Struggling With Leveling

KaraSvana

I'm a level 9 Dragon Knight with level 8 gear, but I'm struggling extremely bad in Stonefalls trying to level, I can barely or sometimes can't kill level 8 mobs at all, people in my guild are telling me at level 9 they were killing level 11 and 12 mobs, yet I can't kill a level 10 mob.

http://esohead.com/calculator/skills#mzVsx000kzmc08080808080808080808080808T7ozrqAi8x7rIsfr6zwGN18E7wqzmW6qzm18zR7zzEwXB8zf7zzNbo8zu7zzHfYE6zHfZd8zG7zzHQ3F8zI7zzJIoX6zJIkL8zN7czJZcY6zJZug8zA7zzKpUN8zL7zzK4EX

That is my current build I'm using, also I'm using a level 8 greatsword.

txfeinbergsub17_ESO

Don't worry, the game starts out pretty tough, but it will get easier. If I aggroed to mobs as a caster in the early levels of the game I was toast. Even single creatures sometimes gave me a problem.

txfeinbergsub17_ESO

That was supposed to be "two" mobs.

txfeinbergsub17_ESO

I found I needed to mix light armor (which is what my racial buffs are tied to) with some heavy armor pieces to balance out my weakness.

Rosveen

Don't worry about killing mobs on higher level than you. It's still a little early for this, it will get easier.

Do you have trouble with groups, single targets? It seems you put points only in one class skill. It's usually best to take the first skill in all three lines for leveling. I used Stonefist very often in early game - I was an archer, so it helped me keep distance, but it's always a nice way of controlling the situation. Dark Talons are useful too.

Do you use food?

txfeinbergsub17_ESO wrote: »

I found I needed to mix light armor (which is what my racial buffs are tied to) with some heavy armor pieces to balance out my weakness.

I don't think it really helps on such low levels. It starts shining with passives, but before you get them, more protection is usually preferable. But yeah, later on it's good to mix. With a two-handed weapon, you could go for medium armor and damage role in groups.

vyndral13preub18_ESO

Sorry on my phone so this maybe some horrible advice, since i cant look at stuff. But isn't stonefist the tier 1 skill in one of the DK skill lines that knocks mobs down? Mines only 7 so i don't have all this stuff implanted in head yet. With that skill alone at low levels i could keep a mob knocked down and kill it with normal sword swings. Knock down, stab, stab, they get up, knock down, stab stab. The end.

Alyrn_Grey

I observe that you don't have a crowd control power. The Dark Talons power in the Draconic skill line is good for that. You also want by level 9 either Stone Fist from the Earthen Heart line, or Silver Bolts from the Fighter guild.

Note by level 9 I had rank 10 in every weapon type though only I think 1 or 2 skill points invested in my primary weapon. I also was actively using 2 different dragon knight lines.

Stone Fist and Silver Bolts both have a knock down component. Dark Talons has a hold with the ability to morph up to a DOT and hit multiple opponents.

Elvent

I'm planning on making a healer, do you maybe want to play/level together? I have a bit of experience having played a couple weeks and I could help you out with heals/dps.

I never played a healer in this game before so it would be nice to have the practice. And who wouldn't love a healbot???

KaraSvana

Rosveen wrote: »

Do you use food?

[

Food?

Also, I'm using the abilities as best I can and at level 9 I STRUGGLE killing a level 8 mob, right now I'm at a complete standstill I've been level 9 for over a day now because I die repeatedly to the same mobs, all of my quests are level 10-12 so I really am at a total loss as to what to do or how to go about leveling at this point.

My guild has told me to reroll or "I must be doing it wrong" so I'm really not sure what to do.

Humor

KaraSvana wrote: »

I'm a level 9 Dragon Knight with level 8 gear, but I'm struggling extremely bad in Stonefalls trying to level, I can barely or sometimes can't kill level 8 mobs at all, people in my guild are telling me at level 9 they were killing level 11 and 12 mobs, yet I can't kill a level 10 mob.

http://esohead.com/calculator/skills#mzVsx000kzmc08080808080808080808080808T7ozrqAi8x7rIsfr6zwGN18E7wqzmW6qzm18zR7zzEwXB8zf7zzNbo8zu7zzHfYE6zHfZd8zG7zzHQ3F8zI7zzJIoX6zJIkL8zN7czJZcY6zJZug8zA7zzKpUN8zL7zzK4EX

That is my current build I'm using, also I'm using a level 8 greatsword.

