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Dragon Response Mission: Snowden Drifts

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Dragon Response Mission: Snowden Drifts

Dragon Response Mission Snowden Drifts loading screen.jpg
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Dragon Response Mission- Snowden Drifts.jpg

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Dragon Response Mission: Snowden Drifts is a Dragon Response Mission set in Snowden Drifts. It is required for the completion of the Jormag's World story step.

Objectives[edit]

Vanguard of Prophecy

  • Allies are defending the Kodan village!
    • Event star (tango icon).png Protect Song of Final Exile and reinforce its defenses!
      • Quaggans saved: x/10
      • Light the braziers.: x/10
      • Icebrood killed: x/30
      • Time limit: 5:00
  • The Kodan Claw is moving to counterattack icebrood forces.
    • Event star (tango icon).png Accompany the Claw of Koda to find the source of the icebrood armies.
      • Kodan Claw
      • Event bar.jpg Event shield (tango icon).png
  • Allied forces have engaged Ryland Steelcatcher.
    • Event boss (tango icon).png Defeat Ryland Steelcatcher
      • Ryland Steelcatcher
      • Event bar.jpg Event boss (tango icon).png
    • Event boss (tango icon).png Defeat Ryland Steelcatcher
      • Elite Frost Legion Bruiser
      • Event bar.jpg Event boss (tango icon).png
      • Elite Frost Legion Bladestorm
      • Event bar.jpg Event boss (tango icon).png
      • Elite Frost Legion Shaman
      • Defeat Ryland's Centurions: x/3
      • Event bar.jpg Event boss (tango icon).png
  • The shrine is secured. Ryland's forces are retreating!
  • Completion time: xx:xx

Ally Support

  • If the norn were asked for aid
    • Event star (tango icon).pngFaction Aid: Norn
      • Fight alongside the norn shamans to obtain Spirit Blessings.
  • If the Crystal Bloom were asked for aid
    • Event star (tango icon).pngFaction Aid: Crystal Bloom
      • Defend the Crystal Bloom while they charge prismatic crystals, then draw protection magic from the crystal.
  • If the Ebon Vanguard were asked for aid
    • Event star (tango icon).pngFaction Aid: Ebon Vanguard
      • Rally at Ebon Vanguard battle standards to stand together for victory!
  • If the Deldrimor dwarves were asked for aid
    • Event star (tango icon).pngFaction Aid: Deldrimor Dwarves
      • Use dwarven alchemical acid to corrode enemies.
  • If the kodan were asked for aid
    • Event star (tango icon).pngFaction Aid: Kodan
      • Fight alongside champions of Koda by wielding Koda's Flame to counter icebrood.
  • If the Flame Legion were asked for aid
    • Event star (tango icon).pngFaction Aid: Flame Legion
      • Defend Flame Legion shamans while they preform effigy summoning rituals.

Locations[edit]

Area Area objectives
Song of Final Exile
Waypoint (map icon).png Pact Emergency Waypoint
Point of interest (map icon).png Tala Point
Griffonfall
Reaver's Dale
Point of interest (map icon).png Svannijem Hold
Owl's Abattoir
Waypoint (map icon).png Pact Emergency Waypoint
Point of interest (map icon).png Owl Lodge
Mastery point (Icebrood Saga).png Champions Insight: Snowden Drifts
Valslake
Point of interest (map icon).png Urgulp

Rewards[edit]

The rank chests above are the main acquisition source for the following rare reward:

Walkthrough[edit]

Allied Factions[edit]

After the initial event, you will be accompanied by one of the Allied factions. They can be either selected by talking to Meradh icon.png Meradh near the entrance and paying the fee, or they will be randomly assigned. Many of the NPCs are very weak and die easily, however, some of them have useful utilities.

Challenges[edit]

Various challenges can be activated by talking to Event flag red.png Veadh near the entrance. Once the first event finishes, the challenges cannot be further changed.

Talk more option tango.png Recall the Vigil strike teams. (Adds a timer to mission failure.)
Talk more option tango.png Recall the Order of Whispers infiltrators. (Strengthens enemies.)
Talk more option tango.png Recall the Priory enchanters. (Enemy champions gain strength.)
Ferocity Pull all forces back. I'll handle it. [All challenges on.]
Charisma We need all forces on the field. [All challenges off.]
  • The challenge timer is 13 minutes.

You can save time for the boss fight by applying swiftness or superspeed to the Kodan Claw NPC.

At the boss fight, there are overlapping AoEs and high melee damage. At health intervals of 70% and 35% the boss spawns additional enemies that need to be dealt with. Powerful foes (Enemy Champions gain strength) affects the spawns during the split phase of the boss fight including the elite mob but does not drastically increase difficulty.

Defiance bars should be handled with normal crowd control skills.

