Sep 12, 2006, 03:18 PM // 15:18
|
#1
|
Frost Gate Guardian
Join Date: Feb 2006
Profession: R/
|
Chest Running as a Ranger - The Ultimate Guide
Okay I'll start with a brief history of how this build came around. Firstly I started with only Dodge and Storm Chaser, with no elite, and as a Monk secondary. I soon realised that Storm Chaser, although lasting 18+ seconds, sucks in the Fissure of Woe. So I switched to Escape, and piled enough points into Expertise to make alternating between Dodge and Escape feasible. With these 2 skills I will be effectively able to evade almost every attack. This left me with a possible 13 ranks in WS (Wilderness Survival), which isn't enough to squeeze +10 regen from that little bottle of goodness. So I constantly modded, changed secondary professions and skills until I discovered this little beauty of a build. The guide starts below.
Proffesions.
Ranger/Warrior.
Attributes and Point Allocation.
Expertise, 12 (11+Minor Rune)
Tactics, 10 (10)
Wilderness Survival, 14 (10+Mask+Superior Rune) [WS at 12 is also enough, if you don't feel comfortable with -75 health].
Note: Both 15 bonus points quests are needed. Find them here.
Armour
Any armour is fine, as Expertise at 12 ensures you never run short of energy. You should
Equipment
Any Sword or Axe with +armour. (+7 against Elemental is best.)
Any maximum armour Shield with Tactics req.10 or lower. (Bonuses are preferred, +health unconditional favoured.)
Skills
. Zojun's .. Dodge .. Escape . "Shields . Res Sig .. Healing .. Healing . Troll
. Haste ............................... Up!" ................. Spring ... Signet .. Unguent
Note: If you don't have Escape captured. Look here for the location of the bosses that have it.
Now that you are set up with the attributes, skills and equipment you can progress to the guide down below.
Skill Use- Zojun's Haste - 1 of your 3 stances that should be cycled for constant speed and evasion of arrows.
- Dodge - 1 of your 3 stances that should be cycled for constant speed and evasion of arrows.
- Escape - 1 of your 3 stances that should be cycled for constant speed and evasion of attacks.
- "Shields Up!" - To ensure that arrows miss as much as possible. If they do hit, you have 120AL to minimise damage.
- Res Sig - To bring that dead R/Mo back to life. (Joke!)
- Healing Spring - To heal allies when needed, usually after they've been Rebirthed. Also the main survival in the Spider Cave.
- Healing Signet - Your most frequent heal, used when your a few HP down.
- Troll Unguent - Mainly used to counter Poison and Life Transfer. Also a nice high health sustainer.
The Map and Route
This map is from here. I've added the path and a information regarding the run.
Red Line. This is the most popular route taken by almost every chest run group. There are variations, but this is the main one.
Blue 'Intersections'. These are locations of Skeletal Icehands that are usually on your path.
S1-10. These are stop points. Stop here for a breather or to wait for allies. They should remain aggro free.
T1-4. These are Troll Unguent activation points. I recommend that Troll Unguent is activated here to ensure full safety.
C1-3. These spots are safe zones in the Spider Cave.
The Run- S1: Stop here behind Rastigan the Eternal. Make sure not to lure the enemy to him or he dies. Run to S2.
- S2: Stop here to heal up if you were caught with Incendary Bonds. Sometimes a scattered group will keep aggro, so you'll have to make it a fast heal. Run to T1.
- T1: You should do this part as a group, so the damage is spread between your allies. Activate Troll Unguent and run down the hill towards S3. Avoid Icehands if possible. Run to S3
- S3: Stop here and Heal Up if you were caught by Energy Surge or Deep Freeze. This next group of Skeletals can be avoided from one side. Find the path through, then run to S4.
- S4: If the Forrest is clear, run by the Skeletals in reverse, avoiding them while heading to the other Forrest entrance. Use Shield Up if the Shadow Rangers get aggro'd. Run to S5.
- S5: While here check the Forrest. If nothing then head to S6 checking the Lich platform and the Forge entrance on the way. Run to S6
- S6: Wait here for the patrol of 3 Skales to turn on their patrol route, then follow them. Run to T2.
- T2: Those 3 Skales will return any second. Activate Troll Unguent and run by them, do not stop. Speed by the Abysall group that are closing the gap. Run to S7.
- S7: Heal up with Healing Signet to keep yourself alive, then activate Healing Spring to aid the group. Run through the Abysall groups to T3.
- T3: While at T3, stop and quickly drink a bottle of Troll Unguent. Run by the Shadow Rangers with Shields Up. Avoid the Abysall group that can block you in. Run to S8.
