Heart of the Problem

Heart of the Problem is the 2nd quest in The Lost Gatekeepers story arcStory arcs  are chains of quests that make up a story line. Completing everything in a story arc often yields a nice reward..
These quests can be completed in any order.
The Home of Memory • Heart of the Problem • Rosemary's Ballad • The Sacred Bounty • Housekeeping

This mine was once a hive of activity, but the entrance collapsed long ago and the structure appears to be abandoned. What caused the end of this bustling business?

Requires access to adventure pack Definition: Adventure Pack A list of all adventure packs  : The Lost Gatekeepers

Heart of the Problem
Heroic level:	3
Epic level:	32 (considered Legendary)
Duration:	medium
Heroic XP:	♣658Solo/Casual ♦1,188Normal ♥1,278Hard ♠1,369Elite
Epic XP:	♣7,045Solo/Casual ♦12,028Normal ♥12,314Hard ♠12,601Elite
Takes place in:	Abandoned Mine Shaft
Bestowed by:	Capstone
NPC contact:	Capstone
Quest acquired in:	The Gatekeepers' Grove
Patron:	The Gatekeepers
Base favor:	3
Purchase:	The Lost Gatekeepers or VIP
Extreme Challenge:	No

Loading screen

Overview

Capstone says he was told to enter the Abandoned Mineshaft to find something old yet new. Go there (in The Cerulean Hills) to investigate his movements.

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Spoiler Warning: Spoiler material below this point!

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Objectives

• Arrive at the primary shaft mine
• Find the main chamber of the abandoned mine
• Defeat the enraged Ancient Magma Brute
• (Optional) Clear all of the dangers from the mine — Bonus (10%): Heroic( ♣66 ♦119 ♥128 ♠137 ) Legendary( ♣705 ♦1,203 ♥1,231 ♠1,260 )
• (Optional) Activate then destroy the Clay Golems — Bonus (10%): Heroic( ♣66 ♦119 ♥128 ♠137 ) Legendary( ♣705 ♦1,203 ♥1,231 ♠1,260 )

What to Expect

Collapsible floor, fire damage

Tips and Misc

You start on the western side of the map, and the end fight is in the east. Choose how to get there.

North or south?

The northern path is a bit longer. To progress, you need to open the 2 locked gates by pulling the levers located in the northern paths.

• Near the second lever are some Clay Golems. To activate them, type "/say activate" in the chat.

The southern path is shorter but more fiery.

• To the south is a closed-off area, sealed with wooden planks. If you step on it, you will fall down and are greeted by flame mephits.
• There is no way to get back from this area unless someone else in the party pulls the lever with the red crystal, essentially clearing the north section of the dungeon.
• Going forward (east), you arrive at a shrine and the way to the end fight.

If you want to complete the "clear all of the dangers from the mine" optional, you must fully complete both routes and read the Magewright's Journal at the start of the quest.

Control crystal

At the control crystal, you have several options for dropping the barrier.

• UMD skill check to disable the barrier. DC  ♠≤22Elite
• Repair skill check to break the crystal. DC  ♠20–26Elite
• Spellcraft skill check to use magic to disable the barrier.
• (Attack) the crystal

End fight

• When you enter the end fight, the barrier behind you reappears, blocking access to the shrine, but letting party members on the other side enter.
• The Magma Brute deals a considerable amount of fire damage. Make sure you have fire resistance and healing options.
• The last of the flame mephits to complete the optional appear after the magma brute dies.
• The Ancient Magma Brute does not count as a kill, thus you can complete the quest with 0 kills for Insidious Cunning bonus.

