W/X FoW Spider Farmer

Quote: Originally Posted by Racthoh

I've never used Axes so I can't really give good feedback about this. If you're able to hit more than one spider with Cyclone Axe, there is a good chance that their Healing Spring will be hitting each so you'll need to interrupt them both to prevent the health gain.

Desperation Blow has some good feedback given the level of tactics you'll have and the possibility of Deep Wound. With a 7 second recharge, it's easy on the energy. It *feels* better than Swift Chop, but I've never used an axe so take what you will from my word.

Not having a superior tactics means about 15 less health gain from Healing Signet, and 1 less second on Watch Yourself!... and 2 less seconds I believe on Shield's Up! depending on the level. Superior strength means 2% armour penetration and +4 defense with Dolyak Signet along with 1-2 extra seconds depending on your level.

For getting past the skales I think the most important thing to make sure of, is that there are no dryders along with those skales, they will own you with wastrels worry along with the degen.

Another thing to note about the lieutenant helm, make sure you are not wearing it with dryders around, they will own you even faster with Wastrels worry since it cust the hex time in half (wastrels worry does damage to you when it ends) I found this out a couple nights ago.

I use Malinons shield when fighting the spiders because I have Watchful spirit on at that point. I only take damage from poison and from called shot when using the healing singet.

For those of you deciding if you should take Desparation Blow YES! take it, it will melt through the spiders HP regardless of healing spring. It just simply PWNs the spiders. If you are thinking of a Sup. Rune go tactics because it will make Desparation blow even more potent. I dont have Superior Tactics or Strength and I can complete the run just fine, so I would say dont even bother with it so you'll have the extra HP.

As far as a video for the skales run, you would need at least 3 videos because the spawn seems to be different each time, you have to study the area and hope for the best. One thing that has proven fairly safe for me, is hugging the right wall, there is a little area tucked away back there that is 90% of the time a safe spot. From there you can pull Driftwoods, and Dryders and then run through the skales much easier. Hope this helps.

@xbovv
despiration blow or swift chop or cyclone axe?
personally, i've found that the only time i used cyclone axe was against the driftwoods. it's not too useful against the spiders unless you're taking on more than one and their healing springs are synched. otherwise, you can just interrupt them by switching off. swift chop, given the alternatives, isn't that great of a skill. desperation blow has gotten some good reviews, but i have yet to try it myself. i'm very hesitant to give the spiders a chance to use melandru's resilience. the damage output might be worth it. just test it out and see if you are comfortable with it.

also, i would agree that the stance shield is a better choice. superior runes are really not necessary as there are people who can do the run without them (myself included). the extra 75 hp might serve you better.

"i will survive" and "shields up" are great for increasing your survival rate, but you sacrifice skill slots that could be used for offense. my suggestion is to experiment and find the right balance for your playing style.

Quote: Originally Posted by striderkaaru

@xbovv
if you're going with a 3-slot offense, i would suggest checking out an eviscerate combo. eviscerate + executioner's + penetrating is an effective 3 slot axe spike. cleave shines when it's the only attack skill on your bar and you're spamming it like there's no tomorrow. i can see desperation + power + regular hit + cleave being a really good combo, but you won't be able to sustain it unless you have good energy regen. i would probably drop either desperation or power and go with cleave + 1 other attack. that frees up 1 slot for something else.

i would pick "shields up" over "i will survive," but once again, it's a matter of choice. "i will survive" can halt the degen to 1 pip for 10 sec, but you can use "shields up" when dolyak is down. it depends whether you are having a harder time managing the degen or damage from the hits.

I tried Lieutnant Helm, Wroked well.. Until I tried to run from the entrance of beach to the npc... :P The degen wasnt too bad... Wastrel Worry was pretty bad for a 1.5 sec :P

Hmm, ive edited now, but my question is, would having 2-3 adreniline skills be a pain? Since your only attacking one spider at a time you would have to wait to use each attack, which would make your offensive....slow?