The calculator you linked has me a bit confused, says you have 9 Skill Points, and you don't actually have any skills slotted into any of your skill slots. And it might just be the link, because I'm thinking to myself right now, "There's no possible way in hell, someone wouldn't have skills equipped, and be level 9". Again, I'm sure it's just the link....

I haven't had any trouble with any classes yet, oddly enough though, you see quite a few people saying the early levels are difficult. As my DragonKnight, I can't say any particular build I was gave me problems.

I'm going to take an assumption here, and suggest you're not using your block/shield bash at appropriate times, for example, when an enemy is about to heavy swing, you block, and knock them down with your heavy attack. Also, when an enemy is charging up a spell, or using a skill, you're able to shield bash them, stun them, and knock them down again with a Heavy attack. People might not think it, but using your block/shield bash to your advantage is a pretty key element in this game.

The calculator link is still bothering me... I hope you're putting skillpoints into skills... Cause... A great sword just isn't going to take you too far by itself...

Rosveen

KaraSvana wrote: »

Rosveen wrote: »

Do you use food?

[

Food?

Also, I'm using the abilities as best I can and at level 9 I STRUGGLE killing a level 8 mob, right now I'm at a complete standstill I've been level 9 for over a day now because I die repeatedly to the same mobs, all of my quests are level 10-12 so I really am at a total loss as to what to do or how to go about leveling at this point.

My guild has told me to reroll or "I must be doing it wrong" so I'm really not sure what to do.

Yup. Guar Quiche, very tasty and good for the skin. Oh, and gives you more health for half an hour so you don't go down so easily. But seriously, Provisioning is useful and easy to level, so try it. Provided you can find any recipes, because drops seem to have been nerfed...

Okay, so what's your skill setup exactly? The link in the first post shows only 3 active skills + Soul Trap. Any experiences with Stonefist?

If you have trouble with quests, I'd leave them for a while and focus on public dungeons and Dark Anchors. It's always a bit of experience and skyshards, and you have help of random people (and bots *sigh*) around you, so it should be easier. Or find someone to quest with; any guildies willing to help? Heck, even the guy above wants to team up.

KaraSvana

Humor wrote: »

The calculator you linked has me a bit confused, says you have 9 Skill Points, and you don't actually have any skills slotted into any of your skill slots. And it might just be the link, because I'm thinking to myself right now, "There's no possible way in hell, someone wouldn't have skills equipped, and be level 9". Again, I'm sure it's just the link....

I'll start here, yes I do have skills allocated to skill slots, I'm not sure how or why that ended up the case, but I do have skills allocated to slots.

Humor wrote: »

I haven't had any trouble with any classes yet, oddly enough though, you see quite a few people saying the early levels are difficult. As my DragonKnight, I can't say any particular build I was gave me problems.

I keep being told by people how amazing they did on their Dragon Knight and how they were able to kill things two and three levels above them at my level, for some reason I can't kill things one level below me

Humor wrote: »

I'm going to take an assumption here, and suggest you're not using your block/shield bash at appropriate times, for example, when an enemy is about to heavy swing, you block, and knock them down with your heavy attack.
[/quote[
Admittedly, I struggle here - I'm not sure when to block or if I should just block when I get the queue that sais for me to block, as far as when an enemy charges up their abilities, I usually dodge out of the way and am dead before I can charge up my heavy attack - I've never knocked an enemy down with a heavy attack. I'm not sure why, but I can't seem to do it, I also have no clue when blocking is appropriate or how to know when to block.

Humor wrote: »

The calculator link is still bothering me... I hope you're putting skillpoints into skills... Cause... A great sword just isn't going to take you too far by itself...

I'm spec'd into Ardent Flame...but it's not doing me much good.

