Being a solo Aco.

[BBRawk]

Before I started playing this game I read up alot on Acos. Whenever I play MMOs like this for some reason I always dig playing a healing/buffing character.
I read alot of people saying that soloing is almost out of the question for Acos and read a lot of complaining. It's slow. It's boring. It's too hard. All that.

I have been playing this game off and on for about 6 days now. I have leveled 38 of my 40 levels soloing with little to no problems at all.
(I'm sure some people are going to be like " THATS SO SLOW "
For you maybe it is, but for me it's nice and paced. Besides like I said, I play it off and on...I don't have time to sit here all day and play this. :B )

I actually find that I work better alone for the time being, so for anyone else that has my same mentality or are just having a hard time finding a party I put together a few tips/techniques I've figured out that makes being a soloing Aco alot more managable for me.
And hopefully it will help someone else~

----

*A steady pace. Don't push your luck.
Try and fight monsters within your level or a few levels over. It probably seems like a good idea to go fight monsters way over your level as they will give you more exp. As true as that is you can kill monsters at your level faster and with a lot less MP than the ones ridiculously over which in turn will actually level you faster. I know....because I tried this. >>;

*Being a soloing Aco you are going to need pots pots pots. ( and money money money )
Since day 1 I have collected every single thing that has dropped from a monster I have killed. (with the exceptions of a few things when in parties).
I've learned from playing games like these that if you have it someone else probably wants it or needs it.
With commen armors/books that seem to drop alot and don't seem to sell in vending ( that arent +1s, AP, etc etc) I just sell to the general store, easy and quick way to make cash.
Tip: SELL THINGS CHEAP. I know its tempting to ask for the highest price that things are going for but more than likely if you sell things cheaper they will sell faster, which means instant money for you.

*Attack & Defense Buffs- Use them both.
When I first started I had a few people stop me and tell me that I didnt have to use the attack buff on myself, that it didn't do anything for my damage.
This from my experimenting is false. Attack buff DOES help an Acos damage about 10-15 more a hit with a lvl1 buff spell.
Tip: Pay attention to the timers on your buffs.
Try and re-buff yourself before your buffs actually run out to avoid having to fight something with less of an advantage as you could have.

*HP & MP pots...BRING THEM.
Just because we have heal doesn't mean we always have the time or MP to cast it. Bring the potions for emgerancies...they will happen.
Or if you are like me and are a bit impatient waiting for your MP to regain...bring ALOT. ( I usually buy 150-200 MP pots at a time...yeah I am really impatient >>; *cough* )

*Attack, back up, attack, back up, attack, back up.
You should get familiar with this pattern because you will being using it a whole lot soloing.
Tip: Try and back up in a direction you just came from, it's less likely you'll run into an aggro that way.

*Pay attention to your MAP.
If you see that an area is particularly mobbed ahead, move in slowly, see if there are any aggro monsters you can pick off first hand before they become a problem for you.

*Pay attention to your surroundings.
If you are on a map that has monsters that may or not be aggro and a monster spawns next to your while you are fighting/regaining/whatever....MOVE before it has the possible chance to attack you.

*Spirit Spirit Spirit.
Seriously, this skill isn't there for nothing. The whole time I have been playing this I am the only Aco I have seen actually cast and use this.
Spirit will freeze a monster in place for about 10 seconds. (unless it is struck, as soon as the monster is struck it will unfreeze and begin to move freely again.)
( Note: I've found spirit to be particularly useless when in parties unless you are using it to save someone from multiple monsters. )

*If you are being attacked by two monsters, don't freak out, use spirit on one and then drag the other one away with you and continue fighting the one. ( this is where the HP potions could come in handy)

*Pay attention to your MP.
We are an MP dependent class.
If it doesn't seem like you'll have enough MP to fight a monster, cast spirit and run away from it before you completely run out, it's better than possibly dying and losing exp. Live to fight another day~
Or cast spirit, down a few MP pots, and continue fighting.

