R.I.P Craglorn.

Alphashado · November 2014

The zone is soo dead now. Gone are the days of a bustling zone full of zone chat discussions and people actively looking for groups.

It is a wasteland.

Dear ZoS. I respect your vision for how you think you want this game to be. I understand how you envision Craglorn as a bustling community full of people eagerly hooking up in order to complete all of the group objectives....

But it's not working. And you cannot force it to work. Removing the option to grind Craglorn bosses for decent XP has absolutely killed the zone.

Most of the people that are there now are trying to complete crafting writs. But those are arguably a waste of time and gold. So even those aren't drawing nearly as many people to the zone as they could be.

The concept of forcing people into completing silver and gold in order to achieve VR10 is bad enough. But at least people had grinding as an option.

I enjoy grouping. I also enjoy group quests and appreciate how very well done some of the group quests in Craglorn are. But there needs to be options. Linear progression through a long, drawn out VR experience is bad. Then to cap it off with a dead end at VR10/11 that forces you to group or go home is even worse. I'm not always in the mood for a group.

Even if I was, the LFG tool is D.O.A as well.

So no LFG tool. No grinding. No way to get to level cap by yourself.
You have created the perfect recipe to kill a game.

Forcing people to play the way you envision it being played is all well and good if it works. But it's not working. Your "adventure zone" is now a "dead zone".

And for all of the purest ES folks out there that want to say good riddance to grinding bosses in Craglorn, I say to you: Be careful what you wish for.

The Champion system won't matter if there is nobody around to try it.

EDIT: 10/27. People have found another grind. The population has rebounded to a certain extent do to this.

ers101284b14_ESO · November 2014

It died in 12 hours? Cause I was there this morning and it was busy as crap. Is it NA or EU server? Cause I was on NA

Alphashado · November 2014

ers101284b14_ESO wrote: »

It died in 12 hours? Cause I was there this morning and it was busy as crap. Is it NA or EU server? Cause I was on NA

You still see a few people running around. Many are doing the crafting writs. But even those are arguably a waste of time and gold.

it is nothing like it used to be. It feels like all the other VR zones now.

Scarce.

ers101284b14_ESO · November 2014

Not when I'm there. I play in the mornings so can't account for night time players. Saw all sorts of groups getting together. Was gonna join a few questing groups but life happened.

I'll just have to take your word for it.

Blud · November 2014

Both of you -- screen shots or it didn't happen.

Khivas_Carrick · November 2014

Nah, it really is pretty damn empty lately, but Mournhold is BUMPING. That said, forced group content is bad and you should feel bad.

Ragefist · November 2014

yawn....

xMovingTarget · November 2014

The Pop on EU in Belkarth is still fine. Many many players doing random stuff or idling

I heard Spellscar is the big grind thing now. thats what ppl actually look for in /z

AshySamurai · November 2014

Yestarday evening was pretty crowded on EU. So, no, I can't say that Crag is dead.

Alphashado · November 2014

The only thing I see in zone chat are people looking for pledge groups. Not so long ago you had to turn zone chat off if you wanted peace and quiet.

The zone is a shadow of what it used to be. You guys can deny it till you are blue in the teeth. Won't change anything.

AngryNord · November 2014

It was really dead on EU server around 8-9pm CET yesterday... So chock full of people the lag was very noticeable...

NadiusMaximus · November 2014

I see people in towns there, but don't see the big grinds as before.

This is the only zone I haven't completed yet, guess I need to spam chat more ehh?

Medakon · November 2014

Alphashado wrote: »

The concept of forcing people into completing silver and gold in order to achieve VR10 is bad enough. But at least people had grinding as an option.

But even worse, now it is a battle trying to find ways to get to VR14. I have a VR13 Templar that is kinda in a limbo. I am scratching my head trying to find way to progress w/o a group. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy group content. But I'm not always in the mood to try and find a group.

Even if I was, the LFG tool is D.O.A as well.

So no LFG tool. No grinding. No way to get to level cap by yourself.

Duno what your talking about, there is still ways to grind.. I went from vr12 to vr 14 yesterday in 40min by grinding mobs in craglorn. Just head to spellscar in craglorn and go to the new grind spot for insane exp, team up with some people and pull all the enemys and AOE

Nestor · November 2014

I have only been to Craglorn a few times, and I stick to the roads for farming mats (crafting writs are what get me up there). Anyway, I see a few players going from place to place but not too much activity. There are smattering of people in the main city you come to and even around Dragonstar Arena I don't see that many people (maybe they are all inside). And maybe everyone is underground in a Delve somewhere, but on the roads, and surrounding areas, it's like a Vet zone late at night even during prime time. Again, the half dozen times I have been there.

