Maelstrom Sharpened trait : a Myth

Ch4mpTW · September 2016

It's not a myth. I couldn't stay away from VMA, and upon clearing it with my new StamDK alt for the first time a few minutes ago — received a sharpened Maelstrom Axe. Granted I already have tons of sharpened Maelstrom Axes, due to clears prior to the DB update. I just wanted to show that yes, it is possible to receive a sharpened weapon trait in the last chest (though I wish that was an inferno staff instead).

Proof:

Strider_Roshin · September 2016

sluice wrote: »

@Strider_Roshin, yup and especially for a nightblade, there's no doubt that the greatsword is BIS. But in my case, a Stam sorc, I don't have any source of Armor penetration, so the whole Maul VS Greatsword VS Battle Axe debate has more meaning.

The cool thing about a nightblade is you mainly want that sharpened 2H for that weapon damage increase, so you can go with the Master sword like you did, unless you really want that small bleed damage from merciless resolve. (I think the Empower from Ambush is stronger, overall, so Master is just as good.)

By the way, did you get your Master bow yet? Or that's suppose to happen this Sunday!

Lol true, although I don't use wrecking blow on my stam sorc do defending is actually ideal for me. To be honest, a defending battle axe would be the perfect weapon for my stam sorc.

sluice · September 2016

Strider_Roshin wrote: »

sluice wrote: »

@Strider_Roshin, yup and especially for a nightblade, there's no doubt that the greatsword is BIS. But in my case, a Stam sorc, I don't have any source of Armor penetration, so the whole Maul VS Greatsword VS Battle Axe debate has more meaning.

The cool thing about a nightblade is you mainly want that sharpened 2H for that weapon damage increase, so you can go with the Master sword like you did, unless you really want that small bleed damage from merciless resolve. (I think the Empower from Ambush is stronger, overall, so Master is just as good.)

By the way, did you get your Master bow yet? Or that's suppose to happen this Sunday!

Lol true, although I don't use wrecking blow on my stam sorc do defending is actually ideal for me. To be honest, a defending battle axe would be the perfect weapon for my stam sorc.

To use on back bar with DW on front bar? Or as a main bar?
I thought you already had a Defending Battleaxe?

Strider_Roshin · September 2016

sluice wrote: »

Strider_Roshin wrote: »

sluice wrote: »

@Strider_Roshin, yup and especially for a nightblade, there's no doubt that the greatsword is BIS. But in my case, a Stam sorc, I don't have any source of Armor penetration, so the whole Maul VS Greatsword VS Battle Axe debate has more meaning.

The cool thing about a nightblade is you mainly want that sharpened 2H for that weapon damage increase, so you can go with the Master sword like you did, unless you really want that small bleed damage from merciless resolve. (I think the Empower from Ambush is stronger, overall, so Master is just as good.)

By the way, did you get your Master bow yet? Or that's suppose to happen this Sunday!

Lol true, although I don't use wrecking blow on my stam sorc do defending is actually ideal for me. To be honest, a defending battle axe would be the perfect weapon for my stam sorc.

To use on back bar with DW on front bar? Or as a main bar?
I thought you already had a Defending Battleaxe?

Nope, I have a defending GS. And I use DW on my front bar because I prefer flurry over uppercut any day.

Oreyn_Bearclaw · September 2016

Minute_Waltz wrote: »

sluice wrote: »

Minute_Waltz wrote: »

FYI you still got 4 really good/useful weapons out of 21 runs.. thats pretty good actually. (The two bows, precise lightning and resto)

I have sharpened in every single weapon type but I don't have a precise resto yet...

I don't really consider the precise lightning useful (not BiS trait and can't weave).
I do, however consider that Defending Maul good. Not BiS, but good and viable in PvP.
I'm currently using it and I see a DPS lost of about 6-12% depending on target.

Yes, I was "lucky" in those last two run.
Stupid me, I made that infused bow gold...

At least, that Precise Resto is BiS for magplar healer in my opinion. And trust me, if I could, I would trade this in a heartbeat for any 2H sharpened you could spare.

Anyway, remove those two bows, and that would make 2 useful weapons out of 19.. not so great.

@Jaronking, best of luck buddy! I truly hope you get what you are seeking!

