Curse

timbo_3101 · Aug 26, 2010, 02:27 PM // 14:27

Okay, thanks for the advice re readily achievable times of 40min. I appreciate that the single-level prerequisites in Slavers' Exile NM can be done in 10-15min, but the swapping phase of Duncan's level takes time. However, I take 20-30min perhaps on swapping - which in itself I feel is already dangerous (and my R is more resilient defensively than your E, given that I receive continuous +20 health/sec regeneration) despite micro on PS.

To achieve times of 40min, how can this be done (even if you someone expedite or shortcut the swapping phase to perhaps 10min)? I noticed from your screenshot that enemy spirits are at perhaps 1.5-2.0 aggro range, whereas (conservatively) I swapp them to 3.0-4.0 aggro range.

By the way, 1:30h for a HM elite on solo H/H isn't that bad. After all, I remember when I first started playing that Vloxen NM once took 5h (trapping and mistakes), but have also done Urgoz HM 5h (unsuccessful omg) and FoW HM 5h. There are extreme cases, but 1:30h for an extra Bow of the Hierophant is tolerable

As an aside, how can Duncan be killed without Swap? Those spirits can do >1000 dmg/sec, of course armor-ignoring and enchantment-stripping ...

kanuks · Aug 26, 2010, 02:52 PM // 14:52

Swapping spirits should take less than 5 mins. You only have to swap about 6 of them (the northern-most group).

I am also curious in how to beat duncan without swap because 2 weeks ago i did Duncan but totally forgot swap. I lasted like 5 mins but the spirits eventually pressured me into wiping.

Did it again the day after (with swap this time) and completed it in 37 mins. Still wiped once though i seem to always get careless for a minute and wipe.

Jeydra · Aug 27, 2010, 08:16 AM // 08:16

What kanuks said about swapping spirits; you only need to move one group and then only two swaps each. At 10s recharge per Swap and about 10 casts necessary, you should be done in 3 minutes or less.

I can't describe how Duncan HM can be done in <40 minutes. It's a pretty standard case of kill your way there. I can show you if you want though, if you don't mind waiting for me to clear the previous 4 bosses again (which might take a long time).

Killing Duncan without Swap ... the same way as you kill him with it, really. Attack from the same angle so you don't have to tank all the spirits, only one group. You bring everyone into range and attack him, set up spirits etc. When he uses Spirit Rift, flag heroes and run. If you're going to die because of his shield, stop attacking. If your party is going to die because of the pressure, retreat a bit and heal up, or simply take the deaths and res up. Probably harder for Warrior primary though since you're forced to aggro more spirits.

Xenomortis · Aug 27, 2010, 03:18 PM // 15:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeydra

Killing Duncan without Swap ... the same way as you kill him with it, really. Attack from the same angle so you don't have to tank all the spirits, only one group. You bring everyone into range and attack him, set up spirits etc. When he uses Spirit Rift, flag heroes and run. If you're going to die because of his shield, stop attacking. If your party is going to die because of the pressure, retreat a bit and heal up, or simply take the deaths and res up. Probably harder for Warrior primary though since you're forced to aggro more spirits.

How fast does his health regenerate in HM with the Recup spirits up? Fast enough to nullify the damage done from spirits alone? If not then you could just put your spirits up at longbow range and wait (refreshing spirits as necessary).

Edit:
Bleh, you're in range of his attack spirits still and your spirits will automatically switch to them if attacked. Could still work if you could get a hero or yourself to tank his spirits though.

Crassus Praetor · Aug 27, 2010, 06:24 PM // 18:24

Other than the signet spamming method for killing Duncan (with swap) the easiest way I found was to put down all the spirits at the top left corner of the stairs and let them attack him.

He won't attack back and the heroes keep replenishing their spirits making light work of him.

kanuks · Aug 27, 2010, 08:16 PM // 20:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crassus Praetor

Other than the signet spamming method for killing Duncan (with swap) the easiest way I found was to put down all the spirits at the top left corner of the stairs and let them attack him.

He won't attack back and the heroes keep replenishing their spirits making light work of him.

You mean with the use of swap or without?

Crassus Praetor · Aug 27, 2010, 08:29 PM // 20:29

The spirits on the stairs was with swap yes.

GhostKairi · Aug 28, 2010, 12:31 AM // 00:31

I just wanna say kudos to this Jeydra. I set this up about half hour ago and am loving it. Did Tanehki or whatever Temple with it, and after adjusting to this new build, i steamrolled it with 10 minutes to spare, in HM ofc. Ive never seen a hero build so effective, especially with me, cause we came close to wipe about 5 times, but always recovered. Again, excellent job with the builds/build!

Kairi

Jeydra · Sep 09, 2010, 03:43 AM // 03:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xenomortis

How fast does his health regenerate in HM with the Recup spirits up? Fast enough to nullify the damage done from spirits alone? If not then you could just put your spirits up at longbow range and wait (refreshing spirits as necessary).

Edit:
Bleh, you're in range of his attack spirits still and your spirits will automatically switch to them if attacked. Could still work if you could get a hero or yourself to tank his spirits though.

Slowly enough that it doesn't matter; Duncan dies the same way as any other monster. I don't remember precisely what happened the last time I did it, but I'm quite sure the spirits attacked him at some point, as well as henchmen. I didn't have to hold aggro or anything, although I did have to flag H/H away from Spirit Rift.

