How to Avoid and Escape Gankers in Albion Online’s Black Zones: A Guide for Solo and New Players
[VapeJesus Guides 2023]
Hey everyone, VapeJesus here with another guide for solo and new players looking to brave the perils of Albion Online’s Black Zones. In this guide, we’ll focus on the art of avoiding and escaping gankers, ensuring you keep your hard-earned loot safe. We’ll cover essential gear choices, effective strategies, and provide insights to help you thrive in these high-risk, high-reward zones.
This guide is packed with information, so feel free to jump to the sections most relevant to you. Whether you’re a Fame Farmer or a gatherer, there’s something here to boost your survival rate.
Looking for more beginner tips? Check out my previous guides:
- [5 Starting Weapon Choices for New/Solo Players (Good for PvP and PvE)](link to your guide)
- [Gathering Basics: Leveling Tips and Getting Started](link to your guide)
Now, let’s dive into the world of Black Zone survival!
Understanding Your Adversary: Types of Gankers
Before we discuss escape tactics, it’s crucial to understand the different types of gankers you might encounter:
1. Solo Gankers: These lone wolves are common, especially in the Black Zone mists. They rely on catching you off guard, making them relatively easy to avoid with awareness and preparation. Recognizing their weapon and armor is key to countering their strategies, especially when using invisibility.
2. Small Group Gankers: Often found near Black Zone portal zones, these coordinated groups can pose a significant threat. Utilize Invisibility Shrines and be cautious when traveling to or from your Hideout. Remember, they might also target areas where invisibility effects end.
3. Massive Group Gankers: These organized, highly dangerous groups strategically position themselves to trap unsuspecting players. Unless you’re highly experienced and equipped for mobility, encountering them often means certain death.
Tips to Avoid Gankers: Outsmarting Your Pursuers
1. Master the Terrain: Familiarize yourself with the map layout. Use hills, narrow paths, and Avalonian Road portals to your advantage. If pursued, consider ducking into a mist and using the random portal for a quick escape.
Pro Tip: Dismounting near an open mist portal gives you a crucial time advantage, allowing you to enter before a pursuing ganker can react.
2. Predict Ganker Positioning: Anticipate potential ambush spots and adjust your route accordingly. Experience with small-scale PvP can provide valuable insights into common ganking strategies.
3. Monitor Hideout Activity: Check the local Hideouts for large alliances, especially those with numerous Hideouts in close proximity. These areas are often heavily patrolled, making them risky for solo players.
Surviving and Thriving: Essential Gear for Escape and Evasion
While skill and awareness are paramount, the right gear can significantly increase your survival chances. Here are some powerful options for mobility and invisibility:
Invisibility:
- Invisibility Potions: A basic but essential tool, providing 7 seconds of invisibility. Be mindful of damage and debuffs that can break the effect.
- Assassin Jacket: Grants invisibility within a 15-meter radius, unbroken by damage. Ideal for escaping solo gankers or buying time to utilize other escape tools.
- Specter Shoes: Offers up to 16 seconds of invisibility, allowing you to cover vast distances. Manage your mana carefully when using this item.
Pro Tip: Chain Assassin Jacket and Specter Shoes for an extended invisibility combo, leaving your pursuers clueless about your whereabouts.
Movement:
- Soldier Boots: A classic choice, providing increasing movement speed with Wanderlust. Combine with an Invisibility Potion for a potent escape.
- Miner Boots: Grants a burst of 120% movement speed for 10 seconds, sacrificing the ability to use skills during and briefly after activation.
- Weapons with Mobility: Consider weapons like the Bloodletter, Carving Sword, or Double Blade for their inherent movement abilities.
Other Useful Items:
- Bedrock Mace: Excellent for both farming and escape. Use its leap and knockback abilities to create distance and disengage from fights.
Know Your Enemy’s Tools: Countering Ganker Abilities
1. Purges: Be aware of items like the Fiend Cowl that can dispel your invisibility and movement buffs. Timing your abilities strategically is crucial to avoid being caught defenseless.
2. Area of Effect (AoE) and Roots: Avoid getting hit by AoE damage over time effects and roots, especially when using Assassin Jacket’s limited invisibility range.
3. Invisibility: Remember, damage over time effects can break most invisibility effects. Stay vigilant and react accordingly.
Final Thoughts: Embrace the Challenge, Reap the Rewards
Surviving in Albion Online’s Black Zones is a rewarding challenge. Don’t be discouraged by early setbacks; each encounter provides valuable experience. Start with affordable gear, practice in less populated areas like the mists, and gradually increase your risk as you gain confidence.
Remember, knowledge is power. Equip yourself with the right information, gear, and mindset, and you’ll be well on your way to conquering the Black Zones and reaping the incredible rewards they offer.
Got any questions? Drop by my stream sometime, and let’s chat! https://www.twitch.tv/vapejesus
