Pontifex's Chest Running Guide

Across The Battle

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Feb 2006

Jersey

W/

Table of Contents:

I. Introduction
II. Shout Outs
III. Disclaimer
IV. What you should know
V. What is chest running?
VI. Who can chest run?
VII. Progressing your charactera. Items and NeedsIX. Skills and builds a. Monk
b. Warrior
c. Ranger
d. Elementalist
e. Necromancer
f. Mesmer
g. Ritualist
h. Assassin
i. Paragon
j. DervishX. Location Location Location
XI. Profit vs. Title
XII. Lockpicks vs. Keysa. Hard Mode vs. Normal ModeXIII. Title Information





I. Introduction
First off I want to explain that I am not maxed chest hunter title. I am not the best chest running. I am creating this guide as a one stop shop(eventually) to chest running. I want to encourage the betterment of the art of chest running and centralize the discussion of chest running.
(I am aware there already is a thread dedicated to chest running on guru farming section.)

II. Shout-outs
1. Guildwarsguru.com - The place where I go to get all my information
2. Favorable Winds [Gust] - My guildies
3. Scars Meadows [SMS] - My former guild, a great guild, and all the people in there that help improve the community.
4. Tsunami Rain [Gust] - My guild leader who helped the community with his farming threads

III. Disclaimer
I am not a professional chest runner. I am not rich. I do not guarantee that you will become rich. Although chest running can be profitable, It can also be a huge gold since, please chest run at your own risk. Also, I do not know the best build for every class and every farming spot, I will add them to this guide as I and the community see fit. Please post your builds and chesting spots for the community to review, and please do so in an orderly manner.

IV. What you should know
What you should know about chest running is that it is constantly changing and values are constantly fluctuating. I would advise against chest running to become super rich or get that perfect item. It probably will not happen. I also suggest knowing values of items before you start to chest run so you can know what to merchant and what not to merchant.

V. What is chest running?
Chest running is a simple concept describe from guildwiki.org as:
Quote:
Chest running refers to the practice of running areas in the search of chests, usually high-end ones, as opposed to clearing the way to those by fighting. Chest running could be done for items, unlocks, Wisdom, Treasure Hunter and, in the use of lockpicks, lucky and unlucky titles.
Simply, chest running is going around areas to open chests as opposed to opening chests while regular questing.

VI. Who can chest run?
Everyone can chest run in one form or another. Every class has the ability to chest run; however some are simply more efficient at it. Monks, Warriors, Assassins, Rangers and, Dervishes are the most common chest runners. Mesmer, Elementalists, Paragons, etc. all have the ability to chest run by changing their secondary profession accordingly. Please do not discourage any class from chest running.

VII. Progressing your character
I do not want to encourage anyone to make a character specifically for chest running. If you do choose to though, you will need a few basic things. I will go into greater detail later as to the most optimal equipment and builds

You will of course need maximum armor. You will need running skills(Skills that improve your speed) as well as self healing spells and protection is always helpful. It always depends on the build and location. Shields are helpful for chest running as well as +energy weapons. You will probable need to complete each game for all the chest running spots, although you can still chest run without the complete game, Hard Mode chest running will not be available to you until you beat the game on at least 1 character and unlock it on that character.
a.Items and NeedsYou will need maximum armor obtained from numerous sources. See guildwiki.org for more information on that. Everything varies from one build to another, however, the best investment is armor equipped with survivor insignias(+health insignia). Also you may want to invest in a shield. The three recommended shield mods are:
PICTURE HERE PICTURE HERE:
-5 20% +30 Health
-2 While stanced +30 Health
-2 While Enchanted +30 Health
-2 while in a stance is used because most running skills are stances. -5 20% is used as a general damage reduction, regardless of conditions. -2 While enchanted is used mostly for monk running builds, which are usually enchanted with Spellbreaker(ELITE SKILL) or Blessed Aura(SKILL)

