Curse

Hermos · May 08, 2008, 05:26 AM // 05:26

My friend and I decided to go for our FoW armours today for our monks (Yeah, RED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GOd, but what ya gonna do? :P) We agreed that we would keep farming until both of us got the 105 ectos we needed. We therefore realised that there were multiple ways of doing this.

Firstly, 600/smite in Hard Mode. Very easy, but the coldfires are a pain; however, multiple DN spawns can be handled with efficiently. Other areas can also be done, such as the chaos planes (makes the run much more difficult). Can be done in HM.

Secondly, 55/SS. This means that killing smites is somewhat easier because the worry about coldfires is gone. Ability to tank a greater amount of foes with Bonneti's Defence, and the ability to take down patrols of Coldfires with ease.

So, our theory was that both of them are pretty equal in terms of ease/usability, however, we soon realised that 600/smite can be done in HM, and 55/SS is much harder to do in Hard Mode, particularly because aggroing more than about 6 smites would spell certain wipe. So... this is a question about ectoplasm. Does the drop rate of ectos increase in HM or stay the same? This is the fundamental question IMHO, because if it doesn't, 55/ss in NM seems far more efficient.

Valkyria · May 08, 2008, 05:40 AM // 05:40

It stays the same.

Rushin Roulette · May 08, 2008, 07:10 AM // 07:10

It stays absolutely the same. The only thing which is better in HM is the quality of non-stackable drops (ie no more 25g whites from Dyings... you get 50g whites instead). I think there is also a higher possibility of golds dropping there. but thats it.

The 600/Smite combo should also have absolutely no problem with facing the Coldfires. You just have to remember to move out of [Malstrome] .

The only thing which is impossible for the 600/Smite is the Vale quest... but they can therefore reach the chaos plains which is impossible for the 55/SS.

Mr.Kotte · May 08, 2008, 07:22 AM // 07:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rushin Roulette

The only thing which is impossible for the 600/Smite is the Vale quest... but they can therefore reach the chaos plains which is impossible for the 55/SS.

Yes they can?
Check first page for a full guide on how to solo all of UW with a 55/SS team.

Luminarus · May 08, 2008, 08:59 AM // 08:59

I like 600/smite, because 600 is more fun then 55, and u can smite while doing hw.

Which is better, i dunno... but ecto drops dont change from hm - nm

cerb · May 08, 2008, 11:06 AM // 11:06

Like Kotte said. I cleared the whole UW in NM with 55/ss and cleared it in HM with 600/smite (not standard build of course, but you can search my posts for the builds).

The ecto rate is the same, and in fact we didn't notice much difference aside from a few tomes and the end chest. So to answer your question, I will suggest that you figure out which part you want to clear and choose the build that will clear that part the fastest, no matter if it's NM or HM.

Rushin Roulette · May 08, 2008, 11:34 AM // 11:34

How do you clear the Vale with a 600 tank? The only way Ive managed that was with a second Tank and an SS/chilblains Necro to disenchant the Weaponspell from the Spirits... got to find that build and how to reach the chaos planes. I guess you change armor on the 55 and get the necro to take off the caster weapon.

Theres no real reason for the 55/SS combo not to go in HM, its just helpfull for the necro to bring IP for the DNM popups or that one Foe in a group who alsways seems to want to evade the SS casts.

this is the build I use for my HM 55/SS runs (no att points as im not on my comp, but they should be easy to come up with)

[Sympathetic Visage][Ancestors Visage][Spiteful Spirit][Reckless Haste][Arcane Echo][Blood Ritual][Insidious Parasite][Optional]

Gives up to 4 casts of SS on a group if needed with or without Reckless haste before your energy reaches 0 with a +30/-2 high energy set.

Optional skill is obviously either a Res Signet /SS res Signet, or if you are confident with your partner or want to bring res scrolls, then a damage skill like [Desecrate Enchantments]

Edit: After reading through your guide, I unwittingly made the same build as you did... Damn, so much for being original