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Trying To Come Back TO The Game, But Find It Really Confusing WIth All The DLCs/Expansions

lonegreywolf20ub17_ESO
I would really like to come back to the game, but with all the DLCs/Expansions I find it confusing and not sure where to start. I have up to the Skyrim expansion for the game. Is there any way to make it easier?

If only they had a progression-type server for people to start at the beginning.
  • VaranisArano
    VaranisArano
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    If you want a quest-by-quest guide, this is fantastic:
    https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/525351/a-clear-step-by-step-guide-to-playing-eso-in-chronological-order

    In terms of major story arcs and their zones:
    Planemeld (Base Game zones)
    Daedric Wars (Morrowind, Clockwork City, Summerset)
    Year of the Dragon (Northern Elsweyr, Dragonhold)
    Dark Heart of Skyrim (Western Skyrim, Markarth)
    Gates of Oblivion (Blackwood, the Deadlands)
  • lonegreywolf20ub17_ESO
    If you want a quest-by-quest guide, this is fantastic:
    https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/525351/a-clear-step-by-step-guide-to-playing-eso-in-chronological-order

    In terms of major story arcs and their zones:
    Planemeld (Base Game zones)
    Daedric Wars (Morrowind, Clockwork City, Summerset)
    Year of the Dragon (Northern Elsweyr, Dragonhold)
    Dark Heart of Skyrim (Western Skyrim, Markarth)
    Gates of Oblivion (Blackwood, the Deadlands)

    Thank you for the guide!

    Another question if I may? What about crafting? Should I craft as I go or wait till max level or not worry about it at all?
  • Kwoung
    Kwoung
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    If you want a quest-by-quest guide, this is fantastic:
    https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/525351/a-clear-step-by-step-guide-to-playing-eso-in-chronological-order

    In terms of major story arcs and their zones:
    Planemeld (Base Game zones)
    Daedric Wars (Morrowind, Clockwork City, Summerset)
    Year of the Dragon (Northern Elsweyr, Dragonhold)
    Dark Heart of Skyrim (Western Skyrim, Markarth)
    Gates of Oblivion (Blackwood, the Deadlands)

    Thank you for the guide!

    Another question if I may? What about crafting? Should I craft as I go or wait till max level or not worry about it at all?

    You need to start crafting as soon as you can. You will need to research the different traits and that can take a year to finish, although the early ones go quick. Just don't make the mistake of doing random research, make sure you learn Divines first for armor, if into PVP then Impen next. For weapons Precise and Infused are the go to traits generally. If you have a build in mind for when you do level up, whatever traits the armour/weapons will need to complete it should be learned next. You can knock those out really quickly, then worry about researching the rest.

    Also, doing daily crafting writs are the defacto standard for making easy money and getting rare materials to upgrade your armor, weapons, glyphs. Many do them on 10+ alts every day, which only takes about 30 min and also gets you survey maps and Master Writs as well, which you can use or sell for a decent amount. Also helps to be able to craft useful potions, food & drink, most builds include a preferred type.
    Edited by Kwoung on November 25, 2021 8:01PM
  • tzaeru
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    Craffting without ESO+ ranges from mildly annoying to extremely frustrating, depending on how comfortable you are with inventory juggling. The minimum thing to do if you're at all interested in crafting is to start researching traits right away and keep them researched at all times.

    Aside of the story order, which was provided above, currently the newer DLCs have certain sets that are considered meta. Blackwood has some, Flames of Ambition has some.

    Summerset provides jewelry crafting.

    Blackwood is needed for companions.
    Edited by tzaeru on November 25, 2021 8:18PM
  • lonegreywolf20ub17_ESO
    Thank you all for your replies.

    I went ahead and upgraded to Blackwood and picked up a 90-day sub. When I went to the crown store in-game, I realized that I am missing several DLCs as well. They are as follows:

    Harrowstorm
    Stonethorn
    Dragonhold
    Flames of Ambition
    Markarth
    Murkmire
    Scalebreaker
    Season of the Dragon: DLC Bundle
    The Deadlands
    The Deadlands Collector's Bundle
    Waking Flame
    Wrathstone

    I have enough crowns to purchase them all, but do I need them all, or are some okay to skip?
  • Sylvermynx
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    You have access to all DLCs as long as you are subbing ESO+. If you don't want to get into all the DLCs in your 90 days subbed, you can wait until you're ready and then sub a month or so to knock them out.
  • _Zathras_
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    What about crafting? Should I craft as I go or wait till max level or not worry about it at all?
    Crafting is entirely up to you. If you enjoy it, dive right in whenever you want. If you are not that into it, then give it a pass.

