It's official. I HATE Elona Reach! - Page 2 - Guild Wars Forums

Mintha Syl · Jun 23, 2010, 07:45 PM // 19:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by aspi

It's quite easy with a sab or discord team. The only thing I find annoying is those plant like things(splinter thingies), never knew how they worked and just ignored them.

What, the traps? They're easily avoided or disabled and you can use their core on enemies after disabling (though I generally prefer not to carry it).
My heores are ok, it's me who always get confused

RaynaA · Jun 23, 2010, 09:30 PM // 21:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Masmar

Elona Reach hates you

Yes. Yes it does.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cuilan

The OP doesn't have heroes and likely doesn't know what what a Discord team is.

LOL! You're right. I don't know what half the stuff people here are talking about. But I do understand better armor. I am off to the desert to find shrivelled eyes and what not and better armor. Now if I just understood how the runes/insignia work. I read the wiki but I'm still kindof lost. I just wish there was a list somewhere of examples of good ways to apply attribute points and what runes etc. to use in what situation. Like for Elona Reach I would like to know what skills I should bring.

Snograt · Jun 23, 2010, 09:42 PM // 21:42

For the desert, I'd say lots of interrupts are key. Certainly helps against the arcanists, and if you're quick enough to interrupt Word of Healing, it's a bonus

The desert is where tactical play really starts to be vital. I think that everyone who ever played through Prophecies for the first time struggled with the desert. Without heroes, of course!

There are a lot of offers of help from some good folk here - maybe you should take them up?

Good luck

[Edit] Ooh, I nearly forgot. Make sure you do the quest The Forgotten Ones and its follow-up Forgotten Wisdom before you leave the desert. It's one of two VITAL quests that give you 15 extra attribute points.

aspi · Jun 24, 2010, 10:14 AM // 10:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by RaynaA

Yes. Yes it does.

LOL! You're right. I don't know what half the stuff people here are talking about. But I do understand better armor. I am off to the desert to find shrivelled eyes and what not and better armor. Now if I just understood how the runes/insignia work. I read the wiki but I'm still kindof lost. I just wish there was a list somewhere of examples of good ways to apply attribute points and what runes etc. to use in what situation. Like for Elona Reach I would like to know what skills I should bring.

Ah just contact someone from this topic who left their IGN(in game name in case you are wondering) and we will make this mission look like a breeze. As for your ranger skills, barrage would be nice or volley if you don't have the elite yet. Some fast interrupts for the healers maybe.

For the runes and insignias, you could read wiki. Or just do like most do stay away from the ones who give you a health penaly. Maybe one major with one superior vigor rune. My own ranger has expertise and marksmanship on high. All surviror insignias I think.

BrettM · Jun 24, 2010, 10:31 AM // 10:31

Note: you can't apply insignia to collector armor from the Crystal Desert. So choosing insignia will not be an issue until you get a set of crafted armor in Droknar's.

Laraja · Jun 24, 2010, 03:53 PM // 15:53

Hey Rayna. The first time I did this mission, I found it frustrating too. Although I have to say, the bonus for Dunes of Dispair was the most frustrating of all.

From our earlier pm's you have my IGN. Just drop me a whisper and really, I'll be happy to help. I have a whole slew of heros and between you, me and them, we'll own this mission. I have legendary guardian/protector titles for Tyria on several characters, so I know the mission well.

P.S. I can help you with armor, too.

Asrai · Jun 24, 2010, 06:29 PM // 18:29

I went back and did the bonus with henchies since my party skipped the bonus, but it was a bit tricky and by the time I was delivering the last crystal, I had a train behind me. You don't have to join a clan/guild to get help. All of the missions I needed help on, I just hung out in the area until someone was looking for a group and I spoke up and got an invite. If your pickup group can't get it done, wait for another group to form. It usually doesn't take long.

RaynaA · Jun 24, 2010, 07:36 PM // 19:36

Seriously guys, thanks! All this really helps. It has become a matter of pride that I do this mission with henchmen only. LOL. I will conquer it! And if not then I have a bunch of IGNs to help me out. I have 2 pieces of the desert 70 armor so far and I'm on the way to getting the rest. I rather enjoy the desert, except for those darn hydras! I will surely let those who offered help know when I get stuck again. Probably after 5 or 6 more fails I will come crawling back!

aspi · Jun 24, 2010, 08:17 PM // 20:17

Good luck, and remember after this you also have Tirsty river to look forward to

majoho · Jun 24, 2010, 09:54 PM // 21:54

As aspi is suggesting you will have serious problems with Thirsty River, actually I'm not sure it can even be done with only henches.

