Temple of The Roguelike Forums

Game Discussion => Classic Roguelikes => Topic started by: Omnivorous on October 11, 2009, 03:40:49 AM

Title: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on October 11, 2009, 03:40:49 AM: After Slash's competition-thread in "Rogue", I found it very fun and inspiring to keep trying to win in Rogue, just because I could communicate with people that I know were struggling just like me, and just as desperate as me to FINALLY make it, and BEAT the game! :)

This is an attempt at recreating the same excitement in/around Crawl/Crawl SS for myself and anyone else who have yet to beat the game!

I would love it if we try to tell the tale of our attempts within -one- post in this thread, and perhaps post questions/asking for advice elsewhere. Also I suggest we don't fill this thread with huge chardumps unless it is a victory! ;D

What do you guys think..? Anyone with me?!? LETS INVADE THE DUNGEONS OF CRAWL!
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Vanguard on October 11, 2009, 07:26:37 AM: Crawl never really "clicked" with me, but doing the Rogue thing was fun, so I'll probably do a few runs.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on October 11, 2009, 07:10:25 PM: How far have you gotten though Curseman? And with what char(s)?
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Vanguard on October 11, 2009, 11:51:43 PM: Not very far, like I said, I don't really "get" crawl. The farthest I've gotten was to the orcish mines. I think I was playing a human elementalist?

The last few time I've played I've been doing a vampire, since they aren't restricted quite as badly as the others by food. I've been playing a necromantic death knight mostly because it fits with the character theme.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on October 12, 2009, 12:05:30 AM: I don't understand the food-issue.. Why don't you just chop up some corpse (one that is not poisonous) right before/right after you get hungry? 'C'hop up those corpses, use a sharp weapon! My experience with vampires is that.. they suck! :P

Just know that in Crawl, every floor that is fully explored has 3 down-staircases and 3 up-staircases. (Trapdoors does not count!) And it's well worth exploring all floors fully. Especially for stores etc. that you can fast-travel to if you need.

I think I'll create and send acouple of wizards to certain death before I attempt a decent run with some Minotaur/DeepDwarf Berserker or Crusader!

Goodluck mate :)
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Vanguard on October 12, 2009, 05:52:26 AM: Quote from: Omnivorous on October 12, 2009, 12:05:30 AM
I don't understand the food-issue.. Why don't you just chop up some corpse (one that is not poisonous) right before/right after you get hungry? 'C'hop up those corpses, use a sharp weapon! My experience with vampires is that.. they suck! :P

Really it has more to do with the principle than anything. I like to take things at my own pace. Since instead of dying without food, vampires can't heal without food, it makes the food requirement acceptably merciful (to me), without removing it entirely.

Quote from: Omnivorous on October 12, 2009, 12:05:30 AM
Goodluck mate :)

Thanks, you too!

Edit:

Dracula, the level 6 vampire Death Knight was defeated by "Prince Ribbit" of all things. Oh the shame...
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Rabiat on October 12, 2009, 07:52:34 AM: I'm with you Omnivorous. I've beaten Crawl only once, in v4b26. That was a long time ago, and hardly qualifies for the Stone Soup versions. After a long hiatus, I picked up Stone Soup somewhere around the release of v0.5.0.

My characters usually die early (overconfidently entering the Orcish Mines or the Snake Pit) or somewhere around character level 15-17, carrying one or two runes. Recently I've taken up the plan to play only Mountain Dwarf Fighters (with Axes, worshipping Okawaru) because it's said this is the most powerful combination to play.

I'll return for advice as soon as I've managed to get another one killed (i.e., soon).
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Vanguard on October 12, 2009, 08:09:46 AM: As a vampire monk I lived to level 8 and got up to the orcish mines. The sorcerers there took off about half of my health in a single round, so I ran away, to later be destroyed by killer bees.

Is it just me, or is combat in this game ridiculously random? Like sometimes I'll hit a guy once and he'll die, and sometimes I'll swing at a guy of the same type 10 times, hitting twice for about one hit point's worth of damage each.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on October 12, 2009, 10:23:06 AM: Quote from: Curseman on October 12, 2009, 08:09:46 AM
Is it just me, or is combat in this game ridiculously random? Like sometimes I'll hit a guy once and he'll die, and sometimes I'll swing at a guy of the same type 10 times, hitting twice for about one hit point's worth of damage each.

Well, ALL roguelikes are "random", I guess just as in all other roguelikes, Crawl is about having the ODDS on your side.

One thing that is important for combat is that you try to make use of your race/class (not sure which one it is) aptitudes. Just press questionmark, and then '%' to see aptitudes. Your current character will be highligthed. You can also do this during creation, by pressing '%'. Low numbers = Good. Your character will not live long unless you make use of his/her specialities.

As for food, I think perhaps your first runs have 'scarred' you and you now think food is a bigger problem than it really is.. ;) Food is really mainly there to help prevent grinding/scumming, and should generally not be a problem aslong as you chop up edible corpses when you get a chance!

Make use of religion too. Trog is VERY powerful for all melee classes, and if you remember to pray and chop up corpses to sacrifice to him, he'll eventually shower you with god-gifts/random artifacts.

***Spoiler***
The Hive is VERY rich on great food too. But having some source of poison-resistance before entering there is reccomended.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Anvilfolk on October 12, 2009, 10:25:29 AM: I suck at crawl, even though I love it. I rarely manage to get very far :(

I don't have any scores from previous versions, so I'll have to get back to you later on those accounts! Good luck all!
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on October 12, 2009, 10:53:16 AM: Uggh, I should've never mocked the need for food.. This poor High Elf Crusader-bastard died as lvl4, dungeonlevel 2, Starving and poisoned to death.. For some reason NOTHING dropped corpses.. Wonder if that's because I kept having my sword enchanted with fire/ice, or if I was just very unlucky..
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Rabiat on October 12, 2009, 03:02:07 PM: Quote from: Omnivorous on October 12, 2009, 12:05:30 AM
I don't understand the food-issue.. Why don't you just chop up some corpse (one that is not poisonous) right before/right after you get hungry? 'C'hop up those corpses, use a sharp weapon! My experience with vampires is that.. they suck! :P

Food shouldn't be an issue in the early game. In some locations in the later game, like labyrinths and branches populated with monsters that don't leave edible corpses, it can be. If you stockpile and stash food in the early game, and eat corpses whenever possible, you'll avoid food problems in the late game.

Quote from: Curseman on October 12, 2009, 08:09:46 AM
Is it just me, or is combat in this game ridiculously random? Like sometimes I'll hit a guy once and he'll die, and sometimes I'll swing at a guy of the same type 10 times, hitting twice for about one hit point's worth of damage each.

Combat isn't all that random in my experience. It's exceptional that the RNG appears to roll against you for a longer period. Usually there's a reason. You may be wearing an uncursed unidentified amulet of inaccuracy, or just switched to a heavier armour type, which makes it much harder to hit things. Or your opponent is lucky enough to be wearing en enchanted piece of armour.

Edit:

Quote from: Rabiat on October 12, 2009, 07:52:34 AM
I'll return for advice as soon as I've managed to get another one killed (i.e., soon).

I said soon, not immediately. >:(

McNugget the L10 Mountain Dwarf Fighter, Elder of Okawaru, was unlucky enough to go down the stairs to D:11, only to be immediately surrounded by a colourful band of orcs. Bravely, he fled upstairs, hoping to lure the orcs into passageway, and finish them one by one. Great was his terror when, back on D:10, he faced the mocking grin of a newly spawned hungry ghost, blocking the only way out. An orc, an orc fighter, and an orc priest happily proceeded to beat him to a pulp. He read a teleport scroll, quickly downed his last potion of heal wounds, and uttered an intensely profane curse word at the orc priest, before being smitten by Beogh...

Useful items were kind of scarce this time. The only good item I found was a +2 chain mail with 2 levels of fire resistance, which I plucked off a dead unique (probably Edmund on D:6). The only artefact I found was a randart -4 large shield with -5 Int, which is a good joke (unless you're a troll, in which case it's a moderately funny instakill).

I guess the lesson I've learned from this is to be careful around staircases when surrounded. I might've made it if I immediately teleported on D:11 in stead of fleeing upstairs. Only after reading the morgue file I realized I could've escaped on D:10, just by zapping my recharged wand of digging.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Anvilfolk on October 12, 2009, 09:12:01 PM: AWwwwww man! Level 10 Mountain Dwarf Fighter just died, 7129 points. There I was, clearing the enemies from an open-space, when 'lo and behold, two skeletal warriors/fighters show up. Well, I've taken one of them on before, and have plenty of scrolls of teleport. I'll give it a go.

One of them had a What's'His'Name Axe of Distortion. A couple of hits and he made me blink. What the heck was that, thought I!? Ok, second round. He hits me again. Teleports me into the Abyss!

It didn't look so bad. A couple of minor demons and another skeletal warrior following me - still doable. I get myself into an small alleyway and think I'll fend off the smaller demons in case they cut me off. All of a sudden - BAM - three Nagas surround me. They spit on me, poison me, start prodding me with weapons. I quickly read a scroll of teleport. No dice... it says I'm about to teleport, but NOTHING HAPPENS.

And of course, worshipping the Shining One must've been the most idiot choice I made. I'd found a bunch of great items too: ice dragon armour, plate mail +1, boots +1, rings of regeneration and invisibility, all of that made AC 20... I had it all. Until the Axe of Distortion struck home.

Next time I'll piss off The Shining One and go over to Okarawu or Trog. At least they'd value my killing :(
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Vanguard on October 12, 2009, 09:40:50 PM: Alright, well I think a problem with my guys sucking might be that your choice of race and skill specialization are really important in this game. Since I don't really like playing pure fighters, what's the best mage race? Deep elves? How are demigods? Are their high attributes worth having their lackluster skill set?

Edit:

Yeah, I tried a deep elf ice elementalist and a demigod fighter, and both were far easier to play than the vampires I was doing before. Neither encountered the problems I had before with overcoming the defenses of basically everything I ran into. With the demigod especially, the run was just "hit o, and when you see a monster, run into him repeatedly," and I got much farther than that level of mindlessness should take me.

With that said, I think the blood system is a lot more fun than the food system, so I will probably stick with vampires for a while.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on October 12, 2009, 11:26:45 PM: Quote from: Curseman on October 12, 2009, 09:40:50 PM
Alright, well I think a problem with my guys sucking might be that your choice of race and skill specialization are really important in this game. Since I don't really like playing pure fighters, what's the best mage race? Deep elves? How are demigods?

Do you play "Vanilla" Linleys Dungeon Crawl or Crawl Stone Soup? Stone Soup have three tutorials, I believe one is High Elf Conjurer which is a powerful spellcaster. My problem with these "pure" spellcasters is to get them past level 6.

I've heard alot give the advice to make figthers, then "turn them into spellcasters"... I have no idea how to do this though.. XD I tried Demigods abit too but found them boring. They level so slow, and after a few levels seem mediocre instead of powerful.

There are some pretty interesting hybrid-classes. Try a Wrath Death Knight for example - Death Knights have combat-magics. I've found the Crusader class to be more and more interesting.. Check out that spellbook, it makes bashing alot more fun imo.

Quote from: Anvilfolk on October 12, 2009, 09:12:01 PM
Next time I'll piss off The Shining One and go over to Okarawu or Trog. At least they'd value my killing :(

Haha good idea man, especially for a pure figther... Dare I ask how the hell your poor Mountain Dwarf Figther ended up with The Shining One as his god..?! ;) Even for pure casters, The Shining One is abit "vague" as a god. It supposedly helps you, takes the edge of miscasting and as your relationship with it evolves, you will gain spellbooks as gifts...I think.. But the only way I know of to strengthen the relationship to this god is to train alot of different types of spells.

Sounded like a pretty powerful char.. With Trog I'm sure it could've atleast cleared out Orc Mines!

Quote
found was a randart -4 large shield with -5 Int, which is a good joke (unless you're a troll, in which case it's a moderately funny instakill).
Hahaha, nice one... Pretty unlucky at the stairs though.

I reached 120k score once with a pure figther, Minotaur Berserker, but I got abit bored when playing it and basically murdered him on a suicide-run in the bottom of Elven Halls. So I am trying to find a more balanced class, spellcaster or a hybrid spellcaster. Not any chars worth mentioning yet though.. :/
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Anvilfolk on October 13, 2009, 11:02:51 AM: Apparently the Shining One likes you to specifically kill evil beings. I got a bit into his favour, then was in a tight situation and used a wand of something or other (relating to stealing levels or something), and he hated me for awhile.

The thing is, I found his altar halfway through to the Ecumenical Temple, so I thought I might as well join. Since he doesn't mind me switching over to a couple other ones, I figured I'd do it when I reached the temple. Turned out the other ones weren't so good either - Sif Muna or Zin, if I remember correctly.

You die and you learn ;)

I didn't actually go into the Orcish Mines because of prists and mages, to which I was still rather vulnerable. Those godly smites are nasty.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on October 13, 2009, 07:36:35 PM: Finally a promising hybrid-char! Level 7 Ogre Crusader, PerKiller, who just found the temple where he joined Yredenemnul to hopefully get to raise an army of skeletons to aid him in his quest for fame and fortune. Promising in the sense that - he's not dead yet. Not many good items, except for a +3, +1 morningstar.

PerKiller eats ALOT of corpses to be able to keep up with his enchantments which he uses regularely, enchant his sword with fire/ice, regeneration and berserker rage. This leaves ALOT of skeletons, so hopefully these can be put to use. I was thinking about Okawaru as a god, but the spellbook PerKiller entered the dungeon with, contains haste, regeneration, avoid missiles and berserker rage, so I see no reason to join neither Trog or Okawaru.

Most encounters require some carefulness and planning though. He just wiped out a mob of two orc priests, an orc wizard and 2 orcs in a big open area, but right after that a Centaur almoast killed him! Hopefully he will encounter some artifacts (preferrably to help with defense, as all armours I've found so far are made for mini-people, not a big, strong Ogre!).

Be back in alittle while to tell you how it died.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Anvilfolk on October 13, 2009, 08:43:51 PM: Quote from: Omnivorous on October 13, 2009, 07:36:35 PM
Be back in alittle while to tell you how it died.

And this, my friends, is the wonder of roguelikes.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Karzack on October 14, 2009, 12:05:49 AM: Spoiler Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tm0CtcttgNg

I stumbled upon this browsing youtube. It is an end game video, so I won't go into detail. I just thought some here might find interest in it.

As for crawl, I am just getting into this game. I have tried it before and it didn't have much appeal to me. After the latest update; it is my flavor of the month. Or, it could be longer than a month, I'm not sure. I'm not sure what happened between then and now. *shrugs*

I did the tutorial with the Mino Zerker and had an ok run with him. And then like most of my other deaths in pretty much every roguelike I have ever played; I got cocky and something put me in my place. :( Well, somethings in this case.
I won't post the whole dump (them are pretty big), but here is the little overview.
Code: [Select]
14406 Karzack the Cleaver (level 11, -14/99 HPs) Began as a Minotaur Berserker on Oct 11, 2009. Was a High Priest of Trog. Demolished by a komodo dragon (21 damage) ... on Level 6 of the Lair of Beasts. The game lasted 02:11:12 (14191 turns).
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on October 14, 2009, 02:07:50 AM: And so, he quickly died after I took a break and came back. "1109 PerKiller OgCr slain by a centaur (D:6)"
Just entered the dungeonfloor below entrance to Temple, and found it was alot harder than the last couple of floors. Snakes felt alot stronger. Orcs too. And I kindof expected the first mob that hit me to be the last for a while after I went into Berserker Rage. That was not the case, a Centaur was waiting just behind the corner and appeared in a doorway several steps behind me, JUST when berserker rage ended. Tried to escape with a scroll of fear, quaffed all my healing potions, got careless and started resting too close, and the Centaur charged me again before I got much rest. Somehow paniced instead of spending the second scroll of fear ;p

A greedy and silly death just because I forgot how much I cared about this char.

Edit: Another char. Going to try a different tactic. Going to try the character that killed me. A Centaur...something! Going to just pick the characters that kill me to see if I find anything that feels good.

Oh, I have no idea if maybe everyone knows this but I didn't always and I think they are both very nice commands. Shift-5 and Alt Gr-2 ('@') atleast those screens become useful as you start reaching level 10 and have to choose what rings to wear, which weaknesses to trade against benefits etc.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Vanguard on October 14, 2009, 02:25:38 AM: What's the level cap for Crawl?

I notice that humans level up quite a lot faster than other races, and thematically, they're always my favorite choice. Do you reach the level cap before the end of the game, meaning that the other races will catch up to and surpass you, or is it high enough that the experience advantage will always be useful?
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on October 14, 2009, 04:12:11 AM: Well judging from the tables of top players (winners) in last year's Crawl-tournament, the levels vary alot. Most are within 22-25 though.

I think perhaps -skills- max though, and I think I've succeeded in surviving early on with weak characters sometimes by cutting off unneeded skills/taking advantage of the skill(s) my current char can level the fastest.

And with hybrid chars, not pure bashers, I think it's a big difference early on if I put stats in DEX or STR, depending on what weapon I am using. Uggh, Crawl is difficult. Acouple of Rogue-runs was just as unforgiving! I think it's time for some rest.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Vanguard on October 14, 2009, 05:09:23 AM: Quote from: Omnivorous on October 14, 2009, 04:12:11 AM
Uggh, Crawl is difficult. Acouple of Rogue-runs was just as unforgiving! I think it's time for some rest.

Don't even joke like that!

Crawl may well be difficult, but it has nothing to Rogue's gleeful, unrelenting malice towards the player. I don't think most games of Rogue could be won even by a perfect player with perfect knowledge of everything you can know about the game without cheating.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Anvilfolk on October 14, 2009, 11:00:53 AM: Ok, so fighting increases the number of HP points that you get at each level up. What I've been doing is blocking off all the skills except fighting until I get it to lvl 5, and then usually allowing armour and the specific weapon skill as well.

Any thoughts on this?
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Rabiat on October 14, 2009, 12:07:17 PM: I don't think that's a good way to go for too long. Your max HP will increase at level-up if you have higher fighting skill, but massive HP alone won't get you there in the long run. I'm no expert, but I prefer generalising in the early game and specialising in the late game.

For instance, regardless of race, I always put some XP in traps & doors (disarming harmless traps so I won't blunder into nastier traps lateron) and throwing darts (so I stand a chance against NPCs with strong melee attacks, without having to drain all my wands or mana). I find it very helpful, although I guess it depends on playing style.

But who knows, results could be spectacular for races with good fighting aptitude. If you try this, could you keep track of your PC's max HP and fighting skill at each level-up, and post it?
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on October 14, 2009, 02:00:20 PM: Well I have looked on my skill-list several times, thinking "Well a high <enter skill name here> would be really convenient now! Let me see what I can turn off!" Then I open the skill-list and usually end up deciding "Hey damnit, ALL these skills are useful for me atm.."
If anything I've found that it's smart to focus on those aptitudes with lowest numbers, that level the most with the least practice.

Also I think it's absurd how people consider it "exploitation" to for example cast spells on walls to train them. Clearly since it is possible and remains possible throughout updates, it is not an exploit. Also in a RP game you are supposed to "live out" your character. If I was a wizard that just barely understood the contents of my spellbook, I would most likely be considered a damn fool by other wizards if I attempted to run into battle with such a spell without practicing it some on my own first.. Also, it costs food. Alot of food it seems, when your level with it is low.

I think I've found a decent hybrid now, and a VERY good race in general; Merfolk. I've somehow never bothered to even look at this race, but it has great fighting abilities, is VERY powerful with polearms. It is also good with Enchantments and Transmutations (or was it Translocations?)

Either way this Merfolk Enchanter is atm looking VERY promising.. Sigmund dropped a Scythe of Reaching (0, +3) which goes inunder polearms, and enchantment spells such as Corona, Confuse, Sleep and Invisible is VERY handy combined with this long-reaching weapon! :) Ohwell, it will be put to the test pretty soon..acouple more levels and we'll see if it really can survive in these dungeons!

Edit: Ugh.. It was all going well. Even found a book-store and aquired book of Changes that dealt with Transmutations, which my char also should be good in. I struggled abit in an encounter where I got poisoned twice early on, and had to fend off two Kobolds and a Big Kobold. I got rid of them and went upstairs to rest. Went back down again, continued exploring into the direction where I encountered the Kobolds.. Discovered another one and let it flee while I regenned some, then I started chasing it. All of a sudden I am standing at the crossroad of two corridors containing 6 Kobolds and 3 Big Kobolds. (Those that I could see atleast) I started fleeing, but as soon as I did that, a Big Frog appeared, that moved faster than me. I got the the nearest up staircase with 3hp. Tried to go up, but on the last turn the Big Frog put me out of my misery.

,;;';;:;';;',;:,
,:' ':,
,: PerKiller ':,
;: Merfolk ;:
;: Enchanter ;:
;: Lvl8 ;:
;; Died on LVL7 ::
;: ;:
;: R.I.P ::
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Vanguard on October 14, 2009, 10:06:53 PM: Quote from: Omnivorous on October 14, 2009, 02:00:20 PM
Well I have looked on my skill-list several times, thinking "Well a high <enter skill name here> would be really convenient now! Let me see what I can turn off!" Then I open the skill-list and usually end up deciding "Hey damnit, ALL these skills are useful for me atm.."

This is me as well.

Quote from: Omnivorous on October 14, 2009, 02:00:20 PM
Also I think it's absurd how people consider it "exploitation" to for example cast spells on walls to train them.

Wait, this works?! What's to stop a vampire or mummy mage from attaining complete mastery of all magic and easily winning this way, besides their player going insane with boredom?

For every other race it doesn't sound all that exploitable.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Karzack on October 14, 2009, 10:32:50 PM: Quote from: Curseman on October 14, 2009, 02:25:38 AM
What's the level cap for Crawl?

I believe it is 27. I read it somewhere, but I can't remember. Maybe it was in the manual...
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on October 14, 2009, 11:01:35 PM: Quote from: Curseman on October 14, 2009, 10:06:53 PM
Quote from: Omnivorous on October 14, 2009, 02:00:20 PM
Also I think it's absurd how people consider it "exploitation" to for example cast spells on walls to train them.

Wait, this works?! What's to stop a vampire or mummy mage from attaining complete mastery of all magic and easily winning this way, besides their player going insane with boredom?

For every other race it doesn't sound all that exploitable.

Well I am more talking about just casting a spell while exploring, at the wall if possible when MP fills up, and then continue exploring.. Especially if there's some left over XP that hasn't been put to use. This is not possible with all spells either though.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: corremn on October 14, 2009, 11:22:04 PM: Quote from: Omnivorous on October 14, 2009, 02:00:20 PM
I think I've found a decent hybrid now, and a VERY good race in general; Merfolk. I've somehow never bothered to even look at this race, but it has great fighting abilities, is VERY powerful with polearms. It is also good with Enchantments and Transmutations (or was it Translocations?)

