[Self-Restricted] Cob's Clearing Maplestory Challenge

Good morning/afternoon/evening (?) friends.

I'm Cob. ign = Clearing

I want to share with you all an idea I've had for some time now! It's called Clearing Maplestory. I'll get to that in a bit. Before I explain, a short disclaimer: I'm not as experienced as most people when it comes to the knowledge of the Maple World. {That's actually part of the reason I'm making this post.} The purpose of this post is two-fold. One, to outline my self-restricted approach to playing Maplestory, in case anyone else is as dumb as I am and decides to take the challenge. Two, to document and share my journey. Parts of this post will resemble a guide. Just know it isn't necessarily informed from prior experience. This is more of me thinking "huh, this would be fun. OwO" And a bit of research.

Right. On to the explanation.

~Warning, this is not for the faint of heart, nor the smart of mind, only those with an iron will and a bit of masochism running in their veins~

Clearing Maplestory

...what is it? Well...

Clearing Maplestory is a restricted, self-imposed style of gameplay. It’s the act of advancing through the Maple World one adjacent map at a time by means of collecting drops from monsters specific to your current route. What does this mean? Below are some visual examples to help aid your understanding.

Let's take a look at this smol boi and his drop table, shall we?


(the monster book is such a godsend for this challenge! )​

A Clear Definition

Now, what is a clear? The above table represents any and all drops you have a chance to receive when killing (Green) Snails. To achieve a clear you must obtain all items listed under a monster’s drop table (so long that it is possible to do so). Not only that, but you must do so for every monster on your current route. Doing this allows you to proceed to the next map.

A route is defined by the maps strung together in order to connect two significant points. For example, Lith Harbor to Kerning City is its own route. Lith Harbor to Henesys is a separate route. You get the gist of it. Maple Island will be in itself a route, as there is hardly any variance to make a difference. This will help speed the process of getting to the mainland.

Important Exceptions

Should you complete a route and have the opportunity to move to the next map, here are a few things to keep in mind.

• You only have to collect item drops from a monster once in order to clear.
  • This means when you run into a monster you’ve already collected everything from, you are not required to re-collect its item drops in a different route.
  • Also, if another monster drops the same item(s) collected, they are not required in order to establish a clear.
  • For example: A (Green) Snail has a chance to drop a White Undershirt. A Blue Snail also has a chance to drop a White Undershirt. When it is time to clear a map with Blue Snails, you are not required to collect the White Undershirt from the Blue Snail as you have already acquired that item from the Green Snail.

• Fast travel methods such as Taxi Cabs, Return Scrolls and Quests* are permitted only if the intended map has been unlocked by means of a clear.
  • Don’t use the Taxi Cab or a Return Scroll to Ellinia in order to get to Ellinia if you’ve not made the necessary clears to reach the route from Henesys to Ellinia.
  • *Quests that teleport you to instance-based maps that are otherwise not accessible are exceptions.

• Event items (ie. Maple Equips/Holiday Equips or ETCs) are allowed to be collected from mobs and permitted for use. However, they are not required for a clear as this would prove impossible depending on the time of year you're playing.
  
• Maps that are not visible (and their respective mobs) via the World Map (Dungeons & Hidden Streets) are not mandatory for a clear. Instead, they function as opportunities to strengthen your character or to easily obtain item drops needed to clear another map.

• You may use this method to aid in clearing a map that is not directly adjacent to the Dungeon/Hidden Street. A great example is on Victoria Island, using Pig Beach to obtain items from both Pigs and Ribbon Pigs to clear maps that will follow later.
  • (SUBJECT TO CHANGE) AREA/THEME DUNGEON BOSSES
    • Maps that have bosses are cleared upon receiving ETC drops specific to said boss (for example, Mano’s Rainbow Shell ) in addition to all other map-specific mob drops.

• Shops are unlocked and permitted for use when their respective town maps have been accessed via clearing.

• Characters attempting a clear of the Maple World must make their own way. You are restricted to the use of items achieved by means of self-generated efforts such as monster drops* or purchases from unlocked NPC Shops. This means no funding from your main account, drop trading, or transferring by means of storage, MTS, or Free Market.

• If you are playing a private server that has implemented Gachapon tickets as a drop, you are permitted to use these if obtained on your clearing character. Congratulations on your spoils, go reap the benefits. You deserve it.
  • Gachapon tickets are not required in order to clear a map.

Classes & Job Advancement

***In order to advance, you must clear your way to your respective town.***

This is the underlying theme that persists throughout the entire challenge. It's the ugly truth. Stare at it.

Ah yes, this is an interesting topic. One that I'm still mulling over. Trust me, if you decide to do this, you will have the time to think about it. Personally, I love the idea of choosing Beginner class to complete my clear. It's an added challenge. However, there are obvious benefits to advancing that can't be ignored, such as mobbing abilities that will make your clears WAY faster. Something you'll have to come to terms with is your character's level prior to advancing. It's gonna be a janky one, folks. You ain't getting off Maple Island prior to level 10. Heck, you ain't leaving likely until level 30~.

*Until recently I had no clue that the SP is fully refunded upon advancing. This changes a lot! In all likelihood, I will choose to advance to a thief in order to gain access to a few great skills (imho). Haste for obvious reasons, Darksight is hecka cool & useful, but mostly for Steal!

I know this is a lot to take in! If there are obvious loopholes that I'm missing, that's okay! I will leave an edit log beneath here to clean things up as I progress. I'm also going to be treating this as a blog to update everyone on as I trudge through.

I am absolutely open to edits and constructive feedback and even welcome it!

So, what do you get from this? If anything hopefully a chuckle. For me? I am surprised at how entertained I am by this challenge. Buckling down and collecting a monster's entire item inventory gives the game a refreshing new take for me, all while educating me on parts of Maple I may have not encountered otherwise(?).

If you've made it this far, thanks. I've made a Shareable Google Doc on this in the past that I'll link below. It's more or less an exact replica of this post. I just wanted to remake here for ease of access.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/16PjHqmd48KKFueeAPNZ3tRljvuIvYzWPv6UIX73TpTc

Thanks for stopping by,
Cob