What keeps me back from playing this game like 'I' want to...

Korozenn · August 2014

Before Craglorn and Trials were introduced into the game, I honestly didn't feel as pigeon-holed into having certain types of builds as I do now.

With both of the aforementioned, though, it seemed as if ZeniMax just turned their backs completely towards particular playstyles that many players here have in that we 'do' prefer our solo ventures a la standard The Elder Scrolls affairs with the 'option' of grouping if we ever needed any help.

Now, don't get me wrong. The aspect behind this type of "play-as-you-want" style of approach that TES games are known for is carried well across the zones of the game now from Level 1-50 and better now for VR 1-12 than they were prior to v1.2.X, and even in PvP most content is structured better for grouping that it doesn't feel like a chore to do. However, there are still issues that continue to persist for the longevity of this game for me, and those issues are starting to become an eyesore, especially with many of the latest updates focusing almost solely on adding group content.

For the sake of this thread, I'm going to both draw an example to existing online games and stick to solely talking about the grouping/pigeonholed aspect of this game. It'd be great to get ZeniMax's feedback on what they intend to do with players like myself who share a similar playstyle.

Trials
Quite possibly the biggest offender here are the 12-Player Trials in this game. From the horror stories I've heard with people running through Trials, it seems it's either Dress/Staff or GTFO. There's clearly a vast majority of players that are being pigeonholed into builds in the game, and it's evidenced enough here on the boards.

That just doesn't feel right. It's not what this game is about at all.

The Elder Scrolls Online was a game that, if I recall correctly, originally stood to correct that issue that most MMOs have had in the past where only a few select playstyles and builds would be plausible for players when grouping, or else they get kicked. I know people won't like hearing me say this, but I think it's clear that Trials are just too challenging for your more casual player-base and those people who want to have more versatile builds.

People shouldn't have to feel punished for particular builds they have. Neither should an area of the game ever feel walled-off to them because of their playstyle. That's just not the right way you approach making this game because it forces players to do something they just don't want to do if they really want to experience the game fully by completely altering their builds into something generic that everyone else has. Part of this issue stems from Light Armor/Dress builds being far greater in number than potential Stamina-focused builds, but another large part of it 'is' the fact that Trials shouldn't be geared towards only particular types of playstyles.

Craglorn
Unless you're a really, really good solo player, you can't venture through Craglorn, its dungeons, and its delves. Why? Because it's only built around venturing with a group of four.

The issue with this is that the game itself is built around the aspect of taking in your environment, becoming immersed in the game's world, and many players (like myself) treat listening to character dialogue, talking to NPCs, and taking our time to take in the game's environments as essential to that experience. The problem?

We don't group up because of this because, when we do, we get rushed by other players to keep moving more often than not.

I understand this game is supposed to play like an MMO, but when we, as TES fans that like to take in the breadth of the game's environments, can't fully enjoy the game because there are areas made to take away that enjoyment we get out of it by forcing us into this competitive aspect of it, it does bother me very much...and I end up regretting my time spent in Tamriel when those moments happen where I am forced to skip through quest dialogue, rush through dungeons, and cut myself from experiencing those immersive qualities that I'd feel from past TES games and areas that 'can' be soloed in this game.

Craglorn is one of these areas, and if ZeniMax just keeps doing this in the future by not catering to multiple playstyles, it will continue to negatively impact their playerbase of TES diehards that just want to be able to wholly experience the game by themselves.

Group Dungeons
See: Craglorn and Trials for my issue here. Don't think I need to expand on this anymore than I did in those two sections.

What I feel could help:
Remove the fact that this content is solely for 'Group-Play' if it ever involves questing through an area and heavy amounts of dialogue. In other words, for Craglorn, future group-structured areas, and Group Dungeons, allow for players to have the option of creating Solo Instances (Group Dungeons) and scale areas like Craglorn better so that content can be better soloed if people really want to, no matter what build they have. The same goes for dungeons and delves that are instanced away to players in areas like Craglorn--those instances should scale to how many players are in the party better.

