So, I finally got to the last mission, noticed that there was basically no one around, and someone says you can do it with henchmen. Then one thing led to another, and well, I went and did just that!
I will say that this was by no means easy, I failed many times before finally winning, Henchmen are very stupid and one single mistake at any point in this long mission will cost you the entire thing.
Probably one of the more intimidating parts is when you see this!
(wasn't solo when i took that one, but keep in mind that there are about 5 billion enemies there until you clear it) I thought the portals to the major towns looked neat, and they look even neater close up (wasn't solo when i took that one etheir though, but just saying).
After that, comes the hardest part in the mission, and probably one of the hardest parts in any mission I've completed with henchman(some missions, namely murksaar ones, you can't do with henchmen, period. If you can, then I'd sure love to see it, heh). The battle with Undead Prince Rurik! This was hard because there were a ton of minions around the place that werent easy, I had to lure them out...only with henchmen, who love to rush straight into battle after getting hit just once, it was hard, actually, at first I thought I had lost, as they did just that, but for some reason the Sparks (which is just about the hardest enemy I've faced in just about every mission) decided not to attack until after I finished off the Fists of the Titans, so i was able to then clear the Sparks, then it took like 5 minutes of constant beat down to put down the prince, he has a lot of life.
After that, I was getting pretty excited. I came into the next room, and got even more excited! .
This was it, the final battle with the Undead Lich himself (what the heck kind of name is that for a final boss anyway!?) Anyhow, he actually wasn't as hard as I expected. First I pulled the Fists away from him and killed them, while i did that he summoned Temporal Distortions...I have no idea what they do, but they died in one hit and looked kinda neat. Then I went in for the kill .
He wasn't actually all that hard, although it kind of annoyed me that he disenchanted my enchantment. He seemed to have 3 lifebars for some reason, not sure why, but whenever you got him close to taking down a lifebar, he did the usual useless main bad guy gloating that we all know and love. What really surprised the hell out of me is when he teleported me in the middle of the lava, that took me by surprise for sure. But overrall I'd say he was a pretty tame foe compared to many in the game, and eventually I was successful . At this point, I was pretty ecstatic, but also kind of let down, because that was the end of the games awesome missions. Of course, it wouldn't be a proper ending in a volcano unless it all blew up . Anyway, I guess its time to do less missions and time to start collecting Elite skills, get my attribute point quests done, get some decent equipment (I had 2 runes of minor health, and a 6-28 axe with +1 to axe mastery 11% of the time, fear the uber loot), and maybe even start PVPing.
Woot! I beat the Final Mission, with only Henchmen!**MAJOR SPOILERS**
goldjas
Antilles
Haha, nicely done. My hat is off to you for doing that whole thing with npcs.
RizzleR
yes indeed dit it with a very skilled team and we where having lots of problems getting to the lich, the lich is easy itself.
amazing job doing it with henchies
amazing job doing it with henchies
SOT
Wow, I have a new hero to aspire to 
Good job dude!
egads
I managed to do it with henchmen too after two or three hours of trying. I was an E/Mo, and didn't have a chance of finding a party because I was playing on the American server at 10:00am GMT. I actually found the part with the portals the hardest, closely followed by the path up to the portals, with the battle with Undead Prince Rurik and the Undead Lich tying for easiest by far.
I had several wipeouts involving those imps (Spark of the Titans) even using Pyromancer armour, but it was manageable. The part with the portals was probably my biggest problem: after a couple of failed attempts of fighting the patrolling mobs in front of the portals head on, I had come up with a strategy involving running past them when they were at the other side straight down to behind the leftmost portal. I lost Reyna on the way, and as I passed the Portal Wraiths they each fired a nasty Chain Lightning in my face, and I was down straight away! Maybe I should have brought Aeromancer armour after all, or at least have used one of the Minor Vigor Runes I had found.
