Alikr Desert anchors

Thalmor-Nordmaster

It is a great way to unwind after many dungeon runs. You will get sleepy and then you can logoff totally relaxed. Very therapeutic.

phairdon

Still joins the dolmen grind from time to time. Amount of players present can increase significantly when XP events are running too.

kargen27

Joining a group gives you credit for anything the group kills. You can be late to the dolman but if you are near enough you get XP for all the kills. You might not get loot from the boss but you get the XP and you get the chest.

Lady_Lindel

With all the things one can rightfully complain about with this game, you choose the one thing everyone knows about and doesn't have a problem with. Guessing you are fairly new. Personally I was there yesterday, I don't do the run but I will use the speed of the dolmen just to level up my character's bow skill line for battlegrounds. Also, to me, it adds a nice aspect, whereby other zones can appear dead, but never in the desert.

Dem_kitkats1

Ulvich wrote: »

I rarely go out there, but next time I do I will make the adjustments. As for the groups attacking anchors.... I really prefer to do them solo. It helps keep me sharp.

Just spam the alphabet and you'll get into a group without having to interact with anyone. But if you want more of a challenge to do it solo or with fewer people I would recommend Deshaan. The dolmens rotate there quite frequently.

Jusey1

Deter1UK wrote: »

Possibly to guarantee credit for the kill? Did a Daily anchor while passing through and the boss went down so fast I did around 2% of the damage and no gear awarded (not that I needed either). If you are level 5 your wasting your time unless grouped I suspect.

Last I check, as long as you are AGGRO with the enemies at the dolmen, you get credited. That and removing any of the Dolmen anchor locks, including the final one, gives credit. I once cleared a dolmen in Cyrodiil simply by removing the last pin... Apparently someone killed everything and then left, didn't bother to remove the dolmen. (Free dolmen loot and clear).

endgamesmug

Thats where players learn how to light attack with a bow before they hit the dungeons at 160 it appears to me

Odovacar

Also....It's on the more mind-numbing side of grinding. I've leveled several alts there and i literally wanted to fall asleep at many points, lol. There are better ways but sadly newer players usually find their way to Alik'r and imo ruin the more organic way of playing fresh in ESO. #Lostinthedesert

dem0n1k

Oreyn_Bearclaw wrote: »

I really never understood this. Yes, Alikr has the shortest distance between Wayshrines and Dolmens, so it is the fastest of all the zones to clear them, but there are so much better ways to power level if that is your goal. I suppose the answer is that it requires almost no skill or effort, where as the better farms at least require you to be half awake.

Correct! I often use the Alik'r dolmen train to level un-leveled skills. I put a bunch of non-sensical skills on my bar... it doesn't matter if I do almost no damage... these skills will still level fast & I can do it while streaming on my other screen.

It takes no effort, has a built-in mini horse race game & it's hilarious to hear Molag Bal spout off about his minions only to have them all deleted as soon as their feet hit the ground.

As for not being able to solo a dolmen... c'mon...even before dolmens were nerfed hard, they could still be solo'd with ease. They are stupidly easy now.

VampirateV

Personally, I only use the alikr dolmens to level FG and random skill lines. For instance, I decided a couple weeks ago to put in the effort and actually try to make pvp build (using armory) so I could have half a chance during the event. Resto back bar was recommended for my toon, but as a dps I'd never needed to use one before, so the skill line was only sitting at 3 from whatever bookcases I've read here and there. So here I went, running a scroll and training gear, and loading all the skills I needed on my frontbar. Once I got to level 30 on the skill line, I knew that the xp needed per level would start to ramp up significantly, so I rolled out and switched to doing dlc dailies (some offer higher xp than others at turn-in).

This is a fairly common way to level skill lines in a pinch, but is ESPECIALLY useful for players who tend to do more solo play, as it doesn't require either being OP or relying on group support in order to complete/reach your goals. It may not be the most efficient way overall, but for solo play it's pretty effective.

zaria

Oreyn_Bearclaw wrote: »

I really never understood this. Yes, Alikr has the shortest distance between Wayshrines and Dolmens, so it is the fastest of all the zones to clear them, but there are so much better ways to power level if that is your goal. I suppose the answer is that it requires almost no skill or effort, where as the better farms at least require you to be half awake.

