Tihark Orchard - help...Skree - Page 2 - Guild Wars Forums

strcpy · Jan 29, 2008, 04:55 AM // 04:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Optiker

strcpy...armor - yes, but I found that I can't afford anything more because of flat out cost and cost of rare materials. I only have around 20 platinum.

That's WAY more than enough for a set of max armor - I think you are looking at prestige sets that are intended for experienced players (the have the same stats as what I'm posting below, they just look different). Check out the armorer in the Consulate Docks. The cheapest set of armor (currently) for an ele is the Istani Armor - four pieces. It has a bas cost of 4 platinum, 180 cloth is currently 2340 gold, and the 28 bolts of silk is 2800 gold. For those pieces of armor it will cost 9.14 platinum. The flame eye has a base cost of one plat plus 25 piles of glittering dust at 450 gold. That puts the grand total for all five pieces of max AL elementalist armor at 10.59 platinum - that leaves enough for most of your runes *and* insignias. Of course, this is from the traders and their prices aren't fixed, however it shouldn't change *that* much.

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Figured there is a maximum and I was at it. Didn't know how many was max. I'll look around for more.

If you are an Elonan born character (Nightfall) you get them in the Sunspear great hall for your sunspear ranks. Just press "k" to open your skills window and decrease all your attribute lines to zero and see how many points you have to spend - if less than 200 then go to the sunspear great hall on Istan.

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Also true of my heroes...some don't have very many.

If I recall correctly heroes gain their first 15 at level 15 and their second at level 20. At the least their additional 30 points are awarded at specific levels.

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I've never been real satisfied with Ward Against Melee, but saw some advantage. I currently am not using it.

It isn't a bad skill, I use it quite often - it just wasn't helping you against non-melee damage which was what was killing you.

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And, regarding old...you're right, 30 isn't!

. My son's older than that. I am 64.

I've known quite a number of gamers older than that - especially in games like this that aren't based on eyesight, reflexes, or anything the 16-18 year olds have in abundance. They are based more on paying attention and thinking things through which you should be able to do just fine.

Quote:

Should have more defense, but I guess I'm not experienced enough to find the balance between damage dealing and defense.

A good rule of thumb in this game is as follows (and this is true for almost any class, though of course there are exceptions): Four attack, three heals, and one resurrection skill. "Heals" can be actual healing (like Aura of Restoration) or damage mitigation (like "Ward against Melee"). For an ele I generally find that my energy management skill (such as fire attunement) can easily take a slot from either attack or healing - skills like that are kinda in between and is more based on the rest of my team which way I go.

Optiker · Jan 29, 2008, 05:46 AM // 05:46

Quaker...cool! Always nice to see others from our generation.

Vanilla...Assume you are talking about signet of capture and capturing elite skills. Correct...that E/R character has signet of capture - if I recall, got it over in Prophecies - but not using it. In Prophecies, I wasn't seeing elite skills in bosses I checked. My first Nightfall character is a lvl 20 R/E that I usually play with my son, and he also has signet of capture, and I've grabbed several elite skills for him. So, I know what you're talking about, but haven't benefited this character yet.

strcpy...very helpful post for me. I will take a look at that armor. Most places I've checked on armor, it's been at or below the 45 armor I already have. What I found at Kodash Bazaar is 60 armor, but way more than I can afford. I checked the Wiki, but I guess we'll have to call it a senior moment that I overlooked the 60 armor available at consulate docks. I'll get right on that! Thanks!

I checked and I do have 200 points...the way I have it distributed, I have 7 left unspent.

Regarding older players...absolutely correct! I remember quite a few years ago when my son introduced me to Quake. I did OK until I went online and tried to play there...didn't last long. FPS is not for me! I avoid PvP...can't compete with all you amazingly quick, coordinated and skilled young guys (and gals!).

Thanks for the "rule of thumb". Sounds like a good thing to try. As you can see by my skills in an earlier post, I've tended to try to go heavy in damage with a distribution of energy costs, and relying more on Dunkoro to keep me healed - thus the problem with the solo quest,

Thanks for the excellent replies...I suspect the effect will be to improve my character significantly.