*If you are in a complete bind ( out of potions, etc etc ) cast spirit and run away to regain, or go back to town. I find it's way better than mindlessly dragging the monster(s) into someone elses lap. ( I mean...come on, don't you hate it when you are sitting trying to regain your HP/MP and someone drags monsters right to you? So try your best not to do it to other people, I am sure they find it just as aggravating. )

*There are more than likely going to moments where people attack your monsters thinking you are a poor helpless Aco in trouble...xD;
It's happened to me on more than one occasion. I get a " Oh sorry you're a aco so I thought I'd help. " Take it in stride.
( Not to be confused with the idiot who just wants to KS you. )

*Create a party before you go out.
It's particulalry annoying getting windows popping up in your view of people wanting you to join thier party while you are trying to fight a monster.
( Why do people do that anyway? It's a horrible stupid idea. .-.; )

--------

I think that about covers it...

Keep in mind all of this is from MY experience and MY opinion.
You don't have to agree with me but please refrain from stirring up any unwanted commotion.

I'll add things later if need be or add anything anyone else wants to add ( if people actually find this to be usefull XD; )

Thanks for reading~ :]

[oareatiga]

This is actually an awesome thread. I too had the problem of soloing most of the time... but if I made Disciple in 2 months with 75% of that time soloing, anyone can. Even if they chose to go Cleric.

Point being, like you, my pace was a laxed one and I didn't care much about rushing. Patience is the key with this class and not many ppl have it :p

Awesome for all noobs wanting to dip their hand at this support class :D

[kazuya-str]

I was a soloer Acolyte as well. From level 16 - 40. ^^ Although I did find partying easier but there tips are really useful. Reeeeally, really useful.

[BBRawk]

Yay I wrote something useful~ x]

[dj78x]

lol if u want we could pt together if u wana :)

im level 48 and leme tell u fighting the monsters in blue doesnt give crap for exp. and the ones in white are too hard to kill soloing but ya i used to solo once in awhile

as i get higher level the monsters that i can kill jsut give less and less exp.

on top of all that the monsters in white take all my mp to kill XP so i jus figure by the time im 55 i wont be able to even take the monsters in white alone O_O terrible

and ya i love being the class thats underlooked and stuff, least used, mhm.

[shiningkittenfur]

personally i soloed till lvl 48 on my aco, and i have to admit, it was fun~
it's just that the mp usage kills D;

[oareatiga]

personally i soloed till lvl 48 on my aco, and i have to admit, it was fun~
it's just that the mp usage kills D;

Those higher lvl spells do kill your mp... just do what i do, but like 200 mp pots and grind like there's not tomorrow BUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

-looks inside wallet and dies a little more inside- sigh ^^;

[Nights_Fang]

This post is brilliant. I find myself doing the same things when I'm on my aco alt.

A point to add (this comes from personal experience):
*Always create a party b4 you go in for soloing. That way you won't get spammed party invites. Especially in the most worst case scenarios when you have to fight more than one monster, and the person requesting you isn't really helping.

[Convent]

Nice thread!

I'm also one to favor the lvls 16-40 soloing as an aco, and did it twice (oh dear lord that second time was so awefully boring >.<). I tried partying with people the second time around and I think that those first levels are just too "young" to be party dependent. After level 40, though, it just seems to get tough soloing.

Spirit FTW!

[BBRawk]

This post is brilliant. I find myself doing the same things when I'm on my aco alt.

A point to add (this comes from personal experience):
*Always create a party b4 you go in for soloing. That way you won't get spammed party invites. Especially in the most worst case scenarios when you have to fight more than one monster, and the person requesting you isn't really helping.

Oh god...This just happened to me not 5 minutes ago...no lie.
And I got back on here to edit my post and add it.
Why do people think inviting someone while they are fighting is a good idea? Ugh D8

[Nights_Fang]

Oh god...This just happened to me not 5 minutes ago...no lie.
And I got back on here to edit my post and add it.
Why do people think inviting someone while they are fighting is a good idea? Ugh D8

Well at least you haven't experienced the "I shall K-S you then ask you to join my party, and continue K-sing you till you join me" type.

or the "I shall follow you around asking you to party with me"

I hate those the most.

