My thoughts about Endless Archive

XSTRONG · November 2023

My thought as a solo EA player.

It was fun in the beginning but then it gets boring because of all the time you have to put in just to make it to Arc 2 or 3 where you died last time, and the currency drop for a solo player is ridicolus, if youre solo you should get higher currency 'because youre solo'.

I probably played 10 hours in EA and got 26k currency which means in my opinion the currency SUCK when looking at merchant rewards.

I will not play this new content much because in my opinion it will be a waste of time.

Its a great idea but right now you get bored after 3 runs.

EdjeSwift · November 2023

What in the Merchant's Rewards makes you think 26k isn't a decent reward? As you get better, you'll get faster and the early acts will fly by, as it stands Arc 1 is about 1200 without minigames per run. Plus the daily for an extra 500 fortunes which just needs you to beat Act 1.

Looking at Filer Tezurs, most of the items there priced over 10k outside of the curated drops are one-time buffs which once you buy them are there forever. And these buffs are gated behind beating all stages of the mini-games so you've got time to farm them.

As for Ool, their inventory is a rotating inventory and so far reasonable outside of the 15k style page which is again, a once per account purchase until a new page comes out.

XSTRONG · November 2023

EdjeSwift wrote: »

What in the Merchant's Rewards makes you think 26k isn't a decent reward?

Material containers, compared to other in game activitys they suck big time.

And thats my thoughts, not answering for other players.

But the tiny amount i got from around 10 hours is ridicolus in my opinion.

Necrotech_Master · November 2023

the alchemy containers are not bad, as those give roughly 35 mats for 2000 currency (you get around 3000 from just finishing arc 1)

you also get more currency the further you go into the archive, in 1 5 hour run to arc 9 i made like nearly 40k currency

i dont bother buying any of the boxes for gear sets, and it takes around 130k currency to buy all of the upgrades

after that there really isnt much to buy except from the weekly vendor, or if you are interested, in the furnishings

XSTRONG · November 2023

Necrotech_Master wrote: »

the alchemy containers are not bad, as those give roughly 35 mats for 2000 currency (you get around 3000 from just finishing arc 1)

you also get more currency the further you go into the archive, in 1 5 hour run to arc 9 i made like nearly 40k currency

i dont bother buying any of the boxes for gear sets, and it takes around 130k currency to buy all of the upgrades

after that there really isnt much to buy except from the weekly vendor, or if you are interested, in the furnishings

The alchemy containers are bad if you think of the demand for flowers/potions in this game.

Im gonna do a test tomorrow for IC compared to EA its a huge diffrent

tsaescishoeshiner · November 2023

I think it's fair that solo should get higher Fortune rewards after Arc 1, it should just be small enough that it doesn't discourage grouping for better rewards.

CGPsaint · November 2023

I have to disagree. The content is fine, and the currency gain seems to be in a good place, even for solo. Once you're purchased the permanent upgrades, you will probably find yourself banking most of the currency you earn, unless you're farming and buying alchemy mats, in which case you're probably better off just farming alchemy mats or Tel Var farming district bosses. There are definitely more pressing issues to address:

Randomly losing threads because enemies aren't smart enough to use the stairs, and instead walk into/under the level.
Marauder Gothmau is so incredibly over-tuned compared to all of the other enemies in the Endless Archive. It's bad enough that his light attacks deal 20K+ damage, but the bleed that he applies can also be incredibly difficult to deal with without a purge. He's doable if you're careful with your stamina in large areas, but if you get him in an enclosed area, then you're boned. I saved a video earlier to show just how far his reach is with melee, which is also a big part of the problem. You shouldn't be getting hit with a melee attack from 10m away.
Zhaj'hassa the Forgotten is broken. It's pretty difficult to avoid the Void Explosion by hiding behind one of the blue pillars that isn't anywhere on the pad.

Galeriano · November 2023

Necrotech_Master wrote: »

the alchemy containers are not bad, as those give roughly 35 mats for 2000 currency (you get around 3000 from just finishing arc 1)

you also get more currency the further you go into the archive, in 1 5 hour run to arc 9 i made like nearly 40k currency

i dont bother buying any of the boxes for gear sets, and it takes around 130k currency to buy all of the upgrades

after that there really isnt much to buy except from the weekly vendor, or if you are interested, in the furnishings

Problem is they dont just give 35 mats. 35 is upper limit but You can also get just 10. Average value will be like 20 which tbh is not much.

SugaComa · November 2023

One change that does need to happen is if companions are classed as duo, they need to improve the AI so they don't stay stood in stupid, they should also have ability res us.

