First World Ascension Ponderings

[AlchemistDoll]

I've been digging into research and prep to plan for my first World Ascension and I'm curious about whether something is worth it or not.

I'm currently at 4 of the 5 minimal WAP needed for Ascension 1 and I'd like to get above 5 for the first Ascension. My current Guild Level is 36 and I'm thinking it would be a good idea to hold off until Guild Level 50 so that I can benefit from improved Town Research. Ideally, I'd like to get my Temple Leaf research to 40 before I ascend for the first time as imagine having a first rebirth at level 60 is going to significantly cut down my time. Because this wait puts me past level 45, I'd also be able to unlock Archer mastery effects on equipment giving me a big boost in speed which should help as well.

I see the extra time useful to prepare the following:
Knocking out higher titles: Class Master 3 / MoPhysical 4 / MoDA 4 / etc...)
Get Find My Husband 1 to E rank and Slime Lover to D rank.
Get Chilled Regen Poultice / Basic Brawn Elixer / Cool Head Ointment to Lvl 75

What I'm curious is whether this is too much prep for the first World Ascension or if I should knock out some of these tasks on my next run when I'm benefiting from some WA upgrades?

[Darnavir]

Several things to know:

• The first WA unlocks area prestige, a major improvement to farming and unlocks many more area missions.
  
• Even a single level of Area Booster significantly speeds up town material farming, area prestige farming and swarm clearing.
  
• A fast WA to unlock area prestige and area booster is certainly an option. This should be followed by a "longer WA" to get some accomplishments afterwards.
  
• There's something to know about guild level unlocks: The speed stat sucks. It does almost nothing at low values and the mastery doesn't give enough to be felt. Jewelry town material gain from mastery is good though and archer has very useful skills (especially with multiple global skill slots). Mystic arena has some nice research, but it really needs tamer to reach its full potential (challenges give additional rewards for being cleared by everyone) and most people recommend skipping it before a WA. Arcane researcher is definitely good, but guild level 50 is a lot early on.
  
• Progress towards quests and equipment levels are reset - finish masteries or "close to finish" quests.
  
• What matters after a WA is getting as many accomplishments as possible. Long farming runs have a hidden cost before 15 accomplishments: you want high level catalysts that you will either miss or waste on WA and the enchant inventory being deleted will hurt as well - there will be things you will want to keep. Most needed town building rank costs aren't a big deal before rank 4 (guild level 65 needed). Unique gear keeping doesn't matter in the long term - if it isn't enchanted, it will go sooner or later.
  
• Shift+F allows you to see costs of things you can't afford yet - this includes potion levels. Your potion plans are unfeasible, especially before the 140 missions milestone and mystic arena research. Regeneration sucks anyways - it will become obsolete. HP (and enemy damage) will outscale it hard.

[Hsanrb]

Advice coming from a beginner player, if you were X-1 with X being a multiple of 5 I'd hold off until you get to a multiple of 5... but you just crossed a point I wouldn't stretch it. You have to rerank your town buildings but you keep them, you heroes get deleveled but you keep them, and if you desperately wanted to start on the right foot anything the thief has proficient you can throw a lvl 1 enchant to keep it into the next WA. If you have weapon tenacity from the epic store you could start with weaker higher weapons, or you can bring tier 1 items and get quick dictionary points to speed up future weapon proficiency.

Fast vs slow I cannot comment on, but I'd definitely look and prepare what world accomplishments you think you can take before you start. I did mine as soon as I got thief (30) and forgot how important class and a couple apprentice quests are as a starting point when your only level 1 with no skills.

Also prep as many lab (and material) resources as you can, I believe those are keep for WA1. Someone noted you can sell them if you want to sell things immediately to make your starting gold purchases. I wouldn't over complicate it, just have a local copy before you ascend if you don't like what you see.

[Darnavir]

You don't need enchants, empty enchant slots are enough (including thief mastery).

[Hsanrb]

Originally posted by Darnavir:

You don't need enchants, empty enchant slots are enough (including thief mastery).

Oh, maybe thats what I get for putting in the inv slots that get locked when you do WA :(

[Darnavir]

Items in locked slots stay in them, they just can't be accessed until the slot is unlocked (doesn't matter what slot it is - equipped item, equipment inventory, enchant inventory, utility inventory...). This can get annoying with stackable talismans - newly acquired talismans are added to the inaccessible stack and you have to unlock the slot to use it...

[Hsanrb]

Originally posted by Darnavir:

Items in locked slots stay in them, they just can't be accessed until the slot is unlocked (doesn't matter what slot it is - equipped item, equipment inventory, enchant inventory, utility inventory...). This can get annoying with stackable talismans - newly acquired talismans are added to the inaccessible stack and you have to unlock the slot to use it...

When I tested it, thats where all my enchanted slots were... so when I put them scrolls in them and went "Eureka it worked" it had occured that was the case but never retested.

