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How is it that so many players can solo vet dlc dungeons and many groups fail to complete ?

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This bothers me no end. I have struggled with groups trying to complete quite a few vet dlc dungeons yet i read all the time on the forums how players can solo vet dungeons. I dont know if its my old computer and aussie internet that holds me back from achieving that level of awesomeness but im elated when i can beat a dlc dungeon once in a full group of 4.

How is my experience can be so extremely different to other players? Ive been playing since early release, i follow the most current builds i can find and im not lazy to farm gear sets for specific builds. I understand combat mechanics and also boss fight mechanics.
I honestly feel like im playing in a completely different realm to these capable players that are asking for more challenging content...

There are days this makes me want to quit gaming altogether, but I love eso so much ..still after all these years. This level of pain i feel about my inability to understand why im incapable of playing at a higher level dulls my game experience.
Edited by Recent on January 25, 2026 4:40PM
  • DestroyerPewnack
    DestroyerPewnack
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    I think you're looking at this the wrong way. The fact that there's such a huge gap between the absolute beginner player, and a player who has taken their time to learn all about combat, mechanics, builds, etc. is a good thing. It shows that the game still has a learning curve, and progression outside of gear level and quality still exists. Only a dumbed down game would give expert players no advantage over someone who bought the game yesterday.

    As for how they do it, you can watch their videos. Many of them upload their runs. From the ones I've seen, they tend to take it slow on dps, focusing more on mechanics and keeping themselves alive. There are also little things that not everyone knows, like, for example, if you're dealing with a mechanic that freezes you in place, and requires a second player to free you, you can use the Psijic ultimate to cheese the mechanic and free yourself by going back in time to when you weren't trapped.

    On the opposite sides, you have players who don't understand mechanics. If you're dealing with a one shot mechanic, then it doesn't matter how big the group is; if no one deals with that mechanic, everyone will eventually die.
  • JustLovely
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    First off, you can't believe everything you read on forums or the internet in general.

    Now with that said, the skill gap in ESO is extreme to the extreme. The strongest players get accused more or less daily of hacking when they just have really good builds and know how to play them and know the mechanics. If you saw how much time these players have in game it would probably surprise you.
  • SerafinaWaterstar
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    Do not lose heart!

    This is the Forums. Just because someone says something here does not actually make it so.

    It is a very very small % of players that can solo vet dlc dungeons.

    Similar to athletics - yes, you can run 100m, but you are never going to run like Usain Bolt. Just accept and move on and enjoy the game!
  • Soarora
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    The people commenting on the forums for the most part (from what I’ve seen) are talking about soloing normal dungeons. Yes, some people solo on vet, they are skilled and built for it. There’s even people who have soloed trifectas but I’ve only seen like… 5 or less videos of people doing that.

    My pug dungeon groups in the dungeon finder usually go fine, but that’s with a tank whose either me or a friend. I would suspect then that the problem is either that my MMR theory is true or you’re getting bad tanks. I know you have an opinion on my guild, but there are other dungeon guilds you can try. I can’t speak for what environment they are though since I haven’t played with them. Or you can try tanking. Or can ask in a pledge location (such as Grahtwood) for a dungeon group. Can also friend people you meet in dungeons and ask them to run with you.
    Edited by Soarora on January 25, 2026 4:57PM
    [PC/NA] Dungeoneer (Tank/DPS), Retired Trialist, and amateur Battlegrounder (DPS) with a passion for The Elder Scrolls lore.
    • Current GM of Hard Dungeoneers
    • Tanks: Sorcerer - Necromancer - Templar
    • DPS: Frost Warden - Stamarc
    • Ex-healer
    • Dungeons: 32/32 HMs - 26/26 Tris

      View my builds!
  • Orbital78
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    There are some mechanics that if someone doesn't know what they're doing they actually prevent you from completing. Scriveners hall for example. I don't know when everyone tries to roll dodge the immolate trap, even after having the mech explained.

    In general there is just a huge gap in experience and willingness to learn or bother putting together a decent build. People get used to being carried in normals and think they are ready for veteran.
  • spartaxoxo
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    Don't compare yourself to Lebron James when you play basketball. Yes, there are people who can solo trifecta vet dlc dungeons but even most skilled players cannot. That's why they get to make YouTube videos bragging about their accomplishments and the rest of us can watch them to understand the mechanics better.

