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r/diablo2•
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What exactly is the right way to MF Ancient Tunnels?

Discussion

I have a level 88 Frost Sorceress who has been doing hell mephisto, but I moved up to Ancient Tunnels. I'm killing at P7, and I've really seen no uniques dropping at all, but I've only cleared ancient tunnels 15-20 times. I think my MF is only 200, but I'm levelling too, so I'm more into the experience points. But I would have assumed I would have gotten at least 1 unique or something.

Should I be doing this, if doing it for MF, at P1? P3? P7? And should I be just doing champions and boss packs?

Thanks!

Posted Apr 23, 2021, 1:48 AM UTC

617
TablePublic2913•

P3 is probably more optimal because you can kill much faster. 200 is a nice start to MF. A Tal's chest (112 with p topaz) and oculus (80 with Ist) are roughly equivalent to that value, and those will help get you to 400 with no obvious slower runs.

The drop rates aren't great, just fast. So really plow through them. I would say timers and make an afraid clear speed goal

Edit: I got both Oculus and Tal's chest to fall on about 400-500 Baal runs. You would be looking for something similar with Mephisto.

7
SweetGarlic19•

I don't think mephisto can drop tal's though.

2
TablePublic2913•

I got mine elsewhere in act iii, not from Mephisto. But, his treasure class is 87, and the chest is 84. You could be right, as there are other quirks to drops in the game.

2
rustang2•

He can’t. His TC is only 78. Bosses don’t follow the same mlvl=TC as normal mobs.

1
TablePublic2913•

Thanks for the explanation. Funny that the monsters around him can drop better loot

1
gumballSquad•

You either run for pure speed or to maximize XP while running.

If you just want items, do P1. You're looking to teleport to each champion pack or unique pack on the map, kill them, check the drops, and move on. The unique monsters will always drop 2 items and those monsters have the same spawn points on a given map roll.

If you want to maximize XP, use the highest players setting count your char can handle and do full clears of every monster. Keep in mind starting at level 90 the XP required for the next level is really high and running AT isn't the most efficient way to level your character.

Another thing to keep in mind is that alvl 85 areas like AT aren't the most efficient way to get drops, although it is a nice change of pace from Pindle farming or doing bosses.

5
AnimationOP•

Given that I am a pure Blizzard sorceress, level 88, with relatively crappy gear (only +4 or so to skills, but resists are at max), what is the best way to get XP? And what is the most efficient way to get drops for a cold sorc?

Thanks for any info, cheers!

2
[deleted]•

Ancient Tunnels is fine for both XP and drops, no idea why he thinks otherwise. P3 is a fine sweet spot between killing speed and XP and item drops. Two runs at P3 is the same experience as one run at P7.

At level 94+ you start making other plans because you no longer get full XP from level 88 boss packs, but that's a ways away and AT for now is perfectly fine.

You get good drops from 200 or 2000 AT runs not 20, same as Lower Kurast, it's all a numbers game. The way to get those 1 in 100,000 items is to kill 100,000 monsters.

2
demonicdan3Single Player•

Don't expect the GG things to drop until hundreds, or even thousands of runs in. AT is ran simply because it's a l85 area (can drop any item in the game) with no cold immunes and hardly any risk of dying. The actual drop rates are horrendously, horrendously low - this is just MFing in general.

You want to be fast and efficient? Do P3, teleport through the whole place, kill large mobs, kill the boss packs and champions, check the gold chest, then quit and come back in. This is what I do.

3
[deleted]•

[deleted]

1
Billymays1864•
  1. p1 or p3 is fine
  2. 15-20 times is essentially nothing
  3. at least double if not triple MF before returning.
2
vasilisppSingle Player•

AT like the Pit have some unique features.

Everything can drop but only from the boss packs and they always drop something even on p1 ,very easy to run without defensive gear(pit is a bit more dangerous because of stupid archers) and you can manipulate the map to roll very close to waypoint and with a lot of packs.

Thats the right way .

2
AnimationOP•

Awesome, thanks.

1
P1stolShr1mp•

Aren't most of monster in Pit (hell) cold immune?

1
vasilisppSingle Player•

They pretty much have all immunities except poison.You need infinity merc and its a breeze with an elemental build.

2
rustang2•

Those blue demon women are (I can’t remember if it’s the archers or the sword and shield ones) and the skeletons are also. More than I’d like to deal with as a cold sorc.

1
annoying-vegan-76•

The right way to farm ancient tunnels would be to only use a shield amulate one ring on your right hand and boots.

Terrible jokes aside.

For rune drops higher player difficulty kill everything For for tyreals might players 1 boss packs and champions only.

If you are a fresh character that explains your low mf but much better geared character would be closer to 600 mf.

It's really slow for getting drops. You are much better off doing hell Mephisto for a bunch of usefull items.

1