After playing ESO since PC open betas and being an MMO vet of 20+ years the one thing that has always bothered me about ESO is a lot of the skill animations and it's combat. You know as well as I do that combat plays a huge role in these games and so they need to top notch and keep you engaged. I recently in another thread on the general forum brought up the fact I was recently thinking about my Magden and what I would do to make the class more fun to play by remembering from past games what classes hooked me and why. I feel in my opinion it has to do with the animations of a lot of our skills are pretty bland, their sound effects arn't the best on some, and lastly most of them don't have that feel of power or impact that gets you fired up in the fight. One of the skills that I always feel has an impact is should is uppercut/Dizzying swing. When I hit mobs with that ability bloodlust kicks in. Hit someone with Force pulse and guess what..where's the force? It feels like it should be named pew pew pulse. Here's a list of some of the skills I feel need to be revamped and why. I will admit I havne't played a sorc or NB much so you guys will need to chime in on which of those need help.
Warden
1. Shalks- To me the animation is poorly done. You begin with this highly telegraphed fist slam and then you have to wait..Instead of having these beast crawling from the earth in the line of fire to attack the targets you have these ghost shalks flare up and then roar into an explosion sound. This is an animal skill line, not a ghost beast line. Make it feel more alive!
2. Dive- This ability needs to be a real hawk or eagle. II get it, the class was releasd in morrowind so it had to be some, once again ghostly, appropriate creature. The thing is this should be an animal that is from all zones and not just the cliff racer. I feel the sound of it and it's impact is pretty good.
3. Swarm- I really like the sound and look of this ability. Shame it's not a better skill though so I could have it on main bar. To me its an iconic warden skill, especially for a druidic magden.
4. Living Vines- I really like this ability but the animation wraps the damn vine around have my face like an anaconda. It looks like a rushed skill animation that needs to be tweaked.
5. Artic Wind- To me this ability should show dust being kicked up with more visible effects and a sustained wind sound. Right now it's pretty lame.
Templar
1. Puncturing sweep and Biting Jabs- The poor animation and visuals on this skill have always irritated me. Since we don't have real spears in the game I had to play a stamden early on. IMO the beginning skill and the stamina morph should look like a real spear. Add a glint of reflective light on the tip but all skills don't have to be class specific colors. That;s boring. If you go the mag route it should then turn into a spear of light. Now only that I feel they should have added abit more to the animation except for just 4 boring straight jabs. Add a few different height thrusts or a spin in there, something.
2. Piercing Javelin- I think this should get the real spear/mag spear treatment sweep above would get.
Destruction Staff
1. Force Shock- I mentioned this above but it's impact feels like a wet noodle hitting. There's nothing forceful about it. The animation could also use a better animation. I also feel it should add a slight stagger or mini knockback to the enemy. I'm not talking about a knockdown, just a step back or two.
Dual Wield
1. Flurry- Let's be honest, this skill looks *** poor. I mean would it have killed them to design a skill that looked cool. Maybe a left hand thrust, overhead slash, and then a dual thrust into the target. Something exciting..something entertaining? Another issue is the whole animation when coupled with axes and hammers. This skills animation need to change if you are using those two weapons. Thrusting with 2 hammers or axes just looks stupid and real poorly done.
Bow
1. Ballista- Automated turret..come on man..
One handed & Shield
1. Puncture- Its been a while on this one but doesnt it also suffer from the flurry skill animation with hammers and axes and thrusting?
2. Power Bash- Once again been awhile since I dont tank but if I remember right this ability didn't have that heavy hitting impact a shield bash should. Anyone that's played Lotro, Daoc, or Warhammer know that satisfying feeling when you shield slam an opponent in the face. It just feels right and had the crushing sound to back it up.
Skill's animations I feel they did a good job on
1. Uppercut
2. Reverse Slash
3. arrow spray
4. rapid fire
5. hidden blade
6. whirlwind
7. swarm
8. healing seed
9. Winters Revenge
10. wall of elements
11. destructive touch
12. Stonefist-Awesome visuals, sounds, and impact
13. Obsidian Shield- Just looks so cool
14. Petrify- Awesome looking visuals
15. Dragon Leap
16. Dark Talons
17. Magma Armor
18. Inhale (Looks like the art & animation guys spent a lot of time on the DKs looks and sounds)
19. mages fury
20. Crystal Shards
21. Imbue weapon (I wish this was a toggled buff though)
So what other abilities would you like to see reworked to get on par with the beautiful world we play in?
Edited by Zardayne on November 29, 2018 4:49PM