Does Alchemy even matter for most players?

disky

I know that utilizing certain potions can make a big difference in high-level play, but I'm curious about this because it has never mattered to me in my years of playing the game...does the average player actually spend time crafting or spend money purchasing potions/poisons? I have a trove of Crown Store potions and poisons stashed away, and I'm frequently given more so I never have to worry about running out. They're good enough that I'm unconcerned with Alchemy as a profession, and anything I loot is destroyed or sold to merchants.

So for most players...is there even a point? Like I said, I've been playing for years and I haven't found one, but I'd love to know what other players think. Perhaps even more important, I'd love to be given a reason to actually consider it in gameplay.

sarahthes

disky wrote: »

I know that utilizing certain potions can make a big difference in high-level play, but I'm curious about this because it has never mattered to me in my years of playing the game...does the average player actually spend time crafting or spend money purchasing potions/poisons? I have a trove of Crown Store potions and poisons stashed away, and I'm frequently given more so I never have to worry about running out. They're good enough that I'm unconcerned with Alchemy as a profession, and anything I loot is destroyed or sold to merchants.

So for most players...is there even a point? Like I said, I've been playing for years and I haven't found one, but I'd love to know what other players think. Perhaps even more important, I'd love to be given a reason to actually consider it in gameplay.

I spent millions a week on potions, or on mats for making my own potions, and hours per week on farming for mats to make potions.

I raid at a pretty high level and I pvp too (although how good I am at pvp is debatable). I'm probably not typical.

disky

sarahthes wrote: »

disky wrote: »

I know that utilizing certain potions can make a big difference in high-level play, but I'm curious about this because it has never mattered to me in my years of playing the game...does the average player actually spend time crafting or spend money purchasing potions/poisons? I have a trove of Crown Store potions and poisons stashed away, and I'm frequently given more so I never have to worry about running out. They're good enough that I'm unconcerned with Alchemy as a profession, and anything I loot is destroyed or sold to merchants.

So for most players...is there even a point? Like I said, I've been playing for years and I haven't found one, but I'd love to know what other players think. Perhaps even more important, I'd love to be given a reason to actually consider it in gameplay.

I spent millions a week on potions, or on mats for making my own potions, and hours per week on farming for mats to make potions.

I raid at a pretty high level and I pvp too (although how good I am at pvp is debatable). I'm probably not typical.

Yeah, for you that makes sense, but I have to agree that you're an atypical player.

Czeri

In normal dungeons and normal trials the tri-pots from daily rewards serve me well enough, and there is so much of them I never run out. So no, I can't say I use alchemy in my gameplay. I do occasionally sell potions, though. It's a great way of making gold.

Necrotech_Master

for me i dont hardly use potions

i use some of the freebie tripots when im doing stuff like running difficult content (vet trials or dungeons) or pvp, mostly for sustain (depending on the character)

i pretty much never craft potions, i only use the given crown tripots, and generic dropped pots

Taggund

For PVP, absolutely.
For, PVE not at all. Crown store tri-pots from the daily rewards are all I use, same as for food.

Lugaldu

Alchemy is an important source of income for me, making and selling poisons is a nice source of gold.

Warhawke_80

I'm a Nord...Alchemy is evil...and dangerous.

LunaFlora

i craft invisibility potions for thievery.

edited to add:
and of course i craft potions and poisons for daily and master writs

AcadianPaladin

When I need a poison (like for a daily endeavor), I use the daily log in ones.
When I need hp, mag or stam, I pop one of the daily log in tristats.

I do like the alchemy perks that make potions last longer and doing writs so I do have it fully leveled.
I also make small numbers of potions that combine invisibility with speed. I rarely use them but they are handy in some stealthy scenarios or to escape from a guard.

DinoZavr

we don't know players' demographics and Zeni never told us, i doubt they will.
i mean that if you play non-subscribed your 240 slots bank has like 170-180 slots with 4 gear crafting materials and tempers, plus basic style stones. the fifth craft you can afford without subscription is Enchanting, and this makes a lot of sense, as you can craft gear, improve and enchant it.
Alchemy and Provisioning require 50+ banks slots each, and, though it is possible to hoard alchemy materials often switching to inventory mules toons, which extract these 2 crafts mats from the bank - often switching toons is very inconvenient, so for this certain scenario i'd prefer to buy potions and food/drinks, rather than craft them myself.i cannot afford these with limited bank space.
With craftbag you have zero problems. and investing 1 skillpoint into Alchemy Keen Eye helps to pick up plants while you travel.
TL/DR; the decision to do Alchemy or not also depends on players' subscription status. this refers to "most" in your question

kevkj

The white essence of health potions you can find lying around are the only thing that stops Varallion from beating my ass into the ground.

Hapexamendios

In normal dungeons, trials and early stages of IA, I don't use many. Harder content I use a lot.

