Update 44 is now available for testing on the PTS! You can read the latest patch notes here: https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/categories/pts

Which benefits a character more, Psijics or Antiquities?

Evolvei
Evolvei
✭✭
Going to do both. Want to do most beneficial first.
  • fizl101
    fizl101
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    ✭✭
    Depends on the character I guess, but for me antiquities. Only thing I use from the psijic line is seeing portals.
    Soupy twist
  • Mushroomancer
    Mushroomancer
    ✭✭✭✭
    It really depends on what your goals in the game are.
    If you want to go for endgame PvE, antiquities are more important. There aren't many mythic items that are needed, but as of the current meta a couple of them are pretty much mandatory on certain roles or even specific trials.
    If you want to do PvP, I believe some psijic abilities are still used there, especially the ultimate to the skill-line, and the Elemental Weapon spammable is still used by some in PvE too. Other than that, I would recommend doing at least the first quest to get the first passive that lets you see portals, can get some decent loot from those.

    If you want to play casually just do whatever floats your boat, neither are really required for those activities. Although antiquities can net you a bunch of cool furnishing items, so that's another thing that could be interesting if you're into housing.
    Edited by Mushroomancer on March 3, 2022 10:15AM
    PC | EU 1600+ CP

    Chews-On-Shrooms - Argonian (EP) | Healer Warden
    I know I have a problem, leave me alone:

    Nirya Urayel - Altmer (EP) | Healer/Magicka Templar
    Ulen Favel - Dunmer (EP) | Magicka Nightblade
    Anise Favel - Dunmer (EP) | Magicka Dragonknight
    Vivienne Rielle - Breton (EP) | Hybrid Healer/Magicka Necromancer
    Gaspar Rielle - Breton (DC) | Magicka Sorcerer
    Ulfgar the Foul - Nord (EP) | Tank Necromancer
    Plays-With-Chains - Argonian (EP) | Tank Dragonknight
    Sonje the Wild - Nord (EP) | Tank Warden
    Brutus Lovidicus - Imperial (EP) | Tank Nightblade
    Velms Ienith - Dunmer (EP) | Tank Sorcerer
    Cassius Lanius - Imperial (EP) | Tank/Stamina Templar
    Shakar-gro-Khazgur - Orc (DC) | Stamina Dragonknight
    Liette Nightwind - Bosmer (AD) | Stamina Nightblade
    Ja'khar the Salty - Khajiit (EP) | Stamina Necromancer
    Saadia al-Tava - Redguard (EP) | Stamina Sorcerer
    Gwinas Hemp-Burner - Bosmer (EP) | Stamina Warden
    Grand Master Crafter, All Dungeon HM up to Stonethorn, vCrag HM, vDSA, vMA, Dro-m'Athra Destroyer, vHOF HM, vAS+2, Gryphon Heart, vBRP, vSS HM (Extinguisher of Flames),
    vKA HM (Shield of the North), vRG 1/3HM
  • Jaimeh
    Jaimeh
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    I agree it depends on the character and their build, but I'd say overall antiquities, because you can get mythic items, which can be very beneficial. The Psijic skill line also has useful skills and passives, but usually most players do it for the chanelled acceleration skill (which gives minor force), however, you can get the same buff with barbed trap in the meantime. From the two though, Psijic is much faster to complete, you can definitely do it in 3 hours if you have a guide of the locations, whereas antiquities can take days.
  • fred4
    fred4
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    ✭✭✭
    For PvE, I'll second Antiquities. The chest viewing passive alone is such a boon in dungeons and trials. The most notable mythic for endgame PvE is probably Harpooner's Wading Kilt, but there are some for all kinds of builds.

    For PvP it's a tougher call. As a stamina character, go for Antiquities. As a non-vampire magicka character, Race Against Time is practically a must. That skill also suits some stamina builds, but then again the Wild Hunt and Markyn rings, as well as Death Dealer's Fete for magsorcs, are all close to BIS (best in slot).
    PC EU: Magblade (PvP main), DK (PvE Tank), Sorc (PvP and PvE), Magden (PvE Healer), Magplar (PvP and PvE DD), Arcanist (PvE DD)
    PC NA: Magblade (PvP and PvE every role)
  • Necrotech_Master
    Necrotech_Master
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    if you are unlocking both skill lines, psijic can be done significantly faster than the antiquity skill lines

    it takes maybe a couple hours to do entire psijic line, but likely several days to a week minimum to do antiquity skill lines

    if you didnt mind psijic taking a little longer you could work both at the same time:
    1. go to zone you need time rifts
    2. scry the basic zone antiquities
    3. hit antiquity sites on the way to time rifts, or hit a time rift on the way to antiquity site
    4. profit?
    plays PC/NA
    handle @Necrotech_Master
    active player since april 2014

    i have my main house (grand topal hideaway) listed in the housing tours, it has multiple target dummies, scribing altar, and grandmaster stations (in progress being filled out), as well as almost every antiquity furnishing on display to preview them

    feel free to stop by and use the facilities
  • Evolvei
    Evolvei
    ✭✭
    If I can do only first psijic quest to be able to see portals to get more resources then gradually do antiquities while watching for portals and leveling some on the way seems like that would be optimum for me. Looking forward to getting some of those skills and items mentioned.