Optiker

Darkobra · Jan 29, 2008, 06:29 AM // 06:29

Optiker, here's a tip for you. Every single time you come across an armour merchant, talk to him. He might have better armour, he might have the same armour but a nicer looking version. But as for your elementalist, you now have the maximum available armour.

Ward Against Melee is actually very good. It mitigates at least 50% of the incoming damage from melee, but for casters, you're still going to take the full grunt of the damage. It's more of a team-based skill to protect yourself and other casters. Ward Against Elements gives you a little extra armour against an elemental onslaught. Every piece of defence all adds up.

I love playing caster classes in every game I play. I normally like sword users, but in games like GW, they're just far too slow paced.

strcpy · Jan 29, 2008, 07:35 AM // 07:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Optiker

What I found at Kodash Bazaar is 60 armor, but way more than I can afford.

That is the second most expensive armor in the game, for a full set you are looking at *at least* several hundred plat (I'm not sure what the going rate of the gems are now).

As far as I know in Nightfall there are only two max armor (60al for you) crafters and they are at the Consulate Docks and (if I recall correctly) there is one somewhere around the command post. Any armorer after that is "prestige" armor (some people who have played GW a long enough time will call it "ascended armor" also - I tend too fairly often). These are generally a more detailed skin and, as the name implies, is purchased for vanities sake. Both because they usually - but not always - look better and is a way to shout to the world "I have lots of gold!".

In Prophecies the same level of armor is available in Droknar's Forge, in Factions it is in and around Kaineng Center. They have different skins available - check the wiki and pick one of the armors that doesn't say "prestige" or "ascended" that you like and get it. 20k should be enough for pretty much any of them, even the more expensive ones.

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Regarding older players...absolutely correct! I remember quite a few years ago when my son introduced me to Quake. I did OK until I went online and tried to play there...didn't last long. FPS is not for me! I avoid PvP...can't compete with all you amazingly quick, coordinated and skilled young guys (and gals!).

I used to play some FPS, even at 30 the reflexes and hand-eye coordination go enough to not be able to compete at the higher levels not to mention jobs and families. Though for PvP in GW it still normally isn't so much twitch based (however a few builds are) but are more in team coordination. Most of the decent teams are using voice to coordinate through Team Speak or Ventrillo, even if you are the God of Gaming it is nearly impossible to compete against a team using that. If you just want to have fun with PvP then look at some of the random arena's, I'll sometimes goof off in them but I don't enjoy PvP for other reasons (my normal level of play is "above average" and my time available is "below average" - therefore I either tend to carry a team or am the person causing them to loose. Neither is really much fun, same is true in twitch based PvP).

Optiker · Jan 29, 2008, 02:08 PM // 14:08

Darkobra...haven't upgraded armor yet, but logged off in Consolate Docks at the armorer to remind me to do it next time I'm on - in about 15 minutes. As for Ward of Melee, I guess it's currently the skill I've sacrificed to free up a slot for testing other skills - decisions, decisions, decisions!

strcpy...since I'm pretty function oriented - couldn't care less about appearance - I'm all for least expensive that gets highest armor. In the main "Armorer" page of the Wiki, looks like the one in Consulate Docks is the only 60 level armor I'd be interested in. Looks like, if I'm reading the chart right, there are six 60 level armorers. The one in Consulate Docks costs 1p, then it jumps to 5p for Vabbian armor in The Kodash Bazaar, and goes up from there.

Regarding your comment on jobs and family, I assume you're referring to the amount of time needed to compete at that level. Since I'm retired, I don't have the job limitation, but there's still family, and the other challenge is then to not let games be my life - too many other interests to spend the time needed to get really good in any game, FPS, MMORPG or otherwise. After all, at my age, I need more physical exercise than a keyboard can give, so I've got to reserve enough time for golf three times a week - pull cart, not riding. With 8" of snow on the ground, substitute a snow shovel for a driver!

Optiker

quickmonty · Jan 29, 2008, 02:22 PM // 14:22

Yes. Testing other skills and playing around with different builds is a good idea. There are places where you will need to make some changes to be more effective.

