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Where do you stand on class archetypes in ESO?

Rodario
Rodario
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While ESO allows you to use any type of armor or weapon with any class, there are still suggested archetypes. These are embedded deep within most MMO players' minds and are also showcased by ESO, for example in character creation and trailers.

Archetype examples:

- Medium armor wearing, bow/DW Nightblades
- Light armor wearing, staff wielding Sorcerers
- Heavy armor wearing 1H+Shield/2H Dragon Knights and Templars
- ...and to a lesser extent: Light armor wearing, restoration staff wielding Templars

Do you equip your characters in such archetypical ways? (Either consciously or seemingly by accident)

NOTE: If you only actively play one character, "all of them" also applies.

If you enjoyed this poll, you might also enjoy What's your take on alts in ESO?
Edited by Rodario on October 2, 2014 5:21PM
Victoria Lux - Templar Tank
{EU/DC}

Where do you stand on class archetypes in ESO? 151 votes

My characters are (mostly) equipped according to their archetype
41%
jambam817_ESOGilvothkevlarto_ESOryanmjmcevoy_ESOmichaelb14a_ESO2Psychobunniers101284b14_ESOOrangeTheCatYakirosKhajitFurTraderPendrillionGuzzoAnexRune_RelicArthur_SpoonfondleMorienhtarkwisatzAngryNordMuizerStautmeister 62 votes
My characters are (mostly) not equipped according to their archetype (But not all of them wear light armor)
14%
Aett_Thornbosmern_ESOGalenlordspyderSaetotis67Seliquejockjammerb16_ESOVegarothb92303008rwb17_ESOgdorsettub17_ESOPengeszikratajniackCaldurionBBSoonerRomoSallingtonEirellaGreycatsGhettobird52 22 votes
My characters (mostly) wear light armor. If armor types were balanced, they would be equipped according to their archetype (This also applies to Sorcerers and Resto-Templars that would still be wearing light armor)
8%
NorthernFuryBraidasbertenburnyb16_ESOBlooddancerDaraughkhele23eb17_ESOThatHappyCatsparafucilsarwb17_ESOdavid.haypreub18_ESOkimbohGhostwalkerLDFrenkthevileBashev 13 votes
My characters (mostly) wear light armor. If armor types were balanced, they would still not be equipped according to their archetype. (But not all of them would still be wearing light armor)
1%
PhantaxSunrock 2 votes
My characters (mostly) wear light armor. If armor types were balanced, all of them would still be wearing light armor. Because I like it this way)
3%
samueltannerb14_ESONeizirseneferab16_ESOSoloeusAeratus 5 votes
Other (Option missing)
13%
Nightreaverstevenbennett_ESOeventide03b14a_ESOSoulshineRDMyers65b14_ESOTehMagnusmartinhpb16_ESONebthet78babylonLizellepaynezeroub17_ESORosveenHamfastAoife32001PBpsyAudigyTapio75EiregirlKatinaseliisra 21 votes
Bacon
17%
TabbycatErock25RatatouilleForestd16b14_ESOGythralJD2013InversusTonnopesceCaroloceshenrycupcakerwb17_ESOThisOnePostsMarthenilMaximilianShunravidemonlkojipub19_ESOJoanOfOrcHomerSamsonkallistiGADDDukestewie_801 26 votes
  • Rodario
    Rodario
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    My characters are (mostly) equipped according to their archetype
    Despite appearances, this poll really is about archetypes, not about armor type balance.

    It needed to be mentioned in the options to avoid false votes for "not equipped according to archetype".
    Victoria Lux - Templar Tank
    {EU/DC}
  • demonlkojipub19_ESO
    demonlkojipub19_ESO
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    Bacon
    My char equips bacon.
  • Nox_Aeterna
    Nox_Aeterna
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    My characters are (mostly) equipped according to their archetype
    I only play my templar , which uses light/resto , which you said is an archetype. Probably would still use light/resto unless they totally break light armor simple because i need the magicka.

