A spontaneous guild meeting broke out when Lopov called for WB assistance. Arcadian, Grits, Rider, and I all responded, which is more than we usually get together.

If Floozie had only remembered to swap out her Ring of the Pale Order, it would have been a smooth kill.

It was nice seeing you and thanks for coming.

Here's one pic that I took after the battle!

This looks really fun! If I played ESO more often this is what I'd like to do a lot of; grouping up.

Did the bunny join in too?

That was fun! Great pic with Abiene's bunny in the front!


Jerric is in Murkmire presently. This zone is a favorite.

My latest character, Nicholas van Rijn, has just hit level 40, which means he'll be wanting big kid gear soon. What is anyone else using for a Magden? I'm considering trying the frost-related sets like Winter's Respite and Frostbite instead of the usual Julianos/Mother's Sorrow, but I'm open to ideas. I'm not a fan of pets, so it will be a no-bear build, whatever sets I use.

He's got the "Pirate" title, but we're looking for another choice or two. And a costume or outfit that suits, as well.

For a no bear magden, I don't think you could go wrong with any two of those three: Julianos, Mother's Sorrow, Winter's Respite. I'd put Necropotence on that list of good ones also but not for a no bear build of course. And they're all easy to get. Buffy's focus is AoE and heals so she runs a lightning staff (not ice) and a resto. Illustrious healing on the ground wearing Winter's Respite is some seriously bursty HoT. Buffy actually runs Mighty Chudan as a monster set; because she therefore doesn't have to slot the warden's ice armor skill, it gives her another skill slot.

For what it's worth, Buffy's variants include both Magden and Magsorc. Though her Magsorc is no pets, she loves the bear as a warden.

My Vicuña slots Ice Armor so she doesn't have to wear so much.

Bastion sealed his fate today. Buffy gave him two weeks notice. By then she'll have him leveled from L19.6 to L20 and send him on his way. The catalyst happened today after a long day of questing as a Magden with Bastion set up as a tank. Buffy went to talk to a merchant and accidentally stole a potion that was sitting out right next to the merchant. Well, the merchant started yelling, and Buffy was both embarrassed and furious with herself. She motioned a guard to come and collect a bounty. Then, to top it all all off, Bastion told her off. She knew at that moment that she was finished with Bastion.

Contrast that with Mirri. Something similar happened a couple weeks ago with Mirri. Buffy headed for a guard to clear things up. An NPC attacked Buffy and true-blue Mirri promptly killed the NPC. Though Buffy's bounty shot through the roof, Mirri's loyal defense of Buffy earned a place in Buffy's heart. Currently we have Mirri set up as a ranged dps and Bastion as a tank but we will quickly transition to Mirri being able to do either via changing gear and skills. Yes, the logistics will be somewhat of a challenge but she cannot tolerate Bastion's disloyalty - especially knowing that Mirri will stick up for her no matter the consequences.

She has always 'clicked' better with Mirri, but this incident today made her decision an easy one.

Abiene has also gotten irritated with Bastian. She does not appreciate being told off when one of her projectiles accidentally hits an unseen critter. His "Have you so little regard for life" comment really gets her fuming.

Jerric handles his occasional annoyance by unequipping his weapon and taking a few swings at Bastian. It's a shame there's no brawl option in the menu.

So far so good. Mirri's now in 5 heavy + 2 medium with s&b and does a superb job tanking. Looking to probably keep her in one set of armor and switch out weaponry (of course), skills (of course) and maybe jewelry to change roles on her as needed.

Buffy notes that Mirri can hold a WB by the nose while requiring no more support from Buffy than Bastion did. In fact, as more of a NB 'Sap tank' instead of the classic DK tank, she seems just as safe but does more damage while doing so.

I did wonder how the companions would view any illegal activity; this was a revealing post on both Bastion and Mirri. I think I read somewhere that = even in a dungeon when you are taking down real enemies and just trying to whittle down the numbers quietly; the Blade of Woe is a no-no for both. Haven't tested it out yet to find out; having enough trouble not offending Mirri by accidentally grabbing flying insects while trying to do something completely innocent, lol.








But, what happens when Jerric clocks Bastian?








Ooh, that is interesting on Mirri too!

Since we'd just been given the Deadlands DLC, I decided at the weekend to go see what it was about, and rolled up a new character on the PTS. I picked a Redguard, took the default Necromancer class and set some sliders for slim but curvy. I didn't know until I saw her in the "Traveller's" outfit quite how curvy that was. The Chargen process lets me create her in undies, but ...