I started fleeing, but as soon as I did that, a Big Frog appeared, that moved faster than me. I got the the nearest up staircase with 3hp. Tried to go up, but on the last turn the Big Frog put me out of my misery.

Merfolks are one of my hybrid favorite races being good at combat, transmutations, enchantments and ice magic. Once you get haste, blade hands, repel missiles they are almost unstoppable. All you need is a god to get you out of the tricky spots. IIRC Makhleb has eary summons which would of helped you here, if you found the temple that is.

Casting spells at nothing is part of the game, you have to have exp points anyway. Plants were left in the game to allow safe learning of weapon skills (at least to level 2). It seems stupid that you would be able to train blink but not magic missile. If people think its cheating then dont do it.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Fenrir on October 15, 2009, 12:26:21 AM: Badbeef the Minotaur Berserker seems to be doing rather well (compared to previous attempts), so I'll let you know how it goes.

Character Dump (He's still alive):
Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup version 0.5.2 (crawl-ref) character file. Badbeef the Cleaver (Minotaur Berserker) Turns: 6261, Time: 00:34:34 HP 72/72 AC 14 Str 23 (24) Exp: 8/2620 (128), need: 151 MP 3/3 EV 6 Int 5 God: Trog ***** Gold 453 SH 0 Dex 9 Spells: 0 memorised, 7 levels left Res.Fire : . . . See Invis. : . s - +2,+3 hand axe Res.Cold : + . . Warding : . h - +0 splint mail Life Prot.: . . . Conserve : . (no shield) Res.Poison: . Res.Corr. : . (helmet restricted) Res.Elec. : . Clarity : . (no cloak) (no gloves) Sust.Abil.: . Rnd.Telep. : . f - +0 pair of boots (curse) Res.Mut. : . Ctrl.Telep.: . (no amulet) Res.Slow : . Levitation : . q - ring of protection from cold Saprovore : . . . Ctrl.Flight: . z - +3 ring of protection @: slightly resistant to magic, extremely unstealthy A: horns 2 a: Burn Spellbooks, Berserk, Trog's Hand, Brothers in Arms, Renounce Religion You are on level 7 of the Dungeon. You worship Trog. Trog is exalted by your worship. You are hungry. You have visited 2 branches of the dungeon, and seen 8 of its levels. You have visited 1 portal chamber (including bazaars). You have collected 445 gold pieces. Inventory: Hand weapons a - a +0,+0 hand axe (quivered) s - a +2,+3 hand axe (weapon) u - the falchion of Anxiety {EV-3 Dex+2 Int+1 Stlth+} (You found it in the sewers) It affects your evasion (-3). It affects your intelligence (+1). It affects your dexterity (+2). It makes you much more stealthy. Armour b - a +0 animal skin f - a cursed +0 pair of boots (worn) h - a +0 splint mail (worn) Magical devices e - a lead wand D - a lead wand G - a bronze wand J - a silver wand Comestibles c - 2 bread rations g - an apple t - 2 meat rations A - a beef jerky C - a pear F - a cheese I - a choko Scrolls d - 3 scrolls of blinking i - a scroll of noise l - 5 scrolls of detect curse x - a scroll labeled KUNIHI NEAN y - 3 scrolls of teleportation E - a scroll of remove curse Jewellery n - a runed wooden ring o - an uncursed ring of see invisible p - an uncursed ring of protection from magic q - a ring of protection from cold (right hand) z - a +3 ring of protection (left hand) B - a ring of protection from magic Potions j - 2 lumpy blue potions m - 2 potions of speed r - 4 potions of healing v - an inky potion w - a slimy green potion Books H - a hardcover book Trog disapproves of the use of such an item. You have 128 experience left. Skills: + Level 6 Fighting + Level 10 Axes + Level 4 Armour + Level 2 Dodging + Level 2 Unarmed Combat You have 7 spell levels left. You don't know any spells. Overview of the Dungeon Branches: (use G to reach them and ?/B for more information) Temple: D:6 Orc : D:7 Altars: (use Ctrl-F "altar" to reach them and ?/G for information about gods) The Shining One: D:6 Shops: (use Ctrl-F "shop" to reach them) D:7: ( Innate Abilities, Weirdness & Mutations You have a pair of horns on your head. Message History Your prayer is over. You see here a scroll of curse weapon. There is an open door here. You avoid triggering a needle trap. There is a needle trap here. All of the chunks of flesh in your inventory have completely rotted away. Done exploring. #...#.##......... #.#.#.########### #.#.#............ #.#^#............ #.#.#........#.## #.#.####.....#... #.#..........#.## #.######.....#.# @...........##.# ###########.##.# #.##.# #.##.# #.##.# ###.##.# #......# #......# #......# There are no monsters in sight! Vanquished Creatures Edmund (D:5) 5 ogres A necrophage (D:6) An ice beast (D:7) Sigmund (D:3) 4 giant frogs An orc warrior (D:7) An imp (D:6) 2 orc priests (D:5) 3 hounds 5 giant ants 2 orc wizards (D:5) A hound zombie (D:5) Ijyb (D:3) 2 worms 7 snakes 2 giant mites (D:7) A mummy (D:7) 2 scorpion zombies Terence (D:2) 4 oozes Jessica (D:2) 6 giant cockroaches 3 giant geckos 15 hobgoblins 14 orcs 6 small snakes (Port) 21 giant bats 14 giant newts 12 goblins 3 jackals (D:7) 10 kobolds A kobold zombie (D:5) 7 quokkas 21 rats 182 creatures vanquished. Vanquished Creatures (others) A jackal (D:7) An orc (D:5) 2 creatures vanquished. Grand Total: 184 creatures vanquished Notes Turn | Place | Note -------------------------------------------------------------- 0 | D:1 | Badbeef, the Minotaur Berserker, began the quest for the Orb. 0 | D:1 | Reached XP level 1. HP: 17/17 MP: 0/0 35 | D:1 | Reached skill 4 in Axes 449 | D:1 | Reached XP level 2. HP: 26/26 MP: 0/0 559 | D:1 | Acquired Trog's second power 899 | D:2 | Noticed Jessica 907 | D:2 | Defeated Jessica 1427 | D:2 | Reached XP level 3. HP: 29/33 MP: 1/1 1518 | D:2 | Noticed Terence 1543 | D:2 | Defeated Terence 1891 | D:3 | Noticed Ijyb 1893 | D:3 | Noticed Sigmund 1921 | D:3 | Defeated Ijyb 1933 | D:3 | Defeated Sigmund 1933 | D:3 | Reached XP level 4. HP: 19/41 MP: 1/1 1933 | D:3 | Reached XP level 5. HP: 22/48 MP: 2/2 2056 | D:3 | Reached skill 5 in Axes 2269 | D:3 | Reached skill 6 in Axes 2532 | D:3 | Found a glowing drain. 2556 | sewer | Entered the sewers. 2854 | sewer | Reached XP level 6. HP: 24/56 MP: 2/2 2856 | sewer | Got a slimy falchion 2857 | sewer | Identified the cursed falchion of Anxiety {EV-3 Dex+2 Int+1 Stlth+} (You found it in the sewers) 3410 | D:4 | Reached skill 7 in Axes 3670 | D:4 | Reached skill 1 in Unarmed Combat 3718 | D:5 | Entered Level 5 of the Dungeon 3741 | D:5 | Acquired Trog's third power 3806 | D:5 | Reached skill 5 in Fighting 3824 | D:5 | Reached XP level 7. HP: 15/63 MP: 3/3 3880 | D:5 | Noticed Edmund 3901 | D:5 | Defeated Edmund 3902 | D:5 | Reached skill 8 in Axes 4223 | D:6 | Reached skill 9 in Axes 4226 | D:6 | Reached XP level 8. HP: 60/71 MP: 3/3 5123 | D:6 | Reached skill 10 in Axes 5239 | Temple | Entered the Ecumenical Temple

Enter Orc Mines? (y/n)
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Rabiat on October 15, 2009, 07:32:24 AM: Be very, very careful when entering the Orcish Mines. You'll get ganged up on a lot, so make sure you have teleportation or controlled blink, preferably berserk, might or haste, and several potions of heal wounds. Remember that orc priests can kill you in just a couple of turns if you have 72 HP.

My advice would be to get poison resistance if possible, locate the Lair, and clear it. Once you've done that, you'll have gained enough experience to clear the Orcish mines more easily.

(Edit: As a MiBe you have berserk ability from Trog, of course, so forget about haste and might. I'd try to raise AC and SH though; find plated armour and a shield, cloak, and gloves, and enchant them if you can. I'd also try to (pseudo-)identify those wands; some of them are great for crowd control. The book you're carrying would make a nice orc roaster, too. Your ring of see invisible can be helpful against orc wizards.)
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Fenrir on October 15, 2009, 12:48:41 PM: Thanks for the advice; I'll pass by the mines for now. Does magic resistance help against orc-priest smite attacks?
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Anvilfolk on October 15, 2009, 01:01:15 PM: And exactly how do you get poison resistance?
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Rabiat on October 15, 2009, 01:12:49 PM: IIRC, smiting is invoked, not cast, so magic resistance doesn't help. Would have to verify that though.

Poison resistance is obtained from a ring of poison resistance. There may also be some (random) artefacts tat provide it. Rings of poison resistance can be found in the upper levels of the main dungeon, or bought from a jewellery shop. In my experience one is generated in most games. You can find them (also those sold in a shop) with Ctrl-F 'poison'.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on October 15, 2009, 02:28:03 PM: Resistance against corruption or Life protection helps against smiting I believe. Either way, I agree, do not enter mines yet. I've lost level 10 MiBerserkers in the mines that had better gear/more defence than your char. The berserker ability is a two-edged sword. It is great 9 out of 10 times. But that 10th time in places like the mines, it will run out and an Orc Priest appears, probably with two companions too. Then you're dead.

The book might be good, but I've never gotten a Minotaur to read a book :P I just burn'em all! Keep sacrificing corpses and burn books to get some nice God gifts from Trog. You could use a good weapon.

Poison resistance is obtained through jewelry or just enchanted equipment (artefacts).

I've found it's good to be able to summon help from Trog and/or regenerate HP AFTER your berserk ability runs out...just incase.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Rabiat on October 15, 2009, 05:13:35 PM: Quote from: Omnivorous on October 15, 2009, 02:28:03 PM
Resistance against corruption or Life protection helps against smiting I believe.

I don't think so. Life protection (ring of same name, and amulet of warding) protects against draining (loss of XP). There are draining weapons and spells, and shadows have a draining melee attack. If by corruption you mean mutation, a ring of resist mutation will only prevent your char from gaining mutations ('A' screen). If by corruption you mean stat loss (Str, Int, Dex), a ring of sustain abilities will prevent that. As far as I know, none of these decrease the damage taken from smiting. I don't know if smiting can be resisted at all.

Quote
The book might be good, but I've never gotten a Minotaur to read a book :P I just burn'em all! Keep sacrificing corpses and burn books to get some nice God gifts from Trog. You could use a good weapon.

That's what I meant. It takes a very long time for most melee fighters to finally learn how to read books, so that's practically useless. But you can pick them up, drop one in front of an approaching enemy, and call upon Trog to light the BBQ. ;)
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Fenrir on October 15, 2009, 05:19:00 PM: I never meant to read the book; it was just something that I picked up while auto-exploring and forgot.

EDIT:
Found the lair, but no poison resistance yet. Moving on...

+5 +8 SUPER EDIT OF SUPERIOR WIN:
P - the +3,+9 battleaxe "Bitiavovaj" (weapon) {god gift, holy, EV+5 Dex+2 Int+3} (Trog gifted it to you on level 13 of the Dungeon) It has been blessed by the Shining One to cause great damage to the undead and the unholy creatures of Hell or Pandemonium. It affects your evasion (+5). It affects your intelligence (+3). It affects your dexterity (+2).
YEAH, BABY! I'M ARMED AND DANGEROUS!

EDIT OF PACKRATS (neurosis):
Encumbered? Full pack? No! No! We will never get rid of our preciousss! We will keep all the pretty thingses!

EDIT:
Fenrir stares at you blankly. The great wolf sits there for a long while without saying anything.

I -- I could have just eaten something. If I had just gone berserk...

Fenrir slams his face to the ground in frustration. His voice is muffled by the dirt.

Noooo! I couldn't eat my precious food! I had to try the wand of polymorph other!

Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup version 0.5.2 (crawl-ref) character file. 30878 Badbeef the Hacker (level 13, -10/120 HPs) Began as a Minotaur Berserker on Oct 13, 2009. Was the Champion of Trog. Killed from afar by a dragon (45 damage) ... with a blast of flame ... on Level 16 of the Dungeon on Oct 15, 2009. The game lasted 02:06:51 (19279 turns). Badbeef the Hacker (Minotaur Berserker) Turns: 19279, Time: 02:06:51 HP -10/120 AC 21 Str 27 Exp: 13/42961 (1736), need: 24938 MP 6/6 EV 13 Int 8 God: Trog ****** Gold 806 SH 0 Dex 12 Spells: 0 memorised, 12 levels left Res.Fire : . . . See Invis. : . a - +3,+9 battleaxe "Bitiavovaj" {god gift, ho Res.Cold : . . . Warding : . h - +0 splint mail Life Prot.: . . . Conserve : . (no shield) Res.Poison: . Res.Corr. : + (helmet restricted) Res.Elec. : . Clarity : . H - +0 cloak (no gloves) Sust.Abil.: . Rnd.Telep. : . V - +2 pair of boots {run} Res.Mut. : . Ctrl.Telep.: . R - amulet of resist corrosion Res.Slow : . Levitation : . s - ring of sustenance Saprovore : . . . Ctrl.Flight: . z - +3 ring of protection @: non-regenerating, mildly diseased, quick, somewhat resistant to magic, extremely unstealthy A: horns 2, Dex +1 a: Burn Spellbooks, Berserk, Trog's Hand, Brothers in Arms, Renounce Religion You were on level 16 of the Dungeon. You worshipped Trog. Trog was exalted by your worship. You were hungry. You visited 2 branches of the dungeon, and saw 17 of its levels. You visited 2 portal chambers (including bazaars). You collected 1067 gold pieces. You spent 269 gold pieces at shops. Inventory: Hand weapons a - the +3,+9 battleaxe "Bitiavovaj" (weapon) {god gift, holy, EV+5 Dex+2 Int+3} (Trog gifted it to you on level 13 of the Dungeon) It has been blessed by the Shining One to cause great damage to the undead and the unholy creatures of Hell or Pandemonium. It affects your evasion (+5). It affects your intelligence (+3). It affects your dexterity (+2). b - a +2,+1 bow of flame u - a +1,+3 lajatang of electrocution Missiles T - 25 +0 arrows Armour h - a +0 splint mail (worn) H - a +0 cloak (worn) V - a +2 pair of boots of running (worn) Magical devices e - a wand of disintegration (7) f - a wand of polymorph other (6) x - a wand of hasting (3) D - a wand of disintegration (10) E - a wand of magic darts (12) G - a wand of paralysis (11) J - a wand of enslavement (8) N - a wand of digging (3) O - a wand of confusion (3) X - a wand of polymorph other (9) Z - a wand of invisibility (1) Comestibles g - an apple n - 5 bread rations r - 17 honeycombs t - 5 meat rations v - a lychee A - a beef jerky C - a pear F - a cheese I - a choko Scrolls d - a scroll of blinking i - 2 scrolls of enchant armour l - a scroll of detect curse y - 3 scrolls of teleportation L - a scroll of enchant weapon II M - 2 scrolls of fog Q - 3 scrolls of summoning Jewellery c - an uncursed ring of fire o - an uncursed ring of see invisible p - an uncursed ring of protection from magic q - an uncursed ring of protection from cold s - a ring of sustenance (right hand) z - a +3 ring of protection (left hand) B - an uncursed ring of protection from magic P - an uncursed amulet of inaccuracy R - an amulet of resist corrosion (around neck) W - a +1 ring of protection Y - an uncursed ring of life protection Potions j - 5 potions of might m - 2 potions of speed K - 3 potions of heal wounds S - a potion of restore abilities U - 2 potions of healing Miscellaneous k - a plain deck of dungeons w - a crystal ball of fixation You had 1736 experience left. Skills: + Level 12 Fighting + Level 16 Axes + Level 9 Armour + Level 2 Dodging + Level 1 Traps & Doors + Level 7 Unarmed Combat You had 12 spell levels left. You didn't know any spells. Overview of the Dungeon Branches: Temple: D:6 Orc : D:7 Lair : D:8 Hive : D:15 Vault : D:16 Altars: The Shining One: D:6 Shops: D:7: ( D:9: ( D:10: % D:13: / Innate Abilities, Weirdness & Mutations You have a pair of horns on your head. You are agile (Dex +1). Message History a shiny centaur barding The four-headed hydra roars! You don't know any spells. A four-headed hydra. The four-headed hydra evaporates and reforms as a dragon! This wand has 6 charges left. The dragon breathes fire at you. ############## #@..........<# ..c #.############ .....c.. #D# .....c.### #.# ...#.c..... #.# ...#........ #.# ...#........ #.# ............ #.# #...........# #.## You could see a dragon. Vanquished Creatures 2 hydras (D:15) Nessos (D:16) 5 hill giants A centaur warrior (D:14) 2 unseen horrors Michael (D:12) A mimic (D:14) 2 wolf spiders 4 slime creatures (D:12) 3 giant brown frogs Psyche (D:10) 9 ugly things A komodo dragon (D:15) 3 trolls A queen bee (D:10) A hill giant zombie (D:15) 3 two-headed ogres 28 yaks 3 hippogriffs Edmund (D:5) A hungry ghost (D:10) A clay golem (D:16) 3 giant blowflies A firedrake (D:13) A manticore (D:12) An ugly thing skeleton (D:16) A soldier ant (D:14) 10 ogres 2 phantoms A necrophage (D:6) 2 big kobolds 2 ice beasts 3 ugly thing zombies 7 centaurs A yaktaur zombie (D:15) 13 giant lizards (D:13) 3 war dogs (D:8) Sigmund (D:3) A mottled dragon (D:16) 2 brown snakes 7 giant frogs 9 orc warriors A giant frog zombie (D:12) A steam dragon (D:9) 33 killer bees 12 imps 4 giant beetles 8 orc priests 8 hounds 3 wights 12 giant ants 2 big kobold zombies 11 orc wizards 3 scorpions 6 giant iguanas (D:13) A hound zombie (D:5) Ijyb (D:3) 3 shadows 5 jellies A worm zombie (D:9) 5 worms 12 snakes 2 giant centipedes 2 giant mites (D:7) 2 mummies 2 scorpion zombies Terence (D:2) 4 oozes Jessica (D:2) A giant eyeball (D:8) 10 giant cockroaches 12 giant geckos 20 hobgoblins 41 orcs 6 small snakes (Port) 23 giant bats 26 giant newts 15 goblins 10 jackals 2 killer bee larvae (D:10) 26 kobolds A kobold zombie (D:5) 8 quokkas 29 rats 522 creatures vanquished. Vanquished Creatures (collateral kills) Agnes (D:16) 17 killer bees (D:10) A big kobold simulacrum (D:16) 19 creatures vanquished. Vanquished Creatures (others) A gila monster (D:14) A jackal (D:7) 2 orcs 4 creatures vanquished. Grand Total: 545 creatures vanquished Notes Turn | Place | Note -------------------------------------------------------------- 0 | D:1 | Badbeef, the Minotaur Berserker, began the quest for the Orb. 0 | D:1 | Reached XP level 1. HP: 17/17 MP: 0/0 35 | D:1 | Reached skill 4 in Axes 449 | D:1 | Reached XP level 2. HP: 26/26 MP: 0/0 559 | D:1 | Acquired Trog's second power 899 | D:2 | Noticed Jessica 907 | D:2 | Defeated Jessica 1427 | D:2 | Reached XP level 3. HP: 29/33 MP: 1/1 1518 | D:2 | Noticed Terence 1543 | D:2 | Defeated Terence 1891 | D:3 | Noticed Ijyb 1893 | D:3 | Noticed Sigmund 1921 | D:3 | Defeated Ijyb 1933 | D:3 | Defeated Sigmund 1933 | D:3 | Reached XP level 4. HP: 19/41 MP: 1/1 1933 | D:3 | Reached XP level 5. HP: 22/48 MP: 2/2 2056 | D:3 | Reached skill 5 in Axes 2269 | D:3 | Reached skill 6 in Axes 2532 | D:3 | Found a glowing drain. 2556 | sewer | Entered the sewers. 2854 | sewer | Reached XP level 6. HP: 24/56 MP: 2/2 2856 | sewer | Got a slimy falchion 2857 | sewer | Identified the cursed falchion of Anxiety {EV-3 Dex+2 Int+1 Stlth+} (You found it in the sewers) 3410 | D:4 | Reached skill 7 in Axes 3670 | D:4 | Reached skill 1 in Unarmed Combat 3718 | D:5 | Entered Level 5 of the Dungeon 3741 | D:5 | Acquired Trog's third power 3806 | D:5 | Reached skill 5 in Fighting 3824 | D:5 | Reached XP level 7. HP: 15/63 MP: 3/3 3880 | D:5 | Noticed Edmund 3901 | D:5 | Defeated Edmund 3902 | D:5 | Reached skill 8 in Axes 4223 | D:6 | Reached skill 9 in Axes 4226 | D:6 | Reached XP level 8. HP: 60/71 MP: 3/3 5123 | D:6 | Reached skill 10 in Axes 5239 | Temple | Entered the Ecumenical Temple 6372 | D:8 | Reached skill 5 in Armour 6464 | D:8 | Reached XP level 9. HP: 77/77 MP: 4/4 6553 | D:8 | Reached skill 11 in Axes 6978 | D:8 | Received a gift from Trog 6981 | D:8 | Got a brightly glowing executioner's axe {god gift} 6982 | D:8 | Identified the executioner's axe of Conflict {god gift, +Rage rC+ Stlth+} (Trog gifted it to you on level 8 of the Dungeon) 8892 | D:9 | Reached skill 12 in Axes 8917 | D:9 | Reached XP level 10. HP: 34/87 MP: 4/4 10076 | D:10 | Entered Level 10 of the Dungeon 10198 | D:10 | Noticed a queen bee 10273 | D:10 | Received a gift from Trog 10333 | D:10 | Reached skill 13 in Axes 10339 | D:10 | Defeated a queen bee 10853 | D:10 | Noticed Psyche 10895 | D:10 | Defeated Psyche 11497 | D:11 | Found a flickering gateway to a bazaar. 11522 | bazaar | Entered a bazaar. 11796 | bazaar | Bought a +2 pair of boots of running for 269 gold pieces 11848 | D:11 | Reached skill 14 in Axes 11915 | D:11 | Reached skill 1 in Traps & Doors 12119 | D:11 | Reached skill 5 in Unarmed Combat 12214 | D:11 | Reached XP level 11. HP: 96/96 MP: 5/5 13211 | D:12 | Noticed Michael 13226 | D:12 | Defeated Michael 13857 | D:12 | Reached skill 10 in Fighting 14437 | D:13 | Reached skill 15 in Axes 14444 | D:13 | Received a gift from Trog 14456 | D:13 | Got a jewelled battleaxe {god gift} 14460 | D:13 | Identified the battleaxe "Bitiavovaj" {god gift, holy, EV+5 Dex+2 Int+3} (Trog gifted it to you on level 13 of the Dungeon) 15456 | D:13 | Reached XP level 12. HP: 66/108 MP: 5/5 15502 | D:13 | Gained mutation: You are agile (Dex +1). 15841 | D:13 | You fall through a shaft! 15858 | D:14 | Received a gift from Trog 17088 | D:15 | Entered Level 15 of the Dungeon 17562 | D:15 | Reached skill 16 in Axes 17612 | D:15 | Received a gift from Trog 18905 | D:16 | Noticed Nessos 18918 | D:16 | Defeated Nessos 18918 | D:16 | Reached XP level 13. HP: 98/120 MP: 6/6 19078 | D:16 | Noticed Agnes 19111 | D:16 | Defeated Agnes 19279 | D:16 | Killed from afar by a dragon

He was so young!

