R/Me Solo FoW Forest Farming [video]

SnipiousMax

Perfectly Elocuted

Join Date: Sep 2005

17 Apr 2006 at 04:30 - 161

Quote:

Originally Posted by remmeh

run past 'em... and if you do run past em after crossing over, be sure to account for the shepherd patrol that will come near where the spiders drop :O i've been killed many a time before by those guys... Yea, I forget about them half the time, and they nab me!

Lithium,

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Feb 2006

Tears of Fallen angels

R/Mo

17 Apr 2006 at 10:23 - 162

im confused by all this stuff but i wnna do it, cud anyone go with me for my first try and help with it plz?

Tigers Anger

Academy Page

Join Date: Jan 2006

Master Casters [MC]

R/Me

17 Apr 2006 at 10:33 - 163

k thanks for the help guys

Iskrah

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Mar 2006

SsS

17 Apr 2006 at 15:49 - 164

Thanks for the great work.
Does a Composite/Recurve keeps you out of spell range ?

Valerius

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2005

Canada

17 Apr 2006 at 17:16 - 165

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iskrah

Thanks for the great work.
Does a Composite/Recurve keeps you out of spell range ?

nope... only a Long/Flat bow will keep you out of spell casting range

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lithium,

im confused by all this stuff but i wnna do it, cud anyone go with me for my first try and help with it plz? i'll take you on a run with me if you want... you'll have to die and spec for an hour tho... not really fun imo but if that's what you want msg me ingame

Tuor Son Of Huor

Academy Page

Join Date: Jul 2005

The Final Exodus [FX]

18 Apr 2006 at 05:29 - 166

Excellent Guide! and quite easy to get the hang of: I spend 10K a day on my runs and have managed to get 8 shards

thats not counting all the wonderful gloom seeds that drop!

I've tweaked this a little bit:

TWEAK #1: Attribs:

11 inspiration
13 Wilderness (9 + 4 - supped mask)
9 Expertise (8+1)
9 Marksmanship (8+1)

my health is at 446 after a Major Vigor. Works out great!

TWEAK #2: Strategy

I switch out savage shot for distracting shot - the longer recharge means i have to use it more accurately, but it pays off - A spider without his poison for 30 seconds is nothing. Troll Unguent does great! I find myself wishing i had savage shot for the instances where i miss the healing spring, but I think using the shortbow will counter that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valerius

flatbows and longbows both have the same range... so that is not the problem Flatbows have longer range. try using your precious longbow against 6 spirit shephards. Chain Lighting FTL.

I still have trouble consistantly making it to the right half of the forest - ive tried going in the back way, but it was VERY difficult while fighting 3 rock borers and 4 shephards, followed by 3 spiders. Nasty stuff. and there is a patrol that ALWAYS gets me.

Crossing in front of the skeletals is disastrous 50% of the time, since they like to body block me when i get a conveniently timed lag spike

NOTE: I'd have to try switching out dodge for another skill... I'd probably use savage shot because i like it so much

Across The Battle

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Feb 2006

Jersey

18 Apr 2006 at 05:54 - 167

Ive tried this run a few times before, couldnt get the hang of it, can someone whisper me in game and perhaps show me how to do it?

Look Alive

Academy Page

Join Date: Nov 2005

Guild of Geeks [GoG]

N/Mo

18 Apr 2006 at 11:34 - 168

Quote:

Originally Posted by someone, dont remember

Pretty sure you don't have to change your bow's string from Icy to Fiery, since kindle arrows will already achieve that affect for you Kindle arrows adds fire damage, but it doesnt change ur original damage to fire. Since some of the things u are killing are plants, a fiery bow with a pruning mod owns for instance a dragos flatbows damage.

And flatbow HAS a longer range than longbowm just face it! I tryed doing the run with my fiery longbow of defence instead of dragos, and i ended up getting spammed by all the lightning from the shephards... Stick with flatbow

And btw. A friend of mine said that shards no longer drop without you beeing atleast 2 people in your group! Is that true? that would really ruin the whole point of this farming.

Tiny Killer

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Apr 2006

Oshkosh, WI USA

Exile Champions of Heroic Order [ECHO]

18 Apr 2006 at 12:43 - 169

Thanks, again, for this build. I am really starting to get the hang of it and think this run is a lot of fun. Now I only die when I make a stuipid mistakes...