Note to any soloing Acos: if you encounter a player like this get out of that map ASAP. This goes for the party invites spamming while you're killing ppl too. Coz eventually you end up dieing, after killing one monster, and having your drops stolen. (It happened to me and I lost a XEN! ;_; )

[sb1111]

Thanks for compiling the list. These are really important and true. I find parties really stressful because not in your control and higher danger of dying, being responsible for everyone's buffs and health (and chasing them around for it), and not getting good loot. Party is fun sometimes though, but soloing is usually more relaxing. I like three person party the best, because fighters doing most of the fighting and easy to watch healing and buffs, and can help out with Sprit and Illusion Quake occasionally.

You don't really have to bother with the mp pots if you don't want to (but I always keep a few for emergency), as sitting restores for free if you're patient :-). I like to start by the red zone and pull aggros from that area. Clear that area of aggros, and then leave all the non-aggros alone and go into the next sections of the map and pull more aggros, one-by-one, into the section you just cleared, and then you can create a 'safe' area. Just don't accidentally click on a non-aggro and attack it ;-). Then, when looks safe you can start in on the non-aggros but watch out for monster spawning.

Thanks so much for the tip about party. Maybe for buddy request too (denying in options while attacking monster). One time someone intentionally tried to kill me by buddy requesting me three times in a row while I was fighting monster :-p.

KSers suck! You can tell because they wait until you have almost killed the monster and then they hit it once, and they don't do any of the hard work but steal your experience. And they don't say sorry. It is not the same though with an attack that slows but not damage. Like casting Sprit on someone else's monster is not stealing any experience but you can help them out. I keep a list of KSers and will try my best never to give them buffs, as there's nothing else to do about it. I usually try to run to a different area of the map as long as there aren't too many aggros around.

That trick with the being attacked by an aggro while fighting your monster is good. That's basically all I use Sprit for. I Sprit the aggro that has just appeared and hit the monster I was working on once with Illusion Quake. Then I run towards the area I just came from and don't attack. Then, the Sprit monster is still stunned, but the other monster will recover from slow down Illusion Quake causes and run after you at full speed. That leaves the aggro behind in the dust while you can start in again on the monster you were working on.

I do the same thing. Sell all non +1 gears to NPC. But it's good some people charge a lot for stuff because people are even more likely to jump on your 'cheap' stuff.

But, even following all the tips as best I can, everything can still go wrong like today when three aggro monsters spawned within a minute of each other, and I still had my original monster attacking me! There's no shame in Sprit and run for that red zone! ;-)

-Pret Lv. 39 Acolyte

[tazsbigtoy]

I don't solo much anymore unless bored, but occasionally I will kill time waiting by wandering out a safe zone and killing a few monsters. The spirit and run is a built in part of being an aco class. I had to do that in Chant just last night. I was killing a monster when 2 respawned and decided Cleric looked tasty. Ghost Steel and Spirit got me to the safe zone. Just remember that killing a few monsters for experience or out of boredom waiting on someone to show can result in death and experience loss, so practice the excellent tips mentioned here whether you are soloing long term or killing time. There have been several times I've regretted being careless.

[bobalitos]

dont use Ghost steel and run to SZ LOOL.