KaraSvana

Rosveen wrote: »

Okay, so what's your skill setup exactly? The link in the first post shows only 3 active skills + Soul Trap. Any experiences with Stonefist?

If you have trouble with quests, I'd leave them for a while and focus on public dungeons and Dark Anchors. It's always a bit of experience and skyshards, and you have help of random people (and bots *sigh*) around you, so it should be easier. Or find someone to quest with; any guildies willing to help? Heck, even the guy above wants to team up.

I use Empowering Chains, Unstable Flame, Critical Charge and Uppercut

As far as public dungeons and dark anchors, I don't know enough about those to seek out those groups - as far as guildies helping me goes, I've asked for about a day now in guild trying to figure out what I'm doing wrong and all I've been told is to reroll because if I'm having these many problems now I'll have even more problems later.

And the occasional "You're obviously doing it wrong" comment

Humor

@KaraSvana‌

I don't see any problems with your build really. Maybe you should consider how you tackle certain situations.

For example. With the build you have now, I would use your damage overtime to your advantage.

If you have enough Magicka, I'd definitely combo my skills, I'd probably end up doing something such as; Empowering Chains > Unstable Flame > Uppercut. By then, the damage over time (DoT) would definitely kill the enemies. If you have the option to kill an enemy a little bit slower, but conserve your Stamina, and or Magicka, I would definitely choose that option over over doing it. (EDIT: Also to conserve Magicka, maybe you don't even need to use Empowering chains)

Also for future references, I would definitely raise your Magicka, either by throwing stats into it, or another good way to raise your Magicka, is to simply goto the Enchantment place, and buy some Magicka Enchantments, equipping them to your armor, or possibly if you can craft your own enchants, I would certainly look into it.

From my experience, if you're going to use more Magicka Skills, than Stamina skills, I'd definitely throw more points into Magicka.

EDIT: Also remember when you see yellow lines around an enemy, or whatever color it is, they're going to use a heavy swing, whenever possible, block these attacks, doesn't matter which weapon you're using, and then follow up with a heavy attack of your own to knock the enemy down.

If an enemy has red lines around them, these are spells that can be interrupts with a shield bash (Block+Attack), and follow up with a heavy attack which will also knock them down. This (if not already being used) will definitely help, as small at it seems, you end up taking less damage due to knocking the enemies down.

BlackSparrow

You're not doing too bad. You've got a good balance of magicka and stamina skills.

I might consider not putting any more points into crafting. You don't really need it until around level 16, and by then you'll have a lot more points to play with. Until you've stabilized your combat style, focus on combat skills.

Also, have you been seeking out skyshards? That build seems a bit thin on Skill Points for a level 9.

I highly recommend taking Spiked Armor from the Draconic line when you can. It can help with your survivability, and it's a good idea to at least level that line up to Dragon Blood, which is a good self-heal.

Dark Talons is also good for crowd control, which starts to be a must at around your level.

KaraSvana

BlackSparrow wrote: »

You're not doing too bad. You've got a good balance of magicka and stamina skills.

I might consider not putting any more points into crafting. You don't really need it until around level 16, and by then you'll have a lot more points to play with. Until you've stabilized your combat style, focus on combat skills.

Also, have you been seeking out skyshards? That build seems a bit thin on Skill Points for a level 9.

I highly recommend taking Spiked Armor from the Draconic line when you can. It can help with your survivability, and it's a good idea to at least level that line up to Dragon Blood, which is a good self-heal.

Dark Talons is also good for crowd control, which starts to be a must at around your level.

Well, I put all my points into Ardent Flame because the build I looked up was a heavy DPS build which was heavy into that tree, as far as skyshards I've tried to look for a few but I'm having trouble traversing mobs in areas to get to them.

The reason I have points into crafting is because I was told that I'm dying because of my gear, so I went into crafting to craft some gear in order to try and make things easier, so far it's been a pointless struggle there, I'm still doing just as bad.

