Oakensoul ring as a character option?

moo_2021 · June 21

gained at level 50 and includes only empower and major buffs.

That way new players could easily choose one bar if they want to. And the ring would still provide valuable enhancements, but no longer necessary for the playstyle. And we could also pair the option with other mythic items.

Asikoo · June 21

You really need to understand one thing:
Oakensoul is no longer welcome in multiplayer content.
Players will turn you away the moment they see it equipped. Even Zenimax itself limits your access—trials like Cloudrest flat-out block you if you're using it.

So let’s be honest, right now, Oakensoul is only truly viable for solo play. That’s the reality.

Zenimax released and sold Oakensoul with High Isle. It was exciting. It was empowering. For many players, it breathed new life into the game. It let people play comfortably, enjoyably, on their own terms.
But then came the nerfs. The restrictions. The gatekeeping. And just like that, an entire playstyle started dying out in multiplayer.

And I get it. I really do. For some, Oakensoul was a blessing.
It was fun. It felt good. It made ESO more accessible, more engaging, even magical for a time.

But now? Zenimax doesn’t seem to care about those players anymore, not when it comes to group content. And most of the community? They don’t care either.
Because Oakensoul can’t parse 180k DPS... right?

But for the solo player… it’s perfect the way it is.

edit:
All you really need is an Arcanist.
One-bar Arcanist is welcome anywhere any place, any time. Why?
Because it can parse 131k DPS on a single bar. No Oakensoul. No training wheels. Just raw numbers.
skinnycheeks - 1-bar-beam

But Oakensoul?
Not welcome. Not because it breaks the game. Not because it ruins mechanics. But because it’s fun. Because it’s easy. Because it doesn't push players to spend more money chasing meta builds.

Oakensoul can’t parse 131k DPS.
So it’s dismissed. Shoved into a solo corner. Forgotten in group play.
Even if it brought people joy. Even if it gave players, casual, disabled, or just plain tired a way to play on their own terms, Arcanist is profitable. Oakensoul is not.

That’s the real reason. And it hurts.

Vonnegut2506 · June 21

I did multiple pug trials this week with my one-bar Oakenshield sorceror who also doesn't have a beam of any kind to test this notion that multiplayer content gating occurs if you are using Oakenshield. Not one person in any of the trials said a single thing about my build or anyone else's build. Heck, in one trial no one said anything the entire run. Maybe organized veteran trials are different, but telling someone they can't do normal trials if they use Oakenshield is hyperbole and incorrect from everything I experienced this week.

Cooperharley · June 21

Asikoo wrote: »

You really need to understand one thing:
Oakensoul is no longer welcome in multiplayer content.
Players will turn you away the moment they see it equipped. Even Zenimax itself limits your access—trials like Cloudrest flat-out block you if you're using it.

So let’s be honest, right now, Oakensoul is only truly viable for solo play. That’s the reality.

Zenimax released and sold Oakensoul with High Isle. It was exciting. It was empowering. For many players, it breathed new life into the game. It let people play comfortably, enjoyably, on their own terms.
But then came the nerfs. The restrictions. The gatekeeping. And just like that, an entire playstyle started dying out in multiplayer.

And I get it. I really do. For some, Oakensoul was a blessing.
It was fun. It felt good. It made ESO more accessible, more engaging, even magical for a time.

But now? Zenimax doesn’t seem to care about those players anymore, not when it comes to group content. And most of the community? They don’t care either.
Because Oakensoul can’t parse 180k DPS... right?

But for the solo player… it’s perfect the way it is.

edit:
All you really need is an Arcanist.
One-bar Arcanist is welcome anywhere any place, any time. Why?
Because it can parse 131k DPS on a single bar. No Oakensoul. No training wheels. Just raw numbers.
skinnycheeks - 1-bar-beam

But Oakensoul?
Not welcome. Not because it breaks the game. Not because it ruins mechanics. But because it’s fun. Because it’s easy. Because it doesn't push players to spend more money chasing meta builds.

Oakensoul can’t parse 131k DPS.
So it’s dismissed. Shoved into a solo corner. Forgotten in group play.
Even if it brought people joy. Even if it gave players, casual, disabled, or just plain tired a way to play on their own terms, Arcanist is profitable. Oakensoul is not.

That’s the real reason. And it hurts.

Idk dude, I’ve played in a ton of groups with Oakensoul and had no problems. Sure, if you’re doing trifecta content or tough vet trial content, that’s different. Higher dps allows you to skip very difficult mechanics often times, so it helps the other 11 people out if you have high dps, but I just don’t really do that content anymore.

Never had anyone say anything about Oakensoul to me lol. There’s also, with subclassing, ways to use one bar builds without Oakensoul that can perform better too! Hyperoxies has some cool builds displaying that!

