Fear not, fellow farmers
kvndoom
Quote:
Originally Posted by stool_cannon
I have run right by him with no issues every time. I even made it by him and the necro boss standing on the same bridge on my last run.
He doesn't always cast Iron Mist; when he does, you'll understand. 
Bring a sword and sub Sever Artery for Power Attack; you'll be surprised how much faster that makes things. I always use DB first, if that doesn't cause bleeding, I follow it up with Sever. If you're inclined to stick with axes, Dismember or Executioner's Strike would fare well also. Nothing against Power Attack, but there are skills which do more added damage or cause useful conditions. Desperation Blow is awesome, but only half its conditions are useful. Crippling and Weakness don't mean jack on an Ice Imp, obviously, so guaranteed bleeding or deep wound helps ease their transition out of the mortal coil.
Bring a sword and sub Sever Artery for Power Attack; you'll be surprised how much faster that makes things. I always use DB first, if that doesn't cause bleeding, I follow it up with Sever. If you're inclined to stick with axes, Dismember or Executioner's Strike would fare well also. Nothing against Power Attack, but there are skills which do more added damage or cause useful conditions. Desperation Blow is awesome, but only half its conditions are useful. Crippling and Weakness don't mean jack on an Ice Imp, obviously, so guaranteed bleeding or deep wound helps ease their transition out of the mortal coil.
eifiji20
Aye, i bring heal sig, ele resist, dolyak sig, watch yourself, 100 blades, gal, final thrust and sprint.
few problems soloing, and we cut them down with ease in 2 man.
few problems soloing, and we cut them down with ease in 2 man.
Gift_of_darkness
Just wondering what the drop rate is of the ids, i did 5 runs this morning and got 3 IdS's and done about 7 or 8 since then and nothing. Perhaps its just luck i dont know, how many runs per ids is it normally for you?
Fabius Cunctator
So far 6 runs and 0 IDSs, so consider yourself lucky Gift of Darkness 
Poke The Almighty
I've done 8 solo runs, I've even killed the imps BEHIND the azure shadows and ice beast yet I still have not gotten an icy dragon sword... talk about luck =/
kvndoom
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gift_of_darkness
Just wondering what the drop rate is of the ids, i did 5 runs this morning and got 3 IdS's and done about 7 or 8 since then and nothing. Perhaps its just luck i dont know, how many runs per ids is it normally for you?
Hard to say. I got none on Monday or Tuesday, then I've gotten 5 so far today. Actually had 2 drop back to back!
Arrgh, I'm gonna fill up me inventory with these things!
That's 17 so far, I wonder if I can break 20 before they stop dropping altogether.
Arrgh, I'm gonna fill up me inventory with these things!
That's 17 so far, I wonder if I can break 20 before they stop dropping altogether.
phishy59
Awesome build, but I think 1 substitute would definitely benefit, especially players who don't have/like switching their equipment.
Sub Elemental Resistance with Mantra of Frost. This way, you get energy with each cold attack, therefore eliminating the need for a zealous upgrade. You also don't lose any physical AL, which is a big plus against those melee A-holes. Hope this helps
Sub Elemental Resistance with Mantra of Frost. This way, you get energy with each cold attack, therefore eliminating the need for a zealous upgrade. You also don't lose any physical AL, which is a big plus against those melee A-holes. Hope this helps
kvndoom
I'll give it a shot tomorrow! I bought a Fiery Dragon Sword to do extra damage per hit, but I was hitting energy problems sometimes without the Zealous mod. Maybe that's the fix I need. Thanks!
stool_cannon
Quote:
Originally Posted by kvndoom
He doesn't always cast Iron Mist; when he does, you'll understand. .
I have made it by him several times after being misted, but he did get me once because I tried to run by him already hexed from another group.
[QUOTE=
Bring a sword and sub Sever Artery for Power Attack; you'll be surprised how much faster that makes things. I always use DB first, if that doesn't cause bleeding, I follow it up with Sever. If you're inclined to stick with axes, Dismember or Executioner's Strike would fare well also. Nothing against Power Attack, but there are skills which do more added damage or cause useful conditions. Desperation Blow is awesome, but only half its conditions are useful. Crippling and Weakness don't mean jack on an Ice Imp, obviously, so guaranteed bleeding or deep wound helps ease their transition out of the mortal coil.[/QUOTE]
I would use a sword, but I have a zealous axe, not a sword and don't feel like dropping more cash on one. But I totally agree on the benefits. I will review the other potential axe attacks and see what I come up with.