Once you lose your companion you lose a lot of support, I think companions should either have their own table or moved to the solo one.

It would also be nice to have an option to start at begining of the last arc you complete for each run after say a weekly reset, but those runs would not account towards the leaderboards

XSTRONG · November 2023

So i did a test today to prove my point in how useless the Alchemy containers are, bought with Archival Fortune currency.

I have to say that i think Endless Archive is fun and i will play it but not as much as i expected before launch, unless they fix some things.

So heres the test.

1 hour in Endless Archive, 2 whole Arcs cleared with 1 special room, 1 Marauder killed, 1 Treasue Goblin killed, 1 daily quest done

- Total archival fortune earned 5300

- 5 bugloss
- 5 butterfly wing
- 5 dragonthorn
- 5 mountain flower
- 5 mudcrab chitin
- 5 nightshade
- 5 torchbug thorax
- 5 wormwood

1 Boss kill in IC with 4x

- 6 beetle scuttle
- 24 blessed thistle
- 27 blue entoloma
- 39 bugloss
- 21 butterfly wing
- 3 clam gall
- 54 columbine
- 9 cornflower
- 33 dragonthorn
- 9 emetic russula
- 21 fleshfly larva
- 51 imp stool
- 24 ladys smock
- 6 luminous russula
- 63 mountain flower
- 12 namiras root
- 15 nightshade
- 27 nirnroot
- 12 scrib jelly
- 12 spider egg
- 6 stinkhorn
- 3 violet coprinus
- 42 water hyacinth
- 12 white cap
- 12 wormwood

Farm mobs for "10 min" in IC start with 0 telwar

- 6 beetle scuttle
- 15 blue entoloma
- 9 bugloss
- 6 butterfly wing
- 24 columbine
- 12 cornflower
- 12 dragonthorn
- 12 fleshfly larva
- 12 imp stool
- 9 ladys smock
- 6 luminous russula
- 15 mountain flower
- 15 nightshade
- 6 nirnroot
- 3 spider egg
- 3 violet coprinus
- 15 water hyacinth
- 3 white cap
- 15 wormwood

As you can see the new Alchemy containers in EA are useless but 1 posetive thing about them is that you have a chance for Mudcrab Chitin and Dragonblood.

As for now i wouldnt even buy them if they where 500 Archival Fortune.

I also have seen many people think Marauders need to be tune down, I think they can stay as they are but gives a greater reward and if you die to a Marauder you dont lose a thread.

Minnesinger · November 2023

SugaComa wrote: »

One change that does need to happen is if companions are classed as duo, they need to improve the AI so they don't stay stood in stupid, they should also have ability res us.

Once you lose your companion you lose a lot of support, I think companions should either have their own table or moved to the solo one.

It would also be nice to have an option to start at begining of the last arc you complete for each run after say a weekly reset, but those runs would not account towards the leaderboards

About companions they do not benefit from the visions, do they? They are are more dead weight than anything useful. I have ran my companion just to level up him.

EdjeSwift · November 2023

SugaComa wrote: »

One change that does need to happen is if companions are classed as duo, they need to improve the AI so they don't stay stood in stupid, they should also have ability res us.

Once you lose your companion you lose a lot of support, I think companions should either have their own table or moved to the solo one.

I was actually reminded yesterday that we can pull our companions out of "stupid" by commanding them to stand down/stop fighting and run next to us, for PC folk it's Y+Right Click and then Y+Left Click to get them to re-engage, did test, and does 100% work.

XSTRONG · November 2023

I watched a youtube clip with Skinnycheeks interview Mike Finnigan.

Skinny asked why no armor assistent in EA and the answer was 'it would be pay to win' because its leaderboard.

What!? A armor table at the merchants like in IC or Cyrodiil?

Everyone can use it and would not be p2w.

spartaxoxo · November 2023

XSTRONG wrote: »

I also have seen many people think Marauders need to be tune down, I think they can stay as they are but gives a greater reward and if you die to a Marauder you dont lose a thread.

This would also be an acceptable way to handle them imo. That way they'd actually feel better as a bonus. I would definitely welcome this alternative.

MidniteOwl1913 · November 2023

XSTRONG wrote: »

I watched a youtube clip with Skinnycheeks interview Mike Finnigan.

Skinny asked why no armor assistent in EA and the answer was 'it would be pay to win' because its leaderboard.

What!? A armor table at the merchants like in IC or Cyrodiil?

Everyone can use it and would not be p2w.

