Yeah guys you need to remember. Just because there is a 2% chance doesn't mean it will always happen 2/100 smites. Imagine a dice...you might roll a 6 200 times in a row even though there is only a 1/6 chance of doing so, per roll.
And I wasn't talking about your Maths...the people above you who seem to think that 2% means anything between 0.00-etc-1 to 2 percent...which is total crap.
I sent a thingy to Anet about the ecto price. It is getting ridiculous. Since most of the UW solo builds have been nerfed in some way, its very hard to solo. Most common groups now seem to be famine/55 which is still quite hard since the AV/SV nerfs, or 2-3 trappers (which is slow still).
Think on it...the drop rate for ectos is still 2% for the team groups, so on average you should in theory get the same number between the two of you. But then ecto drops are so rare that the price just keeps rising; most people see no need to go the UW, which you can see from just 5 minutes in ToA. You see most people forming chest-run groups for FoW, or quest-groups for FoW, or just generally killing stuff in the FoW.
E/Me Smite only run: Mass aggro and quick!
MrSlayer
shadowblade520
It is going up because people are giving up on farming ecto because of the nerf to sv, buff to rend and what seems to be an increase in the number of DN, but anyway, supply is running short, the demand is probably about the same, so we get a price increase, which isn't bad for us : D. I sold about 40 ecto at 9.5k a few days ago
Suxipo
this build is still quite good. Only the drop rate is horrrible. 2 ectos in 11 runs is ridiculous.
Amalek
I just recently started doing both this and a VwK rit in UW, and both are suprisingly easy. Why are people giving up on solo farming? This is both post-SV/AV and rend updates as well.
Xxalon Tacotu
I've not yet started running UW with this build (starting tonight). But to those of you who are bitching about "wasting" 6 or even 12k on UW runs, consider this......
I spent 45k on entrance fees alone (on top of the armour/weapon costs) to practise soloing UW with my nec. I have since had a lot of zero ecto runs (even went 7 hours straight over 3 days without a single ecto)
However, I recently sold the ecto that I made in about 7 weeks for just short of 900k. Not bad, and that initial "cost" was well worth it.
Once you have practised a good 50 or so runs, you will have developed your own style, and your own timing for runs/casts/etc..
I now survive most "Rend Enchantments" even on a 55 nec build, and although this build can't kill Aatxes (they have a good ecto drop rate), I am willing to spend a few hours and a few thousand gold pieces to try it.
If you stop worrying and try to enjoy it, you'll find it easier.
So thank you to Koning fot posting the build, and thanks to everyone else for the tweaks, and I'll see you at ToA.
I spent 45k on entrance fees alone (on top of the armour/weapon costs) to practise soloing UW with my nec. I have since had a lot of zero ecto runs (even went 7 hours straight over 3 days without a single ecto)
However, I recently sold the ecto that I made in about 7 weeks for just short of 900k. Not bad, and that initial "cost" was well worth it.
Once you have practised a good 50 or so runs, you will have developed your own style, and your own timing for runs/casts/etc..
I now survive most "Rend Enchantments" even on a 55 nec build, and although this build can't kill Aatxes (they have a good ecto drop rate), I am willing to spend a few hours and a few thousand gold pieces to try it.
If you stop worrying and try to enjoy it, you'll find it easier.
So thank you to Koning fot posting the build, and thanks to everyone else for the tweaks, and I'll see you at ToA.
aB-
Ok, I might be WAY off on this whole drop rate math, but
.98^40 = .445 chance of no ectos on a complete smite run. Or
1-(.98^40) = .555 chance of at least 1 ecto on a complete smite run.
I don't know if this is right or not, but thinking about it logically how can you say that there is a 100% chance of getting 2 ectos after killing 100 smites? Because that's what you get when doing the math as
n=.02X
n=.02(100)
n=2
Where n = number of ectos and X = number of killed smites.
Quote:
.98^40 = .445 chance of no ectos on a complete smite run. Or
1-(.98^40) = .555 chance of at least 1 ecto on a complete smite run.