Bonus XP

• Insidious Cunning bonus: 0 or fewer monsters killed +10% Bonus.( ♣66 ♦119 ♥128 ♠137 )
• Devious bonus: 4–8 or fewer monsters killed +7% Bonus.( ♣46 ♦83 ♥89 ♠96 )
• Discreet bonus: 15+ or fewer monsters killed +5% Bonus.( ♣33 ♦59 ♥64 ♠68 )
• Aggression bonus: 16 or more monsters killed +10% Bonus.( ♣66 ♦119 ♥128 ♠137 )
• Onslaught bonus: 32 or more monsters killed +15% Bonus.( ♣99 ♦178 ♥192 ♠205 )
• Conquest bonus: 48 or more monsters killed +25% Bonus.( ♣165 ♦297 ♥320 ♠342 )
• Mischief bonus: 31 or more breakables smashed +8% Bonus.( ♣53 ♦95 ♥102 ♠110 )
• Vandal bonus: 41 or more breakables smashed +10% Bonus.( ♣66 ♦119 ♥128 ♠137 )
• Ransack bonus: 50 or more breakables smashed +15% Bonus.( ♣99 ♦178 ♥192 ♠205 )

Notes: For conquest it is mandatory to hit the crystal for additional kills.

External Links

Aldbar's Solo Walkthrough & Guide

Loot

• Chests: 2
  • 1 for defeating the Clay Golems
  • 1 end chest

NPC end rewards

Randomly generated loot, ML correlates with effective quest level.

