I really want to play this game... but I really don't want to grind VR levels.

Anilahation · October 2015

I honestly just wish I could level up at a speedy pace with questing... like Swtor or WoW.

Jura23 · October 2015

Sorry but this is nonsense. Getting to v16 isn't that hard and it can hardly be called grind anymore.

GuyNamedSean · October 2015

You can.. If you take the time to do your quests and eat your vegetables, you will outlevel the areas you're in before moving to the next and you can finish Cadwell's Gold as vr11 ready for Craglorn. If you just do only what you need to survive then you'll only be vr5 in that span.

Quests give plenty of experience to avoid you needing to grind provided you take the time to hit non-major settlements.

Anilahation · October 2015

Eh I've grinded to VR12 and honestly it just has kill any of my hype to buy the DLCjust to know I have to grind 4 more VR.

it's not that I'm lazy but this just feels very badly designed.

I have all classes but priest max level in WoW, Have all classes max leveled on SWTOR, I just finished getting all my Destiny guardians to 310 light.

I just can't even get a max level on this game even though I've played it since beta.

prnoprno · October 2015

You can go from quest to quest starting with Cadwell's Silver and Gold, then Craglorn, Imperial City, (and we can soon count Wrothgar) and level up from VR1 to VR16 without ever having to do real grinding. The changes in experience required and experience received since update 2.1 has only compounded this pace.

Plus, you don't have to be VR16 to do end-game content: dungeons scale, PVP is battle-leveled (main incentive for max level is gear and CP). Can anyone point out an end-game activity that a VR1 can't do?

In actuality, I'd say the real grind starts at VR16 when you have to run vWGT a 100 times for gear.

Islyn · October 2015

JoseDelgadoCub17_ESO wrote: »

Eh I've grinded to VR12 and honestly it just has kill any of my hype to buy the DLCjust to know I have to grind 4 more VR.

it's not that I'm lazy but this just feels very badly designed.

I have all classes but priest max level in WoW, Have all classes max leveled on SWTOR, I just finished getting all my Destiny guardians to 310 light.

I just can't even get a max level on this game even though I've played it since beta.

xD I lol'd

1. played since beta = irrelevant as they wiped our beta chars.
2. I played since early access, on NA and have 3 v14 chars and a few mos on EU and have a v16. I only have one because I *am* lazy

3. Many people on both servers have several v16 characters.

OGLezard · October 2015

I have a vr4 stamina sorc......he has been vr4 for MONTHS, I cant take leveling in this game anymore lol I refuse to repeat all these boring quest anymore. Already did it on one character (vr16) and my alt is stuck at vr15. My vr4 is the third highest, everything else is level 4 -8 before I quit trying to level another character. Boring game is boring

TheShadowScout · October 2015

JoseDelgadoCub17_ESO wrote: »

I honestly just wish I could level up at a speedy pace with questing... like Swtor or WoW.

You can.
I did all my levelling with questing, through the main story, cadwells, and then the daily quests in cyrodil and a bit of IC up to V16.
Never had to do any grinding at all. Never would have done any for mere levels. (those trophies on the other hand... divines, how I hate having to hunt those down now that we can no longer just transfer them)
And most of that was back in the day when a veteran rank was still going for 1400K expees... nowadays its 850K, which makes it much, much quicker.

Its true that many see the whole cadwells as taxing, due to the amount of content they have to go through following it (not like ESO is a game where a week of casual playing will get you through everything like some others I played...).
If you focus on the goal, then it might be tenious.
If you merely enjoy walking the path... gaining your veteran ranks, and some c-points alongside... its much less of an issue.

If you want to play ESO, you can play ESO, any way you like. Some are slower, some are faster, but each will get you there in the end. make your choice, play the game, or not, as you please.