Guide updated with slightly different builds. Still to test: 12/12/3 spec on the SoS Rit.

kanuks · Sep 20, 2010, 08:27 PM // 20:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeydra

Slowly enough that it doesn't matter; Duncan dies the same way as any other monster. I don't remember precisely what happened the last time I did it, but I'm quite sure the spirits attacked him at some point, as well as henchmen. I didn't have to hold aggro or anything, although I did have to flag H/H away from Spirit Rift.

Guide updated with slightly different builds. Still to test: 12/12/3 spec on the SoS Rit.

I always used the 12 12 3 spec on the sos rit. Both spirit skills have a 30 seconds recharge so they don't need that much life. Them going down before they cooldown is pretty rare. Rit spirits are pretty tough without the help of spawning power anyway. I rather have stronger resto heals.

Venus Anu · Sep 24, 2010, 08:01 PM // 20:01

I haven't played Guild Wars for over a year until 3 days ago, and I am not sure how I stumbled upon your thread, I know I was looking for builds because I deleted the game from my hard drive.
I was an avid player for years, but now I am having that learning to ride a bike again feeling.
I don't remember everything and I don't have all the Eye of the North skills and titles so I am having to substitue skills but reading this guide has giving me the confidence to play, having lost touch with old guildies and stuff, last night I was able to work on my hero handbooks NM and HM,alone and it was fairly easy! I can't wait to get the second Rt hero...

Point is.... Thanks so very much for taking the time to share this information. I will be checking back often, good luck testing your future builds!

Jeydra · Oct 14, 2010, 10:15 AM // 10:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by kanuks

I always used the 12 12 3 spec on the sos rit. Both spirit skills have a 30 seconds recharge so they don't need that much life. Them going down before they cooldown is pretty rare. Rit spirits are pretty tough without the help of spawning power anyway. I rather have stronger resto heals.

I tested it, and am inclined to agree with you. The spirits don't often die, even with 4 Spawning Power.

*14 October 2010: changed spec in SoS Rit bar.

@above - thanks

Jeydra · Nov 23, 2010, 11:07 AM // 11:07

*23 November 2010: BLA was nerfed; rewrote relevant sections.

Anyone know why the PvX version of Spiritway recommends Spiritleech Aura for more damage? If I understand it right, it's just 18 damage on Bloodsong attacks right?

Mashiyu · Nov 23, 2010, 12:02 PM // 12:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeydra

Anyone know why the PvX version of Spiritway recommends Spiritleech Aura for more damage? If I understand it right, it's just 18 damage on Bloodsong attacks right?

Most of the time the damage with and without spiritleech aura should be the same, because some damage is converted to life steal. (Not sure if Bloodsong gets additional 18 lifesteal...)

But if the enemies have some kind of damage reduction (stoneflesh, shield of absorbtion) you would deal 0 damage without spiritleech aura but 18 life steal with it.

And since you have points in resoration, you could also use other support skills if necessary.

Lord Mip · Nov 23, 2010, 12:40 PM // 12:40

I've been using the information in this thread for some time, and it has helped me a lot. I can definitely recommend and thumbs up this

Xenomortis · Nov 23, 2010, 05:15 PM // 17:15

Spiritleech Aura isn't worth the skill slot.
I contemplated taking it for Duncan, but it's not necessary with 2 Rit heroes.
All it gives is a little extra damage on Bloodsong that's not really worth the slot.

Jeydra · Mar 11, 2011, 12:02 PM // 12:02

With the advent of the seven-hero update, this guide is now seriously outdated. I can't really update it however, since I don't really know the best options with 7 heroes - there's still a lot more to be discovered. As a short-term measure, the simplest solution is to use two of the Discordway N/Rt's and two of the Mesway Mesmers in addition to the standard MM + 2 Rits. Builds are all on PvX. Although this teambuild is decidedly subpar, it should still allow you to clear everything in HM except the current frontiers of 7H - DoA HM and UW HM.

In the meantime, all the techniques listed in the guide are still relevant, although in most areas you can now just Leeroy Jenkins your way through.

Jeydra · Jun 03, 2011, 04:27 AM // 04:27

Fully updated.

There's a lot more to test, especially ST defensive Rits with Restoration heals, SF Eles (I doubt I'll use this much though, since they're useless against so many monsters in the game like Destroyers), Blood Necros and alternative semi-healers to replace the UA Monk. Bother. It'll take a considerable time to test all these builds though, since I don't play that much PvE anymore + I don't have the equipment (WTB Superior Fire runes + 40/20/20 Fire Staff, anyone?).

Someday I hope to create heroes in such a way that I can just pick any heroes I need - without changing builds and without changing equipment - for every area in the game and still be very fast. One can dream, right?

AndrewSX · Jun 03, 2011, 01:53 PM // 13:53

Nice work, the update since the add of 4 more heroes was needed.

Have to say tho that for an ele there aren't really mandatory heroes in the team (like for a physical is have someone carry buffs), so now seems there's just a list of hero builds to keep in mind cause they're effective for a damage-oriented caster player.

Lose a bit the "Ele focus" in other words, but still like it.

Morte66 · Jun 13, 2011, 03:33 PM // 15:33

Do you equip the Dwayna derv with a scythe or a staff?