...

All right, now I'm over it. That was an awesome run!
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Rabiat on October 15, 2009, 08:43:33 PM: Christ almighty. ;D

Okay, forget what I said about poison resistance. Enter the Lair and start cleaving skulls, RIGHT NOW! Do get poison resistance before you enter the Swamp or the Snake Pit, though.

[EDIT: Oh noes! I wrote this post when you had just made your +5 +8 super edit. Sorry for your loss, and congratulations on a good run!]

Speaking of the Swamp, I broke my promise to only play Mountain Dwarf Fighters, just this once, and started another Minotaur Berserker.

Moocow swiftly raided the upper levels of the Dungeon, dove into the Lair wearing a gourmand amulet, chopped every single quadruped into bite size chunks, snapped rows and rows of orc necks until nothing but silence remained in the Orcish Mines, bought himself a shiny ring of poison resistance, and headed for the Swamp.

I hate the Swamp. The muck is dreadfully slow to trudge around in, and it makes you fumble half your attacks. Each and every cowardly bastard flees, or dives underwater, as soon as it's in the least bit of trouble. And that's not even the worst thing about the Swamp. It isn't the smell, or the dragons. It isn't the mosquitos, or the insubstantial wisps. It's the swamp worms. They burst from the water, take a 20HP bite, dive underwater just before you can finish them, lurk there until they're back at full health, then re-emerge to take ANOTHER bite, and repeat. There's nothing you can do about it except get lucky enough to take them out with a single 30HP punch.

When Moocow had finally cleared, or at least fully explored, all Swamp levels but the last, he braced himself for the Rune level. Poison resistance, check. Teleport control, check. Tank armour, check. Maces & flails skill 16, check. +4 +6 great mace of pwnage, check. So he entered, carefully moved toward the center of the map, read a magic mapping scroll, and saw... nothing. No circular cave near the center of the map. No roaring dragons, no pissed-off hydras, nothing. But no down stairs, either.

In the opposite corner of the level, however, was a foreboding diagonal cave entrance, filled with ghastly fumes. When Moocow entered the cave, slowed down by the fumes, he was immediately greeted by a triple acidic spit attack of an Oklob plant, and overwhelmed by an army of snake zombies, spectral hydras, and skeletal dragons. I don't know what's become of this place, but it's surely gone downhill since my last visit.

Luckily, Trog granted his numerous requests for berserk rage, regeneration, and assistance. At dangerously low health he teleported out, rested, teleported back in, cleared the cave of its remaining spectres, and lifted the Decaying Rune of Zot from the sickening puddle of muck it had been left to rot in. He is now an L14 Bludgeoner and Rampant Minotaur of Trog, still breathing, and enjoying a good night's sleep near his stash at Lair:2.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Fenrir on October 15, 2009, 08:52:51 PM: Quote from: Rabiat on October 15, 2009, 08:43:33 PM
[EDIT: Oh noes! I wrote this post when you had just made your +5 +8 super edit. Sorry for your loss, and
congratulations on a good run!]
Thanks! It was fun while it lasted, and I'm eager to go again.
Quote from: Rabiat on October 15, 2009, 08:43:33 PM
He is now an L14 Bludgeoner and Rampant Minotaur of Trog, still breathing, and enjoying a good night's sleep near his stash at Lair:2.
You stash your stuff somewhere? I ~~ran into trouble~~ (EDIT: Well, not "trouble", but it was a bit frustrating) because I was running out of space in my pack, but I didn't know what to leave behind. Keeping a stash sounds like a good idea, at least for things that you don't usually need immediately, like rings.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Anvilfolk on October 15, 2009, 10:10:11 PM: Wish I'd get that far.

But I did just find a -3, -4 ring of slaying...............
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Fenrir on October 15, 2009, 10:17:44 PM: Quote from: Anvilfolk on October 15, 2009, 10:10:11 PM
Wish I'd get that far.
I usually don't, which is why this run was so exciting.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: corremn on October 15, 2009, 11:31:34 PM: Quote from: Fenrir on October 15, 2009, 05:19:00 PM
EDIT:
Found the lair, but no poison resistance yet. Moving on...

You visited 2 branches of the dungeon, and saw 17 of its levels.
2 branches? Orc and temple?

You should of done lair. You were too weak to go so deep in the dungeon. Poison resist is not that important in lair for a MiBe. I have cleaned snake with a MiBe without poison resist. If you had a flaming weapon or a mace you could also of attempted swamp. Any axe wielder should be carrying a mace or flaming weapon anyway. Dont polymorph tough creatures because you will just get something you cant handle. I only use polymorph for annoying monsters. A hydra is never going to turn into a goblin.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Fenrir on October 16, 2009, 12:23:35 AM: Quote from: corremn on October 15, 2009, 11:31:34 PM
2 branches? Orc and temple?
I never entered the orc mines; I think it's referring to the sewer.
Quote
A hydra is never going to turn into a goblin.
That was something I did not know.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on October 16, 2009, 02:06:29 AM: Something strange happened with this char.. On D:4 pretty heavy monsters appeared at the staircase. (Orc Priest with some friends) I managed to fend off and started exploring and I found a weird glowing room with a staircase that looked like a shop, saying "A staircase covered with sand.." I didn't dare to enter and kept clearing out the floor. I returned after levling up twice, and the staircase was gone.. :/ I have seen the Labyrinth before, but then the staircase was named "The Labyrinth". I guess I should've went in.

This merfolk enchanter got a +1, +4 Scythe. Found an awesome book, book of Wizardy. Now I can detect enemies, and combined with ring of invisibility this is a really fun and powerful character so far. I am sneaking along in corridors, detecting monsters now and then, and when I sense them around the corner, turn invisible (if I need it) and sneak up on them, slaying them before they even knew what hit them! ;D

I'd be sooo proud and happy if I managed to beat my MiBe score with an actual caster/hybrid char! ..ohwell, I'll try to not get too high hopes! :P

Yeah Fenrir, I think you could've cleared out the Lair. Then maybe (probably) Orc Mines.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on October 16, 2009, 03:42:16 AM: Quote from: Rabiat on October 15, 2009, 08:43:33 PM
Speaking of the Swamp, I broke my promise to only play Mountain Dwarf Fighters, just this once, and started another Minotaur Berserker.

Have you tried Deep Dwarf Berserker? :o Berserker with some staffs and the ability to trade off 1mp for recharging a staff/wand! Pretty interesting along with berserker.

Well my Merfolk Enchanter died after almoast clearing out Orc Mines.. :/ I was tumbling around on a floor I thought I had under control, when summoned creatures started appearing. Kept chasing some confused Orc Sorceror so I didn't really pay attention to the two Zombie Orcs that were chasing me.. Some kind of summoned demon appeared right on their tail, and something started smiting me out of nowhere. Unbelievably enough, I got time to use a scroll of teleportation with 10hp left. (I didn't have time to put on ring of invisiblity now, and my invisibility skill is far too unreliable to try and cast in a situation like that) Anyway.. The wonderful scroll of damned teleportation moved me one square up and 2 to the left. (No it was not blinking)

"4. 5893 PerKiller MfEn-10 blasted by a smoke demon (Orc:3)

PerKiller the Infuser (level 10, -2/69 HPs)
Began as a Merfolk Enchanter.
Was an Elder of Okawaru. (Didn't use this god at all :/)
Killed from afar by a smoke demon (12 damage)
... with a ball of steam
... on Level 3 of the Orcish Mines.
The game lasted 01:50:22 (15793 turns)."

Ahwell, time to sleep now! *Sob*
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Rabiat on October 16, 2009, 09:27:03 AM: Quote from: Fenrir on October 15, 2009, 08:52:51 PM
You stash your stuff somewhere? I ~~ran into trouble~~ (EDIT: Well, not "trouble", but it was a bit frustrating) because I was running out of space in my pack, but I didn't know what to leave behind. Keeping a stash sounds like a good idea, at least for things that you don't usually need immediately, like rings.

Sooner or later you'll run out of carrying capacity, either because you're lugging around too many items or because they're too heavy. It's also frustrating to be near the bottom of a branch and have to leave valuable items behind for other, even more valuable items. So it's a good idea to stash items you're not planning on using soon, but want to keep for later. In earlier versions of Crawl, it was important to keep track of where you left your stuff; in Stone Soup you can use Ctrl-F to find it and autotravel to reach it. The Eucumenical Temple is a good place for stashing items since there are no monsters there that can wander off with them. Lair:2 is a good place because only unintelligent, non-corroding animals are generated there, so no-one's going to steal or destroy your stuff.

Quote from: corremn on October 15, 2009, 11:31:34 PM
You should of done lair. You were too weak to go so deep in the dungeon. Poison resist is not that important in lair for a MiBe. I have cleaned snake with a MiBe without poison resist. If you had a flaming weapon or a mace you could also of attempted swamp. Any axe wielder should be carrying a mace or flaming weapon anyway.

You're right, and I probably shouldn't have said poison resistance is needed for the Lair. It can be done without, as long as you're not exploring at 25% health. I've never survived the Swamp or the Snake Pit without it though. I often investigate the upper levels of a branch, but if I'm having trouble clearing them, I'll leave and come back later.

In general I think it's good to set intermediate goals. The early goals are usually the same. Find the Temple first, and pick a deity if you don't have one. Find the Lair, and clear it. Go back up to the Orcish Mines, and clear them. Then take on the Hive and the Swamp, in any order, maybe clearing the upper levels of both to gain experience. Get the Decaying Rune from the Swamp. Clear he Snake Pit, and get the Serpentine Rune. Clear the Slime Pits if you have corrosion resistance.

I usually don't make it that far, but if I do, I'm inexperienced and undecided. Clear the upper levels of the Vault and the Elven Halls. Don't go for the runes just yet. Visit the Hall of Blades if you're strong enough to survive the Abyss for a while. Visit the crypt if you have warding and some means to handle undead. Depending on your resistances, you may even need to start exploring branches of Hell before finally being able to get the runes from the Elven Halls and the Vault. After that, I have nothing to contribute. You can probably dive into the Realm of Zot and go for the Orb, and survive. If you do, don't expect to visit the remaining branches afterwards.

Quote from: Omnivorous on October 16, 2009, 02:06:29 AM
Something strange happened with this char.. On D:4 pretty heavy monsters appeared at the staircase. (Orc Priest with some friends) I managed to fend off and started exploring and I found a weird glowing room with a staircase that looked like a shop, saying "A staircase covered with sand.." I didn't dare to enter and kept clearing out the floor. I returned after levling up twice, and the staircase was gone.. :/ I have seen the Labyrinth before, but then the staircase was named "The Labyrinth". I guess I should've went in.

Occasionally some side levels pop up, and I think their entrances have been made temporary in Stone Soup. They're meant to be high-risk, now-or-never challenges. Labyrinths are mazes guarded by a minotaur with some very good items at exit near the center. If you're carrying enough food, and you can take a beating in melee, it's worth trying. I've visited several Labyrinths and never died there. I've also seen Tombs or Crypts (other than the branch) populated with undead; I haven't explored these since I always lacked the experience I think they require. I've also heard there are bazaars, with lots of shops, where you can go on a shopping spree just once; I've never actually found one.

Quote from: Omnivorous on October 16, 2009, 03:42:16 AM
Have you tried Deep Dwarf Berserker? :o Berserker with some staffs and the ability to trade off 1mp for recharging a staff/wand! Pretty interesting along with berserker.

I haven't played any of the new races, but I'll give the Deep Dwarf a shot. Not being able to regenerate doesn't sound too appealing, but perhaps with Trog's regeneration it isn't as bad as it sounds.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Anvilfolk on October 16, 2009, 01:41:31 PM: You'll need to keep a full belly, as that regeneration takes food. And piety too... Dunno!

I'm currently with a pretty interesting Mountain Dwarf Berserker. Lvl 11, DLvl 11, seen entrances to Hive and Mines, but haven't gone there yet. I'm a prized avatar of Trog who uses axes, and he just gave me a short sword of defence. Humpf. Totally don't need it.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on October 16, 2009, 03:30:47 PM: Quote from: Anvilfolk on October 16, 2009, 01:41:31 PM
You'll need to keep a full belly, as that regeneration takes food. And piety too... Dunno!

I'm currently with a pretty interesting Mountain Dwarf Berserker. Lvl 11, DLvl 11, seen entrances to Hive and Mines, but haven't gone there yet. I'm a prized avatar of Trog who uses axes, and he just gave me a short sword of defence. Humpf. Totally don't need it.

Don't worry, you'll get LOTS of gifts from Trog if you keep sacrificing all corpses you find. (Except those you can eat)

You should find the Lair soon. When you do, I'd reccomend visiting it right away, because the Dungeon will most likely get harder pretty quickly. If you want a challenge, test your strenght in the mines right away. After the Hive it will probably be so easy, you'll quickly get bored there but clear it out easily.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Rabiat on October 17, 2009, 08:51:50 PM: ...NOOOO! :o

306433 Moocow the Skullcrusher (level 21, -6/176 (188) HPs) Began as a Minotaur Berserker on Oct 13, 2009. Was the Champion of Trog. Killed from afar by an acid blob (9 damage) ... with a splash of acid ... on Level 6 of the Pits of Slime on Oct 17, 2009. The game lasted 12:23:57 (84540 turns). Moocow the Skullcrusher (MiBe) Turns: 84540, Time: 12:23:58 HP -6/176 (188) AC 28 Str 37 Exp: 21/571441 (3), need: 17258 MP 15/15 EV 6 Int 6 God: Trog ****** Gold 2857 SH 6 Dex 10 Spells: 0 memorised, 22 levels left Res.Fire : + . . See Invis. : . B - +3,+5 spiked flail of Death's Door {god gi Res.Cold : + + . Warding : . H - +1 plate mail "Kheokes" {Stlth--} Life Prot.: + . . Conserve : . b - -2 shield of the Untouchables {rC+ Dam+4} Res.Poison: . Res.Corr. : . (helmet restricted) Res.Elec. : . Clarity : . G - +2 cloak of Conservation {rC+ Str+2} R - +1 pair of gloves of Guejit {Str+2} Sust.Abil.: + Rnd.Telep. : . (no boots) Res.Mut. : + Ctrl.Telep.: + p - amulet of resist mutation Res.Slow : . Levitation : . O - ring of teleport control Saprovore : . . . Ctrl.Flight: . j - ring of sustain abilities @: regenerating (expires), exhausted, extremely resistant to magic, extremely unstealthy A: fire resistance 1, sense surroundings 1, horns 2, AC +1, Str +2, Dex +1 a: Sense Surroundings, Burn Spellbooks, Berserk, Trog's Hand, Brothers in Arms, Renounce Religion, Evoke Blink, Evoke Sense Surroundings, Evoke Teleportation You were on level 6 of the Pits of Slime. You worshipped Trog. Trog was exalted by your worship. You were not hungry. You visited 10 branches of the dungeon, and saw 64 of its levels. ... Skills: + Level 16 Fighting + Level 7 Axes * Level 27 Maces & Flails + Level 10 Darts + Level 6 Throwing + Level 14 Armour + Level 4 Dodging + Level 13 Shields + Level 8 Traps & Doors + Level 13 Unarmed Combat + Level 1 Spellcasting + Level 4 Evocations ... Grand Total: 2613 creatures vanquished

...And that's the end of Moocow the Minotaur Berserker, L21 Champion of Trog.

He cleared the Lair, the Swamp, the Hive, the Orcish Mines, the Snake Pit, and the Vault. He also cleared the main dungeon up until D:21, the two top levels of the Elven Halls, and all but the bottom level of the Slime Pits. He collected the Decaying Rune from the Swamp, the Serpentine Rune from the Snake Pit, and the Silver Rune form the Vault. At the bottom level of the Slime Pit, he managed to make the Royal Jelly flee from a melee fight, but was eventually taken down by the spit attack of three acid blobs.

Conclusion: Don't try to clear the Slime Pits without corrosion resistance, even if your armour and weapons are all artefacts. And remember, teleport control doesn't work on the bottom level of the Slime Pits...

Moocow would like offer his most sincere condolences to the friends and relatives of Yjib (D:2), Sigmund (D:2), Josephine (Swamp:3), Norris (Swamp:5), Prince Ribbit (D:10), Eustachio (D:11), Urug (D:11), Donald (D:12), Jozef (D:12), Rupert (Snake:3), Nessos (Snake:3), Nergalle (Snake:4), Michael (D:16), Wayne (Vault:7), Duane (Vault:7), and Saint Roka (D:18). He also asked for the Royal Jelly (Slime:6) to be sent a get well soon card.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on October 17, 2009, 10:29:17 PM: Oooh.. :o Close one! Were you in slime pits just for the XP at this point?
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Rabiat on October 17, 2009, 11:59:57 PM: No, I was trying to get the Rune. I'd never cleared the Slime Pits before, and this seemed like an opportunity to do so. Normally I don't enter the Slime Pits because corrosion reduces weapon and armour stats like crazy. This time I was lucky to have an almost complete set of artefact armour and several artefact weapons (they're immune to corrosion and destruction). I could also buy an amulet of resist mutation, so I figured I'd give it a shot. I should've taken a hint when I was having trouble with acid blobs in the levels above the Royal Jelly, and get out of there until I found corrosion resistance.

I could've taken my three runes and head for the Vestibule of Hell. If I'd made it, I'm sure Geryon wouldn't have been too hard, and I could've made it into Dis to build up XP. If I'd survived that, I might've made it into the Zot Realm. Hypothetically speaking. ;)
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on October 18, 2009, 02:01:15 AM: I know I more or less can easily get far with a MiBe.. but meh, I got pretty bored of it. I don't think it's very fun.. Now my problem is, I have a very hard time understanding how, and making it long with any caster classes.. Anyone with success with a caster/hybrid that can reccomend something and maybe share some tactics with that combination? :-)
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Archaalen on October 18, 2009, 04:55:48 AM: Crawl is all I've been playing recently, but I never get very far. My best characters have usually been Merfolk Crusaders, but my other favorite race/class combos are a bit eclectic. I like hybrid characters, so my typical classes are Crusader, Death Knight, Transmuter, and Stalker. The other races that I play most are Ogre (gets an extra strength increase), Kobold (levels quick, great with ranged weapons), and Draconian (randomness of type adds to interest, plus good at all weapon types). Occasionally I will play a Troll Berserker for my own amusement.

If you want to make a fighter-type into a mage, you have to practice spellcasting skill by reading scrolls until you hit level 1 in it, and then you start getting spell slots when you level. After that, you may memorize spells and go from there. I've never had the patience to do it on a regular basis, so I stick to hybrids and the occasional mage. I have 2 characters in the works at the moment, an Ogre Transmuter and a Draconian Death Knight. I'll be sure to let you all know when and how they die.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Archaalen on October 18, 2009, 06:25:15 AM: And, the draconian bites it! Made it to 3rd (character) level, but I was killed by a kobold with some frost darts.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Rabiat on October 18, 2009, 09:45:42 AM: Quote from: Omnivorous on October 18, 2009, 02:01:15 AM
I know I more or less can easily get far with a MiBe.. but meh, I got pretty bored of it. I don't think it's very fun.. Now my problem is, I have a very hard time understanding how, and making it long with any caster classes.. Anyone with success with a caster/hybrid that can reccomend something and maybe share some tactics with that combination? :-)

The early game is boring for melee fighters. They become more fun to play after the Lair and the Orc Mines, i.e. when need to rely on resistances and tactics. The bottom of the Swamp is usually the place where things start to get more interesting. For conjurers and elementalists it's the exact opposite. The early game can be very challenging, but once you've cleared the Swamp, you're pretty much unstoppable for anything that doesn't have a ranged attack.

If you want to get the hang of playing spellcasters, I'd recommend conjurers or elementalists. The first thing you'll want to do is get to the Temple and worship Vehumet. On the way to the Temple, rest for full HP and MP whenever you get a chance. Retreat into the explored area after a fight to reduce chances of an encounter. Learn all spells you can, but try to cast only your cheapest spell to avoid spell hunger and miscast effects; the power of your cheapest spells will grow with your Int and casting skills. Collect missiles and daggers to do ranged damage in case you're out of MP. Don't disarm traps, but lure monsters over them; you'll be surprised how effective they can be even against strong melee fighters like gnolls and orcs. Don't forget to use early sources of damage/obstruction, such as poison, confusion, paralysis, or throwing nets. And if you come across an item that would be hazardous if someone used it a aginst you, take it with you, or move it to the level above. Also, look out for early sources of speed, blinking and teleportation; you'll probably need those early and often.

EDIT: one trick I use often but forgot to mention, is to explore the edges of the map first, then explore inward. It'll take longer than auto-explore, but it's much safer. You won't attract as many crowds, and you'll probably train stealth, which gives you the option of avoiding strong opponents if they fail to notice you.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Archaalen on October 19, 2009, 07:12:05 AM: The Ogre has died. He ran into an ice beast, fought a little and tried to run away and encountered a snake. The ice beast got the final hit in.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on October 19, 2009, 03:04:52 PM: Quote from: Archaalen on October 19, 2009, 07:12:05 AM
The Ogre has died. He ran into an ice beast, fought a little and tried to run away and encountered a snake. The ice beast got the final hit in.
[/quote

Hehe, what level did he become and what level of the dungeon did you reach? Any lessons learned with this situation, looking at it in hindsight? :)
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Numeron on October 19, 2009, 11:14:41 PM: I regularly roll MiBe, and have been doing pretty well, I've made it to the bottom of snake once, and cleared the orc mines a couple of times, and I have a question about praying.

