Please fix Endless Archive difficulty

SilverBride · December 2023

EdjeSwift wrote: »

If we can look past the idea of it being solo content and realize while we CAN solo it, it's not the design process...

But it is the design process.

"In this all-new PvE activity, you can team up with a trusted ally or go it solo as you contend with randomly generated stages filled with waves of monsters and perilous boss encounters."

EdjeSwift · December 2023

SilverBride wrote: »

EdjeSwift wrote: »

If we can look past the idea of it being solo content and realize while we CAN solo it, it's not the design process...

But it is the design process.

"In this all-new PvE activity, you can team up with a trusted ally or go it solo as you contend with randomly generated stages filled with waves of monsters and perilous boss encounters."

You're highlighting the wrong words, the key word in that sentence is CAN. You CAN go solo or you CAN go with a trusted ally. This is further implication of their words. Furthermore, that's a press-release, that's something that passes through PR and legal, the words are carefully sculpted to entice but not promise, as I broke down before, they're not saying anything not true. You can go solo, you can go duo, but the content is the same, combat and enemy wise, the only thing that changes with any noticeable difference is the side-games solo v. duo.

I was just as salty as everyone else when I finally ran a duo and realized I was fighting the same stuff in the duo I was in the solo with or without companion, but that's when I came to the realization, this is duo content that they allow us to run solo for a challenge. And like I said before, there is no confirmation that it's designed duo or solo, but experience and multitudes of runs solo, solo with companion, and duo, have shown is that regardless of how you run it, it's the same combat wise.

Necrotech_Master · December 2023

HalfDragoness wrote: »

EdjeSwift wrote: »

HalfDragoness wrote: »

The solo version just needs some tweaks in either the risk or the reward.

Herein lies half the issue with the Endless Archive and people's viewpoint of it.

There is no "solo version", in terms of combat and bosses, it is content designed, for all intents and purposes without actual confirmation, for duos. Sure the mini-games are easier solo, but the whole of the content is most likely designed for duos. The ability to go in there solo is like the ability to go into 4 man content solo, you can clear it, but it's not going to be as easy as with a group.

If we can look past the idea of it being solo content and realize while we CAN solo it, it's not the design process then maybe we can understand that if we go in there solo that we're not going in for the best experience as it's designed for a pair, not a single. For me, the reward of being able to solo most of what I need is the not needing a partner for content, sure do I like running on a occasion with someone? Yeah, but I do 99% of my runs solo and I understood a while back that if I wanted to get deeper I need a duo, solo is a different beast.

Look at the weekly solo leader boards, the top 100, or whatever you want to call it, clock in on median at about Arc 3/Arc 4 for solo with the obvious extra long run outliers at the top.

TL;DR EA isn't designed solo content and if you want to solo we gotta accept that we're doing group content by ourselves and deal with the difficulties associated with that.

I guess this isn't very well communicated by the Elder Scrolls team as in their update 40 news it says "In this all-new PvE activity, you can team up with a trusted ally or go it solo as you contend with randomly generated stages filled with waves of monsters and perilous boss encounters. " Which imples the challenge is equal. What they should've said is "It's a 2-person PvE activity but those who fancy a challenge can take it on solo."

So yeah I guess all my arguments come from understanding that piece of official communication as solo and duo would be different, but balanced, ways to approach the same content.

i think it was the dev interview twitch stream about the archive where they explicitly stated that the content was balanced for a 2 player group

i think that same interview they also commented why saving was unlikely to happen for now

AlterBlika · December 2023

HalfDragoness wrote: »

Duo:
2 sources of damage

Double visions

Double verses (up to 4 if both players also use the bonus verse scraps)

The chance to be rezzed and not loose a thread

5 threads if both players have unlocked their extra thread. 7 in total if both players take the bonus one as a vision.

Can have a tank and a dps for later stages

Solo:
1 source of damage

1 vision per boss

1 verse (up to 2 if you use a bonus verse scrap)

Dying means you definitely loose a thread

4 threads if you've unlocked the extra one (up to 5 if you take the bonus one as a vision)

Must be both a tank and a DPS in later stages

Same rewards as if you were playing in a duo

The solo version just needs some tweaks in either the risk or the reward.

EA is duo content that you can go solo. There are lots of 4-man content that are designed for 4 people but you can solo nearly all of them, from nFG1 to vBRP (idk if some vDLC are harder). You don't ask for solo tweaks there although someone asks for a "story mode" lol. You don't get anything from it, just a self-achievement and the same rewards as if going with a group.

