A Guide to Finishing The Forgotten Viaduct in Halls of Torment

# Halls of Torment Guide: Conquering the Forgotten Viaduct

Halls of Torment is an intense roguelike action game with RPG elements. In this guide, we’ll focus on the final and most challenging dungeon in the game, the Forgotten Viaduct. Even with maxed-out stats and decent equipment, players may still struggle to beat this level without the right strategies. Follow our guide to make the most out of ability scrolls, overcome every challenge, and dominate the Lord of Despair in the Forgotten Viaduct.

## The Forgotten Viaduct Overview

The Forgotten Viaduct is the last stage of the Halls of Torment and presents a significant challenge to players. Developing a strategy and making the most of your abilities and upgrades is essential to succeed in this treacherous dungeon. Here are some tips to help you navigate and conquer the Forgotten Viaduct:

### Take Advantage of the Low Mob Count

Upon starting the Forgotten Viaduct, take advantage of the low mob count to get as close as possible to the Ability Scroll at the bottom of the map. Use this opportunity to collect valuable upgrades and boost your stats before the real challenge begins.

### Hug the Top Railings

Hugging the top railings in the Forgotten Viaduct allows you to maneuver around enemy minions easily. Try to kill the minions in your way as you move forward, as defeating them grants you quick levels for your first trait or ability upgrades.

### Maximize Your Damage Early On

Focus on maximizing your damage early on in the dungeon. Since enemies are relatively easy to avoid initially, there is no immediate need for survivability traits. Instead, invest in offensive traits and abilities to clear mobs quickly.

### Clear Minions to Gain Breathing Room

Hugging the top railings in the Forgotten Viaduct forces minions into columns below you. This makes it easier to clear them and gain some breathing room to generate experience crystals. Utilize this tactic to deal with large groups of enemies effectively.

### Farm Experience Crystals

After around two minutes, if you have already rescued the Cupbearer, you will come across a potion ingredient that spawns a mob of green zombies. Sweep them up in a counter-clockwise manner to soak in the extra experience. Farming experience crystals will be crucial for leveling up and becoming stronger for later challenges.

### Acquiring Powerful Abilities

Choosing the right abilities is key to your success in the Forgotten Viaduct. Aim for area-of-effect (AOE) abilities with reliable damage potential, such as Ring Blades, Radiant Aura, and Transfixion. These abilities excel in crowd control and dealing with multiple enemies simultaneously.

### Prepare for the Elite Enemy

You will encounter the first elite enemy during your run, which drops an ability scroll. Try to flank it so you also hit minions when you attack. Taking out the elite enemy and its minions efficiently will significantly boost your experience and ability repertoire.

### Optional Abilities

If you don’t roll any of the recommended abilities, consider restarting the level. However, if you wish to continue the run with different AOE abilities, Astronomer’s Orbs and Dragon’s Breath are viable alternatives.

### Choose Your Abilities Wisely

Below is a list of recommended abilities for this particular run:

– Ring Blades: High-damage projectiles that can be upgraded to shoot more blades, applying fragile and slow effects. Ideal for dealing with enemies at close and long range.
– Radiant Aura: A versatile AOE ability that can apply on-hit effects to multiple enemies. Use this ability to nuke single enemies when they’re isolated, like bosses.
– Transfixion: Reliable targeted damage that also applies fragility. This ability, along with upgraded Ring Blades and Radiant Aura, is useful for clearing the white wraiths that appear later in the Forgotten Viaduct.

### Avoid the Hand of Greed

While exploring the Forgotten Viaduct, you will come across the Hand of Greed, which acts as a magnet for experience crystals. However, it’s recommended to avoid picking it up initially. Holding off on the Hand of Greed allows you to get a significant experience boost later in the game once you are stronger and can stand still to farm experience crystals more efficiently.

### Facing the Wraith Horseman

When you reach the Ability Scroll at the bottom, hug the railings and go to the map’s opposite side. Be prepared to face the Wraith Horseman while you make your way to the Ability Scroll at the top. Moving laterally through the map, sticking close to the walls, is key to avoiding damage from the Wraith Horseman and other enemies.

### Dealing with the Frost Knight

Around the 15-minute mark, you should be able to reach the top end of the map and pick up the Ability Scroll. Be cautious as the Frost Knight spawns around this time. Focus on avoiding the Frost Knight’s projectiles while dealing as much damage as possible. Fragility-based abilities like Transfixion, Ring Blades, and Radiant Aura are especially effective against both the Frost Knight and the white wraiths.

### Late-game: Standing Still and Beating the Hydra

With around 12 minutes left on the level, you should be strong enough to stand still and generate upgraded experience crystals. Move to the center of the map where the Hand of Greed pickup is located. Use this time to farm experience points by holding your position and letting enemies come to you. Utilize the auto-aim feature (press R while standing still) to attack enemies automatically and focus on dodging their attacks.

### Farming Experience Crystals

With just around 30 seconds left on the timer, you should have enough experience crystals to reach level 90. Pick them up and prepare for the Forgotten Viaduct’s final boss. Be mindful of unkillable wraiths that will walk towards the center of the map until the Lord of Despair appears. Avoid generating experience crystals near the edges, as the wraiths will pass over them. Instead, stay at the center of the map and farm experience crystals there.

### Facing the Lord of Despair

The Lord of Despair is a large and formidable monster that primarily relies on summoning specters to deal damage. Focus on avoiding the summon attacks while dealing consistent damage. Circle around the boss and maintain a constant movement to avoid getting hit. Vary your tactics based on the boss’s summon patterns and attack with full force when an opportunity arises.

### Trait Progression Path

Here is a suggested trait progression path to follow:

#### Level 1-30 (DPS)

– Weapon Proficiency: Increases offensive stats.
– Proficient Stance: Improves offensive and defensive stats.
– Strength: Adds 10% damage.
– Cunning Technique: Increases critical hit chance by 5%.
– Ruthlessness: Adds 20% critical hit damage bonus.
– Multihit: Adds 10% additional attacks.
– Quick Hands: Increases attack speed by 8%.
– Ability Upgrades: Improve damage, range, and effects of abilities.
– Collateral Damage: Increases attack area/cone size by 8%.

Level 31-60 (Escape, Recovery, and Abilities)

– Dedication: Increases defensive stats.
– Metabolism: Regenerates health per second.
– Swift Feet: Increases movement speed.
– Long Fingers: Increases item pickup range.
– Parry: Adds block strength.
– Thick Hide: Increases base defense.
– Vitality: Increases health.

Level 61-90 (Endgame)

– Swift Feet: Increases movement speed.
– Ability Upgrades: Improve damage, range, and effects of abilities.
– Weapon Proficiency: Increases offensive stats.
– Dedication: Increases defensive stats.
– Vitality: Increases health.
– Ruthlessness: Applies critical hit damage bonus.
– Metabolism: Regenerates health per second.
– Multihit: Adds additional attacks.

## Conclusion

By following the strategies and tips outlined in this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to conquer the Forgotten Viaduct in Halls of Torment. Remember to maximize your damage, upgrade your abilities wisely, and maintain constant movement during boss encounters. With perseverance and skill, you’ll defeat the Lord of Despair and complete this challenging dungeon. Good luck, adventurer!