.
I have made it by him several times after being misted, but he did get me once because I tried to run by him already hexed from another group.[QUOTE=
Bring a sword and sub Sever Artery for Power Attack; you'll be surprised how much faster that makes things. I always use DB first, if that doesn't cause bleeding, I follow it up with Sever. If you're inclined to stick with axes, Dismember or Executioner's Strike would fare well also. Nothing against Power Attack, but there are skills which do more added damage or cause useful conditions. Desperation Blow is awesome, but only half its conditions are useful. Crippling and Weakness don't mean jack on an Ice Imp, obviously, so guaranteed bleeding or deep wound helps ease their transition out of the mortal coil.[/QUOTE]
I would use a sword, but I have a zealous axe, not a sword and don't feel like dropping more cash on one. But I totally agree on the benefits. I will review the other potential axe attacks and see what I come up with.
Kaiser
Would it be possible for a W/Mo do a solo IDS runs?
Racthoh
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kaiser
Would it be possible for a W/Mo do a solo IDS runs?
My build uses all warrior skills so any combination of warrior can do it. Mind you, without Elemental Resistance you can't take on the larger groups all at once. You'll have to pull a bit.
kvndoom
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kaiser
Would it be possible for a W/Mo do a solo IDS runs?
I suppose it's possible, so long as you don't rely heavily on enchantments, at least not until you get into the cave. The Heretics will shatter them if you get in their aggro range. The chicken mesmers don't strip enchants, but the chicken necros do. Your biggest problem is going to be elemental damage reduction, so you'll need Dolyak and Watch Yourself up at all times once you get to the imps, and you'll have to heal more often too. Defy Pain might even be a good elite because of its extra armor and it would be easy to recharge with so many enemies around. Or just get the Mesmer's Path quest, take 5 henchies out of Destiny's Gorge, kill 3 lousy drakes, and change your secondary. 15 minutes tops.
Just please don't think Mending will get you to the cave and Healing Breeze will keep you alive when you get there.
Then again, what do I know??
Oh, and Rhuobhe found a Defender with +6 armor against cold, so you should ask him if he still has it, and he'll sell it to you if he does. May help too.
Just please don't think Mending will get you to the cave and Healing Breeze will keep you alive when you get there.
Then again, what do I know??Oh, and Rhuobhe found a Defender with +6 armor against cold, so you should ask him if he still has it, and he'll sell it to you if he does. May help too.
Kaiser
Quote:
Originally Posted by Racthoh
My build uses all warrior skills so any combination of warrior can do it. Mind you, without Elemental Resistance you can't take on the larger groups all at once. You'll have to pull a bit.
If you don't mind me askin' "What's your build?"
Racthoh
Sprint
Flurry
Hundred Blades
Watch Yourself
Galrath Slash
Final Thrust
Healing Signet
Dolyak Signet
Strength: 10 + 1
Sword: 12 + 1
Tactics: 8 + 4
And I bring along a different set of gloves/helmet to get 16 sword 9 tactics to take out the ice beast.
Flurry
Hundred Blades
Watch Yourself
Galrath Slash
Final Thrust
Healing Signet
Dolyak Signet
Strength: 10 + 1
Sword: 12 + 1
Tactics: 8 + 4
And I bring along a different set of gloves/helmet to get 16 sword 9 tactics to take out the ice beast.
Kaiser
Quote:
Originally Posted by Racthoh
Flurry
Hundred Blades
Watch Yourself
Galrath Slash
Final Thrust
Healing Signet
Dolyak Signet
Strength: 10 + 1
Sword: 12 + 1
Tactics: 8 + 4
And I bring along a different set of gloves/helmet to get 16 sword 9 tactics to take out the ice beast.
THANKS!
Racthoh
Actually I only have 2 skills from the Paladin premade, Galrath Slash and Final Thrust. Not like I'm going to exclude the two hardest hitting sword attacks from my build.
Kaiser
Hey Racthoh I tried the build you specified... with a just basically changing the sword sills to axe skills... I can't get pass the Seige Golems in Tasca's Demise. They cast Rust, which makes my casting of Healing Signet last like 10 years, then ontop of that they have Deep Freeze that slows me down... 
I mean how do you get pass them!? Any tips Racthoh, kvndoom!?
I mean how do you get pass them!? Any tips Racthoh, kvndoom!?
Racthoh
Yeah, don't fight'em.
There is a map posted in one of the IDS threads that shows the path in Tasca's that you run to avoid the enemies. Sometimes you die (at least, I always do because I don't like to wait) but you'll respawn right in front of Mineral Springs.