[WhiteTiger_024]

people should really read the forums. Seriously :P acos, apps n scouts r the same, they attack n run. I've been KS alot by apps D:< it does get tired some :( (not tryin to be mean, just pointin out the truth)

[bobalitos]

lol i dont read that much i just post and post o.O

[WhiteTiger_024]

so do i >:3 i mean its fun (>^_^)>

[shiningkittenfur]

people should really read the forums. Seriously :P acos, apps n scouts r the same, they attack n run. I've been KS alot by apps D:< it does get tired some :( (not tryin to be mean, just pointin out the truth)

i was bored today, so i decided to go to mystra hill to look for a guild member and to talk o.o..
and when i got there i saw SO many ppl ksing.. it's just sorta sad... ><
expecially the newb apps >>;


and i admit, even higher lvls ks meh, thinking i need help ;3
*not many ppl think that a lvl 61 aco should b soloing loren ...*

[Nights_Fang]

Thanks so much for the tip about party. Maybe for buddy request too (denying in options while attacking monster). One time someone intentionally tried to kill me by buddy requesting me three times in a row while I was fighting monster :-p.

KSers suck! You can tell because they wait until you have almost killed the monster and then they hit it once, and they don't do any of the hard work but steal your experience. And they don't say sorry. It is not the same though with an attack that slows but not damage. Like casting Sprit on someone else's monster is not stealing any experience but you can help them out. I keep a list of KSers and will try my best never to give them buffs, as there's nothing else to do about it. I usually try to run to a different area of the map as long as there aren't too many aggros around.

-Pret Lv. 39 Acolyte

Deny buddy request options before going out to. Some people may want to friend you because they really want to. But if you're in a jam and they haven't noticed/don't know, you're dead.

Another thing you can do is Screenie the K-Ser (if possible in the act of K-Sing) and report it. Unless of course the K-Sing is purely accidental. Then it can't be helped.

Ranged classes K-Sing is a long old issue. Problem is half the time we may not even know we're K-Sing. Like for example the moment a monster appears in my range I hit it. So sometimes I don't even notice it's already taken. And the sudden lag spikes don't help either >.< (Happened to me too many times at Mystra. I felt so bad for doing it.) So if I realise that the monster is indeed taken I apologise and switch targets.

Hell anyone can solo Loren if they want to, and they're capable of doing it. No one should tell you what to do. *Feels like taking her level 33 aco to Loren to solo there and prove people wrong*

[Tatsumiko]

don't oblivion mob then spirit them :D

[WhiteTiger_024]

i was bored today, so i decided to go to mystra hill to look for a guild member and to talk o.o..
and when i got there i saw SO many ppl ksing.. it's just sorta sad... ><
expecially the newb apps >>;


and i admit, even higher lvls ks meh, thinking i need help ;3
*not many ppl think that a lvl 61 aco should b soloing loren ...*

true true XD

[oareatiga]

people should really read the forums. Seriously :P acos, apps n scouts r the same, they attack n run. I've been KS alot by apps D:< it does get tired some :( (not tryin to be mean, just pointin out the truth)


I never run little tiger... NEVER... I AM DISCIPLE !!!!

[ashley88]

Wooosh I soloed chant when I was an aco~ And still am as a cleric xDDDDD It's awesome~ Just dangerous lolz....

[shiningkittenfur]

Wooosh I soloed chant when I was an aco~ And still am as a cleric xDDDDD It's awesome~ Just dangerous lolz....

o.o u did?

im gona try that when i come back then o.O.. hey, 500+small 200+ mid 250+ large sc hp pots will help ~O.o

>_> i hate lucky balls.

[kazuya-str]

When I soloed until level 40 O.o I regreted doing so after I found nice parties which made things faster -.-

[BBRawk]

I guess I must be missing all these GOOD parties people are talking about as I find I level WAY faster on my own. ( and of course it's less of a hassle as I only have to keep myself alive and not a group of people + myself ) haha.

[WhiteTiger_024]

I never run little tiger... NEVER... I AM DISCIPLE !!!!

oh shut it *kills boricuas cheese cake >:3*


n well the good parties r always duos

[wthvuu]

If you have the time/patience and wanna save money at the same time, invest in a Soft Sheep Helm [The MP regen one].

Or better yet do the Advanced Labyrinth quest and get it - even cheaper.

Then when you have that, everytime you go solo'ing and run out of MP, find a secluded area nearby and stick the Sheep Helm on until you have enough MP to take on 1 - 2 more monsters before sitting and regenerating again. This negates the need for an abundance of MP pots.