Does it carry any negative effects at all, like mild loss of piety? Currently Ill do it if there are 3 or more inedible corpses around that i can sacrifice but is it worth praying just to sac one corpse? apparently things you do while praying that your god like help with piety, does that include killing for Trog? should I pray, for example when beserking in the orc mines, and downing lots of orcs at once, or leave it for saccing their corpses?
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on October 20, 2009, 06:34:31 AM: Use it whenever you sac corpses. I think it is mentioned especially in the god's description if there are extra benefits from 'p'raying on its own. Trog usually showers my berserkers with gifts when I get around level 10.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Rabiat on October 20, 2009, 12:12:17 PM: Praying doesn't lower piety, with just a few exceptions. Followers of Zin who pray while starving get fed at the cost of piety. Followers of Elyvilon may be saved from death while praying at the cost of piety; they'll also lose piety and are punished for killing while praying.

Usually, prayer itself isn't beneficial to the player; it allows chars to raise their piety by sacrificing corpses or items. In the original Crawl, gaining piety from killing required praying. This meant you had to be praying almost continuously, so it was removed in Stone Soup.

Followers of Trog only need to pray to sacrifice corpses. As Omnivorous said, it's good to sacrifice often. Trog's always hungry. With enough piety he'll grant you abilities you may need to survive later. Using these abilities lowers piety, especially if you call in reinforcements. If you can raise piety to five or six stars, Trog will start giving you lots of useful items.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Archaalen on October 21, 2009, 12:09:07 AM: He was only on the 3rd level of the dungeon, so I wasn't expecting an Ice beast. He was...3rd or 4th level. Ice beasts are hard unless you have a good fire weapon, I lost another Ogre Transmuter, this one 5th level, to one just a few minutes ago.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: corremn on October 22, 2009, 01:03:36 AM: Someone just posted a good guide for beginers to decide what characters to use.

http://groups.google.com/group/rec.games.roguelike.misc/browse_frm/thread/fa24bb56357b7b71#

Unsuprisingly his top choice was a MiBe.

Unrelated, I just killed a level 10 MiBe by the most common mistake a Berzerker can make. Berzerking to soon. I really am disapointed in myself.
I had a coridoor filled with 10+ bees (no posion resist). Stupid me I berzerked straight away. I should of killed about half of them, then with my hp running low gone berzerk. Of course instead my berzerk ran out and I was slowed. Game over.

Never berzerk when you are completely outnumbered, unless you have resist slow. I find it is always better to berzerk when you are getting low on hp, not on full health.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: myang26 on October 22, 2009, 03:05:03 AM: As a newbie to Crawl and Stone soup, I have a question... when do gods gift you with gifts? Do you need to do anything to trigger it? I've been 5 star and 6 star in piety and yet have never been gifted anything.

Right now I'm playing a Chaos knight... seems interesting but I'm not sure what his invocating ability is supposed to be used for. Any ideas? Also, I had no idea the amulet of the gourmand was so great! Completely removes the pressure of food for me.

Thanks!
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Numeron on October 22, 2009, 03:36:35 AM: Ive been killed bezerking around groups of bees too, I think if possible its best to seperate 1-3 at a time, like by stair dancing, otherwise you can easily get overwhelmed. The damn things are so hard to hit, and being slow around them is just asking to be killed :P
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: corremn on October 22, 2009, 03:54:16 AM: Once you get the highest levels of piety and sustain that for a while (after all abilities have been given) you will eventually be given gifts, assuming your god gives gifts. When I play as a berzerker I usually get my first gift half way through the Orcish mines.

Chaos knight of Makhleb? I assume you are talking about his invocating abilites, lesser/greater destruction and summoning? The destruction abilities cast random conjuring spells and of course sommoning summons demons. The power of the spells depends on you invocation skill only and high invocation skill also helps to prevent hostile summons.

Gourmand was even better in previous versions, it now has to be worn for a time before it starts to work. Previously all you had to do was wear it for 1 turn while you eat something then take it off. Another example of removing farming/skumming behaviour, well done Stone Soup Dev team.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Rabiat on October 22, 2009, 09:52:11 AM: I could be wrong, but I don't think Makhleb or Lugonu give gifts at all; Xom does, but this is independent of piety, and his gifts can be endlessly annoying, useless, or lethal.

Regarding race/class choice: if you're a noob, I can recommend the tutorial choices. Play the Minotaur Berserker and the Deep Elf Conjurer, and if you feel like it, the Centaur Hunter. These are the archetypical melee fighter, spellcaster, and ranged fighter combos. If you get the hang of those, try some 'good random' characters. I think many players mistakenly emphasize the importance of race/class choice, while disregarding the importance of playing/survival skills.

The amulet of the gourmand is one of my favourites too, especially in the early game. It's seriously overpowered though, even after the (good) design choice to only make it effective after you've been wearing it for some time.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Numeron on October 22, 2009, 09:53:11 AM: I have my best character so far, a level 14 MiBe, and am kind of stuck because I dont have poison resistance... Ive cleared the top of lair and the first two levels of snake, but once the nagas really started appearing I had to leave because the poison was a bit too much. I poked my head into swap, but didnt do much exploring, cleared the orc mines completely, and now the dungeon all the way to level 17 looking for a poison res ring but nothing has shown up... cleared a little of hive too but feels too dangerous to continue there.

Im getting the feeling that if i keep diving deeper in the main dungeon that Ill start getting out of my league since I havent the experience from any of the branches except the mines....

What should I do from here? head back to snake or swamp and hope for the best? I have an enchant armour scroll, should I look for swamp dragons or will it be too difficult to reach them without the res anyway? maybe keep diving and risk meeting something too big to handle? I dont really want to lose this char to incaution.. :(

EDIT: Cleared the entire of lair now considering it the safest place to explore, still no luck..
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Rabiat on October 22, 2009, 10:41:02 AM: Ooh, nice going. :D

I wouldn't try Snake without poison resistance. I'd say try the upper levels of the Elven Halls if you have magic resistance (or have enough piety to get it from Trog a couple of times). Then go for the Swamp and try to clear as many levels as you can without poison resistance, or, if you have corrosion resistance (and preferrably mutation resistance), try the Slime Pits. If you still can't find poison resistance, clear the main dungeon to level 20 or 21, but be very cautious.

I think the Hive can be done without poison resistance if you watch your health closely and go upstairs to rest regularly, but it won't be comfortable.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Numeron on October 22, 2009, 11:08:57 AM: Thanks for the advice, I put on 2 rings of magic resist and took to the halls...

I made sure not to let them get too much ranged attacks in and it wasnt so hard, elves a squishy :) lost a couple of scrolls and potions though, the bastards...

Found a ring shop on elf:3 with a poison res ring so Im going to head back to snake rather than pushing on here :D

Cheers!
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Numeron on October 22, 2009, 11:19:57 AM: oh my GOD.

I dropped off all my crap from the halls at my temple stash, and headed for snake.

on the way got hungry, oops left my food back there. no biggie, keep going. then very hungry... hmm better go back... died of starvation on the way back wtf. seriously stupid death for such an awesome character...

EDIT: hmm, should have drank all my potions :(
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Anvilfolk on October 22, 2009, 11:57:42 AM: Numeron, you twit! :D ;D
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: corremn on October 22, 2009, 10:57:12 PM: I have done the same thing many times, dropping all my food in temple. I always keep going and are lucky enough to find a corpse. I also have used the find command to find the closest food item once I realise what I have done. Luckily enough I have so far never died from this stupidity. Bad luck, you would of had a real chance of getting to the end.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Karzack on October 23, 2009, 12:19:12 AM: That always used to be the death of me (starvation). I don't seem to have to much trouble with it anymore. And after Numeron's tale, I think I will make sure to double check when I drop a bunch of items from now on. :)

My condolences Numeron :(
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on October 26, 2009, 12:29:43 AM: I've stored up acouple of questions.. :)

Lets see if I remember most of them!

1) Does wearing rings/amulets make you consume more food?

2) What gives you another level to spend in memorizing spells other than Spellcasting-skill levling up, and character level?

3) If you ignore races/classes, does anything affect chances of getting ill from eating food like orc-meat, hobgoblins, goblins etc. or is it just random? For example, if you get 2 chunks of meat out of a goblin's corpse, and get sick from the first piece..does this mean there's a greater chance the second chunk will make you sick too, than if you were to consume a completely different chunk of goblin-meat?

4) Does wearing items that add Arm have ANY negative effects on, for example a spellcaster that has a low aptitude in Arm? I don't mean armour, compared to Ev, stealth etc. I mean stuff like helmets, boots, gauntlets, that only add +1 Arm. This is only a good thing, right?

5) Do you guys too find that you get more impatient and more often kill off your chars faster if you save, then load it days later, compared to playing a char for acouple of hours straight? :)

On a sidenote I have yet to die of starvation in this roguelike! :D I was close to on a MiBe but luckily found the Hive in time..

Any notable progress with anyone? =)

I have another Merfolk Enchanter, one that's going pretty well for now! Level 5 on D:4. Finally found a decent Trident early on. Got a ring of poison resistance, and an amulet of conservation. Anyone want to reccomend a God that will serve this char well early on (now) and throughout his life, however long it might be?
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Rabiat on October 26, 2009, 09:09:20 AM: 1) A Ring of Hunger makes you consume more food; a Ring of Sustenance makes you consume less. You'll also consume more if you're wearing an artefact ring/amulet which "(greatly) speeds your metabolism". Others have no influence.

2) I have no idea, really. I don't think that Spellcasting skill and character level strictly influence the number of spell levels to spend. Spellcasting skill increases the power of your spells when cast, and character level limits the level of spells you're allowed to memorize. My best guess is that levels to spend on memorizing spells are assigned when you level up, perhaps based on Spellcasting skill.

3) Wearing an Amulet of the Gourmand and having the Saprovore mutation makes it less likely for you to get ill from eating contaminated or rotten meat. In my experience, separate chunks (even from the same monster) have a disjoint likelihood of making you ill. I.e. whether or not you become ill seems to be determined at the time you eat a chunk, not when the chunk is generated.

4) Wearing heavy armour has a negative effect on casting spells, wearing light armour does not. Bucklers, caps, wizard hats, boots, cloaks and gloves are all considered light armour. (Heavy) shields and helmets are heavy armour. I'm not sure about gauntlets, but my guess is they're heavy, too. Armour enchantment doesn't alter the effect on spellcasting. Racial type does. Dwarven armour has an increased penalty on spellcasting (unless you're a Dwarf). Elven armour has a decreased penalty on spellcasting (more so if you're an Elf), plus all types of Elven armour are considered light.

5) Personally, no. I do need some time to get into the game if I pick it up where I left it, but I usually start playing by checking my stats, inventory, spells, piety, abilities, mutations and resistances. I tend to forget a lot between playing sessions. On the other hand, after an hour or so of playing, I'm inclined to go on autopilot, and make stupid mistakes, which is as dangerous as forgetfulness. True Crawl Zen is a delicate balance between mindfulness, zoning out, and well-timed cigarette breaks. ;)

No notable progress, because I've had very little time to play during the past couple of days. My best char was a L11 Deep Elf Conjurer, Shining Star of Vehumet, slain by Edmund on D:8. I can't really recommend Vehumet for Enchanters, although I've never tried that combination. Vehumet seems more suited for Conjurers, Elementalists, and Venom Mages. Have you considered Sif Muna?
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Anvilfolk on October 26, 2009, 09:30:30 AM: I met a rock worm the other day.

It wasn't pleasant.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on October 26, 2009, 07:01:33 PM: Quote from: Rabiat on October 26, 2009, 09:09:20 AM
4) Wearing heavy armour has a negative effect on casting spells, wearing light armour does not. Bucklers, caps, wizard hats, boots, cloaks and gloves are all considered light armour. (Heavy) shields and helmets are heavy armour. I'm not sure about gauntlets, but my guess is they're heavy, too. Armour enchantment doesn't alter the effect on spellcasting. Racial type does. Dwarven armour has an increased penalty on spellcasting (unless you're a Dwarf). Elven armour has a decreased penalty on spellcasting (more so if you're an Elf), plus all types of Elven armour are considered light.

Even boots, helmets etc. that gives +1 to Arm and not Ev are considered light too? Abit confusing.. I do NOT want to wear -anything- affecting my spellcasting in a negative way.. Then again, I certainly don't want to NOT make benefit of +1 or +2 to Arm if it doesn't affect spellcasting at all. Sorry if I'm just being stupid, but I am still confused about this matter >.>

Quote from: Rabiat on October 26, 2009, 09:09:20 AM
5) Personally, no. I do need some time to get into the game if I pick it up where I left it, but I usually start playing by checking my stats, inventory, spells, piety, abilities, mutations and resistances. I tend to forget a lot between playing sessions. On the other hand, after an hour or so of playing, I'm inclined to go on autopilot, and make stupid mistakes, which is as dangerous as forgetfulness. True Crawl Zen is a delicate balance between mindfulness, zoning out, and well-timed cigarette breaks. ;)

Well yeah I spend enough time to study inventory, spells, abilities etc. too when loading a char (especially the '@' and '%' and " commands are handy for this too) but my problem is that I just don't "care" so much for the character anymore, when it's been waiting on my harddrive for 3 days and I pick it back up again ;) When I'm in one session, I -AM- that character! :D ..ohwell, off to prove that point wrong for once now! This merfolk enchanter is just 20 hours old..I still love him!
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Rabiat on October 26, 2009, 10:28:32 PM: You're safe with boots, hats, and caps. Helmets are heavy, so wearing one gives a penalty to spellcasting. I'm not sure about gauntlets, but I think there's a penalty; try gloves instead. If I'm not mistaken all armour types are described as either light or heavy; that's all you need to care about. Keep in mind racial exceptions, though. Anyway, spellcasters can have decent Armour Class, given enough enchant armour scrolls or some luck with artefacts.

I think I can relate to 'caring' about characters, and losing interest if you pick up an old game. To me, the key is playing one character at the time, and taking some time to get back to the character between loading and setting off. Also, and this may sound silly, in some games I like taking notes (with the ":" command) to write an in-character report of my progress. This is essentially a waste of time, but making up a background story as you go, and reading it back before you continue a saved game ("?:" command) may strengthen the bond to your character. I've been a psychotic dwarf in search of his brothers, who hollered down staircases and mistook the echoes for answers; an absent-minded milkman who fell down the basement stairs; and a hideously arrogant trollish third grade teacher explaining the health benefits of a strict corpse diet. You get the idea. ;)
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Archaalen on October 26, 2009, 10:45:48 PM: Hah! This time it was the ice beast who died and not me!

admittedly, this character is 8th level, so it was a bit easier.

This character is doing well, 8th level Kobold Stalker of Okawaru, and he's got a named artifact short sword with +Blink, +Tele, rElec, rPois, and rF++! I found a store for antique weapons, and it was only ~160 gp.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Karzack on October 26, 2009, 11:07:18 PM: Quote from: Rabiat
I'm inclined to go on autopilot, and make stupid mistakes, which is as dangerous as forgetfulness.

I've been doing this a lot lately. I can't seem to get the ball rolling. When it actually starts, this happens. The last time I had a nice run going, I reloaded and I think I died in under 50 turns.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on October 27, 2009, 12:35:21 AM: Quote from: Archaalen on October 26, 2009, 10:45:48 PM
Hah! This time it was the ice beast who died and not me!

admittedly, this character is 8th level, so it was a bit easier.

This character is doing well, 8th level Kobold Stalker of Okawaru, and he's got a named artifact short sword with +Blink, +Tele, rElec, rPois, and rF++! I found a store for antique weapons, and it was only ~160 gp.

Nice..! :o Watch your step! ;)

Edit: Btw guys.. I thought, maybe from now on (just for fun ofcourse =P) we can start posting scores, dungeon level of death and class/race for those characters we find is worth mentioning, and I can post and update a "highscore" list for this thread. :) I think the highscore list ingame is pretty bad. I know you can use the -h parameter, but I'm usually too lazy for that. Also, if you write a small story about the character in the thread where you announce its death, the highscore-entry can perhaps link to that post.. I'd love that!
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Karzack on October 27, 2009, 02:40:50 AM: If I ever get any characters worth posting, I will post them. I've had a couple, but...I really suck at this game. :) I get too impatient or gung ho. I need to learn to slow down and take a little more time playing.

My best was the one I posted earlier in the thread.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Archaalen on October 27, 2009, 06:09:58 AM: Sigh.

4300 Karis the Slicer (level 10, -2/56 HPs)
Began as a Kobold Stalker on Oct 25, 2009.
Was a Priest of Okawaru.
Slain by a yak (13 damage)
... on Level 9 of the Dungeon on Oct 26, 2009.
The game lasted 01:06:05 (10963 turns).

Karis the Slicer (Kobold Stalker) Turns: 10963, Time: 01:06:06

HP -2/56 AC 11 Str 12 Exp: 10/5827 (26), need: 1933
MP 15/15 EV 18 Int 15 God: Okawaru ***
Gold 222 SH 4 Dex 16 Spells: 4 memorised, 5 levels left

Res.Fire : + + . See Invis. : . c - +5,+7 short sword "Duyhiyl" {+Blink +Tele
Res.Cold : . . . Warding : . w - +0 leather armour (curse)
Life Prot.: . . . Conserve : . z - +1 buckler
Res.Poison: + Res.Corr. : . m - +0 helmet {Int+3}
Res.Elec. : + Clarity : . D - +0 cloak
G - +1 pair of gloves (curse)
Sust.Abil.: + Rnd.Telep. : . (no boots)
Res.Mut. : . Ctrl.Telep.: . (no amulet)
Res.Slow : . Levitation : . N - +4 ring of protection
Saprovore : + + . Ctrl.Flight: . r - ring of sustain abilities

@: overloaded, somewhat resistant to magic, very unstealthy
A: carnivore 3, saprovore 2
a: Might, Renounce Religion, Evoke Blink, Evoke Teleportation

You were on level 9 of the Dungeon.
You worshipped Okawaru.
Okawaru was greatly pleased with you.
You were overloaded with stuff.
You were very full.

You visited 2 branches of the dungeon, and saw 10 of its levels.
You visited 2 portal chambers (including bazaars).

You collected 490 gold pieces.
You spent 294 gold pieces at shops.

Inventory:

Hand weapons
a - a +2,+2 dagger
c - the +5,+7 short sword "Duyhiyl" (weapon) {+Blink +Tele rElec rPois rF++}
(You bought it in a shop on level 4 of the Dungeon)
It greatly protects you from fire.
It insulates you from electricity.
It protects you from poison.
It lets you blink.
It lets you teleport.
g - a cursed +0,+0 sling
l - a +0,+0 bow
n - a +0,+0 club
x - a -1,+0 orcish blowgun
H - a +3,+1 elven dagger of venom
P - a +0,+0 blowgun
Q - a +0,+0 bow
T - a +0,+0 mace
Y - a +0,+0 bow
Missiles
b - 4 +0 darts of flame
f - 17 +0 orcish arrows
h - 21 poisoned +0 orcish arrows
i - 61 +0 stones
k - 76 +0 darts
q - 12 poisoned +0 orcish needles
s - 28 poisoned +0 needles
J - 36 +4 elven arrows
L - a +1 dart
M - 13 +0 dwarven darts (quivered)
U - 12 poisoned +0 orcish darts
V - 31 +0 arrows
X - 29 +3 dwarven darts
Armour
m - a +0 helmet of intelligence (worn)
w - a cursed +0 leather armour (worn)
z - a +1 buckler (worn)
D - a +0 cloak (worn)
G - a cursed +1 pair of gloves (worn)
R - a +1 dwarven scale mail of positive energy
Magical devices
o - a wand of slowing (9)
Comestibles
e - 4 meat rations
t - a rotting chunk of giant iguana flesh
y - 10 honeycombs
C - a royal jelly
K - 4 chunks of giant brown frog flesh
Scrolls
p - 7 scrolls of teleportation
u - 3 scrolls of detect curse
O - a scroll of immolation
Z - a scroll of acquirement
Jewellery
r - a ring of sustain abilities (left hand)
B - an uncursed ring of protection from cold
N - a +4 ring of protection (right hand)
S - a +4 ring of evasion
W - an uncursed amulet of resist mutation
Potions
j - a potion of speed
v - a potion of restore abilities
A - a potion of resistance
F - a potion of confusion
I - a potion of degeneration
Books
d - a book of Stalking
Spells Type Level
*Sting Conjuration/Poison 1
*Sure Blade Enchantment 2
Projected Noise Enchantment 2
*Poison Weapon Enchantment/Poison 2
*Mephitic Cloud Conjuration/Poison/Air 3
Petrify Enchantment/Earth 4
Invisibility Enchantment 6

E - a book of Wizardry
Spells Type Level
Detect Creatures Divination 2
Summon Elemental Summoning 4
Magic Mapping Divination/Earth 4
Teleport Self Translocation 5
Fireball Conjuration/Fire 6
Identify Divination 6
Haste Enchantment 6

You had 26 experience left.

Skills:
+ Level 4 Fighting
+ Level 10 Short Blades
+ Level 4 Darts
+ Level 1 Throwing
+ Level 8 Dodging
+ Level 5 Stealth
+ Level 4 Stabbing
+ Level 2 Traps & Doors
+ Level 2 Unarmed Combat
+ Level 2 Spellcasting
+ Level 4 Conjurations
+ Level 1 Enchantments
+ Level 4 Poison Magic

You had 5 spell levels left.
You knew the following spells:

Your Spells Type Power Success Level
a - Sting Pois/Conj ###.. Great 1
b - Sure Blade Ench #......... Fair 2
c - Poison Weapon Pois/Ench N/A Very Good 2
d - Mephitic Cloud Pois/Air/Conj ##........ Fair 3
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Numeron on October 27, 2009, 07:21:23 AM: I just picked up my first rune in snake :D

Im wandering around swamp and wondering if removing the amulet of the gourmand requires me to re-attune myself to it, if i want to switch out to clarity when fighting swamp dragons, and the put it back on?

EDIT: actually Im down on the last level of swamp and dont seem to be having a trouble with conf attacks as the wiki suggested i might. The question still remains though I guess ;)
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Rabiat on October 27, 2009, 08:50:01 AM: Good work, Numeron. :)

I visited the bottom level of the Swamp recently and found that it was different than in previous versions of DCSS. I didn't have to deal with confusion attacks, and packs of hydras and dragons, but instead, there were slowing gas clouds, an oklob plant with corrosion attacks, spectral dragons and zombies. The older version of the Decarying Rune level may still be in there, but it may as well have been replaced by a newer version. What did the level look like when you played it?

Don't worry about taking off your gourmand amulet. It takes some time to get re-attuned to it, but you won't starve in the meantime.

