How do you level your alts to VR14?

KraidenDove · February 2015

I'm making this post to legitimately find a way to lvl alts to VR14 in an enjoyable manner. For a quick summary, VR lvls 1-10 can be relatively (and I use the term loosely) by completing the VR zones through the silver and gold questlines. Then, VR lvls 11-14 are expected to be grinded out in Craglorn or PvP (I included pvp for that very small majority that actually did it, instead of just mindlessly grinding mobs in craglorn like the majority of us)

My issue is grinding the alts to VR14. Essentially after once or twice, you know 90% of the story and can repeat them verbatim. Not to mention, you have to go to two different zones you really kind of don't want to go to (as you signed on for your faction so who cares if the other's leader dies) and then have to mindlessly grind for a couple of days in craglorn.

So suggestions on getting through this alone? I know some guilds run massive groups but after alt 2 or 3, chances are you are doing it alone. Brands of spirits, songs for the road, bats to beat yourself in the head with? I'm all ears for interesting tactics.

Iago · February 2015

KraidenDove wrote: »

I'm making this post to legitimately find a way to lvl alts to VR14 in an enjoyable manner. For a quick summary, VR lvls 1-10 can be relatively (and I use the term loosely) by completing the VR zones through the silver and gold questlines. Then, VR lvls 11-14 are expected to be grinded out in Craglorn or PvP (I included pvp for that very small majority that actually did it, instead of just mindlessly grinding mobs in craglorn like the majority of us)

My issue is grinding the alts to VR14. Essentially after once or twice, you know 90% of the story and can repeat them verbatim. Not to mention, you have to go to two different zones you really kind of don't want to go to (as you signed on for your faction so who cares if the other's leader dies) and then have to mindlessly grind for a couple of days in craglorn.

So suggestions on getting through this alone? I know some guilds run massive groups but after alt 2 or 3, chances are you are doing it alone. Brands of spirits, songs for the road, bats to beat yourself in the head with? I'm all ears for interesting tactics.

I actually put exploration on all of my gear and just play the game as normal and by the time I get to bowl light bulb I'll be somewhere between veteran rank 1 in 3 so long as I do everything my faction has the offer. then by the time I'm done with CAD wells gold he will be veteran rank 14.

phtony06b14_ESO · February 2015

Iago wrote: »

KraidenDove wrote: »

I'm making this post to legitimately find a way to lvl alts to VR14 in an enjoyable manner. For a quick summary, VR lvls 1-10 can be relatively (and I use the term loosely) by completing the VR zones through the silver and gold questlines. Then, VR lvls 11-14 are expected to be grinded out in Craglorn or PvP (I included pvp for that very small majority that actually did it, instead of just mindlessly grinding mobs in craglorn like the majority of us)

My issue is grinding the alts to VR14. Essentially after once or twice, you know 90% of the story and can repeat them verbatim. Not to mention, you have to go to two different zones you really kind of don't want to go to (as you signed on for your faction so who cares if the other's leader dies) and then have to mindlessly grind for a couple of days in craglorn.

So suggestions on getting through this alone? I know some guilds run massive groups but after alt 2 or 3, chances are you are doing it alone. Brands of spirits, songs for the road, bats to beat yourself in the head with? I'm all ears for interesting tactics.

I actually put exploration on all of my gear and just play the game as normal and by the time I get to bowl light bulb I'll be somewhere between veteran rank 1 in 3 so long as I do everything my faction has the offer. then by the time I'm done with CAD wells gold he will be veteran rank 14.

I'm going to try this on my next alt. I've heard one other person recommend it but wasn't sure it'd make a huge difference in the end.