Anyway, I was very lucky indeed as my henchmen somehow managed to res me just before the patrol came back, allowing me to sprint down to the bottom out of range of the patrolling enemies, although I had to take down a pursuer or two. I think I had Stefan and Mhenlo still alive after that, but I had come equipped with Rebirth, so my party was up and running soon enough. After that it was not too hard, as I just took it slowly, first killing off the leftmost Portal Wraiths, then luring some of the patrol, then clearing out the mobs standing around and getting the second trio of Wraiths, and finally killing the stragglers and the third lot of Wraiths. Chain Lightning was as effective against them as it had been against me.
I found the rest very easy, at least relative to the difficulty of the previous parts, and from then on no one in the party died. I got quite lucky with luring the mobs away from Rurik, and he fell quickly on his own. After that the battle with the Undead Lich was simple enough. I constantly threw Lightning Orbs/Strikes at him thanks to Elemental Attunement and Air Attunement, and was fortunate enough never to be the one teleported into the Lava.
I had several wipeouts involving those imps (Spark of the Titans) even using Pyromancer armour, but it was manageable. The part with the portals was probably my biggest problem: after a couple of failed attempts of fighting the patrolling mobs in front of the portals head on, I had come up with a strategy involving running past them when they were at the other side straight down to behind the leftmost portal. I lost Reyna on the way, and as I passed the Portal Wraiths they each fired a nasty Chain Lightning in my face, and I was down straight away! Maybe I should have brought Aeromancer armour after all, or at least have used one of the Minor Vigor Runes I had found.
Anyway, I was very lucky indeed as my henchmen somehow managed to res me just before the patrol came back, allowing me to sprint down to the bottom out of range of the patrolling enemies, although I had to take down a pursuer or two. I think I had Stefan and Mhenlo still alive after that, but I had come equipped with Rebirth, so my party was up and running soon enough. After that it was not too hard, as I just took it slowly, first killing off the leftmost Portal Wraiths, then luring some of the patrol, then clearing out the mobs standing around and getting the second trio of Wraiths, and finally killing the stragglers and the third lot of Wraiths. Chain Lightning was as effective against them as it had been against me.
I found the rest very easy, at least relative to the difficulty of the previous parts, and from then on no one in the party died. I got quite lucky with luring the mobs away from Rurik, and he fell quickly on his own. After that the battle with the Undead Lich was simple enough. I constantly threw Lightning Orbs/Strikes at him thanks to Elemental Attunement and Air Attunement, and was fortunate enough never to be the one teleported into the Lava.
psychoraymond
Rumor has it that the mission is actually easier with henchmen. I dunno, I still have 2 missions to go before I can test this rumor out.
Audrielle Laneil
Cool, congrats to you! ^^
Jab
very nice job.
Soul Monarch
Quote:
Originally Posted by psychoraymond
Rumor has it that the mission is actually easier with henchmen. I dunno, I still have 2 missions to go before I can test this rumor out.
I have noticed that several missions (i.e. Aurora Glade, among others) are considerably less difficult when using a hench party. I suspect that the game downgrades certain encounters in order to try and compensate for your all-AI parties.
Or is it just me?
Or is it just me?
Narcissus
Quote:
Originally Posted by Soul Monarch
I have noticed that several missions (i.e. Aurora Glade, among others) are considerably less difficult when using a hench party. I suspect that the game downgrades certain encounters in order to try and compensate for your all-AI parties.
Or is it just me? It's just you.
Or is it just me? It's just you.
Antilles
I was upset by the fact that Lich was a joke, even with his 3 lives. FUnniest thing during that misison is when he teled into the fire, and my char auto followed and died . No one dared to rez me.
Canook
Quote:
Originally Posted by Soul Monarch
I have noticed that several missions (i.e. Aurora Glade, among others) are considerably less difficult when using a hench party. I suspect that the game downgrades certain encounters in order to try and compensate for your all-AI parties.
Or is it just me? it is just you. the game doesn't compensate for nothing. hench may be dumb, but theyre programmed to do something. and thats all they do. other people are idiots or make mistakes and do things they shouldnt do.
