Introduction
Ouroboros is a zone out of time where, along with some pseudo-Taskforce story arc based on the zone, players are given the opportunity to replay old story arcs or do story arc they may have out levelled. To enter the zone you need either have performed a mission concerning time travel, which the first opportunity to do so for heroes is in Faultline, where you can gain the badge round about level 20 or so, or, have another character open a portal for you. Either way, to actually travel via the portal to the Ouroboros zone you need to have attained level 25. Once there you will gain a new contact, The Pilgrim, who will give you a short mission arc introducing you to the basics of missions in Ouroboros. If you have come via a portal opened up for you I would advise making your way to the top of the building in front of you for an exploration badge, which when got will award you with a nice new shinny Ouroboros portal of your very own.
Once you have a portal and have run the initiation story arc you can start playing around with the pillars of ice and flame. These crystal like pillars allow you to run story arcs for level ranges below your current level. Thus if you are level 27 when you first get there you will have the option of level 1-14 arcs, 15-19 arc and 20-24 arc. The reason for this is when you enter an arc via the crystal you are auto exemplared to the top level for that arc, so on a 20-24 arc you will run it at level 24. Also, when you enter an arc this way you will enter Taskforce mode, so you will lose all other contacts for the duration of the arc and cannot invite any other players to a team until you are done.
Badges
When you choose a story arc via a pillar you will be presented with a screen with lots of options, as you would with a normal taskforce. But unlike most other taskforces, there is a reason for these options this time. Playing under different challenge settings awards badges, there are one time badges, badges that are level range dependant and badges for the total number of arcs completed.
Now, the mission arcs come in 2 flavours, Story arc and badge missions. Badge missions are the stand alone mission that award a badge for completing and usually are only 1 mission long, some are slightly longer, but in either case, these missions do not award challenge badges other the for the number of completed arcs, and even then, only on the team leader if you are running in a team.
This guide assumes you are going to be badge hunting solo, as most of the advice I give here would be rather irrelevant for most teams. Generally I try to avoid long arc, though this isnt always possible. I also try to avoid arc with Elite Bosses or lots of mezzers in. This is to make the run throughs as easy and painless as possible. Though under normal circumstances these things wouldnt be a problem for most archetypes, under some challenge settings such as player debuffed, no inspirations and no enhancements, this can become a very different story.
Here is a list of all the badges available. First are the one time badges. These badges are awarded one time only regardless of the level range of the arc.
Time limit badges
Gold Medallist Completing an Entire Arc in 30 Minutes or less
Silver Medallist Completing an Entire Arc in 60 Minutes or less
Bronze Medallist Completing an Entire Arc in 120 Minutes or less
Limited Lives badges
All For One, One for All Zero Defeats
Divided Mastery 1 Defeat
Proportional Supremacy 3 Defeats
Shared Victory 5 Defeats
Next are the level range badges, these award for completing arc under each of the level ranges and fall into 2 categories, the first of which is power limits. The these badges can only be gained one at a time by selection from a drop down menu and are as follows.
No Travel Powers
Refrained 1-14
Shut Down 15-19
Desisted 20-24
Barred 25-29
Still 30-24
Stalled 35-39
Stemmed 40-44
Suspended 45-50
No Ancillary/Patron Powers
Cut-Off 40-44
Marginalized 45-50
Only AT Powers
Contributor 1-14
Vocational 15-19
Professional 20-24
All Business 25-29
Archetypical 30-34
Obligated 35-39
Missionary 40-44
Undertaker 45-50
No Temporary Powers
Diminished 1-14
Curtailed 15-19
Capped 20-24
Inhibited 25-29
Hindered 20-24
Bound 35-39
Limited 40-44
Demarcated 45-50
The second section are the additional challenge settings and are chosen via radio buttons and are as follows.