Wow I had no idea there was no access to the armoury in EA. I was thinking that to make it shorter I would use a damage-heavy build for the start and then switch to a more survival build later. Welp, guess not!

This obsession with the leaderboards, something the vast majority of players don't really care about, is certainly messing with a lot of things.

rpa · November 2023

If a thing affects leaderboards enough to be pay-to-win concern it should not be in crown store at all but a free update earnable by playing the game.

fall0athboy · November 2023

SugaComa wrote: »

One change that does need to happen is if companions are classed as duo, they need to improve the AI so they don't stay stood in stupid, they should also have ability res us.

Once you lose your companion you lose a lot of support, I think companions should either have their own table or moved to the solo one.

It would also be nice to have an option to start at begining of the last arc you complete for each run after say a weekly reset, but those runs would not account towards the leaderboards

Honestly, with companions, I think there just needs to be something we can press to trigger them to perform a dodge roll. Y'know, like how we can trigger their ultimate.

XSTRONG wrote: »

I watched a youtube clip with Skinnycheeks interview Mike Finnigan.

Skinny asked why no armor assistent in EA and the answer was 'it would be pay to win' because its leaderboard.

What!? A armor table at the merchants like in IC or Cyrodiil?

Everyone can use it and would not be p2w.

I really dislike how much of the design with EA revolves around the leaderboards. Can't save and continue because the leaderboards. Can't have armory assistant because leaderboards. For some reason ZOS thinks the majority of the playerbase cares about scoring on the leaderboards.

Anyways, on-topic, for solo, the marauders aren't fun. I've experienced two. The water one and Gothmau. Neither are fun. Do you even get an award for defeating them?

EdjeSwift · November 2023

fall0athboy wrote: »

Anyways, on-topic, for solo, the marauders aren't fun. I've experienced two. The water one and Gothmau. Neither are fun. Do you even get an award for defeating them?

An achievement for beating all 3, and they drop a set piece depending on what level you are, odds are usually armour, evens weapons.

DinoZavr · November 2023

rpa wrote: »

If a thing affects leaderboards enough to be pay-to-win concern it should not be in crown store at all but a free update earnable by playing the game.

Armory Station can be installed at Archive Index. It is free to get, so no "pay" part in p2w
Assistant is more convenient, of course, but players carry several sets and can asjust gear, skills and CP
with Dressing Room and Dynamic CP/quick CP addons on PC

SeaGtGruff · November 2023

I finally tried the Endless Archive on my two mains, who are off-META solo builds. I couldn't get past the third boss on either one, but I was able to complete the Daily Endeavor by going in twice on each character. Even though I wasn't familiar with the bosses that killed me and kept dying to their mechanics and adds, I enjoyed the overall experience enough that I'm planning to keep trying. I really don't care how far I make it, or whether I ever manage to get onto the Leaderboard. And I don't mind not being able to save my progress, because I'm actually enjoying the early fights with the trash mobs and the first two bosses.

I can see where it isn't for everyone, and I don't really think I'm part of the target "endgame" playerbase, but I do enjoy running dungeons in the various TES games, including ESO. It lacks a lot of the "exploratory" nature of dungeons in other TES games, but the side quests or whatever you want to call them do help to shake mix things up so it isn't just a grind of the same locations and scenarios over and over again.

Update: I went back in and made it to the end of the first arc, but couldn't beat the boss. I enjoyed going up against bosses I'd never seen before and having the opportunity to figure out how to deal with their mechanics.

MoonPile · November 2023

fall0athboy wrote: »

]
I really dislike how much of the design with EA revolves around the leaderboards. Can't save and continue because the leaderboards. Can't have armory assistant because leaderboards. For some reason ZOS thinks the majority of the playerbase cares about scoring on the leaderboards.

Anyways, on-topic, for solo, the marauders aren't fun. I've experienced two. The water one and Gothmau. Neither are fun. Do you even get an award for defeating them?

Wholly agree.

I've defeated all of the Marauders, finally, with ROPO. They are another chance at getting antiquity leads.

On that note, I also agree with OP this is no longer fun after a week, but for different reasons:

I don't care about progression. I got far enough for the dye, that's all I wanted. But they put a TON of antiquity leads for furniture in here, that I do want. I don't know how many of us house-builders really care about LBs or this type of gameplay.

The first week or so tricked me into thinking I'd get to do nice little puzzles (Unknown portals) and get rewards. Lots of Leads! Now that I've completed all but one, they will only spawn at 5/5 difficulty. Account-wide. And the one I cannot do keeps spawning over and over and over. So, no rewards. Unless I get very lucky with a pilferer, Marauder, or Thoat.

