Session 2: The Plate Armor Polish
The goal for this session was clear: elevate the tanking core of the character. The mixed Bronze and Blackened Alloy from Session 1 was functional, but getting a proper breastplate was the priority — specifically, the Enameled Black Chestplate (EBCP or EBB, depending on which server you played on live) from Lower Guk.
The Freeport Resupply and The Guk Gambit
Session 2 kicked off with a calculated inventory purchase. I had enough Platinum stashed from Session 1 to spend some. Since I hadn't found anything for the arm slot yet, I purchased
Steel Vambraces in Freeport for a baseline AC boost before the long run to Guk.
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I headed straight back to the murky depths of
Lower Guk, determined to secure the EBCP, which had eluded me on my first trip and with a bit of luck maybe also a Thick Banded Belt. My targets therefor were the Ghoul Supplier's and the Ghoul Savant's camps.
- The Grind: I carefully split up the Supplier and Savant camps. I managed to check the Evil Eye camp twice, but it was occupied, and I made one quick check on the Minotaur Elder without committing to the placeholder (PH) grind.
- The Danger: I had to make sure to keep all mobs rooted, especially when I got hit with Ghoul Root myself. A running mob in Lower Guk that passes around a corner before you can get of your root while you are rooted usually ends deadly. I had Lay on Hands up, but since I was still bound in Kael I wanted to be extra careful.
The dedication paid off. After a long, focused grind and 2 Enameled Black Maces, the Ghoul Savant finally dropped the
Enameled Black Chestplate! This was the must-get-item of my planned run, providing a massive boost to survivability.
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Logistics, Aesthetics, and Targeted Drops
With the primary goal complete, I had to move fast to make up for the time spent in Guk. On the way out, I made a quick stop to kill a couple of shin ghouls and secured a pair of
Shin Gauntlets — a small upgrade to my stats but a huge upgrade to my looks.
I then headed to the Freeport Docks and took the boat to Butcherblock. My first stop was
Felwithe. I visited the vendors and bought
Steel Plate Boots to replace my current gear. This was about more than just AC; it was about achieving a near-uniform look. I was now clad in full, shiny silver plate, with the exception of the black EBCP and the Blackened Alloy Coif. My avatar truly looked "geared" and like a Paladin.
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With an improved appearance, I then ran straight to Unrest for targeted accessory hunting:
- Unrest: My targets were the Bloodstained Mantle and Jagged Bands.
- The Undead Knight was up and dropped the Mantle on the first kill. Check!
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- I made my way into the basement, where Garanel Rucksif was up.
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He dropped a Jagged Band, like expected. Double check! I stayed for one more cycle but a placeholder spawned, so I pressed on.
- Dagnor's Cauldron: With time running down, I moved out to the connecting zone to hunt two specific named mobs for better accessories, respectively for one still unfilled slot.
- I wanted Jetsam for a better collar. Unfortunately, the rat dropped the less useful powder twice. Hasan must have removed the Collar from the loot table.
- I was looking for Squallslither for an eyepatch, but the snake never spawned. I hate snakes!
I ended the session by killing the PH for Garanel Rucksif again and logging out.
Session 2 Wrap-up (Time Elapsed: 7 Hours 30 Minutes)
In just
7 hours and 30 minutes, Session 2 proved to be a mixed bag between incredibly high-value and bad RNG, bringing my total playtime to
20 hours. The character is now genuinely ready for some tougher camps and to parade in EC Tunnels, having made massive strides in core defense and visual upgrades.
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The most critical milestone was the acquisition of the
Enameled Black Breastplate, which provides a pivotal AC increase, securing the foundation of my tanking capabilities. Furthermore, the purchased
Steel Vambraces and
Steel Plate Boots filled previously weak slots, providing a significant boost to AC and achieving a near-uniform, "geared" aesthetic. Finally, the lucky drops of the
Bloodstained Mantle and the
Jagged Band gave the character a boost in AC and save VS Magic.
The time remaining is now a razor-thin
4 hours and 30 minutes. The core armor is done, but the remaining accessory slots (ears, face, neck and one finger) still have major room for improvement, making the final session a pure, high-stakes accessory hunt!