Maelstrom Arena is Worse Than PvP!

EmEm_Oh · August 2019

SydneyGrey wrote: »

LOL.
The only part I have a hard time with is the Argonian Behemoth boss. That guy kills me WAY too often.

I did too until I figured out I needed to position myself within a Minder's aoe for negate.

Czekoludek · August 2019

I will just leave it here...

https://youtu.be/MJIqjVfvZo0

Train and die like we all did, after many deaths and screams you will be able to clear arena even without weapons

FlopsyPrince · August 2019

Vicinia wrote: »

Um you're dying continously on normal? Oof.

Would not recommend vMA with all the new variety of bugs, now that's some sadist stuff.

It was the one with poison all over the place. I did not face trouble until then and hit a wall! I had a couple of deaths in the really cold one, but that was not too bad. Too easy to go from full health to dead though.

It just seemed like a never ending series of events. No clear indicator when I was done. Some indicators during the action, but I had no time to read them before I would be dead.

This is definitely not a thing for those of us who don't do trials and such.

I did not think I would hate anything more than PvP, but they got that here.

Buying the motifs seems to be 20K gold or more. I don't have that much spare to spend, so I will pass, regrettably.

FlopsyPrince · August 2019

Integral1900 wrote: »

Normal is not intended to be fun, or pleasant or entertaining... it is intended to be a tedious grind with a ‘we couldn’t be bothered’ plot pasted over the top and god awful rng. It’s a boring, two dimensional tar pit in which you slog away trying to get winterborn gear while knowing in your heart that it’s probably going to be a disappointment just like MA is in general.

Best advice i would give a beginner is study the guides stage by stage as you do them. Don’t try to remember it all. Then it’s light armour, all dps sets, 30k health just to simplify, a shield or two maybe with a hardening enchant on a lightning staff, then just a couple of aoe. The shields hide your health, the 30k pumps their potential max size up, keep you left finger down and as long as you avoid the big mechanics it’s all just a matter of waiting for that 40 minute waste of time to be over.

Vet is a whole diffrent ball game... vet is designed to drive you mad. There are so many bugs in there it’s all but impossible to tell them from the mechanics some times. Then just in case the loot rng gets lonely there are a few mechanics that use rng as well. Do it once and the rest are relatively simple. Although when a gaming god like alcast says it’s easy you way want to take that with a LOT of salt given the vast gulf in skill between players who live in there and the rest of us mere mortals.

I did over two hundred normal runs and nine VMA runs, 8 assorted maelstrom two handlers and a crash that meant i didn’t get to open the 9th chest, all training...............

Before trait changing was a thing..........

Never did get that winterborn jewellery....

Remember, this isn’t meant to be fun. It’s meant to be a challenge 🤨

I play this game to enjoy myself, not to be ready to throw my controller against the wall!

I don't believe I could hit 30K health with my pet sorc. She can solo many public dungeons, but not the poison level here.

Though the lack of knowing when I would be done made it even more frustrating. I shouldn't have started trying it so late only to get frustrated after far more time than I planned.

Michaelkeir · August 2019

FlopsyPrince wrote: »

What sadist at the company thinks forcing stuff like this to earn things is a great idea? And endless arena where I die continually on normal mode? Yeah, that sounds like a great idea for an event! Not!!!!!!

You having problems on Normal? I take below lvl 50 characters under geared characters through Normal. Perhaps you aren't applying your self seriously.

With the right build you can get through veteran quite easily. The 1 bar sorc is one such build. Or a werewolf build. So long as you slot some skills for survival...heals/shields. Enough health to survive 1 shots. Or a tank set along with a dps set. Even for low level CP characters it's quite possible.

Recent · August 2019

So @ Everybody that says dw everyone rips their hair out and throws their controller against the wall, I guess you are all ok with having a stroke or heart attack young cause you know at least you beat vMA even if the stress did kill you in the end.

Seriously, gaming should not cause health problems and vMA sounds like a freaking health hazzard...more toxic than smoking.

Naftal · August 2019

Recent wrote: »

So @ Everybody that says dw everyone rips their hair out and throws their controller against the wall, I guess you are all ok with having a stroke or heart attack young cause you know at least you beat vMA even if the stress did kill you in the end.

Seriously, gaming should not cause health problems and vMA sounds like a freaking health hazzard...more toxic than smoking.

