Curse

Amor · Jul 19, 2012, 06:42 AM // 06:42

Hi! I have just returned to GW after being away for around 3 years (due to computer technical problems). My character is an Elementalist/Monk level 20 and I'm now in Crystal Desert region. I would like to seek advice for my builds.

I am trying to complete the Trials of Ascension. I was able to complete Dunes of Despair (after a lot of dying). Also, when I explore the desert, I noticed that my survival rate is not very high anymore.

During the times I died in Dunes of Despair, I used this build:
http://www.gwpvx.com/Special:PvXDecode?title=Special%3APvXDecode&wpBuil d=OgNDkqqcG66XF7VwCX0KmA&wpName=Fire+and+Wards+PvE &Go=Submit+Query

<pvxbig>
[build prof=E/Mo name="Fire and Wards PvE" ear=10 fir=10 ene=9][Fireball][Immolate][Fire Storm][Ward Against Elements][Ward Against Melee][Fire Attunement][Aura of Restoration][Resurrect][/build]
</pvxbig>
**I sometimes use Glyph of Lesser Energy instead of Fire Attunement but I use FA often when I got it.

My armor:
Head : Blessed + Flame Eye + Major Fire Magic
Chest: Blessed + Major Vigor
Arms : Blessed + Minor Energy Storage
Legs : Blessed + Vitae
Shoes: Blessed + Vitae

Weapon Set:
Fire Wand
Dmg: 11-22 (Requires 12 Fire Magic)
Damage 14% (while Health is above 50%)
Damage 20%

Focus
Energy: +12 (Requires 9 Energy Storage)
Halves skill recharge of Fire Magic spells (Chance: 20%)
Halves skill recharge of Air Magic spells (Chance: 20%)

Then, I switched to this build and completed the mission (which, I think I only got lucky):
http://www.gwpvx.com/Special:PvXDecode?title=Special%3APvXDecode&wpBuil d=OgNDwZrvGgMjfkWIrezMmA&wpName=Heal+and+Protectio n+PvE&Go=Submit+Query

<pvxbig>
[build prof=E/Mo name="Heal and Protection PvE" ene=9 hea=10 pro=10][Healing Breeze][Orison of Healing][Heal Party (PvP)][Aura of Restoration][Glyph of Lesser Energy][Protective Spirit][Reversal of Fortune][Resurrect][/build]
</pvxbig>

Same armor except for the head piece:
Head : Blessed + All-Seeing Eye + Major Energy Storage

Weapon:
I thought of using something with enchanting but I only have one which is an Air Staff:
HSR of spells (Chance: 20%)
Energy +10
Dmg: 11-22 (Requires 12 Air Magic)
Reduces Bleeding durating on you by 20%
HCT of Air Magic spells (20%)
Enchantments last 19% longer
Damage +20%

Now, I am trying to complete either Elona Reach or Thirsty River Mission. I used almost the same build as the "Fire and Wards PvE" but without the
Wards and made it fire, then replaced them with two Signets of Capture because I would like to capture Ether Renewal and Word of Healing:
http://www.gwpvx.com/Special:PvXDecode?title=Special%3APvXDecode&wpBuil d=OgNCoMrhu%2BVxwFti5AGA&wpName=Fire+PvE&Go=Submit +Query

<pvxbig>
[build prof=E/Mo name="Fire PvE" fir=12 ene=10][Fireball[Immolate][Fire Storm][Fire Attunement][Aura of Restoration][Resurrect][Signet of Capture][Signet of Capture][/build]
</pvxbig>

My party is always getting wiped in both missions, especially in Thirsty River. I have read in wiki and wikia about these missions and said that I should pull carefully. I carry with me a bow. I also tried changing my henchmen list:
Batch 1: 2 fighters, 2 healers, ranger or mage or cultist
Batch 2: 2 healers, ranger, mage, cultist or enchanter

I use the flag feature and use the Call Target (I have just recently learned this; sorry I am quite a slow-learner).