Archaalen: that's one hell of an artefact weapon you got there. Great set of resistances for Swamp and Snake. You should've used blink or teleport to flee from that yak a lot earlier though; it can gore you for a lot more damage than 13HP if it has it in for you. ;) I'm interested in the portal chambers you visited; which ones did you enter, and what were they like?
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Numeron on October 27, 2009, 09:33:29 AM: The bottom of swamp was jsut like the the other levels, but with a small circular chamber, and loads of hydras and swamp dragons, not much else...

now I have 2 runes, woohoo!

whats a good place to get my third? slime pits? for now Ive skipped them and am poking around the vaults...
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Numeron on October 27, 2009, 10:02:43 AM: nevermind, i met Boris, and got absolutely ruined. I swear he knocked me in 2 hits... i mean seriously, 111 damage whats up with that? I should have removed my ring of fire, I was weak to cold :( Still, its my best toon so far, first time I got a rune and I actually ended up with 2 :P

Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup version 0.5.2 (crawl-ref) character file.

210030 Numeron the Severer (level 18, -26/163 HPs)
   Began as a Minotaur Berserker on Oct 27, 2009.
   Was the Champion of Trog.
   Killed from afar by Boris (111 damage)
   ... with a bolt of cold
   ... on Level 4 of the Vaults.
   The game lasted 06:40:30 (61376 turns).

Numeron the Severer (Minotaur Berserker) Turns: 61376, Time: 06:40:30

HP -26/163 AC 31 Str 29 Exp: 18/329907 (723), need: 492
MP 8/8 EV 7 Int 8 God: Trog ******
Gold 3068 SH 0 Dex 11 Spells: 0 memorised, 17 levels left

Res.Fire : + . . See Invis. : . r - +7,+4 battleaxe (freeze) {god gift}
Res.Cold : x . . Warding : . g - +0 plate mail of Lupp {rElec Int+2}
Life Prot.: . . . Conserve : . (no shield)
Res.Poison: + Res.Corr. : . (helmet restricted)
Res.Elec. : + Clarity : . L - +2 cloak {rPois}
   U - +1 pair of gloves {Str+3}
Sust.Abil.: . Rnd.Telep. : . H - +1 pair of boots
Res.Mut. : . Ctrl.Telep.: . T - amulet of the gourmand
Res.Slow : . Levitation : . A - ring of regeneration
Gourmand : + Ctrl.Flight: . R - ring of fire

@: praying, somewhat resistant to magic, extremely unstealthy
A: sense surroundings 1, horns 3, screaming 2, AC +3, Int -1
a: Sense Surroundings, Burn Spellbooks, Berserk, Trog's Hand, Brothers in Arms, Renounce
Religion

You were on level 4 of the Vaults.
You worshipped Trog.
Trog was exalted by your worship.
You were not hungry.

You visited 8 branches of the dungeon, and saw 52 of its levels.

You collected 3951 gold pieces.
You spent 897 gold pieces at shops.

Inventory:

Hand weapons
r - a +7,+4 battleaxe of freezing (weapon) {god gift}
s - the +3,+5 war axe "Hykaeg" {god gift, rN+ MR AC+4 Int+2}
   (Trog gifted it to you on level 17 of the Dungeon)
   It affects your AC (+4).
   It affects your intelligence (+2).
   It protects you from negative energy.
   It increases your resistance to enchantments.
y - a +2,+2 hand axe
z - a +2,+7 dwarven war axe of flaming {god gift}
C - a +3,+2 hand axe of venom {god gift}
F - a +0,+6 war axe of freezing {god gift}
M - a +1,+5 vampiric battleaxe {god gift}
Missiles
a - a +0 elven javelin (quivered)
Armour
g - the +0 plate mail of Lupp (worn) {rElec Int+2}
   (You found it on level 1 of the Swamp)
   It affects your intelligence (+2).
   It insulates you from electricity.
H - a +1 pair of boots (worn)
L - a +2 cloak of poison resistance (worn)
O - the +3 cloak of the Gardener {Dex+2}
   (You found it on level 1 of the Vaults)
   It affects your dexterity (+2).
U - a +1 pair of gloves of strength (worn)
Magical devices
d - a wand of teleportation (8)
h - a wand of healing (3)
o - a wand of magic darts (19)
x - a wand of digging (8)
B - a wand of healing (7)
N - a wand of random effects (19)
Comestibles
n - 13 grapes
q - 5 bread rations
w - 5 royal jellies
D - 3 meat rations
Scrolls
i - 2 scrolls of teleportation
k - a scroll of identify
m - 2 scrolls of blinking
t - 2 scrolls of acquirement
u - 2 scrolls of remove curse
I - a scroll of detect curse
Jewellery
c - an uncursed amulet of resist mutation
e - an uncursed ring of ice
f - an uncursed ring of poison resistance
j - an uncursed amulet of resist slowing
A - a ring of regeneration (right hand)
J - an uncursed amulet of controlled flight
K - an uncursed amulet of resist corrosion
Q - an uncursed amulet of clarity
R - a ring of fire (left hand)
T - an amulet of the gourmand (around neck)
Z - an uncursed ring of poison resistance
Potions
b - a potion of invisibility
l - 2 potions of levitation
p - 6 potions of healing
v - 4 potions of heal wounds
E - a potion of restore abilities
V - 6 potions of might
X - 2 potions of speed

You had 723 experience left.

   Skills:
+ Level 15 Fighting
+ Level 25 Axes
+ Level 9 Throwing
+ Level 13 Armour
+ Level 2 Dodging
+ Level 3 Traps & Doors
+ Level 12 Unarmed Combat

You had 17 spell levels left.
You didn't know any spells.

Overview of the Dungeon

Branches:
Temple: D:6 Orc : D:7 Elf : Orc:4 Lair : D:11
Swamp : Lair:5 Slime : Lair:8 Snake : Lair:6 Hive : D:14
Vault : D:18 Crypt : Vault:4

Altars:
The Shining One: Vault:2
Kikubaaqudgha: Lair:1
Xom: D:16
Makhleb: D:5
Elyvilon: D:11

Shops:
D:6: =!/![ D:8: [ Lair:1: [ Lair:3: % Lair:9: ( Lair:10: [ Vault:1: /

   Innate Abilities, Weirdness & Mutations

You have a pair of large horns on your head.
You are dopey (Int -1).
You can sense your immediate surroundings.
You sometimes yell uncontrollably.
You are partially covered in blue scales (AC +1).
You are partially covered in orange scales (AC +1).
You are partially covered in patterned scales (AC +1).

Message History

You headbutt Boris, but do no damage.
Boris is lightly damaged.
The centaur warrior hits you but doesn't do any damage.
Boris points at you and mumbles some strange words.
The bolt of cold hits you!
You feel a terrible chill!
Some of the potions you are carrying freeze and shatter!

...#
...############
................
............<....
..................
..................
..................
..........Lc.$.....
..........@........
..........(........
...................
...................
....>)..[......[..
..................
..................
.................
................

You could see Boris and a centaur warrior.

Vanquished Creatures
[snip]
Grand Total: 2067 creatures vanquished
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Rabiat on October 27, 2009, 11:16:11 AM: 111 damage!? :o

That's just not fair.

Boris is a formidable spellcaster though. I looked him up in the Crawl Wiki and he has no less than 22 hit dice of power. From the description of the Bolt of Cold spell I figured out he can hurl one at you for 32d3 (32 to 96HP). Which is multiplied by some number if you're vulnerable to cold...

So it's not even a bug. :(
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on October 27, 2009, 03:43:06 PM: REST IN PEACE EXPLORERS OF THE DUNGEON.. THESE BRAVE ADVENTURERS SHALL BE REMEMBERED...
(1) 210030 Numeron the Severer (level 18, -26/163 HPs)
(2) 4300 Karis the Slicer (level 10, -2/56 HPs) (Player: Archaalen)

I'm no expert with html, or forum-tags.. How do I turn a word in the post into a link? Without the entire URL being visible? And I think I'll color the entries in a simple fashion, just according to how many runes they collected with YORGBP (No Runes, One Rune, Two Runes, Three Runes, Orb of Zot, All Runes+Orb, Winner!)
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: corremn on October 27, 2009, 11:24:58 PM: Probably will want Three+ runes aswell. I have died often with 7+ runes, because once I get three I always think I can get them all (although I have never managed crypt, as I dont play the correct race/job/god combo).

Also dont go too crazy on the effects, I believe there are rules about such things...

As for URLs the following line will work

Code: [Select]
[url=www.testurl.com] test url [/url]
E.g
test url (http://www.testurl.com)
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Fenrir on October 27, 2009, 11:33:28 PM: Quote from: Char Dump
As you read the scroll, it crumbles to dust.
You smell .
Scroll of Rudeness?

EDIT: No, really, I got this message.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on October 27, 2009, 11:46:01 PM: Alright, I think this will be how high-score table looks. And as I update it, I will delete the older one so there's only one table that "moves around". Does this one look alright?
REST IN PEACE EXPLORERS OF THE DUNGEON.. THESE BRAVE ADVENTURERS SHALL BE REMEMBERED...

(1) 210030 Numeron the Severer (http://www.roguetemple.com/forums/index.php?topic=540.msg4862#msg4862) (level 18, -26/163 HPs)
(2) 18263 Karzack the Hacker (http://www.roguetemple.com/forums/index.php?topic=540.msg4893#msg4893) (level 12, -1/104 HPs)
(3) 4300 Karis the Slicer (http://www.roguetemple.com/forums/index.php?topic=540.msg4858#msg4858) (level 10, -2/56 HPs) (Player: Archaalen)

Color-coding: No Runes, One Rune, Two Runes, Three Runes, Three Runes+, Orb of Zot, All Runes+Orb, Winner!.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Karzack on October 28, 2009, 12:29:06 AM: Looks good to me. Now I need to get to go play and get a character on there. :)
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Rabiat on October 28, 2009, 10:11:35 AM: Quote from: Fenrir on October 27, 2009, 11:33:28 PM
Quote from: Char Dump
As you read the scroll, it crumbles to dust.
You smell .
Scroll of Rudeness?

EDIT: No, really, I got this message.

That's supposed to be the message of a Scroll of Random Uselessness (e.g. "You smell {something weird}." where the part in curlies is randomly generated). I think what went wrong is that the random part was pulled from an array with an out of bounds index.

You could report this as a bug (http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?group_id=143991&atid=757513).
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Karzack on October 28, 2009, 10:23:54 PM: I think that is one bug that should stay in there. :)
Let's get the devs to add a scroll of rudeness.

Edit: Bah, killed me too fast to react. I got caught at the end of a berserk (slow). I could have blinked though... :(
Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup version 0.5.2 (crawl-ref) character file. 18263 Karzack the Hacker (level 12, -1/104 HPs) Began as a Mountain Dwarf Berserker on Oct 27, 2009. Was a High Priest of Trog. Slain by a 14-headed hydra (3 damage) ... on Level 6 of the Lair of Beasts on Oct 28, 2009. The game lasted 02:59:09 (19903 turns). Karzack the Hacker (Mountain Dwarf Berserker) Turns: 19903, Time: 02:59:09 HP -1/104 AC 24 Str 21 Exp: 12/25269 (0), need: 12430 MP 7/7 EV 6 Int 5 God: Trog ***** Gold 575 SH 9 Dex 17 Spells: 0 memorised, 11 levels left Res.Fire : + . . See Invis. : . a - +1,+10 war axe of the Trees {god gift, rN+ Res.Cold : . . . Warding : . e - +1 plate mail Life Prot.: + + + Conserve : . h - +3 shield of Summer {+Rage rN+} Res.Poison: . Res.Corr. : . (no helmet) Res.Elec. : . Clarity : . z - +2 cloak O - +2 pair of orc gloves Sust.Abil.: . Rnd.Telep. : . (no boots) Res.Mut. : . Ctrl.Telep.: . (no amulet) Res.Slow : . Levitation : . i - ring of life protection Saprovore : . . . Ctrl.Flight: . l - ring of protection from fire @: exhausted, very slow, slowed, very resistant to magic, extremely unstealthy A: no striking features a: Burn Spellbooks, Berserk, Trog's Hand, Brothers in Arms, Renounce Religion, Evoke Berserk Rage You were on level 6 of the Lair of Beasts. You worshipped Trog. Trog was exalted by your worship. You were not hungry. You visited 4 branches of the dungeon, and saw 21 of its levels. You collected 1122 gold pieces. You spent 570 gold pieces at shops. Inventory: Hand weapons a - the +1,+10 war axe of the Trees (weapon) {god gift, rN+ MR} (Trog gifted it to you on level 4 of the Lair of Beasts) It protects you from negative energy. It increases your resistance to enchantments. b - a +1,+0 dwarven crossbow Missiles F - 22 poisoned +0 orcish bolts Armour e - a +1 plate mail (worn) h - the +3 shield of Summer (worn) {+Rage rN+} (You found it on level 7 of the Dungeon) It protects you from negative energy. It lets you go berserk. z - a +2 cloak (worn) O - a +2 pair of orcish gloves (worn) Magical devices d - a wand of fireball (4) q - a wand of digging (12) u - a wand of disintegration (4) v - a wand of enslavement (7) D - a wand of draining (4) P - a wand of lightning (6) Comestibles n - 13 honeycombs x - a royal jelly y - 6 bread rations Scrolls g - 2 scrolls of blinking w - 5 scrolls of remove curse A - 3 scrolls of recharging B - a scroll of teleportation E - a scroll of identify G - 4 scrolls of fog M - 2 scrolls of magic mapping Jewellery i - a ring of life protection (right hand) l - a ring of protection from fire (left hand) p - an uncursed ring of life protection Potions f - 6 potions of healing j - 5 potions of speed k - a potion of restore abilities m - a potion of berserk rage o - 2 potions of heal wounds r - 2 potions of invisibility t - 2 potions of might H - 2 potions of levitation Books I - a book of War Chants Spells Type Level Fire Brand Enchantment/Fire 2 Freezing Aura Enchantment/Ice 2 Repel Missiles Enchantment/Air 2 Berserker Rage Enchantment 3 Regeneration Enchantment/Necromancy 3 Haste Enchantment 6 Trog disapproves of the use of such an item. You had 0 experience left. Skills: + Level 9 Fighting + Level 15 Axes - Level 2 Crossbows - Level 2 Darts + Level 9 Armour + Level 2 Dodging + Level 7 Shields + Level 4 Traps & Doors You had 11 spell levels left. You didn't know any spells. Overview of the Dungeon Branches: Temple: D:6 Orc : D:8 Lair : D:11 Snake : Lair:4 Altars: Okawaru: D:8 Shops: D:6: * Lair:1: [ Lair:2: /=[/ Lair:3: * Lair:4: = Message History You block the 14-headed hydra's attack. The 14-headed hydra bites you. The 14-headed hydra bites you but doesn't do any damage. The 14-headed hydra bites you! * * * LOW HITPOINT WARNING * * * The 14-headed hydra bites you! * * * LOW HITPOINT WARNING * * * # ......#...# #.#### # ...........# #.# # .......##...######.# # ...................# # .......#...############ # ........#..........##... ####### #....#######.##... ......# #.##O##....#.##... ......# #<##.##....#.##... ......# ####@##....#..'... ...##.# #D##....####... ...##.# #r##....##..... ..###.# #.##....##.#... #.# #.# ..##....#>.#... #.# #.#########.####..#... #.# #.................#... #.# ################..#### #.#####.# #.## #.......# #.. *snip*
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on October 29, 2009, 12:27:45 AM: Alright, I think this will be how high-score table looks. And as I update it, I will delete the older one so there's only one table that "moves around". Does this one look alright?
REST IN PEACE EXPLORERS OF THE DUNGEON.. THESE BRAVE ADVENTURERS SHALL BE REMEMBERED...

(1) 210030 Numeron the Severer (http://www.roguetemple.com/forums/index.php?topic=540.msg4862#msg4862) (level 18, -26/163 HPs)
(2) 18263 Karzack the Hacker (http://www.roguetemple.com/forums/index.php?topic=540.msg4893#msg4893) (level 12, -1/104 HPs)
(3) 4300 Karis the Slicer (http://www.roguetemple.com/forums/index.php?topic=540.msg4858#msg4858) (level 10, -2/56 HPs) (Player: Archaalen)

Color-coding: No Runes, One Rune, Two Runes, Three Runes, Three Runes+, Orb of Zot, All Runes+Orb, Winner!.

EDIT: Ugh.. I find no way of deleting my old posts... Is this not possible?
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Numeron on October 29, 2009, 03:09:06 AM: You should really be careful around hydras if you specialise in axes, I see it got up to 14 heads before it killed you... axes (unless theyre flaming brand) will cause more heads to grow, and basically make the damn things stronger the more you hit them. I always keep a secondary weapon for hydras (ideally a flaming axe, since I usually go with axes too), and also at least one disposable hand axe to deal with red jellies.

-Numeron
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Rabiat on October 29, 2009, 09:11:53 AM: I don't expect to find flaming edged weapons (let alone axes) before having to deal with hydras in the Lair or the Swamp. The existence of hydras alone is reason enough to build maces & flails skill. Big races can stick with blunt weapons anyway, since they'll be able to use giant spiked clubs for 20 damage per hit. Smaller races in fighter classes should eventually go with axes, since an executioner's axe is the only way for them to deal 20 damage per hit. Luckily, high maces & flails skill makes it easier to increase axes skill, and vice versa.

It's often safer to deal with hydras from a distance. They have no resistances except for poison, so you can blast them with fire, ice, lightning, draining or disintegration, and even slow, confuse, frighten, teleport or enslave them. Followers of Trog can call in reinforcements and retreat while their pet keeps the hydra occupied.

BTW Karzack, that's a pretty good set of equipment for a L12 character.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Karzack on October 29, 2009, 10:29:05 PM: I took out 2 hydras prior to the one that killed me. 3rd time wasn't a charm I guess...

I went berserk on something before and then the hydra came to play too. I summoned an ogre (wanted something a bit better) and then I was going to move behind him and let the hydra play with him. Then I was going for the stairs to recuperate. If I would have blinked instead of trying to move, I may have made it. I will definitely be weary of hydras from now on. I am currently close to encountering them again on my current character.

Another learning experience :)

@Omnivorous
Maybe you should start a new thread for the high score list. The list would be first post and then you could just modify it when needed. Then we could put our dumps in there and discuss other things in this thread. Just a thought.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on October 30, 2009, 05:13:51 AM: PerKiller the Martial Artist is going really well.. His closest-to-death moments were at beginning of the dungeon, and he discovered Blork the Orc really early on. Had to go out of his way to survive, using up all teleport scrolls twice combined with all Healing Potions he were lucky enough to discover in inventory, and stair-hopping while hasting with -very- few hitpoints left.. He was close to giving up, just give in to the bloodthirsty mob of orcs and summoned creatures of Blork, but Okawaru's fighting-spirit would not let him surrender so he ran as far as his feet would let him, stopped whenever he could, making use of common scrolls and potions he'd normally not trust to get him out of such a hairy situation.. With some luck he managed to escape the encounter, diving deeper into the dungeon, leaving the angry mob behind him for now..
He then discovered Orc Mines, The Lair a Jewelry Store and The Hive. He's now making camp at Level 2 of Lair of Beasts and this is his current standings:

Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup version 0.5.1 (crawl-ref) character file.

PerKiller the Martial Artist (Centaur Monk) Turns: 26033, Time: 02:35:54

HP 86/87 (104) AC 25 Str 13 Exp: 12/34229 (60), need: 6370

MP 13/13 EV 12 Int 14 God: Okawaru *****

Gold 165 SH 0 Dex 16 Spells: 0 memorised, 11 levels left

Res.Fire : + . . See Invis. : . - Unarmed

Res.Cold : + . . Warding : . q - +2 orc robe {rC+ rF+}

Life Prot.: . . . Conserve : . (no shield)

Res.Poison: . Res.Corr. : + J - +1 crested helmet {Int+3} {god gift}

Res.Elec. : . Clarity : . z - +1 cloak {MR} {god gift}

   N - +2 pair of dwarf gloves

Sust.Abil.: . Rnd.Telep. : . (no barding)

Res.Mut. : . Ctrl.Telep.: . H - amulet of resist corrosion

Res.Slow : . Levitation : . g - ring of Robustness {AC+8}

Saprovore : . . . Ctrl.Flight: . i - +4 ring of protection

@: very quick, quite resistant to magic, fairly stealthy
A: fast metabolism 2, speed 2, deformed body 1, hooves, AC +3
a: Might, Haste, Renounce Religion

You are on level 2 of the Lair of Beasts.
You worship Okawaru.
Okawaru is exalted by your worship.
You are not hungry.

You have visited 5 branches of the dungeon, and seen 21 of its levels.

You have collected 1439 gold pieces.
You have spent 1274 gold pieces at shops.

Inventory:

Hand weapons
a - a +0,+0 bow
D - an uncursed runed elven dagger
T - an uncursed runed hand crossbow of protection {god gift}
X - a runed elven spear (quivered)
Missiles
c - 18 arrows
d - 4 +1 arrows
p - 21 poisoned orcish bolts
r - 5 poisoned +0 orcish arrows
s - 12 +0 orcish darts
t - 6 +0 elven darts
C - a throwing net
G - 7 orcish javelins
K - 35 +0 arrows
M - 34 arrows
O - 27 orcish bolts
P - 16 poisoned elven needles
Q - 54 +0 darts
Z - a -7 throwing net
Armour
q - a +2 orcish robe of resistance (worn)
z - a +1 cloak of magic resistance (worn) {god gift}
J - a +1 crested helmet of intelligence (worn) {god gift}
N - a +2 pair of dwarven gloves (worn)
Magical devices
e - a wand of slowing {zapped: 2}
f - a glass wand
l - a wand of digging {zapped: 2}
w - a wand of slowing {zapped: 1}
A - a wand of flame {zapped: 4}
B - a wand of teleportation {zapped: 1}
E - a wand of confusion {zapped: 3}
L - a wand of flame
R - a worn brass wand
Comestibles
U - 16 strawberries
Scrolls
k - a scroll of detect curse
n - a scroll labeled YSCHORGHUSEB {tried}
o - 5 scrolls of remove curse
v - 4 scrolls of teleportation
y - 2 scrolls of identify
F - a scroll of recharging
I - a scroll labeled MACVESHEAB
S - a scroll labeled KHOAHO RECWE
Jewellery
g - the ring of Robustness (right hand) {AC+8}
   (You bought it in a shop on level 10 of the Dungeon)
   [ring of protection]
   It affects your AC (+8).
i - a +4 ring of protection (left hand)
H - an amulet of resist corrosion (around neck)
Potions
b - a potion of healing
j - a potion of might
m - a white potion
u - a potion of restore abilities
x - 2 fuming red potions

You have 60 experience left.

   Skills:
+ Level 7 Fighting
+ Level 10 Bows
+ Level 8 Darts
+ Level 6 Throwing
+ Level 7 Dodging
+ Level 4 Stealth
+ Level 1 Traps & Doors
+ Level 13 Unarmed Combat
+ Level 3 Invocations

You have 11 spell levels left.
You don't know any spells.

Overview of the Dungeon

Branches: (use G to reach them and ?/B for more information)
Temple: D:6 Orc : D:10 Elf : Orc:3 Lair : D:10
Hive : D:11
Altars: (use Ctrl-F "altar" to reach them and ?/G for information about gods)
Kikubaaqudgha: D:6
Trog: D:12
Shops: (use Ctrl-F "shop" to reach them)
D:9: ! D:10: = D:12: /?