Or is it just me? it is just you. the game doesn't compensate for nothing. hench may be dumb, but theyre programmed to do something. and thats all they do. other people are idiots or make mistakes and do things they shouldnt do.
femto
Quote:
Originally Posted by goldjas
(I had 2 runes of minor health, and a 6-28 axe with +1 to axe mastery 11% of the time, fear the uber loot), and maybe even start PVPing.
I think you can only use one of each type of rune at a time, so really you were only using 1 minor vigor
I think you can only use one of each type of rune at a time, so really you were only using 1 minor vigor
femto
Quote:
Originally Posted by egads
I constantly threw Lightning Orbs/Strikes at him thanks to Elemental Attunement and Air Attunement,
dude, where did you find Elemental Attunement?? I didn't even know that existed until you just said that. Man, I sure wish I had that + air attunement while fighting some of the bosses on this damned fire island
egads
There's a topic to help with things like that.
It's available to capture from Geckokaru Earthwind, a drake boss, who is in Perdition Rock (the explorable area between Ember Light Camp and the Ring of Fire).
It's available to capture from Geckokaru Earthwind, a drake boss, who is in Perdition Rock (the explorable area between Ember Light Camp and the Ring of Fire).
goldjas
Quote:
Originally Posted by femto
I think you can only use one of each type of rune at a time, so really you were only using 1 minor vigor
I had 2, one on one piece of armor, one on another 
.
.
Tikoko Delight
Quote:
Originally Posted by Canook
it is just you. the game doesn't compensate for nothing. hench may be dumb, but theyre programmed to do something. and thats all they do. other people are idiots or make mistakes and do things they shouldnt do.
the henchmen are actually quite capable.. came across two level 22 (i think) hydras and one atleast level 25 boss hydra, they killed me in maybe 10 seconds and wiped half of my henchmen team.. but the healer, cultist and fighter henchmen managed to kill all 3 while ressurecting everyone slowly.. it was pretty interesting to see (and i think they actually handle themselves better when i'm not directing them... not sure what that says about my skills)
CaseyDDR
I've always thought the henchmen to be pretty useful.
femto
Quote:
Originally Posted by goldjas
I had 2, one on one piece of armor, one on another .
yeah, I know. I did the same thing before and had to learn the hard way that equipping two of the same rune does not work.
check this out
.
yeah, I know. I did the same thing before and had to learn the hard way that equipping two of the same rune does not work. check this out
Hell Marauder
Comparing to human players, henchmen have one huge advantage: they don't suffer death penalty like human players do. So they can die over and over and after rez, fresh as new. But you have to be a monk in either primary or secondary profession to be able to really take advantage of them, though, because you need to rez them over and over and over....until job is done.
Magus
Do they really not suffer the death penalty?
It might just be me, but the henchmen seem to die much faster once they've been killed a few times before.
It might just be me, but the henchmen seem to die much faster once they've been killed a few times before.
wonderworm
Well i think they do suffer death penalty, too. You can nicely observe this at hydras where alesia dies after like 2-3 shots for the first few deaths and in 1 shot later 
Henchmen can be superior to some retard party. They won't rush into hordes of mobs unti you direct them there. They concentrate on one target. The tanks often seem to do their job better than human players blocking the foes that run up to you.
The main disadvantege is that it's hard to retreat from battle (although many players fail to do so, too )
Another problem is the res. I play elementalist/mesmer and when i get taken down the fight is over most of the time since they often won't manage to kill the mobs by themselves fast enough.
If you play tank you might be lacking damage output a bit with only henches.
Henchmen can be superior to some retard party. They won't rush into hordes of mobs unti you direct them there. They concentrate on one target. The tanks often seem to do their job better than human players blocking the foes that run up to you.
The main disadvantege is that it's hard to retreat from battle (although many players fail to do so, too
Another problem is the res. I play elementalist/mesmer and when i get taken down the fight is over most of the time since they often won't manage to kill the mobs by themselves fast enough.
If you play tank you might be lacking damage output a bit with only henches.
uigrad
Actually, henchies are probably hardest to use when you are a monk primary, because you are the first one to step into battle.
