New Player Frustrated

istox99b14_ESO · August 2021

I'm hoping someone here can give some solid advice. I played the beta way back in 2014 and then nothing until last week when I bought the game to start playing. So, I'm new, brand new. I'm really struggling with a number of things. The entire goal of everyone in the game seems to be to get to level 50 as past as humanly possible. While I certainly don't want to do every single quest or read through all the story lines, I would like to at least enjoy the journey a little bit. I also don't know how I can be an effective player when I get to lvl 50 if I haven't actually learned how to do things along the way. Healing for example (I play a Warden - currently lvl 16). I never ever have an opportunity to learn how to heal in a group. I'm either expected to already know, or if I join up with people, no one chats. Then they just rush to do everything without talking or anything. Especially dungeons, which I did my first two nights ago. I literally just had to keep running to stay with the group and a few times got turned around and didn't know my way around. Second dungeon last night, the same thing, only this time there was some tank with uber gear who just blasted his way through to the boss, leaving us in his wake with all the angry monsters on the way. We died. He solo'd the boss and we got nothing. This just isn't fun.

My favorite thing about games like this is grouping with others, learning, talking and sharing fun experiences. I feel like everyone is either lvl 50 and doing stuff I can't join, or i have to rush to lvl 50 to join, or doesn't talk. I tried joining a guild that says they teach new players all over their description, but all they talk about is veteran trials, showing off massively powerful gear. When I've asked questions, they either don't answer or say "get to lvl 50 asap and then we can help you."

Other than just solo'ing my way through stuff alone, is there any way to play the game with others, learn and enjoy it ... at a reasonable pace, not slow, but not rushed in a month either.

colossalvoids · August 2021

All I can recommend is to find actual people and not rely on random queue as a learning tool. It's mainly used to grind gear or for the random daily exp so people are blasting through. It's a bit misleading experience as for some reason newer players expect it to be their bread and butter and judge content and players according to their random experience which older players use in completely different way.

So find new player friendly guild, socialise or meet some people you'll enjoy playing with in the overland doing various activities, even just asking around for people to do something you're interested in, you're not alone there for sure.

istox99b14_ESO · August 2021

Hey, thanks for the advice, I appreciate it. As a veteran, how do you think i can find these people? I joined what claimed to want to help new players, but while they're nice, they only do lvl 50 stuff. I'd love to make friends and play with them to grow, but again, I don't know where to look. That's why i posted here, because I'm kind of lost.

Arbit · August 2021

You have 5 guild slots, I’d try and join one where the guild leader is actively recruiting in new player zones. These people are usually looking for new players to join the guild and often are more directed at helping new players in some way. Even with this, not all guilds are the same and some might not be your cup of tea, but you’ve got 5 slots so there’s lots of chances for a good one to stick.

Ken_Koerperich · August 2021

System you play on...Check "guild" posting on forum for one...

Next, hardest part, finding people during your time playing....

Then, pretty much, you MUST have Discord for the guild(s)...

In game, unless you pre-make your team, as stated, there won't be any talking, and 90% of the time everything is a SPEEDRUN.

So, appears you're in the same boat as me...
1) I play to early in AM's
2) Don't own a PC for Discord
3) No Friends Play This Game, So Pre Made Is Out
4) Not A Speed Runner, Yet, To Get Any Where On Certain Guild Lines, You Have To Follow Suit If You Want To Do Them...

So, just grin & keep up like I've done...

Eventually you will find a groove that fits you....

colossalvoids · August 2021

istox99b14_ESO wrote: »

Hey, thanks for the advice, I appreciate it. As a veteran, how do you think i can find these people? I joined what claimed to want to help new players, but while they're nice, they only do lvl 50 stuff. I'd love to make friends and play with them to grow, but again, I don't know where to look. That's why i posted here, because I'm kind of lost.

