Maintenance for the week of September 15:
• PC/Mac: NA and EU megaservers for patch maintenance – September 15, 4:00AM EDT (8:00 UTC) - 9:00AM EDT (13:00 UTC)
• Xbox: NA and EU megaservers for patch maintenance – September 16, 6:00AM EDT (10:00 UTC) - 12:00PM EDT (16:00 UTC)
• PlayStation®: NA and EU megaservers for patch maintenance – September 16, 6:00AM EDT (10:00 UTC) - 12:00PM EDT (16:00 UTC)

Should there be a PvE only instance of Imperial City?

  • warm_blanket
    warm_blanket
    ✭✭✭
    A post-invasion IC functioning the same as a new overland zone would be fine. Naturally the rewards would be completely different.

    Some others have already commented on this but IC as it is now is the most immersive space in the game because your character has a high risk of getting blasted while in there, which lines up perfectly with the narrative scenario playing out in that zone. It's not a safe place and that's what makes it fun. The tel var system is icing on the cake.

    It's unfortunate that the mobs and bosses aren't really a threat, but thankfully enemy players fill in that gap no problem and do it way better. There's nothing quite like it that I've experienced, and honestly I'd continue playing the game for IC alone.
  • Dojohoda
    Dojohoda
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    ✭✭✭
    No.
    Being a zone that's free to claim from the crown store, there is no monetary benefit to devote employee time to it and there's nothing wrong with the zone, it seems to work alright. If imperial city were to be revisited, I would rather that the pvp appeal to be improved and there are some old threads with suggestions, one being to let us rez to any district. The pve related function that I would hope for is to have quest pickups inside the base.

    Anyhoo, I understand the interest in not wanting to be killed by a player while trying to enjoy the quests. That's no fun, especially since you might not be able to rez in the same district. I guess keep asking for a pve version, you never know, you might wear them down eventually, which is a type of irl pvp :D
    Fan of playing magblade since 2015. (PC NA)
    Might be joking in comments.
    -->(((Cyrodiil)))<--
  • FullMax
    FullMax
    ✭✭✭
    No.
    I am for making a separate imperial city, after the victory over Molag Bal: restored and rebuilt. When the emperor is finally on the throne, then it will be possible to make PVE. It is necessary to be able to enter previously inaccessible houses, to have a functioning arena, a functioning mages guild, etc.
    ❝A seed is invisible in the ground, but only from it grows a huge tree. Just as invisible is a thought, but only from a thought grow the greatest events of human life.❞
    Achievement points 48.250
  • Islyn
    Islyn
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    No.
    Aaaaabsolutely not.

    We already have 'crafters' stripmining every other place, getting rich w minimum effort, or just hoarding the mats. Which btw is fine, and their business, before anyone decides I *hate crafters* or some other wacky thing - and I'm not entertaining replies to that regard.

    They already got Craglorn nerfed to pieces because they accused us who wanted the adventure zone to be challenging (and readers; Craglorn used to actually be fun!) to 'just want to hog all the Nirncrux' which just shows you how many of those asking for nerfs thought.

    This is a MMO - not a solo game - though you can now solo a lot. If you want to do quests in IC then like the guy Friday night I spent a few hours helping do his, ask in zone or base. Get a group and go.

    Usually I am all for more choice = better; but NOT just so more ppl can farm 12 hours a day, and not have any challenge.
    Member of the Old Guard - Closed Betas 2013
  • noblecron
    noblecron
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    Yes.
    I voted yes becuase I think it would give a lot of players in the pve side of things to actually go there without worrying about getting repeatedly ganked becuase said ganker finds it easier to gank the same player repeatedly becuase they don't know how to do anything else.
  • Maitsukas
    Maitsukas
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    ✭✭
    Only until the Imperial City story quests are complete. After that it should be fully PvP.

    Obviously the Tel Var, Imperial Fragment, IC set drops and IC Dailies should be disabled for the PvE version.
    Edited by Maitsukas on July 28, 2025 12:37PM
    PC-EU @maitsukas

    Posting the Infinite Archive and Imperial City Weekly Vendor updates.