For Trials, rework current skill lines so that Stamina builds become more viable. Introduce a mechanic of the "Looking for Group" feature that allows you to search for a "Hardcore/Ranking" or "Laidback/Non-Ranking" group when it comes to these Trials and the upcoming Dragonstar Arena. Take games like Diablo 3 as an example, where you can solo all content in the game, but it would just be very, very challenging to do. Content structured for raids should still stay as such as this is an MMO, but as I said, it should be 'structured' for raiding (not questing).

I'm not asking for a different way to structure Trials, PvP Raids, or content such as that designed for grouping. I'm asking for a way to design 'group' content, "Group" Dungeons, dungeons in Cyrodiil, Craglorn and other areas like it, and Veteran Group Dungeons, to be areas that 'can' be soloed but just very challenging if done by yourself, just like Dark Anchors are now.

As said, these are just my suggestions to better the game. I'd appreciate hearing what others, and even ZeniMax, have to say on this topic. I've been here since Beta back in February and have voiced this numerous times through ZeniMax's in-game and Support channels. Am I wrong or selfish for thinking that a playstyle like mine, that is geared towards being more of a casual player, shouldn't be blind-sided like this? If so, the door is always there. I can walk out anytime I feel like, but I feel it's important to get how I've been feeling for months now with this game that has restricted me from enjoying it fully.

I'm actually just waiting to hear from Matt Frior's next The Road Ahead article to decide from there whether or not this game is even right for me at this point. Because I honestly feel this game caters almost exclusively towards MMO fans in end-game content rather than longtime TES fans that just want to play solo and group up only when they come across friends in-game, rather than complete strangers who show no regard for your particular playstyle.

SirAndy · August 2014

I have no problem playing this game the way i want to.

And only one of my 4 main characters wears a pretty dress while waving a wooden stick.
;-)

DenverRalphy · August 2014

I shake my head every time I hear the "play as you want to" phrase.

I have looked and have yet to see any actual reference to that meaning that no matter your choices you can do everything content wise.

Sure, you can build your character any way you wish. That does not mean that your character will be effective in every situation. Even the previous TES titles were that way. With any TES game, your build made a huge difference. ESO is no different in this aspect.

Korozenn · August 2014

In other TES games, I have 'not' had this issue. That's my problem with this game.

I suppose this game just caters to much to the MMO crowd for my liking, if that's the case.

Armigedon · August 2014

There are 3 things wrong right now.
1: Stamina is used to move faster, dodge, and break out of cc. To have the majority of your damage abilities use these would be moronic in a fight where 11 other people are counting on you. AA is not as bad as HR in that matter, but it still has mechanics that need to be addressed.

2: Armor types are better if you use more of them. Since the passives on the light armor fit more people's play-styles, you will see them more.

3: Abilities in every class are only magicka. Even close range 'weapon' abilities require magicka instead of stamina. This slight thing forces the above two to have more impact than if were alone.

The issue is that the top tier groups are farming both trials. (We) have found a way to expedite the trials to a point of being way under the 20 minute mark without a reason to slow down. My guild does (sometimes) bring along a dps stamina build who chooses not to have a dps meter or any other add-ons for that matter. We still down the bosses.

My advice to you is to find a laid-back guild who is looking to advance in trials through a different strategy than the current "speed runs." There are a few out there (I don't know if they fail or succeed), that may be wanting to try different strategies.

amm7sb14_ESO · August 2014

DenverRalphy wrote: »

I shake my head every time I hear the "play as you want to" phrase.

I have looked and have yet to see any actual reference to that meaning that no matter your choices you can do everything content wise.

Sure, you can build your character any way you wish. That does not mean that your character will be effective in every situation. Even the previous TES titles were that way. With any TES game, your build made a huge difference. ESO is no different in this aspect.

you were never denied content in past TES games because of your build.

smeeprocketnub19_ESO · August 2014

amm7sb14_ESO wrote: »

DenverRalphy wrote: »

I shake my head every time I hear the "play as you want to" phrase.

I have looked and have yet to see any actual reference to that meaning that no matter your choices you can do everything content wise.