I even hung out at some of those Anamoly things thinking people would come by for that and never saw anyone come near them. I did see a couple run by, but no one stopping.

Alphashado · November 2014

Medakon wrote: »

Alphashado wrote: »

The concept of forcing people into completing silver and gold in order to achieve VR10 is bad enough. But at least people had grinding as an option.

But even worse, now it is a battle trying to find ways to get to VR14. I have a VR13 Templar that is kinda in a limbo. I am scratching my head trying to find way to progress w/o a group. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy group content. But I'm not always in the mood to try and find a group.

Even if I was, the LFG tool is D.O.A as well.

So no LFG tool. No grinding. No way to get to level cap by yourself.

Duno what your talking about, there is still ways to grind.. I went from vr12 to vr 14 yesterday in 40min by grinding mobs in craglorn. Just head to spellscar in craglorn and go to the new grind spot for insane exp, team up with some people and pull all the enemys and AOE

Yeah. I discovered Spell Scar tonight via a friends request. It does indeed work well for a grind. It will get nerfed though. The zone is slowly dying. Just makes me sad. I wish ZOS would start learning from their mistakes.

kongkim · November 2014

Do all the nice quests they have made. Its stupid that you have to grind one boss to get to V14
I do however like to see them streamline the xp you get for exploring, crafting and doing doungens.

SteveCampsOut · November 2014

Medakon wrote: »

I went from vr12 to vr 14 yesterday in 40min by grinding mobs in craglorn.

This right here is what is killing the game! 40 minutes for 2 VR levels? Seriously?

Karnus · November 2014

I've been playing since prelaunch, my main is V14 and I still have yet to get a single group quest done in original or upper Craglorn $:\$

Arundo · November 2014

Alphashado wrote: »

But even worse, now it is a battle trying to find ways to get to VR14. I have a VR13 Templar that is kinda in a limbo. I am scratching my head trying to find way to progress w/o a group. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy group content. But I'm not always in the mood to try and find a group.

Same here, my DK is level VR12 1/2 and I have done the VR zones. I have random play times so finding a group is mostly not going to happen. All I do lately is login to get my goods from the mail and research another trait. I really had hoped ESO would be the game for me to play for a long time but there isnt anything left to do as a casual.

Sure there will be new zones added but those will only last for a few weeks and then your done with those.

ESO should really look at a game like Black Desert Online. Its has so much more out of the box when it comes out.

Medakon · November 2014

kongkim wrote: »

Do all the nice quests they have made. Its stupid that you have to grind one boss to get to V14
I do however like to see them streamline the xp you get for exploring, crafting and doing doungens.

I did do those questes in uppercraglorn, didnt get more than 30% exp from it since the exp were broken at this time, had to resolve to mob grinding since I were vr 12 and had done every single quest in eso.

Lukeh Shadyvale · November 2014

What are you complaining about?
The lack of people to do quests with? Or the lack of people to grind with...
I hit my vet ranks in a linear fashion doing silver and gold on my own was very impressed how I was at vet 11 just before finishing gold. With in and out of Cyrodiil dipping.

I've never enjoyed grinding it felt dirty! I assume you're on NA because this post was at 3amish my time and I'm on EU which makes sense. Late night ESO is for PvP mostly.
I'm fed up with grinders in Craglorn. You say lfg in chat try to group up and do a dungeon but when you finally get with a group they just run to the bosses and grind (not fun.)

You seem like the kind of simple minded guy who plays for a high rank and everything to be handed you on a plate rather than explore the world given to you which is understandable but daft in my opinion. If you want that get call of duty this is an MMO with LOTS of different wants and needs and the those who just want to grind their way to the top won't be served as much as the people who experience the immersion, the product the developers have out 7yrs+ into.

YES I do also hate forced group content it was a nice idea but failed due to no LFG tool and everyone instead wanting to grind and do the easy thing.

But that's why they have planned Orsinium the SOLO adventure zone coming soon with new quests (you know those things you normally do in a game to get ranks) and Murkmire a Craglorn-esque zone but in black marsh.

Your options are there dude...
Gold/Silver.
PVP.
Find a Group and do the quests!

They've fixed the XP gain in VET ranks for just discovering places now so if you've not visited other alliance then go do it. You'll probably get to v14 just by discovering.

Audigy · November 2014

If people would really love Craglorn then they would still be there. Guess it was only popular due the exploiting going on there since its introduction.

I am happy ZO finally listened to its community and removed those grind mechanics.

kongkim · November 2014

Medakon wrote: »

kongkim wrote: »

Do all the nice quests they have made. Its stupid that you have to grind one boss to get to V14
I do however like to see them streamline the xp you get for exploring, crafting and doing doungens.