    Being a pathfinder player when you said archetype i thought about other things lols.
    "Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity."
    -Hanlon's razor
  • ers101284b14_ESO
    ers101284b14_ESO
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    My characters are (mostly) equipped according to their archetype
    As a DragonKnight I have a lot of armor abilities and I like being the tank so I dress full heavy and Sword and Board. So yeah I dress Archetype appropriate I think.
  • BBSooner
    BBSooner
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    My characters are (mostly) not equipped according to their archetype (But not all of them wear light armor)
    My dk is a pyromancer, my sorcerer is a HA tank, and my nightblade is a HA 2H bruiser. The only one sticking to your proposed archetypes is my HA tank templar. There is more inspiration from the "Paladin" concept than anything, though.
  • PBpsy
    PBpsy
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    Other (Option missing)
    I do not accept the [snip] Idea that any class is or should be associated with any dumb D&D archetype.
    If I hear about ''traditional Derp Wield and Blow Nightbludes" one more time. I will kill all guars in Bal Foyen. Seriously,think of those poor guars.
    Edited by PBpsy on October 2, 2014 5:39PM
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  • Rosveen
    Rosveen
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    Other (Option missing)
    I'm about half and half. I have a typical heavy DK and dual wielding NB, but also an NB with staves. I tried playing a sorc with staves, but it bored me to death, so I rerolled and the next one will be dual wielding. I also have an idea for a barbarian-style templar which doesn't fit into any of your archetypes (it's more like the naked Nord than anything else, really).
  • R1ckyDaMan
    R1ckyDaMan
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    A class archetype may differ from person to person though.
  • Rodario
    Rodario
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    My characters are (mostly) equipped according to their archetype
    PBpsy wrote: »
    I do not accept the [snip] Idea that any class is or should be associated with any dumb D&D archetype.

    That was not really the question. Neither was it implied that we should be following archetypes.
    Victoria Lux - Templar Tank
    {EU/DC}
  • BBSooner
    BBSooner
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    My characters are (mostly) not equipped according to their archetype (But not all of them wear light armor)
    PBpsy wrote: »
    I do not accept the [snip] Idea that any class is or should be associated with any dumb D&D archetype.

    The thing is, D&D has builds for every combination of class (similar to ESO concept of "any armor, any weapon, any role"). Character archetypes stems more from the tradition of MMO class = role (warrior = tank, rogue = dps, priest = heal) with some off builds for diversity sake.
  • KenjiJU
    KenjiJU
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    I'm usually either a paladin or dual-wield heavy armor characters. In this game I can be both, pretty effectively compared to other games, but still a bit too far behind the curve.
  • PBpsy
    PBpsy
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    Other (Option missing)
    Rodario wrote: »
    PBpsy wrote: »
    I do not accept the [snip] Idea that any class is or should be associated with any dumb D&D archetype.

    That was not really the question. Neither was it implied that we should be following archetypes.
    You most certainly implied that there is a standard archetype for each class.


    BBSooner wrote: »
    PBpsy wrote: »
    I do not accept the [snip] Idea that any class is or should be associated with any dumb D&D archetype.

    The thing is, D&D has builds for every combination of class (similar to ESO concept of "any armor, any weapon, any role"). Character archetypes stems more from the tradition of MMO class = role (warrior = tank, rogue = dps, priest = heal) with some off builds for diversity sake.

    I am not against roles but against the idea that in ESO there should be a preferred or standard role for a class. Up to trials ESO does achieve it pretty well. I have tanked and dpsed every Vet dungeon with a NB and run quite a few of them with a NB healer for example.
    Edited by PBpsy on October 2, 2014 5:48PM
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  • Aeratus
    Aeratus
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    My characters (mostly) wear light armor. If armor types were balanced, all of them would still be wearing light armor. Because I like it this way)
    In Elder Scrolls, the Sorc archetype is a heavy armor caster. So actually, 95% of sorcs are not following the archetype.
  • jambam817_ESO
    jambam817_ESO
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    My characters are (mostly) equipped according to their archetype
    Aeratus wrote: »
    In Elder Scrolls, the Sorc archetype is a heavy armor caster. So actually, 95% of sorcs are not following the archetype.