Sure, you can build your character any way you wish. That does not mean that your character will be effective in every situation. Even the previous TES titles were that way. With any TES game, your build made a huge difference. ESO is no different in this aspect.

you were never denied content in past TES games because of your build.

wrong, iirc either arena or daggerfall required one of your base skills was magicka based if you wanted to be in the mages' guild. And in Morrowind you needed a certain skill rank for one of the appropriate mages' guild skill types to advance.

poodlemasterb16_ESO · August 2014

And you will not get into the mage's guild in Skyrim without casting that spell.

Rune_Relic · August 2014

poodlemasterb16_ESO wrote: »

And you will not get into the mage's guild in Skyrim without casting that spell.

Could you not use a fireball scroll then ?

smeeprocketnub19_ESO · August 2014

it's like 1 low level spell. My character was pure stealth melee and became archmage without even being able to cast more than the most rudimentary stuff.

Laura · August 2014

You mean when you are playing in a group with people they expect you to pull your own weight? Wow the horror.

As others have said YES there is a HUGE problem with stamina build and melee. It is this games #1 overwhelming problem and its actually kind of embarrassing it hasn't been fully addressed yet. A lot of my friends quit because they are melee players and they can't do that here. The thing is its not a difference of 5 to 10% dps its a difference of 500%+ dps maybe more. It is literally the difference between a kill or not and this I'm totally on board with you about.

This is an MMO you can not possibly expect to have everything handed to you, there needs to be different kinds of content for different types of players. Some of them want extremely difficult content and this content will always expect that you will pick at least somewhat smart builds.

If you ever expect to go into a trial with heavy armor and a bow casting spells with dual wield as your secondary you are sadly mistaken. It won't happen, it can't happen. They can and should fix it to where all playstyles are viable (as in bow, melee, casting, tanking) but they will never be able to guarantee every silly build people come up with will be.

Tyr · August 2014

DenverRalphy wrote: »

I shake my head every time I hear the "play as you want to" phrase.

I have looked and have yet to see any actual reference to that meaning that no matter your choices you can do everything content wise.

Sure, you can build your character any way you wish. That does not mean that your character will be effective in every situation. Even the previous TES titles were that way. With any TES game, your build made a huge difference. ESO is no different in this aspect.

Except in previous TES games you in fact could do just about any encounter however you wanted as long as you came prepared.

For example, in Skyrim if I wanted to use no magic what-so-ever, I could spend dozens of hours building the best enchanted armor and weapons, bring lots of potions and still beat the game on master, though it would take 5x longer than with magic.

smeeprocketnub19_ESO · August 2014

Tyr wrote: »

DenverRalphy wrote: »

I shake my head every time I hear the "play as you want to" phrase.

I have looked and have yet to see any actual reference to that meaning that no matter your choices you can do everything content wise.

Sure, you can build your character any way you wish. That does not mean that your character will be effective in every situation. Even the previous TES titles were that way. With any TES game, your build made a huge difference. ESO is no different in this aspect.

Except in previous TES games you in fact could do just about any encounter however you wanted as long as you came prepared.

For example, in Skyrim if I wanted to use no magic what-so-ever, I could spend dozens of hours building the best enchanted armor and weapons, bring lots of potions and still beat the game on master, though it would take 5x longer than with magic.

erm, skyrim without magic is easy as hell. The only magic I used was... hmm, maybe some scrolls. I think that newbie spell for the mage's college was it.

Oh! I got some special abilities, like being able to summon lucien lachance, so does that count as magic?

Aenra · August 2014

amm7sb14_ESO wrote: »

you were never denied content in past TES games because of your build.

You still aren't.

I too have criticised this issue, a lot in fact.
Truth of the matter however is that we have an imbalance. We do NOT have anything as severe as a "denial of content"

That's people checking Foundry builds, gearing up, expecting the same
That's people that have been trained to min/max as if this is WoW TBC era, despite of having no such need here
That's people unable to play well, and over compensating with gear/certain builds, expecting the rest to do likewise

let us keep a measure

jamie.goddenrwb17_ESO · August 2014

Laura wrote: »

If you ever expect to go into a trial with heavy armor and a bow casting spells with dual wield as your secondary you are sadly mistaken. It won't happen, it can't happen. They can and should fix it to where all playstyles are viable (as in bow, melee, casting, tanking) but they will never be able to guarantee every silly build people come up with will be.

