New to ESO. Random Dungeon Group was very stressful

JamOnIt · May 2016

level 41 High Elf Sorc.
normal gearset for my level.
Qued as healer.
Normal random group dungeon.

First group dungeon in ESO for me.

Really never liked being a healer in other MMOs, but I know my Sorc's DPS is crap
and my Resto skills are decent (for my level),
so I wanted to give it a try.

Arrived at Tempest Island.
had never heard of it before.

Told the group I'm new.

No one said a word.

Followed the group in.

Died on the first trash mobs.

I was the furthest back of us 4 players.
Am not sure how I drew aggro so quick.
am not familiar with the finer points of ESO game mechanics.

I died; being chased around by a trash mob.

Wasn't able to self-rez.
I have the same soul gems I always rez with.
it won't work.
so I choose "Wayshrine".

I had no idea it would put me outside.
So far, dungeons in normal PVE map never do that to me.
but ok.

I looked at map.
It does not show the entrance.
Well crap.

It shows other teammates.
Ok.
So I ask in chat if they can friend me, so I can teleport to them.
Finally someone says something.
They explain it doesn't work that way for the dungeons.

so ok.
I spend the next several minutes trying to find the entrance,
after explaining I don't know where it is.

no one even attempts to give me a hint about it.

run to team.
get ready.
new fight.

Again,
I start to heal people
and pull aggro; on a small trash mob set.
Not sure what I did wrong.
I was the furthest back of everyone.
no one attempts to grab the creature for me.
I end up dead again.

can't self-rez.
game says I can't do that until the rest of my team is done fighting.
that seems a bit harsh.
but ok.

so I wait.
they finish.
and I'm now allowed to go to Wayshrine again.
I'd rather not.
I have gems left (for my level range). but it won't let me use them.
not sure why.
so i wait.
no one rezzes me.
they just dance around, waiting for me to do whatever I'm going to do.

so I go to wayshrine.

At least now I know how to find my way back.
it won't take long.
but my confidence went from low to none.
I'm not player-skilled, character-skilled, informed, nor geared enough for this.

But as a new player, I have no way to gauge that, except to assume that normal PVE abilities
would translate into group PVE,
and
assume that the random dungeon Que won't put me somewhere I'm not suited for.

Now one of the teammates is upset with me.
gives me grief for going to wayshrine.

If we had a voice server, this would be going a lot better.
-but then again,
if I can't survive a single trash mob encounter,
I shouldn't be there anyways.

so I left.

am not really a PVP kinda guy, so being good at PVE matters, if I'm going to stick around in ESO past this first month.

(Kind)Thoughts?

AlphaCrucis · May 2016

Find a guild, there are plenty around and I'm sure the people in them will run you through the dungeons and explain everything to you. And they will work as a team

redspecter23 · May 2016

Try to find some friends or a guild that will help you with your first dungeons. There are some aspects that many take for granted that aren't spelled out for new players. You're likely scaled up for that dungeon so your soul gems won't work. You'll need grand soul gems.

For aggro, there isn't really a proximity aggro in this game. If one group member engages, the mobs will aggro based on some hidden dice roll it seems. You can be 5 miles away at the start of the dungeon and the mob will aggro on you for some reason. If the dps is on their game, they will have the mobs well under control and possibly under the effect of crowd control to keep them from wandering. If you're a pure healer and have aggro, bring it to the group so they can kill that mob with the others with AOE skills.

Good skills to have are Rapid Regen, Healing Springs, Healing Ward and Encase/Shattering Prison for crowd control. Storm Atronach and Negate ultimates also add some crowd control if your group doesn't have that covered.

If you're on PC/NA, look me up in game and I can set you up with some leveled soul gems and run some no stress dungeons if you want to learn more.

Osteos · May 2016

First welcome

For dungeons, dlc and cyrodiil you are going to need grand soul gems to res. Its unfortunate that the group you joined wasn't more helpful. They should have revived you and explained the dungeon mechanics.

Robbmrp · May 2016

Welcome to the game!

A couple of things, people tend to really rely on healers in this game so unless you know your pretty good at it, don't queue up as a healer, go DPS. You can get some gear crafted pretty cheaply that will help with your damage output. Look around for a crafter that can make you some things as gear makes a big difference in the game. With decent gear, you'll kill faster and enjoy things more. Work on your DPS as the more damage you do, the more healing as well.