Iago · February 2015

phtony06b14_ESO wrote: »

Iago wrote: »

KraidenDove wrote: »

I'm making this post to legitimately find a way to lvl alts to VR14 in an enjoyable manner. For a quick summary, VR lvls 1-10 can be relatively (and I use the term loosely) by completing the VR zones through the silver and gold questlines. Then, VR lvls 11-14 are expected to be grinded out in Craglorn or PvP (I included pvp for that very small majority that actually did it, instead of just mindlessly grinding mobs in craglorn like the majority of us)

My issue is grinding the alts to VR14. Essentially after once or twice, you know 90% of the story and can repeat them verbatim. Not to mention, you have to go to two different zones you really kind of don't want to go to (as you signed on for your faction so who cares if the other's leader dies) and then have to mindlessly grind for a couple of days in craglorn.

So suggestions on getting through this alone? I know some guilds run massive groups but after alt 2 or 3, chances are you are doing it alone. Brands of spirits, songs for the road, bats to beat yourself in the head with? I'm all ears for interesting tactics.

I actually put exploration on all of my gear and just play the game as normal and by the time I get to bowl light bulb I'll be somewhere between veteran rank 1 in 3 so long as I do everything my faction has the offer. then by the time I'm done with CAD wells gold he will be veteran rank 14.

I'm going to try this on my next alt. I've heard one other person recommend it but wasn't sure it'd make a huge difference in the end.

When you first start get your toon the armor and have someone group with you so you can travel to he capitol city in each area of your alliance, then explore like crazy. When ll pieces have the exploration trait the exp adds up fast and since shields are armor you can get that little bit extra by sword and boarding. It is worth doing.

helediron · February 2015

I use just one exploration. I always have at least one armour of each type and put training on those i have one. Rest have normal infused/divine traits. I craft best armour at levels 4,16,26, 36, VR1, 4, 7, 10 putting blue/purple glyphs, and make food/potions.

For leveling up i do now "grind&questing". With this i mean that i do most of quests but not all, kill all mobs and on good places i stop grinding the mobs for awhile. BTW do NOT grind in public group dungeons. There are lots of mobs but their XP these days is worthless.

When getting four levels or one VR level over-leveled, i skip rest of the zone quests, do world bosses and dolmens and head to next area. I follow the skyshards on map and pick quests near them. That way i get all shards and usually enough quests. Some quests i pick just because i liked them with earlier alts. I usually skip instance dungeons.

I use quest returns to level up all class lines, four-five weapon skill lines, vampire, WW etc.

The whole idea is to pass the areas in one sweep with good pace. My sixth alt is now finishing VR5 and has /played 6 days 20 hours.

Muizer · February 2015

I try to level as many armour, class, weapon and guild abilities as I can to the max. Once an ability hits the max, I replace it with a new one. Makes me weaker than I could be but that keeps things interesting and (hopefully) provides some sort of insurance against future re-balancing of abilities. I've discovered that hard way that what you really do not want is to rush to v14 and then discover you have no content left to level new abilities with. Apart from some exploration traits I also have training traits on my weapons and a piece of armour.

SoulScream · February 2015

I took my alts to v1 and then left them

Amsel_McKay · February 2015

SoulScream wrote: »

I took my alts to v1 and then left them

Same... I picked my faction for a reason, and I dont want to grind

TheBull · February 2015

No clue OP... I've attempted to make one alt because of this issue. He's v4 now. I quested to v1 then Cyrodiil for 3 weeks to get to v4. I just want to pvp that's it. I have no desire to grind mobs, or quest.

If I continued to pvp on my alt it would take him 10 weeks minimum to reach v14... I figured that Vet ranks would be going soon and I would pick him up again then. Now that Vet ranks are not leaving my likely will stay v4.

