Leads from West Weald treasure maps

Asdara

Okay, I need to vent about the absurdity of farming leads rightnow, especially from treasure maps, specifically things like the Ayleid furnishings in west weald.
Let’s start with the obvious: the RNG is BEYOND ATROCIOUS.
I’ve been farming maps for the lead I need for MONTHS, spending MILLIONS of gold for a single lead, wasting almost 20 to 30 maps PER DAY !!! PER DAY !! and I’m at the point where I’m questioning my life choices.
It’s frustrating and demoralizing. I’ve seen countless players echo the same sentiment: the drop rates for some of these leads are so bad that it’s driving us to burnout. How is that a good design choice?
Also why treasure maps? You go through the effort of collecting and using them and for what? Nothing. NOTHING. No lead, no reward, just wasted time and inventory space. Speaking of inventory space, WHY don’t treasure maps stack? How is this still not a thing? My bank is overflowing with useless maps while I’m praying to the RNG gods for just one lucky drop.
Look, I get that some randomness is fine. But there’s a difference between a challenge and a grind that makes you want to uninstall the game. Codex completion is supposed to feel rewarding, not like an impossible slog. And don’t tell me it’s “just bad RNG” when I’m on MONTHS of farming one lead while others casually stumble into it during normal gameplay. That’s not bad luck; that’s bad design.

If ZOS wants to keep RNG, fine, but at least give us an alternative system. Here are a few suggestions:
1. Add a regional vendor who sells treasure map leads (and other leads) for gold or a specific currency you can earn in that zone.
2. Implement a pity system where drop chances increase the more attempts you make. Farming the same boss or treasure map location 50+ times with nothing to show for it should not be the norm.
3. Make treasure maps more meaningful by guaranteeing lead drops for certain ones or offering bonus rewards during events.

The upcoming Pan-Tamriel Celebration is supposed to improve drop rates, but why should I have to wait for a rare event to make lead farming barely tolerable? This should be a permanent fix, not a fleeting perk. Let’s not even talk about how many players won’t know to save their maps for this event—they’ll just keep grinding fruitlessly in the meantime. Why should I have to wait for a rare event to make this grind even remotely tolerable? This is a PERMANENT issue that needs a PERMANENT fix.

ZOS, if you’re reading this: Please listen to your players. This game is incredible in so many ways, but systems like this are actively driving people away. Treasure maps, antiquities, and codexes should feel exciting and rewarding, not like a second job. Fix the drop rates, add alternatives, or at the very least, make the grind feel worthwhile.

manukartofanu

Absolutely. Account-bound items should either have a high drop chance or be guaranteed drops tied to certain mechanics. And this is NOT ARCHIVE! A low RNG drop chance is acceptable and sometimes necessary, but only if players can eventually acquire what doesn't drop for them, even if it's from other players. Right now, however, the game is turning into the exact opposite.

Rishikesa108

I totally agree. I've seen a lot of players leave because of the frustrating RNG. I noticed that completing codexes was possible for the non-DLC areas. With great difficulty I even finished some DLCs up until before the Deadlands. From the Deadlands DLC onwards it is impossible to complete codexes, unless you have an account with particularly lucky RNG, which very few players have. I wonder why this relentlessness. Why this extreme difficulty. What is the advantage and for whom. I have no answers.

Necrotech_Master

all treasure map leads are frustrating, i just get them as i get them

this would be alleviated some if they regularly (if at all) showed up on the rotational vendors like the one in the archive

but no, these sources usually have generic super easy to obtain leads like the blackwood tapestry ones instead

Thoriorz

As someone who has completely all the Furnishing Leads from the West Weald Treasure Maps codex on 3/3 that I had to dig up a total of around 400 maps.
However, I went with the strategy of bkocking Leads where the ones I have 3/3 and drop again so I don't dig it up and avoid duplicating a Lead I no longer want. This strategy is questionable for quite a few people however the West Weald Treasure Maps Leads worked for me this way.
However, you have to reckon that the last few missing Leads to complete the codex were for example 20 maps before dropping the missing Lead etc.

But the pearl is that this particular West Weald is nothing compared to Apocrypha Well. To do this to a 9/9 codex is insane. If you ever try to put this Apocrypha Well to 9/9, you'll see for yourself...

freespirit

@Asdara take a break. walk away and collect the maps until the Pan Tamriel Event early next year, lead drop chance will be increased during this event!!

https://eso-hub.com/en/events/pan-tamriel-celebration

Personofsecrets

Thoriorz wrote: »

As someone who has completely all the Furnishing Leads from the West Weald Treasure Maps codex on 3/3 that I had to dig up a total of around 400 maps.
However, I went with the strategy of bkocking Leads where the ones I have 3/3 and drop again so I don't dig it up and avoid duplicating a Lead I no longer want. This strategy is questionable for quite a few people however the West Weald Treasure Maps Leads worked for me this way.
However, you have to reckon that the last few missing Leads to complete the codex were for example 20 maps before dropping the missing Lead etc.

