"Activity Finder" ... huge JOKE!

FixedBlade123 · July 2017

Well ... I've spent most of my ESO time as a lone, PvE player but decided today that it was time to start checking out all of the dungeons I've been missing out on. So the first thing I do is join a guild. Unfortunately, this guild is as dead as a door-nail. There's no activity whatsoever and little to no communication. Just an occasional message asking for money. So it becomes apparent that I can't rely on any of my guild "family" to join me in seeking out 4-person dungeons.

My next line of action is to join the "Activity Finder." I request to be placed in a queue for the Imperial Prison. After waiting for several minutes I'm finally transported to the Prison. At first, all 4 of us are just standing around wondering what to do. The "leader" is totally indecisive and just stands there. So I and another player make the first move and attack the group standing outside the door of the prison. A third player joins us but the fourth (a healer) just watches from the sidelines.

We kill the group at the steps and enter the Prison. We kill a few "baddies" in the hallway and make it to a large opening where there's a world boss. When the going gets tough two of the players just quit and disappear leaving me and one other player. Then he quits leaving me by myself. I'm then automatically removed from the Prison and sent back to Mournhold where I had been initially.

I guess 4-man dungeons are out of the question for me and my character. Grrrrrrr!

I love ESO with all of my heart but there are times I hate it too (especially with all the glitches and lag time).

kargen27 · July 2017

For some stupid reason a lot of people are afraid of Imperial City. Queue for a random or one of the non DLC dungeons and you might have better luck.

FixedBlade123 · July 2017

kargen27 wrote: »

For some stupid reason a lot of people are afraid of Imperial City. Queue for a random or one of the non DLC dungeons and you might have better luck.

I'll give it a shot.

Tryxus · July 2017

You can join up to 5 guilds. Try to find a more active guild to join, a social or a PvE oriented guild that can help you run Group Dungeons.

The Group Finder... well... that can lead to either a good run or a really, really bad run. Try to use that as a last resort and if you do, don't try the DLC dungeons.

FixedBlade123 · July 2017

Tryxus wrote: »

You can join up to 5 guilds. Try to find a more active guild to join, a social or a PvE oriented guild that can help you run Group Dungeons.

The Group Finder... well... that can lead to either a good run or a really, really bad run. Try to use that as a last resort and if you do, don't try the DLC dungeons.

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to search this forum to see if I can find any active guilds that are seeking new members. Wish me luck.

madchuska83 · July 2017

It has a lot to do with what class you queue as. I'm a healer and can use the activity finder for any random or specific dungeon. Even if I only select a single dungeon to queue it takes less than 5 minutes, every time. Then I always do a mic check(or text), check characters to make sure no one triple queue(tank, dps, and healer), then rock 'n' roll.

kargen27 · July 2017

If you go to the main forums page and scroll down to the bottom you will find a section for guild recruitment. I didn't know it was there for quite a while after I started posting here because I never bothered to scroll down that far.

imnotanother · July 2017

So huge, it's yuge.

IMO, it works a lot better than it used to a year ago.

Ruse · July 2017

The "leader" is totally indecisive and just stands there. So I and another player make the first move and attack the group standing outside the door of the prison.

There is a chance the "leader" (chosen randomly by the game as far as I can tell) was simply waiting for the tank. In general, the tank sets the pace, and you shouldn't be running ahead of your tank.

Did you set your role in the activity finder? Is it possible YOU were the tank and therefore everyone was waiting on you to start pulling? Did you try just typing to your teammates?

I dunno, I've definitely run into some less-than-awesome PUGs but in general the system works pretty well in my experience.

FixedBlade123 · July 2017

redlost_ESO wrote: »

The "leader" is totally indecisive and just stands there. So I and another player make the first move and attack the group standing outside the door of the prison.

There is a chance the "leader" (chosen randomly by the game as far as I can tell) was simply waiting for the tank. In general, the tank sets the pace, and you shouldn't be running ahead of your tank.

Did you set your role in the activity finder? Is it possible YOU were the tank and therefore everyone was waiting on you to start pulling? Did you try just typing to your teammates?

