How many of you guys follow builds?

RDMyers65b14_ESO · December 2015

I had someone once tell me that because I wasn't following his exact build that I was playing my character wrong. The problem, his build might have a higher DPS, my character was a dedicated healer. Fact is, I might take someone's advise on a build, but I reserve the right to modify the skills as I need.

IdesofMarch2 · December 2015

RDMyers65b14_ESO wrote: »

I had someone once tell me that because I wasn't following his exact build that I was playing my character wrong. The problem, his build might have a higher DPS, my character was a dedicated healer. Fact is, I might take someone's advise on a build, but I reserve the right to modify the skills as I need.[/qu

Agreed, you take and modify to your needs.

I55UE5 · December 2015

I've never followed a build in my history of MMOs. In fact I make it a point to not even look for builds, as to not create any bias. I play RPGs in order to theory craft my own build, I find that the most enjoyable. More often than not this mentality will cause me to make too many Alts, and take me a little longer to reach my full potential. Having fun though, and that about all that matters in video games.

As for being original and a bad player, not the case. Some people are actually good at video games without having their hand held.

I don't YouTube my way through Dark Souls games either

Lightninvash · December 2015

IdesofMarch2 wrote: »

I am wondering how many of you guys follow builds for your characters or just wing it and learn as you go. I currently re rolled a Altmer Sorc and level 30 and I like playing both pve and pvp. I'm not really going into pvp until I get near level 50 though. I check out alot of builds but most are for V16 after everything is leveled up. So as I go along I am trying to piece it together. I like healing and DPS, so I am going with a Dest staff and Resto staff because I like to help out alot in battle as well as deal damage. But I am kinda just checking out new skills that appear and see if they stick or not. I know about the Wards on Resto skills but I haven't unlocked them yet. So am I going about this the right way or does it not really make a differenct until vet levels.

personally I ask people what they did and compare then weigh heir replies with how I play and build my own version of a successful char

Callous2208 · December 2015

I55UE5 wrote: »

I've never followed a build in my history of MMOs. In fact I make it a point to not even look for builds, as to not create any bias. I play RPGs in order to theory craft my own build, I find that the most enjoyable. More often than not this mentality will cause me to make too many Alts, and take me a little longer to reach my full potential. Having fun though, and that about all that matters in video games.

As for being original and a bad player, not the case. Some people are actually good at video games without having their hand held.

I don't YouTube my way through Dark Souls games either

Although I agree with your sentiment, it's inevitable that upon reaching that full potential as a theory crafter and good gamer, you'll find your original build matches that of the current meta of builds from all of the other theory crafters. Some people just like to skip the trial and error, it's not for me, but to each his own.

TotterTates · December 2015

I've been posting/updating builds since the 1.4 days (oh how I miss thee).

I personally don't blame people for not following builds and running what suits them. Heck, when I started, there were no "known builds" and it was exciting.

That being said, my personal opinion is that by not looking up builds you are missing out on important information. Theory crafters (like Thelon and myself) spend hours upon hours running tests and crunching numbers to uncover the math behind the mechanics and the effectiveness of gear/skills.

I always warn my followers that my builds work for me and that they will need to adjust the build to appropriately fit them. This may include gear, skills, attribute points, and/or CP.

The value of a build is not being told to "wear this" or "click that". It's the fundamental ideas and functionality used to tackle content.

You wouldn't ignore the existing literature when writing a thesis. What are the risks of exploring existing builds?

RatedChaotic · December 2015

I never follow online builds. I test things myself and figure what works for me and my play style. Following someones build is not wise imo. What works for them might not work for you. Also in pvp when alot of people use the same build it makes it easier to counter those players.

Magdalina · December 2015

PBpsy wrote: »

The game doesn't have "builds". It has roles that require a certain number of "tasks" to be fulfilled using a very limited selection of skills that actually can fulfill those tasks.Usually there is only one correct answer and the alternative are not just less efficient but downright can't fulfill that task.That selection is further limited by only being able to use at most 2x5+2 skill.

Since 1.7 the gear meta was purposefully set by ZOS and the only variety has more to do with not actually having that gear that yet than with personal choice. Here the variety is minimal. only 2 correct jewelry sets,and a few sets that basically do the same damn thing.

I found it funny last week when somebody asked me in game if I got my mag build from the net. Nope but the last time I checked the most popular mag NB build thread on tamriel foundry differed by one skill from what i had come up. Why ? Because each of those skill fulfills a task that is necessary for me to fulfill my role and they are the only skills that can actually do it efficiently.

There is of course the fun "build" crowd. But that is how you get stationary hard cast spamming crystal blast sorcs in your pledge groups.

Sad but true.

There are some viable not-so-common builds and people running them though. But not many and probably more along the lines of tanks and healers than dps.

DurzoBlint13 · December 2015

Deltia is good for an overview of many different build types, but I main a stam sorc and there is no one better with stam sorc builds than Feng Rush. He has other builds too that are very good but he is known for his beasty stam sorcs. Yes I watch at least 5 or 6 different build vids before I pick one I like..........although builds don't mean a whole lot until you hit vet ranks and have all of the skills and passives unlocked.

Molag_Crow · December 2015

I never copy a build 100%, I look at their suggestions of stats, CPs, gear, skills used and why, and any useful tips like that.

Asmael · December 2015

I started by doing... pretty much anything that looked either cool, efficient or... Well, pretty much anything.

Then I tested a few builds on the net.

And now I can make my own builds, which doesn't mean I don't take a look at other people's builds. I recenlty took a good hour sitting in front of my notepad thinking about a stamina sorc build: came out with 4 different builds, checked a few different builds for comparison, realized I was missing Caltrops, tweaked things around and managed to put that one in. I haven't tried it out yet, but these builds will most likely change.

I find it a pretty efficient way:
1) Learn about general mechanics and try out a few things on your own
2) See what other people think, test their builds and make your own opinion
3) Try to optimize existing builds, adapt those to your playstyle
4) You're now good enough to make your own builds and rock the world with those.