I normally only carried around 70 and they seemed to last me about 2 maps in Loren, seeing as they were only used in emergency cases.

I didn't get mine until about 45 and since I was an on-and-off Acolye player like yourself, the faster MP regeneration was a godsend for me.

But yup, just something else to think about if you can be bothered.

[ashley88]

Is it just me...or do I see more and more healers just sitting around...? Including me =x='' But I can solo....which is....dangerous and boring... D:

[WhiteTiger_024]

oh its just u.......jk
well theres a lot people that have been needin acos for loren and eir

[tazsbigtoy]

No it's not just you. If it weren't for the guild I would hardly ever have a party. Mostly I have been duoing. As the aoer's get higher levels, they need us less, so we get left behind. A lot of the higher level aoer's want low level acos too because they pull less of their experience. Hopefully opening higher level maps will find us work. On the other hand, it's hard to beat duoing with those scouts and apps we gripe about at lower levels. It's fun and the experience on a good map is great and comes fast. I think that may be why a lot of you say you've never been in a good party, most are probably filled with guild members or old friends. It's sad because partying was how I met a lot of friends.

[Lost_Sage]

Nice point brought up.
I see even today some lv2x Aco in belterian few days ago with a big party of 5x, and the poor 2x aco though he/she was earning lots of exp in a hard map!
The weaker somebody is, the less exp they will sap from you. Reminds me a post (Notfire's i think) That deals with how the exp is divided in a party.
Somebody help me find it if you can, pls.ty

[Kairi13]

I like it thank you ^^

[WhiteTiger_024]

nice point tho :D

[oareatiga]

I myself have had bad experiences with higher lvl acos and or clerics. Somethink that becuase they are lvl 60+ they need to be 'asked' for a buff and heal. Come on folks!! Just b/c these aco-s and Clerics are of a high lvl doesnt mean they need to take a vacation from their duties.

Now, if by some chance, take a lower lvl Aco, then that player is more willing to do their job without fail. But thats just my experience :p and I've gone to Chant a few times already.

[Lost_Sage]

I myself have had bad experiences with higher lvl acos and or clerics. Somethink that becuase they are lvl 60+ they need to be 'asked' for a buff and heal. Come on folks!! Just b/c these aco-s and Clerics are of a high lvl doesnt mean they need to take a vacation from their duties.

Now, if by some chance, take a lower lvl Aco, then that player is more willing to do their job without fail. But thats just my experience :p and I've gone to Chant a few times already.

This may sound noob... but where/what is Chant? Heard of it som much, yet i don't know what/where that is...:o

[QueenPixie]

I myself have had bad experiences with higher lvl acos and or clerics. Somethink that becuase they are lvl 60+ they need to be 'asked' for a buff and heal. Come on folks!! Just b/c these aco-s and Clerics are of a high lvl doesnt mean they need to take a vacation from their duties.

Now, if by some chance, take a lower lvl Aco, then that player is more willing to do their job without fail. But thats just my experience :p and I've gone to Chant a few times already.

Those clerics give us a bad name T-T But now that you mention it some clerics I use to party with were bad o_O like buff late....heal after I healed... run in front of an agro. This is what happens when they boost too much and forget how to heal an "acutal" party. -.-;; Chanterby east of Ess.

[oareatiga]

Those clerics give us a bad name T-T But now that you mention it some clerics I use to party with were bad o_O like buff late....heal after I healed... run in front of an agro. This is what happens when they boost too much and forget how to heal an "acutal" party. -.-;; Chanterby east of Ess.