Players Are Under Constant Debuff
Venturous 1-14
Headstrong 15-19
Adventurous 20-24
Daredevil 25-29
Rash 30-34
Venturesome 35-39
Reckless 40-44
Temerarious 45-50
Enemies in Mission Are Buffed
Audacious 1-14
Courageous 15-19
Bold 20-24
Valorious 25-29
Valiant 30-34
Stalwart 35-39
Lionhearted 40-44
Intrepid 45-50
Enhancements Have No Effect
Lessened 1-14
Debilitated 25-19
Anemic 20-24
Weakened 25-29
Deflated 30-34
Decreased 35-39
Devalued 40-44
Unenhanced 45-50
Inspirations Cannot Be Used
Cliché 1-14
Unimaginative 15-19
Flat 20-24
Unoriginal 25-29
Dull 30-34
Phoned It In 35-39
Indifferent 40-44
Uninspired 45-50
And the final set of badges are for the total number of flashback arcs completed and are awarded weather you do them under challenge settings or not.
Troubleshooter Complete 5 Flashback Missions
Adjuster Complete 10 Flashback Missions
Calibrator Complete 15 Flashback Missions
Alterist Complete 20 Flashback Missions
Balancer Complete 25 Flashback Missions
Correctionist Complete 30 Flashback Missions
Repairman/Repairwoman Complete 35 Flashback Missions
Overhauler Complete 40 Flashback Missions
Time Fixer Complete 45 Flashback Missions
Ouroboros Mender Complete 50 Flashback Missions
You are free to mix and match these settings as you wish and though it may be tempting to pile on as many as you can just remember that each arc completed counts towards the X flashback Missions badges too, so the more you spread out the challenges the less extra runthroughs youll need to do for those badges afterwards.
Now, as you can see, that is a lot of badges to collect, 75 in total, so youll be wanting a quick way to get them all, well, fear not, that is the purpose of this guide after all. Though I said earlier that you are free to combine the settings anyway in which you feel you can handle I will be suggesting here what is in my opinion the fastest and easiest combinations.
The time limit and lives limit badges are one offs, so feel free to get them out of the way as soon as possible, that way you dont have to worry about them later. For the other challenge settings my preferred method of grouping gives me 4 runs through each arc, this way things arent too hard for me and I get them done, mostly, fairly quickly. The runs I use are as follows.
Run 1. No Travel / Foes buffed
Run 2. AT only / No Inspiration
Run 3. No Temp / Player Debuffed
Run 4. No Enhancements (/No Epic for 45-44 and 45-50)
My reasoning behind these choices is this, Run 1 gives you all your tricks at your disposal. Mostly travel powers arent needed in a mission, unless you plan on stealthing your way through it, and its best to have some idea what to expect if you are going to try that. Run 2 gives the tightest limit on my powers, but at least those you do have are operating at full efficiency, plus you will be needing those inspirations for the last too runs. Runs 3 means you have no temp powers, but with the heavy debuff you will be under you will mostly miss with them anyway. And finally, Run 4, this is almost like being debuffed fighting buffed enemies, you dont really notice the effects of your enhancements until they are gone. So here you have everything at your disposal, even if they are at their bear minimums. Only the last 2 level ranges you can add in the no epic runs too.
The easiest arc by far for to get the one off badges is Wincott vs The Trolls. This arc is only 3 mission long, it starts with a kill X mission, followed by 2 kill alls, the kill X is not a problem as you are exemped to level 14 and there are plenty of easy picking a short sprint from the contact, the 2 kill alls are part of a 2 part mission so no returning to the contact is needed just jog over to the next door. Personally I would run the no defeats 30 minute limit pairing on its own because you cannot really afford to die on the 30 minute limit anyway as if you do you could end up with a long run back to the door. The new hospital in zone helps here, but still can leave things a bit too close. Second run would be 60 minutes, 1 defeat, no travel and foes buffed. Got plenty of time here so you can afford the run back to the door if needed. Third run is 120 minutes, 3 defeats, at powers only and no insp. You can afford to die a few more times here, so the increased time limit give plenty of leeway for trips across the zone as you will not have the luxury of wakies or temp self rezzes. Forth run is 5 defeats, no temp powers and player debuffed. You could expect to die plenty, especially if you are not an offensive AT. And final run is just a straight forward no enhancement run, nothing else to worry about here.
Recommended arcs
Level 1-14 Arc
Wincott Vs The Trolls
This arc takes place in the Hollows Hazard zone, but being exemped to level 14 means you dont really have anything to worry about out doors.