(it's not much of a problem if you have heroes though).

thelessa · Jun 25, 2010, 12:05 AM // 00:05

You can do those missions with just henchmen, I remember doing them with a friend and just henchmen before heros came out.

Snograt · Jun 25, 2010, 04:55 AM // 04:55

Well yes - we all did the desert missions with henchmen before heroes came out! Even back then I was allergic to PUGs.

To be honest, the Crystal Desert is where Guild Wars started to get serious for a lot of us. Then, four missions later came what they called "the noob filter", Thunderhead Keep. I freely admit that I was stuck on that mission for three months

Nowadays, with the help of those lovely heroes, I can breeze through that epic in hard mode with nary a pause for breath.

Are things better now? Different, for sure - but better? Sometimes I wonder...

-Makai- · Jun 25, 2010, 04:59 AM // 04:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snograt

Well yes - we all did the desert missions with henchmen before heroes came out! Even back then I was allergic to PUGs.

To be honest, the Crystal Desert is where Guild Wars started to get serious for a lot of us. Then, four missions later came what they called "the noob filter", Thunderhead Keep. I freely admit that I was stuck on that mission for three months

Nowadays, with the help of those lovely heroes, I can breeze through that epic in hard mode with nary a pause for breath.

Are things better now? Different, for sure - but better? Sometimes I wonder...

The Crystal Desert is probably the most difficult non-elite area in the game, especially when factoring out heroes, PvE skills and consumables:

Six party limit.
Henchmen are all lvl 17.
If memory serves me, all foes are at least lvl 20.
Henchmen have no elite skills.
Chilblains.
Scarabs that pop out of nowhere and don't want to die.
Devourers who pop up with them^ at the same time.
Corpse exploitation.
Wurms popping out of the ground at the worst possible time.
Massive anti-melee from drakes and elementals.
Alesia.
Etc.

To the OP: I think my guild is helping you with this mission, as I type this post. Best of luck.

Mintha Syl · Jun 25, 2010, 08:10 AM // 08:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sante_Kelm

[LIST][*]Scarabs that pop out of nowhere and don't want to die.

And add devourers who pop up with them at the same time

dagrdagaz · Jun 25, 2010, 10:23 AM // 10:23

One note, since the release, alot skills have been changed or nerfed.
One importantly, the Elite the Monk Sages use, has become (alot) better.
Making mobs with Monk Sages more difficult.

My point, Crystal Desert nowadays might be more difficult then it was when Prophecies was released (with only Henchman).

lol, Thunderhead Keep, with good Heroes it was extremely easy for me. It was so easy it was boring.

tijo · Jun 25, 2010, 01:01 PM // 13:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by dagrdagaz

lol, Thunderhead Keep, with good Heroes it was extremely easy for me. It was so easy it was boring.

Well it's easy now, back then it was a hard: it was either henchies (their AI got improved somewhere along the way as well i think and you couldn't flag your henchmen) or PuGs when you couldn't form guild groups. I remember the first few times i did it at the beginning of 2006 (before factions came out), the mobs coming at you were enough to keep you busy until the next one arrived. Now it's kill, wait, kill, wait and so on.

As far as thirsty river goes, i remember having troubles with elona reach but doing thirsty with henchies without too much problems.

RaynaA · Nov 19, 2010, 10:41 PM // 22:41

Update from the old lady: I stopped playing for a while then got a good deal on Nightfall and Factions so I started an ele in NF and as soon as I could I caught a ride over to Tyra. I just finished ER on the first try with about 10 min left AND got the bonus. Using heroes and henchies it's soooo easy compared to the first time! Heroes rock!

Jun 23, 2010, 09:42 PM // 21:42	#23
Snograt rattus rattus Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: London, UK GMT??0 ??1hr DST Guild: [GURU]GW [wiki]GW2 Profession: R/	For the desert, I'd say lots of interrupts are key. Certainly helps against the arcanists, and if you're quick enough to interrupt Word of Healing, it's a bonus The desert is where tactical play really starts to be vital. I think that everyone who ever played through Prophecies for the first time struggled with the desert. Without heroes, of course! There are a lot of offers of help from some good folk here - maybe you should take them up? Good luck [Edit] Ooh, I nearly forgot. Make sure you do the quest The Forgotten Ones and its follow-up Forgotten Wisdom before you leave the desert. It's one of two VITAL quests that give you 15 extra attribute points. __________________ Si non confectus, non reficiat Last edited by Snograt; Jun 23, 2010 at 10:03 PM // 22:03.. Reason: I carnt spel