Maybe im wrong, but i do see what you were saying about the energy heavy combo. How does it look atm?
Im also aware of the big damage extecutioners can do, but isnt 8 adreniline pushing it a bit?

My original build is 3 adrenaline skills, although only 2 are attack, however they require 8 and 10 adrenaline. Guess swords are just the superior weapon.

heh. don't turn this into a sword vs axe debate, ract. you really should give axe a try sometime. i'm not partial to either, as i use all 3 weapons depending on the build i'm playing with. i'm just answering all of the axe questions because the swordsmen have you for reference. =)

if anyone wants to try it with a hammer, hit me up too. =P

with regards to the issue of attacks to bring, i think that part of the build is extremely flexible. it can work with 2 adrenal attacks at 8 and 10 adrenaline, and it can also work with only 1 attack at 4 adrenaline. the one thing to keep in mind when deciding your build is understanding how the skills work together. this is especially important for adrenaline based attacks. the link i posted earlier has useful information on that. having two high cost adrenal attacks is fine, but might lower the effectiveness of a low cost skill. that is why cleave loses effectiveness as you add more adrenal attacks. so, it's always important to figure out a good balance of adrenal + energy based attacks.

Im actually using a shield with +5 armor vs piercing when i get to the spiders now ^.^

Quote: Originally Posted by lyra_song

It would be perfect if it had -2 while enchanted on it. If I find a shield like that I will rename my character to "I PWN Spiders All Day"

Quote: Originally Posted by axe

If I were you Axe, that shield to some extent is better. As long as you don't kill the Dryders (at least in the entrance to the cave) the three there will constantly hex you.

I think I'll have to keep my eye out for a +7/-2.

What kind are those 2 mega cool looking axes at the bottom of your inventory..

Didnt mean to hijack the thread

The 2 axes are called dwarven axes. They arent max damage though One is a 6-26 req 6 the other is a 6-27 req8 no bonuses or mods on them. I am a little fuzzy on the requirements but I am certain of the damage. And yes the dwarven axes do look very cool I think they are pretty rare, which is why I held on to them.

ive got a max req 8 purple unid dwarven going on auction tomorrow

also to get back on topic, im still having trouble with the spiders, i dont seem to do damage quick enough to kill them before they kill me, i tried mending with 3 pips of regen, but they seem to nickle and dime me to death with the shots themselves, is this because i dont have a -damage shield, or what?

anyone alse having this problem?

Very Nice work i do say so myself...I got bored today of trap runs in uw and gave this lil solo run a try...bamb! first run 3 shards, 1 gold bow, and a ruby. [forgot keys bad mistake...passed 2 chests and 2 more while running around after run >.<] Takes quite awhile but pretty fun and challenging...took me forever to clear out front of intrance to cave b/c i fogot to use a bow to get the dyer and then had 50 spiders appear >.< woops o well...Thx alot Bro

PS: i dont understand how u guys have problems with skales...so ez to dodge and by the way i used this axe build...

Cleave, cyclone(very useful if timed right), penatration blow, sprint, shields up, watch yourself, doyak sig, and heal sig...thinking about taking mend...slower regen on energy but would cancel out psn

I know some people have trouble getting past the skales, others coast through it. If other players could share their methods please do.

I've said not to trust the original posted spots all the time, the stationary groups can appear in different spots. I always look ahead, see how the groups are moving, then sprint through. Once aggro is broken, Healing Signet. I honestly cannot think of a reason how players are dying at this stage. I have 455 health, and when the Life Transfer ends I'm usually around 100 health with the Life Siphon still on me. Life Transfer lasts for 12 seconds. That means you have 12 seconds to aggro initially, run past with Sprint on, then break aggro so that it doesn't get cast again and safely use Healing Signet.

I'm sorry to the players that have whispered me but I have been unable to show the run to. Please understand that my guild comes first.