SolarCat02 · May 2016

You can't rez yourself during boss fights, only other team members can do it.
Regarding soul gems, either that was a bug, or scaled dungeons may require grand soul gems. To be honest, I never paid attention to this.

In a good group, they should have shared information on the bosses since you were truthful enough to say early on that this was your first time. (Kudos to you for that!)
They also should have helped with the rezzing. I have almost 400 grand soul gems on my account, even after gifting stacks away to lower levels. My guild calls them "dungeon candy" because you get so many just from dungeons.

Regarding you pulling aggro... It has nothing to do with where you stand. Healing actually pulls aggro, just like high DPS does (just like how you probably prioritize enemy NPC healers in with the NPCs whose attack really hurt you when you are questing). I actually made my healer capable of off-tanking for this very reason. Many tanks also put priority on pulling the most damaging mobs off the healer. (My usual tank doesn't, but only because he knows how my build works; if I ask, he is there!)

mobicera · May 2016

Unfortunatly, the solo questing difficulty doesnt translate at all to group difficulty, and this game makes no attempt to try to teach you, it is probably this games biggest downfall, there is nothing in solo play to prepare you for group content.

The first step would be to find a way to get someone craft some basic set gear for you, at your level it wouldnt cost much and many would be willing to do such for free, then maybe try to find at least 1 person who is willing to explain the fights for you, honestly most people are more than willing to help explain things to anyone who asks, but you will always find a few jerks sadly:(
There are many guides on how people play their toons effectively, which I am sure someone will link, personally I prefer trial and error, normal maelstrom may give you a good idea of useful skills, to learn a healer though, you just must heal dungeons, and learn from mistakes, adapt skills to suit.
To be competitive end game look up animation cancelling, though its not needed in 95% of content, mastering such will make a huge difference at all levels
perhaps let us know what you platform you play on and maybe someone can make the transition smoother for you.

pinkempyreal · May 2016

Ugh. So sorry that was your first experience with a group dungeon! I've had many successful PUG runs and usually at least one in the group is helpful. I think you should attempt again but run a group you gathered from chat. I'd try and group with same level players. Usually when you do the grouping tool you'll grab in a Vet who's just looking to get through the dungeon as quick as possible.
There can be a stiff learning curb to running a group dungeon but once you get it down it truly is fun and often challenging. Best of luck!

Nestor · May 2016

Get with a guild to get some Dungeon Experience. Going into a scaled dungeon the first time will have some challenges. For one, you don't have all the skills you need unlocked at L41, for two, the scaling has some dependency on your gear as to how much you are scaled. If your gear is meh, your not going to get much from the scaling.

You did not mention what platform your on, but if your PC/NA send me an email in the game to @Nestor and I can get you in a couple of guilds that can help you with dungeons and learning the ropes as it were.

PUGs are hit or miss, you get with a good one, and dungeons are fun, even if you wipe a few times, get with a bad one and the dungeons are not fun, even if you beat the dungeon.

greylox · May 2016

Don't worry man, they should have helped you out more.

Craft a decent set of gear - or buy, just make sure it is a set- try and go dd with a sorc 'cos healing with them ain't the easiest but if you do, aggro will come to you regardless unless they are all taunted and with add spawns on bosses and oh *** moments, you need hardened ward or healing ward to shield you if you panic or whatever until you feel confident with a build.

Probably a bad group so don't let it dissuade you.

Sorc is fine for damage and there's a lot less stress on a dd in a normal dungeon than a healer in any dungeon.

Pyr0xyrecuprotite · May 2016

@Jamonit,
If you Res at a Wayshrine while in a group dungeon, it will usually put you at the very start of the dungeon. (In most dungeons, there may be a second respawn point halfway through, if you have completed that stage, or sometimes one nearer the end). If you somehow end up completely outside the dungeon, you can right-click on a group member in your group (P, group) and "travel to player". Do everyone a favor though, and stock up on Grand Soul gems as well as what you currently need, and always "res here". There are a few final dungeon boss fights where the "wayshrine" res location is close enough to use that instead. In Trials though, if you die and have to run in from the start of the dungeon, you are costing your team a lot of score due to the delay when running through.

