Should I join low R1 heroics LFMs?

[delsoboss]

Hi G-land,

I've left the game a few years back when Reaper had just appeared and I've come back recently playing with friends. I've just started TRing another character on my own and I have a whopping 3 reaper points so I'm sticking to R1s. I'm on a melee with no good way of self-healing in reaper but I can do R1s just fine with an hire. Being currently barb 8 / rog 2 I've got a bunch of HPs, evasion that works most of the time, barb damage reduction, some AC, dodge and P/MRR but in reaper when I get in the face of a bunch of champions or a carnage reaper I need healing afterwards, more than what's feasible chugging CSW pots for 10 hp a pop like an alcoholic.

For this reason I've been hesitant to join R1 LFMs because I don't want to be a drag on the rest of the party or pike half the dungeon. So what's the status on G-land heroic R1s LFMs? Are they implicitly intended to be BYOH? If that's the case, how do you do it in the early levels of melee (barb/fighter/ranger/rogue) lives*? Did I mess up by not stocking on Silver Flame pots before TRing?

*I'm aiming to get the Occult Slayer T5s as soon as possible, hoping those would be enough in low reaper, anyone's got any feedback on that or which one (Vampiric Bond / One Spirit) to get first?

Cheers!

[FranOhmsford]

I don't play much on G-Land but I'd assume it's no different to any other server in this.

There's two main issues with R1.

1. Be able to kill Reapers FAST - The Ethereal Weapons from Keep on the Borderlands {farm 1 Ethereal Ingot from slayer rare chests - You should get one within 10 rares to be honest} and hand it in to the Weaponsmith in the Keep for a weapon of your choice}.

2. Have sufficient self-healing - At low levels and on R1 this isn't as bad as you'd think though Cure Light and Cure Mod Pots are pretty much useless - If you're in a guild of at least lvl 20-30 you should be able to stack up on Cure Serious Pots from the Guild Pot Vendor in House K.
You can also get Barkskin, Heroism, Lesser Resto and Remove Curse/Disease/Poison pots from him.
And you can get Shield of Faith Pots from the pot shop by the bridges in House K.

BUT

Upon joining an LFM that has less than 5 players in it just ASK the Leader if they're ok with you popping a Hireling healer - Chances are they will be fine with it unless they're looking for a full party and you can always dismiss the hire if they get a real healer to join too

If the Leader doesn't want Hirelings then just be ready to stop and pot up when needed.

[Mindos]

Hi

Welcome baCK! Sure, join those R1 herioc runs. It's some kind of steamroll robotic event, so don't worry about slowing anyone down. Because they won't stop, never stopping. R1 has become the new normal, easy for some even, they will be onto the next before you can say share please.

So if you want fast, efficient Xp and some reaperXP, it's the way to go. If you want healed, raised, or even an answer to the question "Are you guys all bots?" well, it's hit or miss.

[cru121]

Sure, join up.

For r1, some groups are overpowering the content, oneshotting stuff left and right, sprint boosting to end chest. In that case, ideally don't die in a remote corner. And stay back if hurt and thank for heals.

Then there are some groups that can appreciate a bit of extra DPS that you can provide, and in that case, they are probably going to appreciate you being here (and help with heals).

[mikarddo]

Definitely join. Dont summon a hireling without asking. Dont expect heals but often you will get them. Hang back a bit if you are low on hp and no heals are coming.
Enjoy the xp. Sometimes the group will be social other times it will be pure zerg.

[delsoboss]

Thanks for the replies!

I can kill reapers/champions fast (before them and their friends kill me) but my problem is more with the self-healing penalties which make healing back to full a pain with just CSW pots. I've got some clickies for random occurrences, status removal pots and all that stuff.

It's just, you know, with dungeon scaling I would like to be a (maybe modest) improvement when I join a party and not a drag on resources, and I'm not too familiar with reaper to judge.

Oh and I would never summon an hireling is someone else's group.

I guess I will join a few LFMs and see how that goes.

[Torkzed]

I play on Ghallanda and I fairly regularly post R1 heroic LFMs. Here are my thoughts:

If you are worried about not being able to contribute enough, then don't let that stop you. Many players (myself included) don't mind if someone contributes less, as long as they don't excessively slow the party down. If you are doing what you can (and it sounds like you are, if you have healing potions), it is not a big deal. Joining R1 quests is a good and reasonable way to get your reaper points up so that your HP/defenses will get better.

The number one thing is to let the party know you have been away from the game and are getting back up to speed. The second priority is "keep up" with the group, and dont wander off. (If you do wander off and die, just relax. You still get the xp as a soul stone!). (Knowing where the quests are in advance is also very helpful to keeping up. But if you don't know...ask!)

Also, if you are not in a full party, ask the leader if he/she minds if you bring in a hireling to heal you! I know that most of the time, I am not going to get a full party. If you contribute more (or have more fun) with a hireling attached, I'm fine with that. But please, ask first! And be prepared to dismiss if the leader requests it.

Most of the other folks in the group can probably handle the monsters easily, so pick your battles. If you are constantly throwing yourself into the biggest pack of mobs, you will need a lot of healing. Try to pick off stragglers instead. I carry level appropriate healing items (heal scrolls, resto scrolls, raise dead scrolls, etc) to help party members, but I can't play my character efficiently if I have to spend a lot of time healing others. Try to do what you can to minimize the amount of time others will have to spend healing you. (I am currently playing sorcerer most of the time, so killing stuff is the fast part in R1 heroic. Using heal scrolls is slow.)

Bottom line: People who post R1 heroics are usually planning on fast completions, but are also usually not worried about new/returning players joining if they take care not to slow the party down too much. I think most posters understand that this is the way that new/returning/casual players are going to build reaper experience.

One final thought: If your highest priority is learning the quests, you are probably far better off solo'ing with a hireling. You will have to decide if you are more interested in learning the quests well, or getting fast xp.

[apocaladle]

When I am leveling back to 30 I run r1 lfms not because I need other players, I can complete it just fine without but because I want company.

I don't care if people pike in my parties, everyone is welcome. The LFMs let me have company while leveling, easy exp for the people who join and keeps more lfms on the board.

At least thats what I do on Cannith.

[Thrudh]

R1 groups are happy to have anyone.

No worries if you're not the best character in the group. It's good to join those to slowly build up your reaper xp, and get stronger.

As for surviving reapers or champs.. As a 8/2 barb/rogue, get Blood Tribute in the Frenzied Berserker tree.

That 150 temp hp is HUGE in low level heroic LFMs. Just hit that button if you see reaper or a champ coming towards you.

[Zavina]

. Have sufficient self-healing - At low levels and on R1 this isn't as bad as you'd think though Cure Light and Cure Mod Pots are pretty much useless - If you're in a guild of at least lvl 20-30 you should be able to stack up on Cure Serious Pots from the Guild Pot Vendor in House K.
You can also get Barkskin, Heroism, Lesser Resto and Remove Curse/Disease/Poison pots from him.
And you can get Shield of Faith Pots from the pot shop by the bridges in House K.

Would be better off going to the Potion Shop (almost called it the Pot Shop ) by the side of the teleporter in House Jorasco. That junk in House K is BTC, and if someone needs stuff in party, can't pass it; whereas the House Jorasco pots are unbound.

[Yvonnel-1]

im actually running a paladin for racials and ive never minded to throw some of my heals or lay on hands on players in need - and thats exactly the way i see its common. most ppl rather look at health bars and try to help partymembers out instead of running to the next shrine^^ thats just my experience but i think its the way to play in reapers (yes, even r1)!