I don't know if this is right or not, but thinking about it logically how can you say that there is a 100% chance of getting 2 ectos after killing 100 smites? Because that's what you get when doing the math as
n=.02X
n=.02(100)
n=2
Where n = number of ectos and X = number of killed smites.
Quote:
I did 4 more runs after that initial 20 and got 1 more ecto. Sorry, but in order to see any statistical accuracy, hundreds of runs would have to take place. It's like surveying 24 people in a town and drawing conclusions based on that. And even with more tests it can be hard to say because of the many other factors in the game that we the players do not know about.
MrSlayer
God dam...the fact we are calculating drop percentages truly shows we are geeks.
Get this...someone told me there is a world outside the internet! Hah...bet they were lying :P
Get this...someone told me there is a world outside the internet! Hah...bet they were lying :P
disarm76
Quote:
Originally Posted by aB-
Sorry, but in order to see any statistical accuracy, hundreds of runs would have to take place. It's like surveying 24 people in a town and drawing conclusions based on that. And even with more tests it can be hard to say because of the many other factors in the game that we the players do not know about.
I didn't meant that, what I meant is ectos should be more or less distributed not, 8 in the first 24 runs and then suddenly 20 on the other 24 next. there should be an more or less coherency.
shadowblade520
Quote:
Originally Posted by aB-
Ok, I might be WAY off on this whole drop rate math, but
.98^40 = .445 chance of no ectos on a complete smite run. Or
1-(.98^40) = .555 chance of at least 1 ecto on a complete smite run.
I don't know if this is right or not, but thinking about it logically how can you say that there is a 100% chance of getting 2 ectos after killing 100 smites? Because that's what you get when doing the math as
n=.02X
n=.02(100)
n=2
Where n = number of ectos and X = number of killed smites.
Sorry, but in order to see any statistical accuracy, hundreds of runs would have to take place. It's like surveying 24 people in a town and drawing conclusions based on that. And even with more tests it can be hard to say because of the many other factors in the game that we the players do not know about. well to begin, it isn't 1-(.98^40) it is (1-.98)^40. The next part is that it doesn't provide anything meaningful all that means is that there is a 1.1*10^-68 chance of every smite dropping ecto. Again what you are calculating is an expected value, So after killing 100 smites, you SHOULD get 2 ecto's but that isn't always the case, you could go either way. And you're right about your last paragraph, you can't make conclusions based on 1,2 or even 30 runs.
.98^40 = .445 chance of no ectos on a complete smite run. Or
1-(.98^40) = .555 chance of at least 1 ecto on a complete smite run.
I don't know if this is right or not, but thinking about it logically how can you say that there is a 100% chance of getting 2 ectos after killing 100 smites? Because that's what you get when doing the math as
n=.02X
n=.02(100)
n=2
Where n = number of ectos and X = number of killed smites.
Sorry, but in order to see any statistical accuracy, hundreds of runs would have to take place. It's like surveying 24 people in a town and drawing conclusions based on that. And even with more tests it can be hard to say because of the many other factors in the game that we the players do not know about. well to begin, it isn't 1-(.98^40) it is (1-.98)^40. The next part is that it doesn't provide anything meaningful all that means is that there is a 1.1*10^-68 chance of every smite dropping ecto. Again what you are calculating is an expected value, So after killing 100 smites, you SHOULD get 2 ecto's but that isn't always the case, you could go either way. And you're right about your last paragraph, you can't make conclusions based on 1,2 or even 30 runs.
Freneticweasel
Hmm I seem to be having trouble in pulling the Darknesses without getting the Aatexes with them. Any tips?
Arwen Granger
Quote:
Originally Posted by Freneticweasel
Hmm I seem to be having trouble in pulling the Darknesses without getting the Aatexes with them. Any tips?
Before you aggro, put on storm djinn haste. The aatexes will break aggro once you run back to the middle altar while the grasps won't.
Bloodied Blade
What Arwen said...need to aggro them under the speed increase otherwise the aataxes have a decent chance to catch you. If you have to, hide behind Benton while fighting grasps (to avoid aataxe from a bad pull). It's not really that hard even if the aataxe doesn't aggro dump to its own mob again (which it won't)... Just run around it to aggro, you'll be fine.