Don't do the golf thing, but as an older person I do know the need for physical activity. My preference is hitting the gym several times a week. Not only do I get a good workout but I get a chance to enjoy the view (lots of lovely younger women in fine physical shape

)

Quaker · Jan 29, 2008, 03:22 PM // 15:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by strcpy

As far as I know in Nightfall there are only two max armor crafters and they are at the Consulate Docks and (if I recall correctly) there is one somewhere around the command post.

Just to clarify - there are two "non-elite" (i.e. basic) armor crafters. One at Consulate Docks and the other is in the Command Post - which is off of Sunspear Sanctuary. (Actually, once you complete a few quests, there are 2 armor crafters in Command Post - the regular one and an "elite" one.)
At any rate, the basic armor crafter in Command Post and on the Consulate Docks have the exact same "Sunspear Armor", so either place will do.

Optiker - contact me in-game if you need help with getting the armor. I have lots of materials I can give/sell cheap.

Optiker · Jan 29, 2008, 03:38 PM // 15:38

quickmonty...Appreciate the gym benefits

My doc says the best exercise is one I enjoy enough to actually continue to do after the novelty wears off. Gym exercise is not for me. Played tennis for years until the second groin pull - couldn't seem to keep myself from trying for saves that were better let go. Golf works for me, and since I walk briskly with a pull cart, it suits my needs. And, being about as good a golfer as I am at GW, I get lots of extra exercise because I rarely take the shortest distance to the green!

Other duffers will understand that!

Quaker...thanks for the offer, but already done. Had to buy some silk - prefer Istani to Sunspear...my one small token of vanity.

But, had enough to do it. Also salvaged what runes/insignia I could from the old and upgraded the new, and bought a few more, so think I'm in pretty good shape there.

Optiker

N1ghtstalker · Jan 29, 2008, 03:44 PM // 15:44

what about those guards out there
if you haven't finished mission yet those guards follow it seems
but yes always buy armor of Consulate docks if you can't afford the high prestige armor ^^

Quaker · Jan 29, 2008, 04:21 PM // 16:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Optiker

Golf works for me, and since I walk briskly with a pull cart, it suits my needs.

They say that the Wii is actually a good workout!

(not kidding.)

Quote:

Quaker...thanks for the offer, but already done. Had to buy some silk - prefer Istani to Sunspear...my one small token of vanity.

Well, if you need help with anything else, just whisper me. I'm also retired, so I'm around at various times.

(In fact, I just saw that you were in-game a few minutes ago while I was checking if any of my Guru Auction customers were on-line. If you're looking for any weapons/mods/inscriptions, chances are I have one.)

Commander Ryker · Jan 29, 2008, 04:48 PM // 16:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkobra

Optiker, here's a tip for you. Every single time you come across an armour merchant, talk to him. He might have better armour, he might have the same armour but a nicer looking version. But as for your elementalist, you now have the maximum available armour.

What I would suggest before that is to go to wiki and see what armor you like and which is better.

Nice to see some more older players here. I'm 52.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quaker

They say that the Wii is actually a good workout!

(not kidding.)

It is! We have it and I love it.

Lyndka · Jan 29, 2008, 09:14 PM // 21:14

Yay for the oldies!!

I'm 49 and my 'partner' a year younger - we have fun showing the youngsters how to do it, so have no fear about that!

On your original point - I both enjoyed and hated Tihark with my Ranger - ended up taking a load of poisons and a poisonous bow. That last group is a pain - ended up running round to get behind them and that saw them off.

As for your armour - yeah - Consulate Docks is nicest unless you can get to Droknar's Forge - the ELE armour is as nice and not much more expensive. Once you have it - don't over rune, have one for energy storage and one for your chosen 'magic' then use the remaining spaces for a major vigor then attunements - keeps energy high then.

Hope you have fun in GW!

Wirt · Jan 29, 2008, 10:51 PM // 22:51

Also if I may give a quick suggestion, take out maybe 15 minutes and save your skill build in the templates (Hit "K" and hit the disc icon next to your profession name - Save) Name it whatever you want. Now go to each attribute line (Fire, Water, Air, Earth) and max out the attributes in one line and throw together skills in that line and try out a build in each attribute. If you get crushed outside, remake or tweak the build a little.

Thats what I eventually had to do when fire was no longer working in a certain area. I had to force myself to try other skills. Play around with it, and who knows you might like a different element better. Have fun you seem like a good guy.