There is a map posted in one of the IDS threads that shows the path in Tasca's that you run to avoid the enemies. Sometimes you die (at least, I always do because I don't like to wait) but you'll respawn right in front of Mineral Springs.
kvndoom
Mantra of Frost didn't work. My 0's and 1's turned into 4's and 5's and I spent way too much time healing and dying. It was worth a try though.
It was worth a try though.
LiquidLithium
uh quick question, i get to the cave with the snowy path up to the ice beast. i usually find the imp groups with either the troll or ice golem. Now i clear out this cave, the statue of lyssa and the orb thingys.
I have not found one IDS and have done like 10-15 runs.
My question is, do i have to kill the imps behind the ice beast? Is that where you guys are getting your IDS drops?
Thank you
I have not found one IDS and have done like 10-15 runs.
My question is, do i have to kill the imps behind the ice beast? Is that where you guys are getting your IDS drops?
Thank you
kvndoom
They can be anywhere. Never leave a run without killing all the imps. From just outside the cave entrance all the way to the very back, any of those can drop a sword.
Olfin Bedwere
IDS`s will drop from any of the Imps at or in the cave so you should kill all the Imps. The Ice Beast can`t kill you and is just a nusance but go slow around him so you don`t agro all the Azures at once. Agro a couple and pull them down the trail and kill them in small groups.
Nihil Morari
I just want to thank kvndoom, Rhoubhe and the others who made this. I used the sword build and it worked like a charm on the first try.
Thanks!
Thanks!
phishy59
Oorah!
I just got my first Icy Dragon Sword last night at around 3:00AM Central. It was my first encounter with a large group of imps and 2 Mountain Trolls. I'll post pics up later, but for now I'm gonna go show off my sword in PvP
I just got my first Icy Dragon Sword last night at around 3:00AM Central. It was my first encounter with a large group of imps and 2 Mountain Trolls. I'll post pics up later, but for now I'm gonna go show off my sword in PvP
LiquidLithium
Um wow, i did like 15-20 runs without killing all of the imps (the ones past the elemental ice beast).
Anyways, i just did the run and the FIRST time i cleared out the back by the sear, i got one. Im excited. Thanks goes out to all the people who have worked on this build. And especially for posting it. It is a shame when people horde posts for themselves.
Anyways, i just did the run and the FIRST time i cleared out the back by the sear, i got one. Im excited. Thanks goes out to all the people who have worked on this build. And especially for posting it. It is a shame when people horde posts for themselves.
Vicviper101
I had something incredibly hallarious happen on one of my runs today. It was my second run of the day, and i'm on the last imp with no luck so far, and I kill him, and for a second i see a sword flying out of him and I'm like "SCORE!!!!" Then all of a sudden it lands and I see: "Fiery Dragon Sword." And my mouth hits my desk in disbelief. Hehe, its hallarious when I think back to it, but man, did I not see that coming.
kvndoom
It happens more than you think. I see blue letters, a sword spinning trhu the air, and the words "Dragon Sword." I guess tunnel vision blocks out the "Fiery" until it's too late. Ugh.
Quote:
Originally Posted by LiquidLithium
Quote:
Um wow, i did like 15-20 runs without killing all of the imps (the ones past the elemental ice beast).
Anyways, i just did the run and the FIRST time i cleared out the back by the sear, i got one. What really has to burn is wondering how many you MISSED in those first 15+ runs...
Anyways, i just did the run and the FIRST time i cleared out the back by the sear, i got one. What really has to burn is wondering how many you MISSED in those first 15+ runs...
aron searle
Stupid question time.
I can clear the cave out and all the shadows in one go with my w/mo, can the w/me build also take out all the shadows?
I can clear the cave out and all the shadows in one go with my w/mo, can the w/me build also take out all the shadows?
kvndoom
Stupid answer time. Have you read this thread?
aron searle
i was hoping someone would be nice and save me the effort
Scrilla
Quote:
Originally Posted by kvndoom
What really has to burn is wondering how many you MISSED in those first 15+ runs...
I just did 15+ runs with no luck at getting an IDS...
I just did 15+ runs with no luck at getting an IDS...
badd
him giving u the build was enough :P @aron
Chance Folly
A big "Thank you!" to kvndoom for putting up with my cluelessness to make sure that I understand the run, and for taking the time to *show* me the run. I'd still be staring blankly at the map without your help.