Hey, no problems! Before it was easier as a lot of players were joining and actually staying in game, a lot of guilds were advertising non stop. I believe your safest bet would be a guild finder tool now where you can sort by your preferences, time of play etc. with ability to read their descriptions. Also don't stay in guilds you find not welcoming or making false claims (helping new players, doing beginner content etc.) and find new ones, there should be enough active social guilds with all levels present, but you need to find one suiting your needs.

You can also find people through Reddit, discord or even forum (but the last is questionable as new players not really going there firstly) and try to form your own group of people to play with.
Good luck with the way you'll chose anyway, hope some more people share their insights or even suggest concrete guild or two.

ZOS_Kevin · August 2021

Thanks for the good feedback, @colossalvoids. I second looking for a good new player friendly guild. The forum does have guild recruitment threads depending on platform and location. Below are the PC specific ones.

PCNA Guild
PCEU

We also have the Looking For Group section, where you can note specifics for the experience you are looking to have in-game.

There is also the in-game guild recruiter, in-which players can use a filter to better tailor the experience they are looking for.

Hopefully this helps, @istox99b14_ESO! Many players are looking to help players and hopefully some of these systems lead you to them.

dragi25rwb17_ESO · August 2021

I just wanted to say that this is really an issue. Veterans like me that play virtually every day for 7 years and have no idea when we speedrun dungeons. Mind you I was a loner in ESO for a very long time and loved it.
Join some guilds that are in your timezone and as mentioned use Discord.
Stay with us.

Veinblood1965 · August 2021

Like one poster said don't use dungeon finder that's the best advice. Second I started a new toon a while back with the intention of just taking my time in each zone and exploring every single nook and cranny, doing every quest in each zone before moving on. I wanted to take my time in the zone dungeons also which was OUT as far as dungeon finder went. I found the best way was to just go to zone chat and say something like "I'm on a new toon and wanting to take my time and explore (Banished Cells 1 for example) and explore the entire dungeon and kill every mob, does anyone want to join up with me?). You'd be surprised at how well that works.

FrancisCrawford · August 2021

Actually, the target isn't Level 50. It's CP 160, because that's when you can wear the top gear, which is largely pointless to get in lower-level versions.

That said, leveling to target is much more of a solo game than not. Fortunately, it's a very good solo game. I'd recommend just playing your way through one of the original alliance zones -- preferably Daggerfall Covenant -- and the original main quest. That's more or less enough to get you to Level 50. That could all be done solo, before various nerfs, before the game was so generous in handing out food and potions, and before the introduction of companions. So I presume it's also all fine solo now.

If at any point you get impatient, farm XP at dolmens and/or in public dungeons.

Other good zones are Wrothgar (ideally done after Rivenspire), Clockwork City (ideally done after Vvardenfell, but Vvardenfell is slow, and I say that as somebody whose previous Elder Scrolls experience was solely the game Morrowind), and Summerset (ideally done after both Auridon and Clockwork City).

Actually, I'd also do Khenarthi's Roost (optional), Auridon, and the first part of Greenshade. And I'd jump around to do public dungeons and extra dolmens anywhere.

wishlist14 · August 2021

The only way to experience a dungeon at a slower pace is to either make your own group up with friends or ask in zone chat.
It's not easy to find players of lower levels who are all new that are available at the time you want to do a dungeon.

There are guilds that do slower pace story mode dungeons but again they go in with some level 50 characters so not really what you are looking for.

I even suggest starting your own newbie guild for new players wanting to group up with other new players. Its easy to start a guild and you can all work together to build the guild over time as you grow...just an idea

tsaescishoeshiner · August 2021

It's too bad that you feel like people are saying "rush to level 50/CP 160" (the gear cap), since new players often have the opposite experience, and take it slow. A guild is certainly the way to go, but in ESO it's likely that you have to initiate or ask for help, unless you luck into a particularly active guild.