If it doesn't work for your health, you should not do it.

TeamSeinfeld · August 2019

I say there’s no rush and you should take the time to learn the mechanics of each stage. I take ALL of my alts thru VMA one stage at a time. In other words, none start stage 2 until they have ALL completed stage 1. No rush, no pressure. And when events like this come up, I take them all thru stage 8 and leave them until the event starts.

Trinity_Is_My_Name · August 2019

It is pretty easy in Normal. If you are having issues in normal you should take a moment and look at your build, skill and rotations.

beadabow · August 2019

SydneyGrey wrote: »

LOL.
The only part I have a hard time with is the Argonian Behemoth boss. That guy kills me WAY too often.

He's easy! The frickin poison blooms spawning under my feet every three seconds while his menders are shocking the crap out of me are what make Arena 7 such an awful headache!

oddbasket · August 2019

Learn the fights. It's really just stage 5, 6, 7 that I can get unlucky on and die, the rest you really just need to know the fight well and should have no problems.

GraphicArtistYT · August 2019

FlopsyPrince wrote: »

What sadist at the company thinks forcing stuff like this to earn things is a great idea? And endless arena where I die continually on normal mode? Yeah, that sounds like a great idea for an event! Not!!!!!!

Ye. They were supposed to Nerf vet Maelstrom last year but they lied.

RodneyRegis · August 2019

I DID NORMAL MA ON MY LEVEL 6 MAGBLADE.

Cool. 810 cp?

Err, yeah, so?

Minyassa · August 2019

It is very rough at first. I just went through it for the first time myself this last week, and muddling through it without reading anything about it, I flailed through seven rounds by panicked button-mashing and destroyed the utility of my hands and wrists (bad carpal tunnel) for the next couple of days.

Watch the Alcast video. That made ALL the difference for me in the last three rounds. I watched the video for the pertinent round, and then did it with the approach that I was probably going to die a few times learning it. Didn't, but I also have a full CP toon that I geared up according to Alcast's one-bar petsorc build. Seriously this one you need to do some homework for, and it will be rough until you start to get familiar with it. Don't listen to the people who were born with a controller up their butt and think everything is easy. There is a learning curve. You might want to set a rule for yourself to do one arena and then after you beat it, take a break for a few hours or even a day. The worst thing to happen in this venue is to get frustrated and not stop, that screws up all of your perceptions and reflexes and everything. Try not to rush it.

Mashille · August 2019

No [Snip] it's worse than PvP, PvP is awesome

[Edit for censor bypassing]

valeriiya · August 2019

@FlopsyPrince what class are you and what gear are you using?

brandootr · August 2019

nMA and vMA will make you a better player. I struggled through it and am glad I did. Keep at it.

Urusovite · August 2019

Nothing is worse than PvP and you're really just bad at the game. Nothing more to it outside of learn the mechanics and you'll get better. PvP hasn't been taken care of since forever really

Dusk_Coven · August 2019

Trinity_Is_My_Name wrote: »

It is pretty easy in Normal. If you are having issues in normal you should take a moment and look at your build, skill and rotations.

Depends on when you try it and the Wrothgar event is pushing new people into it too fast.
In general, the story quests and such do NOT teach you to make a self-sufficient character who can kill easy world bosses.
Most of the time I see DPS basically out-dps story mode bosses and delve bosses with no self-heals or shields. They can do that because it's story-mode quest PvE and they don't have to learn any other way.
You'd need to play the game for a while and get some skills and learn what you can do before nMA feels reasonable.

FlopsyPrince · August 2019

SidraWillowsky wrote: »

Heatnix90 wrote: »

FlopsyPrince wrote: »

What sadist at the company thinks forcing stuff like this to earn things is a great idea? And endless arena where I die continually on normal mode? Yeah, that sounds like a great idea for an event! Not!!!!!!

@FlopsyPrince you're either a very good troll or you have serious L2P issues if you're struggling on normal.

To be fair, I struggled on normal too when i went in blind without looking at the mechanics, though it was really only stage 7. Maybe OP is doing that?

I didn't count, but stage 7 would seem about right. It is where the poison is all over the floor. I can kill things quickly enough in most cases, but too many things to nuke me quickly there.

My frustration is the it doesn't effectively indicate what is going on and how long this rapid death will continue.