EA having solo leaderboard doesn't mean it's solo content (designed as solo I mean), it means when solo you can compete with other solo players, not with groups. So it doesn't need adjustments. Of course going duo is easier, because EA is designed this way. It's the same with 4-man content

MidniteOwl1913 · December 2023

EdjeSwift wrote: »

SilverBride wrote: »

EdjeSwift wrote: »

If we can look past the idea of it being solo content and realize while we CAN solo it, it's not the design process...

But it is the design process.

"In this all-new PvE activity, you can team up with a trusted ally or go it solo as you contend with randomly generated stages filled with waves of monsters and perilous boss encounters."

You're highlighting the wrong words, the key word in that sentence is CAN. You CAN go solo or you CAN go with a trusted ally. This is further implication of their words. Furthermore, that's a press-release, that's something that passes through PR and legal, the words are carefully sculpted to entice but not promise, as I broke down before, they're not saying anything not true. You can go solo, you can go duo, but the content is the same, combat and enemy wise, the only thing that changes with any noticeable difference is the side-games solo v. duo.

I was just as salty as everyone else when I finally ran a duo and realized I was fighting the same stuff in the duo I was in the solo with or without companion, but that's when I came to the realization, this is duo content that they allow us to run solo for a challenge. And like I said before, there is no confirmation that it's designed duo or solo, but experience and multitudes of runs solo, solo with companion, and duo, have shown is that regardless of how you run it, it's the same combat wise.

With all due respect, the implication of these words is that the solo and the duo are more or less equal. You said it yourself you were surprised the two were the same. It implies that the content is equally accessible when it's not. Maybe they should have said can team up and may do solo. But it's marketing speak of course they want to sell it so they implied something that really isn't true.

AlterBlika · December 2023

MidniteOwl1913 wrote: »

It implies that the content is equally accessible when it's not. Maybe they should have said can team up and may do solo. But it's marketing speak of course they want to sell it so they implied something that really isn't true.

I fail to see the point of making solo and duo versions diiferent anything-wise

SilverBride · December 2023

EdjeSwift wrote: »

SilverBride wrote: »

EdjeSwift wrote: »

If we can look past the idea of it being solo content and realize while we CAN solo it, it's not the design process...

But it is the design process.

"In this all-new PvE activity, you can team up with a trusted ally or go it solo as you contend with randomly generated stages filled with waves of monsters and perilous boss encounters."

You're highlighting the wrong words, the key word in that sentence is CAN. You CAN go solo or you CAN go with a trusted ally.

CAN refers to both team up with a trusted ally or go it solo. It does NOT differentiate that one way is any more intended than the other. Going with an ally or going solo are both part of the design process and are both valid ways to experience it. Why else are there leaderboards for both?

Braffin · December 2023

MidniteOwl1913 wrote: »

EdjeSwift wrote: »

SilverBride wrote: »

EdjeSwift wrote: »

If we can look past the idea of it being solo content and realize while we CAN solo it, it's not the design process...

But it is the design process.

"In this all-new PvE activity, you can team up with a trusted ally or go it solo as you contend with randomly generated stages filled with waves of monsters and perilous boss encounters."

You're highlighting the wrong words, the key word in that sentence is CAN. You CAN go solo or you CAN go with a trusted ally. This is further implication of their words. Furthermore, that's a press-release, that's something that passes through PR and legal, the words are carefully sculpted to entice but not promise, as I broke down before, they're not saying anything not true. You can go solo, you can go duo, but the content is the same, combat and enemy wise, the only thing that changes with any noticeable difference is the side-games solo v. duo.

I was just as salty as everyone else when I finally ran a duo and realized I was fighting the same stuff in the duo I was in the solo with or without companion, but that's when I came to the realization, this is duo content that they allow us to run solo for a challenge. And like I said before, there is no confirmation that it's designed duo or solo, but experience and multitudes of runs solo, solo with companion, and duo, have shown is that regardless of how you run it, it's the same combat wise.

With all due respect, the implication of these words is that the solo and the duo are more or less equal. You said it yourself you were surprised the two were the same. It implies that the content is equally accessible when it's not. Maybe they should have said can team up and may do solo. But it's marketing speak of course they want to sell it so they implied something that really isn't true.