    They also used a Shield with no weapon. Can't do that here :( although it would be cool.
    Plus in previous ES games, Armor Type wasn't tied to so many class defining passives like Magika regen, reduced cost, stamina regen or other things besides mitigation.

    If Heavy Armor didn't kill my Magika regen/spell damage/spell cost so bad, I'd be more willing to do it.

    Edited by jambam817_ESO on October 2, 2014 5:48PM
  • Rodario
    Rodario
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    My characters are (mostly) equipped according to their archetype
    PBpsy wrote: »
    Rodario wrote: »
    PBpsy wrote: »
    I do not accept the [snip] Idea that any class is or should be associated with any dumb D&D archetype.

    That was not really the question. Neither was it implied that we should be following archetypes.
    You most certainly implied that there is a standard archetype for each class.

    I did not, however, imply that they should be associated. I stated that they are for most MMO players. I never played D&D, so I don't know if they stem from there.
    Edited by Rodario on October 2, 2014 5:52PM
    Victoria Lux - Templar Tank
    {EU/DC}
  • Rodario
    Rodario
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    My characters are (mostly) equipped according to their archetype
    Aeratus wrote: »
    In Elder Scrolls, the Sorc archetype is a heavy armor caster. So actually, 95% of sorcs are not following the archetype.

    In ESO the character creation window previews them in light armor, which is MMO typical.
    Victoria Lux - Templar Tank
    {EU/DC}
  • Nox_Aeterna
    Nox_Aeterna
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    My characters are (mostly) equipped according to their archetype
    Aeratus wrote: »
    In Elder Scrolls, the Sorc archetype is a heavy armor caster. So actually, 95% of sorcs are not following the archetype.

    Lol What?

    You must not have played the single player TES games where most if not all the mages guild members were wearing light armor and carrying a staff.
    "Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity."
    -Hanlon's razor
  • PBpsy
    PBpsy
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    Other (Option missing)
    Rodario wrote: »
    Aeratus wrote: »
    In Elder Scrolls, the Sorc archetype is a heavy armor caster. So actually, 95% of sorcs are not following the archetype.

    In ESO the character creation window previews them in light armor, which is MMO typical.

    The character creation was one of the biggest failures. I would have really liked if once you picked the class they would have shown a 3 - 4 possible specs/looks for each class and actually showcased some of the skills. They did the easiest and lamest thing though, just some puppets with full armor sets.
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  • Rosveen
    Rosveen
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    Other (Option missing)
    Aeratus wrote: »
    In Elder Scrolls, the Sorc archetype is a heavy armor caster. So actually, 95% of sorcs are not following the archetype.
    ESO classes do not equate traditional TES classes. You can tell by the fact that there are only 4 instead of 21 and two of them didn't even exist before (dragonknight and templar). Therefore, if we want to associate them with earlier TES games or fantasy archetypes in general, we usually think in broader terms: mage, warrior, rogue, healer. And from a mage there's only a small step to robe+staff.
    Edited by Rosveen on October 2, 2014 5:57PM
  • Rodario
    Rodario
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    My characters are (mostly) equipped according to their archetype
    Aeratus wrote: »
    In Elder Scrolls, the Sorc archetype is a heavy armor caster. So actually, 95% of sorcs are not following the archetype.

    Lol What?

    You must not have played the single player TES games where most if not all the mages guild members were wearing light armor and carrying a staff.

    He might have been thinking of the Battlemage.
    Victoria Lux - Templar Tank
    {EU/DC}
  • Rosveen
    Rosveen
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    Other (Option missing)
    Rodario wrote: »
    Aeratus wrote: »
    In Elder Scrolls, the Sorc archetype is a heavy armor caster. So actually, 95% of sorcs are not following the archetype.

    Lol What?

    You must not have played the single player TES games where most if not all the mages guild members were wearing light armor and carrying a staff.

    He might have been thinking of the Battlemage.
    No, he was actually thinking of the sorcerer. They had heavy armor as a class skill.
  • Aeratus
    Aeratus
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    My characters (mostly) wear light armor. If armor types were balanced, all of them would still be wearing light armor. Because I like it this way)
    Aeratus wrote: »
    In Elder Scrolls, the Sorc archetype is a heavy armor caster. So actually, 95% of sorcs are not following the archetype.