    But, the parts they don't show you is they practice a lot, both in content and on dummies. Also most doing this have specialized solo builds. They aren't running group builds for solo vet dlc.

    Practice makes perfect.
    Edited by spartaxoxo on January 25, 2026 5:14PM
  • Recent
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    Soarora wrote: »
    The people commenting on the forums for the most part (from what I’ve seen) are talking about soloing normal dungeons. Yes, some people solo on vet, they are skilled and built for it. There’s even people who have soloed trifectas but I’ve only seen like… 5 or less videos of people doing that.

    My pug dungeon groups in the dungeon finder usually go fine, but that’s with a tank whose either me or a friend. I would suspect then that the problem is either that my MMR theory is true or you’re getting bad tanks. I know you have an opinion on my guild, but there are other dungeon guilds you can try. I can’t speak for what environment they are though since I haven’t played with them. Or you can try tanking. Or can ask in a pledge location (such as Grahtwood) for a dungeon group. Can also friend people you meet in dungeons and ask them to run with you.

    I dont have 'an opinion' on your guild..it was that one person. You are very helpful and encouraging. Thank you for your helpful replies. I wanted to email you on the forums but could not, i apologise if my comment made your guild look bad, it wasnt my intention. I respect your drive and guild ethos.
  • Soarora
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    Recent wrote: »
    Soarora wrote: »
    The people commenting on the forums for the most part (from what I’ve seen) are talking about soloing normal dungeons. Yes, some people solo on vet, they are skilled and built for it. There’s even people who have soloed trifectas but I’ve only seen like… 5 or less videos of people doing that.

    My pug dungeon groups in the dungeon finder usually go fine, but that’s with a tank whose either me or a friend. I would suspect then that the problem is either that my MMR theory is true or you’re getting bad tanks. I know you have an opinion on my guild, but there are other dungeon guilds you can try. I can’t speak for what environment they are though since I haven’t played with them. Or you can try tanking. Or can ask in a pledge location (such as Grahtwood) for a dungeon group. Can also friend people you meet in dungeons and ask them to run with you.

    I dont have 'an opinion' on your guild..it was that one person. You are very helpful and encouraging. Thank you for your helpful replies. I wanted to email you on the forums but could not, i apologise if my comment made your guild look bad, it wasnt my intention. I respect your drive and guild ethos.

    Ah, I see, sorry for my wording. Yeah, to message someone who has a private profile you have to go to the mail section and type in their username. I’ll send you a mail <3. I appreciate your kindness.
    [PC/NA] Dungeoneer (Tank/DPS), Retired Trialist, and amateur Battlegrounder (DPS) with a passion for The Elder Scrolls lore.
    • Current GM of Hard Dungeoneers
    • Tanks: Sorcerer - Necromancer - Templar
    • DPS: Frost Warden - Stamarc
    • Ex-healer
    • Dungeons: 32/32 HMs - 26/26 Tris

      View my builds!
  • Lord_Hev
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    Because normal overland is forced, and the average player cannot learn the proper intended way: through engagement with the game at a base level properly training and pushing them to -have- to improve with consequences. In the first year of eso, when I got ahead of myself in the Veteran rank zones of cadwell silver and gold; I had to learn basic concepts of dealing with multiple sources of incoming damage. Kiting, healing over time, damage shielding, key target focus(is one of the mobs a caster/CC spammer or is there a certain mob that does the most damage and should be tab-targeted.) It is impossible to learn even these most basic combat components in current overland.

