Advice Needed!

[Aife]

Hi Everyone!

Will try to keep this short. I've been a fairly casual player since the original BETA and over the past year or so have found myself falling pretty far behind on content. Most of the time I find myself logging in to keep up with retainers, etc and maybe try something new but overall I haven't had much time to play. I am often finding myself getting a bit overwhelmed as I try to get "back into it" and instead log out... Would love any tips of advice...

A couple of quick facts:

1. I am Lvl 60 SMN with ilvl 193.
2. I have most content unlocked (I think...) and I am caught up on the storyline quests.
3. I would prefer to focus on getting myself up to speed with gear, etc. as a SMN rather than leveling other jobs.
4. I get potentially 1-3 hours a week to play.

Hope this is the right place to pose this question. Would love some advice!

[Moonleg]

To be brutally honest, 1-3 hours a week is extremely little time available for any MMORPG.

At ilvl 193 you are most likely geared well enough to head into what new content gets released with 3.2, so that shouldn't be your main worry right now. Otherwise it'll be the usual, grind Eso tomestones to buy better gear - but with so little time available it WILL take you much longer than it should to go that route.

Not sure what it is you're asking other than gear, mind you. You sound like you're caught up on the story, so that's good.

[ereskigal]

I'm surprised you've gotten that far on 1-3hr play time, only thing I can say is focuse on roulettes, like trials, and ex, those will help keep tokens and gear up to par since your only gearing one job per patch cycle. Wish there was more I could say Good luck player.

[Atoli]

I don't really see what you need catching up on
Your ilvl is well within range of most players (which are all somewhere between 190 and 210), you are caught up on the 3.1 story and have everything unlocked.
Doesn't sound to me like you are trailing behind, unless you have everything only unlocked and nothing cleared. In that case, maybe do that first?^^
(not counting Alex Savage, just ignore that one..^^°)
Getting started on the gear grind NOW would be honestly kind of wasted; you'd rise 2-3 ilvls at most which wouldn't make much difference, and soon the new patch will be released with new tomestones.

As for them, try doing your daily roulettes about 2-3 times a week at least. You should hit the weekly cap that way without spending more than 2-3 hours on it. With that, you still have time for story and content clearing left but won't fall off the weely drill

[Aife]

Understood that the time thing is not ideal. My job is fairly demanding on my schedule and makes it virtually impossible to "group up" with anyone consistently; which I know in the long run holds me back. I still enjoy logging in and experiencing all of the content (and to be honest, it's the only time I get every week to completely shut my brain off to the stress of work). I'm trying to figure out what the best use of my limited time is if I want to not be a burden on other players and also enjoy the new content.

There are different options as far as gear that seem to be available to me. At my currentl iLvl, do you think the best use of my time and focus would be to get the Void Ark set?

Also, I've progressed in a pretty linear way. When I first started playing I had a lot more time (I actually may have even been unemployed for a short while at first?)... I guess moreso just hoping to get some insight from other players.

[Edit] Thanks for the quick replies! Two more popped up while I was writing back to the first reply...

[MeridaQ]

What I would do is ask yourself what you want. Just higher ilvl? Or is there a primal fight you want to clear, a glamour, an achievement? Do you want a plethora of flying ponies!? There is a lot of cool stuff to do and find so its up to you. If ilvl is your only goal do what the other posters suggest! Grind tomes and buy better gear. Just think about it! Personally I am stoked for the jute box.

[Pence]

Understood that the time thing is not ideal. My job is fairly demanding on my schedule and makes it virtually impossible to "group up" with anyone consistently; which I know in the long run holds me back. I still enjoy logging in and experiencing all of the content (and to be honest, it's the only time I get every week to completely shut my brain off to the stress of work). I'm trying to figure out what the best use of my limited time is if I want to not be a burden on other players and also enjoy the new content.

There are different options as far as gear that seem to be available to me. At my currentl iLvl, do you think the best use of my time and focus would be to get the Void Ark set?

Also, I've progressed in a pretty linear way. When I first started playing I had a lot more time (I actually may have even been unemployed for a short while at first?)... I guess moreso just hoping to get some insight from other players.

[Edit] Thanks for the quick replies! Two more popped up while I was writing back to the first reply...

Honestly: it doesn't matter. Just go for higher ilvl. You only need to worry about optimization when Savage raiding. Anything else can clear all content.

[Finalphase]

I am in the same boat as you. I have a very demanding work schedule and very few days off, as well as a wife and 2 kids. I have to figure out what I want to focus on each time I log on. Right now its my relic weapon. (Stupid crystal grind) Soon it will be my last 2 ponies and I throw in a VA run once a week, every week. Savage raiding is out for me cause I cant devote the time so I just focus on keeping my ilvl up so I can clear normal content and story. Luckily I am in an awesome FC so accomplishing the goals I set for my limited play time isn't to much of a chore.

TLDR: Basically focus on what you want for your character and keep your Ilvl up to stay current with normal content and story.

[Aife]

Thank you for your replies everyone

Feel a little bit better seeing that most people think I am still on-track as being able to keep up with any new content.