Yeah, some would even go as far as to heal AFTER the battle, thus making us use our pathetic-20hp-healing potions during battle. You know how hard it is to spam hp pots, mp pots AND skill during battle at a fast rate? :p

I actually lost track of what i was doing for a sec and started typing 'help me plz' unconsiously :D

[oareatiga]

This may sound noob... but where/what is Chant? Heard of it som much, yet i don't know what/where that is...:o

Go about 6 maps east of essene... the map is actually called Chantley Gorge I believe. When you see T-rexes and what looks like giant Mantis bugs on the map you'll know you're there :)

[QueenPixie]

Yeah, some would even go as far as to heal AFTER the battle, thus making us use our pathetic-20hp-healing potions during battle. You know how hard it is to use the hp pots, mp pots AND skill keys all during battle at a fast rate? :p

I actually lost track of what i was doing for a sec and started typing 'help me plz' on the key board :D

LMAO!!!!!!!!!! I could just imagine it!! xDD An ye it's hard trying to heal yourself with a measly 20 hp pot while trying to fight and type "Do your job" LOL we went off-topic here xD

[oareatiga]

We did didn't we? :p

But any Aco's who need help lvling I have no problem helping. I'm close to lvl 66 so I'll be doing a lot of AOEs. I can power lvl a group of you :)
PM me if any of you ever need to duo or party. Believe me, Im always in need of a good Aco.

[QueenPixie]

We did didn't we? :p

But any Aco's who need help lvling I have no problem helping. I'm close to lvl 66 so I'll be doing a lot of AOEs. I can power lvl a group of you :)
PM me if any of you ever need to duo or party. Believe me, Im always in need of a good Aco.

Aww that's nice of you helping the acos level:)

[oareatiga]

^///^

I know how hard the acos have it. And as a council member of Junior Mafia I have to set the example, tee hee

[WhiteTiger_024]

Yeah, some would even go as far as to heal AFTER the battle, thus making us use our pathetic-20hp-healing potions during battle. You know how hard it is to spam hp pots, mp pots AND skill during battle at a fast rate? :p

I actually lost track of what i was doing for a sec and started typing 'help me plz' unconsiously :D

thats y u have meh T^T
to make u spam hp bottles :D

[WhiteTiger_024]

We did didn't we? :p

But any Aco's who need help lvling I have no problem helping. I'm close to lvl 66 so I'll be doing a lot of AOEs. I can power lvl a group of you :)
PM me if any of you ever need to duo or party. Believe me, Im always in need of a good Aco.

show off T.T

[oareatiga]

thats y u have meh T^T
to make u spam hp bottles :D

What are you talking about? You an awesome Aco, no mater how mean wanna seem lol

[WhiteTiger_024]

What are you talking about? You an awesome Aco, no mater how mean wanna seem lol

T.T..........SERIOUSLY WHO R U?!?!?!?!

[oareatiga]

T.T..........SERIOUSLY WHO R U?!?!?!?!

ok, so you sometimes have to be told to heal, and buff... and at times you space out. You bring mobs and make the party worry when you run by with five monsters behind you... you still pretty good ^^;

[WhiteTiger_024]

ok, so you sometimes have to be told to heal, and buff... and at times you space out. You bring mobs and make the party worry when you run by with five monsters behind you... you still pretty good ^^;

ok now ur insultin meh <.<
bad disciple bad
P.S. yet again ignore everythin said by this foo ^

[oareatiga]

Insulting? Nah, just informing you

[WhiteTiger_024]

Insulting? Nah, just informing you

okkkk seriously pm MEH
P.S. yet again another thread ruled by me XD

[DemKill9556]

Must admit when you first start out you do have to solo cuz yo heals aint to good. But yeah this is nice but, my only porblem is when an aco is killing in a map to hard fro them. Whihc in turn cause aggros heavy hitters and such to gather up at the sz and no one can get out if you sn AoEer. That has caused to kill me >.> all tho i am old school saying ACOS SHOULD SOLO!!! i do admit it is better to solo when ya start it >D

[Eontios]

Hehe....Mostly I just duo with someone so I don't feel bored. I create a party, then randomly invite some Xenian (because I like helping people;that's why I became an aco) and just fight it out. I'm only a level 18 as I type, but I think duoing is better than soloing.

Good thread btw.