Ok, this is getting downright embarrassing, as well as frustrating - I have the worst sense of direction and caves are my downfall. I enter a cave and think, "Ok, I'm heading into it from the North, so I will return South" but that rarely works with all the twists and turns, not to mention levels in caves. I was reading about the addon TomTom and its mention of "waypoints." I'm not entirely sure how setting waypoints works, but would that addon be something that would help my issue in caves?
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!
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How to Avoid Getting Lost in CavesFollow
Terrillian Mistfyre
Owner/Operator of The Redhead Express
Intellectually honest, not politically correct
Owner/Operator of The Redhead Express
Intellectually honest, not politically correct
TomTom might work since you could create a waypoint for the entrance of the cave and then head in that direction, but since coordinates only work for x,y it's not a big help when there's multiple levels. I hate caves as well and I just try to use my minimap as a guide, but it's not always helpful either. There's only a few layouts for caves that are used over and over so once you've seen them enough it does get easier.
Always turn left.
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You'll always be stupid, you'll just be stupid with more information in your brain
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You'll always be stupid, you'll just be stupid with more information in your brain
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Try to keep in mind that many caves are copied and pasted; there are several pre-set configurations.
For example, all Barrow Dens are exactly the same; the one in Winterspring has the same layout as the one at the top of Stonetalon which has the same layout as the one in Felwood as does the ones in Teldrassil and Ashenvale.
Also, mines only come in 2-3 different "flavors" as well; Nethergarde Mines is the same as Netherwing Mines, while the mine in Dustwallow Marsh, North-Eastern Elwynn (Jasperlode I think it is called?) and the one in Silverpine are all exactly the same layout, while the one south of Goldshire shares the same layout as the mine in Stonetalon Mountains (near the Venture Co. area).
Once you start memorizing these, you'll find that you get lost a lot less.
What I hate, though, are Naga Caves.. there's one in the Blasted Lands, Azuremyst Isle and there was once one of them in Feralas (I don't think this one exists anymore, though). I still get lost in them to this day.
For example, all Barrow Dens are exactly the same; the one in Winterspring has the same layout as the one at the top of Stonetalon which has the same layout as the one in Felwood as does the ones in Teldrassil and Ashenvale.
Also, mines only come in 2-3 different "flavors" as well; Nethergarde Mines is the same as Netherwing Mines, while the mine in Dustwallow Marsh, North-Eastern Elwynn (Jasperlode I think it is called?) and the one in Silverpine are all exactly the same layout, while the one south of Goldshire shares the same layout as the mine in Stonetalon Mountains (near the Venture Co. area).
Once you start memorizing these, you'll find that you get lost a lot less.
What I hate, though, are Naga Caves.. there's one in the Blasted Lands, Azuremyst Isle and there was once one of them in Feralas (I don't think this one exists anymore, though). I still get lost in them to this day.
Thank you all for responding. 
I do feel better knowing others get lost in caves as well. I'll start paying attention to the cave layouts and try to memorize them. Are there online layouts for them by any chance? That was one way I was able to navigate EQ caves/dungeons when I got lost - pull up their online layouts.
So, does TomTom just basically help one to find a specific spot easier?
I do feel better knowing others get lost in caves as well. I'll start paying attention to the cave layouts and try to memorize them. Are there online layouts for them by any chance? That was one way I was able to navigate EQ caves/dungeons when I got lost - pull up their online layouts. So, does TomTom just basically help one to find a specific spot easier?
Terrillian Mistfyre
Owner/Operator of The Redhead Express
Intellectually honest, not politically correct
Owner/Operator of The Redhead Express
Intellectually honest, not politically correct
Lady Azalysa wrote:
Thank you all for responding. I do feel better knowing others get lost in caves as well. I'll start paying attention to the cave layouts and try to memorize them. Are there online layouts for them by any chance? That was one way I was able to navigate EQ caves/dungeons when I got lost - pull up their online layouts.
So, does TomTom just basically help one to find a specific spot easier?
I do feel better knowing others get lost in caves as well. I'll start paying attention to the cave layouts and try to memorize them. Are there online layouts for them by any chance? That was one way I was able to navigate EQ caves/dungeons when I got lost - pull up their online layouts. So, does TomTom just basically help one to find a specific spot easier?
I've never used TomTom so I cannot comment on that.
As for layouts... you could try WoWhead or wowpedia, and look up the actual name of the location (Jasperlode Mine, for example).
They might have a minimap pic or couple screenshots, I don't know. I've never tried that.
Edited, Mar 18th 2012 7:49pm by Lyrailis
I somehow managed to get completely lost two days ago when I just wanted to kill a boss in Blackrock Spire for this little fellow. I just could not find the entrance.
But then I only play this game for 1,5 years. And before my break another two years.
But then I only play this game for 1,5 years. And before my break another two years.
TherealLogros wrote:
I somehow managed to get completely lost two days ago when I just wanted to kill a boss in Blackrock Spire for this little fellow. I just could not find the entrance.
But then I only play this game for 1,5 years. And before my break another two years.
But then I only play this game for 1,5 years. And before my break another two years.
The nice thing about dungeons is that they all have maps now. If you pay attention and open your map frequently as you progress through the dungeon, I find that even BRS and BRD I don't get lost in anymore.
Heck, I have those places *memorized* now like an old pro and they used to confuse the heck out of me.
The in-game maps help a lot. I really wish they'd put em in for the more mazy cave sub-zones.
Sir Xsarus wrote:
Always turn left.
...and hope that the goodies aren't to the right?
Carbonite probably does the same stuff as tom-tom, meaning its great for two dimensions but won't help you much in a three dimensional environment like Vash'jir or many caves. I've managed to trudge or swim around in circles more than a few times - cussing all the way. Once or twice I've even resorted to my hearthstone - the ultimate bug-out.
