Curse

cerb · Mar 17, 2006, 02:08 AM // 02:08

Hello there people. A few months ago I had seen someone's ranger port sledge farming video, back then when the enemies wouldn't flee from AoE, but I've never seen anything of the kind for monks. So I decided to work on something, and the following guide is the result. Oh, and it might be an interesting spot to try out due to the recent addition of scarabs in Augury Rock

Area Information
Area: Witman's Folly
Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
Enemies encountered: Grawl, Grawl Crone, Azure Shadow

There are two factors that can cause this run to be a little harder than griffon farming: knockdown and chillblains. However, if you analyze the area like I did beforehand, you should have a good idea on how to overcome these factors. I'll explain my thinking process for this run, hoping that it gives you a good idea on how to create your own builds:

Problem 1: Chillblains
Enemy using it: Grawl Crone
Solution: Grawl Crones are ranged, and chillblains is not single-target, it effects a certain area, pretty much like Heal Area. With basic knowledge of the enemies' AI, you would know ranged enemies don't rush into you, but rather attack from a range. Therefore if you do not get too close to them, Chillblains will not affect you, and will not strip any enchantment.

Problem 2: Knockdown
Enemies using it: Grawl
Solution: Using Dolyak Signet prevents knockdown for 8 seconds, with a recharge time of 20 seconds. Bonetti's Defense would also work, blocking 75% of incoming melee and ranged attacks. I used both in the video

Additional Question
Is there some kind of common health degeneration? (hex/condition)
No, so you will be fine with 9 points in healing prayers (Mending +3, Healing Breeze +7), and maximum pips for regeneration (either health or energy) is 10.

The core of a 55 build would be Protective Spirit, Healing Breeze, Mending and Balthazar's Spirit. Since we are using warrior as secondary profession, we will use Shield of Judgement as primary damage-dealer, and Blessed Aura to lengthen its duration. This leaves us with two slots, one of which will be Bonetti's Defense, always a good pick

I chose to fill the remaining slot with Dolyak Signet to assure Shield of Judgement does not get interrupted, as the possibility a Grawl's Hammer Bash attack knocks you down through Bonetti's Defense still exists.

It's always good to overcast Protective Spirit and Healing Breeze in case something could happen. Also, the Divine Favor bonus is very nice if you're getting low on health. You should never be using Bonetti's Defense if you're enchanted with Shield of Judgement, as it would be counter-productive (Shield of Judgement triggers when you are hit, and Bonetti's blocks 75% of the hits you take).

You will encounter bosses in the run, but do not worry too much about them. You might have some problems with the necromancer and ranger bosses (Life Siphon and Poison Arrow, respectively), just make sure you keep overcasting PS and Breeze. It is possible to take both of them though, as well as the Elementalist boss. As for the monk and warrior bosses, you would need to tweak your build.

I suggest a single-handed weapon with a longer enchantment mod, such as an upgraded Fiery Flame Spitter of Enchanting. As for offhand, you will need the -50 health Grim Cesta from the Cities of Ascalon quest. If you have no idea what am I talking about and/or do not know what a 55 monk is, I suggest you go learn how it works now. Search around for a "Comprehensive Solo Monk Guide" written by some guy going by the handle of Cerb. Back on topic, I'll use a secondary weapon set with a max damage, customized Smiting or Holy Rod (used an Holy Rod in the video, but both work) to wand off targets that stay alive after Shield of Judgement. Don't forget a +1 Smiting Prayers scalp.

Here were the attributes I ran:
9 Healing Prayers
16 Smiting Prayers
9 Protection Prayers
13 Divine Favor

And the skills, for the lazy:
Protective Spirit, Healing Breeze, Shield of Judgement (E), Bonetti's Defense, Dolyak Signet, Mending, Balthazar's Spirit, Blessed Aura

If you keep dying, then you probably didn't read the guide at all, and just scrolled to the attribs/skill lists. You might either want to post in this thread asking for help and get a reply 1-24 hours later, or read the guide, that would help you with your problem as well as help you coming up with your own builds and ideas (see thinking process).

Keep in mind you don't have to do exactly like me. I highly suggest you add your own touch to the build, thumbs up for innovation

I recorded a short run, or very short I would say. It just demonstrates how to take care of grawls + crones, and should definately be enough to help you farm the area.

MOVIE LINK: http://rapidshare.de/files/15694366/PortSledge.wmv.html

I hope you enjoyed this guide as well as the movie and I'd really like it if you would leave feedback, questions and comments, whether they are positive or negative. Thanks!