    Also trying out new Main Quests, Companions, ToT decks, Events and Styles on PTS.
  • Eskibidus
    Eskibidus
    ✭✭✭
    No.
    IC is already pretty much dead when there are no events. If you make a PVE-only instance of it, we can just close the PVP one, since I always meet the same people in there
    🤡
  • Kaelalas
    Kaelalas
    ✭✭✭
    Yes.
    There should definitely be a PVE instance version of the Imperial City, albeit without any of the PvP-oriented loot. Either that, or get rid of the whole concept of leeching Tel Var Stones from killed players because all it does is promote toxicity. Or at the very least structure the PvP event's event tickets to be awarded for actual PvP and not PvE dailies.

    Everyone and their mother knows that the Imperial City's PvP isn't even genuine PvP. It's mostly dead outside of events, moreso than Cyrodiil, and the only "PvP" happening in the IC consists of a few morons with overpowered gear/skills sprinkled about reaping Tel Var Stones from the remaining majority of players who just want to get their dailies done and get out.

    I guarantee that most "PvP" players in the Imperial City don't go in with the thought "Oh boy, I can't wait to engage in an intense fight with other capable and equipped players to showcase my skill!" They go in knowing that the vast majority of players they encounter are going to be easy pickings whether they fight back or not. If they wanted PvP even remotely more challenging, they'd be in Cyrodiil or Battlegrounds, but they aren't. They're in the Imperial City harassing PvE players who are shoehorned in by the Midyear event that awards tickets not for actual PvP but for PvE dailies (at least, in the Imperial City).

    Maybe if the "PvP" event actually awarded tickets for genuine PvP and not PvE dailies, critics of a PvE version of the Imperial City would have a decent argument against PvE players in a "PvP zone". But I assure you even this idea would be frowned upon by the neckbeard-wielding basement dwellers who actually enjoy the "PvP" in the Imperial City because it would mean far fewer free kills and Tel Var Stones from PvE players who wouldn't have any incentive to be there.
    Edited by Kaelalas on July 27, 2025 9:17PM
  • AzuraFan
    AzuraFan
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    ✭✭✭
    Yes.
    SkaiFaith wrote: »
    And before someone says "PvP, innit?" No, even in PvP sports exists the concept of fair play. Preying behind a solo player that is not even willing to fight you and does everything in his power to avoid you, and following him in group wherever he goes to take advantage is not fair play, nothing to be proud of.

    You're talking about sportsmanship, which unfortunately this particular player community lacks (with a few exceptions). So you have to change your attitude and not expect sportsmanship.

    If you enter IC, you're fair game. Even when it's clear that you're in a PvP area to do PvE activies and you're an easy kill, there are a lot of players who will kill you. Not a big deal, and if they did it the one time, fair game. But there are players who will do it over and over again because they derive pleasure from preying on easy targets and ruining people's gaming experience . It's disappointing, but it's the culture here and there's nothing you can do.

    I blame ZOS for putting PvE activities in PvP areas. Other MMOs I've played didn't do this for obvious reasons. I can't speculate on why they did it here (or rather, won't).
    Edited by AzuraFan on July 27, 2025 9:54PM
  • sarahthes
    sarahthes
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    ✭✭✭
    No.
    Maitsukas wrote: »
    Only until the Imperial City story quests are complete. After that it should be fully PvP.

    That's actually an interesting idea. Make it so you can only enter pve IC until you've got the achievements for completing the questline (which would mean only getting to do it pve once).
  • katanagirl1
    katanagirl1
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    ✭✭✭✭
    No.
    Maitsukas wrote: »
    Only until the Imperial City story quests are complete. After that it should be fully PvP.

    Interesting idea, but it could be abused. I was in IC today and saw a level 10-ish player looking like he was doing the daily quest on another alliance, so I left him alone. Turns out he had three of his buddies in stealth waiting and I saw on the death recap some familiar names from PvP.
    Khajiit Stamblade main
    Dark Elf Magsorc
    Redguard Stamina Dragonknight
    Orc Stamplar PVP
    Breton Magsorc PVP
    Dark Elf Magden
    Khajiit Stamblade
    Khajiit Stamina Arcanist

