Curse

Raxxman · Mar 22, 2006, 08:04 AM // 08:04

I'm finding that the first sets of skales are 'patroling' towards you.

Trying to avoid both of the patrols ended up with me getting aggroed by both of them.

So I'm finding it better to lead a shadowarmy patrol (prefer a warrior/monk combo) into the first group of skales, as they will happily wipe the sobs out, then wander back to were they came.

This is a little tricky but ultimately gives you breathing room when the next patrol decides to randomley walk across half the map to were you happen to be...

SecUnder · Mar 22, 2006, 08:36 AM // 08:36

Google finally approved the video. So here it is in its entirity:
FoW Spider Run

A few notes:
Ever since the sound update for the game, my computer chugs while using Fraps, so I had to do a lot of reduction on resolution and texture detail while recording it. Even so, the game was still only running at 10 frames per second, so it took a lot longer than it should have. Actual time was about 45 minutes, but I increased the speed on the video for the last portion of it, so its only about 33 minutes long.
I ran the W/Me build that has become popular in this thread. Skills used were Cyclone Axe, Eviscerate, Executioners Strike, Wild Blow, Watch Yourself!, Physical Resistance, Healing Signet, Sprint.
I actually failed the first two runs due to the low framerate during recording, and each time the ancient skales were set up different, so I could possibly put those up just as guides if anyone wants.

Jedit · Mar 22, 2006, 11:50 AM // 11:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by SecUnder

A few notes:
Ever since the sound update for the game, my computer chugs while using Fraps, so I had to do a lot of reduction on resolution and texture detail while recording it. Even so, the game was still only running at 10 frames per second, so it took a lot longer than it should have. Actual time was about 45 minutes, but I increased the speed on the video for the last portion of it, so its only about 33 minutes long.

Sorry, but I didn't find this video particularly useful. The altered timing leaves me unable to work out how much faster your build is, and the resolution is so low that a newbie will be unable to read your skills and equipment. Thanks for the attempt, though.

One other comment I have to make is that you used WY! against Driftwoods. You don't - or shouldn't - need to use it against Driftwoods, as Phys Res alone zeros the damage. This is slowing down your killing time a bit.

I'm also dubious about Wild Blow/Exe/Eviscerate, as while it has benefits against ACSs it leaves you with no spammable skills to use against Dryders. I've been experimenting with Thrill of Victory in place of Exe's Strike, as it can be used slightly more often and I wasn't running into energy problems. Combined with Cleave and Penetrating Blow it means you can use a special attack nearly every time you swing.

SecUnder · Mar 22, 2006, 08:04 PM // 20:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jedit

Sorry, but I didn't find this video particularly useful. The altered timing leaves me unable to work out how much faster your build is, and the resolution is so low that a newbie will be unable to read your skills and equipment. Thanks for the attempt, though.

One other comment I have to make is that you used WY! against Driftwoods. You don't - or shouldn't - need to use it against Driftwoods, as Phys Res alone zeros the damage. This is slowing down your killing time a bit.

I'm also dubious about Wild Blow/Exe/Eviscerate, as while it has benefits against ACSs it leaves you with no spammable skills to use against Dryders. I've been experimenting with Thrill of Victory in place of Exe's Strike, as it can be used slightly more often and I wasn't running into energy problems. Combined with Cleave and Penetrating Blow it means you can use a special attack nearly every time you swing.

I'm sorry you didnt find the video particularly useful, I'm sure others that are having trouble with the run will. I posted the skills I ran, and the equipment has been discussed multiple times in this thread, so there should be no problem there. As for the resolution, I posted my reason.

As for how fast my build is, that wasn't what this video was for, and I have already stated the problems against judging the time on this video as well (fraps reduced framerate).

As for the watch yourself comment, thanks for the nitpick.

About the combo vs a spammable skill against the driders... what? Cyclone Axe and WY! by themselves provide as much spam as I need vs driders. The debate between eviscerate and cleave has been beat into the ground, and eviscerate wins every time. Cleave has been proven to be less efficient on a per adrenaline basis, and proven moreso the more adrenaline based skills you have. With the build I run, vs the mass of spiders at the cave, eviscerate+ executioners is recharged every cyclone, and that my friend is god.

I recently found out that it is possible to run -nosound on guildwars, I am going to see if this gives me a better FPS with fraps, if so, I will record a better video.

