Elite Chronicles: Solo Adventures in the Elite Maps of Arlor
Soloing - it's a challenge unlike any other in the elite world of Arlor. Most of these elite maps have been designed for parties, and while some may be quite easy, and some are just plain fun to run, others are quite challenging. Many of the strategies that are successful when used in a group fail miserably when you are soloing. Soloing elite maps is the essence of strategy; a far more graceful and intense experience than the furious button mashing and repositioning that many associate with elite runs.
To date, I have written many guides on how to successfully solo the various elite maps of Arlor. Each map has their own threats, their own strategies, and, while some of the early maps can be blasted through with overwhelming firepower (Elite Forest, for example), there are many maps that require...finesse.
Below are a list of the guides that I have written to date to help you on your journey into successful solo elites. Some of the strategies contained will be useful to speed up your run, while others strategies will be useful for survival. All of these strategies can be used when in parties, because to truly know the nuances of the map, the mobs within, the strategies, the pulls and the reset points, you should be able to handle everything from a solo run, or a terrible PUG, to even a Pro farming group.
Without further introduction, below are my list of guides in the Elite Chronicles series (guides written by someone other than me is noted and credited with **):
BRACKENRIDGE
The easiest elite maps in the game. At this point, any Rogue should be able to blast through these maps. These are generally fun, quick runs that you can use when you only have a couple of minutes left on a reroll elixir.
Elite Forest - Stabb
This guide was written for maximum efficiency and timed runs for solo Rogues. If executed properly, runs should not even last two minutes. This is a terrific place to use up the last couple of minutes of reroll elixir. Since the threat level is low, this is also a fun place to get a quick run in if you are don't have (or don't want) a party.
Valuable Drops: Kettle Egg
Threat Level: 1
Estimated Time To Run: 2:00
http://www.spacetimestudios.com/show...o-Elite-Forest
Elite Brackenridge - Jarl/Thunk
This guide is several seasons old, and while the strategy itself no longer applies (since you can simply overwhelm this map with firepower), it covers a very basic principle that you will need to successfully solo future elite maps - mob separation. This strategy will show you how to separate ranged mobs (archers) from the melee mobs (spearmen). I do not recommend proceeding to Thunk, since he does not even have the possibility of anything approaching decent loot.
Valuable Drops: Loki Egg
Threat Level: 1
Estimated Time To Run: 1:30
http://www.spacetimestudios.com/show...-to-Elite-Jarl
YDRA FOREST
Mostly easy elite maps, which serve as a nice progression for those that are new to elites. Most maps here can be soloed without issue, and most of these maps still take no more than 7 or 8 minutes to solo. Low threat level, fast runs and the potential for decent loot make these maps very popular with PUGs.
Elite Rooks Nest - Bael
A super popular map for PUGs and pro's alike. This map is quick, not very pot intensive and if you get lucky, the loot is worthwhile. It's a great place to start sharpening your soloing skills, since there is the potential that you could get overwhelmed, but with the current gear and level cap, you still have the ability to blast your way out.
Valuable Drops: Malison Egg
Threat Level: 3
Estimated Time To Run: 5:00 (4:00 in party)
http://www.spacetimestudios.com/show...ite-Rooks-Nest
DEAD CITY
These maps are a big step up in challenge from previous campaigns. These maps are long, the mob density is high and most of these maps (except one) have nothing of value to offer for the effort you put in. You will rarely find PUGs in these maps except for Lost Mage's Mine, which is one of the most popular elite maps in the game.
**Lost Mage's Mine - Antee
A very popular map for PUGs and pro's alike. This map is reasonably quick, perfect for solo or party runs and the boss has a small loot table with TWO mid-value eggs. Just be careful that you don't get overwhelmed here because with the Wizards spawning additional mobs, the sheer volume of mobs can overrun you.
Valuable Drops: Snaggletooth Egg, Wrathjaw Egg, Elite Golden Banded Chest
Threat Level: 5
Estimated Time To Run: 3:30 (2:00 in party)
http://www.spacetimestudios.com/show...w-Eggs-Farming
** Credit to Alfai for this guide
KRAKEN ISLES
These maps are generally considered to be of average difficulty. Most of these maps can be soloed with patience; however, the last map in this campaign was widely considered the most challenging map to be released and held that title for two complete seasons. At this point, these maps, and Palm Rock in particular, are what most elite farming guilds will want to see you running successfully, because they offer a reasonable challenge on a recruiting run, but are not so difficult to turn off prospects or annoy recruiters.
