If I can get each patrol in that situation, it'll take less than a minute to kill 3 driftwood.
I smack them one at a time. I've found that it's slightly faster with the axe build; the whole pack drops in 45 seconds or so.
Quote:
Dryders are about 20 seconds each, as they usually die by the time a second Final Thurst fills (1.33 attack speed, 33% faster attack, 2x Final = 20 adrenaline, Hundred Blades every 8 seconds to compensate for Galrath stealing a strike from Final Thrust).
I throw up Phys Res to knock off the first Wastrel's as I charge in. I'm running to aggro the ACSs when it starts flashing. As I only have 2 in Inspiration, that means it takes me less than 34 seconds to kill a Dryder. Probably more than 20, though - more like 25-28.
21 Mar 2006 at 03:49 - 925
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jedit
OK, this is where I'm losing time. For some reason it takes me about 40 minutes. This is weird, as I'm not malingering.
That's why I don't run the cave anymore. I just kill the DWs on the beach, and agro all the spiders outside the front of the cave and kill them my fast way, and rezone and try again. The real prize are the DWs, because they can drop rubies and shappires among other things - and mainly, I think their drop possibilities are a whole lot better than the spiders (4 piles of glittering dust, corrosive leg, shard, shadow [whatever], maybe a purple or gold rarely).
From the point of the cave until the end, you are spending a lot of time in there no matter how you slice or dice it. I usually pull the dryder and kill it. Agro the first 3 so they drop in a bunch, and the second 3. Whole process takes way too long for the prize outcome, for my tastes. DWs are the ones I am after. Not to mention their death cries is music to my ears. After doing this run so many times you get sick of spiders.
-XGZ
21 Mar 2006 at 04:20 - 926
I've found that if I enter FoW twice in a row, the drops seriously suffer the second time around. Hence the reason why I clear the entire cave. It may take that extra time, but usually that's where a few of the shards drop not to mention a better chance of finding chests.
21 Mar 2006 at 06:56 - 927
It's definitely random. Usually my first runs yield very little, while on my next run I get the good stuff. I remember it distinctively because it was a 2nd run through, was when I found my first Saphire. If I'm getting shards and other good stuff from the Snarling Driftwoods, that is when I think about how much time I have and whether I should clear the cave. We've all experience long FoW runs (in groups with other people) where we don't seem to be getting anything, and others are having all the good drops. If I'm on a good run with the DWs, I may take my chances with the spiders, or else I will re-map.
It's my personal preference.
-XGZ
21 Mar 2006 at 12:41 - 928
Quote:
Originally Posted by XeNoGeArZ
That's why I don't run the cave anymore. I just kill the DWs on the beach, and agro all the spiders outside the front of the cave and kill them my fast way, and rezone and try again. The real prize are the DWs, because they can drop rubies and shappires among other things
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I've had two rubies and one sapphire drop. Only one of the rubies came from a Driftwood; the other ruby I got in the cave, and the sapphire from the cavemouth gang.
Quote:
- and mainly, I think their drop possibilities are a whole lot better than the spiders (4 piles of glittering dust, corrosive leg, shard, shadow [whatever], maybe a purple or gold rarely).
As opposed to 4 piles of dust, Gloom Seed, Shard, shadow [whatever], maybe a purple or gold rarely?
Besides, I run FoW for the Shards. It's where the profit is; any golds are just gravy.
21 Mar 2006 at 14:34 - 929
am i the only one that has been getting 0-1 shard lately?
21 Mar 2006 at 14:38 - 930
Drift woods are better then spiders
killed 9 driftwoods on my way there and got 3 shards
cleared the cave of spider and got none.
21 Mar 2006 at 17:29 - 931
I have had mixed results with Driftwoods & SPiders with the shards. Drops are still going great. Just wish could find a way to stand up against the Skales when need be. Dont want to fight them on a normal basis but sometimes you almost have no choice.
Tried the W/Me build. Not sure I like it. Whenever I would use Physical Resistance it worked fine, but if I used Flurry while PR was up it would pull it down. Didnt realize this happened at first until I noticed I was taking a lot of damage.
For now I will stick with the original build.
Again Thanks for the info!
