Curse

kvndoom · Dec 23, 2005, 12:53 AM // 00:53

I'll be posting the Ice Imp / Icy Sword solo build a little later tonight. First I gotta get a little SLEEP. Been up way too long playing this game. Stay tuned, and get your Denravi hats dusted off...

FazeDx · Dec 23, 2005, 06:11 AM // 06:11

Cant wait. =D i hate how it takes so long to get to Ice imps tho...

kvndoom · Dec 23, 2005, 07:15 AM // 07:15

Foremost, props to fellow guildie Rhuobhe for being the first in our guild to solo the imps. I've done some tweaking of his build, and have further tweaking to do. But this DOES work, I've farmed and sold 5 swords in the past day.

As the pic implies, you need TWO axes. A zealous one for fighting, and a non-zealous for running. Keeping your energy up is paramount, and when you do fight the Imps, the Zealous axe will refill your energy bar faster than 2 lousy pips ever could. Remeber the 45/2 shield you got with all those Bleached Shells I taught you how to get? Here's your chance to use it (see, all this stuff comes together)! Mesmer stances kick ASS because of their durations and sheer tanking prowess.

This can be done with swords as well, but the axe kills faster because its critical burst damage is insane. Pulling off a Desperation Blow or Executioner's Strike for 90+ damage just brings a certain joy.

Armor: Knight's Boots, Wyvern or Plate (any 85 base) head to toe, AND a Lieutenant's Helm from Henge of Denravi. You will get hexed a LOT, and being able to cut those times in half makes a huge difference. Just remember to switch your helm back when you start fighting!

Death is your FRIEND on this run. Just keep that in mind. You'll understand what I mean as you go through.

I've gotta go to work, but I'm going to tweak this some more later on. I already know at least 2 things I want to change and experiment with. Wasting my elite slot for a damn running skill sucks, but I might have a way around that. But until then, good luck, and post your success stories.

Rhuobhe · Dec 23, 2005, 08:07 AM // 08:07

Hey thanks for the credit, kvndoom.

While it's possible to get all the way to the caves with just Sprint, I prefer to use 2 running skills because honestly getting to the cave is the most difficult part of IDS farming. Once you are there the ice imps are as easy as pie.

I've literally had EVERY ice imp in the cave attacking and casting on me at once, and I never, ever came anywhere close to dying.

I haven't bothered yet to get any armor other than my gladiators. Even with knight boots, plate helm and the rest gladiator, I still take 0 from virtually all attacks except ice spear (which does 2-3 per hit).

Desperation blow is an excellent skill to use, since your tactics will be high and dolyak will be up most of the time.

I want to mention, that when running I have no superior runes equipped; when I get to the cave I use 3 superior runes: Strength, Tactics, Axe mastery

Since my health goes down really slowly, and healing sig heals for about 150, there is no need to have 500+ health.

Taking no damage:

Here is the sword with the cave cleared:

Here is the weapon/sheild combo I used:

Katari · Dec 23, 2005, 08:21 AM // 08:21

Quote:

I've gotta go to work, but I'm going to tweak this some more later on. I already know at least 2 things I want to change and experiment with. Wasting my elite slot for a damn running skill sucks, but I might have a way around that. But until then, good luck, and post your success stories.

Just why do you have Charge? I can only think of one place where I really needed that aditional run speed.

I managed to solo them quite nicly using:

Evicerate
Executioner's Strike
Desperation Blow
Watch Yourself!
Dolyak Sig
Heal Sig
Sprint
Elemental Resistance

I supose I can drop "Watch Yourself!" As I'm already taking almost no damage.

Quote:

Death is your FRIEND on this run. Just keep that in mind. You'll understand what I mean as you go through.

You can do this run just fine with 15% DP. Letting the Ice Beast kill you, and sending you to the enterence is the easiest way of resetting the zone.

I found Thunderwing (The Ele boss) to be a royal pain.I've managed to get by him only half the time. I suspose I'd have an easier time with Charge!....but I like my Evicerate too much ;P . Without that Denravi Helm, I'd be properly screwed.