- S8: I haven't marked it, but you can activate Troll Unguent here if you feel you might need to. Run to S9.
- S9: Heal up and wait for the group. If some decide to go into the cave without stopping, don't worry. Take your time and go when your ready. Run to C1.
- C1: Use Healing Signet and Healing Spring. Wait a few seconds and use Troll Unguent. If you are on full health, use Shields up and run to C3, if not, run to C2.
- C2: Exactly the same as C1. Heal up and run to C3.
- C3: Heal up with Healing Signet, Healing Spring and Troll Unguent. When your health is high, use Troll Unguent and race out of the Spider Cave with Shields Up. Run to S10.
- S10: Heal up if you were poisoned. If not, head to T4 avoiding Skales if possible. Run to T4.
- T4: Heal up with Healing Signet and Troll Unguent. Wait for Troll Unguent to recharge. When it recharges use it, and run towards S1.
Congratulations!
Enemies
I'll only list the enemies that pose a threat, and the threatening skills they use.
Shadow ArmySkeletal ArmyOthers
Locational Strategies
Locational strategies include, but are not limited to, how to gain access, how to escape and how to survive particular areas.
Forrest
When entering the forrest there are 2 sets of enemies to beware of, the Spirit Shepherds and the Armored Cave Spiders. The Spirit Shepherds hit you with Iron Mist. Although this makes you imune to the Spiders' attacks, you still become Poisoned. I recommend a Stormbound Vest, for that extra 15AL against Lightning.
When entering the Forrest from S4, it's possible to get in without aggroing the Spirit Shepherds. If you hug the wall on the left enough, and run in when they patrol to the right, you get in there without aggroing them. You can make it out the same way too. When entering F2, you are taking a huge gamble. Even with a few allies the chances are you will be hit with Iron Mist. In any of the 2 forrest entrances if you are hit with Iron Mist, throw on Troll Unguent, Escape and try to tank it out.
Lich Platform
The Lich Platform is a pretty easy task. As long as you stay away from touching range of the Lich's you should be ok. Another thing to be careful of is aggroing an Icehand down below. If you get hit with Deep Freeze there isn't much you can do. When entering the Lich Platform hug the North wall, then quickly head in towards the chest, then escape the same way.
The Forge
If there's a chest at the Forge entrance, it should be very easy to get to. There is a group of Abyssals and Warriors that are near, but distant enough to not be aggro'd when going for a chest that could be there. The only enemies in range of the entrance are Mesmers and Monks, so prepare for a good wanding! If there is a chest near the Warriors open and grab as fast as possible before they get near.
The Corridors
The Corridors can be extremely deadly. Wait at the entrance to the corridor for a group of 3 Ancient Skales. When those Skales turn and run South, run and follow them. Stop before you aggro any from the Burning Forrest and activate Troll Unguent, then run like mad passing Miko the Unchained. When you pass him, your Troll Unguent wears of but don't worry! Keep running passed the Abyssal group that's closing in then head left into little cave or alcove section. This little cave is safe from the Infurnal Wurms' attacks.
The Spider Cave
Getting into the Spider Cave is the easy part, getting out can be tricky. Once you get in there, look for a deep indent in the wall. There are 3 of these indents (C1,2,3 on the map) and they are safe from arrows (Don't ask why!). While your in these indents its a chance to activate your 3 heals to counter Wastrel's Worry. When at full health, run to the next indent. If there is a chest in the cave, you jump out of the indent, grab the loot from the chest and hop back in. When your ready to leave the cave, run out under the waterful and activate Shields Up to make sure you dodge arrows as much as possible.
This is all I can think of at the minute. If there is anything (ANYTHING!) you aren't sure of, please make a post and ask a question or request something to be added.
The guide isn't completely finished, I clicked Submit Thread instead of Preview so I still have a little more to add.
Last edited by Bad Apache; Sep 13, 2006 at 02:01 PM // 14:01..
|
|
|
Sep 12, 2006, 03:57 PM // 15:57
|
#2
|
Banned
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: England
Guild: Lievs Death Squad [LDS]
|
Why not add an R/Mo version? I've always found that to be better.