21 Mar 2006 at 17:41 - 932
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cerulean Niteshadow
Tried the W/Me build. Not sure I like it. Whenever I would use Physical Resistance it worked fine, but if I used Flurry while PR was up it would pull it down. Didnt realize this happened at first until I noticed I was taking a lot of damage.
flurry and pr are both stances. you can only have one stance up at a time, which is why flurry will cancel pr.
21 Mar 2006 at 18:21 - 933
Using the axe build I managed to run this in about 30 minutes last night. I basically did the starting run, avoided all dryders I could, leroyed one group of driftwoods and longbowed the second then killed when swarmed, ran to next group repeat.
Pull all three dryders at once at spider cave, then group all the spiders you can with herding and unload with cyclone axe. Round up rest and repeat. Then for the cave, I leroyed through the cave for aggroing all the spiders I could, then picked off the dryders one by one, to allow me to give all the cave spiders in two big groups.
You cut some time off, but give up safe spots, as the entire spider cave will be done with aggro, and aggroing all at the beach start is rough too. It can be done, but you must always watch stances.
Not sure if I will do it this way again, as it does involve some risk. Lag spike could mean game over if it is at a bad time, and it is 20 minutes or so of constant aggro.
21 Mar 2006 at 21:46 - 934
My last run thru only yielded 1 shard, and purple req. 13 shadow blade, I
have never gotten a good drop off a Dryder spider, anyone else ??
For troubles with the spawns and particularly the first group of DW, I like
to make sure to keep them up hill of me, so if the shadow patrol does come
a little early I can back down the hill and keep safe, it does not matter if
the Dryder aggros, but if the shadows push me down into the scales I
usually turn and sprint back up the hill the way I came in next to the big
safe rock spire, then wait for them to leave and re-enter, only twice was I
able to sprint by the ACs with the shadow army in hot pursuit, but when I
made it, it felt good.
21 Mar 2006 at 21:50 - 935
I get good drops off of everything i kill, i feel it is all about equal.
Last night I got 1 shard from driftwood 1 from dryder and died at the cave..
Its all random..just dont over farm..switch it up fow and uw every now and then will ya :-p
21 Mar 2006 at 21:56 - 936
Quote:
Originally Posted by SirShadowrunner
My last run thru only yielded 1 shard, and purple req. 13 shadow blade, I
have never gotten a good drop off a Dryder spider, anyone else ??
For troubles with the spawns and particularly the first group of DW, I like
to make sure to keep them up hill of me, so if the shadow patrol does come
a little early I can back down the hill and keep safe, it does not matter if
the Dryder aggros, but if the shadows push me down into the scales I
usually turn and sprint back up the hill the way I came in next to the big
safe rock spire, then wait for them to leave and re-enter, only twice was I
able to sprint by the ACs with the shadow army in hot pursuit, but when I
made it, it felt good.
My best run as of lately:
One Shard: Driftwood
One Rare Chaos axe: Dryder. The Chaos Axe sucked, but guess what? 30 HP Pommel WooT!
One 13% Stance Req 8 Shadow Blade: Chest
Two Shards: ACS
One spectacular death: Running into the mouth of the Infernal Drakes/Wurms.
21 Mar 2006 at 22:53 - 937
If you are going down there and repeatedly clearing everything 10 times a day dont expect to get any good drops. I tend not to go down there more than 2-3 times a day.
Best run so far: 5 shards, 3 gold items (2 from chests), a black dye, and an obsidian key. Not a bad days work imo 
22 Mar 2006 at 06:19 - 938
my best shardrun was 8 4 before even getting to the cave, but it equalled out in the end after the next 2 runs were dry 
22 Mar 2006 at 06:43 - 939
Apparently this has turned into a best run thread..
Mine would be either 4 shards and 1 shadowblade 15 stanced :-D
or 6 shards was kinda nice...
But tonight when i went to FoW i forgot to bring fur to craft my helm.. I will never live that down
Almost 1000 posts on this topic. All praise Racthoh
22 Mar 2006 at 06:51 - 940
Quote:
Originally Posted by Across The Battle
Apparently this has turned into a best run thread..
If the thread could steer away from this that would be great. It is always nice to hear the positive feedback, but given the length of the thread I'd rather that those who are just discovering it won't have to, in the future, go through pages of information that won't aid them in anyway.
