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Solo Builds for Dummies?

Minyassa
Minyassa
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As a fairly new player (only a couple of months and just a little over 50 on one toon) I've been bumbling through experimenting and researching as the situation requires. I see people blazing through dungeons all by themselves, and I need to aim for that because I will mostly be playing solo for a few months while my friend that I usually duo with is without a computer. So I want to respec my templar to make him more viable for soloing things like dungeons and dolmens. But...

When I look up "PvE Solo Templar builds"...ay yi yi. So confusing to a newbie! I just spent over an hour googling different things about stamina builds vs. magicka builds and I still don't quite understand which to choose for soloing, or why people say to go with one or the other. When I looked up "difference between magicka and stamina builds" I got the explanation about weapon skills vs. class skills, but no real reasons in why to choose one over another. It would seem that most of the threads I find in Reddit or the forums here or anywhere are people who already understand build mechanics and don't need to explain them in depth to each other. I'm afraid I'm more ignorant than the average player and I kind of really need to be walked through it in terminology that doesn't include abbreviations or prerequisite knowledge.

Then there's the question this raises--am I aiming too high for being so new? Should I just continue to bumble through leveling with questing until I have more champion points? Is it unrealistic to expect to be able to solo dungeons/dolmens/weak world bosses this early in the game?

I see so much about gear sets, and it looks like I need to do these difficult things to get them (since my crafting is not fully leveled, either, and I still don't have all the traits for all the pieces I need). So if I need gear to complete a build, but I need the build to do the dungeon for the gear......I feel stuck.

Or, another question--is the game just trying to force me to group until I'm in the hundreds of levels? I don't want to do that. I'm slow, I'm still learning, I'm still seeing a lot of things for the first time, and I do not want to have to race around at breakneck speed trying to follow a bunch of other people who have done it a million times and just want to get it over with. That's why I'm soloing. Am I going to have to just suck it up and blow off enjoying the game until later?

I'd appreciate any advice, but please...be gentle and try to explain like I don't know anything (because really I feel like I don't)! ;)
  • Waffennacht
    Waffennacht
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    You can solo normal dungeons at your level (I'm thinking)

    For veteran dungeons you want 160 CP+

    Imo magicka is better for soloing, shields, kiting, AoEs - the most important being range

    Pet Sorcs are the easiest to solo with (when pets aggro) with Warden and Templars, then NBs (from my toons)

    Personally Infernal Guardian is all about solo, allows you to focus AoEs on main mobs while IG kills the outliers.

    Lots of good gear choices too, solo dps doesn't need to be as high as a pure dps in a group. Survival and mobility are pretty key (wards)

    What class are you thinking about running?
    Gamer tag: DasPanzerKat NA Xbox One
    1300+ CP
    Battleground PvP'er

    Waffennacht' Builds
  • Minyassa
    Minyassa
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    What class are you thinking about running?

    My solo character is a templar. He is now in the champion level 60s. I've been playing him Dawn's Wrath but only recently started leveling the other class lines as well, and so far the only weapon I've used for him is a 2-hander.

  • Waffennacht
    Waffennacht
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    Minyassa wrote: »
    What class are you thinking about running?

    My solo character is a templar. He is now in the champion level 60s. I've been playing him Dawn's Wrath but only recently started leveling the other class lines as well, and so far the only weapon I've used for him is a 2-hander.

    Level all the class lines first. You prefer Stam? (I'm gonna be less helpful for Stam)
    2h - 0 pve experience for me

    ... I um, suddenly, am no help lmao
    Gamer tag: DasPanzerKat NA Xbox One
    1300+ CP
    Battleground PvP'er

    Waffennacht' Builds
  • Nestor
    Nestor
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    Minyassa wrote: »
    because I will mostly be playing solo for a few months while my friend that I usually duo with is without a computer. So I want to respec my templar to make him more viable for soloing things like dungeons and dolmens. But...

    Magic is the way to go for solo work with a Templar

    Simple Rotation to keep you alive and the mobs dead:

    1. Reflective LIght for an Opener
    2. Puncturing Sweep for a follow up (also heals you)
    3. Breath of Life if you get into trouble.

    Now, add in a boosting skill like Entropy from the Mages Guild, and, Solar Barrage from the Templar can net you up to a 45% boost in your attack following Solar Barrage. Inner Light is another good one to have slotted. Or, two other skills that are fun for you to use. But, a skill rotation with Light Attacks weaved in as stated above, and it's only World Bosses you need to worry about solo.

    For Gear, you want to look for stuff that boosts Magic Damage, not elemental Damage. Most Templar Skills are Magic Damage, unlike say a Sorcerer who does Lightening or a Dragon Knight who does Fire.

