When to Interrupt, when to Block ? Can someone explain ?

Deepfry

All the combat "guides" (including the new player guide on this site) say that when there are "red glowing lines/effects around the enemy" you should Interrupt (LMB+RMB). And when there are "white/yellow glowing lines/effects around the enemy", they are powering up and you should Block (RMB) and then Power Attack (Hold LMB).

I'm wondering if I really understand this. The only red lines I ever see around a mob are the thick red glows that surround mobs to show that they are an enemy. And the only white/yellow lines I see around a mob are those thick yellow glows that surround them when they are dead and lootable !

The only "cues" I see from mobs are the red AOE circles and triangles on the ground, which I dodge.

This basically means I tend to block/interrupt on a somewhat random basis. So if anyone can explain what "glowing lines or effects" I should be looking for, I'd be very grateful ! (It's not a graphics issue, I have a very good video card).

Thank you.

PS : I have shamelessly cut and pasted this from another question I asked, as said question has got lost in the depths of this forum.

Thete

When a mob is casting, it is surrounded by little red lines moving outward from it (different to the red outline they have). Similarly, you get little yellow lines coming out of them when they are powering up for a heavy attack. They also have an animation which gives clues as well. For example, if they are pulling their weapon back for over a second, it's a fair bet a heavy attack is making its way to your face.

Sihnfahl

If you see an enemy pause in combat in their attacks, they're either going to have red lines coming from them or yellowish lines.

You ever see a NPC archer with a red cone on the ground in front of them? Look at them when they do that. You should see the red lines coming from them like a koosh. That's a LMB+RMB.

Ever see a wolf rock back on its haunches and start to glow yellow? That's a blockable attack.

Vikova

Deepfry wrote: »

I'm wondering if I really understand this. The only red lines I ever see around a mob are the thick red glows that surround mobs to show that they are an enemy.

If this is the case, then you are somehow not seeing all of the effects. There are red indicators on the ground where a currently charging up ability will have an effect.

Cwynlaen

You'll only see those lines when they're fighting. The lines look like they're radiating out from the adversary in a starburst pattern.

Usually you will see the yellow lines radiating from a melee enemy when they're winding up for some kind of power attack. The red lines are more commonly seen on spell casters and archers when they're steadying their bow for a special attack or casting a spell. Along with the red lines, you may also see a red ground target where their special attack or spell will land, so you'll know where to dodge to if you're too far for an interrupt.

Rach71

Yellow Lines Around Target= Block
Red Lines Around Target= Interrupt

The one I need to get more attuned to : Red area on the ground (Cone or Circle) without the red lines = dodge.

Azzuria

Make sure you have combat tells toggled on in your settings.

Deepfry

Rach71 wrote: »

Yellow Lines Around Target= Block
Red Lines Around Target= Interrupt

The one I need to get more attuned to : Red area on the ground (Cone or Circle) without the red lines = dodge.

Thank you for your reply. But that is exactly what the guides say.

What I'm trying to say is that I can't see these yellow/red lines you are talking about ! I just spent 45 minutes letting mobs attack me simply so i could concentrate on their form. All I can see is the thick red haze that surrounds them when they are alive, and the thick yellow haze around them when they are dead !

These red/yellow lines ... are they on the edge of the haze ? Do they follow the silhouette of the mobs ? Or are they on the ground ?

Deepfry

cwynlaenb14_ESO wrote: »

You'll only see those lines when they're fighting. The lines look like they're radiating out from the adversary in a starburst pattern.

Ok, thanks ... I'll try again and see if I can see what you mean.

Chirru

It is simple.

order of attack: which ones to kill first and fastest.

kill casters first because their nukes hurt most.
kill archers second because their volleys are a real nuisance
kill melee last because they are easily blocked, even a Sorcerer can do that.

Casters you interrupt ... a good wag will do
Archers you dodge...step out of the way
Melee you block... any hand held weapon will do

Any lines (whatever color) are just indicators an attack is on the way.
therefore, if you see lines, then discern what class you are facing and take the appropriate action.

Also...learn what enemies use what attack modes. For NPC's these are always
the same and after 60 seconds easily discernible.

However, do not be rigid in your approach. Simply stepping out of the way is often the quickest and most effective action.

Sue_D_Nim

Sihnfahl wrote: »

You should see the red lines coming from them like a koosh.

This is a positively brilliant description!

Vikova

Deepfry wrote: »

cwynlaenb14_ESO wrote: »

You'll only see those lines when they're fighting. The lines look like they're radiating out from the adversary in a starburst pattern.

Ok, thanks ... I'll try again and see if I can see what you mean.

If you don't see it when in combat while they are using those abilities, then there is something wrong. Either with graphics, or a bug, or something.

Thete

See if this helps you:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=DKrmWuqQI9U&feature=youtu.be

Sihnfahl

Sue_D_Nim wrote: »

This is a positively brilliant description!