When you are with henchies, you have to lead the way, and take the first agro. I would think a tank would be perfect for that. You absorb all the blows, while the firepower comes from behind you. I will agree that they do suffer the death penalty.
Goldjas, no one has said thanks for the pics yet. I think you did a very nice job with them. My attempts at taking good screenshots has not been so successful!
When you are with henchies, you have to lead the way, and take the first agro. I would think a tank would be perfect for that. You absorb all the blows, while the firepower comes from behind you. I will agree that they do suffer the death penalty.
Goldjas, no one has said thanks for the pics yet. I think you did a very nice job with them. My attempts at taking good screenshots has not been so successful!
Magus
I was able to reach the part with the portals with all henchmen, but what exactly are you supposed to do there? (as in how do you beat it?)
I tried to lure small groups out, one at a time, but more groups kept coming out from the lava, and I wasn't able to kill them faster than they were appearing. Eventually there were so many monsters that we weren't able to stay out of their aggro range and we got killed.
I tried to lure small groups out, one at a time, but more groups kept coming out from the lava, and I wasn't able to kill them faster than they were appearing. Eventually there were so many monsters that we weren't able to stay out of their aggro range and we got killed.
Xypode
I beleive that henchmens don't have a Death Penality, Test it out on ur own, I'm pretty sure myself about that after fighting from lvl 13 to lvl 20 with them
Unusual Element
Unusual Element
Shots
ARGH! Stupid hencies. I get to the end of the last mission, where the portal are. I killed almost everything there except for 1 wandering group of ... oh not the burning ones, but the smaller boulder ones... and just as were fighting them, what do the hench healers do? They agro a group of phantoms.
I wouldn't say that henchies have AI because that would imply intelligence. No, they are as stupid as it gets. On the same mission, I've had healers bring whole groups of monsters to us because THEY wanted to res some party member in the middle of a battle. Said party member just happens to be sitting in another group of monsters just outside my radar... but that shouldn't matter eh? I mean, if you want to res someone you should be able to do what you want.
God how I loathe the henchies.
I wouldn't say that henchies have AI because that would imply intelligence. No, they are as stupid as it gets. On the same mission, I've had healers bring whole groups of monsters to us because THEY wanted to res some party member in the middle of a battle. Said party member just happens to be sitting in another group of monsters just outside my radar... but that shouldn't matter eh? I mean, if you want to res someone you should be able to do what you want.
God how I loathe the henchies.
Lewick
Quote:
Originally Posted by Xypode
I beleive that henchmens don't have a Death Penality, Test it out on ur own, I'm pretty sure myself about that after fighting from lvl 13 to lvl 20 with them
Unusual Element They absolutely have a death penalty. After dying twice, Stefan is completely ineffective in battle and dies almost immediately. Same holds true for the healers, and with death penalties, the healers tax Claude health heavily because he has to cast Blood Ritual on them so often.
They recover just like players do though, so eventually, after fighting piles of stuff, they'll eventually recover.
The death penalty for henchmen is painfully obvious when trying to kill everything on the Galrath quest. If you don't get a decent chunk of it killed before one of the henchmen dies, it becomes very very difficult to clear out the front yard of Galrath's area (not that you actually HAVE to, but it's part of the challenge I took when I did the quest.)
Unusual Element They absolutely have a death penalty. After dying twice, Stefan is completely ineffective in battle and dies almost immediately. Same holds true for the healers, and with death penalties, the healers tax Claude health heavily because he has to cast Blood Ritual on them so often.
They recover just like players do though, so eventually, after fighting piles of stuff, they'll eventually recover.
The death penalty for henchmen is painfully obvious when trying to kill everything on the Galrath quest. If you don't get a decent chunk of it killed before one of the henchmen dies, it becomes very very difficult to clear out the front yard of Galrath's area (not that you actually HAVE to, but it's part of the challenge I took when I did the quest.)
Arlen
Quote:
Originally Posted by Magus
I was able to reach the part with the portals with all henchmen, but what exactly are you supposed to do there? (as in how do you beat it?)