I've been level 9 over a day now because I can't kill the mobs, I'm normally dying to level 8 mobs and level 11's are a massacre for me - so I haven't been able to level in order to increase my points into anything else.

nudel

Admittedly, I struggle here - I'm not sure when to block or if I should just block when I get the queue that sais for me to block, as far as when an enemy charges up their abilities, I usually dodge out of the way and am dead before I can charge up my heavy attack - I've never knocked an enemy down with a heavy attack. I'm not sure why, but I can't seem to do it, I also have no clue when blocking is appropriate or how to know when to block.

This I would bet is probably the cause of most of your deaths. The cue to block will not always pop up. In fact, I think it only pops up for the first few levels or so, when the game thinks you're still learning. There is a graphical cue that someone is charging up a power attack or a spell. It looks like thin lines pulsing from their center. The easiest way to tell is to look at their body language. A melee power attack will have the enemy pulling their arm way back and over their head, holding it there for a second or so, and then coming down upon you. That's plenty of time to block. You don't even need to hold it. You can tap block at the right moment and block the attack. Since you're new to the action, I would make a habit of holding block down whenever someone does this until you get used to it. You have to have enough stamina to block as well. So if your stamina bar is empty, blocking won't do you much good. Try to save enough stamina for at least one block. You never know when you will need it. If you use stamina skills heavily, drink a stamina potion when your bar gets to 1/3. Don't be caught without an empty Stam bar. If you're blocking powered attacks, you will take much less damage and you won't get knocked down. If someone is flinging you away with their sword and you land on your back, you should have blocked.

Interrupting is also easy to distinguish. Casters will typically pull their hands back in a Dragon Ball Z type move. If they're wielding a staff, they'll pull one arm back in this way and hold it there while charging up. Also the white lines are there. They are not colored on my end. I think there is a setting that changes this in case you want them to be more obvious. Hold block and tap attack and you can interrupt anyone. If you're a ranged character, pay attention to skills that interrupt. Some say this explicitly, but also any skill that says 'knockdown' or 'stun' will interrupt. This essentially cancels their entire attack, saving your poor health points from being ravaged. If you can't interrupt in time, many charged attacks are AoE (area of effect) and a red circle will spread out beneath the enemy's feet while charging. You can sprint out of this (maybe) or dodge roll out of it (more reliable). Dodge roll costs Stamina as well, so you'll have to account for that. If you don't have enough Stamina to dodge, you will be unable to execute the dodge.

Defensive maneuvers are critical to every role and every class. It doesn't matter how you're playing, if you don't block or interrupt or dodge, you will die 10 times more often.

Also, your guild really should be more sympathetic than that. They sound like braggarts, rather impatient ones at that. If the only advice your guildmates can give you is reroll, you may want to start looking for a new guild.

BlackSparrow

If you truly are stuck, it may be worth it to roll up another character. Try a different faction, and a different build. Try a tank build, specifically. I can tell you from experience with my three characters that my tank has a MUCH easier time with monsters than my healer or dual-wielding DPS.

Playing someone sturdier will help you become familiar with the finer points of combat... blocking, dodging, interrupting... it's much easier to figure out what works and what doesn't when you're not constantly on the cusp of death.

Then, once you understand a bit more how the combat system works, you can return to your Dragon Knight DPS and see if there really is something you were doing "wrong."

Also, it's worth noting that just because you're a DPS doesn't mean you shouldn't still take defense and crowd control skills... this game is very solo focused, so everyone has to be a bit of a jack-of-all-trades in that department. My DPS Nightblade is a blender with her daggers who can take most opponents down in two seconds easy... but I still have her stocked with dodge-style skills and invisibility, because I know that she can be a bit squishy in a one-on-one fight with most bosses (medium armor will do that). It's about knowing what your weaknesses are and compensating. So what are you missing? Defense? Self-healing? Use skills, potions, food, and gear to compensate.

Which brings me to crafting: it's best to focus on one or two crafting lines per character... any more than that, and all your skill points will go toward crafting instead of combat. And the reason you don't need to put points in crafting early on is because *everyone* can craft the first tier of items... no skill points required. Those will get you up to level 16, at least. So yes, crafting is important to keeping your gear up to date... but you don't need to put points in it just yet.

