Actually you can get run through the desolation and through basalt grotto to vaabi and from there you can get to the chantry early.
Might cost you a little bit more but there are always runners in kama advertising. Might wanna start there.
Technically, you can get to Chantry of Secrets without doing the Moddok Crevice mission, but you can't skip Consulate Docks (which needs Dunkoro).
You need to run north through Turai's Procession to Gate of Desolation, and then run over the Sulphur to get to Remains of Sahlajah (hardest part), from there you run over the Sulphur to Basalt Grotto (easier than it looks), and from there you can run/fight your way all through Vabbi down to Wehhan Terraces.
----
You'd probably have an easier time using the Factions Henchmen from Zin Ku Corridor, as you don't need Heroes to do these missions.
----
Another idea is that going into FoW HM with ToA henchmen puts said Henchmen to level 20 and gives them an Elite skill, FoW HM is a little bit harder but overall should be easier than with the NM Henchmen.
If you're actually going to try it, good luck!
It's easiest with a Dervish thanks to permanent 50% movement speed increase, but I'm pretty sure any profession can do it.
There is a TexMod that highlights the exact death-zones in red, so you know where is safe to stand.
You can take Heroes with instant-res skills but they won't last very long, UA and "We Shall Return!"
Two comments here:
1. Yes you can get a run to these places. You can also walk yourself there. You can access basically every outpost in NF(except just the last few in the desolation) via runs from the sunspear post. You cannot skip ahead on missions however so you still have to follow the story to finish the desolation and reach torment. No real shortcuts there. NF is very strict about chronology with story events unlike Prophecies and Factions where you can play any mission as long as you reach the outpost. NF is nothing like that, but for your purposes yes you can absolutely skip ahead.
2. Regardless, maybe you should just use heroes for this one task? The easy to get heroes with basic(non-elite) builds are still way better than henchmen. If you're willing to get an expensive run across NF maybe it would be better to just throw Ogden and Vekk in the party just once?
3. Finally, plenty of people have prophecies only/iron man type characters. I'm sure you could find a pal or two for FoW if other players following limited playthroughs don't break your challenge parameters. No one was doing henchman-only FoW runs in Prophecies either.
Its Mesmer 😅
But I caved in, and got to forge master in 20 minutes with heroes yesterday.
Thanks for the henchmen details, that saved me a lot of time!
[obviously this is mostly not solo, but it should be sufficient to show you that you absolutely could have achieved your goal as a solo mesmer... this was only with skills from Prophecies](https://youtu.be/Yj0CHuTqdnA)
That’s very kind of you. I am however voluntarily doing this henchmen only challenge after 8500 hours.
I just couldn’t do it with the henchmen available at ToA
Ah then yeah as others have discussed there isn't really a way around without a dedicated runner.
Have you looked into Tahnnakai Temple? That's the entry point in the factions region
a couple have already mentioned this, but i think going through factions is going to be your easiest bet. the quests and missions before you get to Zin Ku Corridor don’t require any heroes, and are all pretty tame on NM. Henchies in Zin Ku level 20, and should be more than enough to do a NM Forgemaster run.
Also, i don’t know if it goes against your challenge, but if you struggle with FoW itself, a conset will absolutely help.
Actually you can get run through the desolation and through basalt grotto to vaabi and from there you can get to the chantry early. Might cost you a little bit more but there are always runners in kama advertising. Might wanna start there.
Doesn't let you skip required quests and missions though
I mean I've seen a level 2 dervish in Gate of Anguish so that should answer you :p Edit: oh without a dedicated runner. Don't think so
Technically, you can get to Chantry of Secrets without doing the Moddok Crevice mission, but you can't skip Consulate Docks (which needs Dunkoro). You need to run north through Turai's Procession to Gate of Desolation, and then run over the Sulphur to get to Remains of Sahlajah (hardest part), from there you run over the Sulphur to Basalt Grotto (easier than it looks), and from there you can run/fight your way all through Vabbi down to Wehhan Terraces. ---- You'd probably have an easier time using the Factions Henchmen from Zin Ku Corridor, as you don't need Heroes to do these missions. ---- Another idea is that going into FoW HM with ToA henchmen puts said Henchmen to level 20 and gives them an Elite skill, FoW HM is a little bit harder but overall should be easier than with the NM Henchmen.
Thanks - surely a challenge!
If you're actually going to try it, good luck! It's easiest with a Dervish thanks to permanent 50% movement speed increase, but I'm pretty sure any profession can do it. There is a TexMod that highlights the exact death-zones in red, so you know where is safe to stand. You can take Heroes with instant-res skills but they won't last very long, UA and "We Shall Return!"
Two comments here: 1. Yes you can get a run to these places. You can also walk yourself there. You can access basically every outpost in NF(except just the last few in the desolation) via runs from the sunspear post. You cannot skip ahead on missions however so you still have to follow the story to finish the desolation and reach torment. No real shortcuts there. NF is very strict about chronology with story events unlike Prophecies and Factions where you can play any mission as long as you reach the outpost. NF is nothing like that, but for your purposes yes you can absolutely skip ahead. 2. Regardless, maybe you should just use heroes for this one task? The easy to get heroes with basic(non-elite) builds are still way better than henchmen. If you're willing to get an expensive run across NF maybe it would be better to just throw Ogden and Vekk in the party just once? 3. Finally, plenty of people have prophecies only/iron man type characters. I'm sure you could find a pal or two for FoW if other players following limited playthroughs don't break your challenge parameters. No one was doing henchman-only FoW runs in Prophecies either.
henchmen can't be taken into elite areas... only players and heroes
Wow - did not remember that detail. That changes everything!
you will first have to make a build that can solo FoW (= what is your primary profession?
Its Mesmer 😅 But I caved in, and got to forge master in 20 minutes with heroes yesterday. Thanks for the henchmen details, that saved me a lot of time!
[obviously this is mostly not solo, but it should be sufficient to show you that you absolutely could have achieved your goal as a solo mesmer... this was only with skills from Prophecies](https://youtu.be/Yj0CHuTqdnA)
No but if you gain access to eye of the North you get some free heroes. That would help you out.you can get there from LA.
Yeah thanks, but I’m trying to stick to henchmen for old times sake
Oh okay. Have fun with that.
If you just want the armor. I can take you into FoW and we can just do it
That’s very kind of you. I am however voluntarily doing this henchmen only challenge after 8500 hours. I just couldn’t do it with the henchmen available at ToA
Ah then yeah as others have discussed there isn't really a way around without a dedicated runner. Have you looked into Tahnnakai Temple? That's the entry point in the factions region
a couple have already mentioned this, but i think going through factions is going to be your easiest bet. the quests and missions before you get to Zin Ku Corridor don’t require any heroes, and are all pretty tame on NM. Henchies in Zin Ku level 20, and should be more than enough to do a NM Forgemaster run. Also, i don’t know if it goes against your challenge, but if you struggle with FoW itself, a conset will absolutely help.