Ravenloft Random Queues Guide

In this guide I’d like to go over the aspects of the random queue system in Neverwinter that functions as one of the main sources of [sc name=”astralicon”]Astral Diaminds in the game. In Swords of Chult the rough AD production was originally moved to this new system, which then received significant changes in Ravenloft. So let’s talk about how you should approach random queues and how you can profit the most!

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The idea of random queues is fairly simple. Before the change, most players would only farm the fastest ones. This came with two issues: Old dungeons were wasted code and the queue system was not able to deliver runs in time for “pug” groups. Solo players, especially DPS, sometimes had to wait for 30 minutes and more. A working queue system however is important, especially for a casual MMO like Neverwinter. New players that wait too long for a queue to pop might conclude that the game is “dead”, and move on.

By moving [sc name=”astralicon”] production to a system that randomly selects a dungeon for your party, both issues are being dealt with. Old content gains more significance and, because the system picks up everyone that’s currently waiting and adds additional incentives for certain needed roles, queues usually fire faster even if you’re queuing for specific dungeons. This is great, but it obviously comes with the downside of not being able to freely choose the content you’d like to run.

The System

Random queues are located in the queue window (standard hotkey “k” on PC). The UI shows all available queues, the included dungeons, rewards, and the current role bonuses. The first completion per day and account nets a nice amount of [sc name=”astralicon”]ADs and seals (Seal of the Brave for level 70s, Seal of the Adventurer for everyone else), repeating the queues then comes with diminishing returns. So the standard (and recommended) approach is to do all queues just once per day with your strongest character. The role bonus changes depending on the needs in the queue. As tank and healer you should be able to get the role bonus if you are patient, it’s not worth it to wait around as DPS though.

You can join the random queue as solo player or with any party that matches the group requirements (usually 1 Tank, 1 Healer, 3 DPS). The system will then deliver a random dungeon that you have to complete for the rewards. In case the content is somehow too hard for your group, you can vote to leave the dungeon after 15 minutes, but you can’t just bolt on your own as you’ll slapped with a “leaver penalty” that will prevent you from joining any other runs for 30 minutes.

The Queues

Let’s go through the different queues and discuss which characters should participate in them. All mentioned [sc name=”astralicon”] values include estimated non-VIP salvage values of runs as well. I have been very careful here. On average you generally should be able to get slightly more.

Leveling Queue

Any character above level 12 can already start participating in the leveling random queue. It nets [sc name=”astralicon”]8,000. This should be one your daily list in terms of RAD production because it’s always super easy. Just make sure to only do a bronze completion in the Illusionist’s Gambit! It’s enough to get the random queue rewards. At worst case you’ll get into one of the longer dungeons, but it’s only a matter of minutes to get through them anyway. Players can safely queue for this solo.

Intermediate Queue

The Intermediate Queue should be on your list of daily tasks as level 70. Whether you want to queue for this solo or with a premade depends on whether you are able to carry a run if necessary. Playing it safe means picking up a potent team beforehand. Especially in the trials it certainly helps to have at least five guys that know what’s up. Generally those are also the more annoying content you can get queued into. A “pug” Tiamat definitely brings back memories of the Module 5 craziness. The [sc name=”astralicon”]14,000 and 100 Seal of the Brave are worth it though.

Advanced Queue

Now here comes the fun part. This can go from very quick (Demogorgon) to a true grind (Fangbreaker Island or Spellplague Caverns) for the [sc name=”astralicon”]20,000 and 120 Seal of the Brave the queue hands out. If you’re solely behind daily earnings then this might already not be worth it for you. I’d definitely queue into this content with a full premade group, but even then you can get unlucky and have to carry clueless players through a Master Svardborg for example.

This category illustrates the weaknesses of the system. Some dungeons are simply too long or hard to complete for the attached rewards, especially since you can’t queue into content with the current full support meta. I’m leaning towards entirely staying away, but maybe you want to give it some tries before coming to an own judgement. Inside a well organized and populated guild or alliance this can probably still be viable.

Expert Queue

The expert queue always contains the latest endgame content and is only suitable for geared endgame parties. The [sc name=”astralicon”]28,000 and especially 20 of the new Seal of the Crown look enticing, but I’d personally much rather run this type of content within a full premade group that doesn’t have to match the queue requirements (1 Tank, 1 Healer, 3 DPS). I would definitely weigh the time spend with other activities. If you constantly fail or completing the queue takes too much time, then simple salvage farming or other stuff might be the better way of getting your ADs.

Earnings

With the above numbers in mind, what are characters able to earn on a daily basis? For undergeared alts and those leveling up it’s pretty easy. You have the Leveling and Intermediate Queue that should land you [sc name=”astralicon”]22,000 on each day for two runs. That’s fairly easy money which you shouldn’t pass on.