The content is equally accessible tho. It's the very same archive with the very same ruleset regardless of entering solo or in a duo. Same HP, same enemies, same incoming dmg. The only ways to reach an end is either aborting or dying often enough.

The fact, that both leaderboards are tied to the same content is a clear indicator, that everything is working as intended.

Zos never said, that there would be different versions of EA afaik. If anyone knows a source, which shows otherwise, please share it.

spartaxoxo · December 2023

They explicitly stated pretty clearly in the preview that it's meant for either solo or duo and they also highlight the separate leaderboard rewards. But, they also stated they expected duo to make it further than solo.

And with the exception of a singular add (Gothmau), none of it hits unreasonably hard for single player vet content as long as they make adjustments to their builds.

Wouldn't be surprised to see him nerfed down to be in line with the other two marauders.

It is NOT like 4 man content where this was not a design consideration from the jump. This is why the side portals explicitly nerf themselves down as well.

EA has different phases with different audience targets because it goes on endlessly.

Based off the reward structure and leaderboards, imo, the design idea was

Arc 1 all players can solo this
Arc 2-4 vet solo players
Arc 5+ duos

And talented people might make it to 5+ but that's basically playing on vet HM at that point, so you're probably better off in a duo. The damage really isn't that crazy solo at arc 4, with the exception of a single marauder. It's moreso about verses/visions and which adds you get at the same time that makes it harder or easier to beat arc 4.

Braffin · December 2023

spartaxoxo wrote: »

They explicitly pretty clearly in the preview that it's meant for either solo or duo and this was the reason for the leaderboard rewards. But, that they expected duo to make it further than solo.

Exactly, that's why there aren't two different versions of EA. It's the very same content for everyone.

OBJnoob · December 2023

Very late to this discussion but... Here's my two cents.

I'm a good but not great PvPer. I'm not very good at PvE which... I dunno, I'm probably okay, but I don't have any of the sets for it and I just prefer not to do it.

I managed to cry and cuss my way through Vet Maelstrom a handful of times like 5 years ago. Then the game decided that they'd make perfected versions of weapons I already have... Which made me mad... And the last time I tried to go back and upgrade what i already rightfully should have... Well, I couldn't do it anymore.

So there's your context. That's the skill level I'm at.

It took me a while to decide what character I'd use for EA. As I mentioned-- I don't have much PvE gear, and even less in decent traits. I decided to use an Oakensoul Dual Wield Warden. I'm wearing Orders Wrath (craftable,) and Way of Fire (tradeable.) I'm using a drink that I think is called Cloudrest Clarified Coffee... Anyways it gives me like 450 mag recovery and 450 stam recovery.

I didn't explain all that to show off what I'm using or to make recommendations. I told you what I'm using so you can see it's just a randomly decent hodgepodge.

I think the difficulty is roughly perfect. As are the rewards. It's cool that I'm guaranteed to get warden pieces if I'm on a warden-- it's cool that the drops are curated-- and it's cool that the other drops will rotate from zone to zone.

I've only done EA 3 times. Two times I died to Arc 3 Tho'at but made it all the way there without dying. The marauders are tough though. The cycle bosses or whatever are rather easy. The 3rd time I changed my skill bar to be a little more tanky and I beat arc 3 but decided, for farming sets solo, 2 arcs is all I have time for.

In my 3 runs... Oh, I forgot to mention, I haven't used a single potion the entire time... In my 3 runs I managed a 1h class set piece, a shield, a light waist, an ice staff (tyvm,) and some other stuff. I think I had a full 5-piece, but it wasn't quite to my liking for whatever reason, so at the end of my last run I finally checked the EA merchant person.

I had like 14000 of the EA currency. I bought like 5 boxes of uncurated pieces... Got lucky with a heavy chest and a heavy legs.

For people complaining about the drops... You have no idea what it was like years ago. I've NEVER gotten exactly what I wanted so fast before.

For people complaining about the difficulty... It's really not that hard. Period. Some people are going to want to be on the leaderboards and they'll do amazing things that we can all Oo and Aa at. If you just want to fritter some time solo... Doing the first 2 arcs is all you need.

I would have to imagine it's a very small demographic of people that both a) can't complete 2 arcs AND b) would be willing to spend 2+ hours on it even if they could. Like what kind of "try-hard casual," even is that going to be?

Araneae6537 · December 2023

I finally did it!

After trying almost day since U40, I finally defeated the last side challenge, the Filer’s Wing AND I defeated arc 2 Tho’at solo for the first time! Mora rewarded my devotion with the tentacular stele plan I’ve been wanting — woohoo!

