Tears is currently an excellent quest and should not be touch. If have to, then at most, add a remote unlocked shrine.
And don't downgrade the Tear's locks difficulties. My ranger with a 1 level rogue splash can open the shrines on elite on Tears at 7th level (ok, it took a few attempts), so an at level party with a decent rogue or splash rogue should easily handle it. Maybe consider adjusting some locks in other quests to be harder...
Removing challenges that are reasonable is not a good choice. However can consider adding some info in the quest difficulty hinting that suggest bringing a good locksmith...?
Breaking down doors and chest via spells and weapon damage could be something else to add. Would have to be take quite a long time to compensate ... enough for quite a few wandering monsters to be curious
I like it.
Unlocked shrine could be added to the underwater section (too early probably) or maybe the golem room.
I think the keys that drop should be randomly dropped by named monster within the vicinity: there are typically 1-3 between the first shrine and the pipe we drop down for example.
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Indeed, I've soloed it with a Paladin at level before. It's a great quest to teach resource conservation and better battle tactics. I'll be glad when my guildies get someone up enough to run it as a group. A few of them could learn not to throw 15 fireballs at a single kobold. Then again, by making it easy to hit the shrines, there goes the value of it.
I wonder if the existing Catacombs loot will be upgraded? I have that Blade of the Inquisition on my Ranger, as one of two Ghost Touched weapons. If not, I can rerun it easily enough. I've soloed that series with almost every character I've kept, except my Sorcerer.
Geez Louise.......if it's that big a deal about the shrines then make everyone commit to NOT using them at all before entering that way you can have your precious challenge back......wow your acting like you do not have to ability to make ur own options.
DING
We have a winner folks!
This quest has not only been an XP goldmine from day one, but eminently soloable after the first time or two through it to get your bearings.
If you really need that shrine, bring a rogue with OL skills, an OL item and some tools...or a caster with knock...sure, we'll think you're gimped but hey, you still got your shrine.
Was on Lamannia last night and blasted a character thru Tears. Both of the current shrines were no longer locked (A valve to open the first one and a lever by the door for the second one). HOWEVER, I looked everywhere for the new one EXCEPT for the Golem Room in the City Room. So unless it was there, it appeared to be a myth. Now I did not use either of the other shrines, so if it was only triggered if you for example used the other shrines, then I would not have seen it. I went past every rune and down every side corridor and optional, except the one I mentioned.
Sarlona - The Ko Brotherhood :Jareko-Elf Ranger12Rogue8+4E; Hennako-Human Cleric22; Rukio-Human Paladin18; Taellya-Halfling Rogue16; Zenako-Dwarf Fighter10Cleric1; Daniko-Drow Bard20; Kerriganko-Human Cleric18; Buket-WF Fighter6; Xenophilia-Human Wiz20; Zenakotwo-Dwarf Cleric16; Yadnomko-Halfling Ftr12; Gabiko-Human Bard15; lots more
I honestly don't know whether to report you for trolling about soloing shroud or to side with you in that the challenge needs to remain...
If you want to solo shroud proper, do it with Newb Gear restrictions to keep it real. This means no gear over level 16, no GreenSteel, and very limited Chest Loot(No Scourge Choker or Bloodstone, for example).