    That said, there are many sets that are quite useful, and it can be handy having at least one dedicated crafter. Or, join a crafting guild, and have access to many helpful people who are usually quite willing to make you what you need for the cost of materials (and sometimes a tip depending on what you are asking for).

    If you do decide to get into crafting, I would suggest making one character your tailor/blacksmith/carpenter. It makes researching less of a pain, and when you pull them out to make gear for yourself, you aren't juggling multiple characters and having to remember what is in your inventory.

    Jeweler takes a lot more time to level, as can enchanter. Provisioner and Alchemist can be speed leveled, if you have bulk materials.

    ..and, start researching as soon as possible, as it is a bit of a time sink to get all the traits. You will want 9 traits, to be able to craft some sets that you may want to have. If possible, research the more desirable traits first, so that you have them when you need them.

    Also, here are a couple of links you may find useful. Craftable sets and their locations around the world, and an Enchanting guide, as it can be a bit obscure.

    Edited by _Zathras_ on November 25, 2021 9:28PM
  • VaranisArano
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    As Kwoung said, you'll want to start researching your crafting traits
    Thank you all for your replies.

    I went ahead and upgraded to Blackwood and picked up a 90-day sub. When I went to the crown store in-game, I realized that I am missing several DLCs as well. They are as follows:

    Harrowstorm
    Stonethorn
    Dragonhold
    Flames of Ambition
    Markarth
    Murkmire
    Scalebreaker
    Season of the Dragon: DLC Bundle
    The Deadlands
    The Deadlands Collector's Bundle
    Waking Flame
    Wrathstone

    I have enough crowns to purchase them all, but do I need them all, or are some okay to skip?

    Your sub currently gives you access to all of those, because ESO+ gives all DLC. (Except collectors editions, but that's more about the fancy mounts and such.)

    Harrowstorm, Stonethorn, Flames of Ambition, Scalebreaker, Waking Flame, and Wrathstone are all Dungeon DLCs. YMMV on whether or not you like dungeons. None are necessary to understand what's going on in ESO.

    Dragonhold is the last zone of the Year of the Dragon Storyline, and you need to finish it to unlock the epilogue for that Story Arc.
    Markarth is the last zone for Dark Heart of Skyrim and you need to finish it to unlock the epilogue for that story arc.
    The Deadlands is the last zone for Gates of Oblivion and you need to finish it to unlock the epilogue for that story arc.
    Note: you don't have to own them, you just have to finish them. I finished Markarth's zone story in about 3 days during a ESO+ free event last year.

    Murkmire is a standalone zone DLC.
  • lonegreywolf20ub17_ESO
    _Zathras_ wrote: »
    If you do decide to get into crafting, I would suggest making one character your tailor/blacksmith/carpenter. It makes researching less of a pain, and when you pull them out to make gear for yourself, you aren't juggling multiple characters and having to remember what is in your inventory.

    Do I have to do combat with a dedicated crafter?
  • VaranisArano
    VaranisArano
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    Do I have to do combat with a dedicated crafter?

    No, you don't have to. But you will eventually get enough skill points that you can do crafting, PVE, and PVP all on the same character if that's what you want to do.
  • _Zathras_
    _Zathras_
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    If you do decide to get into crafting, I would suggest making one character your tailor/blacksmith/carpenter. It makes researching less of a pain, and when you pull them out to make gear for yourself, you aren't juggling multiple characters and having to remember what is in your inventory.

    Do I have to do combat with a dedicated crafter?

    Nope. I tend to park my crafter in a crafting area that is also near a bank. For myself, I find Vivec City to be quite tight and handy. That way, I can send out my adventurer(s) to do the fun stuff, and transfer items for research/deconstruction to my crafter via the bank. Of particular value are the items that give bonus xp for deconstruction, which have the Intricate trait.

    That said, you will want to get skill points on your crafter, and you can only do that by going out into the world gaining levels, finding skyshards, and doing major questlines. So, there is some legwork needed for that.
    Edited by _Zathras_ on November 25, 2021 10:56PM
  • EmperorIl
    EmperorIl
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    I would really like to come back to the game, but with all the DLCs/Expansions I find it confusing and not sure where to start. I have up to the Skyrim expansion for the game. Is there any way to make it easier?

    If only they had a progression-type server for people to start at the beginning.

    The thing with this game is it doesn't matter. You can start anywhere you want as long as you own the expansion. Play wherever interests you.
  • lonegreywolf20ub17_ESO
    EmperorIl wrote: »
    I would really like to come back to the game, but with all the DLCs/Expansions I find it confusing and not sure where to start. I have up to the Skyrim expansion for the game. Is there any way to make it easier?