    There are many other Templar Skills that are fun to use, but you just use the simple rotation I outlined above, no delve and most public dungeons are not going to be a problem for you.

    Well, I would use a Staff with Unstable Wall of Elements and Pulsar for Public Dungeon Trash Mob packs.

    If your PC/NA, let me know in the game (send an email to @Nestor and we can run some stuff with my templar and I can show you how to make it all work. I can even make you set of gear for once your L50/CP10

    Edited by Nestor on June 30, 2017 7:27PM
    Enjoy the game, life is what you really want to be worried about.

    PakKat "Everything was going well, until I died"
    Gary Gravestink "I am glad you died, I needed the help"

  • seedubsrun
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    One of the frustrating things I encountered when starting the game is that you need to decide whether you want to be stamina or magicka and to maximize the potential of your toon you have to choose a race that works well with that choice. The thing is they don't tell you that anywhere and you can only find that out basically by trial and error or looking it up. For example, a Khajit character is great for stamina play as they have racial passives that stamina play get a bonus from but a Khajit sorcerer wouldn't be all that great since they have no bonuses for magic. Since you already have a toon passed 50 what race did you choose? we can make better suggestions with that info.

    The next thing to focus on is what skills you're using and what armor you have. We wont be able to offer many suggestions until we know your race and can suggest a stamina build or a magicka one.

    At your level you should be able to do most normal difficulty content. Once you hit Champion Point 160 and above you'll be able to do more difficult content. I usually play solo or with just one friend and it can certainly be done by you too. Let us know the info I asked about and we'll gladly help you out. Welcome to the game.
  • Scyantific
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    Stamplar is pretty good for soloing, IMO, and quite doable with 2Hander + Bow + Medium Armor. You might need to jump into PvP to get Vigor + Caltrops though, completely up to you.

    2Hander: Charge, Biting Jabs, Reverse Slice, Rally, Repentance, Dawnbreaker
    Bow: Poison Injection/Scatter Shot/Binding Javelin, Caltrops, Vigor/Flex, Extended Ritual, Shuffle/Flex, Ballista/Crescent Sweep/Flex
  • Minyassa
    Minyassa
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    seedubsrun wrote: »
    <snip>Since you already have a toon passed 50 what race did you choose? we can make better suggestions with that info.

    He is Imperial.

  • seedubsrun
    seedubsrun
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    Minyassa wrote: »
    seedubsrun wrote: »
    <snip>Since you already have a toon passed 50 what race did you choose? we can make better suggestions with that info.

    He is Imperial.

    Right on, that's gonna be better for a stamina toon. I usually run magic so I'm afraid I wont be much help. I'd recommend checking out AlcastHQ.com and looking into the stamina templar builds there. He offers builds with the best possible gear as well as easy to obtain/crafted gear that should help you get geared up for success. You could also check out deltiasgaming.com as well. Gilliam the rogue was updating those builds last I heard and he is incredibly knowledgeable. The builds also include a leveling guide on there that will help you with maxing out the best skills for your character and why.
  • Nestor
    Nestor
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    Minyassa wrote: »
    seedubsrun wrote: »
    <snip>Since you already have a toon passed 50 what race did you choose? we can make better suggestions with that info.

    He is Imperial.

    Imperials are good all around characters. I have a Magic DK that is an Imperial, and a Tank DK that is an Imperial. I even have an Orc Magic Sorcerer that is quite deadly.

    While certain races can boost certain builds, really, any race can be made to work with any class with any underlying attribute for PvE. And, most PvP other than 1vX.
    Enjoy the game, life is what you really want to be worried about.

    PakKat "Everything was going well, until I died"
    Gary Gravestink "I am glad you died, I needed the help"

  • Minyassa
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    Okay, so I found this: ESO Stamina Templar DPS Build

    Looks like I will have to switch to dual-wielding for a while to get that line built up. And then bow...and then...well, actually it looks like I will have to effectively play him as if he were starting at 1st level just to get my skills right. And medium armor, wow...he's maxed out in Heavy.

    Come to think of it, I may just need to make another templar from scratch.

    So here's another question: If I start over with a new toon that is specifically designed for solo survivability, what's the go-to race and class for soloing dungeons? Again, entirely PvE, PvP is off the table.

    And, thank you all for being so helpful!!! <3
  • Nestor
    Nestor
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    Minyassa wrote: »
    Looks like I will have to switch to dual-wielding for a while to get that line built up. And then bow...and then...well, actually it looks like I will have to effectively play him as if he were starting at 1st level just to get my skills right. And medium armor, wow...he's maxed out in Heavy.

