R.O.G.U.E. Proving Grounds Redux

[kamimitsu]

Considering the length of the previous Proving Grounds thread, and that Mod 9 has changed so much of what is soloable/challenging, I decided that R.O.G.U.E. deserved a fresh start in a new thread. I have deleted some ranks that I considered 'questionable under the new Mod' either for being too easy, not interesting, or rendered impossible. What I am looking for here is suggestions for New Tasks, or alternately additional conditions to make previous tasks viable and challenging.

The Ruthless Order of Guile, Utility, and Extermination is a cross-server guild in which rogues of all types are welcome. The purpose of this guild is to develop a "proving grounds" for the shadowy arts. That is, criteria to help test the boundaries of what we, as rogues, can accomplish.

The proving grounds are split into 4 main categories: Skulduggery, Marks, Trapsmithing and Thuggery. Note that conditions, ranks, and even the feats themselves may change based on community preference, additional data, changes and updates to the game, and/or my whim.

I am soliciting suggestions for feats and conditions for these categories. Note, any feat should be confirmable by screenshot. The appropriate combat log may be necessary in some cases. Also, I'm OK with some feats requiring a certain path (Assassin, Acrobat, Mechanic), as one can always respec to perform the feat and switch back as necessary. It may even promote trying different paths.

The term "Solo" implies No-Reentry, No Hirelings, No tag-alongs for buffs, heals, etc. No outside help of ANY kind (House P Favor buffs excluded).

MEMBERSHIP RULES: In order to become a member of the guild, you must POST HERE (or PM me) with A) A feat you have accomplished on your rogue with accompanying screenshot (it DOES NOT have to be any of the listed feats, just something you thought was neato) and B) your rogue's name, race, build type and home server. Build type examples would be: Pure Assassin, Acrobat monk splash, Tempest Assasin, etc. I'm making this change as it was impossible to keep up with everyone's level progression.

Got Mod 9 proof tasks and ideas? Please please post them here!

[kamimitsu]

Skulduggery refers to completing tasks using tactics, isolating targets, hiding, and other non "brute-force" methods.
This thread on quests without Red Named bosses may prove useful for creating ranks, and or practicing skulduggery skills. Look for MrCow's awesome list.

10 Master Infiltrator
Complete Sins of Attrition. Conditions: Solo, Max kills ?

9 Darkest Darkness
Complete Monastery of the Scorpion. Conditions: Solo, Elite, Devious bonus.

8 Moving Shadow
Complete the swim and grab the horn from the Gnoll's cave in The Crucible without being spotted. Conditions: Elite, Solo for swim and grab section, screenshot must show un-aggroed gnolls in background and horn in inventory/quest dialog/etc.

7 Precise Hunter
Complete Jungles of Khyber mini-quest (access to Vault of Night - Part 3) with minimal kills (4 trolls). Conditions: Solo, Max Level ?

6 Smooth Criminal
Obtain the Silver Mirror in Prison of the Mind (Vault of Night - Part 2) without killing Instolgoldt or any of the pests in his house. Conditions: Elite

5 Mischievous Mapmaker a/k/a The Hightailer
Locate all the explorers in Gianthold, Vale, or Devil Battlefield without a kill. Conditions: Solo, Must be level appropriate, no deaths or re-entries.

4 Precision Scalpel
Complete Waterworks - Part 4 by killing only the Interrogator AND escape without being detected (no aggro). Conditions: Solo, Elite, Max Level 3

3 Passable Padfoot
Retrieve the River Gate key in the Halls of Shan-To-Kor - Part 2 without drawing any aggro from the hobgoblin guards. Conditions: None.

2 Cat-burglar
Complete Stealthy Repossession. Conditions: Solo, Elite, Insidious Cunning Bonus, Max Level 4

1 Invisible Angel
Complete Sacrifices. Conditions: 0 kills, 100% rescued, Solo, Elite, Max Level 1.

[kamimitsu]

There is a lot of room for improvement on this list. Please don't be shy with your suggestions!

Marks are contracts to eliminate or otherwise interact with some particular creature. Marks noted with "Assassinate" will require the Assassin specialty and must register as such. Marks noted with "Eliminate" are open for interpretation.