I dunno, I've definitely run into some less-than-awesome PUGs but in general the system works pretty well in my experience.

I'm pretty sure I was set as a DPS but I'm a so-so tank as well. Whatever the case, my mic was on but nobody was responding. Not enough time to text folks. Anyway, before we even got started someone wanted to vote another player off of the team. I found that distracting. I just wanted to head in an start fighting. But the fact that the healer wasn't doing his/her job we were doomed from the start.

CaptainBeerDude · July 2017

Standard PUG. Remember to slot a self heal incase of fake or inattentive healers.
They definitely aren't all this bad though.

idk · July 2017

Need to find a decent guild. Even many social guilds can handle that dungeon these days.

That is key to finding a good group, though GF does work but sometimes things are not so perfect. Not perfect is how I will state it (I have a great track record for clearing vet dungeons with completely random groups, some smoother than others).

Whoever is marked as the leader is not actually a leader. The tank leads so if it is a new tank or new to that dungeon they may want to think about things for a second.

TBH, that first fight in ICP can become overwhelming if the adds are not killed and more so if the boss dies slowly and adds are not killed. Some dps just focus on the boss and disregard their responsibility. Damage hits a point that healer will not keep the group alive in those situations.

Find a half decent guild and you will be in better shape. It may lead to finding a better guild. No reason to be in only one.

TARAFRAKA · July 2017

FixedBlade123 wrote: »

redlost_ESO wrote: »

The "leader" is totally indecisive and just stands there. So I and another player make the first move and attack the group standing outside the door of the prison.

There is a chance the "leader" (chosen randomly by the game as far as I can tell) was simply waiting for the tank. In general, the tank sets the pace, and you shouldn't be running ahead of your tank.

Did you set your role in the activity finder? Is it possible YOU were the tank and therefore everyone was waiting on you to start pulling? Did you try just typing to your teammates?

I dunno, I've definitely run into some less-than-awesome PUGs but in general the system works pretty well in my experience.

I'm pretty sure I was set as a DPS but I'm a so-so tank as well. Whatever the case, my mic was on but nobody was responding. Not enough time to text folks. Anyway, before we even got started someone wanted to vote another player off of the team. I found that distracting. I just wanted to head in an start fighting. But the fact that the healer wasn't doing his/her job we were doomed from the start.

The fact that you don't know if you were the tank or the DPS tells me that this dungeon run was doomed from the start and you were part of that reason

TARAFRAKA · July 2017

You should have known before you step foot in there whether you were the tank or the DPS. Otherwise that dungeon run was never going to be successful. I would suggest looking up some guides on the forums to the dungeons so you see what you're getting into.
That will save us from getting another thread on here about new people entering the dungeon finder queued as botn tank/dps and having no idea what they're doing.
I can 100% guarantee you that is why the group members dropped the group and left. It is painfully obvious when someone has no idea what they're in for and most people don't want to tag along and waste their time. I'm just telling you the truth not trying to be rude.

SoLooney · July 2017

Look through the forums here for pve focused guilds, Im in 3 active friendly guilds. Put yourself out there too, guildies are more likely to help you out if you talk and get to know them rather than if you need them only on request in guild text chat

Drogo50 · July 2017

You didn't know your role?

max_only · July 2017

Is this Xbox? Sounds like Xbox.

FixedBlade123 · July 2017

Drogo50 wrote: »

You didn't know your role?

I'm set up as DPS but I have no idea if that somehow changes during the process of recruitment.

FixedBlade123 · July 2017

max_only wrote: »

Is this Xbox? Sounds like Xbox.

Yes ... Xbox.

FixedBlade123 · July 2017

SoLooney wrote: »

Look through the forums here for pve focused guilds, Im in 3 active friendly guilds. Put yourself out there too, guildies are more likely to help you out if you talk and get to know them rather than if you need them only on request in guild text chat

I've been a member of several guilds but only one turned out to be good (the owners finally moved on to other games). I got ripped off a couple of times from guilds that beg for money then fade away. I'm currently in a brand new guild that's totally dead. I've tried to get my "homies" to do things but either nobody responds to my voice requests or they have other things to do. I gave the guild 4 crafting stations that I worked hard for and have given nearly $50,000 gold to try to get a trader but have gotten zero in return. Oh well. I'll remain a member until I find something else.