I was under the impression that the 20% AP on Penatrating blow does not stack very well with Strength. Perhaps Dismember would be a better choice? (Or Evicerate!

)

Ok, so the first few times, getting into Mineral Springs was a pain, but its not so bad once you get it down.

Watch out for:
Mountain Trolls: With Battle Rage, these guys throw Disrupting Chops out faster than you'd think. Kill them first, and be sure to only use heal sig imediatly after you see them use Disrupting Chop.

Thunderwing (Averica Ele Boss): Iron Mist + Hexes + Deep Wound + Lighting Orb. Somewheres around a 1:3 chance that he'll spawn in 1:2 boss packs you'll need to cross. I donno, maybe someone has some better ideas regarding this one.

Racthoh · Dec 23, 2005, 08:36 AM // 08:36

My same old build worked just perfectly. However, it works very nicely when your region has the favor. The +3 regen pretty much keeps my finger off my Healing Signet.

Thunderwing as well was the only thing that stopped me after my second death when I had too much DP to get past him. Although, had I just stopped and used my Healing Signet I would've been fine (completely forgot about the taking no damage from Iron Mist except for lightning). Just gotta remember to pull back and drop the shadows ASAP.

Rhuobhe · Dec 23, 2005, 08:45 AM // 08:45

If you have elemental resistance, when you encounter Thunderwing, sprint/charge into the group, as soon as he throws iron mist on you, hit elemental resistance (& Watch Yourself! if you have it charged) and spam healing signet until iron mist flashes. When it's flashing, hit spring/charge and get the hell out of there!

It might be a bit faster to kill them with another elite other than charge, but I find that it only takes about 10-15 mins to clear the cave, and I really hate running and getting cought up in a close situation (especially with 15% DP)

Also, I would highly recommend taking the "high" route as it is much faster and safer. Don't kill avicara/giants unless you want to have fun

The drops on avicara seem to be nerfed; although I once got a sup vigor from one - must have been a fluke.

kvndoom · Dec 23, 2005, 09:16 AM // 09:16

I just did a test run before I left home, subbing Rush for Charge and Eviscerate for Executioners Strike. Rush works very well, if you're in a pinch, swipe at a baddie a few times, then run like hell for 18 seconds.

Probably gonna sub Thrill of Victory for Penetrating Attack, be a poor man's Final Thrust and keep my adrenaline. Penetrating Attack wasn't doing any significant damage at all, not even worth having on the skill bar. Definitely either Power Attack or Thrill of Victory. Probably Power, since it's extra damage isn't conditional.

Thunderwing got me once, when he was at the bridge. Not good getting slowed to a crawl at a choke point.

The Trolls are the only real nuisance once you get in the caves, but with more attack skills I think I can dispatch them with considerable ease now.

The Imps drop candy cane shards, I got 4 from them last night. A Fellblade dropped once too, but it was crap. Still, the potential is there.

Can't wait to get back on!

Rhuobhe · Dec 23, 2005, 09:38 AM // 09:38

I've killed a lot of ice imps - around the Grotto & Lornar's Pass before the IDS update and mineral springs after. Probably 500+ in all. Never got a purple or gold drop. Oh well, at least now they drop IDS's which have made me some nice profit so far.

FazeDx · Dec 24, 2005, 01:26 AM // 01:26

My only problem is when i get to the stone summit there hexes and bleeding kill me. Thats my only problem. Any tips? Any help is apreciated

Racthoh · Dec 24, 2005, 01:41 AM // 01:41

I just let them kill me. The res point is right there and clearing 15% DP against that opening group of 10 or so Avicara is no sweat.

Katari · Dec 24, 2005, 01:53 AM // 01:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Racthoh

My same old build worked just perfectly. However, it works very nicely when your region has the favor. The +3 regen pretty much keeps my finger off my Healing Signet.

Thunderwing as well was the only thing that stopped me after my second death when I had too much DP to get past him. Although, had I just stopped and used my Healing Signet I would've been fine (completely forgot about the taking no damage from Iron Mist except for lightning). Just gotta remember to pull back and drop the shadows ASAP.

