Looking for SP tips

[TaleraRis]

I'm a 24 ranger in what I hope is decent gear, mostly quested so Treasured items. Mitigation is 485 and avoidance is 45.5%. I can handle solo yellow easily, arrows or any down arrows. I haven't tried up arrow mobs of any color yet. I went into SP last night for the first Delving into the Darkness quest, that starts everything off. I got my behind handed to me by 4 grouped 3 arrow down blue mobs. I could only get 2 down before I was gone. I try to take casters out first, because they usually go down the fastest in my experience. Has anyone at my level been able to do this solo? Has this instance become a small group only thing? I tried to suicide kill the Fanatic and I couldn't even get hime down, given all his friends. He was yellow and his four friends were yellow. If anyone at my level has done this alone, what sort of tactics did you use? I find it hard to use bow CAs because of the proximity of adds. And I can't get off stealth-only attacks in full groups of mobs. <div></div>

[~Mercu]

<P>Try killing one then running away and breaking the encounter... and approach the group again to finish them off.</P> <P> </P>

[Ranja]

This will work and is the only way I could make it throgh SP as a scout. You must yell and break encounter and then come back.  IT is stupid that this is the only way for a scout to make it through a SOLO zone. By resorting to cheap tactics that are basically an exploit of the system. A solo zone should be soloable.

[Saihung23]

<span><blockquote><hr>TaleraRis wrote:I'm a 24 ranger in what I hope is decent gear, mostly quested so Treasured items. Mitigation is 485 and avoidance is 45.5%. I can handle solo yellow easily, arrows or any down arrows. I haven't tried up arrow mobs of any color yet. I went into SP last night for the first Delving into the Darkness quest, that starts everything off. I got my behind handed to me by 4 grouped 3 arrow down blue mobs. I could only get 2 down before I was gone. I try to take casters out first, because they usually go down the fastest in my experience. Has anyone at my level been able to do this solo? Has this instance become a small group only thing? I tried to suicide kill the Fanatic and I couldn't even get hime down, given all his friends. He was yellow and his four friends were yellow. If anyone at my level has done this alone, what sort of tactics did you use? I find it hard to use bow CAs because of the proximity of adds. And I can't get off stealth-only attacks in full groups of mobs. <div></div><hr></blockquote>One thing to remember when solo'ing through the SP zones is that once you kill something it is gone...wont respawn.  Always keep in mind that you can run away back into the area you just cleared. I personally had a bit of trouble solo'ing the sp beginning.  I would always end up dying in the "delving into the darkness" more than any other SP instance I would play later.  However, one thing I began to do is wipe the bad death from my mind and get back to where I died and begin again.  I whittled down the gnolls until it was just the group with the fanatic and me. Anyway, the best advice I can give (sorry to ramble so much) is to stick to your ranger strategy.  1.(while stealthed) Use your best ranged attacks at your level 2.Lucky Break (starts an HO) 3.Cheap shot then move behind him (it does not matter if he has buddies with him...just try to get it off) 4.stealthing back attack 5. stealthed back attack 6.(at this point the mob should turn to face you)start another HO if you can and unload your CA's Dont forget that wounding arrow (I think that is the name) can be fired on the run...so when it comes back up for use...start backing up and fire away.  Make sure also that if you have the defensive stance to use that...it gives a great bonus to agi. Good Luck</span><div></div>

[TaleraRis]

Then I'll probably just have to eat some deaths until I get farther in? When I break and run in the second room, they just follow me to the entrance and pound me down there. Also, what the heck is what in there? Usurpers are casters? Heretics also maybe? Has anyone figured out what the others are? I can never tell which is casting on me. <div></div>

[Saihung23]