Tsunami Rain · Mar 17, 2006, 02:23 AM // 02:23

nice post

i double checked and could have sworn i've seen a monk thread about port sledge farming (but there isnt). I use a build similar to yours (i use ballanced stance instead of dolyak)

for those that don't do this run, I must say that it can be somewhat profitable and better than griffons in a sense that it gives a little more challenge

cerb · Mar 17, 2006, 02:54 AM // 02:54

Oh yeah I thought of using Balanced Stance but you if you take Dolyak than you can use Bonetti's too. Both *could* be wildcarded though, however the run would be harder.

woftam · Mar 17, 2006, 03:00 AM // 03:00

fantastic post, with links,
thanks !!

aB- · Mar 17, 2006, 03:43 AM // 03:43

Nice post. I have loved this farming spot since I found it. The skill set is great, but I use something a little different, and just wanted to post it to give some imput.

Protective Spirit
Healing Breeze
Shield of Judgement
Zealot's Fire
Blessed Aura
Essence Bond
Balthazar's Spirit
Mending

I found that the grawl only used their hammer bash after some time, and I have never been interrupted on my first SoJ cast. I then use zealot's fire and trigger it with periodic casts of healing breeze and protective spirit. However, I have found that if you are unable to kill the grawl after the first SoJ you are in serious trouble because you will have a hard time getting the second SoJ off. I have not had much trouble killing them with this, and even if they aren't killed, casting breeze and a quick protective spirit will usually make the grawl scatter, giving you time to cast the next SoJ.

Tsunami Rain · Mar 17, 2006, 06:03 AM // 06:03

alternative build:

Healing: 9
Smiting: 15
Protection: 10
Divine: 12 + 1 (you could use smiting cap. do as you please.)

PS
Breeze
SoJ
Zealots
Bonetti's
Blessed Aura
Balthazar's Spirit
Mending

I've found that energy management isn't much of a problem with this build. Having Bonetti's Defense helps when casting the 2nd SoJ. Chances are that you should be able to recast SoJ the second time. It's a bit of a risk, but I believe that its a risk worth taking because even if you are knocked down, you always have zealot's to cast and you can spam (not literally) protective spirit and healing breeze. Also, zealot's fire is a good idea since you are constantly healing and keeping up protective spirit anyway and that just adds to the SoJ damage (making this run go MUCH faster).

red rooster x · Mar 17, 2006, 06:25 AM // 06:25

I've never tried enchantments over here, but does anything remove them? like the necro grawl?

Dutch Elite Monk · Mar 17, 2006, 07:29 AM // 07:29

Use Me as secondary

With Arcane echo and Blessed signet ( for energy)

Cast PS than Arcane Echo than SoJ before entering the group
When Grawl's are knocked down use signet for extra energy.
Than recast PS and SoJ and the enemy's will all die before the second SoJ is ended

IMPORTANT: don't enter the group before Arcane Echo is on!

Think this is a even quicker way than posted above.

cerb · Mar 17, 2006, 01:23 PM // 13:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutch Elite Monk

Use Me as secondary

With Arcane echo and Blessed signet ( for energy)

Cast PS than Arcane Echo than SoJ before entering the group
When Grawl's are knocked down use signet for extra energy.
Than recast PS and SoJ and the enemy's will all die before the second SoJ is ended

IMPORTANT: don't enter the group before Arcane Echo is on!

Think this is a even quicker way than posted above.

Thing is most die after 1 SoJ (considering you are using Blessed Aura), so you wouldn't really need to echo it.

Lord Ertihan · Mar 17, 2006, 01:57 PM // 13:57

I'm not sure, but I believe that Grawl drop Grawl Armor as well. That can make this place significantly more profitable than either griffons or Ettins, because you get the gold that the Griffons would've given you, but you also get the chance at runes that Ettins give you. Huzzah! (Then again, I could be wrong ... someone confirm please...)

dorkxd · Mar 17, 2006, 05:22 PM // 17:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord Ertihan

I'm not sure, but I believe that Grawl drop Grawl Armor as well. That can make this place significantly more profitable than either griffons or Ettins, because you get the gold that the Griffons would've given you, but you also get the chance at runes that Ettins give you. Huzzah! (Then again, I could be wrong ... someone confirm please...)

They do infact drop the gold armors at a decent rate. I've ran away with 2 golds in a run before.

Of course, they were later determined to be crap after identified...

Good one cerb! All in all a very good run, one of my favourites to do while favor isn't about.

Parn · Mar 17, 2006, 06:20 PM // 18:20

I farm this place but look forward to the knockdowns. While your down use your Prot. spirit/breeze/zealots whatever. It's gaurenteed to work if you cast it when your on the ground, stand up and it's the first thing you do.