Motivation to create a new character?

veator_ESO

What is your motivation to create a new character? I was initially planning on getting my main to level 50 (V1) and then I was going to start with a new character.

However, after seeing that to level in V1 I have to go to other domain faction home areas with buffed up enemies it takes away any desire I had to create a new character.

Also the same quests? What's the point? I am finding it vey hard at this point to want to continue with any character.

Sarenia

Replay incentive is indeed pretty low if you do all quests as you progress.

If this is an issue for you as well, I actually came to the conclusion that if you intend to create alts, you're MUCH better off NOT being a completionist and doing every quest in an area.

Instead just wander around and do part of the zone, and gain the rest of your XP from grinding. This increases your replay incentive by virtue of there being quests you haven't already done before.

This pretty much holds true to all TES games. If you do everything on your first character, you're probably not going to be very excited to do the same stuff again on a new alt. In the single player games we could turn to mods of course. For ESO, we'll have to hope for some good expansions in the future instead.

Opioid

Personally I don't see the point in playing around with a bunch of alts in this game when I can go through the content of all three factions with one character, plus invest points in pretty much all the combat and crafting skills I'm interested in getting. I actually kind of like that about this game. In other MMOs, I usually end up grinding up a bunch of different alts so I can check out different class play styles and experience different faction content. I don't feel the need to do that in this game though, which is nice. I can put all my focus on my main character without feeling like I'm missing anything.

veator_ESO

Thanks for the comments. I was wanting to try a sorcerer alt, but I'm not sure anymore. I guess I should just prepare for the upcoming patch for veterans.

demendred

My reasons are trying out classes, and making 100k to respecs any alts and my VR1 to turn him into just a crafter. But mainly now just to play with other classes. Glad I did too. Loving NB, and trying out a Templar as a healer.

*Edit Sorry, I forgot to add the 's' on respects. Oops!!!!!!!!

mutharex

veator_ESO wrote: »

Thanks for the comments. I was wanting to try a sorcerer alt, but I'm not sure anymore. I guess I should just prepare for the upcoming patch for veterans.

I hate sorcerer type characters. Can't stand them. i tried a heavy armor 2h sorcerer one day on the NA server, because the EU one was down, and I can't stop playing it.

The point is, the motivation to roll alts will be checking new class type combinations. Craglorn will offer leveling from VR1 and they are planning to add other VR xp avenues (also doubling the xp in PVP)

Check out the AMA on Reddit and the Craglorn feature on the main site

Xithian

demendred wrote: »

100k to respec my VR1

I am very jelly of your apparent 1000 skill points.

Blackwolfe5

I don't have any char above 20 but my reasons for alts is different playstyles and crafting. ESO is no different for me in that regard and I plan on treating it the same way all the way to max VR. Focusing on only one char for pvp though.

scruffycavetroll

Opioid wrote: »

Personally I don't see the point in playing around with a bunch of alts in this game when I can go through the content of all three factions with one character, plus invest points in pretty much all the combat and crafting skills I'm interested in getting. I actually kind of like that about this game. In other MMOs, I usually end up grinding up a bunch of different alts so I can check out different class play styles and experience different faction content. I don't feel the need to do that in this game though, which is nice. I can put all my focus on my main character without feeling like I'm missing anything.

the only point is to have the crafting.

devolutedub17_ESO

I have alts because the difference in playstyles even with the same class is interesting to me. I get to play around without having to respec my main.

demendred

Xithian wrote: »

demendred wrote: »

100k to respec my VR1

I am very jelly of your apparent 1000 skill points.

There's a doctor that can check that out for you.

mutharex

devolutedub17_ESO wrote: »

I have alts because the difference in playstyles even with the same class is interesting to me. I get to play around without having to respec my main.

I have 3 NB alts and they are all completely different one from the other in playstyle. And honestly, after 9 years of WoW and alts (on and off) I have seen the same quests and areas so many times that I am sure I'll start getting bored in a few years....

devolutedub17_ESO

mutharex wrote: »

devolutedub17_ESO wrote: »

I have alts because the difference in playstyles even with the same class is interesting to me. I get to play around without having to respec my main.

I have 3 NB alts and they are all completely different one from the other in playstyle. And honestly, after 9 years of WoW and alts (on and off) I have seen the same quests and areas so many times that I am sure I'll start getting bored in a few years....

Tell me about it, at one time I had three accounts to WoW. Even after several years of not playing I'm pretty sure I could run the first 30 levels of every race from memory

temjiu

As stated above, trying out different classes.

Don't forget that each class has 3 new and different skill trees. they vastly impact how you play the game.

Example: a Nightblade is mostly a single target class with its skills. lots of control skills, skills to rob its enemies of life (and return it to you), and stealth. I threw a destruction staff and resto staff on my NB, and suddenly i have a "Necromancer" of sorts. a lifestealer who has the ability to give that life back to her allies. and the destro staff provides some much needed AoE ability.