FFS boost Cyrodiil XP.

phtony06b14_ESO · February 2015

Iago wrote: »

phtony06b14_ESO wrote: »

Iago wrote: »

KraidenDove wrote: »

I'm making this post to legitimately find a way to lvl alts to VR14 in an enjoyable manner. For a quick summary, VR lvls 1-10 can be relatively (and I use the term loosely) by completing the VR zones through the silver and gold questlines. Then, VR lvls 11-14 are expected to be grinded out in Craglorn or PvP (I included pvp for that very small majority that actually did it, instead of just mindlessly grinding mobs in craglorn like the majority of us)

My issue is grinding the alts to VR14. Essentially after once or twice, you know 90% of the story and can repeat them verbatim. Not to mention, you have to go to two different zones you really kind of don't want to go to (as you signed on for your faction so who cares if the other's leader dies) and then have to mindlessly grind for a couple of days in craglorn.

So suggestions on getting through this alone? I know some guilds run massive groups but after alt 2 or 3, chances are you are doing it alone. Brands of spirits, songs for the road, bats to beat yourself in the head with? I'm all ears for interesting tactics.

I actually put exploration on all of my gear and just play the game as normal and by the time I get to bowl light bulb I'll be somewhere between veteran rank 1 in 3 so long as I do everything my faction has the offer. then by the time I'm done with CAD wells gold he will be veteran rank 14.

I'm going to try this on my next alt. I've heard one other person recommend it but wasn't sure it'd make a huge difference in the end.

When you first start get your toon the armor and have someone group with you so you can travel to he capitol city in each area of your alliance, then explore like crazy. When ll pieces have the exploration trait the exp adds up fast and since shields are armor you can get that little bit extra by sword and boarding. It is worth doing.

I've got 2 accounts. I'm totally going to do this. Thanks for the tip.

NewBlacksmurf · February 2015

Amsel_McKay wrote: »

SoulScream wrote: »

I took my alts to v1 and then left them

Same... I picked my faction for a reason, and I dont want to grind

I did this too awaiting console and the removal of VR levels. Now I guess I'll have to play the factions all over again in gold/silver quests and then grind. This is just silly

Robocles · February 2015

At current XP levels, you can get to 13 or so with just the Silver/Gold content, all other quests/delves in each zone, all Public Dungeons and all Instanced dungeons for the initial run. Annoying and certainly not what you want to do more than once, but it is possible.

WraithAzraiel · February 2015

Slow as all hell now that they've nerfed all the grind spots.

kieso · February 2015

i grinded in craglorn, it goes fast if your AOE game is strong.

sorry I meant spellscar

WraithAzraiel · February 2015

I'm talking about actual grinding. The days of grinding anomalies and the Thief grind.

The scorpion grind was a bit ridiculous, I'll admit that but now....these spots are just nonexistent.

whiteshadow711jppreub18_ESO · February 2015

I grinded my alt duplicate to VR14 in about 2-3 weeks tops, it helps to:

1. know good grind spots. (im sorry I cant divulge the few I have left, ZOS keeps Nerfing them)

2. have a grind partner since you get more xp in pairs.

3. know your abilities (Brawler and rally in the twohanded tree line) are awesome grinding tools. if you have these two abilities, lots of stamina and the last passive in two handed you can use it to grind Craglorn, just put an ability on your bar and grind until you level it and the skill/weapon line you want to level.

remember, you can always spec into and out of attributes, abilities and whole skill lines if needed...

4. get married, get hitched, etc. If you have the ring of mara and know you will be grinding with your buddy, make the ingame commitment, it is a extra like 10% when grinding or doing quests together.

5. make sure you are aware of the 5 level rule, as long as you are 5 levels within the monster/enemy you can gain good xp, then past the 5 levels XP significantly drops off..

On a side note after I finished the main quest (Molag Bal) with my Alt Duplicate and went to Cadwells Silver, I grinded from like VR1 to like VR9-10 before heading to Craglorn, note- I have not done any quests, except for dailies or cyrodiil...So when 1.6 finally comes to live, I have every single quest in the game (except the main quest I completed) to do for champion points..not including being able to still grind and do dailies.

Good luck to those who wish to level to VR14 it is a grind

but can be accomplished..even if you start today from Level 3 on a new toon you can make it to VR14 before 1.6 drops to live if you really want too..

rsciw · February 2015

I have several characters too I want to get up to VR levels at some point, next to my main two chars. With 2 accs I simply cannot stand doing the story lines of all factions over and over again...