    PS5 NA
  • cheshirecatqee
    cheshirecatqee
    ✭✭✭
    Yes.
    It would be great if PvP was turned off during events. Players who dislike it are not going to like it if the few times they have to go there they cannot do anything because of PvP players. The other option is to have no event tickets for whitestrake and to give out PvP rewards only
    Just playing ESO until elder scrolls 6 is available.
  • kargen27
    kargen27
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    No.
    It would be great if PvP was turned off during events. Players who dislike it are not going to like it if the few times they have to go there they cannot do anything because of PvP players. The other option is to have no event tickets for whitestrake and to give out PvP rewards only

    These events help to bring new players into PvP. Some players who would never give PvP a try get a taste of it during these events and decide to stick around. If the gankers would quit stalking around quest objectives we might even be able to get numbers up to a respectable level outside of events.
    I don't like that so many new to PvP have that bad experience of constantly being jumped. The sad part is it isn't the true PvP player base that does this. It is players that only come to take advantage of the event for quick kills because they can't get kills the rest of the year. Hurts PvP by causing players to give up on trying again.
    and then the parrot said, "must be the water mines green too."
  • Islyn
    Islyn
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    No.
    Maitsukas wrote: »
    Only until the Imperial City story quests are complete. After that it should be fully PvP.

    Also no because they can just never finish quest and farm telvar.
    Member of the Old Guard - Closed Betas 2013
  • Islyn
    Islyn
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    No.
    It would be great if PvP was turned off during events. Players who dislike it are not going to like it if the few times they have to go there they cannot do anything because of PvP players. The other option is to have no event tickets for whitestrake and to give out PvP rewards only

    All they have to do is the FG quests. You use a skillpoint to unlock, go to inn at cyro gate, go kill 10 whatevers, come back and hand in.
    p6nq892ala39.png

    ar4mny14y94p.png

    This is the AD NPC u talk to:
    obwq0v7vusbr.png


    Easy peasy.
    Member of the Old Guard - Closed Betas 2013
  • kargen27
    kargen27
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    No.
    Islyn wrote: »
    Maitsukas wrote: »
    Only until the Imperial City story quests are complete. After that it should be fully PvP.

    Also no because they can just never finish quest and farm telvar.

    I'm completely against the idea because I think it takes away an opportunity to get new players into PvP. If it were to happen though there should be no telvar drops in a PvE only instance.
    and then the parrot said, "must be the water mines green too."
  • Arrow312
    Arrow312
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    No.
    They can do a PvE IC but then remove the Tel Var. They also can do a PvE Cyro without AP. If they do so ok. But not a PvE instance with PvP rewards.
    PC EU X'ing, Small Scale PvP
    Arr0w312
  • ghastley
    ghastley
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    ✭✭
    No.
    I should probably qualify my "no" as not yet. Once the Tamriel map is full, and there are no gaps between zones, then PvE instances of Cyrodiil and IC could be the final expansion.
  • Navaac223
    Navaac223
    ✭✭✭✭
    No.
    I need you to believe that what I'm going to say isn't against pve players, rather a helpful tip :

    Git gud
  • CalamityCat
    CalamityCat
    ✭✭✭✭
    No.
    Versalium wrote: »
    I've played IC for the first time today because of Whitestrake's mayhem. I can call my experience in one word — anxiety.

    I'm a solo player, I'm on a base game, I'm here for the story, quests, loot, exploration, etc.

    The moment I got killed by another player was very frustrating. Just...why? Why would anyone want to kill me for no reason? I don't get it. I don't want to kill other players, I just want to mind my own business. I want to explore ruined Imperial City, I want to experience this great city under Molag Bal's occupation.

    The second part of frustration that quckly transformed into stress and anxiety was losing a bunch of tel var stones. Maybe I missed something but no one told me I will lose them. I had around 7k on me that I've earned on battlegrounds and I've lost around 3k in a single death. Now I'm always anxious about losing tel vars and putting them into the bank before going outside. Who thought this would be fun? It's not.

    I'm glad there is a no-CP mode, it's a bit less stressful, but I want solo/PvE mode. I just want to enjoy my game without this PvP stress and nonsense.
    Honestly, first time I went into IC I was in PvE gear, clueless and obliterated in seconds. It absolutely wasn't fun, but being new in PvP places is generally a harsh and unfriendly experience. Some players leave and never return, others like myself are crazy and will lick our wounds and try to learn how to survive in IC.