Mish 1. Defeat 10 Trolls.
This mish is a piece of cake, you are level 14 and a short hop away are a host of level 5-7 trolls ripe for the picking. You get the contacts number after this mish, but you wont really be needing it except to turn in the arc.
Mish 2 Defeat All Outcasts in Base
4 weapons racks to confiscate.
A simple kill all with not much to worry you too much
Mish 3 Defeat All Outcasts in 2nd Base
3 artifacts to recover
Bedrock, the named villain in this arc is about all that could give you pause for thought. Arc Done!
Level 15-19 Arc
I Lost My Daddy
This arc takes place in Faultline. The outdoor mobs range from a little under your level to a few levels higher, so you do need to take care when travelling
Mish 1 Rescue Doc Deliah
Find the good doctor and escort her out, its easy to clear a path without killing all in this mish but there is about a 50% chance of an ambush on your way out.
Mish 2 Talk To Jim Temblor
Jog back to Jim and talk to him then back to the contact for her number.
Mish 3 Defeat Lost for Info
Defeat 10 Lost
Near the contact are plenty of lost just at ot slightly below you level so feel free to pick them off here.
Mish 4 Find Muxley
Easily stealth-able mish, just find the named mob and kill him, though, beware, he is a rector so can mez you so kill him quick
Mish 5 Rescue Mr. Jin
There are a fair few mezzers in this mish, all with names like Ant of Atlas and the like. There is also an ambush on the way out so its best to clear a path to escort the shop keeper out through first. Arc Done!
Other arc in this range:
The Mind of a King 5 Missions (2 Defeat X). This is your best bet if you really dont want to do fault line, nothing really tricky, just a lot of running around.
The Tsoo Shenanigans 8 Missions (3 Delivery, 1 Defeat X). Longest arc in the range, lots of mezzers throughout, as well as healing sorcerers and ancient spirits who can really pack a punch. It will also have you running all over skyway.
Rumblings of the Past only 3 missions long, but both the last 2 have EB in them, and both use psi powers. Though you get help against Kurse I the first of the 2 you are completely on you own for nocturne
The Vahzilok Plague 5 Missions (1 Defeat X, 1 Delivery). There is an EB in this arc, but you can succeed without fighting him. The real problem with this Arc Is the wasting disease itself along with the plentiful toxic damage can be very hard to handle under many of the challenge settings.
Level 20-24 Arc
The Sky Raiders Secret
This is a short arc that starts off in Talos Island then moves out. Skyraiders dont pose much of a threat so should be straightforward.
Mish 1 Defeat Commander, His Entourage
3 Men to Rescue
Easy mostly stealth-able mission, kill the guard mobs and the mob in the room with the commander and your done.
Mish 2 Talk to Andrea Mitchell
You will be ambushed on your way to meet het, but you should be able to ignore them. Run back and get the contacts number ready for being sent out of the zone.
Mish 3 Defeat Commander, His Entourage
Rescue Eli Hunt
Stealth-able mish out of starting zone, the rescue mob doesnt need an escort out, so can just kill the 2 mob groups and leave.
Mish 4 Investigate Warehouse
6 bombs to destroy, Find Wayne Evans
A 1 hour timed stealth-able mish where you can, with care, not have to kill a thing, yes, Wayne Evens is a glowie too
Mish 4 Defeat Commander, His Entourage
Find Irvine Katcher
Yet again, kill guard mobs and commanders mob and leave, Arc Done!
Other Arcs in Range:
A Hand of Iron 8 Missions (1 Patrol, 1 Defeat X, 3 Delivery). Its Freakshow here so stunners and rezzing aplenty
The Wheel of Destruction 7 Missions (2 Deliveries, 1 Patrol). Freaks again, but 4 door mishes this time
The Tsoo Coup 9 Missions (2 Defeat X and 1 Delivery). Mezzers, stunners and healers abound over 6 door mishes
The Buried Past 5 Missions (2 Talk To). There are 2 EBs here so best to avoid unless you are feeling brave
Ring of Peebles 8 Missions (1 Defeat X and one Delivery). 6 door mishes finishing with an EB
Hear and Now 8 Missions (4 Defeat X). Four door mishes ending on and EB
A Faultline in the Sands of Time 10 Missions, all are defeat all, 3 EBs, one at a time, then all 3 together
Level 25-29 Arc
A Mad Mans Council
This arc is fully in Striga Isle, which you will be touring all over.