Optiker · Jan 30, 2008, 03:14 AM // 03:14

Quaker...thanks for the offer. Hopefully I won't need to take you up on it.

Commander Ryker...I have been reading the wiki a good bit lately, most recently on armor. But, given that I don't care much about appearance, now that I'm at 60 armor, I think I'm done messing with it for this character for a while. I have just about given up checking collectors - I don't recall the last time I found anything I wanted AND had the stuff to exchange. The amount of time I spent trying to find Drake Flesh for Bokka's (sp?) Feast kinda turned me off to gong looking for specific collectible stuff, and, it seems I never know what's worth saving without a lot of wiki study. I guess my style is pretty casual - I'd rather explore and fight than study the game, even if my character configuration isn't optimum. Yes, agree, nice to see older guys.

Lyndka...not sure about showing any youngsters how to do it - they're way ahead of me. Now that I know about the armorer at Consulate Docks, probably won't bother with others since I'm mainly interested in function, not appearance. 49, huh? You have a biggie coming along, don't you!

Wirt...interesting suggestion. I just may try that, especially since I chose Ranger for secondary because my earlier characters were rangers, and I typically prefer standoff, not in-close, and I thought maybe I'd want a pet. However, I've found that I'm not using any ranger skills at all. I toyed with getting a longbow for pulling from a distance, but didn't want to have to mess with skill point distribution just to use it, so didn't do it. Interestingly enough, I find that my rangers (2 in NF and 1 in Proph) are using a good many elementalist skills - all are elementalist secondaries. So, I'm thinking I might change my secondary on the lvl 20 E/R to monk as suggested earlier and see if that's of any benefit. I am having a hard time using one or two secondary skills and thus needing to dilute my skill points - seems better to focus them in fewer areas. I have a feeling that there's a lot to learn in this area, but not sure I want to spend the time to get there.

Thanks all for the continued interesting discussion. Y'all are a good group to be chatting with. I have some other questions, so will be posting other threads as I have time, and will watch for y'all.

Optiker

Wirt · Jan 31, 2008, 12:31 AM // 00:31

Optiker - I rarely use skills from my secondary, except Rebirth (monk res). I think the same way you do and max out an elemental line. I only use 2ary skills if i need something specific. Also you dont need any points in attributes for you to use a long bow for pulling. The bow shot only gets their attention, but does little damage.

But yea mess around with different skills, who knows you might be posting a new kick butt build that nobody uses. Have fun.

kitkat54 · Jan 31, 2008, 06:13 PM // 18:13

As another oldie here, I had heck of a time with this one and wanted masters so had my hubbie do the mime for me cause he's faster than I am at figuring out what the heck he was doing. Otherwise I'd never have gotten it.

kitkat54

Jan 29, 2008, 05:46 AM // 05:46	#22
Optiker Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Oct 2007 Guild: The Golden Anvil Profession: E/	Quaker...cool! Always nice to see others from our generation. Vanilla...Assume you are talking about signet of capture and capturing elite skills. Correct...that E/R character has signet of capture - if I recall, got it over in Prophecies - but not using it. In Prophecies, I wasn't seeing elite skills in bosses I checked. My first Nightfall character is a lvl 20 R/E that I usually play with my son, and he also has signet of capture, and I've grabbed several elite skills for him. So, I know what you're talking about, but haven't benefited this character yet. strcpy...very helpful post for me. I will take a look at that armor. Most places I've checked on armor, it's been at or below the 45 armor I already have. What I found at Kodash Bazaar is 60 armor, but way more than I can afford. I checked the Wiki, but I guess we'll have to call it a senior moment that I overlooked the 60 armor available at consulate docks. I'll get right on that! Thanks! I checked and I do have 200 points...the way I have it distributed, I have 7 left unspent. Regarding older players...absolutely correct! I remember quite a few years ago when my son introduced me to Quake. I did OK until I went online and tried to play there...didn't last long. FPS is not for me! I avoid PvP...can't compete with all you amazingly quick, coordinated and skilled young guys (and gals!). Thanks for the "rule of thumb". Sounds like a good thing to try. As you can see by my skills in an earlier post, I've tended to try to go heavy in damage with a distribution of energy costs, and relying more on Dunkoro to keep me healed - thus the problem with the solo quest, Thanks for the excellent replies...I suspect the effect will be to improve my character significantly. Optiker

