Creating a build in Elder Scrolls Online can be an exciting journey, but it's not uncommon for players to encounter challenges along the way. Whether your build feels underwhelming in terms of damage, survivability, or overall manageability, pinpointing the issue and making adjustments can transform your gameplay experience. Jakeclips's guide will walk you through the process of troubleshooting common problems and refining your build, whether you're focused on PvP, PvE, or solo play.
Step 1: Identifying the Problem
The first step toward improving your build is understanding what's not working. Is your damage output too low? Are you struggling to survive in combat? Or does the build feel difficult to manage due to complex mechanics? Once you've identified the issue, ask yourself what's causing it.
For example, some set effects may not activate as intended due to playstyle conflicts. Take the Clever Alchemist set, for example: If you tend to drink potions on your front bar, where Clever Alchemist's 5-piece bonuses are not active, you're missing out on its benefits. Additionally, ensure you are in combat, or you will be missing procs and cues for not being in combat. Similarly, players who use sets reliant on Light Attacks may find themselves underperforming if they forget to weave Light Attacks effectively.
Identifying the root cause of the problem is crucial before making changes. Is it a mechanical issue, such as blocking or dodging in PvP? Are you failing to proc your sets correctly in PvE? Or are sustain issues holding you back? Once you've answered these questions, you'll be better equipped to refine your build.
Step 2: Making Changes
Now that you've pinpointed the problem, it's time to consider adjustments. Remember, your ESO experience is unique—there's no need to copy another player's build entirely. Here's a breakdown of areas to focus on:
Playstyle and Practice
Your playstyle often dictates how well a build performs. For instance, if you're using Clever Alchemist, you need to stay mindful of which bar you're on when consuming potions. Implementing visual or mechanical cues—such as equipping two staffs for easier bar recognition—can simplify this process.
In PvP, deaths are inevitable, especially from mechanics like death bombs, Rush of Agony, or chain pulls. However, evaluating whether your deaths result from your set or external factors is essential. Adjusting button layouts or using add-ons for visual reminders can greatly enhance your performance in both PvE and PvP scenarios.
Mundus Stones
Changing your Mundus Stone can yield significant results with minimal effort. For instance, switching from The Shadow Mundus (Critical Damage and Healing) to The Lord Mundus (Max Health) would help a squishy character clear veteran Maelstrom Arena more effectively.
For solo content or PvP, this adjustment can be particularly impactful. If Crit Resistance becomes prevalent due to the popularity of Monomyth Reforged, you might find Penetration Mundus more effective than Crit Damage Mundus. Experimenting with different Mundus Stones based on your needs in ESO can provide quick and noticeable improvements.
Consumables
Consumables play a vital role in your build's performance. Adjusting your consumables can be a simple yet impactful change. For instance, switching from Bewitched Sugar Skulls to Orzorga's Smoked Bear Haunch can significantly alter your gameplay. Each consumable offers different benefits, and Witchmother's Potent Brew provides distinct advantages compared to Bewitched Sugar Skulls.
For PvP scenarios, Tri-stat potions are generally recommended. You can also consider using Weapon and Spell Power potions, which are available for purchase with Alliance Points, as well as Heroism and Mobility potions. Experimenting with these options can yield positive results.
When adjusting consumables, always relate them back to your identified problem. What's causing your problem? For example, if you are unable to keep your sets procced, then your issue isn't likely fixed by consumables. Your difficulty lies in playstyle and practice. Consumables may offer marginal improvements, but addressing fundamental problems is often more effective. Make sure to evaluate whether a consumable change directly addresses the root cause of the problem before implementation.
Skills
Another area to examine is your skills, including scribable skills. Adjusting skills can help identify and address problems effectively. For instance, if your issue is needing additional recovery, use Major and Minor Intellect to boost Magicka and Stamina Recovery. In scenarios where extra Protection is needed, activate Revealing Flare for Major Protection and Undo for Minor Protection. These are just small adjustments you can make with skills to enhance your back bar and front bar while providing unique buffs.
Attributes
Attributes may seem simple, but they are often overlooked. Low Health in PvP can make you an easy target for opponents who perceive you as inexperienced or running a glass cannon build. Increasing Health may discourage enemies from focusing on you while improving survivability overall.
However, Attributes should only be adjusted if they directly address your problem. If Attributes aren't contributing to the issue, focus on other areas instead.
Race
Race bonuses often resemble Mundus Stone effects, offering boosts to Crit Damage, Recovery, or Resistances depending on the Race. Since Race changing is a paid feature (3,000 Crowns), it's generally not advisable to do so, unless it aligns with your specific goals—for example, switching to Khajiit for extra Crit Damage in a Bomber build—it may be worth considering. However, ensure that this adjustment directly addresses the core issue with your build before committing to it.
Champion Points
Champion Points are usually straightforward: focus on single-target damage CPs for single-target encounters and AoE damage CPs for area-of-effect situations. However, there are specific scenarios where Champion Points can be particularly beneficial.
For instance, the Slippery CP is often underrated, depending on your build. Many players find that getting knocked down can lead to an instant kill for their character. In such cases, utilizing a Champion Point like Slippery can be the crucial factor between survival and defeat.
If CP allocation is contributing to inefficiencies in your build, reassign points based on the specific challenges you face. Otherwise, CPs should remain consistent with your overall strategy.
Sets
While sets should be near the bottom of your troubleshooting list, they can still make a significant impact when optimized effectively. If a set isn't working for you, look for alternatives that align better with your playstyle and goals.
For example, Clever Alchemist may be replaced with Rallying Cry for PvP survivability—it boosts Critical Healing, Crit Resistance, and Weapon and Spell damage while maintaining strong uptime.
If you are searching for the best PvP sets for specific situations, it is recommended to use resources like Malcolm's website for insights on various sets. By following discussions about different sets, you can identify alternatives that suit your needs.
When evaluating these sets, consider which ones will provide the most value for your playstyle. For instance, with Stuhn's Favor equipped, when you deal damage to an enemy who is Off Balance, your Offensive Penetration is increased by 5312 for 10 seconds. With subclassing, Stuhn's Favor is an underrated set that more players should consider, especially since Penetration is vital in the current meta.
Ultimately, the effectiveness of a set depends on your specific problem. If you're struggling with proccing certain sets, research the best ESO PvE sets available and determine which ones you can easily manage. If you're not proficient at Light and Heavy Attack Weaving, choose sets that don't rely on those mechanics. You don't have to run the absolute best builds; instead, opt for sets that are easier for you to maintain during gameplay. This approach will serve you better in the long run across all types of content.
Final Thoughts
Optimizing your ESO build requires a methodical approach—identify the problem first and then make targeted adjustments across areas like playstyle, consumables, Mundus Stones, skills, Attributes, Race, Champion Points, and sets. Each tweak should directly address the root cause of inefficiencies in your build while complementing your unique gameplay style. By following Jakeclips's guide and experimenting with adjustments thoughtfully, you'll be well-equipped to tackle any challenge The Elder Scrolls Online throws your way!
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