is ledge hopping legitimate? (semispoiler)

Svann · May 2014

I just did a quest where they sent a couple dozen at me. In the area is a stairs and many many places to jump up and down. Seemed like the zone was just made for it. But is hopping on a ledge to reduce the numbers legitimate or an exploit?

JJDrakken · May 2014

??

FrauPerchta · May 2014

Haven't heard that it's considered an exploit but I know in some games it is and in others it isn't. When it's not considered an exploit you generally see (in other games) combat bots using the exploit to gain xp.

PBpsy · May 2014

If you mean what I think you mean. Going to high ground where the mobs can't hit you and you just spamming ranged attacks. It doesn't work. Usually you can't find that safe position and if you do the mobs do not take damage when you attack them. I only tested this on two occasions so I am not entirely sure though.

Orizuru · May 2014

In all the games I have played where the devs have determined that this behavior isn't in line with how they wanted you to tackle an encounter, they always punished the ledges rather than the players.

While it may not be in the spirit of the game, I seriously doubt it would ever be called an exploit that could get you in trouble. If the devs decide it's something they don't like, I would expect them to patch in a change to the terrain in some manner that would prevent the behavior, but I doubt they would action a player over it.

zaria · May 2014

NaciremaDiputs wrote: »

In all the games I have played where the devs have determined that this behavior isn't in line with how they wanted you to tackle an encounter, they always punished the ledges rather than the players.

While it may not be in the spirit of the game, I seriously doubt it would ever be called an exploit that could get you in trouble. If the devs decide it's something they don't like, I would expect them to patch in a change to the terrain in some manner that would prevent the behavior, but I doubt they would action a player over it.

The only way it could be seen as an exploit would be farming group bosses solo by placing yourself an place it can't hurt you.
Even this would not be much as an issue in ESO as its usually other people present and loot is the same if multiple do it.

In WOW that would be an exploit as you share loot and you get serious XP of soloing an boss high over your level.

To avoid mob in a quest its no issue at all, you might report as bug if it make quest cakewalk.

KariTR · May 2014

I've played several games in the past where 'perching' was a bannable offence, but they do seem to have eliminated pathing issues for the most part. For example, monsters resetting if they can't get a hit on you.

lecarcajou_ESO · May 2014

I'd like to answer that in the form of a popular song...

When I see a ledge waiting to be hopped
I can't stop, I must hop
And my lightning
is striking
again and again and again... yeah.

Is it legit? You know it is!

FrauPerchta · May 2014

ESO has several perches that I have accidentally discovered. I was really surprised they existed and fully expect that when I launched a ranged attack the mob would have an AI that would find a way to me. Most mobs seem to do this in in ESO but a few will just stand there and get hit till they die. When I see they are just going to stand still without me rooting them I jump down to make the fight fair since just killing isn't fun without the change of getting your butt kicked too.

drschplatt · May 2014

If it's part of the map, and the mobs don't reset or go invincible like in LOTRO, I see no reason why it would be considered a problem. If the devs don't like it, fix the ledge. They give us a map to use and we use it.

DenverRalphy · May 2014

In my experiences with MMOs, it's only an issue if you exploited a bug/glitch to get to the perch itself (ie.. Exploiting an attack animation to slip out of the intended play area). However, if you get to the perch simply by walking/jumping then you're free to do as you will (though you can be relatively confident that the map will soon be altered, or the enemy pathing AI will be tweaked to account for it).

PBpsy · May 2014

FrauPerchta wrote: »

ESO has several perches that I have accidentally discovered. I was really surprised they existed and fully expect that when I launched a ranged attack the mob would have an AI that would find a way to me. Most mobs seem to do this in in ESO but a few will just stand there and get hit till they die. When I see they are just going to stand still without me rooting them I jump down to make the fight fair since just killing isn't fun without the change of getting your butt kicked too.

Have you actually killed any ? I seen them just disengage and go back to full health.

Xithian · May 2014

Your question shouldn't be "Is it exploiting". Of course it's exploiting. Using bugs/faulty game mechanics for person gain. It's pretty much the definition of exploiting.

Your real question is "Will I get in trouble?"

Syntse · May 2014

Yes it would seem like if you are out of reach of the mob it will take damage from the first hit but then heal back immediately. Also it will not even bother to aggro. Tried this couple of times. Not sure about ranged mobs though, they might attack since they will be able to cause damage to you.

I kinda see that it is a must so that someone cannot just sit on some ledge and kill mob over and over without fear of dying and collect good exp. As in my case both spots that I found were in skull area. Also I think if you are clever enough to find spot where you can safely shoot melee mob it could be allowed.

Aballister · May 2014

imho, if you find one of these in the course of normal play and use it to kill a boss once to complete the quest and move on, then that's fine. If you then sit there and repeatly kill the boss a further 100 times using it then it's exploiting.

zaria · May 2014

I managed Gutripper in beta as it fell down a hole next to the stairs. It got up but the 30 seconds I could spam made it easy

Knootewoot · May 2014

I call it tactics.

If i was attacked by goons IRL i would also climb on a ledge and throw stones at them.

Xithian · May 2014

As people have pointed out, standing on a high point where they can't reach you results in mobs just ignoring you and full healing.

Moving back and forth in areas that make mobs change their path and spend a lot of time just running around while you deal with them one at a time, however, works just fine. I thought that's what he was referring to.