My character doesn't have a "build", is that okay?

TiredKhajiit · April 2018

So I'm pretty new to MMOs, and when I started playing ESO I had no idea what a "build" was, so I just kind of chose the abilities I thought were cool/would be good for my character (not for a specific purpose, such as PvP). My main character is currently a level 21, and I'm a decent way through the MQ and my faction's quest. My question is: is it a good to have a character without a build, or should I get rid of my current main character and create one with a more specific purpose?

Bonus question: When having a build for a specific purpose, such as PvP, would you only use it for that purpose, or is that just the main thing you use it for? The reason I ask is because there is a limited amount of character slots, and I would like to plan out how to use them :P

Thanks for any help, and sorry if this is a tad confusing :P

Leandor · April 2018

You have a build. Your build. It fits your purpose. Why should that not work? If it is hybrid-y, so what?

Take your time levelling. Learn as much as you can. Once you're level 50, and have a decent amount of skillpoints (like, 150 or so. Honestly, get skyshard farming asap) and a bit of clue on how things work (you have been reading up stuff or asking questions, right?), go to the respec shrines and change your char over to a dedicated role build.

lygerseye · April 2018

Within the context of experienced players, “builds” refer to the combination of gear, skills, and distribution attribute point that are usually optimised to serve a specific purpose: DPS, heals, tank, and then one of the many variety of hybrid builds.

As noted above... It’s your build. Play how you want!

Oakmontowls_ESO · April 2018

You really will be fine until you try to do any veteran content. You can always respec when you reach that point and make/copy a build that works.

Jhalin · April 2018

If you don’t have much interest in the hardcore end game raiding, then have some fun mixing and matching sets. Once you start understand how the sets and their bonuses work you’ll start getting a feel for how you want your toon to play.

VaranisArano · April 2018

For leveling, as long as you are happy with how you are doing, your current build is fine. If you start struggling on bosses, make sure your gear/weapons are up to level. If problems persist, then you might look at working on a rotation for skills or cohesive gear.

For group content like normal dungeons, it'll be easier with a cohesive build. For my leveling tanks, I usually just make sure I have tanking skills, one hand and shield, and grab the right weight of armor in set pieces from the dungeon and that seems to work fine. For healer, resto staff and light armor. For DPS, you do want a damage rotation of some sort.

For anything harder, you'll benefit from being CP 160 for max level gear. Knowing mechanics and having a rotation will be very beneficial.

Hanokihs · April 2018

Not to mention, just by regularly playing and tweaking as you go, a lot of the "build" or set mechanics are easy to intuit. You'll get a feel for how you like to play and, if it ever matters to you and your personal goals, you'll eventually look up how to fine-tune it.

If not, don't worry! Play your way, and do as you please. You never have to give this stuff a second thought if you don't want to.

Danikat · April 2018

Not only does your character have a build but it's a specific type of build too: it's a custom open-world PvE build. The only thing you're missing is the terminology to describe it to people used to thinking of characters in that way.

Kind of like how I'd never heard about tank characters until a few years ago and thought I had no idea what they were. Turned out I did, I just called them 'front liners' and expected them to have some basic offensive abilities too, but secondary to defence.

It may not be as good as it could be (yet), because you're creating it through personal experimentation rather than getting a head-start by reading up on what other people have found to be effective. But as long as you're prepared for the fact that you may need to spend some time on trial and error to find what works best and you might waste skill points on skills/morphs that prove useless (and then waste gold resetting them at some point) that's ok. In fact it's good for the community as a whole because we need some people willing to experiment in order to get the guides that other people follow. (Not that you need to write guides, I'm just saying we need people with that mind set.)

The other thing to be aware of is that some people will refuse to believe that you can actually achieve anything with a build you created yourself rather than copying it from another player's guide. But honestly I've found the simple way around that is to give it a name, which can be anything, then they tend to assume it's on a fan site somewhere and that makes it ok.

I can't really answer your bonus question because I don't tend to create builds for one specific purpose - which is one form of something called min-maxing - minimising every other aspect of your build in order to maximise the thing/s you want it to do and accepting that they won't be good for anything except that role.

I'm lazy and impulsive - if I decide I want to go to Cyrodiil or get invited to a dungeon with my guild or whatever I don't want to switch characters or change all my skills and gear around - I just want to go. So I tend to either make builds that will work for everything I want to do (I don't do vet mode dungeons/trials) or I make a build for something and muddle through other stuff accepting that it will be more difficult than it could be. But I don't mind difficult so that's ok with me.

Danikat · April 2018

Hanokihs wrote: »

Not to mention, just by regularly playing and tweaking as you go, a lot of the "build" or set mechanics are easy to intuit. You'll get a feel for how you like to play and, if it ever matters to you and your personal goals, you'll eventually look up how to fine-tune it.

