Curse

Mickey · Apr 10, 2008, 04:56 AM // 04:56

So, I've been spending a lot of time lately farming norn points for the title track, skills, ect and I've been wondering, is it possible to hero/henchie it. This would cut out the inconvenience of finding a group that will accept your current rank, and usually you need to be around r7 or above for this to happen consistently. The farm spot is Varajar Fells, using the quest Path of Revelations, after killing 250 enemies, to max the boss rep from the Facets. Each run brings in around 8-13 k norn points, depending on what you score from bounties.

The enemies you'll be facing:

Jotun http://guildwars.wikia.com/wiki/Jotun

All kinds, there is only one section of the Fells with Jotun in it, containing around 3-4 warriors, and 3 mixed spellcasters, from mesmers to necros.

Ice Imps http://guildwars.wikia.com/wiki/Ice_Imp

These guys hit hard and hurt in HM, but they are weak against fire magic. Their Maelstrom really shuts down hero spellcasters, and I haven't figured out how to get around it, they still seem to get one or two off even with BHA + epidemic. Maybe using Maelstrom by yourself, although it's hard to get them balled up, this is one of my main problems in tackling it with my ele.

Berserking Aurochs, Minotaurs, Bison, and Wendigo

These guys are really not a problem with a curse necro, but the Aurochs' healing can be tricky, although nothing a little BHA can't handle. If they stay up long, they can keep the whole group healed efficiently, so watch out for them. http://guildwars.wikia.com/wiki/Berserking_Aurochs

Frozen Elemental

These guys are AoE monsters, and they really hurt in HM. Naturally weak to fire damage, if let live long enough, they can wipe your party with their heavy AoE.

Modniir

These guys are my second biggest problem. Trample hits for 80 AoE ignoring damage, and they seem to be able to chain it constantly, which is really annoying when your trying to spike out a WoH priest. I can't seem to cope with trample pressure and take out the priest or shaman, and with groups that have both, it just takes forever to kill even one.

Vaettir

Not really a problem, the necros pack some AoE, but they seem to drop fast enough.

I'm using Sabway for this area, me as either an Ursan or a Mind Blast ele, I've tried both, and the ice imps and modniir just tear me apart. I usually take Herta, and the interrupter henchie, and 2 monks henchmen. It just never seems to be enough. I'm trying to figure out a consistent way to clear Fells up until the Facets to farm norn points on different characters, but I just can't come up with a team build to deal with the imps and the modniir. Please help.

CandyPrince · Apr 10, 2008, 05:11 AM // 05:11

I maxed it mainly by farming. Whilst the enemies you are talking about are a pain, I went with 2 interrupt hero/hench and I also equip knockdown (you move like a dwarf) myself to help especially for maelstrom on the imps. Even with that in mind, I developed a route to easily get 250 before the end of the quest whilst killing mainly anything other than the ele's (pain inverter ftw). I vanquished the area using mainly sabway modified to suit. Admittedly I generally use Assassin's promise nuker build for mulitple MS which comes in handy (finish him helps maintain it).
My ele changes but I usually go with something like finish him/fireball/pain inverter/assassinspromise/glphofsacrifice/MeteorStorm/fireattune/YouMoveLikeADwarf You can spam finish him and you move like a dwarf to help the MS which with practice is pretty cool.
Don't know if this helps

R.Shayne · Apr 10, 2008, 05:44 AM // 05:44

Have you tried turning in HM & NM Hero Book / Dungeon Book? I found this to be quicker then the farm you mention and does not involve pugs.

Mickey · Apr 10, 2008, 02:16 PM // 14:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by R.Shayne

Have you tried turning in HM & NM Hero Book / Dungeon Book? I found this to be quicker then the farm you mention and does not involve pugs.

I tried, but I did some math and farming ended up being faster than turning in books, unless I don't know how fast you can do books. A farm run takes around 55 minutes with a competent PuG group, and nets you anywhere from 8 k with terrible bonuses to 13 k with great bonuses, in norn points. HM Hero Handbook is what, 30 k reputation for 2.5 hours work. To go from r8, 93 k norn points, to r10, 160 k norn points, I would need to turn in 2 HM Hero's Handbooks, or do 5 Norn Point Farming Runs. If I do it all with norn point farming, it comes out to around 4.5 hours, while it would still take me 5 hours for the HM Hero Handbook. A negligible difference to say the least, so I might end up doing that, with a mixture of point farming.