   Innate Abilities, Weirdness & Mutations

You have extremely tough skin (AC +3).
You have a very fast metabolism.
You cover ground very quickly.
Armour fits poorly on your equine body.
You have hooves in place of feet.
Finally a char that's NOT a MiBe working out well.. :P Pretty refreshing and fun character to play too.. Incredible speed as a Centaur, and Unarmed Combat negates all hassle related to meelee-weapons (which one to choose, which ones to try out, blahblahblah). He's got a nice collection of spell books too in his stash..if I only could make him start memorizing them..
Question: How do I divide a stack of multiple items? He's carrying way too much food, but I do want to bring -some- of it.
Edit: Ahh thankgod, I found out how to drop a certain amount now finally! Now I can continue the run! :)
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Rabiat on October 30, 2009, 10:18:20 AM: That centaur monk looks promising for a somewhat exotic character. I don't remember ever playing an archer character. I'd be interested in your observations on gameplay/strategy with this particular combination.

You can drop part of a stack of items with the 'd#i' command. Press 'd' to drop, then enter a number like '4' or '12', followed by the letter of the item in question (or click the item in your inventory).

If you want to be able to cast spells with a non-spellcaster, you'll have to raise your spellcasting skill to level 1 by reading lots and lots of scrolls. I don't know if raising your Int would help, but it just might.

This evening I'll -finally- have a couple of hours spare time to go for another dive with a new char, and hopefully be able to submit another valliant death to the high score list (but not too soon). I'm undecided about which race/class to choose, so if anyone has a recommendation/challenge, I'd be glad to hear it. I'm not going to play a Spriggan Wanderer, though. ;)
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on October 30, 2009, 11:55:24 AM: Well I have played Centaur Hunter before, as a ranged/archer character, even though I don't like that idea..and it's been pretty powerful, then again, they've usually all died once something starts hitting hard and close-up.

Anyway I got really excited by "discovering" the monk combined with Centaur..why don't you try that out and let me know how it works out for you? Unarmed Combat is around level 15 or something now and to be honest..bashing almoast feels like a MiBe while berserking! :P Especially with "Might" from Okawaru. Up his sleeve he's also superior with ranged-weapons like you said, and my char just learned spellcasting now! Time to return to my bookshelf at the Lair! :)
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: myang26 on October 30, 2009, 07:32:54 PM: What do you suggest for Centaur Monks? Focus on heavy armour or look more for evasion?

What types of spells do you usually favor?
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Karzack on October 30, 2009, 10:16:04 PM: I think heavy armour hinders unarmed combat.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: myang26 on October 31, 2009, 01:36:29 AM: That makes sense but I'm having trouble with hard hitting monsters. I'm not sure what kind of strategy to take. What's the point of unarmed skill if you can't afford to go toe to toe with monsters?
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on October 31, 2009, 02:37:42 AM: Heavy armours do ruin Unarmed Combat. The way I see it, Evasion/Armour is basically the same thing, only difference is that with focus on Ev, you will NOT take any damage 9 out of 10 hits, then the 10th hit, you'll get severely injured. With focus on heavy armour however, you'll take some hits every turn, just not take so much damage from each and every hit you catch.. That's not exactly how it works, but kindof how it is.

Anyway, like I said with my Centaur Monk, acouple of times before level 10, I considered him dead as he was brutally pushed around by some pretty powerful foes, and I really had to combine potions of haste, with prayers of might, just to get to read a scroll of teleportation in time to get away from the encounter - then just get forced to drink all potions of healing just to make his way to the stair, that he teleported close to.

I was lucky enough to find a ring of protection+4 and buy a ring of +8 AC. Other than that, light armour can be really powerful too, plus ranged combat is effective when you use a character that has the right aptitudes for ranged combat. It's just as powerful as melee combat with a Centaur. And Centaur's movement-speed is so good that it'll usually buy you some extra time.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on November 01, 2009, 04:11:32 AM: Died;/ Got impatient at the endless rush of annoying Nagas.. Gah, what a horrible place ;p Very unneccecary death. I could've also just returned to my stash atleast, and picked up afew handy spells! But no.. I just had to "quickly pick up the rune first!" x_x Ohwell, was an interesting run.
72034 PerKiller the Black Belt (level 14, -2/106 (122) HPs)
   Began as a Centaur Monk on Oct 29, 2009.
   Was an Elder of Okawaru.
   Slain by a greater naga
   ... wielding a +0,+1 long sword of electrocution (16 damage)
   ... on Level 5 of the Snake Pit on Nov 1, 2009.
   The game lasted 04:34:31 (41984 turns).
PerKiller the Black Belt (Centaur Monk) Turns: 41984, Time: 04:34:32

HP -2/106 (122) AC 21 Str 22 Exp: 14/102308 (3), need: 1291
MP 17/19 EV 19 Int 11 God: Okawaru ****
Gold 419 SH 0 Dex 16 Spells: 0 memorised, 15 levels left

Res.Fire : + . . See Invis. : . - Unarmed
Res.Cold : + + + Warding : . q - +2 orc robe {rC+ rF+}
Life Prot.: + . . Conserve : . (no shield)
Res.Poison: + Res.Corr. : + W - +2 cap {Int+3} {god gift}
Res.Elec. : . Clarity : . Q - +0 cloak {rPois} {god gift}

   R - +2 pair of gloves
Sust.Abil.: . Rnd.Telep. : . (no barding)
Res.Mut. : . Ctrl.Telep.: . H - amulet of resist corrosion
Res.Slow : . Levitation : . g - ring of Robustness {AC+8}
Saprovore : . . . Ctrl.Flight: . P - ring of Descent {rC++ rN+ EV+5 Str+3}

@: invisible, mighty, mildly poisoned, very quick, somewhat resistant to magic,
stealthy
A: fast metabolism 2, speed 2, deformed body 1, horns 1, hooves, AC +4, Str +1
a: Might, Renounce Religion

You were on level 5 of the Snake Pit.
You worshipped Okawaru.
Okawaru was extremely pleased with you.
You were not hungry.

You visited 7 branches of the dungeon, and saw 35 of its levels.
You visited 1 portal chamber (including bazaars).

You collected 2751 gold pieces.
You spent 2332 gold pieces at shops.

Inventory:

Hand weapons
a - a +3,+3 bow
D - the +1,+2 dagger "Uxoczaih" (quivered) {god gift, slay orc, -CAST +Tele rN+ SInv}
   (Okawaru gifted it to you on level 5 of the Lair of Beasts)
   It is especially effective against all of orcish descent.
   It protects you from negative energy.
   It enhances your eyesight.
   It lets you teleport.
   It prevents spellcasting.
T - a +3,+1 hand crossbow of protection {god gift}
Missiles
c - 8 +2 arrows
n - 52 +0 orcish arrows
M - 26 +4 arrows
Armour
q - a +2 orcish robe of resistance (worn)
z - a +1 cloak of magic resistance {god gift}
Q - a +0 cloak of poison resistance (worn) {god gift}
R - a +2 pair of gloves (worn)
W - a +2 cap of intelligence (worn) {god gift}
Magical devices
d - a wand of frost (0)
f - a wand of enslavement (7)
k - a wand of paralysis (0)
l - a wand of confusion (7)
s - a wand of draining (5)
w - a wand of slowing (9)
A - a wand of lightning (8)
B - a wand of teleportation (5)
G - a wand of fireball (2)
I - a wand of digging (6)
L - a wand of flame (20)
O - a wand of digging (6)
S - a wand of fire (3)
X - a wand of draining (6)
Y - a wand of frost (11)
Comestibles
K - 4 honeycombs
Scrolls
o - 13 scrolls of remove curse
v - 7 scrolls of teleportation
E - 2 scrolls of magic mapping
F - a scroll of recharging
Jewellery
b - an uncursed ring of protection from cold
e - an uncursed amulet of rage
g - the ring of Robustness (right hand) {AC+8}
   (You bought it in a shop on level 10 of the Dungeon)
   [ring of protection]
   It affects your AC (+8).
h - an uncursed ring of see invisible
i - a +4 ring of protection
m - an uncursed ring of poison resistance
r - an uncursed ring of sustain abilities
t - an uncursed amulet of warding
y - an uncursed amulet of conservation
C - an uncursed ring of fire
H - an amulet of resist corrosion (around neck)
J - a +0,+5 ring of slaying
N - an uncursed ring of levitation
P - the ring of Descent (left hand) {rC++ rN+ EV+5 Str+3}
   (You found it on level 9 of the Lair of Beasts)
   [ring of life protection]
   It affects your evasion (+5).
   It affects your strength (+3).
   It greatly protects you from cold.
V - an uncursed ring of protection from magic
Potions
j - a potion of might
u - 4 potions of restore abilities
x - 2 potions of speed
Z - a potion of invisibility
Books
p - a book of Enchantments
   Spells Type Level
   Levitation Enchantment/Air 2
   Selective Amnesia Enchantment 4
   Remove Curse Enchantment 5
   Cause Fear Enchantment 5
   Extension Enchantment 5
   Deflect Missiles Enchantment/Air 6
   Haste Enchantment 6

You had 3 experience left.

   Skills:
+ Level 9 Fighting
+ Level 12 Bows
+ Level 8 Darts
+ Level 6 Throwing
+ Level 9 Dodging
+ Level 6 Stealth
+ Level 2 Stabbing
+ Level 2 Traps & Doors
+ Level 15 Unarmed Combat
+ Level 1 Spellcasting
+ Level 5 Invocations
+ Level 3 Evocations

You had 15 spell levels left.
You didn't know any spells.

Overview of the Dungeon

Branches:
Temple: D:6 Orc : D:10 Elf : Orc:3 Lair : D:10
Swamp : Lair:2 Slime : Lair:9 Snake : Lair:5 Hive : D:11

Altars:

Kikubaaqudgha: D:6
Yredelemnul: Lair:9, Snake:1
Xom: Lair:8
Trog: D:12

Shops:
D:9: ! D:10: = D:12: /? Lair:2: [ Lair:6: ( Snake:5: +

   Innate Abilities, Weirdness & Mutations

You have extremely tough skin (AC +3).
You have a very fast metabolism.
You cover ground very quickly.
Armour fits poorly on your equine body.
You have hooves in place of feet.
Your muscles are strong (Str +1).
You have a pair of small horns on your head.
You are partially covered in red scales (AC +1).

Message History
The greater naga hits you with a runed long sword!
You miss the greater naga.
Your kick misses the greater naga.
You headbutt the greater naga.
The greater naga is lightly wounded.
You feel sick.
You feel a little better.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on November 01, 2009, 04:16:25 AM: Alright, I think this will be how high-score table looks. And as I update it, I will delete the older one so there's only one table that "moves around". Does this one look alright?
REST IN PEACE EXPLORERS OF THE DUNGEON.. THESE BRAVE ADVENTURERS SHALL BE REMEMBERED...

(1) 210030 Numeron the Severer (http://www.roguetemple.com/forums/index.php?topic=540.msg4862#msg4862) (level 18, -26/163 HPs)
(2) 72034 PerKiller the Black Belt (http://www.roguetemple.com/forums/index.php?topic=540.msg4978#msg4978) (level 14, -2/106 (122) HPs)
(3) 18263 Karzack the Hacker (http://www.roguetemple.com/forums/index.php?topic=540.msg4893#msg4893) (level 12, -1/104 HPs)
(4) 4300 Karis the Slicer (http://www.roguetemple.com/forums/index.php?topic=540.msg4858#msg4858) (level 10, -2/56 HPs) (Player: Archaalen)

Color-coding: No Runes, One Rune, Two Runes, Three Runes, Three Runes+, Orb of Zot, All Runes+Orb, Winner!.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: myang26 on November 01, 2009, 05:29:11 AM: Doh, sorry to hear that. Those are some incredible rings you have there though!

What does everyone think about brands? What are the best?

Holy wrath
Draining
Flaming
Vorpal (piercing, chopping, etc.)
Freezing
Electrocution

Specifically, with the vorpal brand... is there a damage multiplication happening that's hidden or is it included in the enchant bonus?
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: jim on November 01, 2009, 04:25:15 PM: On the multiplayer server, myang26, I tend to see a lot of use of weapons of speed. Speed isn't as flashy or explosive as the other brands, but it's probably the rarest. Speed, in general, is king of Crawl. Being able to get a hit in and withdraw or change tactics is important.

Sometimes my characters will carry around flaming weapons for their specific use against hydras, and should I attempt the undead branches, there's nothing better than a weapon of holy wrath. Generally, I carry whatever sort of brand happens to appear on the weapon type that my guy is good at using. That's part of the fun. :)

And yeah, vorpal has a hidden bonus - substantial but not amazing.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: corremn on November 02, 2009, 01:24:14 AM: Vorpal weapons will generally do the most damage. Weapons of speed will do the less damage in half the time. I would choose these two. An awsome holy weapon will help a lot in end game, going for all runes, but you should have an awsome weapon by that time anyway. As mentioned flame weapons are a must for axes or sword users.

You guys have started me playing again, I am currently trying Minotaur Death Knights of Makhleb. He just found +1 Gold dragon armour lying around of level 10. Wow, never have I found such a great armour at that level. This guy is bound to win now. I just hope I find enough enchant armours scrolls to max it out, plus the Poison, fire and cold resistance is very handy at this level.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on November 02, 2009, 01:48:41 AM: Quote from: corremn on November 02, 2009, 01:24:14 AM
Wow, never have I found such a great armour at that level. This guy is bound to win now.

Ahh, way to jinx yourself..! Do you know nothing of the mechanics of a roguelike?! ;) To quote Queens of the Stone Age; 'First it giveth, then it taketh away'.

Hehe, just messing around.. Good luck, it sounds great! Made me want to try that character combination.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: corremn on November 02, 2009, 07:19:27 AM: Of course the RNG probably didn't pick up on my sarcasim. Anyway he is still going strong, but does not have a decent weapon yet. Still wielding a hand axe. Got scared by a orc sorcerer and warlord? but and after I managed to summon 2 hostile minor demons(odds of that was very low), i managed to summon a friendly blue death. Took a major piety hit but he still lives.

This combo works well, but its number one get-out-of-jail-free-card (summon minor/greater demons) can really turn on you in the worst moments. It takes more planning than some other god choices and always required a back up plan, until you innvocations skill is quite high i guess.

Wiki reports this for summoning (hostile if 1d(20+3*invoc) < 5). My invoc is around 8, which a little over 1/11 chance for hostile. sounds about right..
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Karzack on November 02, 2009, 02:47:35 PM: I swear they have something coded in this game to make it harder when you get a good start. I've had a few characters get a good start, gear, etc. Then, all of the sudden I am hit with out of depth monsters, uniques, ghosts, etc.

I've got all week off. Hopefully and can sit down and have a good game or two. It's much easier to play without the kids around. :)

Edit: Crap! I was going good and then I stepped into the snake pit and was teleported to the abyss. I was surviving pretty well. I found a portal and as soon as I got to it a demon stepped on it. Blink didn't seem to work. I took him out and was taking his buddies out and then my teleportitis kicked in. Mutated from one of the demons here. Then a lich and his friends surrounded me and that was it.

@Omnivorous
Go ahead and replace my current character on the list with this one.
Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup version 0.5.2 (crawl-ref) character file. 31629 Karzack the Hacker (level 13, 0/132 HPs) Began as a Hill Orc Berserker on Nov 2, 2009. Was an Elder of Trog. Killed from afar by a lich (13 damage) ... with a puff of frost ... in The Abyss. The game lasted 04:04:39 (30527 turns). Karzack the Hacker (Hill Orc Berserker) Turns: 30527, Time: 04:04:39 HP 0/132 AC 25 Str 25 Exp: 13/43623 (0), need: 4877 MP 11/11 EV 6 Int 8 God: Trog **** Gold 1093 SH 7 Dex 10 Spells: 0 memorised, 14 levels left Res.Fire : + . . See Invis. : + a - +5,+6 war axe (flame) {god gift} Res.Cold : . . . Warding : . S - +0 plate mail Life Prot.: . . . Conserve : + v - +0 shield Res.Poison: + Res.Corr. : . V - +2 helmet {SInv} Res.Elec. : + Clarity : . i - +0 cloak M - +2 pair of gloves Sust.Abil.: . Rnd.Telep. : + (no boots) Res.Mut. : . Ctrl.Telep.: . G - amulet "Heel" {Cons Int+4} Res.Slow : . Levitation : . s - ring of Izeohad {rElec rPois rC- Dam+3 Stl Saprovore : + . . Ctrl.Flight: . K - ring of protection from cold @: about to teleport, exhausted, very slow, slowed, somewhat resistant to magic, unstealthy A: carnivore 1, fire resistance 1, teleportitis 2, +10% hp, saprovore 1, AC +1, Str +1, Dex -2 a: Burn Spellbooks, Berserk, Trog's Hand, Brothers in Arms, Renounce Religion You were in the Abyss. You worshipped Trog. Trog was extremely pleased with you. You were not hungry. You visited 5 branches of the dungeon, and saw 26 of its levels. You visited the Abyss 1 time. You collected 1317 gold pieces. You spent 253 gold pieces at shops. Inventory: Hand weapons a - a +5,+6 war axe of flaming (weapon) {god gift} b - a +0,+4 hand crossbow of flame {god gift} c - a +0,+6 war axe of freezing {god gift} Missiles m - 6 poisoned +0 orcish darts (quivered) r - 19 +3 orcish darts Armour i - a +0 cloak (worn) v - a +0 shield (worn) M - a +2 pair of gloves (worn) S - a +0 plate mail (worn) V - a +2 helmet of see invisible (worn) Magical devices q - a wand of paralysis (7) H - a wand of disintegration (10) N - a wand of enslavement (3) U - a wand of cold (6) Comestibles d - 10 meat rations z - a royal jelly Scrolls e - a scroll of detect curse h - 5 scrolls of magic mapping j - a scroll of holy word k - 2 scrolls of blinking l - a scroll of identify n - 8 scrolls of teleportation o - 5 scrolls of remove curse Jewellery f - an uncursed ring of see invisible s - the ring of Izeohad (right hand) {rElec rPois rC- Dam+3 Stlth+} (You found it on level 8 of the Dungeon) [ring of poison resistance] It affects your damage-dealing abilities (+3). It makes you vulnerable to cold. It insulates you from electricity. It makes you much more stealthy. t - a +4 ring of strength w - an uncursed ring of life protection D - an uncursed ring of protection from cold F - an uncursed ring of fire G - the amulet "Heel" (around neck) {Cons Int+4} (You found it on level 7 of the Dungeon) [amulet of conservation] It affects your intelligence (+4). K - a ring of protection from cold (left hand) Potions u - a potion of invisibility x - 4 potions of restore abilities y - a potion of speed B - 4 potions of might O - a potion of confusion Books R - a book of Power Spells Type Level Animate Dead Necromancy 4 Teleport Other Translocation 4 Venom Bolt Conjuration/Poison 5 Bolt of Iron Conjuration/Earth 6 Invisibility Enchantment 6 Mass Confusion Enchantment 6 Poisonous Cloud Conjuration/Poison/Air 6 Trog disapproves of the use of such an item. You had 0 experience left. Skills: + Level 12 Fighting + Level 18 Axes + Level 9 Armour + Level 1 Dodging + Level 10 Shields + Level 3 Traps & Doors + Level 1 Spellcasting + Level 2 Evocations You had 14 spell levels left. You didn't know any spells. Overview of the Dungeon Branches: Temple: D:5 Orc : D:7 Lair : D:12 Slime : Lair:8 Snake : Lair:3 Altars: Yredelemnul: D:11 Makhleb: D:11 Elyvilon: D:11 Beogh: D:7 Shops: D:5: * D:6: ! D:7: ? Lair:7: = Lair:8: ? Innate Abilities, Weirdness & Mutations You can tolerate rotten meat. Your digestive system is specialised to digest meat. Your flesh is heat resistant. You are clumsy (Dex -1). Space sometimes distorts in your vicinity. Your muscles are strong (Str +1), but stiff (Dex -1). You are robust (+10% HP). You are partially covered in white scales (AC +1). Message History The spectral warrior hits you but doesn't do any damage. The spectral warrior hits you. The spectral warrior hits you! You feel drained. * * * LOW HITPOINT WARNING * * * You feel better. The lich points at you and mumbles some strange words. . {..# .{{ .#{#. .{ #..{{. {{ # {...... {#{ # ....{#.. ##.{ ##{#...z. ...{. {.{{{{pW#....... #@Wz# #W#L W# #W W#W# .{ ## #{# .{ #.. ..{ :{.. . You could see a lich, a flayed ghost, 3 shadow wraiths, 2 spectral warriors, a freezing wraith, a wraith, a shadow, a flying skull and an ugly thing skeleton. *snip*
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: corremn on November 03, 2009, 03:08:56 AM: I hate teleportis, I sometimes kill my character off, when he gets it. (after a quick search for tele control and cure corruption). My last best character got all runes but tomb and headed down to zot 5 only to be bounced around with random teleports, until I ran out of healing. I hates it.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Rabiat on November 03, 2009, 10:37:22 AM: The Abyss is a dreadful place unless you're at least CL15 or so. I've lost lots of characters there with a portal in sight. Just out of curiosity, Karzack, did you wind up there because Rupert hit you with a blade of distortion in the Snake Pit? My MiBe (earlier in this thread) was very lucky on Snake:3 to get hit by Rupert three times and just blink.

Teleportitis is extremely annoying, but if I get it, I usually survive long enough to get rid of it. Teleportitis in the Abyss can be either deadly or lifesaving because there's a chance the level is regenerated when you teleport.

myang26: there is no such thing as 'the best' weapon brand. Crawl can be frustrating when it comes to the usefulness of items. A poisoned weapon is extremely useful in the upper dungeon, the Lair and the Orc Mines, but after that it's almost worthless. Holy wrath is a pretty useless brand unless you make it to the Crypt and the Tomb. Speed and vorpal brand at least are useful at all times, but in general, you'll be using lots of different branded and artefact weapons because you'll have to adapt to circumstances, and you'll keep finding better ones.

After Omnivorous' recommendation I tried a Centaur Monk of Okawaru. I'm not very impressed by its capabilities, but it's still alive, and so far this has been a relaxing dive. The char has both good melee and ranged skill, very useful movement speed, and decent survivability. I'm not so sure about its AC/EV though, so I rely on ranged combat a lot more than I'd like. Also it hasn't had the playtime it deserved, because lately, real life keeps interfering with my escapism at the most inconvenient times. ;)
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Karzack on November 03, 2009, 01:54:26 PM: It was a named one that hit me in the snake pit. I'm not sure if it was Rupert I don't remember the name. It probably was him though. It was on the first level of the snake pit. If I would have managed to get out, I may have been able to remove it. There was a shop selling a potion of cure mutation. It was a chance at least. I didn't go down easy either. I reeked havoc in the abyss. It was actually quite fun. :) Minus the whole death thing.

