Tips and tricks you wish you'd known when you first entered Cyrodil

Zooce · August 2014

I would like to start a thread summarizing tips and tricks you wish you'd known when you first went to Cyrodil for our new players.

Please respond to the thread, and I will add good ones to the main body at the top.
To kick things off, I've added a few of my own.

When you're taking resources (e.g. a farm), if you get the 'black bubble' on you, you can remove it before it explodes by holding down right click, then left clicking your mouse
The same action can be used to remove many CC (Crowd Control) effects, but this will use your stamina
After removing CC effects using this technique, you become immune to CC for a short while (indicated by white swirls at your feet)
For the dragonknight 'claws' (typically burning talons skill) - when you see them around you, you can roll to get away (the above technique of clicking the mouse does not work) - again this will use your stamina
Make sure you use fighters guild skills against those pesky vampires (e.g. Silver Shards, Turn undead)
Don't use Siege equipment against NPCs - they don't do lasting damage - unless you use a meat bag and a fire ballista together.
Make sure you use Siege weapon Shield (support line) to protect your team's siege equipment
If you heal someone, don't expect to be out of combat anytime soon (i.e. you won't be able to stealth for a while)
You can buy multiple items (like stacks of wall repair kits) by righ clicking the item in the NPC's merchant window
When something weird happens ask around to see if it can be explained before crying haxxx. Chances are its just an ability or abilities that you haven't seen yet.
The mage NPCs hurt. Bad. Always prioritize them when attacking an objective.
The animation for things like oil doesn't always coincide with the red circle of death, especially in high lag situations. Pay attention to the red circle, disregard the animation.
Trolls in /zone burying group/guild commands? Set up a different channel in the chat window with /zone and /yell muted
Clean out your mail periodically or you will miss out on any hireling mats being sent your way when your mailbox gets full of "rewards for the worthy"
When you are crouched (stealth), you are completely invisible to your enemy, even in the middle of an open field - but if you were recently in combat, or healed someone, stealth will not work.
Don't wait until you're VR12, Go there as soon as you can (level 10) and get the hang of it, it can be loads of fun even at low levels..
don't mindlessly charge into a keep once you get its walls(outer or inner) down. check for oil and ambushes. if there IS oil, wait for enemies to use it, then charge through. be sure you have a few people using purge.
Use normal ballistas or stone trebs against the walls
Check for enemy camps when you enter a keep
Place a camp if you are the last respawning from one
use immovable. makes you immune to eclipse (black bubble on you), and negate (purple bubble) +to stuns, etc. lasts 8 sec and costs you less than cc break.
use your skills for your teammates, not just for yourself. every1 prefers dps-ing, but it simply doesnt work out. adapt to situations, change your playstyle when needed (every magicka based character can be a healer)
purging (with efficient purge) to prevent siege damage is cheaper than healing it. every group needs someone to purge
but all tip over all: follow the groupleader. Most people who join a group just dont care about anything but themselfs and continue to act like soloing. please dont, this will get you killed faster and you wipe your team as well.
Don't stand in negate.
Buy forward camps. Your camp could be the reason the keep gets defended or taken. When a Keep goes under attack, drop a camp ASAP.
Anything that does "Disease" damage will reduce the targets incoming healing - this includes weapon enchants. Used in conjunction with abilities that reduce healing taken (death stroke, Dragonknight standard, lethal arrow) will secure many kills.
IF EVER you see a synergy option pop up, USE IT. There isn't a synergy in the game that is bad for you, and they are all very strong.
The enchants found on Pvp weapons, once upgraded to legendary, are twice as strong as Legendary crafted enchants.
IMPENETRABLE. This is the MOST important trait for pvp, have at least 3-4 items with it.
"Defensive Ticks" is a term referring to the AP gain after a successful defense of a keep or resource, and doesn't happen right away. After defending, be sure to hang around for a minute or two until you see a large AP gain pop up.
All pvp quests can be completed on any campaign. This is very useful for scouting quests (travel to a campaign that your faction dominates for easy scouting) or when you have a home campaign that isn't very active (completing kill quests on high population servers, then turn it in on your home campaign)