It has some benefits like stuffing your bar with skills who are not for doing damage, yes you can switch before handing in quests or do master crafting writs who is more of an pro version of leveling skills fast.
For pure xp random normal dungeons I say is very good as it give good xp, skill point first time and items including new weapons. Yes its faster ways like black rose farm but require you to pay or pull your weight.
I say Auridon is better for grinding as its fewer player so you get xp from most kills but they still go down fast.

Castagere

That zones anchors are nuts. I get bad framerate drops because of all the players. What i do is just stand on the spot where the end boss drops and wait.

ADarklore

I actually LOVE doing dolmen runs... usually I do it on a new character, not just to level quickly, but also to get my favorite title, "Daedric Lord Slayer". Of course, after next update, I won't need to do this beyond level 50 since I'll be able to receive the title thanks to shared achievements.

Leftover_Pizza

jaws343 wrote: »

Oreyn_Bearclaw wrote: »

I really never understood this. Yes, Alikr has the shortest distance between Wayshrines and Dolmens, so it is the fastest of all the zones to clear them, but there are so much better ways to power level if that is your goal. I suppose the answer is that it requires almost no skill or effort, where as the better farms at least require you to be half awake.

Alikr also helps level Fighter's Guild while you are leveling normal XP. Plus the jewelry mats you get.

I do the FG grind at the Forgotten Crypts public dungeon in Deshaan. Almost every mob in there counts, except for the ghosts. Bosses get you 10XP, the fast respawning trash mobs 1, but there are loads of them and loops are short in there.

Sylvermynx

ADarklore wrote: »

I actually LOVE doing dolmen runs... usually I do it on a new character, not just to level quickly, but also to get my favorite title, "Daedric Lord Slayer". Of course, after next update, I won't need to do this beyond level 50 since I'll be able to receive the title thanks to shared achievements.

Well, it's an "each to her own" thing. I really seriously dislike the dolmen thing, whichever iteration we might be discussing.

Just.... ICK.

driosketch

Leftover_Pizza wrote: »

jaws343 wrote: »

Oreyn_Bearclaw wrote: »

I really never understood this. Yes, Alikr has the shortest distance between Wayshrines and Dolmens, so it is the fastest of all the zones to clear them, but there are so much better ways to power level if that is your goal. I suppose the answer is that it requires almost no skill or effort, where as the better farms at least require you to be half awake.

Alikr also helps level Fighter's Guild while you are leveling normal XP. Plus the jewelry mats you get.

I do the FG grind at the Forgotten Crypts public dungeon in Deshaan. Almost every mob in there counts, except for the ghosts. Bosses get you 10XP, the fast respawning trash mobs 1, but there are loads of them and loops are short in there.

Is that all? I doubt there's an easier way to level FG than the Alikr anchors. Remember, you get 20 FGXP just when the anchor closes. I closed one pin, and got an additional 14 FGXP just from my companion running around. That's 17 FGXP per minute without trying.

Edit: I did a quick run in Forgotten Crypts, there were 2 other players killing mob groups, so my rate was 14/15 FGXP per minute, and also Bosses appear to be only 5 FGXP. Once I waited them out, I was able to 25-30 FGXP in a minute just on mobs. So there are faster ways, but they are dependent on factors while the anchor run is easy mode.

blktauna

I love Dolmens. For me its a good time of mayhem and just thundering around. The bonus is a pile of jewelry mats, the occasional skill levelling of something I might be changing, FG kills and sometimes an add to my sticker book.

I can find soloable ones, ones swarming with players and everything in between.

It's not work, its fun and its low stress for those days when you need it.

fiender66

Usually I go to Alik'r dolmens only when I reach lvl 49 with a new toon.
Drop a 150% scroll and in say half an hr or less you are at 50.

Else I stay away, for the mayhem gives me a headache, lol. But the sight of the crowd is real fun to me.

Speaking of farming, what I find really annoying is the long, long time delve bosses take to spawn, once you have cleared the delve the first time, and this not only to REspawn, but also to appear when you return to the delve another time.

Leftover_Pizza

driosketch wrote: »

Leftover_Pizza wrote: »

jaws343 wrote: »

Oreyn_Bearclaw wrote: »

I really never understood this. Yes, Alikr has the shortest distance between Wayshrines and Dolmens, so it is the fastest of all the zones to clear them, but there are so much better ways to power level if that is your goal. I suppose the answer is that it requires almost no skill or effort, where as the better farms at least require you to be half awake.

Alikr also helps level Fighter's Guild while you are leveling normal XP. Plus the jewelry mats you get.