    Nice that there are knowledgeable people here that are willing to help us clueless noobs.

    Thank You all very much.
  • El_Borracho
    El_Borracho
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    ✭✭✭
    The Psijic line seems to come in and out of fashion every other update. Currently, Channeled Acceleration and Elemental Weapon are the meta for several PVE DD builds. Both are deep in the Psijic skill line. You can easily be a top end DD without these skills, but they are relevant and effective for PVE.

    I will second what everyone else has said about the Antiquities skill line. Plus, if you finish it, the perk to make treasure chests more visible is more than worth it. Especially in dark group dungeons.

    There is one MASSIVE bonus to completing the Psijic skill line: it unlocks it in the Crown Store for your other characters. While I am about as stingy as it gets with crowns, this one is worth buying for an alternate. I don't think I can listen to another of that skull's awful cockney jokes while doing fetch quests all over Tamriel.

    EDIT: Forgot one thing. One of the leads for the Thrassian Stranglers is from Psijic portals on Summerset. So you're going to need to at least open the skill line
    Edited by El_Borracho on March 3, 2022 7:18PM
  • fred4
    fred4
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    ✭✭✭
    The Psijic line seems to come in and out of fashion every other update.
    On the PvP side I would say it's never been out of fashion. Magicka characters had been clamouring for a snare removal tool since time immemorial. Before Race Against Time I went so far as to run Forward Momentum on my magblade. You could build around that by being a stamina toon or a vampire or a streaking sorc, but these days Race Against Time is arguably the default option. It works on some stamina specs as well. Furthermore Temporal Guard is a great back bar ultimate in PvP.

    The other morph of the ultimate, Precognition, is a specialist tool for soloing some PvE content you can't otherwise solo. For example:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmdFvTrlaxQ

    Meanwhile Meditate has it's uses in PvP, but I'm also exploring it for dungeon tanking:

    https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/comment/7525277
    PC EU: Magblade (PvP main), DK (PvE Tank), Sorc (PvP and PvE), Magden (PvE Healer), Magplar (PvP and PvE DD), Arcanist (PvE DD)
    PC NA: Magblade (PvP and PvE every role)
  • Bitter_Apple21
    @Evolvei

    I wasn't smart enough to ask your question, so I floundered.

    However, as a newbie, I ended up doing the Psijic first - not by intent - but did then discover the portals. That helped farm the enchanting mats and some exemplary jewelry for researching for crafting.

    Sometime after that, when I was trying to get weapons from dungeons, I learned about the perk of the Antiquities line that @El_Borracho and @fred4 mentioned about seeing the chests in the dark.

    That perk became very useful when I went back into the dungeons.

    Not up there yet for the advanced use of the skills for either line so cannot comment.

    Good luck.

    Edited by Bitter_Apple21 on March 4, 2022 2:38AM
  • tsaescishoeshiner
    tsaescishoeshiner
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    ✭✭
    Psijic benefits your character more, but ONLY if you're going to use those skills.

    For PvE, this essentially only means Imbue Weapon, since even mag players might use Trap Beast instead of Acceleration next patch.

    For PvP, this means Imbue Weapon, Acceleration, or Undo, depending on your build. Not everyone uses these.

    Antiquities benefits your WHOLE account—but only if you're gonna farm them, or you have rare leads that will expire. I would maybe start with this one if you're not gonna use any Psijic skills actively.
    PC-NA
    in-game: @tsaescishoeshiner
  • Necrotech_Master
    Necrotech_Master
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    The Psijic line seems to come in and out of fashion every other update. Currently, Channeled Acceleration and Elemental Weapon are the meta for several PVE DD builds. Both are deep in the Psijic skill line. You can easily be a top end DD without these skills, but they are relevant and effective for PVE.

    I will second what everyone else has said about the Antiquities skill line. Plus, if you finish it, the perk to make treasure chests more visible is more than worth it. Especially in dark group dungeons.

    There is one MASSIVE bonus to completing the Psijic skill line: it unlocks it in the Crown Store for your other characters. While I am about as stingy as it gets with crowns, this one is worth buying for an alternate. I don't think I can listen to another of that skull's awful cockney jokes while doing fetch quests all over Tamriel.