Yes, if you queue for a random dungeon, you will be scaled up to vr16 equivalent (as will the mobs and bosses), plus get a bit more health than you normally have (if below vr16). However, you also require Grand Soul gems to res either yourself or others. Ask for a few from group members if necessary, although once you get to L50 you should be accumulating a bunch of Grands through regular activities.

Before you do any more Random dungeons, I strongly recommend doing each group dungeon with a good guild group who explain the boss fights, preferably using Teamspeak or other voice server app (e.g. Mumble, Discord, Gamevox, Skype). It's a good idea to get familiar with all the boss fight mechanics in each dungeon. There are writeups on Deltia.com and other game sites that you can look at too. This is also essential once you get to L50+ (currently vr1 or higher) and start doing Vet dungeons, which are a LOT harder than the "normal" dungeons.

Yes, trash mobs often split up and some of them may go after a party member at the back of the room etc. A good tank may have some way to CC most of the trash and hold them in one spot, but everyone is expected to be able to deal with the strays. For the tank, the priority is to hold and distract the boss or elite mobs. Again, Teamspeak or other voice system will help communicate with the team if you are being overly harrassed by some of the trash. (The client download is free, but having a server is usually a paid option, where it helps to be in a guild that covers the cost).

kampori · May 2016

Are you using food/drink buffs? The extra health makes the world of difference. In dungeons via group finder, you and your stats are scaled up to v15, so with a food buff, try getting to at least 20k hp. Then at least you won't get one-shot by a lot of mechanics, and can take a bit more of a beating.
Also, unless a big mob was chasing you, you really should be able to survive having one mob attacking you (using food will help with this). But between your own heals HoTing away, and you blocking and dodging, it really should be hard for you to die. Are you running away when you get aggro? Don't if you do. Just stand still and heal through it, and preferably drag the loose mobs over to the tank/dps.
As a healer myself, I hate it when terribad DDs, who are always archers.., decide to run away from the one single mob attacking them, which through my heals are doing 0 damage.. instead of just standing still and dpsing them.
Also as a healer, unless you're in a good group, expect to have aggro on 90% of the mobs in a pack. This is the general rule for a healer in any MMO, but especially this one.. if you want to heal, be prepared to take all the aggro. Just stand in the middle of them all, pump out your heals.
If you're really struggling still, get force siphon (last skill from resto staff). the health and magicka returns are amazingly helpful.

vyndral13preub18_ESO · May 2016

Honestly I wouldn't worry about poor dps. While you learn the normal dungeons just go dps. For most groups it is easier to help a subpar dps through the dungeon while they learn. But having a healer that isn't up to snuff can cripple a lot of lower level groups.

Second don't worry about anyone else. Sure listen to advice and take help when offered, but don't listen to people trying to put you down. It is a game and most of them were bad when they started as well. Just have fun try to learn the layout of the dungeons, try out different skills, when you notice stuff going right, don't be afraid to ask what they are doing.

Slylok · May 2016

I find it best to stay near the action so the tank can get any mob off you.. Being far away or running around makes it more difficult. Having a decent tank will make it much easier. Many forgot to switch skills and use a taunt or two while doing a dungeon.

ShedsHisTail · May 2016

Find me in game, yo.
I'll run with ya.

@Zovo

Leslannister · May 2016

Thanks for the good chuckle OP. Your little write up is absolutely hilarious. I'm a healer through and through. not everyone is cut out for the role. Go DPS and let us die-hard-healers stress instead.

Miszou · May 2016

Any group that doesn't listen when you say you're new, or gives you attitude for something because of it, is a terrible group - it isn't you.

I know it stings, but your best bet is to just queue up and try again. Believe me, groups like that have caused me to quit playing other games. Sure I was probably getting bored anyway at that point, but grouping with idiots has really made me wonder why I play... and the next thing I know, I haven't logged in for a week and didn't miss it.

Leslannister wrote: »

Thanks for the good chuckle OP. Your little write up is absolutely hilarious. I'm a healer through and through. not everyone is cut out for the role. Go DPS and let us die-hard-healers stress instead.

That's the most subtle "GTFO" post I've ever seen...