Jan 29, 2008, 06:29 AM // 06:29	#23
Darkobra Forge Runner Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Scotland Guild: Type like an idiot, I'll treat you like an idiot Profession: E/Me	Optiker, here's a tip for you. Every single time you come across an armour merchant, talk to him. He might have better armour, he might have the same armour but a nicer looking version. But as for your elementalist, you now have the maximum available armour. Ward Against Melee is actually very good. It mitigates at least 50% of the incoming damage from melee, but for casters, you're still going to take the full grunt of the damage. It's more of a team-based skill to protect yourself and other casters. Ward Against Elements gives you a little extra armour against an elemental onslaught. Every piece of defence all adds up. I love playing caster classes in every game I play. I normally like sword users, but in games like GW, they're just far too slow paced.

Jan 29, 2008, 02:08 PM // 14:08	#25
Optiker Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Oct 2007 Guild: The Golden Anvil Profession: E/	Darkobra...haven't upgraded armor yet, but logged off in Consolate Docks at the armorer to remind me to do it next time I'm on - in about 15 minutes. As for Ward of Melee, I guess it's currently the skill I've sacrificed to free up a slot for testing other skills - decisions, decisions, decisions! strcpy...since I'm pretty function oriented - couldn't care less about appearance - I'm all for least expensive that gets highest armor. In the main "Armorer" page of the Wiki, looks like the one in Consulate Docks is the only 60 level armor I'd be interested in. Looks like, if I'm reading the chart right, there are six 60 level armorers. The one in Consulate Docks costs 1p, then it jumps to 5p for Vabbian armor in The Kodash Bazaar, and goes up from there. Regarding your comment on jobs and family, I assume you're referring to the amount of time needed to compete at that level. Since I'm retired, I don't have the job limitation, but there's still family, and the other challenge is then to not let games be my life - too many other interests to spend the time needed to get really good in any game, FPS, MMORPG or otherwise. After all, at my age, I need more physical exercise than a keyboard can give, so I've got to reserve enough time for golf three times a week - pull cart, not riding. With 8" of snow on the ground, substitute a snow shovel for a driver! Optiker

Jan 29, 2008, 02:22 PM // 14:22	#26
quickmonty Ancient Windbreaker Join Date: May 2005	Yes. Testing other skills and playing around with different builds is a good idea. There are places where you will need to make some changes to be more effective. Don't do the golf thing, but as an older person I do know the need for physical activity. My preference is hitting the gym several times a week. Not only do I get a good workout but I get a chance to enjoy the view (lots of lovely younger women in fine physical shape )

Jan 29, 2008, 03:38 PM // 15:38	#28
Optiker Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Oct 2007 Guild: The Golden Anvil Profession: E/	quickmonty...Appreciate the gym benefits My doc says the best exercise is one I enjoy enough to actually continue to do after the novelty wears off. Gym exercise is not for me. Played tennis for years until the second groin pull - couldn't seem to keep myself from trying for saves that were better let go. Golf works for me, and since I walk briskly with a pull cart, it suits my needs. And, being about as good a golfer as I am at GW, I get lots of extra exercise because I rarely take the shortest distance to the green! Other duffers will understand that! Quaker...thanks for the offer, but already done. Had to buy some silk - prefer Istani to Sunspear...my one small token of vanity. But, had enough to do it. Also salvaged what runes/insignia I could from the old and upgraded the new, and bought a few more, so think I'm in pretty good shape there. Optiker

Jan 29, 2008, 03:44 PM // 15:44	#29
N1ghtstalker Forge Runner Join Date: Dec 2007 Profession: E/	what about those guards out there if you haven't finished mission yet those guards follow it seems but yes always buy armor of Consulate docks if you can't afford the high prestige armor ^^

Jan 29, 2008, 09:14 PM // 21:14	#32
Lyndka Elite Guru Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: UK Guild: Angels of KaoS [KaoS] Profession: R/	Yay for the oldies!! I'm 49 and my 'partner' a year younger - we have fun showing the youngsters how to do it, so have no fear about that! On your original point - I both enjoyed and hated Tihark with my Ranger - ended up taking a load of poisons and a poisonous bow. That last group is a pain - ended up running round to get behind them and that saw them off. As for your armour - yeah - Consulate Docks is nicest unless you can get to Droknar's Forge - the ELE armour is as nice and not much more expensive. Once you have it - don't over rune, have one for energy storage and one for your chosen 'magic' then use the remaining spaces for a major vigor then attunements - keeps energy high then. Hope you have fun in GW!