    When it comes to group dungeons it's then a coin flip if they'll get an anti-social group that just speeds through everything without any consideration of the group as a whole. Or it's a slogfest and struggle-bus. Both of these outcomes further pressure any chance for learning. Overland should be preparing players for group content on a basic level. But this can't be done with the entire zone being a blanket horizontal level.
    Qaevir/Qaevira Av Morilye/Molag
    Tri-Faction @Lord_Hevnoraak ingame
    PC NA
  • alakeyfox
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    As an old PC/bad internet gamer, trust me it's not holding you back that much. It is trivial to solo most base game dungeons on vet hm, but the vast majority of players are unable to solo vet DLC dungeons, not to mention hard modes. You say you follow the latest builds and whatnot, but make sure to follow builds that actually provide some form of proof of performance, even if it's just a vanilla target dummy. As a DPS, if you dish out 60k+ you shouldn't struggle to clear unless your other teammates are lacking. If you reach anything over 100k, chances are you won't see any mechanics as you will just burn through them. If you are a tank - make sure you are providing your group with damage buffs and shields, and remove enemy armour, if you are a healer - same deal in regards to group buffs + if you are on lightning staff set enemies off balance.
  • Cooperharley
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    Just because you read something on the internet doesn't make it true ;). People watch a video of Luccht & Hyperoxies & then extrapolate that to mean that ALL players can complete veteran dungeons & veteran DLC dungeons solo. It's simply not true. Anybody that uses those arguments instantly disqualify themselves in a discussion because it's silly.

    The vast majority of people that play ESO will not come close to being able to solo that stuff. That's like comparing Lebron James to a middle school kid playing basketball. It's not close. Think about how many kids play basketball, how many go to the NBA, and then how many can be considered the greats. These people are quite literally saying, if Lebron James can be this good, then everyone else can! Here's my argument based on that:

    Lol.

    This is a big reason why I've wanted more difficulty modes for overland because EVERY player touches overland. Not everyone has a desire to go into veteran dungeons & veteran DLC dungeons. Questing is one of the most important & popular pillars of ESO. If you can breeze through 100% of it by burping on mobs, imagine the surprise when you get into a veteran dungeon or veteran DLC dungeon and get absolutely smacked. The game, unfortunately, does nothing to prepare you. Players that engage with these difficulty options presented will be forced to learn more about their class & rotation & builds to conquer it. Even MORE players will engage with the system if it's refined & more rewarding than it's currently proposed at (they need to fix the interaction between difficulty settings & create shards, but that's another discussion!). Creating a difficulty pipeline INTO veteran difficulty content is always the best route possible. Engage with it as you will, but most players that are interested in veteran dungeons will likely be interested in a higher difficulty overland as well in my mind :)
  • SerafinaWaterstar
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    Just because you read something on the internet doesn't make it true ;). People watch a video of Luccht & Hyperoxies & then extrapolate that to mean that ALL players can complete veteran dungeons & veteran DLC dungeons solo. It's simply not true. Anybody that uses those arguments instantly disqualify themselves in a discussion because it's silly.

    The vast majority of people that play ESO will not come close to being able to solo that stuff. That's like comparing Lebron James to a middle school kid playing basketball. It's not close. Think about how many kids play basketball, how many go to the NBA, and then how many can be considered the greats. These people are quite literally saying, if Lebron James can be this good, then everyone else can! Here's my argument based on that:

    Lol.

    This is a big reason why I've wanted more difficulty modes for overland because EVERY player touches overland. Not everyone has a desire to go into veteran dungeons & veteran DLC dungeons. Questing is one of the most important & popular pillars of ESO. If you can breeze through 100% of it by burping on mobs, imagine the surprise when you get into a veteran dungeon or veteran DLC dungeon and get absolutely smacked. The game, unfortunately, does nothing to prepare you. Players that engage with these difficulty options presented will be forced to learn more about their class & rotation & builds to conquer it. Even MORE players will engage with the system if it's refined & more rewarding than it's currently proposed at (they need to fix the interaction between difficulty settings & create shards, but that's another discussion!). Creating a difficulty pipeline INTO veteran difficulty content is always the best route possible. Engage with it as you will, but most players that are interested in veteran dungeons will likely be interested in a higher difficulty overland as well in my mind :)

    Nah, the idea of having to fight through harder mobs when questing or mat farming is incredibly dispiriting.

    I like doing vet dungeons & trifectas etc but don’t think this will do what you think & be a pipeline into other harder content.

    Those that want to access that find a way now; those that aren’t interested will not be seduced by mudcrabs that can one shot you.

    The best pipeline is via guilds & veteran players helping newer ones to learn.
  • SerafinaWaterstar
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    It is trivial to solo most base game dungeons on vet hm,

    Not sure this is true for the majority of players.