Guilds tend not to create content specifically for players under level 50/CP 160 because there are so, so few players that are THAT new, since leveling in ESO is really fast. Of course most (?) people have alts under level 50, so there are certainly guild events where all levels are welcome that are good for new players and alts—world boss clears, zone clears, skyshard runs, stuff like that. That would be a good thing to do as group content—you'll definitely be doing dungeons later.

If you're deadset on dungeons, I would ask in zone chat and guild chat if anyone wants to join you for a random daily dungeon with a new player—less likely to meet impatient people. I usually type in zone chat "lfg random daily dungeon—new players welcome" and enjoy my flock of level 20's 😎

Also, I recommend asking someone to make you some PvP gear and hop into a battleground! They're super fun, and the lower-level ones are actually a better learning experience than the higher level ones, unlike dungeons. Just look out for werewolves ... or hope they're on your team :~p

TheImperfect · August 2021

If you want specific help with healing as well as the other suggestions you could look at YouTube videos about it also as there are plenty of helpful resources online, websites that discuss how to do various things in the game. I'm at work and would have linked things but have limited time.

deahamlet · August 2021

I'm fairly new. I have noticed that the very very early dungeons are run mostly very fast. I have met a couple of groups that left behind people, even one where the one person left everyone else stuck behind a door (due to being in combat the whole time) which was an awful waste of time for everyone. But most of the time people have at least made sure we all knew where we were going. I had to look up some bosses when I was missing achievements due to certain bosses not being required to proceed or to clear the undaunted daily. What I'm trying to say is that most of the time it's actually a fun experience.

I do suggest doing story and trying out dungeon content at 30+, especially as healer as you barely have anything to keep anyone alive that needs to be kept alive. Practice on delve bosses, public dungeons and world bosses. I have a healer and most of my back bar is DPS. You're expected to also dps, especially in normal dungeons and if your team isn't a disorganized, new to content, undergeared bunch of misfits (love those!). Public dungeons and world bosses give you the chance to heal as well if you wait for 1-2 other players to show up. You also level up your healing by putting at least one or two healing abilities on your bar to keep yourself up.
I hope you discovered the restoration staff by now, it gives way more healing abilities than just your class.

Do speak up if you are new, especially when you get into the DLC dungeons (the bottom half of the list of dungeons). I found most people will explain the dangerous mechanics at least.

etchedpixels · August 2021

Unfortunately this a self inflicted Zenimax problem.

There are a bunch of resources end game players want (transmute crystals) that can be obtained fast by speedrunning normal dungeons. There's no incentive to do them on veteran and you can't get them from a solo run. It's very much a game design flaw that's been around for the past year or more.

Best bet is to join some of the more casual guilds, or just wait until you are getting better at the game at which point the early dungeons are mostly doable solo and you can take your own time, read all the books in the crypt of hearts, listen to the storylines etc.

deviousthevile · August 2021

If you are PC/NA and have questions (Not just the OP, but ANYONE) send me an in game mail to @DeviousTheVile and I will answer any questions you might have and give my opinions when you are stuck on a decision. I am a beta player who never left, although back when there was a sub required to play, I did lose a few months. There is nothing (minus the new DLC just launched today) that I haven't done. I welcome anyone and everyone regardless of faction. I like having people that want to play as I've witnessed HUNDREDS of friends pick up and give up on this game in the last 7 years. I am an avid seller, so I am knowledgeable in trading guilds and how to make gold for yourself. I do PvE and PvP. I love working on houses (I have just north of 50). I play all roles and have many different set ups that I use situationally. Although I do tend to favor the Nightblades. Not for what they can do, but for what they are, an assassin. Point is, I am here, I log in at least once a day, and anyone who has played with me for more than 5 minutes knows I love to help old and new players alike. Hope to hear from you!

newtinmpls · August 2021

tsaescishoeshiner wrote: »

I usually type in zone chat "lfg random daily dungeon—new players welcome" and enjoy my flock of level 20's 😎

Wow that is a wonderful suggestion! Thank you!