Sorry you’ve had a bad experience!

valenwood_vegan · June 21

I regularly use oakensoul in group content. No one has ever said anything negative. They even let me bring it to cloudrest, though I offered to swap because I'm also not just all about me. Now ok, I'll grant that if one is doing the highest end organized group content, requirements can be different and more groups will focus on the meta, but that's a far cry from "oakensoul is not welcome in group content." Sounds like maybe the issue is actually finding better groups to roll with lol.

sleepy_worm · June 21

I welcome and encourage Oakensoul in all the learning/farming runs I organize. (With a caveat about Cloudrest, of course. Allowed but the group's got to be aware of how it works.)

And I think 1-bar Arcanist very much has some training wheels associated with it (and that's fine).

moo_2021 · June 21

Asikoo wrote: »

Oakensoul can’t parse 131k DPS.
So it’s dismissed. Shoved into a solo corner. Forgotten in group play.
Even if it brought people joy. Even if it gave players, casual, disabled, or just plain tired a way to play on their own terms, Arcanist is profitable. Oakensoul is not.

But I don't need 131k DPS in normal dungeons or cyrodiil.

Not everything need to be made for vet pve content. There are tons of items which don't fit in that category as well.

Varana · June 21

Asikoo wrote: »

You really need to understand one thing:

That almost nothing in this post was true.

Except for organised groups above a certain level, no one cares whether you use Oakensoul or not. And if you hit your numbers with Oakensoul, you're fine even then.

The Cloudrest mechanic existed well before Oakensoul. It got slightly changed after its release so the mechanic actually does what it was supposed to do. And the trial doesn't "flat-out block you" from using it. You can still use it in any fight in this trial that doesn't involve Relequen.

Not to mention that Oakensoul is not the only way to play one-bar heavy attack builds. You can also, like, just not weapon-swap. If you get Empower from somewhere else, you may be better off using another setup like the new Mythic.

And so on. There's really so much wrong with this post...

RealLoveBVB · June 21

I doubt anyone in normal trials or dungeons ever complained about oakensoul or other playstyles.

It's mostly in vet groups, where everyone wants to achieve something.

Also everyone talking about dps.. it's not just the lack of damage a oakensoul player brings with, but also the lack of buffs for the group and debuffs on bosses/adds.

DenverRalphy · June 22

Oakensoul needs to be earned.

Collect the leads and scry for it. Any player not willing to put forth the effort is not worthy of wielding the power of Oakensoul.

Artim_X · June 22

No, I disagree. Mythics exist to change up gameplay. Oakensoul is doing its Job and should be earned.

virtus753 · June 22

Varana wrote: »

Asikoo wrote: »

You really need to understand one thing:

That almost nothing in this post was true.

Except for organised groups above a certain level, no one cares whether you use Oakensoul or not. And if you hit your numbers with Oakensoul, you're fine even then.

The Cloudrest mechanic existed well before Oakensoul. It got slightly changed after its release so the mechanic actually does what it was supposed to do. And the trial doesn't "flat-out block you" from using it. You can still use it in any fight in this trial that doesn't involve Relequen.

Not to mention that Oakensoul is not the only way to play one-bar heavy attack builds. You can also, like, just not weapon-swap. If you get Empower from somewhere else, you may be better off using another setup like the new Mythic.

And so on. There's really so much wrong with this post...

ZOS actually tried to accommodate Oakensoul players in Cloudrest by having Voltaic Overload go to players who don't have it on. If you have 12 Oakensoul players in a fight involving Relequen, yes, you have a major problem. But a few with it just adds stress to everyone else; the usage of Oakensoul doesn't guarantee a wipe. That stress is up to the group and group lead to choose to bear or not. I've done vCR in a group where 3 (other) players were wearing Oakensoul, after the fix, and we cleared without any issue due to the ring. I would not want to do a +2 (with Rele) or +3 like that, though, given how much more stress those add already.

BretonMage · June 22

Asikoo wrote: »

But Oakensoul?
Not welcome. Not because it breaks the game. Not because it ruins mechanics. But because it’s fun. Because it’s easy. Because it doesn't push players to spend more money chasing meta builds.

Oakensoul can’t parse 131k DPS.
So it’s dismissed. Shoved into a solo corner. Forgotten in group play.
Even if it brought people joy. Even if it gave players, casual, disabled, or just plain tired a way to play on their own terms, Arcanist is profitable. Oakensoul is not.

That’s the real reason. And it hurts.

Yes, it hurts.