I tried to lure small groups out, one at a time, but more groups kept coming out from the lava, and I wasn't able to kill them faster than they were appearing. Eventually there were so many monsters that we weren't able to stay out of their aggro range and we got killed.
In that case you would want to move farther away from that spawn location. I'm trying to avoid giving too much away, but would suggest you spend a minute or two watching the pathing of the mobs in the area. It's relatively painless to clear that area with a little tactics and a lot of patience (which is a rarity in most teams, so good luck =) ).
And, having done 90% of the game solo, I'll add my nod to the fact that henchmen definitely suffer from DP like normal players.
I tried to lure small groups out, one at a time, but more groups kept coming out from the lava, and I wasn't able to kill them faster than they were appearing. Eventually there were so many monsters that we weren't able to stay out of their aggro range and we got killed.
And, having done 90% of the game solo, I'll add my nod to the fact that henchmen definitely suffer from DP like normal players.
baranovan
Quote:
Originally Posted by uigrad
Actually, henchies are probably hardest to use when you are a monk primary, because you are the first one to step into battle.
When you are with henchies, you have to lead the way, and take the first agro. Sorry to break it to you but you don't have to take the initial aggro. CTRL + SHIFT + Click ( or just CTRL + Click, but this will attack instead of just target) just before you are in range and the two warriors will charge in first.
When you are with henchies, you have to lead the way, and take the first agro. Sorry to break it to you but you don't have to take the initial aggro. CTRL + SHIFT + Click ( or just CTRL + Click, but this will attack instead of just target) just before you are in range and the two warriors will charge in first.
ratatass
1. Good job! Way to go!
2.Henchmen gets death penalty just like you.
3. Focus Fire is better with Henchmen, which sometimes can give you and advantage when soloing.
4. Yes if you call target your warrior henchies will tank for you.
5. No - no missions are balanced to henchmen. He beat this mission fair an d square. Very impressive.
Again, way to go!
2.Henchmen gets death penalty just like you.
3. Focus Fire is better with Henchmen, which sometimes can give you and advantage when soloing.
4. Yes if you call target your warrior henchies will tank for you.
5. No - no missions are balanced to henchmen. He beat this mission fair an d square. Very impressive.
Again, way to go!
Mitsu Bishi
Good job with henchies, that sounds pretty difficult to pull of. Guess I'd have a hard time as a monk because of the missing firepower.
But I beat it yesterday with only six players (started with eight, second monk had to leave for dinner early (before the seer), one stupid warrior left because of that - but he was more a pain in the ass than any help, so it was no big deal). I was the only monk and yes, it got hard to keep everybody fresh and one of us finished with -60% DP because I was healing the others first (to keep them from a DP). But with awesome teamplay (thanks to you guys if you happen to read it, one of the best PUGs I ever was in) we beat it. Two rangers lured out single mobs which we could take down easily. We even did the bonus on our way. When we got to the portals, we also took out every single mob apart from the wandering group (the boss was trailing) before we tackled them (and we did it with only one death, the -60% guy). Portal wraiths are easy thereafter and the rest was even easier. Rurik is a joke (sorry to say that, but without his minions he fell very soon) and the Lich was not too difficult either. He died on the Bloodstone so only one time we had to kill him.
When our second healer left, I thought the mission was lost. But once we got in a groove, I simply knew we would beat it against all odds. In case you want to know our setup: 2 Warriors (one of them W/N, the other one I can't remember but no monk), 2 Rangers (one R/E, other one I can't remember either but no monk as well), 1 Me/N and myself, a Mo/Me. Now I'm eager to try it with four people
But I beat it yesterday with only six players (started with eight, second monk had to leave for dinner early (before the seer), one stupid warrior left because of that - but he was more a pain in the ass than any help, so it was no big deal). I was the only monk and yes, it got hard to keep everybody fresh and one of us finished with -60% DP because I was healing the others first (to keep them from a DP). But with awesome teamplay (thanks to you guys if you happen to read it, one of the best PUGs I ever was in) we beat it. Two rangers lured out single mobs which we could take down easily. We even did the bonus on our way. When we got to the portals, we also took out every single mob apart from the wandering group (the boss was trailing) before we tackled them (and we did it with only one death, the -60% guy). Portal wraiths are easy thereafter and the rest was even easier. Rurik is a joke (sorry to say that, but without his minions he fell very soon) and the Lich was not too difficult either. He died on the Bloodstone so only one time we had to kill him.
