Curse

Belonah15 · Apr 03, 2008, 06:51 AM // 06:51

I recently bought Factions campaign, and have been doing the storyline H/H with my new Ritualist. I find the missions hard. Much more difficult than the Prophecies or Nightfall or even EotN campaigns (I have completed these campaigns several times already on team and solo H/H). I have just completed Nahpui and only got standard on my second try, and its not the first Factions mission I am finding difficult.

Am I doing something wrong? Something I am missing somewhere? Perhaps some of the players that have good Factions experience can advise me on some team setups/builds, or some general tactics that worked for them?

And yes I am a noob with a Rit - first time I have ever played a Rit. I have read through the Rit guides and builds on this forum, and my build is:
- Ancestors Rage
- Splinter Weapon
- Spirit Rift
- Boon of Creation
- Bloodsong
- Vampirism
- Mend Body and Soul
- Flesh of my Flesh
I have not capped a Elite yet.

Thanks

tehshadowninjar · Apr 03, 2008, 07:14 AM // 07:14

I lol'd. You're such a noob.

Nah, I'm joking. Tbh, I also find some of the missions weary and difficult in Factions. It's not the set up, it's just how Factions is set up. Alot of people say it is easy, but at points, it's not. List the Missions you're having difficulty with and I'll see what I can do.

ivan.alicard · Apr 03, 2008, 07:34 AM // 07:34

Faction was design to be hard, Anet made it for people who already has a good concept of the game, when first came out alot complain that it was too hard too. just try for the first go around the second rollback after you finish, the mish should be cake.

Anime Divine · Apr 03, 2008, 08:21 AM // 08:21

well factions is hard with a rt
but with common sense u can beat it
what u do is read wiki before u do the mission. really some usefull tips.

since ur a damage rt is would suggest take a few more spirits like pain shadowsong and bloodsong toghter with painfulbond they own those beasties
and if you have eotn y dont u go there first get yourself some lvl 20 heroes and the missions will be a lot easier.

Cebe · Apr 03, 2008, 08:32 AM // 08:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belonah15

IAnd yes I am a noob with a Rit - first time I have ever played a Rit. I have read through the Rit guides and builds on this forum, and my build is:
- Ancestors Rage
- Splinter Weapon
- Spirit Rift
- Boon of Creation
- Bloodsong
- Vampirism
- Mend Body and Soul
- Flesh of my Flesh
I have not capped a Elite yet.

I would advise removing Boon of Creation, with only 2 spirits it doesn't do much for you. Replacing it with something like [wiki]Protective was Kaolai[/wiki] would probabaly give you a pretty decent build, and allows you to put all your points in Channeling and Restoration.

Remember to check out the Ritualist Forum and the Basic Guide to Playing Ritualist.

If you find the game difficult, try re-considering how your heroes are set up (I assume you're using heroes?) and which hench you take. For instance, steer well clear of Dervish and Assassin heroes and henchmen for much of Cantha, because they have less armor against exploding afflicted mobs. If you take a warrior hero, consider unlocking Triple Chop and giving him that, that way you'll often do a lot more damage by casting Splinter Weapon and Ancestors' Rage on him, not to mention warriors have higher armor than Assassins and Dervishes.

Figure out exactly what it is you're having a problem with, and use hero builds, and the correct choice of henchmen to try to counter that.

As far as Elites go, for your build, unless you want to somehow acquire Offering of Spirit (which is cappable at the end of the Nightfall campaign), I would advise going for [wiki]Spirit Channeling[/wiki], just for the time being, until you can get something better. It's available in Early Factions, after you beat Nahpui Quarter mission.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anime Divine

since ur a damage rt is would suggest take a few more spirits like pain shadowsong and bloodsong toghter with painfulbond they own those beasties

I would strongly advise to stick with Hybrid. Hybrid Channeling / Restoration builds are stronger than spirit spamming builds in most instances. The build he has is pretty damn good for a beginner in my opinion. I've seen far worse.

Bront · Apr 03, 2008, 09:06 AM // 09:06

Life is a highly useful restoration spirit that I would recomend taking. Beyond that, spirit summoning takes a lot of time and energy that is often better spent casting other spells, not to mention slowing you down, and unless you bring a skill to take your spirits with you, they stay put once the battle's over.

If you want to take more of a support role, take more offensive heroes/henchmen. I found a Monk and Rit hench worked fairly well at keeping a party alive, and I think that would work doubly so with you as a Rit also, so go offensive after that (Fire Eles, Warriors, Necros).

Minion Masters are extremely useful in Factions to absorb the affliction's death nova effect.

Not sure what your secondary is, but you can make a fairly effective MM as a Ritualist with Boon of Creation and Animate skills (Vampiric, Shambling, and Minions are good) if you go /N. Your minions will have more life with Spawning Power, you get healing and energy from Boon of Creation (Double for minions, since you create 2). You can turn it into a bomber build with a hero necro with Death Nova, so you raise the army and the hero explodes them. It probably isn't an ultimate build, but it can be fun and should get you through some of the tough spots.