    Firstly, it's a battle area where players are fighting for control of all the areas on the map. So regardless of what you're doing, if an enemy player sees you, it's fair to presume they'll attack/kill you if possible. They aren't killing you for no reason, they have a reason :) If you can, join a random group because often they'll be running round the different areas doing the quests and killing bosses. Not just looking for PvP. Or you can follow a group of your alliance if you see them.

    I go up and down the ladders taking all the quests then try and complete them as I go from area to area depending on how safe it is or where my group goes. Then just hand in one quest each day so you get the event tickets etc without having to do a lot of PvP each day.

    Try and have gear/skills that are good for surviving and keep yourself buffed and with HOTs active. If you have skills like echoing vigor or group heals, you'll be a bit harder to kill and often welcome in teams. CP in hiding/sneaky things and potions also help. If you really want to just solo it, I'd suggest strong heal and sneaking. If you do get chased, try to head towards your fellow alliance players rather than somewhere isolated like behind a building. It's funny having someone attack and introducing them to four of your team mates ;)

    Also, be aware of all the buildings and terrain in IC, and remember players have to see you to hit you. So if you just get a glance of an enemy approaching, try and get into a building/behind a wall. I have played some truly hilarious games of hide and seek with enemies. Stood with my heart racing on one side of a wall as a whole group of 12 runs past the other side. Going up into weird bits of buildings and hiding is a totally legit tactic if you see an enemy raid approach. IC parkour is so much fun when you're sidling along narrow ledges and the like.

    You've learned the hard way about losing tel var, but honestly I don't know anyone who hasn't done the same thing! Always bank your tel var before you enter IC and try to keep an eye so you don't carry more than you're comfortable losing. But we all lose tel var routinely even when we know. Just getting carried away in the fight and then someone surprise kills you! Fortunately you only lose half, so that's a good time to bank what you have left. My mindset is that if I banked everything at the start, I'm always coming home with more than I began with. I don't consider the tel var to be "mine" until it's banked.

    If you have just lost tel var and banked the rest, you have nothing to lose and it's worth following a group of your alliance and attacking enemies when they're clearly going to die. This is how you can quickly recoup any tel var losses, because PvPers can go from killing a lot of players and then die before they bank the tel var. I remember the first time I killed a PvPer who nuked me a few times earlier. I lost maybe 2k to him, he then lost 8k tel var when I got him. I truly suck at PvP, but that was funny and satisfying.
  • HedgeHugger
    HedgeHugger
    ✭✭✭✭
    Even if there was a PvE Imperial City, I would still expect to have to go into the PvP version of it for MYM.
    It's really not a big deal to die once or twice (or 10), trying to get the objectives done. Yes it can be a PITA when all you want to do is get your tickets and get out.
    If you keep going back to the same instance when Johnny Ganker keeps killing you that's on you for not breaking the cycle and either trying a different district, or a different mission or a different server.
    I favour Memorial and then Arboretum as the easiest missions to do.

    As for a PvE imp City, could be a blast if you had a big beastie every 10 minutes or so and everyone in the district had to bring it down. Thinking of the Diablo 4 monsters from a year or so ago (last time I played).
  • zaria
    zaria
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    If your smart you go in with something a bit stealthy, khajiit vampire NB is perfect.
    And id very smart you want to go in before the event to get some quests.
    I actually got killed as I did not knew the event was on 😺

    Grinding just make you go in circles.
    Asking ZoS for nerfs is as stupid as asking for close air support from the death star.
  • DenverRalphy
    DenverRalphy
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    ✭✭✭✭
    No.
    Versalium wrote: »
    The moment I got killed by another player was very frustrating. Just...why? Why would anyone want to kill me for no reason? I don't get it.
    It's not for no reason. Killing other players.. that's the objective in PvP.
    I don't want to kill other players, I just want to mind my own business.
    Then stay out of PvP areas. Why enter a PvP area at all if this is the case?
    Edited by DenverRalphy on July 28, 2025 6:14PM
  • Kwik1
    Kwik1
    ✭✭✭✭
    Yes.
    Then stay out of PvP areas. Why enter a PvP area at all if this is the case?