[aquern]

Originally posted by AlchemistDoll:

I've been digging into research and prep to plan for my first World Ascension and I'm curious about whether something is worth it or not.

I'm currently at 4 of the 5 minimal WAP needed for Ascension 1 and I'd like to get above 5 for the first Ascension. My current Guild Level is 36 and I'm thinking it would be a good idea to hold off until Guild Level 50 so that I can benefit from improved Town Research. Ideally, I'd like to get my Temple Leaf research to 40 before I ascend for the first time as imagine having a first rebirth at level 60 is going to significantly cut down my time. Because this wait puts me past level 45, I'd also be able to unlock Archer mastery effects on equipment giving me a big boost in speed which should help as well.

I see the extra time useful to prepare the following:
Knocking out higher titles: Class Master 3 / MoPhysical 4 / MoDA 4 / etc...)
Get Find My Husband 1 to E rank and Slime Lover to D rank.
Get Chilled Regen Poultice / Basic Brawn Elixer / Cool Head Ointment to Lvl 75

I just finished my second WA a few hours ago with 18 Accomplishment rewards. During my first WA, I got 2.

As for quests, I'd focus on Class Master, Apprentice*, Quester, and Proof of Rebirth. I'd go to the levels of those quests that are reasonable for you. Remember, everything is easier (or at least as easy) to get later.

The quests I'd focus on ranking up are Find My Brother 1-4. This is because once you prestige those areas a couple times, running 3-4 of them continually on multiple characters at once (with continual Rebirth 1s) can give you really nice Guild XP income, which is needed to have any chance at the Guild Level Accomplishments (I missed all of them on my first WA.) It's also really nice for just getting Guild XP. Doing this requires the QoL3 Favorite Quests.

The potions I'd focus on are:
Cool Head Ointment (also get lots of stacks of these prior to WA. You will not be able to make them again for a while.)
Minor Resource Poultice
Basic Elixir of Understanding

Basic Elixir of Brains or Brawn (depending on what you prefer) and Healing stuff (either, or both Potion and Poultice if you want to change stuff dynamically/have extra slots) is useful for pushing (such as Challenges, or difficult Dungeons). Note that none of the potions I use are LV 75 yet. I'd just get them as high as you reasonably can, while not ignoring the (sometimes far more) valuable Upgrades.

Make sure you have lots of Essence of Slime prior to rebirth (at least thousands). Essence of Slime -> Minor Heath Potion. Sell them for thousands/tens of thousands of gold at a time to fund a lot of early upgrades.

I would save a daily chest for just before a WA. The extra Experience (if you get it) is very nice. If that doesn't work, consider using a swarm.

For buildings, I agree that Town Research rocks, but note that it's more useful if you plan to stay at Guild Level 50+ for days or weeks to take advantage of the research boosts. I did not get Guild level 50 prior to my first WA.

For research,
Statue of Heroes Stone and Crystal
Cartographer Leaf (I blame not getting this high enough for not getting 2 more Accomplishment Points during my first WA)
Temple Leaf
are critical.

Trapper Crystal
is pretty important.

Most of the researches that I've unlocked from Slime Bank on up through Adventuring Party are very nice, as is Statue of Heroes Leaf.

Originally posted by AlchemistDoll:

What I'm curious is whether this is too much prep for the first World Ascension or if I should knock out some of these tasks on my next run when I'm benefiting from some WA upgrades?

I can note that personally - after WAing twice - I have none of the potions you mention at LV 75. Find My Husband 1-3 are all unranked. The Slime Lover is Rank C, but so is Slime Infestation 1 and Find My Brother 1-4. I think I have all the Class Master 3s (for the classes I've unlocked). I only have a tiny number of Master 4s - most are 2-3.

I'd keep working on them until things seem slow, and then WA. Everything can be obtained at least as easily after a WA and a number of days recovering (this took about 6 on my first WA). Note that you will want time to try to obtain accomplishment points after WAing - some Guild Level ones are theoretically obtainable up to 24 hours later.

I should also note that while I otherwise don't use it, I loved Pause (QoL3) on my second WA. It helped save a couple Accomplishments where I was /very/ close to a time limit.

[Darnavir]

I forgot the equipment. Equipment with enchant slots (empty or filled) stays both in inventory and in character equipment. Uquipment in locked slots stays in them and becomes available again (and apply its effects) after the corresponding slot is unlocked.

Prepare equipment before WA - each character will have what they had before WA, minus whatever doesn't carry over. Good equipment massively speeds up progress and will be the difference between getting/not getting some accomplishments. Multiple characters having the same pieces to level it up on everyone is very helpful if you lack good enchants (enchants can overshadow any leveling early on).

You definitely want "common" equipment with ATK/MATK (depending on char) and HP adders. Equipment tenacity is very helpful early in the run, but not needed, if you plan accordingly. You want the equipment to give you the stats before you need them to clear the areas so too high needed level is bad, especially without equipment tenacity. The same goes for stat requirement (this is why you want common). DEF/MDEF stop only some enemies each, MP shouldn't matter before angel's buffs. Move speed adder is good for faster clearing/some challenge bosses, especially for slower characters.