    Lol What?

    You must not have played the single player TES games where most if not all the mages guild members were wearing light armor and carrying a staff.
    In Oblivion, sorceror is a heavy armor mage.

    Class description (Oblivion): Besting the most well-equipped fighters, they rely on the spells of the mystic arts. Unique to these mages is the bodily stamina to be armed with the thickest armor.
    Skills (Oblivion): Alchemy, Alteration, Conjuration, Destruction, Heavy Armor, Mysticism, Restoration

    So a lore friendly Sorceror in ESO would be sword and board heavy armor magicka build

    A battlemage is a different class. A lore friendly battlemage would be a dual wielding light armor caster. (see the image here http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Classes which shows the battle mage having dual wield weapons, although you couldn't use dual wield in Oblivion)
    Edited by Aeratus on October 2, 2014 6:10PM
  • Rodario
    Rodario
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    My characters are (mostly) equipped according to their archetype
    Aeratus wrote: »
    Aeratus wrote: »
    In Elder Scrolls, the Sorc archetype is a heavy armor caster. So actually, 95% of sorcs are not following the archetype.

    Lol What?

    You must not have played the single player TES games where most if not all the mages guild members were wearing light armor and carrying a staff.
    In Oblivion, sorceror is a heavy armor mage.

    Class description (Oblivion): Besting the most well-equipped fighters, they rely on the spells of the mystic arts. Unique to these mages is the bodily stamina to be armed with the thickest armor.
    Skills (Oblivion): Alchemy, Alteration, Conjuration, Destruction, Heavy Armor, Mysticism, Restoration

    So a lore friendly Sorceror in ESO would be sword and board heavy armor magicka build

    A battlemage is a different archetype. A lore friendly battlemage would be a dual wielding light armor caster. (see the image here http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Classes)

    I distinctly remember heavy armor wearing (Except for the hood) NPCs dubbed "Battlemage"
    Victoria Lux - Templar Tank
    {EU/DC}
  • BBSooner
    BBSooner
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    My characters are (mostly) not equipped according to their archetype (But not all of them wear light armor)
    Aeratus wrote: »
    Aeratus wrote: »
    In Elder Scrolls, the Sorc archetype is a heavy armor caster. So actually, 95% of sorcs are not following the archetype.

    Lol What?

    You must not have played the single player TES games where most if not all the mages guild members were wearing light armor and carrying a staff.
    In Oblivion, sorceror is a heavy armor mage.

    Class description (Oblivion): Besting the most well-equipped fighters, they rely on the spells of the mystic arts. Unique to these mages is the bodily stamina to be armed with the thickest armor.
    Skills (Oblivion): Alchemy, Alteration, Conjuration, Destruction, Heavy Armor, Mysticism, Restoration

    So a lore friendly Sorceror in ESO would be sword and board heavy armor magicka build

    A battlemage is a different class. A lore friendly battlemage would be a dual wielding light armor caster. (see the image here http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Classes which shows the battle mage having dual wield weapons, although you couldn't use dual wield in Oblivion)

    Which is interesting, because the Imperial Legion Battle-Mage NPCs in Oblivion wore heavy armor primarily and a single sword.
  • Nox_Aeterna
    Nox_Aeterna
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    My characters are (mostly) equipped according to their archetype
    Aeratus wrote: »
    Aeratus wrote: »
    In Elder Scrolls, the Sorc archetype is a heavy armor caster. So actually, 95% of sorcs are not following the archetype.

    Lol What?

    You must not have played the single player TES games where most if not all the mages guild members were wearing light armor and carrying a staff.
    In Oblivion, sorceror is a heavy armor mage.

    Class description (Oblivion): Besting the most well-equipped fighters, they rely on the spells of the mystic arts. Unique to these mages is the bodily stamina to be armed with the thickest armor.
    Skills (Oblivion): Alchemy, Alteration, Conjuration, Destruction, Heavy Armor, Mysticism, Restoration

    So a lore friendly Sorceror in ESO would be sword and board heavy armor magicka build

    A battlemage is a different class. A lore friendly battlemage would be a dual wielding light armor caster. (see the image here http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Classes)

    Ic , granted then that your point does make some sense , but considering there were no dragon knights/templars one can assume they are not following the naming.

