Maelstrom Arena is Elite Level, not Veteran

Nifty2g · November 2015

i wonder if its getting nerfed tonight

DUTCH_REAPER · November 2015

I remember a day not to long ago when I couldn't get past stage 2 VMA. Just today I was having the hardest time trying again to get past stage 6. But a guy on the forums told me to try something else and it worked.

Don't give up. We just need to learn the mechanics and figure out what abilities work best.

SHADOW2KK · November 2015

fira_prime wrote: »

I love and hate this bloody arena got to stage 6 -.- and teabagged that ugly giant matriarch *** and put her head on a spike, im gonna be a ragged mess after this is done so now to stage 6 -.- wish me luck, ill be back to let u know how much i suck and maybe rage some more, lol but feels good to be out of stage 5

Hehe, you will manage it, I know you will:P

kadar · November 2015

CarbonHD wrote: »

I'm a VETERAN 16 DK, played the Maelstrom Arena veteran mode and could barely advance.

Veteran is vCoA, vWGT is veteran and vICP is veteran, already VERY challenging, therefore, I consider Malestrom Arena elite, not veteran.

Imagine I'm a VR1 and I can't complete veteran Maelstrom Arena. It's OK. I grow to VR16, I get VR16 gear and get a lot of CPs. OK, I'm ready. Nope! Still not doable. And when I say "doable" I mean that 1 out of 100 players can do it (1.000 if you like, 10.000?), not 1 out of 1.000.000.

This is elite, a level that hasn't yet be implemented in TESO, not veteran. Maybe a few players out of millions can complete it, same as a poor amateur team sometimes beats Barcelona in a friendly soccer game. Still, that doesn't make that poor amateur team a pro team.

Maelstrom Arena is not veteran, is elite.

Maybe it has been made this hard on purpose because, if it's clear that veteran is vCoA, vWGT and vICP, still not doable for the majority of the veteran players, and you still create something even harder, waaay more harder, it's undoubtly on purpose and with a reason.

What purpose and reason? I have no idea.

On a side note: I have completed normal mode and it was still challenging and fun, so I'm sooo happy!

Didn't read entire thread. But as others have probably pointed out, all of the evidence you list to prove you're a quality player and the content is too hard, is group content. 4 player dungeons. Where you have a heals/tank/dps backing you up. Maelstrom Arena is clearly a different thing entirely and should not be compared to group content at all. Solo content.

Case and point-- I have never completed Vet CoA, vWGT, or vICP (the hard things) and I beat the first 3 Vet Mode Arenas in under an hour. And it was my first time setting foot in the Arena at all.

You may be a great group player and struggle with hard solo content. No shame in that, just acknowledge you've got a weakness and try to improve. Mine happens to be the opposite of yours--I struggle with supporting a group in hard content and prefer to depend on myself for sustain/dps/mitigation.

Dylanlucas · November 2015

Ezareth wrote: »

CarbonHD wrote: »

CavalierPrime wrote: »

Carbon is very upset and anxious right now so I will not antagonize him. But isnt everything in this game l2p? If I hand my ps4 controller to someone who's never played eso, they will be completely lost. In what way are you failing? Whatever is causing you a failure almost always has a quick fix solution. Are you getting blasted by lots of npc mages? Reflect those spells. Is the boss hitting you for 80k? Maybe you gotta kill the Horver by the totem to prevent that 80k. I haven't played Maelstrom but I've seen it done on Youtube and it looks replicable.

I'm not upset mate. And I agree with you that adjustments and knowing mechanics is the way, as in every dungeon. However, that doesn't removes the fact that this is even too hard for VR16 advanced veterans.

So maybe, if the game had another rank; let's say normal, veteran and elite, this arena would fit, in my humble opinion, on a rank above veteran.

Simply as that.

You're a normal player who thinks he is a "Veteran". Normal mode was designed for you. Veteran Mode was designed for players who want a real challenge.

The issue is one of semantics, not skill.

This is ***, we all pay for the same content. Then let them put VR16 gear and the weapons in the Normal mode too, if Veteran is only for the "challenge" or score they might as well do that.

Then the "elite" players can spend their life in Veteran mode improving their own scores and us people with real lives we can play Normal with the chance of getting the same gear.

willymchilybily · November 2015

CavalierPrime wrote: »

Maybe your skill bars are suboptimal, you dont block, you make junk potions, you dont use reflective scales, you dont understand the mechanics...