Brag if you must, but please add a sidenote of additional information to provide some constructive discussion.
22 Mar 2006 at 08:04 - 941
I'm finding that the first sets of skales are 'patroling' towards you.
Trying to avoid both of the patrols ended up with me getting aggroed by both of them.
So I'm finding it better to lead a shadowarmy patrol (prefer a warrior/monk combo) into the first group of skales, as they will happily wipe the sobs out, then wander back to were they came.
This is a little tricky but ultimately gives you breathing room when the next patrol decides to randomley walk across half the map to were you happen to be...
22 Mar 2006 at 08:36 - 942
Google finally approved the video. So here it is in its entirity:
FoW Spider Run
A few notes:
Ever since the sound update for the game, my computer chugs while using Fraps, so I had to do a lot of reduction on resolution and texture detail while recording it. Even so, the game was still only running at 10 frames per second, so it took a lot longer than it should have. Actual time was about 45 minutes, but I increased the speed on the video for the last portion of it, so its only about 33 minutes long.
I ran the W/Me build that has become popular in this thread. Skills used were Cyclone Axe, Eviscerate, Executioners Strike, Wild Blow, Watch Yourself!, Physical Resistance, Healing Signet, Sprint.
I actually failed the first two runs due to the low framerate during recording, and each time the ancient skales were set up different, so I could possibly put those up just as guides if anyone wants.
22 Mar 2006 at 11:50 - 943
Quote:
Originally Posted by SecUnder
A few notes:
Ever since the sound update for the game, my computer chugs while using Fraps, so I had to do a lot of reduction on resolution and texture detail while recording it. Even so, the game was still only running at 10 frames per second, so it took a lot longer than it should have. Actual time was about 45 minutes, but I increased the speed on the video for the last portion of it, so its only about 33 minutes long.
Sorry, but I didn't find this video particularly useful. The altered timing leaves me unable to work out how much faster your build is, and the resolution is so low that a newbie will be unable to read your skills and equipment. Thanks for the attempt, though.
One other comment I have to make is that you used WY! against Driftwoods. You don't - or shouldn't - need to use it against Driftwoods, as Phys Res alone zeros the damage. This is slowing down your killing time a bit.
I'm also dubious about Wild Blow/Exe/Eviscerate, as while it has benefits against ACSs it leaves you with no spammable skills to use against Dryders. I've been experimenting with Thrill of Victory in place of Exe's Strike, as it can be used slightly more often and I wasn't running into energy problems. Combined with Cleave and Penetrating Blow it means you can use a special attack nearly every time you swing.
22 Mar 2006 at 20:04 - 944
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jedit
Sorry, but I didn't find this video particularly useful. The altered timing leaves me unable to work out how much faster your build is, and the resolution is so low that a newbie will be unable to read your skills and equipment. Thanks for the attempt, though.
One other comment I have to make is that you used WY! against Driftwoods. You don't - or shouldn't - need to use it against Driftwoods, as Phys Res alone zeros the damage. This is slowing down your killing time a bit.
I'm also dubious about Wild Blow/Exe/Eviscerate, as while it has benefits against ACSs it leaves you with no spammable skills to use against Dryders. I've been experimenting with Thrill of Victory in place of Exe's Strike, as it can be used slightly more often and I wasn't running into energy problems. Combined with Cleave and Penetrating Blow it means you can use a special attack nearly every time you swing.
I'm sorry you didnt find the video particularly useful, I'm sure others that are having trouble with the run will. I posted the skills I ran, and the equipment has been discussed multiple times in this thread, so there should be no problem there. As for the resolution, I posted my reason.
As for how fast my build is, that wasn't what this video was for, and I have already stated the problems against judging the time on this video as well (fraps reduced framerate).
As for the watch yourself comment, thanks for the nitpick.
About the combo vs a spammable skill against the driders... what? Cyclone Axe and WY! by themselves provide as much spam as I need vs driders. The debate between eviscerate and cleave has been beat into the ground, and eviscerate wins every time. Cleave has been proven to be less efficient on a per adrenaline basis, and proven moreso the more adrenaline based skills you have. With the build I run, vs the mass of spiders at the cave, eviscerate+ executioners is recharged every cyclone, and that my friend is god.