Actually lightning precise is currently BiS for aether/heavy attack build for dk/sorcs for trash pulls (and trash pulls only), you just drop your dots and hold heavy attack and enjoy the 100K+ dps
For bosses obviously switch to fire/light sharpen bar for proper dps lol

But yeah, make sure you don't decon that at least

In VMOL trash, I do better with sharpened. I have tried both. In actual trash like a vet dungeon, then perhaps, but I dont think it holds up in trials. As I generally dont build for Wayrest Sewers, Ill stick with sharpened. haha.

SirAndy · September 2016

Junipus wrote: »

If there was enough of a pattern to be discernable then people would be posting it online and able to predict what will drop and when. Right now the only certainty is what dungeon/trial bosses will drop what pieces but even then your chances of getting the right piece in the right trait are completely random.
Other "RNG" parts of the game are predictable, but they're not relevant to loot drops from chests.
There might be a pattern in the grand scheme of things over the course of 1-2 years, but if such a thing did exist then the timeframe is so large as it make it impractical.

A "pattern" is not the same as an exact repeating sequence. I never said they repeat the drops in the exact sequence.

The pattern is stupidly easy to spot.
Take a stack of 1000 raw mats and refine them and watch the pattern roll through like clockwork:

No Temper - No Temper - No Temper - Temper - Temper - Temper - No Temper - No Temper - No Temper - Temper - Temper - Temper

If you get the timing right, the above will repeat for the whole stack of mats. Each and every time.
While the quality of the temper is semi RNG, the drop is not.

And you can see the same "circular" pattern throughout all RNG based parts of the game.

sluice · September 2016

SirAndy wrote: »

Junipus wrote: »

If there was enough of a pattern to be discernable then people would be posting it online and able to predict what will drop and when. Right now the only certainty is what dungeon/trial bosses will drop what pieces but even then your chances of getting the right piece in the right trait are completely random.
Other "RNG" parts of the game are predictable, but they're not relevant to loot drops from chests.
There might be a pattern in the grand scheme of things over the course of 1-2 years, but if such a thing did exist then the timeframe is so large as it make it impractical.

A "pattern" is not the same as an exact repeating sequence. I never said they repeat the drops in the exact sequence.

The pattern is stupidly easy to spot.
Take a stack of 1000 raw mats and refine them and watch the pattern roll through like clockwork:

No Temper - No Temper - No Temper - Temper - Temper - Temper - No Temper - No Temper - No Temper - Temper - Temper - Temper

If you get the timing right, the above will repeat for the whole stack of mats. Each and every time.
While the quality of the temper is semi RNG, the drop is not.

And you can see the same "circular" pattern throughout all RNG based parts of the game.

#Illuminati

SirAndy · September 2016

sluice wrote: »

#Illuminati

To clarify my post above, the pattern is in fact a time window on the server during which tempers drop.
Which is why i said "if you get the timing right".

You need to hit the server side time window in order to take advantage of the pattern.

I've been doing this for deconning gear for two years or so now.
If you have a blue/purple/gold item to decon, start with green items until you hit the temper "window" then decon your higher level item to get the temper.

Joysheeped · September 2016

Oreyn_Bearclaw wrote: »

Is Decisive in the VMA loot table? I didnt see any on your spreadsheet, and come to think of it, dont think I have ever seen a decisive VMA weapon.

Sidebar: We are actually are experimenting with tanks/heals running it for better warhorn uptime in VMOL. Might actually be useful, but if it's not there, I wont lose any sleep. Would change the math a bit though. Now if we can only get rid of Charged, Infused, and powered, we might actually get somewhere.

Decisive is in the loot table. It currently has every possible trait save training.

WuffyCerulei · September 2016

How do you people even grind vMA Dx

Ch4mpTW · September 2016

wolfninja101b14_ESO wrote: »

How do you people even grind vMA Dx

@wolfninja101b14_ESO
To be honest, it's an unusual process. It's not like most things that you grind for in ESO? And is truly a "grind". You see, when you're grinding in VMA... It's just you... Meaning, there's: No healer, no tank, and no additional damage dealer. It's just you, and tons of mechanics and mobs for you to handle. As well as RNG and unneeded snares.