"Meatbag Catapults" reduce healing taken by 100%. This is VERY useful against big blobby zergs or when defending inner keeps.
Forward camps are easily killed at ranged with siege.
Don't try to fight the monsters fighting at the bridge in the center of Cyrodiil, they will kill you. Don't swim in the water on the outskirts/rivers in Cyrodiil, they will kill you.
If you see a small group capturing a resource, be careful not to pull extra guards for them to have to kill. Kill menders first, and be sure to interrupt their channeled heal.
In every keep, there are 5-6 NPCs in the corners of the outer wall that surround a portal. Killing these NPCs drastically increases the respawn time of all NPCs in that keep.
The stamina bar on your horse determines when you will be knocked off of it. If you are in hostile territory, don't burn through all of your horses stamina, as the first hit you take will result in being knocked off.
Every mundus stone available in the game can be found somewhere in Cyrodiil.
Choose an easy keybind for roll dodge and disable the "double tap" feature. This will keep you from accidentally rolling off towers and also make it a lot easier to dodge key abilities like crystal fragments.
Potions in this game drastically improve all aspects of your gameplay, and can be used often.
Detection Potions are amazing in pvp. They can allow you to find many enemies as well as secure your surprise attack when crouched.
Food Buffs in this game drastically improve your stats.
If you want to use Medium armor, be sure to roll dodge effectively.
Don't use heavy armor.
All Heavy attacks and channeled abilities can be interrupted, (Bash, Venom Arrow, Crushing Shock) stunning your target for 3 seconds. This is VERY useful for those that you see using a restoration staff to restore their magicka. This stun does not give them immunity to chained CC unless they use their "Break Free" to remove it.
If you see a Nightblade vanish, hold block until you can see him again (if you use magelight, try to stand as close as possible - it will remove his vanish instantly). Detection potions kill Nightblades. If you glow red, purge yourself immediately if available.
If you get stunned by a sorcerers streak, quickly "Break Free" and roll dodge immediately. You will dodge a crystal fragment proc doing this 50% of the time. If their hands are glowing blue, then expect an instant crystal fragment - this can be dodged or blocked. If you see them casting it - bash if close, dodge if far (or venom arrow/crushing shock).
Keep DragonKnights at range. If they get close enough to charge, hold block until you hear the "clang" of the charge and roll dodge away. This will both negate their stun and remove their talons. If you see large wings pop out of the dragonknight, wait 4 seconds before casting on them or use melee attacks on them.
If you see a yellow shield on a Templar, be sure to be more then 10 meters away before damaging them. After 6 seconds it will explode for big damage (based on the damage they took). Templars will use their strongest heal when below 50%, be sure to burst or CC them when they drop low to secure a kill.
You can only pick up scrolls if your faction holds the scroll of the same inner color (e.g. defensive - purple, or offensive - orange). If you do not hold your own scroll of that same inner color, you cannot pick up an enemy one.
An enemy faction will often 'scroll' farm at a keep where they or you can't even pick up the scroll (so trolls can't sabotage them) because noobs think they need to defend/take the scroll, forgetting everything else on the map, and rush to their death over and over.
You can also breakout/immovable a negate (sorc/NPC aoe silence bubble). You're welcome.
If a keep is under attack and there are no camps, place new camps **inside the keep** Don't put on way out in BFE where the defenders have to run through the attackers to get back in... if you do, it will prevent anyone else from putting a camp in the proper spot...
Don't just hop on someone's siege equipment... unless otherwise told, they are most likely getting out of the enemy's siege fire or typing... SO DON'T BE RUDE!
If you are going to take my siege make sure you take all three(or two) and rotate between them, Do not fire it and stand there to wait for it to reload.
You can only secure Scrolls in your "native forts" - Castles for AD, Keeps for EP, Forts for DC.
Banners are not your friend stay away from the light!
Make sure to keep up with your group if a forward camp is gone. There's almost always a NB that's lurking on that pathway looking for a straggler.

