Solo Quests - can you be PvE successful without them?

Berylin

I have a friend who has physical limitations that prevent her from doing solo quests in any FPS game. She's an awesome healer and support character, but can't solo and can't PvP. Can we still PvE-only play as a team and advance reasonably in this game?

The solo-only fighter guild quests, solo-only mage guild quests, and solo-only storyline quests are very discouraging. Almost half our quests at level 10 are solo only. Will our characters be hopelessly gimped for PvE groups because we aren't do any solo quests?

Striken7

You don't have to do the solo quests to successfully level up and participate in high-end group content. You will understandably miss out on some storylines, as well as quest rewards (including skill points). You will also be grinding mobs more to make up levels. But yes, you can level and gear up without completing these solo quests.

Willow

I think you will be fine. You can do the quests (solo) when your friend is unable to play. You and your friend can adventure and once your friend gains enough levels she/he can go in and complete the solo quests. Nothing wrong with that. I know I am leveling some of my characters to level 12 - 14 and then going back and doing those quest since they can be frustrating.

They even can go in at level 16 or higher to completed the quest just so the story advances. If he/she gets to higher levels they will not have to run and dodge and basically can stay sill and use their basic attack (they will not get xp points )

Berylin

Thanks for the information. If a knowledgeable player like Willow needs a 2-4 level advantage to succeed, my friend will need that 6+ level advantage to have a chance, mainly because she misses about half the time due to her inability to accurately aim with a mouse. I am not willing to level ahead of her, since that ruins our "play together" team spirit vibe that has served us so well in games going back to the original EQ.

Based on the answers so far, my conclusion is her current view is correct. Her current character, a pure healer that relies absolutely on my tanking skills to stay alive, will need a huge level advantage in solo quests. This means that no meaningful XP will result. This in turn means our team will end up playing ESO much like an Asian grind-fest RPG to make up the XP difference, since quest XP is so much larger than kill XP.

Alternately, she can roll up a more combat-capable character that might survive with a 3-4 level advantage. Unfortunately, she's even more hopeless in melee than ranged combat (turning during battle via mouse doesn't work for her). We've been looking with a critical-hit archer in medium armor who knows sorcery (for a pet 'bodyguard' and that initial, powerful nuke). Is that the most survivable ranged fighter for someone who misses about 50% of their shots, can't turn very well to face new-direction attacks, and inevitably reaches for a non-functional key in unexpected situations?

Thanks again for all your help and information.

~Berylin

XyriasThiddex

You still get the quest xp from finishing the quest, just not the mob kills.

mlstevens42_ESO

The only problem I can foresee is the main quest line you know the one with the prophet and company. These are all solo only. They are required if you wish to move on to other faction areas with your current toon. (vr content) I am not sure what one will be able to do about them.

The guild quests for mages and fighters are solo only but...they are only required if you wish to progress through those skill lines. They do not affect as far as I know your ability to progress pve wise plenty of other things one can do to level up.

Skylandra

You can go back and repeat content at any level. Accidently I forgot to do my Solo Story Quest at level 35 - Didn't realise I had missed it until I was lvl 45 ( was too busy enjoying the map story quests). When I went back (10 lvl's Higher than quest recomendation) All the mobs were grey and it was super easy..... I still got to enjoy the story though so it was fine.