Named Chest Drop

Last Edited	Item	Type	Enhancements	ML	Bind	Quests
Update 49 3 years, 4 months, and 24 days Corgrind	Battleworn Medal  (edit)	Trinket	Charisma +2 Charisma +2: This item makes the wearer have more flair, granting a +2 enhancement bonus to Charisma. HeroismHeroism: Passive: +2 morale bonus to all your attack rolls, saving throws, and skill checks. Blue Augment SlotBlue Augments Named: Category:Blue augments AC: Natural Armor Bonus (+1 to +14) or Protection (Deflection bonus) (+1 to +11) ASF reduction: -5% to -15% Fortification: +25% to +100% Good Luck: +1 or +2 Hit points: +4 to +54 Max Dex Bonus (Armor): +1 or +2 Defense (PRR and MRR): +3 to +36 Saves (Resistance bonus): +1 to +11 Dodge: +1% to +14% Tactics DCs (Stunning, Sunder, Trip): +2 to +16 Accuracy: +2 to +22 Positive/Negative/Repair Healing Amplification: +3 to +57 Colorless Augments Named: Category:Colorless augments Ability (Enhancement bonus): +1 to +14 Ability (Exceptional bonus): +1 Ability (Insight bonus): +5 Skills, except UMD (Competence bonus): +5 to +20	3	Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire	Heart of the Problem, End chest
Update 54.0.1 2 years, 5 months, and 2 days Corgrind	String of Ears  (edit)	Necklace	Exceptional Prudent Skills Bonus +2Exceptional Prudent Skills Bonus: +2 Exceptional bonus to Heal, Listen and Spot. Dodge +2% Dodge +2%: +2% Enhancement bonus to Dodge. Green Augment SlotGreen Augments Named: Category:Green augments Blue Augments Named: Category:Blue augments AC: Natural Armor Bonus (+1 to +14) or Protection (Deflection bonus) (+1 to +11) ASF reduction: -5% to -15% Fortification: +25% to +100% Good Luck: +1 or +2 Hit points: +4 to +54 Max Dex Bonus (Armor): +1 or +2 Defense (PRR and MRR): +3 to +36 Saves (Resistance bonus): +1 to +11 Dodge: +1% to +14% Tactics DCs (Stunning, Sunder, Trip): +2 to +16 Accuracy: +2 to +22 Positive/Negative/Repair Healing Amplification: +3 to +57 Yellow Augments Named: Category:Yellow augments Deathblock Elemental Resistance: +5 to +45 Immunity: Fear, Blindness Movement: Feather Falling, Striding: +10% to +30%, Swiftness +5% to +15%, Underwater Action Proof Against Disease, Poison: +2 to +10 Spell Focus, Greater Spell Focus (Enhancement bonus) Spell points (Enhancement bonus): +19 to +294 Damage: +1 to +11 Spell penetration: +1 to +9 Colorless Augments Named: Category:Colorless augments Ability (Enhancement bonus): +1 to +14 Ability (Exceptional bonus): +1 Ability (Insight bonus): +5 Skills, except UMD (Competence bonus): +5 to +20	3	Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire	Heart of the Problem, End chest
Update 68 3 months and 22 days BugTime	Clockwork Boots  (edit)	Boots	Intelligence +2 Intelligence +2: This item focuses the power of the wearer's mind, granting a +2 enhancement bonus to Intelligence. Shatter +3Shatter +3: This effect gives a +3 enhancement bonus to the DC to resist the character's Sunder and Improved Sunder attempts. Blue Augment SlotBlue Augments Named: Category:Blue augments AC: Natural Armor Bonus (+1 to +14) or Protection (Deflection bonus) (+1 to +11) ASF reduction: -5% to -15% Fortification: +25% to +100% Good Luck: +1 or +2 Hit points: +4 to +54 Max Dex Bonus (Armor): +1 or +2 Defense (PRR and MRR): +3 to +36 Saves (Resistance bonus): +1 to +11 Dodge: +1% to +14% Tactics DCs (Stunning, Sunder, Trip): +2 to +16 Accuracy: +2 to +22 Positive/Negative/Repair Healing Amplification: +3 to +57 Colorless Augments Named: Category:Colorless augments Ability (Enhancement bonus): +1 to +14 Ability (Exceptional bonus): +1 Ability (Insight bonus): +5 Skills, except UMD (Competence bonus): +5 to +20	3	Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire	Heart of the Problem, end chest
Update 50.0.1 3 years, 1 month, and 30 days Slaet	Legendary Battleworn Medal  (edit)	Trinket	Action Boost EnhancementAction Boost Enhancement: This will increase the total number of Action Boosts you can use by 3. However, these additional Action Boosts will only take effect after the wielder rests. Quality Charisma +3Quality Charisma +3: This item makes the wearer have more flair, granting a +3 quality bonus to Charisma. Quality Doublestrike 3%Quality Doublestrike 3%: Passive: 3% Quality bonus to Doublestrike. (Doublestrike is a chance to score an additional hit with a melee attack.) Greater HeroismGreater Heroism: Passive: +4 morale bonus to all your attack rolls, saving throws, and skill checks. Blue Augment SlotBlue Augments Named: Category:Blue augments AC: Natural Armor Bonus (+1 to +14) or Protection (Deflection bonus) (+1 to +11) ASF reduction: -5% to -15% Fortification: +25% to +100% Good Luck: +1 or +2 Hit points: +4 to +54 Max Dex Bonus (Armor): +1 or +2 Defense (PRR and MRR): +3 to +36 Saves (Resistance bonus): +1 to +11 Dodge: +1% to +14% Tactics DCs (Stunning, Sunder, Trip): +2 to +16 Accuracy: +2 to +22 Positive/Negative/Repair Healing Amplification: +3 to +57 Colorless Augments Named: Category:Colorless augments Ability (Enhancement bonus): +1 to +14 Ability (Exceptional bonus): +1 Ability (Insight bonus): +5 Skills, except UMD (Competence bonus): +5 to +20	29	Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire	Heart of the Problem, End chest
Update 68 3 months and 22 days BugTime	Legendary Clockwork Boots  (edit)	Boots	Quality Intelligence +3Quality Intelligence +3: This item focuses the power of the wearer's mind, granting a +3 quality bonus to Intelligence. Shatter +15Shatter +15: This effect gives a +15 enhancement bonus to the DC to resist the character's Sunder and Improved Sunder attempts. Repair Lore +21%Repair Lore +21: Passive: Your Repair and Rust spells gain a 21% Equipment bonus to their chance to critical hit. Reconstruction +142Reconstruction +142: Passive: +142 Equipment bonus to Repair and Rust Spell Power. Blue Augment SlotBlue Augments Named: Category:Blue augments AC: Natural Armor Bonus (+1 to +14) or Protection (Deflection bonus) (+1 to +11) ASF reduction: -5% to -15% Fortification: +25% to +100% Good Luck: +1 or +2 Hit points: +4 to +54 Max Dex Bonus (Armor): +1 or +2 Defense (PRR and MRR): +3 to +36 Saves (Resistance bonus): +1 to +11 Dodge: +1% to +14% Tactics DCs (Stunning, Sunder, Trip): +2 to +16 Accuracy: +2 to +22 Positive/Negative/Repair Healing Amplification: +3 to +57 Colorless Augments Named: Category:Colorless augments Ability (Enhancement bonus): +1 to +14 Ability (Exceptional bonus): +1 Ability (Insight bonus): +5 Skills, except UMD (Competence bonus): +5 to +20	29	Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire	Heart of the Problem, end chest
Update 68.0.1 3 months and 12 days BugTime	Legendary String of Ears  (edit)	Necklace	Exceptional Prudent Skills Bonus +10Exceptional Prudent Skills Bonus: +10 Exceptional bonus to Heal, Listen and Spot. Quality Wisdom +3Quality Wisdom +3: This item makes the wearer more in tune with her surroundings, granting a +3 quality bonus to Wisdom. Parrying +6Parrying +6: +6 Insight bonus to Armor Class, +6 Insight bonus to Saves. Dodge +13% Dodge +13%: +13% Enhancement bonus to Dodge. Green Augment SlotGreen Augments Named: Category:Green augments Blue Augments Named: Category:Blue augments AC: Natural Armor Bonus (+1 to +14) or Protection (Deflection bonus) (+1 to +11) ASF reduction: -5% to -15% Fortification: +25% to +100% Good Luck: +1 or +2 Hit points: +4 to +54 Max Dex Bonus (Armor): +1 or +2 Defense (PRR and MRR): +3 to +36 Saves (Resistance bonus): +1 to +11 Dodge: +1% to +14% Tactics DCs (Stunning, Sunder, Trip): +2 to +16 Accuracy: +2 to +22 Positive/Negative/Repair Healing Amplification: +3 to +57 Yellow Augments Named: Category:Yellow augments Deathblock Elemental Resistance: +5 to +45 Immunity: Fear, Blindness Movement: Feather Falling, Striding: +10% to +30%, Swiftness +5% to +15%, Underwater Action Proof Against Disease, Poison: +2 to +10 Spell Focus, Greater Spell Focus (Enhancement bonus) Spell points (Enhancement bonus): +19 to +294 Damage: +1 to +11 Spell penetration: +1 to +9 Colorless Augments Named: Category:Colorless augments Ability (Enhancement bonus): +1 to +14 Ability (Exceptional bonus): +1 Ability (Insight bonus): +5 Skills, except UMD (Competence bonus): +5 to +20	29	Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire	Heart of the Problem, End chest