    Come to think of it, I may just need to make another templar from scratch.

    So here's another question: If I start over with a new toon that is specifically designed for solo survivability, what's the go-to race and class for soloing dungeons? Again, entirely PvE, PvP is off the table.

    And, thank you all for being so helpful!!! <3

    First and foremost, never delete a character unless you need that slot. If nothing else, they can be a storage mule, or a crafting alt, or a fart around character.

    As for your question about an easy to solo character combo, with racial passives that benefit the class, I will say Magic Templar with a Altmer or High Elf race. Magic Templars really are the easy button for this game.

    And, there is no reason to not run your Imperial as a Caster, mine does just fine.

    But......

    Lets back you up a little bit here. There are two stages to the game, Leveling and Creating your build once your leveled. You may have the same skills and similar rotations in both stages, but you don't have to. In fact, if you kind of approach it as two stage process, you might have more fun. Your real goal while leveling is to create a character that is flexible as builds change. I will post some general leveling advice below. Open the Spoilers

    General Leveling Advice
    While leveling you should be preparing your self for the future, not your build (as that will change). So:

    1. While leveling, have one class skill from each class on your bars at all times. Classes level the slowest, so get them done now.
    2. Have at least one weapon skill on your bar at all times
    3. Have a flex or support skill you want to level at all times
    4. Once the skill gets to the Morph stage, then put another one on the bar to level that rather than take the morph.

    Your not going to have the best DPS now, but you will have the most flexibility later. You can apply this to both bars equally or some other way, but this is the best method while leveling 1 to 50. Reason, the game handicaps you right now to make you stronger than you really are. So, take advantage of that. You don't need the optimal skill load out, you need the optimal leveling load out.

    Also, try to wear at least one of each weight of armor to get all those lines leveled.

    Once you get up to or near 50, you should have all the skills that matter at Morph stage, your armors at 50 and most important, your classes at 50. Then, you can optimize your build.

    First Character Leveling Advice:
    First leveling character? Forget about Builds right now. No need, your handicapped anyway by the game so you are way more powerful than you need to be. Instead take advantage of this buff to properly level your character so you can be deadly when it matters later on when you are not buffed by the level scaling. In other words, you can create a rotation that makes you think your all that and a biscuit because of the scaling buffs, then get a rude awakening come Champ Ranks when you are on your own.

    In other words, right now if your wearing any gear, the mobs will die.

    1. Have one class skill on your bar at all times, swapping them out once the skill reaches Morph stage. Worry about your Morphs later.
    2. Have one weapon skill on your bar at all times, again until Morph stage
    3. Wear a mix of all 3 armor types so they all level about equally
    4. From L1 to L20, invest in attack skills and actives
    5. From L20 to L35 start investing in Passives and Support Skills
    6. From L35 to L50 start investing in Morphs (but only if all your class skills are at the Morph Stage), Passives and Crafting Skills
    7 From CP10 to CP160 try out dropped sets to see which ones fit your playstyle, don't worry about traits right now, fill in passives and actives you may have missed
    8. Grind on Dolmens to level your Fighters Guild, or find the Lore Books to level Mages Guild
    9. Do some stealing to level Legerdemain, best source for money in the game
    10. Decon every piece of gear you get that you are not going to use immediately to level equipment crafting, no need to invest skills points until Champ Ranks.

    Leveling Guide so you get to L50 or CP160 without spoiling the story and not tear your hair out with a mindless grind
    One thing to remember, a lot of guides are written with idea to maximize production to the Nth Degree, which can make sense when your leveling your 8th character. But it can really suck the fun out of the game on your first character worrying about it.

    Here is a better approach:

    The beauty of the game now is each zone drops a Magic Set, a Stamina Set and a Health (Tanky) Set. You can do the content in the zone and get the gear you need with some nice bonuses to help your characters. It drops in at least Green and Blue is common once you get around the 30;s. A lot of times it drops in the Training trait, but you really don't need to have every single item in Training. Just prefer it as a trait, but wear what you get. When you are done in that zone move on to the next and start replacing the gear with the stuff from that zone. You can usually go about 10 levels over the gear before it starts to get noticeable as needing to be replaced. If you get something that is higher level than your wearing, just swap it out as you go along. Again, don't worry about the traits while leveling. The game is buffing you anyway.

    As for leveling crafting, you should do that, but don't be in a hurry to invest all the skill points you need for it. You need those points for combat and defense. Just decon all the loot you have left over after selling to cover any repairs you do. Research Traits on items you think you are going to use. Then do the other traits later on.

    Let me give you an example of what I did with my last two leveling characters.