Scutilla · Mar 23, 2006, 02:36 AM // 02:36

I tried this for the first time last night, using the skillbar and attributes in the OP except for Grenth's Balance instead of Hundred Blades (Blades is the only elite that character needs).

I can take down the Driftwoods and Driders fine, although it definitely takes a lot of eyeing the compass to make sure no Skales wander in- I had a couple panicked moments where I had to run for my life, that's how I died on my first run. My second run I got 2 obsidian shards (in a row, off of a mob of Driftwood), and made it all the way down to the waterfall. Unfortunately, I don't seem to be too skilled at pulling spiders yet- I usually pull far too many and getting hit with more damage than I can heal. And the fact that I sometimes have to flee with Dolyaks still on me doesn't help.

Ah well, those shards gave me the cash for a few more free runs. Practice makes perfect.

One thing- at the canyon to the beach where the first mob of Driftwoods are, I got attacked by a wandering Shadow patrol. I ran down the hill, the Shadows attacked and killed the Dryder in my way, and then just stood there, leaving me trapped between them and a Skale mob with only pixels of breathing room. I tried to flee but failed- any suggestions on how to avoid this problem in the future?

Nater · Mar 23, 2006, 05:19 AM // 05:19

The first Driftwood patrol you meet, run just past them so your aggro bubble just barely grazes the edge of that Dryders patrol path. The Shadows should stop just short of you if you get close enough to the Dryder without pissing him off.

ayanaftw · Mar 23, 2006, 05:35 AM // 05:35

so does everyone get one drop for each monster killed (gold, gloom seed, etc) b/c i dont..

only reason i brought this up is b/c i was watching my guildie do it
seemed simple enough, he gets something to drop everytime he kills something... but i try it and nothing
maybe its just bad luck

0siris · Mar 23, 2006, 05:41 AM // 05:41

There is definetly luck involved. Also remember not to over farm. Your drop rate should will improve if you do this at most three times a day. Anything after that is just garbage...

Rhuobhe · Mar 23, 2006, 06:25 AM // 06:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torric Icefist

There is definetly luck involved. Also remember not to over farm. Your drop rate should will improve if you do this at most three times a day. Anything after that is just garbage...

Not entirely true, I got this axe (which is on auction btw):

This Bow:

And a 15^50 righteous mall all within a 4 day period, overfarming like crazy. Still getting up to 6 shards a run too, although not all the time.

Raxxman · Mar 23, 2006, 08:28 AM // 08:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scutilla

I tried this for the first time last night, using the skillbar and attributes in the OP except for Grenth's Balance instead of Hundred Blades (Blades is the only elite that character needs).

I can take down the Driftwoods and Driders fine, although it definitely takes a lot of eyeing the compass to make sure no Skales wander in- I had a couple panicked moments where I had to run for my life, that's how I died on my first run. My second run I got 2 obsidian shards (in a row, off of a mob of Driftwood), and made it all the way down to the waterfall. Unfortunately, I don't seem to be too skilled at pulling spiders yet- I usually pull far too many and getting hit with more damage than I can heal. And the fact that I sometimes have to flee with Dolyaks still on me doesn't help.

Ah well, those shards gave me the cash for a few more free runs. Practice makes perfect.

One thing- at the canyon to the beach where the first mob of Driftwoods are, I got attacked by a wandering Shadow patrol. I ran down the hill, the Shadows attacked and killed the Dryder in my way, and then just stood there, leaving me trapped between them and a Skale mob with only pixels of breathing room. I tried to flee but failed- any suggestions on how to avoid this problem in the future?

aggro the patrol, let them come at you then aggro the skales, pull a tight loop round the skales and then sprint back up past the shadow warriors. As you hit sprint the shadow warriors and skales will loose interest in you, but because they're in range of each other they will start hitting each other. As soon as you're clear of the skales n shadow army you'll need to pump heals to stem the life transfer. The shadow warriors will slaughter the skales then when they run back to their patrol pattern just sprint past them again.

Nater · Mar 23, 2006, 09:03 AM // 09:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raxxman

aggro the patrol, let them come at you then aggro the skales, pull a tight loop round the skales and then sprint back up past the shadow warriors. As you hit sprint the shadow warriors and skales will loose interest in you, but because they're in range of each other they will start hitting each other. As soon as you're clear of the skales n shadow army you'll need to pump heals to stem the life transfer. The shadow warriors will slaughter the skales then when they run back to their patrol pattern just sprint past them again.

