For Anarchy Online’s Shade players looking to level up solo, this guide provides locations and level ranges to maximize your experience. While Shades excel in teams, sometimes you need to grind levels alone. This guide, originally updated on 3/16/04, offers a path for solo progression.
Nascim Maw (Nasc) Leveling Spots
Nascim Maw is a starting area with various zones suitable for different level ranges.
Level 1-10: Training Grounds & Frontier Bridge
Begin your journey in the Training Grounds to get accustomed to your Shade. Progress to the Frontier Bridge (Level 5-10) to hunt Chimeras and Silvertails for early experience.
Level 10-18: Old Frontier (Temple Area)
The Old Frontier, particularly the Temple area, offers excellent and fast experience with Cascading Spirits.
Level 18-25: Swamp in Frontier Border & Frontier Outskirts
Venture into the Swamp in the Frontier Border. Malahs in this area drop Spirits. The Frontier outskirts also provide viable leveling.
Level 25-30: Nasc Swamp, Wetlands & Nasc Wilds
Explore Nasc Swamp for Mountain Cats. In the wetlands, be cautious of Hatchlings as they can swarm. Named Malahs in this area can drop Omni Tatts. Nasc Wilds offer Cripplers and Prime Hiathians for continued leveling.
Level 30-40: Crippler Cave
Crippler Cave provides non-stop action. Be aware of potential add-ons during combat.
Level 35-48: The Core
The Core is a hotspot with Mala Anahs that drop Tatts and DKNs. Spiders here also have a chance to drop Clan Tatts.
Level 38-45: Nasc Wilds South
Head south in Nasc Wilds to find Croakers of the Night. Exercise caution due to potential BAFs (Big Angry Frogs). Named mobs may also be present here.
Level 40-60: Dungeons in Brawl & Core Dungeon
Explore dungeons in the Brawl area. Two dungeons near Growlers in the Crippler tunnel feature Scuzzy Weavers and Hiathians. The Core Dungeon contains Kolannas, Spirit Hunters, and Spirits around QL40.
Level 50+: Green Redeemed/Unredeemed Mobs
Green Redeemed and Unredeemed mobs become viable targets for experience gain at level 50 and beyond.
Level 65-90: Hecklers in Two Mountain Area
Challenge Hecklers (level 80) in the Two Mountain area, located at the borders of wetlands and Steppes of Despair.
Note: Dungeon levels in Nasc may be level-specific. The dungeon near the Lord and Lady has been adjusted downwards. Missions on Rubi-Ka are also a valuable source of experience and can provide armor, compensating for the lack of Tattoos from mob drops. Be cautious of The Lord, Lady, and Soul Dredge in the Temple area, as they are higher level threats for characters in their teens.
Elysium (Ely) Leveling Spots
Elysium offers alternative leveling locations, starting from level 50.
Level 50-65: Coral Rafters
Coral Rafters provide great and fast experience until level 64. Lucent Silvertails near the Porta drop QL44 Spirits but no Tatts.
Level 60-70: Coral Rafters, Hiathlins & Spirits near Port Seven Portal
Continue in Coral Rafters and hunt Hiathlins and spirits near the Port Seven Portal area. These drop QL44 Spirits without Tatts.
Level 63-75: Temple of Chants Area
Explore the Temple of Chants area near Redeemed Stone Whispervale and the Unredeemed Village. Lucent Silvertails and Kolanna here drop QL44-52 spirits, also without Tatts.
Level 70-90: Shell Beach & Ely Mire
Shell Beach in NW Ely Mire, along with Mire Rafters and Eremites, are suitable for this level range.
Level 75-110: Behind the Temple of Chants
Spirit Hunters and Spirits behind the Temple of Chants, including named spirits, drop Neutral Tatts, Novictum, patterns, and DKNs occasionally, along with spirits.
Level 85-90: Spirits South of Temple of Chants
Spirits just south of the Temple of Chants drop QL66 and 73 spirits.
Level 85-100: NW Ely near Ergo
Insidious Spirits in NW Ely near Ergo drop QL66-83 Spirits.
Level 93-105: Spiders near Whisperdale
Spiders in Ely near Whisperdale are good targets for this level range.
Level 95-105: Devourers of Life in Chronas Canyon
Hunt Devourers of life in Chronas Canyon, near the entrance to Ergo.
Level 100+: Bone Dragons
Bone Dragons become viable targets for higher-level soloing.
Level 120-145: Lethe Dungeon
Lethe Dungeon in either temple (though level 115 might be challenging initially) is a source of Visions of the Unshakeable, Staff of Pelias, and embryos. While experience may be slower, the Tier 1 loot makes it worthwhile. Spirits outside the dungeon entrance also drop spirits.
Level 125-130: Named Minxes and Imps by Ergo
Named Minxes and Imps near Ergo can drop DKNs.
Level 150-170: Elysium Hecklers
At this level, you can solo an Elysium Heckler.
Scheol Leveling Spots
Scheol offers more challenging zones for higher levels.
Level 100-110: Beits & Mossy Girders in Temple Bog
Hunt Beits near the entrance and Mossy Girders in Temple Bog. Mossy Girders drop Alban glyphs for weapon upgrades and rarely Insignias.
Level 120-145: Temples of Roch & Scheol
Target Unredeemed mobs in the Temple of Roch for a chance at the Eric Miller Omega Chain. Redeemed mobs in the Temple of Scheol are also suitable.
Level 125-140: Spiders North of Drop Off
Spiders north of the drop-off are rumored to drop QL100-150 Clan Tatts.
Level 130-?: Chimeras near Giants Hoof
Chimeras near Giants Hoof are rumored to drop DKNs, though drop rates may be low.
Level 165-185: Temple Dungeons
Both temple dungeons in Scheol offer a high drop rate of embryos for Tier 1 armor.
Level 170+: Scheol Hecklers
You can solo a Scheol Heckler at this level.
Adonis Leveling Spots
Adonis provides options for high-level solo players.
Level 160-175: Dredge Camps
Various dredge camps in Adonis offer decent solo experience and a low chance for valuable loot from bosses.
Penumbra Leveling Spots
Penumbra is geared towards very high-level soloing.
Level 160-200: Penumbral Spirit Hunters at Ruins
Penumbral spirit hunters at ruins are viable, but beware of spirit boss mobs in these camps.
Level 170-200: Dynacamps
Various dynacamps in Penumbra are riskier but can yield better patterns.
Soul dredges and spirit hunters, especially in Adonis around level 170, are excellent soloing locations for Shades due to their low AR (Armor Rating), allowing you to efficiently clear entire camps (excluding bosses).
