Short Sword of Ykesha

What the SSoY is, and why it is a chase weapon

The Short Sword of Ykesha, the SSoY, is a one-handed slasher with a strong damage ratio and a proc that both nukes and stuns. The proc is the draw: extra burst damage on every proc, and a stun that helps whoever is tanking hold the mob and shrug off enemy casts. It has been the go-to one-hander for melee since classic.

The Ykesha proc comes online at level 37, so this is a weapon you grow into. Pair the stun proc with a slow and you get a tanking one-hander that also adds real damage, which is exactly what a trio without a dedicated raid weapon wants for holding aggro and controlling a fight.

Where it drops: the Ghoul Lord

The SSoY drops from the Ghoul Lord, also known as Hoptor Thaggelum, the roughly level 47 Shadow Knight who rules the undead Dead Side of Lower Guk. He holds loc (1553, -748) and is the single most sought-after loot target in the zone, the dungeon often called the crown jewel of Antonica.

Taking the Ghoul Lord as a trio

He is a level 47 boss, not a trash named, so a geared trio with steady healing handles him but an underprepared one will not. Clear his room first so nothing adds mid-fight, then commit.

• Clear the room, then pull cleanThe danger is wandering undead stacking on you, not the Lord's raw output. Secure the room, pull him solo, and the fight is straightforward for a healthy trio.
• Slow himA Shaman or Enchanter slow cuts his damage and steadies the fight. Standard for any Dead Side named.
• Bring undead damageHe is undead, so Slay Undead and undead nukes are live. The whole trip in benefits from the same kit.

While you are here: the rest of the Dead Side

The Ghoul Lord's room is the deep end of the richest loot side in Antonica, all undead and faction-free, so a Ykesha run pairs naturally with the other headline drops:

• Guise of the DeceiverOff the Ghoul Assassin atop the tower at (623, -757). The dark elf illusion mask any class can click.
• Flowing Black Silk SashOff a Frenzied Ghoul at (1071, -1055). The FBSS, +21% attack haste, the belt every melee class wants.

See the full loot map on the Lower Guk Dead Side loot run and the Farm Targets 1 to 50 overview.

Frequently asked

• When does the Ykesha proc start working?At level 37. Below that you still get the ratio, but the nuke-and-stun proc that makes the weapon special comes online at 37.
• Which classes can use it?Warrior, Ranger, Rogue, and Bard. On a trio, whichever of those you run as part of your three can wield it.
• Does farming the Ghoul Lord hurt froglok faction?No. He and the whole Dead Side are undead, so there is no faction cost.
• Do I need a group?No, but you need to be geared. He is a level 47 boss, so a well-equipped trio with a slow and a healer takes him, an undergeared one should level more first.