    1. I collected all the Skyshards in the zone. I avoided any and all quests other than those that show up in the delves that have skyshards. These quests do not give set items for rewards so no loss there.
    2. I would farm the dolmens a few times to get set jewelry that helped my character
    3. I would do the Public Dungeons including all the bosses
    4. Then I would move to the next zone.

    In doing this, I could fully gear up my character with level appropriate stuff, and it was helpful gear. May not have been the best, but you don't need the best while leveling. Any gear I farmed from Dolmens or PD's is repeatable, so I can get it at CP160 by just repeating. Then, I had all the content quests left for me once I reached CP160 as those can give you sweet Set Drops in good traits you want. And, Quest Experience is huge for gaining CPs once your past CP160. Kind of a waste before that.

    In about 8 zones, I would be fully leveled in Mages, Fighters, Class, 3 Armors and Weapon Skills. Leaving only Undaunted to level, although I would get to almost 3 in that from Dungeon Achievements.

    Finally, some combat advice, because you really can make just about anything work for PvE in this game:
    Combat in this game comes down to Skill Rotations, with Light or Heavy Attacks interspersed. So, it's more like 1,2,3,4,1,2,3 dead. Pick your skill rotations so that one skill will set up or buff another skill. For example, use a skill that Snares, then a skill that gives Damage over Time to an area so the snared mobs spend longer in pain, then use a spam damage skill. This is just one example.

    Once you learn a good rotation, then you can weave in light or heavy attacks between the skills to extend the resource pool you play from. So it's more like 1, LMB, 2, LMB,3, LMB, 4, LMB, 1 Dead. Then once you learn how to weave attacks, then you can start animation canceling to up your DPS.

    So, attacks are not just a spam of the Left Mouse Button, but an application of your skills and weapon attacks.

    You add in Blocking (reduce damage), Bashing (interrupting a caster or heavy attack wind up), Dodge Rolling (double click on a WASD key to avoid damage and get out of red quickly). Throw in some terrain advantage, and your basically a Mobile, Agile and Hostile wrecking machine.
    Edited by Nestor on June 30, 2017 10:35PM
    Enjoy the game, life is what you really want to be worried about.

    PakKat "Everything was going well, until I died"
    Gary Gravestink "I am glad you died, I needed the help"

  • Minyassa
    Minyassa
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    Nestor wrote: »
    (A crapton of incredibly helpful stuff)]

    Holy cow, that's some serious and REALLY useful advice, and laid out a lot more clearly than I've found in the dozens of other places I've been looking things up. Thank you so much. I'm going to be using this as a guidebook, I think. ;D

    As I have already gotten my templar up to CP level 60s-ish, I think probably I'll need to save him as a fiddling around character and start another to really get things done. As I have already done a heck of a lot of the quests with him I've only got Cadwell's Gold left as an XP source for him, so at this point he seems like he'd be hard to "repair", but I think once I've worked out another and gotten that one to where I can do the harder content, I'll know how to go back in and tweak him to what I want.

  • WuffyCerulei
    WuffyCerulei
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    Minyassa wrote: »
    What class are you thinking about running?

    My solo character is a templar. He is now in the champion level 60s. I've been playing him Dawn's Wrath but only recently started leveling the other class lines as well, and so far the only weapon I've used for him is a 2-hander.

    If you're going templar and dawn's wrath, I'd use a staff instead of a 2hander. They're better for for magicka-based damage abilities.
    For the love of Kyne, buff sorc. PC NACP 2100+Star-Sïnger - Khajiit Magicka Sorc - EP Grand Overlord - Flawless Conqueror vMA/vBRP/vDSA no death/vHel Ra HM/vAA HM/vSO HM/vMoL HM/vHoF HM/vAS +2/vCR+3/vSS HMs/vKA HMs/vVH/vRG Oax HM/vDSR
  • Nestor
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    This thread inspired me to play one of my mules, an Imperial Magic Templar.I leveled her from 3 to 14 last night and this morning. I have to say, she is quite deadly and capable. Most impressed with her.

    One thing to remember, you can always respec. No skill or attribute or Mundus choices are permanent. You can always try out new gear. You can start your character over and keep your skill progression, even if you don't invest the points again.
    Edited by Nestor on July 1, 2017 4:12PM
    Enjoy the game, life is what you really want to be worried about.

    PakKat "Everything was going well, until I died"
    Gary Gravestink "I am glad you died, I needed the help"

  • MudcrabSammich
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    That was a fantastic answer Nestor. I've only been playing about a month now and there's a lot of information out there but it all seems to be geared towards players who are already at peak, not for new players. Going to apply this to all my characters. Thank you for being so helpful.
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