Had a break from ESO. Came back to play Summerset. Although I’m currently finding the story very compelling - unfortunately, the easiness of the overland content is completely immersion breaking, in my opinion.

For example, take any quest from the game. It nicely builds up a particular threat to Tamriel you need to get rid of, you hear the great back story, you do X Y and Z to prepare, but then - you end up killing this hugely built up threat in a couple of hits if you’re a semi high end player.

And yes. Before you start. I know I can make things more challenging by not allocating my CP, play naked or do some other content. But why should I have to?

Every time a new Chapter or Zone DLC comes out, it feels as if the only way I can properly immerse myself with the story aspect is to start a new character. I think this is a bit unfair. Why can’t I use my main character to enjoy the newly released story?

I don’t know any other MMO where the player can simply blast through any new story content if they have a semi high end character.

I just feel as if this is a big shame because the story that comes with each new content release - I feel - is always so interesting and immersive but, these feelings quickly fade because of the easiness of the content.

To say new story content isn’t meant to be challenging for high end players - only trials and vet dungeons etc. - isn’t fair. Especially bearing in mind that Elder Scrolls games are known for being heavily story driven.

I know the positive reasons as to why the overland/story content is easy - because of One Tamriel etc. But, surely there can be some new story content that can be released just for high end players? For example, some form of new reworked Adventure Zone? I’m sure whatever was released for high end players only wouldn’t dissuade new players from starting the game.

Lastly, with CP constantly being increased but story/overland content never getting any harder - surely this will break aforementioned content eventually? As players will just be way too powerful in the future.

CONCLUSION

First, thanks to everyone who has given their input regarding this topic. I’ve tried to carefully consider everyone’s views. And I’ve come to the following opinion –

Although I would like some specific change or content release for high end players, I do recognise, after reading people’s views on this thread, that this is not really viable.

Creating a harder version of overland content for higher end players – would revert ESO to post One Tamriel. Creating a zone like Craglorn – I haven’t yet seen any good arguments to persuade me that this could work successfully in practice. Ultimately, ZoS have a model that works and generates money – so why change it?

There just simply isn’t a big enough demand from high end players to make overland content more challenging – I completely recognise this. That said, it’s clear to see from this thread alone that they’re a lot of players that do feel immersion completely breaks due to easy content.

So, taking all the views I’ve considered together – I think the following idea or, something similar would be great:

LioraValkyrie wrote: »

The answer to this problem, as always, is UNDAUNTED MEAD:

The undaunted quartermaster at each enclave should sell a drink that removes all CP effects and increases damage taken by 50% while in overland zones. Each additional mead consumed increases damage taken by a further 50%. Drink as many as you like, and your max health, magicka and stamina will be increased by a big fat zero. All monsters killed while under the influence of Undaunted Mead drop more gold, and any mobs that drop set items have a chance to drop two items instead of one.

1000+CP with 50k DPS? No problem! Grab some mead and get questing!

It's just no fun to gimp yourself as a workaround to the easiness of the story content. An increase in difficulty must be built into the story itself. I could imagine receiving a letter from Maj when you reach CP cap, explaining how mundane foes like wolves and bandits must be getting incredibly dull for you now that you have braved so many dangers, and that those who are truly undaunted often find great pleasure in chugging down a mug of her special brew before hitting the road...

I can’t see how the above would have any negative impact on the game. I’m not even suggesting extra rewards if a player decided to use such an item. Just a simple, discretionary option available for high end players who want to enjoy newly released Chapters and/or Zone DLCs without the immersion of the story breaking due to killing everything with a whisper. For players who like things the way they’re, don’t use the item – simple.

The above idea is much better than artificially handicapping yourself by way of wasting gold resetting CP and/or running around naked. This idea is much more fluid and lore friendly.

On an ending note aka last desperate plea to ZoS. I remember playing when vet levels were still around; becoming level 50 and having my showdown with Molag Bal – after going through a somewhat difficult main story questline. When I beat him, I remember feeling a huge sense of accomplishment, as the battle was quite epic and the story leading up to it was interesting and fun. But, I was thinking about this recently. Imagine if a new player ended up levelling by doing all the Chapters and DLCs first, and for whatever reason did the main story questline last…the final showdown with Molag Bal would be so underwhelming, as the fight would be far too easy.

I get that ZoS needs to attract new players. I get that story line content must be balanced to a certain extent due to the nature of MMOs. But, I also get that so much hard work goes into the main quests in this game, especially with new Chapters. And so, I think it’s just a real shame to see all that awesome story telling fall by the wayside – for high end players – when you finally confront the main antagonist of a quest…and kill them with a light attack.

Please, ZoS, consider everything that has been set out in this thread.