I do the FG grind at the Forgotten Crypts public dungeon in Deshaan. Almost every mob in there counts, except for the ghosts. Bosses get you 10XP, the fast respawning trash mobs 1, but there are loads of them and loops are short in there.

Is that all? I doubt there's an easier way to level FG than the Alikr anchors. Remember, you get 20 FGXP just when the anchor closes. I closed one pin, and got an additional 14 FGXP just from my companion running around. That's 17 FGXP per minute without trying.

Edit: I did a quick run in Forgotten Crypts, there were 2 other players killing mob groups, so my rate was 14/15 FGXP per minute, and also Bosses appear to be only 5 FGXP. Once I waited them out, I was able to 25-30 FGXP in a minute just on mobs. So there are faster ways, but they are dependent on factors while the anchor run is easy mode.

The respawn time of packs of mobs are so fast there, you have no traveling time at all. Just go about 2 bosses, which you don't even have to engage really. the mob packs at the Sherrif and Colossus and those alone get you a good 25-30FGXP per minute. No loading screens, no traveling from dolmen to dolmen, just run that patch and you'll have fresh mobs every time again. Plus, you rake up a nice amount of gold while doing that too.

If there are other groups/players killing mob groups, I just run along with them and tag mob packs with some AOE and get kills granted. That'll make it low effort too.

EvilAutoTech

My characters do each Alik'r dolmen exactly once.

Dark_Lord_Kuro

Ulvich wrote: »

madrab73 wrote: »

Ulvich wrote: »

In the past I have picked up the Fighter’s Guild daily which sent me out the Alikr Desert to shut down anchors. When I arrive I discover large groups farming them. These groups are also spamming chat with “X”, “Y”, and “Z”. It is so bad that I can’t keep in contact with friends because the chat is scrolling so fast. And the anchors are getting destroyed in an instant. This goes on every day, all day long.
What is going on out there? Are these bots, or are they really players? And what is the reason for the chat spamming? Are they announcing coordinance? Anyone can open the map and see which anchor will spawn next. That’s not rocket science.

5 minutes to clear the dolmen daily made you angry enough to make a forum post? You could just turn of text chat for the duration

Not angry, just trying to understand what is going on out there and why people can't solo them. My level 15 had no problem doing these solo, so why cant others?

Its not that they cant do it solo
All 3 dolmen being close to a wayshrine make rotation trough all 3 dolmen really fast and therefore exp given really fast too
So lots of people grind the dolmen in that zone for fast exp
As for why group or not, its simple you get exp for group mate kill(if im not mistaken) even if you dont touch that mob so potentially even more exp as all 12 group member may attack defferent mobs

DarcyMardin

I also love the craziness of the Alik’r dolmen runs. They’ve been going on continuously for so long, year after year, that I see them as an almost iconic feature of the game (unintended, I’m sure). I make a lot of alts, so I often join for a few rounds, either to level up, to level CP, or to level individual skills. They’re also a source of jewelry for new characters or alts leveling the jeweler craft. And they come in handy for quickly knocking out various endeavors, too.

I never stay for more than a few dolmens, because it gets boring fast, but I do consistently return every couple of days.

Brrrofski

It's pretty bad xp. Literally grinding any mobs will give you more xp. So, i wouldn't recommend spending a lot of time there.

But, it's very good when you're a low level and don't have skills to grind effectively. Or, if you want to level a bunch of skills that aren't aoe.

Also, it's very good for levelling fighter's guild. And an ok way to get jewellery to level that up.

And despite it being bad xp, sometimes I can't be bothered grinding properly, so it's ok to get some no effort xp.

ADarklore

People also seem to not mention that you gain tons of jewelry from dolmen runs... so it makes leveling Jewelry crafting a LOT faster by decon'ing all the drops. Actually, that's how I level Blacksmithing, Clothing, and Woodworking... by decon'ing everything I get from quests and dolmen runs. Usually I'm not much beyond level 50 when I have all four leveled.

starlizard70ub17_ESO

Aside from all the other benefits, the dolmen run is a good way to quickly level up a skill line you just acquired.

LiteEmUp

Castagere wrote: »

That zones anchors are nuts. I get bad framerate drops because of all the players. What i do is just stand on the spot where the end boss drops and wait.

lol alot of people think dolmen trains are fps killers, wait till you get the dragon trains in south elsweyr during event... my fps was crying for mercy during dragon trains compared to any alikr dolmen train i've ever did..

