Curse

MrSlayer · Jul 11, 2007, 06:52 PM // 18:52

So for a few days, I've been farming HM Ice Imps outside of Marhan's Grotto (in groups of 30 or so) with a build I found on youtube. So I decided I'd have a shot at getting myself an IDS, since I came late to the IDS farming scene, and haven't really farmed there much.

This build may have been used before, but I created this myself (based on my Obsidian Tanking build) and haven't personally seen or heard of this build in use for this purpose, so I'm gonna claim the credit (apologies if anyone else has used this before) with due credit to the first person who used this combo

. The earth reduction pairing (Stone Striker + Stoneflesh Aura) is common as dirt, but here's another build with it. Yay.

Added 13th July, 07
VIDEOS!
The run
The farm

The build
Elementalist/Ranger
Earth Magic: 12 + 3 + 1
Air Magic: 5 + 1
Energy Storage: 4 + 1
Wilderness Survival: 11

The equipment
AL 60 Armor
Radiant Insignia
Superior + Base Headgear Earth
Minor Energy Storage
Minor Air Magic
Major/Superior Vigor
Attunement

Kephkets Refuge works awesome. Anything with +15e, +20% enchant and HSR (20%).

Skills

Part 1 - The run
Exit Granite Citadel and jog to your left, to the cliff wall. Move forward until the sneaky Stone Summit pop up. Let them group, then Storm Djinn's Haste past them. Before intercepting the patrol, put up Stoneflesh Aura. Use Storm Djinn's Haste to run past the patrol, and then the main group. If there is a heretic, you could consider 1 of 2 things.
* Use your Obsidian Flesh and slowly walk past until he falls behind and it ends, or just out of range
* Make a dash past and try to escape his casting (which I usually try), or wait for him to move slightly and dash past.

Of course, you could just rezone to get rid of him.

Keep running until you see a large group to your left, with a patrol. You pass 1 bridge, and then get just past the second bridge and stop (you will see either Ice Golems or Stone Summit just ahead...don't aggro them). Let the Stone Summit patrol get across the bridge, then run across behind them and over the bridge.

On the other side, there is ANOTHER patrol coming. Dart in to a gap to your right and let them pass.

If you're lucky, and I have been thus far, there will be no stume summit blocking your last stint to the portal, other than the patrol INFRONT of it, which move. However, if there are, stick up all your enchantments and just walk through to the portal. It might seem slow, but it beats dying. With Storm Djinn's Haste + Storm Chaser active, you can move close to normal speed with Obsidian Flesh active. Of course, make sure to use Serpent's Quickness before Obsidian Flesh, so you have roughly 50 seconds of cover. Alternatively, pull them away from the shrine (making sure to activate it) and die.

Part 2 - The second run
Stick up Stoneflesh Aura and Storm Djinn's through the Avicara. Maintain it (and Stone Striker if you want) until you're clear. Follow the path as it curves into a small tree-filled section. More Avicara patrol. The group will walk towards the forest. Same plan; Stoneflesh up, Storm Djinn's past. Now watch out for Pinesoul traps. They will only slow you down, but it can be annoying.

Follow the path to the right out of the trees and then, when you're clear of pinesouls or pursuit, hug the left wall past another group of Avicara. Now you should begin to run up a slight hill. At the top is 2 groups, one of which contains a boss.

You can sometimes run through the first group and, by hugging the right side, skip the boss group. If not, just cover up Stoneflesh Aura well and rely on Storm Chaser to get you past

.

Final stint now! Follow the path past the res shrine, and up the hill to your left. You might get KDed a bit, but Stoneflesh Aura nullifies damage, and stormchaser doesn't need casting (so can't be interrupted by a random KD). Once up the hill, you enter a darker caved area. Run through the boss group using the same technique to cover Stoneflesh (make sure they don't strip Storm Djinn's also!) and follow the path. Hug the right, through some more Avicara, and there is the cave!

(From the Tasca Portal)

Your ideal spawn is with just Ice Imps/Trolls/Golems infront of the cave, or better yet, a HUGE group inside the cave. However, Avicara SHOULD be easy to deal with (haven't had to try yet). So on to...

Killing the Imps!
Ok assuming you've got a nice clear spawn, this is what to do. Incase of Avicara, see below.

Cast Stone Striker, followed by Stoneflesh Aura just outside aggro. Now hit Obsidian Flesh and Serpents Quickness at the same time. Move in, get some aggro. If you have imps + golems with NO trolls, go pull MORE imps. If there is a troll/trolls, pull as many as you can BEFORE the trolls reach you.

Without the trolls, get the imps pounding away at you. Wait until you've renewed Stoneflesh Aura, get into position near the imps and SLIVER ARMOR! Watch the nice damage floaters

When Sliver hasn't got a target, shuffle forwards until it locks then stop. if you keep moving, sliver can and will switch targets. Refresh Obsidian Flesh when Serpent's Quickness begins to flash. Once you have it refreshed and Serpent's Quickness ends, you can use Storm Chaser. DO NOT ACTIVATE IT BEFORE Obsidian Flesh has been recast. The cast order is simple, but a wrong button click can spell death. Obsidian Flesh and Serpents should recharge at roughly the same time. Hit them both together, and so on.