OtarTheMad

Hardest content I do is veteran dlc dungeons and vet solo arenas, and that’s only sometimes. So I do have some potions just for that.

For the rest I have tri-pots and poisons I’ve collected via crown crates and daily rewards.

Wildberryjack

Oh yes. Not only do I use potions but I sell a lot of them on the traders.

CrashTest

I'm pretty sure it's just the PvE and PvP endgamers that eat pots like candy. I can't think of any other type of gameplay where pots would be necessary to maintain rotations and buffs.

kargen27

Almost every trial with any guild I've been in starts with crown saying check your food and charges, make sure you have potions. Crown potions work most the time but the specialty potions do make a difference past a certain point.

DenverRalphy

I'm surprised at how many people seem to be using Health/Tri Pots in PvE content. I never use them in PvE content, as I use Weap/Spellpower pots exclusively in vet PvE, and Immovability/Invis when theiving. Any vet PvE is easy to get away with a simple self heal skill to lessen the burden of the healer in the group, and keeping the potion slot/cooldown open for Mag/Stam boosts and a boost to damage output.

PvP players though, chew through Tri-Pots like candy. There aren't enough freebie giveaways to keep them stocked for more than a coupe of days at best.

Want to know if Alchemy matters to most players? Just take a gander at the posts screaming about the price and availability of Columbine that pops up every few months.

oldbobdude

I make and use a lot of essence of spell power for vet content.

LaintalAy

DenverRalphy wrote: »

I'm surprised at how many people seem to be using Health/Tri Pots in PvE content. I never use them in PvE content, as I use Weap/Spellpower pots exclusively in vet PvE, and Immovability/Invis when theiving. Any vet PvE is easy to get away with a simple self heal skill to lessen the burden of the healer in the group, and keeping the potion slot/cooldown open for Mag/Stam boosts and a boost to damage output.

PvP players though, chew through Tri-Pots like candy. There aren't enough freebie giveaways to keep them stocked for more than a coupe of days at best.

Want to know if Alchemy matters to most players? Just take a gander at the posts screaming about the price and availability of Columbine that pops up every few months.

The availability of Columbine really hasn't changed; I find it everywhere. People run past it. I find enough regularly to make a few pots to sell. So from what I see, the people complaining about the high price, aren't the ones farming it.

DenverRalphy

LaintalAy wrote: »

DenverRalphy wrote: »

I'm surprised at how many people seem to be using Health/Tri Pots in PvE content. I never use them in PvE content, as I use Weap/Spellpower pots exclusively in vet PvE, and Immovability/Invis when theiving. Any vet PvE is easy to get away with a simple self heal skill to lessen the burden of the healer in the group, and keeping the potion slot/cooldown open for Mag/Stam boosts and a boost to damage output.

PvP players though, chew through Tri-Pots like candy. There aren't enough freebie giveaways to keep them stocked for more than a coupe of days at best.

Want to know if Alchemy matters to most players? Just take a gander at the posts screaming about the price and availability of Columbine that pops up every few months.

The availability of Columbine really hasn't changed; I find it everywhere. People run past it. I find enough regularly to make a few pots to sell. So from what I see, the people complaining about the high price, aren't the ones farming it.

That is correct. Nope, it hasn't changed. Because it's an infinite supply. I was merely referencing those regular repeat posts as a reference point to someone who's wondering whether many players think Alchemy matters.

Amottica

sarahthes wrote: »

disky wrote: »

I know that utilizing certain potions can make a big difference in high-level play, but I'm curious about this because it has never mattered to me in my years of playing the game...does the average player actually spend time crafting or spend money purchasing potions/poisons? I have a trove of Crown Store potions and poisons stashed away, and I'm frequently given more so I never have to worry about running out. They're good enough that I'm unconcerned with Alchemy as a profession, and anything I loot is destroyed or sold to merchants.

So for most players...is there even a point? Like I said, I've been playing for years and I haven't found one, but I'd love to know what other players think. Perhaps even more important, I'd love to be given a reason to actually consider it in gameplay.

I spent millions a week on potions, or on mats for making my own potions, and hours per week on farming for mats to make potions.

I raid at a pretty high level and I pvp too (although how good I am at pvp is debatable). I'm probably not typical.

This. The more serious the player, the more important alchemy is to them. When doing serious raiding, I use good crafting potions and use them on CD when playing as a DD. When doing most dungeons or playing out in the world, I tend to use what I get for free.