    Don't get me wrong, I am 100% in agreement with you. I play PvE and I just avoid Cyrodil, BUT if they are going to make a pvp armor set that is a best inslot for a pve build, they should give us access. I do not PvP, but if I am not mistaken, ALL PvP builds use PvP gear so trial gear is not needed which is how it should be absolutely, but I don't see how it is fair to have a PvP set be 1 of the best in slots for a PvE build and expect a PvE player to be able to access it.

    All PvP gear should be strictly for PvP and all PvE gear should strictly be for PvE and your argument would be 100% spot on.
    Edited by Kwik1 on July 28, 2025 6:25PM
  • sarahthes
    sarahthes
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    ✭✭✭
    No.
    Kwik1 wrote: »
    Then stay out of PvP areas. Why enter a PvP area at all if this is the case?

    Don't get me wrong, I am 100% in agreement with you. I play PvE and I just avoid Cyrodil, BUT if they are going to make a pvp armor set that is a best inslot for a pve build, they should give us access. I do not PvP, but if I am not mistaken, ALL PvP builds use PvP gear so trial gear is not needed which is how it should be absolutely, but I don't see how it is fair to have a PvP set be 1 of the best in slots for a PvE build and expect a PvE player to be able to access it.

    All PvP gear should be strictly for PvP and all PvE gear should strictly be for PvE and your argument would be 100% spot on.

    PvPers use trial gear. And dungeon gear.

    Null arca, relequen, tarnished nightmare, major courage sets (for organized groups), pillager, and others. Basically if it's a proc set and doesn't say "to monsters" in the damage description, PvPers will try it.
  • Kwik1
    Kwik1
    ✭✭✭✭
    Yes.
    sarahthes wrote: »

    PvPers use trial gear. And dungeon gear.

    Null arca, relequen, tarnished nightmare, major courage sets (for organized groups), pillager, and others. Basically if it's a proc set and doesn't say "to monsters" in the damage description, PvPers will try it.

    Hmmm. I have a guildy friend who mainly does PvP in a different guild and he said you will find all PvP players using the PvP sets since they have specific stats aimed at PvP. The PvE sets according to him just don't do anything in PvP. I will chat more and find out. If that's the case I get it then, but again, sets should only work for the PvP/PvE area you get them in IMHO
  • Iriidius
    Iriidius
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    Islyn wrote: »
    Aaaaabsolutely not.

    We already have 'crafters' stripmining every other place, getting rich w minimum effort, or just hoarding the mats. Which btw is fine, and their business, before anyone decides I *hate crafters* or some other wacky thing - and I'm not entertaining replies to that regard.

    They already got Craglorn nerfed to pieces because they accused us who wanted the adventure zone to be challenging (and readers; Craglorn used to actually be fun!) to 'just want to hog all the Nirncrux' which just shows you how many of those asking for nerfs thought.

    This is a MMO - not a solo game - though you can now solo a lot. If you want to do quests in IC then like the guy Friday night I spent a few hours helping do his, ask in zone or base. Get a group and go.

    Usually I am all for more choice = better; but NOT just so more ppl can farm 12 hours a day, and not have any challenge.

    There almost never are pickup groups in IC, you are lucky if you find one during MYM even once. And most of them can be killed by a smallscale that also zergs you down if you are alone so you just have every groupmate killed before you get 4v1ed.

    MMORPG means that it can also be played with others not that you have to play in group 100% of the time. Most raidgroups only raid 1-3(often 2) times per week but ZOS still resets event tickets every day wanting you to play every day to get all.

    Players group if they want play a few hours not to finish chores as fast as possible and logoff/go pve.

    Making IC and Cyrodiil PvE destroys their purpose but doing IC dailies solo to get group ganked is not fun even as PvP main and getting a pickup group not a solution.
  • Versalium
    Versalium
    ✭✭✭
    Yes.
    Honestly, first time I went into IC I was in PvE gear, clueless and obliterated in seconds. It absolutely wasn't fun, but being new in PvP places is generally a harsh and unfriendly experience. Some players leave and never return, others like myself are crazy and will lick our wounds and try to learn how to survive in IC.

