Sorrow's Furnace appreciation thread - Guild Wars Guru archive powered by Guild Wars Legacy

The Great Al

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jun 2005

ALOA

E/Me

01 Mar 2007 at 20:58 - 1

I hadn't played Guild Wars in about a month or so. I enjoyed NF, but the environments got kind of repetitive after a while. I decided to thoroughly explore SF; as I love snowy/wintry areas of games.

Obviously I'm about a year or so late with this thread, but even after playing all of Chapters 1, 2, and 3, I would have to say SF is the most imaginitive and fun areas of GW. It is unlike any other area asthetically, the indoor cavern is amazing (I originally remember having camera problems when playing through certain areas, but I guess that was fixed) and it is challenging without being excessively hard (meaning that you can play through with non-cookie cutter builds, and even heroes/henchies).

The area is so big and well done that it almost makes me wonder if this is similar to the chapter 3 elite area situation, where it was something that probably was supposed to ship in the box, but wasn't done on time. Regardless, I think this area is incredibly fun, and hopefully either chapter 4 or 5 will be wintry/snowy, and have some more indoor areas like the Furnace

TiNkLeR

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jun 2006

Portugal

01 Mar 2007 at 21:02 - 2

Yup, its beatifull and cool. Also... it is very balanced! Its perfect... i wish i had more areas like that one..

Gustin

Academy Page

Join Date: Dec 2006

R/

01 Mar 2007 at 21:06 - 3

I tried going there a while back on my necro. I failed miserably

Haven't gotten around to heading there on my more throroughly done ranger. I'd much rather experience it with a group of competent people than heros and henchies though. Hell, hit me up in game if you wanna get a group up for there.

The Great Al

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jun 2005

ALOA

E/Me

01 Mar 2007 at 21:09 - 4

Sure! I would play whenever. The outside area is harder than the inside, that's the only time I died was before we actually got to the furnace area. But yeah, it is very well balanced. The drops were terrible but I didn't even care, I was having fun.

Gustin

Academy Page

Join Date: Dec 2006

R/

01 Mar 2007 at 21:14 - 5

I think my issue was when I first went in I was doing the quest where you had to guard the dwarf guy close to the entrance. It was pretty easy at first, a few mobs comming in at a time. Then it just got REALLY hard all of a sudden and had groups comming from every which direction. Needless to say I got overwhelmed and yea, my heros on my necro weren't exactly up to par for the challenge. (While on my ranger my hero's are better equipped than most players in the game, rofl)

The Great Al

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jun 2005

ALOA

E/Me

01 Mar 2007 at 21:19 - 6

Yeah, it'd be nice if you could use the same weapon sets and runes for heroes throughout an account, without having to physically put them in storage and change it every time...but that's for another thread

Ensign

Just Plain Fluffy

Join Date: Dec 2004

Berkeley, CA

Idiot Savants

01 Mar 2007 at 21:42 - 7

Sorrow's Furnace is unconditionally the biggest design success of Guild Wars PvE. I wish they would realize that and make more zones like it, because it's kinda played out at this point.

Peace,
-CxE

beanerman_99

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Apr 2005

In the clouds

[Sage]

E/

01 Mar 2007 at 21:55 - 8

I think SF is a pretty fun place to PvE in. I think that saying its easy is a bit much though. I am having trouble completing Oro's quest's. Its hard to do with henchs and seems like now days people don't actually complete the quest, they just farm for greens in it.

I remember my first trip inside and I was like "WHOA! this place is really cool" I took many many many screenshots that day

The Great Al

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jun 2005

ALOA

E/Me

01 Mar 2007 at 22:00 - 9

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ensign

Sorrow's Furnace is unconditionally the biggest design success of Guild Wars PvE. I wish they would realize that and make more zones like it, because it's kinda played out at this point.

Peace,
-CxE

I sure hope that more areas are like that. I can't think of any area, anywhere else that is designed as well. It's not 'played out' for me, as I haven't touched that area in about a year, for whatever reason.

The Great Al

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jun 2005

ALOA

E/Me

01 Mar 2007 at 22:01 - 10

Quote:

Originally Posted by beanerman_99

I think SF is a pretty fun place to PvE in. I think that saying its easy is a bit much though. I am having trouble completing Oro's quest's. Its hard to do with henchs and seems like now days people don't actually complete the quest, they just farm for greens in it.

I remember my first trip inside and I was like "WHOA! this place is really cool" I took many many many screenshots that day

I can't say that the area is 'easy', rather it's hard without being extremely difficult and only beatable with specific professions using a specific build.

brokenmonkey

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Feb 2006

CA

[UC] Uber Crue

W/

01 Mar 2007 at 22:03 - 11

I JUST finished a run, I enjoy be back =)

zwei2stein

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Jun 2006

Europe

The German Order [GER]

N/

01 Mar 2007 at 22:09 - 12

SF definitelly gets my thumbs up.

Enviroment - we got new landscape, new monsters, great music.

Varied dificulty, you get challenge you want (just explore with no quest active or do final assault ...).

No access restriction issues - fight your way there and you are done, running is possible but really REALLY hard.