Quote:

And btw. A friend of mine said that shards no longer drop without you beeing atleast 2 people in your group! Is that true? that would really ruin the whole point of this farming.

NOT true. Just picked up 18 shards today.

Quote:

Crossing in front of the skeletals is disastrous 50% of the time, since they like to body block me when i get a conveniently timed lag spike I found that if you put up TU and PR, then start to run (without Storm Chaser) past the bridge, you can count off the 4 Wild Blows from the skeletons. After the fourth, hit SC and go to the far wall. If you hit SC right away, Wild Blow will end it and you will have a hard time staying alive to get away.

Rustjive

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Feb 2006

18 Apr 2006 at 14:02 - 170

Quote:

Kindle arrows adds fire damage, but it doesnt change ur original damage to fire.

False. Kindle does convert your arrows to fire damage.

It's actually in the skill description:
Quote:

For 24 seconds, your arrows deal fire damage and hit for an additional 3...20 fire damage.

Valerius

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2005

Canada

18 Apr 2006 at 14:40 - 171

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuor Son Of Huor

Flatbows have longer range. try using your precious longbow against 6 spirit shephards.

i have... and haven't noticed a difference... i'll try again later... maybe i'm doing something different iono...

Quote: Originally Posted by Across The Battle Ive tried this run a few times before, couldnt get the hang of it, can someone whisper me in game and perhaps show me how to do it? when America has favour... msg me ingame... i'll take you on a run

Quote:

Originally Posted by Look Alive

Kindle arrows adds fire damage, but it doesnt change ur original damage to fire. i think your thinking of Ignite Arrows cause' Kindle Arrows does change your base dmg to fire

primitiveworker

Academy Page

Join Date: Aug 2005

18 Apr 2006 at 15:47 - 172

I've swapped out Mantra of Lightning for Favorable Winds and now the flatbows really shine. Spiders are incredibly easy to interrupt now--don't even need to think about interrupting healing spring: normal attacking will 90% just naturally hit it.

+6 damage is nice too, and the spirit acts as a bail buffer--if it gets too hot and you run away they usually focus on the spirit if you run past it and it gives you time to regen and collect yourself.

And I took the advice from a few pages ago: open spiders with Poison Arrow followed immediately by Savage Shot and thier Apply Poison is gone. Usually followed by any attack will interrupt the Healing Spring.

Flatbow + FW = win. A lesson learned in the Tombs I guess.

primitiveworker

Academy Page

Join Date: Aug 2005

18 Apr 2006 at 15:54 - 173

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiny Killer

I found that if you put up TU and PR, then start to run (without Storm Chaser) past the bridge, you can count off the 4 Wild Blows from the skeletons. After the fourth, hit SC and go to the far wall. If you hit SC right away, Wild Blow will end it and you will have a hard time staying alive to get away. Excellent advice which has become my standard run now.

I run all the way to the wall, and work my way back towards the bridge puilling spiders back to the wall and taking out that nasty mixed patrol before taking out the other hill near the bridge. I like to finish the run at the alternate entrance to the forest.

SnipiousMax

Perfectly Elocuted

Join Date: Sep 2005

18 Apr 2006 at 21:49 - 174

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuor Son Of Huor

I switch out savage shot for distracting shot - the longer recharge means i have to use it more accurately, but it pays off - A spider without his poison for 30 seconds is nothing. Troll Unguent does great! I find myself wishing i had savage shot for the instances where i miss the healing spring, but I think using the shortbow will counter that.

I bring both, for that reason. It makes the damage dealing a bit slower though...I've been thinking of switching it out in favor of something else lately, because with a short bow you really don't have to worry about missing Healing Spring. You run into problems when two spiders spawn, and you are forced to use a flatbow, but again, with the Refire rate, it should be few and far between that you miss Heal Spring.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuor Son Of Huor

Flatbows have longer range. try using your precious longbow against 6 spirit shephards. Chain Lighting FTL. I used a flatbow up until I invested in my Firey Flatbow of Pruning. I never noticed a difference. I think maybe the Arc of the Flight has something to do with hitting targets that are uphill from you, but I've not had the opportunity to test it.