Jun 25, 2010, 04:55 AM // 04:55	#32
Snograt rattus rattus Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: London, UK GMT??0 ??1hr DST Guild: [GURU]GW [wiki]GW2 Profession: R/	Well yes - we all did the desert missions with henchmen before heroes came out! Even back then I was allergic to PUGs. To be honest, the Crystal Desert is where Guild Wars started to get serious for a lot of us. Then, four missions later came what they called "the noob filter", Thunderhead Keep. I freely admit that I was stuck on that mission for three months Nowadays, with the help of those lovely heroes, I can breeze through that epic in hard mode with nary a pause for breath. Are things better now? Different, for sure - but better? Sometimes I wonder... __________________ Si non confectus, non reficiat

Jun 25, 2010, 10:23 AM // 10:23	#35
dagrdagaz Krytan Explorer Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NL Profession: E/N	One note, since the release, alot skills have been changed or nerfed. One importantly, the Elite the Monk Sages use, has become (alot) better. Making mobs with Monk Sages more difficult. My point, Crystal Desert nowadays might be more difficult then it was when Prophecies was released (with only Henchman). lol, Thunderhead Keep, with good Heroes it was extremely easy for me. It was so easy it was boring. Last edited by dagrdagaz; Jun 25, 2010 at 10:28 AM // 10:28..

Jun 24, 2010, 10:31 AM // 10:31	#25
BrettM Desert Nomad Join Date: Aug 2008 Guild: Fuzzy Physics Institute Profession: E/	Note: you can't apply insignia to collector armor from the Crystal Desert. So choosing insignia will not be an issue until you get a set of crafted armor in Droknar's.

Jun 24, 2010, 03:53 PM // 15:53	#26
Laraja Krytan Explorer Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Somewhere over the rainbow Guild: Descendents of Honor Profession: Rt/	Hey Rayna. The first time I did this mission, I found it frustrating too. Although I have to say, the bonus for Dunes of Dispair was the most frustrating of all. From our earlier pm's you have my IGN. Just drop me a whisper and really, I'll be happy to help. I have a whole slew of heros and between you, me and them, we'll own this mission. I have legendary guardian/protector titles for Tyria on several characters, so I know the mission well. P.S. I can help you with armor, too.

Jun 24, 2010, 06:29 PM // 18:29	#27
Asrai Academy Page Join Date: Apr 2010 Profession: N/Mo	I went back and did the bonus with henchies since my party skipped the bonus, but it was a bit tricky and by the time I was delivering the last crystal, I had a train behind me. You don't have to join a clan/guild to get help. All of the missions I needed help on, I just hung out in the area until someone was looking for a group and I spoke up and got an invite. If your pickup group can't get it done, wait for another group to form. It usually doesn't take long.

Jun 24, 2010, 07:36 PM // 19:36	#28
RaynaA Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Jun 2010	Seriously guys, thanks! All this really helps. It has become a matter of pride that I do this mission with henchmen only. LOL. I will conquer it! And if not then I have a bunch of IGNs to help me out. I have 2 pieces of the desert 70 armor so far and I'm on the way to getting the rest. I rather enjoy the desert, except for those darn hydras! I will surely let those who offered help know when I get stuck again. Probably after 5 or 6 more fails I will come crawling back!

Jun 24, 2010, 08:17 PM // 20:17	#29
aspi Desert Nomad Join Date: Jan 2010 Guild: eeew Profession: N/Rt	Good luck, and remember after this you also have Tirsty river to look forward to

Jun 24, 2010, 09:54 PM // 21:54	#30
majoho Forge Runner Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Denmark	As aspi is suggesting you will have serious problems with Thirsty River, actually I'm not sure it can even be done with only henches. (it's not much of a problem if you have heroes though).

Jun 25, 2010, 12:05 AM // 00:05	#31
thelessa Jungle Guide Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Texas Guild: Purple Puzycats Profession: R/Mo	You can do those missions with just henchmen, I remember doing them with a friend and just henchmen before heros came out.

Nov 19, 2010, 10:41 PM // 22:41	#37
RaynaA Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Jun 2010	Update from the old lady: I stopped playing for a while then got a good deal on Nightfall and Factions so I started an ele in NF and as soon as I could I caught a ride over to Tyra. I just finished ER on the first try with about 10 min left AND got the bonus. Using heroes and henchies it's soooo easy compared to the first time! Heroes rock!