I thought it appropriate because it's saying "for I am squishy and you must hit me now"

Deepfry

Thete wrote: »

See if this helps you:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=DKrmWuqQI9U&feature=youtu.be

Ok, I saw the white/yellow starburst (koosh !). Didn't see any red one, but at least I know what to look for now. Thank you.

Deepfry

Chirru wrote: »

Any lines (whatever color) are just indicators an attack is on the way.
therefore, if you see lines ...

Thank you for your reply. My problem was not really who to interrupt, who to block, or in what order. My problem was not seeing these "lines" that everyone refers to - I didn't know what kind of lines I was supposed to be looking for. But now I know.

Thank you.

(Have to say that I think it is misleading to talk about "lines" in the guides. In my case I confused "red or yellow lines" with the red and yellow "glow effect" you see around the silhouettes of mobs.

I would have understood immediately if they had used the term "starbursts" or "star effect".)

Vikova

Deepfry wrote: »

I would have understood immediately if they had used the term "starbursts" or "star effect".)

Or glowy colored shapes of future death. That would be good.

Deepfry

Deepfry wrote: »

Thank you all for your replies. Very helpful ... I understand now. We can close the thread!

veevito

Glad you got it sorted. Just a final tip. You can lower the intensity of the red glow around the target in the options. That may make the other cues easier to see. For others.

Deepfry

veevito wrote: »

Just a final tip. You can lower the intensity of the red glow around the target in the options.

Can you tell me which "option" exactly. I've had a look in "settings" and can't see which option this might be.

Thank you.

AreoHotah

simple. intrerupt when the ground turns red. block when he/she raises his/hers greatsword for a powerful hit.

Loxy37

Another useful one that's not directly related but relevent is the CC break which is right mouse (hold) then left mouse (hold). Ive been suprised that even vet players don't know this and just stand there while mobs beat on them!

SeñorCinco

Deepfry wrote: »

Can you tell me which "option" exactly. I've had a look in "settings" and can't see which option this might be.

It will be under Settings / Gameplay and under Setting / Interface. There you will find toggles for most of the extra elements.

I turn them all off and wished I could turn off the red areas on the ground. The enemies themselves have tells in their animations when they are going to do a power attack.

Bhakura

i never interrupt, range of it is silly and youre far quicker to avoid it then try interrupt it.
This of course is something you need to learn and TSW trained me well in avoiding aoe stuff.
The key is to be quick on youre feet.
red stuff you avoid, the power attacks that show as gold lines thingy you block, then theres red lines similar to gold lines, those you block too, except when its a caster doing it, then you move sideways so the charge misses you.
Probably very confusing in the way i bring it, but its best i can do trying to describe it, im not english.

Nukeyak

Can you interrupt a spell from a distance or do you have to be in melee range like blocking?

mavrwb17_ESO

Nukeyak wrote: »

Can you interrupt a spell from a distance or do you have to be in melee range like blocking?

I believe there are some skills that can be used from range that also interrupt/knock down, but you're safer doing it from melee range with a block + tap left mouse. As a ranged toon, you might be better learning to time dodges.

evildemonic

I don't see the graphics either. The option for combat tells is off and grayed out (i.e. I CAN'T turn it on)

Anybody know what's going on here?

silent88b14_ESO

Might be that the tell-tales are only visible at high-end resolutions, but I haven't turned mine down to see. Also if you are using an older card or need to update your video card drivers this could be a source of your problem.

GnatB

Bhakura wrote: »

i never interrupt, range of it is silly and youre far quicker to avoid it then try interrupt it.
This of course is something you need to learn and TSW trained me well in avoiding aoe stuff.
The key is to be quick on youre feet.
red stuff you avoid, the power attacks that show as gold lines thingy you block, then theres red lines similar to gold lines, those you block too, except when its a caster doing it, then you move sideways so the charge misses you.
Probably very confusing in the way i bring it, but its best i can do trying to describe it, im not english.

Serious necro, I know, but just want to say that knowing how to interrupt is very important against some mobs regardless of your dodging ability. Fighting some mage enemy in a EP solo delve around lvl 10, every few seconds he'd heal himself back up to full. I suspect if you don't interrupt his heal you're hosed, unless you have enough extra players around to out dps his heals. (I was the only one in the delve when I did it).

Irritatingly, the heal is actually channeled, (and that particular character of mine was healer with low DPS of my own), so if I didn't interrupt almost pre-preemptively, he'd undo most of my work.

(also, thanks for this thread, I find it somewhat amusing that I've been doing it wrong. I thought both red and white lines were interruptible, white just meaning it was melee and you can't just get out of the way. (they tend to be able to follow you quite well) It seemed to work, but after reading this I suspect I was wasting a bunch of stamina on unneeded interrupt attempts.)