Not sure if i'm posting this in the correct level range tier, basilisks seem a bit lower level, but seemed like it'd be a good start.

So, non-ranger, wondering first off, how much skinning i would be needing to start getting at least decent quality, not necessarily perfect fangs from the basilisks? This looks like a really decent hunting area due to shadow beasts and cinder beasts being bipedal, skinnable AND box droppers...but i know special attacks have become kinda brutal with 3.0. Wondering if anyone has any good info about this area like what kinds of defenses would be necessary to hunt safely, box drop rates, spawn habits? Its been a long time since i looked at this area...i seem to remember a hand coming out of the swamp and dragging you under or something as well?

Yeah, that definitely seems a bit higher on the totem pole than i was expecting, and if anything, i would assume 3.0 made them harder

That being said, is it a decent hunting area or is it more of a pain than its worth?

Clerics have a shortcut down there too? I know they can prevent the curse that you get when going down there.. I'd be curious about any shortcuts for next time I take a cleric down there on their quest.

Getting down to Basilisks and Shadow Beasts isn't bad, especially by yourself. Trying to take a group there with you can complicate things.
True, it isn't as simple as just walking in like a lot of hunting grounds, but the critters there are awesome for training when at that skill level. Well worth the maze to get in.

I'm not sure about any curse, but in order to get down there safely, you'll need PFE -- the hands in the swap area'll getcha otherwise. I haven't encountered any other problems in the handful of times I went down there as a Ranger.

As for the hunting. I think the area is pretty sweet overall. They drop boxes, they are swarmy, you can skin some of them. It's a great area. Unfortunately, the troubles getting in are, for many, not worth the reward.

GENT

I've been thinking about giving these a try. How's the Cinder Beast explosion these days? Is it something Toad Form as a Barbarian would have any luck at helping against?

As far as clerics go, not sure about non-clerics. My cleric started there with about 330 defensives, in shadow beasts. With SOL, PFE, MAPP, MPP, and Benediction all in his orb, and using HYH casted on male <no offense nor defense>. He doesn't get hurt at all. At about 350 defensives, same buffs, in cinder beasts he gets some wounds here and there. Needs healing about every two-three hours. Hope this can help.

Hmm. I must have bad luck! Every time I've tried to get in there without PFE I've been nabbed by a hand and killed. I'll have to give it another go-round.

GENT

>Anyone happen to have any experiences with the Cinder Beast explosions? Just trying to get a feel for how bad it is before making the trip up there with my Barbarian.

Had been hunting basilisks and shadow beasts, and enjoyed both creatures. The maze isn't a big deal because you either head east-ish for the tree or west-ish for the path. Doesn't take me long at all to get out. Hopped over to cinder beasts hoping it would be a nice step and I think it was my 3rd or 4th kill got exploded on and basically had to stop hunting. Unless you have an empath with you that loves some empathy I'd think its not worth it. I turned around and left pretty quick.

Jalika

Basilisks are south rooms, Shadow beasts are north rooms. Farthest north rooms you won't see any basilisks.

http://elanthipedia.org/w/index.php/Bestiary_Level_List

Thanks Stilva. What's the effort getting into the hunting ground like, say, compared to getting in and out of the Basilisk area?