Mish 1 Confiscate Council Supplies
5 Supplies to Confiscate
Simple mish, get the 5 glowies in the level, easily stealth-able
Mish 2 Clear the Wolfs Throat
Defeat 10 Council
Took me a while to figure this one out, the Wolfs Throat is a tunnel that leads to the council base, you can see its entrance on the map by the thin L shaped red zone coming off the main red zone of the council base. Inside you will encounter either vamps, or normal mobs Vs BP mobs just under your level.
Mish 3 Disrupt Council Defences
Defeat 3 Turrets
Turrets are at intervals around the red zone so shouldnt be hard to find, though they are up on the walls which melee toons may find hard to reach without travel powers. The turrets spawn as minion or LT at L29. Turn in this mish for the contacts number
Mish 4 Infiltrate Communications Hub
Seek Info on council Plot
A simple glowie hunt, just stealth it.
Mish 5 Interrogate patrols inside base
Defeat 15 Council
Choose your targets carefully, remember, this is a hazard zone so orange bosses aplenty here!
Mish 6 Defeat Base Commander & his Men
You will be ambushed as soon as you enter this mish, and at several point through it, can stealth past all other mobs though.
Mish 7 Speak to Ernesto Hess
Speak to the TF contact here, usually the door mish is quite near him. Arc done
Other Arcs in Range:
Return to Vampyr Mountain 8 Missions (2 Defeat X, 1 Delivery). Lots of vamps as well as some BP. The Sharman seem to spawn at +2 lvls on heroic.
Piercing the Veil 9 Missions (2 Defeat X, 2 Delivery). Fighting Tutha this time, with champions spawning at +2 who heal and have hard hitting ranged attacks, you are also in a higher lvl zone so no easy kills.
The Mysterious General Z 8 Missions. Vanilla foes, but all door missions.
Ubelmann the Unknown 8 Missions. Same here, plain foes but all dorr mishes
The Scroll of Tielekku 9 Missions (2 Deliveries). Mostly BP with some CoT. 2 trips through Dark Astoria can be a huge pain.
The Freaklympics 8 Missions. All door mishes and all freaks
need I say more?
An Unnatural Order 8 Missions. All door mishes Vs DE, lots of mezzers and buffs and debuffs, really not recommended with most challenge settings.
War of the Fir Bolg 7 Missions (2 Defeat X, 1 Delivery). Not a recommended arc because you can fail the last mish and not get the badge.
Level 30-34 Arc
Rise of the Vampyri
Fairly annoying arc this, but truly is the best of the bunch. Youll be foot footing it across Founders Falls a lot, to the high end of the zone too, but at least the mishes arent too much or a problem.
Mish 1 Arrest Supply Master & his Men
10 Creates to Destroy, Seek Clues
Right off the bat you are sent out of zone so dont TP to contact, stealth round, get the glowies and kill the mobs in the commanders room.
Mish 2 Arrest Base Leader & his Men
Seek data on Vampyri
Still not in Founders and the glowie is usually in the bosses room so stealth it.
Mish 3 Arrest all Soldiers in Base
2 files to find
Once more out of zone and youll find the glowies as you kill the mobs, not a problem.
Mish 4 Investigate Vampyr Alterations
3 Clues to Find
A simple glowie hunt here so stealth it.
Mish 5 Defeat Security Chief & his Men
2 files to find
Stealth it again, plenty of glowies to click till you find the right 2 the kill the chief, job done.
Mish 6 Question Soldiers about Base
Defeat 10 Council
Head to the low end of the zone for some easy pickings, mish rolls over to
Mish 7 Question Soldiers about Base
Defeat 15 Council
Just keep killing lowbies for
Mish 8 Question Soldiers about Base
Defeat 20 Council
And finally youll get the answers you seek when you beat some more lowbies.
