Tyger's Praetoria Full Content Run Guide
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Overview
With all the potential paths through Praetoria, whether you stick with one side, flip-flop between two or complete a companion alignment arc to get the Made A Stand before heading through the rift and into Paragon City or the Etoile Isles; would it be possible to do ALL the arcs on a single character? Simply put; yes.
It's certainly possible to do all the arcs, long as you make a few carefully placed decisions and use the no-xp option a few times. There's more than enough xp to level to 20 doing every arc. I had to stop several times, mostly to avoid outlevelling contacts, arcs or the zones I was in.
So with a rough idea of who to go for, targets set for what I wanted and having run through Praetoria three times in different ways I'm now bringing this guide to you. There's some tips and tricks I can now pass on so let's prep up first.
Getting Started
Few things to get ready for:
Level Pact
Even with a Pact buddy (one of my own on another account) I still managed to complete the entire run in a casual two-week stint. The mobs in Praetoria are a lot tougher but they often appear at one level higher too. The only snag was Pacting at level 1. There was a slight drag at level 3 so it might be better waiting till level 4 once you've been introduced to the first alignment contacts: Provost Marchand or Calvin Scott.
Changing Allegiance
You will have to change alignment several times over the course of your paths, mainly because the Crusader and Power arcs are mutually exclusive to their sides. At least one of the four moral choices will have to be of the opposing side.
The Warden and Responsibility arcs are in the middle ground and can be done by both sides. Don't worry about not getting the introduction from Scott or Marchand as you can just talk to them straight-off as long as you know which one to talk to and don't outlevel their zone.
Pit Stops
With the xp curve at a higher slope than in Paragon or the Isles; you will have to stop experience at several levels in order to not outlevel contacts and mission arcs (especially the moral choices).
The key stopping levels are:
7 - Your alignment contacts will introduce the Imperial City contacts at level 8. If you haven't switched sides once to get the Power/Crusader contacts; this will be your first stop.
10 - This is the cap for the Nova Praetoria storylines and thus the moral choice missions. You should have one under your belt already so this will mean you can do the other three before moving on to Imperial City.
13 - Alignment contacts will start introducing the Neutropolis contacts at 14 so lock until you get the Power/Crusader contacts again.
15 - The cap for Imperial City. Same as for 10; to avoid outlevelling the arcs and moral choice missions.
20 - The cap for Neutropolis and Praetoria. As above but it's to avoid outlevelling the Power/Crusader contacts, arcs and moral choices.
Don't forget to use it if you want to join in for any zone events, team with allies or decide to go badgehunting.
Buddy Up/Choosing an AT
Praetoria is notably tougher than Primal Earth. While I managed several runs solo it always helps to bring a friend along for certain combinations. Of course you need to keep a closer watch on the xp flow as it will go a little faster this way.
Soloable ATs are also a better choice (the main run I did was with a mind/energy Dominator) so picking a AT that can survive alone is better.
Debt is your friend
You might die a lot more often, given the encounters you will face, but debt is another slowing down tactic to help stop outlevelling contacts, stories and moral choices.
Debt. Debt is your ally.
Let's Get Running
Now remember that you can do Warden and Repsonisibility from both sides but you have to switch at least once to get the opposing side-exclusive contacts, Crusader and Power. Follow the tips above and you should be fine. Let's go zone-by-zone and I will cite examples of my playthrough using my Resistence character. If you get stuck for contacts, look in the links above under 'Changing Allegiance' for the first in each line in each zone.
Nova Praetoria
Can't really go wrong in Nova. Complete one arc to the end and switch alignment. Once you do the extreme contact you can switch back and then tidy up the leftovers.
Example: my Resistance character did the Crusader arc to the end, chose Loyalist to switch sides and then did the Power arc to the end and chose Resistance to switch back. Then completed the Warden and Responsibility arcs and chose Resistance for both.
Imperial City
A major warning in this zone: Do the Warden arc before the Responsibility one. One of the Warden contacts shows up as a defeatable boss and once you get to that mission; the Warden contact line will be broken. If it's completed he will be removed from the map as well.
Example: Same pattern as with Nova for mine. Except for completing the Warden arc first, right to the end and the moral choice. Did Crusader to the end, chose Loyalist then Power and chose Resistance. Finished with a Resistance choice for the Responsibility arc.
Neutropolis
The only warning for this one is to finish the Crusader arc before the Warden arc if you're choosing Loyalist on the Warden one as it will break the Crusader line. Same general rule applies about choosing one arc to swtich and then doing the opposite side-exclusive contact.
Example: I entered Neutropolis, did Crusader, chose Loyalist then did Power, chose Resistance and finished the last two arcs choosing Resistance each time.
Then it was on to the Rift mission and into Paragon for my Hero. All arcs done, all content finished, all eight defeat badges without street-hunting, all the moral choice badges by 13 including Moral High Ground
What about all the goodbyes?
Ah, this is where the choices narrow a bit as you have to be careful about which choices you make since they will affect who shows up to wish you well in the Primal world.
to be continued...