Fun Quests - Killllrooooy Stoneskiiiin, thats actually fun.

Awesome rewards - Greens were superb at time, some are still sought for. (XP was bit lame, but XP rewards were always lame in guildwars.)

Vamis Threen

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Nov 2006

E/Mo

01 Mar 2007 at 22:13 - 13

It is a top spot, I just went back and did Final Assault last week. I had left it on my quest log for ages because I remember being in an "experienced" team and we got wiped. But I did it again and it was great fun. When I was doing my survivor title and I only had proph I used to do "Kilroy" and the summmit slaves over and over again for the xp and they were always good. Happy memories

Stemnin

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Nov 2005

Mo/Me

01 Mar 2007 at 22:19 - 14

My favorite place in all of GW, free directsong pak for SF made it better for me, the best music in the game imo, really puts me into the furnace.

The quests are awesome, from killroy stoneskin to Final Assault (for anyone that hasn't done this, go do it! You might regret getting owned though!)

upier

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Mar 2006

Done.

[JUNK]

01 Mar 2007 at 22:37 - 15

yeah - SF is sweet!
BUT theres a downside to it too. i think (well as far as i can remember) SF was the first area where it really showed that the guys at anet still have some things to learn. the narrow paths just made the camera go berzerk! ive suffered countless deaths just because of the 'camera' zooming in and out because of the walls. thats the only thing i really hate about it - other then that - its just superb!

Melisande

Academy Page

Join Date: Oct 2005

Berkeley, CA

Blades of Angmar [BofA]

Me/N

01 Mar 2007 at 22:42 - 16

Where are you guys finding PUG groups for Sorrow's Furnace anymore? Or are you just using heroes/henches? Nowadays whenever I go into Deldrimor War Camp, all PUG groups are 5man farming groups for Orozar/FA and most of those are only B/P.

I'd love to play SF again, but personally, I hate the B/P build and I'm not much for cookiecutter 5man groups either.

lambda the great

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Nov 2005

here

Almost a Guild

W/N

01 Mar 2007 at 22:55 - 17

Sorrows Furnace is teh pwner! I don't like it much on my warrior but on my necro I can do runs for hours(I think) I still have yet to kill that giant iron ratchet in the last quest, but roar.

Sir Skullcrasher

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jun 2005

California

15 over 50 [Rare]

W/Mo

01 Mar 2007 at 23:05 - 18

I like SF alot, there is greens to farmed and bosses to kill. Not to mention those quests that lead you into the heart of SF where you have to beat that giant golem!

Bryant Again

Hall Hero

Join Date: Feb 2006

01 Mar 2007 at 23:05 - 19

Thanks 'Net, wtb more.

Narcism

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Feb 2005

Ottawa, ON, Canada

Mostly Harmless

W/

01 Mar 2007 at 23:07 - 20

I'm making this post so I can go to my own profile.

DarkGanni

Forge Runner

Join Date: Mar 2006

Malta

[CuTe]

E/

01 Mar 2007 at 23:10 - 21

Yeah gotta admit SF is fun to play, well balanced area imo.

Neo Nugget

Site Contributor

Join Date: Jan 2006

R/

01 Mar 2007 at 23:11 - 22

yep, it is my favorite update next to dye previewing

A++

Trylo

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jan 2006

[Here] | CKOD

E/R

01 Mar 2007 at 23:12 - 23

ive been considering actually finishing final assault (after i get my first char through NF though :O)

places that i love in GW:

Southern Shiverpeaks in general
Maguuma Jungle
ANY Kurz Territory, mainly near Vasburg
The Deep (amazing!!!) (dont like urgoz much though)

nightfall has pretty much failed at pleasing my eyes... im at the first 'gate' mission or something close to it... not very interesting

XvArchonvX

Forge Runner

Join Date: Nov 2005

R/

02 Mar 2007 at 00:40 - 24

I have to admit, I love SF. I still go back and farm there from time to time for kicks, even though it's not the most profitable activity out there. Perhaps one of the biggest reasons I like this area is that you can get in, do some good farming with other people (but not necessarily a huge group where you will get very little in the way of drops) and be able to do so without needing a huge time commitment. If time is available, quests, oro/questless farming, or just general exploration is nice, but you can always just go for a quick FA run if you don't have much time.

Gustin

Academy Page

Join Date: Dec 2006

R/

02 Mar 2007 at 02:35 - 25

I get to Deldrimor War Camp on my ranger finally and I'm dissapointed. As soon as I'm there it's "B/P lf B/P group!" etc etc. I'm so sick of these groups from Tombs that I'd rather not even go to SF if this is the only kinda groups people are running.

AJD

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Feb 2007

ME

W/

02 Mar 2007 at 03:20 - 26

Heh, my guild plays down there regularly. It is one spot in all the games that we have not gotten sick of, it is never boring and actually takes strategy, not lame builds to beat (besides BP, but we never use a bp build).

VitisVinifera

Banned

Join Date: Nov 2005

Northern California

HoTR

N/Me

02 Mar 2007 at 03:48 - 27

my favorite area by far. Great mood, atmosphere, uniqueness. You can explore it, farm it, or go questing (or all of the above). The effort to reward ratio is perfect.