But the pearl is that this particular West Weald is nothing compared to Apocrypha Well. To do this to a 9/9 codex is insane. If you ever try to put this Apocrypha Well to 9/9, you'll see for yourself...

Prior I had read that leads won't be curated when holding on to them. One would just not get the lead that would be repeated. Are there others who have written about the success of blocking leads?

ApoAlaia

Necrotech_Master wrote: »

all treasure map leads are frustrating, i just get them as i get them

this would be alleviated some if they regularly (if at all) showed up on the rotational vendors like the one in the archive

but no, these sources usually have generic super easy to obtain leads like the blackwood tapestry ones instead

Personally I am of the opinion that the leads that are obtained by 'going to the place and picking up the thing' have no place in the rotation of the weekly vendors' inventories.

They just dilute the pool too much and prevent the 'I have done the thing umpteen times and I still have no lead to show for it' ones from appearing more often (or at all).

Necrotech_Master

ApoAlaia wrote: »

Necrotech_Master wrote: »

all treasure map leads are frustrating, i just get them as i get them

this would be alleviated some if they regularly (if at all) showed up on the rotational vendors like the one in the archive

but no, these sources usually have generic super easy to obtain leads like the blackwood tapestry ones instead

Personally I am of the opinion that the leads that are obtained by 'going to the place and picking up the thing' have no place in the rotation of the weekly vendors' inventories.

They just dilute the pool too much and prevent the 'I have done the thing umpteen times and I still have no lead to show for it' ones from appearing more often (or at all).

i think most everyone would be in agreement with that, i dont think they should be there either lol

to date, i think ive only ever seen 1 treasure map lead show up there, it was very early after archive release and they put one of the apocrypha well leads in there, i dont think ive seen any since and ive regularly checked the archive vendor every week since it came out

katanagirl1

Necrotech_Master wrote: »

ApoAlaia wrote: »

Necrotech_Master wrote: »

all treasure map leads are frustrating, i just get them as i get them

this would be alleviated some if they regularly (if at all) showed up on the rotational vendors like the one in the archive

but no, these sources usually have generic super easy to obtain leads like the blackwood tapestry ones instead

Personally I am of the opinion that the leads that are obtained by 'going to the place and picking up the thing' have no place in the rotation of the weekly vendors' inventories.

They just dilute the pool too much and prevent the 'I have done the thing umpteen times and I still have no lead to show for it' ones from appearing more often (or at all).

i think most everyone would be in agreement with that, i dont think they should be there either lol

to date, i think ive only ever seen 1 treasure map lead show up there, it was very early after archive release and they put one of the apocrypha well leads in there, i dont think ive seen any since and ive regularly checked the archive vendor every week since it came out

I think you are right. I only have one lead for that well.

There are other Apocrypha leads I am still missing even the first one and all those lovely Ayleid furnishings in West Weald too, some I have no leads. I refuse to spend tons of gold on the chance that I will get a lead. It’s the same reason I don’t spend real money on crown crates. I will spend hard-earned game currency on the real thing.

Asdara

Thoriorz wrote: »

As someone who has completely all the Furnishing Leads from the West Weald Treasure Maps codex on 3/3 that I had to dig up a total of around 400 maps.
However, I went with the strategy of bkocking Leads where the ones I have 3/3 and drop again so I don't dig it up and avoid duplicating a Lead I no longer want. This strategy is questionable for quite a few people however the West Weald Treasure Maps Leads worked for me this way.
However, you have to reckon that the last few missing Leads to complete the codex were for example 20 maps before dropping the missing Lead etc.

But the pearl is that this particular West Weald is nothing compared to Apocrypha Well. To do this to a 9/9 codex is insane. If you ever try to put this Apocrypha Well to 9/9, you'll see for yourself...

400 maps, by everything sacred, its not normal.
And you're speaking about your experience, most people gonna have a worst time than that...

Necrotech_Master

katanagirl1 wrote: »

Necrotech_Master wrote: »

ApoAlaia wrote: »

Necrotech_Master wrote: »

all treasure map leads are frustrating, i just get them as i get them

this would be alleviated some if they regularly (if at all) showed up on the rotational vendors like the one in the archive

but no, these sources usually have generic super easy to obtain leads like the blackwood tapestry ones instead

Personally I am of the opinion that the leads that are obtained by 'going to the place and picking up the thing' have no place in the rotation of the weekly vendors' inventories.

