Wow This Game Is Confusing

Azrael008uk · June 2016

So I got this when it came out on console and quickly drowned in the overload of information at launch.

It didn't help that you weren't allowed to discuss "The Elder Scrolls Online" on the Bethesda Forum at the time... you had to come here... but you weren't allowed to be on these Forums unless you owned the game?!?!

Played my way to level 10 with my Dunmer Mage... a mixture of confusion and fun. Good fun but eventually the confusion of TESO got the better of me and I moved on to other games.

Watching the stuff at E3 made me think it would be fun to get back into the game and again... the confusion!

It's easy to play the game... but what I find hard is not really being sure where I'm going.

What do I want to be investing my stats into? What are some good skills to develop for either clothes, weapons, armor, enchantment or whatever.

How does a Mage specialise? Is it possible to aquire a few different skills for making gear or equipment or do you ideally have to specialise in just 1?

Any pointers would be welcome. I don't mind reading the guides if you don't mind pointing me to the right ones.

I'd like to enjoy this game much more than I am doing currently.

Ch4mpTW · June 2016

Hm... Watch YouTube videos about ESO. Such as: Reviews, guides, class discussions, etc. Also follow information posted on a site called "Tamriel Foundry". You can find tons of information there about things in ESO. Reddit also an excellent place to lurk about, as it too is loaded with fantastic data. Last but not least, just Google things that you don't know. Usually you'll come across the answer(s) you sought, or will stumble across the path of which your answer(s) lie.

Turelus · June 2016

Try looking over some YouTube videos from popular members like @MissBizz I believe she has some helpful videos but can't directly link to them right now.

Generally when making a character in ESO if you want to be highly skilled in an area you need to make the following choices.

Role: Tank, Healer, Damage Dealer (mostly for group content)
Build: Magicka or Stamina.

Magicka builds invest heavily into Magicka, Spell Damage and Spell Crit. Preferred armour being light. Use Magicka Skills mostly (some stamina skills for buffs but not damage)

Stamina builds invest heavily into Stamina, Weapon Damage and Weapon Crit. Preferred armour being medium. Use Stamina Skills mostly (some magicka for buffs but not damage)

There are very few health or heavy armour builds as outside of tanking they're not very efficient vs the other builds.

Azrael008uk · June 2016

Appreciate the replies guys.

I'll admit it. I'm an old guy. My first games where pencil paper and dice and so stuff like Reddit confuses me and makes me afraid!

I'm not completely incompitent though. I did manage to complete "Dark Souls III"!

I'll check all of those out though.

Cheers!

dtm_samuraib16_ESO · June 2016

Azrael008uk wrote: »

Appreciate the replies guys.

I'll admit it. I'm an old guy. My first games where pencil paper and dice and so stuff like Reddit confuses me and makes me afraid!

I'm not completely incompitent though. I did manage to complete "Dark Souls III"!

I'll check all of those out though.

Cheers!

Can't be, you must be young at heart.
But for console I cannot offer actual help, if you were on PC, there's a ton of helpful add-ons like quest markers etc.
But only PC seem to be able to use add-ons...

Elsterchen · June 2016

Hi Azrael and welcome

Generally spoken, you will find information on any topic using search functions here in the forum or google things up.
That said, always have a look at the publishing date as TESO changed alot (even the basic functions) over the lat 2 years and some information may be outdated.

For a newbie, I can full heartedly suggest: Just do what you feel like,
Quest a bit and level skills as you feel like it. (If you want to make a magica build concentrate more on those skills that have their costs indicated in blue)
If you like to try PVP go for it (however, maybe try the non-veteran campaign first... otherwise your enemies will mostly be veterans).
There are crafting guides (use google or forumsearch) that will help you. I don't think there is a "best" strategie here... having all crafting skills maxed on one character is comfortable for crafting but costs alot of skill points. Having multiple characters specializing in a few crafts is a little more inconvinient ... but leaves alot of skill points to try other abilities.

First, I would suggest you try to level all armor types as well as all weapon types, tho. (You can do that by using the weapons and armor during fights and unlock abilities in the skill trees to even more specialize your knowledge). - I suggest so, because this way you can really find out which abilities support your personal playstyle best. Furthermore, during the first 50 levels you will have fights that are a little more challenging and aim to make you think how to fight. They are the best fights for finding your own way!