Im a v16 dragonknight with only 135 cp and I expect to complete it. Why? Because I saw my group get housed on Sanct. Ophidia over and over and over again, until all 12 people finally knew the mechanics by heart and did the right things. It sounds like Maelstrom is the same deal. You go from wiping to completing based on strategy alone.

@CavalierPrime i read this post and wondered have you managed to complete vMSA on your DK yet?

hamburgerler76 · November 2015

timidobserver wrote: »

I was planning to wait until the weekend to focus on the arena, but I guess I need to go ahead and do it if I want to experience the intended difficulty. Judging by the amount of whining, next week's forecast is cloudy with an 80% chance of nerfs.

lol if you were a DK you would be on this forums to all one needs to do is look at the leader boards and can see DK can not do this and other classes are doing this with 60k+ repair builds every time I mean DK's have what 15 total in the world that have completed it atleast on the NA server last time I checked.

BalticBlues · November 2015

Bfish22090 wrote: »

Clearly a l2p issue

Yes, on YOUR side. Think first, then
L2P: LEARN TO POST something useful.

The fact: The vMA leader board for EU PS4 is EMPTY for DKs.
Not a single DK made it through vMA on PS4.
There are many Sorcs and NBs on the PS4 leaderboard.
There even are 5 (!) Templars in Europe who made it.
DKs: ZERO

Clearly a balancing issue.

Dylanlucas · November 2015

BalticBlues wrote: »

Bfish22090 wrote: »

Clearly a l2p issue

Yes, on YOUR side. Think first, then
L2P: LEARN TO POST something useful.

The facts: The MA leader board for EU PS4 is EMPTY for DKs.
Not a single DK made it through MA on PS4.
There are many of Sorcs and NBs on the PS4 leaderboard.
There even are 5 (!) Templars in Europe who made it.
DKs: ZERO

Clearly a balancing issue.
One reason: the DPS gates in MA are killing it for DKs (and most Templars).

Most people that post "L2P" are PC players with their fancy parse tools and addons and the CP cap.
They should try it on the PS4 without all that fancy stuff and then see if they cry 'L2P".

I always played Magicka DK, stopped playing him on the IC update because of the tanking changes my Templar was more useful for our group.

Recently started playing my DK again on Magicka and yes he feel much weaker then he was before the IC update.

Wollust · November 2015

Dylanlucas wrote: »

Ezareth wrote: »

CarbonHD wrote: »

CavalierPrime wrote: »

Carbon is very upset and anxious right now so I will not antagonize him. But isnt everything in this game l2p? If I hand my ps4 controller to someone who's never played eso, they will be completely lost. In what way are you failing? Whatever is causing you a failure almost always has a quick fix solution. Are you getting blasted by lots of npc mages? Reflect those spells. Is the boss hitting you for 80k? Maybe you gotta kill the Horver by the totem to prevent that 80k. I haven't played Maelstrom but I've seen it done on Youtube and it looks replicable.

I'm not upset mate. And I agree with you that adjustments and knowing mechanics is the way, as in every dungeon. However, that doesn't removes the fact that this is even too hard for VR16 advanced veterans.

So maybe, if the game had another rank; let's say normal, veteran and elite, this arena would fit, in my humble opinion, on a rank above veteran.

Simply as that.

You're a normal player who thinks he is a "Veteran". Normal mode was designed for you. Veteran Mode was designed for players who want a real challenge.

The issue is one of semantics, not skill.

This is ***, we all pay for the same content. Then let them put VR16 gear and the weapons in the Normal mode too, if Veteran is only for the "challenge" or score they might as well do that.

Then the "elite" players can spend their life in Veteran mode improving their own scores and us people with real lives we can play Normal with the chance of getting the same gear.

Who says that a challenge shouldn't be rewarded accordingly? And stop it with the real life no life bullcrap. Something like that is just said by little angry kids who aren't getting what they want.
Paying for the content doesn't mean you are entitled to be able to do it whatever way you want. The maelstrom arena Vet is frustrating, yes, but once you get the hang out of it it becomes easier with each run. But it takes time and effort and that is how it is supposed to be.

However, I do acknowledge that there is some serious balance issues regarding the classes ability to do it.
And I guess the issue of not being able to save progress (Vet) is also something to be looked at. I think making this possible would give a lot more players the possibility to finish it without calling for nerfs beforehand.