They just dilute the pool too much and prevent the 'I have done the thing umpteen times and I still have no lead to show for it' ones from appearing more often (or at all).

i think most everyone would be in agreement with that, i dont think they should be there either lol

to date, i think ive only ever seen 1 treasure map lead show up there, it was very early after archive release and they put one of the apocrypha well leads in there, i dont think ive seen any since and ive regularly checked the archive vendor every week since it came out

I think you are right. I only have one lead for that well.

There are other Apocrypha leads I am still missing even the first one and all those lovely Ayleid furnishings in West Weald too, some I have no leads. I refuse to spend tons of gold on the chance that I will get a lead. It’s the same reason I don’t spend real money on crown crates. I will spend hard-earned game currency on the real thing.

i managed to get my first copy of the well when the vendor was selling telvanni peninsula treasure maps, that helped significantly to be able to get a specific map in somewhat bulk

i dont know exactly if saving leads works better to get ones your missing, but it felt like it helped a bit with the apocryphal well ones, i stopped digging up leads for ones i already had 3 copies of

Wuduwasa13

Asdara wrote: »

Okay, I need to vent about the absurdity of farming leads rightnow, especially from treasure maps, specifically things like the Ayleid furnishings in west weald.
Let’s start with the obvious: the RNG is BEYOND ATROCIOUS.
I’ve been farming maps for the lead I need for MONTHS, spending MILLIONS of gold for a single lead, wasting almost 20 to 30 maps PER DAY !!! PER DAY !! and I’m at the point where I’m questioning my life choices.
It’s frustrating and demoralizing. I’ve seen countless players echo the same sentiment: the drop rates for some of these leads are so bad that it’s driving us to burnout. How is that a good design choice?
Also why treasure maps? You go through the effort of collecting and using them and for what? Nothing. NOTHING. No lead, no reward, just wasted time and inventory space. Speaking of inventory space, WHY don’t treasure maps stack? How is this still not a thing? My bank is overflowing with useless maps while I’m praying to the RNG gods for just one lucky drop.
Look, I get that some randomness is fine. But there’s a difference between a challenge and a grind that makes you want to uninstall the game. Codex completion is supposed to feel rewarding, not like an impossible slog. And don’t tell me it’s “just bad RNG” when I’m on MONTHS of farming one lead while others casually stumble into it during normal gameplay. That’s not bad luck; that’s bad design.

If ZOS wants to keep RNG, fine, but at least give us an alternative system. Here are a few suggestions:
1. Add a regional vendor who sells treasure map leads (and other leads) for gold or a specific currency you can earn in that zone.
2. Implement a pity system where drop chances increase the more attempts you make. Farming the same boss or treasure map location 50+ times with nothing to show for it should not be the norm.
3. Make treasure maps more meaningful by guaranteeing lead drops for certain ones or offering bonus rewards during events.

The upcoming Pan-Tamriel Celebration is supposed to improve drop rates, but why should I have to wait for a rare event to make lead farming barely tolerable? This should be a permanent fix, not a fleeting perk. Let’s not even talk about how many players won’t know to save their maps for this event—they’ll just keep grinding fruitlessly in the meantime. Why should I have to wait for a rare event to make this grind even remotely tolerable? This is a PERMANENT issue that needs a PERMANENT fix.

ZOS, if you’re reading this: Please listen to your players. This game is incredible in so many ways, but systems like this are actively driving people away. Treasure maps, antiquities, and codexes should feel exciting and rewarding, not like a second job. Fix the drop rates, add alternatives, or at the very least, make the grind feel worthwhile.

Agree. *** poor form on zos behalf.

Rishikesa108

Personofsecrets wrote: »

Thoriorz wrote: »

As someone who has completely all the Furnishing Leads from the West Weald Treasure Maps codex on 3/3 that I had to dig up a total of around 400 maps.
However, I went with the strategy of bkocking Leads where the ones I have 3/3 and drop again so I don't dig it up and avoid duplicating a Lead I no longer want. This strategy is questionable for quite a few people however the West Weald Treasure Maps Leads worked for me this way.
However, you have to reckon that the last few missing Leads to complete the codex were for example 20 maps before dropping the missing Lead etc.

But the pearl is that this particular West Weald is nothing compared to Apocrypha Well. To do this to a 9/9 codex is insane. If you ever try to put this Apocrypha Well to 9/9, you'll see for yourself...