9 Blade in the Darkness
Find and assassinate Memnezerez in Rainbow in the Dark. Conditions: Elite?
7 Untwister
Eliminate the Whirling Ozann in the Menechtarun Desert. Conditions: Solo

6 Illicit Illithid
Shadow-hump an Ancient Flayer (requires a weakened Ancient Mind-flayer). Conditions: None

5 Beach-ball ballerina
Dance with a beholder (requires a weakened beholder). Conditions: None

2 Name dropper
Eliminate all 4 oranged-named bugbears (Madooroh, Bronkarz, Grundok, and Brakhash) in Kobold's New Ringleader. Conditions: Solo, Max Level 3, May require multiple runs/screenshots, Does not require completion

[kamimitsu]

Trapsmithing achievements involve traps, locked chests, and secret doors.

10 Ethereal Hand
Disable all of the Spinner traps in the lightning double hallway in The Vault of Night - Part 5. Conditions: Epic

9 Pink Panther
Disable the trap and open the pesky hobgoblin chest in Cabal for One. Conditions: Elite, Max Level 14

8 Danger Deflector
Find and disable the electric trap in the optional wing of Foundation of Discord. Conditions: Elite, Max Level 14

7 Port in the Storm
Find the secret door and disable the sonic traps to the shrine in Haywire's Foundry (Vault of Night - Part 4). Conditions: Elite, No Detect Secret Doors clickie (on your honor), Max Level ?

6 Backbiter
Register 85 Misadventure Kills (using traps) in Gwylan's Stand. Conditions: Solo, Does not require completion, Max Level 8

5 Twisting Blade
Complete Purge the Heretics with only Misadventure kills (using traps). Conditions: Solo, Elite, Max level 8.

4 Door Puncher
Open the 2 locked shrine doors in Tear of Dhakaan. Conditions: Elite, Max Level 7

1 Door finder
Disable the Lightning Traps and Spike Traps in Missing in Action. Conditions: Elite, Max Level 3, Rogue must use "search" to find each secret door (on your honor!)

[kamimitsu]

Deeds of Thuggery are for our less subtle-minded (but no less deadly) members, and mainly focus on DPS, AC, utility, or a combination thereof.

10 Hellish Brute
Dispatch the Stormreaver (The Reaver's Fate). Conditions: Solo, ?Elite?

9 Unstrikeable Target
Achieve an AC of 90+, and successfully tank Suulomades in Vision of Destruction, or either Suulomades or Horoth in Tower of Despair. Conditions: Hard or above

8 Deadly Firedancer
Complete Enter the Kobold. Conditions: Solo, Hard or above

7 Thuggish-ruggish Bones
Complete Against the Demon Queen - Part 1. Conditions: Solo

6 Devil Damage Dealer
Register the killing blow on Arreatrikos (The Thirteenth Eclipse, Part 4 or 5), Suulomades (A Vision of Destruction), and Horoth (Tower of Despair. Conditions: You may not inform your party you are attempting this rank! (That is, no asking the party to stop hitting near the end of the fight, or other tricks).

5 Wealth Redistribution Specialist
Complete Maraud the Mines. Conditions: Solo, Max Level ?

2 Tough Guy (non-internet)
Complete Waterworks (Parts 1-4) Conditions: Solo, Max Level 3

[kamimitsu]

These Other Titles cover anything that doesn't fit in the 4 above categories. I am actually quite interested in seeing if we can come up with a decent list of good stuff here.

Ultimate Lord of Shadows: The first capped, double-reincarnated rogue (rogue 20 X 3). Server-wide title, there will be only 1! Lamannia excluded, for obvious reasons.

Lord of Shadows: Cap a double-reincarnated rogue (rogue 20 X 3).

The Total Package: Complete Epic Claw of Vulkoor. Conditions: Epic, Solo (no hireling), 1 Kill, 4 traps, Pacify all Guardian Scorpions, Pass unnoticed by Roaming Scorpions and Scorpion Guardians.

Keeper of Hades' Secrets: Participate in a successful all-Rogue Shroud.

Devilish Deviant: Participate in a successful all-Rogue Vision of Destruction.

Boatman: Collect all party-mates' stones and bring them safely to a shrine (being responsible for getting them killed is optional, but extra fun.)