Skull Cove - Blood Hammer
At one time, this was the scariest map in the game. Endless waves of mobs, a long map, and a high number of kills needed to spawn the boss....and that's when the real fun begins. Fortunately, the difficulty level has dropped as our level and gear have improved. So what was once widely regarded as a struggle bus or suicide mission, is now just a moderate challenge.
Valuable Drops: Kraken Skewer, Elite Golden Pirate Chest (EGPC)
Threat Level: 7
Estimated Time To Run: 15:00 (9:00 in party)
http://www.spacetimestudios.com/show...ite-Skull-Cove
NORDR
Long maps, annoying environmentals, hard hitting mobs and unique bosses summarize this campaign's maps. For the most part, only one of the maps in this season is farmed with any regularity, and that is Oltgar Keep. Jurn Woods (Maneater) is farmed occasionally; however, Oltgar Keep, and the drops that Frostir has are where the action is at.
Oltgar Keep - Frostir
A suitably challenging map that is one of the top 5 maps for PUGs. The mobs hit hard, and some basic strategy is needed, even in a party. Map environmentals (ice patches) make their first appearance in Arlor, causing several seasons of grief and annoyance for elite farmers. Getting to Frostir can be challenging, and many have complained about Frostir's "red zone glitches," but the rumors of Entombed Hammers hidden within are true.
Valuable Drops: Entombed Hammer, Elite Golden Warchest (EGW)
Threat Level: 8
Estimated Time To Run: 16:00 (10:00 in party)
http://www.spacetimestudios.com/show...Keep&p=1484437
SHUYAL
Long maps, more environmentals, hard hitting mobs, and devastating debuffs can be found here. Only two maps here get farmed with any regularity, Ferrix and Overgrowth. Undim fields is a superbly challenging (though generally unpopular) map which, with the right group, is insanely fun; however, these maps are not for the new-to-elite crowd. These maps require teamwork, strategy and patience.
Forest Breach - Ferrix
Everyone's favorite bad-guy mage. This map is a great test of kiting ability (when soloing), and really requires resets and separation strategies. A good group can simply round 'em up and knock them down, but good solo Rogues will need something a bit more stealthy for survival.
Valuable Drops: Architect Pylons, Elite Golden Puzzleboxes (EGP), Low Probability of Archon Rings
Threat Level: 8.5
Estimated Time To Run: 20:00 (11:00 in party)
http://www.spacetimestudios.com/show...-Forest-Breach
Ashral Tower - Inanhesh
Until recently, this was one of the most unpopular maps, but now, with one of three parchments required for the Nekro recipe, this map is finally getting some love. Granted, there really isn't anything of value that drops here, aside from the parchment, but for those that choose to farm here, what appears to be pure insanity actually results in a very comfortable run.
Valuable Drops: Parchment, Elite Golden Puzzleboxes (EGP)
Threat Level: 7
Estimated Time To Run: 17:00 (11:00 in party)
http://www.spacetimestudios.com/show...e-Ashral-Tower
TINDIRIN
Extremely long maps, very difficult mobs, hard hitting mobs and mob densities unlike any other campaign makes this seasons maps the most difficult ones yet. Upon it's initial release, many thought they were "too hard," "too elite," "only for Pro's," but, if these guides teach anything, Skill and Strategy are more important. Right now, the elite drops from here are the most valuable in the game and the hardcore elite farmers are running these maps aggressively. Learn some of the strategies and familiarize yourself with these maps in normal mode before entering the elite versions - because some of these maps are getting close to landing on my "impossible to solo list."
Tindirin [The Wilds] - Drake
The most popular of the new elite maps, and also one of the easiest and most profitable. Elite farmers and converging on this map in droves! Don't be left out. In this guide, I took on the challenge of running this map in Crate gear, to see if it is as difficult as people say they are, or if it is more a matter of a weakness in strategy - I believe it is the latter.