I did do those questes in uppercraglorn, didnt get more than 30% exp from it since the exp were broken at this time, had to resolve to mob grinding since I were vr 12 and had done every single quest in eso.

I was talking about all the faction areas and quests.

DeLindsay · November 2014

One thing people overlook when they say this or that zone is dead is just how many players are DONE with that content. I just joined a smallish social guild since my main guild from day one died some time ago and I was shocked at how many VR14's they have out of the ~79 players. GRINDING in Craglorn is a shadow of it's former self due to 2 things, ZoS nerfing the XP gain because of people complaining that others are grinding their way to cap, and there are soooo many VR14's now that they no longer NEED the grind, and most were so bored with it that the moment they hit VR14 they vowed never to step foot in Craglorn unless it's for Trials/DSA. Hell many that have fully completed DSA won't even go back.

For me, I have all zones through VR10 completely white, all quests/content done so why would I stick around and hang out when there's nothing for me there, save the bank/crafting stations or achievements. THAT is the reason many VR zones and Craglorn "appear" dead, because there's such a large base of players that have completed it and moved on. If they want to improve the population in Craglorn then they should put a banker and regular Crafting stations/Dye station in Belkarth/Dragonstar just like any other main town. I'd wager that would be were ALL Vets retire to instead of Rawl'Kha, Riften, etc. Doesn't mean anyone would be willing to join your grind, quest or delve, but at least you wouldn't be able to say Craglorn is dead anymore hehe.

Ilmarthethief · November 2014

Arundo wrote: »

ESO should really look at a game like Black Desert Online. Its has so much more out of the box when it comes out.

I hope ZOS will NEVER look at korean c**p like BDO or ArcheAge. ESO is a western style mmo and let it stay so.

zaria · November 2014

Audigy wrote: »

If people would really love Craglorn then they would still be there. Guess it was only popular due the exploiting going on there since its introduction.

I am happy ZO finally listened to its community and removed those grind mechanics.

Before 1.5 it was little outside craglorn for VR11 and up players.
Now it compete with the new undaunted daily dungeons for group content.

Blud · November 2014

Medakon wrote: »

Alphashado wrote: »

The concept of forcing people into completing silver and gold in order to achieve VR10 is bad enough. But at least people had grinding as an option.

But even worse, now it is a battle trying to find ways to get to VR14. I have a VR13 Templar that is kinda in a limbo. I am scratching my head trying to find way to progress w/o a group. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy group content. But I'm not always in the mood to try and find a group.

Even if I was, the LFG tool is D.O.A as well.

So no LFG tool. No grinding. No way to get to level cap by yourself.

Duno what your talking about, there is still ways to grind.. I went from vr12 to vr 14 yesterday in 40min by grinding mobs in craglorn. Just head to spellscar in craglorn and go to the new grind spot for insane exp, team up with some people and pull all the enemys and AOE

Can we keep it a little quiet so it doesn't get nerfed, please?

Thank you.

Leeric · November 2014

Its not copmltely dead, but their is less people. A lot of people also took a break until the champ system comes out. And like another said certain grinds still work but the xp comes from mobs more efficiently than grinding boss xp.

SteveCampsOut · November 2014

DeLindsay wrote: »

If they want to improve the population in Craglorn then they should put a banker and regular Crafting stations/Dye station in Belkarth/Dragonstar just like any other main town.

I don't know about a Dye station but Belkarth already has crafting stations!

synnerman · November 2014

The game is dying, the total mess they have made with the lag etc and in PvP with the FC farce and trying to force PvPers to PVE (undaunted etc). The updates every six weeks have turned into fix patches from the previous 2 updates (far more fixes than update content). I played this game for 7 months and haven't logged in now for about 3 weeks since they got rid of the FCs and tried to force me to PvE. My monthly sub ends in about 11 days or so and that will be that (already unsubbed).
Such a shame that they totally messed it up but I've had some fun. I know that FCs will return etc but I'm sick and tired of being ZoSs test subject and paying for the privilege. I think a lot more have done the same.

Alphashado · November 2014

Audigy wrote: »

If people would really love Craglorn then they would still be there. Guess it was only popular due the exploiting going on there since its introduction.

Exactly. I couldn't have said it better myself. Thank you for agreeing with me.

Audigy wrote: »

I am happy ZO finally listened to its community and removed those grind mechanics.

Like I said. Be careful what you wish for. Grinds offer an alternative. Don't you think there is a MAJOR REASON why people ALWAYS find a grind? The VR system is too big and takes too long. It's unpopular. The gap between lvl 50 and meaningful endgame content is much too large.

Removing XP grinds just removes an alternative way to bridge that gap. People are still leaving this game in droves due to this.

And before you even try to argue this point, ask yourself why they are doing away with it.

But like I said. Champion system won't matter if the game is dead before it's implementation.