Plane of Hate (b)

Therefore, a victorious army first wins, and then seeks battle;
A defeated army first battles and then seeks victory.
Sun Tzu, "The Art of War"

Last Update: 20 Nov 03

The following instructions are provided in order to assist people in completing the Marsinger quests that are given by NPCs in Greater Faydark, and involve collecting drops from the revised Plane of Hate. I hope the information provided helps takes some of the frustration out of these difficult but rewarding quests, and ensures a pleasant, rewarding, and successful experience for all involved.

Table of Contents

1. The Map of the New Hate

2. The Marsinger Quests

3. The Denizens of Hate

4. Pulling, Camping, and Quest Completion Strategies

The following map and table illustrate the various creatures encountered in Hate, and where they can be found:

The Marsinger Quests are given by a pair of NPCs at the spires in GFay. The quests must be completed in order, but the required drops can certainly be collected out of order.

Beyond the first quest, where some pieces are droppable, all remaining parts of the quests are No Drop items. Multiquesting is possible with these components, but only if both parties are of the same category. (e.g. a hybrid can MQ with a hybrid, but not with a melee, int-caster, or priest).

The following tables outline the needed drops to complete each type of quest, and which creatures drop the required items:

The following close-up maps illustrate campsites and pulling patterns:

The best areas to hunt for drops are as follows:

• For Quest #1, hold down as many Tier 1 minibosses as possible, focussing on ones of your class. This way you have a chance at your #3 rare at the same.
• For Quest #2, spend only as much time in Tier 2 as required to get the uncommon drop, then move to Tier 3 or 4 (depending on available levels in your group). Hold down as many mini-bosses there as possible, focussing on ones of your own class. This way you have a chance at your #3 and #4 rare drops at the same time. The drop rate for etched crests seems to be better in Tier 3 and 4 than in Tier 2, and the experience is far better.
• For Quest #3, go back to Tier 1 and hold down as many Tier 1 minibosses as possible, focussing on ones of your class. While any miniboss could drop the book, you'll (a) be able to hold down more between spawn times here, and (b) the drop rate for #3 books seems to be better here.
• For Quest #4, go to Tier 3 or 4 and hold down as many minibosses as possible. These drops are not class-restricted, though they do seem to occur more often off minibosses of the appropriate type.

Note: because of the difference in the effects on the 3rd and 4th gems, many people elect to stop at the 3rd. This is a matter of taste and current requirement, but I always recommend that while in Tier 3 or 4, should the books drop for your 4th gem, collect them and hold them in your bank. They'll only take up 3 spaces, and if the day does come that the 3rd gem has outgrown its usefulness, you will have the option then of upgrading it with a simple turn-in.

Good luck.

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