User:Snow White Tan/God of Farming

The Dervish
The Dervish is an incredible profession. They have the highest damage weapon in the game, the Scythe, which not only deals high damage, but is able to hit 3 people at once. They are able to deal PBAoE damage and spread PBAoE conditions. They're even able to turn themselves into the Avatar of the 5 Gods, exceptionally increasing their efficiency. That, coupled with their impressive selection of self-defense and self-heal skills, the Dervish is a very capable profession in both PvE and PvP.

But the area where they excel the most is Farming.

As mentioned before, the dervish's arsenal includes high defense, multi-target weapons and high power Avatars. This enables them to farm in a lot of different areas, such as the most popular Underworld and Fissure of Woe.

The Underworld
The Underworld is one of the most popular farming areas in the game. This is because of the highly coveted Globs of Ectoplasm, one of the main ingredients in the prestigious Obsidian armor, the high level rewards from the Phantom Chests, and the relatively easy to farm monsters in the area. Monsters such as Smite Crawlers, Bladed Aatxe and Grasping Darknesses patrol in groups of 3-4, making them perfect targets for the Dervish's scythe.

D/Me UW Smite Solo
[build prof=D/Me name="UW Smite Solo" ill=9 scy=10+1+2 earthp=7+1 mys=10+2][Avatar of Balthazar][Eternal Aura][Ancestor's Visage][Sympathetic Visage][Mystic Vigor][Mystic Regeneration][Vital Boon][Victorious Sweep][/build]

This build uses the elite skill Avatar of Balthazar to compress 2 skills needed in a Dervish Underworld farming build: A running skill and an armor skill. It also uses the Mesmer skills Sympathetic Visage and it's Factions duplicate, Ancestor's Visage, to nullify the opponents offense/defense, in particular the Grasping Darknesses' use of "Fear Me!" and interruptions, and the Smite Crawlers' use of Shield of Judgment and Reversal of Fortune. This, coupled with the generic Dervish defensive skills, Mystic Regeneration, Mystic Vigor and Vital Boon, becomes a resilient and effective Underworld Farmer.

D/Me Dwayna UW Solo
[build prof=dervish/me scythe=12+1+2 mysticism=11+1 wind=6+1 Inspiration=2][Mystic Sweep][Eremite's Attack] [Mystic Vigor][Physical Resistance][Rending Aura][Avatar of Dwayna][Eternal Aura][Pious Haste][/build]

Akin to the FoW farmer below, this D/Me uses Avatar of Dwayna for high levels of healing combined with the same amount of defense as the first build to maximize survivability, while maintained a good damage output, and therefore good speed, by using 2 fast cast, high powered attack skills as a quasi-IAS. Replacing the Visages with the Wind Prayers alternative, Rending Aura, this can easily handle the Smite Crawlers use of Shield of Judgment. One of the easiest Dervish solo farming builds to pick up and use for new people, and is recommended for learning your way around the Underworld.

Making your own
Making a working UW solo build isn't hard, if you know how UW works. In case you don't, here's a small guide.

Generally, the build you're going to make is going to look like this:

The rest of your skills vary from build to build, but those are the most important pieces of the build.

Here's a list of must-have's and other useful skills for a UW solo farmer:

Armor Increase
Being only 10 AL above squishie, and with hard hitting Smite Crawlers roaming in UW, you'll need some armor boost to survive.

[[Image:Dervish-icon-small.png]] Dervish

 * - A popular choice, as it not only increases your AL by 40, but also increases your movement speed and changes your damage type to Holy Damage, which increases the damage against Graspings.


 * - Another popular choice, especially if either the elite or the secondary profession is used for something else. Note that it only increases your armor by 24, but also adds a 50% chance to block if you're enchanted.

[[Image:Mesmer-icon-small.png]] Mesmer

 * - Often used in builds where the secondary profession isn't needed, and Avatar of Balthazar isn't used, mainly because of the large armor increase (+40), but also because of the minimal attribute spending required to maintain.

[[Image:Asterisk.png]] Deldrimor

 * - Good if you either need your Elite, or your stance for something else.

Increased Movement Speed (IMS)
An IMS is very important when farming in UW, and not killing Aatxe. This is because you need to be able to not only get past Aatxe to get to the Smites, but also because you need to aggro and kill Graspings (and only Graspings) to open the gates to the Ice Wastes. And Graspings have an annoying habit of staying in conversation range of the Aatxe. Fortunately for us, Aatxe break aggro quickly when under the effects of an IMS, and Graspings don't. Meaning they can be separated.