    I’m on PS and you can see the PS trophies for in-game achievements and few complete the dungeons on normal in a group, let alone vet hm solo! 🤣
  • SkaiFaith
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    I solo Normal DLC dungeons, not Vet, but I've seen some players over 1.000 CPs try to solo a base game Vet and fail simply because they were DD and didn't properly build for solo.

    My build has 30K resistances, 9K penetration (+9K from Breach), 4.000 WD/SD, high recovery, and it can do 90K DPS in burst damage or just 60K as sustained DPS.

    If I proclaim myself a DD and try to join a professional group they'd immediately figure out I am no DD, and same would go for H or T - Solo builds are a different beast.

    I never join when people asks for help with dungeons because I have no real role, even though I could carry myself. Also, because of this my experience with DLC dungeons is limited and I don't recall mechanics; I usually study one dungeon at a time and when completed I forget it.

    I am AMAZED when I see what some players are capable to achieve and memorize! Build and preparation can do only so much, the rest is "pure skill" like in other activities.
    Congrats to those who can marvel us with their performance! Always enjoy watching...

    A: "We, as humans, should respect and take care of each other like in a Co-op, not a PvP 🌸"
    B: "Many words. Words bad. Won't read. ⚔️"
  • Cooperharley
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    Just because you read something on the internet doesn't make it true ;). People watch a video of Luccht & Hyperoxies & then extrapolate that to mean that ALL players can complete veteran dungeons & veteran DLC dungeons solo. It's simply not true. Anybody that uses those arguments instantly disqualify themselves in a discussion because it's silly.

    The vast majority of people that play ESO will not come close to being able to solo that stuff. That's like comparing Lebron James to a middle school kid playing basketball. It's not close. Think about how many kids play basketball, how many go to the NBA, and then how many can be considered the greats. These people are quite literally saying, if Lebron James can be this good, then everyone else can! Here's my argument based on that:

    Lol.

    This is a big reason why I've wanted more difficulty modes for overland because EVERY player touches overland. Not everyone has a desire to go into veteran dungeons & veteran DLC dungeons. Questing is one of the most important & popular pillars of ESO. If you can breeze through 100% of it by burping on mobs, imagine the surprise when you get into a veteran dungeon or veteran DLC dungeon and get absolutely smacked. The game, unfortunately, does nothing to prepare you. Players that engage with these difficulty options presented will be forced to learn more about their class & rotation & builds to conquer it. Even MORE players will engage with the system if it's refined & more rewarding than it's currently proposed at (they need to fix the interaction between difficulty settings & create shards, but that's another discussion!). Creating a difficulty pipeline INTO veteran difficulty content is always the best route possible. Engage with it as you will, but most players that are interested in veteran dungeons will likely be interested in a higher difficulty overland as well in my mind :)

    Nah, the idea of having to fight through harder mobs when questing or mat farming is incredibly dispiriting.

    I like doing vet dungeons & trifectas etc but don’t think this will do what you think & be a pipeline into other harder content.

    Those that want to access that find a way now; those that aren’t interested will not be seduced by mudcrabs that can one shot you.

    The best pipeline is via guilds & veteran players helping newer ones to learn.

    That's why there's multiple difficulty modes - for people like you :)

    Mudcrabs that one shot you would be wild, nah for some a little (or a lot) of extra difficulty increases the feeling of adventure & immersion. Clearly it doesn't for you, which is cool.

    That's a great pipeline! But we've had that since... 2014? How's that worked out? Some people need other things than what you suggest (i.e. something that's been present this whole time). All this does is introduce MORE people to this. Sure, this could even push them into guilds and asking for groups and learning, but it all comes from proposed difficulty, and what better way than to experience a little extra difficulty when questing (should you choose that) rather than a veteran like you or I absolutely crapping on them for doing 10k dps, but that doesn't happen right? ;)
  • Lord_Hev
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    SkaiFaith wrote: »
    I solo Normal DLC dungeons, not Vet, but I've seen some players over 1.000 CPs try to solo a base game Vet and fail simply because they were DD and didn't properly build for solo.