Not that this helps much if your can't progress. Like I said, try another build and see if that works better. You're still early enough in the game that this shouldn't set you back too much.

Oh, and make sure to do your faction's starter islands.

Rosveen

There's an option in the settings to always show combat cues. It might help you learn to read the visual signs better.

BlackSparrow wrote: »

Also, it's worth noting that just because you're a DPS doesn't mean you shouldn't still take defense and crowd control skills... this game is very solo focused, so everyone has to be a bit of a jack-of-all-trades in that department.

Very true. Everyone needs a self-heal and for DKs the go-to skill is Dragon Blood in the Draconic Power tree. Not at this level of course, but in the future. And even for a DPSer Dark Talons are extremely useful - they give you crowd control and the Burning morph doubles their damage output, possibly synergizing with Kindling from Ardent Flame (?)

Humor

@KaraSvana‌

Also, something I forgot to mention which will probably help pretty much anyone is how to break out of stuns/knockdowns, etc, etc.

By pressing your attack, and block at the same time when you're stunned, snared, knocked down, you'll instantly break out of these states, provided you half 50% or more stamina remaining. Also, an effect will be applied where you won't be able to get knocked down, and what not for about 3 seconds or so. This is also worth noting, and using when you're specifically in danger of dying. I don't recommend using it "all" the time, however, when you're in a pinch, and feel the need to run away, or back off, it's worth using to get out of those tougher situations.

Also, as someone noted, your guild sounds... A little less then useless. At the very least, someone could maybe give you hand instead of brushing you off.

Alyrn_Grey

Well as I said I went parry, dark talons, chains, silver bolts, and soul trap for my DK at about that level. Generally I could handle 2 level 10 mobs fairly easily with that build. Part of the trick was stunning them, part locking them down with talons or knocking them down with bolts, then using parry for bigger damage.

One thing to note. You don't need to buy every skill in a skill line to unlock the higher skill abilities to buy. I've skipped buying powers in my Class list that I don't want to bother with.

temjiu

I also support the point of getting very used to blocking and parrying. It's easy (especially if you have experience in other MMO's ) to resort to spamming attacks in hopes of killing the mob before it kills you. This doesn't work in ESO. If you don't block and interrupt...especially as a melee player...you will get creamed.

turn on the graphical cues (I have no clue why someone would want them turned off...but it may be that the auto-detect video feature does it). and prioritize block/interrupt. even if it stops a swing you were about to cast. it's that important for a melee toon.

Your using 2h from what it sounds like...my favorite spec. unfortunately, your use of charge and chains are comflicting with each other. Critical charge (especially when morphed into critical rush, which increases damage based on range) is one of your heaviest hitting skills in the line.

My typical rotation with 2h is: Critical rush, uppercut, back up a few steps, Crit rush...and the mobs dead. seriously. 3 hits. you pull that mob to you with chains, and you've cut out about 50% of your damage potential with the 2h line. save the chains for times when you jsut dont have the stamina for the charge, and a ranged mob is gunning you down.

as a DK, you also have AoE options that other classes don't have. Talons (especially when morphed into the extra damage over time) is great for holding groups. charge. talons, uppercut the main mob you want to kill, and charge them again. first mobs dead, others just broke free from their talons. another talon, and you can probably finish off the second mob. get distance for the third mob and charge again...mobs dead.

you picked a great setup. just follow the tips in this thread. level all 3 trees, they're worth it. as an example, Draconic Power doesn't look like a DPS line, but with 20 levels in the tree, you can unlock Dragon's blood, which is a really powerful self-heal. that will change your gameplay in a very good way. on my DK, even if Im not using talons or spiked armor, i keep them on my skill bar just so i can level that tree faster (each skill you slot levels the tree faster).

So don't give up! DK is a bit tougher then some others initially, due to the lack of self heals, but it catches up later on. And in all honesty, most of the people who are cruising along with their DK are either:

1) leveling a known OP build (the destruction staff broke build), or
2) the DK style just comes naturally to them.

It DIDN'T come naturally to me...I had all the issues you did. but i came here, asked advice and practiced. and DK is now a fun class for me.