"Gawain Folly"
"Gawain Folly"
LiquidLithium
Quote:
Originally Posted by aron searle
Stupid question time.
I can clear the cave out and all the shadows in one go with my w/mo, can the w/me build also take out all the shadows? What monk skills do u use? I would be interested in trying a w/mo variation.
I can clear the cave out and all the shadows in one go with my w/mo, can the w/me build also take out all the shadows? What monk skills do u use? I would be interested in trying a w/mo variation.
Zephro
Yay, got an IDS on my first run. Thanks for the build.
Unfortunately, I got killed by a Troll soon after.
Would have killed him faster if I brought Sever Artery. That, and he disrupted my Heal Sig. D'oh.
Unfortunately, I got killed by a Troll soon after.
Would have killed him faster if I brought Sever Artery. That, and he disrupted my Heal Sig. D'oh.
SirFingerLickin
Thanks a lot for the build. I had a lot of trouble with avicara spawning in with the imps in front of the caves, or Thunderwing spawning somewhere between me and the caves, but when I did get through, I got 3 swords! THREE! It was awesome.
mattjones527
I've been doing the runs lately with a slightly tweaked build than the OP.
for skills I use:
penetrating attack
executioners strike
dolyak sig
elemental resistance
healing sig
sprint
charge
balanced stance
my stats are:
2 inspiration,
16 strength,
9 axe,
11 tactics
for gear I use :
weapon: fire axe(req9) with +30 Hp mod
shield: (req11) -2(stance) -3(hexed)
runes:
major vigor
major absorbtion
sup stregth
minor tactics
minor axe
In case you are wandering the 16 strength is so you can keep a constant Dolyak sig and elemental resistance up. that way you only take 2dmg form ice spear while you are hexed(only 1dmg with sup absorbiton) which is most of the time
Balanced stance is simply for getting past the tundra giants easy every time
this build is kind of a slow kill but can easily take on 20+ imps without dropping below half (if done right you rarely drop below 3/4). also armor doesnt really matter as long as you have 1 piece of knights on. energy shouldnt be a problem at all
If anyone is skeptical I reccomend making this build then go outside grotto and aggroing all the imps you want
for skills I use:
penetrating attack
executioners strike
dolyak sig
elemental resistance
healing sig
sprint
charge
balanced stance
my stats are:
2 inspiration,
16 strength,
9 axe,
11 tactics
for gear I use :
weapon: fire axe(req9) with +30 Hp mod
shield: (req11) -2(stance) -3(hexed)
runes:
major vigor
major absorbtion
sup stregth
minor tactics
minor axe
In case you are wandering the 16 strength is so you can keep a constant Dolyak sig and elemental resistance up. that way you only take 2dmg form ice spear while you are hexed(only 1dmg with sup absorbiton) which is most of the time
Balanced stance is simply for getting past the tundra giants easy every time
this build is kind of a slow kill but can easily take on 20+ imps without dropping below half (if done right you rarely drop below 3/4). also armor doesnt really matter as long as you have 1 piece of knights on. energy shouldnt be a problem at all
If anyone is skeptical I reccomend making this build then go outside grotto and aggroing all the imps you want
kvndoom
Quote:
Originally Posted by mattjones527
shield: (req11) -2(stance) -3(hexed)
I SO want a shield like that. About the only damage I take now is 2 from Ice Spear, with that kind of shield I might not ever get hurt at all! Good job, and I guess I ought to check out some auctions! Hmm, I got 13 of these swords on me, wonder if I can work out a trade...
dont feel no pain
Quote:
Originally Posted by LiquidLithium
Um wow, i did like 15-20 runs without killing all of the imps (the ones past the elemental ice beast).
Anyways, i just did the run and the FIRST time i cleared out the back by the sear, i got one. Im excited. Thanks goes out to all the people who have worked on this build. And especially for posting it. It is a shame when people horde posts for themselves.
THATS MY EXACT BUILD! yay!! like i mean exactly the one i use.
Anyways, i just did the run and the FIRST time i cleared out the back by the sear, i got one. Im excited. Thanks goes out to all the people who have worked on this build. And especially for posting it. It is a shame when people horde posts for themselves.
THATS MY EXACT BUILD!
yay!! like i mean exactly the one i use.
kemydes
Well, i have tried several times and after the firsts runs failure, i have succeded to reach the cave 2 times with perfect health BUT EVERY time i have been slained due to Mountain Troll!! How could you kill them??? there are always 2 of them among the imps and i cant lure them so how do you manage them with the dozen of imps and golem who throw spells on you ??