    Firstly, it's a battle area where players are fighting for control of all the areas on the map. So regardless of what you're doing, if an enemy player sees you, it's fair to presume they'll attack/kill you if possible. They aren't killing you for no reason, they have a reason :) If you can, join a random group because often they'll be running round the different areas doing the quests and killing bosses. Not just looking for PvP. Or you can follow a group of your alliance if you see them.

    I go up and down the ladders taking all the quests then try and complete them as I go from area to area depending on how safe it is or where my group goes. Then just hand in one quest each day so you get the event tickets etc without having to do a lot of PvP each day.

    Try and have gear/skills that are good for surviving and keep yourself buffed and with HOTs active. If you have skills like echoing vigor or group heals, you'll be a bit harder to kill and often welcome in teams. CP in hiding/sneaky things and potions also help. If you really want to just solo it, I'd suggest strong heal and sneaking. If you do get chased, try to head towards your fellow alliance players rather than somewhere isolated like behind a building. It's funny having someone attack and introducing them to four of your team mates ;)

    Also, be aware of all the buildings and terrain in IC, and remember players have to see you to hit you. So if you just get a glance of an enemy approaching, try and get into a building/behind a wall. I have played some truly hilarious games of hide and seek with enemies. Stood with my heart racing on one side of a wall as a whole group of 12 runs past the other side. Going up into weird bits of buildings and hiding is a totally legit tactic if you see an enemy raid approach. IC parkour is so much fun when you're sidling along narrow ledges and the like.

    You've learned the hard way about losing tel var, but honestly I don't know anyone who hasn't done the same thing! Always bank your tel var before you enter IC and try to keep an eye so you don't carry more than you're comfortable losing. But we all lose tel var routinely even when we know. Just getting carried away in the fight and then someone surprise kills you! Fortunately you only lose half, so that's a good time to bank what you have left. My mindset is that if I banked everything at the start, I'm always coming home with more than I began with. I don't consider the tel var to be "mine" until it's banked.

    If you have just lost tel var and banked the rest, you have nothing to lose and it's worth following a group of your alliance and attacking enemies when they're clearly going to die. This is how you can quickly recoup any tel var losses, because PvPers can go from killing a lot of players and then die before they bank the tel var. I remember the first time I killed a PvPer who nuked me a few times earlier. I lost maybe 2k to him, he then lost 8k tel var when I got him. I truly suck at PvP, but that was funny and satisfying.

    Good stuff, thank you!


    Then stay out of PvP areas. Why enter a PvP area at all if this is the case?

    Because FREAKING event ticket. Two tickets either from Cyrodiil or battlegrounds, and one only from the IC. Three in total for one day.

    PC EU
  • DoofusMax
    DoofusMax
    ✭✭✭
    No.
    Put me down for a "no" on that one, and that's speaking as a PvE'er. IC is its own little thing where you not only have to deal with PvE things, but you also have to keep an eye out for PvP'ers. I think it gives IC its special little flavor. It's not one that I particularly care for, although I'll snag skyshards when I feel like running the gauntlet and do occasional district dailies for giggles (and Tel Var).
    I'm fresh out of outrage, but I could muster up some amused annoyance if required.
  • cheshirecatqee
    cheshirecatqee
    ✭✭✭
    Yes.
    kargen27 wrote: »
    It would be great if PvP was turned off during events. Players who dislike it are not going to like it if the few times they have to go there they cannot do anything because of PvP players. The other option is to have no event tickets for whitestrake and to give out PvP rewards only

    These events help to bring new players into PvP. Some players who would never give PvP a try get a taste of it during these events and decide to stick around. If the gankers would quit stalking around quest objectives we might even be able to get numbers up to a respectable level outside of events.
    I don't like that so many new to PvP have that bad experience of constantly being jumped. The sad part is it isn't the true PvP player base that does this. It is players that only come to take advantage of the event for quick kills because they can't get kills the rest of the year. Hurts PvP by causing players to give up on trying again.
    It doesn’t bring new players as it is a horrible experience. It took me 2 hours to do 1 daily in cyrodiil. Why should l have to waste my game time on this. I’m never going to be a PvP player
    Just playing ESO until elder scrolls 6 is available.
Sign In or Register to comment.