Dylanlucas · November 2015

Wollust wrote: »

Dylanlucas wrote: »

Ezareth wrote: »

CarbonHD wrote: »

CavalierPrime wrote: »

Carbon is very upset and anxious right now so I will not antagonize him. But isnt everything in this game l2p? If I hand my ps4 controller to someone who's never played eso, they will be completely lost. In what way are you failing? Whatever is causing you a failure almost always has a quick fix solution. Are you getting blasted by lots of npc mages? Reflect those spells. Is the boss hitting you for 80k? Maybe you gotta kill the Horver by the totem to prevent that 80k. I haven't played Maelstrom but I've seen it done on Youtube and it looks replicable.

I'm not upset mate. And I agree with you that adjustments and knowing mechanics is the way, as in every dungeon. However, that doesn't removes the fact that this is even too hard for VR16 advanced veterans.

So maybe, if the game had another rank; let's say normal, veteran and elite, this arena would fit, in my humble opinion, on a rank above veteran.

Simply as that.

You're a normal player who thinks he is a "Veteran". Normal mode was designed for you. Veteran Mode was designed for players who want a real challenge.

The issue is one of semantics, not skill.

This is ***, we all pay for the same content. Then let them put VR16 gear and the weapons in the Normal mode too, if Veteran is only for the "challenge" or score they might as well do that.

Then the "elite" players can spend their life in Veteran mode improving their own scores and us people with real lives we can play Normal with the chance of getting the same gear.

Who says that a challenge shouldn't be rewarded accordingly? And stop it with the real life no life bullcrap. Something like that is just said by little angry kids who aren't getting what they want.
Paying for the content doesn't mean you are entitled to be able to do it whatever way you want. The maelstrom arena Vet is frustrating, yes, but once you get the hang out of it it becomes easier with each run. But it takes time and effort and that is how it is supposed to be.

However, I do acknowledge that there is some serious balance issues regarding the classes ability to do it.
And I guess the issue of not being able to save progress (Vet) is also something to be looked at. I think making this possible would give a lot more players the possibility to finish it without calling for nerfs beforehand.

Call me an angry kid I don't care to be honest (im 36 btw)

It's remains a fact that VMSA is full of bugs and that most people don't have time to complete that crap.

So I stand by my point, if people only do VMSA because its so "challenging" then give the people that don't care about challenge acces to the gear and weapons by doing normal. It's the most simple solution I think.

At the moment they are just losing customers over this update, so like someone stated before, I really hope for ZOS that the "elite" players have very very deep pockets.

PS4 servers are already very quiet.

Jhunn · November 2015

Dylanlucas wrote: »

Call me an angry kid I don't care to be honest (im 36 btw)

It's remains a fact that VMSA is full of bugs and that most people don't have time to complete that crap.

So I stand by my point, if people only do VMSA because its so "challenging" then give the people that don't care about challenge acces to the gear and weapons by doing normal. It's the most simple solution I think.

At the moment they are just losing customers over this update, so like someone stated before, I really hope for ZOS that the "elite" players have very very deep pockets.

PS4 servers are already very quiet.

Why should you get the best gear if you don't complete the hardest dungeons/trails/arenas? Quit crying about 'people only do VMSA because it's so challenging'. If you can't complete the hardest content, don't expect to be handed the best gear.

And stating that ESO is losing costumers because of this update is just stupid. People aren't leaving because they can't complete VMSA.

BalticBlues · November 2015

Jhunn wrote: »

If you can't complete the hardest content, don't expect to be handed the best gear.

So that only Sorcs and NBs can wear the best gear, right?

Again: In Europe, the PS4 vMA leaderboards are filled with Sorcs and NBs.
On PS4 ZERO (!) DKs managed the vMA so far and only 5 (!) Templars.

The vMA seems to be another example of unbalanced content.
The DK and Templar classes now seen to suck even more. Not only in PvP, now in MA too.
Is it really smart to sell more unbalanced content that only fits to half of the customers?

Jhunn · November 2015

BalticBlues wrote: »

So that only Sorcs and NBs can wear the best gear, right?

Again: In Europe, the PS4 vMA leaderboards are filled with Sorcs and NBs.
On PS4 ZERO (!) DKs managed the vMA so far and only 5 (!) Templars.

The vMA seems to be another example of a unbalanced content.
Is it really smart to sell an unbalanced DLC that only fits to half of the customers?

It's not a matter of unbalanced content, it's a matter of unbalanced classes, and ZOS knows this. I hope VMSA isn't nerfed before the class updates are coming early next year. It's the only challenging PVE content we have.

