Favorite Things about Maelstrom Arena

VaranisArano · November 2017

I'm running a magsorc, a stam sorc and a magDK through Vet Maestrom for the first time. I'm going slow because I don't know the dungeon that well (I've run normal Maelstrom a couple of times) but I'm still having a blast. Yeah, I know that the key to doing well in Vet Maelstrom is knowing the arena, but I guess I like the challenge?

My favorite thing about Maelstrom Arena is how it recycles some dungeon mechanics (or those dungeons copied maelstrom, I'm not 100% on the chronology here).

The first arena's final boss summons adds who heal him if you don't kill them fast enough -> a very similar mechanic to Urata the Legion who will also heal up if your group doesn't kill her adds.

The second arena's final bosses work through the same phases as the Dwemer Centurions in Darkshade Caverns 1 & Volenfell.

The fourth arena's final boss works like the final boss of Darkshade Caverns II, thankfully minus the poison phase.

The fifth arena's final boss works like a combination of the Fire Maw and Valkyn Skoria from City of Ash II. Like the FIre Maw, the boss isn't a straight DPS race because it does mechanics at certain health percentages, so you want to periodically clear adds. But like Valkyn Skoria, once you get to the final platform, DPS away.

The seventh arena's final boss works similar to Sliklenia the Songtress in Arx Corinium where she protects her pet from her song, except much harder + poison hazards.

So I really enjoy the ways that I see the mechanics in other parts of the game, making the arenas much easier to learn on the fly. Even though they still murder me a lot, the arenas are pretty well designed for players to figure things out building on content they've already played.

Well done, ZOS!

What are your favorite things about Maelstrom Arena?

GrigorijMalahevich · November 2017

I love how much crying it causes and it feels cool to explain to guildies what to do.

Sad that it is the only solo trial at the moment.

khele23eb17_ESO · November 2017

My favorite thing: Im done with it and dont have to do it anymore

MaddPowered · November 2017

I like Maelstrom, I think it's fun.

Jolipinator · November 2017

My new lightning staff.

Thannazzar · November 2017

Never having to do it again!

Oakmontowls_ESO · November 2017

I like that I have gotten everything I need and never have to go back ever again.

Waffennacht · November 2017

The daedra that runs it says it was inspired by those things

redspecter23 · November 2017

I'm happy that they finally released trait change so the pile of crappy weapons I got last year can be turned into more useful weapons and I never have to go back in again.

T4T2FR34K · November 2017

...that its not required for anything significant.

Mazbt · November 2017

I like it as solo progression. It's a good way to practice builds and to 'git gud' with your class as well. And you can learn it at your own pace.

Joy_Division · November 2017

What I like most about Maelstrom is that it simulates what got me addicted to ESO in the first place: challenging PvE content. Tell me another place in ESO besides Cyrodiil that I can go by myself and not face-roll everything I see.

Shawn_PT · November 2017

I like that it acts as a test for players to learn how to properly handle their characters. How to be self sufficient. How to avoid taking unnecessary damage and how to keep an eye on the environment as opposed to simply focusing one mob at a time. I feel it's turned me from a two-skill weaving clutz into someone who will easily be the last person standing when things go wrong in group content.

People saying that it teaches players to know their class inside out is not BS. It's a fact.

Kram8ion · November 2017

Love the juicy hate and frustration at this area it justifies my never stepping fit in there it seems like it’s just not worth the stress but I never hear such horrible things about dragonstar maybe I’ll give that a go

Lylith · November 2017

What are your favorite things about Maelstrom Arena?

nothing.

i still hate it.

WatchYourSixx · November 2017

Anyone who has completed vma enough to know it inside and out can roll through with just about anything they want, any class they want. It definitely does not require you to know your class inside and out. It requires you to know the ARENA inside and out.

My favorite thing about vma is that it is a significant achievement for a large amount of players that complete it. It's soul crushing and excruciating, yet empowering and uplifting from your first victory. Personally and like many others, it's my favorite moment of ESO.

As much as I love the intensity of it, I wish it was about half the length. I've gotten it down to about an HR and 10 min completion with a 56 minute minimum of my last 20 or so runs.

It's so stressful for an hr that it makes me not want to go again. If it was only 4-5 rounds I'd be more inclined to do multiple runs. Maybe it's because I've spent so much time playing 10-40 minute matches of various PVP games, that something taking over an hour on average becomes more monotonous than say a 30-40 min run.

EvilCroc · November 2017

It does not have interesting plot or lore, so it is completely ignorable.

Qbiken · November 2017

Probably one of my favourite content in the game. When I´ve nothing else to do and PvP is the mess it´s always been, vMA is the place to go ("vMA and chill"). I can do a chill run in about 40-50 minutes, get some nice loot, some transmutationstones etc.

Never played vMA for the weapons, I like to push for better scores and climb the leaderboards instead

Beardimus · November 2017

It's great content, its the best measure of how well you know your build and if you are all rounded.

Despite multiple clears on my main going back with Alts often let's me know where they really stand. It's surprising that a subtle change can make all the difference.

What I hate however is the bugs and lag. It's the pin axle of solo content yet its got so many issues that seem would be easy to fix, but appears they are here to stay. A real shame as I love Maelstrom but also hate the bugs.

I too have never run it for try weopons, but just as a character trial to improve on

Feanor · November 2017

I enjoy it, but it would be even better without the lag issues in there. It’s still a very nice experience even after 2 years though as you really have to work in there.

CheepsNSalsa · November 2017

The moment right before I hit 'e' to open the chest. Usually it's followed by an exasperated sigh when I realize I've just wasted an hour and a half on a nirnhoned resto.

Robo_Hobo · November 2017

I've always enjoyed solo trials like that in games, other MMOs and single player games in general. It's always exciting trying to get better and better to be able to do it, knowing that there's a good chance to fail even when trying my best at first.

If I don't die at least 5 or so times trying to do something and giving it my all, or at least get put into several near death situations, I don't get too much enjoyment out of it as far as combat goes anyway. I died many many many more times than just 5 in VMA Xd

ccfeeling · November 2017

Nothing but loots .
Everything is repeating , no surprise .

DoTHurts · November 2017

I can’t seem to get in to the vet version, I know you select veteran dungeon in the group tool but it doesn’t seem to make any difference - always end up in normal. Either that or I’m a LOT better than I thought!

Nuntjako · November 2017

I really enjoyed the challenge the first many times I completed it. I hated it at times, but the moment I completed vma, it was definetly worth it all the hardship.

Now I enjoy the loot and that I can laugh in the face of my once so feared enemies, and kill them with relative ease.

altemriel · November 2017

I want to ask, does it save your progress, of you stay with your character there, but quit the game?

Feanor · November 2017

@altemriel

Yes it does. You don’t get a score or a flawless achievement though.

altemriel · November 2017

Feanor wrote: »

@altemriel

Yes it does. You don’t get a score or a flawless achievement though.

good to know. ok. nevermind about the score or achievement.

And normal version saves it too, I suppose, right?

(I mean, I could not beat even the normal version very long time ago when I tried it, but my build was not good at that time....)

INHUMANENATION · November 2017

Reading how people struggle with it. It eases my feelings of inadequacy from failing so hard initially.

#VMASTRONG

Nuntjako · November 2017

altemriel wrote: »

I want to ask, does it save your progress, of you stay with your character there, but quit the game?

If you pick up the quest and keep it, the arena will save your progress to the stage you're on.

Ch4mpTW · November 2017

My favorite thing about Maelstrom Arena, is sense of relief upon completing it. The feeling of having overcome the bs. Outside of that, there is nothing within the arena itself that I am a favorite of.