SeaGtGruff · December 2023

When does the new class gear start to drop? How far do you need to get before you start to receive it in your loot?

Braffin · December 2023

SeaGtGruff wrote: »

When does the new class gear start to drop? How far do you need to get before you start to receive it in your loot?

You get armor parts from Arc 1 Tho'at and jewelry/weapons from Arc 2 Tho'at as well as Marauders.

fizl101 · December 2023

SeaGtGruff wrote: »

When does the new class gear start to drop? How far do you need to get before you start to receive it in your loot?

it drops on the tho'at or marauders

Jaraal · December 2023

SeaGtGruff wrote: »

When does the new class gear start to drop? How far do you need to get before you start to receive it in your loot?

You can also buy it with the currency. You could run Arc 1 over and over again and just buy it off the merchant, if you wanted.

katorga · December 2023

OBJnoob wrote: »

Very late to this discussion but... Here's my two cents.

For people complaining about the difficulty... It's really not that hard. Period. Some people are going to want to be on the leaderboards and they'll do amazing things that we can all Oo and Aa at. If you just want to fritter some time solo... Doing the first 2 arcs is all you need.

DK - build for high uptime on Corrosive.

NB, my opinion the best option, build for reducing weapon damage. Major/Minor Cowardice and infused weakening glyph reduces boss damage to nothing. You can go as far as you want or have the time to do.

Necrotech_Master · December 2023

OBJnoob wrote: »

Very late to this discussion but... Here's my two cents.

I'm a good but not great PvPer. I'm not very good at PvE which... I dunno, I'm probably okay, but I don't have any of the sets for it and I just prefer not to do it.

I managed to cry and cuss my way through Vet Maelstrom a handful of times like 5 years ago. Then the game decided that they'd make perfected versions of weapons I already have... Which made me mad... And the last time I tried to go back and upgrade what i already rightfully should have... Well, I couldn't do it anymore.

So there's your context. That's the skill level I'm at.

It took me a while to decide what character I'd use for EA. As I mentioned-- I don't have much PvE gear, and even less in decent traits. I decided to use an Oakensoul Dual Wield Warden. I'm wearing Orders Wrath (craftable,) and Way of Fire (tradeable.) I'm using a drink that I think is called Cloudrest Clarified Coffee... Anyways it gives me like 450 mag recovery and 450 stam recovery.

I didn't explain all that to show off what I'm using or to make recommendations. I told you what I'm using so you can see it's just a randomly decent hodgepodge.

I think the difficulty is roughly perfect. As are the rewards. It's cool that I'm guaranteed to get warden pieces if I'm on a warden-- it's cool that the drops are curated-- and it's cool that the other drops will rotate from zone to zone.

I've only done EA 3 times. Two times I died to Arc 3 Tho'at but made it all the way there without dying. The marauders are tough though. The cycle bosses or whatever are rather easy. The 3rd time I changed my skill bar to be a little more tanky and I beat arc 3 but decided, for farming sets solo, 2 arcs is all I have time for.

In my 3 runs... Oh, I forgot to mention, I haven't used a single potion the entire time... In my 3 runs I managed a 1h class set piece, a shield, a light waist, an ice staff (tyvm,) and some other stuff. I think I had a full 5-piece, but it wasn't quite to my liking for whatever reason, so at the end of my last run I finally checked the EA merchant person.

I had like 14000 of the EA currency. I bought like 5 boxes of uncurated pieces... Got lucky with a heavy chest and a heavy legs.

For people complaining about the drops... You have no idea what it was like years ago. I've NEVER gotten exactly what I wanted so fast before.

For people complaining about the difficulty... It's really not that hard. Period. Some people are going to want to be on the leaderboards and they'll do amazing things that we can all Oo and Aa at. If you just want to fritter some time solo... Doing the first 2 arcs is all you need.

