that will boost your fighting powers in ways you want. I just wanna know how much of your fighting power is your gear and how much of it is champion rank.

# 11: How on earth does level-scaling work??

-So in Skyrim... Wherever you go your enemies scale to you. But ESO is an MMO. What if two players, a level 10 and a level 30, are in the exact same spot and encounter a monster?? I don't get how that can work. And with crafting... So just to make it clear, if you are a level 50 blacksmith with relevant perks acquired, you will no longer be able to mine level 10 materials right? Which means rubedite ingots forever unless you make an alt?

I believe that's about it. Folks, thanks very much for your time and God bless you!

barney2525

I would answer, but I'm not a general, so I'm not allowed.

Just curious, are you asking about playing the game or doing research for your PhD thesis?

I only know a couple of these. Roleplaying exists where you find it. Advertise in Chat what you are looking for and see who responds.
Level scaling is exactly what it sounds like. If you are level 15, the mudcrab you fight is the equivalent of a level 15 npc in hit points and damage. If you are level 30, it is 30. If you are 50/160, the mudcrab is 50/160. Level scaling ONLY applies to NPCS,
Stamina directly influences physical damage. Magicka directly influences Spell damage.
There are different ways to make gold. Best bet is to research the plethora of videos on the subject. I advise every search to start with ' 2019 ESO .... ' so you get the most recent info.
Anything and Everything on the Active skill bar (the one you are currently using in combat) is gaining XP, as is anything and everything you are wearing/holding - even if you can not actually use the skill (for example, using 2 daggers and dual wield skills and sticking a bow skill on the end just to get the bow skill some levels before you get to level 15 where you can swap weapons. Even though you can't use the bow skill because you are dual wielding, the bow skill gains xp because it is on the Active skill bar )

good luck

barney2525

On the last question - True. Your level determines the level of the mats you will find. The locations of the mats do Not change. Just the quality of the mat in question for 'your character'. So, at level 50, yes all you will find is rubedite ore or iron ore. For some reason you can always find the most basic crafting materials as well as your ' level ' materials.

So if the character you have out collecting mats is level 50 (NOT CRAFTING LEVEL - just their normal combat Level ) they find rubedite. Crafting level applies to at which point you can put skill points into improving crafting passives. You have to improve the passives in order to be able to craft the more difficult items. It is not a simple situation of hitting level 50 in blacksmith and then you can make anything. You still have to spend skill points on the passives to be able to craft 'higher' levels of gear.

Generally you want One character that you will designate to be your master crafter. Because this character is not going to have a lot of skill points to be able to put into combat skills for a long long time.

January1171

Can't answer all of these, but I'll try and answer the ones I can.
1) Definitely not! There are tons of RP guilds. As for percentage, I couldn't say, but it definitely exists in the game. I was briefly in a Aldmeri Dominion guild themed around the members being followers of Auri-El and there was a big overarching story line to the events. eso-rp.com would probably be a good place to start, although you can also find guilds and such in-game.

3) Mostly socialization. There are no buffs (I'm aware of) for joining a guild, other than just being part of a community.

• Usually there is a guild hall, which depending on the size, could have all the attunable crafting stations/transmute stations/mundus stones, which makes crafting and switching buffs easier (although they are all things you can find in the overworld). It's just more convenient.
• Trading guilds are big for access to a guild trader.
• RP guilds for your rp
• Trial guilds/dungeon guilds/pvp guilds all help when looking for other people to run content with
• Pure socialization guilds are fun too
• Housing guilds help players who are into housing, which is a big aspect of the game for some

Lots of guilds will also host events/raffles/etc which are really fun to participate in. My favorite thing I've done was human darts in craglorn

5) Crafting is the most efficient way to earn gold, but you can farm mats to sell, sell gear you get from the overworld, flip items on the trader, and steal things to sell. People also get creative with it- I know of someone who sells their house decorating services (and is really awesome!).

9) There are toxic edgelords, but there are also tons of really helpful and friendly pvpers. I'd recommend checking twitch communities- you can find some great people there. Off the top of my head, Doomaflitchy is a great and very positive streamer who runs a lot of battlegrounds, and has a guild with a bunch of friendly pvpers.

10) Gear does affect your build, but it's not the end-all be-all. Cp has a big impact, but even more so your actual play style. You can have the best gear and cp in game, but if you only spam a single ability you're gonna have a rough time. Weaving, order of abilities, buffs, etc is the biggest factor in your dps. Others can correct me if I'm wrong but in terms of fighting strength order of importance goes gear-->cp-->your rotation of skills

11) Not sure about enemy scaling, but for crafting that's correct. 50% of the nodes you find are based on your level and 50% are your passives. But you can always buy lower mats from guild traders, and unless you're crafting things for other people or alts, you won't need those lower level mats.