I have placed several requests for "invites" from forum guilds who are looking for people. I'm a hard worker and fight hard in group settings. I'm more than happy to support guilds financially if and when needed. I have 1.6 million and do a ton of provisioning. Anyway ... maybe I'll get an invite soon from a PvE guild.

FixedBlade123 · July 2017

TARAFRAKA wrote: »

FixedBlade123 wrote: »

redlost_ESO wrote: »

The "leader" is totally indecisive and just stands there. So I and another player make the first move and attack the group standing outside the door of the prison.

There is a chance the "leader" (chosen randomly by the game as far as I can tell) was simply waiting for the tank. In general, the tank sets the pace, and you shouldn't be running ahead of your tank.

Did you set your role in the activity finder? Is it possible YOU were the tank and therefore everyone was waiting on you to start pulling? Did you try just typing to your teammates?

I dunno, I've definitely run into some less-than-awesome PUGs but in general the system works pretty well in my experience.

I'm pretty sure I was set as a DPS but I'm a so-so tank as well. Whatever the case, my mic was on but nobody was responding. Not enough time to text folks. Anyway, before we even got started someone wanted to vote another player off of the team. I found that distracting. I just wanted to head in an start fighting. But the fact that the healer wasn't doing his/her job we were doomed from the start.

The fact that you don't know if you were the tank or the DPS tells me that this dungeon run was doomed from the start and you were part of that reason

Again ... I've set myself up as DPS but don't know how this "activity finder" works. If it changes me to someone else then I have no control over that.

FixedBlade123 · July 2017

Giles.floydub17_ESO wrote: »

Need to find a decent guild. Even many social guilds can handle that dungeon these days.

That is key to finding a good group, though GF does work but sometimes things are not so perfect. Not perfect is how I will state it (I have a great track record for clearing vet dungeons with completely random groups, some smoother than others).

Whoever is marked as the leader is not actually a leader. The tank leads so if it is a new tank or new to that dungeon they may want to think about things for a second.

TBH, that first fight in ICP can become overwhelming if the adds are not killed and more so if the boss dies slowly and adds are not killed. Some dps just focus on the boss and disregard their responsibility. Damage hits a point that healer will not keep the group alive in those situations.

Find a half decent guild and you will be in better shape. It may lead to finding a better guild. No reason to be in only one.

In most boss fights, I work on the supporting baddies before going after the boss. It's those pesky dudes on the sideline surrounding the boss that seem to do most of the damage. My main goal is to kill all the supporting staff and to stay out of the red. Then, when the team can work together we hit the boss hard. That seems to work most of the time.

Zaindari · July 2017

FixedBlade123 wrote: »

SoLooney wrote: »

Look through the forums here for pve focused guilds, Im in 3 active friendly guilds. Put yourself out there too, guildies are more likely to help you out if you talk and get to know them rather than if you need them only on request in guild text chat

I've been a member of several guilds but only one turned out to be good (the owners finally moved on to other games). I got ripped off a couple of times from guilds that beg for money then fade away. I'm currently in a brand new guild that's totally dead. I've tried to get my "homies" to do things but either nobody responds to my voice requests or they have other things to do. I gave the guild 4 crafting stations that I worked hard for and have given nearly $50,000 gold to try to get a trader but have gotten zero in return. Oh well. I'll remain a member until I find something else.

I have placed several requests for "invites" from forum guilds who are looking for people. I'm a hard worker and fight hard in group settings. I'm more than happy to support guilds financially if and when needed. I have 1.6 million and do a ton of provisioning. Anyway ... maybe I'll get an invite soon from a PvE guild.

This seems to be a problem with console guilds they dont seem to be very good, there are all kinds of PC guilds I know this dosnt really help you, but if you really like the game you might consider going to PC one day.

max_only · July 2017

Before you press Queue, look at three icon in the upper left of the groupfinder window. A shield, a star, and some swords. Make sure you are set to swords( aka damage dealer) because the game just guesses what your preferred role would be, which is why dps dragonknights are automatically set as tanks and templars are automatically set as healer even though they may be a damage dealer.