Jan 29, 2008, 10:51 PM // 22:51	#33
Wirt Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Nov 2007 Guild: Conscripts of Ascalon Profession: W/	Also if I may give a quick suggestion, take out maybe 15 minutes and save your skill build in the templates (Hit "K" and hit the disc icon next to your profession name - Save) Name it whatever you want. Now go to each attribute line (Fire, Water, Air, Earth) and max out the attributes in one line and throw together skills in that line and try out a build in each attribute. If you get crushed outside, remake or tweak the build a little. Thats what I eventually had to do when fire was no longer working in a certain area. I had to force myself to try other skills. Play around with it, and who knows you might like a different element better. Have fun you seem like a good guy.

Jan 30, 2008, 03:14 AM // 03:14	#34
Optiker Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Oct 2007 Guild: The Golden Anvil Profession: E/	Quaker...thanks for the offer. Hopefully I won't need to take you up on it. Commander Ryker...I have been reading the wiki a good bit lately, most recently on armor. But, given that I don't care much about appearance, now that I'm at 60 armor, I think I'm done messing with it for this character for a while. I have just about given up checking collectors - I don't recall the last time I found anything I wanted AND had the stuff to exchange. The amount of time I spent trying to find Drake Flesh for Bokka's (sp?) Feast kinda turned me off to gong looking for specific collectible stuff, and, it seems I never know what's worth saving without a lot of wiki study. I guess my style is pretty casual - I'd rather explore and fight than study the game, even if my character configuration isn't optimum. Yes, agree, nice to see older guys. Lyndka...not sure about showing any youngsters how to do it - they're way ahead of me. Now that I know about the armorer at Consulate Docks, probably won't bother with others since I'm mainly interested in function, not appearance. 49, huh? You have a biggie coming along, don't you! Wirt...interesting suggestion. I just may try that, especially since I chose Ranger for secondary because my earlier characters were rangers, and I typically prefer standoff, not in-close, and I thought maybe I'd want a pet. However, I've found that I'm not using any ranger skills at all. I toyed with getting a longbow for pulling from a distance, but didn't want to have to mess with skill point distribution just to use it, so didn't do it. Interestingly enough, I find that my rangers (2 in NF and 1 in Proph) are using a good many elementalist skills - all are elementalist secondaries. So, I'm thinking I might change my secondary on the lvl 20 E/R to monk as suggested earlier and see if that's of any benefit. I am having a hard time using one or two secondary skills and thus needing to dilute my skill points - seems better to focus them in fewer areas. I have a feeling that there's a lot to learn in this area, but not sure I want to spend the time to get there. Thanks all for the continued interesting discussion. Y'all are a good group to be chatting with. I have some other questions, so will be posting other threads as I have time, and will watch for y'all. Optiker

Jan 31, 2008, 12:31 AM // 00:31	#35
Wirt Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Nov 2007 Guild: Conscripts of Ascalon Profession: W/	Optiker - I rarely use skills from my secondary, except Rebirth (monk res). I think the same way you do and max out an elemental line. I only use 2ary skills if i need something specific. Also you dont need any points in attributes for you to use a long bow for pulling. The bow shot only gets their attention, but does little damage. But yea mess around with different skills, who knows you might be posting a new kick butt build that nobody uses. Have fun.

Jan 31, 2008, 06:13 PM // 18:13	#36
kitkat54 Pre-Searing Cadet Join Date: Jan 2008 Guild: STRM Profession: R/Rt	As another oldie here, I had heck of a time with this one and wanted masters so had my hubbie do the mime for me cause he's faster than I am at figuring out what the heck he was doing. Otherwise I'd never have gotten it. kitkat54