    If only they had a progression-type server for people to start at the beginning.

    The thing with this game is it doesn't matter. You can start anywhere you want as long as you own the expansion. Play wherever interests you.

    That's the thing, what interests me is starting from the beginning and working through the content as it was released.
  • lonegreywolf20ub17_ESO
    I would have been playing by now, but every name I have chosen and it's well over 30 or 40 at this point has been taken. Even variations of those names.

    Talk about frustrating!
  • Sylvermynx
    Sylvermynx
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    I would have been playing by now, but every name I have chosen and it's well over 30 or 40 at this point has been taken. Even variations of those names.

    Talk about frustrating!

    Are you trying with "first and last name"? I've got 64 characters and have never had a rejection on name on any of them - and yes, for the most part they're "lore friendly" names.

    What race/gender/class are you playing? I can probably come up with some names for you to try.
  • newtinmpls
    newtinmpls
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    I would have been playing by now, but every name I have chosen and it's well over 30 or 40 at this point has been taken. Even variations of those names.

    Talk about frustrating!

    Wow that does sound frustrating. I tend to jump over to the wiki, take a look at the name chart from Daggerfall, pick at least a first and last lore appropriate name and sometimes a middle or clan name on top of that. Only time I've ever gotten a "already in use" was when I was rerolling a character from Sorc to NB (fit her better) and was trying to re-use the exact same name.

    Added a letter and bingo - worked like a charm.

    If you need suggestions, give a yell.

    Or look here:

    https://en.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Altmer_Names

    That's the Altmer sub page - there is a page for every race
    Tenesi Faryon of Telvanni - Dunmer Sorceress who deliberately sought sacrifice into Cold Harbor to rescue her beloved.
    Hisa Ni Caemaire - Altmer Sorceress, member of the Order Draconis and Adept of the House of Dibella.
    Broken Branch Toothmaul - goblin (for my goblin characters, I use either orsimer or bosmer templates) Templar, member of the Order Draconis and persistently unskilled pickpocket
    Mol gro Durga - Orsimer Socerer/Battlemage who died the first time when the Nibenay Valley chapterhouse of the Order Draconis was destroyed, then went back to Cold Harbor to rescue his second/partner who was still captive. He overestimated his resistance to the hopelessness of Oblivion, about to give up, and looked up to see the golden glow of atherius surrounding a beautiful young woman who extended her hand to him and said "I can help you". He carried Fianna Kingsley out of Cold Harbor on his shoulder. He carried Alvard Stower under one arm. He also irritated the Prophet who had intended the portal for only Mol and Lyris.
    ***
    Order Draconis - well c'mon there has to be some explanation for all those dragon tattoos.
    House of Dibella - If you have ever seen or read "Memoirs of a Geisha" that's just the beginning...
    Nibenay Valley Chapterhouse - Where now stands only desolate ground and a dolmen there once was a thriving community supporting one of the major chapterhouses of the Order Draconis
  • lonegreywolf20ub17_ESO
    Sylvermynx wrote: »
    I would have been playing by now, but every name I have chosen and it's well over 30 or 40 at this point has been taken. Even variations of those names.

    Talk about frustrating!

    Are you trying with "first and last name"? I've got 64 characters and have never had a rejection on name on any of them - and yes, for the most part they're "lore friendly" names.

    What race/gender/class are you playing? I can probably come up with some names for you to try.

    I tend not to do last names, which may be my issue, but I was finally able to come up with a name right before I had to go to work.

    Thank you though!
  • lonegreywolf20ub17_ESO
    newtinmpls wrote: »
    I would have been playing by now, but every name I have chosen and it's well over 30 or 40 at this point has been taken. Even variations of those names.

    Talk about frustrating!

    Wow that does sound frustrating. I tend to jump over to the wiki, take a look at the name chart from Daggerfall, pick at least a first and last lore appropriate name and sometimes a middle or clan name on top of that. Only time I've ever gotten a "already in use" was when I was rerolling a character from Sorc to NB (fit her better) and was trying to re-use the exact same name.

    Added a letter and bingo - worked like a charm.

    If you need suggestions, give a yell.

    Or look here:

    https://en.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Altmer_Names

    That's the Altmer sub page - there is a page for every race

    Usually, I use a name generator. This is what I was doing yesterday, but every name I chose for my Kajiit NB said already used. So, I fiddled with one name a bit more than usual and was able to get her created. I don't usually use last names though and didn't this time either. That could have been my issue. I just don't tend to use last names in any game. Lol
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