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For endgame players that try to get to the [sc name=”astralicon”]100,000 daily cap it’s a different story. All four queues can net you north of [sc name=”astralicon”]70,000 (including salvage), but I’m not too sure random queues are actually the most time efficient way to get your ADs. Especially the Advanced and Expert Queue can get annoying because even within a party you are dependent on the queue to deliver other experienced players in case you end up in a trial. Not being able to fully premade into difficult 5+ player content is a huge issue for the system in my eyes. And even if you are queued into a dungeon, not being able to run with the current optimal support meta decreases your run efficiency.

This sounds like you should avoid the Advanced and Expert Queue altogether, but giving advise here is not too easy. It depends on your toon’s strength, your alternative options of getting ADs, and your willingness to queue into random content with a less than optimal group. For some it might be worth it, or fun, or both. Others however probably prefer to farm specific content instead.

Group Constellation

Since random queues do not allow your four support power setup, it’s time to touch on group constellation for a second. I’m not exactly sure what the best healer/tank combo is going to look like, but I think you can probably go with either tank class and a DC.

In the three DPS slots however, support builds get a significant upgrade. CWs, SWs, HRs, and TRs that bring buff and a little heal to parties besides damage will become a substantial part of an ideal setup. Overall this should theoretically open up more spots for players that have a hard time finding groups within the current meta, and spread out the available tanks and healers. I think there is a lot to like about this, and runs probably won’t last that much longer. But having only one healer and one tank means groups have to adjust for less protection and margin for error.

That said, group constellation only matters for the harder content within the Advanced and Expert Queues. In Valindra’s Tower and such, you’ll be just fine with whatever!


That’s our guide for the random queues in Neverwinter Ravenloft. Have you already made up your mind how you are going to approach the system? Share your thoughts in the comments below and visit the corresponding thread on our message board!

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j0Shi

j0Shi plays the Neverwinter MMORPG since the open BETA in 2013 and is a regular contributor to the blog and the whole UN:Project. Originally a Guardian Fighter, he has built up ALTs of all classes and plays on BIS/near-BIS level.

7 thoughts on “Ravenloft Random Queues Guide

  • October 19, 2017 at 7:37 am
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    It will be templock SW’s time to shine they already out heal many dc’s that are 1-2k higher item level than them and they do serious damage. as hor devo OP the right devo build can do a massive amount of dps while healing so they might be a good choice too…. you will receive less buff/debuff thugh

  • October 19, 2017 at 9:23 am
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    “The devs added a feature that allows groups to vote to abandon content.”
    I’m would say i’m a casual player with my TR at GS13.2k and this seems like it’s going to be really annoying.
    At the moment I normally select a list of epics I want to do … which is effectlively going to be the same as having a list of dungeons that nobody wants to run and that everybody abandons. Do we now keep on abandoning stuff until we get the selection we want. It just seems like its going to be more inconvenient. Not sure how this will work with random queue groups.

  • October 20, 2017 at 12:49 pm
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    I think these changes kinda sound fun making me do random stuff, it’ll make it harder to farm comp gear in gambit but on the plus side it means i wont be doing it 2x a day and hating it.

    Did something change for skirmishes? Because currently you have to be 70 to get into master illusionist gambit.

    Also I think you mean composition not constellation.

  • October 20, 2017 at 4:15 pm
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    I’m confused by some of the wording. Can we pre-form a party and queue, or is it only solo queuing?

    • July 2, 2018 at 2:27 am
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      You can preform a group, but that group has to be elegible for all content within the categorie you queue for.

      Another major change with the queues of mod 14 is that only level and item level restrictions apply – you no longer need to unlock FBI to run it in a random queue – which is weird. No having to have unlocked MSP just to run easier dungeons was weird as well, but we are seeing new guild mates getting slaughtered now, because they are like: “hey I’m 11,060, oh there’s a new queue, wow look at the AD bonus, let’s try this” – and guess what happens. So we preformed the group to show them what FBI is like, but then we couldn’t queue into it, because they haven’t unlocked it oO

      We are currently staying away fron the Advanced Queue, even with a premade, Kabal Boss is still bugged, so one of the two dungeons is out and Svardborg, meh :/ Chances of getting Demogorgon (epic) or FBI are just too low.

  • September 15, 2018 at 6:22 am
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    It seems that only 1 of my 6 characters can do the random queue for 8,000 AD daily. The other 5 characters can only repeat the random queue daily for 1000 AD. Before the raven update. I was able to do daily queues for the full AD reward with all my characters. Now I can only do it with one. Is the system broken?

    • September 15, 2018 at 8:17 am
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      No it’s intended. Random Queues and daily AD rewards are now per account, no longer per character.

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