My templar is a melee warrior of the light, wielding a vicious 2h hammer into battle, yet his power of the light allows him to support his fellows and heal them in the midst of battle.

I also feel it impact how I replay the story. but then again, im someone who can get involved in the storyline, so having a different class and different character (and male vs. female) impact how the story feels for me.

But from a mechanics standpoint, each class feels different. My NB with a 2h feels different then my templar, who feels different then my sorceror with a 2h (it's my favorite playstyle).

PBpsy

I like to try new classes and new builds I will probably wait a while between playthrough. People play games with a lot less content because they want to try different styles of combat. For example Diablo # ,Path of Exile,Titan Quest and co are very popular yet have very little content but people play through them dozens if not hundreds of times. I have also done dozens of playtroughs of my favorite single player CRPGs .Baldur's Gate,Arcanum,Planescape Torment ,Fallout 1/2 etc. I know almost everything there is to know about those games but I still enjoy going through them. I think very few people that would have created a lot of alts will be stopped by the current system. I for one want at least 2 alts so I can play trough all regions at all difficulties.

Skulclutter

I've got 2 alts. I started them both to try new class/weapon/armor combinations and for crafting.

Honestly, repeating classes won't bother me. I've been here since early release and my highest is only level 15. I'm such a slow gamer that by the time I hit VR1 on my main, I probably won't remember the earlier quests much anyway.

Forztr

Currently my motivation for creating a new character is storage space.

I'm levelling my main slowly in the hope that when he hits VR1 there'll be a viable alternative to getting to VR10 without doing the other alliances quests.
I wanted an alt in each alliance but the way veteran ranks are done puts me off.

They obviously did it to extend the levelling process to give themselves more time to produce endgame content at launch. In my opinion it's short sighted of them because long term alts extend the playability of a mmo. When My main hits max level he'll have 2 options PVP or group PVE. I'll have zero solo play options other than to roll an alt who'll see nothing new because my main already did all the content, so why bother.

The only other reason to level an alt would be to play a different class but again with the way ESO works (I actually like this aspect) I can respec my Templar to be heals, tank or damage dealer so creating an alt to play a different role isn't needed.

What they should have done is make Craglorn a VR1+ levelling zone and just told people who hit max level before Craglorn was released to play PVP do dungeons or roll alts and experience the other alliances while they waited.

The people that run the game just seem to lack the ability to look ahead and see the consequences to their decisions, but that's a subject for future (rant) post.

nimbli

For me there isn't one, which is a bummer since it makes for a very short time with this game. But I am glad I'm in the minority and this isn't a disappointment for most.

Samriel

I am typically an alt-aholic in most MMO's leveling at least one of each character class to max level. However, here in ESO due to the long and boring veteran leveling system, I'm finding it difficult to even motivate myself to do any of the veteran content on my main let alone any alts.

SeñorCinco

For me it's not really about creating an 'alt" in the sense of creating another character to advance through gameplay. I do have alts, but they are crafters only and will level for the sole purpose of getting another skill point to spend in their associated craft.

This leaves two character spots that will always be opened for characters I actually play the game with. Not that I will need two, necessarily as my "main" will be the one I'm playing at the time. There is no reason for me to continue them unless I actually maintain a bond with that character.

Different people play for different reasons. I was attracted to and became very passionate about the TES series for the sheer RP of the games. I heavily RP all of my characters and have come accustom to retiring them for one of several reasons. That being either they have finished telling me their story, I have simply grown distant from the character (bored) or they die.

Clearly playing the oldschool Ironman playstyle of Dead Is Dead, is not really practical in ESO but the same core principles still linger in my mind. If I have a character that dies 10 times in a row form a given boss, I'm not certain either of us are worthy to continue. Alas, that's neither here nor there.

Replay value comes from two elements form my play perspective. The first is creating a character with a given personality profile. Not to get into the intricities of RP but that is the core of it for me. And on that basis is the concept of...

If it's not fitting to their personality, then don't do it.

I was initially a completionist and felt compelled to do everything with one character. The brilliant minds and helpful members of the Beth forums would change my way of thinking and therefore change my way of playing these games forever.

Now, it's about creating a character with at least a brief backstory that is summed up in a single paragraph or a sentence or two and in some cases, nothing short of a novel. Creating this profile bonds you with the character and assists in the decision making of what content to do. For ex., a battle hardened warrior may have no interest in joining the mages guild.

Granted that eventually, you will be doing the same quests again but they have a different feel about them. The character's change, the equipment changes and the playstyle changes with both the overall prowess as well as the combat itself.

So, with the combination of RPing the character and not being compelled to do every little thing and abandoning the need to check off another achievement, assists greatly in creating many characters across several years and thus expanding your experience greatly.

AstroCat

I have almost zero interest or positive anticipation for using my main to do the other two faction quest lines, it just seems so un-immersive, and counter intuitive. I plan on doing my one main to 50, and then playing my 2 alts (1 on each faction). I do want to play my main post 50 but without doing the other faction's quest lines (that's for the alts) if at all possible.