Koning
For those who believe they can't run this build post skill balance, and for those who like the music
, i've made a small new video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKtmzM9LcFQ
, i've made a small new video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKtmzM9LcFQ
drumer1029
I agree, this run is still possible, and yes the drop rate has been cut down.
But to those of you who are complaining about ecto prices, way back in the day 12k per ecto was cheap, and as more and more builds came out to farm them, they dropped. So now that it is harder to farm they will go up.
I say, good. Let them go up, I'll farm more and make a bigger profit from it.
But to those of you who are complaining about ecto prices, way back in the day 12k per ecto was cheap, and as more and more builds came out to farm them, they dropped. So now that it is harder to farm they will go up.
I say, good. Let them go up, I'll farm more and make a bigger profit from it.
Xxalon Tacotu
Well. I spent 15k "practising" this build today (using both Koning's build and the one with Glypgh of Conc.)
Found the Glyph build to work better for me so far, and with my 15k spent, I dropped 5 ecto.
I make that around a 30k profit on the first couple of hours.
Good job Koning.
BTW. What are you attributes post-update ??? Are they still the same (7 second Visage) or have you changed them around any ??
Thanks again for posting this superb build & guide
Found the Glyph build to work better for me so far, and with my 15k spent, I dropped 5 ecto.
I make that around a 30k profit on the first couple of hours.
Good job Koning.
BTW. What are you attributes post-update ??? Are they still the same (7 second Visage) or have you changed them around any ??
Thanks again for posting this superb build & guide
shadowblade520
I think he may have changed it where you have 5+1 in energy Storage so you can get 9 in illusion (8 second sv) and 3+1 in air. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Droven
You don't need to change anything, the same build works as it was. And if you are having problems with killing the graspings take a hero with you. I sometimes take Zhed with me with the same build so he can AV him or me and give damage to graspings (except Djinn take Ward or sth healing/defencive). Or you can take Norgu, take both AV/SV and high fast casting so you can spam it on yourself. After killing the graspings just leave the hero there and go the smites. I got 3 ectos in 1 run yesterday ^^ and graspings took like 3 mins to kill all. The only thing splits is money when u get to the smites. Sure the graspings loot works as the same way when you are with the henchmen. But saying again with a bit studying the build you can kill the graspings easily yourself.
Btw, if the 2% is true, it doesn't mean you'll get 2 ectos by killing 100 smites. That means you have 2% chance that everytime you kill a smite you can get an ecto. As i told you above in 1 run i got 3 ectos, but 2 days before i got only 2 ectos in ~15 runs.
Btw, if the 2% is true, it doesn't mean you'll get 2 ectos by killing 100 smites. That means you have 2% chance that everytime you kill a smite you can get an ecto. As i told you above in 1 run i got 3 ectos, but 2 days before i got only 2 ectos in ~15 runs.
TurinPT
Koning I saw your video, how do make your char to do that "falling back" animation whenever you get interrupted? this would help alot since the squids can take up to 5 seconds to use it upon reaching me.
about those with agro problems, i have the same. The groups on both sides are easy but the one patroling the middle is harder, they have about the same chance of breaking agro as the aatxes so its a bit tricky to get them and not the cows.
about those with agro problems, i have the same. The groups on both sides are easy but the one patroling the middle is harder, they have about the same chance of breaking agro as the aatxes so its a bit tricky to get them and not the cows.
FG2_Eli
Quote:
Originally Posted by TurinPT
how do make your char to do that "falling back" animation whenever you get interrupted?
he attacked them - when u are interrupted while attacking (or using a skill) your character will do that animation ^^
Messy
Quote:
Originally Posted by TurinPT
about those with agro problems, i have the same. The groups on both sides are easy but the one patroling the middle is harder, they have about the same chance of breaking agro as the aatxes so its a bit tricky to get them and not the cows.