Slumber Party Catnapper: Take a screenshot while sleeping next to any non-magically asleep monster (no sleep spells!). Bonus for being on a bed, chest, or other architecture.

[kamimitsu]

Officers:
Grand Poo-bah of Dastardliness: Shizmonkey, Halfling Assassin, Ghallanda <kamimitsu>
Sage of Trickery: Brenna Wavekin, Elf Rogue / Bard 1 Argonnessen <SableShadow>
Leftenant of Pointy Things: Dresek Kil'viir, Drow Assassin, Ghallanda <Draccus>
Minister of Cardinal Directions: Points DeWay, Elf Rog, Thelanis <iscifi>
Lead Task Tester a/k/a Guinea Pig: Silla Bouk, Human Rogue, Thelanis <Depravity>
Master of the Five Point Palm Exploding Heart Technique*: Cache, Halfling Rogue, Lamannia <accelerando>
*first known instance of a bare-handed vorpal (Death Strike)

Complementary Parties: (ineligible for officer or ranks, but still useful to the cause)
Adjunct Advisor of Subterfuge: Cowtech, WF Sorc, Thelanis <MrCow>

Rank and File - OGs:
Alejo, Halfling Rogue, Argonnessen <alchilito>
Alwaysdrink Potions, WF Rogue, Argonnessen <Vra>
Baws, Hafling Rogue, ?Server? <Phineasj>
Brunhellan, Dwarf Rogue / Fighter, Ghallanda <Valork>
Deyna D'Muerte, Halfling Rogue, Khyber <Psyk0sisS>
Deeos D'Muerte, Halfling Rogue, Khyber <Psyk0sisS>
Discent, Halfling Rogu, Ghallanda <Saliarie>
Domtro, Halfling Rogue, Ghallanda <Kintro>
Inthedark, Drow Rogue / Fighter , Sarlona <Healemup>
Ferrumblood, Halfling Rogu, Khyber <Sephiroth1084>
Fizzletuck, Halfling Rogu, Khyber <Medic11>
Khruc, Halfling Rogue / Ranger / Monk, Ghallanda <Khroc>
Magnanamous Mouser, Drow Rogue / Ranger, Thelanis <Praut_Ektor>
Marbaxin, Human Rogue / Ranger, Khyber <Medic11>
Mournafein Hun'ndar, Drow Mechanic, Sarlona <v4n17y>
Risushi, Halfling Rog, Ghallanda <Komori>
Rumplesnick Thistledown, Halfling Assassin, Thelanis <Dopey_Power>
Tamdrinus Redelson, Halfling Assassin, Thelanis <codydugan>
Toraiche, ?Halfling? Rogue / Fighter, Thelanis <Lunewann>
Trixia Mirthblade, Elf Rogue, Argonnessen <duncangolden>
Westside KILLA, Halfling Rogue / Ranger/ Monk, Ghallanda <Obmi>
Xalasia, Drow Rogue / Ranger, Argonnessen <Xyrandina>

Rank and File - NGs:
Avaena, Human Tempest Acrobat II, Sarlona <NEUROTHYMIA>
Assail, Warforged Rogue, Argonnessen <kaelis>
Audan, Human Qstaff Rogue, Thelanis <chaosjihad>
Bonqui Qui, Halfling Assassin, Ghallanda <Berzhul>
Bunks Orca, Human Repeater Mechanic, Thelanis <Bunker>
Feruil, Halfling Rogue, Cannith <titantian>
HammerofGod, Halfling Rogue, Sarlona <fuzzball45>
Quicktoe, Halfing Rogue / Barbarian, Khyber <stz>
Syrraph, Halfing Rogue / Cleric, Cannith <YogoSkidz>
Shamgard, Halfling Rogue, Thelanis <Shamguard>
Syllexys, Elf Assassin, Ghallanda <Velexia>
Vonbek, Halfling Rogue, Sarlona <VonBek>
Wraithkin, Halfling Assassin / Fighter, Argonessen <Wraithkin>
Xxi, Warforged Assassin / Monk / Fighter, Thelanis <Kambuk>
Zaini Hijinx, Drow Rogue, Khyber <Shazzie>

Keeper (EU server) Liasion:
Benneburglar, Halfling Assassin <benneburg>

[Depravity]

Originally Posted by kamimitsu

Got Mod 9 proof tasks and ideas? Please please post them here!