It reminded me of when Minx was trying to find an inconspicuous outfit for her thieving tasks. But perhaps, more so. Anyhow, the next PTS patch cam with a reload, so she was lost. Not wanting yo have that loss be permanent, I recreated her on the EU server, and she'll just have to wait a bit before she explores the Deadlands.

That shirt seems to be ESO's version of the Skyrim Miner's outfit, as it looks larger than she does in underwear. I've had her go swimming in it several times, but Tamriel water isn't wet enough to penetrate.

We've called her Mamma Ries, but I don't know how long that name wil last. So far she's level 28, joined all her guilds, including getting the Psijic passive for portals, I took her to Cyro for training as soon as she could, so she rides at a viable speed now.

I haven't started the MQ with her, and possibly won't. She'd be the first one of my characters not to do so.

---

Old Nick has caught up with the rest of the NA crew, so he's just doing the grindy dailies, like Undaunted. He's still new enough to get an occasional Skyshard from those! We deliberately left any delves that Bolgrul uses until we were sent there.

So much to do with a new character; so little time.

For those (like Buffy) who travel with Mirri, you are probably familiar with one of her 'after a fight' lines:
"Would it kill them to run away? Well, no, I guess it wouldn’t. . . maybe they should try that."

Well, Buffy got a chuckle today when Mirri popped out with that line after they killed strangler. You know. . . a carnivorous plant that is rooted to the ground.

When Jerric got a look at the new Collections summary page he dumped out his backpack and began sharpening swords. I believe I will spend the next chunk of time in Tamriel hunting weapons, jewelry, and armor. He doesn't care much about having things, but he sure likes to go get them.

Taking advantage of the Armory to create a new solo build for Floozie has meant that she can do VoM runs more easily. We have been amazed at how much Worm's Raiment and Oblivion's Edge pieces there were still to collect.

And every chest in the place, being non-curated, can give her a duplicate piece of Rattlecage armor, so they do so.

She's also chasing a set of Mother's Sorrow Armor, so the WB's in Deshaan are just dropping weapons these days, and mostly Night Mother and Plague Doctor, at that.

When we get that sticker book filled, they'll probably stop spawning.

It has been great fun to roll through Public Dungeons and watch the previously unseen weapons pile up. Mother's Sorrow was first on the list followed by Spriggan's. Abiene is going for Briarheart next with her new damage build.

They're saying the curated drops bug affects groups so as to have the first person who loots the boss set the loot table for everyone by their Collections. Easy workaround when we're going for a certain item is to just let that person loot first.

The NA guild runs made Vicuña aware that she could use a chain skill, so we just added Silver Leash. Once she has it maxed out, it will probably become part of her tank build only, and be replaced by a self-heal for solo.

If you need a tank, and don't mind that she's learning to use the new skill, let me know.

It snowed here today, and it's probably because Hell has frozen over.

Well congratulations on completing your very long quest!

Buffy (magplar healer) had an easier time getting the Rattlepieces she needed (jewelry & weapons to avoid heavy armor). Given that her head and shoulders use monster pieces, her challenge was getting the exact 5 pieces of Spell Power Cure she needed. Since she can't solo WGT, that meant buying tons of key fragments for the WGT trophy vault.

That said, she's delighted with both Rattlecage and Spell Power Cure.

Congratulations!!! Jerric will want to head back to Arx while there's ice skating in hell. (Just in time for Undaunted Infiltrator to get an "update," argh.)

The semiannual pvp event is off to a grand start for Buffy. She went to Cyrodiil and turned in a pre-done Cropsford quest for 2 event tix, then found plenty of keep repairing to do (with her 'healing done' boosted by 39%), quickly earning 5 rewards of the worthy. Her event quest turn in box had a single transmute gem in it and the one rewards of the worthy coffer she opened today (the first one you open / day is guaranteed to have a transmute crystal in it) netted 10 more gems. So her primary objective is off to a fine start with 11 transmute gems on the morning of day 1. That's in addition to the one gem she earned by soloing a pledge before the event started this morning.

I've had a great time so far in this season's Mayhem. My first Elder Scrolls character has made the jump from Oblivion to ESO as a stamplar and joined the Pact. This is my first real attempt to do anything with an Imperial. Love her!

Funny thing, I have only gotten one of the new style pages from a Boon Box. I got the few that I want with tickets from the Impressario, but the drop rate (for me) seems so low I would have thought my single page was a mistake.

