How do you prepare for veteran dungeons if running in PUGs or circumstantial premade groups?

CasgarTheSomnolent · February 2020

I make sure I've done the normal version first, although honestly in most dungeons and trials, it's easy enough to just burn through that I think I learn the least about actual mechanics from this.

For vet dungeons, I read Xynode's guides. For vet trials, I read Alcast's guides. For vet DLC dungeons, I read the guides at https://esoplanet.com/category/dungeon-guides/ which are by far the best DLC guides, I think.

I have a second monitor, and I keep the guide up during the dungeon or trial, but there's often little time to scroll and read once it starts, so I make sure I've skimmed it ahead of time.

If I haven't done something before, I let the group know at the beginning and ask to know about any mechanics when appropriate. People have always been very accommodating. I also let them know if I'm doing the quest, so they'll know if I have to lag behind at times. ALWAYS let people know if you're doing the quest in four-man dungeons, so they don't wonder if you're AFK or something when you're hanging back.

For trials, I make sure I know which adds to focus to make the group's job easier. I've run a lot of Sanctum Ophidia lately trying to get a pair of TFS guards, and I make sure to always focus overchargers first, then trolls, then everything else. Even if I don't know EVERYTHING about the trial, I at least know about that one recurring thing so I can do the best I can to help the group.

All things considered, I do think that just being up front about your lack of knowledge when you enter a PUG is the number one thing you can do to make you and the group run best.

bmnoble · February 2020

Depends if I want the helmet or a guild mate wants the helmet in that dungeon badly enough.

I usually do them in normal so no the basics of what to expect but will generally read a guide to see what the boss mechanics are in greater detail and how to deal with them as the tank.

Of course in PUGS though even doing everything the guide says your suppose to as the tank does not guarantee, the rest of the group will know what to do, so unless its an easy Vet dungeon I will try to get a group together from one of the guilds I am in preferably a group that has all looked at the same guides.

max_only · February 2020

I don’t do homework for video games. Then again, I don’t pug dungeons I can’t solo.

Nevasca · February 2020

I usually learn better by playing it, so I just hop in blind.

A lot of the fights are basically avoid red, and also in the latest DLCs most NPCs actually tell you what to do for very specific mechanics (HOF upstairs for example Dyvaith Fyr tells you when you need to go). Bosses usually have tells for their mechanics so it's not like you can't figure it out on your own. Also if there's someone in the group who knows the mechanics you can just follow what they are doing and be fine.

Never had any issues so far. I feel like guides overexplain and concentrate on things that are not even important. There's some guides that are pages long when it could be just a paragraph at best.

Jaimeh · February 2020

I run frequently in semi PUGs, and if it's a new dungeon then I learn as we go, and ask the others if they know how a mechanic works, or if they don't, we try to figure it out, and come up with a strategy. That part is the most fun actually. I learned most dungeons like that hence for some fights I still don't know all the intricacies.

Michae · February 2020

Raisin wrote: »

Michae wrote: »

I don't, I hate those. Everybody (well, almost everybody) acts high and mighty and they kick you for silliest of things so I don't even have a chance to "git gud".

Shame you had such bad experiences that you got the impression. You're free to enjoy whatever content you want, but speaking from experience that's not accurate at all. My friends list is full of sweet people I met pugging. I've really bonded over what felt like actual adventures in there. If it's not your kind of content that's fine of course, but I really hope you're not actually interested in these dungeons and letting the bad experiences hold you back!

I do PUGs mind you, just not veteran ones. Normal is pretty chill and I also have pretty nice people I met on random dungeons on my friends list. But I found vet players to be impatient, and since I haven't really completed every dungeon on normal yet I really don't bother with vet stuff. I had some forum people help me with veteran dungeons once and it was pretty nice, but I just stay out of random vet content.

Raisin · February 2020

Michae wrote: »

Raisin wrote: »

Michae wrote: »

I don't, I hate those. Everybody (well, almost everybody) acts high and mighty and they kick you for silliest of things so I don't even have a chance to "git gud".

Shame you had such bad experiences that you got the impression. You're free to enjoy whatever content you want, but speaking from experience that's not accurate at all. My friends list is full of sweet people I met pugging. I've really bonded over what felt like actual adventures in there. If it's not your kind of content that's fine of course, but I really hope you're not actually interested in these dungeons and letting the bad experiences hold you back!

I do PUGs mind you, just not veteran ones. Normal is pretty chill and I also have pretty nice people I met on random dungeons on my friends list. But I found vet players to be impatient, and since I haven't really completed every dungeon on normal yet I really don't bother with vet stuff. I had some forum people help me with veteran dungeons once and it was pretty nice, but I just stay out of random vet content.

That's fair then. As long as you still get to run the content you want to run!

Paramedicus · February 2020

CasgarTheSomnolent wrote: »

For vet dungeons, I read Xynode's guides. For vet trials, I read Alcast's guides. For vet DLC dungeons, I read the guides at https://esoplanet.com/category/dungeon-guides/ which are by far the best DLC guides, I think.

I agree. Compared to them, Alcast's feel rushed (he skips some mechanics sometimes or gives vague explanations).

looshora · February 2020

I like to go in blind, but I'm Tank so either I learn the Mechanics fast or I get kicked. I'd like to say I am also open about it when I pug (thats more or less all I do nowadays), I downright tell the group if I don't know something. Best way to learn any mechanic, do it in the hardest mode possible.
Reading or watching can only teach me so much.
So basically I just wing it and hope for the best most of the time.

AndyMac · February 2020

Only the vet DLC's are new for me now. I'll always watch a guide before attempting. It just seems like the right thing to do by your future team. Also, I strongly prefer not to get kicked - which is what happens extremely regularly to players who under perform in these dungeons. I see it happen all the time.

Imo, it's really pretty annoying when someone just jumps into a vet DLC dungeon and it becomes obvious - usually during a boss fight -that they have no idea what they are doing.

To me, not being perfect is fine - not even bothering isn't fine.

Mechanics in vet DLC's are pretty much non negotiable and if you don't at least know them, then you are likely to be the team member who can't stay up.

So, practicing what I preach - I always make sure I am not going to be THAT player.

MartiniDaniels · February 2020

On tank I read guides and act smart. On dps I just run in stupid looking at dps meter.

idk · February 2020

Poll gave me a headache. Simpler polls are generaly more effective.

For the most part, mechanics are reused and easy to recognize. We tend to learn the fights by running in and seeing what comes our way and that is on vet.