Too much horizontal progression and not enough vertical?

Nyseto · June 2024

Already got my mythic, arena weapon and my trial set perfected and golded out along with the rest of my gear. Dps caps at about 1500CP as well so it feels like I’ve hit a ceiling CP-wise. I don’t see the point of pve anymore other than trifecta achievements for title bragging rights.

Anyone here facing the same dilemma?

ToRelax · June 2024

Not really, no. I find improving my personal skill far more interesting. It's a large part of the reason I play this game in the first place.

furiouslog · June 2024

If all you do is trials, then yes, you're probably at the summit. The more horizontal content you do, the more valuable other points in the CP tree become. PVP is a big one, of course, but also certain dungeons and trials benefit from situational CP skills that are otherwise pretty niche, so it's more a matter of refinement and minor optimizations based on your other in-game interests.

My big problem with the system has always been the green tree and the ridiculous amount of active slot management required to benefit from any of the skills in there. It's dumb.

tsaescishoeshiner · June 2024

If you're not selling carry runs, you're not at the highest end of PvE combat yet. But that's about increasing your skill and coordinating with a group, not chasing a higher tier of gear.

While there are some grindy parts of ESO, the lack of an endless vertical climb is a huge selling point. I think it's jarring for people who are used to games like WoW that you're meant to log on and actually play and enjoy ESO and not chase artificially grindy goalposts.

You can try out other classes and have them fully geared up pretty quick for DPS, too. Can always try tanking or healing, as well. There are a lot of cosmetics and stuff behind dungeon and trial achievements.

xclassgaming · June 2024

no, i dont want this game to become wow

Soarora · June 2024

Nyseto wrote: »

Already got my mythic, arena weapon and my trial set perfected and golded out along with the rest of my gear. Dps caps at about 1500CP as well so it feels like I’ve hit a ceiling CP-wise. I don’t see the point of pve anymore other than trifecta achievements for title bragging rights.

Anyone here facing the same dilemma?

As ToRelax said:

ToRelax wrote: »

Not really, no. I find improving my personal skill far more interesting. It's a large part of the reason I play this game in the first place.

If you don't want trifecta achievements for title bragging rights, try tanking or healing. DPS has a skill cap too around not dying, doing damage, and doing mechanics, but healing and tanking skills are less about "well I've reached my top damage", they're about knowing how to deal with the unique situations every content puts you in.

valenwood_vegan · June 2024

Just to add to what others have said, it depends on what one wants to get out of the game I suppose. If the goal is just to reach max vertical power, yeah there may not be much else to do. But others have offered some great suggestions for how to stay engaged.

In the end, the whole "horizontal, not vertical progression" thing is part of the core design philosophy of the game and is unlikely to change, so I'd suggest maybe setting some other goals to accomplish. There's a lot to do!

Finedaible · June 2024

There is only the illusion of horizontal progression in this game with how many non-combat passives are inactive at any time. The way they designed all the perks in the green tree made sure of that; Which in itself is kinda weird because the Champion Point rework was supposedly to reduce server load or some bs, but then later on they put unlockable perks via companions which cannot be 'unslotted' so to speak... Seems contradictory.

nenekotanb16_ESO · June 2024

Finedaible wrote: »

There is only the illusion of horizontal progression in this game with how many non-combat passives are inactive at any time. The way they designed all the perks in the green tree made sure of that; Which in itself is kinda weird because the Champion Point rework was supposedly to reduce server load or some bs, but then later on they put unlockable perks via companions which cannot be 'unslotted' so to speak... Seems contradictory.

Horizontal progression does not just mean champion point system, it also means things like all the different item sets that even if weaker in the meta, are not just a lower power level when a new patch comes out.

I do agree with your main points though. The green tree should have been just fully passive. It feels unrewarding unlocking ANOTHER "active" passive. Sure, there's addons that help alleviate, but ZOS should just make it work themselves.

master_vanargand · June 2024

People who want to level up infinitely are crazy.
First, train your fingers.

alpha_synuclein · June 2024

What you have is a starting point to endgame. If this is not where you want to go, try other classes and roles.

Desiato · June 2024

Nyseto wrote: »

Already got my mythic, arena weapon and my trial set perfected and golded out along with the rest of my gear. Dps caps at about 1500CP as well so it feels like I’ve hit a ceiling CP-wise. I don’t see the point of pve anymore other than trifecta achievements for title bragging rights.

Anyone here facing the same dilemma?

HMs and trifectas aren't necessarily only for bragging rights. It's a lot of fun to work as a team in a core group to achieve those things. I couldn't care less about skins and titles.

For me, playing dps hasn't been assembling a single build and calling it a day. I'm in the process of assembling an array of builds to help my groups fine tune encounters. I'm just getting started and already I'm sometimes running 4 builds through the course of a trial.

Assembling these sets requires running dungeons and trials for gear, grinding transmutes and obtaining upgrade mats.

It's also good when a player can perform a variety of roles. It's easiest to fill a parse dps when short a member, so it's nice when a lot of core members can shift roles as needed. There are a variety of support roles a dps can perform.