Antithesis · Apr 16, 2008, 02:34 AM // 02:34

I've been doing HM Varajar Fells with these heroes -

[Jagged Bones][animate bone minions][death nova][blood of the master][putrid bile][ancestors rage][splinter weapon][signet of lost souls]
[mantra of recovery][power lock][cry of frustration][power spike][drain enchantment][power drain][hex eater signet][vengeance]
[weapon of quickening][mend body and soul][spirit light][protective was kaolai][shadowsong][life][signet of lost souls][death pact signet]

There's plenty of party protection with the minion meatshield, melee hate with Shadowsong and caster hate with the Rezmer. Weapon of Quickening's 33% recharge boosts the Mesmer's recharge to 50% plus it'll beef the Monk henchies and your own spells.

I take the Barrage, Interrupt and both Monk henchies. If you're an Ele toon, give the Promise Nuker a shot for chained MS knockdowns. Pain Inverter + Minions = insta-death for AoE casters if Maelstrom, Deep Freeze etc sneaks through.

draugr · Apr 19, 2008, 08:40 PM // 20:40

I farmed all but one run for r10 there as a resto rit (WOR, GDW) with modified sabway. Two N/Rs, curse and MM, with pets and , and one N/Me with Icy veins, BR, well of blood, one or two signet interrupts, and empathy. Zho, Herta, Mhenlo and Lina. As a rit using standard rit party heal spririts and spells, was able to heal off most of the damage and take pressure off the hench, but could definitely see it would be tough with some professions. I would do the "imp shuffle" i.e. station the party, then about two seconds after engagement, dash off the left or right. This would usually get all the hench out of maelstrom quickly. With the centaurs, you have to pull carefully, focus on the healers and above all, have lots of trample interrupts (god i hate trample).

Make sure to kill every single "easy" cow/wendigo, and you can skip some imps. Pull the jotun far out of the cave makes them easier, engaging them all at the cave door can be tough. With elementals, stretch out your engagement path, lots of times they will kill minions or pets if those come into aggro first... good, pets don't get DP hehe, mins get remade.

In the two big patches west of the final area, it's best to work around the edges and then inside carefully. plowing a straight line into either of those areas will get you overwhelmed frequently.

During the bonus weekend with the facet quest active, was able to do from r5 to 10 in two long play sessions. The BIG KEY is to save the 50 mobs around the final area for last hoping for a rampage if you don't already have one. This will dramatically increase the boss rep from the facets. By careful rampage planning, was able to get several 18-20k runs during the bonus weekend when getting the party rank up early. Lots of this was very lucky/early bonus hunt rank increase and rampage maintenance.

As others have said, Pain Inverter is useful, as is Zho and some interrupts squeezed onto a hero's bar. Spamming GDW onto the N/R pets was very useful also.

I am developing a speed build to farm this with my warr who is going through GWEN now. It will be a rage of ntouka W/P human build that fuels high cost adrenal shouts with FGJ and rage of ntouka to increase damage with GFTE and anthem of envy applied to 18 physical dmg dealers (Zho, Aidan, me, 3 N/R heroes, 9 minions and 3 pets), and provide support. It will use three N/Rs, a MM, a curse and a Icy Veins/blood hybrid. The novelty of this build will be to put volley and savage shot on each of the necros armed with recurve bows in addition to the pet. I find that there are three slots on the standard necro bars where charm animal, volley and savage shot fit nicely.

Preliminary testing in NM and some HM is very impressive. GFTE and anthem of envy applied to 4 volleyers/barragers (and the necros volley really nicely, 1 volley - then cast- volley- then cast) really melts the mobs. GFTE seems to affect the three pets and 9 minions also but haven't tested. Soul Reaping of course generates lots of energy for frequent interrupts via savage shot, nothing lovelier than a scourge vaettir that dies without completing a single cast, hehe. Will post the build in a formal format in the hero/ai section once I've done more testing.

