skip main story line harborage: if I can't complete it, what are my options

beryllium · May 2017

I admit it, my command of WASD, dodging, rolling and general fast response is a problem. Not everyone has great reflexes. That said, I rage quit ESO a little more than a year ago because no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't beat Mannimarco. Which, of course, inhibited other options down the line. I don't need battle advice...there isn't a youtube video I didn't watch, a post I didn't read or a potion I didn't get from my guild. Finally, I leveled to 50 thinking taking on Mannimarco 5 levels above would work. That's how I learned at level 50 I'd lost my ultimate. SO, I'd like to go back to ESO and just drop Mannimarco and Molag Bol altogether. Q1: Can I?
Q2: did they make any changes in this boss fight since Winter 2015-16 (FYI, I even asked Tech Support to check if I had a glitch--no I didn't). Anyone know?

ArchMikem · May 2017

Youve been gone a year?

Oh yeah bud they're practically push overs now. Get back in and have at it, you'll be fine.

Tarukmockto · May 2017

I have to admit that I almost did the same thing over Mannimarco. No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't beat him. After dozens of attempts I gave up and moved on. Thinking as you did that it would get easier later in levels. Turns out, that's not the case at all.

For me, it was a matter of constantly tweaking and resetting both character points and skill points until I finally found a combination that worked. Good luck with Mannimarco, been playing since beta and he was the hardest solo fight I've had overall. I hope you are able to beat him eventually. Molag Bol was a breeze compared to Mannimarco.

AoDD33pfri3d · May 2017

I skipped story for my third character got to lv 50 with side quests.

Kodrac · May 2017

They're pushovers now. Even a heavy armor magicka sorc using bow light attacks can beat them now.

grim_tactics · May 2017

Jump back in.

Don't let the negativity that's been the bane of this forum lately discourage you from enjoying the base game.

Now is a good time to get back in. More content right around the corner plus all that you've missed.

Have two friends that just ignored most of the main story and have inclination to finish it. They do just fine and have fun nonetheless.

Nestor · May 2017

beryllium wrote: »

I don't need battle advice...there isn't a youtube video I didn't watch, a post I didn't read or a potion I didn't get from my guild. That's how I learned at level 50 I'd lost my ultimate. SO, I'd like to go back to ESO and just drop Mannimarco and Molag Bol altogether. Q1: Can I?
Q2: did they make any changes in this boss fight since Winter 2015-16 (FYI, I even asked Tech Support to check if I had a glitch--no I didn't). Anyone know?

Good News, you can completely ignore the Main Quest for this game. No need to punish yourself over it. My last 5 characters have told the Prophet to go take a hike at L5 and never looked back. Since the advent of One Tamriel, all zones are unlocked and you can do them in any order you want, the MQ is no longer a gate keeper to the content.

Now, I Know you did not ask for battle advice, so I am going to give you some anyway. And you don't need quick reflexes or anything special other than a gap closer, preferably one that stuns. If yours does not stun, then learn how to bash to Interrupt his heals. If you can do that, this fight is yours, even if it takes a while. If you use a Destro Staff, Force Shock is a ranged Interrupt, but I don't remember if it works on him Here is how you do it:

1. Let the companions draw aggro and keep him occupied. You watch the fight from a distance firing off ranged attacks. No need to be spastic about it, take your time, as long as you can interrupt the heals.
2. When he heals, and you can see animation from a mile away, gap close and interrupt that. Then back off and pepper him with ranged attacks. Stay near the center as he tends to be at the edge, then you can gap close when he jumps around. Don't be in a hurry, just interrupt the heals and the fight is yours.

Note the Molag Bal fight is easier too, just run around backwards in a big circle and use Light attacks. Don't need to use one skill or any kind of rotation. Stay out of his red target landing place and you will be just fine. You might slot a shield spell if you have one, or a skill that makes you run faster.