The use of Electromagical Pulse from Portable United Legions Waystation is discouraged as it is currently bugged and applies multiple boons to the boss when the defiance bar is instantly broken.[verification requested]

Because the damage dealt by the boss in melee range is extremely high, the player is advised to circle around Ryland to avoid most attacks without having to dodge. During the ice storm, the group can stand inside Ryland to dodge the ice shards while handling the defiance bar.

Ryland periodically gains boons. Some boon removal or corruption is recommended, especially to remove protection.

Achievements[edit]

Champions Insight: Snowden Drifts Champions Icebrood Saga mastery point 1Achievement points
Discover this Icebrood Saga Mastery Insight in the Snowden Drifts Dragon Response Mission, accessed via asura gate in Eye of the North. 1 Mastery Insight 1Achievement points
  • Commune with the object during the mission. Can be done after the events/story is over, but still has to be done inside the instance.
Emergency Dragon Responder: Snowden Drifts Champions 1Achievement points
Complete the Snowden Drifts Dragon Response Mission. Completed the Snowden Drifts Dragon Response Mission 1Achievement points
  • Complete the Dragon Response Mission either in Public or Private instance. Automatically gained while playing through Champions story for the first time.
Tide Turner: Snowden Drifts Champions 3Achievement points
During the Dragon Response Mission, aid each recruited faction at least once while a challenge is active.
Objectives: 5 objectives in total
  • Crystal Bloom
  • Ebon Vanguard
  • Deldrimor Dwarves
  • Kodan
  • Flame Legion
1 Recruited Faction Aided with a Challenge Active 0Achievement points
3 Recruited Faction Aided with a Challenge Active 1Achievement points
5 Recruited Faction Aided with a Challenge Active 2Achievement points
  • Factions can be either selected at the start of a private instance by talking to Meradh icon.png Meradh, or they are randomly assigned after the timed pre-event ends.
Top Dragon Responder: Snowden Drifts Champions 5Achievement points
Complete 5 Snowden Drifts Dragon Response Mission with all challenges active. Completed 1 Snowden Drifts Dragon Response Mission with All Challenges Active 1Achievement points
Completed 3 Snowden Drifts Dragon Response Mission with All Challenges Active 2Achievement points
Completed 5 Snowden Drifts Dragon Response Mission with All Challenges Active 2Achievement points
  • Complete the mission with all challenges active. They can be activated by talking to Veadh only in Private instances.
This achievement rewards items. Second Response: Snowden Drifts Return to Champions 0Achievement points
Complete the Snowden Drifts Dragon Response Mission.
Reward: Daily achievement chest.pngChest of the Dragon Slayer (3)
Completed the Snowden Drifts Dragon Response Mission 1 Time 0Achievement points
  • Complete the Dragon Response Mission either in Public or Private instance.
Poultry Protector 5.jpg
This achievement requires at least one completed objective to become visible. Poultry Protector Champions 0Achievement points
Protect imperiled poultry endangered in disparate Dragon Response Missions.
...
1 0Achievement points
7 0Achievement points
  • This achievement can only be done during the timed pre-event. The chickens are labelled as standard Villagers. If you drop the chicken, you cannot pick it up again. Every mission has several chickens in random locations (see the map for possible ones), though for the achievement you need to save only one.

NPCs[edit]

Allies[edit]

Animals
Awakened
Birds
Charr
Constructs
Dwarves
Humans
Kodan
Norn
Quaggans
Spirits of the Wild
Sylvari
1 If supported by the Deldrimor Dwarves
2 If supported by the Ebon Vanguard
3 If supported by the norn
4 If supported by the order of the Crystal Bloom
5 If supported by the Flame Legion

Services[edit]

Foes[edit]

Icebrood

Objects[edit]

3 If supported by the order of the Crystal Bloom

Dialogue[edit]