One thing is very important!
You can reset and redistribute your attribute as well as your skill points by using rededication shrines in:
Elden Root, Grahtwood, aldmeri dominion
Mournhold, Deshaan, ebonheart pact
Wayrest, Stormhaven, daggerfall covenant

you will need (for starters quite a lot of) gold to do so, so its not an every-day-thing-to-do... but once you reach a certain level, found your way of fighting, know your favourite crafts and armor, at that point, its a good idea to respec and distribute the skillpoints only in abilities you actually feel comfortable to use. While it is costly you gain understanding along the way and may have some "interesting" other abilities "ready-for-use" (maxed) in case you change your mind about your current setup along the way. (Oh ... and some free skill points to use again when needed, ofc)

Keeping this in mind, collect the shards and quest for skill points... and have fun playing!

GreenhaloX · June 2016

Oh yes, this game is multi-faceted and have many, many aspects. Definitely not your standard hack and slack to the end of the game. To players new to the MMO arena, such as your truly, this game can be overwhelming at first. I didn't realize I was playing this game incorrectly until after I actually completed all the main and side quests. This is my first MMO game, so naturally, like other games, I went through it, leveling up as naturally, grabbing whatever pieces of weapon and armors that offer more damage and protection. Heck, it only took me a couple weeks of hard grinding to reach V16 (prior max level champion before DB). Then, I ventured into Cyrodiil and got schooled in my first PvP. So, I read posts within this forum and also posted myself and learned much from these good people within the ESO community.

So, what I learned is to play and navigate through ESO correctly. I learned to not just piece my armors together, but find sets that offer additional abilities and enhancement. I learned how to increase health, stam, weapon damage, and to find and put together the right sets of armors, weapons and jewelries. I also learned about provision and alchemy that will enhance your health, selling and trading, the best way to use your skill points on your attributes and where best to place the CP and using strategy in in fights, rather than just hack and slash.

So, I'm still learning more and more how to enhance my character and the aspects of this game the more playtime I put in and being involved in these forums. There are many good information from these discussions.

Saltypretzels · June 2016

I agree with just do whatever seems fun to you. Totally works for single player content.

If you want good general pointers then you should watch Deltia's Gaming channel on YouTube.

Sausage · June 2016

ESO has depth, its confusing first, but when you dive in, its fun.

dtm_samuraib16_ESO · June 2016

Sausage wrote: »

ESO has depth, its confusing first, but when you dive in, its fun.

If you miss the ice plates, yes...

Lumenn · June 2016

I'm fairly new as well so can't give you end game tips etc. But having played eq from launch plus 8 years I was used to researching information. The tip above about checking the dates on your info IS important! Seems this game changes things every few months. Also keep in mind if you want to use someone's build for a character many sites assume you have champion points. I'm just going to play and enjoy the game and if I go "hardcore" hopefully can get advice and research in depth then. So far it's much easier to solo than early EQ was for melee (note I said early EQ. I know it's changed a bit since then)

lardvader · June 2016

Saltypretzels wrote: »

I agree with just do whatever seems fun to you. Totally works for single player content.

If you want good general pointers then you should watch Deltia's Gaming channel on YouTube.

I was about to suggest Deltia, but I know it's a #1 rule to not mention him for certain players...

But yes Deltia got a lot of guides and builds that's great for leveling up. End game you might want to look at other builds but this is a good place to start. I know he updated some of his stuff also, but mostly just videos and not the written character builds.

Sypher also got some great builds for PvP and there's a bunch over at the Tamriel Foundry.

Takes-No-Prisoner · June 2016

Having goals is part of what keeps you focused and not confused OP. Once you sit down and read the posts here, do a little research, talk to people, try to form a goal. What do you want to do? What things do you like doing?

For example, I like to Learn how to Play, that is my goal. A great place to L2P is in PvP. So most of my time is spent in PvP learning to play with the modifications I make with my character. Plus adjusting to the changes each patch brings down. It is both invigorating and exciting in every facet.

Volkodav · June 2016

Azrael008uk wrote: »

Appreciate the replies guys.

I'll admit it. I'm an old guy. My first games where pencil paper and dice and so stuff like Reddit confuses me and makes me afraid!

I'm not completely incompitent though. I did manage to complete "Dark Souls III"!

I'll check all of those out though.

Cheers!

Dont let the amount of info intimidate you.It's a lot easier if you just ignore most of it for a while.
I found that if you just go ahead and play,you'll have more fun than attempting to make character builds right away. Play around with your skills,find what works best for your enjoyment and use that.Guides can be helpful,but they can also leave you blank,due to,as you mentioned,overwhelming info.
I too am an older player.I started out when the game was beta. It was so different than any other game I had played,but at that time there wasnt the plethora of info to deaal with.I made a Nord,who was plug ugly,and learned what I needed that way. I've never read guides,or watched videos to learn,and now I feel I have gotten to a really good place with my gameplay.
Certainly not the highest level of play,meaning PvP and Trials,etc,but overall.
Dont become someone who feels the incessant urge for the best gear,the best stats,or to be the top of any Leaderboards.
You'll crush the fun factor if you do.

netch_a_sketch · June 2016

@Azrael008uk If you have ESO on the PS4 I'd gladly help you out and show you around the game, help with quests and answer any questions:) I've been playing since beta

Ravinsild · June 2016

Azrael008uk wrote: »

Appreciate the replies guys.

