Shadowed Path
The Shadowed Path is a timed maze challenge filled with choking miasma, electric tiles, and a hacking mini-game. The Path leads to the The Foundation Hub, home of The Foundation organization.
To find the Shadowed Path, exit Virelda through the Abandoned Quarry, traverse past Hollow Rock, Noxley, and the Minamoto elevator, and head west then north-northeast along the mountain range. The Shadowed Path is located in a huge mountain peak with chunks of green ore.
WARNING! Farpoint is not located in the Shadowed Path, but the Shadowed Path must be completed to unlock the Farpoint dungeon.
Preparation
Players are advised to prepare before entry:
- Acquire the Old Hacking Tool from Fritz's sub-quest for The Next Energy Source questline
- Equip level-appropriate gear, including accessories
- Bring health potions to survive the maze
Maze Mechanics
The maze has an overall timer and warning messages according to the increased amount of miasma in the area. If the player cannot complete the maze before the timer runs out, the miasma overtakes them and they are teleported to the entrance of the dungeon. If the player dies, they are teleported to Virelda graveyard.
Each set of electrified tiles adheres to a shared pattern: powering on for some seconds, then powering off briefly, then back on again. Watch the pattern and maneuver over and around the tiles to avoid being damaged by electric shock.
The Old Hacking Tool will be used hack the robotic node on the left, to open the first gate.
- To review hacking mechanics, see: Hacking
Suggested Run
- Run around or over the first few sets of tiles while they are unpowered.
- Hack the node
- Pass through gate
- Continue across a few more set of tile rows, one powering top-down and the other down-up. Afterwards, stick to the left path.
- Avoid a few tightly-timed rows of tiles. Hide in the northern spot above the longer set, then juke around to the right and up.
- The very last set of 6 tiles requires an extra action and is not tied to the timer.
Tip: Before the last set of 6 tiles are 2 pressure plates. One of the plates will de-power the tiles for about 0.5 seconds, the other for about 2 seconds. You will need to find the pressure plate that works the longest for your particular run.
Step on either the right or left plate - run over it quickly, do not stop - and run past the last set of tiles.
Afterwards, the miasma will stop, and you can click the portal to enter the cult area.