I would have to imagine it's a very small demographic of people that both a) can't complete 2 arcs AND b) would be willing to spend 2+ hours on it even if they could. Like what kind of "try-hard casual," even is that going to be?

funny enough, from my experience in the archive and talking with people about it, oddly enough the better builds that work in here are pvp builds (high health, high resistance, high sustain, survivability style, and using visions/verses to deal more dmg)

CGPsaint · December 2023

Necrotech_Master wrote: »

funny enough, from my experience in the archive and talking with people about it, oddly enough the better builds that work in here are pvp builds (high health, high resistance, high sustain, survivability style, and using visions/verses to deal more dmg)

I have all of the achievements (except for the 4 fragment ones) completed and roughly 60% of the armor drops, so I've played EA quite a bit. My experience thus far is that I very rarely get Visions that will let me deal enough damage to make it worth playing beyond Arc 4. It never fails that when I'm on my Mag character, that I'll get +Pet Damage, +Poison Enchant Damage, +Martial Damage, over and over again. I see Focused Efforts so rarely that I just plan on not having it for any of my runs.

OBJnoob · December 2023

katorga wrote: »

OBJnoob wrote: »

Very late to this discussion but... Here's my two cents.

For people complaining about the difficulty... It's really not that hard. Period. Some people are going to want to be on the leaderboards and they'll do amazing things that we can all Oo and Aa at. If you just want to fritter some time solo... Doing the first 2 arcs is all you need.

DK - build for high uptime on Corrosive.

NB, my opinion the best option, build for reducing weapon damage. Major/Minor Cowardice and infused weakening glyph reduces boss damage to nothing. You can go as far as you want or have the time to do.

Thank you for that advice. It's ironic, isn't it, that the classes who can do EA the best also get the best sets from it. Not in a good way though!

I will admit I had browsed a few EA threads before my first attempt at it so I wasn't exactly flying blind.

Necrotech_Master wrote: »

OBJnoob wrote: »

Very late to this discussion but... Here's my two cents.

I'm a good but not great PvPer. I'm not very good at PvE which... I dunno, I'm probably okay, but I don't have any of the sets for it and I just prefer not to do it.

I managed to cry and cuss my way through Vet Maelstrom a handful of times like 5 years ago. Then the game decided that they'd make perfected versions of weapons I already have... Which made me mad... And the last time I tried to go back and upgrade what i already rightfully should have... Well, I couldn't do it anymore.

So there's your context. That's the skill level I'm at.

It took me a while to decide what character I'd use for EA. As I mentioned-- I don't have much PvE gear, and even less in decent traits. I decided to use an Oakensoul Dual Wield Warden. I'm wearing Orders Wrath (craftable,) and Way of Fire (tradeable.) I'm using a drink that I think is called Cloudrest Clarified Coffee... Anyways it gives me like 450 mag recovery and 450 stam recovery.

I didn't explain all that to show off what I'm using or to make recommendations. I told you what I'm using so you can see it's just a randomly decent hodgepodge.

I think the difficulty is roughly perfect. As are the rewards. It's cool that I'm guaranteed to get warden pieces if I'm on a warden-- it's cool that the drops are curated-- and it's cool that the other drops will rotate from zone to zone.

I've only done EA 3 times. Two times I died to Arc 3 Tho'at but made it all the way there without dying. The marauders are tough though. The cycle bosses or whatever are rather easy. The 3rd time I changed my skill bar to be a little more tanky and I beat arc 3 but decided, for farming sets solo, 2 arcs is all I have time for.

In my 3 runs... Oh, I forgot to mention, I haven't used a single potion the entire time... In my 3 runs I managed a 1h class set piece, a shield, a light waist, an ice staff (tyvm,) and some other stuff. I think I had a full 5-piece, but it wasn't quite to my liking for whatever reason, so at the end of my last run I finally checked the EA merchant person.

I had like 14000 of the EA currency. I bought like 5 boxes of uncurated pieces... Got lucky with a heavy chest and a heavy legs.

For people complaining about the drops... You have no idea what it was like years ago. I've NEVER gotten exactly what I wanted so fast before.

For people complaining about the difficulty... It's really not that hard. Period. Some people are going to want to be on the leaderboards and they'll do amazing things that we can all Oo and Aa at. If you just want to fritter some time solo... Doing the first 2 arcs is all you need.

I would have to imagine it's a very small demographic of people that both a) can't complete 2 arcs AND b) would be willing to spend 2+ hours on it even if they could. Like what kind of "try-hard casual," even is that going to be?

funny enough, from my experience in the archive and talking with people about it, oddly enough the better builds that work in here are pvp builds (high health, high resistance, high sustain, survivability style, and using visions/verses to deal more dmg)

Yes, well said, and that is my experience as well. My play time is severely limited though (imagine complaining that you can "only" play video games for two hours a day... Haha, first world problems,) so I intentionally use a damage build so I can do the first two or three arcs rather quickly.