Wollust · November 2015

Dylanlucas wrote: »

Wollust wrote: »

Dylanlucas wrote: »

Ezareth wrote: »

CarbonHD wrote: »

CavalierPrime wrote: »

Carbon is very upset and anxious right now so I will not antagonize him. But isnt everything in this game l2p? If I hand my ps4 controller to someone who's never played eso, they will be completely lost. In what way are you failing? Whatever is causing you a failure almost always has a quick fix solution. Are you getting blasted by lots of npc mages? Reflect those spells. Is the boss hitting you for 80k? Maybe you gotta kill the Horver by the totem to prevent that 80k. I haven't played Maelstrom but I've seen it done on Youtube and it looks replicable.

I'm not upset mate. And I agree with you that adjustments and knowing mechanics is the way, as in every dungeon. However, that doesn't removes the fact that this is even too hard for VR16 advanced veterans.

So maybe, if the game had another rank; let's say normal, veteran and elite, this arena would fit, in my humble opinion, on a rank above veteran.

Simply as that.

You're a normal player who thinks he is a "Veteran". Normal mode was designed for you. Veteran Mode was designed for players who want a real challenge.

The issue is one of semantics, not skill.

This is ***, we all pay for the same content. Then let them put VR16 gear and the weapons in the Normal mode too, if Veteran is only for the "challenge" or score they might as well do that.

Then the "elite" players can spend their life in Veteran mode improving their own scores and us people with real lives we can play Normal with the chance of getting the same gear.

Who says that a challenge shouldn't be rewarded accordingly? And stop it with the real life no life bullcrap. Something like that is just said by little angry kids who aren't getting what they want.
Paying for the content doesn't mean you are entitled to be able to do it whatever way you want. The maelstrom arena Vet is frustrating, yes, but once you get the hang out of it it becomes easier with each run. But it takes time and effort and that is how it is supposed to be.

However, I do acknowledge that there is some serious balance issues regarding the classes ability to do it.
And I guess the issue of not being able to save progress (Vet) is also something to be looked at. I think making this possible would give a lot more players the possibility to finish it without calling for nerfs beforehand.

Call me an angry kid I don't care to be honest (im 36 btw)

It's remains a fact that VMSA is full of bugs and that most people don't have time to complete that crap.

So I stand by my point, if people only do VMSA because its so "challenging" then give the people that don't care about challenge acces to the gear and weapons by doing normal. It's the most simple solution I think.

At the moment they are just losing customers over this update, so like someone stated before, I really hope for ZOS that the "elite" players have very very deep pockets.

PS4 servers are already very quiet.

What gets you thinking people are doing it only because of the challenge? Ofc I want the weapons and ofc it's time consuming. But the rewards are good, so I'm okay with spending some time doing the content. I don't care about the leaderboards, title and whatever else there is.
Bug are something else and should be fixed, obviously. Time is a crucial factor and if you want to do it, be ready to spend some time. If you don't have the time, not ZoS fault. But well, I guess making progress saveable would help out on that part at least and would be a nice compromise with no negative effect for anyone.
And people who are completely unable to do the vet versions are the ones who won't miss out on anything by having v15 gear instead of v16 anyway. The only solution I'd see in regard of making the gear attainable by everyone is making it BoE (except for the maelstrom weapons).

And no, they are definitely not losing customers over VMSA alone. It's 1 thing in a huge and awesome zone with loads of quests and stuff to do.
There is many reasons why ZoS is losing customers. The single thing in the entire game focused for "elite" players is not one.

Kublakan · November 2015

I think most of the people misunderstood the op first statement, well written in the title of the thread. He says Maelstrom arena veteran level isnt appropriate and misleading for veteran players, it should be, as he suggest, called elite, thus creating one rank above normal veteran level. Yes, its about semantic, but not the other way around.

Dylanlucas · November 2015

Jhunn wrote: »

Dylanlucas wrote: »

Call me an angry kid I don't care to be honest (im 36 btw)

It's remains a fact that VMSA is full of bugs and that most people don't have time to complete that crap.

So I stand by my point, if people only do VMSA because its so "challenging" then give the people that don't care about challenge acces to the gear and weapons by doing normal. It's the most simple solution I think.

At the moment they are just losing customers over this update, so like someone stated before, I really hope for ZOS that the "elite" players have very very deep pockets.

PS4 servers are already very quiet.

Why should you get the best gear if you don't complete the hardest dungeons/trails/arenas? Quit crying about 'people only do VMSA because it's so challenging'. If you can't complete the hardest content, don't expect to be handed the best gear.