Is there a way to help prevent being transported to the abyss?

On another subject; having that flaming weapon really helped against the hydras. They were pushovers with that weapon and weren't much of a threat at all. I was in the lair and before I knew it I was at the bottom.

I think my next goal will be a character that can score at least 75k points.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Rabiat on November 03, 2009, 07:11:20 PM: As far as I know there is no reliable way to prevent banishment to the Abyss. Of course raising EV to ridiculous levels helps to prevent getting hit by a weapon of distortion. Also avoid wielding unidentified weapons in the mid game; unwielding a weapon of distortion can cause banishment as well. Finally, you can choose to follow Lugonu to be able to leave the Abyss at will, but that's probably not an option if you'd rather avoid the Abyss altogether.

The power of hydras comes from their multiple attacks. They're not much of a threat if you can reliably lop off their heads with a flaming blade. But even without a flaming weapon, most characters should be able to deal with a hydra by the time they meet one - unless they make the mistake of blindly hacking away with a non-flaming blade (or unarmed as a Troll).

If you're going for a high score, don't forget to hang on to your gold and keep valuable items in your inventory. If you die, your stash of 12 Runes and 20 fixedarts on Lair:2 isn't going to count. That's also the reason I don't rate my games by final score. "Orb taken/Runes collected/Artefacts snatched/Branches cleared" is hardly quantifiable, but I think it's more meaningful than score.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: corremn on November 03, 2009, 10:59:08 PM: Quote from: Rabiat on November 03, 2009, 07:11:20 PM
The power of hydras comes from their multiple attacks. They're not much of a threat if you can reliably lop off their heads with a flaming blade. But even without a flaming weapon, most characters should be able to deal with a hydra by the time they meet one - unless they make the mistake of blindly hacking away with a non-flaming blade (or unarmed as a Troll).
Interesting enough, last time I played a merfolk trasmuter and blade hands seemed to be quite effective, i.e no new heads. Not sure if that is a bug or not.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on November 06, 2009, 12:54:48 AM: Quote from: Karzack on November 03, 2009, 01:54:26 PM
Is there a way to help prevent being transported to the abyss?

Nope, but killing monsters there is not a good idea. You might think that "Ohh, one lone monster.. I can easily kill that". While that is true, you could've also spent that time looking for the portal! And scrolls of Tele can be used in there to generate a completely fresh level. The abyss-level also just "loop". If you run straight, you'll be running in your own tracks pretty soon, so keep changing angle now and then to increase chances of finding the way out. Both times I ended up in there, I was lucky and got out. Both times I got out, I also found the portal by e'x'amining a square I thought perhaps looked suspicious, although I didn't really believe that it was the portal..it can be hard to see if you ask me.

Edit: Oh! Sorry didn't see the cause of death! :P Haha, that's unfortunate! Yeah, blink doesn't work there and teleport takes (for me it did atleast) 5-6 turns or something to work! So I guess you got properly screwed over. Or sCRAWLED over.. ahaha..hahehe....he :-/
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on November 06, 2009, 12:59:24 AM: REST IN PEACE EXPLORERS OF THE DUNGEON.. THESE BRAVE ADVENTURERS SHALL BE REMEMBERED...

(1) 210030 Numeron the Severer (http://www.roguetemple.com/forums/index.php?topic=540.msg4862#msg4862) (level 18, -26/163 HPs)
(2) 72034 PerKiller the Black Belt (http://www.roguetemple.com/forums/index.php?topic=540.msg4978#msg4978) (level 14, -2/106 (122) HPs)
(3) 31629 Karzack the Hacker (http://www.roguetemple.com/forums/index.php?topic=540.msg5009#msg5009) (level 13, 0/132 HPs)
(4) 4300 Karis the Slicer (http://www.roguetemple.com/forums/index.php?topic=540.msg4858#msg4858) (level 10, -2/56 HPs) (Player: Archaalen)

Color-coding: No Runes, One Rune, Two Runes, Three Runes, Three Runes+, Orb of Zot, All Runes+Orb, Winner!.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Numeron on November 06, 2009, 11:51:50 AM: two slightly related questions:

does having axes skill make throwing axes more effective than throwing knives?

do the +X,+Y of thown weapons make a difference to to-hit and damage?
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Rabiat on November 06, 2009, 01:05:17 PM: No, and probably yes.

Axes skill increases the effectiveness of hand axes when they're wielded; Throwing skill increases it when they're thrown.

I think I've seen hit and damage modifier effects on thrown daggers. On the other hand, I don't remember having seen branding effects (e.g. poisoning or electrocution) in NPCs from thrown weapons, which would make sense if modifiers apply. Perhaps we can find out in wizard mode, or see what the source code says.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Karzack on November 06, 2009, 05:46:50 PM: This thread is 9 pages long and we have only 4 on the list. Come on people! :)
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: dweller on November 07, 2009, 07:03:00 PM: I've got very promising character now. I seldom survive for so long.

Just found a ring of poison resistance and in the lever lower a staircase to Lair! But I have problems with keeping alive a little bit. Anyone know how to restore HP to maximum value after being hit by flesh eating monster necrophages? Any further advices?

I'm not sure if it's worth learning any other spells in my spellbook, even with the forget spell ability.
I think a little venture into the lair could be good so my next steps will probably go there.

Code: [Select]
Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup version 0.5.2 (crawl-ref) character file. Moprog the Frost Mage (Merfolk Ice Elementalist) Turns: 9899, Time: 01:06:25 HP 49/62 (70) AC 6 Str 8 Exp: 10/5017 (1), need: 4294 MP 11/20 EV 12 Int 17 God: Sif Muna **** Gold 378 SH 0 Dex 17 Spells: 3 memorised, 11 levels left Res.Fire : + . . See Invis. : . o - +0,+2 orc trident Res.Cold : . . . Warding : . D - +2 elf leather armour {rF+} Life Prot.: . . . Conserve : . (no shield) Res.Poison: + Res.Corr. : + (no helmet) Res.Elec. : . Clarity : . G - +0 cloak (no gloves) Sust.Abil.: . Rnd.Telep. : . (no boots) Res.Mut. : . Ctrl.Telep.: . S - amulet of resist corrosion Res.Slow : . Levitation : . a - ring of sustenance Saprovore : . . . Ctrl.Flight: . E - ring of poison resistance @: somewhat resistant to magic, stealthy A: change form in water, Str +1 a: Channel Energy, Forget Spell, Renounce Religion You are on level 10 of the Dungeon. You worship Sif Muna. Sif Muna is extremely pleased with you. You are not hungry. You have visited 3 branches of the dungeon, and seen 13 of its levels. You have visited 1 portal chamber (including bazaars). You have collected 350 gold pieces. Inventory: Hand weapons d - an uncursed knife i - a +1,+0 spear of returning (quivered) n - an uncursed runed spear o - a +0,+2 orcish trident (weapon) Armour D - a +2 elven leather armour of fire resistance (worn) G - a +0 cloak (worn) ... more stuff Jewellery a - a ring of sustenance (right hand) l - an uncursed amulet of controlled flight E - a ring of poison resistance (left hand) Q - a +2 ring of protection S - an amulet of resist corrosion (around neck) Books b - a book of Frost Spells Type Level *Freeze Ice 1 *Throw Frost Conjuration/Ice 2 *Ozocubu's Armour Enchantment/Ice 3 Ice Bolt Conjuration/Ice 4 Summon Ice Beast Ice/Summoning 5 Freezing Cloud Conjuration/Ice/Air 7 Magical staves g - a short jewelled rod (You found it on level 10 of the Dungeon) y - a thin jewelled staff You have 1 experience left. Skills: - Level 2 Fighting - Level 2 Short Blades - Level 3 Polearms - Level 1 Darts - Level 2 Throwing - Level 5 Dodging - Level 3 Stealth - Level 1 Stabbing - Level 1 Shields + Level 4 Spellcasting + Level 2 Conjurations + Level 3 Enchantments + Level 12 Ice Magic You have 11 spell levels left. You know the following spells: Your Spells Type Power Success Level a - Freeze Ice ##### Excellent 1 b - Ozocubu's Armour Ice/Ench #####..... Excellent 3 c - Throw Frost Ice/Conj #####.. Excellent 2 Overview of the Dungeon Branches: (use G to reach them and ?/B for more information) Temple: D:4 Lair : D:11 Altars: (use Ctrl-F "altar" to reach them and ?/G for information about gods) Trog: D:5 Shops: (use Ctrl-F "shop" to reach them) D:9: * D:11: = Innate Abilities, Weirdness & Mutations You revert to your normal form in water. Your muscles are strong (Str +1).
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on November 07, 2009, 10:10:44 PM: Well you are a Merfolk Caster.. They can't take too much damage, especially not without any good gear that gives defence. I think you could use the Blink spell or something like that, some means of getting distance between you and monsters because you're not made for taking those hits at all.

Goodjob though, I never survived that far with a caster either! :X
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: dweller on November 07, 2009, 10:33:34 PM: From my experience playing casters, the Merfolk ice elementalist is easier than other casters. I don't get hit very often (when I have ozocubu's armor on). But when I do, it hurts a lot. I don't know how to keep distance from enemies yet :/ But trident is doing very good job at close distances and stealth definitely saved life of my character when he sneaked past Sigmund and such horrible low level creatures.

Blink is very good idea, but I don't have spellbook for it. I have only few scrolls of teleportation but these are unreliable too, tends to teleport me to even bigger mess that I've been before.
Maybe I should train in summoning that ice monster to create some cannon fodder, or get better firepower at killing monsters from far.

I really don't know how to play this at this point, few times I get this far :)
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on November 07, 2009, 10:36:00 PM: Well I've never had success with casters without constantly having -something- summoned, just to buy me some time..creating cannon fodder like you said ;)
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: dweller on November 08, 2009, 04:59:25 PM: :(

After raiding hive completely, I've killed wyvern in main dungeon and in unsuccessful escape from vicious foes, the very simple blink spell failed me. I choose between potion of heal wounds and blink.
Nevertheless, this is my most successful character!

Code: [Select]
24878 Moprog the Frost Mage (level 12, -12/77 (85) HPs) Began as a Merfolk Ice Elementalist on Nov 7, 2009. Was the Champion of Sif Muna. Mangled by a wolf spider (19 damage) ... on Level 12 of the Dungeon on Nov 8, 2009. Dweller's game lasted 02:56:48 (27242 turns). Moprog the Frost Mage (Merfolk Ice Elementalist) Turns: 27242, Time: 02:56:49 HP -12/77 (85) AC 11 Str 9 Exp: 12/33527 (1), need: 1272 MP 19/27 EV 16 Int 20 God: Sif Muna ****** Gold 1410 SH 0 Dex 17 Spells: 8 memorised, 5 levels left Res.Fire : + . . See Invis. : . o - +0,+3 orc trident Res.Cold : . . . Warding : . D - +5 elf leather armour {rF+} Life Prot.: . . . Conserve : . (no shield) Res.Poison: + Res.Corr. : + (no helmet) Res.Elec. : . Clarity : . G - +0 cloak f - +0 pair of orc gloves Sust.Abil.: . Rnd.Telep. : . t - +0 pair of boots Res.Mut. : . Ctrl.Telep.: . S - amulet of resist corrosion Res.Slow : . Levitation : . h - +3 ring of intelligence Saprovore : . . . Ctrl.Flight: . E - ring of poison resistance @: somewhat resistant to magic, quite stealthy A: change form in water, Str +1 a: Channel Energy, Forget Spell, Renounce Religion You were on level 12 of the Dungeon. You worshipped Sif Muna. Sif Muna was exalted by your worship. You were not hungry. You visited 6 branches of the dungeon, and saw 29 of its levels. You visited 1 portal chamber (including bazaars). You collected 1382 gold pieces. Inventory: ... more stuff Magical staves g - a rod of destruction [inacc,magma,cold] (3/15) (You found it on level 10 of the Dungeon) Miscellaneous v - a bottled efreet You had 1 experience left. Skills: - Level 3 Fighting - Level 2 Short Blades - Level 8 Polearms - Level 1 Darts - Level 2 Throwing + Level 10 Dodging - Level 5 Stealth - Level 2 Stabbing - Level 1 Shields - Level 1 Traps & Doors + Level 8 Spellcasting + Level 6 Conjurations + Level 5 Enchantments + Level 4 Summonings + Level 14 Ice Magic You had 5 spell levels left. You knew the following spells: Your Spells Type Power Success Level a - Freeze Ice ##### Excellent 1 b - Ozocubu's Armour Ice/Ench ######.... Excellent 3 c - Throw Frost Ice/Conj ######. Excellent 2 d - Summon Ice Beast Ice/Summ ######.... Great 5 e - Blink Tloc N/A Very Good 2 f - Ice Bolt Ice/Conj ######... Excellent 4 g - Freezing Aura Ice/Ench ######.... Excellent 2 h - Regeneration Ench/Necr ####...... Very Good 3 Innate Abilities, Weirdness & Mutations You revert to your normal form in water. Your muscles are strong (Str +1). Message History The wolf spider bites you. Your ice beast hits the wolf spider. Your ice beast freezes the wolf spider! You miscast the spell. Nothing appears to happen. The wolf spider bites you! * * * LOW HITPOINT WARNING * * *
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on November 09, 2009, 11:08:43 AM: REST IN PEACE EXPLORERS OF THE DUNGEON.. THESE BRAVE ADVENTURERS SHALL BE REMEMBERED...

(1) 210030 Numeron the Severer (http://www.roguetemple.com/forums/index.php?topic=540.msg4862#msg4862) (level 18, -26/163 HPs)
(2) 72034 PerKiller the Black Belt (http://www.roguetemple.com/forums/index.php?topic=540.msg4978#msg4978) (level 14, -2/106 (122) HPs) (Player: Omnivorous)
(3) 31629 Karzack the Hacker (http://www.roguetemple.com/forums/index.php?topic=540.msg5009#msg5009) (level 13, 0/132 HPs)
(4) 24878 Moprog the Frost Mage (http://www.roguetemple.com/forums/index.php?topic=540.msg5064#msg5064) (level 12, -12/77 (85) HPs) (Player: dweller)
(5) 4300 Karis the Slicer (http://www.roguetemple.com/forums/index.php?topic=540.msg4858#msg4858) (level 10, -2/56 HPs) (Player: Archaalen)

Color-coding: No Runes, One Rune, Two Runes, Three Runes, Three Runes+, Orb of Zot, All Runes+Orb, Winner!.
How do you guys think this list should be kept? Just like I have been doing so far, or in a separate, permanent thread? And do you think we all can have as many entries as we want, or should every player's records be replaced by their best character posted (by score)?

I don't care so much about the first one personally. I just think this is most fun if it's related to us "noobs" that don't make every second run a win. I've seen some scoretables on online-servers, and it's pretty irellevant for my skill-level.

As for only having one (the best) character posted in the list, I think it's fun to be able to have several entries..maybe one char has accomplished lots of things but don't have as high score as another character, and so you want to post both.. I don't know, maybe post/replace as the posting player wishes?
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: dweller on November 09, 2009, 07:25:28 PM: What about keeping the list in the first post in the thread and modify it as more dead adventurers pile up?
About how many records we should keep, if everyone could keep every character it can be overwhelming, so limit should apply.
top 20?
or one player can have only two heroes in list?
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Karzack on November 10, 2009, 12:32:43 AM: Quote from: dweller on November 09, 2009, 07:25:28 PM
What about keeping the list in the first post in the thread and modify it as more dead adventurers pile up?
About how many records we should keep, if everyone could keep every character it can be overwhelming, so limit should apply.
top 20?
or one player can have only two heroes in list?

This sounds good to me. A top 20 characters that is on the first post of the thread. As for how many per person, I don't know. One for me is fine, but all characters are different and score can vary a lot compared to how far you made it or what you are carrying.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Numeron on November 10, 2009, 06:15:53 AM: Is being full or greater (Ive not pushed it beyond engorged) pose a risk with continuing to eat? Does carrying the status of full or higher reduce my character's capabilities in any way (like reduce chance to hit or something)? the status is coloured green which indicates its safe to have, but I come from a Nethack background where its not, so I jsut want to make sure ;)
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Rabiat on November 10, 2009, 08:57:34 AM: Quote from: Karzack on November 10, 2009, 12:32:43 AM
This sounds good to me. A top 20 characters that is on the first post of the thread. As for how many per person, I don't know. One for me is fine, but all characters are different and score can vary a lot compared to how far you made it or what you are carrying.

Personally I don't think score is very meaningful in itself, so I'd suggest to sort the list by Win, Orb, Runes, Score. There could be some debate over the question whether Runes must be carried, or if stashed Runes count too. In my opinion stashed Runes count, but players would have to be trusted to report truthfully (which would be self-evident if players are trusted not to save-scum).

Quote from: Numeron on November 10, 2009, 06:15:53 AM
Is being full or greater (Ive not pushed it beyond engorged) pose a risk with continuing to eat? Does carrying the status of full or higher reduce my character's capabilities in any way (like reduce chance to hit or something)? the status is coloured green which indicates its safe to have, but I come from a Nethack background where its not, so I jsut want to make sure ;)

There are no side effects to satiation, so it doesn't reduce speed or chance to hit, for example. And if your character is engorged he'll simply refuse to eat more. The only dangers related to eating are starvation and possibly sickness, poisoning, mutation, or rotting from eating chunks. Undead characters are exceptions; Vampires cannot starve, Mummies cannot eat, and Ghouls won't go hungry (but they'll rot instead).
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on November 10, 2009, 11:55:15 PM: Well, I think score will be what sorts the list no matter what. Especially since it seems that Crawl is good at valuing certain things, such as finding Runes. (I don't think it subtracts score for dropping a Rune either) I mean when my highscore was 10k I just got alittle further than that, but found one Rune, and score was all of a sudden 120k.

And I don't like the thought of making a list way back in a huge thread as this one, and then have it drown with lots of posts. Newcomers might not even know it exists.

Maybe I can update it once every page, and then modify that one for that page's posts? :)
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Hi on November 11, 2009, 04:04:54 AM: sounds good
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: nightspirit on November 17, 2009, 05:07:37 PM: I think my highest score was 2300 something. I chose a random character, and I got a Demigod Priest. I can't remember, but I think a big eye kept paralyzing me and something else was attacking me.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on November 18, 2009, 11:30:31 PM: Quote from: nightspirit on November 17, 2009, 05:07:37 PM
I think my highest score was 2300 something. I chose a random character, and I got a Demigod Priest. I can't remember, but I think a big eye kept paralyzing me and something else was attacking me.

Hehe, well if you want your score up on the board, try again! And during anytime of the game, you can use the '#' command to make a "character dump". It will send out all the info about your current char to a text-file in your Crawl-directory.

Probably other handy commands I don't know about too, but that will work. Good luck! :)
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on December 02, 2009, 12:39:53 AM: Alright!! You hear the frantic ticking of an ancient clock.

If noone complete Crawl within 3 days from now, I SHALL MAKE THIS THREAD, ALONG WITH ALL ITS' CONTENTS DISSAPEAR!!

...not really, but come on guys! Noone making Crawl-runs atm? I will finish this Merfolk Wizard I've been playing for weeks, and perhaps re-roll if I kill it off too soon! :)
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Mr.Dude on December 18, 2009, 06:53:59 PM: Wow. Reading this, I've been humbled.
My highest score was 860 or so. :-\

I guess I'll just have to keep at it, then! :D
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on December 21, 2009, 01:01:27 PM: REST IN PEACE EXPLORERS OF THE DUNGEON.. THESE BRAVE ADVENTURERS SHALL BE REMEMBERED...

(1) 210030 Numeron the Severer (http://www.roguetemple.com/forums/index.php?topic=540.msg4862#msg4862) (level 18, -26/163 HPs)
(2) 72034 PerKiller the Black Belt (http://www.roguetemple.com/forums/index.php?topic=540.msg4978#msg4978) (level 14, -2/106 (122) HPs) (Player: Omnivorous)
(3) 31629 Karzack the Hacker (http://www.roguetemple.com/forums/index.php?topic=540.msg5009#msg5009) (level 13, 0/132 HPs)
(4) 24878 Moprog the Frost Mage (http://www.roguetemple.com/forums/index.php?topic=540.msg5064#msg5064) (level 12, -12/77 (85) HPs) (Player: dweller)
(5) 4300 Karis the Slicer (http://www.roguetemple.com/forums/index.php?topic=540.msg4858#msg4858) (level 10, -2/56 HPs) (Player: Archaalen)

Color-coding: No Runes, One Rune, Two Runes, Three Runes, Three Runes+, Orb of Zot, All Runes+Orb, Winner!.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Dedastary on December 23, 2009, 12:34:58 PM: Hello. I made a wizard video tutorial for dungeon crawl ss. There is some usefull stuff in it that would take ages to post on forum so if you are interested here is the link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9WnSqXwy5g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUdr-W48UgA&feature=related

Its basicly a giant spoiler so don't watch it if you don't like playing using spoilers. I would be really glad if I got some feedback though.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: AmnEn on December 26, 2009, 11:01:35 PM: Note to self:
Don't equip random Artefact weapons if you don't have a remove curse scroll handy. Even if they have some juicy +12/+16 Attributes right off the bat. Just... don't.

Oh, that's why:
You revert to your normal form in water.
Your digestive system is specialised to digest meat.
You do not heal naturally.
Your metabolism is lightning-fast.
You are weak (Str -3).
You are clumsy (Dex -2).
Space sometimes distorts in your vicinity.
Armour fits poorly on your hideously deformed body.
You occasionally shout uncontrollably.
Your body is deteriorating.
You are frail (-10% HP).
Your magical capacity is low (-10% MP).
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: dweller on January 03, 2010, 05:15:43 PM: Hi guys. Finally I have something to post here, and finally I managed to get relative far (to me) with melee character.
I've found a gateway to hell on my run, but been too afraid to step in. So I decided to clean elven halls, but met unexpected resistance in the end. Tried to teleport away, but with bad luck, then even Trog could not help me.

