Suggestion: an easy way to improve combat

stozax · March 2017

EDIT: For those of you just now reading, we decided this would not work, but it is still a cool idea and I would like to see a battlegrounds option where players can face off with different rules/restrictions like only one skill bar or first person only.

Hi all,

I have been playing ESO off and on since release on ps4. I have played on both pc and ps4 as well.

My suggestion is to change the ability bar in a way that would help with balance, especially in pvp.

Problem:
Right now, there are 67 skills (not counting ultimates) that a player can choose from to populate 10 slots on their bar in any combination possible. By my math, that's more than 600 different possible combinations. Please let me know if I'm wrong in my calculation.

My point is, this requires a lot of work on the devs part to make sure there is at least some sort of balance and no overpowered builds.

Solution 1:
Dump the second bar and opt for just a single ability bar. So basically no weapon swapping. This is more of my own opinion, but I hate having to constantly switch bars, especially on console. Half the time it doesn't even register my swap, because of some animation or something.

Solution 2:
Another solution would be to lock ability bars to a skill line of the players choosing. Yes, this would probably require a bit of work to implement, but I like this option because it allows the devs to create more synergy and uniqueness and all that fun stuff that games are supposed to have without having to worry solely on the balance by dulling out abilities to the point where they do nothing.

I apologize for the rant and I understand that it's fun to have freedom of choice and customization, I get it. But players would still have a lot of options to choose from.

I would actually like to see both solution 1 and 2. But that's because I don't like constantly tweaking my skills. I just wanna choose a role and go. Plus, it would be a hell of a lot easier for the devs to add more skill lines.

What do you guys think? Do you agree, disagree, or have a suggestion of your own?

Please let me know.
Thanks!

Lynx7386 · March 2017

Can't agree with either of these. 10 ability slots is already horrendously limiting compared to most other games of this genre, and I don't think you could ever find a viable build for any role with only 5 ability slots available. Most builds rely on two different weapons and an assortment of abilities to even function properly, and that's what the game was designed on.

catalyst10e · March 2017

Yeah, can't say I'd agree either. removing a whole skillbar seems more restrictive and limiting than balancing or helping simplify. Locking the bar t a specific skill line would be technically better, but that would put a much larger dependency on set gear, specifically ones like the ones that raise destructin staff spell power and such.

All in all both options just limit build options. eventually the meta would figure out specifically what 5 skills to use and then everyone runs around with the exact same set up of skills and gear, other gear options would be abandoned and that then starts to effect the economy.

stozax · March 2017

Ok i agree with you both, but wouldn't it be a cool idea if the combat was more like a moba except instead of choosing a different character, you choose a different skill line?

But I don't think this game should try to be more like other games in its genre.

catalyst10e · March 2017

stozax wrote: »

Ok i agree with you both, but wouldn't it be a cool idea if the combat was more like a moba except instead of choosing a different character, you choose a different skill line?

But I don't think this game should try to be more like other games in its genre.

I think your idea on paper and meaning is good, it's just in practice I imagine problems would rise, but mostly those problems rise from people already used to the current system, and the fact there's already a lot of options in the way of gearing out, and rotations.

You're still entitled to feel differently so I say stick to it, maybethink of some other work-arounds. Personally I think all classes should be dropped and all skill lines open to anyone, but that opens up all sorts of issues. But hey I'll still stand by the idea...

stozax · March 2017

catalyst10e wrote: »

stozax wrote: »

Ok i agree with you both, but wouldn't it be a cool idea if the combat was more like a moba except instead of choosing a different character, you choose a different skill line?

But I don't think this game should try to be more like other games in its genre.

I think your idea on paper and meaning is good, it's just in practice I imagine problems would rise, but mostly those problems rise from people already used to the current system, and the fact there's already a lot of options in the way of gearing out, and rotations.

You're still entitled to feel differently so I say stick to it, maybethink of some other work-arounds. Personally I think all classes should be dropped and all skill lines open to anyone, but that opens up all sorts of issues. But hey I'll still stand by the idea...

Yea that's the biggest issue with it, there are lots of unknowns. But all it would do is effectively reduce the number of builds down from 600 to 20 or so.

The other issue is that people want more skills not less and don't want to be locked in to one skill line. I get it, but this is just personal preference.

With more skills on the ability bar comes more balancing problems in my opinion. Also a more saturated experience. The skill required shouldn't come from choosing the right skills, but how you use them. This is one reason MOBAs are so fun.

stozax · March 2017

Now to mention it, I've never played guild wars 2 before but the way the skill bar is set up seems similar to what I'm talking about. It has 10 skills opposed to ESOs 12.

The skill bar is a lot more limited than that of ESO and GW2 is a lot more popular. So I don't understand the argument:

Lynx7386 wrote: »

10 ability slots is already horrendously limiting compared to most other games of this genre

Edit:
Ah, I didn't notice weapon swapping in GW2. So that's 15 skills to ESOs 12.

Even still, GW2 bar has a lot more restriction to it.

Link to GW2 ability bar
https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Skill_bar

Blake6332 · March 2017

Sorry to be the guy that has nothing constructive to say, but.....

No.

Xvorg · March 2017

stozax wrote: »

Ok i agree with you both, but wouldn't it be a cool idea if the combat was more like a moba except instead of choosing a different character, you choose a different skill line?

But I don't think this game should try to be more like other games in its genre.

If you want to play like in a MOBA, play a MOBA

AtraisMachina · March 2017

Or just separate pvp and pve skills

Excabor · March 2017

I never have any problems swapping bars. It comes natural once you are used to it and i NEED 10 slots !

stozax · March 2017

After further review, I would have to agree with keeping it the way it is. Still might be a cool concept for another MMORPG though.

WalksonGraves · March 2017

You still have to actually cast those spells and switching bars takes time. 2 bars is already limited.