Some really strong players I've gone with just skip those Unknowns, especially the one I have left, because it's a bugged waste of time.

Me too, if I ever get lucky enough to finish that last Unknown and buy the buff. I will never do it again. I thought it was cute at first, but since 2/5 - 4/5 it's not fun at all, I hate it so much.

MidniteOwl1913 · November 2023

fall0athboy wrote: »

SugaComa wrote: »

One change that does need to happen is if companions are classed as duo, they need to improve the AI so they don't stay stood in stupid, they should also have ability res us.

Once you lose your companion you lose a lot of support, I think companions should either have their own table or moved to the solo one.

It would also be nice to have an option to start at begining of the last arc you complete for each run after say a weekly reset, but those runs would not account towards the leaderboards

Honestly, with companions, I think there just needs to be something we can press to trigger them to perform a dodge roll. Y'know, like how we can trigger their ultimate.

XSTRONG wrote: »

I watched a youtube clip with Skinnycheeks interview Mike Finnigan.

Skinny asked why no armor assistent in EA and the answer was 'it would be pay to win' because its leaderboard.

What!? A armor table at the merchants like in IC or Cyrodiil?

Everyone can use it and would not be p2w.

I really dislike how much of the design with EA revolves around the leaderboards. Can't save and continue because the leaderboards. Can't have armory assistant because leaderboards. For some reason ZOS thinks the majority of the playerbase cares about scoring on the leaderboards.

Anyways, on-topic, for solo, the marauders aren't fun. I've experienced two. The water one and Gothmau. Neither are fun. Do you even get an award for defeating them?

I've defeated one, I don't know which one I wasn't paying attention. Tonight the marauder was one who name starts with a U... Ulfum Ulonor, some like that. I was doing okay and then he started healing his health kept creeping up. I gave up when I realized that. Hugh HP and healing together is beyond me. I didn't know any of the marauders could do that, isn't the high HP and massive damage enough!?!

Treeshka · November 2023

MidniteOwl1913 wrote: »

I've defeated one, I don't know which one I wasn't paying attention. Tonight the marauder was one who name starts with a U... Ulfum Ulonor, some like that. I was doing okay and then he started healing his health kept creeping up. I gave up when I realized that. Hugh HP and healing together is beyond me. I didn't know any of the marauders could do that, isn't the high HP and massive damage enough!?!

Marauders do not heal themselves but they do get healed from other mobs that can spawn during a stage. For example Fabled Infusers will cast an interruptible skill which will heal all mobs, including Marauders, around it and heal is probably percentage based.

carlos424 · November 2023

tsaescishoeshiner wrote: »

I think it's fair that solo should get higher Fortune rewards after Arc 1, it should just be small enough that it doesn't discourage grouping for better rewards.

I also think there should be a 3rd leader board for player and companion. Currently there is no reason to ever run with a companion, as they offer little to no help after arc 1. They are ok for people just wanting to complete the daily quest, although they will not survive the arc 1 final boss. But you have no chance of ever making a leader board using a companion, since player&companion are in the same category as 2 players. It makes more sense to just run solo or group with another player.

carlos424 · November 2023

XSTRONG wrote: »

I watched a youtube clip with Skinnycheeks interview Mike Finnigan.

Skinny asked why no armor assistent in EA and the answer was 'it would be pay to win' because its leaderboard.

What!? A armor table at the merchants like in IC or Cyrodiil?

Everyone can use it and would not be p2w.

And endless archive is not timed. So, what’s the difference? Push a button to change your setup or spend 2 minutes changing everything manually. You get the same score. How does that affect the leaderboard?

MidniteOwl1913 · November 2023

carlos424 wrote: »

XSTRONG wrote: »

I watched a youtube clip with Skinnycheeks interview Mike Finnigan.

Skinny asked why no armor assistent in EA and the answer was 'it would be pay to win' because its leaderboard.

What!? A armor table at the merchants like in IC or Cyrodiil?

Everyone can use it and would not be p2w.

And endless archive is not timed. So, what’s the difference? Push a button to change your setup or spend 2 minutes changing everything manually. You get the same score. How does that affect the leaderboard?

TIme, I only have a limited amount of contiguous time to play. Trash mobs changing my build, if I run out of time to play nothing else matters I have to stop.

carlos424 · November 2023

MidniteOwl1913 wrote: »

carlos424 wrote: »

XSTRONG wrote: »

I watched a youtube clip with Skinnycheeks interview Mike Finnigan.

Skinny asked why no armor assistent in EA and the answer was 'it would be pay to win' because its leaderboard.