FixedBlade123 · July 2017

Zaindari wrote: »

FixedBlade123 wrote: »

SoLooney wrote: »

Look through the forums here for pve focused guilds, Im in 3 active friendly guilds. Put yourself out there too, guildies are more likely to help you out if you talk and get to know them rather than if you need them only on request in guild text chat

I've been a member of several guilds but only one turned out to be good (the owners finally moved on to other games). I got ripped off a couple of times from guilds that beg for money then fade away. I'm currently in a brand new guild that's totally dead. I've tried to get my "homies" to do things but either nobody responds to my voice requests or they have other things to do. I gave the guild 4 crafting stations that I worked hard for and have given nearly $50,000 gold to try to get a trader but have gotten zero in return. Oh well. I'll remain a member until I find something else.

I have placed several requests for "invites" from forum guilds who are looking for people. I'm a hard worker and fight hard in group settings. I'm more than happy to support guilds financially if and when needed. I have 1.6 million and do a ton of provisioning. Anyway ... maybe I'll get an invite soon from a PvE guild.

This seems to be a problem with console guilds they dont seem to be very good, there are all kinds of PC guilds I know this dosnt really help you, but if you really like the game you might consider going to PC one day.

I'm actually considering going to PC because I keep hearing that it's better than consoles. I never even planned on gaming in the first place. I'm nearly 57 years old and never even considered it. Then ... we (my wife and I) took custody of her 14 year old son back in 2005 or so. I bought him a gaming system and watched him play on occasion. When he wasn't around I would mess around with it. The more I played the more I liked it. Then, about 3 or 4 years ago, my wife left me. Now it seems that playing video games is about all I do.

FixedBlade123 · July 2017

max_only wrote: »

Before you press Queue, look at three icon in the upper left of the groupfinder window. A shield, a star, and some swords. Make sure you are set to swords( aka damage dealer) because the game just guesses what your preferred role would be, which is why dps dragonknights are automatically set as tanks and templars are automatically set as healer even though they may be a damage dealer.

Yeah ... I'm set for DPS. I tried being a tank way back when but hated it. Had I known about builds when I first started playing I'm sure I would have done things a lot differently. As it is, I'm just doing the best I can with my current character. I started two other characters but I don't want to spend the time starting all over again.

Ruse · July 2017

FixedBlade123 wrote: »

Not enough time to text folks. Anyway, before we even got started someone wanted to vote another player off of the team. I found that distracting. I just wanted to head in an start fighting. But the fact that the healer wasn't doing his/her job we were doomed from the start.

But you were complaining about everyone just standing around in your first post? Not everyone uses voice -- I don't, not with people I don't know, and I use discord with friends.

Anyway, I think you considering dungeon finder a joke is a disconnect between your expectations and what experienced people know/expect. A degree of ignorance is inevitable the first time you try something (I know I was mistakenly queued as a DPS my first try at dungeon finder when I really wanted to heal) but you also have to consider that some of the initial issues may be of your own making.

A few points:

1) Imperial City is not a particularly easy dungeon, especially if people are low level/low CP. I don't instantly vote-kick for that, but many people will, in particular dungeons where there are essentially DPS race mechanics or you get overwhelmed if the DPS isn't high enough. It's dumb that the random queue will put lowbies in tough dungeons, but there you have it.

2) If you are not the tank (you said you were queued as DPS) and you run off pulling, as a healer, I WILL NOT FOLLOW YOU. Nor will most. This is very likely why the healer "wasn't doing their job" and people silently left the group.

3) As for not liking your current build but not wanting to start over, you can respec your attributes and skill points for a fee at a rededication shrine found throughout the game.

josiahva · July 2017

madchuska83 wrote: »

It has a lot to do with what class you queue as. I'm a healer and can use the activity finder for any random or specific dungeon. Even if I only select a single dungeon to queue it takes less than 5 minutes, every time. Then I always do a mic check(or text), check characters to make sure no one triple queue(tank, dps, and healer), then rock 'n' roll.

