Is 'The Shadow Blades' quest broken?

Numa Pompilius

Numa Pompilius

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: May 2005

At an Insit.. Intis... a house.

Live Forever Or Die Trying [GLHF]

W/Me

Six times in a row I fought my way to the Shadow blades meeting place, where I was supposed to eavesdrop on their meeting. Thing is, every time the Shadow Blades were killed by Afflicted. So I tried lending a hand - picking off the Afflicted - but that automatically fails the quest because I get detected by the Shadow Blades.

I've done this mission two times before, no problem.

So - was The Shadow Blades quest broken in the last update, or have I just been extremely unlucky? Has anyone managed to do this quest in the last few days?

Eclair

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2005

Quote:
Originally Posted by Numa Pompilius
Six times in a row I fought my way to the Shadow blades meeting place, where I was supposed to eavesdrop on their meeting. Thing is, every time the Shadow Blades were killed by Afflicted. So I tried lending a hand - picking off the Afflicted - but that automatically fails the quest because I get detected by the Shadow Blades.

I've done this mission two times before, no problem.

So - was The Shadow Blades quest broken in the last update, or have I just been extremely unlucky? Has anyone managed to do this quest in the last few days? Maybe one of the other quests you have is causing the afflicted to spawn and killing the shadow blades, try doing the other ones first or dropping them.

Rathcail

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jan 2006

If I remember it correctly, those afflicted will spawn always there. I think a group of them jumps out of a hole and wanders off when you get close enough, which would make it a good idea to kill em fast and hope the blades will deal with the few afflicted that make that far.
Some of the key Shadow Blade members are needed to survive to trigger the quest complete, so it's kinda just hoping that the right ones survive the battle.

dustbunny

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Apr 2005

I just did this last night. Had no problems with it. Walked up near the group of shadow blades, got them started, and moved back around the corner while they finished talking. No afflicted came near.

There is an afflicted monk boss Miju or something nearby. Don't go near it. If you do, a bunch of afflicted come out of the hole and start milling around.

lennymon

lennymon

Forge Runner

Join Date: Nov 2005

Seattle

Odin's Hammer [OH] - Servant's of Fortuna [SoF]

R/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Numa Pompilius
Six times in a row I fought my way to the Shadow blades meeting place, where I was supposed to eavesdrop on their meeting. Thing is, every time the Shadow Blades were killed by Afflicted. So I tried lending a hand - picking off the Afflicted - but that automatically fails the quest because I get detected by the Shadow Blades.

I've done this mission two times before, no problem.

So - was The Shadow Blades quest broken in the last update, or have I just been extremely unlucky? Has anyone managed to do this quest in the last few days? I actually did this quest yesterday, I came through the portal and turned left, no afflicted jumped out of the hole. I listened and slaughtered every last one of the scum. Afterwards I went near the hole, still no afflicted. I guess I can't say why there is a difference, but I can say its not impossible since the update. Just me with 7 henches and a pet. I think the afflicted spawn right around the corner from shadow blades doesn't automatically happen, only when you approach the boss.

Raptox

Raptox

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Oct 2005

Huntington Station, NY

Une Annee Sans Lumiere [UASL]

E/Me

Same thing happened to me a bunch of times, Numa. I eventually got lucky and the Shadow Blades beat the Afflicted, and then I was able to eavesdrop.

No, you're not the only one this has happened to, and no, it isn't your fault. It's just another example of terrible mob placement. For this reason alone I completely understand why you've said you're fed up with Factions.

As a helpful hint, try entering The Undercity from the north. You should be able to leave The Marketplace into Bukdek, then make a right, go over a bridge, through some Am Fah, and then make another right. You'll be at a portal to the Undercity WAY closer to the quest place than if you had gone through Wajjun.

Bonus: When you enter the undercity from that direction, keep running till you get to your goal and the peasants won't turn into afflicted until you're beyond them. No fighting in there at all.

labsenpai

labsenpai

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Aug 2005

Mo/E

The Shadow blades are also very close to where "The Challenge" goes down. I tried to do both, but fighting the gangs must've resulted in being noticed. Heck, I might have even killed them by accident there were so many enemies milling around.

I just love how the Afflicted pop up in TEAMS, and the Am Fah patrol the Undercity from end to end...

Commander Ryker

Site Contributor

Join Date: Jun 2005

R/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Numa Pompilius
Six times in a row I fought my way to the Shadow blades meeting place, where I was supposed to eavesdrop on their meeting. Thing is, every time the Shadow Blades were killed by Afflicted. So I tried lending a hand - picking off the Afflicted - but that automatically fails the quest because I get detected by the Shadow Blades.

I've done this mission two times before, no problem.

So - was The Shadow Blades quest broken in the last update, or have I just been extremely unlucky? Has anyone managed to do this quest in the last few days? I was having the same problem and a friend suggested that I start from Viz local as it is a short distance from this quest. I didn't have that so I went to the Marketplace and found a group who was doing, Mayhem in the marketplace (sewers), which is the last part of that quest. That takes you to Viz local. I loaded up henchies, went out and there they were. Finished the quest in a matter of minutes.