I agree with almost everything you said. They could balance skills so you can do exactly this. Add a few passives to armor lines that boost the effectiveness of whatever weapon you're using at the time.

They just likely won't.

Tarascon · August 2014

poodlemasterb16_ESO wrote: »

And you will not get into the mage's guild in Skyrim without casting that spell.

Actually after a certain point in the main quest there's an extra dialog option to get in by being dragonborn.

Phinix1 · August 2014

I found your post insightful.

For me, it isn't so much that you can't play with some wonky custom build and expect to win at everything. I don't think that is realistically what anyone is saying.

What people are complaining about, and rightly so, is an entire resource pool of playstyles, basically ANYTHING melee or ANYTHING other than a staff, are ridiculously biased against because all their abilities scale off Stamina.

Stamina is used for defensive abilities as well, as others mentioned.

But the larger problem is that class abilities all scale off Magicka.

That means magic users see ALL their abilities (class and weapon) scale off ONE stat, while EVERY OTHER WEAPON USER IN THE GAME have to divide their resources between stamina and magic, lowering the damage of ALL their abilities.

Beyond that, magic users get Equilibrium from the Mage Guild to recover their ONE primary resource for long fights, where stamina users get nothing. This was improved slightly by making stamina cost reduction and recovery on medium armor more compatible with what magic users get with light.

Restoration Staff scales ALL your damage up by 10% (including ultimates), which already scale better since they are again based on ONE resource pool.

Stamina users get nothing like that and scale far worse.

That is the biggest problem with this game. Stamina users get screwed in damage AND longevity. By "stamina user" I basically mean "any weapon in the game that isn't a staff."

That's a huge problem.

Of course you can equip whatever hodgepodge of armor types and abilities you want and still win at killing mudcrabs, but we were talking about being able to run dungeons and compete in trials and end-game content (which we pay just as much for as the rest of you.)

DenverRalphy · August 2014

Tyr wrote: »

DenverRalphy wrote: »

I shake my head every time I hear the "play as you want to" phrase.

I have looked and have yet to see any actual reference to that meaning that no matter your choices you can do everything content wise.

Sure, you can build your character any way you wish. That does not mean that your character will be effective in every situation. Even the previous TES titles were that way. With any TES game, your build made a huge difference. ESO is no different in this aspect.

Except in previous TES games you in fact could do just about any encounter however you wanted as long as you came prepared.

For example, in Skyrim if I wanted to use no magic what-so-ever, I could spend dozens of hours building the best enchanted armor and weapons, bring lots of potions and still beat the game on master, though it would take 5x longer than with magic.

The bolded is the kicker. You couldn't just walk in with any ole build and expect to handle every encounter. You had to adjust and prepare for every encounter that your current build could not handle.

I've played every TES game, and in none of them could you just walk into any situation regardless of build.

DenverRalphy · August 2014

amm7sb14_ESO wrote: »

DenverRalphy wrote: »

I shake my head every time I hear the "play as you want to" phrase.

I have looked and have yet to see any actual reference to that meaning that no matter your choices you can do everything content wise.

Sure, you can build your character any way you wish. That does not mean that your character will be effective in every situation. Even the previous TES titles were that way. With any TES game, your build made a huge difference. ESO is no different in this aspect.

you were never denied content in past TES games because of your build.

Shenanigans. There were plenty of encounters, where if you weren't built properly, you'd either struggle hard, or just get waffle stomped. Then you'd have to reasses and come back later better prepared for the encounter.

If you never encountered that, then it was due to your having coincidentally built your character in an effective manner that could handle any situation.

Phinix1 · August 2014

DenverRalphy wrote: »

Tyr wrote: »

DenverRalphy wrote: »

I shake my head every time I hear the "play as you want to" phrase.

I have looked and have yet to see any actual reference to that meaning that no matter your choices you can do everything content wise.

Sure, you can build your character any way you wish. That does not mean that your character will be effective in every situation. Even the previous TES titles were that way. With any TES game, your build made a huge difference. ESO is no different in this aspect.

Except in previous TES games you in fact could do just about any encounter however you wanted as long as you came prepared.