    We could ask them to change the class name to mage (or wizard which is also not listed there and thus could be an alternative).
    Edited by Nox_Aeterna on October 2, 2014 6:14PM
    "Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity."
    -Hanlon's razor
  • Rodario
    Rodario
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    My characters are (mostly) equipped according to their archetype
    Rosveen wrote: »
    Rodario wrote: »
    Aeratus wrote: »
    In Elder Scrolls, the Sorc archetype is a heavy armor caster. So actually, 95% of sorcs are not following the archetype.

    Lol What?

    You must not have played the single player TES games where most if not all the mages guild members were wearing light armor and carrying a staff.

    He might have been thinking of the Battlemage.
    No, he was actually thinking of the sorcerer. They had heavy armor as a class skill.
    Rodario wrote: »
    Aeratus wrote: »
    Aeratus wrote: »
    In Elder Scrolls, the Sorc archetype is a heavy armor caster. So actually, 95% of sorcs are not following the archetype.

    Lol What?

    You must not have played the single player TES games where most if not all the mages guild members were wearing light armor and carrying a staff.
    In Oblivion, sorceror is a heavy armor mage.

    Class description (Oblivion): Besting the most well-equipped fighters, they rely on the spells of the mystic arts. Unique to these mages is the bodily stamina to be armed with the thickest armor.
    Skills (Oblivion): Alchemy, Alteration, Conjuration, Destruction, Heavy Armor, Mysticism, Restoration

    So a lore friendly Sorceror in ESO would be sword and board heavy armor magicka build

    A battlemage is a different archetype. A lore friendly battlemage would be a dual wielding light armor caster. (see the image here http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Classes)

    I distinctly remember heavy armor wearing (Except for the hood) NPCs dubbed "Battlemage"

    Be that as it may. I feel like we're going a bit off topic, as the archetypes in question are the ones commonly found in MMORPGs.
    Rosveen wrote: »
    Aeratus wrote: »
    In Elder Scrolls, the Sorc archetype is a heavy armor caster. So actually, 95% of sorcs are not following the archetype.
    ESO classes do not equate traditional TES classes. You can tell by the fact that there are only 4 instead of 21 and two of them didn't even exist before (dragonknight and templar). Therefore, if we want to associate them with earlier TES games or fantasy archetypes in general, we usually think in broader terms: mage, warrior, rogue, healer. And from a mage there's only a small step to robe+staff.

    This.
    Victoria Lux - Templar Tank
    {EU/DC}
  • Pseudolo
    Pseudolo
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    My characters are (mostly) equipped according to their archetype
    My first 4 characters are strictly archetypal, but I plan on rolling the next ones out of the box!
  • martinhpb16_ESO
    martinhpb16_ESO
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    Other (Option missing)
    My character is mostly equipped according to its archetype but at times I have to equip light armor and use a staff to be compitive in end-game activity.
    At least the spelling is difficult for you.
    Hew's Bane*
  • eliisra
    eliisra
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    Other (Option missing)
    I don't care about archetypes, I will usually go for whatever combination is the most effective. Sometimes I try builds out of curiosity, or for fun.

    Build changes depending on what I'm doing, like ranged or mele dps, healing, tanking, solo'ing etc. Sometimes I want to play caster, other times I like to use bow and than I need my medium and weapon power spec.

    Have all armour types and most weapon skill lines leveled on my characters. So I guess I'm not to bothered about future changes, buffs and nerfs. I gladly try anything, messing around with builds is definitely one of the funniest things to do in ESO.

    Only thing I never play is full heavy, for obvious reasons, it needs some major buffing.
  • Pengeszikra
    Pengeszikra
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    My characters are (mostly) not equipped according to their archetype (But not all of them wear light armor)
    My character - templar - start in heavy, after v2 change to light, now i use 5 med 2 heavy stamina build dps or light healer.
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