How did Solstice not kill the Alikr dolmen grind?

soelslaev · January 10

From what I could tell during the big Writhing Wall event last Autumn and Winter, I would think the incursions in Solstice would have permanently killed the Alikr dolmen grind.

I am not entirely certain why folks do the Alikr dolmen grind or what they are achieving by doing it, but, from what I could tell, the Solstice incursion grind that was officially part of the game back in Oct?/Nov/Dec certainly seemed to be similar but easier to do. By easier, I mean quicker, more convenient placement of camps, and also daily quest rewards for doing it.

But now that Writhing Wall is over, Solstice has calmed down, and Alikr has heated up again. Does anyone know what happened? Am I missing something vital to my understanding?

freespirit · January 10

Everyone has access to Alik'r.

Dolmens are faster/easier than Solstice Camps.

Only three possible locations in Alik'r.

It's just easier.

valenwood_vegan · January 10

Yeah I mean also a lot of people didn't buy the content pass, but Alik'r is just quick and easy and what everyone is used to.

Soarora · January 10

Alikr is also a rotation. Non-dark anchor incursions are usually random.

Muizer · January 10

But what is it for?

Necrotech_Master · January 10

during the writhing wall event there was a pretty large amount of people grinding the camps

but like others said, alikr is still a base game zone, only 3 locations, rotational, and easier

SummersetCitizen · January 11

Not enough people own or like Solstice.

SilverBride · January 11

soelslaev wrote: »

I am not entirely certain why folks do the Alikr dolmen grind or what they are achieving by doing it...

Muizer wrote: »

But what is it for?

Fast, low-effort leveling, easy Fighter's Guild XP, valuable jewelry/gear for deconstruction or selling are some of the reasons players run these dolmens.

Mik195 · January 11

You can solo a dolmen, but the final bosses in Solstice make that annoying.

Lucasl402 · January 11

Muizer wrote: »

But what is it for?

It's for grinding XP and fighters guild. That's why people do the Alik'r dolmen grind.

soelslaev · January 11

SilverBride wrote: »

Fast, low-effort leveling, easy Fighter's Guild XP, valuable jewelry/gear for deconstruction or selling are some of the reasons players run these dolmens.

Ah! Jewelry for decon makes sense to me.

But for XP and Fighter Guild, I never felt a deficit. By the time I got a feel for class skills, rotation, build ideas, and gear slot planning, the toon was into CP and near maxed in Fighters Guild.

The main deficit to me has always been skill points, which means doing pub dungeon group events, sky shards, main quest, Cadwell's silver & gold.