Curse

HariTec · Aug 18, 2006, 06:08 PM // 18:08

I like doing a number of solo runs through the south shiverpeaks - either from Droks to Rancor (trolls, giants, avicari and shadows) or Mineral Springs run (Icy dragon swords, imps, golems, trolls, avicari and shadows).

I can kill just about everything on these runs, but the azure shadows are always trouble. If I can only aggro a few at a time (max 3) I can usually take them - but not always. The problem is that after filling up with healing skills and armor buffs to survive everything else, I often don't have enough attack skills to take the shadows down quickly enough.

Are they demons? Would a sword mod of demonslaying make a difference? For monks they seem to have very high armor - I dont do as much damage as I think I should. Any pointers on killing these guys fast(er) would be appreciated.

My usual skill set (mineral springs run) is
Sprint
Dolyak Signet
Defy Pain
Sever Artery
Sun and Moon Slash
Healing Breeze
Mending
Live Vicariously

I use a zealous sword to build up energy when needed, a shocking sword of tenguslayin on avicari, and a fiery sword of wardingon imps. Was thinking a sundering sword of demonslaying may be best for shadows but before I spend the cash wanted some advice.

oHcHeese · Aug 19, 2006, 09:21 AM // 09:21

Wiki says they're undead. but I don't think an extra dmg mod vs undead will help a lot

Wtf?Omfg!Bbq! · Aug 19, 2006, 10:16 AM // 10:16

Hmmm they shouldnt be much of a problem with Dolyak up... You can also easily solo them with a (Deadly) Riposte build

HariTec · Aug 19, 2006, 03:28 PM // 15:28

deadly riposte is not much use as they have no flesh so they can not bleed. I suppose I could switch out sun and moon for riposte though (or sever for riposte)

It is not their physical damage that hurts - it is the holy wrath, retribution, signet of justice combo that hurts a lot

eightyfour-onesevenfive · Aug 19, 2006, 03:40 PM // 15:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by oHcHeese

Wiki says they're undead.

Where does it say that? Azure Shadows are currently specified as "Nightmares". To my knowledge they were never even considered to be undead. I wouldn't rule out the possibility that they are indeed demons, though. That is something that needs to be tested.

Edit: I just found out that Fog Nightmares have already been tested and found out not to be demons. I think with that it's safe to assume Azure Shadows aren't demons either.

oHcHeese · Aug 19, 2006, 04:00 PM // 16:00

Quote:

Undead
[edit]Animated Bones
Bone Fiend
Bone Horror
Bone Minion
[edit]Ghouls
Grasping Ghoul
Fallen Ghoul
[edit]Ghosts
Phantom
Smoke Phantom
Wailing Lord
Portal Wraith
Wraith
[edit]Nightmares / Shadows
Crypt Fiend
Azure Shadow

they are under undead in the creature list...or I misunderstood that list
if i'm wrong, i'm sorry

eightyfour-onesevenfive · Aug 19, 2006, 07:35 PM // 19:35

Oh, that old creatures list still exists... you're right, there they're groupt with the undead. This list is outdated and shouldn't be taken for reference. In fact I'll flag it as candidate for deletion right after this. Better go with the species stated in the articles and the categories in which articles are grouped, those are more accurate.

Horseman Of War · Aug 19, 2006, 08:10 PM // 20:10

i dont know about tanking them- lol howabout grenths avatar???

I always make quick work of nightmares when Im playing my mez- looks like this:

rend enchantments (aoe damage)
shatter enchantments (spike woot)
cast chaos storm if they are aggroed on tank
spiteful spirit (eh cheesy, but i like it)

backfire usually not good- they seem to cast enough enchantments that their energy stays at zero, meaning they really dont cast many actual spells.

also- if this is any indication- i really have been slacking on getting my mesmer the new Factions skills....

I dont know f you are talking about SOLOing the shadows... but we all know a good tank is better with a good support.

Id recommend using some kind of holy damage or elemental damage- but thats just speculation x.x its been quite some time since I did any Tyria missions involving shadows...

PS- The shadows are my favorite lookng creatures in the game

HariTec · Aug 19, 2006, 08:42 PM // 20:42

Thanks for the replies /thoughts on the subject.

To clarify I am looking for the best way to SOLO tank nightmares that fits into my IDS / DROK - Rankor walk build.

I will try using a Sundering Fellblade of Deathbane to see if it helps on the damage front.

I bought a non-max "of demonslaying" sword off a guy today for 1K but failed to salvage the demonslaying mod off of it - dam.

I am most pissed with the shadows in the ids cave as they can prevent me from getting to the imps up top. They are nto too bad to do if we have favor cause I can get holy blessing from shrine. But without favor I can only seem to do two at a time max

MisterB · Aug 19, 2006, 09:26 PM // 21:26

I am not a fan of the W/Mo build for this, but prefer W/Me for Ele Resistance. With W/Me, you only need 4 defense/healing skills; your buld has 5, and does not have a direct heal(no heal sig). Please don't take this as an insult, this is just my opinion. For W/Me, you only have to get one mesmer skill: Elemental Resistance. Substitute Watch Yourself for Defy Pain, and Elemental Resistance + Healing Signet for HB, LV, and Mending(shudder). Now, you have space for another attack skill, take one of your sword Elites, Quivering Blade should work, or Dragon Slash, as it synergizes well with Sun and Moon Slash.

By the way, with the W/Me build and a 130+ Heal Sig, I've never had a problem with the shadows; I like to take Distracting Blow for their Sig of Judgement, and just outheal their damage. I've taken 6 shadows before, but 3 at a time is much easier; bring a long/flat bow to pull, and just inch your way up the hill past the statue until the first shadow spawn. You will be able to pull just one group at a time that way.

EF2NYD · Aug 23, 2006, 09:49 AM // 09:49

If I'm not mistaken, they also do cold damage so Elemental Resistance soaks it up. I could be wrong though, as I haven't solo'd there since the nerf.

RazorEdge · Aug 23, 2006, 10:26 AM // 10:26

I used to kill Azures after clearing the IDS Ice Imp cave solo. All it took was a intrupt skill for those Signet of Judgements, and careful aggro. Best to take one, two or three at the time. I haven't done this since the Ice Beast got a faster casting time on his Mist From though. Didn't see any in it point anymore.

Cirian · Aug 23, 2006, 03:16 PM // 15:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by HariTec

It is not their physical damage that hurts - it is the holy wrath, retribution, signet of justice combo that hurts a lot

Their basic attack hits for Cold damage, so you could go W/Me, fire up Mantra of Frost for some damage redux and energy gain, interrupt their abilities, shatter or drain their enchants etc.