CGPsaint wrote: »

Necrotech_Master wrote: »

funny enough, from my experience in the archive and talking with people about it, oddly enough the better builds that work in here are pvp builds (high health, high resistance, high sustain, survivability style, and using visions/verses to deal more dmg)

I have all of the achievements (except for the 4 fragment ones) completed and roughly 60% of the armor drops, so I've played EA quite a bit. My experience thus far is that I very rarely get Visions that will let me deal enough damage to make it worth playing beyond Arc 4. It never fails that when I'm on my Mag character, that I'll get +Pet Damage, +Poison Enchant Damage, +Martial Damage, over and over again. I see Focused Efforts so rarely that I just plan on not having it for any of my runs.

Also true. I'm not sure I've gotten a single Focused Efforts which is funny because I went in there expecting to pump Chilled procs with my warden. Not the case at all-- for me anyway. I have however developed my own favorites. The one that increases class skills by 50% is pretty awesome... I switch Rending for Cliff Racer and switch Dawnbreaker for Northern Storm when this happens. The one that increases AoEs by 50% is equally awesome for me. I'll load my bar up with Arctic Blast, gripping shards, spin to win, and either ultimate.

Jimbru · December 2023

Honestly, speaking as a beta tester, I think EA is the second or third worst content in the game, only behind IC PVP and Tales of Tribute. You can't just walk in and play like other soloing or group DPS content. You pretty much need a specialized build in a favored class, you have to hope for favorable combinations of verses and visions, and you have to hope you don't get RNG'd against some boss you've never seen before with a ridiculous kill mechanic that ends your run instantly. Also, the arc boss's constant trail of melee range AOE is super frustrating, because having to continuously move and evade really limits your ability to use skills and do damage. Bottom line: it's not fun, and I won't be playing it any more than absolutely necessary.

SeaGtGruff · December 2023

Jimbru wrote: »

I think EA is the second or third worst content in the game, only behind IC PVP and Tales of Tribute. You can't just walk in and play like other soloing or group DPS content.

Oddly enough, I enjoy IC a lot (PvE, not PvP), I love ToT (playing against NPCs, not other players), and I just walked into the EA to try to solo it without making any adjustments to my build, gear, or skills. True, I haven't managed to get past the first Tho'at yet, and sometimes get wiped out before reaching it, but I'm enjoying myself anyway.

I guess I'm just saying that your mileage (and mine) can vary quite a bit from someone else's.

AlterBlika · December 2023

Jimbru wrote: »

You can't just walk in and play like other soloing or group DPS content. You pretty much need a specialized build in a favored class

What? You absolutely can walk in and play like other soloing, I didn't make any adjustments to my solo build and can reach arc 5 with it. Maybe by soloing you mean questing?

SilverBride · December 2023

Jimbru wrote: »

Honestly, speaking as a beta tester, I think EA is the second or third worst content in the game, only behind IC PVP and Tales of Tribute. You can't just walk in and play like other soloing or group DPS content. You pretty much need a specialized build in a favored class, you have to hope for favorable combinations of verses and visions, and you have to hope you don't get RNG'd against some boss you've never seen before with a ridiculous kill mechanic that ends your run instantly. Also, the arc boss's constant trail of melee range AOE is super frustrating, because having to continuously move and evade really limits your ability to use skills and do damage. Bottom line: it's not fun, and I won't be playing it any more than absolutely necessary.

I was also a beta tester and I love the Endless Archive. I did adjust my build but players do this all the time to prepare for the content they want to experience. This is why they created the Armory Station.

There are so many rewards and furnishings that can be purchased and lots of achievements and all the side games in the unknown portals. I think they did a great job of bringing something new to the game.

MidniteOwl1913 · December 2023

AlterBlika wrote: »

Jimbru wrote: »

You can't just walk in and play like other soloing or group DPS content. You pretty much need a specialized build in a favored class

What? You absolutely can walk in and play like other soloing, I didn't make any adjustments to my solo build and can reach arc 5 with it. Maybe by soloing you mean questing?

Both of your experiences can be true, for you it was easier for him not. Maybe he got terrible verses and visions and The Serpent and the Forgotten both in arc 1. Maybe he just isn't at the solo a WB level yet, lots of people aren't.

Toxic_Hemlock · December 2023

MidniteOwl1913 wrote: »

AlterBlika wrote: »

Jimbru wrote: »

You can't just walk in and play like other soloing or group DPS content. You pretty much need a specialized build in a favored class

What? You absolutely can walk in and play like other soloing, I didn't make any adjustments to my solo build and can reach arc 5 with it. Maybe by soloing you mean questing?