If you encounter trolls, get sliver armor up and get out of immediate range of the imps. Their damage + Sliver will kill the trolls very quickly.

The last 2-3 imps can be tricky. Maintain your enchants, and use Stone Daggers with Sliver to kill them. Be wary of energy; when Serpents has ended, let their attacks recharge you with Stormchaser.

One group down...

And another...

Dealing with Avicara
If Avicara are camping infront of your cave, just draw some Ice Imps to them and kill them using Sliver Armor. Keep away from the imps and head towards the Avicara. Sliver + Stone Daggers them. If there is a Monk there, you will probably have to restart (or pull them to their max range INTO the cave and then kill the imps).

Sadly, I haven't ever managed to kill the boss in the cave

In closing
This may be old news, and if so I am sorry for wasting your time, but hopefully this can help some people out in killing and getting themselves a sexy IDS (since they are now gold items, and exempt from loot scaling).

Whisper me in game if you're having any issues
=Many Will Perish

Fuzzy Taco · Jul 11, 2007, 07:05 PM // 19:05

nice guide! it looks great for the purpose, the only way i've ever done IDS farms is as a 55 Mo/Me with mantra of resolve, however i needed heroes+henchies to get to the cave, and i've never bothered in HM. this build looks a lot cleaner and way more efficient tahn any old 55, so nice job!

RebelHero · Jul 11, 2007, 07:09 PM // 19:09

Easiest and Fastest build is W/Rt imo

And, I am sorry it has been done with obsidian eles

MrSlayer · Jul 11, 2007, 07:34 PM // 19:34

Apologies guys.

Anyway since SOME interest is shown, I made a video. I'm uploading right now. It shows how to reach the cave. Working on a second for farming the cave. I'll update the original post when they're uploaded with the links.

RebelHero · Jul 11, 2007, 08:13 PM // 20:13

no need to apologize...! The thread is long forgotten

Glaxx · Jul 11, 2007, 08:59 PM // 20:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by RebelHero

Easiest and Fastest build is W/Rt imo

And, I am sorry it has been done with obsidian eles

What build are you using for W/Rt?

The.D0pefish · Jul 11, 2007, 09:32 PM // 21:32

nice guide, i know it has been done with almost the same build but you did a good job with the map and everything

btw: maybe Storm's Embrace might be a better running Skill combined with Stone Striker

MrSlayer · Jul 11, 2007, 09:44 PM // 21:44

Perhaps, although Storm Chaser is there for energy management, and I chose another that has a quick recharge, as there are long stages where you're just running casually along without taking damage.

Anyway, I might consider that Dope

RebelHero · Jul 12, 2007, 11:00 AM // 11:00

- Enraging
- Sprint
- Dolyak
- VwK
- Resilient Weapon
- Wielders Boon
- Optional
- optional

The.D0pefish · Jul 12, 2007, 01:17 PM // 13:17

i didn't say you have to replace it for storm chaser :P
It is an alternative for the Storm Djinn, as it can't be stripped and you don't have to cast and stop moving

Willow O Whisper · Jul 12, 2007, 03:04 PM // 15:04

Are those swords even worth any money at this point?

Knight_Blazer · Jul 12, 2007, 03:10 PM // 15:10

15-20k modless are a good price for now. When almost anything is worth farming except Dwayna's grace now 15-20k is good ;p.

legendary_Ace · Jul 12, 2007, 05:08 PM // 17:08

I use to use this build a while back before I started using my Dervish.

Its a very common "supa tanka" for the Ele, good job on the guide!

MrSlayer · Jul 13, 2007, 04:30 PM // 16:30

The videos
The run
The farm

Already had some brainless pillock posting that I faked the video

I worry about the GW community sometimes...are we just a poop-dump for the morons no other game wants? (other than RS)

Dev121 · Jul 13, 2007, 05:16 PM // 17:16

Nice Build - Thanks Alot .
Tried it today Worked a treat - Had to come from a British guy thou

.

MrSlayer · Jul 13, 2007, 10:53 PM // 22:53

British is win

Vonat · Jul 14, 2007, 07:01 AM // 07:01

Anyone try this build in hard mode ?

Dogma Blutlust · Jul 14, 2007, 12:48 PM // 12:48

S

Quote:

adly, I haven't ever managed to kill the boss in the cave

hehe easy^^
(not same build...)

Age · Jul 16, 2007, 10:19 PM // 22:19

You could use arua of restoration or even troll urgent for a self heal.i have my own or that of a Friend share his with and he is British as well me Canadian we just know one another from another game.

MrSlayer · Jul 16, 2007, 11:30 PM // 23:30

That has to be the longest most gramatically incorrect sentence ever xD.

and @ Dogma Blutlust:
My trouble comes from the popups. They KD me, and the spawn in your screenshot is RARE for me

But I shall have to try that.

Had alot of in-game feedback about my videos. Even done a few demo runs for people.