That middle patrol seems to like the west staircase (left hand one). If you try pulling them on the right hand side stairs, they tend to run back. I hope this helps.
A few things I've noticed help me:
1.- Try and pop the nightmares. Activate storm djinn haste, wait until it's half recharged, and run around the Inner rim. If it gets shattered you will have time to reactivate.
2.- Do the same up both staircases, more nightmares might pop.
3. KILL the nightmares with Earthquake. It might add a few minutes to the run but it makes it much safer.
4.- With graspins I do use a 20/20 +20 enchant earth staff. Works fine. IF you get interrupted, don't panic. If you get dazed, don't panic, it can be survived most of the times. Wait until daze wears off, and hit SV, and then go for the kill.
5.- With smites, I use a totem axe and a shield +10 earth, no HSR or HCT. What I have noticed, and I really do not know why, is that once I have them all nicely packed pounding on me, I hit SV and IF I only wait like 3 sec before I chain Sandstorm, EQ and AS they will not scatter. IF I wait for SV to completely drain their energy, and start my chain dmg once SV is wearing off, they run like chicken's w/o heads. So after I hit SV I start my damage chain as SV's recharge is hitting 2-3PM, 3PM being 1/4 of recharge.
That middle patrol seems to like the west staircase (left hand one). If you try pulling them on the right hand side stairs, they tend to run back. I hope this helps.
A few things I've noticed help me:
1.- Try and pop the nightmares. Activate storm djinn haste, wait until it's half recharged, and run around the Inner rim. If it gets shattered you will have time to reactivate.
2.- Do the same up both staircases, more nightmares might pop.
3. KILL the nightmares with Earthquake. It might add a few minutes to the run but it makes it much safer.
4.- With graspins I do use a 20/20 +20 enchant earth staff. Works fine. IF you get interrupted, don't panic. If you get dazed, don't panic, it can be survived most of the times. Wait until daze wears off, and hit SV, and then go for the kill.
5.- With smites, I use a totem axe and a shield +10 earth, no HSR or HCT. What I have noticed, and I really do not know why, is that once I have them all nicely packed pounding on me, I hit SV and IF I only wait like 3 sec before I chain Sandstorm, EQ and AS they will not scatter. IF I wait for SV to completely drain their energy, and start my chain dmg once SV is wearing off, they run like chicken's w/o heads. So after I hit SV I start my damage chain as SV's recharge is hitting 2-3PM, 3PM being 1/4 of recharge.
Hyprodimus Prime
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dont Mess WithMe
3. KILL the nightmares with Earthquake. It might add a few minutes to the run but it makes it much safer.
OMG!!!! I never thought of that, thank you! I was always waiting for aggro to leave and then id miss the window to get the middle group. You are so smart (im im stupid for not remembering EQ has a long range cast)
Crusheer
This build is really VERY cool, but very hard too. When you get to the smites area, then its just walk in the park, but killling graspings jast sometimes dont work, if they will interrupt you AV/Sandstorm, youre dead.
p1edmond
Is anyone else noticing an increase in drops? First, the nightmares were dropping two items which I had never seen before. Groups would drop more items than there were enemies. A few times, I'd get a 200+ gold drop. Then, I had a 5 ecto run. Amazing. Hope this lasts all weekend!
Hyprodimus Prime
Ya i just got a +4k drop in items! started off with 72k, gave 1k to grenthy, and ended up with 75k! Im still ecto dry though.
disarm76
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dont Mess WithMe
3. KILL the nightmares with Earthquake. It might add a few minutes to the run but it makes it much safer.
Yes, the easier way is to activate djiin's haste get your aggro bubble near the nightamare's one a earthquake him...probably one aatxe will come rushing but you'll be having djiin's haste already activated so just...run!