I've seen the Skales win a few times

(usually had Driftwood help)

Ajantis · Mar 23, 2006, 04:24 PM // 16:24

Pull driftwoods first (they drop very good)

Then go in search for the shadow patrol but yes 1/5 the skales win

Ruvaen · Mar 24, 2006, 03:19 AM // 03:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Racthoh

I've found that if I enter FoW twice in a row, the drops seriously suffer the second time around. Hence the reason why I clear the entire cave. It may take that extra time, but usually that's where a few of the shards drop not to mention a better chance of finding chests.

To combat drop fatigue, I tend to do one FoW run and then take the same build (because I'm lazy) and go to D'Alessio/LA to kill fire imps for their charcoal for about two runs. =P Good way to keep the drops good as well as help you deal with all the useless iron ingots you salvage from the FoW runs. ><

Racthoh · Mar 24, 2006, 05:02 AM // 05:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruvaen

To combat drop fatigue, I tend to do one FoW run and then take the same build (because I'm lazy) and go to D'Alessio/LA to kill fire imps for their charcoal for about two runs. =P Good way to keep the drops good as well as help you deal with all the useless iron ingots you salvage from the FoW runs. ><

Salvage? Sell as is, I can't be bothered to deal with people trying to sell materials. In the time it takes to find buyers I could've made more gold, not to mention gained more experience. Didn't buy the game to sit around in town screaming WTS.

Rhuobhe · Mar 24, 2006, 05:19 AM // 05:19

I always get more junk than I can hold hence salvaging is the only option if I want to pick up all of the drops.

I got another 15^50 shadow bow tonight - this one is req 9.

I still haven't farmed anything else, although my last 2 runs only had 2 shards each. The bow will more than make up for that though.

Jedit · Mar 24, 2006, 01:21 PM // 13:21

Regarding the new Factions skills - what do people think of Triple Blow for the farm build?

For those unaware, it's an elite Axe attack (5E, 10s recharge) that delivers an Executioner's Strike to your target and all adjacent foes. I've been trying it out, and quite frankly I think it's worth using even if you're only hitting one target with it. Combined with Cyclone Axe, you can rack up some major adrenaline when fighting packs. Thoughts?

Weeping Wind · Mar 24, 2006, 03:07 PM // 15:07

You can get a full inventory and salavge the cheapest weapons. So, you have made room in your inventory (Gaining or losing money) and can pick up more stuff

Thats the way I do it anyway.

I find that Cyclone doesnt do any decent amount of damage to bother with it. The Spiders natural regen compenstates (apart from the one I am hitting) the cyclone before I hit another.

I wonder if you went W/E. Have a Fiery mod on an axe and used Conjure flame. That might add an extra punch to your Cyclone. As for defense I guess you could use Armour of Earth, or an equivalent. Im not too good on the ele skills

Just a thought.
Weeping

spottydog · Mar 24, 2006, 05:16 PM // 17:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirShadowrunner

My last run thru only yielded 1 shard, and purple req. 13 shadow blade, I
have never gotten a good drop off a Dryder spider, anyone else ??
For troubles with the spawns and particularly the first group of DW, I like
to make sure to keep them up hill of me, so if the shadow patrol does come
a little early I can back down the hill and keep safe, it does not matter if
the Dryder aggros, but if the shadows push me down into the scales I
usually turn and sprint back up the hill the way I came in next to the big
safe rock spire, then wait for them to leave and re-enter, only twice was I
able to sprint by the ACs with the shadow army in hot pursuit, but when I
made it, it felt good.

Usually pretty poor, but I did recently get a Shadow Blade of Defense 14%^50 +5 (from a Dryder)

(which is now a Zealous S\B of defense)

D Roc · Mar 24, 2006, 05:35 PM // 17:35

Beautiful work man

Jedit · Mar 24, 2006, 05:57 PM // 17:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weeping Wind

I find that Cyclone doesnt do any decent amount of damage to bother with it. The Spiders natural regen compenstates (apart from the one I am hitting) the cyclone before I hit another.

You don't use Cyclone for the damage, you use it for the energy and adrenaline. It also does have an effect on the Spiders, though not as great as it does on the Driftwoods.