I wish we had near-parity for a greater variety of builds that players enjoy.

thorwyn · June 22

So you are basically asking to be able to wear two mythics at once. Nice try.
Oakensoul - as well as any other mythic - comes with trade offs and one of the trade off is, that it consumes a mythic slot.

Asikoo · June 22

BretonMage wrote: »

Yes, it hurts.

I wish we had near-parity for a greater variety of builds that players enjoy.

In fact, any build that doesn’t use Oakensoul has a lot more variety. What are you even saying!?
But this game isn’t about build variety, fun, or anything else, it’s all about DPS.

If you want to be accepted, don’t use Oakensoul.
But if you want to have some fun… I mean… can we even call this solo-player style fun? So…

Renato90085 · June 22

why not use new mythic?

BretonMage · June 22

Asikoo wrote: »

BretonMage wrote: »

Yes, it hurts.

I wish we had near-parity for a greater variety of builds that players enjoy.

In fact, any build that doesn’t use Oakensoul has a lot more variety. What are you even saying!?
But this game isn’t about build variety, fun, or anything else, it’s all about DPS.

If you want to be accepted, don’t use Oakensoul.
But if you want to have some fun… I mean… can we even call this solo-player style fun? So…

I'm saying that I wish a greater variety of builds had similar levels of DPS. Maybe DPS is king in this game, but at the end of the game it IS a game, and it should be fun for all the players. I think it's silly to force people into a playstyle they hate just to be accepted. We're all playing ESO to have fun, aren't we? I could be wrong, I guess. I personally don't believe in gatekeeping myself, ymmv.

moo_2021 · June 22

DenverRalphy wrote: »

Oakensoul needs to be earned.

Collect the leads and scry for it. Any player not willing to put forth the effort is not worthy of wielding the power of Oakensoul.

but the point of this mythic is to enable a simplified playstyle. Seems contrary to puttings tons of effort in order to earn it.

Also my proposal is only for major buffs, i.e. 3 ability slots. Wouldn't that be a good tradeoff itself? Anyone wanting more would still have to farm the ring.

thorwyn · June 22

but the point of this mythic is to enable a simplified playstyle.

No, it's not! Losing 6 skill slots was actually the main draw back of this item and you guys turned that into a positive because for some reason, some people are unable to handle one extra button to swap a bar. So now you have both, the buffs and the lazy playstyle and NOW you are asking to keep all the good stuff and get even more good stuff by being able to wear an additional mythic.

Pixiepumpkin · June 22

thorwyn wrote: »

but the point of this mythic is to enable a simplified playstyle.

No, it's not! Losing 6 skill slots was actually the main draw back of this item and you guys turned that into a positive because for some reason, some people are unable to handle one extra button to swap a bar. So now you have both, the buffs and the lazy playstyle and NOW you are asking to keep all the good stuff and get even more good stuff by being able to wear an additional mythic.

1. Using one bar does not mean the player is lazy. And making such a statement is asinine.
2. Many of us can not use 2 bars. Some for health reasons, some because swapping is not reliable due to latancy.
3. Oakensoul should be buffed, or rather returned to its former glory. As it stands a 2 bar subclass build would still do more damage by a landslide vs the original oakensoul.

Pro-tip. Hating on an entire group of players becasue they prefer (or have no option but) to run one bar is not a good look for you.

thorwyn · June 22

I'm not hating oakensoul players... not at all. I just can not stand the "Give me more... MORE.... MOOOOOORE!" attitude as shown by such proposals.
But I don't want to spoil your self-righteous narratives. Keep ranting.

Renato90085 · June 22

all mythic have draw back
Malacath's will lost crit dmg
Mora's Whispers need you run all mage book,it mean all base map and dungreon
Oakensoul cant use you back bar
Velothi will lost 99% light/heavy attack dmg
other solo mythic Pale Order cant use in any group event
i not see other mythic user say :my mythic have draw back ,please give we equipment 2 or delete draw back
why this only happen in oakensoul?
it still do it work,be solo/dungreon trifecta meta mythic

moo_2021 · June 22

Pixiepumpkin wrote: »

3. Oakensoul should be buffed, or rather returned to its former glory. As it stands a 2 bar subclass build would still do more damage by a landslide vs the original oakensoul.

I'm not asking for buffs, but turning the bare minimum part of the ring into a game option. It'd open up the possibilities to use like monster sets or 2nd mythic, but without all the minor buffs that 2-bar players don't usually use, e.g. things like minor heroism.

moo_2021 · June 22

Renato90085 wrote: »

why not use new mythic?

Monomyth Reforged? It's only good for pve group content probably. major protection is a joke now.

Renato90085 · June 22

moo_2021 wrote: »

Renato90085 wrote: »

why not use new mythic?