I'm sure someone has used shout enhanced triple N/R heroes with pets, volley and savage shots to squeeze more damage out of barbs and para dmg shouts and get lots of interrupts, but can't find it posted. If someone knows of where it is, please let me know and I won't bother with posting the formal build. You get the idea though, hopefully, from what I've posted here. Hope this helps some. Happy rep farming!

MoreArrows · Apr 24, 2008, 08:34 PM // 20:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antithesis

I've been doing HM Varajar Fells with these heroes -

[Jagged Bones][animate bone minions][death nova][blood of the master][putrid bile][ancestors rage][splinter weapon][signet of lost souls]
[mantra of recovery][power lock][cry of frustration][power spike][drain enchantment][power drain][hex eater signet][vengeance]
[weapon of quickening][mend body and soul][spirit light][protective was kaolai][shadowsong][life][signet of lost souls][death pact signet]

There's plenty of party protection with the minion meatshield, melee hate with Shadowsong and caster hate with the Rezmer. Weapon of Quickening's 33% recharge boosts the Mesmer's recharge to 50% plus it'll beef the Monk henchies and your own spells.

I take the Barrage, Interrupt and both Monk henchies. If you're an Ele toon, give the Promise Nuker a shot for chained MS knockdowns. Pain Inverter + Minions = insta-death for AoE casters if Maelstrom, Deep Freeze etc sneaks through.

How well does that work? It looks good. Also, did you play as Ursan or something else? I'm a ranger so I'd play as Ursan or Splinter Barrge or BHA. But I'm not sure which.

Antithesis · Apr 30, 2008, 06:57 AM // 06:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoreArrows

How well does that work? It looks good. Also, did you play as Ursan or something else? I'm a ranger so I'd play as Ursan or Splinter Barrge or BHA. But I'm not sure which.

I've been playing a W/P D-Slasher or Cruel Spear / Stunning Striker (for something different, a challenge with draugr) with these heroes -

[build=OABDUshnOL1qAa4LUGsDfiqK]
[build=OAhjYghsoOVbMm0cyNMHnV1kLA]
[build=OQNDArojONgcwFIDQEW+agdC]

Runes aren't shown - Death is 16, everything else is running a Minor where needed.

Times average around 45 mins per 250+ run in HM on The Path to Revelations with the Stunning Strike / Cruel Spear builds. D-Slasher should go faster.

Mickey · May 01, 2008, 03:29 AM // 03:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antithesis

I've been playing a W/P D-Slasher or Cruel Spear / Stunning Striker (for something different, a challenge with draugr) with these heroes -

[build=OABDUshnOL1qAa4LUGsDfiqK]
[build=OAhjYghsoOVbMm0cyNMHnV1kLA]
[build=OQNDArojONgcwFIDQEW+agdC]

Runes aren't shown - Death is 16, everything else is running a Minor where needed.

Times average around 45 mins per 250+ run in HM on The Path to Revelations with the Stunning Strike / Cruel Spear builds. D-Slasher should go faster.

What henchies do you use?

Moloch Vein · May 01, 2008, 10:36 AM // 10:36

@ Antithesis I'd swap in Wielder's Boon in that particular build instead of Spirit Light.

@ OP: Your problem is you're an E. E are weak in HM using their inherent skills. If you want to go with a purely offensive build I'd suggest the Assassin's Promise/Meteor Shower build on Wiki. 1xUrsan is weak, you want more of those carebears to ensure KD-chain. Have you tried Great Dwarf Weapon on your physicals?

Mickey · May 01, 2008, 02:12 PM // 14:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moloch Vein

@ Antithesis I'd swap in Wielder's Boon in that particular build instead of Spirit Light.

@ OP: Your problem is you're an E. E are weak in HM using their inherent skills. If you want to go with a purely offensive build I'd suggest the Assassin's Promise/Meteor Shower build on Wiki. 1xUrsan is weak, you want more of those carebears to ensure KD-chain. Have you tried Great Dwarf Weapon on your physicals?

Yeah, it helped a bit. I switched over to try it on my sin, and the valley/Arterius went smoothly, until I had to leave. I'm a big fan of prot, so I slap some prot spells on my Necro and my Monk is actually a Monk with hyrbrid prot and healing.

I bring an Expel mesmer with Clumsiner/Wandering for my melee hate.