Primus

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Feb 2006

Xen of Onslaught [XoO]

18 Apr 2006 at 22:10 - 175

Gotta say, great work!! At first it took me about 3 runs to get the hang of it, kept dying at spyders... But all good now.

Got a question for you guys though. I've been going in with Chest run groups, then run off to farm alone. I've had about 14 successfull runs, and have gotten Zero shards or golds..... There are usually 1-2 other people still in the group when I start farming. Should I go in alone to get shards? Does it make any difference at all?

Oh and by the way, if anyone wants to team up to do 2 man runs, whisper me in game

I'm sure it will go alot faster.

Evilsod

Banned

Join Date: Mar 2006

England

Lievs Death Squad [LDS]

18 Apr 2006 at 22:17 - 176

To make the run past the Skeletons safer just don't go near them till your ready. Impalers catching you with that lucky Barbed Trap will end it in seconds. Also lure them with a flat bow (the arc gives you plenty of time) then use Troll Unguent straight away, then just start running past em. You can wait for a few Wild Blows or just hit SC and leg it. Its a bitch though when you reach the other side to agro 3 spiders

I've been thinking about using Distracting Shot to make interrupting Apply Poison easier. Then i figured that if it survived long enough to use it, it would probably surprise me and i'd miss it so still end up poisoned. Also i use Dual Shot + Savage Shot to sorta 'spike' the Spirit Woods and Spirit Shephards. So i'd lose out on plenty of damage there.

It is tempting to bring FW instead of Mantra, but i would still lose out on that much needed energy (don't have a zealous long/flat bow) to spam attack skills.

Wolydarg

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Mar 2006

I Excentrix I [PuNK]

18 Apr 2006 at 22:17 - 177

You're just pretty unlucky I guess. By myself I can get at least 2 shards per clearing of forest, just give it time. One time I've gotten 6 per run, other times I get 2 and a bunch of dust.

Evilsod

Banned

Join Date: Mar 2006

England

Lievs Death Squad [LDS]

18 Apr 2006 at 22:43 - 178

My last run i got nothing, probably becuase i screwed it up big time... the run to the forest went perfectly. Didn't even catch any agro from the first group, was waiting at the ele/mes group to go the skels 60seconds after starting and managed to avoid the skel group without having to lure.

Then after killing the spiders and the patrol i got myself killed vs the 6 shephards thanks to the position detection for GW been uterly shit so i ended up running to the 1 at the back and getting owned....

If i wasn't so prone to mistakes i'd drop Mantra and use FW since i just remembered i can use Storm Chaser for a massive energy bomb every 30 seconds, Mantra seems to keep me alive though against stupid mistakes

remmeh

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Nov 2005

Apathy Inc [AI]

R/Mo

18 Apr 2006 at 23:55 - 179

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evilsod

yeah, the forest enemy positioning system is really, really lagged... i have no idea why.

if you clear the forest completely, you should be getting 3k+ in drops alone if you merch everything

prodikal

Academy Page

Join Date: Mar 2006

19 Apr 2006 at 02:32 - 180

God's Will

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Apr 2005

Rogues of Bastion

R/E

19 Apr 2006 at 02:37 - 181

I doubt it. It may do about half damage but unless you spike them somehow I doubt youll be able to get them that way.

LoKi Foxfire

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Apr 2005

Florida

One Corgi Army {OCA}

R/Rt

19 Apr 2006 at 03:03 - 182

I'll agree with others using Distracting Shot instead of Savage Shot. I've been using it for a while now. The recharge time is moot point since the only skills you need it to interrupt it are Apply Poison and TU. It's good for the times when the positioning is off and you got one Chain Lightning coming in.

Valerius

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2005

Canada

19 Apr 2006 at 05:19 - 183

yeah i've actually dropped Savage Shot for Distracting Shot as well... it helps a lot when fighting Spiders at Flatbow range... cause' you can start the battle off as PA {E} + DS (interupts AP) + normal shot (interupts HS)... now you have an easy battle

Quote:

Originally Posted by prodikal

I was curious, about dropping one of the Run Skills for something like Flame Trap, lay as many as you can b4 they start going off and try to pull bersekers thru it. Anyone think this could kill em? Worst case run, they break aggro fairly quick. you should only have one running skill in the first place imo... drop Dodge (assuming your using SC and Dodge...) for Dual Shot... it makes the run go a lot faster

jimmyhats

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jul 2005

boston o.o

Pros At Inactivity [bleh]

19 Apr 2006 at 10:11 - 184

) ... silly quest reward items xD

remmeh

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Nov 2005

Apathy Inc [AI]

R/Mo

19 Apr 2006 at 12:09 - 185

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmyhats

) ... silly quest reward items xD yup. in fact... there's a lot about this build that isn't rigid. so feel free to modify it as you wish.