It's truly something unlike anything else you'll experience in a video game. Trust me. I've played: Devil May Cry games, Mega Man games, Dark Souls games, Bloodbourne, Contra, Castlevania, etc. None of them can hold a candle to the frustration and intensity that you'll experience in VMA. Honestly. And sure, it gets "easier" the more and more you do it. But, even then you have to be on your toes. As literally all it takes is a split-second for something to go horribly wrong. And you'll be forced to restart the round of a stage. It's that edgy. You literally only need a split-second for a "solid-run" to turn into an unrecoverable nightmare. I have tons of videos that can show this.

HawkStan · September 2016

I bet you a very large part of the people that quit this game are because of vma or similar.
Ive run vma a decent amount of times now, and will say, got "lucky". 2 sharp 2h's in a row. Problem? I DONT USE THEM. Equally useless to me as a charged 1h/shield. Have yet to see the things im after (1h's or bows). Not a single one in around 25 runs, wtf?
I will tell you, if nothing gets done vma is the reason im quitting this game. Not because the arena itself but because of ZOS. I see these kinds of threads every single day, and still have yet to see a single reaction from ZOS.
Why are you able to develop a game ZOS? Because there is a comunity playing it. How will your game die ZOS? Because you ignore and *** over your comunity constantly.

Please ZOS. If you are not willing to implement anything to help us out here (cuz its crystal clear there is a problem) please explain to us why not. If ur thinking about it, let us think with you. We are the players. Im 90% sure none of your workers have ran vma 50+ times.

The so called "endless tunnel" is a very big part of your game now, and a very big silent killer to your end game comunity.

Thanks.

sluice · September 2016

SirAndy wrote: »

sluice wrote: »

#Illuminati

To clarify my post above, the pattern is in fact a time window on the server during which tempers drop.
Which is why i said "if you get the timing right".

You need to hit the server side time window in order to take advantage of the pattern.

I've been doing this for deconning gear for two years or so now.
If you have a blue/purple/gold item to decon, start with green items until you hit the temper "window" then decon your higher level item to get the temper.

You think there is something similar for drops?

if you look at my vMA drops (first post of this thread), there are some kind of weird pattern.

The amount of time I got twice the same item in 3 consecutive run (same evening), is "weird".

Like, when I got my 2nd bow in row (same evening), I wasn't really surprise.
Same thing for

Joysheeped wrote: »

Oreyn_Bearclaw wrote: »

Is Decisive in the VMA loot table? I didnt see any on your spreadsheet, and come to think of it, dont think I have ever seen a decisive VMA weapon.

Sidebar: We are actually are experimenting with tanks/heals running it for better warhorn uptime in VMOL. Might actually be useful, but if it's not there, I wont lose any sleep. Would change the math a bit though. Now if we can only get rid of Charged, Infused, and powered, we might actually get somewhere.

Decisive is in the loot table. It currently has every possible trait save training.

I confirm that Decisive is in the loot talble.

Yesterday, I got my first one: Mace (decisive) & Shield
Ran it a second time, got an infused Resto staff.

sluice · September 2016

wolfninja101b14_ESO wrote: »

How do you people even grind vMA Dx

Trust me, I'm sure thevast majority of people aren't taking any pleasure in it.

@HawkStan, the amount of people I keep reading that easily got Sharpened 2H but have no used for them...

So all in all, I'm 23 runs in and still 0 Sharpened.

Technically speaking, we should have 1/8 to get a sharpened drop.

Meaning in 1 run, there is a 12.50% of landing one and if we calculate for 23 runs : the probability of at least getting one is 95.36%.

I guess, I'm the 4.64%!

Docmandu · September 2016

sluice wrote: »

Docmandu wrote: »

sluice wrote: »

Docmandu wrote: »

Oreyn_Bearclaw wrote: »

Is Decisive in the VMA loot table?

It is.. have gotten a couple of decisive pieces... decon trash.. although I even have bad luck with deconning, usually don't even get 1 rubedite ingot out of a gold vma piece.

Thanks, will update my data to include Decisive : 0.
Have you received a Decisive post SoTH?

My leaderboard reward mail from 9th august (so leaderboard week from 1 aug) contained a 2H Decisive Sword. SoTH was released end july.