[[Image:Dervish-icon-small.png]] Dervish

 * - As mentioned above, Avatar of Balthazar serves the dual purpose of armor and speed boost, and as such is perfect for pulling Graspings and performing the run to the Ice Wastes.


 * - Being maintainable even at low levels of Mysticism, this is perfect for non-Balthazar builds. Note that this skill removes an enchantment upon ending, so cover with a short recharge enchantment when pulling if you're using bonds.

Attack Skills
The majority of your damage output is going to come from your attack skills. Which skills you choose to bring should depend on what build you're using.

[[Image:Dervish-icon-small.png]] Dervish

 * - High damage, semi spammable attack skill that doubles as self healing.


 * - Fast attack speed means increased DPS. Augmented by many enchants.


 * - Same as above, but augmented by many foes.


 * - Very spammable high damage. Note, will most likely be interrupted alot by Graspings, meaning low DPS against them, unless you use an IAS.


 * - Self healing when using conditions. Note the high energy cost.

Self Healing
For obvious reasons, you'll need self healing to survive in UW.

[[Image:Dervish-icon-small.png]] Dervish

 * - As Dervish usually have an abundance of enchantments on them, and have spent a good part of their attributes in Mysticism, Mystic Vigor is often the best and only choice of self heal. Especially true for builds with a +40 AL skill.


 * - Often used by newer players in need of an extra layer of self protection, as Mystic Vigor is more than enough for more experienced players.


 * - Again, this is commonly used by inexperienced players needing more survivability, as you shouldn't face any hexes while farming (unless you aggro Coldfires).


 * - Grenth belongs in the Underworld, and so does his avatar after the update. With life steal and cold damage, Avatar of Grenth serves as both healing and higher damage, especially against the Grasping Darkness. When using this skill, Mystic Vigor is redundant.


 * - Generally unnecessary, but some players might like the delayed healing and the synergy with Victorious Sweep.


 * - Doubling as an attack skill, Victorious Sweep is almost guaranteed to keep you alive once you get a bit more health than your opponents.


 * - Useful if you're using conditions. Note the high energy cost.

[[Image:Monk-icon-small.png]] Monk

 * - Can be used to augment your healing-on-hit rate, especially when combined with Mystic Vigor.


 * - Same as above.

Shield of Judgment Countermeasures
The bane of many melee farming builds is the Smite Crawlers' elite skill, Shield of Judgment, which not only deals hefty damage, but also knocks you down and thus renders your healing-on-hit useless.

[[Image:Dervish-icon-small.png]] Dervish

 * - Removes enchantments when hit, so it's perfect for dealing with Shield of Judgment.

[[Image:Mesmer-icon-small.png]] Mesmer

 * / - Drains energy and adrenaline when hit, so not only good for dealing with smites, but also prevents Graspings from interrupting and draining your energy.

[[Image:Dervish-icon-small.png]] Dervish

 * - As an IAS, it not only increases your damage output, but also your energy gain from Zealous weapons, and healing from Mystic Vigor.


 * - Recharges all your Dervish skills. A must when using Avatars.


 * - Even at low rank, this skill increases your damage greatly. Though not in the skill description, this also changes your damage type to Holy, meaning more damage against Graspings.


 * - Useful when using conditions.


 * - As Krowman once said, "DW synergizes with anything that isn't dead yet." This is true for UW as well, as it not only allows for quicker killing against both Graspings and Smites (killed in 10 seconds with this, usually), but also acts as a form of self protection, as the Smites will spend more time removing conditions than they will attacking you.


 * - Increases your damage by quite a bit, especially when combined with Aura of Holy Might. Allows for use of more non-attack skills.

[[Image:Monk-icon-small.png]] Monk

 * - Damage boosts are always nice.


 * - Good for energy management. When using this you don't need a Zealous weapon.

[[Image:Warrior-icon-small.png]] Warrior

 * - A free, maintainable IAS. If using this, your armor increase has to come from either Avatar of Balthazar or Great Dwarf Armor, as this skill both locks your secondary, and is a stance.

Elite Skills
Can be anything, really. Some elites are going to be better than others, but you can farm UW without any elite skill. They just make it easier. If you want, you can bring Spiteful Spirit to deal more damage, or Shield of Judgment to get payback for all those times Smites have killed you, etc.