Valuable Drops: Magmatic Blades, Elite Golden Dragonscale Chest (EGD)
Threat Level: 9
Estimated Time To Run: 23:00 (13:00 in party)
http://www.spacetimestudios.com/show...irin-The-Wilds
Tindirin [Jagged Trail] - Tribal Abomination
Another challenging and long map to run, but probably the most achievable from a solo point of view. It is certainly difficult, and it involves a very long run to the boss, bypassing half a map full of mobs, but generally, the map is not as ugly as people think it is.
Valuable Drops: Magmatic Staves, Elite Golden Dragonscale Chest (EGD)
Threat Level: 9
Estimated Time To Run: 19:00 (12:00 in party)
http://www.spacetimestudios.com/show...n-Jagged-Trail
Tindirin [Rockhorn Summit] - Rendtail
A very challenging map to run, and probably the least achievable from a solo point of view for anyone without top gear. It is difficult, and it involves a very brutal run to the boss, bypassing a lot of hard hitting (and stunning) mobs. The other difficult aspect is the possibility of eggs spawning and the chaos that ensues.
Valuable Drops: Magmatic Armor, Elite Golden Dragonscale Chest (EGD)
Threat Level: 9.5
Estimated Time To Run: 22:00 if no eggs hatch, 29:00 if they do hatch (18:00 in party)
http://www.spacetimestudios.com/show...ockhorn-Summit
PLANAR TOMBS NEW!
Long maps, devastating environmentals, hard hitting mobs, and crushing debuffs can be found here. There are only three Planar Tombs, but Tomb 2 seems to be the most popular by far. These maps are (with the exception of T3) fun, challenging and potentially rewarding (assuming you get lucky and drop a chest or a high end Legendary). Unlike other maps, Fragments drop on every map, so there is value in simply running the maps.
Planar Tombs 2- Sorrax NEW!
Super popular farming map. High end parties will clear this map in under 10:00, and the loot can be very profitable. Two Planar Fragments drop on this map, so even if you come up empty drop-wise, you at least are getting that much closer to fragment purchasable, high value items.
Valuable Drops: Planar Chests, Planar Rods (with Brutality being the most desirable)
Threat Level: 8
Estimated Time To Run: 20:00 (10:00 in party)
http://www.spacetimestudios.com/show...Planar-Tombs-2
If there is anything that I missed, anything incorrect or anything that you would like for me to add to this (or any of my guides), please let me know.
Where does Razor Shield go?
Six skills is not a distant reality for rogues. I think I've already posted my hybrid build somewhere already so I'll just explain how to specialize Razor in any build and make it useful in a few steps:
- Take your two offensive loadouts with pets included, check critical rates on both. Base your choices on what you use the most.
- Now if your critical is 33-34 or 38-39 or 43+, proceed. Crits of 30, 35 and 40 are not to be tampered with.
- Proceed with respecializing the rest of your build without touching critical rate passive or Razor Shield yet.
- Decide how you want to be using Razor. You can have PvE, PvP or PvE-PvP as ultimate hybrid:
- PvE: 1 & 3 only. This will provide an 8-second +20% dodge buff but don't go overboard because the spinning damage draws aggro as well. On easy maps you can go ahead and use it offensively but on elites, use it as a safety measure if things go wrong - overpull, bad positioning, teammate(s) died.
- PvP: 4 only. This will provide a short 5-second limit in which you cannot be stunned or panicked, defeating the sorcerer's key point of stunlocking. No increased duration since you might be threatened by curse, no dodge buff because it's useless since you already have the unstunability from 4.
- PvE-PvP: 1 & 4. You're basically combining both of the above but you're losing three seconds of duration which is nothing major, just makes your life even easier in PvE. In addition, if you fancy soloing or like speed-runs in elites without warrior, those three seconds also help a good deal with parking, be it with party or solo (harder).
Finally, practice with the new skill. Rushing in a mob and throwing it off is just going to get you killed fast. Save it as an escape measure to back out if too many enemies are clustered. After using it for a while, you'll start to feel the "pressure" of the mob and time it better.
The points for Razor are either coming out of critical rate passive if you're choosing to specialize in six skills (PvE-PvP hybrid) or else from either Combat Medic (if you're going full PvE) or Shadow Veil (if you're going full PvP). You will be needing two to three skill points.
Warning: Do not specialize in six skills if you are a casual mythic rogue and plan to make efficient use of the new Talisman; you need the critical rate excess to balance the crit lost from swapping fang.
That is all. :)
