Curse

Rohan · Jan 18, 2007, 04:18 PM // 16:18

I'm having some trouble with the Graspings...they always seem to interupt me and they continue to do it. I've gotten through before to the smites but now I'm always getting interupted and now killed...Got any advice?

TeeJay · Jan 18, 2007, 04:35 PM // 16:35

When you aggro them and you run back...when you stop, wait a few seconds because they use distracting blow! I've seen grasps wait 5 secs before they use it. After that you can start casting your 3 damage spells. Also remember, as soon as (most of the time) 2 of them flee, immediatly cast Stoneflesh aura.

TeeJay · Jan 18, 2007, 04:35 PM // 16:35

Double post, my bad.

XvArchonvX · Jan 18, 2007, 05:31 PM // 17:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rohizzle

I'm having some trouble with the Graspings...they always seem to interupt me and they continue to do it. I've gotten through before to the smites but now I'm always getting interupted and now killed...Got any advice?

Cast all enchants in the following order:
1) Stone Striker
2) Stoneflesh
3) Storm Djinn's Haste
3) Sympathetic Visage

Then aggro and pull Graspings away from Aatxes

Wait a few seconds for SV to drain Graspings of energy

THEN

Use your attack spells.

Graspings almost always use Dist. blow as soon as they reach you, so wait for them to use it first. They also use skull crack, but shouldn't be able to pull it off if you have SV up. If you somehow get attacked with SV down, just remember that it takes some time to gain enough adrenaline to use it, so you have a little bit of time after dist blow and before skull crack to cast. After that, one skull crack and you're toast.

Archaic Nightmare · Jan 18, 2007, 05:40 PM // 17:40

My guildie pointed me in this direction so 10 hours gametime later my new ele - On The Bandwagon - was ready for action and has now bought our guild the rare material trader. Cheers all for the videos, tips etc and most importantly for intially developing and posting the build.

Rohan · Jan 19, 2007, 04:44 PM // 16:44

One last problem...Fighting the graspings=easy, killing the smites=easy. There's one probelm I've somehow been having lately...the run to the smites. I've done it plenty of times before but somehow now I can't seem to do it. Tips anyone?

XvArchonvX · Jan 19, 2007, 05:26 PM // 17:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rohizzle

One last problem...Fighting the graspings=easy, killing the smites=easy. There's one probelm I've somehow been having lately...the run to the smites. I've done it plenty of times before but somehow now I can't seem to do it. Tips anyone?

Don't aggro graspings or nightmares when running to the Smites. Also, don't get caught up on walls or narrow passage ways when running past Aatxes since they will sometimes attack if you are body blocked. Beyond that, just look far beyond your path and make sure it is clear and time your run accordingly.

pegasux · Jan 19, 2007, 06:30 PM // 18:30

i'd just want to add a little tip in here for those like me who can't seem to get the chamber in one aggro so we do it in 2. when fighting the graspings on the platform, after you cast sandstorm count to 2 then cast earthquake. this will kill em all off or leave em as 1 hit kills when they flee.

a question i have for you guys doing 8 minute runs...are you doing a full smite run or just the partial one?

Bloodied Blade · Jan 19, 2007, 07:39 PM // 19:39

I'm definitely making an elly this weekend...I got sidetracked the first time I tried, but after watching the vid my interest has been rekindled.

d r e a d375 · Jan 19, 2007, 10:27 PM // 22:27

i read on guru about those skill changes which r coming, they aren't positive for this build....
it says this:
Symphonic Visage: Recharge time reduced to 20 seconds, duration reduced to 4...10 seconds
Ancestral Visage: Recharge time reduced to 20 seconds, duration reduced to 4...10 seconds

but it means the av and sv, can we still continue to farm UW with this build or did Anerf screw another farming build?

maybe replace av/sv by mantra of resolve? costs alot of nrgy tho... :S
and smites will be able to heal -.-"

kumiel · Jan 19, 2007, 10:59 PM // 22:59

The changes to SV and AV are confirmed now... Would it still work with a +20% enchant and maybe taking a little energy storage out and putting it into illusion?