Other builds worth mentioning
D/Mo Shield of Judgment UW Solo

D/any Balthazar UW Solo

The Fissure of Woe
Unlike the Underworld, this is a very unfriendly place, where balanced patrols make solo farming practically impossible, except for a few select mobs. The main target of the farms here are the Obsidian Shards, and although they are the other main ingredient in Obsidian armor, they are worth much less. All of this makes the Fissure of Woe a generally unfarmed area, except for the occasional Chest Run, which targets the Crystalline Sword dropping Obsidian Chests. Despite this, there are a few easily farmed critters in an area called the Fissure of Woe Beach, which, again, patrol in groups of 3.

D/Me Dervish Solo FoW Farmer
[build prof=dervi/mesme inspir=4 scythe=12+1+3 earthp=7+1 mystic=10+1][Avatar of Dwayna][Physical Resistance][Eternal Aura][Mystic Vigor][Mystic Regeneration][Victorious Sweep][Eremite's Attack][Pious Haste][/build]

This is likely to be the safest solo farmer of the Beach. It uses the hex-removing Avatar of Dwayna to deal with the abundance of hexes in the area, the Mesmer skill Physical Resistance as an armor buff, and the aforementioned generic Dervish defenses, Mystic Vigor and Mystic Regeneration to create a very resilient and very effective killer of the Snarling Driftwood, Armored Cave Spiders and even the Ancient Skale, although fighting the latter is a bad idea. Dying is unlikely when using this correctly.

D/any Balthazar FoW Farmer
[build prof=dervi/any scythe=12+1+3 earthp=8+1 mystic=10+1][Victorious Sweep][Eremite's Attack][Aura of Holy Might][Mystic Vigor][Mystic Regeneration][Heart of Fury][Avatar of Balthazar][Eternal Aura][/build]

Whereas the D/Me is the safest, this is the fastest. By using Avatar of Balthazar to compress Physical Resistance and Pious Haste into one long lasting skill, this build allows for the use of 2 attack buffs: Heart of Fury and Aura of Holy Might, both of which will increase your DPS greatly. This build does sacrifice some survivability and safety to do this, and is therefore not to be used by players that are unfamiliar with Beach farming. But for people that know what they are doing, this is the way to go.

Making your own
Making a workable FoW farming Dervish build is much like making a UW farming one. In fact, the main bar is much the same:

Once again, the rest of the bar is up to you.

Here's a list of the must-have's and some other useful skills for a FoW farmer.

Armor Increase
As before, you're only a notch above squishie, and therefore need some armor increase to survive.

[[Image:Dervish-icon-small.png]] Dervish

 * - As this skill compresses your IMS and your armor increase into one skill, it allows you to bring more damage, self defense, etc. It also changes your damage to holy, resulting in higher damage against the Snarling Driftwood.


 * - Good choice if you want extra utility, damage, etc. from your secondary profession or your Elite. Note that it only increases your armor by 24.

[[Image:Mesmer-icon-small.png]] Mesmer

 * - The best non-Elite armor boost for a FoW farmer, as it's long lasting and increases your armor by 40. There are no elemental monsters on the Beach, so the decreased armor against elements doesn't matter.

[[Image:Asterisk.png]] Deldrimor

 * - Once again, this is good if you either need your Elite, or your stance for something else.

Increased Movement Speed (IMS)
As with the UW farmer, an IMS is essential to the success of your FoW farmer. It allows you to move from the Tower of Courage to the Fissure Shore and to the Spider Cave without having to fight foes such as the Ancient Skale or the Shadow Army.

[[Image:Dervish-icon-small.png]] Dervish

 * - Serving as both an IMS and an armor increase skill, this is a good choice for both.


 * - Excellent IMS, and the most commonly used skill by non-AoB's.

Attack Skills
Your main damage output (unless you choose to use Vow of Strength) is going to come from your attack skills. Many serve a secondary purpose, such as self healing, while others simply murder the enemy.

[[Image:Dervish-icon-small.png]] Dervish

 * - Once again, this has high damage, and is a semi spammable attack skill that doubles as self healing.


 * - Fast attack speed means increased DPS. Augmented by many enchants.


 * - Same as above, but augmented by multiple foes.


 * - Very spammable high damage. Fun to use with an IAS.


 * - Self healing when using conditions. Note the high energy cost.