I recently found out that it is possible to run -nosound on guildwars, I am going to see if this gives me a better FPS with fraps, if so, I will record a better video.
23 Mar 2006 at 02:36 - 945
I tried this for the first time last night, using the skillbar and attributes in the OP except for Grenth's Balance instead of Hundred Blades (Blades is the only elite that character needs).
I can take down the Driftwoods and Driders fine, although it definitely takes a lot of eyeing the compass to make sure no Skales wander in- I had a couple panicked moments where I had to run for my life, that's how I died on my first run. My second run I got 2 obsidian shards (in a row, off of a mob of Driftwood), and made it all the way down to the waterfall. Unfortunately, I don't seem to be too skilled at pulling spiders yet- I usually pull far too many and getting hit with more damage than I can heal. And the fact that I sometimes have to flee with Dolyaks still on me doesn't help.
Ah well, those shards gave me the cash for a few more free runs. Practice makes perfect.
One thing- at the canyon to the beach where the first mob of Driftwoods are, I got attacked by a wandering Shadow patrol. I ran down the hill, the Shadows attacked and killed the Dryder in my way, and then just stood there, leaving me trapped between them and a Skale mob with only pixels of breathing room. I tried to flee but failed- any suggestions on how to avoid this problem in the future?
23 Mar 2006 at 05:19 - 946
The first Driftwood patrol you meet, run just past them so your aggro bubble just barely grazes the edge of that Dryders patrol path. The Shadows should stop just short of you if you get close enough to the Dryder without pissing him off.
23 Mar 2006 at 05:35 - 947
so does everyone get one drop for each monster killed (gold, gloom seed, etc) b/c i dont..
only reason i brought this up is b/c i was watching my guildie do it
seemed simple enough, he gets something to drop everytime he kills something... but i try it and nothing
maybe its just bad luck
23 Mar 2006 at 05:41 - 948
There is definetly luck involved. Also remember not to over farm. Your drop rate should will improve if you do this at most three times a day. Anything after that is just garbage...
23 Mar 2006 at 06:25 - 949
Quote:
Originally Posted by Torric Icefist
There is definetly luck involved. Also remember not to over farm. Your drop rate should will improve if you do this at most three times a day. Anything after that is just garbage...
Not entirely true, I got this axe (which is on auction btw):
This Bow:
And a 15^50 righteous mall all within a 4 day period, overfarming like crazy. Still getting up to 6 shards a run too, although not all the time.
23 Mar 2006 at 08:28 - 950
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scutilla
I tried this for the first time last night, using the skillbar and attributes in the OP except for Grenth's Balance instead of Hundred Blades (Blades is the only elite that character needs).
I can take down the Driftwoods and Driders fine, although it definitely takes a lot of eyeing the compass to make sure no Skales wander in- I had a couple panicked moments where I had to run for my life, that's how I died on my first run. My second run I got 2 obsidian shards (in a row, off of a mob of Driftwood), and made it all the way down to the waterfall. Unfortunately, I don't seem to be too skilled at pulling spiders yet- I usually pull far too many and getting hit with more damage than I can heal. And the fact that I sometimes have to flee with Dolyaks still on me doesn't help.
Ah well, those shards gave me the cash for a few more free runs. Practice makes perfect.
One thing- at the canyon to the beach where the first mob of Driftwoods are, I got attacked by a wandering Shadow patrol. I ran down the hill, the Shadows attacked and killed the Dryder in my way, and then just stood there, leaving me trapped between them and a Skale mob with only pixels of breathing room. I tried to flee but failed- any suggestions on how to avoid this problem in the future?
aggro the patrol, let them come at you then aggro the skales, pull a tight loop round the skales and then sprint back up past the shadow warriors. As you hit sprint the shadow warriors and skales will loose interest in you, but because they're in range of each other they will start hitting each other. As soon as you're clear of the skales n shadow army you'll need to pump heals to stem the life transfer. The shadow warriors will slaughter the skales then when they run back to their patrol pattern just sprint past them again.
23 Mar 2006 at 09:03 - 951
Quote:
Originally Posted by Raxxman
aggro the patrol, let them come at you then aggro the skales, pull a tight loop round the skales and then sprint back up past the shadow warriors. As you hit sprint the shadow warriors and skales will loose interest in you, but because they're in range of each other they will start hitting each other. As soon as you're clear of the skales n shadow army you'll need to pump heals to stem the life transfer. The shadow warriors will slaughter the skales then when they run back to their patrol pattern just sprint past them again.
