Nexus Atlas - Carnage Section - The Ultimate Gauntlet

Source: Nexus Atlas - Carnage Section - The Ultimate Gauntlet

Wiki: Nexus Atlas

Category: carnage

Nexus Atlas - Carnage Section - The Ultimate Gauntlet

What is The Ultimate Gauntlet?

The Ultimate Gauntlet is an automated head-to-head footrace that involves

player's skill, timing, luck, and speed. Players enter into large glowing arches in each

kingdom that lead to room called "The Ultimate Gauntlet". There they must assemble wait

among other players until the gauntlet begins. There's no cost to play, the game is free

and there's no limit of how many you can participate or win per day.

No mounts, spells, or scrolls are allowed. If you attempt to enter the glowing arches while

riding a mount you'll be sent back to your home.

Exactly one minute before the Gauntlet begins, players

are transported to one of the four Gauntlets. These four are North, South, East, and West

Gauntlet. Each side of the Ultimate Gauntlet presents different challenges to the player, but

the goal is always the same: Make it to the other side and reach the Gauntlet Generator and the center room.

When is the Gauntlet played?

The Gauntlet is played approximately every two hours, beginning about 30 minutes

after a server reset. Players standing inside The Ultimate Gauntlet will hear yellow warning

messages 10 and 5 minutes before each Gauntlet begins.

Current times are often posted on the Community board. Since the Gauntlet warning messages

are not visible except to those already in the Gauntlet, it is often necessary to leave

the Ultimate Gauntlet to sage or world shout for additional players. Even if you have enough players,

it is nice to let everyone know so that they have a chance to compete if they want to.

How many players are needed for the Gauntlet to work?

There must be at least 8 people in order for the Gauntlet to be run.

If there are less than 8 players when the game is slated to begin,

the Gauntlet will state that there are insufficient players to begin and give those present 10 minutes

to get more players. If, after 10 minutes there are still less than 8 players, the Gauntlet is aborted

and the game timer reset to 2 hours. However, once the 8th person arrives, the game will

begin in 60 seconds.

How do you survive the Gauntlet?

Players start on the outside edge of the Gauntlet they are assigned to behind a starting

line of barricades. Pinkish-red Field rifts dot the playing field, and represent safety from the

surges of power that pass through the Gauntlet sending players back to start. On the opposite

edge, if you can make it, is a doorway. Through this doorway is a room know as Ultimatum, which

houses the Gauntlet Generator responsible for controlling the operation of the Ultimate Gauntlet.

These are Field rifts

In order to pass through the Gauntlet, players must avoid surges of power that will send them

back to the starting line. These surges come exactly 10 seconds apart\*, and are indicated by a

message in your status box. If you are not standing next to a Field rift during one of these

surges, you are sent back to the starting line of one of the four Gauntlets. (\* When the game first

begins, there is a period of 15-20 seconds before the first surge. After this, they come regularly)

Therefore, the goal is to move quickly from one Field rift to the next, while anticipating

each surge of energy. Since these surges come very regularly, you can time them either by

counting in your head (or outloud!), or by casting a spell with long aethers before entering the

Gauntlet area and watching the numbers count down. Once you get the hang of moving between rifts when

its safe, all you need to do is carefully make it all the way to the other side and through the door.

Here's an example of how a door to center room looks like. This one in the picture below is of East Gauntlet. Every other room has a same tile marking the door, but different location.

Once you reach the Ultimatum (center room) reach the brown crystal at the center and stand next to it. Click the crystal and wait until you receive the message saying you won.

When winner is announced the game ends. Everyone is sent back to the room "The Ultimate Gauntlet" and the counter resets to 2 hours.

*The first player to get close to this crystal in the center of the Gauntlet has survived the

Gauntlet and is declared the winner.*

What is the history of the Gauntlet?

The Gauntlet was created by the Dreamweaver mug, who retired in May 2010. It was released

on Wednesday, April 28th with almost no warning or fanfare, just a simple entry in the reset notes.

Many players were quickly hooked, and those that seemed to have an aptitude for it quickly racked up

multiple wins. Even now, just one full month later, some players have amassed 10, 15, and even 40 wins.

The Gauntlet really speaks to mug's dedication to encourage players to help one another. Players

must relay the time warnings to one another, and since there are no "official" rules those who

have discovered the secrets of the Gauntlet must help others to understand it.

What do I get for winning the Gauntlet?

Each time that you survive the Gauntlet it is marked on your legend, much in the same

way as other carnage wins are. However, there are no marks given for participation. There's no item awarded either.

Good luck to all of you! Remember that it will take a few tries to get familiar with

the twists, turns, and obstacles of the Gauntlet fields...so keep trying!