Finally reached the desert

Well, last night I finally reached the desert with my level 18 1/2 Ranger/Elementalist. (Still not using any of the elemental skills and never seem to find a use for them) But I certainly was surprised by my first outing. I had heard from a guildmate that I had better like bugs because I was going to see quite a lot of them. Went out the door and to the left first and sure enough was attacked by about 4-5 of the "buggers".

It took a couple of minutes but didn't lose a member of the group (I had hired all henchmen) and all of the monsters were dead. Found we were moving in the wrong direction so swung to the right and was attacked again; QUICKLY. The bugs come out of the sand very fast and swarm. Once again the group did ok, not losing a single character then we moved on.

This time I could see 6-8 bugs milling about in the area I was headed toward so I prepared myself and sure enough they attacked; the problem this time is that there were an additional 4 bugs that appeared out of the sand again and joined the group attacking us. I can verify that when using henchmen that any group of monsters beyond 10 in number will defeat you. I cannot see what tactics or preparation will enable you to defeat them.

That said; am I correct in believing that only groups marshalled using actual players and no henchmen (probably needing at least 3-4 warriors) have any chance of success in the area? Or, is there some sort of technique, such as running by these bugs and losing their pursuit, available to increase your chances of victory?

I have been everywhere the game allows up to this point and have always been able to figure out some way of winning (although this sometime entailed using only player groups), but I am now bumfuzzled as to how to proceed.

Any advice as to any of the questions raised here would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

i dunno my smiting monk can solo them pretty good ^_^...but back to your question, just join up with a party, good party would be 2 tanks, 2 healer, 1 nuker +1 other. you should breeze through it with ease.

Don't run, they are too fast. Not sure of any help I can give you as a ranger. I am a Mo/Me and did almost the entire desert with hench (minus the actual missions). I just finished all the secondary character switch missions last night.

It helps a lot after ascension b/c you have the better armor.

"Hug the wall!"

Stick to the left or right side wall, don't march in middle like we were heroes.

Master the art of pulling/luring.

As you explore the map, just move forward slowly. When the bugs come up from under the ground, back up a bit so "other" patrolling monsters will be out of range to attack you as well.

i find minion mastering helps a whole hell of alot. the more warm (cough, dead, cough) bodies i have going the easier it is. I have done every mission and quest with henchies because I hate dealing with people, and I like to help the newbs in my guild vs trying to get other high levels to stop what they are doing and fight with me. But if you are necro you can do this pretty easy.

Another option pressing ctrl+shift+spacebar. this calls the target but you don't attack. If you always get the fighter and brawler they will run into the group and grab aggro beforehand then you and the rest of the henchies roll in and lay the smack down. This also lets you assess adds.

RUN.

(sprint etc.)

(well thats all I have ever seen. Have died a few times trying to get through there fighting as we went)

once you reach the first portal you will not have this problem as the bugs that spawn out of the ground dont do this anymore in the crystal desert in a swarms of 4. they only spawn in packs of 2. This is the only area in the crystal desert that spawns them this way. there are plenty of small aoutpost all around in this desert so once you get past this part you really wont need to go that way again.

salacious, that is the best news I received. Thanks to you other guys for your advice also.