And stating that ESO is losing costumers because of this update is just stupid. People aren't leaving because they can't complete VMSA.

Just asking, are you playing on the PC or PS4?

BalticBlues · November 2015

BalticBlues wrote: »

In Europe, the PS4 vMA leaderboards are filled with Sorcs and NBs.
On PS4 ZERO (!) DKs managed the vMA so far and only 5 (!) Templars.
The vMA seems to be another example of a unbalanced content.

Jhunn wrote: »

It's not a matter of unbalanced content,
it's a matter of unbalanced classes, and ZOS knows this.

I think it is not so simple.

In PvP and MA, only one thing counts: DPS. Sorcs and NBs not only have the best DPS, they are also always geared for it. On the other side, most cases Tanks and Templers are probably not geared for best DPS. They are rather geared for resistance (Tanks) and healing (Templars).

With the DPS gates implemented in MA, most Tanks and Templars probably would need to respec (Skills & CPs) and would need new DPS gear. With the incredible high costs of V16 gear, buying/building a 2nd V16 set only for MA is not possible for most people, at least not on PS4. Therefore, with the focus on DPS in PvP and MA, most DKs and Templars who are geared and skilled for other things will suck.

So is it the DPS focus of MA or is it the class imbalances that suck for DKs and Templars?
Probably both.

Ezareth · November 2015

Dylanlucas wrote: »

This is ***, we all pay for the same content. Then let them put VR16 gear and the weapons in the Normal mode too, if Veteran is only for the "challenge" or score they might as well do that.

Then the "elite" players can spend their life in Veteran mode improving their own scores and us people with real lives we can play Normal with the chance of getting the same gear.

I love how the players who fail at this have to throw the "No-life" insult at those who do not. If you knew anything about me you'd be laughing as hard as I am at the comment.

BalticBlues wrote: »

BalticBlues wrote: »

In Europe, the PS4 vMA leaderboards are filled with Sorcs and NBs.
On PS4 ZERO (!) DKs managed the vMA so far and only 5 (!) Templars.
The vMA seems to be another example of a unbalanced content.

Jhunn wrote: »

It's not a matter of unbalanced content,
it's a matter of unbalanced classes, and ZOS knows this.

I think it is not so simple.

In PvP and MA, only one thing counts: DPS. Sorcs and NBs not only have the best DPS, they are also always geared for it. On the other side, most cases Tanks and Templers are probably not geared for best DPS. They are rather geared for resistance (Tanks) and healing (Templars).

With the DPS gates implemented in MA, most Tanks and Templars probably would need to respec (Skills & CPs) and would need new DPS gear. With the incredible high costs of V16 gear, buying/building a 2nd V16 set only for MA is not possible for most people, at least not on PS4. Therefore, with the focus on DPS in PvP and MA, most DKs and Templars who are geared and skilled for other things will suck.

So is it the DPS focus of MA or is it the class imbalances that suck for DKs and Templars?
Probably both.

I Just spent 2/3rds of my remaining gold getting my Nightblade geared out because he was geared for PvP not PvE. I easily have a million in gold worth of mats sitting in my bank though I just can't stand spending time to convert it to gold.

Point is I don't think it is unrealistic for players to spend some gold to get appropriate gear. In the past people were spending 150K gold for each piece of Archmage so getting gear in order to acquire maelstrom weapons is pretty reasonable.

BalticBlues · November 2015

Ezareth wrote: »

I easily have a million in gold worth of mats sitting in my bank though I just can't stand spending time to convert it to gold.

You are a PC player, right? On the PS4 version - that is not even out for half a year -, most people probably do not even have one full V16 gear yet. Requiring Tanks/Templars to make an extra 2nd V16 set for VMA is impossible for most PS4 players.

Please note: All balancing problems of the PC version are magnified on the console versions. There are no addons to help you, and the player base is dwindling, crippling the economy.

Ezareth · November 2015

BalticBlues wrote: »

Ezareth wrote: »

I easily have a million in gold worth of mats sitting in my bank though I just can't stand spending time to convert it to gold.

You are a PC player, right? On the PS4 version - that is not even out for half a year -, most people probably do not even have one full V16 gear yet. Requiring Tanks/Templars to make an extra 2nd V16 set for VMA is impossible for most PS4 players.

Please note: All balancing problems of the PC version are magnified on the console versions. There are no addons to help you, and the player base is dwindling, crippling the economy.

How is this even possible? I've made well over 1000 V16 mats on my main just doing writs every day since Osrinium came out.