It is really no different than anything else. While a top player can equip purple gear and still out-DPS, most players in the game are more likely to use gold and benefit more from it than most players would. This type of player pushes the limits and can benefit from it.

disky

Amottica wrote: »

sarahthes wrote: »

disky wrote: »

I know that utilizing certain potions can make a big difference in high-level play, but I'm curious about this because it has never mattered to me in my years of playing the game...does the average player actually spend time crafting or spend money purchasing potions/poisons? I have a trove of Crown Store potions and poisons stashed away, and I'm frequently given more so I never have to worry about running out. They're good enough that I'm unconcerned with Alchemy as a profession, and anything I loot is destroyed or sold to merchants.

So for most players...is there even a point? Like I said, I've been playing for years and I haven't found one, but I'd love to know what other players think. Perhaps even more important, I'd love to be given a reason to actually consider it in gameplay.

I spent millions a week on potions, or on mats for making my own potions, and hours per week on farming for mats to make potions.

I raid at a pretty high level and I pvp too (although how good I am at pvp is debatable). I'm probably not typical.

It is really no different than anything else. While a top player can equip purple gear and still out-DPS, most players in the game are more likely to use gold and benefit more from it than most players would. This type of player pushes the limits and can benefit from it.

I think there is a difference, though. The difference is that you're literally given potions for free by the game, while you still have to actually go out and do something to get the gear you want.

moderatelyfatman

For vet trials I burn through Spell Power Pots and sometimes Tri-pots.
For PvP I use Tri-pots, Immobility Pots and Detection Pots with almost 100% uptime while in battle.

VisitHammerfell

Can't live without it. Need tripots for tank and stamarc and sometimes dk dps and pvp, spell power or spell crit pots for healer & mag dps, weapon power or wealon crit for stamdps, immovability pots for pvp, mag pots for nb thiief to cloak more, and heroism pots for parsing if I am feeling a little spicy. Also all toons need level 50 alchemy for medicinal use passive. I can never get enough crown store tripots.

DenverRalphy wrote: »

I'm surprised at how many people seem to be using Health/Tri Pots in PvE content. I never use them in PvE content, as I use Weap/Spellpower pots exclusively in vet PvE, and Immovability/Invis when theiving. Any vet PvE is easy to get away with a simple self heal skill to lessen the burden of the healer in the group, and keeping the potion slot/cooldown open for Mag/Stam boosts and a boost to damage output.

If you have the necessary buffs, then weapon/spell power pots are redundant. Might as well restore both resources and get some recoveries while you're at it. For example arcanist with camo hunter & scholarship doesn't need damage pots. Also tanks of course use tripots. (Also some healers you can't trust. Lol)

Yudo

To me is too high cost to sustain. I regularly do PvP so I simply get the alliance spell pots for AP and never run out without spending any gold.

There are some instances where I'll create special pots when I really want to try hard or test something, but barely touch alchemy lately. Also don't use any poisons either since I just use glyphs.

Tallon_IV

I burned through pots a lot when I used to PvP. PvE I only use weapon and spell power pots, or tri-pots if it's a setup that already has the buffs. I don't do much other than writs and story content these days so my alchemy mats have built up.

I have every character at max level alchemy because I used excess alchemy Master Writs to level up and still use them if I need to quickly morph something.

old_scopie1945

As a solo player I do make potions and use them on occasions. That being mostly the case I equip the tri-stat potions you get as a login reward. Likewise with the login poisons. Though they are only used on the few occasions that I need them. Most of my builds are Oakensoul which kind of does away with buff potions. Invisibility potions are always handy though. Not forgetting writs though.

LaintalAy

disky wrote: »

snip
So for most players...is there even a point? Like I said, I've been playing for years and I haven't found one, but I'd love to know what other players think. Perhaps even more important, I'd love to be given a reason to actually consider it in gameplay.

There's only a small range of CP150-160 potions that matter.

You're probably correct if what you are asking is:
"do most people ever make and use any of the other combinations that are possible"

But the same would be true of enchanting. I doubt that many players will have created level 35 pots or glyphs.

Nerouyn

I don't even drink the free ones usually. Let them gather until full and then vendor.

Only ever chug if I'm doing group content, which I enjoy in general but not in this game so usually only do during events.

EdjeSwift

From a strictly statistical and numbers focused perspective, alchemy does NOT matter for most players.

As has been noted countless times in countless threads, the vast majority of players in ESO are casual gamers who are just here for a good time. Note, the term casual is not used in a derogatory way here as it was in the early 2000's. These are players who are happy using the pots that drop or not using them at all.

On the flip side however, the forum users here are probably more vocal because they cared enough to apply to get onto the forums and use them. For many, the application process to get onto the forums is enough to dissuade them from ever posting.

That said, thanks to the sheer amount of crown pots given away regularly as daily rewards, most players probably haven't touched an alchemy bench other than for writs or endeavours.

The only times I'm using pots regularly is when I run the Archive because my sustain is normally supplied via synergies when I run group content but due to the solo nature of how I run the Archive, I'm forced to dip into my supply of potions and even then, I only use my Crown pots on the occasional DK run.