DvM
aw this thread abotu a weak ago, decided to make an ele. Did my first runs yesterday, and continued today, died a few times in the beginning (like 3 times) but its going ok now. So far I've gotten: 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 2, 0, 0, 0, 3, 2 ectos... (these were all succesfull runs in which I killed all smites... So drop rate sucks.. but its still fun 
Rainman
well i wasted over 10k because for some reason the aatxes have very good sight :S whenever i go in aatxe attack me when im in other side of room
also the grasps interrupt way too much (might add in mantra of resolve)
but i did get 3 ectos when i pulled 4 groups of smites and they died simutaneusly. my best drop ever!
also the grasps interrupt way too much (might add in mantra of resolve)
but i did get 3 ectos when i pulled 4 groups of smites and they died simutaneusly. my best drop ever!
BuD
Quote:
Originally Posted by Koning
For those who believe they can't run this build post skill balance, and for those who like the music , i've made a small new video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKtmzM9LcFQ Whats the stats on that sword & offhand youre usin? I use a replica of Galigords Stone Staff & the HCT is annoying at times.
TIA
, i've made a small new video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKtmzM9LcFQ Whats the stats on that sword & offhand youre usin? I use a replica of Galigords Stone Staff & the HCT is annoying at times.
TIA
Koning
Stats are the same as my gear in other video's, offhand = +30hp +1 earth 20% and sword = +5e 20% enchant. I also took an earthstaff with +15 while enchanted to wand enemies death if my spells are recharging.
And it's indeed weird that NM's and smites are dropping 2 items sometimes. A friend was lucky, she got 2 ecto's off 1 smite
And it's indeed weird that NM's and smites are dropping 2 items sometimes. A friend was lucky, she got 2 ecto's off 1 smite
Iscana
I'm just wondering, do you really need to kill the grasping? I mean the door goes open when you accept the quest, right? So why not take an extra running skill and just run your ass off. The worst thing that could happen is Enchant strip my nightmares or an interrupt, but when just take an enchantment, cast running then 2nd enchant and you can run past them, the only prob would be, when do the graspen leave you alone when you just met them?
The worst thing that could happen is Enchant strip my nightmares or an interrupt, but when just take an enchantment, cast running then 2nd enchant and you can run past them, the only prob would be, when do the graspen leave you alone when you just met them?
MisterB
Quote:
Originally Posted by Iscana
I'm just wondering, do you really need to kill the grasping? I mean the door goes open when you accept the quest, right? So why not take an extra running skill and just run your ass off. The worst thing that could happen is Enchant strip my nightmares or an interrupt, but when just take an enchantment, cast running then 2nd enchant and you can run past them, the only prob would be, when do the graspen leave you alone when you just met them?
The door only opens once you have killed the groups in the quest. Also, Graspings have a huge increased speed; they can catch you even if you use a 33% speed boost. They also give chase for a very long while, but will eventually wander off.
The worst thing that could happen is Enchant strip my nightmares or an interrupt, but when just take an enchantment, cast running then 2nd enchant and you can run past them, the only prob would be, when do the graspen leave you alone when you just met them?
The door only opens once you have killed the groups in the quest. Also, Graspings have a huge increased speed; they can catch you even if you use a 33% speed boost. They also give chase for a very long while, but will eventually wander off.
Arnack
This might of been asked before, but is there someone to leave a Nightfall skill out of this build and replace is with a proph/faction skill? >_<
Neriandal Freit
No Arnack they don't.
So, I've got a slightly newb question to ask here. I spent 20k yesterday attempting this build out, and working it and only managed to get to the Smites once.
When I got there, I had weird arrgo and it acted like I was in three different spots, but wasn't at the same time because the Visage wasn't working on all of them. No big deal.
It's in the first room when I'm attempting to get through the Graspings. Example of me being to go get the quest, then having a Dying Nightmare spawn above the fellow only to get the argo of 3 Aataxes also.
So what am I doing wrong here? I don't want to have to spend another 20k if someone can just assist in my stupidty.
So, I've got a slightly newb question to ask here. I spent 20k yesterday attempting this build out, and working it and only managed to get to the Smites once.
When I got there, I had weird arrgo and it acted like I was in three different spots, but wasn't at the same time because the Visage wasn't working on all of them. No big deal.
It's in the first room when I'm attempting to get through the Graspings. Example of me being to go get the quest, then having a Dying Nightmare spawn above the fellow only to get the argo of 3 Aataxes also.