Today in the Imperial City Jerric figured out the local currency. He picked up the Powerful Assault set to try as well as a Timbercrow costume (for Lil). I'm guessing the weapons are in the random lockboxes. Darn.

He also met Phrastus the Scholar who owns the Elinhir house he's been using as a crafting center. Rumor has it that Phrastus the Scholar is fine. Jerric would argue that Phrastus is a jerk, but at least he's amusing.

Wow, neat on the Timbercrow costume. I'm sure Lil will like it except for the significant discoloration of skin problem on her hips it will cause when viewing from behind. A notable bug with that costume and it is a horrible shame that they have not yet fixed it. Especially given the cost in blood or gold it takes to get the darn thing! Buffy bought hers from the guild traders for an embarrassing amount of gold.

Buffy got promoted today from First Sergeant Grade Two of Wall repair to Lieutenant of Keep Maintenance in her alliance's Logistics Corps! She's slowed her repairs down slightly to keep the number of rewards for the worthy coffers in her inventory under control. She probably has 20 or 25 in there in the 'open one a day queue' so far. Transmute gems are literally flowing in though and she is a happy elf about that.

DESTROY
DESTROY
DESTROY

Need I say more?

'Byebye, spider bits.'

The bar is becoming popular at the EU HQ. Unfortunately, that puts us at the "special collectibles" limit, even after I removed the mime.

Wow, you can open up a whole chapter of 'The Companions'.

Since doing FG pledges with guild members got a lot of rapport with our Mirris, as well as the boxes, I have managed to reach max rapport with her on both servers. Blossom has done the same with our NA Bastian, and Nadja the Naked Nord is close to doing so on EU.

The newer companions were easier to gain rapport with, and so they are all up there on both servers. What Isobels and Embers need is levels. Nobody is past 10 yet. The duelling bug is still blocking the achievement, and then level will be the only thing left for all of them. What activity combines event boxes with companion level?
,

Grouped with guildies + FG dailies is probably the best combo for both event boxes and companion leveling. And xp scroll will help.

I've got Ember and Isobel up to about L15 and it is a bit of a slog. Xp scrolls and pledges. Xp scrolls and farming Crimson Cove. Anything with lotsa kills per hour. Lol.

Today in Cyrodiil Jerric found himself wearing a Pact uniform and in need of discussion with a civilian who resides in a Covenant occupied town. While checking out the situation in an uncharacteristically cautious manner, he noticed a merchant and a Dominion Merchant Guard also on the road and approaching the town. They did not see him.

Jerric looked to see if the town flags were still blue. They were. He checked behind him for incoming Dominion forces (none), and then waited to see what would happen.

The Dominion pair strode straight past the Covenant banners and caught the attention of the occupying guards. An argument ensued.

Jerric took the opportunity to jog into town and chat with his civilian. He rode back out while the guards were still distracted. Probably he will be back to liberate the town. Probably multiple times. But today it was nice to just do a good deed and enjoy the sunshine.

Glad that Jerric is enjoying the event. After all, anything with Mayhem in the name surely appeals to him.

I’m still doing that grind, too. It is somewhat confusing what xp trickles down to the companion. It is certainly not a simple 25% of the player’s xp, as quest completion, for example, is not shared. My preferred method has been the public dungeons, trying to fill the gaps where a character has not yet done the group event. The companion xp comes from all the trash mobs, so it happens without having to think about it, but I keep wondering if soloing normal dungeons would be more xp-dense? Should we spend all our time in FG1 or Crimson Cove?

Companions level based on kills done and how 'big' the foes are. Group vs public dungeons favors public dungeons because tons of trash generates more xp for them faster than a few bigger kills spread out. I have found that Crimson Cove and Obsidian Scar (public dungeon in Rivenspire) work wonderfully in that you can set up circuits of nonstop killing of quickly respawning groups and simply repeat until your fingers get tired. I'm pretty sure the fast density of kills you can rack up in Craglorn around Spellscar wayshrine would rival those public dungeons if you prefer being outdoors. Think 'kills per minute' when trying to level companions. I'm sure you're aware that leveling their skill in the three guilds is different and based only on doing respective dailies.

They are all done with the guild levels on both NA and EU. I need to raise both Isobels and both Embers in combat level, so I guess my current public dungeon strategy stays.