Also, when exploring Skyward Reach and killing Hydras, I normally can survive but still sometimes die whenever a lot of them goes to me. I use the "Fire and Wards PvE" build I have and sometimes an air build:
http://www.gwpvx.com/Special:PvXDecode?title=Special%3APvXDecode&wpBuil d=OgNCgLvh582o423CHtiJ&wpName=Air+PvE&Go=Submit+Qu ery

<pvxbig>
[build prof=E/Mo name="Air PvE" air=11 ene=11][Lightning Javelin][Lightning Strike][Whirlwind][Blinding Flash][Chain Lightning][Air Attunement][Aura of Restoration][Resurrect][/build]
</pvxbig>
**I sometimes use Gale instead of Whirlwind.

Additional details:
I only have one set of armor and just change the headpieces because my funds are currently low. I only have Prophecies and currently don't have any Elites. I would like to improve the builds I have whether for damage, defense, or healing. I'm finding it hard to play this game now that I'm in the desert. I have read in some guides that going to the desert is different especially if you had it easy before Sanctum Cay and that the skills you choose is a big factor.

I feel I am now in that boat that is why I keep experimenting on builds but I feel I am not very good at it. I would appreciate your advice. Is there hope for the builds I have now? I am desperate.

Thank you in advance.

akelarumi · Jul 19, 2012, 05:10 PM // 17:10

I think their is nothing wrong with your skills, but there might be with your armor. With only prophecy's on your account it hard to do those missions, so bringing the highest possible armor level is recommended.

For funding you might want to check out this part of a guide I made

Quote:

Go to the great temple of balthazar (in the battle islands) and talk to Tolkano. Choose to register your account and select the name of your character. Now talk to High Priest Zangh (up the first set of stairs) and ask him any question. Now return to Tolkano and buy a Zaishen key with Tournament points. Repeat this last step 10 times. You will now have 10 zaishen keys. Go to American district 1 and press "p". In this window you should see a reasonable amount of people saying something like: "WTB zkeys, x.xk each" Translated this mean Want to buy Zaishen Keys x platinum and x gold each (where x is a number). Though it is impossible to predict the market the price should be bout 5.5k each (so a total of 55 platinum).

Captain Bulldozer · Jul 19, 2012, 07:02 PM // 19:02

One great skill you can get as an ele in the Crystal Desert is "Ether Renewal". I'm pretty sure there's a boss in each of the three missions that has it (might wanna double check the wiki just in case) and it is a deceptively awesome skill for all kinds of builds. You can use it with you monk secondary for some spammable free heals/prots if you'd like to run a support bar, or you can use it with just ele stuff to be very offensive as well. Check out some of the posted builds with it in the ele section or at PvX.

Amor · Jul 19, 2012, 08:17 PM // 20:17

Thank you for your advice. I appreciate it so much.

@akelarumi: Wow, your suggestion about the z-keys helped me greatly. My armor is the ones which give 51 armor. I cannot get the 60 ones yet though.
@Captain Bulldozer: I agree with you. I've been hearing great things about Ether Renewal. That is why I am trying to get them from the Dunes/Elona/Thirsty River Trials quests, however, I am not successful.

I will keep on improving too the weapons I have and keep on trying until I get Ether Renewal. Thanks again to both of you.

HigherMinion · Jul 20, 2012, 09:19 AM // 09:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amor

Thank you for your advice. I appreciate it so much.

@akelarumi: Wow, your suggestion about the z-keys helped me greatly. My armor is the ones which give 51 armor. I cannot get the 60 ones yet though.
@Captain Bulldozer: I agree with you. I've been hearing great things about Ether Renewal. That is why I am trying to get them from the Dunes/Elona/Thirsty River Trials quests, however, I am not successful.

I will keep on improving too the weapons I have and keep on trying until I get Ether Renewal. Thanks again to both of you.

I don't know if you have access to EotN, but as a basis: Reversal of Fortune, Protective Spirit, Infuse Health, Ether Renewal, Aura of Restoration.

Then whatever else with a low recharge in prot (don't spec any healing).

Captain Bulldozer · Jul 20, 2012, 11:08 AM // 11:08

If you're having trouble, feel free to contact me in game and I can help out. Just put me on your friends list in case I'm on another character. At the moment, I'm in the western Europe time zones (but only for the next month til I get home to the US)

Snograt · Jul 20, 2012, 12:21 PM // 12:21

One more thing: Stop putting resurrect on your bar! It is the single most useless resurrection skill in the game. 25% health and 0 energy? Ew.

Just res sig for emergencies if you must, Rebirth if you want to res safely from a distance.