Master the Torches in the Cove

[Karranor]

DDM’s Realm has released a video on how to become a master Torch Runner in the Crystal Cove event for Dungeons and Dragons Online! Master the fine art of bossing the stubborn kobolds around with handfuls of flaming sticks. Max out your returns every run with lots of time to spare.

~NOTE: New video uploaded that should be a lot easier to follow. Check it out!~
Become a Master Torch Runner: http://www.ddmsrealm.com/blog/index.php/2011/10/master-torches-in-the-crystal-cove-special-event

Get into Crystal Cove while you can and collect all that great loot. There is a ton of great items and all of them come in leveled version for any character! Go to DDM’s Realm to find out more about the great Crystal Cove event!

Crystal Cove Walkthrough: http://www.ddmsrealm.com/blog/index.php/2011/02/crystal-cove-quest-walkthrough
Crystal Cove Crafting: http://www.ddmsrealm.com/blog/index.php/2011/02/dungeons-and-dragons-online-5th-anniversary-crafting-and-recipes
Crystal Cove Items: http://www.ddmsrealm.com/blog/index.php/2011/02/dungeons-and-dragons-online-5th-anniversary-new-crafted-items
Crystal Cove Pirate Hat Crafting: http://www.ddmsrealm.com/blog/index.php/2011/02/pimp-your-pirate-hats-for-dungeons-and-dragons-online-5th-anniversary-live-event

[SupTyr]

Nice video!

but really hard to watch, moving way too fast and the scrolling text on top - ugh

Edit: One question: Why do you activate the torches from your inventory? Would be much easier to place them with a hotkey.

[Karranor]

Thanks, I as afraid it would be too fast but seemed like it would be OK late last night. Guess I was wrong. :( I will remaster it as soon as I can but had to get it up because I am leaving on a short trip and wanted to try to help some people out today. For now, run through once reading then once watching. hehe

As far as leaving the inventory open, I do that because it is a pain to re-hot key everything in there. Hot keys work but they constantly get cleared as you use the last of an item, so when you get a new one you have to open your inventory anyway. Same with moving the teleporters, etc. So it ends up saving a lot of time overall in the quest to just leave your inventory open and off to the side so you can easily access quest items. It also helps to notice when the quest slips in extra things like barrels, torches or requisitions from killing named mobs.

I will get this slowed down as soon as I can so you don't have to do a line to watch it. :D I also need to do something about the music... You Tube did not like my first choice... :mad:

[Urist]

Hot keys work but they constantly get cleared as you use the last of an item,
Not any more they don't. :D

[Xionanx]

So... the video doesn't give any hints on placing torches at all, just a lame go this direction then this direction to get the loots... Really:rolleyes:

Nothing about how to stop them from bunching up?
Nothing about how to stop them from turning around on the line?
Nothing about how or when you should place healing torches?

Did you forget for a minute that your NOT guaranteed purple crystal in those directions every time? That your not even 100% certain there will be large clumps of other crystal there.

Your BEST bet is to have someone "Scouting" how knows the difference between E/W/N/S and can tell you there are X number of purple nodes EEN or EES etc and then place your line that way.

[Cauthey]

Your video is "buy heavy." There's no reason whatsoever to have more than one teleporter. 1 teleporter (preferrably by teleporter req.) and a caster or three wiht DDoor is all you need. Remember, the less you buy, the less crystals you have to farm.

[SHOCK_and_AWE]

Not any more they don't. :D

This this this.^

[SupTyr]

So... the video doesn't give any hints on placing torches at all, just a lame go this direction then this direction to get the loots... Really:rolleyes:

Nothing about how to stop them from bunching up?
Nothing about how to stop them from turning around on the line?
Nothing about how or when you should place healing torches?


The trick seems to be to pick up the line when the kobolds are on their way down to the waterfall. I tried that today and yes it really prevents them from turning back. Not so easy to get it right but this looks like a very effective method to get the kobolds directly to the crystals.

[Zipwire]

Since U11 any items in your hotbar that are consumed are greyed out but remain in position.
When you pick up another of same item it goes directly to hotbar in that spot.

I made a new hotbar just for the cove items, teleporter, both kinds of torches, barrels and req forms.
Easy to see what you have in inventory and single click to use them.
Great to see how many reqs you have as well.
Everytime you go back in the quest they refill when you pick something up.