For example, in Skyrim if I wanted to use no magic what-so-ever, I could spend dozens of hours building the best enchanted armor and weapons, bring lots of potions and still beat the game on master, though it would take 5x longer than with magic.

The bolded is the kicker. You couldn't just walk in with any ole build and expect to handle every encounter. You had to adjust and prepare for every encounter that your current build could not handle.

I've played every TES game, and in none of them could you just walk into any situation regardless of build.

Being prepared is one thing. That isn't what this is about though. Even the most heavily theory crafted and situationally optimal stamina builds still vastly underperform the magicka equivalents in any meaningful end game content, dungeons, or trials.

It doesn't matter how prepared you are to swing a broken hammer.

DenverRalphy · August 2014

AlienDiplomat wrote: »

DenverRalphy wrote: »

Tyr wrote: »

DenverRalphy wrote: »

I shake my head every time I hear the "play as you want to" phrase.

I have looked and have yet to see any actual reference to that meaning that no matter your choices you can do everything content wise.

Sure, you can build your character any way you wish. That does not mean that your character will be effective in every situation. Even the previous TES titles were that way. With any TES game, your build made a huge difference. ESO is no different in this aspect.

Except in previous TES games you in fact could do just about any encounter however you wanted as long as you came prepared.

For example, in Skyrim if I wanted to use no magic what-so-ever, I could spend dozens of hours building the best enchanted armor and weapons, bring lots of potions and still beat the game on master, though it would take 5x longer than with magic.

The bolded is the kicker. You couldn't just walk in with any ole build and expect to handle every encounter. You had to adjust and prepare for every encounter that your current build could not handle.

I've played every TES game, and in none of them could you just walk into any situation regardless of build.

Being prepared is one thing. That isn't what this is about though. Even the most heavily theory crafted and situationally optimal stamina builds still vastly underperform the magicka equivalents in any meaningful end game content, dungeons, or trials.

It doesn't matter how prepared you are to swing a broken hammer.

The ONLY time anybody can be pointed to as under performing based on their build is in the Trials. That's it. And that's only because there's a numerical value attributed to a score and a leader board

Other than that, there's a lot of leeway given to builds.

jamie.goddenrwb17_ESO · August 2014

DenverRalphy wrote: »

The bolded is the kicker. You couldn't just walk in with any ole build and expect to handle every encounter. You had to adjust and prepare for every encounter that your current build could not handle.

I've played every TES game, and in none of them could you just walk into any situation regardless of build.

True but at least nothing stopped you from levelling heavy armor and greatsword and cleaving your way to victory with little more than a couple of health potions or a single resto heal spell.

DenverRalphy · August 2014

jamie.goddenrwb17_ESO wrote: »

DenverRalphy wrote: »

The bolded is the kicker. You couldn't just walk in with any ole build and expect to handle every encounter. You had to adjust and prepare for every encounter that your current build could not handle.

I've played every TES game, and in none of them could you just walk into any situation regardless of build.

True but at least nothing stopped you from levelling heavy armor and greatsword and cleaving your way to victory with little more than a couple of health potions or a single resto heal spell.

For the most part, the same is true in ESO. Until you try to compete in the Trials, which is the one anomaly that everybody seems to focus on.

Phinix1 · August 2014

DenverRalphy wrote: »

The ONLY time anybody can be pointed to as under performing based on their build is in the Trials. That's it. And that's only because there's a numerical value attributed to a score and a leader board

Other than that, there's a lot of leeway given to builds.

Just because that is the only time you SEE it, doesn't mean the problem isn't always there.

DenverRalphy wrote: »

For the most part, the same is true in ESO. Until you try to compete in the Trials, which is the one anomaly that everybody seems to focus on.

Might have something to do with their being no raids or other end-game content, and the constant obnoxious mail and alert notifications of the leaderboard goading you into wanting to participate in something you will never be invited for?

DenverRalphy · August 2014

AlienDiplomat wrote: »

DenverRalphy wrote: »

The ONLY time anybody can be pointed to as under performing based on their build is in the Trials. That's it. And that's only because there's a numerical value attributed to a score and a leader board

Other than that, there's a lot of leeway given to builds.

Just because that is the only time you SEE it, doesn't mean the problem isn't always there.