Now once again mob XP has been nerfed (wouldn't be surprised if that's linked to crown store xp boost stuff...), kinda loosing more interests in getting alts up. What's the point in having alts if they make it as difficult as possibly every time to get them up fast-ish? And Cyrodiil XP rewards needs raising!

it does help having a grind partner with you, especially in TS/Mumble, so ye don't get bored to death, or catch up on some movies/shows while grinding. Gets me somewhat through it

DeLindsay · February 2015

KraidenDove wrote: »

How do you level your alts to VR14?

I don't, it's horrible.

Faulgor · February 2015

DeLindsay wrote: »

KraidenDove wrote: »

How do you level your alts to VR14?

I don't, it's horrible.

Agreed. I have one VR14 and four more veteran alts, and none is above VR4. It's just too painful. And now hearing veteran ranks won't be removed for at least another 6 months practically stops the game for me. I'll probably level another 2 characters to VR1, but anything after that is just horrible.

Frankly, knowing they will eventually remove veteran ranks but not for quite some time, they should offer everyone who has at least one VR14 character on their account to instantly move to VR14 with their alts once reaching level 50. I see no harm in that (as long as it doesn't grant actual exp for the champion system) and it gives us something to do with our alts over the next update-less months.

Gyudan · February 2015

How do you level your alts to VR14?

I clear each zone of quests, dungeons, dolmens and bosses until my eyes burn and my hands start shaking.

KraidenDove · February 2015

I dig all of the comments so far, some are quite helpful and some are...exactly what my mind has been screaming about.

So for a good laugh:
GoAT Question #1 -
"Oh no, you have just realized that veteran ranks will not be removed in 1.6 update. Obviously you must make a decision about your alt characters as they will relate to the champion system eventually. What do you do?"

A. Keep grinding! Would the dragonborn, champion of cyrodill, or Nevararine (sorry for misspelling) give up? Hell no, VR14 here you come!

B. Upon realizing the commitment required of you, you contact your "friend" who has no life and give him the gift of ESO! I'm sure he won't mind leveling for you! After all, you are a smart customer...I mean friend, right?

C. Level for a few weeks and then take a break for a few months. After all what kind of insane nut job picked the first option right?

D. Bullet to the brain. Hey, you would be more insane for trying right?

Answer along with further suggestions would be great.

Bouvin · February 2015

SoulScream wrote: »

I took my alts to v1 and then left them

You'll have plenty to do for CP then, unlike the ppl who got all of their alts to 14 lol

Rodario · February 2015

KraidenDove wrote: »

VR lvls 1-10 can be relatively (and I use the term loosely) by completing [...]

Can be relatively what?

KraidenDove wrote: »

(I included pvp for that very small majority that actually did it, [...])

I think you mean "minority".

To answer your question, I am not currently aware of any other options than cadwell's, PvP, or grinding to get from VR1 to VR14.

Cadwell's silver and gold, which I did on my main, is the main reason why this is the first MMO in which I do not enjoy leveling alts. I may resume leveling one or two of them once it's been maybe a year since I completed their stories with my first character, but I will certainly stop questing at lvl 50 with them.

Who knows, maybe VRs will finally have been removed by then.

AlexDougherty · February 2015

Rodario wrote: »

KraidenDove wrote: »

VR lvls 1-10 can be relatively (and I use the term loosely) by completing [...]

Can be relatively what?

Relatively easily achieved, judging from previous paragraph.

riverdragon72 · February 2015

EP's quest line is horribly dull, DC's isn't so bad, and there is nice scenery, but I am bored to death by the time I get there.

Mathius_Mordred · February 2015

I only have one toon and have no intention of making another, I think of my toon as an existential me within the game, making another toon would shatter that illusion.