What!? A armor table at the merchants like in IC or Cyrodiil?

Everyone can use it and would not be p2w.

And endless archive is not timed. So, what’s the difference? Push a button to change your setup or spend 2 minutes changing everything manually. You get the same score. How does that affect the leaderboard?

TIme, I only have a limited amount of contiguous time to play. Trash mobs changing my build, if I run out of time to play nothing else matters I have to stop.

I’m all for adding armor assistant. Hell, I use an addon. But, honestly, people on console are pretty used to changing stuff manually. It’s more aggravating than time consuming…coming from someone who started on console.

MidniteOwl1913 · November 2023

carlos424 wrote: »

MidniteOwl1913 wrote: »

carlos424 wrote: »

XSTRONG wrote: »

I watched a youtube clip with Skinnycheeks interview Mike Finnigan.

Skinny asked why no armor assistent in EA and the answer was 'it would be pay to win' because its leaderboard.

What!? A armor table at the merchants like in IC or Cyrodiil?

Everyone can use it and would not be p2w.

And endless archive is not timed. So, what’s the difference? Push a button to change your setup or spend 2 minutes changing everything manually. You get the same score. How does that affect the leaderboard?

TIme, I only have a limited amount of contiguous time to play. Trash mobs changing my build, if I run out of time to play nothing else matters I have to stop.

I’m all for adding armor assistant. Hell, I use an addon. But, honestly, people on console are pretty used to changing stuff manually. It’s more aggravating than time consuming…coming from someone who started on console.

I am on the console and I would be changing more than just a few things. All of the build in fact since I made a special build just for EA. So no not a quick change.

Lexalious · November 2023

I honestly think marauders are there so that you can eventually lose some threads. at arc6 or so their unblocked light attacks start to one-shot you even with 40k hp 33k resistances. so it seems to me that they are there so we can be healthier, get up touch grass. something gotta kill the runs right?
been sweating EA a bit, got all the upgrades, all the unique offers from the vendors and i still have 130k archival fortunes leftover. beating thoat's especially give a lot. like just arc6 thoat herself gives like almost 2k or something.
didn't look too much into it in terms of money making but, you can't really compare this to telvar, nobody can come into your run and snipe you, take half of your fortunes. there is just no risk factor here and you can run it forever while watching your favorite show. its just nice content

CGPsaint · November 2023

XSTRONG wrote: »

I also have seen many people think Marauders need to be tune down, I think they can stay as they are but gives a greater reward and if you die to a Marauder you dont lose a thread.

I don't mind two of the marauders as I can kill them fairly reliably as long as I block their heavy attacks, keep my heals up, and manage my stamina. Marauder Gothmau is a horse of a different color and unless I have a really large room to kite him in, it's a death 9 out of 10 times when I face him. The majority of my deaths before Arc 5 have been to Marauder Gothmau which just make me not want to bother running EA at all.

Combine the inevitable Marauder Gothmau deaths with my ridiculous Visions RNG and it's a recipe for finding something more fun to do with my time. It's like the game sees that I'm running a Magicka character and is like, "this guy could really use Stamina and Martial Damage Visions." If I get to the end of Arc 2 and haven't picked up any useful Visions, then I just wayshrine and leave.

MidniteOwl1913 · November 2023

CGPsaint wrote: »

XSTRONG wrote: »

I also have seen many people think Marauders need to be tune down, I think they can stay as they are but gives a greater reward and if you die to a Marauder you dont lose a thread.

I don't mind two of the marauders as I can kill them fairly reliably as long as I block their heavy attacks, keep my heals up, and manage my stamina. Marauder Gothmau is a horse of a different color and unless I have a really large room to kite him in, it's a death 9 out of 10 times when I face him. The majority of my deaths before Arc 5 have been to Marauder Gothmau which just make me not want to bother running EA at all.

Combine the inevitable Marauder Gothmau deaths with my ridiculous Visions RNG and it's a recipe for finding something more fun to do with my time. It's like the game sees that I'm running a Magicka character and is like, "this guy could really use Stamina and Martial Damage Visions." If I get to the end of Arc 2 and haven't picked up any useful Visions, then I just wayshrine and leave.

Yeah, without enough space Gothmau is really hard. I too lose a thread to that.

And I'm so sick of arc 1 at this point, I was thinking last night. The rewards are not great, and it takes a lot of time and effort to get them, why am I doing this? For a while I was getting some good leads from the mini-games but the difficulty of those ramped up so fast I'm not even interested those anymore either.

So yeah, time to walk away. EA has been nothing but a big disappointment to me.