Elona Reach [SPOILER]

Finally, after 3 nights and many, many attempts I have conquered Elona Reach with just henchies . No great achievement for many, perhaps, but for me a divorce-avoiding event as I can now spend some quality time with the wife and sprog!

For those that want to know:

Henchies - Healer, Protector, Brawler, Fighter, Archer. Me - lvl20 W/N.

Starting from when countdown begins (ie after 1st crystal delivered). Go though gate to SE and kill first patrol coming from left (always kill in order - Sage, caster, swords/bows). Go right and head for mountain in the West - you can avoid all other patrols at this time by being careful. There is a path which runs around the back of the mountain from left (as you look at it) to right - follow the path. There is a splinter mine at the end an another patrol just around the corner to the right. Take out this patrol. You may see another patrol going top left to bottom right of the mini map. Take this one out if convenient.

Head NW down slope and take out patrol at the bottom on the right. Then go left and take out Boss and two swords.

Go West, past where Boss was, avoiding other patrols - you will see crystal ahead with another boss and two swords next to it. Kill enemies and take crystal then retrace your footsteps - you should be able to avoid all other patrols.

Having delivered crystal, go back through southern gate and head to start of same path by western mountain. This time turn left back on yourself to southern camp. One patrol comes out of the camp towards you position. ry to tempt it further out of the camp by overlapping you awareness circle then kill all members.

Head into camp keeping to right hand side - there is a palisade shelter there from which you will be hit by baddies but keep going. Avoid the boss on your left by the bridge and turn right as soon as you can (by splinter mine) into palisade to kill the patrol in there.

Leave the palisade and turn right (south) again. There is one more patrol up here. Wait until it comes to you, away from any other baddies, and take it out.

Now, to your East is the crystal, plus boss and two baddies. As for other crystal kill the boss & baddies then pick up the crystal and retrace your steps avoiding all other patrols.

Carefully positioning your team and waiting for patrols to move to where you want them so that you only engage one patrol at a time is the key to this mission.

I still had 9 minutes left so there's plenty of time to be patient.

And keep trying - it feels great when you finally do it!

Now off to Thirsty River ...

um...was it really necessary to post this twice? or was this just an accident?

Just an accident ... computer crashed during first posting

I did it with henchies and a wa/mo. I found that running succor on both monks really made them more effective. It was still tough and the route to the 3rd crystal is hard as the boss group + patrol always seem to engage. All the henchies died in that battle but I prevailed once they were rezed.

Time was running out so I ended up just grabbing the last crystal and running for the hero, hoping the henchies would mainly be targeted and slow down the pursuing enemies. Made it back with just under 3 minutes on the clock.

Couldn't get my little R/Mo through Elona using henchmen until I left the tanks at home, then it was easy. Same thing at Thirsty. All in the configuration, I guess.

The original post is funny to me, because my experience has been the opposite - if I don't take henchmen and try to complete this mission with people, it will wind up taking me three days.

People often screw this mission up by trying to run the crystals, run past the early minotaurs, etc. I tried henchmen out of desperation one day and got much further than I usually do with people, and succeeded on my second attempt. Ever since I always use henchmen and get passed this mission and on with my ascension on my first attempt.

I've done it with a necro, ranger, and warrior, and I always use the same config of henchmen I do for any other mission, so I don't think any of that info is necessary. The important things are to always make sure you only fight one group of monsters at the same time (usually they in are sets of three on this mission - just be patient and watchful of your aggro bubble.) And don't let the time scare you into hurrying or running - it's hard to resist, but I normally finish with 8-10 minutes with henchmen.

I strongly advise everyone to try this mission with henchmen, follow my advice, and see how much further you get than with your average group of people at elona reach.

After many deaths, my elementalist finally did it as well. Slow, and agonizing, at the end I had only 2 minutes to spare... whew.