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Monsters

Name ( picture )	CR	Type	Race
Ancient Magma Brute ( view  • edit )	♦5Normal ♥7Hard ♠10Elite ●♦35Epic Normal ●♥39Epic Hard ●♠44Epic Elite	Elemental	Earth Elemental
Crawling Infestation ( view  • edit )	♦3Normal ♥5Hard ♠8Elite ●♦32Epic Normal ●♥36Epic Hard ●♠40Epic Elite	Vermin	Spider
Fury of the Flames ( view  • edit )	♦4Normal ♥6Hard ♠9Elite ●♦34Epic Normal ●♥38Epic Hard ●♠43Epic Elite	Elemental	Fire Elemental
Reactivated Clay Golem ( view  • edit )	♦4Normal ♥6Hard ♠9Elite ●♦34Epic Normal ●♥38Epic Hard ●♠43Epic Elite	Construct	Golem
Seething Flame Mephit ( view  • edit )	♦3Normal ♥5Hard ♠8Elite ●♦32Epic Normal ●♥36Epic Hard ●♠40Epic Elite	Fire Outsider	Mephit
Well-fed Rust Monster ( view  • edit )	♦3Normal ♥5Hard ♠8Elite ●♦32Epic Normal ●♥36Epic Hard ●♠40Epic Elite	Aberration	Rust Monster
Well-worn Iron Defender ( view  • edit )	♦3Normal ♥5Hard ♠8Elite ●♦32Epic Normal ●♥36Epic Hard ●♠40Epic Elite	Construct	Iron Defender
Well-worn Sniper Drone ( view  • edit )	♦3Normal ♥5Hard ♠8Elite ●♦32Epic Normal ●♥36Epic Hard ●♠40Epic Elite	Construct	Animated Object