LiteEmUp

Brrrofski wrote: »

It's pretty bad xp. Literally grinding any mobs will give you more xp. So, i wouldn't recommend spending a lot of time there.

But, it's very good when you're a low level and don't have skills to grind effectively. Or, if you want to level a bunch of skills that aren't aoe.

Also, it's very good for levelling fighter's guild. And an ok way to get jewellery to level that up.

And despite it being bad xp, sometimes I can't be bothered grinding properly, so it's ok to get some no effort xp.

in terms of just xp, dolmens are simply the worst and BRP imo is the best.. with spellscar being the in the middle..


here's my take on some of the known xp farm methods

dolmen train

• lowest xp grind efficiency
• easiest to do, requires almost no effort; you can afk (for 15minutes or get kicked out of the server for idling too long) lol
• takes nearly less than a minute to complete a dolmen
• IMO best place to farm FG skill to lv 10
• levels up skills FAST
• IMO best farming method for jewelry mats

spellscar

• better grind efficiency than dolmen trains(assuming no one is farming on your spot too)
• less people than dolmen to deal with
• can be done solo, even at low levels
• BAD SIDE being that you have competition from other people xp farming; not doing damage on mobs as solo means no xp credit

skyreach catacombs(alternative to spellscar)

• in some ways better than spellscar when it comes to xp grind efficiency
• the dungeon is yours alone/group, means no competition for kills and xp
• requires decently built toon or your efficiency drops due to taking longer to kill mobs; which in this case might as well go to spellscar or alikr dolmen to better spend time efficiently

black rose prison (1st mob group grinding)

• IMO the best place for xp farming; can gegt level 1 to 50 on a couple of hours(depending on how many xp bonus from scrolls/eso plus)
• BAD SIDE about brp is that it is an group arena(similar to dragonstar arena, but more challenging), which means it is going to be impossible to do this at low levels or with crappy built toon
• would require a carry from a "stronger" teammate to xp level farming; and carries can cost ALOT OF MONEY
• good way to grind gold for doing powerleveling services..

p_tsakirisb16_ESO

Ulvich wrote: »

In the past I have picked up the Fighter’s Guild daily which sent me out the Alikr Desert to shut down anchors. When I arrive I discover large groups farming them. These groups are also spamming chat with “X”, “Y”, and “Z”. It is so bad that I can’t keep in contact with friends because the chat is scrolling so fast. And the anchors are getting destroyed in an instant. This goes on every day, all day long.
What is going on out there? Are these bots, or are they really players? And what is the reason for the chat spamming? Are they announcing coordinance? Anyone can open the map and see which anchor will spawn next. That’s not rocket science.

Is for people who want to level fast and train Fighters guild.

The irony is while doing so, could pick a better zone like Deshaan, which again the anchors are close to shrines, and get drops that could sell for good money. Instead of the useless sets from Alikr.

Hurbster

I have always preferred Deshaan anyway.

purple-magicb16_ESO

Suddwrath wrote: »

As others have said, these are players who want to quickly level new characters and the fighter’s guild skill line.

The X/Y/Z’s in chat are from players requesting to be invited to groups participating in the dolmen train. If you play on PC, many players use an add-on which automatically invites other players to a group based on chat text. For instance, someone with the add-on can automatically invite someone to their group if that person types “X” in the zone chat. However, since so many players participate in these dolmen trains, the groups quickly fill up. Therefore, another group may use “Y”, “Z”, “XX”, etc as their invite keyword if the X group is already full. If you play on console, the group leader might say in the zone chat “X for inv” or “Y for inv” and what they are saying is type X in zone chat for an invite. It’s just a matter of saving time since typing “X” in the chat is quicker and more efficient than typing “may I please be invited to a dolmen train group?”

Also, just as a side note- in ESO “X” is synonymous with “invite”. So if you ever say something like “Forming a group to run suchandsuch trial/dungeon” in the zone chat and someone responds with “X”, they are asking for an invite. So as a general rule of thumb whenever you see letters in a chat it’s most likely players asking for an invite to something.

X,Y,Z is only for Alik'r dolmens. Do that in any other zone or even for Alik'r boss groups and they won't know what you want. It's different for every zone depending on what dungeon/boss group you're trying to join.

The Alik'r Dolmen train is for people who've played the game with multiple characters and have experienced the questlines over and over and have opted to level quicker this way rather than running questlines continuously. ZOS is well aware of how players use this zone and are okay with it.