Worn out by raids from WoW, how is this game for soloing?

sutasafaia · December 2017

I really need a break from raiding in a bad way. The schedules, the complaining, the pressure...you know how it is. I kind of already know this game is good for a solo player but I haven't played in a fairly long time, is it still good? I was torn between this and SWtoR.

If I did come back to this game, which class would you say solo's best? I have zero interest in PvP as of right now, and while I may make a grouper later on if I get really into the game again, my first concern is solo. Just need a break...burned out so bad. Last time I played the top three were MSorc, MBlade, and MPlar. That still about right? Any of them better than the others for soloing? I remember Blade being a bit of a PITA to play but I did love stealth...

I do have the expansion, just never got around to playing it.

Thanks in advance.

RebornV3x · December 2017

The game is pretty easy to solo I would say 90% of the entire game and most of the overland quests, delves can be soloed in your sleep if your got decent gear and cp even most 4 man normal dungeons and overland bosses can be solo'd with little effort the only group mandatory content is vet dungeons and 12 man trials/raids. This is the 2nd easiest MMO ive played only to Skyforge just barely (One Tamriel made the game harder since everything is technically leveled to you so you can't over level/grind.)

Waffennacht · December 2017

Almost all non dlc veteran 4 man Dungeons can be soloed, and some dlc ones too

fred4 · December 2017

Just to be clear, Waffenacht is telling you that some of the content, designed for groups, can be soloed. He is a seasoned player who has run out of other stuff to do

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When you start out, there are lots of quests to do, a la Skyrim. As Reborn says, this is possibly 90% of the game in terms of land area, and also sheer volume of quests. All of that is easy to do. If you like the lore, and the quest stories, then this is for you. Almost every expansion has brought more of this type of content.

Moving on, there are dolmens and world bosses throughout the land. These vary in difficulty from easy to medium hard, by endgame standards, and can practically all be soloed. You will typically run into farmers who do this stuff with you, as bosses drop desirable loot (armor sets). Furthermore there are countless delves and public dungeons, not typically very hard, but a notch above the questing content. These usually have stories associated with them.

As Waffenacht said, some of the group dungeons can be soloed. The challenge here varies from interesting to near impossible, but there is also a tendency to verge on the tedious for a solo player.

The standout content that's actually designed for solo is something called Maelstrom Arena in the Orsinium DLC. In it's veteran mode it is some of the toughest content full stop. It can be very frustrating, until you master it, but it is certainly not tedious.

fred4 · December 2017

I don't really think there is a class that soloes badly.

Magblade is very versatile, and capable of great AOE damage, which you need for soloing. Stealth allows you to skip content you don't care for. Many skills have built-in healing while you attack.

A magicka templars main attack is both single target, AOE, and heals. I don't play this class, but I'd say it's easy soloing.

Wardens also have a lot of healing and a mixed single target / AOE attack. People complain about them not being ideal for top-end DPS, but for solo they are fine.

Although sorcerers are more single target focused, they have access to AOE weapon skills, like everyone, and they can make use of pets, which take away some of the aggro. I believe this makes them easy to solo with, especially early in the game.

DKs are tanky. I think a magicka DK has a fairly complicated playstyle, but they hae some of the best ultimates and crowd control skills, so I don't see a problem with

The stamina variations of these classes mainly rely on a common set of weapon skills, shared between all. They are all capable of solo play. DKs are naturally resilient. Stamsorcs less so, but have some good AOE and healing options nonetheless. I am unsure that stamina templars have much going for them in the healing department, so I'd maybe avoid them for solo. The same goes for stamina nightblades, although they can be super strong when played expertly. It is entirely possible to get healing from weapon skill lines and armor sets (Troll King), but one issue you'll have with any stamina class is that you'll want a healing skill called Vigor, which will require some PvP to get.

newtinmpls · December 2017

Lots of pretty, lots of killable, lots of friendly folks in zone....I'd say it's pretty cool

sutasafaia · December 2017

Well, I gave Magblade, plar, and sorc a try (havent gotten around to warden yet). I think I may not be being entirely fair to them though, honestly. I took them to the candle place...I forget what it's called, it's an instance right near the Breton starting area. Has quite a few bosses inside, it's under a tree, can't remember it to save my life. The sorc was infinitely easier because the pet could basically tank the bosses. Magplar got wrecked since I had to be in melee and couldn't keep up the healing in the slightest and magblade eventually won after dancing around for a long time and kiting like crazy. But again, considering how early game it is, I feel like I'm not judging the classes very fairly here...

