64 replies to this topic

[HappyWulf]

I've now completed Ascalon Catacombs 3 times!  Each time got a little easier.  If anyone has any questions about running it, I'd be happy to coach them.

My first run was at level 27. I ran with all guildees. It went rather well, except that I found out that if you're below the recommended level of 30, you wont get treasure chest loot drops after bosses.

My 2nd and 3rd runs were back to back today. I started at level 30 and gained a whole level while there. I ran with Taky and his guild Raiding With Scissors. The 3rd run was right after, with all guildees again. We did better in some places and a little worse or about the same in others.

A few things I found out about the run. (Story mode that is)  You can only get the themed armor once. If you do it again you wont get another piece on the next run. You'll probably get these on Hard Mode.  

Bring plenty of defensive skills with you. Remember, this is not about DPS. This is not WoW. It's about surviving the fights. Bring reflects, blocks, and cripples. Cripple the Warriors and kite them. Block and reflect Archers, as well as evade their thrown traps. Stun and Daze Elementalists and kill them first.

To beat The Lovers, throw rocks at the guy. Many many rocks. Be aware of your Conditions, if you have Confusion on you, stop attacking or you'll take 100 damage per stack per skill use. GTFO of the Chaos Storms.

The rest of the bosses are easy in comparison to The Lovers. If you can beat them, the rest is cake.

Here's me and my guild dancing after we completed it:  http://i.imgur.com/EHLa4.jpg

Here's a video of the entire run: http://www.twitch.tv.../330655786  Yes, I streamed it. <3

[Thuley]

Thanks for the writeup, I am sure that it will help those who follow a lot.  I am looking forward to clearing it but that probably won't be for another week or so at my pace of progression.

[Ida]

Finished it today with guild, got the Ascalonian headgear. I'm guessing that explorable mode is where we end up getting the rest of the pieces?

Was quite fun though! I second the use of defensive skills, use them well ;]

[HappyWulf]

I had a reflect spell for my 3rd Utility that was not getting used much....  I switched it out for an Illusionary Warden. MUCH better. Plus it gives me Shatter fodder.

[Kraytus]

I'm able to run that now but sadly I'm not going to be able to till Mon (AEST) since tomorrow is fathers day. If anyone is able to run it then would you mind coming with me? I'm a healer

[Imagine]

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I'm able to run that now but sadly I'm not going to be able to till Mon (AEST) since tomorrow is fathers day. If anyone is able to run it then would you mind coming with me? I'm a healer

Well, by then I'm pretty sure I'm going to be lvl 45-50ish, but sure, why not. Should be interesting to venture in there

[HappyWulf]

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I'm able to run that now but sadly I'm not going to be able to till Mon (AEST) since tomorrow is fathers day. If anyone is able to run it then would you mind coming with me? I'm a healer

Well, by then I'm pretty sure I'm going to be lvl 45-50ish, but sure, why not. Should be interesting to venture in there

You get scaled down to 30, or 35 if you do Exploreable mode. But you are not even given the option to do Exploreable until you've completed Story mode.  If you're not prepared, it'll kick your ass. It's a trial by fire. It's nothing like anything you'll find in the rest of the overworld in the game.

[Snype Cyclos]

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I'm able to run that now but sadly I'm not going to be able to till Mon (AEST) since tomorrow is fathers day. If anyone is able to run it then would you mind coming with me? I'm a healer

I would very much like to join you, I'm at 35 and haven't done it yet. I also know of some Guildies that might be interested!

[Kraytus]

Awesome thx guys!  ^.^

[Imagine]

Went in there today, and all I've gotta say is those Rangers are absolutely ridiculous. Couldn't finish it though as my computer got bluescreened and it took like a year for the data archive to repair itself and I got booted from the group in the meantime.

Honestly, I'm not entirely sure if it's worth doing the place is actually worth the rewards, but clearing it once isn't bad.

[HappyWulf]

It's worth doing just for the practice. It's the first bit of true 'Hard' content. If all you do is zerg outdoor bosses, then you might not get the full experience. This is where you learn to block, evade, and reflect attacks. All those abilities that say "Stun for 1 second" that looked lame before, are now a nessesity. For Warriors, have someone with Cripple kite them. For Rangers, have someone with a block or reflect that lasts for more then 1 hit keeping their shots reflected, Try to stun and interrupt Elementalists so they can't cast and burn them down asap, Focus down the Ranger or Monks next, then the Necromancers. Save the warrior who's been getting kited last.

Again, swap out your Utilities for anything that will keep you alive. Why do you think ANet forces you to take 5 Utilities before going up to the next tier. It almost guarantees you will have something useful for keeping yourself alive in Dungeons.

I'm level 33 now. If someone wants to do Story mode with me tomorrow, let me know.  Afterwards I want to do Exploreable mode with my guild. >=3 Doing Story one more time will bump me up to 35!

[Imagine]

Yeah, I discovered rather quickly that the skill that allows me to turn allies conditions into boons is pretty bananas in there

Did the place with actually a pretty competent group, only place that gave much trouble was the dual bosses, otherwise it wasn't bad at all.

[HappyWulf]

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Yeah, I discovered rather quickly that the skill that allows me to turn allies conditions into boons is pretty bananas in there

Did the place with actually a pretty competent group, only place that gave much trouble was the dual bosses, otherwise it wasn't bad at all.

THROW ROCKS AT HIM!!! =D

[Philian]

The level 40 dungeon is completely amazing. With a good group you can clear it in 20 minutes!
20k exp and 13 silver + loot in 20 minutes is a godsend.

*edit: also remember to eat your chocolate oranges for that exp bonus and magic find buff!

[Imagine]

I've still yet to do CM, haven't found any groups asking about it

[Snype Cyclos]

Just a little bit of an update, Kraytus and I beat AC Story tonight.

[Kraytus]

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Just a little bit of an update, Kraytus and I beat AC Story tonight.

Ow god the pain! -.-

[HappyWulf]

Horror stories. Now.  All the juicy details!

[Kraytus]

All you need know is death omg so much death..... ow and I'm broke bloody repair costs =.=

We kind of winged the entire thing lol

[HappyWulf]

You know I have a video up you can watch for references on how to do each encounter, right? =3