Question about HFFF deaths problem

Navaros

Forge Runner

Join Date: Apr 2005

Mo/Me

When I do HFFF, about 50% of the time my Shore Runner and my Stair Runner get stuck on and killed by the very first mob down the little hill at the start. The other 50% of the time the mob either doesn't aggro them at all, or it aggroes them and they get by it despite being aggroed. Surely there is a better way to HFFF this without having this snag ever happen? However, I can't figure it out.

I definitely have Shadow Form up long-before they get to that mob, so it's definitely not a question of Shadow Form going up too slow.

I'd appreciate if some experts on HFFF could explain what causes the problem described to occur, and how to avoid it 100% of the time. Thanks.

jbcf05

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Nov 2007

Maybe move away from the entrance of Lutsgardis a little bit. I had some problems with Devona running straight into the side of the cliff and dying by the first group of mobs. Otherwise just make sure you flag your heroes correctly and you activate SF right away.

Navaros

Forge Runner

Join Date: Apr 2005

Mo/Me

I always flag my Heroes correctly and use SF right away. I tried moving away from the entrance more, but that did not have any effect on the problem described in the OP.

Lycan Nibbler

Forge Runner

Join Date: Sep 2006

AZ

Having only had this issue maybe 1% of the time, all I can suggest is that you maybe try to move your flags slightly to see if this has an effect.
When I was doing it I had my heroes mapped to keys f1 -f4 to choose them quickly, flagged them all, put SF up straight away followed by a running skill (had the skill bars straight below one another to ease speed).
If you see it happening of course you could flag around if you have time. Sorry I dont have anymore input, hope you figure the issue out!

jbcf05

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Nov 2007

If you are still having problems you could try using TexMod. That way you will be able to get the flags right every time. Even a slight miss flag could make a difference in the run.

You could also try flagging them one at a time to better diagnose the problem and also concentrate on SF and your run skills for each.

Honestly, with TexMod I have never had a problem with my HFFF runs...so I don't know really how else to help.

MercenaryKnight

MercenaryKnight

Forge Runner

Join Date: May 2006

Wolf of Shadows [WoS]

P/

Mostly there are 2 things, monsters are body blocking or your flagging in a bad/ unreachable spot. Remember you need to do 2 flags for the stair runner, if you only do 1 flag it won't make it there.

Navaros

Forge Runner

Join Date: Apr 2005

Mo/Me

I've been using Textmod already the whole time.

It's not a problem of me doing the double Stair flag wrong, as my Shore Runner dies in the manner described just as much as the Stair Runner does.

SurareVaera

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jan 2007

E/

First, set all heroes to avoid combat.

Bodyblocking on my shore runner happens rarely, but it can usually be corrected if you're quick by placing the skill [Heart of Shadow] on your runner's bars. Disable the skill and manually use it if you see or hear that your runner is bodyblocked. The teleport is random, so sometimes the runner will get bodyblocked again, but the skill is a useful save. With precise timing, you can even save a runner hexed with Crippling Anguish using Heart of Shadow.

Lord Galdir

Lord Galdir

Academy Page

Join Date: Aug 2005

The Netherlands

P/

It's all about proper flagging really, as stated above me, try texmod.

BuD

BuD

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Mar 2006

Nunya

E/Mo

Quote:
Originally Posted by SurareVaera
[Heart of Shadow] ...... The teleport is random, so sometimes the runner will get bodyblocked again, but the skill is a useful save.
I bring [vipers defense] too incase [heart of shadow] doesnt get me un-body blocked. Usually between the 2 I have no problem getting stuck at the beginning.

Like a few have said before me, flag placement is key, if youre off a little they take a different path & get body blocked/killed.

jhu

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jun 2007

also, make sure you're in normal mode. i've tried doing this in hardmode and failed about 75% of the time.

Dallcingi

Dallcingi

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Nov 2006

USA

The Black Parades [死人死]

Mo/

You can flag the hero to the side so it runs past the monsters then flag it back to the original destination. I do that if the hero gets stuck b/w 2-3 monsters.

Kagawa Kaze

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Jun 2007

USA

Cloisters of Chaos

R/E

I don't consider myself a pro at this...I'm at about 500,000 faction but have done almost all of it HFFF...and occasionally I have the same problem..I went out and "ran" the route with a regular party the other night just to remind myself where the terrain problems were...where a hero could get pinned against a ledge, for example. I learned two things- for both the stair runner and the shore runner, they need to go out right along the edge of the rock wall that sort of "points" to the lake...otherwise they can get pinned against that ledge. Even a slight movement of the flag seemed to affect it.

Also, for the shore runner, instead of going across the water to the shore, apparently he (this is usually Goren) goes inland and runs right by that one Mantid boss mob...and dies there..so I actually flag him a total of 3 times...once "mid lake" another to water right off the shore to make him stay there, and last to the shore.
I think, too, I'm occasionally a little slow on the ole mouse click to reflag my stair runner and for whatever reason that sends them back towards me into trouble.

Just my two cents.