Difference between revisions of "Guide to the Desolation run"
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=== Sulfur mechanics === | === Sulfur mechanics === | ||
| − | + | The sulfurous haze effect is applied once every 2 seconds. By knowing when the effect was previously applied, and thereafter through timing, a player can maximize their time before the sulfurous haze is applied. After getting ''hazed'', the player has another ''two'' seconds to leave the sulfur before dying. <!-- The Haze article previously listed this grace period as 3 seconds. --> | |
=== Finding safe spots === | === Finding safe spots === | ||
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=== The Glitch === | === The Glitch === | ||
| − | The ''Glitch'' | + | The ''Glitch'' is to simply apply [[Sulfurous Haze]] to yourself to determine the timing of the next application. |
To take advantage of the glitch, walk on the sulfur and wait to be affected by the Haze, then move to a safe spot. Next, as soon as the effect expires, immediately run across the sulfur to your next safe spot. With good timing, you have four seconds of survival time, enough to navigate the entire Desolation. | To take advantage of the glitch, walk on the sulfur and wait to be affected by the Haze, then move to a safe spot. Next, as soon as the effect expires, immediately run across the sulfur to your next safe spot. With good timing, you have four seconds of survival time, enough to navigate the entire Desolation. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Knowing when the next haze will be applied can shorten a run by allowing a runner to forgo the 2 second wait for haze to expire before the next dash to a safe spot. | ||
=== Lag === | === Lag === | ||
| − | When moving (especially at higher speeds), you see yourself ahead of where you actually are. | + | When moving (especially at higher speeds), you see yourself ahead of where you actually are. If you leave about half a second before [[Sulfurous Haze]] expires, the server will still see your character as on a safe spot, even though you see yourself beginning to run across the sulfur. Similarly, you must arrive at the next safe spot ahead of time for the benefit of the server. |
== Example Running Build == | == Example Running Build == | ||
Revision as of 03:43, 24 August 2011
The Desolation is the most hazardous area in the game. Successfully navigating the Desolation prior to when the storyline brings you there grants many end-game rewards. These rewards include premature access to Vabbian Armor and Ancient Armor from The Kodash Bazaar and Bone Palace respectively. Rewards also include faster completion of the Nightfall campaign and certain titles.
Running the Desolation
Running the Desolation is an art and there are two major styles:
- Die, rez, run: Using Eternal Aura or Lively Was Naomei, a player runs towards a safe spot, dies en-route, self-resurrects, then continues to the safe area. This method is very slow due to the key skill's casting time, the lack of shadowstepping skills (except for primary Assassins, Dervishes and Ritualists), and the delay between death and resurrection.
- The Glitch method: The more efficient method exploits the mechanics of the area's Sulfurous Haze (AKA a glitch), allowing the runner to remain in the sulfur for a maximum of four seconds, which is more than enough time to successfully navigate the entire Desolation.
Sulfur mechanics
The sulfurous haze effect is applied once every 2 seconds. By knowing when the effect was previously applied, and thereafter through timing, a player can maximize their time before the sulfurous haze is applied. After getting hazed, the player has another two seconds to leave the sulfur before dying.
Finding safe spots
Most black and dark-tan areas are safe. Some surfaces that look like ordinary sand might be sulfur. There are only two ways to correctly distinguish safe and unsafe: experience through repeated visits or using a TexMod plugin that highlights the hazardous areas (available at MegaUpload).
The Glitch
The Glitch is to simply apply Sulfurous Haze to yourself to determine the timing of the next application.
To take advantage of the glitch, walk on the sulfur and wait to be affected by the Haze, then move to a safe spot. Next, as soon as the effect expires, immediately run across the sulfur to your next safe spot. With good timing, you have four seconds of survival time, enough to navigate the entire Desolation.
Knowing when the next haze will be applied can shorten a run by allowing a runner to forgo the 2 second wait for haze to expire before the next dash to a safe spot.
Lag
When moving (especially at higher speeds), you see yourself ahead of where you actually are. If you leave about half a second before Sulfurous Haze expires, the server will still see your character as on a safe spot, even though you see yourself beginning to run across the sulfur. Similarly, you must arrive at the next safe spot ahead of time for the benefit of the server.
Example Running Build
Sulfurous Wastes
Gate of Desolation to Remains of Sahlahja
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.
- 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, 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.
- 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).
Remains of Sahlahja to Basalt Grotto
- Very easy, just follow the path east to the sulfurous area and you will reach Basalt.
Remains to Bone Palace
Normally, you cannot enter the Bone Palace until late in the game. However, if any party member has the quest A Deal's a Deal, the entire party will be transferred to the palace upon completion. Usually, the runner should have the quest, otherwise this run becomes much more time consuming.
- 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.
- 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.
- Flag your H/H so that they follow a safe path.
- The gate will open after killing the enemies nearby.
- Trigger rez shrine and die if needed.
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 harder, hug the wall and head north. 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 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.
Prophecy run
See also
- Vabbi Tour — the complete Vabbi Tour guide.