Evilsod

Banned

Join Date: Mar 2006

England

Lievs Death Squad [LDS]

19 Apr 2006 at 15:43 - 186

I don't see why you would need 2 running skills. I do fine using just 1 19second Storm Chaser. Never failed the run yet, came fairly close a few times luring the skeleton group.

My best shard drops in a single run so far was 5. My worst for a full run was 0. Not a single shard dropped when 2 of us went to piss around, yet they drop when you go alone...

primitiveworker

Academy Page

Join Date: Aug 2005

19 Apr 2006 at 20:36 - 187

Another plus of Distracting Shot is that it's cheaper to cast. There have been times when I couldn't get Savage off in time because I didn't have the energy.

In case anyone cares, here's my current build:
Poison Arrow {E} - 21 seconds
Dual Shot
Distracting Shot
Kindle Arrows - 25 fire damage
Storm Chaser - 21 seconds +5 energy
Troll Ungent - +10 pips
Favorable Winds - 102 seconds
Physical Resistance - 58 seconds

Wilderness Survival 12 + 3 + 1
Expertise 8 + 1
Marksmanship 8 + 1
Inspiration 7

Studded Leather Armor
Victo's Battle Axe and Crimson Carapace Shield (running to the forest)
Drago's Sundering Flatbow (forest)

I most often get only 2 shards per run, but there's usually a nice gold item or some obsidian keys. Not to mention all the semi-decent crap I can give to my other characters and give away. And it's way more fun and engaging to farm here than anywhere else I've tried. I'll have that Obsidian Armor yet!

Thanks to remmeh and LAMS3K and everyone else's awesome work on this.

DarthLasing

Academy Page

Join Date: Feb 2006

Looking for One

20 Apr 2006 at 01:16 - 188

hmm this build makes me want to not be a r/rt for factions, but be a r/me.. hmmm
this build owns, and i need to be a ranger because of it
thanks for making a video so i could see how

sky the unstopable

Academy Page

Join Date: Jan 2006

radicals agianst tyrants

R/Mo

20 Apr 2006 at 03:44 - 189

ok first off you all *points upwards* kick ass. this is so much fun. ive never cleared the forest ( i got killed running by the bridge) after ~8-9 runs (im a sucky runner so the first 4 were trying to get there). the best part was using all the gold i had in my invintory (about 7k) to fuel my fow addiction. i ran like a punk and died a bunch of times. i forgot about going with chest groups so i was down to say 2k before i actualy made it to the forest and killed some stuff. then i could not figure out how to pull apart 2 spiders at the first spider spawn (still cant really) and died. with my last 1k i went in and cleared the first part (before you take your first turn left) and had 3 obs shards drop. sold for a quick 12k and am now waiting for favor.

so ya that is my one problem i cant pull apart spiders. if any one has a really usefull tip that would be much appreciated.

i watched the 2 vids and they both rocked. i love the music (especialy the first song on the killing vid).

the absolute best part is telling the people in my guild that i just soloed the fow with my ranger and them being like NO WAY!

-sky

prencher

Academy Page

Join Date: Nov 2005

20 Apr 2006 at 04:36 - 190

"so ya that is my one problem i cant pull apart spiders. if any one has a really usefull tip that would be much appreciated."

I second that.. Any way to do it when you can't (ab)use terrain glitches? Sometimes I've gotten 2 or 3 spiders popup in a location I just couldn't get past, as running would just get me straight into another group.

Valerius

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2005

Canada

20 Apr 2006 at 06:20 - 191

it's not that hard imo... say you have two spiders right next to each other... aggro them both... then sloowwwllyyy walk back... eventually one *should* head back while the other will stay and fight

remmeh

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Nov 2005

Apathy Inc [AI]

R/Mo

20 Apr 2006 at 11:35 - 192

i plink one with a flatbow and then run away. takes a few tries.