When our second healer left, I thought the mission was lost. But once we got in a groove, I simply knew we would beat it against all odds. In case you want to know our setup: 2 Warriors (one of them W/N, the other one I can't remember but no monk), 2 Rangers (one R/E, other one I can't remember either but no monk as well), 1 Me/N and myself, a Mo/Me. Now I'm eager to try it with four people
Sentinel
I finished it yesterday with henchies too. I mean it's realy hard to find a PUG
that realy knows what they are doing and they have the right combo of stats
for this mission.
I had to do it over and over until i tweaked my atributes and skills set just right for the mission and the enemies involved. I'm W/M and i found my hammer was way more useful than my sword. A couple of knockdowns with it and another smiting knockdown interspaced with skills than panish after knockdown and i was turning 'rocks on fire' to sand..
You have to understand that you control the henchies aggro with your positioning. If they aggro something you don't want then YOU are out of position. And even if they do aggro or auto attack something all you have to do is back pedal hard and long enough for the enemies to disengage.
You really have to pull each and every mob away from where they are
otherwise a neighboring mob will be on you sooner or later. It takes time and patience but it's doable.
On the portals all i did was pick on single enemies, pulled them away towards the lava and killed them. Btw, at some point they stop coming out of the lava. I cleaned it all up but the patrolling mob. I didn't have to do anything with them to close the portals. Positioning and good timing was all it took.
I was a bit stressed with Rurik cause I didn't want to hit him too hard until at least I got the elite from him. Also the pulling was kinda tricky with him and his 2 imps. Many times the W hench would auto attack the imps and I had to save his ass by running away. That's right.... if you run back far enough he will disengage and follow you. After Rurik was alone and away from the rest it was easy to get the Elite and kill him.
The lich was easy to kill but it was a weird encounter. With him teleporting away a few times and then teleporting me into the lava kept things interesting.
I was kinda dissapointed with the ending. I mean that was the END of the game. Couldn't the devs be more creative than that. And why in the world I ended back at the forge. I guess that was as good a choice as any but was there another reason?
Anyway, on with the grind of Elite hunting.
that realy knows what they are doing and they have the right combo of stats
for this mission.
I had to do it over and over until i tweaked my atributes and skills set just right for the mission and the enemies involved. I'm W/M and i found my hammer was way more useful than my sword. A couple of knockdowns with it and another smiting knockdown interspaced with skills than panish after knockdown and i was turning 'rocks on fire' to sand..
You have to understand that you control the henchies aggro with your positioning. If they aggro something you don't want then YOU are out of position. And even if they do aggro or auto attack something all you have to do is back pedal hard and long enough for the enemies to disengage.
You really have to pull each and every mob away from where they are
otherwise a neighboring mob will be on you sooner or later. It takes time and patience but it's doable.
On the portals all i did was pick on single enemies, pulled them away towards the lava and killed them. Btw, at some point they stop coming out of the lava. I cleaned it all up but the patrolling mob. I didn't have to do anything with them to close the portals. Positioning and good timing was all it took.
I was a bit stressed with Rurik cause I didn't want to hit him too hard until at least I got the elite from him. Also the pulling was kinda tricky with him and his 2 imps. Many times the W hench would auto attack the imps and I had to save his ass by running away. That's right.... if you run back far enough he will disengage and follow you. After Rurik was alone and away from the rest it was easy to get the Elite and kill him.
The lich was easy to kill but it was a weird encounter. With him teleporting away a few times and then teleporting me into the lava kept things interesting.
I was kinda dissapointed with the ending. I mean that was the END of the game. Couldn't the devs be more creative than that. And why in the world I ended back at the forge. I guess that was as good a choice as any but was there another reason?
Anyway, on with the grind of Elite hunting.