Wish Doa were more like SF

darktyco

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Nov 2006

02 Mar 2007 at 04:18 - 28

I'm a newer GW player and I have just started going through this area. Today in fact was the first time I have done the Kilroy Stoneskin quest, and it was great. I really like the area so far.

I do have to admit though, it is a little easy with my 2 searing flames and mm hero. I have a feeling the later quests in the area are going to get harder though, which I am looking forward to

Mesmer in Need

Forge Runner

Join Date: Mar 2006

[ToA]

02 Mar 2007 at 04:22 - 29

I payed off my 55 monk runes by monking for b/p groups here. its great. some of the greens are sub par, but this place is what got me into green farming. i love it

.

Bryant Again

Hall Hero

Join Date: Feb 2006

02 Mar 2007 at 07:36 - 30

Quote:

Originally Posted by VitisVinifera

my favorite area by far. Great mood, atmosphere, uniqueness. You can explore it, farm it, or go questing (or all of the above). The effort to reward ratio is perfect.

Wish Doa were more like SF

What else? Qouted for truth.

Saphrium

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Oct 2006

Granite Citadel

Post Searing Ascalonian Merchants

N/Me

02 Mar 2007 at 08:26 - 31

sf is brilliantly designed, props

Kay84

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Dec 2005

Netherlands

[DVDF]

E/

02 Mar 2007 at 09:27 - 32

Yeah SF is nicely done!

With the ruins and all.. I should visit it again soon :P

Arduin

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: May 2005

The Netherlands

Limburgse Jagers [LJ]

R/

02 Mar 2007 at 09:37 - 33

Sorrow's Furnace has been a brilliant addition to Prophecies. The music especially gets you into the mood. Funny quest dialogues, the poor and suppressed Dregs, some nice greens, (Drago's, Galigord's and Rago's stuff are still in high demand). It all adds to it.

While inside, the feeling just gets to you that you do not belong there. Here you are, a 8-man fighting force, against a overwhelming amount of Stone Summit. Everywhere you go, you here whispers about some terrible entity, lurking deep inside the Furnace... It kind of reminds me of Tolkien's Moria.

Definately two thumbs up for this piece of work, which still is enjoyable after a year and a half. It really makes the Domain of Anguish pale in comparison.

Archangel Xavier

Academy Page

Join Date: Feb 2007

New Orleans, Denver, Chicago all over

All your favorite bands suck

W/P

02 Mar 2007 at 10:11 - 34

I enjoy sf as well. Not only is it well designed graphically and technically, but it is also an excellent place to farm. Sorrow's Furnace is the farming spot for people who like farming.

Another area that is very good looking is the Dragon's Lair mission. Very cool.

Raxxman

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Dec 2005

TEOC

W/N

02 Mar 2007 at 12:09 - 35

I really like the enemies as well.

Hengis

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Apr 2006

London

Better Than Life (BTL)

R/

02 Mar 2007 at 13:57 - 36

It makes me wonder how the same company can get something like Sorrow's Furnace so absolutely right, yet get Domain of Anguish so absolutely wrong.

Ok, so Sorrows Furnace now seems reasonably easy, but at the time it was released it took team work and planning, but you certainly didn't die within seconds. Yes, you could easily get whole party wipes, but you had some fun and explored a bit before that happened!

The graphics are beautiful, the quests are genuinely fun, the dialogue is funny, the drops (or at least some of them) are even now still pretty good, and above all, the difficulty level was pitched just about right.

I still go back to Sorrow's Furnace regularly, but won't go near the Domain of Anguish.

Sorrow's Furnace is how DoA should have been done.

King's Spectre

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jul 2005

Syracuse, NY, USA

The Amazon Basin (AB)

W/

02 Mar 2007 at 14:38 - 37

I agree with everyone else, SF is great.

Evilsod

Banned

Join Date: Mar 2006

England

Lievs Death Squad [LDS]

02 Mar 2007 at 15:27 - 38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ensign

Sorrow's Furnace is unconditionally the biggest design success of Guild Wars PvE. I wish they would realize that and make more zones like it, because it's kinda played out at this point.

Peace,
-CxE

Agreed. Definatly better than DoA, least the greens actually have some variety and that includes names and stats.

Kilroy Stonekin's quest is great fun

Anarion Silverhand

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Sep 2005

Denmark

None

02 Mar 2007 at 15:34 - 39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hengis Stone

It makes me wonder how the same company can get something like Sorrow's Furnace so absolutely right, yet get Domain of Anguish so absolutely wrong.

Different design teams and so on.

SF was the greatest update ever, it's easy, yet still challenging and the variety in landscapes down there are beyond anything else in GW.

The Bloodrose

Academy Page

Join Date: Nov 2006

CA

Dark Order of Innoruuk [DOI]

R/Rt

02 Mar 2007 at 15:44 - 40

I went down with a full guild group last night and pretty much cleared it. A lot of looney nonesense was said on our vent, and fun was had by all. I still remember the day it was released. Before my group left there was 22 Dist's in CR. When we finally got there it was amazing. The music, the graphics, the quests. Hands down best update EVER!