Wolydarg

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Mar 2006

I Excentrix I [PuNK]

20 Apr 2006 at 12:55 - 193

I've had a few spawns lately of spiders that were on each other. Like one spider's head would be in the stomach of the other spider. At which point it's a trip to the other forest entrance or just re-entering if I already got the chest in the area.

Can't manage to pull the 2 spiders apart when they're like that. and I hate dying to those spiders.

Valerius

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2005

Canada

20 Apr 2006 at 14:31 - 194

Quote:

Can't manage to pull the 2 spiders apart when they're like that. and I hate dying to those spiders. when that happens... you usually have to try to fight them on higher ground... so one of the spiders will have to come in closer to hit you... and the other should head back... just try to keep up TU and if you go down to 1/4th HP make a run then try again

SnipiousMax

Perfectly Elocuted

Join Date: Sep 2005

20 Apr 2006 at 15:37 - 195

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valerius

it's not that hard imo... say you have two spiders right next to each other... aggro them both... then sloowwwllyyy walk back... eventually one *should* head back while the other will stay and fight I've got this to work on the shepards as well. If I see them start casting if I walk backwards, they get to where they start wanding again.

Huntmaster

Banned

Join Date: Jan 2006

I is not canadien

Guillotine Tactics [GanK]

22 Apr 2006 at 00:31 - 196

It seems that we've killed my "Hitch a ride on a chest run" idea for a fast easy run to the forest.. Every chest group i've tried joining today has denied me.

Looks like i'll have to start forking out 1k again.

remmeh

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Nov 2005

Apathy Inc [AI]

R/Mo

22 Apr 2006 at 01:18 - 197

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huntmaster

It seems that we've killed my "Hitch a ride on a chest run" idea for a fast easy run to the forest.. Every chest group i've tried joining today has denied me.

Looks like i'll have to start forking out 1k again. haha! that's when you know you're [in]famous

T1Cybernetic

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Sep 2005

Wakefield, West Yorkshire, Uk, Nr Earth

Alternate Evil Gamers [aeg]

22 Apr 2006 at 05:17 - 198

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huntmaster

It seems that we've killed my "Hitch a ride on a chest run" idea for a fast easy run to the forest.. Every chest group i've tried joining today has denied me.

Looks like i'll have to start forking out 1k again. If only i managed to hitch a ride just once, that would have been great,

.
instead i have been denied every group i tried to get into because i have
a big ass /Me after my name seems to put people off a bit,

.

Exactly the same for when i try to get into a group with my "ahem" W/Me.
Seems to me that mesmers dont get no love if you know what i mean,

.

Oh well, the 1k admission aint gonna be breaking my bank,

thanks to remmeh
for really clearing up a few things and speeding up my fissure runs /Bow...

remmeh

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Nov 2005

Apathy Inc [AI]

R/Mo

22 Apr 2006 at 05:58 - 199

Quote:

Originally Posted by T1Cybernetic

If only i managed to hitch a ride just once, that would have been great,

.
instead i have been denied every group i tried to get into because i have
a big ass /Me after my name seems to put people off a bit,

.

Exactly the same for when i try to get into a group with my "ahem" W/Me.
Seems to me that mesmers dont get no love if you know what i mean,

.

Oh well, the 1k admission aint gonna be breaking my bank,

thanks to remmeh
for really clearing up a few things and speeding up my fissure runs /Bow... wow. that bad huh.

Sir Mad

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2006

Moe's Pub

Pigs Can Fly [Pigs]

22 Apr 2006 at 12:48 - 200

Quote:

so this part of the discussion kinda got dropped, but i wanted to mention this... the -2 stance "longbow" IS in fact a recurve class bow (ive also found that once youre fairly well practiced at the techniques, you dont really need it ) ... silly quest reward items xD Yup. Another oddity: dyes dont have the same effect than an a normal feathered longbow; I've tried an orange dye and it made it... bright green (very nice... but not orange)

Just one question: do you rekon an elbon long/flatbow would do extra damage on spirit shepherds? I haven't tried this (no elbon bow with a low req

).

PS: great build - there are so many rangers in fow now thanks to it (I'm glad to have bought a +20 prunning grip before the popularity of this build dramatically increase the price btw