UW/ascention once and for all

First off, I will say I tried to search (down), and yes, I have read the FAQ's, and many threads. However, I am still dissatisfied with what I've read. So, if you are just gonna flame, please simply leave instead. Anyone who can provide evidence, or can calmly address this issue is more than welcome to do so, and I will be grateful.

I am referring to the infamous statement that you must be ascended to enter UW/FoW. I have been asking around, and everyone says this is true, but I cannot find a single person in-game who has ever tried it or has legitimate proof.

If memory serves, the Voice of Grenth for UW says that it is recommended that you bring a party of 8 (got this message while solo 55 me/mo) who are ascended. However, it does not say "must", but rather recommend.

Further, I am like 98% sure that I have indeed been to UW while not ascended. With my very first character, before I knew what UW was, I got in with a group. I have never taken a run anywhere, and on this character especially, I did every quest and every mission in order. Thus, I had just gotten to ToA, and was trying to do quests from there. Another player in the group who was not aware of UW either (don't know if ascended or not) talked to Grenth and we were in. It was a beautiful massacre, as you could expect, as soon as another newb talked to the lost spirit.

So my point... I was definitely not ascended, and did get into UW. So my question is.... can anyone prove that I'm just crazy (and no "lolz stupor.. everyone knos u gotta aseded", please)? Was there an update that maybe changed this? Could it be that only the group leader needs to be ascended? Is the whole mandatory ascention just a rumor that no one has tested?

Thanks for the help. I do not have any unascended characters or free slots to test this myself Also, I admit that without a screenie, most of you won't believe me.... as I said, I'm even doubting myself a bit. However, logically, my statement seems accurate, and it's how I remember it. And the reason I don't have a screenie is not that I am trying to hide it, but rather that I was a newb, and didn't even know how to take a screenie, let alone what a great accomplishment this may or may not have been.

Thanks in advance. No this is not an April Fools joke, and please don't flame. I'm just trying to figure this out once and for all.

Tups

You must be ascended to enter UW or FoW. If you are not ascended, you can not enter UW or FoW. These statements are facts. Cold, hard facts.


EDIT: I've tried, both as group leader and not.

When did this happen? Last summer there was an update released that forced charcters to be ascended. Prior to that anyone could get in when their region had favor.

Try it now, the ghost says which member hasn't ascended and won't let the party in.

http://www.guildwars.com/aboutgw/gam...ve-2005-07.php

Update: Wednesday, July 13

• Added party configuration requirement so that parties containing henchmen or unascended players are now prevented from entering the Fissure of Woe and the Underworld.

Thank you for the replies. That must have been the case. While I don't know the exact date, it would have been the middle of last summer. So the confusion in my mind must have been that I did indeed experience this before the update, and that it is now impossible. Thanks again for handling this maturely.