You will also need numerous skills unlocked. Please review the builds section below to determine what you need to unlock. It is also highly recommended (although not necessary) to have all 200 attributes. If you do not know if you have all attribute points, please head over to guildwiki.org to make sure you can get them.
IX. Skills and builds
a. MonkComing Soon! b. WarriorComing Soon! c. RangerComing Soon! d. ElementalistComing Soon! e. NecromancerComing Soon! f. MesmerComing Soon! g. RitualistComing Soon! h. AssassinComing Soon! i. ParagonComing Soon! j. DervishComing Soon!X. Location Location Location
It is very important to know the location you are chest farming. The best way to do this is to take heros/henchs (h/h) into the area and clear the route, or vanquish the area. This also helps you get a feel for the cliffs and walls and other items that you can not get around.
a.Tyria
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
b.Cantha
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
c. Elona
i
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.XI. Profit vs. Title
Chest running for profit is debatable. Chest running for the title is clear cut. There is no way to know what you will get from a chest until you open that chest. It could be a super rare sword; it could be another req. 13 grim cesta. It is a personal choose whether you want to try and get rich chest running. The best bet is to chest run for the title and hope an item you want drops for you. Please do not come to me saying you lost millions chest running (because I do not care.) However you can come to me saying “Here’s a 100k that I made because of the help of your guide”(I won’t complain) ;-)

XII. Lockpicks vs. Keys
Whether you want to run lockpicks or keys is entirely your decision. Here are some of the statistics of lockpicks vs. keys. a. Hard Mode vs. Normal ModeGenerally speaking, if you want to run for your title, go normal mode, its quicker, easier, and cheaper. If you want to go for loot, go for hard mode. The loot in normal mode is usually poor, purples and none max items. Hard mode, while still having its share of purples, increases the likelihood of gold and max drops.

XIII. Title Information
Quote:
• For each rank of the Treasure Hunter as well as the Wisdom title track earned, the chance of an item not being destroyed when salvaging a magical upgrade component is increased by 3 percent from a base of 50 percent. The bonuses from both titles do stack.
• For each rank of the Treasure Hunter track earned, the chance of a lockpick not being destroyed when opening a chest is increased by 3 percent from a base of 10 percent (the Lucky title ranks increase your chance by an additional 2 percent per rank).


I will finish posting up most builds by this weekend. Maps and such are soon to come. Please be patient and add what you can to the guide.

Solus Spartan

Solus Spartan

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: May 2007

Australia

[Lawl]

Mo/

Is this really needed?

ll goose unit ll

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: May 2007

The Sons of Zues

W/Rt

Well.. i guess it will be cool once it arrives wait to the weekend before any opinions..

Elnai

Elnai

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jul 2006

Top Rating Loss Guild 5/25

Maybe.. I don't really know.

R/

You don't really need a shield and you don't really need fully runed out armor and whats the point of a blank template?

" If you want to go for loot, go for hard mode. The loot in normal mode is usually poor, purples and none max items. "

If you're running ascalon chests in normal mode then heck yes you're going to get non-max items. If you're running any chest that's gonna get you a treasure hunter point in normal mode you're hardly ever going to run into a non-max item.

RainwalkerC

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: May 2006

in fear

changes often, check daily

Mo/

YES!! It IS needed!!! I eagerly await for your guide

I Might Avenge U

I Might Avenge U

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Dec 2005

California

R/

O_o this should be interesting...

I too await this guide..

Across The Battle

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Feb 2006

Jersey

W/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Elnai
You don't really need a shield and you don't really need fully runed out armor and whats the point of a blank template?

" If you want to go for loot, go for hard mode. The loot in normal mode is usually poor, purples and none max items. "

If you're running ascalon chests in normal mode then heck yes you're going to get non-max items. If you're running any chest that's gonna get you a treasure hunter point in normal mode you're hardly ever going to run into a non-max item. You are right, that was probably poorly worded. I meant, and will fix it soon, that in normal mode(chests that count toward title) have a better chance of droping purples then the locked chest counterpart of the same area.

This is going to ultimately be a referance source for running builds, maps, and information about areas, Im compiling that now. I am not going to be able to do it all alone, I simply don't have the time or patience.

I feel this is needed because we still get threads that say "How do I run this area" or "What is a Monk running build" This thread is going to be an ongoing project and not finished this weekend, more or less continued and updated this weekend.