Prior I had read that leads won't be curated when holding on to them. One would just not get the lead that would be repeated. Are there others who have written about the success of blocking leads?

IMHO if you block leads you won't drop that lead anymore, but instead you'll get nothing. If the RNG wheel would give you that specific lead that you have blocked, you won't get another lead, you will simply get nothing.

freespirit

Rishikesa108 wrote: »

Personofsecrets wrote: »

Thoriorz wrote: »

As someone who has completely all the Furnishing Leads from the West Weald Treasure Maps codex on 3/3 that I had to dig up a total of around 400 maps.
However, I went with the strategy of bkocking Leads where the ones I have 3/3 and drop again so I don't dig it up and avoid duplicating a Lead I no longer want. This strategy is questionable for quite a few people however the West Weald Treasure Maps Leads worked for me this way.
However, you have to reckon that the last few missing Leads to complete the codex were for example 20 maps before dropping the missing Lead etc.

But the pearl is that this particular West Weald is nothing compared to Apocrypha Well. To do this to a 9/9 codex is insane. If you ever try to put this Apocrypha Well to 9/9, you'll see for yourself...

Prior I had read that leads won't be curated when holding on to them. One would just not get the lead that would be repeated. Are there others who have written about the success of blocking leads?

IMHO if you block leads you won't drop that lead anymore, but instead you'll get nothing. If the RNG wheel would give you that specific lead that you have blocked, you won't get another lead, you will simply get nothing.

If it's a first time lead I find filling up my scryable leads helps to enable more different ones to drop.

The Apocryphal Jewelry Station from IA was a good example of this for me I had all ten leads ready to dig without even realising and over a very short time too.

I took my other account main to High Isle and to Galen during last event and the leads were dropping left, right and centre BUT they were all first time drops,

I have terrible luck with second and third leads on many items in many zones but have masses of others!

Thoriorz

Personofsecrets wrote: »

Thoriorz wrote: »

As someone who has completely all the Furnishing Leads from the West Weald Treasure Maps codex on 3/3 that I had to dig up a total of around 400 maps.
However, I went with the strategy of bkocking Leads where the ones I have 3/3 and drop again so I don't dig it up and avoid duplicating a Lead I no longer want. This strategy is questionable for quite a few people however the West Weald Treasure Maps Leads worked for me this way.
However, you have to reckon that the last few missing Leads to complete the codex were for example 20 maps before dropping the missing Lead etc.

But the pearl is that this particular West Weald is nothing compared to Apocrypha Well. To do this to a 9/9 codex is insane. If you ever try to put this Apocrypha Well to 9/9, you'll see for yourself...

Prior I had read that leads won't be curated when holding on to them. One would just not get the lead that would be repeated. Are there others who have written about the success of blocking leads?

Practically, let's say you have a chest where you can get 3 different Leads (just as an example, A, B, C).
You open the chest and get Lead A, from now on until you dig up Lead A you won't drop another Lead A.
Practically, by not digging Lead A you prevent it from dropping from the chest again (you cannot get a Lead that is active - not dug).

However, there is another theory where people say that not digging the dropped Lead out of the chest reduces the chance that the Lead will roll on opening the next chest.
That the more unexcavated Lead you keep, the less chance there will be Lead in the chest.

The proponents of the first "blocking" theory say that yes, it takes longer to drop Lead from the chest, but that's because you're holding/not digging up Lead you don't want.
That you don't reduce the chance of rolling a Lead when you open the chest, but that you just don't get duplicate Leads (that you don't want) that you would otherwise get (if you were digging up unwanted Leads as well).

Of course, we don't know (at least I don't) how exactly dropping Leads from Treasure Maps works so it's hard to say what's more efficient, digging up all Leads (even the ones you don't want) or keeping the unwanted Leads (not digging them up) and being sure that if you drop a Lead by the chest it's the one you want...

Tomorrow I plan to make a thread on this topic and put some of my findings there and see what people think/experience..

DenverRalphy

Test your character's daily RNG by digging up a few Starter Zone T-Maps. They're really cheap, and if you don't get a lead in like 3-5 maps, then don't bother wasting time on the DLC T-Maps that are worth a whole lot more. Do that each day until you hit T-Map leads pretty reliably.

I do that for all high value T-Maps that drop leads. Deadlands/Blackwood/etc.. and when I find a day where my success rate is high, then I go out and farm up the high value Motifs to sell. And with the Gold Coast/West Weald/Blackwood leads also droping Ayleid Furnishing Plans in the bonus loot from exavating, it's become even more profitable.

Asdara

Another 40 maps down the drain, still no lead.