Both of your experiences can be true, for you it was easier for him not. Maybe he got terrible verses and visions and The Serpent and the Forgotten both in arc 1. Maybe he just isn't at the solo a WB level yet, lots of people aren't.

Exactly right. Also this super casual player doesn't want any trial by fire activities as there is already too many arenas in the game IMO. I build to be tanky enough myself but if I miss one platform, leave the circle, get too near a dragon or, heaven forbid, miss a block ETC. ETC. I die instantly. I want to have fun, not always be on my guard for a queue I might never see so I just don't bother going there anymore myself.

It is fine and, I hear even fun, for those that like arenas, but I don't play to work, I play to have fun.

Edit: I hate typos

Anne13 · December 2023

I've got to arc 7 solo nb
The mauraders slap me for 29k + quick strikes....
It's ridiculous!
The incoming damage not just from the mauraders is insane. I am 34k resistances with 38.7k health

And why do the conduits spam negate one after the other? Do they have 100% major and minor herosim lol

TwiceBornStar · December 2023

Isn't the whole idea behind the Endless Archive that it will eventually defeat you, no matter how good you are or how bad-ass your build is?

Jaraal · December 2023

Anne13 wrote: »

And why do the conduits spam negate one after the other? Do they have 100% major and minor herosim lol

Have you been to Cyrodiil? The Dragonknight NPC tank guards cast negate and can heal to full health instantly.

NPCs don't have to follow the same rules as players.

caperon · December 2023

CGPsaint wrote: »

EdjeSwift wrote: »

CGPsaint wrote: »

As you play, try to learn the spawn patterns. The priority enemies such as the Fabled Infusers spawn in the middle or back middle of trash packs. They MUST be killed first. Plan on using your Elemental Rage ultimate on the first and third waves of trash rounds. Most boss fights are not DPS races.

100% agree on this, knowledge of the trash pack spawns and knowing where and when Fabled spawn is key to success. Arc 1, no Fabled Early, then they spawn in Stage 1 for the rest of the Arc I think from Stage 3 or 4 onward. Arc 2, still 1 Fabled at Stage 1 then I think at Stage 3 or 4 onward, they also spawn in the second pack. Arc 3, Stage 1 spawn then I think from Stage 4 onward 2 spawn with the final pack per stage.

CGPsaint wrote: »

Tho'at Fights. Be sure to swap out Wall of Elements for Elemental Susceptibility. Stay mobile. Kill the blob adds whenever they spawn, and then continue kiting/fighting Tho'at and subsequent bosses.

This piece of advice I have to speak up against, one of the most effective visions available is Fiery Support and if you can dance around the AoE and control it where she stands in your Fiery Support pool, it will do half the work. If you're lucky enough to get Guardian of Pestilence on top of this, you'll do aces. Tho'at, to me at least, isn't about mobility until Arc 3, Arc 1 and 2 with Tho'at Prime and the Ice Atronach are about controlling the battlefield and using the space you have available, if you can pile up her AoEs in a small area and use your positioning to your advantage there's no reason you can't use Wall and Ele to beat her.

Edit: Was a little curious on health scaling for enemies in the Archive. Arc 1 Stage 1, trash packs have 65k health on average and per stage they do go up incrementally, however between Arc 1 and 2 they get a big jump and then between 2 and 3 another big one where the same packs from 1.1.1 now have nearly 4x the HP they had previously, but the bosses don[t get that big a boost my Stage 1 boss the Whisperer had 792.5K HP while Canonreave during Arc 3 had only about 2 mill instead of the expected 3.

While I agree with what you're saying, that method is 100% reliant on getting the right Visions, which from my experience just doesn't happen often enough. My build/method is set up to be doable with less than ideal Visions, but that being said, if I get Fiery Support then I'll absolutely take advantage of it.

What is doable? Endless archive is endless, you will eventually be unable to continue, it is in its design. Anyway, you can reach arc 6 with trash visions 100% of the time if you build properly, I've done it multiple times (althought i leave at arc 3 if no good visions).

I agree with the general sentiment that many visons are just trash and should be bufed by 5x or 10x so you can have different builds than status effects, but that is not the point of this post anyway, where people complains about monsters with 300k hp, that is actually nothing using a half decent build.