How do the three do later on for soloing? Do the others ever catch up? I have to assume they do since they seem like popular recommendations.

Illurian · December 2017

sutasafaia wrote: »

Well, I gave Magblade, plar, and sorc a try (havent gotten around to warden yet). I think I may not be being entirely fair to them though, honestly. I took them to the candle place...I forget what it's called, it's an instance right near the Breton starting area. Has quite a few bosses inside, it's under a tree, can't remember it to save my life. The sorc was infinitely easier because the pet could basically tank the bosses. Magplar got wrecked since I had to be in melee and couldn't keep up the healing in the slightest and magblade eventually won after dancing around for a long time and kiting like crazy. But again, considering how early game it is, I feel like I'm not judging the classes very fairly here...

How do the three do later on for soloing? Do the others ever catch up? I have to assume they do since they seem like popular recommendations.

They're all very decent classes for soloing.

Magplars have a myriad of self heals but the most notable are Breath of Life for burst heals and Puncturing Sweep for HoTs. You heal while you deal damage, so technically you could just spam Puncturing Sweeps and stay alive while taking the enemy down.

Magsorcs self-sustain through Power Surge (HoT) and Twilight Matriach (burst heal). Power Surge heals when you crit, so it works wonders in AoE situations and when combined with Boundless Storm.

Magblades also have a ton of self-sustain options: Swallow Soul serves as a HoT as well as the main spammable, Siphoning Attacks works as a HoT if you are weaving correctly and Sap Essence keeps you alive in AoE situations.

I know you didn't mention the other 2 classes but MagDKs have self sustain through Burning Embers and Coagulated Blood while Magdens have a whole healing tree (much like Templars) so take your pick.

Not to mention you could just equip a Restoration Staff while soloing on any (magicka) class to keep Rapid Regeneration/Mutagen up or to give yourself a shield with Healing Ward.

A lot of the survivability from skills come from the morphs, so really pick what you enjoy and give it a little more time.

vovus69 · December 2017

magplar is perhaps easiest guy in the universe in the beginning of the game - just spam sweeps and you will be fine.

All of those three are able to easily do all solo content and some group content solo. But you need to be cp600+ or so if you want to do WB solo, or go to group dungeons in Craglorn solo.

Two best classes to play solo are magsorc+ pet and warden + pet. In those cases you have like a group. Pet will tank and dps, you will dps and heal in case of warden. If you are sorc, pets can even heal too.

Good thing about group dungeons in Craglorn - they are instanced. So you will be alone in them, guaranteed.

Half of the normal group dungeons are soloable too. The simplest are normal CoA1, BC1, SC1, etc. Second version is tougher and you will need to figure out mechanics at some point.

Vets are also soloable, but it will be longer and more hard to do - too much mechanics.

So, content is spread around really at all levels - from very easy stuff like delves to really hard ones from solo perspective.

Unfortunately, to get the BIS armor you will need to go to trials, but difference is not really that big. The main problem will be in monster set. For that you have to run a vet dungeon, but even here there is a chance that you can buy the mask and shoulder for 100k gold on yellow trader in Cyrodiil. It might take time because this trader is there only over weekends and selling just two sets per week. But it is the way if you need it.

-vovus

Runefang · December 2017

If you are a solo player then trial gear is definitely not BiS, except maybe Two-fanged Snake on a stam char. Trial gear is only BiS in dungeons and trials.

Personally I'd recommend magsorc as your first character. Between pets, self heals, shields and some obvious synergies with the destro line they are easy solo mode. When you hit 160cp and want to farm gear solo you'll be glad to have a sorc. Also the easiest vma class.

Magblades are second easiest to level since the main spammable (swallow soul) also heals you. They're harder to play at end game though with one of the hardest rotations.

sutasafaia · December 2017

Yea, that makes it sound like I was absolutely judging the classes way too early, didn't even have all their powers unlocked. Magsorc is definitely the easiest at low level though, the Magplar didn't have the magicka sustain to keep up with any kind of useful healing against the bosses in there, they hit pretty hard. The pet just basically sat there and ate hits for me until I had to resummon it, kite around a little until the pet got hate back, then sit there spamming again.

I still haven't gotten around to warden, I really need to...

DosPanchos · December 2017

Honestly, your class doesn't matter that much. Pick what you like and solo to your heart's content.

So far I find stam users more enjoyable over magic

WrathOfInnos · December 2017

I didn't play Wow, but I hear the raids are very long and require massive groups. ESO raids require only 12 people (4 for DSA) and take about 30 mins to an hour. Soloing is fun, but don't let another game burn you out on ESO raids.