But really, if you skip these two fights, all you lose out are 2 skill points, and a couple of blue trinkets.

casparian · May 2017

Did the main quest content get nerfed? I feel I could have heavy-attacked Mannimarco to death. I would have loved for that fight to be some kind of Dark Souls-style test of my abilities -- that would have felt like a much more satisfying climax of the story. Instead, I had my immersion completely broken when Mannimarco died before I could even complete a full rotation.

Was this fight previously harder?

davey1107 · May 2017

Q1: There is no boss or quest you HAVE to fight. The main storyline opens a few abilities...nothing major. The previous nuisance, having to beat Molag to proceed to other faction zones, is ooooooooooover, thank god. Feel free to let Molag reign Coldharbour indefinitely.

Feel free to play what's fun. There are elements of the game that *** me off too..I avoid them, and I don't feel bad about that, ha.

Q2: If you return, I'd make one note. One Tamriel creates a system where you can go anywhere at any level. All monsters are now C160 (they aren't labeled, since they're all the same). The way this system works is by giving lower level characters a "handicap," increasing their damage, armor, dps, etc. As you level higher, these handicaps slowly come off. So that all else being equal, a level 20 toon hits more or less as hard as a C300.

HOWEVER, this does create a weird curve that makes level 45-50 (and early champion point levels) about the hardest. This is a point where the handicaps are gone, but the characters aren't enjoying the benefits of highest level gear, lots of champion points, etc.

I don't know how many CPs you have, but if you struggle on harder content with low CPs (under 160), don't get discouraged. Play easier content...whatever is fun to you...and keep earning those CPs. When you get to 160, invest in a good gear configured for your class. CP160 is the last giant leap in strength for a character (because of the gear), then it's a long, slow power creep as you continue earning CPs.

Q3: Manimarco is the one quest boss that manages to kill me every time. So it's not just you. I have ten vet toons, I pvp well and I play vet dungeons and maelstrom...and yet, he has some weird one shot garbage that I've never quite understood. I think he's easier now. Maybe not...I forget. I think he always killed me with lich crystals or something. I had to gear up special to avoid them and also do AOE/multi target damage. Anyway, he's a pain.

Osteos · May 2017

casparian wrote: »

Did the main quest content get nerfed? I feel I could have heavy-attacked Mannimarco to death. I would have loved for that fight to be some kind of Dark Souls-style test of my abilities -- that would have felt like a much more satisfying climax of the story. Instead, I had my immersion completely broken when Mannimarco died before I could even complete a full rotation.

Was this fight previously harder?

Yep! At launch a lot of these fights were actually difficult.

Nestor · May 2017

casparian wrote: »

Did the main quest content get nerfed?

Was this fight previously harder?

These last two fights were, well, Epic in the first 6 months that the game came out. You needed a perfect rotation for both Manni and Molag and to maintain that rotation for 10 to 15 minutes. The last two fights have been slowly nerfed over time to the point that they are as easy as a Delve Boss to finish. Just take a little longer.

Of course if you have not faced them as of yet, they can be a challenge, although I gave the two secrets in the post above. If you follow those two secrets, the fights are fairly tame now.

Goshua · May 2017

is/was? doable at lvl22 if you have the CP and crafted gear and worth it for the skill points if nothing else.

It's a very long drawn out affair though so grinding elsewhere is perhaps better. If you want Soul Assault its what you need to do and part of the reason I bother.

TheShadowScout · May 2017

casparian wrote: »

Did the main quest content get nerfed? I feel I could have heavy-attacked Mannimarco to death. I would have loved for that fight to be some kind of Dark Souls-style test of my abilities -- that would have felt like a much more satisfying climax of the story. Instead, I had my immersion completely broken when Mannimarco died before I could even complete a full rotation.

Was this fight previously harder?

Much, much harder.

When i first did him, I couldn't. Tried a dozend times at level 40, another half dozend at level 45... either he would deathspell my character into oblivion while she was busy fighting the ghosts, or the ghosts would tear my poor lil dunmer girl apart apart while she was dealing with manni. Finally barely squeaked by at level 50. That was before the story fights levelled to your character...