Your build worked just fine, but It isn't for the fait of heart. I rather like the W/Me build because it isn't so difficult to use.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhuobhe

I've killed a lot of ice imps - around the Grotto & Lornar's Pass before the IDS update and mineral springs after. Probably 500+ in all. Never got a purple or gold drop. Oh well, at least now they drop IDS's which have made me some nice profit so far.

Have you seen them drop an IDS, or are you just assuming this. People report that only the imps in Mineral Springs drop them, but with all the new builds being thrown around, who knows what to think.

Static · Dec 25, 2005, 12:05 AM // 00:05

Ugh man, the Frozen Titans are the only thing that make running to the cave hard>.<. Anyone know any tips on dealing with them?

Racthoh · Dec 25, 2005, 12:08 AM // 00:08

Go to your quest log and drop the quest "Defend Droknars Forge"

Dwimmerlaik · Dec 25, 2005, 12:16 AM // 00:16

I'm calling bullshit until i see further screens/methods.

As it stands now, i practically carbon copied the original build and method, minus charge since i do not have it. After trying the "shorter, faster" northern path, i'm calling pure bullshit on this. Let's begin:

I'm wearing: Knight's Boots, Plate Legs/Chest/Gloves, and the Denravi Lieutenant Helm. I'm wielding carbon-copies of kvndoom's weaponry.

I die on the exact same spot every time: the 4 ice imps and the 1 level 10 golem about halfway through the run. If i sprint, they freeze. If i rush, they freeze. They use Water Trident religiously, which knocks me down. I considered bringing balanced stance, but realized i'm repeatedly frozen to hell. I attempted to kill the 4 imps and the golem, and successfully was nuked to death by them. They weren't doing 0 damage to me with everything up - they were doing 20-30 per special, which came in waves. If i attempt to run through them, i get slowed down and hit the Tengu who are camped IMMEDIATELY behind them, with no chance of losing aggro.

So what is your magic secret? Or are you guys jerking everyone's penis around?

Dwimmerlaik · Dec 25, 2005, 12:18 AM // 00:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Racthoh

I just let them kill me. The res point is right there and clearing 15% DP against that opening group of 10 or so Avicara is no sweat.

What is your 'same old build' that you use to kill the melee-Tengu who managed to sword me to death within a minute?

NinjaMonkey · Dec 25, 2005, 12:31 AM // 00:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dwimmerlaik

What is your 'same old build' that you use to kill the melee-Tengu who managed to sword me to death within a minute?

You DO know that if you use "Elemental Resistance" while fighting tengu, you'll just die faster. right?

Racthoh · Dec 25, 2005, 12:35 AM // 00:35

Sprint
Flurry
Hundred Blades
Watch Yourself
Galrath Slash
Final Thrust
Healing Signet
Dolyak Signet

Strength - 10 + 1
Sword - 12 + 1
Tactics - 8 + 4

Gladiator chest/leggings, dragon gauntlets/boots, ascalon helm. Grognar's Defender (aka, desert collector shield), and a sword with a +5 defense mod.

I'm not sure what you're fighting, but level 10 golems don't use Water Trident. The only thing that would be knocking you down is the Azure Shadow's Signet of Judgement. The only thing that can slow you is the ele avicara boss outside of the enemies in the cave.

Here is me in a typical run:

Having the favor makes a heck of a lot easier, but it isn't required.

Static · Dec 25, 2005, 12:59 AM // 00:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Racthoh

Go to your quest log and drop the quest "Defend Droknars Forge"

Ahh, thanks!Now that the titans are out of the way, how do you get past the golems and their Trident + the spell that slows you down at the beginning of the run?Lol, thaks man!

Dwimmerlaik · Dec 25, 2005, 01:39 AM // 01:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Racthoh

WOnderful stuff

Thanks for being forthcoming

The issue wasn't even near the cave - the issue was the Siege Ice Golems mixed within groups of Summit enroute, then in Mineral Springs the one solitary clump of 4 Ice Imps bordering a group of Tengu. They slow you down, the tengu annihilate you, the end. I just can't get past them.