Anilahation · October 2015

OGLezard wrote: »

I have a vr4 stamina sorc......he has been vr4 for MONTHS, I cant take leveling in this game anymore lol I refuse to repeat all these boring quest anymore. Already did it on one character (vr16) and my alt is stuck at vr15. My vr4 is the third highest, everything else is level 4 -8 before I quit trying to level another character. Boring game is boring

Yeah I think that is my issue, I just spent a massive amount of hours grinding my DK to VR12, but now I want to play my Bosmer Nightblade who is only level 44 and honestly don't want to grind those 12 VR's again.

I have finished all cadwells quest, I don't understand if my build is just horrible but the quest in Craglorn don't really seem solo friendly unless I am running a cookie cutter build by Deltia I guess.

Tandor · October 2015

If you're here for the PvP, just level up on PvP.

If you're here for the PvE, then Orsinium may be the answer to your concerns. Current high-level content is not solo-friendly, Orsinium will be.

If you're not interested in either, or you just consider any form of advancement to be "grinding", then I don't know what to suggest other than a different game that better fits your preferred playstyle.

Anilahation · October 2015

Tandor wrote: »

If you're here for the PvP, just level up on PvP.

If you're here for the PvE, then Orsinium may be the answer to your concerns. Current high-level content is not solo-friendly, Orsinium will be.

If you're not interested in either, or you just consider any form of advancement to be "grinding", then I don't know what to suggest other than a different game that better fits your preferred playstyle.

I'm mostly a PvP player, but don't really want to PVP unless I am max level ( I feel like other games ruined me on this) but I'll try to take your advice and simply just do that from now on.

ItsGlaive · October 2015

The word 'grind' in this context doesn't mean a traditional mob grind I don't think - it's the repetitive nature of the questing, extended to three times its natural end point by Gold and Silver, which makes the quests themselves feel like a grind.

temjiu · October 2015

I think it's important to keep in mind that the OP isn't talking about a traditional sense of "grind". He didn't even mention grind in his Original post, yet people keep referring to grind.

Grind = Generic repetitive task done thousands of times over to level.
Slow leveling = taking in general longer time frames to level (then other MMO's in the comparison) no matter what you do.

The OP is talking about Slow leveling, not grind. And to that I say, yes, ESO is a game where it takes much longer to level then many MMO's. The quests, while interesting and fun to do, take longer with less advancement inbetween then many other MMO's. And there's not much to do about that since the quests are that way by design. I like the quests...but it doesn't change the reality. it's a slow leveling game.

It's the inherent nature of taking an ES game and applying it to the MMO world. ES has always been about immersion and story. and that's just not something that can be done "fast". and This is a good thing...but it creates complications later on. Especially in an MMO where end game itself is a long term facet of play...an actual goal to reach.

Now, in the new DLC, they did mention something that piqued my interest. they said that the new area can be enjoyed by classes of "all levels". not sure exactly how that plays out (perhaps someone on the PTS can enlighten me?), but it sounds like the are trying a few different tactics to make the leveling process a bit more flexible. At the least, they are trying to offer players a way to see the new content w/o having to get to a horridly high VR level to see it.

In relation to the current leveling curve (not grind...OP didn't mention grind...), There are things they could do to speed it up. And in all honesty, those things should be optional.

* they could add higher tiers of exp boosts in the store (money maker).
* They could offer temporary buffs for certain achievements.
* They could adapt a champion buff to increase gained XP, so you can put some of your points into helping your alts along.
* add an enchantment slot in crafting that increase XP.

Those are just some quick ideas I pulled off the top of my head, not inclusive nor all that's out there. This game is by no means grindy, but it is certainly slow to level. The Content, while interesting, is contradictory to smooth and fast leveling curve. I'm not in support or against either path...but I think there is plenty of room for improvement, as long as it's not mandatory. That's why i didn't add "increase XP on mobs/quests" to that list...I do not want to be forced to level faster. but it should be more of a prominent option to those who want it. especially those leveling alts...that's usually the ones that are hit the biggest since much of the story is not fresh and interesting anymore.