Though it may be a matter of class. That first fail-fest? On my stamina nightblade. The second character to meet him was my sorc, who managed on the first try, though barely, ranged spell interrupt and lots of AoE helps a LOT. The third character was my tanky templar, and she bashed him into the ground without ever falling below ¾HP (thanks to heavy armor and the shield&AoE brawler)
So, a -huge- difference if your character is set up for solo opponents, or can speed-kill masses of ghosts, and a huge difference if you are a struggling-for-heals nightblade, or an easy recovery class.

And then... things got nerfed until, the fight was easy enough for everyone. Still one of the more fun fights, but these days most everyone can get through it if they pay a little attention to the game mechanics (dodge the big boom, interrupt the lifedrain, AoE the ghosts)

Makes me wish they would add a "dreamscape" arena, where you could re-fight bossfights... with an added "nightmare" option for pre-nerf bossfights!

Shardaxx · May 2017

russelmmendoza · May 2017

Seriously mani the worm malco is a pushover.

Beat his ass at level 20.

Pound on him. Kill ads. Interupt drain. Pound on him.

Use drainhealth skill while pounding him.

My nightblade was laughing at mani all the time.

Syrani · May 2017

beryllium wrote: »

I admit it, my command of WASD, dodging, rolling and general fast response is a problem. Not everyone has great reflexes. That said, I rage quit ESO a little more than a year ago because no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't beat Mannimarco. Which, of course, inhibited other options down the line. I don't need battle advice...there isn't a youtube video I didn't watch, a post I didn't read or a potion I didn't get from my guild. Finally, I leveled to 50 thinking taking on Mannimarco 5 levels above would work. That's how I learned at level 50 I'd lost my ultimate. SO, I'd like to go back to ESO and just drop Mannimarco and Molag Bol altogether. Q1: Can I?
Q2: did they make any changes in this boss fight since Winter 2015-16 (FYI, I even asked Tech Support to check if I had a glitch--no I didn't). Anyone know?

I, too, have a problem with WASD and keybinding to keyboards. I have small hands so was never able to do it with any sort of proficiency. What helped me out TREMENDOUSLY was getting a gaming key pad for my left hand, and a gaming mouse for my right.

I have this keypad here (except mine is not the "chroma" version):
https://www.razerzone.com/gaming-keyboards-keypads/razer-tartarus-chroma

I use the joystick to move with my thumb, freeing up my fingers to press the easily accessible keys. My 4 fingers rest comfortably on the keys in the middle row, making it so I don't have to move my hand to press them, and I don't have to take my fingers off of movement keys to do so since I use my thumb to move. I can move my fingers up or down a row pretty easily (there are still a few keys I can't reach) so that I have even more buttons to assign stuff to. To make up for the keys I can't use (or are awkward to use), I got a gaming mouse that had programmable buttons. This way, I am not moving hands and fingers across a wide keyboard, everything is really close - I just have to press down.

Like I said, this improved my game play drastically. SO much in fact that I don't think I could ever play with just a keyboard again. It can take a little bit to get used to, but it may be just what you need to make gaming a bit easier for you.

smackysmacks · May 2017

Syrani wrote: »

I, too, have a problem with WASD and keybinding to keyboards. I have small hands so was never able to do it with any sort of proficiency. What helped me out TREMENDOUSLY was getting a gaming key pad for my left hand, and a gaming mouse for my right.

Or use an xbox or ps4 controller with the in game gamepad mode which is really awesome and allows a sit back on the couch experience versus having to be at a table.

Syrani · May 2017

smackysmacks wrote: »

Syrani wrote: »

I, too, have a problem with WASD and keybinding to keyboards. I have small hands so was never able to do it with any sort of proficiency. What helped me out TREMENDOUSLY was getting a gaming key pad for my left hand, and a gaming mouse for my right.