The zombie areas for player level grinding don’t seem to work as well with a companion. The general method for those was to gather up the mobs by running around with a player-centered AOE running, and pause and burn them all down with a different target-centric AOE or two periodically. That breaks down with a companion, as the mobs will divide between you, and you get two separated groups to handle, and the companion may have problems with their share. At least the public dungeons have the groups pre-assembled.

And I think we’re still waiting for the duel fix for Isobel’s achievement. It may be done on PTS, but I’m unsure about live.

Vicuña and Isobel were waiting at a High Isle WB for some more players to turn up, and finally someone did. Jerric!

So we did another WB, and a delve for his Ember, and a Bolgrul, too. Much rapport was gained all round. It would have been more if the dailies didn't have a 20 hour cooldown.

It was so fun to run into Vicuña and Isobel at the Serpent Bog! Spontaneous adventure time!!


I had no idea there is a cooldown on rapport for those dailies, though I have probably been told. That explains how slowly the little arrow moves. Some of the time it is not moving at all!

Since the weekly Endeavor is 30 WB's, Unna decided to go play with Nomeg Rime, the nearest one to her home at Autumn's Gate. She was on the brink of soloing it, when someone else turned up for the final blow. But it dropped two Antiquity leads! One for a Mythic on High Isle, and the other the local purple. Never had two at once before.

And I only noticed after, that Unna had forgotten to eat before the fight. Maybe she'd have done it faster if she had?

'Grats to Unna!

Woo Hoo Unna!!!!

Nice job, Unna! Congrats!

On Friday, Laurie got the final page of Black Fin Legion from the Leyawiin delve dailies, so we switched over to the WB dailies, to try and get Ivory Brigade pages. She only knew five, so the odds should be on our side, right? I'm guessing that there is an account cool-down on the pages, because we got one on Friday, one on Saturday, another on Sunday, and one today. Three of the four were duplicates, so now she has six pages.

She did one herself today, to complete the 30 WB dailies achievement, and we got the giant death-hopper, Deathwart. A few of the others have done that before solo, so she leapt in and started to fight. After half an hour, she decided that he was healing as fast as she was damaging him, and broke off. He followed her outside his pool, and without the heals he could get from eating the flies, she started to wear him down at last. But having got our hopes up, he hopped back to the pool. Before anyone else arrived, I took a look at the CMX stats, and Laurie had done 10M damage to a 1.8M boss without killing him.

Then another player arrived and he lasted two minutes of actual damage. Which probably proves that Mirri is NOT a DD.

We're running those because the Leyawiin Stairway plan also drops from the coffers. We got it that way on EU, but not on NA, and Hunding's wants its roof stairs. IMHO the price is too high on the guild traders for a blue plan, so this does double duty. If we haven't got it by the end of the month, maybe WB dailies in Blackwood will be on the guild agenda.

Just picked up Aderene, the Fargrave Dregs Dealer, or deconstruction assistant. She has a good selection of dialog, compared to the few lines that the bankers and merchants cycle through. And the one she chose for Clark was “Don’t flirt with me”

I will have to check her out when I get some more Crowns to spend, lol.

When I got back from England I bought the hide shoulder style on each server, and the characters who have been doing without went looking for the right shoulder piece to add to their build.

Mamma wanted a Mother’s Sorrow piece, so she could start using 2x5 piece sets plus RotPO. We had a Julianos Epaulets, so she ran Lady Llarel’s Shelter, hoping for either shoes or sash. We got twelve Night Mother’s Embrace, and as many Plague Doctor, plus several shields, and a Mother’s Sorrow bow before we got what we wanted.

I think we may make more use of the Transmute station in future.

Ghastley, great to have you back, and I hope your trip to the UK went well.

The hide shoulder style is very nice (and welcome)!

Ooh, Welcome Back!

Lol, I remember trying for MS shoes there and what we got all night = Grits sent me the shoes the next day, lol.

Tweaking builds after “hide shoulders” had me try Oakensoul with Miranu, my EU Magblade. I did a quick run round the Rivenspire Public dungeon, and her damage on the mob packs has increased dramatically, from the twenties to the seventies.

So now all the servers are down for hardware changes, and I can’t try any of the others.

After the dumpster fire that was Update 35, we tried Oakensoul as an alternative to rage quitting the game. It was a success, and every Buffy is now an Oakenbuff. Only one is an actual heavy attack build. What the others mostly like is not having to micromanage a whole back bar for less buffs than Oakensoul gives and the fact that heavy attacks are now an actual decent damage attack for when you need resources. . . so she can almost ignore mag or stam regen.