I do find that zooming and the contrast on the Blizzard minimap will often let you find your way out, though in my case I sometimes have to tilt my monitor to get the desired contrast.
Quote:
I do find that zooming and the contrast on the Blizzard minimap will often let you find your way out, though in my case I sometimes have to tilt my monitor to get the desired contrast.
Coming from someone who normally zooms out max on their minimap, I will admit that zooming full-in can sometimes help you find your way in some caves.
The problem with the minimap, is that it is 2d and does not show 3d environments very well at all, and sometimes what part it displays or hides is very buggy at best. That's IF the minimap is even working in the first place.
I keep getting this annoying "only show one room at a time" when I'm indoors. Supposedly there's a command:
/console minimapPortalMax 99
That is SUPPOSED to fix it... but.... it never works. I've tried this countless times, it does absolutely nothing.
The problem will persist until I cold boot the computer and sometimes even then it continues to do it.
I just wander around killing everything until I get out.
Hellbanned
idiggory wrote:
Drinking at home. But I could probably stand to get laid.
Horsemouth wrote:
I just wander around killing everything until I get out.
^^
This.
If you can kill fast enough, dead bodies (or the lack of any mobs if the corpses despawn) are a good indicator of where you've been and where you haven't been assuming nobody else shows up and messes up your system.
I used the caves ou there in the WoW world were confusing... until I found myself in the Wailing Caverns. Now I don't get lost in the other caves anymore.
Wortschmied wrote:
I used the caves ou there in the WoW world were confusing... until I found myself in the Wailing Caverns. Now I don't get lost in the other caves anymore.
Lyrailis wrote:
The nice thing about dungeons is that they all have maps now. If you pay attention and open your map frequently as you progress through the dungeon, I find that even BRS and BRD I don't get lost in anymore..
For that I have to enter them. ;)
I wandered around like the village idiot, unable to enter in the first place. A very humbling experience.
Lyrailis wrote:
Horsemouth wrote:
I just wander around killing everything until I get out.
^^
This.
If you can kill fast enough, dead bodies (or the lack of any mobs if the corpses despawn) are a good indicator of where you've been and where you haven't been assuming nobody else shows up and messes up your system.
I use bodies as breadcrumbs wherever I go.
Please "talk up" if your comprehension white-shifts. I will use simple-happy language-words to help you understand.
Mazra wrote:
I use bodies as breadcrumbs wherever I go.
Don't ever cook for me.
Tastes like chicken.
Please "talk up" if your comprehension white-shifts. I will use simple-happy language-words to help you understand.
I always do the cave quest last in my outing, and stone out as soon as I meet the objective. Especially the barrow map. I generally avoid going in those entirely if I can. Hate. HATE.
jiggeryqua wrote:
Mazra wrote:
I use bodies as breadcrumbs wherever I go.
George Carlin wrote:
I think it’s the duty of the comedian to find out where the line is drawn and cross it deliberately.
It puts the lotion in the basket or it gets the hose again.
Lyrailis wrote:
Try to keep in mind that many caves are copied and pasted; there are several pre-set configurations.
This is a godsend!
That one in Teldrassel where you used to level up from 8 to like 11 before you found your way back out, before they got friendly and added that mist stuff. So many confused memories.
That monster in the mirror, he just might be you. -Grover
6 posts
Very often, using the bodies as "breadcrumbs" does work. Just don't loot them until you're on your way back out.
Lyrailis wrote:
If you can kill fast enough, dead bodies (or the lack of any mobs if the corpses despawn) are a good indicator of where you've been and where you haven't been assuming nobody else shows up and messes up your system.
I've tried using this system which *sometimes* works, unless I've killed mobs at every twist and turn I entered, which I generally do...which then leaves me back to lost following dead bodies in a circle. lol
Terrillian Mistfyre
Owner/Operator of The Redhead Express
Intellectually honest, not politically correct
Owner/Operator of The Redhead Express
Intellectually honest, not politically correct
TherealLogros wrote:
Lyrailis wrote:
The nice thing about dungeons is that they all have maps now. If you pay attention and open your map frequently as you progress through the dungeon, I find that even BRS and BRD I don't get lost in anymore..
For that I have to enter them. ;)
I wandered around like the village idiot, unable to enter in the first place. A very humbling experience.
ARRGGGGGHHH - same experience here: could NOT find the entrance. During the Lunar Festival when one of the Elders was in one of these 2 dungeons, I was doing the village idiot routine while a Horde person was flying around on his magic carpet. (I LOVE those!) A few minutes later I get a tell from an unknown low level Alliance person saying I seemed to be lost and could he help? Same person! After explaining my situation, the Horde character returned and led me to the entrance. Type of person that makes playing an online game more pleasurable.
OTOH - I've been working on the Loremaster achievement and going to lower level zones/quests I missed. Was in a level 15ish cave, completed my task, and began the running in circles routine...and kept seeing a level 15 Hunter at every turn. I pretty much assume that most lower levels are alts, so here I am - level 70 Pally - just began playing WoW in Dec. - totally lost and keep running into this same guy. I was getting embarrassed (this experience actually prompted this thread) and after awhile the guy IMs me asking "Looking for something?" I replied I was trying to find my way out. No further response from him, not even an "Oh, ok" or "LOL" - nada....which made me even more embarrassed and bent on trying to get out.
I have used hearthstones in the past, but I'm currently hearthed in Shattrath and it would be a pain to go there and then travel back for a stupid cave...lol.
Terrillian Mistfyre
Owner/Operator of The Redhead Express
Intellectually honest, not politically correct
Owner/Operator of The Redhead Express
Intellectually honest, not politically correct
It has been known to happen that I go so slowly that the mobs respawn before I get back to them.
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