Or use an xbox or ps4 controller with the in game gamepad mode which is really awesome and allows a sit back on the couch experience versus having to be at a table.

Very true, although doesn't the gamepad have some awkward button combinations? With my set up, the only thing I press 2 buttons at once for is block/bash, and if I had space, I could assign those to a single key press as well. Well, I DO have space, I just can't reach it.

I just figured this would be more user friendly, after they got past the slight learning curve.

smackysmacks · May 2017

Syrani wrote: »

smackysmacks wrote: »

Syrani wrote: »

I, too, have a problem with WASD and keybinding to keyboards. I have small hands so was never able to do it with any sort of proficiency. What helped me out TREMENDOUSLY was getting a gaming key pad for my left hand, and a gaming mouse for my right.

Or use an xbox or ps4 controller with the in game gamepad mode which is really awesome and allows a sit back on the couch experience versus having to be at a table.

Very true, although doesn't the gamepad have some awkward button combinations? With my set up, the only thing I press 2 buttons at once for is block/bash, and if I had space, I could assign those to a single key press as well. Well, I DO have space, I just can't reach it. I just figured this would be more user friendly, after they got past the slight learning curve.

Well there is no perfect controller setup for everyone I guess, another option to the mix doesn't hurt! There are many ESO players out there on xbox and ps4 using those controllers natively!
I used to use a nostromo controller with a gaming mouse when I played WOW which worked well given all the stuff I had to press. After many years of raiding I started to get RSI symptoms in my wrists so I gave it all away. I got a console for my gaming fix as I found the controllers did not aggravate my wrists.

Some friends got me into ESO but they were on PC so I tried the keyboard and mouse but the pain came back within a few days. I was going to give it away but did some research and found I could use a game controller on PC with the ingame gamepad mode and have never looked back. There are 3 bindings which use multiple keys: interrupt is both triggers; dodge is left trigger + square button and synergy is the triangle + circle. I find them all easy to perform but I am well practiced in using the controllers from console gaming. The beauty of ESO is that there are only a few keys to press (when compared to say WOW).

The ps4 controller on pc does require the sony usb dongle and the software app called inputmapper. It has the advantage over the xbox controller though in that it has a touchpad for mouse control and can use any hands free headphones/mic setup straight from the controller meaning no cables across the room or need for extra wirless comms.

Anyways, may be worth a shot for some especially if you already have a console controller handy like I did. I warmly thank the devs for adding the gamepad mode for PC, much love guys

Galwylin · May 2017

I finished that part when my nightblade was still stamina (may that past life find the peace he never had in life). If I remember correctly, its really a matter of finding the pattern and at all times stay on him. If I'm thinking of the right fight. I had a lot of frustration with him not just during those quests. Eat some health food and have potions ready if needed.

Xylphan · May 2017

These days as a tank, you can literally just beat on him like a pinata. He can't really hurt you unless you really screw up.

As anything squishy let the companions take the heat. Then slap him stupid.

Hallothiel · May 2017

russelmmendoza wrote: »

Seriously mani the worm malco is a pushover.

Beat his ass at level 20.

Pound on him. Kill ads. Interupt drain. Pound on him.

Use drainhealth skill while pounding him.

My nightblade was laughing at mani all the time.

How? I thought the main quest line quests were locked to appear every 5 levels or so?

Blacksmoke · May 2017

They are so weak now.. you can go in that fightnow with out weapons and punch him to death.. No joke sadly

zaria · May 2017

Kodrac wrote: »

They're pushovers now. Even a heavy armor magicka sorc using bow light attacks can beat them now.

Yes, you get help on Mannimarco making it very easy while it was an hard fight in the beginning.
Back then I found using an restoration staff helped for self healing on sorcerer, an templar could probably just swipe.
Morlag bal had an special mechanic earlier, now you fight as any normal public dungeon boss.

