VMA Questions

ESOMark · March 2017

Hello

So I just finished normal maelstron arena with ease elides getting the mechanics on the argonian section and had a few questions before I take on vma after I get geared up.

First, what are the differences between normal and veteran? Is it just health and damage? Or is there more?

Next, is it possible to let's say go through three stages, then leave the arena and come back and teleport to stage 3?

Lastly, are maelstrom weapons guaranteed in the end chest?

Thanks

DaveMoeDee · March 2017

I haven't been able to figure out how to get in to normal MA. I need practice using my character without getting wrecked. I've never played a game before where I needed to think about rotations.

dpencil · March 2017

@ESOMark
The mechanics are similar but more punishing. Same for mobs. Similar, just stronger.

You can leave and come back to start an arena where you left off, but you won't be able to keep progress in an arena, so if you get to the 5th round on the 9th arena and leave for long time, when you come back you have to start at round 1 of arena 9 again. If you come back quickly, like from getting disconnected you will still be on the same round. The run is also not considered no-death or viable for the leaderboards if you leave.

Yes, you get a weapon at the end every time now.

@DaveMoeDee
Go to your Group window. Top of the window lets you choose between Normal and Veteran mode.

DaveMoeDee · March 2017

dpencil wrote: »

@ESOMark
The mechanics are similar but more punishing. Same for mobs. Similar, just stronger.

You can leave and come back to start an arena where you left off, but you won't be able to keep progress in an arena, so if you get to the 5th round on the 9th arena and leave for long time, when you come back you have to start at round 1 of arena 9 again. If you come back quickly, like from getting disconnected you will still be on the same round. The run is also not considered no-death or viable for the leaderboards if you leave.

Yes, you get a weapon at the end every time now.

@DaveMoeDee
Go to your Group window. Top of the window lets you choose between Normal and Veteran mode.

There is a group window for vMA? Good to know.

Drummerx04 · March 2017

The sad truth of nMA is that it really doesn't prepare you for vMA in any way. Basically, if you can can finish nMA naked with only one weapon in < 40 minutes without dying, that may be a similar difficulty to the first 2-3 rounds of vMA.

Skinzz · March 2017

Vma compared to normal is 300% harder. Mobs will hit you much harder. You will have to know where everything spawns and focus on killing certain mobs asap otherwise you would be in trouble. A lot of one shot mechanics as well.

Beardimus · March 2017

It's true, I didn't actually learn the mechanics in nMSA as I just burnt stuff, vMSA def was a game changer.

Self healing is pretty key, auto heals like Power Surge etc

But it's a mega challenge, great content, perfect build test.

Enjoy working on that first clear

souravami · March 2017

nMA isn't a good place for practicing for vMA. The difficulty spike between these 2 modes is insane. Just go to vMA and try one round at a time.
And yes, if you've taken the quest from Fa-Nuit-Hen you can leave the arena on round 3 and can come back later and continue round 3 again.

dpencil · March 2017

DaveMoeDee wrote: »

There is a group window for vMA? Good to know.

@DaveMoeDee
Not specifically for Maestrom. I mean the group menu where you can join the group finder or see a list of the people in your group. It's the same place where you can choose to leave your group. At the top of that window, when you're looking at the members of your group, even if you're just by yourself. There are two shields. One for Normal mode and one for Vet. Select either one to change the difficulty of the dungeons you enter, including Maelstrom.

ESOMark · March 2017

Okay, all of you were right lmao! I couldn't even pass the first round. Which is pretty depressing but should I just continue to learn the rounds to get used to it?

ESOMark · March 2017

I'm playing as a stam dk right now with really no armor sets, I'm looking to get vo and nmg, will this make a difference because I find myself getting one shorted and dying so quickly?

DaveMoeDee · March 2017

dpencil wrote: »

DaveMoeDee wrote: »

There is a group window for vMA? Good to know.

@DaveMoeDee
Not specifically for Maestrom. I mean the group menu where you can join the group finder or see a list of the people in your group. It's the same place where you can choose to leave your group. At the top of that window, when you're looking at the members of your group, even if you're just by yourself. There are two shields. One for Normal mode and one for Vet. Select either one to change the difficulty of the dungeons you enter, including Maelstrom.

I am familiar for the group menu in the group finder. MA is not a group activity, so I didn't think the group finder would apply there. Thanks for the info.

dpencil · March 2017

@ESOMark Even if it's not a best in slot set, you should have at least one 5 piece set, 2 if you dual wield of sword and shield and a monster set. Just make all the pieces purple if they're not what you intend to run forever. As far as learning the rounds, there are some guides out there that walk you through everything. Other than that, practice, practice. The last boss took me a week to finally beat, so...be ready for a big learning curve.

ESOMark · March 2017

Alrighty. I appreciate the help from everyone! Time to grind out this VMA. Oh boy

kadar · March 2017

ESOMark wrote: »

I'm playing as a stam dk right now with really no armor sets, I'm looking to get vo and nmg, will this make a difference because I find myself getting one shorted and dying so quickly?

Have someone craft you 5 NMG and 4 Hundings or something to get you started!

Lukums1 · March 2017

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Depending on class/race just leave your messages here I'll respond when I can @Lukums1

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Best of luck!

Drummerx04 · March 2017

ESOMark wrote: »

Okay, all of you were right lmao! I couldn't even pass the first round. Which is pretty depressing but should I just continue to learn the rounds to get used to it?

That's what I like to hear. vMA is what will mold an bad/average pve player into actually a fairly decent player. The reaction times, self survival skills, and damage dealt while under pressure make you pretty universally less useless in all pve content.

It will be frustrating, you will die a lot. Some rounds you probably won't find too difficult honestly, and others will kick the crap out of you. The final boss is pretty universally the biggest hurdle for everyone. Any mistake on that usually results in a horrible struggle to stabilize or more commonly instant death.

Just know that when you finally finish the arena and get your very first charged vMA restoration staff that the real reward of vMA is being a half decent player.

Bobby_V_Rockit · March 2017

ESOMark wrote: »

I'm playing as a stam dk right now with really no armor sets, I'm looking to get vo and nmg, will this make a difference because I find myself getting one shorted and dying so quickly?

I'm in same position, I have the 5x VO set but now trying to figure out if Spriggan's Thorns or Night Mother's Gaze is better for vMA

Lukums1 · March 2017

Bobby_V_Rockit wrote: »

ESOMark wrote: »

I'm playing as a stam dk right now with really no armor sets, I'm looking to get vo and nmg, will this make a difference because I find myself getting one shorted and dying so quickly?

I'm in same position, I have the 5x VO set but now trying to figure out if Spriggan's Thorns or Night Mother's Gaze is better for vMA

General rules are as follows:

STAM SORC - NMG or TFS + VO
STAM DK - TFS + VO
STAM NB - TFS + VO

You run NMG for the crit as heals come from how often you crit on a sorc.

You also have to weigh up Major fracture with DK and NB using breath and surprise attack will generally get you past that pen threshold