Jaxom · August 2014

6. It does if you use a Meatbag in conjunction to a Fire Ballista. Without the Meatbag you are correct.

Armitas · August 2014

7. If you heal someone, don't expect to be out of combat anytime soon.

Lowbei · August 2014

8. Do not join a zerg. Learn how to smallman and get better at pvp with a small group, as you will never get better while zerging.

pitdemon_ESO · August 2014

You can buy multiple items (like stacks of wall repair kits) by rightclicking the item in the NPC's merchant window
When something weird happens ask around to see if it can be explained before crying haxxx. Chances are its just an ability or abilities that you haven't seen yet.
The mage NPCs hurt. Bad. Always prioritize them when attacking an objective.
The animation for things like oil doesn't always coincide with the red circle of death, especially in high lag situations. Pay attention to the red circle, disregard the animation.
Trolls in /zone burying group/guild commands? Set up a different channel in the chat window with /zone and /yell muted
Clean out your mail periodically or you will miss out on any hireling mats being sent your way when your mailbox gets full of "rewards for the worthy"

starlizard70ub17_ESO · August 2014

I just started in Cyrodil, thanks for the tips. i forgot about the silver shards for vampires option.

eliisra · August 2014

Best way to move around the map is to commit suicide on hostile NPC's (best bet would be enemy resources) and players. Than choose freely where to re-spawn, preferably a forward camp close to the keep that's about to fall. It's often the only way to travel within reasonable time when the transit line is cut of (unless you like riding simulators).

I didn't know this when I was new, I also had a 16 speed mount. Half my time in Cyrodiil was spent travelling in-between keeps. Which tbh is no fun at all, unless you play NB racer-sneaker looking for prey.

Jaxom · August 2014

- When you are crouched, hidden, you are completely invisible to your enemy, even in the middle of an open field.

SirAndy · August 2014

Don't wait until you're VR12

Go there as soon as you can (level 10) and get the hang of it, it can be loads of fun even at low levels....
;-)

Cody · August 2014

don't mindlessly charge into a keep once you get its walls(outer or inner) down. check for oil and ambushes. if there IS oil, wait for enemies to use it, then charge through. be sure you have a few people using purge.

Cody · August 2014

and if you find yourself unable to win a battle, escape and hide!!! live to fight another day.

RensDG · August 2014

The one about beeing stunned. To block-interupt to escape...(and black sphere) I didn't know that. Used it last night, on several occations it saved me from dying. Thanks!

R0M2K · August 2014

17 - Use normal ballistas against the walls
18 - Check for enemy camps when you enter a keep
19 - Place a camp if you are the last respawning from one

Dekkameron · August 2014

RensDG wrote: »

The one about beeing stunned. To block-interupt to escape...(and black sphere) I didn't know that. Used it last night, on several occations it saved me from dying. Thanks!

It's bizarre how many peeps don't realise you can do that.

xbalint.vargaxprb19_ESO · August 2014

use immovable. makes you immune to eclipse (black bubble on you), and negate (purple bubble) +to stuns, etc. lasts 8 sec and costs you less than cc break.

use your skills for your teammates, not just for yourself. every1 prefers dps-ing, but it simply doesnt work out. adapt to situations, change your playstyle when needed (every magicka based character can be a healer)

purging (with efficient purge) to prevent siege damage is cheaper than healing it. every group needs someone to purge

but all tip over all: follow the groupleader. Most people who join a group just dont care about anything but themselfs and continue to act like soloing. please dont, this will get you killed faster and you wipe your team as well.

Enkil · August 2014

Don't stand in negate.

dcincali · August 2014

Buy forward camps. Your camp could be the reason the keep gets defended or taken. When a Keep goes under attack, drop a camp ASAP.