Upon entering the instance
<Character name>: Kas! Didn't expect to see you here.
Kasmeer Meade: Heard about Lake Doric on my way back from Ebonhawke. Figured I'd spread the word to potential allies.
Kodan Claw: Without her warning, more lives would have fallen to agents of Jormag.
Kodan Claw: Our sanctuary is open to all needing refuge. When the enemy comes, we'll be ready.
After finishing the first event
Kasmeer Meade: Is it me or did this feel like a distraction? Like, not the main event.
<Character name>: When Braham called, he said there was something else going on outside the kodan walls.
Kodan Claw: Safeguarding the settlement is my chief concern. I can be your guide, but I can't spare forces to aid your expedition.
Kasmeer Meade: We would never ask. How about the rest of you?
Speaking with the Kodan Claw
We must find the source of the spirit pain. Will you help us?
Talk ready option.png I will.
Talk end option tango.png No, I will not.
While traveling
Braham: Commander? Getting close to Song of Exile.[sic]
<Character name>: We'll meet you on the path, Braham. I brought some friends.
Kasmeer Meade: Same as Lake Doric?
<Character name>: No. Whole villages were frozen. And we fought Svanir shamans, not just warriors.
Meeting with Braham
Braham Eirsson: You made it. This way—the screaming's coming from further down the path.
Kasmeer Meade: Screaming? I don't hear anything.
Braham Eirsson: We're getting closer—pain's getting stronger...
Arriving at Svannijem Hold
<Character name>: Jormag's not making new Frozen from the dead. So what are their lackeys doing here?
Kasmeer Meade: I still don't hear anything.
<Character name>: Braham, you're not sensing destroyers again by any chance?
Braham Eirsson: No. No. That's pressure building in my ears. This is about the Spirits. I can't explain, but I can feel the difference.
Kodan Claw: You remind me of our Voices—those touched by Koda. Perhaps yours is a similar sensitivity.
When the Elite Svanir Brute appears
Braham Eirsson: Don't let them distract us!
Elite Svanir Brute: Norn of Prophecy—what do you really think you can do in the face of Jormag's power? You're nothing!
After defeating the Sons of Svanir
Owl Spirit: Braham.
Kasmeer Meade: I heard that.
Braham Eirsson: I know that—Owl?
Owl Spirit: I feel you near. Hurry. I cannot hold against Jormag's champion much longer.
Kasmeer Meade: Is there a village ahead?
Kodan Claw: There are no living out this way—only the memories of one who once was.
Encountering the final group before boss
Veteran Svanir Seer: Turn around, Eirsson. This doesn't concern you or your friends.
Braham Eirsson: Year I've had, got no time for this. Get out of the way.
Defeating the final group
Owl Spirit: (agonized scream)
Braham Eirsson: I didn't ask to be the Norn of damn Prophecy!
Kodan Claw: Voices have no say when a higher purpose calls. They allow the honor to mold them—just as you must.
Kasmeer Meade: Or maybe he's the Norn of Prophecy because of everything he's done. Spiritual direction—I get it. I've needed it.
Kasmeer Meade: But it's your choices and your actions that mattered, Braham. They're what made you who and what you are.
Arriving at the owl shrine
Owl Spirit: I exiled myself once—(agonized screech)—but I will go even further, if I must, to keep power from Jormag.
Ryland Steelcatcher: You're gonna help us, one way or another. Why not make it easier on yourself?
Owl Spirit: There is no ease in corruption.
Braham Eirsson: Ryland's channeling corrupted Spirit energy. He'll pull the life from her!
Ryland Steelcatcher: This one promised herself to Jormag once—ruse or not. And my dragon doesn't take promises lightly.
Kasmeer Meade: He's too strong! We're not going to be able to bring him down!
Braham Eirsson: We can't leave Owl like this. Jormag can't have her!
<Character name>: We don't have to kill him. Focus on the connection, Braham. Kas and I'll split his focus.
At 70% health
Braham Eirsson: What you're doing is cruel.
Ryland Steelcatcher: What I'm doing is necessary.
At 35%
Ryland Steelcatcher: Maybe if you stopped whining about yourself, you'd actually be someone worth fighting.
Braham Eirsson: You entitled bastard.
Owl Spirit: Don't stop now—he's winning.
Braham Eirsson: If I force a break, I won't be able to control the backlash!
Owl Spirit: Free me, Braham. It's the only way.
Ryland's defeat and exit
Owl Spirit: The Wild together can direct the fall. You are the harness, Norn of Prophecy. Tell them.
Braham Eirsson: (battle cry)
Ryland Steelcatcher: Just stop. You've released Owl. Take the win and go home.
Ryland Steelcatcher: We still have three more corrupted spirits we can leverage. Might take longer, but we'll get there.
Ryland Steelcatcher: Soon Jormag will be strong enough to face Primordus head on—and win. I'll see you in the world that comes after.
After Ryland's exit
Braham Eirsson: Owl—she...she's gone. For good.
Kasmeer Meade: Willing to sacrifice herself. Again. Shouldn't be in vain.
Braham Eirsson: I opened the gate under Jormag's Ice Citadel. That's what brought Owl back. Made her vulnerable.
<Character name>: You aren't responsible for Ryland—or Jormag.
Braham Eirsson: Not their choices, maybe. But I am for mine.
<Character name>: What did Owl mean, "the Wild together can direct the fall"?
Braham Eirsson: I don't know. Why can I sense destroyers? What does Owl's message mean? How do we fight two Elder Dragons at once?
<Character name>: Calm down, Braham. We'll figure it out—we always do.
Braham Eirsson: The Spirits of the Wild have known Jormag longer than any of us. Maybe they can help—before more of us have to die.

Related achievements[edit]