Ithilis

I can answer of roleplaying: it is nowadays possible to search guilds in the game and you can filter guilds by Social:Roleplaying.
I do not know how it is on console, I am PC EU and there certainly are lot of roleplaying groups.

azjuwelz

#1: It's . . . . really, really small.

#2: TOO MANY CHANGES TO COUNT. Read the patch notes and you'll get an idea.

#3: Guild members can help answer all these questions and more, but no, there's no "buff" for belonging to a guild. It's more of a way to organize group play. Very difficult to progress through a veteran 12 man trial if the players involved are never the same.

#6: It's part of the equation, but only part. A lot of other things also influence the damage you do.

#11: The world doesn't scale itself to you--the game augments your abilities and stats to sort of "level you up" and adjusts your numbers as you actually increase level.

Royaji

1) Roleplayers are around. But you won't find much open world spontaneous RP in ESO. It's usually pre-planned events organised by roleplay guilds between themselves in someones house.

2) Not for someone who is just doing quests.

3) Social reasons only. You know, if you want a group to roleplay with, for instance. And of course for trading as you mention.

4) No official announcements were made. Although PS5 is backwards compatible so most likely you will just be able to play your "PS4" ESO on PS5. Possibly with a slight graphical update.

5) Crafting is a decent way of making money but not in a way you are probably expecting. Crafting for other players is a no go, you won't make any gold that way. But you get a decent amount of gold and expensive upgrade materials for doing daily quests (called "writs") that require you to deliver some basic crafted items to an NPC. Running that on 10-18 characters daily quickly adds up. The other big moneymaker is "playing" the traders. The whole, "buy low, sell high" shizz. Material farming can also work but it's not that lucrative due to botting these days

6) Yes, damage of your stamina skills scales (among other things like Weapon Damage) from maximum stamina. Vice versa for magicka skills and max magicka.

7) Yeah, about that... That's not Skyrim. ESO's archery works the exact same way as any other MMO's, no aiming involved. And generally it's not the strongest playstyle. Although bow is the strongest backbar (read "apply DoTs and switch to a different weapon") stamina weapon in the game. Works fine for questing too.

8) Yeah more or less.

9) There's one tactic in ESO PvP. Stack up in a ball and follow the crown. That's about it. You can find PvP "roleplaying" guilds which try to do some kind of warfare tactics thing but they are usually swiftly rolled over by an aforementioned ball. PvP community is your basic PvP community in any other game. Some people are nice and some are not.

10) You get a decent amount of your power from gear. And a decent amount from first 300 CP points. After that the influence of CP is not that big due to diminishing returns. Although the biggest part is player skill and basic game understanding. The best player in the world will still be godlike with even easily-acquirable gear and 300 CP and someone who has 810 CP and all the best sets in the game but has no clue what the hell "rotation" and "light attack weave" means will still sit at newbie numbers.

11) The world is not scaled at all. Instead the game scales any low-level (pre CP160) character up. So at the beginning you will have crazy high stats since the game will over-buff you to offset the fact that you have less abilites and passives than a fully leveled character. As you are leveling up this scaling buff will slowly disappear. It also stops working when you gear is too far below your level.

Lower level crafting materials can be acquired from those writs I've described earlier.

Varana

#2: Nothing like the difference between launch and One Tamriel, or things like that. Skills have gone up and down, and some have changed, and stuff like that, so be prepared to respec and train a few new skills. But the general idea has stayed the same.

#3: When you're getting into more serious PvE content, being in a guild with organised raids is obviously better than relying on PUGging in Craglorn. PvP-wise, going into Cyrodiil with a group of friends is always better than alone. Essentially - the social aspect, yes.

#8: There's a difference between abilities, and some skill lines.
Armour skill lines level up when you gain XP while wearing a piece of that armour weight.
Guild and Alliance War skill lines level up when you do stuff for these guilds - fight undead or daedra for the Fighters' Guild, read lore books for the Mages, do quests for the others, get AP for the Alliance skills lines.
Abilities level up if you have it slotted and get XP. You don't need to be able to use the ability - if you slot a bow ability but use a two-handed sword, that bow ability will still level up. It's useful to slot all the stuff you want to level on the active bar before handing in quests. The passive bar doesn't count.
Other skill lines - weapons and class skills - get better when you have one of their abilities slotted and get XP. If you have one bow ability on your active bar, part of the experience you gain for that ability also gets distributed to your bow skill line.

#10: Another very important part is player skill. For doing damage, having a good rotation, weave in light attacks between skills regularly, and practicing that, is often more important than gear or CP (within reason).