MrAddled · October 2015

Not once have I felt like I was grinding Which is surprising, and impressive to me. All of my leveling has come from finishing quests, and the occasional level up at the end of a random fight.

Last game I grinded in that I can recall was in Destiny when it first came out.

Van_0S · October 2015

JoseDelgadoCub17_ESO wrote: »

I honestly just wish I could level up at a speedy pace with questing... like Swtor or WoW.

I hate grinding but I found out the only way to lvl fast, hell to reach vet 16 is by grinding.

AshTal · October 2015

Problem I have is
Cadwell Silver and Gold are boring and destroy the story for me.
Craghorn is very empty and its very hard to find people to do the dungeons with. And when you do find someone they are in green Vet 4 gear and don't release that the tactics which worked every where else just get you killed in Craghorn.

But I think new DLC will have instant battle level because they want to be able to sell to everyone not just people who have grinded out 10 Vet levels which turn out to be a dream.

Vrienda · October 2015

Here here. Haven't been max level since 1.3 back when Craglorn was a legitimately good way to grind out exp. Now I'm VR14 after finishing Cyrodiil delves, dolmens and the imperial city questline (Which have roughly half a veteran rank at vet12) and have nothing left to do. I'd do Craglorn questing, but it isn't soloable at my skill/champion point level, I don't like PvP much, I've done all the delves, dolmens, world bosses, lorebooks, quests and skyshards (Minus two behind the covenant scroll gates). I don't like PvP much either, though I suppose it's more tolerable than Craglorn.

I'm hoping Orsinium is the answer to my levelling woes. I hate veteran ranks, I just wanna hit V16 so I can do pledges properly and enjoy future content at the correct level. I'm not lazy, I've got 16 days /played time on my main (with 10 and 7 on my other veteran characters). I just don't know how to level effectively and there are no guides online because people don't want heir grinding spots getting nerfed by ZOS.

neueregel · October 2015

My last alt I got to almost vr14 by just doing all the quests/delves/bosses and dolmens. Do the dolmens a few times at least... they earn good xp... and get you to fighter guild 10 faster.

The last couple levels took all of one or two nights in IC...

Rosveen · October 2015

I'm so sick and tired of Cadwell's quests. Craglorn is useless without a group, the Imperial City mostly too. I'm glad I like dungeons because I wouldn't have anything to do without them outside weekly guild events. Orsinium is going to be a godsend.

Tandor · October 2015

temjiu wrote: »

I think it's important to keep in mind that the OP isn't talking about a traditional sense of "grind". He didn't even mention grind in his Original post, yet people keep referring to grind.

It's in the topic title

!

The OP doesn't like the pace of questing but doesn't want to just grind through the VR levels instead, and so was looking for other options. That's what I took from the title and original post, hence my suggestions earlier. I should also have mentioned the xp boost received from ESO Plus, that might make things go a bit quicker.

temjiu · October 2015

Tandor wrote: »

temjiu wrote: »

I think it's important to keep in mind that the OP isn't talking about a traditional sense of "grind". He didn't even mention grind in his Original post, yet people keep referring to grind.

It's in the topic title !

The OP doesn't like the pace of questing but doesn't want to just grind through the VR levels instead, and so was looking for other options. That's what I took from the title and original post, hence my suggestions earlier. I should also have mentioned the xp boost received from ESO Plus, that might make things go a bit quicker.

Hehe thx for the correction Tandor, glossed over that in reading the content. More to that point, im sure if you have to do the same quests over again (and are not looking forward to it), then it would probably feel "grindy". Personally, the quests themselves impact me less then the simple time frames it takes to level. I never feel im grinding in the quests themselves...i get too caught up in the story. But the time can feel like it's dragging on

the XP boost from the Plus definitely helps...I am Plus (I believe in supporting a game I'm playing if i enjoy it...if i don't enjoy it I don't play). it could definitely be added to the list. I also really like the idea of a champion point category with increased XP gain the more I think about it. a definite plus to those who have put in some time and gotten those points...and adds more options to the champion pool. Not that I'm arguing against buffs to my health/stats/damage, but it's a fun alternative to those.

also, with the changes in the DLC, im wondering if they're trying to move away from the focus on VR...personally, I'd love to see the actual VR levels dissapear entirely, and see us all just be "veterans" once we hit 50, and the champion stuff really dictate our growth. That and gear of course...they would probably have to tinker with gear a bit given that environment, perhaps give gear the tiers, but make it all available to a "veteran". then substitute in other rewards for the Cadwell climb.