FYI, you had 1.04% chance of getting this exact drop. You lucky you!

Lucky?! Deconned it and got nothing out of it.. that's how lucky I am. Also got 2 charged 2H mauls in that same weekly reward from my 2 other runs (and already had 1 charged 2h maul)

Ohwell shouldn't complain.. first few runs gave me a nirnhoned bow, nirnhoned axe and a sharped dagger.. not the best, but certainly not bad either.

sluice · September 2016

Well it finally happened. After 24 runs, I got my first maelstrom sharpened weapon. And it was a Greatsword!

Now, I'm out of this place for good. I might come back go get the stormproof title with other characters, one day...

If RNG wasn't such a pain, I would still run it to get other goodies. But now that I have my sharp 2H, after all that frustration. I'm out of that hell whole!

Almost made a Flawless run too, but got screwed up with a random lag at stage 8. (Everything froze for 5 seconds and next thing I knew I was dead)

@Oreyn_Bearclaw, don't worry buddy, you can still count on me for fighting the good find along your side.

VMA should have a more friendly drop system. If it did, I would run it again and again, until I get a Sharpenend Maul, daggers and inferno staff...

Oreyn_Bearclaw · September 2016

sluice wrote: »

Well it finally happened. After 24 runs, I got my first maelstrom sharpened weapon. And it was a Greatsword!

Now, I'm out of this place for good. I might come back go get the stormproof title with other characters, one day...

If RNG wasn't such a pain, I would still run it to get other goodies. But now that I have my sharp 2H, after all that frustration. I'm out of that hell whole!

Almost made a Flawless run too, but got screwed up with a random lag at stage 8. (Everything froze for 5 seconds and next thing I knew I was dead)

@Oreyn_Bearclaw, don't worry buddy, you can still count on me for fighting the good find along your side. VMA should have a more friendly drop system. If it did, I would run it again and again, until I get a Sharpenend Maul, daggers and inferno staff...

Ugh I have 2 or 3 sharp greatswords, and I rarely use them. My problem is that I have decent gear out of there but few BIS items for what I want. There is just no motivation, although I think a better dagger would probably be a 2-3k DPS. I was where you are now in about February or march. Thought I was geared up because at the point precise was better. Not the case anymore...

Dragonnord · September 2016

How can some of you say it's RNG or bad RNG when it's CLEAR AS CARIBBEAN WATER that Sharpened drop rate is a LOT lower than Charged, Powered, etc? That's not RNG, that's human factor involved on drop chances.

That "Random" word in RNG meaning has a lot of help in favor of Charged, Powered, Decisive, etc.

RNG... really?

Ch4mpTW · September 2016

CarbonX wrote: »

How can some of you say it's RNG or bad RNG when it's CLEAR AS CARIBBEAN WATER that Sharpened drop rate is a LOT lower than Charged, Powered, etc? That's not RNG, that's human factor involved on drop chances.

That "Random" word in RNG meaning has a lot of help in favor of Charged, Powered, Decisive, etc.

RNG... really?

The RNG isn't really random in this game. And even though I admit that a lot of things are based on RNG, the RNG in ESO is atrocious. As you said, the chance of getting a sharpened weapon is dramatically lower than the other traits. Where as receiving a charged or nirnhoned weapon feels the highest.

Another obvious example would be the traits of shoulder pieces received in the gold and silver undaunted chests. A good 80% of the time you're bound to get a piece with prosperous or training. Why, I have no idea. But, that's just the way it is. Meanwhile your chances of getting a divines piece would be on par with the same chance you have at getting a Maelstrom weapon in sharpened. Lol.

devilsTear · September 2016

A guildie of mine just got a sharpened bow from his first clear

PurifedBladez · September 2016

So idk maybe about 20+ runs without a sharpened 2h or bow. My buddy started running vMA like 2 or days ago and no *** has a sharpened greatsword and sharpened bow. He's done like 5 runs.. *** you zos. *** you.

j_s · September 2016

If you want a 50% chance in getting the weapon with the trait you want, you need to run the arena 67 times, in average.

Jaronking · September 2016

j_s wrote: »

If you want a 50% chance in getting the weapon with the trait you want, you need to run the arena 67 times, in average.