Self healing
Even with your armor increases, you're going to need self healing. This is especially true in FoW, as you're gonna face some high damage and condition pressure.

[[Image:Dervish-icon-small.png]] Dervish

 * - A must for any dervish farmer, the healing this skill supplies is more often than not all you're going to need. Unfortunately this isn't the case in FoW, but still a must-have.


 * - Another must for FoW farmers, as the Spiders have a rather nasty habit of spamming poison on you.


 * - Combine with Farmer's Scythe and an IAS and you've got nigh invincibility in FoW. When you use this you hardly need Mystic Regeneration. Also allows for killing Ancient Skale; however, this is not recommended, as they're still some powerful creatures.


 * - High damage AND self heal. Guaranteed to make your life easier in FoW.


 * - More reliable self heal if you're using conditions. Note the high energy cost.

[[Image:Dervish-icon-small.png]] Dervish

 * - Effectively increases your damage output by 50%, your energy gain from Zealous weapons, and healing from Mystic Vigor.


 * - Recharges all your Dervish skills. A must when using Avatars.


 * - Even at low rank, this skill increases your damage greatly. Though not in the skill description, this also changes your damage type to Holy, meaning more damage against Driftwood.


 * - Useful when using conditions.


 * - As Krowman once said, "DW synergizes with anything that isn't dead yet." This skill murders in FoW, as your foes have no way of dealing with Deep Wound.


 * - Increases your damage by quite a bit, especially when combined with Aura of Holy Might. Note, it disallows use of attack skills.


 * - They can't hit you if they can't see you. Makes runs easier.

[[Image:Warrior-icon-small.png]] Warrior

 * - A free, maintainable IAS. If using this, your armor increase has to come from either Avatar of Balthazar or Great Dwarf Armor, as this skill both locks your secondary, and is a stance.

Elite Skills
As with the UW farmers, the Eite skills aren't set in stone. You can bring whatever Elite you want, as long as they're useful in some way.

Various other areas
Farming isn't limited to the Realms of the Gods. Though drops may not always be as profitable, general loot and gold drops can still give a nice money/time rate, especially if the world does not have the Favor of the Gods. One of the benefits of farming outside the Mists is that you don't have to pay, making death less frustrating.

D/Mo 130hp Dervish
[build name="130hp dervish" prof=dervi/monk protec=10 scythe=12+1+3 earthp=6+3 mystic=6+3][Protective Spirit][Mystic Regeneration][Mystic Vigor][Mystic Sweep][Eremite's Attack][Reaper's Sweep][Balthazar's Spirit][Essence Bond][/build]

One of the more well known and effective general Dervish farmer, this build is like the infamous 55hp Monk farming builds, and revolves around reducing the health of the player to a level where Protective Spirit and Mystic Regeneration gives near invincibility. This is able to farm most mêlée mobs, with the exception of those carrying enchant removal skills. This is also capable of killing quite a few bosses, giving it a secondary purpose of Green Farming, which can be quite profitable.

D/Me Vaettir Farmer
[build prof=d/me scythe=12+1+1 mystic=10+1 inspir=8][Victorious Sweep][Lyssa's Assault][Eremite's Attack][Radiant Scythe][Vow of Silence][Mantra of Earth][Faithful Intervention][Pious Haste][/build]

This build was created to farm Spectral Vaettir, a ghostly race of Mesmers found in Eye of the North. This build effectively stops the Vaettir from casting spells at the player, while using non-spell defenses to overcome the downside of Vow of Silence. It's purpose is to obtain Glacial Stones, which are used to create Glacial Gauntlets.

D/Mo Silent IDS Solo
[build prof=Dervish/Monk Scythe_Mastery=10+1+3 Mysticism=8+1 Earth_Prayers=8 Wind_Prayers=10][Farmer's Scythe][Victorious Sweep][Chilling Victory] [Vow of Silence][Mystic Regeneration][Balthazar's Spirit][Fleeting Stability][Enchanted Haste][/build]

This build, much like the Vaettir Farmer above, was designed to fight a single type of creature after a long run, in this case the Ice Imps of the Southern Shiverpeaks. However, unlike the Vaettir Farmer, the target of this farm is the popular, and rare, [Icy Dragon Sword].

Conclusion
All in all, the Dervish is an excellent farmer, capable of farming both the most popular and the most obscure areas, if you got the right build. And the right build is not that hard to put together if you know what you're facing.