Spiral Knights - Shadow Lairs vs. Danger Missions?

Shadow Lairs vs. Danger Missions?

16 replies [Last post]

Mon, 09/03/2012 - 08:12

The-Rawrcake

I want to ask people that run shadow lairs a lot, how difficult they are compared to Danger Missions. Of course, I don't really know myself (so I included that question mark in the title) because I used to hate every bit of the design with Shadow Keys and only got my artifacts then done.

So, for my question: Do you think Shadow Lairs are more difficult than Danger Missions, or are Danger Missions more difficult than Shadow Lairs?

Anyways the next paragraph below is completely unimportant to the main topic question, just my thoughts about why Shadow Keys are actually... an OK design... I don't agree with my old rants anymore and might think about going after Shadow Lairs should they be difficult compared to Danger Missions.

I might want to run SL more because I kind of see now that Shadow Keys do some things due to the costs. Making a group vs. going solo in Spiral Knights can either be very awful or very helpful. With an 1800 CE key, you'll definately want to get together a group rather than just PuG it (although you can PuG it as well, but it is more risky). Because splitting the cost is so helpful (only paying 450 CE vs. 1800 CE) it makes having a group that much better, even if you fail. You won't lose 1800 CE, only 450. Not a big deal at all, there is a progression factor rather than just a "get skilled players rather than the people you know so you are guaranteed a win instead of an 1800 CE loss" factor. After running the Danger Missions, I am not really like "Yeah, Imma do that again!" more like "eh, I did it, will prolly wait a bit before doing it again". Farming a little energy here and there will both give you something to do and give you something else to spend your energy on besides accessories.

Mon, 09/03/2012 - 08:18

Aplauses

Both are hard.

Mon, 09/03/2012 - 08:22

Vtmoon

about the same I think

The more you play the easier both get. So that makes Danger rooms easier since you can play them more. Also the correct gear makes a huge difference in both cases.

Having someone who knows SL makes it a lot easier, I was able to guide total new players through SL just cause I knew what was coming next and what not.

As far as soloing I think danger rooms are a bit harder at certain stages to solo vs SL because of the way they are setup but then again it might be cause I soloed more SL than I did danger rooms.

Mon, 09/03/2012 - 08:36

The-Rawrcake

Ah, so it seems to be a good

Ah, so it seems to be a good balance, definately based on progression. With it working like that, the developers did pretty good to balance them O_O

Mon, 09/03/2012 - 08:46

Doctorspacebar

Beat me to the punch.

I was going to put up a post asking for people's opinions on which SLs and Danger Rooms were toughest.

Anyway, I guess it depends on each. I'd say C42 is likely tougher than URJP, but that's from a bomber's standpoint. We bombers pack DR (an excellent jelly blender) and Ash (makes those Ice Cubes squirm) as well as DBB (for the Silkwings). In C42 you can Shiver the respawning mobs, but... Toxoils. Just... Toxoils.

Of course UFSC is way up there, as is Heart of Ice... though if you master DBB, I suppose the latter could be simplified. DBB is a better option for Fiends, even Greavers, than I once thought; VT is probably good if laid beforehand to Shock the Greavers. I found UIMF easier than UGWW... if only because Shivermist was freakin' awesome for those respawning Oilers. (Protip: Have a bomber with Shiver for UIMF. Protip 2: If you can make it through part 1 of it, you'll likely make it through part 2 as well, part 2 is actually easier.)

Mon, 09/03/2012 - 08:59

The-Ark

Honestly, if I had to choose, I would say that there pretty close.

Legion of Almire is roughly equal to UFSC (seriously, UFSC is probably the easiest SL, excluding the boss)

Heart of Ice is on par with UGW and UIMF, maybe UIMF a bit harder.

And the Ice Queen Palace is the hardest by far. (That first room, oh god)

My opinion anyway.

Mon, 09/03/2012 - 10:20

Aumir

But I don't...

I don't know why people assume we players carry a weapon we have to pay for if not from Steam - Dark Retribution.

On the other hand, how does this compare to Crimson Hammer too? And its cost?

Mon, 09/03/2012 - 10:54

The-Rawrcake

Crimson Hammer is extremely

Crimson Hammer is extremely easy, think of it like normal FSC. A step behind a shadow lair version.

Which is why we want a UOCH.

Mon, 09/03/2012 - 11:32

Guyinshinyarmour

You don't really earn enough to make up the cost of the key for SL, so it's a bit of a money sink. At least DMs are profitable.

Mon, 09/03/2012 - 17:07

Broxaim

I think he just wants to do a

I think he just wants to do a bit more progression/content.
and he's wondering if he's ready, because 450ce is a lot of money to spend, and he doesn't want to waste it.

Mon, 09/03/2012 - 22:12

#10

Dukeplatypus

UFSC is the most profitable

UFSC is the most profitable and efficient area to farm in the game, but you'd be hard pressed to find people willing to help farm it.

Tue, 09/04/2012 - 00:04

#11

Havenihaveaproblem

What is the crown pay out of

What is the crown pay out of the Shadow Lair missions?

Tue, 09/04/2012 - 07:47

#12

Doctorspacebar

Really? Any tips?

I remember UGWW and UIMF paying around 9000 crowns for the whole run (including the first 4 floors- Beast and Fiend strata, respectively). But anyway, Duke, any tips for UFSC?

(I got a platypus controllin' me... dang, can't get that song outta my head.)

Tue, 09/04/2012 - 08:16

#13

Theirillusion

Difficulty list

Difficulty list (easiest-hardest)

This is just my opinion and all of them are fairly easy.

1. Legion of Almire (and C42 if one has immunity to psn and fire)

2. Shadow Lair - Gloaming Wild Woods

3. Shadow Lair - Firestorm Citadel

4. Heart of Ice

5. Shadow Lair - Royal Jelly Palace

6. Shadow Lair - Ironclaw Munitions Factory

7. Compound 42 if one does not have immunity to psn and fire

Tue, 09/04/2012 - 09:41

#14

Dukeplatypus

UFSC can pay 18k+, which,

UFSC can pay 18k+, which, including the mat, makes it pretty damn profitable. Obviously, it takes a little longer than normal FSC, so if you have a pass or soloing, you're better off doing that. As for tips, I can't really help you there. I've only done it a couple of times, with a long gap in-between, so I'd be running off scattered memories of people leaving halfway through, paying 50k for a maiden tear through a friend to get the last one on the Ah, fire, a partymate who brought fallen gear (that curse lasted forever), moar fire, and love puppies, so you'll probably have to ask someone else. I'm available for help with most anyone's UFSC run, though.

Tue, 09/04/2012 - 12:13

#15

Zeddy

@Dukeplatypus

"Profitable" implies there's a gain, but 18k+ mats would maybe break even with 450CE.

Pretty profitable if you can freeload your way in, though.

Tue, 09/04/2012 - 12:18

#16

Dukeplatypus

6-8k in tokens, the mat

6-8k in tokens, the mat easily makes 25-30k+ on a good day.

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Shadow Lairs vs. Danger Missions?