Escape
Dodge
Zojuns Haste
Dryders Defences
Holy Veil
Heal Area
Troll Unguent
Rebirth
With 75% evasion do you really *need* shields up for Shadow Rangers? Plus warriors bring it more often than not. Healing Spring is all good... but utterly useless when your on the run. Unguent is good to use before agro but also impracticle to use mid-run. Also when running with 7 others, the chance that 1 of them moronically lures a Deep Freeze onto you can be high, hex removal is great, same with when running through the Wailing Lords forest.
|
|
|
Sep 12, 2006, 08:42 PM // 20:42
|
#3
|
Krytan Explorer
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Kenya
Profession: Mo/
|
Quote:
Any maximum armour Shield with Tactics req.10 or lower. (Bonuses are preferred, +health unconditional favoured.)
|
you have dodge, zojun's haste, and escape to be kept up indefinately, why not a classic crimson carapace shield (stance based) to get +15 hp more than your unconditional?
|
|
|
Sep 12, 2006, 08:54 PM // 20:54
|
#4
|
Lion's Arch Merchant
Join Date: Mar 2006
Guild: I Excentrix I [PuNK]
Profession: R/
|
For Raisu Palace CR I ran a R/Me
1. Dodge
2. Zojun's Haste
3. Escape
4. Antidote Signet (for the Disease)
5. Inspire Hex (just to get rid of stuff like faint)
6. Illusion of Weakness
7. Troll Unguent
8. Dryder's Defense
We rangers are natural runners, finding a build that works is the hard part.
Nice guide, Bad Apache
|
|
|
Sep 12, 2006, 09:33 PM // 21:33
|
#5
|
Frost Gate Guardian
Join Date: Feb 2006
Profession: R/
|
Thanks for the comments guys. I am still working on the guide - hoping to include all CR builds possible for Fow. When that's over, another thread for general running (known as "taxi service" in Cantha I believe). Another for another place etc. Well I best get back to the enemies - I started but then went off to interrupt in Hells Precipe
Oh and forgot:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nivryx
you have dodge, zojun's haste, and escape to be kept up indefinately, why not a classic crimson carapace shield (stance based) to get +15 hp more than your unconditional?
|
In the off-chance you forget to activate a stance your health drops 45, which can be a killer if your running low. I do have a stance shield however. Your point along with any that come in, are noted and implemented into the guide some way
Last edited by Bad Apache; Sep 12, 2006 at 09:37 PM // 21:37..
|
|
|
Sep 12, 2006, 11:06 PM // 23:06
|
#6
|
Frost Gate Guardian
Join Date: Jul 2006
Profession: W/Mo
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bad Apache
(known as "taxi service" in Cantha I believe).
|
`
You believe wrong. There's a couple of Elite Missions in Cantha which you can only reach if your guild OWN the City where the mission is hosted
Taxi service is when someone from the guild owner invite you to his group and then he travels to the EliteM Location. As you're in his group you're allowed to access that location and of course access to the mission
That's why you'll only find ppl looking for taxi in Cavalon and House zu Hetzler ^^
|
|
|
Sep 12, 2006, 11:17 PM // 23:17
|
#7
|
Frost Gate Guardian
Join Date: Feb 2006
Profession: R/
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by powerk21
`
You believe wrong. There's a couple of Elite Missions in Cantha which you can only reach if your guild OWN the City where the mission is hosted
Taxi service is when someone from the guild owner invite you to his group and then he travels to the EliteM Location. As you're in his group you're allowed to access that location and of course access to the mission
That's why you'll only find ppl looking for taxi in Cavalon and House zu Hetzler ^^
|
Oh. Thanks for clearing that up. I don't play Factions much .
|
|
|
Sep 13, 2006, 02:47 PM // 14:47
|
#8
|
Krytan Explorer
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Kenya
Profession: Mo/
|
i decided to try this for the first time yesterday and bought 2 keys and used the skillset evilsod provided with 12 expertise, 13 wilderness survival, and rest in healing prayers (should be 10-12, i forget but makes heal area give +130). they thought i was going to try to solo the forest but let me in anyways, turned out another ranger tried soloing it. he opened a chest but didnt pick up the req 10 shadow bow so we wouldn't try to get there and ruin his farm. he ended up dying and no one knew about the shadow bow except me as i was dead when he opened it. everyone gradually left until there was just me and two tanks who were guildies and they left me all alone after the 2nd chest (everyone else only got the first, is that normal? sad imo) took me some time but i eventually found the forest and got the shadow bow =D pmed the person who had tried to farm the fow to say thank you. but i wouldn't have been able to do it if i had been r/w because holy veil saved me multiple times. i don't know the path we took but it definately wasn't the one you have on there as we went through the spider cave before the forest =/ hopefully i can become accustomed to it over time like i have with other runs where i don't need maps as i run.
Last edited by Nivryx; Sep 13, 2006 at 02:49 PM // 14:49..
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
All times are GMT. The time now is 10:55 PM // 22:55.
|