Minyassa wrote: »

It is very rough at first. I just went through it for the first time myself this last week, and muddling through it without reading anything about it, I flailed through seven rounds by panicked button-mashing and destroyed the utility of my hands and wrists (bad carpal tunnel) for the next couple of days.

Watch the Alcast video. That made ALL the difference for me in the last three rounds. I watched the video for the pertinent round, and then did it with the approach that I was probably going to die a few times learning it. Didn't, but I also have a full CP toon that I geared up according to Alcast's one-bar petsorc build. Seriously this one you need to do some homework for, and it will be rough until you start to get familiar with it. Don't listen to the people who were born with a controller up their butt and think everything is easy. There is a learning curve. You might want to set a rule for yourself to do one arena and then after you beat it, take a break for a few hours or even a day. The worst thing to happen in this venue is to get frustrated and not stop, that screws up all of your perceptions and reflexes and everything. Try not to rush it.

I am leveling one of those now, though I am only at about CP600 now. I am not sure the 1 bar would have the AOE, though putting the AOE circle down many not be as effective as the options on the 1-bar build.

Mashille wrote: »

No [Snip] it's worse than PvP, PvP is awesome

I died quite quickly there, so you would love me in it, while I would not be having a good time.

valeriiya wrote: »

@FlopsyPrince what class are you and what gear are you using?

Petsorc with close to the AlcastHQ gear guide though a bit adjusted:

War Maiden's Lightning Staff (2) - One is Revus's Spare Staff of the War Maiden.
Hat of Necropotence
War Maiden's Robe
War Maiden's Epaulets
Sash of Necropotence
War Maiden's Gloves
Breeches of Necropotence
War Maiden's Shoes
(All Magicka enchants)
Wizard's Repost Necklace (Bad enchant I just realized - reduce stamina cost - I will craft something better also massively under leveled at 30)
Ring of Necropotence (blue) (magicka recovery enchant)
Ring of Necropotence (magicka recovery)

Not the best I am sure, but seems reasonable and can do many things if I watch my health. I tend to run with Witchmothers Potent Brew for the Magicka Recovery which is useful as I tend to run out and not get it back if I go otherwise, such as the one alcasthq notes, though I could switch that and see if I ever do this again.

The jewelry is now all CP160, purple and has magical harm enchants (yellow).

I will move this to the "build" forum if that is more appropriate.

Though my CP is not optimized since I also craft and want those things. This is why I was doing Normal, not Veteran. I know I am not twitchy enough. I just want something I can know what I am doing and enjoy it at least a bit.

Dusk_Coven wrote: »

Trinity_Is_My_Name wrote: »

It is pretty easy in Normal. If you are having issues in normal you should take a moment and look at your build, skill and rotations.

Depends on when you try it and the Wrothgar event is pushing new people into it too fast.
In general, the story quests and such do NOT teach you to make a self-sufficient character who can kill easy world bosses.
Most of the time I see DPS basically out-dps story mode bosses and delve bosses with no self-heals or shields. They can do that because it's story-mode quest PvE and they don't have to learn any other way.
You'd need to play the game for a while and get some skills and learn what you can do before nMA feels reasonable.

I would agree. I want something that has a little more aiming along the way. I have to do things of course, but some in-game direction is far more helpful and prevents it from just being frustrating.

I already spend a lot of time on other sites looking for skillpoints, maps, surveys, etc. I shouldn't have to spend hours on things to at least have some direction here on normal difficulty.

[Edit to remove quoted content]

SydneyGrey · August 2019

EmEm_Oh wrote: »

SydneyGrey wrote: »

LOL.
The only part I have a hard time with is the Argonian Behemoth boss. That guy kills me WAY too often.

I did too until I figured out I needed to position myself within a Minder's aoe for negate.

LOL. Yes, I know. Unfortunately, there have been a couple of times when I managed to miss that shield for one reason or another. Once it was because I managed to accidentally kill both of those minders. (Whoops.) Another time it was because I couldn't find them in time when the behemoth screamed. But yes, I do know about that mechanic.

aetherial_heavenn · August 2019

vesselwiththepestle wrote: »

FlopsyPrince wrote: »

What sadist at the company thinks forcing stuff like this to earn things is a great idea? And endless arena where I die continually on normal mode? Yeah, that sounds like a great idea for an event! Not!!!!!!