Belonah15 · Apr 03, 2008, 09:22 AM // 09:22

Quote:

what u do is read wiki before u do the mission. really some usefull tips

This may sound really dumb, but doing this is something I try to avoid. Part of playing the story is to explore it and experience it, and by reading the walkthrough I cheat myself from that. But yes, at this time I am going to have to do that.

Quote:

I would advise removing Boon of Creation, with only 2 spirits it doesn't do much for you. Replacing it with something like Protective Was Kaolai would probabaly give you a pretty decent build, and allows you to put all your points in Channeling and Restoration.

Done.

Quote:

If you find the game difficult, try re-considering how your heroes are set up (I assume you're using heroes?) and which hench you take.

Quote:

if you have eotn y dont u go there first get yourself some lvl 20 heroes and the missions will be a lot easier

I think this is exactly my problem. I have heroes, but I think my setups do not match a Rit playstyle or the Factions missions. I will list my Tahnnaki Temple team at end of this message.

Quote:

List the Missions you're having difficulty with and I'll see what I can do.

All the missions so far has taken multiple tries, and I have not got Masters on any (did get Masters on all the island missions though).

-------------------------------------------
H/H setup used for Tahnnaki (failed 3 times):
- Koss (W/P): FGJ!; Beserker Stance; Triple Chop; Cyclone Axe; GFTE!; Leader's Comfort; Rez.
- Tahlkora (Mo/Me): WoH; Divine Healing; Words of Comfort; Mend Ailment; Remove Hex; Rebirth.
- Dunkoro (Mo/Me): Duplicate of Tahlkora.
- Eve (N)
- Cynn (E)
- Talon (W)
- Aidan (R)

Your advise is appreciated.

Cebe · Apr 03, 2008, 09:39 AM // 09:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belonah15

H/H setup used for Tahnnaki (failed 3 times):
- Koss (W/P): FGJ!; Beserker Stance; Triple Chop; Cyclone Axe; GFTE!; Leader's Comfort; Rez.
- Tahlkora (Mo/Me): WoH; Divine Healing; Words of Comfort; Mend Ailment; Remove Hex; Rebirth.
- Dunkoro (Mo/Me): Duplicate of Tahlkora.
- Eve (N)
- Cynn (E)
- Talon (W)
- Aidan (R)

Your advise is appreciated.

As lovely as hero monks are, using 2 really is a waste purely because being able to customise other heroes to churn out damage is far more useful. I often only take hench monks, because when you've played for a while, you learn exactly how monsters react, and you learn new techniques to allow you to minimise the damage your team takes.

For the time being, I would advise keep the Warrior hero (though he needs a major build change

), Keep one monk hero, stick on a Necro Minion Master hero, failing that, an Elementalist hero will do (if you have one). As for the hench, take Jamei or Sister Tai (I forget if one is better than the other), take Kai Ying, because he has a ward, leave Talon because you already have a warrior hero. Choose two other hench, Cynn is probably a decent enough choice, and...Zho maybe.

When you feel you're getting to know Factions a bit more, try using only hench monks and see how you get along.

For the warrior, try a build like this:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Me

[skill]"For Great Justice!"[/skill][skill]Flail[/skill][skill]Triple Chop[/skill][skill]Dismember[/skill][skill]Executioner's Strike[/skill][skill]Distracting Blow[/skill][skill]Enraging Charge[/skill][skill]Signet of Return[/skill]

Attributes: Axe Mastery: 12 + 1 + 1, Strength: 12

For the monk, try a build like this:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Me

[wiki]Cure Hex[/wiki][skill]Protective Spirit[/skill][skill]Aegis[/skill][skill]Word of Healing[/skill][skill]Dwayna's Kiss[/skill][skill]Shield of Absorption[/skill][skill]Dismiss Condition[/skill][skill]Glyph of Lesser Energy[/skill]

Attributes: Healing: 12 + 1 + 1, Protection: 11 + 1, Divine Favor: 6 + 1

Switch Cure Hex for Remove Hex if you don't have Eye of the North.

If you take a Necro MM hero, try a minion bombing build, there are plenty of those about, or if you decide on an Ele hero, give it [wiki]Ward Against Elements[/wiki], which should help against Afflicted Ele spikes,

Check out this thread for more tested hero builds:
http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s...0069909&page=7

Anime Divine · Apr 03, 2008, 10:12 AM // 10:12

Originally Posted by Belonah15
H/H setup used for Tahnnaki (failed 3 times):
- Koss (W/P): FGJ!; Beserker Stance; Triple Chop; Cyclone Axe; GFTE!; Leader's Comfort; Rez.
- Tahlkora (Mo/Me): WoH; Divine Healing; Words of Comfort; Mend Ailment; Remove Hex; Rebirth.
- Dunkoro (Mo/Me): Duplicate of Tahlkora.
- Eve (N)
- Cynn (E)
- Talon (W)
- Aidan (R)

yeh tahnakai is a though one
y take tahlon as hench he sucks i prefer illusion
take out eve for a monk hench
if you have MM that would be helpfull yes.
also an ele warder extremely helps since those eles are overpowered.

my advise dont take melee hench. they all suck even heroes. well at least for me :P

Pesi · Apr 03, 2008, 10:14 AM // 10:14

When I first did Factions, when it just had released.
I though it was super hard aswell, especially Unwalking waters and Raisu Palace. But now after two years I can hench and hero them all without a problem.
No idea what I actually do diffrent, but I guess everything is hard the first times u do it. Isnt that how it should be?