I've also wasted literally half a million gold in the past month accidentally crafting the wrong sets, the wrong traits or no traits at all (I really shouldn't rush when crafting sets).

The only Addon I use is FTC for the combat text only. Everything else is turned off and I dont bother with addons for anything else. Combat text does help me do the large amount of testing I do but I could just as easily research most of my findings online as well.

I hear you about the economy though. There really needs to be more big ticket items for players to sell. I have stacks upon stacks of blue and purple upgrade items that aren't even worth the effort to sell because you have to spend so much time breaking them down and pricing them out etc.

DUTCH_REAPER · November 2015

Made it to stage 8 VMSA finally!. But I couldn't pass it due to running out of tri-pots and being a vamp (my guy is a mag DK and he needed more regen so now he is at about 2800 spell damage unbuffed and 1280 regen unbuffed). Just getting burnt too much. So I got a new set of willpower jewelry to equip with resistance on all items and I am sure that I will have no problem getting passed it.

TotterTates · November 2015

DUTCH_REAPER wrote: »

Made it to stage 8 VMSA finally!. But I couldn't pass it due to running out of tri-pots and being a vamp (my guy is a mag DK and he needed more regen so now he is at about 2800 spell damage unbuffed and 1280 regen unbuffed). Just getting burnt too much. So I got a new set of willpower jewelry to equip with resistance on all items and I am sure that I will have no problem getting passed it.

You're going to have an awful time on stage 8 and 9 regardless of resistance.

Destruent · November 2015

BalticBlues wrote: »

BalticBlues wrote: »

In Europe, the PS4 vMA leaderboards are filled with Sorcs and NBs.
On PS4 ZERO (!) DKs managed the vMA so far and only 5 (!) Templars.
The vMA seems to be another example of a unbalanced content.

Jhunn wrote: »

It's not a matter of unbalanced content,
it's a matter of unbalanced classes, and ZOS knows this.

I think it is not so simple.

In PvP and MA, only one thing counts: DPS. Sorcs and NBs not only have the best DPS, they are also always geared for it. On the other side, most cases Tanks and Templers are probably not geared for best DPS. They are rather geared for resistance (Tanks) and healing (Templars).

With the DPS gates implemented in MA, most Tanks and Templars probably would need to respec (Skills & CPs) and would need new DPS gear. With the incredible high costs of V16 gear, buying/building a 2nd V16 set only for MA is not possible for most people, at least not on PS4. Therefore, with the focus on DPS in PvP and MA, most DKs and Templars who are geared and skilled for other things will suck.

So is it the DPS focus of MA or is it the class imbalances that suck for DKs and Templars?
Probably both.

Best PvE-DPS have Sorc and DKs, but DKs need a lot of Dots to do high DPS whereas sorc (overload) and NB (swallow soul/crippling) can get nice DPS easier. vMSA favors high ranged-DPS with strong self healing and mobility...

so here we are:
1. Sorc: Overload + surge (streak for mobility) gives highest DPS + healing on crits (even on stam sorc this combination is amazing ^^)
2. Nightblade. Crippling+ swallow soul produces nice DPS/offhealing/mobility
3. Templer: puncturing does decent dps and heals for damage done, but its meele...toppling charge for mobility -.-
4. DK: hm...no passiv healing, whip for melee DPS/force pulse for ranged...

Thats it...its not pure DPS or healing etc. you need all of them to succeed. For NB/Sorc its definitely easier at the beginning, but it is doable with every class

and pls...don't nerf vMSA...just fix bugs and create a save function

PS: there are lots of DK-DDs and Templar-DDs, but they usually ecel in groupplay...and a good temp-Heal can outDPS bad DDs easily so they don't need to change gear that much ^^

zornyan · November 2015

BalticBlues wrote: »

Ezareth wrote: »

I easily have a million in gold worth of mats sitting in my bank though I just can't stand spending time to convert it to gold.

You are a PC player, right? On the PS4 version - that is not even out for half a year -, most people probably do not even have one full V16 gear yet. Requiring Tanks/Templars to make an extra 2nd V16 set for VMA is impossible for most PS4 players.

Please note: All balancing problems of the PC version are magnified on the console versions. There are no addons to help you, and the player base is dwindling, crippling the economy.

Don't put us all in the same boat, just because you can't figure out how easy it is to make money doesn't mean the rest of us havent.

I earnt 2 MILLION gold in just over 2 weeks on ps4 eu, grinding tel var stones and selling mats, hajeiko runes and other loot.