Advid · May 01, 2008, 08:05 PM // 20:05

I have a plan, untested as of yet, but a great way to fill in Hero's handbook pages to receive the greatest amount of faction possible. I repeat, untested, not sure if it's legal. but if this works you can max out all the titles almost in one time, 2 times, one NM, one HM. the idea is to take not one handbook, but up to 16. I have already determined that it is possible to hold 16 at the same time. You only have to put the one you have in your inventory into your storage, then get a new one, repeat until you have 16, or more if you don't want to fill in the entire book. if you fill in 8 pages and turn in all 16 that is 32000 reputation points. if you fill in all 16 pages and turn in 4 to each reputation person, that's 80000 reputation, instant rank 8, (160000x4) experience points, and (4x16000) gold. and that's just NM. the only problem is having to take all the handbooks with you when you do the quests. which means you get less inventory space.

If anyone tries this system, please tell me, i'd be happy to here how it turns out. IGN is Advid Alucard

Sethellington · May 01, 2008, 08:26 PM // 20:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Advid

I have a plan, untested as of yet, but a great way to fill in Hero's handbook pages to receive the greatest amount of faction possible. I repeat, untested, not sure if it's legal. but if this works you can max out all the titles almost in one time, 2 times, one NM, one HM. the idea is to take not one handbook, but up to 16. I have already determined that it is possible to hold 16 at the same time. You only have to put the one you have in your inventory into your storage, then get a new one, repeat until you have 16, or more if you don't want to fill in the entire book. if you fill in 8 pages and turn in all 16 that is 32000 reputation points. if you fill in all 16 pages and turn in 4 to each reputation person, that's 80000 reputation, instant rank 8, (160000x4) experience points, and (4x16000) gold. and that's just NM. the only problem is having to take all the handbooks with you when you do the quests. which means you get less inventory space.

If anyone tries this system, please tell me, i'd be happy to here how it turns out. IGN is Advid Alucard

if you have more than one handbook in your invent it only fills one page in one book at a time.

Risus · May 01, 2008, 09:00 PM // 21:00

Only 1 skill needed: [skill]Ursan Blessing[/skill]
Its easy to find a group. If you have the quest most of the time they dont' care about your rank. America of course.

gw_poster · May 01, 2008, 09:26 PM // 21:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Advid

I have a plan, untested as of yet, but a great way to fill in Hero's handbook pages to receive the greatest amount of faction possible. I repeat, untested, not sure if it's legal. but if this works you can max out all the titles almost in one time, 2 times, one NM, one HM. the idea is to take not one handbook, but up to 16. I have already determined that it is possible to hold 16 at the same time. You only have to put the one you have in your inventory into your storage, then get a new one, repeat until you have 16, or more if you don't want to fill in the entire book. if you fill in 8 pages and turn in all 16 that is 32000 reputation points. if you fill in all 16 pages and turn in 4 to each reputation person, that's 80000 reputation, instant rank 8, (160000x4) experience points, and (4x16000) gold. and that's just NM. the only problem is having to take all the handbooks with you when you do the quests. which means you get less inventory space.

If anyone tries this system, please tell me, i'd be happy to here how it turns out. IGN is Advid Alucard

From guildwiki:

"You can acquire more than one Handbook by temporarily putting Handbooks in your inventory into storage.

If you have more than one Handbook in your inventory, each entry will be added only to the first Handbook in your inventory. If the first book in your inventory already has an entry that is repeated, that entry will not be added to any book or enabled to be written in.

To get around this, shift the books around in your inventory so the book without the entry is first.

Once you complete a non-repeatable primary quest with one character, it is shown in the Handbook for all of your characters."

Advid · May 01, 2008, 10:03 PM // 22:03

as some of you have already found out, yes the handbook only fills in the page to the first book, not all of them.

it was a good try though

Antithesis · May 01, 2008, 11:56 PM // 23:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moloch Vein

@ Antithesis I'd swap in Wielder's Boon in that particular build instead of Spirit Light.

Physicals are the buffed targets of Weapon of Fury and Splinter Weapon and the least likely to need the heal buff. If you're going to drop Spirit Light you might as well drop Life. If Life's in the party i'll stick with SL.