Zeddicus Tam · Jan 19, 2007, 11:18 PM // 23:18

I think it will still work. It will just make it even trickier than it was before. The recharge on AV/SV has been reduced by 10 seconds and the duration has almost been halved. So while we won't be able to keep it on as long, we'll be able to cast it more frequently. Timing is going to become even more critical.

With the 20% mod, AV/SV will last for about 10.6 seconds with 9 points in Illusion instead of about 16.8 seconds with 8 points (before the skill change). If you use a Major Rune of Energy Storage (or even a Minor) you can easily take points out of Energy Storage and put them into Illusion. Health isn't too critical for this build anyway as long as you have Stoneflesh Aura up.

If anything, I think this will just slow the farming down a bit. I'd be surprised if this stopped it entirely. If they changed the way Stoneflesh Aura or one of the other skills in the build works, then I'd be more concerned. Of course, I could be wrong since I haven't actually tried it with the changes yet.

Xethrion · Jan 19, 2007, 11:24 PM // 23:24

Looks like with the change to AV and SV, it will make aggroing all 3 groups at once harder..

Edit : Nightmares also got a buff, Rend is now 5 en and 1 sec cast time instead of 3..

tuna-fish_sushi · Jan 20, 2007, 12:26 AM // 00:26

Nightmares are going to be a pain and sv still works just instead of casting it then pulling. Pull them first wait till they waste distracting then cast then start with the ss eq as combo as normal. with smites now its almost a necesity to get big groups.

chicks boy · Jan 20, 2007, 01:43 AM // 01:43

hey run it still possible =)

look:

Xethrion · Jan 20, 2007, 05:37 AM // 05:37

Anybody tried the technique of pulling all 3 groups first, then casting SV? Does it work for killing them all in one shot?

Would also be very interested in what comments Koning and the rest who have been running this build a long time have, on the effects the current update has had on running UW.

blakecraw · Jan 20, 2007, 07:22 AM // 07:22

The run still works fine, but now instead of casting SV prior to pulling the graspings, you cast it after they have used up their distracting blows, like tuna-fish_sushi said. Or, you can just not use SV at all on them! I like to just pull them, watch until they all have used their distracting blows, and then start casting Sandstorm, works like a charm. They may get enough adrenaline for one "Fear Me!", but that's not enough to do any real damage. Also, if you refrain from using SV before casting your attack spells, you have it as a backup in case they don't all die like good little tentacled monsters.

For smites, I just wait to cast SV until they're all grouped up on me (so one doesn't stroll in late, with full energy), and then let fly with the killer combo right after casting SV. So far they haven't survived it, but I haven't gotten any really huge groups of smites either. Bigger groups would probably make it easier, but groups as small as three are still easily doable.

Feathermoore Rep · Jan 20, 2007, 07:23 AM // 07:23

SV/AV are 20 second recharge now. So as long as you can keep up stoneflesh and stonestriker your ok. With 20% enchant, the 20 second recharge is now just short enough so that stoneflesh ends after you can get AV/SV up. The downside however is, during the 10 second downtime, the grasps are all building their energy and adrenal up. During those 10 second, they can both get enough adrenal and energy to use skull crack AND distract blow. If either one of these go off on a skill your pretty much screwed. So aka you gotta kill the grasps the first time AV goes up or pray that you get a halves recharge.

starlitesunset · Jan 20, 2007, 07:42 AM // 07:42

also with the skill update i could swear anet has been upgrading the monsters in uw, now when they are low on health they run and regen, happened a couple of times on this build, but also on the SB 605 / smiter duo too. making it even longer than usual anyone else notice this or did i just get a bad few monsters lol

Deacon Roswell · Jan 20, 2007, 08:48 AM // 08:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuna-fish_sushi

... with smites now its almost a necesity to get big groups.

why would it be a necessity to get a big group of smites? the skill balance really has no impact at all on killing smites. I've killed several groups with only 2 or 3 in it. The only challenge now is the first chamber and timing your skills with the grasps.