The fact that you can experience all quest lines with the one toon is one of the strong points of ESO for me, the game only just began at level 50, awesome. I am currently half way through Cadwell's Silver and at VR4, taken me several weeks to get here but I explore each area before I leave for the next, make sure I get all the exploration accolades etc.

I'm not sure but hoping that by the time I finish everything I will be just about VR14, I've only been to Craglorn for the blacksmithing writ return so far and do not do PvP at all, although I tried it, could have been fun but being one shotted by a lethal arrow a few times from a player you can't see then having to spend 15 min riding my horse back to where I was, well I didn't find that very enjoyable.

I don't use XP traits either and have only levelled the Black Smith line and ww.

So far the game seems very well balanced in terms of progress remaining versus content to complete, I will find out if this holds true to VR14.

JoffyToffy69 · February 2015

I feel so weird for not doing any of Cadwells quests... I just couldn't stand going to another faction....
I did pve and pvp in cyrodiil and did alot of grinding in Crag. Got to v14. I didn't find it that bad. There has most likely been many changes made though since then.

I'm currently trying to level an alt, but it sure is time consuming. My sub overlaps in the new sub model, so I'm interested to see if that will help me boost alts quicker.

Also, since I haven't done Cadwell, does this mean I can get Champion points easier?

Digiman · February 2015

Iago wrote: »

KraidenDove wrote: »

I'm making this post to legitimately find a way to lvl alts to VR14 in an enjoyable manner. For a quick summary, VR lvls 1-10 can be relatively (and I use the term loosely) by completing the VR zones through the silver and gold questlines. Then, VR lvls 11-14 are expected to be grinded out in Craglorn or PvP (I included pvp for that very small majority that actually did it, instead of just mindlessly grinding mobs in craglorn like the majority of us)

My issue is grinding the alts to VR14. Essentially after once or twice, you know 90% of the story and can repeat them verbatim. Not to mention, you have to go to two different zones you really kind of don't want to go to (as you signed on for your faction so who cares if the other's leader dies) and then have to mindlessly grind for a couple of days in craglorn.

So suggestions on getting through this alone? I know some guilds run massive groups but after alt 2 or 3, chances are you are doing it alone. Brands of spirits, songs for the road, bats to beat yourself in the head with? I'm all ears for interesting tactics.

I actually put exploration on all of my gear and just play the game as normal and by the time I get to bowl light bulb I'll be somewhere between veteran rank 1 in 3 so long as I do everything my faction has the offer. then by the time I'm done with CAD wells gold he will be veteran rank 14.

True, with a main you should be able to create gear to help with leveling your character and exploration is a gold mine of XP.

As for me the cadwell quest only got me to VR 10, the rest I grinded out in Cyrodiil.

Which was actually quicky and enjoyable surprisingly and got me a huge amount of gold along with PvP for side quests.

The other to look out for is the results of different decisions you can now pick for your new character.

But really I would hold out on making Alts till patch 1.6 with the champion system goes live.

helediron · February 2015

I really recommend Grind&Quest combination. The overland mobs give best grind XP now. Stop for half hour grind when opportunity comes, and then few quests. Make a route through quest hubs and skyshards following main quests, then silver and gold. Doing some grinding allows over-leveling and skipping little quests and those run-back-and-forth time sink quests. Goes fast and smoothly.

Snit · February 2015

I'm facing this now, as I am uncertain as to how my main will fare in 1.6. So I'm building an alt.

And.. I've decided not to rush it, but just to play. I rushed my main, but the grind from level 1 to VR 14 is just too long to treat as a sprint, particularly the second time through. So, I'm just going to play at a normal pace, have fun and not spend three weeks getting angsty about exp/ hour. Well, not again

Kuro1n · February 2015

Grinding. ~2½ days (60 hours total) if you are prepared for the grind.

Me and my friend did our first chars (mains) in a total of 4½ days but that is including messing around and finding builds, doing some quests and leveling crafting as well.