I'll admit it. I'm an old guy. My first games where pencil paper and dice and so stuff like Reddit confuses me and makes me afraid!

I'm not completely incompitent though. I did manage to complete "Dark Souls III"!

I'll check all of those out though.

Cheers!

Okay, so for D&D when you level up you roll for hit points and every 4 levels or so you gain a +1 to a certain stat. There's Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Charisma, Wisdom and Intelligence.

Think of Magicka as Charisma, Wisdom and Intelligence all rolled into one.

Think of Strength and Dexterity as Stamina.

Constitution is health.

Now just like in D&D usually in group content you have a 4 person group (Warrior [HP tank], Mage [magicka dps], Rogue [stamina dps], Cleric [heals]) and you want to be a mage.

Invest in Magicka. Also skill points are equal to spells per level and in a similar way from the back of the book you choose a spell each level you choose a skill here. They're also your feats rolled into one (passives from skill lines)

Now you main class is just like in D&D, but there isn't a cross-class. Instead you get a lot of "Paragon" classes in a way (Vampire, Werewolf, Thieves Guild, Fighter's Guild, Mage's Guild, Dark Brotherhood, etc...)

Also armor and legerdemain passives are a lot like your "skill" points - they help you do what you do but better. They add modifiers to make you stronger.

Focus on learning and putting points into Clothing and Woodworking for now. That's your basic light gear and staves. If you find a staff or piece of cloth with a special stat, save it and research it when you're done wearing it (Defending, Training, Precise, etc..) As you level up you can learn more traits at a time.

Hope this helps compare a little bit so you can understand it better.

If you want to play solo consider this build:

http://eso-skills.com/skill/?z=VBMd8xY@AQ_f3i%DSfFzd2@DRoRZ5G:DRoSMJY@4XqOqbG&p=90629072908290929162917291829192926292729282929201520162017201820192045204620472048204920292101310221032104210521122115212131222123231623182511351235133&a=640000&c=Thelon&b=The_Unholy_Herdsman&j=t&q=511&w=14&m=2

http://tamrielfoundry.com/topic/1-6-6-the-unholy-herdsman-thelons-pet-build/

elvigy01 · June 2016

Also, don't be afraid to reroll. As GreenHaloX suggests, it's possible to get all the way to end-game content without an optimal build, by which time it's really difficult to fix everything. My first character was a Redguard magicka-based Templar using a mix of light and heavy armor, a 2hander and a Resto Staff. Once you get to know the game, you'll realize how ridiculous that is. I got him all the way to (at the time) VR3 and basically had to abandon him. I was struggling really hard to clear even normal content.

I rerolled with a Breton Magicka Sorc with light armor and staves and haven't looked back. So my advice would be to make sure you have synergy between the racial skills, the weapon skills, and the armor skills. You don't want to use a stamina race (like the Redguards or Bosmer) for a character focusing on doing magicka damage/heals. And you don't want to stick medium armor on them either.

Nestor · June 2016

lardvader wrote: »

Saltypretzels wrote: »

I agree with just do whatever seems fun to you. Totally works for single player content.

If you want good general pointers then you should watch Deltia's Gaming channel on YouTube.

I was about to suggest Deltia, but I know it's a #1 rule to not mention him for certain players...

But yes Deltia got a lot of guides and builds that's great for leveling up. End game you might want to look at other builds but this is a good place to start. I know he updated some of his stuff also, but mostly just videos and not the written character builds.

Sypher also got some great builds for PvP and there's a bunch over at the Tamriel Foundry.

Deltia is a great resource for explaining how various things in the game work together. Not all of his builds are viable for everyone, but how he puts things together are. I have never copied one of his builds, but I have used rotations he has suggested. And, I use gear that gives similar boosts to things to help some of those rotations.

Rune_Relic · June 2016

Alas there is no official, sanctioned, authoritative single source of up to date information on the details of ESO.
Because ESO has a policy of secrecy and obfuscation on the mechanics of the game.
You will find lots of misinformation, guesswork and completely outdated information (which changes many things every patch).
Even if such hosts deserve much honour and respect for at least trying to provide more information than ZOS on the matter.

You will also find nothing about the 'undocumented' side of ESO.
ie the stuff that doesnt work as intended and is capitalised on to the full.

Basically ZOS want you to figure it all out on your own.
Or not....as is more often the case.
Hence this thread I guess.