I got 5 accomplishments after WA1 (with GL 42 and several lv10 stat adder scrolls from handicapped challenges from mystic arena). I got rebirth 1 (sub 3 hr, sub 1hr), Florzporb (sub 8 hr, sub 3 hr) and Arachnetta (sub 8 hr). I remember being carried by the gear, mostly the ATK and HP. The gear allowed me to take on harder areas right away and significantly sped up unlocking everything.
The pause is must have for sub 5 minutes accomplishments, not sure if any can be gained after the first WA.

[Dwane Dibbley]

Imho unlock slime bank and ascend asap. Farming for some meaningful stuff would take alot of time. Ascending unlock area prestige and you should have points for +# area clear (+ probably getting few extra from milestones after aw). Second AW should go over 10 points for extra hero slot and then its good time for some hard farming.

[AlchemistDoll]

I took a mix of advice here. I'm going to WA at GLv 40, not 45 or 50 as I discussed. I pushed 40 because I was also very close to completing Class Master 3, The Great Race 4, To Further Stage 5, and The Road to Alchemy 5. All of these will be of benefit when I WA. I've finished CM3 and TGR4 already and I'm a smidge away from the other two at this point.

There are a few other prep things like I have a character I've partially ignored and hadn't done a Rebirth Tier 2 yet. I'm still debating do a final push write before my WA to have Ninja clear a Rebirth Tier 3 to knock out Proof of Rebirth Tier 3.

I also did a test Ascension to see what it looks like and what it unlocks as prep for the road ahead. I have to agree with the advice that doing a test save before a WA helps prepare you as there were a few things about it I didn't realize.

The way everything is lined up, I should be ready to do my WA later this week when I have the time to micromanage a few of those first early steps.

[Ekimmak]

Man. I was about to ask for advice on my first World Ascension, because I was in a bit of a sunk cost fallacy.
I keep finding little things that make me want to hold off and go further, like completing all the early area Light bestiary entries or getting masteries on equipment. Or Guild Level 40, I keep looking at it and wanting to go for the statue of heroes rank 3, even though it won't stay.

PS: One important point is that my best hero is Angel. I just found her first two skills to be too good, and really wanted the leaf research, so focused hard into her. According to things I've read, all the other heroes would have been better choices.

[Dwane Dibbley]

Originally posted by Ekimmak:

PS: One important point is that my best hero is Angel. I just found her first two skills to be too good, and really wanted the leaf research, so focused hard into her. According to things I've read, all the other heroes would have been better choices.

Angel becoms the worst pretty fast. His first 2 attacks become very weak compared to other heroes and you have only 3 attack spells total, which will be HUGE problem once you unlock more class spell slots as you wont have anything to fill them to deal damage. But theres nothing like "main" hero and you will use sll of them anyway.

[Ekimmak]

Originally posted by Dwane Dibbley:

Angel becoms the worst pretty fast. His first 2 attacks become very weak compared to other heroes and you have only 3 attack spells total, which will be HUGE problem once you unlock more class spell slots as you wont have anything to fill them to deal damage. But theres nothing like "main" hero and you will use sll of them anyway.

I do kind of see it, but at the same time, it just doesn't feel right, because those first two attacks are excellent for sweeping out swarms, because it hits so many people at once. The base attack hits just about anywhere that there's an enemy, as long as someone is close enough to be hit.

[Dwane Dibbley]

But you will find it useless for 95% of farming. And weak for the rest 5%. Most important is oneshot/fast casts and speed (to get into attack range). If you have one or two enemies in wave, having ability that hit multiple times is a waste, for other purposes there are things like blizzard or multishot.

[Darnavir]

Angel's 2 main damage skills both hit multiple times and have low cooldowns, wing storm has decent area coverage as well. She's good before first WA, especially in a shorter run, where the other chars simply don't have the means of reaching their full potential/aren't unlocked. Arguments of blizzard or multishot are invalid when you didn't unlock them (or even archer for the matter). Angel's fast movement also matters, you probably don't have a pile of speed boosting equipment/so high agility that movement speed isn't limiting you.

Most farming before the first WA I did was in low level, high density areas and swarms were usually unclearable if the enemies were too tough to clear with angel's base attack, not enough time. Angel drops in effectiveness later, but early on, when you don't have even thief and most skills aren't properly leveled, she's good. Wizard is slow (movement and cooldowns), warrior lacks proper multitarget hitting abilities (until fan swing).
Slime area 7 is the best farming area for a while and angel excells there. It isn't until area booster (for swarms) and area prestige, when raw damage becomes needed to clear high level areas and you have enough skill slots/skills to always be hitting with something.


100 area missions milestone and tamer (for arachnetta's global skill) get you enough global skill slots to make everyone usable (you can grab the needed skills from others).