(Very) old player returning, looking for some guidance

Tantala · January 2018

I think the first time I played ESO they had just launched the veteran system. Or perhaps were about to. I do remember getting to level 50 and being given the chance to play the storyline again on another alliance which was possibly why I left. I returned briefly a while back and enjoyed myself playing several chars at low level but never got seriously involved for RL reasons. RL has calmed down and I am back with a fresh copy of Morrowind, a character of a class I've never played before and an ESO plus subscription giving me access to a stack of DLC. Great ...

So, I'm not going to ask for class and quest info - figuring that out is part of the fun - and I've worked out how I can get back into the original main storyline. What I can't figure out is all the DLC. Does the game introduce that at appropriate times or do I have to trigger it myself via collections and if so, when. Is there an optimum time to start the thieves guild quest, for example. Should I leave all the geographic expansions until I complete the main quest? You get the picture. And are there Rumsfeld "Unknown Unknowns", ie any things I should know that I don't know enough to ask about?

All helpful advice will be gratefully received!

Ghanima_Atreides · January 2018

Welcome back!

Does the game introduce that at appropriate times or do I have to trigger it myself via collections and if so, when

You can begin any DLC at any time, it doesn't trigger automatically. You may have noticed that there are no more levels in the world and you can travel to any zone/alliance you want (this was a change introduced by One Tamriel). You are automatically scaled to CP160 (as are all the enemies) which means all content is available to you from the beginning.

Is there an optimum time to start the thieves guild quest, for example.

As stated above, there are no level restrictions and everything can be done as a character fresh out of the creator or a veteran....that being said, unlocking and training your skills still matters, and things will be easier when you have levelled up more. The Thieves Guild in particular relies a lot on stealth, and if you're not a Nightblade levelling Legerdemain helps...but it is by no means compulsory. I played that DLC with a brand new character.

Should I leave all the geographic expansions until I complete the main quest?

That's up to you. Although they can be done in any order, for continuity's sake you should probably finish your main alliance quest before tackling the DLC, but there will be no major repercussions if you don't. Playing through the main game first does mean that some recurring NPCs will recognise you later in DLC areas, but that's about it.

Mic1007 · January 2018

All the DLCs can be started within the world. Thieves Guild and Dark Brotherhood can be started in any Outlaw Refuge, Imperial City from the Alliance Base in Cyrodiil, Orsinium from an NPC that chases you, etc.

Tantala · January 2018

Thanks guys. That covers my main concerns about getting the storyline all twisted or ending up having to backtrack to sort out the DLC. I'd noticed there was some sort of autolevelling going on and the reference to "One Tamriel" let me track it down. It seems to work quite smoothly although I have always been a little suspicious of such things as I have always had a tendency to see if I can sneak through a quest when well short of the recommended level

I'll probably play most of Morrowind then take the boat to the original starting areas and pick up the main quest. I can roll in the DLCs as I go if the main seems a bit too familiar or otherwise leave them to the end.

If you see a confused and lost looking warden called Spidersilk wandering around give her a wave and point her at the nearest inn - she might even buy you a drink

Ghanima_Atreides · January 2018

You're welcome, and best of luck to Spidersilk.

Oh another thing to mention is that gear is quite important, especially as you level up. Level up crafting and make new gear every few levels in order not to outlevel your current gear too much or you will become progressively weaker. If you hate crafting, you could also make do with drops you get in the world (but crafting is very handy for the sets you can make) or join a guild which provides crafting services.

Tomg999 · January 2018

One note regarding One Tamriel & the leveling, keep an eye on your gear as you level 1-50, and you may not want to put off getting skyshards and such. Many find that as they progress they get weaker (relatively) unless they gain skills and better gear.
That said, you may also notice that the overland world is a lot easier than it used to be.

Nestor · January 2018

Tantala wrote: »

So, I'm not going to ask for class and quest info - figuring that out is part of the fun - and I've worked out how I can get back into the original main storyline. What I can't figure out is all the DLC. Does the game introduce that at appropriate times or do I have to trigger it myself via collections and if so, when. Is there an optimum time to start the thieves guild quest, for example. Should I leave all the geographic expansions until I complete the main quest? You get the picture. And are there Rumsfeld "Unknown Unknowns", ie any things I should know that I don't know enough to ask about?

All helpful advice will be gratefully received!

You kind of have to start the DLC stuff on your own, but there are quest givers out and about that accost you and give you a starter quest:

Note, Thievery and Murder have been introduced and each zone Capital has an Outlaw Refuge where you can fence or launder stolen loot.

Thieves Guild - Wren in the Outlaw Refuge will politely ask for help
Dark Brotherhood - someone in the Outlaw Refuge will whisper for you to come over
Wrothgar - An Orc will accost complaining about how long she has been looking for you
ClockWorkCity - Actually not sure, but someone in Deeshan near the Temple should get you going there. Me, I just showed up i the zone with the only character I have done that content with
Craglorn A guy near a cart in one of the Alliance Capitals will talk about Star Gazers

There is no real set order to do the DLC's, but I would wait for you to have some extra skill points to invest in the passive they offer. You do earn some skill points doing the content, but I not enough for everything to be skilled up. Wrothgar is fat for Experience and is best saved for when you reach Champ Rank (the old veteran ranks). Level up to 50 using the Original Alliance Zones.

Legerdemain, which is stealing, picking pockets and locks is not part of the Thieves Guild, but is a good source of money and nice passives for the more larcenous activities.

One Tamriel has changed completely how you level your character. Well, not completely, but significantly. First, you are Scaled up to CP160 and all mobs are CP160. But, you need to wear gear that is close to your level or you will be really weak. I would say no more than 5 to 10 levels difference between your character and your gear. What Specific Gear is not super important while leveling, as long as you have gear on. Your also buffed big time while leveling and this buff goes away as you approach CP160. As you get higher in levels approaching this, your gear becomes more and more important. But, by this time, your familiar with the game and how it does things and what gear you want to use.

Now, there are two ways to level to end game ranks, questing and doing the content, or leveling your character by grind like activities and then doing the content. If your going to quest, then just do that, everything will take care of itself. If you want to level up first, then do content, I will give you a guide below on how to best level a character that is flexible and versatile and not a one trick pony:

What to do with Skill Points and Builds while Leveling (Open Spoiler)

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.

Efficient Non Spoiler Way to Level and Effective Character

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.For most efficient Lore Book collecting, stick to one Alliance's zones for the first 5, then farm other zones.

Nestor · January 2018

If your PC/NA, send me an email in the game to @Nestor and I can get you in a couple of good guilds that can help you out as get going again.

Pheefs · January 2018

If you care about the quests/story having continuity Orsinium & Craglorn are both technically set after the main quest.
the rest could pretty much be sideways/concurrent to the plane meld.

have fun!

Tantala · January 2018

Thanks again guys, lots of good hints and tips there I actually tripped over that outlevelling your gear thing - I was having a little trouble with killing Chodala and when I checked a couple of my armour pieces were well low. Replacing them gave me the edge I needed.

Since this is a complete restart in new content I am following the storyline and picking up quests rather than going the quick levelling route - you miss too much if you go too fast first time through. For the sake of tidiness I will save Orsinium and Craglorn until I've done the main questline.

Nestor, thanks for the offer but I'm on EU.

The Elder Scrolls Online

(Very) old player returning, looking for some guidance

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