    My build has 30K resistances, 9K penetration (+9K from Breach), 4.000 WD/SD, high recovery, and it can do 90K DPS in burst damage or just 60K as sustained DPS.

    If I proclaim myself a DD and try to join a professional group they'd immediately figure out I am no DD, and same would go for H or T - Solo builds are a different beast.

    I never join when people asks for help with dungeons because I have no real role, even though I could carry myself. Also, because of this my experience with DLC dungeons is limited and I don't recall mechanics; I usually study one dungeon at a time and when completed I forget it.

    I am AMAZED when I see what some players are capable to achieve and memorize! Build and preparation can do only so much, the rest is "pure skill" like in other activities.
    Congrats to those who can marvel us with their performance! Always enjoy watching...

    If you're doing 60k sustained dps, you are in fact a dps. You won't top hodors, but you could probably pull off some wild clutch maneuvers in a bad pug run and potentially save from a wipe lol.
    Qaevir/Qaevira Av Morilye/Molag
    Tri-Faction @Lord_Hevnoraak ingame
    PC NA
  • coop500
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    Seconding what most folks are saying in that actually a LOT of players actually cannot solo vet dungeons, especially DLC vet dungeons. Some can, but they're the exception, not the rule.

    Vet dungeons are hard, especially vet DLC dungeons. There's no shame in struggling a bit as the content was meant to be struggled with.
    Hoping for more playable races
  • freespirit
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    I can solo base game norm and vets, I can solo a few norm DLC but tbh I've not even tried to solo those on vet.

    I like that it means I go at my speed and that in turn means I take time to see and learn what is going on. I've never followed a build guide, I find if I put stuff together myself, I learn why it either works or doesn't.

    As someone already mentioned above, a set up that provides good survivability is essential, boss fights may not be super fast but that doesn't matter if I'm alive and they are dead!

    Oh and when I say solo, I actually always have Bastian in tow, set up as a tank/dps.

    The other thing to always add, this is not something that happened overnight, my god I've died a LOT, given up many times but it's a great feeling when I add a new one to my list. :)
    When people say to me........
    "You're going to regret that in the morning"
    I sleep until midday cos I'm a problem solver!
  • Warhawke_80
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    Yep—some players breeze through it while others really struggle, and that gap stings. The good news is this problem solves itself over time. Story Mode Dungeons are coming, and they'll level the field for everyone who needs it.

    Hang in there.
    ““Elric knew. The sword told him, without words of any sort. Stormbringer needed to fight, for that was its reason for existence...”― Michael Moorcock, Elric of Melniboné
  • spartaxoxo
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    Also check out Hyperoxies if you're looking for a good solo build guide. It's different than group ones.
  • Frayton
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    I don't know about anyone else, but I can do it bc I spent an embarrassing amount of time and resources to learn the game's combat system in and out and min maxing everything (I log everything and make spreadsheets that detail damage and builds).

    The good news is that level of no-life sweatiness isn't required anymore bc ZOS has greatly toned down difficulty across the board and has made damage more accessible, so now even having a moderate grasp of combat can get you through most vet dungeons solo. It sounds like you're on the right path and it's just a matter of reps or little tweaks. Also, not all player guides are good. There's a very popular guy whose builds are garbage. Someone mentioned Hyperioxes, have a look at his channel instead bc he's actually good at the game.

    Good luck!
  • Hapexamendios
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    I really don't think there are a great number of players who can solo Vet DLC dungeons. I've soloed a good number on normal, but vet is too great a leap for most players.
  • Varana
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    What also seriously affects the impression you get from reading the forums, is that the people who post here are not representative for a majority of the game's player base. The audience here tend to be long-time players (or even people who stopped playing a while ago), those who have experience with the mechanics and content, and care enough that they come here to soapbox. That means the audience here is heavily biased in favour of those who might be able to do something like soloing dungeons.
  • Necrotech_Master
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    theres a lot of things going on here lol

    soloing vet non-dlc dungeons is actually semi trivial for 80% of the cases except for the 2s and a few other dungeons with mechs

    soloing vet DLC dungeons especially newer ones is almost impossible and theres probably a very small handful of players who can do so, or even attempt to do so
    plays PC/NA
    handle @Necrotech_Master
    active player since april 2014

    i have my main house (grand topal hideaway) listed in the housing tours, it has multiple target dummies, scribing altar, and grandmaster stations (in progress being filled out), as well as almost every antiquity furnishing on display to preview them

    feel free to stop by and use the facilities
  • Renato90085
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    1.you may only see the successful part video,you can't see the amount of training time they spend.
    2. not only know mechanics,need to research and skilled to dealing it alone