<span><blockquote><hr>TaleraRis wrote:Then I'll probably just have to eat some deaths until I get farther in? When I break and run in the second room, they just follow me to the entrance and pound me down there. Also, what the heck is what in there? Usurpers are casters? Heretics also maybe? Has anyone figured out what the others are? I can never tell which is casting on me. <div></div><hr></blockquote>yeah...its crazy, there are gnoll summoners, scout types, mages, any number of the classes we can be.  Its tough...I remember now that the first room you can walk into was one of the toughest at that level.  You have to really luck out on killing two of them really really fast and hope the others dont kill you.  Try taking some potions with you for healing...also make sure your posions are up and running before you attack.  One time I kept running in circles around the Terraporter with my ranged auto attack on and praying they did not hit me for any damage since I was a runny nose away from death.</span><div></div>

[jpowe]

I've soloed it several times since my low-mid 20's.  Just need to kill the caster or the weakest one with ranged and just chain HOs to drop the other guys.  Gnoll killer CA is very nice since it gives you something to use between shadow lunge master II.  Should have no problems unless you grab adds, it's an easy place. <div></div>

[TaleraRis]

My warden friend helped me get through Delving and Flitch's Prank today. I just tried Harclave solo. Does the super buff just buff HP and power? I was hitting things for normal damage and with multiple healers in the groups, I couldn't get them down in health. So I died. <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> If I do attempt this again (although not likely cause I'm beginning to think Splitpaw isn't for me) , what should I remember? Are there good "pull" spots in Harclave that are better than others for avoiding adds? How are other 25 rangers handling this instance? <div></div>

[xandez]

<div></div><blockquote><hr>bentgate wrote:This will work and is the only way I could make it throgh SP as a scout. You must yell and break encounter and then come back. IT is stupid that this is the only way for a scout to make it through a SOLO zone. By resorting to cheap tactics that are basically an exploit of the system. A solo zone should be soloable. <div></div><hr></blockquote>its certainly not the only way, im pretty sure of that... but, lower lvl rangers may have a really hard time in there. use yer sneaks to scout the places, etc the usual stuff, take it slow also kill the stifler guys 1st (not the one with the pets, but the others... agitators or deceivers, dont remember which is which) start with your strongest bow attack (backshot) and try to get off as many bow attacks you have, including your normal ranged attack as a last resort, engage to melee... and, if you have neglected STR as your stat, might be a good idea to pump it a a little, also check which spells to those buggers cast and adjust resists accordingly (if needed) Happy hunting! ++Xan

[xandez]

<div></div><blockquote><hr>TaleraRis wrote:Then I'll probably just have to eat some deaths until I get farther in? When I break and run in the second room, they just follow me to the entrance and pound me down there. Also, what the heck is what in there? Usurpers are casters? Heretics also maybe? Has anyone figured out what the others are? I can never tell which is casting on me. <div></div><hr></blockquote> Theres some posts about which creature is which type, but ill try to post some what i remember... Pariah, Brewer, Heretic, = healer types atleast (hmm some other too im pretty sure... maybe Fanatic) Agitators / deceivers are your worst enemy kill them 1st, they stifle and silence... start with the no-pet guy (dont remember is it agitator or...) Malefactor = warlock Sycophant = wizard? Scrapper = Monk (or bruiser) Brute, Miner = some fighter Some of the rest are rangers, etc other classes... the point is, take your time to learn which names do what and which you should engage 1st and which should be taken out last.... GL in there ++Xan

[Tarryn]

When fighting grouped mobs, don't mess with trying to cheapshot/stealth/backstab at first.  Instead, cheapshot and use master strike, if you have it.  Afterwards, or if you don't have the appropriate master strike, use cheapshot and then back off a couple steps and fire your bow CAs.  It's not quite as good as your stealthed attacks, but it can still drop mobs quickly enough to make groups survivable.