I recommend everyone to do it even if you are not running torches.
Sometimes you don't notice when you recieve items in your inventory, makes it easy to see what you have and can transfer them to the torcher or to drop barrels.

[Kmnh]

So... the video doesn't give any hints on placing torches at all, just a lame go this direction then this direction to get the loots... Really:rolleyes:

Nothing about how to stop them from bunching up?
Nothing about how to stop them from turning around on the line?
Nothing about how or when you should place healing torches?

Did you forget for a minute that your NOT guaranteed purple crystal in those directions every time? That your not even 100% certain there will be large clumps of other crystal there.

Your BEST bet is to have someone "Scouting" how knows the difference between E/W/N/S and can tell you there are X number of purple nodes EEN or EES etc and then place your line that way.

See, that's the point of the video: it doesn't matter where the purpes are, you should always start from east and then move west, as fast as possible.

[stoerm]

The trick seems to be to pick up the line when the kobolds are on their way down to the waterfall. I tried that today and yes it really prevents them from turning back. Not so easy to get it right but this looks like a very effective method to get the kobolds directly to the crystals.

I have been very frustrated by kobolds turning back. Do you mean having a shepherd removing the torch each time they've passed one? Seems very labor intensive but I guess the best solution.

[Rapthorn]

So... the video doesn't give any hints on placing torches at all, just a lame go this direction then this direction to get the loots... Really:rolleyes:

Nothing about how to stop them from bunching up?
Nothing about how to stop them from turning around on the line?
Nothing about how or when you should place healing torches?

Did you forget for a minute that your NOT guaranteed purple crystal in those directions every time? That your not even 100% certain there will be large clumps of other crystal there.

Your BEST bet is to have someone "Scouting" how knows the difference between E/W/N/S and can tell you there are X number of purple nodes EEN or EES etc and then place your line that way.


While your points may be valid, to insult the OP is unjustified. He went out of his way to make this video for the community and all you can do is complain... take your **** attitude elsewhere.

[Zipwire]

While your points may be valid, to insult the OP is unjustified. He went out of his way to make this video for the community and all you can do is complain... take your **** attitude elsewhere.

/\ This
+1 to you and the OP.

[Xionanx]

Ahh yes, because expecting someone that posts a "Guide" to actually have something in it is "Insulting" that person:rolleyes:

[Beethoven]

Ahh yes, because expecting someone that posts a "Guide" to actually have something in it is "Insulting" that person:rolleyes:

There is stuff in it. The guide explains which way has the highest chance of finding purples. It explains you can speed up things by deconstructing the line behind the kobolds to build a new direction and it shows the basics of how to scout for yourself instead of relying on a scouter.

These things may not be useful to you, but people new to the event or less experienced with running torches still may find it useful. The OP merely did not tailored his guide to your needs. However, just because someone dares do something not directly beneficial to you is no reason to give him/her attitude. +1 to the OP anyway for the effort.

As for your questions:

* There are various reasons why kobolds can bunch up. Mobs on the line can cause that behavior. A party member experiencing connection issues can lead to them bugging out.
* They turn around when can they cannot path forward properly. It may be because the line goes through some obstacles or they simply get confused by the torches splitting in multiple directions. Sometimes they will just turn around, go back, turn around again and continue down the line. Breaking the line behind them can help. Laying the line in a larger arch around a corner helps too.
* Healing Torches? Never. Kobolds slow down to heal up along the blue line and any benefit they may receive from healing is offset by the time you loose by them slogging down the line in an agonizing slow pace.

[Karranor]

Thank you all for the constructive feedback.

I have uploaded a new remastered Master the Torches video. :D This one should be a lot easier to follow and use. You shouldn't need to drink 9 cups of java to keep up. Hehe

http://www.ddmsrealm.com/blog/index.php/2011/10/master-torches-in-the-crystal-cove-special-event

Good luck all!

[Xionanx]

See, that one was MUCH better.:p

[Karranor]

See, that one was MUCH better.:p

Good deal, thanks! Still trying to get the hang of this video making thing. hehe

[Osco]

This video has helped me tremendously. I've been soloing CC at CR5 as a level 6 monk, and never fail. My worst "haul" was 27 shards because of REALLY crappy random placement, and my best has been 87, with the average near 50.

Thanks tons for taking the time out to make the video and explain clearly how to approach this quest!