I bet that if u could do everything on your first try, the name of this topic would be "Factions too easy".
Things are hard the first time, thats it.
Also how it should be in my opinion, You'll get through it eventually.
Keep working.

Cebe · Apr 03, 2008, 10:22 AM // 10:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anime Divine

my advise dont take melee hench. they all suck even heroes. well at least for me :P

They don't suck if you're a Ritualist with Splinter Weapon and Ancestors' Rage.

Melee heroes are also pretty good with interrupts, hence the Distracting Blow in the build I posted, not to mention that they can also very easily throw about Deep Wound, which is a very powerful condition.

michaelhunter81 · Apr 03, 2008, 12:00 PM // 12:00

ya factions was built to be a bit more difficult, i'd say listen to some of these guys suggestions and read up on the wiki for some useful tips

Alathaea · Apr 03, 2008, 12:24 PM // 12:24

With Factions, I find that the big difference is that foes deal out a far higher DPS than the other campaigns, but they don't tend to have much in the way of survival, so if you can match or outdo their DPS, you've got a good chance of beating them.

Also, I agree with what others have said in that you just need to play it for a while and get comfortable with the type of foe.

legs · Apr 03, 2008, 12:32 PM // 12:32

It has already been said before in the thread but I think it it worth point out once again:

the best way to go easy thorugh factions is to always bring an MM!

This Hero setup is a very reliable way to help yourself through any part of the game that has corpses:
http://www.pvxwiki.com/wiki/Build:Te...Necro_Vanquish

That being said, I also concur with the above posters that having two Hero monks is a bit of a waste, especially if you are a ritualist yourself.

When I go as a Ritualist, I use my Heroes for Damage, myself as hybrid resto/channel and bring two hench monks. that is usually enough.

Good luck and enjoy factions!

Washi · Apr 03, 2008, 01:09 PM // 13:09

minion master/bomber hero will solve all your problems

Mickey · Apr 03, 2008, 02:37 PM // 14:37

If your from Factions and you have accessed Nightfall you can get Sousuke, and even at lvl 11, him with a Triple Heat build > Koss.

Go to the Sun Docks, and get the quest Zaishen Elite from the General (I think it's the General). Take out Sousuke and Jin in the Plains of Jarin, accept the reward, then pick Gain Sousuke, and follow the quest marker, your done.

P.S. If you need a cheap Rit offhand for free, I have the Mallyx one for Spawning, you can have it, and if you need an offhand for Sousuke, you can have my Lin's Lantern, or w/e.

MasterSasori · Apr 03, 2008, 03:01 PM // 15:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belonah15

I recently bought Factions campaign, and have been doing the storyline H/H with my new Ritualist. I find the missions hard...

Am I doing something wrong? Something I am missing somewhere? Perhaps some of the players that have good Factions experience can advise me on some team setups/builds, or some general tactics that worked for them?

And yes I am a noob with a Rit - first time I have ever played a Rit. I have read through the Rit guides and builds on this forum, and my build is:
- Ancestors Rage
- Splinter Weapon
- Spirit Rift
- Boon of Creation
- Bloodsong
- Vampirism
- Mend Body and Soul
- Flesh of my Flesh
I have not capped a Elite yet.

Thanks

I find Factions the easiest of all the campaigns by far. Certain missions can be pretty difficult if you're not experienced though. For example, Eternal Grove, Gyala Hatchery, and Unwaking waters can all be difficult IF you don't know how to approach them.

Just work with experienced people. Besides the elite, your build looks pretty acceptable. Watch out for this though - Tanking Sins. This is where you normally find the most of em. It's not good to judge someone by their class, but its always wise to take precautions and ask them what their role is before you start a mission.

btw Nahpui can be pretty difficult if you have the wrong group.

demo113 · Apr 03, 2008, 03:17 PM // 15:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alathaea

With Factions, I find that the big difference is that foes deal out a far higher DPS than the other campaigns, but they don't tend to have much in the way of survival, so if you can match or outdo their DPS, you've got a good chance of beating them.

Also, I agree with what others have said in that you just need to play it for a while and get comfortable with the type of foe.

I agree with you especially in Tahnakai as there is usually large amount of mobs that are difficult if even possible to split that can easily wipe you or kill Togo/Mhenlo. I remember having a lot of trouble with that mission my first time through factions but after I got heros and got an MM hero the mission becomes much easier.

Jumping Is Uselss · Apr 03, 2008, 04:23 PM // 16:23

I just find factions hard when you are grouped with henchies, because of lack of available players in an area.

Whisper Evenstar · Apr 03, 2008, 05:35 PM // 17:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jumping Is Uselss

I just find factions hard when you are grouped with henchies, because of lack of available players in an area.

I find just the opposite - its much easier to get Masters with hench on the opposite side than some random PUG who is clueless....