If you're referring to the caster version (Weapon of Quickening healer), then I agree, Wielder's Boon is a good choice.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mickey

What henchies do you use?

With the physical version (Weapon of Fury healer) Aidan, Herta, Mhenlo, Lina.
With the caster version (Weapon of Quickening healer) Zho, Herta, Mhenlo, Lina.

If you're running a caster toon (Promise Nuker advisable), take the WoQ healer -

[build prof=Necro/Rit Communing=11 Soul=10+1+1 Restoration=10][weapon of quickening][mend body and soul][spirit light][protective was kaolai][shadowsong][life][signet of lost souls][death pact signet][/build]

Splinter's a great weapon spell but can interfere with Weapon of Quickening. The Mesmer's a priority WoQ target (50% recharge FTW) and i've noticed that it sometimes ends up with SW on it instead. With a Promise Nuker (33% recharged in case Assassin's Promise misses), you won't miss SW.

[[epidemic]'s an option on the Mesmer, combines well with Shadowsong and Dazed from Zho's BHA. I found i didn't need Epidemic so used Empathy (powered by Waste Not) for additional physical hate.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mickey

I'm a big fan of prot, so I slap some prot spells on my Necro and my Monk is actually a Monk with hyrbrid prot and healing.

Prot's not needed with this setup in VF, they can't hurt what they can't hit. As long as you don't overagro too much, the run is easy without Prot.
If you need Prot slip [[weapon of warding] onto the N/Rt Restorer, it works well but may interfere with the other Weapon Spells.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mickey

I bring an Expel mesmer with Clumsiner/Wandering for my melee hate.

Hexes aren't a problem in VF. Give the Vengeful Rezmer a crack.

Mickey · May 02, 2008, 01:15 AM // 01:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antithesis

Physicals are the buffed targets of Weapon of Fury and Splinter Weapon and the least likely to need the heal buff. If you're going to drop Spirit Light you might as well drop Life. If Life's in the party i'll stick with SL.

If you're referring to the caster version (Weapon of Quickening healer), then I agree, Wielder's Boon is a good choice.

With the physical version (Weapon of Fury healer) Aidan, Herta, Mhenlo, Lina.
With the caster version (Weapon of Quickening healer) Zho, Herta, Mhenlo, Lina.

If you're running a caster toon (Promise Nuker advisable), take the WoQ healer -

[build prof=Necro/Rit Communing=11 Soul=10+1+1 Restoration=10][weapon of quickening][mend body and soul][spirit light][protective was kaolai][shadowsong][life][signet of lost souls][death pact signet][/build]

Splinter's a great weapon spell but can interfere with Weapon of Quickening. The Mesmer's a priority WoQ target (50% recharge FTW) and i've noticed that it sometimes ends up with SW on it instead. With a Promise Nuker (33% recharged in case Assassin's Promise misses), you won't miss SW.

[[epidemic]'s an option on the Mesmer, combines well with Shadowsong and Dazed from Zho's BHA. I found i didn't need Epidemic so used Empathy (powered by Waste Not) for additional physical hate.

Prot's not needed with this setup in VF, they can't hurt what they can't hit. As long as you don't overagro too much, the run is easy without Prot.
If you need Prot slip [[weapon of warding] onto the N/Rt Restorer, it works well but may interfere with the other Weapon Spells.

Hexes aren't a problem in VF. Give the Vengeful Rezmer a crack.

Blurred Vision hurts me.

Antithesis · May 02, 2008, 01:42 AM // 01:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mickey

Blurred Vision hurts me.

[[hex eater signet]? Mhenlo has [[deny hexes], that's enough for me. Besides, if it gets interrupted it's no longer a problem.

I wouldn't waste an elite slot when you can easily avoid most of the Elementals on a 250 run, hence no Hex removal on my heroes.

Mickey · May 02, 2008, 04:24 AM // 04:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antithesis

[[hex eater signet]? Mhenlo has [[deny hexes], that's enough for me. Besides, if it gets interrupted it's no longer a problem.

I wouldn't waste an elite slot when you can easily avoid most of the Elementals on a 250 run, hence no Hex removal on my heroes.

I just like having a back up. Plus Clumsiness and Wandering Eye are amazing for melee hate, and Expel is no attrib.