I have 3 fully geared vr 16s and everyone I know has a couple characters fully geared easily.

Ezareth · November 2015

DUTCH_REAPER wrote: »

Made it to stage 8 VMSA finally!. But I couldn't pass it due to running out of tri-pots and being a vamp (my guy is a mag DK and he needed more regen so now he is at about 2800 spell damage unbuffed and 1280 regen unbuffed). Just getting burnt too much. So I got a new set of willpower jewelry to equip with resistance on all items and I am sure that I will have no problem getting passed it.

On Stage 8 Wings is a godsend. Other than the 2 hander daedra, beetles, and lurchers every mob including the final boss and mini-boss on Wave 4 have reflectable attacks.

Just keep your wings up as you DPS all the targets you can't reflect and it should be a walk in the park. Stage 8 is the easiest stage by far for my Sorc because of the Sword and Board reflect.

Ezareth · November 2015

Destruent wrote: »

BalticBlues wrote: »

BalticBlues wrote: »

In Europe, the PS4 vMA leaderboards are filled with Sorcs and NBs.
On PS4 ZERO (!) DKs managed the vMA so far and only 5 (!) Templars.
The vMA seems to be another example of a unbalanced content.

Jhunn wrote: »

It's not a matter of unbalanced content,
it's a matter of unbalanced classes, and ZOS knows this.

I think it is not so simple.

In PvP and MA, only one thing counts: DPS. Sorcs and NBs not only have the best DPS, they are also always geared for it. On the other side, most cases Tanks and Templers are probably not geared for best DPS. They are rather geared for resistance (Tanks) and healing (Templars).

With the DPS gates implemented in MA, most Tanks and Templars probably would need to respec (Skills & CPs) and would need new DPS gear. With the incredible high costs of V16 gear, buying/building a 2nd V16 set only for MA is not possible for most people, at least not on PS4. Therefore, with the focus on DPS in PvP and MA, most DKs and Templars who are geared and skilled for other things will suck.

So is it the DPS focus of MA or is it the class imbalances that suck for DKs and Templars?
Probably both.

Best PvE-DPS have Sorc and DKs, but DKs need a lot of Dots to do high DPS whereas sorc (overload) and NB (swallow soul/crippling) can get nice DPS easier. vMSA favors high ranged-DPS with strong self healing and mobility...

so here we are:
1. Sorc: Overload + surge (streak for mobility) gives highest DPS + healing on crits (even on stam sorc this combination is amazing ^^)
2. Nightblade. Crippling+ swallow soul produces nice DPS/offhealing/mobility
3. Templer: puncturing does decent dps and heals for damage done, but its meele...toppling charge for mobility -.-
4. DK: hm...no passiv healing, whip for melee DPS/force pulse for ranged...

Thats it...its not pure DPS or healing etc. you need all of them to succeed. For NB/Sorc its definitely easier at the beginning, but it is doable with every class

and pls...don't nerf vMSA...just fix bugs and create a save function

PS: there are lots of DK-DDs and Templar-DDs, but they usually ecel in groupplay...and a good temp-Heal can outDPS bad DDs easily so they don't need to change gear that much ^^

I just want to say that on my Sorc I could do vMSA deathless without using any DPS ability other than Crushing Shock. It would take far longer and I'd have to use a defensive sigil on the Stage 9 Titan but other than overload Crushing shock is currently the only DPS ability that I use..

thesongoftimeb14_ESO · January 2016

I did Maelstrom on my healer v16 Templar normal mode in about 2 hours on my first run. Tonight, after a good month of watching countless videos, spending hours to learn mechanics from Deltia and unknowns on youtube, to learning how to build my gear, and what skills are the most important, I spent an hour trying to get past 3rd stage of the first arena without success.

So, I have to agree with op, based on doing normal mode first try within 2 hours, all the studying and making sure I was prepared, and still not being able to get past stage 1, tells me that vet mode is indeed for the elite.
I don't consider myself at all good, but I have fun playing this game, can heal even through VCoa from the experience I have gained without a problem, and usually get a compliment when a dungeon is done.

I am assuming this will get a nerf eventually after all the elites have completed it, so I have no problem with it the way it is. Eventually it will be easy enough for us slow and stupid people to finish and get our master gear. For now, I will just avoid it, and that way I can be happy playing what I can do.

ralonasan · January 2016

thesongoftimeb14_ESO wrote: »

I did Maelstrom on my healer v16 Templar normal mode in about 2 hours on my first run. Tonight, after a good month of watching countless videos, spending hours to learn mechanics from Deltia and unknowns on youtube, to learning how to build my gear, and what skills are the most important, I spent an hour trying to get past 3rd stage of the first arena without success.