Pangnirtung · October 2015

JoseDelgadoCub17_ESO wrote: »

I honestly just wish I could level up at a speedy pace with questing... like Swtor or WoW.

What's the point of playing the game? Is it all about end level content of which there really isn't any?

I don't get the attitude that I have to be at the top of the heap for no other reason than it's a place to be.

Slow down. Enjoy the game.

OtarTheMad · October 2015

The problem with the VR zones and questing, to me, is that it isn't immersive enough. I had probably 30 characters I made while playing Skyrim and loved each and every second I played each, usually making another when one hit 50. This game? I have 8, 3 lowbies that aren't in my sig and I am not looking forward to leveling them past 50.

There is no immersion and if you look at the overall questlines for each zone, the main ones anyway, they are all the same. I am working on my fifth veteran character and can't get him to VR 16 fast enough. I guess some of the issue is, for PVPers, your build/character isn't truly finalized until he gets to VR 16. Is your build good enough? Will your hybrid work out? Will a heavy attack reliant character be good in PvP? Do you try to put majority of your CPs into passives no one has thought of and it that be a valid build? These questions and a lot more won't be answered until you hit max level and even then you have adjustments to make if it doesn't work. Just seems that you spend a lot of time trying to see IF your idea/build/playstyle idea will work, whereas in most other games like Oblivion, Skyrim etc. you typically knew early on if a certain build or playstyle idea was going to pan out.

Lord Xanhorn · October 2015

Rosveen wrote: »

I'm so sick and tired of Cadwell's quests. Craglorn is useless without a group, the Imperial City mostly too. I'm glad I like dungeons because I wouldn't have anything to do without them outside weekly guild events. Orsinium is going to be a godsend.

I dunno what you think Orsinium is going to be.....but its going to be more fedex style solo quests. Its literally going to be Caldwell's Platinum with a solo arena.

Vrienda · October 2015

The real issue with Cadwell's quests is that they destroy any sense of faction pride.

Declare for the dominion? Too bad, you've gotta slaughter them in shadowfen at VR3.
Covenant supporter? Oh well, kill the covenant troops attacking the ebonheart city.
Blood for the pact? I don't think so! Go kill some pact troops in Auridon.

kalimar44 · October 2015

Where is the grind people keep talking about? I come from the old days of Everquest. Now that was a grind,but this game is not. I'm on the ps 4 ,and just playing the game a few times a week I hit v13 pretty fast. Everyone just wants to be max lvl in less than a week of starting a character. I need to stay away from this forum. To much whining and complaining about EVERYTHING!!!

NewBlacksmurf · October 2015

Jura23 wrote: »

Sorry but this is nonsense. Getting to v16 isn't that hard and it can hardly be called grind anymore.

It's still very much a grind. Technically it's the same exp required when the cap was Vr12 which now is vr16

FYI to the OP ..with exp potions and Cyrodil delves, you can grind better than some other grind spots but questing seems to be the best exp for non grinding (silver n gold quests)

It's a long road still even with the changes.
Kinda thought the CP catch up program would apply to both VR and CP but since it's still to be removed, maybe that's why VR was omitted

Jura23 · October 2015

Aeula wrote: »

Here here. Haven't been max level since 1.3 back when Craglorn was a legitimately good way to grind out exp. Now I'm VR14 after finishing Cyrodiil delves, dolmens and the imperial city questline (Which have roughly half a veteran rank at vet12) and have nothing left to do. I'd do Craglorn questing, but it isn't soloable at my skill/champion point level, I don't like PvP much, I've done all the delves, dolmens, world bosses, lorebooks, quests and skyshards (Minus two behind the covenant scroll gates). I don't like PvP much either, though I suppose it's more tolerable than Craglorn.