[Wolf19]

<P>Tks for all your tips...</P> <P>First of all, I should say that I'm lvl 31 (was 30 when I tried it yesterday) and I have a pretty good equipment (not all rares, but it is still really agi based) with Adept 3s for all the spells I used.  I tried all 3 solo zones yesterday: Arena (done, but almost died agains't the Champion), and I DIED in Hardclave and Hideout!  </P> <P>The thing I find strange is that it is so easy with my Conjuror lvl 30 (also with Adept 3s and nice items) compared to my Scout lvl 30 (when I tried it)...  not sure if I'm doing something wrong, but I'll try the run tip for the group also if I don't really like that tactic (it should take a long time to complete the quest!).  If I have the choice between this or ... die, I will certainly choose that tactic :smileyvery-happy:</P> <P>I would just like to know if there are any rangers in low 30s and have done Hardclave and Hideout ok!  I wanted to try to do it hidden, but for Hardclave you need to kill the King at step 3 and need to make some space to avoid adds... I died agains't the first group of 5-6 yellow- mobs!  For the Hideout, some of the boxes are near mobs then when they explode... the mobs don't like you :smileysurprised:</P>

[Zutan]

LU 14 says it (again) made delving into the darkness more solo friendly.. I havent tried yet to find out for sure.. As for "Wounding Arrow".. I dont think it works when running.. Ive tried before and EVERY one of my ranged CAs interrupts if I move.. <div></div>

[TaleraRis]

<DIV>Wounding Arrow doesn't work while running, Open Shot doesn't, Trick Shot doesn't. Those three I know for sure because I tried them all running last night. The rest I'd have to double check.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>And Delving is still solo unfriendly, at least for us. My warden friend's main is a conjuror and he gets through with ease, as well as on his warden, but he can nuke like nobody's business with both and he can root. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I think we've just gotten the short end of the stick in regards to close quarters fighting. Outside, with full access to bow CAs and positional stealth attacks, we're a killing machine. And even when my warden friend grabbed aggro and I was able to use my nasty attacks in the Tunnels and the Hideout, I did fine DPS wise. But we really are handicapped, at least at my level, with all my DPS tied into ranged and positional stealth-required CAs.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Do we get improvements to help close quarters fighting later? I may just group with my friend to finish SP, or wait until past 30 to continue on in it and advance elsewhere. </DIV>

[jpowe]