Sharee · August 2014

Captured enemy scrolls can only be placed in a structure that naturally belongs to your faction. You won't be able to place it in a structure you currently own, but which naturally belongs to the enemy.

Which structure is natural to which faction can be seen by looking at it's name:

- anything that is a FORT naturally belongs to the daggerfall covenant (Fort ash, etc.)
- anything that is a KEEP naturally belongs to the ebonheart pact (Chalman keep, etc.)
- anything that is a CASTLE naturally belongs to the aldmeri dominion (Castle alessia, etc.)

Jaxom · August 2014

Sharee wrote: »

Captured enemy scrolls can only be placed in a structure that naturally belongs to your faction. You won't be able to place it in a structure you currently own, but which naturally belongs to the enemy.

Which structure is natural to which faction can be seen by looking at it's name:

- anything that is a FORT naturally belongs to the daggerfall covenant (Fort ash, etc.)
- anything that is a KEEP naturally belongs to the ebonheart pact (Chalman keep, etc.)
- anything that is a CASTLE naturally belongs to the aldmeri dominion (Castle alessia, etc.)

been playing since beta and I actually never notice that bit about the keep names by type. I feel silly now. Seems so obvious.

Brizz · August 2014

Anything that does "Disease" damage will reduce the targets incoming healing - this includes weapon enchants. Used in conjunction with abilities that reduce healing taken (death stroke, Dragonknight standard, lethal arrow) will secure many kills.

IF EVER you see a synergy option pop up, USE IT. There isn't a synergy in the game that is bad for you, and they are all very strong.

The enchants found on Pvp weapons, once upgraded to legendary, are twice as strong as Legendary crafted enchants.

IMPENETRABLE. This is the MOST important trait for pvp, have at least 3-4 items with it.

"Defensive Ticks" is a term referring to the AP gain after a successful defense of a keep or resource, and doesn't happen right away. After defending, be sure to hang around for a minute or two until you see a large AP gain pop up.

You cannot travel to a friend/guildmate or fast travel within cyrodiil, but you can travel to your guest/home campaign as often as you like. If you need to turn in quests, you can travel to your guest campaign, then back to your home. Cyrodiil is also a great place to port to from anywhere to clear out your bags, and is free.

All pvp quests can be completed on any campaign. This is very useful for scouting quests (travel to a campaign that your faction dominates for easy scouting) or when you have a home campaign that isn't very active (completing kill quests on high population servers, then turn it in on your home campaign)

"Meatbag Catapults" reduce healing taken by 100%. This is VERY useful against big blobby zergs or when defending inner keeps.

Forward camps are easily killed at ranged with siege.

Don't try to fight the monsters fighting at the bridge in the center of Cyrodiil, they will kill you. Don't swim in the water on the outskirts/rivers in Cyrodiil, they will kill you.

You can "Blood Port" to any keep/forward camp on the map so long as you die to a player or guard.

If you see a small group capturing a resource, be careful not to pull extra guards for them to have to kill. Kill menders first, and be sure to interrupt their channeled heal.

In every keep, there are 5-6 NPCs in the corners of the outer wall that surround a portal. Killing these NPCs drastically increases the respawn time of all NPCs in that keep.

The stamina bar on your horse determines when you will be knocked off of it. If you are in hostile territory, don't burn through all of your horses stamina, as the first hit you take will result in being knocked off.

Every mundus stone available in the game can be found somewhere in Cyrodiil.

Choose an easy keybind for roll dodge and disable the "double tap" feature. This will keep you from accidentally rolling off towers and also make it a lot easier to dodge key abilities like crystal fragments.

Potions in this game drastically improve all aspects of your gameplay, and can be used often.

Detection Potions are amazing in pvp. They can allow you to find many enemies as well as secure your surprise attack when crouched.

Food Buffs in this game drastically improve your stats.

If you want to use Medium armor, be sure to roll dodge effectively.

Don't use heavy armor.

