Desolation Run

The Desolation run is the most challenging leg of the Vabbi Tour, which gives players early access to the Remains of Sahlahja, Basalt Grotto, Kodash Bazaar, and other areas. Players are willing to spend money on the run to get Vabbian Armor and open up additional towns.

The Desolation
The Desolation is the most hazardous place in Nightfall and can be run solo without aid of the Junundu, despite heavy skepticism from most players. The key is learning the safe spots. This guide focuses on the Desolation portion of the run to Vabbi. Additional details about the Bone Palace, Lair of the Forgotten, Prophecy runs through Crystal Overlook, and Ruins of Morah runs.

The Glitch
For the fastest and most efficient run, you must take advantage of an anomaly that allows you to remain in the haze for five seconds instead of the expected three. Whenever the Sulfurous Haze effect ends on your character, there is a natural 2-second "grace period" in which you cannot obtain the effect...even if you are on the sulfur.


 * Sulfurous Haze.jpg Stand in a sulfurous area until the Sulfurous Haze effect icon appears
 * Move out of the sulfur to a safe spot.
 * The instant the effect expires, begin running across the sulfur to the next safe spot.
 * You have two seconds before the game starts counting again (and re-applies the haze) plus the three seconds built into the effect; five seconds is enough time to skip from safe spot to safe spot and across the entire Desolation.

Example Running Build
An Assassin with 16 in Shadow Arts and the following build:

The last slot can be Dark Prison or Shadow Sanctuary (if having non-sulfur related survival issues)

Shadow Step



 * From Gate of Desolation to the resurrection shrine in the center of the zone:


 * Upon zoning, run forward on the sand hill until you reach a cliff. There are Djinns at this cliff. Step to Djinns, HOS off them down to the rocks below, quickly run to the outer rim of haze.
 * Use Dash to cross the large gap to the other side of the sulfur.
 * Follow the outer rim and use IAU when you hit the first turn.
 * Skip from safe spot to safe spot until you get to the sand side (where the wurm spoor is...note that Dash is needed to get to some safe spots)


 * From the shrine to Remains of Sahlahja:


 * At the resurrection shrine, take a right turn and head north. Follow along the safety of the outer rim until you get to another area of safe sand.
 * Get past the Margonite group by using spell protection and keep heading north under the archway.
 * Upon reaching the group of undead monsters (they look like horses and such), use IAU to prevent knockdown.
 * Continue heading north until reaching the Remains of Sahlahja.

No Shadow Step



 * Make your way west near the wurm spoor, it is good to avoid the single group of foes there.
 * Go from safe spot to safe spot till you reach shrine.
 * See 'From the shrine to Remains of Sahlahja above (here it merges into same route).

Shadow Step


The faster but more treacherous way is to head North upon zoning and turn East when at the wurm spoor at the base of the hill (going up this hill leads to a resurrection shrine). Follow the edge of the sulfur until at another area of safe sand (will require a well-placed Shadow Step and anti-knockdown). Head north until at Basalt Grotto.

No Shadow Step



 * Very easy, just follow the path east to the sulfurous area and you will reach Basalt.
 * Around the halfway point you will need to go past Keht the Fierce and his entourage, use IAu when going past them.

Remains to Bone Palace


Normally, you cannot enter the Bone Palace until late in the game. However, if any party member (preferably the runner) has the quest A Deal's a Deal, the entire party will be transferred to the palace upon completion. This requires doing the quest without use of the wurms.


 * Head north out of the Remains of Sahlahja. Have the person with the quest initiate the dialog.
 * Hug the left wall to cross the desolation. May need to restart a few times if the enemies spawn too close to the route.
 * Continue past the shrine and cross the bridges. Head east to kill General Huduh's group. Have the quester talk to him and continue closer to the palace.
 * Pull enemies out of the sulfurous area with a bow.
 * Follow the wall as it loops around pulling enemies to you if they are too close to avoid.
 * Flag your heroes so that they follow a safe path. Henchmen like to scatter after arriving at a location, it is possible to get them closer to the palace though it will take time.
 * The gate will open after killing the enemies nearby.
 * If most of your team has died you can jog past the last group to the rez shrine then die. The party will come back there allowing you to easily dispatch remaining group to start the cinematic.

Basalt Grotto to Lair of the Forgotten



 * Joko's Domain
 * Head west from the Grotto heading to the Bone Palace. This part of the run is very simple.
 * The second patch of sulfurous area is the difficult part, hug the wall and head north while trying to avoid enemies. Ensure you have anti-knock down skills in use when near the undead groups.


 * The Shattered Ravines
 * Make your way to the sulfurous trench.
 * Use the dark spots to cross, using shadow steps for speed and to avoid body blocks. If enemies are still following try using Heart of Shadow to aid in reaching the opposite side.
 * Continue north to finish the run.

Bone Palace to Ruins of Morah



 * Exit the Bone Palace and follow the trail to the sulfurous area heading towards the Remains of Sahlahja.
 * Cross the desolation staying on the darker areas to stay alive.
 * Get close to the closed gate to activate the rez shrine at point A.
 * Proceed to have your party die as close to that area as possible.
 * Your party will resurrect inside the gated location. The local foes may get in your way, dispatch them at your leisure.
 * Move towards point B where the Solitary Colossus is at. Use life stealing skills or a vampiric ranged weapon (longbow worked quite well) to kill the Colossus.
 * Walk across the new bridge to enter the Remains.

Palace to Lair of the Forgotten



 * Through Shattered Ravines
 * Through Poisoned Outcrops via Ruptured Heart and Crystal Overlook: Follow the Ruins of Morah run; additional zones have no haze so, it is an easier but more time-consuming run. You can also run to Mouth of Torment along the way.

Ruins of Morah to Lair of the Forgotten



 * The Ruptured Heart
 * Head north from the Ruins and make your way around the Mouth to the sandy area.
 * Run to next zone (very easy run)
 * Poisoned Outcrops
 * Head northeast towards the middle of the map.
 * Reaching the second resurrection shrine make a sharp turn to the southeast. Follow the rocky path eastwards.
 * Upon reaching the next shrine head south towards the Lair.