Sure it does. Nothing else in the game reflects any deficit due to builds other than Trials, which is all built around DPS. Nothing. Every Dungeon, Quest, Delve, etc... can all be accomplished famously with little emphasis on min/max builds.

Phinix1 · August 2014

DenverRalphy wrote: »

Sure it does. Nothing else in the game reflects any deficit due to builds other than Trials, which is all built around DPS. Nothing. Every Dungeon, Quest, Delve, etc... can all be accomplished famously with little emphasis on min/max builds.

Veteran dungeons are just as harsh and unforgiving as trials. If you have significantly lower DPS and sustainability in trials, you will have the same problem in veteran dungeons.

Sure you can still prevail, but it will be more challenging.

Besides, why are we defending this? Do you honestly think it is right that every weapon in the game other than staff has to half its resources with magicka?

Is it really OK that a Stamina user with higher resources and damage stats than a magic user does LESS damage with their ultimates?

Sure the guy with no legs CAN still run track. But wouldn't it be better, if we could use our vast technology to give the poor guy some REAL legs?

jamie.goddenrwb17_ESO · August 2014

AlienDiplomat wrote: »

DenverRalphy wrote: »

The ONLY time anybody can be pointed to as under performing based on their build is in the Trials. That's it. And that's only because there's a numerical value attributed to a score and a leader board

Other than that, there's a lot of leeway given to builds.

Just because that is the only time you SEE it, doesn't mean the problem isn't always there.

DenverRalphy wrote: »

For the most part, the same is true in ESO. Until you try to compete in the Trials, which is the one anomaly that everybody seems to focus on.

Might have something to do with their being no raids or other end-game content, and the content obnoxious mail and alert notifications of the leaderboard goading you into wanting to participate.

Ding ding ding, we have a winner!

Seriously though, spot on. Different content will be nice addition but actual balance should technically fix the whole problem.

Make all weapons equally (as possible) competitive in PvE damage and add a couple of different options for each armor skill line so they aren't pigeon holed into a single role.

indytims_ESO · August 2014

This isn't Elder Scrolls VI.

This is ESO. Some of the base facets of the game have changed, and rightly so, in order to accommodate playing with other people.

Group content is -expected-. No one promised you that the entire game, every zone, would be soloable. Most of the game is soloable, and they even weakened V1-12 areas to make them more solo-friendly.

I solo most of the time, or duo with my partner. I will group from time to time, and I expect there to be content that actually -challenges- a group. Such content might logically not be soloable. That's the way it goes, and in my opinion, is the way it should be.

smeeprocketnub19_ESO · August 2014

indytims_ESO wrote: »

This isn't Elder Scrolls VI.

This is ESO. Some of the base facets of the game have changed, and rightly so, in order to accommodate playing with other people.

Group content is -expected-. No one promised you that the entire game, every zone, would be soloable. Most of the game is soloable, and they even weakened V1-12 areas to make them more solo-friendly.

I solo most of the time, or duo with my partner. I will group from time to time, and I expect there to be content that actually -challenges- a group. Such content might logically not be soloable. That's the way it goes, and in my opinion, is the way it should be.

that content requires you to use the same group from start to finish or be unable to complete it due to phasing and other problems. That's the issue with craglorn. I can't get the same 4 people every frickin time, so I can't progress.

I really think very few people are complaining tha tthey have to group, just that they can't get a pickup group now and then to move forward. It makes the questline unplayable.

Korozenn · August 2014

Now, let me clear something up for some of you on this thread:

About "Playing as You Want"
From the very outset of this game's reveal, the developers have clearly stated themselves that they want to allow people who play this game, no matter their playstyle, to be able to experience and fully enjoy all that it has to offer. You want proof? Here, take a gander at the game's introductory video that has been available to see on the site and their YouTube channel for years now.

In other words, is it wrong for someone to go into this game thinking that they would still be able to get everything they want to out of the game in terms of exploration, whether they prefer to play through the game solo vs. in a group? you know...like an Elder Scrolls game? The 'Online' aspect of this game was meant to just be that: an Online game where you see other players, other adventurers, doing what you're doing, and you can join them at your own leisure if they or yourself need help. It shouldn't be something we're forced to do for exploration, dungeons, and questing.