Mish 9 Arrest Todesco and his Men
Find Genetic Data
Kill the toddies mobs and click the glowie as stealthily as possible and when you return to the contact and get his number
just in time for the last mish.
Mish 10 Arrest Proginator & his Guards
Stealth to the Progentiors room, kill him and anything near, Arc Done!
Other Arcs in Range:
The Freakshow War 8 Missions. All door mishes, all Freaks, avoid!
Hatreds Hungry Heart 6 Missions (3 Defeat X). Tuatha and Red Caps here. May be a better arc than the recommended for some ATs.
Crossing Over 7 Missions (1 Defeat X, 1 Delivery). Not too bad here, but you can fail the final mish, so not very viable for badging.
Corporate Culture 8 Missions. All door mishes and all against Crey. A nightmare under some challenge settings.
The Unity Plague 14 Missions (8 Deliveries). 6 door mishes, but all against DE.
The Library of Souls 12 Missions (4 Deliveries). CoT And those awful maps means this is just play annoying.
Level 35-39 Arc
The Ouroboros Initiation
This arc is second only to Wincott Vs Trolls for simplicity, all mishes are in the zone, which is blissfully small, and only one can be annoying. This arc is actually found in the 45-50 range, but awards the badges for 35-39, go figure!
Mish 1 Speak with Mender Lazarus
Speak to the guys on the far side of the pool then click the pillar behind him for
Mish 2 Retrieve Computer Information
A straight forward glowie hunt at your full level, Nice! So stealth it.
Mish 3 Speak to Mender Tesseract
Speak to the next contact then her pillar for
Mish 4 Find Cure for Outbreak Plague
Retrieve Formula, 7 People to Rescue, 25 Contaminated to Destroy
Exemped to L1 here and tons of contaminated, so good chance to make progress in that badge you may have missed out on during the tutorial. I recommend stealthing to the captives and killing their guard mob only, the formula and last captive is in the door mish, then mop up any extra mobs when you come out.
Mish 5 Speak to Twilights Son
Run inside the building, talk to the Kheld then click his glowie for
Mish 6 Defeat General LocDanan
Rescue Mender Lazarus
Stealth this to kill the general and the menders guard mob and leave quickly.
Mish 7 Speak to Mender Silos
Up the stairs to the balcony, talk to the mender then click his pillar for
Mish 8 Defeat Source of Shivan Attacks
Rescue Mender Silos
Kill the guard mob then give that meteor all youve got, Arc Done!
Other Arcs in Range:
Mass Duplicity With this Arc you are fighting just Nemesis, no EBs and they dont have mez in their arsenal. Eight (8) missions and all are missions. Yes other arcs are shorter with regards to missions, but there are mezzers in their mix.
Why Not:
Revenant Hero Project 10 Missions (5 Delivery, 1 Defeat X). Only 4 door mishes, but Creys and Paragon Protectors, so not really the best option.
A Path Into Darkness 11 Missions (2 Delivery). Very only arc and council wolf bosses spawning at +2/+3 your lvl.
The Organ Grinders 12 Missions (3 Delivery, 2 Defeat X). 7 door mishes, but all Rikti with mezzers and stunnder, not recommended!
The Terra Conspiracy 10 Missions (1 Delivery, 1 Defeat). DE with an EB, and a tough one at that, best avoid.
The Envoy of Shadow 8 Missions. All door mishes Vs CoT, with an EB in 3 mishes, though optional in 2. Still, no thanks.
Level 40-44 Arc
Division Line
One of only 2 arc in this range without EBs in and by far the longest arc youll do if you follow this guide. Its aganst Rikti, so mezzers aplenty, but its better than the alternative. Lots of running around her too with bearly any mishes in the contacts zone. Stealth is your friend here.
Mish 1 Stop Rikti Street Battle
6 Portals to Adjust, 4 Citizens to Save
2 hour timed mish via board train, so just use the Ouroboros exit portal. The captives are optional so just stealth the portal devices.
Mish 2 Disrupt Rikti Portal Devices
6 Portal Devices to Adjust
Access through a portal corp portal and stealth the glowies, simple really.