Probably a little simple, but - "Slumber Party" : Screencap of your rogue sleeping on one of the beds in the Bastion, with sleeping tieflings visible in the background.

[kamimitsu]

Not a bad idea Depravity, but something that easy might as well be open to be done anywhere. I'm thinking Slumber Party: Take a screenie of you sleeping next to any 'non-magically asleep' monster. Kobolds in WW, Tieflings in Bastion, etc.

[sephiroth1084]

Most of the challenges are elite, so it shouldn't matter, but do you feel that dungeon scaling affects the non-elite ones to the point where they are of lesser consequence?

[Psyk0sisS]

Could still have solo Monastery as a task, since they fixed it back to Rogue friendly. Maybe #9, below Sins? Though the puzzles are all completable, its pretty tough since end boss know's you're there now (though not exactly where you are, he hunts for ya).

[kamimitsu]

Originally Posted by Psyk0sisS

Could still have solo Monastery as a task, since they fixed it back to Rogue friendly. Maybe #9, below Sins? Though the puzzles are all completable, its pretty tough since end boss know's you're there now (though not exactly where you are, he hunts for ya).

The stealth part is only really difficult on elite, and the end is nearly impossible to stealth on elite. Doesn't seem a good match these days. But I might reconsider.

[Psyk0sisS]

Originally Posted by kamimitsu

The stealth part is only really difficult on elite, and the end is nearly impossible to stealth on elite. Doesn't seem a good match these days. But I might reconsider.

Yeah, might have to be upped to 19 or 20. I'll have to dry run it and see, I've just been solo'n normal to farm runes.

[kamimitsu]

Originally Posted by sephiroth1084

Most of the challenges are elite, so it shouldn't matter, but do you feel that dungeon scaling affects the non-elite ones to the point where they are of lesser consequence?

Yes, I think that's the case, so I have removed many of the tasks for that very reason. However, in some cases twitch skills are actually of far more importance than quest level or your characters bonuses, and a judicious use of position, misdirection, and aggro management will determine if you can complete it. In those cases, I suppose an assigned Max Level or Difficulty Setting would be a moot point.

[kamimitsu]

Originally Posted by Psyk0sisS

Yeah, might have to be upped to 19 or 20. I'll have to dry run it and see, I've just been solo'n normal to farm runes.

I did a bunch when it when rogue friendly again (props to FlimsyFirewood for that!). However, after much deliberation, I just can't see how it is soloable on Elite with Sanyassi chasing you, Drow and scorpions scurrying around everywhere and all of that walking all over the puzzle. Even if you solve the puzzle in stages/successive passes, it just seems to much for one guy to do. However, if I'm wrong, I'm sure someone will manage it, screenie it, and then I'll be happy to put it back on the list.

[Psyk0sisS]

Originally Posted by kamimitsu

I did a bunch when it when rogue friendly again (props to FlimsyFirewood for that!). However, after much deliberation, I just can't see how it is soloable on Elite with Sanyassi chasing you, Drow and scorpions scurrying around everywhere and all of that walking all over the puzzle. Even if you solve the puzzle in stages/successive passes, it just seems to much for one guy to do. However, if I'm wrong, I'm sure someone will manage it, screenie it, and then I'll be happy to put it back on the list.

Done! 15 min, zero deaths, 8 kills (not from me, as you can see 5 unknown and 3 Misadventure)

Granted its a lvl 19 and I'm 20...so might have to have lower testers, but its possible still. He was acting just like on normal, swinging aimlessly but if you keep moving around the top square you should be good. The only difference I did notice was there was at least 2 other trash mobs in the big room, might be where the "Misadventure" kills came from because they died when the puzzle was done.

Monastery Pic 1
Monastery Pic 2

On a side note, I dont think Sins of Attrition is in the right area...maybe needs to be Thuggery. I just tried it on Hard, there are too many unavoidable fights IMHO to be counted as Skulduggery. You have to fight the Cinderspawn and the Djinn to continue on, then you have to fight in the big room with the table. Then if you get past that (Cheat Death got me past it lol, barrier dropped when I died), you have to work through the hall spawns. The Orthons form a wall that you cant get past, I tried summoning an Earth Ele, but they agro'd on me after he died.