If not, don't worry! Play your way, and do as you please. You never have to give this stuff a second thought if you don't want to.

This too. I first looked up builds for one of my characters when I was around level 45 and discovered that I was basically already using what a lot of people recommended, right down to using the same equipment sets. I did discover that some skills I'd previously dismissed as boring or useless could be good with the right morphs and I discovered that a lot of people use Mages/Fighters Guild skills, but there were no big changes.

Gilvoth · April 2018

TiredKhajiit wrote: »

So I'm pretty new to MMOs, and when I started playing ESO I had no idea what a "build" was, so I just kind of chose the abilities I thought were cool/would be good for my character (not for a specific purpose, such as PvP). My main character is currently a level 21, and I'm a decent way through the MQ and my faction's quest. My question is: is it a good to have a character without a build, or should I get rid of my current main character and create one with a more specific purpose?

Bonus question: When having a build for a specific purpose, such as PvP, would you only use it for that purpose, or is that just the main thing you use it for? The reason I ask is because there is a limited amount of character slots, and I would like to plan out how to use them :P

Thanks for any help, and sorry if this is a tad confusing :P

answer to question #1

Yes

answer to question #2

Yes absolutely, i have a crafter and he has his own pve build, i also have apve cave only character and he has his own pve build.

and my main has his own home made pvp build.

perfectly normal and good.

Nestor · April 2018

Nestor wrote: »

Joxer61 wrote: »

Let me ask this....will I be gimping myself and group if I do roll a X Y Z dps?

The best build is one you have fun with.

You don't need BiS to run any content in this game. Outside of competitive trials for leaderboard scores you can do almost anything you want and be successful. And, even in those competitive trials, your rotation under combat has more to do with success then your build.

You want to pull good numbers, work on your rotation combos and timings.

MLGProPlayer · April 2018

Don't worry about "builds" at level 21. Worry about them when you get to CP 160.

Nestor · April 2018

If your new to the game, best thing you can do is try out all the skills for your class and main weapons. Don't have to morph any of this until you later respec and focus once you hit L50 or better CP160. Until then, just keep unlocking skills but leave off on morphs.

By trying out these skills and seeing if you can make them work will help you come build time. If you do a skill or two or three in a sequence, you can come up with some wicked combos. Like a Damage over Time, a Snare and a Spam Damage. You will find something that works for you and that will be a great build for you.

Dragath · April 2018

you don't need a specific build if you are happy with how your character performs.
builds are usually just a cookie cutter way to improve the performance and/or flavor of characters.
good builds are helpful if you take part in content that seems to be too hard for your (not optimized) character.

zaria · April 2018

Oakmontowls_ESO wrote: »

You really will be fine until you try to do any veteran content. You can always respec when you reach that point and make/copy a build that works.

This, note that its an benefit to learn everything while leveling up, this make it less painful to change total setup later like starting to tank.
Meta for leveling magic build is restoration staff back bar simply as its nice to have even if you never queue as an healer
You also have the trick of having skills you don't use but want to level back bar and switch to it then finishing quests to level the skills

Kodrac · April 2018

That's fine while leveling. But you're going to find that once you hit 50 it's a different game. Leveling you can do whatever floats your boat because it's so easy, but it doesn't prepare you for end game. Your mileage may vary depending on how competitive you want to get, though.

TiredKhajiit · April 2018

Thank you all for the comments! I think I now have a much better understanding about what a build is and what it should be used for

Wooticus · April 2018

Someone mentioned not to use Morphs i don't agree go ahead and morph your skills to what you want to try and see how it goes. I cant see any reason to wait to 50 to morph your skills and you can redo them at any time for a bit of gold at the Re Spec Shrine.Best of luck to you..

jaekobcaed · April 2018

I'm not new to MMOs but I'm relatively new to class-based MMOs, as my first was RuneScape (which is 100% classless, thus builds aren't as big of a thing except with gear setups), but I've been playing class-based MMOs since I gave EverQuest 2 a try in early 2014. I still don't usually go with the 'best' builds, I prefer to design my own build as I find it makes me feel like I'm being challenged more and it also makes me feel like the choices are genuinely mine (I still believe MMORPGs should be RPGs first, worry about everything else second). So yeah, maybe people like us may not have the most efficient, effective characters ever but we ARE doing what an RPG is meant to allow: making our own choices to play the game how we want, even if it may not be the most effective way of playing.