I'm hoping Orsinium is the answer to my levelling woes. I hate veteran ranks, I just wanna hit V16 so I can do pledges properly and enjoy future content at the correct level. I'm not lazy, I've got 16 days /played time on my main (with 10 and 7 on my other veteran characters). I just don't know how to level effectively and there are no guides online because people don't want heir grinding spots getting nerfed by ZOS.

Why don't you ask ingame? Or go to some Cyro cave and you will meet there ppl willing to help you, that's almost certain. 4 vet ranks is doable.

Aeula wrote: »

The real issue with Cadwell's quests is that they destroy any sense of faction pride.

Declare for the dominion? Too bad, you've gotta slaughter them in shadowfen at VR3.
Covenant supporter? Oh well, kill the covenant troops attacking the ebonheart city.
Blood for the pact? I don't think so! Go kill some pact troops in Auridon.

I agree with you on this.

Rosveen · October 2015

Lord Xanhorn wrote: »

Rosveen wrote: »

I'm so sick and tired of Cadwell's quests. Craglorn is useless without a group, the Imperial City mostly too. I'm glad I like dungeons because I wouldn't have anything to do without them outside weekly guild events. Orsinium is going to be a godsend.

I dunno what you think Orsinium is going to be.....but its going to be more fedex style solo quests. Its literally going to be Caldwell's Platinum with a solo arena.

It's going to be new. That's all I need. An alternative way of solo leveling, something different from what I've been doing for a year - even if only the environment is different.

I forgot one activity, though. PvP has been a great way to level up one of my lowbies and I quite enjoyed Cyrodiil dailies on my vets because they're quick and more dynamic than regular questing if I come across enemy players.

Vrienda · October 2015

Jura23 wrote: »

Aeula wrote: »

Here here. Haven't been max level since 1.3 back when Craglorn was a legitimately good way to grind out exp. Now I'm VR14 after finishing Cyrodiil delves, dolmens and the imperial city questline (Which have roughly half a veteran rank at vet12) and have nothing left to do. I'd do Craglorn questing, but it isn't soloable at my skill/champion point level, I don't like PvP much, I've done all the delves, dolmens, world bosses, lorebooks, quests and skyshards (Minus two behind the covenant scroll gates). I don't like PvP much either, though I suppose it's more tolerable than Craglorn.

I'm hoping Orsinium is the answer to my levelling woes. I hate veteran ranks, I just wanna hit V16 so I can do pledges properly and enjoy future content at the correct level. I'm not lazy, I've got 16 days /played time on my main (with 10 and 7 on my other veteran characters). I just don't know how to level effectively and there are no guides online because people don't want heir grinding spots getting nerfed by ZOS.

Why don't you ask ingame? Or go to some Cyro cave and you will meet there ppl willing to help you, that's almost certain. 4 vet ranks is doable.

Aeula wrote: »

The real issue with Cadwell's quests is that they destroy any sense of faction pride.

Declare for the dominion? Too bad, you've gotta slaughter them in shadowfen at VR3.
Covenant supporter? Oh well, kill the covenant troops attacking the ebonheart city.
Blood for the pact? I don't think so! Go kill some pact troops in Auridon.

I agree with you on this.

Most of the Cyrodiil delves are bugged, bosses don't show up and such. And I have asked, but I've only been able to find imperial city Zerg groups. Nothing in Craglorn or Cyrodiil proper.

Shimmer · October 2015

Think of it as getting to level 64. Every game has a max level, you have to get to max in every game...its no different. This game just doesnt have a "iwin" or "insta max" button like wow and swtor. God forbid you have to put some sweat into it : P