We should kept the dps buff from the fight, only downside was that it was temporary

Mephisto939 · May 2017

They are pushovers now, and imho the main story is one of the best parts of the game. It also grants a bunch of skill points, soul assault ultimate and soul shriven style. So even if you find questing tedious, it's worth doing.

QuebraRegra · May 2017

I whupped MOLAG BAL last night. it was such cake, STAMBLADE, with under leveled gear, 190Cp, and primarily light bow attacks.. I immediately regretted not using the broom to sweep his junky-az away

At no time was I in any danger.

level up a bit and you can sleep walk through it.

lardvader · May 2017

Hallothiel wrote: »

russelmmendoza wrote: »

Seriously mani the worm malco is a pushover.

Beat his ass at level 20.

Pound on him. Kill ads. Interupt drain. Pound on him.

Use drainhealth skill while pounding him.

My nightblade was laughing at mani all the time.

How? I thought the main quest line quests were locked to appear every 5 levels or so?

Not anymore - they changed it with TO(?). I know someone who beat the main story at lvl 14/15 isj

Kay1 · May 2017

The main quest is not even the 2% of what this game has to offer so even if you can't beat it you will be fine.

Sakiri · May 2017

They nerfed the snot out of them both.

Mannimarco, kill the adds and interrupt the blue beam, win.

Molag Bal I just stood in front of him spamming Surprise Attack like a moron.

Kodrac · May 2017

Hallothiel wrote: »

russelmmendoza wrote: »

Seriously mani the worm malco is a pushover.

Beat his ass at level 20.

Pound on him. Kill ads. Interupt drain. Pound on him.

Use drainhealth skill while pounding him.

My nightblade was laughing at mani all the time.

How? I thought the main quest line quests were locked to appear every 5 levels or so?

Not as of One Tamriel. As soon as you leave the Harborage and run a few feet you get the next quest.

Sakiri · May 2017

smackysmacks wrote: »

Syrani wrote: »

smackysmacks wrote: »

Syrani wrote: »

I, too, have a problem with WASD and keybinding to keyboards. I have small hands so was never able to do it with any sort of proficiency. What helped me out TREMENDOUSLY was getting a gaming key pad for my left hand, and a gaming mouse for my right.

Or use an xbox or ps4 controller with the in game gamepad mode which is really awesome and allows a sit back on the couch experience versus having to be at a table.

Very true, although doesn't the gamepad have some awkward button combinations? With my set up, the only thing I press 2 buttons at once for is block/bash, and if I had space, I could assign those to a single key press as well. Well, I DO have space, I just can't reach it. I just figured this would be more user friendly, after they got past the slight learning curve.

Well there is no perfect controller setup for everyone I guess, another option to the mix doesn't hurt! There are many ESO players out there on xbox and ps4 using those controllers natively!
I used to use a nostromo controller with a gaming mouse when I played WOW which worked well given all the stuff I had to press. After many years of raiding I started to get RSI symptoms in my wrists so I gave it all away. I got a console for my gaming fix as I found the controllers did not aggravate my wrists.

Some friends got me into ESO but they were on PC so I tried the keyboard and mouse but the pain came back within a few days. I was going to give it away but did some research and found I could use a game controller on PC with the ingame gamepad mode and have never looked back. There are 3 bindings which use multiple keys: interrupt is both triggers; dodge is left trigger + square button and synergy is the triangle + circle. I find them all easy to perform but I am well practiced in using the controllers from console gaming. The beauty of ESO is that there are only a few keys to press (when compared to say WOW).

The ps4 controller on pc does require the sony usb dongle and the software app called inputmapper. It has the advantage over the xbox controller though in that it has a touchpad for mouse control and can use any hands free headphones/mic setup straight from the controller meaning no cables across the room or need for extra wirless comms.

Anyways, may be worth a shot for some especially if you already have a console controller handy like I did. I warmly thank the devs for adding the gamepad mode for PC, much love guys

I found controllers kill my thumbs. My hands are also small and the sticks are too long for my thumbs.