Mish 3 Meet With NenKulf
Locate NenKulf
Kill the guard mob only, no need to escort out so you can stealth it easily. Return to the contact for his number.
Mish 4 Defeat CKelkan & her Guards
Stealth to the named mob, kill all in vicinity, can collect some glowies if you wish too.
Mish 5 Capture NenKulf & his Guards
4 Citizens to Rescue
Kill guard mobs and the named mob and locals then out.
Mish 6 Locate CKelkan
Glowie hunt around mostly Nemisis
Mish 7 Find CKelkans Location
Look for Clues
Yet another glowie hunt around Rikti and Nemisis. This time you will be ambushed upon exiting the mish.
Mish 8 Recapture CKelkan
Clear a path through the nemesis to free CKelkan and lead him out through numerous ambushes.
Mish 9 Defeat PoKen, Find Lost Info
Though there are a few glowies around you dont need to click any of them, you seem to get all you need from the named mob.
Mish 10 Capture LuBew & his Staff
Find the mob, kill him and his friends.
Mish 11 Find Captive Sorcerer
Find the CoT and kill the guard mob.
Mish 12 Disrupt Portal Devices
6 Portal Devices to Adjust
Back to PI for an outdoor glowie hunt.
Mish 13 Prevent a Second Rikti Invasion
4 Mystic Nodes to Destroy, 6 Portal Devises to Destroy
Sounds like a tall order, but just stealth it for those glowies, Arc Done!
Other Arcs in Range:
On The Run 17 Missions (2 Defeat X, 4 Delivery). 11 door mishes with a psi damage EB at the end and Crey all the way through.
Melvin and the Mysterious Malta Group 20 Missions (7 Deliveries). This is the only other arc in this range without an EB in, but its malta! 13 door mishes with mezzers and sappers. Not a nice prospect.
To Save a Soul 17 Missions (2 Defeat X, 7 Delivery). 8 door mishes with a really tough EB at the end, Madame of Mystery!
The Eternal Nemesis 16 Missions (1 Defeat X). 15 Door mishes with 2 EBs, Nemesis and Nosfuratu.
The Praetorian War 13 Missions. All door Mishes with 5 EB, do only if you are brave.
Level 45-50 Arc
The Strange Case of Benjimin A. Decker
Once again Rikti, but a very short arc and extremely easy.
Mish 1 Rescue Arnold Decker
Fight to the captive, lead him out and kill the nemesis ambush to get the contacts number.
Mish 2 Rescue BNadek
If you are lucky here you wont even have to fight anything, there is a chanve the vanguard soldiers will take out the guard mob themselves then all you have to do is lead the captive back to base, which often times isnt that far away. Back to contact for her number.
Mish 3 Speak With the Dark Watcher
Not much else to say here, speak with him then leave the base, wait till you are outside before you call the contact.
Mish 4 Investigate Rikti Dig
4 Clues, Do NOT attack Foreman, Do NOT attack Patrols
Yep, thats right, you are told not to fight in this mish, just leg it to the glowies that are always in the same rooms and exit, Arc Done!
Other Arcs in Range:
Welcome to the Vanguard 12 Missions (1 Defeat X, 6 Talks). 5 door mishes against Rikti
Dreams of Peace and Acts of War 9 Missions (2 Talk). 7 door mishes with a Rikti EB at the end.
The Horror of War 6 Missions. All door missions with 2 EBs, Silver Mantis and Nemesis
The Red and the Black 6 Missions. All door mishes and 2 EBs.
To Save A Thousand Worlds 23 Missions (7 Talk To). 17 door mishes with an EB
Upon the Psychic Plane 20 Missions (2 Defeat X, 4 Delivery). 16 Mishes with a CoS EB
Project World Wide Red 16 Missions (1 Delivery). Not only is it malta, but the last mish is timed and spanws a GM Kronos Titan.
10. A Heroes Hero Er
lots of mishes, and almost every one a praetorian EB!
THANKS
I would like to thank all the members of GGRRR SG for their help and support of my badge addiction in general. I would also like to thank High Beam on the US forums whos own guide there, not only coincided with what I had already been doing, but also helped me choose those final few arcs I needed to do.