CaptainBeerDude · May 2016

Try and hang near the tank. It will help them keep mobs off you and make it easier to heal them.
If you have a good tank keeping them alive is your #1 priority, although good tanks need less support, as them dying will release a lot of mobs to chase healer agro.
DD's with a clue will notice your positioning and should move into places that make it easier to heal them. But not always.
And use the grand healing morph that lasts longer. The mag return will most likely be negligible, unless you roll in HA.

Oreyn_Bearclaw · May 2016

The post makes me happy. People having problems and nobody saying learn to play, just offering help. I am on PC NA, my @name is the same as my name here. Always happy to help.

My personal quick advice. Get your feet wet as a DPS. There are plenty of nice guides to get you started. Sorc can be tough to play on the extreme end of things, but you can pull very nice DPS with a simple rotation.

I would also get to V1, before doing scaled content. You are so close anyway. This will make sure you have all your passives maxed. Make sure you get your destro staff and all class skills to 50 as well.

Find someone to craft you a 5 piece set of Julianos and 3-4 pieces of Magnus or Torugs Pact. Nice and simple gear. I'll make you a set if you are on PC NA. Most people run destro staff and dual wield, but a second destro staff or resto staff would work too. Easy mode DPS bars for a Sorc:

Destro:
-Force Pulse, main single target spam skill
-Pulsar, main AoE spam skill
-Crystal Frags, cast it when it procs for extras single DPS. Only cast when it is Insta cast.
-hardened ward, Sorc shield. Good when in trouble. Shouldn't need it at endgame, but nice when learning
-inner light. Boosts spell crit and Max magic

Dual Wield (just for passive boost to spell damage):
-Mages Wrath, execute ability. Start casting about 20% health on the boss
-power surge, self heal and spell damage boost. Cast this every time it runs out, no need to over cast.
-liquid lightening, ground based AOE. The goal here is to place it on the enemy and let it run its full course then reapply
-hardened ward, double bar it so you always have a shield in the same spot. Again, at some point you won't need this
-inner light, for same reasons as above

The best ultimate for a Sorc learning to DPS is overload. It's a simply way to pull very good DPS for about 40 seconds. Most bosses don't last that long. Make sure to level mages guild because eventually you will want to run meteor.

smacx250 · May 2016

JamOnIt wrote: »

level 41 High Elf Sorc.
normal gearset for my level.
Qued as healer.
Normal random group dungeon.

First group dungeon in ESO for me.

Really never liked being a healer in other MMOs, but I know my Sorc's DPS is crap
and my Resto skills are decent (for my level),
so I wanted to give it a try.

Arrived at Tempest Island.
had never heard of it before.

Told the group I'm new.

No one said a word.

Followed the group in.

Died on the first trash mobs.

I was the furthest back of us 4 players.
Am not sure how I drew aggro so quick.
am not familiar with the finer points of ESO game mechanics.

I died; being chased around by a trash mob.

Wasn't able to self-rez.
I have the same soul gems I always rez with.
it won't work.
so I choose "Wayshrine".

I had no idea it would put me outside.
So far, dungeons in normal PVE map never do that to me.
but ok.

I looked at map.
It does not show the entrance.
Well crap.

It shows other teammates.
Ok.
So I ask in chat if they can friend me, so I can teleport to them.
Finally someone says something.
They explain it doesn't work that way for the dungeons.

so ok.
I spend the next several minutes trying to find the entrance,
after explaining I don't know where it is.

no one even attempts to give me a hint about it.

run to team.
get ready.
new fight.

Again,
I start to heal people
and pull aggro; on a small trash mob set.
Not sure what I did wrong.
I was the furthest back of everyone.
no one attempts to grab the creature for me.
I end up dead again.

can't self-rez.
game says I can't do that until the rest of my team is done fighting.
that seems a bit harsh.
but ok.

so I wait.
they finish.
and I'm now allowed to go to Wayshrine again.
I'd rather not.
I have gems left (for my level range). but it won't let me use them.
not sure why.
so i wait.
no one rezzes me.
they just dance around, waiting for me to do whatever I'm going to do.

so I go to wayshrine.

At least now I know how to find my way back.
it won't take long.
but my confidence went from low to none.
I'm not player-skilled, character-skilled, informed, nor geared enough for this.

But as a new player, I have no way to gauge that, except to assume that normal PVE abilities
would translate into group PVE,
and
assume that the random dungeon Que won't put me somewhere I'm not suited for.