SugaComa · April 2018

TiredKhajiit wrote: »

So I'm pretty new to MMOs, and when I started playing ESO I had no idea what a "build" was, so I just kind of chose the abilities I thought were cool/would be good for my character (not for a specific purpose, such as PvP). My main character is currently a level 21, and I'm a decent way through the MQ and my faction's quest. My question is: is it a good to have a character without a build, or should I get rid of my current main character and create one with a more specific purpose?

Bonus question: When having a build for a specific purpose, such as PvP, would you only use it for that purpose, or is that just the main thing you use it for? The reason I ask is because there is a limited amount of character slots, and I would like to plan out how to use them :P

Thanks for any help, and sorry if this is a tad confusing :P

You can respec and as you level you will get scrolls to do it for free

It's not expensive to do unless you have a *** ton of skill points like me (370+)

Just play the game have fun and see what you enjoy doing, you can try builds later at end game when doing group activities at your level it's fun to be s jack of all trades

zaria · April 2018

Wooticus wrote: »

Someone mentioned not to use Morphs i don't agree go ahead and morph your skills to what you want to try and see how it goes. I cant see any reason to wait to 50 to morph your skills and you can redo them at any time for a bit of gold at the Re Spec Shrine.Best of luck to you..

This, morph and then redo if you don't like it, you don't loose anything.

Betsararie · April 2018

No.

It's not. There's a right and a wrong way to play this game (and many games). Make a build and learn how to play or else there's no point.

TiredKhajiit · April 2018

Blanco wrote: »

No.

It's not. There's a right and a wrong way to play this game (and many games). Make a build and learn how to play or else there's no point.

So in your opinion should you have a build from day 1, or only after level 50? I'm interested in seeing how everyone plays the game differently.

Goshua · April 2018

Things.. 'builds' will make at least common sense as time goes by. Soon you will have so many options, trial and error, use of your imagination you can create something that suits and works for you. In saying that I admire the likes of Blobs and JackDaniels (other streamers as well), both very smart and know classes in and out, inspiring.

ZOS_Chris · April 2018

Hey TiredKhajiit!

We're wholeheartedly in agreement with the other players, in that while your build might not be specialized, it suits your purposes and your needs. It's possible you could experiment later down the line depending on what you come up against in the future, though if what you're doing right now works for you and you're happy with it, then lay the smack down with it.

As an aside, we'd also like to thank everyone for their excellent input. Reading what you've had to say in terms of making your custom builds work for you was really great.

Thank you!

Exalted_Goose · April 2018

Lots of good points being made here so far - I'll just add something for if you decide to copy a build from a guide/tutorial, (this can be good for helping you to understand what makes a specialised build, "Good", at its role - you'll notice patterns in what certain players recommend and prioritise, and while each build is attuned to suit the playstyle of the creator, there are some kind-of universal standards that looking at others' builds can teach you). Each and every build is different - they're very personal, and they have to suit you. Never feel the need to copy the build of another piece-by-piece if you don't enjoy the playstyle, or if it doesn't work for you. If you don't like something about the build, change it to suit your preference; everyone has a different way of playing, and you should always feel that you can adjust a build to suit how you want to play.

Also, I'll echo those saying that you don't need BiS gear to have a blast. None of my characters have ever used the best CP layout/gear - I'm very much a mid-tier player anyway - and I still have a whale of a time in both PvP and PvE! Above all, play in a way that'll allow you to have fun, and that fun will drive you to want to improve/specialise.

Betsararie · April 2018

TiredKhajiit wrote: »

Blanco wrote: »

No.

It's not. There's a right and a wrong way to play this game (and many games). Make a build and learn how to play or else there's no point.

So in your opinion should you have a build from day 1, or only after level 50? I'm interested in seeing how everyone plays the game differently.

You don't necessarily need it on (literally) day 1. If it's the first day you're playing the game, it's probably not an issue because you're still learning the game. I'd say maybe the first 3 days of playing the game it's fine to just play aimlessly without any build or knowledge of the game. After that 3 day grace period, though, that's about it. It's now time to find out what you will be doing in the game, acquire the necessary components for a basic build, and continue your practicing to become better at the game. If you're doing PVE and you'll be a DPS, you need to learn and practice a rotation. If you'll be a tank or healer, you need to acquire the proper sets and learn how those roles are played in this game (there are many guides out there for this).

This is not a single player ES game, nor does it play like one. The combat system here requires more skill to pull off and the system has greater depth. Playing the game incorrectly is highly insulting to myself and other players, so that is why it is pivotal that people learn to play the right way early on.

Tabbycat · April 2018

Blanco wrote: »

TiredKhajiit wrote: »

Blanco wrote: »

No.

It's not. There's a right and a wrong way to play this game (and many games). Make a build and learn how to play or else there's no point.