<div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><font color="#ffff00">Some stuff I've done from 25-30 in Splitpaw! If you cannot hidden shot yet, use backshot/wounding If you cannot triple shot yet, use open shot Poison is VITAL High strength makes this easier (I have 99 STR and 109 AGI with cheap gear @ 30) <font color="#ff0000">Only backshot/sniping shot work while moving</font> Recommended poison - High upfront, low DoT Level 20 low DoT: </font><span class="RecipeName">Inpenatrable Barrier (rare & expensive, 200ish on proc), </span><span class="RecipeName">Insufferable Anguish (common & cheap)</span> <span class="RecipeName"><font color="#ffff00">Level 30 low DoT: <font color="#ffffff">They cost too much and I use the level 20 stuff <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></font></font>  </span><font color="#ffff00"> Harclave/Hideout/Darkness you vs group mobs <font color="#ffffff">Even level arrows Offensive stance High upfront, low DoT poison Target caster Stealth Hidden shot Triple shot Auto attack Kill first target Switch targets Melee auto attack Lucky break Impede/Corner Use all melee CAs Kill second target Switch targets Melee auto attack <font color="#ffffff">Cheap shot</font> <font color="#ccff99">Shrouded Strike</font><font color="#ccff99"> </font><font color="#ccff99">Shadow Lunge Gnoll Mastery <b>    OR</b> Ranged auto attack Triple shot Double shot</font> Kill Third target </font></font><font color="#ffff00"><font color="#ffffff">Switch targets Melee auto attack Lucky break Impede/Corner Use all melee CAs Kill Fourth target </font></font><font color="#ffff00">Harclave/Hideout/Darkness you vs solo^^^ mobs</font> <font color="#ffff00"><font color="#ffffff">Even level arrows Offensive stanceMedium/High DoT poison preferred, low DoT works too Stealth Hidden Shot Triple Shot Ranged auto attack Melee auto attack Lucky break </font></font><font color="#ffff00"><font color="#ffffff">Corner/</font></font><font color="#ffff00"><font color="#ffffff">Impede</font></font><font color="#ffff00"><font color="#ffffff"> All melee CAs Do not stop HOs <font color="#ffff00">Solo arena Double gnoll group <font color="#ffffff">Even level arrows Offensive stance Poison (High upfront preferred) Stealth Stand opposite of the announcer Wait for max range Hidden Shot Triple Shot Ranged auto attack Kill Gnoll #1 Change targets Cheap shot Shrouded strike Shadow lunge Gnoll mastery Kill Gnoll #2 </font></font></font></font><font color="#ffff00"><font color="#ffffff"><font color="#ffff00">Solo arenaTriple group (tough!) <font color="#ffffff">Even level arrows Any stance, switch to offensive when meleeing Poison (High upfront preferred!!) Take Aim (important!  Missed CA = dead) Stealth Stand below the announcer (Fip Slytail)Target <b>Hateful Slave</b> Hidden Shot <b>ASAP</b> Triple Shot Ranged auto attack<i>If the slave is alive<b> CHEAP SHOT ASAP to prevent reactive healing! </b></i>Finish Slave <b>CANCEL TAKE AIM</b> Change targets to the gnome casterAuto attack Lucky break Impede/Corner All melee CAs Kill her <i>If she is dying too slowly then use shadow lunge or cheap shot>>bow CA her to death</i> Change targets to gladiator Auto attack Cheap shot Shrouded stike Shadow lunge Backup Double shot Finish him </font></font></font></font> <font color="#ffff00"><font color="#ffffff"><font color="#ffff00">Solo arenaChampion <font color="#ffffff">Missed bow CAs can kill you easily </font></font></font></font><font color="#ffff00"><font color="#ffffff"><font color="#ffff00"><font color="#ffffff">Even level arrows Any stance, switch to offensive when meleeing Poison (High upfront preferred!!) Take Aim Stealth Stand opposite of announcer, wait for champ to get max range Hidden Shot Triple Shot Ranged auto attack </font></font></font></font><font color="#ffff00"><font color="#ffffff"><font color="#ffff00"><font color="#ffffff"><b>CANCEL TAKE AIM</b></font></font></font></font> <font color="#ffff00"><font color="#ffffff"><font color="#ffff00"><font color="#ffffff"> Cheap shot Shrouded strike Shadow lunge Gnoll mastery Lucky break Impede/corner All melee CAs /cheer </font></font></font></font><div></div><p>Message Edited by jpowers on <span class=date_text>10-06-2005</span> <span class=time_text>10:50 AM</span>

[TaleraRis]

<P>The poisons you mention are vendor or player-made? I'll look tonight if player-made and see if I can make them on my alchemist. I've been using some Malevolent Displacements that my rogue friend gave me.</P> <P>What do Hidden Shot, Double Shot and Triple Shot do? I don't have those yet at 25. Just got Escape and Natural Instincts when I dinged.</P><p>Message Edited by TaleraRis on <span class=date_text>10-06-2005</span> <span class=time_text>04:24 PM</span>

[Incedio]

<DIV>Is there a certain level you can start soloing in SP? I remember reading that the content scales to your level but should I have certain level skills before I start going there?</DIV>

[jpowe]

Open shot/Flaming Shot = double shot line of skills that fires two arrows, can proc poisons. Hidden Shot Adept I does 465-775 for me.  Fired shot from stealth with no positional requirements.  Recast is a minute and a half. Triple shot App I fires three arrows for 37-61, 74-123, and 111-185 for me.  They all can proc poison.  I used open shot before, now triple shot is my bread and butter. Until you get Hidden shot and Triple shot in the later 20s, Back shot and Open shot work fine. The poisons I use are player made, but I get vendor ones since good poisons at my level are rare on Blackburrow.  I started splitpaw right at 20, with the hideout and the upper tunnels.  I didn't try to solo anything until 24, duo'ed with a Templar.  Splitpaw right at 20 will be pretty tough without Shadow Lunge Master II. <div></div>