Now one of the teammates is upset with me.
gives me grief for going to wayshrine.

If we had a voice server, this would be going a lot better.
-but then again,
if I can't survive a single trash mob encounter,
I shouldn't be there anyways.

so I left.

am not really a PVP kinda guy, so being good at PVE matters, if I'm going to stick around in ESO past this first month.

(Kind)Thoughts?

Here's one - forget the dungeon finder and go to the entrance one of the low(er) level dungeons that you have access to and ask outside if someone wants a lvl41 to go with them. Keep asking for a while. Have a lower level be the leader, and get your feet wet that way. You don't need the grand soul gems, and can learn the grouping and mechanics while having a lvl advantage (though your XP and loot will suffer - but it is for education's sake!).

WalkingLegacy · May 2016

Don't worry OP.

The game fails how to teach newcomers and it's even worse since they made the questing so easy to do, that when a challenge does present itself (in this case a dungeon) you're so illprepared you have a stressful experience.

phobossion · May 2016

A word of advice - the Grand Sould gems you need to rez in a dung drop from the bosses so you can just queue as DPS, do a few runs and you'll have more then enough of them. Another observation - if you can't survive few trash mobs targeting you, you should probably try to get some food buffs up and make sure you dodge everything and self-heal as well. Healing in ESO is quite different from other games, but it is also arguably the most engaging role to play. I was playing tanks for 10 years but in ESO I've actually switched over to healing because I find it to be so much more fun!

So just do few dungs as DPS to get the hang of it and then get back to healing again

Karthos · May 2016

My commiserations to you

I've returned after a year long hiatus, and decided to use a low level (24) to heal a random. First few i did were nice and easy grotto, spindle, etc. but then I got put into IC prison. Quite a step up! With our group so low level, it was very rough. Another player was lvl 17 and though he did fairly well, there were some dps check that were simply too tough. At least that's what I assumed.

I know everyone's bolstered, but it still felt far beyond our groups capabilities.

DaveMoeDee · May 2016

What are you playing on? I'm confused why you didn't ask them about the soul gems. If you are on console, you have voice communication. If you are on PC, you have the text chat.

wenchmore420b14_ESO · May 2016

If you are on NA/PC, drop me a in game mail @wenchmore420 and I be happy to get you hooked up with some helpful people and guilds.. Welcome to Tamriel Sera...Huzzah!!~

Curragraigue · May 2016

I would also add a recommendation to the good advice that has already been given. Go back to your first zone and do that dungeon first. Group Finder gave you one of the longer and harder normal dungeons. Let your first dungeon be easier so you can focus on group mechanics rather than the dungeon as much.

As others have said group finder scales to VR16 so you need grand soul gems but they only start dropping at VR1. Best to stay close to the group so that the tank and DPS can get the mobs off you. Joining a guild that does dungeons would be a good way to learn.

DaveMoeDee · May 2016

Curragraigue wrote: »

I would also add a recommendation to the good advice that has already been given. Go back to your first zone and do that dungeon first. Group Finder gave you one of the longer and harder normal dungeons. Let your first dungeon be easier so you can focus on group mechanics rather than the dungeon as much.

As others have said group finder scales to VR16 so you need grand soul gems but they only start dropping at VR1. Best to stay close to the group so that the tank and DPS can get the mobs off you. Joining a guild that does dungeons would be a good way to learn.

One of the most absurd changes when they modified the group finder. They really need to fix that soul gem issue.

Kalante · May 2016

dude im a centurion in pvp and never once have done a dungeon. Do not worry since you are new and dont look bad, me in the other hand it's embarrasing.

Woeler · May 2016

Protip #53: Never do random dungeons as 9/10 randoms suck.

James-Wayne · May 2016

Sounds like you had a team with no team work, they're are good players out there who will help.

@ZOS_GinaBruno Please get the group finder team to look at the soul gem issue for non vet but scaling to vet.

Personally I think you shouldnt be able to do vet content till 50 as skill unlocks are needed for most of the content scaling items (lack of) and level sometimes is not enough to handle the dungeon which is not the players fault.

Digiman · May 2016

@JamOnIt it's demoralizing I know, but it does get better. I suggest making gear from craftable sets or getting someone to make them for you. But it does get better from here.