  • frogthroat
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    Recent wrote: »
    This bothers me no end. I have struggled with groups trying to complete quite a few vet dlc dungeons yet i read all the time on the forums how players can solo vet dungeons. I dont know if its my old computer and aussie internet that holds me back from achieving that level of awesomeness but im elated when i can beat a dlc dungeon once in a full group of 4.
    A lot of it has got to do with a build.

    I solo vet dlc dungeons, but I have been stuck at nGD first boss without the possibility to advance because that toon had no solo build and as a healer I could not carry the group. Last time I got stuck like that was Exiled Redoubt second boss -- none of us had good builds because we were levelling skills and such and RND took us there. It happens.
    Recent wrote: »
    How is my experience can be so extremely different to other players? Ive been playing since early release, i follow the most current builds i can find and im not lazy to farm gear sets for specific builds. I understand combat mechanics and also boss fight mechanics.
    I honestly feel like im playing in a completely different realm to these capable players that are asking for more challenging content...
    Maybe you have a life?

    More than a good build you need to know the mechanics and how to play solo. You need to be the tank, healer and DD all at once. As in, you need to be tanky enough, have buffs and debuffs, PO is your healer, and of course you need to do damage. And the mechanics.

    You also need to be creative in some cases. Like vFG2 first boss, when the mechanic starts you need to have enough AOEs down that one of the spirits die before you get one shotted. In vBRF, pre-last boss when the minotaur puts you in a cage, if you have enough DOTs and wear PO, you can survive it. Or in vSCP when Zaan grabs you or in vFL when the ghost grabs you, you can use Precog.

    All this is well and good, but most of all, more than a build, more than playing all roles at once, you need repetition. You need to keep at it over and over. You need to remember every mechanic by heart. Sometimes reacting is not enough, but you should know them well enough that you can proactively prepare for the next mechanic. It takes time and dedication. A lot of both.

    But then you will learn both soloing in general, and also that particular dungeon. Sometimes it is useful. For example, I was doing pledges with some guildies, and Bloodroot Forge was the DLC dungeon. We wiped at the last boss HM multiple times. After multiple attempts I started to think this is getting boring and when the rest of the group died I just though might as well finish this so we can go do something else and soloed the rest. Sounds cool and heroic and I saved the day... no. I just have soloed it so many times I know it so well that even with a DD build and not a proper solo build I could stay alive and finish the last 50%. They thought it was cool and awesome, but in reality it's just a result of having no life and repeating the same thing over and over. Put me in a dungeon that I have not soloed over and over and I stumble like the rest of them.
    Recent wrote: »
    There are days this makes me want to quit gaming altogether, but I love eso so much ..still after all these years. This level of pain i feel about my inability to understand why im incapable of playing at a higher level dulls my game experience.

    I wouldn't say higher but different. Soloing is fun once you start to succeed, but it is different from group play. No need for communication or coordination with others. However, if you are serious about wanting to learn, just solo normal base game dungeons at first. Slap on Ring of the Pale Order to get used to it but otherwise your normal DD build will work. Start with something easy, like FG1. Then BC1 and Spindle1. Switch to veteran versions of base game dungeons and you'll start to notice what you need on top of your normal DD build with PO. Maybe look for some guides, Hyperioxes has posted some if you need. Then try for example Bloodroot Forge, Scalecaller Peak or Fang Lair on normal. Then switch to veteran.

    You don't solo DLC HM on your first try. Start with easy ones and work your way up. I remember my first solo dungeon (nBC1) made my palms sweat more than many DLC HM attempts in a group since. Even today that feels like a bigger achievement than my first trifecta in a group. Now even base game HMs are trivial. It didn't happen overnight. I wanted to solo and I spent an enormous amount of time practicing.