So, I have to agree with op, based on doing normal mode first try within 2 hours, all the studying and making sure I was prepared, and still not being able to get past stage 1, tells me that vet mode is indeed for the elite.
I don't consider myself at all good, but I have fun playing this game, can heal even through VCoa from the experience I have gained without a problem, and usually get a compliment when a dungeon is done.

I am assuming this will get a nerf eventually after all the elites have completed it, so I have no problem with it the way it is. Eventually it will be easy enough for us slow and stupid people to finish and get our master gear. For now, I will just avoid it, and that way I can be happy playing what I can do.

Uhm. If you aren't able to pass the third stage the issue is definitely that you aren't built correctly. @Nifty2g made a great guide I suggest you check out. A quick forum search should do it.

thesongoftimeb14_ESO · January 2016

ralonasan wrote: »

thesongoftimeb14_ESO wrote: »

I did Maelstrom on my healer v16 Templar normal mode in about 2 hours on my first run. Tonight, after a good month of watching countless videos, spending hours to learn mechanics from Deltia and unknowns on youtube, to learning how to build my gear, and what skills are the most important, I spent an hour trying to get past 3rd stage of the first arena without success.

So, I have to agree with op, based on doing normal mode first try within 2 hours, all the studying and making sure I was prepared, and still not being able to get past stage 1, tells me that vet mode is indeed for the elite.
I don't consider myself at all good, but I have fun playing this game, can heal even through VCoa from the experience I have gained without a problem, and usually get a compliment when a dungeon is done.

I am assuming this will get a nerf eventually after all the elites have completed it, so I have no problem with it the way it is. Eventually it will be easy enough for us slow and stupid people to finish and get our master gear. For now, I will just avoid it, and that way I can be happy playing what I can do.

Uhm. If you aren't able to pass the third stage the issue is definitely that you aren't built correctly. @Nifty2g made a great guide I suggest you check out. A quick forum search should do it.

I have followed Deltia's videos for my Templar and someone else who basically had a step by step guide for my dk. Its not going to happen. I did mention I am not a good player, I am 51 and never did an mmo until this. I appreciate your help, but its just not going to happen. That is why I responded to agree with the op.

Trust me, I know my limits and I am not 20 years old anymore. It needs to be nerfed after all the regulars go through it. I would imagine 2 months is plenty of time for you guys to have done it, and it would be nice to scale it down to the casual gamer. Remember, I am not complaining for calling for a nerf up front. I am saying after you guys have got it done, lets give us a shot.

As for my Templar Healer set up for Maelstrom, v16 5 piece gold TBS, 3 piece Willow all sp enchants, I have all the monster helm sets and my cp is over 400 and placed accordingly. My first bar would be Harness, dark flare, jabs, bol, inner light and shooting star. I have a tough time getting to my second bar while being smoked, but it has focus, shards, ward, jesus and inner light with nova. I even swapped out monster for a 3 piece hundigs, to no avail.

As for my dk?, I didn't even bother cause I know I could do it on normal mode. I tried vet with it, having 5 piece vet 16 gold Juliano, will power, monster set, with a fire and healing staff. I got nowhere on that too, couldn't get past stage 1 on vet, and I tried to follow the youtube guide step by step. btw, with both, I use v15 blue food for mag and health, and my potions are either tri, stats or tri with immovibility or speed, mag and spell power. Please share with me how I am not built properly if I am built very close to the elites like Deltia or Sypher. One thing I learned since beta, its easy to copy them, but that does not mean you can play like them.

For both, I wear 5L, 1, and 1 with both characters being maxed on Undaunted. I have all my passives for both characters with each having well over 200 skill points to place. However, the places I lack are no pvp skill or passive, cept the first one, and no WW or Vamp. My main point has nothing to do with any of this though. If I can take my Templar for a first run and get it done and complete in 2 hours without any prior experiece, what does that say if I can't get by the 3rd stage of first arena with a ton of visual and learning knowledge from the experts? It says I suck, and would appreciate a nerf after all others have succeeded, so I can enjoy in their treasures too. No complaints man and I actually enjoy watching the elites do their stuff. Its more fun than actually playing sometimes. lol

After posting, I realized I didn't mention that I also tried charge and or the ranged one on my templar, that didn't cut it either.