#11: In ESO, it's not the world that is scaled, YOU are scaled. The world is set fixed to level 50 (iirc). If you are below that, you get various bonuses for stats, damage, and so on, bringing you up to a level where you can be useful. You won't be equal to an advanced player in full trial gear but it's enough to do the content. (That also means that it's important to regularly update your gear (in terms of gear level, don't bother with sets) if you're levelling and have difficulties because the game slowly takes away the scaling bonus.)

Ksariyu

So I'll try to answer to the best of my ability each question. I know there's already a few kind folks who have given their input, but sometimes different wording can help. I don't know. Anyway.
Right up front, I'll say honestly that if FFXIV weren't sub-based, I'd probably still be playing that over ESO. That said, perhaps things look different from your side of the fence. So for the actual questions. . .

#1: Roleplaying guilds seem as prevalent as ever, at least on PC NA. There's usually at least one RP guild recruiting every time I get on (Often more), and the guild finder provides "Roleplaying" as a filter option so you can find and apply to them directly. That said, random RP out in the world does seem to be on the decline, as most players find it easier to host events in their homes. Not entirely extinct though.

#2: There have been innumerable buffs, nerfs, and skill reworks since Morrowind's release. However, the general combat, leveling, and questing systems remain untouched, so you won't be going in blind should you choose to return. There are new storylines in the Summerset and Elsweyr expansions (Including a new tutorial section), as well as the smaller DLC, but nothing that will exceptionally change how you play the game.

#3: The most common purposes for a guild are A. Trading (You must be in a guild with a trader to sell to other players), B. Trials/Endgame content (PUGs are still quite popular, but for someone new to endgame content, guilds can be a much more friendly and helpful place to learn), and C. RP.

#4: As far as I know, nothing official has come out about this. However, unless the game suddenly dies in the next year, I highly doubt it won't at least make it on backwards compatibility. A full, upgraded port might be unrealistic though.

#5: Trading is likely the biggest money maker if you're good at it. Crafting and gathering can also be quite lucrative if you have the time, but they're also big investments (Gathering is also losing its value to bots, as stated by Royaji). Outside of that, grinding dungeons and overland mobs for trash or set items, pickpocketing/murdering NPCs, and treasure chest looting are also common methods for generating gold.

#6: Max stamina increases the damage and healing of skills that cost stamina to use, as well as the damage of Light and Heavy attacks with non-staff weapons. Magicka does the same for magicka-based skills and basic attacks with Destruction and Restoration staffs.

#7: It sounds like you used archery a bit in your first playthrough, which probably tells you most of what you need to know about it. The Bow ultimate (Not sure if weapon ultimates existed when you last played) is probably one of the best single-target PvE ultimates, and Volley (The raining arrows) is still a staple skill for anyone who uses a bow. They also have solid damage over time and disengage abilities, but builds that exclusively use bows are generally considered weaker than other stam builds overall. They do exist though, and you can clear all content in the game using only a bow if you so choose.

#8: Correct. For all weapon and armor skill lines, you simply have to equip a weapon or armor piece to gain XP in the associated skill line (Note: For armor, you must equip 3 pieces of the same type to unlock its skill line). Any activity that gives you normal XP will work towards leveling those lines. For weapons, you can increase the speed of leveling by having skills from that line on your hotbar, and you can even level skills from a different weapon type this way once you've unlocked at least one skill from that line. Armor leveling speed is increased by having more pieces of that type equipped.

#9: In my experience, I've found players in this game to be pretty on-par with what you'd find in FFXIV as far as friendliness. In PvP in particular, people are more likely to ignore you rather than be toxic, but of course you do get those few on occasion. Some may even be helpful.

#10: Due to how level scaling works, gear does play a pretty significant role in your strength until you hit CP160 (The beginning of endgame). Gear does not go past CP160 though, so once you've obtained gear of that level, its effect on your character's strength is mostly a matter of matching the set bonuses to the type of character you want to make. Champion Points themselves are also quite potent in the beginning, but diminishing returns makes them less relevant once you get past 300 (This level unlocks the last tier of dungeons as well). Skill ranks are pretty irrelevant except for allowing you to morph them at rank 5 - the difference between a rank 1 skill and rank 4 is rather negligible in terms of damage/healing.

#11: So the big thing to remember with level scaling is that players are scaled to the world, not the other way around. All overland mobs are CP160. All players below level 50 receive a buff that increases their primary combat stats to be around CP160 as well, and this buff becomes weaker as your character gains their own attributes and skills. Gear is also weakened if it is lower than your character level, until gear level 160 where this stops. Behind the scenes, it's a rather complicated system, but for the most part you can ignore it by just playing the game as you normally would. In the case of materials, you will find mats of the tier that matches your character level, as well as what matches the appropriate crafting level, for a max of two possible tiers at a time. So yes, if you're max level and max crafting, you'll only find max level mats.

Hopefully this was helpful, and best of luck in your future gaming endeavors.