Monomyth Reforged? It's only good for pve group content probably. major protection is a joke now.

are you talk about pvp?
Is oaken not some ganker meta?

Renato90085 · June 22

moo_2021 wrote: »

Renato90085 wrote: »

why not use new mythic?

Monomyth Reforged? It's only good for pve group content probably. major protection is a joke now.

So..does Oaken still have a meaning to exist?
there buff all easy own,it will be free 2 mythic power ,and oaken dead

Bubosh · June 22

The game got changed already to being one of the easiest MMORPGs in terms of dealing DMG and avoiding DMG and ppl still want to get more brokenly strong with oaken and being able to slot another mythic on top. This is one of the biggest reason ppl lose interest in this game because some loud ppl want it to be their broken solo game experience but it's a MMORPG at the end.

Soarora · June 22

Asikoo wrote: »

You really need to understand one thing:
Oakensoul is no longer welcome in multiplayer content.
Players will turn you away the moment they see it equipped. Even Zenimax itself limits your access—trials like Cloudrest flat-out block you if you're using it.

So let’s be honest, right now, Oakensoul is only truly viable for solo play. That’s the reality.

Zenimax released and sold Oakensoul with High Isle. It was exciting. It was empowering. For many players, it breathed new life into the game. It let people play comfortably, enjoyably, on their own terms.
But then came the nerfs. The restrictions. The gatekeeping. And just like that, an entire playstyle started dying out in multiplayer.

And I get it. I really do. For some, Oakensoul was a blessing.
It was fun. It felt good. It made ESO more accessible, more engaging, even magical for a time.

But now? Zenimax doesn’t seem to care about those players anymore, not when it comes to group content. And most of the community? They don’t care either.
Because Oakensoul can’t parse 180k DPS... right?

But for the solo player… it’s perfect the way it is.

edit:
All you really need is an Arcanist.
One-bar Arcanist is welcome anywhere any place, any time. Why?
Because it can parse 131k DPS on a single bar. No Oakensoul. No training wheels. Just raw numbers.
skinnycheeks - 1-bar-beam

But Oakensoul?
Not welcome. Not because it breaks the game. Not because it ruins mechanics. But because it’s fun. Because it’s easy. Because it doesn't push players to spend more money chasing meta builds.

Oakensoul can’t parse 131k DPS.
So it’s dismissed. Shoved into a solo corner. Forgotten in group play.
Even if it brought people joy. Even if it gave players, casual, disabled, or just plain tired a way to play on their own terms, Arcanist is profitable. Oakensoul is not.

That’s the real reason. And it hurts.

I literally just did 2/3 vlc hm with an entirely oakensorc group (sans tanks) and they did great. If you don’t see an oakensoul group then make one. Someone has to be the one to step up.

thorwyn wrote: »

but the point of this mythic is to enable a simplified playstyle.

No, it's not! Losing 6 skill slots was actually the main draw back of this item and you guys turned that into a positive because for some reason, some people are unable to handle one extra button to swap a bar. So now you have both, the buffs and the lazy playstyle and NOW you are asking to keep all the good stuff and get even more good stuff by being able to wear an additional mythic.

I’m pretty sure oakensoul was marketed to players who prefer a 1-bar or lessened rotation playstyle. Like, it might be in the patch notes. Oakensoul has the problem of not having any drawbacks.

And no, oakensoul should not be an option without equipping the ring. People see all the buffs and defend it with their life but you really do not need most of the buffs and the ones you do need you’ll get from other easily obtained and easily upkept sources anyways.

Pixiepumpkin · June 22

thorwyn wrote: »

I'm not hating oakensoul players... not at all. I just can not stand the "Give me more... MORE.... MOOOOOORE!" attitude as shown by such proposals.
But I don't want to spoil your self-righteous narratives. Keep ranting.

You attitude towards them suggests otherwise.

moo_2021 · June 22

Renato90085 wrote: »

moo_2021 wrote: »

Renato90085 wrote: »

why not use new mythic?

Monomyth Reforged? It's only good for pve group content probably. major protection is a joke now.

So..does Oaken still have a meaning to exist?
there buff all easy own,it will be free 2 mythic power ,and oaken dead

Yes of course. the minor buffs by the ring are not trivial, though Monomyth Reforged in particular and anything based on bar swapping should be disabled in the mode.

RealLoveBVB · June 22

Pixiepumpkin wrote: »

Pro-tip. Hating on an entire group of players becasue they prefer (or have no option but) to run one bar is not a good look for you.

Same counts for one bar users too.
When oakensoul was released and everyone and their grandma's were cheesing vAS+2, then you saw very often in zone chat: LFM dds HA sorcs only

So who is locking players out? And who hated 2 bar users at this point?