I triple queue from time to time on my magicka DK tank....there is no problem in multi-role queuing as long as you can reasonably fill the role required of you. I know that people abuse this sometimes for faster queue times, but some people actually DO have enough flexibility in their builds to do this.

FixedBlade123 · July 2017

redlost_ESO wrote: »

FixedBlade123 wrote: »

Not enough time to text folks. Anyway, before we even got started someone wanted to vote another player off of the team. I found that distracting. I just wanted to head in an start fighting. But the fact that the healer wasn't doing his/her job we were doomed from the start.

But you were complaining about everyone just standing around in your first post? Not everyone uses voice -- I don't, not with people I don't know, and I use discord with friends.

Anyway, I think you considering dungeon finder a joke is a disconnect between your expectations and what experienced people know/expect. A degree of ignorance is inevitable the first time you try something (I know I was mistakenly queued as a DPS my first try at dungeon finder when I really wanted to heal) but you also have to consider that some of the initial issues may be of your own making.

A few points:

1) Imperial City is not a particularly easy dungeon, especially if people are low level/low CP. I don't instantly vote-kick for that, but many people will, in particular dungeons where there are essentially DPS race mechanics or you get overwhelmed if the DPS isn't high enough. It's dumb that the random queue will put lowbies in tough dungeons, but there you have it.

2) If you are not the tank (you said you were queued as DPS) and you run off pulling, as a healer, I WILL NOT FOLLOW YOU. Nor will most. This is very likely why the healer "wasn't doing their job" and people silently left the group.

3) As for not liking your current build but not wanting to start over, you can respec your attributes and skill points for a fee at a rededication shrine found throughout the game.

Here's the deal: I requested the Imperial City because it was an Undaunted quest given to me in Mournhold. I was transported to the IC after entering the "activity finder." I assumed (erroneously) that everyone who requested that dungeon wanted to conquer it. Why else join a group if not to conquer the dungeon?

I wasn't the first to run towards the door of the prison. I followed someone else who was tired of doing nothing. A 3rd person followed me and we beat the initial group of "baddies" while the healer stood way off in the distance. The only text I received from anyone was a request to vote the healer out of the group. I didn't know we could vote people out of a group so I decided to give the person a chance and decided not to vote. If we're supposed to text the entire time we're supposed to be fighting then I have a feeling very little would get done. Voice discussion can be done while fighting.

The first person to leave the group is the vet 630 who wanted to vote the healer out of the group. The second person to leave was the healer. The third was the other guy who wanted to fight but kept getting killed. I was removed by default since I was the only person left.

Bottom line ... I'll seek a guild that enjoys PvE dungeons and won't rely on the "activity finder" anymore.

Ruse · July 2017

You don't have to type the whole time, but a "We ready?" doesn't take much time at all. Sometimes it's as simple as somebody swapping out a couple of skills for group play at the start.

Without more info, I'd guess the healer was very low level/low CP, and the 630 didn't want to waste time on a group he thought would fail.

FixedBlade123 wrote: »

Bottom line ... I'll seek a guild that enjoys PvE dungeons and won't rely on the "activity finder" anymore.

Well ... I hope you're more open to suggestions/constructive criticism from them than you seem to be here, then. Nobody likes to play with the guy who always blames everybody else for everything that goes wrong.

FixedBlade123 · July 2017

redlost_ESO wrote: »

You don't have to type the whole time, but a "We ready?" doesn't take much time at all. Sometimes it's as simple as somebody swapping out a couple of skills for group play at the start.

Without more info, I'd guess the healer was very low level/low CP, and the 630 didn't want to waste time on a group he thought would fail.

FixedBlade123 wrote: »

Bottom line ... I'll seek a guild that enjoys PvE dungeons and won't rely on the "activity finder" anymore.

Well ... I hope you're more open to suggestions/constructive criticism from them than you seem to be here, then. Nobody likes to play with the guy who always blames everybody else for everything that goes wrong.

Very open to suggestions. The best one was to find a PvE guild that does dungeons as a matter of routine. Best idea yet!