Dungeons and Veteran Dungeons
Dungeons should scale to how many players are in your group as well as your level, whether normal Group or Veteran Dungeons (Public Dungeons I have no qualm with, for the obvious reason that you aren't forced to group with others). Scaling content to how many players are in 'x' area has been a mechanic that's been around for both MMOs and RPGs for a LONG time.

Magicka > Stamina IS an issue that plagues the game.
The other issue with the equation of ZeniMax openly admitting that the game is supposed to usher in the same TES feel you get from the main TES games is that Magicka-focused builds are the bread-and-butter of this game. Heck, you can just dump all Skill Points into Magicka and say 'GG' because most Stamina-reliant skill lines in the game are entirely trumped by Magicka builds.

As I said before, when it comes to end-game content, I take no qualms with being forced to group up for raids like I have before in other Online RPGs and MMOs. However, it's having to be pigeonholed into particular builds to find a group willing to accept you that I don't like about it when I can practically solo the rest of the game (most likely barring Craglorn).

So, to sum everything up:
Trials and the Dragonstar Arena should have been there since launch. It is clear that ZeniMax released an unrefined game, something that a lot of us from Beta who have followed this game since its inception know because many of us saw how many zones the game's original map had. PvP is still supposed to be at the forefront of the end-game experience; Craglorn and other zones like it in the future should 'not' be walled off from being soloed. The Looking for Group mechanic in-game is flawed (hence why everyone and their mother uses Zone Chat instead). Magicka builds are far greater in number and far more powerful than Stamina or Magicka/Stamina-focused builds are; in other words, there's a lack of reason to ever 'want' to be versatile in the game because you're not going to be able to pull your weight in raids or Veteran-based group content. And, Group Dungeons/Veteran Dungeons should scale to the number of people in your party, even if it's just you alone, with content in that dungeon being properly scaled to group leader's level.

Right now, especially in its current state, The Elder Scrolls Online is a very unrefined game mechanically for its end-game content. The leveling experience from Levels 1-50 is superb, don't get me wrong. However, it's the moment that you step into the zergfest in Cyrodiil and start experiencing true end-game content that this game's flaws begin to become a major eyesore, which is why we saw such a high-rate of Veteran players unsubscribe from the game after the first couple months of the game's launch or go on hiatus.

Also, don't even bring up questing through other zones in place of what is 'true' end-game content because all of that questing you're doing in other faction territories was placed there for no other purpose but as filler while ZeniMax works on delivering what should have been available since launch.

The Elder Scrolls Online was supposed to serve as the entry-point of the series in terms of its main timeline, but instead it feels like we're left with nothing else than another shoe-horned spinoff title that is playing solely off of namesake alone to keep it afloat. THAT is my issue with this game. I would've taken no qualms with these issues if it wasn't an 'Elder Scrolls' game, but it 'is', and it's intended to play like one, just online. And my point in this thread is that ZeniMax has failed to show me how they intend on doing so for end-game content, hence why I'm looking forward to what they have to say in their next Road Ahead.

If it's more about catering to that niche group of players in the upcoming updates like Updates 1, 2, and 4 have been doing, then ZeniMax risks losing a large chunk of their playerbase, myself included, who take qualms with being walled off from what is exploration and questing through content that has always been a solo affair in other TES games and in fact the main part of the end-game 'solo' experience previously provided in other TES games, now becoming forced group content (i.e. Craglorn and other areas like it introduced into the game in the future). And, if we don't get proper changes in place so that Dungeons and Veteran Dungeons can be made into solo affairs, then ZeniMax will continue to divide its playerbase until it's left with only diehard fans of the game that enjoy getting bits-and-bobbles of end-game content sprinkled on them every now-and-then.

This has been my issue with The Elder Scrolls Online since launch. And it remains a major issue for me even now. Maybe someday, if it does all get better and those woes above are fixed for the most part, I'll see myself return to the game. But right now, I'm just going to wait out these last couple of months of my subscription until it comes to a close and find something else to play in the meantime until they do address my own qualms with the game, and, I should point out that a lot of other people who have been here since Beta and launch share very similar qualms with me.