That's what "play as you want" actually means - not than we can combine randomly skills and gear sets and declare we are playing as we want and it's viable, but there is plenty of stuff in the game to do and it's up to us to decide if we want to go fishing, do housing, do challenging stuff, progress through the raids, go questing, make lots of gold by trading etc.

So you don't want to do challenging stuff, that's completely ok, then go on and move to something what you want to play.

Quoted this snip for truth.
I wish more players understood the fundamental difference between a) getting instant achievement by merely entering content and b) choosing to get the achievements they want to do or are capable of doing and working towards that goal.

Gold and crowns and carries are there for most of the game if you don't want to do b). Maelstrom is one of the few exceptions. If you don't like it, just don't do it. PS. #nerf fishing

[Deleted User] · August 2019

Hello everyone,

Recently we've had to remove a few posts for baiting and flaming, content which is against the Forum Rules. For further posts be sure to stay constructive and respectful to avoid action on one's own account.

Thank you for understanding.

dem0n1k · August 2019

nMA is a walk in the park even if you don't know the mechanics. vMA is where the fun is at! & by fun I mean "OMG the stuns on stage 9 are driving me up the wall" type fun!

lvl10 magicka warden nMA champ! (lol!)

heaven13 · August 2019

FlopsyPrince wrote: »

SidraWillowsky wrote: »

Heatnix90 wrote: »

FlopsyPrince wrote: »

What sadist at the company thinks forcing stuff like this to earn things is a great idea? And endless arena where I die continually on normal mode? Yeah, that sounds like a great idea for an event! Not!!!!!!

@FlopsyPrince you're either a very good troll or you have serious L2P issues if you're struggling on normal.

To be fair, I struggled on normal too when i went in blind without looking at the mechanics, though it was really only stage 7. Maybe OP is doing that?

I didn't count, but stage 7 would seem about right. It is where the poison is all over the floor. I can kill things quickly enough in most cases, but too many things to nuke me quickly there.

My frustration is the it doesn't effectively indicate what is going on and how long this rapid death will continue.

Minyassa wrote: »

It is very rough at first. I just went through it for the first time myself this last week, and muddling through it without reading anything about it, I flailed through seven rounds by panicked button-mashing and destroyed the utility of my hands and wrists (bad carpal tunnel) for the next couple of days.

Watch the Alcast video. That made ALL the difference for me in the last three rounds. I watched the video for the pertinent round, and then did it with the approach that I was probably going to die a few times learning it. Didn't, but I also have a full CP toon that I geared up according to Alcast's one-bar petsorc build. Seriously this one you need to do some homework for, and it will be rough until you start to get familiar with it. Don't listen to the people who were born with a controller up their butt and think everything is easy. There is a learning curve. You might want to set a rule for yourself to do one arena and then after you beat it, take a break for a few hours or even a day. The worst thing to happen in this venue is to get frustrated and not stop, that screws up all of your perceptions and reflexes and everything. Try not to rush it.

I am leveling one of those now, though I am only at about CP600 now. I am not sure the 1 bar would have the AOE, though putting the AOE circle down many not be as effective as the options on the 1-bar build.

Mashille wrote: »

No [Snip] it's worse than PvP, PvP is awesome

I died quite quickly there, so you would love me in it, while I would not be having a good time.

valeriiya wrote: »

@FlopsyPrince what class are you and what gear are you using?

Petsorc with close to the AlcastHQ gear guide though a bit adjusted:

War Maiden's Lightning Staff (2) - One is Revus's Spare Staff of the War Maiden.
Hat of Necropotence
War Maiden's Robe
War Maiden's Epaulets
Sash of Necropotence
War Maiden's Gloves
Breeches of Necropotence
War Maiden's Shoes
(All Magicka enchants)
Wizard's Repost Necklace (Bad enchant I just realized - reduce stamina cost - I will craft something better also massively under leveled at 30)
Ring of Necropotence (blue) (magicka recovery enchant)
Ring of Necropotence (magicka recovery)

Not the best I am sure, but seems reasonable and can do many things if I watch my health. I tend to run with Witchmothers Potent Brew for the Magicka Recovery which is useful as I tend to run out and not get it back if I go otherwise, such as the one alcasthq notes, though I could switch that and see if I ever do this again.

The jewelry is now all CP160, purple and has magical harm enchants (yellow).