Thanks to those who do not rush to judgement. I encourage nay-sayers to post information that will be useful rather then saying "Is this needed? Whats the point of this?"

I Might Avenge U

I Might Avenge U

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Dec 2005

California

R/

Let it be heard to the people, I am not a Naysayer!

Starts a circle...

Still waiting...

Solus Spartan

Solus Spartan

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: May 2007

Australia

[Lawl]

Mo/

Let me guess, half these buildswill be X/A?

ichigo_panty

ichigo_panty

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Nov 2006

Exiled And Forsaken[EnF]

Most likely the Deadly Paradox -> Shadow Form -> Dark Escape/Other Speed Booster depending on Primary Class if X/A -> Deadly Paradox -> Shadow Form combo for 85% of the build.

Dervish Running Build: Vow of Silence, Pious Haste, and some other self heal enchantment. It can run you almost anywhere for a chest run.

Warrior: Charge, Sprint, some other skills depending on where you are running. Hex -> Holy Veil . Knockdown -> Balanced Stance, Dol Signet . Conditions -> Mending Touch . etc .

I am looking forward to the maps that he promised.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Across The Battle
You will also need numerous skills unlocked. Don't scare people with this. Numerous means "amounting to a large number" where you will only need 8 skills at most . I suppose the skills needed required all 3 chapters.

holababe

holababe

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Dec 2006

Goon Squad [LLJK]

Mo/

Monk: 55 runner works for any area that doesnt have enchant removal or massive degen

dies like fish

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jun 2006

Winter Wonderland [brrr]

W/E

There's already a thread like this....and why start a guide with a blank template if you can't fill it in?

http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s...php?t=10145278

olly123

olly123

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Apr 2006

sh*tvill england

tgc

Mo/

who said he cant fill it theres still 1 day left . it soudl onyl take about 2 hours to type if hes alrdy got pics etc. oh and +1 posty but yah im egaly awating this it loosk quite cool

Jacxxmaster

Jacxxmaster

Academy Page

Join Date: Apr 2006

At my computer, playing Guild Wars, of course!

Lords of Myth [tom]

W/

PleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasePLEASE!!!!

... fix the grammar. If you want this "Guide" to pass on as a serious endeavor, the grammar and spelling should be at least halfway decent.

This is understandable if English is not your primary language, but it still should be a little better than this.

Also, dies like fish put my first thoughts into words.

dies like fish

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jun 2006

Winter Wonderland [brrr]

W/E

Quote:
Originally Posted by olly123
who said he cant fill it theres still 1 day left . it soudl onyl take about 2 hours to type if hes alrdy got pics etc. oh and +1 posty but yah im egaly awating this it loosk quite cool Why wouldn't he wait until he filled his information in to post this?

onerabbit

onerabbit

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Mar 2006

Thanks to all the guru [mods]

Rickroll!!!!

xD

dies like fish

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jun 2006

Winter Wonderland [brrr]

W/E

Quote:
Originally Posted by onerabbit
Rickroll!!!!

xD "Never gonna give! Never gonna give!"

Anyway, I hope to see some new builds and maps soon

drupal

drupal

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Sep 2006

Why did you post this? Couldn't you wait till you got it finished? This kinda sucks.

[email protected]

Platinumnaire

Join Date: Jun 2006

It's so long and empty I don't even want to look or read it... o_o.

Solus Spartan

Solus Spartan

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: May 2007

Australia

[Lawl]

Mo/

Quote:
Originally Posted by [email protected]
It's so long and empty I don't even want to look or read it... o_o. /Agree

I Might Avenge U

I Might Avenge U

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Dec 2005

California

R/

^^
Yet you keep posting in the thread...

dies like fish

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jun 2006

Winter Wonderland [brrr]

W/E

For the equipment section:
Plus armor while in a stance or plus energy insignias are much better for chest running as most builds use Shadow Form.

royal mercenary

royal mercenary

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Dec 2006

Glob Of Ectospasm [GoE]

Me/Rt

still waiting!

I Might Avenge U

I Might Avenge U

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Dec 2005

California

R/

It's getting there...