I've seen the Skales win a few times
(usually had Driftwood help)
23 Mar 2006 at 16:24 - 952
Pull driftwoods first (they drop very good)
Then go in search for the shadow patrol but yes 1/5 the skales win
24 Mar 2006 at 03:19 - 953
Quote:
Originally Posted by Racthoh
I've found that if I enter FoW twice in a row, the drops seriously suffer the second time around. Hence the reason why I clear the entire cave. It may take that extra time, but usually that's where a few of the shards drop not to mention a better chance of finding chests.
To combat drop fatigue, I tend to do one FoW run and then take the same build (because I'm lazy) and go to D'Alessio/LA to kill fire imps for their charcoal for about two runs. =P Good way to keep the drops good as well as help you deal with all the useless iron ingots you salvage from the FoW runs. ><
24 Mar 2006 at 05:02 - 954
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ruvaen
To combat drop fatigue, I tend to do one FoW run and then take the same build (because I'm lazy) and go to D'Alessio/LA to kill fire imps for their charcoal for about two runs. =P Good way to keep the drops good as well as help you deal with all the useless iron ingots you salvage from the FoW runs. ><
Salvage? Sell as is, I can't be bothered to deal with people trying to sell materials. In the time it takes to find buyers I could've made more gold, not to mention gained more experience. Didn't buy the game to sit around in town screaming WTS. 
24 Mar 2006 at 05:19 - 955
I always get more junk than I can hold hence salvaging is the only option if I want to pick up all of the drops.
I got another 15^50 shadow bow tonight - this one is req 9.
I still haven't farmed anything else, although my last 2 runs only had 2 shards each. The bow will more than make up for that though.
24 Mar 2006 at 13:21 - 956
Regarding the new Factions skills - what do people think of Triple Blow for the farm build?
For those unaware, it's an elite Axe attack (5E, 10s recharge) that delivers an Executioner's Strike to your target and all adjacent foes. I've been trying it out, and quite frankly I think it's worth using even if you're only hitting one target with it. Combined with Cyclone Axe, you can rack up some major adrenaline when fighting packs. Thoughts?
24 Mar 2006 at 15:07 - 957
You can get a full inventory and salavge the cheapest weapons. So, you have made room in your inventory (Gaining or losing money) and can pick up more stuff  Thats the way I do it anyway.
I find that Cyclone doesnt do any decent amount of damage to bother with it. The Spiders natural regen compenstates (apart from the one I am hitting) the cyclone before I hit another.
I wonder if you went W/E. Have a Fiery mod on an axe and used Conjure flame. That might add an extra punch to your Cyclone. As for defense I guess you could use Armour of Earth, or an equivalent. Im not too good on the ele skills
Just a thought.
Weeping
24 Mar 2006 at 17:16 - 958
Quote:
Originally Posted by SirShadowrunner
My last run thru only yielded 1 shard, and purple req. 13 shadow blade, I
have never gotten a good drop off a Dryder spider, anyone else ??
For troubles with the spawns and particularly the first group of DW, I like
to make sure to keep them up hill of me, so if the shadow patrol does come
a little early I can back down the hill and keep safe, it does not matter if
the Dryder aggros, but if the shadows push me down into the scales I
usually turn and sprint back up the hill the way I came in next to the big
safe rock spire, then wait for them to leave and re-enter, only twice was I
able to sprint by the ACs with the shadow army in hot pursuit, but when I
made it, it felt good.
Usually pretty poor, but I did recently get a Shadow Blade of Defense 14%^50 +5 (from a Dryder) (which is now a Zealous S\B of defense)
24 Mar 2006 at 17:35 - 959
Beautiful work man
24 Mar 2006 at 17:57 - 960
Quote:
Originally Posted by Weeping Wind
I find that Cyclone doesnt do any decent amount of damage to bother with it. The Spiders natural regen compenstates (apart from the one I am hitting) the cyclone before I hit another.
You don't use Cyclone for the damage, you use it for the energy and adrenaline. It also does have an effect on the Spiders, though not as great as it does on the Driftwoods.
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