I will move this to the "build" forum if that is more appropriate.

Though my CP is not optimized since I also craft and want those things. This is why I was doing Normal, not Veteran. I know I am not twitchy enough. I just want something I can know what I am doing and enjoy it at least a bit.

Dusk_Coven wrote: »

Trinity_Is_My_Name wrote: »

It is pretty easy in Normal. If you are having issues in normal you should take a moment and look at your build, skill and rotations.

Depends on when you try it and the Wrothgar event is pushing new people into it too fast.
In general, the story quests and such do NOT teach you to make a self-sufficient character who can kill easy world bosses.
Most of the time I see DPS basically out-dps story mode bosses and delve bosses with no self-heals or shields. They can do that because it's story-mode quest PvE and they don't have to learn any other way.
You'd need to play the game for a while and get some skills and learn what you can do before nMA feels reasonable.

I would agree. I want something that has a little more aiming along the way. I have to do things of course, but some in-game direction is far more helpful and prevents it from just being frustrating.

I already spend a lot of time on other sites looking for skillpoints, maps, surveys, etc. I shouldn't have to spend hours on things to at least have some direction here on normal difficulty.

[Edit to remove quoted content]

You actually don't want to kill things too fast, at least the shield tenders on the final boss. For the other adds, prioritize the venom callers (the argonians that 'pray' on the pads and turn the room green), then the venom shots who will poison arrow you and, more importantly, taking-aim you (which is a one-shot). There's a lot of RNG mechanics because of where the poison flowers can spawn. If you do accidentally step in one, hurry as fast as you can to one of the green cleansing pools that are on either side, but be careful; they do not respawn until the round is over.

I see that you say you are CP600: is there a reason you are not using a monster set? Iceheart is a great magicka set for beginners as it gives you extra shields when you crit so there is a little more forgiveness.

I would also recommend switching your food to blue food. Regen is nice, but it's better to heavy attack whenever you can (which is so much nicer with lightning staves, god I hate HA with fire so much). If you're having issues with dodging/bashing, maybe try a tri-stat. Tri-stat potions also work nicely for this, particularly on the final boss.

I'd recommend checking out @Joy_Division's guide. It's meant to help people clear vMA, but it's still relevant if you're having issues with normal.

SaucyMcSauceface · August 2019

darthgummibear_ESO wrote: »

SaucyMcSauceface wrote: »

I find it odd the the ping in Maelstrom is often equivalent to a PvP area, but a video showing the mechanics should mean that you can clear normal without too much trouble. Alcast has quite a good video walking through the whole thing and explaining the mechanics,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lu2kIZWjXg8

Joy Division also has a great walkthrough
https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/381682/joys-new-and-improved-guide-to-beating-maelstrom-arena/p1

both are explanations for vet maelstrom, but they will take you through it on normal as well.

Is that still relevant with the pet nerfs?

Yep, still works a treat.

FlopsyPrince · August 2019

heaven13 wrote: »

You actually don't want to kill things too fast, at least the shield tenders on the final boss. For the other adds, prioritize the venom callers (the argonians that 'pray' on the pads and turn the room green), then the venom shots who will poison arrow you and, more importantly, taking-aim you (which is a one-shot). There's a lot of RNG mechanics because of where the poison flowers can spawn. If you do accidentally step in one, hurry as fast as you can to one of the green cleansing pools that are on either side, but be careful; they do not respawn until the round is over.

I see that you say you are CP600: is there a reason you are not using a monster set? Iceheart is a great magicka set for beginners as it gives you extra shields when you crit so there is a little more forgiveness.

I would also recommend switching your food to blue food. Regen is nice, but it's better to heavy attack whenever you can (which is so much nicer with lightning staves, god I hate HA with fire so much). If you're having issues with dodging/bashing, maybe try a tri-stat. Tri-stat potions also work nicely for this, particularly on the final boss.

I'd recommend checking out @Joy_Division's guide. It's meant to help people clear vMA, but it's still relevant if you're having issues with normal.

Looks like reasonable advice. I will try to follow it if I ever set foot in their again.

I am obviously a relatively newbie tot he game and I would have no way of knowing (in the game at least) not to kill everything. Kill some things quick and others slow? That goes against how things work in the rest of the game. (I don't do trials, at least not yet.)

I doubt I will worry about it now though, especially since the event is past.