Build:Any/A Desolation Runner

This build is in the metagame and deserves to be stored. This build has received an overall rating in the range from 4.75 to 5.0 and thus qualifies for the highest category of working builds: Great. This build has been designed for the following use: PvE running

Run Desolation like a pro using any profession!

Attributes and Skills

Any / Assassin 12 Shadow Arts Dash FactionsAssassin. UnlinkedDashStanceFor 3 seconds, you run 50% faster.58 Dwarven Stability EotNNo Profession. Deldrimor rank Dwarven StabilityEnchantment SpellFor 24..30 seconds, your Stances last 55..100% longer. If you activated this Skill while drunk, you cannot be knocked down. PvE only.5¼30 Shadow Form FactionsAssassin. Shadow Arts 12Shadow FormElite Enchantment SpellFor 18 seconds, you cannot be the target of enemy Spells, and you gain 5 damage reduction for each Assassin enchantment on you. You cannot deal more than 21 damage with a single skill or attack.5130 "I Am Unstoppable!" EotNNo Profession. Norn rank "I Am Unstoppable!"ShoutFor 16..20 seconds, you have +24 armor and cannot be knocked down or Crippled. PvE only.530 Heart of Shadow FactionsAssassin. Shadow Arts 12Heart of ShadowSpellYou are healed for 126, and you Shadow Step to a nearby location directly away from your target.5¼15 Dark Escape FactionsAssassin. Shadow Arts 12Dark EscapeStanceFor 13 seconds, you move 25% faster and take half damage. Dark Escape ends if you successfully hit with an attack.530 Death's Charge FactionsAssassin. Shadow Arts 12Death's ChargeSpellShadow Step to target foe. If that foe has more Health than you, you are healed for 173.5¼30 Optional CoreNo Profession. UnlinkedOptionalOptionalOptional.   Template code

• Optional:
  • Dark PrisonFactionsAssassin. Deadly Arts 12Dark PrisonHex SpellShadow Step to target foe. For 5 seconds, that foe moves 33% slower.10¼30 (Recommended for faster speed)
  • Shadow SanctuaryFactionsAssassin. Kurzick rank Shadow Sanctuary (Kurzick)Enchantment SpellYou are Blinded for 10 seconds. For 10 seconds, you gain +5..10 Health regeneration and +40 armor.
    PvE only.5¼30 (Only if having issues with non-sulfur related survival)
  • Eternal AuraNightfallDervish. Sunspear rank Eternal AuraEnchantment SpellYou have +100 max Health. When this enchantment ends, all party members in the area are resurrected with 40..50% Health and 20..30% Energy.
    PvE only.15430 (Autorez)
  • Lively Was NaomeiFactionsRitualist. Restoration Magic Lively Was NaomeiItem SpellHold Naomei's ashes for up to 45 seconds. When you drop her ashes, all party members in the area are resurrected with 15..63..79% Health and zero Energy.15620 (Autorez)

Equipment

• Full Radiant/Survivor/Sentry (Depending which is more necessary for an area).
• Full Attunement/Vitae (Depending on which is more necessary for an area).
  • High Armor Set
    • Spear.
      • "I Have the Power!" Inscription.
      • 20% longer Enchantments.
    • 16 Armor Shield.
      • -2 (while in stance).
      • +45hp (while in stance).
  • High Energy Set
    • Any staff with +10 energy and 20% halves skill recharge of spells.
      • Defensive, Hale, Swift, or Insightful Staff Head.
      • "Don't think twice", "Hale and Hearty" or "Seize the Day" Inscription.
      • Staff Wrapping of Enchanting (+20% useful for lengthening Shadow Form).

Usage

• Use Dwarven Stability to maintain constant IMS (Dash → Dark Escape).
• Head toward the far edge of the "island" at the cliff near an opening to the Desolation. There isa group of Djinn near this cliff. Shadowstep to the djinn and use HoS to step down to the safe rocky terrain to the west of the opening.
• Use Dash and Dark Escape in conjunction to cross the large gap to the other side of the sulfur.
• Follow the outer rim and use IAU when you hit the first turn.
• Skip from safe spot to safe spot until you get to the sand side (where the wurm spoor is...note that Dash is needed to get to some safe spots)
• At the resurrection shrine, take a right turn and head north. Keep following the safety of the outer rim until you get to another area of safe sand.
• Get past the Margonite group by using spell protection and keep heading north under the archway.
• Upon reaching the group of undead monsters (they look like horses and such), use IAU to prevent knockdown.
• Continue heading north until reaching the Remains of Sahlahja.

Remains to Basalt Grotto

• Pretty easy run, follow the right outer rim of the haze to get there, pausing on safe spots whenever necessary.

Remains to Bone Palace

• Head north through Joko's Domain to The Shattered Ravines, then head southwest and return to the Bone Palace via the Ruptured Heart and then The Alkali Pan. (You cannot enter the Bone Palace from Joko's Domain without the quest & killing).

Bone Palace to Ruins of Morah

• Head south to avoid turning on the nearest shrine, followed by following the edge of the sulphur north, then cut across the safe spots. Die in front of the claw gate - you should resurrect at the shrine at Ruins of Morah.
• Bring Enduring Toxin or any other degeneration skill to kill the Solitary Colossus - then cross the bridge.
• Important to note that the safe spots are the dark land areas.
• Make sure to use IAU, as being kd in haze will result in near-certain death.

Bone Palace to Lair of the Forgotten

• Through Shattered Ravines: Head north through Joko's Domain, then into The Shattered Ravines.. Pic/video up soon to explain how to run
• Through Poisoned Outcrops via Ruptured Heart and Crystal Overlook: Same run as to morah, additional zones have no haze so easy run (just takes a lot longer).

Counters

• High latency
• Knockdown on sulfur (Imminent Death)
• Poor Timing
• Not knowing how and where to run.

Variants

• Only need Dash and Dwarven Stability; shadow steps if taking the shorter route.
• Dervish primaries can use Pious Haste instead of Dash, bring Zealous Renewal for enchantment fodder.

Videos

Commented Run:

Run:

Notes

• Higher Delver rank is better, but not required to run the Desolation.
• The party leader has to have the A Deal's a Deal quest, otherwise Bone Palace won't be open.
• This build can be used to run the entire Desolation.
• If you are not comfortable with HoS off djinns take the easier left side route. No shadow steps are required, simply keep to the outer rim.