Just a thought, if anyone can do it w/o having to fight all that stuff, I'd be interested to know

OTW out to Sins, I came across this named and went to /sleep right next to his worshipers (from the above post about /sleep lol) Just thought it'd be funny. Then I got up, blinded and vorpal struck him...like a black widow spider lol. It's pretty dark, kinda hard to see though.

[sephiroth1084]

Didn't MrCow solo Sins with something like 5 kills (just the few required monsters)? He posted a video as well. Can't recall what forum it was under...

http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=204925

[kamimitsu]

Originally Posted by Psyk0sisS

Done! 15 min, zero deaths, 8 kills (not from me, as you can see 5 unknown and 3 Misadventure)

Granted its a lvl 19 and I'm 20...so might have to have lower testers, but its possible still. He was acting just like on normal, swinging aimlessly but if you keep moving around the top square you should be good. The only difference I did notice was there was at least 2 other trash mobs in the big room, might be where the "Misadventure" kills came from because they died when the puzzle was done.

Monastery Pic 1
Monastery Pic 2

On a side note, I dont think Sins of Attrition is in the right area...maybe needs to be Thuggery. I just tried it on Hard, there are too many unavoidable fights IMHO to be counted as Skulduggery. You have to fight the Cinderspawn and the Djinn to continue on, then you have to fight in the big room with the table. Then if you get past that (Cheat Death got me past it lol, barrier dropped when I died), you have to work through the hall spawns. The Orthons form a wall that you cant get past, I tried summoning an Earth Ele, but they agro'd on me after he died.

Just a thought, if anyone can do it w/o having to fight all that stuff, I'd be interested to know

OTW out to Sins, I came across this named and went to /sleep right next to his worshipers (from the above post about /sleep lol) Just thought it'd be funny. Then I got up, blinded and vorpal struck him...like a black widow spider lol. It's pretty dark, kinda hard to see though.

Color me impressed. How in the world did you solve the puzzle with all the mobs running across it all the time. Just crazy twitch timing and solving piece by piece (and then letting them solve the rest for you, perhaps)? Feel free to PM me if you don't want to give away any trade secrets. Granted I haven't actually tried it myself since the new Mod, but it just seemed a logistical nightmare. Guess I'll have to eat crow and put it back up (and do it myself, ******!)

In Sins, it is possible to stealth by the spawned Devils/Orthons with some ingenuity (check Sephiroth's post about MrCow). Cinderspawn can be disrupted. Efreet can be vorpalled. The only big fight is table room, and that isn't all that troublesome with proper buffs, UMD healing, etc. As such, I figured Skulduggery. I am currently working on soloing Sins myself just to see how it is done (and how difficult it is compared to the other tasks).

[Psyk0sisS]

For Monastery I just run around the top section in a square...once everything is up there you drop down try to solve fast. I got lucky and was able to do it first time (though it was VERY close to being stepped on).

[Narwe]

I don't know if the all rogue shroud has to be post-mod 9, but the below group, lead by Squeek did it last December as level 16's.

Link is http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=165413&

It was lots of fun!

Originally Posted by daslim1

You've all seen or heard about the all cleric or all caster shroud. Now it's time to do the all rogue shroud. Completed 1st try. Scren Shots to follow.

1. Skee
2. Zacanichi
3. Pariss
4. Rindalathar
5. Nunyerbiz
6. Squeek
7. Jak
8. Reflecs
9. Bandita
10. Stricnine
11. Zandeer
12. Sciasca


Part 1

No problem everything as normal

Part 2

Bad pull...Orthon, Fire, Gnoll, Kobald
Took some prepping...1st try nice healing, dps, no deaths

Part 3

What u think..we r all rogues...about 2 min all puzzle solved...maybe 3

Part 4

4 rounds piece of cake, no deaths great job healing, dps

Part 5

Definately hardest, Breezed thru other 4 parts...every1 chipped in healing...a few deaths...some multiple... I was the 1st...frickin blades... They were the worst part.. no real safe area...failed concentration on scrolls, but others picked up the grp..Was very nice run...no bickering over all...a Great Success



TY to all involved You are great players and it was a pleasure.