All my post 50 VR leveling will done other ways, or probably not at all. From checking all the dev comments it seems like more alternative post 50 leveling options are coming.

If they don't make other viable VR leveling methods I could be done with ESO once I hit 50 with my 3 characters. This would still take me quite a long time, since I level slow but yikes because I want to do post 50, just not on the other faction quest lines.

I super like the game (one of the best fits for me in an mmorpg, maybe ever!) but this is the big flaw I see coming down the line that really worries me. I really hope they "fix" this issue.

We'll see how it goes when I hit 50 with my main... Maybe I'll just "give in" and do it. I was really liking playing my AD Khajiit alt (only got to first zone) though... Well I will at least level my 2 alts DC, and AD to keep their crafting level up to par with my main, which doesn't take too much work. I could probably do this without even finishing the first zone, since you don't need too many skill points to do it.

Utildai

The only real need you'll have is to try another class type. Say from a Templar Healer to a Dragon Knight Tank.... or some other combination you haven't tried yet. They play quite differently.

nerevarine1138

Well, what motivates you to create another character in any other MMO?

Tarwin

If you are thinking of playing Console versions, that would be incentive once Zen deliver

rawne1980b16_ESO

Sadly I went the other way about things.

I level up a few characters at a time. I like to change things up, it stops me getting bored.

Unfortunately i've seen a lot of the areas so when I got to veteran ranks I had no desire to do them again so i've now got a VR1 Templar i'll likely never play again because I really didn't like the AD areas.

Theron75

nerevarine1138 wrote: »

Well, what motivates you to create another character in any other MMO?

There are 5 types of gamers:

1) Mr. Dedicated
"I've played 23 MMOs over the last 15 years and I'm always a tank."
This player will play one character from 1-50 and never look back.

2) Dynamic Duo
"I get bored of my main once in awhile, and need a break."
These guys will reach max level and roll an alt that they play from time to time.

3) Alt-A-Holic
"Stick to one class? You're nuts! I like to play them all!"
This player has alts in every class, of every race, 2 for each gender. Unlikely that any one of them is max level. Maybe by 2027.

4) FOTM Re-roller
"Class X got buffed this month? I'm switching, my Class Y sucks now!"
And the cycle never ends. PvPers are more susceptible to this virus.

5) Crafty Crafter
"I have one toon for A, another for B, and another for C."
These are the game's millionaires and billionaires.

Audigy

It depends on your playstyle really.

If you are like me and create Chars with a reason then you will have many specialized chars and you will sooner or later complain about having only 8 slots for them.
However, if you make a "I do everything for you" type of Char and respec it depending on how you want to play (Tank, Heal, Support, DPS + all the possible varieties in crafting and other skill lines), then it might indeed not be that interesting to make another char, as you can just do everything with that one Char already.

I am having great fun and think ZO gave us a wonderful tool that we only need to use right. Of course, playing ESO like for instance SWTOR or WoW where you can be a healer at 90, even though you never healed before in your life, will definitely limit the replay ability in ESO, but this isn't any different at WoW either.

I can only recommend to ignore respec and co and specialize in crafting depending on what type of char you play and don't skill everything, but what you really aim for in endgame and you will get to the point where you want to make a new char again and again due all the possibilities that you get.


Also the VR content is different from the 1-50, the mobs are different, you will group up a lot more I think there is really a lot to do. Just don't spoil yourself with guides and co. be surprised what a new skill point gives you, this works at least for me since 15 years

loudent

Sarenia wrote: »

Replay incentive is indeed pretty low if you do all quests as you progress.

If this is an issue for you as well, I actually came to the conclusion that if you intend to create alts, you're MUCH better off NOT being a completionist and doing every quest in an area.

Instead just wander around and do part of the zone, and gain the rest of your XP from grinding. This increases your replay incentive by virtue of there being quests you haven't already done before

The problem with that method is that there are a number of quests (beyond storyline quests) that award skill points. Skipping quests mean you end up with far fewer skill points.

Knovah

I am not an alt-aholic by nature. I have never played more than two characters in a given game ,but I have filled up all 8 of my slots and have even deleted a few.

I just could not settle on what type of character to make. I was all over the board and a hot mess. My OCD was in high gear (still is). I find myself second guessing what one I will end up with at 50 first. Still bouncing between my battle mage my temp and a dk….. I am so confused lol .

That’s the only reason I made alts . I blame the OCD and my inquisitive nature. It is like a shiny object.. oh look I think I may go NB now…I need help

Theron75

The simple truth is, this is a theme park game. It's not completely on rails, but you don't have a lot of options for alts. You're going to basically have to play the same game over again.

PvP needs to give a lot more XP. That would solve part of this issue.

Shimond

loudent wrote: »

The problem with that method is that there are a number of quests (beyond storyline quests) that award skill points. Skipping quests mean you end up with far fewer skill points.

If you're intending to play multiple characters you certainly don't need to cap skill points on each one, since (at least if there's any sanity to it) you'll be using different characters for different roles.