All Heavy attacks and channeled abilities can be interrupted, (Bash, Venom Arrow, Crushing Shock) stunning your target for 3 seconds. This is VERY useful for those that you see using a restoration staff to restore their magicka. This stun does not give them immunity to chained CC unless they use their "Break Free" to remove it.

****Class Tips****

If you see a Nightblade vanish, hold block until you can see him again (if you use magelight, try to stand as close as possible - it will remove his vanish instantly). Detection potions kill Nightblades. If you glow red, purge yourself immediately if available.

If you get stunned by a sorcerers streak, quickly "Break Free" and roll dodge immediately. You will dodge a crystal fragment proc doing this 50% of the time. If their hands are glowing blue, then expect an instant crystal fragment - this can be dodged or blocked. If you see them casting it - bash if close, dodge if far (or venom arrow/crushing shock).

Keep DragonKnights at range. If they get close enough to charge, hold block until you hear the "clang" of the charge and roll dodge away. This will both negate their stun and remove their talons. If you see large wings pop out of the dragonknight, wait 4 seconds before casting on them or use melee attacks on them.

If you see a yellow shield on a Templar, be sure to be more then 10 meters away before damaging them. After 6 seconds it will explode for big damage (based on the damage they took). Templars will use their strongest heal when below 50%, be sure to burst or CC them when they drop low to secure a kill.

Halrloprillalar · August 2014

You can only pick up scrolls if your faction holds the scroll of the same inner color (e.g. defensive - purple, or offensive - orange). If you do not hold your own scroll of that same inner color, you cannot pick up an enemy one.

An enemy faction will often 'scroll' farm at a keep where they or you can't even pick up the scroll (so trolls can't sabotage them) because noobs think they need to defend/take the scroll, forgetting everything else on the map, and rush to their death over and over.

You can also breakout/immovable a negate (sorc/NPC aoe silence bubble). You're welcome.

Enkil · August 2014

If a keep is under attack and there are no camps, place new camps **inside the keep** Don't put on way out in BFE where the defenders have to run through the attackers to get back in... if you do, it will prevent anyone else from putting a camp in the proper spot...

Grim13 · August 2014

Don't just hop on someone's siege equipment... unless otherwise told, they are most likely getting out of the enemy's siege fire or typing...

SO DON'T BE RUDE!

krim · August 2014

Grim13 wrote: »

Don't just hop on someone's siege equipment... unless otherwise told, they are most likely getting out of the enemy's siege fire or typing...

SO DON'T BE RUDE!

If you are going to take my siege make sure you take all three(or two) and rotate between them, Do not fire it and stand there to wait for it to reload.

Blazzin-Ace · August 2014

Banners are not your friend stay away from the light!

zScars · August 2014

dont use the wooden door you idiot

AzureButterfly · August 2014

You can only secure Scrolls in your "native forts" - Castles for AD, Keeps for EP, Forts for DC.

If you're doing a dungeon in Cyrodiil, be aware that "revive at wayshrine" ports you all the way back to the Cyrodiil Gate for your alliance. NEVER "revive at wayshrine" if you aren't finished with the dungeon.

Also relating to the dungeons - if you're going for the "cleared" achievements, the bosses are all on a shared respawn timer. If you've killed bosses A and B, and still need to kill boss C, you'll have to keep killing A and B until C finally shows up.

If you run into an enemy player when you're both doing PvE, you can block and walk backwards away from them and they're surprisingly likely to leave you alone. There are usually some people hiding in the towns waiting to ambush you, but most people are nice enough to let you grab a skyshard first.

TheBull · August 2014

Blazzin-Ace wrote: »

Banners are not your friend stay away from the light!

Like a moth to flame. You will not be the hero, your w/e will not counter it. Move away.

je25ffb14_ESO · August 2014

Few things I learned:

Don't go anywhere near an enemy fort. You'll get nuked

Make sure to keep up with your group if a forward camp is gone. There's almost always a NB that's lurking on that pathway looking for a straggler.

Zooce · August 2014

Some great stuff here - come them coming!