    EDIT: Forgot one thing. One of the leads for the Thrassian Stranglers is from Psijic portals on Summerset. So you're going to need to at least open the skill line

    i actually enjoy doing the psijic questline entirely for the crystal skulls jokes, i find him hilarious and makes the rest of the psijic grind a lot less painful
    plays PC/NA
    handle @Necrotech_Master
    active player since april 2014

    i have my main house (grand topal hideaway) listed in the housing tours, it has multiple target dummies, scribing altar, and grandmaster stations (in progress being filled out), as well as almost every antiquity furnishing on display to preview them

    feel free to stop by and use the facilities
  • Evolvei
    Evolvei
    ✭✭
    The worst part so far was trying to find Artaeum on the map with the mouse cursor, then after google find out I had to do the first Summerset quest to be able to get to Artaeum, then going to Summerset traveling around and not being able to find the quest starter NPC, then after google again finding out I can start DLC quests by going to collections menu and selecting stories.
    Edited by Evolvei on March 4, 2022 6:02PM
  • El_Borracho
    El_Borracho
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    ✭✭✭
    The Psijic line seems to come in and out of fashion every other update. Currently, Channeled Acceleration and Elemental Weapon are the meta for several PVE DD builds. Both are deep in the Psijic skill line. You can easily be a top end DD without these skills, but they are relevant and effective for PVE.

    I will second what everyone else has said about the Antiquities skill line. Plus, if you finish it, the perk to make treasure chests more visible is more than worth it. Especially in dark group dungeons.

    There is one MASSIVE bonus to completing the Psijic skill line: it unlocks it in the Crown Store for your other characters. While I am about as stingy as it gets with crowns, this one is worth buying for an alternate. I don't think I can listen to another of that skull's awful cockney jokes while doing fetch quests all over Tamriel.

    EDIT: Forgot one thing. One of the leads for the Thrassian Stranglers is from Psijic portals on Summerset. So you're going to need to at least open the skill line

    i actually enjoy doing the psijic questline entirely for the crystal skulls jokes, i find him hilarious and makes the rest of the psijic grind a lot less painful

    They were funny the first time. Not the second or third. :)
  • Necrotech_Master
    Necrotech_Master
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    The Psijic line seems to come in and out of fashion every other update. Currently, Channeled Acceleration and Elemental Weapon are the meta for several PVE DD builds. Both are deep in the Psijic skill line. You can easily be a top end DD without these skills, but they are relevant and effective for PVE.

    I will second what everyone else has said about the Antiquities skill line. Plus, if you finish it, the perk to make treasure chests more visible is more than worth it. Especially in dark group dungeons.

    There is one MASSIVE bonus to completing the Psijic skill line: it unlocks it in the Crown Store for your other characters. While I am about as stingy as it gets with crowns, this one is worth buying for an alternate. I don't think I can listen to another of that skull's awful cockney jokes while doing fetch quests all over Tamriel.

    EDIT: Forgot one thing. One of the leads for the Thrassian Stranglers is from Psijic portals on Summerset. So you're going to need to at least open the skill line

    i actually enjoy doing the psijic questline entirely for the crystal skulls jokes, i find him hilarious and makes the rest of the psijic grind a lot less painful

    They were funny the first time. Not the second or third. :)

    its more refreshing when you go a long period between them lol

    i did psijic when it first came out, and the first quest to unlock psijic for the psijic portals on all of my toons, and then i basically didnt touch psijic quests for like almost 3-4 years lol

    i also find the skulls voice easier to listen to than say bastion or eveli, they are just grating
    plays PC/NA
    handle @Necrotech_Master
    active player since april 2014

    i have my main house (grand topal hideaway) listed in the housing tours, it has multiple target dummies, scribing altar, and grandmaster stations (in progress being filled out), as well as almost every antiquity furnishing on display to preview them

    feel free to stop by and use the facilities
  • Wandering_Immigrant
    Wandering_Immigrant
    ✭✭✭✭
    The main reason I would do antiquities first is that if you happen upon with any hard to get leads that end up expiring because you decided to do psijic first, you'll be kicking yourself when you go to farm them later.

    Besides that I think antiquities is more useful anyway. Mythic items give bonuses that can't be replicated with any other single piece of gear and are really even fairly unique when compared to five piece bonuses. The psijic skill line, while useful, won't give you any buffs or benefits that can't be gotten through other sources for the time being. The only thing there that's truly unique is the ultimate, but there's plenty of useful ultimates in the game that you can get by with for now.

    Plus the treasure chest thing from antiquities is great, and mythic items can be shared between your characters so they'll benefit your whole account not just the character in question.
Sign In or Register to comment.