From Ascalon City to Frontier Gate? How?

Perhaps I am asking for a bit of a spoiler here, but is there a way to go more or less directly from Ascalon City to the Frontier Gate (via the great northern wall, for example)?

Why I am asking out of rather humorous desperation: Not having looked at any of the area maps posted on the internet, and not having found any obvious way leading northeast from Ascalon City, I fought my way on two separate evenings from Fort Ranik up to the location for the Fires in the East quest. Both times alone as level 10 mesmer/ranger. I made it half way the first night before giving up, but then made it all the way last night. Having died 3 or 4 times along the way, though, I didn't have enough life left to finish the quest.

Well, the funny but sad story is that I didn't realize that there were two outposts along the way! Since I didn't go into either of them (Serenity Temple and Frontier Gate) I can't just transport myself there, and I really don't feel like fighting my way through this long long journey once again.

So is it possible to get there by going directly northeast from Ascalon City? Can someone point out the path?

Thanks!

Probably the easiest way to get to the Frontier gate is to do the missions instead of traveling through the explorable areas. The Great Northern Gate mission will leave you in Fort Ranik and the Fort Ranik mission will leave you at Frontier Gate. Each of the missions will take 30 to 45 minutes depending on how fast you like to play. Neither are particularly difficult and the 1000 Experience and a Skill Point make them very attractive to complete. There is also an extra 1000 experience available if you complete the Bonus for each.

Hi and thanks for the tip! Since I mostly have been playing alone and sort of trying to get the feel of the game, I didn't do any of the missions, since I thought they sounded a bit advanced! But ok, sounds like it is the thing I should try next!

Thanks for the tip.

But I am sort of curious if there is a way to "go on foot" northeast from Ascalon City. I've tried to find a way several times, but haven't found it yet.

- steve

Try the Community Works section of this website. In particular the maps. I think you're asking if you can walk completely around Ascalon City and the simple answer is no.

The missions are the best way to travel from area to area in the world of Tyria. It's basically the easiest way to get to new areas for exploration. Personally I find them easier than running around in the explorable areas. At least early in the game. Use them to move yourself around then explore to your hearts content.

There is no exit northeast of Ascalon City except for The Great Northern Wall. The only way to get to Frontier Gate is: Ascalon City -> Old Ascalon -> Regent Valley -> Pockmark Flats -> Eastern Frontier -> Frontier Gate. You can see a map of the region here.

coolsti: When I first played the game I did the same as you: I explored and did quests. I reached Frontier Gate without having played The Great Northern Wall or Fort Ranik mission. Actually, at that time I hadn't grasped yet how to START a mission, LOL. Somehow that little "start mission" in the party window didn't catch my eye.

Like kaheiyeh said: There is no exit from Ascalon City in northern or eastern direction, except The Great Northern Wall mission.

Hi and thanks everyone!

to kaheiye, yeps, this is the long long long path that I am now all too aware of ;-). It is kind of neat finding the way with no maps and no guides, actually. But after doing it twice, well, would be nice to take the airplane next time.

And to Tetris L., yeps, this might be the typical way a newby plays. Actually I was getting quite frustrated in that this part of the game seemed all too difficult (ok, its my fault, I am going out on these quests completely alone instead of in a group) but now I can see there is a way to at least get closer to the location of these quests.

At least now I will stop trying to find that non-existant path around Ascalon.

- steve

coolsti, when you say you are doing things alone, do you mean completely alone or with henchmen? If you are completely alone, I recommend clicking on some henchmen (alesia, orion, stephan, and some archer whos name escapes me). They will make life a lot easier for you. This is a team game but if you don't want other human players these henchmen are computer controlled and ready and willing to take damage for you.

30 to 45 mins to do each Northern Wall and Fort Ranik mission? You can do it in about 10 mins if you don't bother with every little side detail.

Perhaps, but where's the fun in that for a first time player.

As others have so adequately whined about: Some feel the game has less appeal once you've played through it the first time. So saying, there is great joy for the first timer in completing all quests and exploring every virtual nook and cranny.

Hi Lost,

yes, I use henchmen occasionally. Mostly the healer (since my character is mesmer/ranger). But I have also been trying it on my own a lot since my healer tends to die pretty often and when she is alive I need to share the drops with her.

Regarding game appeal as a newby: Yes, for the first time every quest and every minute detail is more exciting. That's why I liked to explore the surroundings once (maybe twice) without a map or clue. Its also why I prefer to slowly find things and buy things rather than getting a lot of high level stuff from others.

Since I am rather new and not a very aggressive player (like to do things at my own pace in a relaxed way) I haven't tried to team up with a human player yet, except for the one pre-searing quest where it was needed. And that was a bit unpleasant.

Thanks again for all the tips.

If you don't bother with every little side detail (and use the help of a few rushers) you can probably beat the whole game in less than 15 hrs. But what's the fun in that?

Spellcasters don't have a lot of armor, so it might be better to take a full group of henchies, if you're going without other human players. And slow and relaxed is the way to go with henchies, as you don't want to take on too many monsters at once.

Did the Fort mission last night, on my own since apparently you can't take henchmen with you on missions. Took a heck of a lot longer than 30 minutes! Only thing my mesmer/ranger couldn't do was the side quest to rescue the captive. I had nothing equipped that could prevent the two guards from healing themselves quicker than I could damage them.

Basically I am doing fine so far alone or with the healer henchman.

Who says you can't take henchies on missions? I've always used henchies. The More difficult missions later in the game are difficult (read next to impossible) with henchies but you can still try!

Hi Auntie,

maybe it was my mistake? I tried to enter the Fort Ranik mission, was warned that it was a mission for 4 and I was alone. So I cancelled, hired two of the henchmen, and then clicked on mission again, but my henchmen did not get to come along with me.

So I just assumed that it was not possible. Maybe I am wrong?

Must've been a glitch. I've done all the missions up to The Wilds with Henchies only. I've done most of the ones after with henchies too. (It just happened that a couple of friends asked for some help and I haven't gone back to The Wilds to see if it can be done with just Henchies).
It's weird that the henchies didn't follow you into the mission. This game is just not doable solo, you have to have help even if it is just the henchies.

Ok, must have been a glitch. It is nice to know! It is really a tough game with no help, but I am managing so far. The combination of a level 11 pet and the 4 mesmer spells (one that steals energy, one that heals, one that gives damage, and one that gives damage when the enemy gives damage) have gotten me through so far. But its a bit boring - playing alone makes it tough to use marksmanship.

But using the warrior henchman seems not so good. He just jumps in the middle of an impossibly large amount of enemies!

Coolsti,
I really recommend that you try playing with other people. It adds a dimension to the game. Yes, you will get players doing stupid things, just don't take it too seriously. I'm including the basic mission list for you, so that you have some idea where you are in the game. There's lots to do besides the missions though. I'll leave you discover that on your own.
# Mission Name
1 Great Northern Wall
2 Fort Ranik
3 Ruins of Surmia
4 Nolani Academy
5 Borlis Pass
6 The Frost Gate
7 Gates of Kryta
8 D'Alessio Seaboard
9 Divinity Coast
10 The Wilds
11 Bloodstone Fen
12 Aurora Glade
13 Riverside Province
14 Sanctum Cay
15 Dunes of Despair
16 Thirsty River
17 Elona's Reach
18 Augury Rock (Ascension)
19 Dragon's Lair
20 Ice Caves of Sorrow
21 Iron Mines of Moladune
22 Thunderhead Keep
23 Ring of Fire
24 Adandon's Mouth
25 Hell's Precipice