    Are you willing to forgo social life to be able to solo dungeons? If the answer is no, don't worry about it. Not everyone needs to be able to solo dungeons. Having friends is important.

    If you are willing to drop your social life for this, then... one of us! One of us!
  • CalamityCat
    CalamityCat
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    Recent wrote: »
    This bothers me no end. I have struggled with groups trying to complete quite a few vet dlc dungeons yet i read all the time on the forums how players can solo vet dungeons. I dont know if its my old computer and aussie internet that holds me back from achieving that level of awesomeness but im elated when i can beat a dlc dungeon once in a full group of 4.

    How is my experience can be so extremely different to other players? Ive been playing since early release, i follow the most current builds i can find and im not lazy to farm gear sets for specific builds. I understand combat mechanics and also boss fight mechanics.
    I honestly feel like im playing in a completely different realm to these capable players that are asking for more challenging content...

    There are days this makes me want to quit gaming altogether, but I love eso so much ..still after all these years. This level of pain i feel about my inability to understand why im incapable of playing at a higher level dulls my game experience.
    The internet is littered with people claiming they did x, y or z when they didn't. Anyone can claim to have solo'd vet DLC dungeons, but I doubt they're all being honest. Certainly, the braggers I've seen haven't mentioned how long they spent parsing on dummies or how many failures it took to do that run solo. Or how long it actually took even when they succeeded!

    I know a few really good PvE players who play at the top end. None brag about that stuff. All make it clear that it is genuinely tough to solo stuff at vet level. Also... they all group up for our vet dungeon runs!

    Now, if it really bothers you... then you have several options.
    1. Let the frustration drive you out of the game (please don't do that!)
    2. Find guides about how you can spend many hours parsing on dummies and start soloing the easiest to hardest DLCs in vet. Buckle in for a LONG project as you work up through the dungeons. Be aware that you'll probably end up with RSI or burnt out because you turned the game into a job. You are quite likely to later wonder "was that the best use of my time/energy?" I'll answer with a resounding "no" :D
    3. Remind yourself that nobody outside of ESO even cares about this level of soloing. Consider the millions of better things you could dedicate yourself to. Try some! Focus on playing the game for fun, not to tick off an achievement that isn't even fun. If you are only doing it to equal what others claim to have done - don't. DON'T. Do things because you're going to enjoy them, not because you think you should be able to equal what someone claims to have done. Otherwise the rest of your life can end up chasing the biggest salaries to buy the fanciest house/car that someone else has, and none of it will give you pleasure if it isn't what you actually want from your life.
  • frogthroat
    frogthroat
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    Or how long it actually took even when they succeeded!
    This is probably the most important thing.

    It does not come easy or quickly.

    Once you can do it reliably, it may look easy. Like if you look at Lucht's sub 10 minute solo SCP trifecta run, it looks so easy. But then you need to remember that his first SCP trifecta was 4 years ago. So even after learning how to solo a trifecta run, it took him 4 years to get a sub 10 minute time.

    So yeah, the time you need to reach your goals may not be weeks or even months, but years.
    Otherwise the rest of your life can end up chasing the biggest salaries to buy the fanciest house/car that someone else has, and none of it will give you pleasure if it isn't what you actually want from your life.
    "We buy things we don't need with money we don't have to impress people we don't like."
    --Chuck Palahniuk, Fight Club
    Edited by frogthroat on January 26, 2026 1:09PM
  • Orbital78
    Orbital78
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    If you're struggling to solo normals and don't have codes combat alerts, you should try it. It helps me a ton with timing roll dodges and or blocks. Eating heavy attacks is going to get you killed, especially in vet. Even base game vets aren't too bad with shields. I've gotten half way through soloing the Selene and Tempest island quests on vet before I realized it was not normal. I just finished on vet at that point.
    Edited by Orbital78 on January 26, 2026 1:27PM
  • cyberjanet
    cyberjanet
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    Do not lose heart!

    This is the Forums. Just because someone says something here does not actually make it so.

    You mean all those players who assure me they were soloing vet dungeons at level 10 are lying?
    Favourite NPC: Wine-For-All
    Mostly PC-EU , with a lonely little guy on NA.
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