So what am I doing wrong here? I don't want to have to spend another 20k if someone can just assist in my stupidty.
icallshotgun
This build is pure gold, a great profit, my first run netted me 5 ectos and a black dye, SWEET
now that the visage and SS have been nerfed, ive found 2 alternatives for the visage, glyph conc or glyph ele power, glyph conc makes graspings safer, for those less confident in tackling them without getting interrupted/dazed, but has no use against smites, but glyph ele power helps in making SURE the smites die in 1 aggro, its a matter of preference, however.
Thanks for the build
now that the visage and SS have been nerfed, ive found 2 alternatives for the visage, glyph conc or glyph ele power, glyph conc makes graspings safer, for those less confident in tackling them without getting interrupted/dazed, but has no use against smites, but glyph ele power helps in making SURE the smites die in 1 aggro, its a matter of preference, however.
Thanks for the build
Senrath
Great idea. *goes to swap out AV for glyph of concentration*
Koning
Be aware that graspings still can interrupt glyph on concentration with their distracting blow...But you can cast this 1 before you run into the group of graspings, which makes it indeed safer for ppl who keep dying.
giroe
Well i have tried this build during the first testing week and found out that it was saver in some way, but beware of u enegery since the can use fear wich make u lose 3 energy.
For all what i know this is the correct way too do it cast all enchars up then glyph, agrro. cast sandstorm, grasps runs away, recast glyph, cast stoneflesh, glyph , cast sandstorm ,eath stop, aftershock, all grasp dead.
Engery at the end around ~20.
Wait 30 sec till full and start again ^^
it will take u a bit longer then normal but it is indeed saver in someway ^^
one interrupt isn't a problem with glyps since u need too cast it at least 2 times, and the rct is only 10 seconds.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Koning
For all what i know this is the correct way too do it cast all enchars up then glyph, agrro. cast sandstorm, grasps runs away, recast glyph, cast stoneflesh, glyph , cast sandstorm ,eath stop, aftershock, all grasp dead.
Engery at the end around ~20.
Wait 30 sec till full and start again ^^
it will take u a bit longer then normal but it is indeed saver in someway ^^
one interrupt isn't a problem with glyps since u need too cast it at least 2 times, and the rct is only 10 seconds.
Quote:
Be aware that graspings still can interrupt glyph on concentration with their distracting blow...But you can cast this 1 before you run into the group of graspings, which makes it indeed safer for ppl who keep dying.
My Green Storage
I saw AV/SV as a crutch in soloing 
Now at 9 points it lasts 8 seconds ..WoWzers!
I've thought of glyph/concentration but figured ehh.
But yea next 2 spells can't be affected would work. (Sonteflesh and sandstorm FTW)
Yea I had a 4 ecto run on Sunday. Few times I noticed a 200+gold drop off a smite and the 2 item drop off of a nightmare.
Maybe Anet figured, we F'd it up a bit so let's add "easier" drops ..
Now at 9 points it lasts 8 seconds ..WoWzers!
I've thought of glyph/concentration but figured ehh.
But yea next 2 spells can't be affected would work. (Sonteflesh and sandstorm FTW)
Yea I had a 4 ecto run on Sunday. Few times I noticed a 200+gold drop off a smite and the 2 item drop off of a nightmare.
Maybe Anet figured, we F'd it up a bit so let's add "easier" drops ..
Neriandal Freit
What they could have done is something Gaile mentioned, that areas like this aren't supposed to be easy to farm.
So, a thought could be that they've nerfed things pretty well lately, and this is one of the few solo builds that are still successful. A way of going "Work Hard, Play Hard" comes to mind here if they indeed have increased the drops in UW.
So, a thought could be that they've nerfed things pretty well lately, and this is one of the few solo builds that are still successful. A way of going "Work Hard, Play Hard" comes to mind here if they indeed have increased the drops in UW.
Senrath
I've noticed that there are a lot more drops in UW lately. I dunno about ecto or gold item drops, but gold itself, along with "collectable" drops seem to have increased.