So in your opinion should you have a build from day 1, or only after level 50? I'm interested in seeing how everyone plays the game differently.

You don't necessarily need it on (literally) day 1. If it's the first day you're playing the game, it's probably not an issue because you're still learning the game. I'd say maybe the first 3 days of playing the game it's fine to just play aimlessly without any build or knowledge of the game. After that 3 day grace period, though, that's about it. It's now time to find out what you will be doing in the game, acquire the necessary components for a basic build, and continue your practicing to become better at the game. If you're doing PVE and you'll be a DPS, you need to learn and practice a rotation. If you'll be a tank or healer, you need to acquire the proper sets and learn how those roles are played in this game (there are many guides out there for this).

This is not a single player ES game, nor does it play like one. The combat system here requires more skill to pull off and the system has greater depth. Playing the game incorrectly is highly insulting to myself and other players, so that is why it is pivotal that people learn to play the right way early on.

Unless you're doing difficult end game group content where your team mates are relying on you, there's no "right way" to play.

Since I don't do group content, I will play the game as incorrectly as I want, and that won't affect you one bit.

Betsararie · April 2018

Tabbycat wrote: »

Blanco wrote: »

TiredKhajiit wrote: »

Blanco wrote: »

No.

It's not. There's a right and a wrong way to play this game (and many games). Make a build and learn how to play or else there's no point.

So in your opinion should you have a build from day 1, or only after level 50? I'm interested in seeing how everyone plays the game differently.

You don't necessarily need it on (literally) day 1. If it's the first day you're playing the game, it's probably not an issue because you're still learning the game. I'd say maybe the first 3 days of playing the game it's fine to just play aimlessly without any build or knowledge of the game. After that 3 day grace period, though, that's about it. It's now time to find out what you will be doing in the game, acquire the necessary components for a basic build, and continue your practicing to become better at the game. If you're doing PVE and you'll be a DPS, you need to learn and practice a rotation. If you'll be a tank or healer, you need to acquire the proper sets and learn how those roles are played in this game (there are many guides out there for this).

This is not a single player ES game, nor does it play like one. The combat system here requires more skill to pull off and the system has greater depth. Playing the game incorrectly is highly insulting to myself and other players, so that is why it is pivotal that people learn to play the right way early on.

Unless you're doing difficult end game group content where your team mates are relying on you, there's no "right way" to play.

Maybe it's evident that I don't agree with you or people who say things like that.

I am more in favor of a hardline style approach where enjoyment received in game is strictly based on merit. There's no "just for fun" type mentality if you're discussing this game with me. You either play to do well, and do, or you should be taking some sort of measure to become better.

Kodrac · April 2018

Blanco wrote: »

TiredKhajiit wrote: »

Blanco wrote: »

No.

It's not. There's a right and a wrong way to play this game (and many games). Make a build and learn how to play or else there's no point.

So in your opinion should you have a build from day 1, or only after level 50? I'm interested in seeing how everyone plays the game differently.

You don't necessarily need it on (literally) day 1. If it's the first day you're playing the game, it's probably not an issue because you're still learning the game. I'd say maybe the first 3 days of playing the game it's fine to just play aimlessly without any build or knowledge of the game. After that 3 day grace period, though, that's about it. It's now time to find out what you will be doing in the game, acquire the necessary components for a basic build, and continue your practicing to become better at the game. If you're doing PVE and you'll be a DPS, you need to learn and practice a rotation. If you'll be a tank or healer, you need to acquire the proper sets and learn how those roles are played in this game (there are many guides out there for this).

This is not a single player ES game, nor does it play like one. The combat system here requires more skill to pull off and the system has greater depth. Playing the game incorrectly is highly insulting to myself and other players, so that is why it is pivotal that people learn to play the right way early on.

3 days grace period? Harsh bro.

Ghanima_Atreides · April 2018

Blanco wrote: »

No.

It's not. There's a right and a wrong way to play this game (and many games). Make a build and learn how to play or else there's no point.

Good thing we don't all think the same way you do, and enjoy the game in different ways, eh?

"The point" is having fun; whether that is racing to endgame and becoming as efficient as possible in the first week or taking your time to smell the flowers and experiment with different builds, it all depends on you, OP. It's a game, it should be fun, and there is no single definition of fun.

Personally I have two full accounts on both NA and EU servers and some of those characters are more efficiently built, others are niche/experimental builds I tailored to their backstory or just designed to try something out. I enjoy them all, and don't care at all that they are not as "efficient" as others. Of course, I keep them out of group dungeons and such.

tl;dr, go wild, experiment, see what you like. Unless you're embarking on Veteran content and trials, you will be fine without an optimized build; yes, even after level 50.