K ran it that many times and still only have 1 sharpened weapon a sword RMJesus hates me.

Ch4mpTW · September 2016

j_s wrote: »

If you want a 50% chance in getting the weapon with the trait you want, you need to run the arena 67 times, in average.

Well over 150 here. Lol.

Jaronking · September 2016

Ch4mpTW wrote: »

j_s wrote: »

If you want a 50% chance in getting the weapon with the trait you want, you need to run the arena 67 times, in average.

Well over 150 here. Lol.

I thought you have your staffs?

Ch4mpTW · September 2016

Jaronking wrote: »

Ch4mpTW wrote: »

j_s wrote: »

If you want a 50% chance in getting the weapon with the trait you want, you need to run the arena 67 times, in average.

Well over 150 here. Lol.

I thought you have your staffs?

Nope. Only 1. Nirn' Inferno. I need 1 more destro, before I can quit vma for good. In any type or trait.

Joy_Division · September 2016

As someone who once received 7 straight sword and shield drops, I would agree the RNG system isn't so random.

This issue with loot wouldn't nearly be as frustrating is the designers actually made it so something other than sharpened was desirable for end-game content and just got rid of bad traits like charged, prosperous, etc.

Ch4mpTW · September 2016

Joy_Division wrote: »

As someone who once received 7 straight sword and shield drops, I would agree the RNG system isn't so random.

This issue with loot wouldn't nearly be as frustrating is the designers actually made it so something other than sharpened was desirable for end-game content and just got rid of bad traits like charged, prosperous, etc.

It's interesting that you say that. Someone I was talking to in Reaper's March earlier told me of how they kept getting S&B from the last chest, and how they had instead gotten 5 in a row. Was this relatively recently that you had this experience? I wonder if there's a pattern of sorts at hand.

Own · September 2016

It's crazy to see how many times everyone else gets the same drops twice. 20ish runs. Ive had 3 bows, 2 2h swords, 4 healing staffs, 2 inferos, 2 1h, 3 shields. All in a row, mostly the same traits.

I've gotten my needed drops from random vma completions. Running it back to back just doesn't work..

Edit; i also got 2 nirnhoned lightning staffs in the same string on runs, wtf?

xenowarrior92eb17_ESO · September 2016

sluice wrote: »

I have been enjoying VMA lately...
(Enjoy : LOL)

This is a simple observation on my traits drop.

Here is my current drop history :
Total drops : 24
Mace & Shield - Powered

Lightning Staff - Nirnhoned

Maul - Defending

Lightning Staff - Precise

Sword & Shield - Charged

Maul - Powered

Sword & Shield - Infused

BattleAxe - Nirnhoned

Restoration Staff - Precise

Greatsword - Infused

Mace & Shield - Defending

Maul - Charged

Dagger - Charged

Ice staff - Nirnhoned

Dagger - Defending

Greatsword - Precise

Sword & Shield - Powered

Sword & Shield - Charged

Sword & Shield - Nirnhoned

Bow - Infused

Bow - Precise

Restoration Staff - Infused

Mace & Shield - Decisive

Greatsword - Sharpened

Trait drop count (21):

Charged : 4

Precise : 4

Nirnhoned : 4

Infused : 4

Defending : 3

Powered : 3

Decisive : 1

Sharpened : 1 *Finally got my first sharpened at my 24th run

TL;DR
I haven’t received any sharpened weapon in my first 23 Maelstrom Drop. (Not even one of those 7x useless 1H & Shield combo)

I have received 8x 1H & Shield combo. Including 3x Sword & Shield in a row.

The odds of getting the same weapon drop (any trait), 3 times in a row is 1 out of 1728. Call me lucky!

Took me my 20th run to see my first bow. I then got 2 in a row.

I seem to be getting the same weapon drops close by : 2x lightning staff in 3 consecutive runs. 3x shield in 3 consecutive runs, 2x shield in 3x consecutive runs. 2x daggers in 3 consecutive runs.

I made a thread discussing the current odds in vMA, here. Hint: They are NOT good.

#VMATOKENSYSTEM

yeah erm...there is just 1 thing worth saying here..
"Sux to be you!"