So here is my dead champion:

Code: [Select]
Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup version 0.5.2 (crawl-ref) character file. 52993 Rotog the Hacker (level 14, -11/130 (134) HPs) Began as a Mountain Dwarf Berserker on Jan 3, 2010. Was the Champion of Trog. Killed by divine providence ... invoked by a deep elf priest (12 damage) ... on Level 7 of the Elven Halls. Dweller's game lasted 01:40:49 (26309 turns). Rotog the Hacker (Mountain Dwarf Berserker) Turns: 26309, Time: 01:40:49 HP -11/130 (134) AC 31 Str 39 Exp: 14/72589 (1), need: 23610 MP 9/9 EV 11 Int 8 God: Trog ****** Gold 2181 SH 0 Dex 15 Spells: 0 memorised, 13 levels left Res.Fire : . . . See Invis. : + B - +0,+6 battleaxe of the Jolly Stars {god gi Res.Cold : . . . Warding : + s - +2 orc plate mail Life Prot.: + . . Conserve : . (no shield) Res.Poison: . Res.Corr. : . X - +1 dwarf helmet {Int+3} Res.Elec. : . Clarity : . E - +0 cloak U - -1 pair of gloves of Esozola {EV+3 Dam+2} Sust.Abil.: . Rnd.Telep. : . l - +0 pair of boots Res.Mut. : . Ctrl.Telep.: . Q - amulet of warding Res.Slow : . Levitation : . H - +4 ring of strength Saprovore : . . . Ctrl.Flight: . G - ring of see invisible @: exhausted, mighty, somewhat resistant to magic, extremely unstealthy A: Dex -1 a: Burn Spellbooks, Berserk, Trog's Hand, Brothers in Arms, Renounce Religion You were on level 7 of the Elven Halls. You worshipped Trog. Trog was exalted by your worship. You were near starving. You visited 4 branches of the dungeon, and saw 30 of its levels. You collected 2558 gold pieces. You spent 410 gold pieces at shops. Inventory: Hand weapons e - a +0,+2 orcish hand axe (quivered) h - the +6,+4 battleaxe of Cruel Justice {god gift, slay orc, Stlth--} (Trog gifted it to you on level 17 of the Dungeon) It is especially effective against all of orcish descent. It makes you much less stealthy. p - the +6,+1 hand axe "Meicimu" {EV+5 Stlth+} (You found it on level 12 of the Dungeon) It affects your evasion (+5). It makes you much more stealthy. u - a +2,+3 orcish hand axe B - the +0,+6 battleaxe of the Jolly Stars (weapon) {god gift, chop, AC+4 EV+1 Str+4 Dex+4} (Trog gifted it to you on level 6 of the Elven Halls) It inflicts extra damage upon your enemies. It affects your AC (+4). It affects your evasion (+1). It affects your strength (+4). It affects your dexterity (+4). T - a +1,+1 dwarven vampiric hand axe {god gift} Armour a - a +1 pair of dwarven gloves l - a +0 pair of boots (worn) s - a +2 orcish plate mail (worn) E - a +0 cloak (worn) U - the -1 pair of gloves of Esozola (worn) {EV+3 Dam+2} (You found it on level 11 of the Dungeon) It affects your evasion (+3). It affects your damage-dealing abilities (+2). X - a +1 dwarven helmet of intelligence (worn) Magical devices k - a wand of lightning (2) o - a wand of slowing (8) q - a wand of confusion (6) t - a wand of frost (18) w - a wand of lightning (7) x - a wand of confusion (3) y - a wand of enslavement (7) I - a wand of slowing (11) J - a wand of random effects (5) K - a wand of disintegration (4) L - a wand of fire (10) O - a wand of slowing (5) S - a wand of polymorph other (10) Comestibles c - 4 bread rations F - 2 meat rations N - a chunk of elf flesh Scrolls j - a scroll of recharging n - 3 scrolls of remove curse z - 2 scrolls of magic mapping P - a scroll of detect curse V - a scroll of fear Jewellery g - a +4 ring of dexterity m - an uncursed amulet of resist corrosion r - an uncursed ring of ice A - an uncursed ring of levitation G - a ring of see invisible (left hand) H - a +4 ring of strength (right hand) M - an uncursed ring of fire Q - an amulet of warding (around neck) Potions b - 7 potions of healing f - a potion of mutation v - 2 potions of restore abilities C - 2 potions of speed D - a potion of might R - 2 potions of invisibility You had 1 experience left. Skills: + Level 13 Fighting + Level 20 Axes + Level 2 Darts + Level 3 Throwing + Level 12 Armour - Level 2 Dodging - Level 3 Traps & Doors You had 13 spell levels left. You didn't know any spells. Overview of the Dungeon Branches: Temple: D:6 Orc : D:6 Elf : Orc:3 Lair : D:9 Vault : D:15 Altars: Zin: D:4 Vehumet: Elf:7 Beogh: Orc:2 Shops: D:13: ? Orc:3: [ Portals: Hell: D:13 Innate Abilities, Weirdness & Mutations You are clumsy (Dex -1). Message History * * * LOW HITPOINT WARNING * * * The deep elf master archer shoots an elven arrow. The elven arrow hits you! * * * LOW HITPOINT WARNING * * * The deep elf soldier gestures wildly while chanting. The deep elf soldier seems to speed up. The deep elf priest mumbles some strange prayers to its god against you. 33e 5ee33 353e445 ##. .35355...#..... ..!............. ................# .............# ............# .....}.....# ##..........# #......e@...# ..e....e....# .e.e.e.C###+ ..e.....# .......## .e..e# ..## # You could see a deep elf master archer, 2 deep elf sorcerers, a deep elf knight, a deep elf fighter, a deep elf priest, 3 deep elf soldiers and a friendly stone giant (berserk). Vanquished Creatures A deep elf blademaster (Elf:7) Agnes (Vault:1) Norbert (Elf:5) Jozef (D:15) A deep elf death mage (Elf:7) Josephine (D:15) A rakshasa (Vault:1) 2 griffons A deep elf high priest (Elf:7) 2 hill giants 3 centaur warriors 9 deep elf knights 4 skeletal warriors 4 unseen horrors The ghost of Worgo the Cleaver, an experienced MDBe of Trog (D:8) The ghost of Nirgim the Carver, an experienced MDPa (D:9) A wizard (D:17) 3 orc sorcerers Erolcha (D:10) 4 humans (D:9) A moth of wrath (shapeshifter) (D:14) A trapdoor spider (Vault:1) A mimic (D:15) 2 wolf spiders A rock troll (Orc:4) 2 hydra zombies (D:13) 33 slime creatures 6 cyclopes Donald (Elf:4) A hellwing (Elf:4) 4 giant brown frogs A hill giant skeleton (D:15) An efreet (D:16) 2 giant brown frog zombies The ghost of Mombor the Slasher, an average MDPa (D:9) 24 ugly things A two-headed ogre (D:11) 6 trolls 5 grizzly bears (D:11) 4 komodo dragons An elf zombie (Elf:1) A ynoxinul (Elf:2) Sonja (Elf:3) Edmund (D:10) 3 hippogriffs 2 giant goldfish (D:16) 26 yaks 17 deep elf conjurers 4 hungry ghosts Eustachio (D:17) 11 deep elf summoners 4 giant blowflies 2 wraiths 19 deep elf fighters 2 wyverns 2 ugly thing skeletons (D:15) A soldier ant (Vault:1) 2 manticores 3 hairy devils (D:11) 7 ogres A black bear (D:11) 13 deep elf priests A necrophage (D:7) A gila monster (D:12) 15 big kobolds A komodo dragon zombie (D:14) 4 ice beasts 4 centaurs 2 phantoms A troll skeleton (Vault:1) A mottled dragon (D:16) 2 yellow wasps 6 giant frogs 11 orc warriors 2 giant lizards (D:9) A warg (Orc:4) 14 deep elf magi A giant frog skeleton (Vault:1) An eye of draining (D:11) Blork the orc (D:10) A giant frog zombie (D:15) 27 killer bees 4 big fish (D:16) 4 hounds 9 imps A wight (D:11) 11 orc priests 2 giant beetles 6 giant ants 3 orange rats 20 orc wizards 38 deep elf soldiers A big kobold zombie (Vault:1) 2 scorpions 4 giant iguanas 2 sheep (Vault:1) 2 shadows A giant ant zombie (D:14) 2 jellies (D:12) A worm zombie (D:6) A giant centipede (D:14) 7 gnolls 11 snakes 4 worms 2 green rats (Elf:4) A giant mite (D:8) A manes (Elf:4) A giant iguana zombie (D:8) 2 shadow imps (D:13) An ooze (D:5) 20 ufetubi A butterfly zombie (D:15) 8 giant cockroaches 4 grey rats 15 hobgoblins 10 jackals 36 kobolds 141 orcs 2 quokkas 19 giant bats 3 giant geckos 5 giant newts 15 goblins A hobgoblin zombie (D:5) 5 illusory rakshasas (Vault:1) A kobold zombie (D:11) 2 orc zombies (Orc:4) 18 rats 2 small snakes 5 fungi 819 creatures vanquished. Vanquished Creatures (others) An unseen horror (D:17) An ugly thing (D:16) A giant bat (Elf:1) A grey rat (Elf:4) A jackal (D:11) 2 orcs A giant spore (D:14) A kobold (D:6) 3 rats 12 creatures vanquished. Grand Total: 831 creatures vanquished Notes Turn | Place | Note -------------------------------------------------------------- 0 | D:1 | Rotog, the Mountain Dwarf Berserker, began the quest for the Orb. 0 | D:1 | Reached XP level 1. HP: 16/16 MP: 0/0 464 | D:1 | Reached XP level 2. HP: 19/24 MP: 1/1 849 | D:2 | Acquired Trog's second power 1313 | D:2 | Reached XP level 3. HP: 30/30 MP: 1/1 1714 | D:3 | Reached XP level 4. HP: 38/38 MP: 2/2 1718 | D:3 | Reached skill 5 in Axes 2731 | D:4 | Reached XP level 5. HP: 32/46 MP: 3/3 2764 | D:4 | Reached skill 6 in Axes 3575 | D:5 | Entered Level 5 of the Dungeon 3717 | D:4 | Reached XP level 6. HP: 47/52 MP: 3/3 3821 | D:5 | Reached skill 7 in Axes 3829 | D:5 | Reached skill 5 in Fighting 4538 | D:5 | Reached XP level 7. HP: 58/61 MP: 4/4 4588 | D:6 | Reached skill 8 in Axes 4599 | D:6 | Acquired Trog's third power 5140 | D:7 | Reached skill 9 in Axes 5306 | D:7 | Reached skill 5 in Armour 5515 | D:7 | Reached XP level 8. HP: 37/66 MP: 5/5 5742 | D:7 | Reached skill 10 in Axes 5806 | D:7 | Reached XP level 9. HP: 40/75 MP: 5/5 5989 | D:7 | Reached skill 11 in Axes 6192 | D:6 | Reached skill 1 in Darts 6329 | Orc:1 | Entered Level 1 of the Orcish Mines 6579 | Orc:1 | Received a gift from Trog 6584 | Orc:1 | Got a fine hand axe {god gift} 6587 | Orc:1 | Identified the hand axe "Molan" {god gift, chop, Int+2} (Trog gifted it to you on level 1 of the Orcish Mines) 6936 | Orc:3 | Bought a +1 dwarven helmet of intelligence for 253 gold pieces 6950 | Orc:3 | Reached skill 12 in Axes 6972 | Elf:1 | Entered Level 1 of the Elven Halls 6998 | Orc:4 | Entered Level 4 of the Orcish Mines 8206 | D:8 | Received a gift from Trog 8277 | D:8 | Noticed Worgo's ghost 8288 | D:8 | Defeated Worgo's ghost 8288 | D:8 | Reached XP level 10. HP: 86/86 MP: 6/6 8865 | D:8 | Reached skill 1 in Traps & Doors 9056 | D:9 | Reached skill 13 in Axes 9204 | D:9 | Noticed Mombor's ghost 9217 | D:9 | Defeated Mombor's ghost 10073 | D:9 | Noticed Nirgim's ghost 10086 | D:9 | Defeated Nirgim's ghost 10130 | D:10 | Entered Level 10 of the Dungeon 10250 | D:10 | Noticed Erolcha 10259 | D:10 | Defeated Erolcha 10283 | D:10 | Noticed Blork the orc 10284 | D:10 | Reached XP level 11. HP: 77/96 MP: 7/7 10286 | D:10 | Reached skill 14 in Axes 10288 | D:10 | Received a gift from Trog 10302 | D:10 | Defeated Blork the orc 10448 | D:10 | Noticed Edmund 10462 | D:10 | Defeated Edmund 11398 | D:11 | Reached skill 1 in Throwing 11598 | D:11 | Got a pair of warped gloves 11599 | D:11 | Identified the -1 pair of gloves of Esozola (You found it on level 11 of the Dungeon) 11985 | D:11 | Received a gift from Trog 12175 | D:11 | Reached skill 15 in Axes 12373 | D:12 | Reached XP level 12. HP: 106/106 MP: 7/7 12512 | D:12 | Reached skill 10 in Fighting 12565 | D:12 | Got an iridescent hand axe 12569 | D:12 | Identified the +6,+1 hand axe "Meicimu" (You found it on level 12 of the Dungeon) 12857 | D:13 | Bought a scroll of identify for 22 gold pieces 12857 | D:13 | Bought a scroll of identify for 22 gold pieces 12857 | D:13 | Bought a scroll of enchant weapon II for 60 gold pieces 12857 | D:13 | Bought a scroll of curse armour for 1 gold piece 12857 | D:13 | Bought a scroll of enchant weapon I for 52 gold pieces 13582 | D:13 | Reached skill 16 in Axes 13633 | D:13 | Received a gift from Trog 14413 | D:14 | Reached skill 10 in Armour 14707 | D:15 | Entered Level 15 of the Dungeon 14710 | D:15 | Noticed Josephine 15019 | D:15 | Received a gift from Trog 15226 | D:15 | Reached skill 17 in Axes 15257 | D:15 | Noticed Jozef 15276 | Vault:1 | Entered Level 1 of the Vaults 15739 | Vault:1 | Reached XP level 13. HP: 52/116 MP: 8/8 16552 | Vault:1 | Noticed Agnes 16558 | Vault:1 | Defeated Agnes 16749 | D:15 | Reached skill 18 in Axes 16761 | D:15 | Defeated Jozef 16812 | D:15 | Defeated Josephine 18413 | D:17 | Received a gift from Trog 18414 | D:17 | Got a shimmering battleaxe {god gift} 18417 | D:17 | Identified the battleaxe of Cruel Justice {god gift, slay orc, Stlth--} (Trog gifted it to you on level 17 of the Dungeon) 18508 | D:17 | Noticed Eustachio 18514 | D:17 | Defeated Eustachio 19613 | Orc:3 | Reached XP level 14. HP: 127/127 MP: 9/9 19621 | Orc:3 | Reached skill 19 in Axes 19718 | Orc:3 | Reached XP level 13. HP: 108/121 MP: 8/8 19719 | Orc:3 | Reached XP level 14. HP: 111/127 MP: 9/9 19836 | Orc:4 | Noticed a rock troll 19859 | Orc:4 | Defeated a rock troll 19884 | Orc:4 | Received a gift from Trog 20538 | Orc:4 | Reached XP level 13. HP: 121/121 MP: 8/8 20540 | Orc:4 | Reached XP level 14. HP: 113/127 MP: 9/9 22014 | Elf:2 | Received a gift from Trog 22587 | Elf:2 | Reached XP level 13. HP: 102/121 MP: 8/8 22588 | Elf:2 | Reached XP level 14. HP: 82/127 MP: 9/9 23673 | Elf:3 | Noticed Sonja 23682 | Elf:3 | Defeated Sonja 24120 | Elf:3 | Received a gift from Trog 24182 | Elf:4 | Noticed Donald 24197 | Elf:4 | Defeated Donald 24953 | Elf:5 | Received a gift from Trog 25122 | Elf:5 | Noticed Norbert 25135 | Elf:5 | Defeated Norbert 25710 | Elf:5 | Reached skill 20 in Axes 25962 | Elf:6 | Received a gift from Trog 25963 | Elf:6 | Got a crude battleaxe {god gift} 25977 | Elf:6 | Identified the battleaxe of the Jolly Stars {god gift, chop, AC+4 EV+1 Str+4 Dex+4} (Trog gifted it to you on level 6 of the Elven Halls) 26065 | Elf:6 | Noticed Roxanne 26070 | Elf:7 | Entered Level 7 of the Elven Halls 26261 | Elf:7 | Noticed a deep elf blademaster 26263 | Elf:7 | Noticed a deep elf blademaster 26287 | Elf:7 | Defeated a deep elf blademaster 26302 | Elf:7 | Gained mutation: You are clumsy (Dex -1). 26308 | Elf:7 | Noticed a deep elf master archer 26309 | Elf:7 | HP: 1/130 [deep elf master archer/elven arrow (19)] 26309 | Elf:7 | Killed from afar by a deep elf priest
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on January 08, 2010, 11:41:47 AM: AmnEn: Haha! ..I mean, I feel sorry for you :x Roguelikes sure know how to put its players in place! ;)

dweller: Nice! Mountain Dwarves is quite fun ^^ I basically had the exact same death but with my plain Berserker. I'll be much more careful at the bottom of Elven Halls next time, or maybe just save that level for later! I'll post it when thread gets to next page. Hmmms, I think maybe it's a better idea to do like someone suggested - putting the list in a separate thread.

I'll do that now
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: AmnEn on January 09, 2010, 08:08:47 PM: This is probably the most lucky yet unlucky run I've ever had. No items of value were found, not a single useful piece of jewelry was to be seen. Can you believe I went all the way down to Dungeon Level 26 with this? I even survived the Vault, by corrupting it with Lugonus Help and then dancing aroud the neutral mobs.
You can also see where I got lucky, I ate every Shapeshifter Corpse I stumbled across and loaded up on a truckload of beneficial mutations. The little weapons and armor I had, I built from scrolls. :|
I cut the morgue a bit so it doesn't spam the entire page.

At the end of a day, it was YASD.

233558 AmnEn the Merfolkian Porcupine (level 20, 0/177 (194) HPs)
   Began as a Merfolk Chaos Knight on Jan 8, 2010.
   Was the Champion of Lugonu.
   Shot with a bolt by a yaktaur captain (5 damage)
   ... on Level 26 of the Dungeon on Jan 9, 2010.
   The game lasted 03:09:01 (66114 turns).

AmnEn the Merfolkian Porcupine (Merfolk Chaos Knight) Turns: 66114, Time: 03:09:01

HP 0/177 (194) AC 14 Str 15 (16) Exp: 20/389723 (46), need: 33876
MP 24/24 EV 25 Int 12 God: Lugonu ******
Gold 2669 SH 0 Dex 22 Spells: 3 memorised, 17 levels left

Res.Fire : + . . See Invis. : + a - +7,+5 trident
Res.Cold : . . . Warding : . p - +4 elf leather armour
Life Prot.: . . . Conserve : . (no shield)
Res.Poison: . Res.Corr. : . c - +0 helmet "Gub Uracs" {+Rage rF+}
Res.Elec. : + Clarity : . P - +0 dwarf cloak
   M - +0 pair of gloves {Dex+3}
Sust.Abil.: . Rnd.Telep. : . (no boots)
Res.Mut. : . Ctrl.Telep.: . w - amulet of resist slowing
Res.Slow : + Levitation : . l - ring of see invisible
Saprovore : . . . Ctrl.Flight: . H - ring of Juwnylof {Str+1 Dam+4}

@: quite resistant to magic, extremely stealthy
A: change form in water, electricity resistance, slow metabolism 2, teleport at will 1,
spit poison 1, sense surroundings 1, blink, +10% hp, AC +4, EV +1
a: Spit Poison, Sense Surroundings, Blink, Teleportation, Depart the Abyss, Bend Space,
Banish, Corrupt, Enter the Abyss, Renounce Religion, Evoke Berserk Rage

___

You had 46 experience left.

   Skills:
+ Level 14 Fighting
* Level 27 Polearms
+ Level 20 Dodging
+ Level 13 Stealth
+ Level 8 Stabbing
+ Level 2 Traps & Doors
+ Level 2 Spellcasting
+ Level 3 Enchantments
+ Level 4 Poison Magic
+ Level 3 Invocations
+ Level 9 Evocations

You had 17 spell levels left.
You knew the following spells:

Your Spells Type Power Success Level
a - Poison Weapon Pois/Ench N/A Very Good 2
b - Sure Blade Ench ##........ Very Good 2
c - Fire Brand Fire/Ench #......... Good 2

Overview of the Dungeon

Branches:
Temple: D:4 Orc : D:11 Lair : D:12 Hive : D:13
Vault : D:14 Blade : Vault:5 Crypt : Vault:3

Altars:
Yredelemnul: D:8
Vehumet: D:14

Shops:
D:11: + D:13: [ Vault:5: (

Portals:
Hell: D:21 D:22 D:26 D:27

   Innate Abilities, Weirdness & Mutations

You revert to your normal form in water.
You have tough skin (AC +1).
You are surrounded by a mild repulsion field (EV +1).
You are resistant to electric shocks.
You have a slow metabolism.
You can teleport at will.
You can spit poison.
You can sense your immediate surroundings.
You can translocate small distances instantaneously.
You are robust (+10% HP).
You are partially covered in black scales (AC +1).
You are partially covered in white scales (AC +1).
You are partially covered in speckled scales (AC +1).

Message History

The bolt hits you!
* * * LOW HITPOINT WARNING * * *
The yaktaur wields a crossbow.
The yaktaur shoots a bolt of frost.
The bolt of frost hits you!
* * * LOW HITPOINT WARNING * * *
The yaktaur captain shoots a bolt.

.... #..# #........
...# #.(# #........
#########..# #........
......[....# ######.##
##########.# #.#
# #)# #.##
# #)# #...
# ########.### ####
# #......c@.c# ##
###........cc# #.
....(........# #.
############## #.
# #.
# #.
# #.
# ###.
# #...

You could see a yaktaur captain and 3 yaktaurs.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on January 10, 2010, 10:21:03 PM: Holy shit! Hehe cool character. Yeah, that death looks abit silly. Badly trapped there at the end, and dying from a 5-damage hit!

I find it hard to treat situations with enough respect when I get characters that are too good. I almoast tend to make it further with worse characters, just because I don't get reckless so easily then xD

Edit: Did you find any Runes? I can't find it from the chardump. Thanks for shortening it abit though, every stick and stone in inventory isn't that interesting :)
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: AmnEn on January 11, 2010, 01:13:20 AM: Ye, one rune:

Miscellaneous
g - a silver rune of Zot

And it truely was a silly death. It's the exact problem you've mentioned. I got reckless. After having survived the Vaults I had that silly notion I could speed on down for a bit. Well at least its situational comedy. In my mind it translates to "Mermaid Ariel's hideously mutated brother got killed by a berserking sheep" and is just as embarrassing.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Fenrir on January 11, 2010, 01:46:11 AM: Quote from: AmnEn on January 11, 2010, 01:13:20 AM
"Mermaid Ariel's hideously mutated brother got killed by a berserking sheep"
Only in a roguelike....
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: AmnEn on January 12, 2010, 03:50:37 PM: True :D

Actually there's something I've been wondering about. One or two versions ago, I remember a type of scroll, Enchant Weapon III which would have a higher success rate for upgrades past +4. Now was that scroll a fidget of my imagination? Or did I grab an unofficial edit or was that a Developer Version? I remember it dropping quite frequently on the deeper levels but on my recent playthroughs with the newest version there just was no trace and thus I'm confused.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: dweller on January 12, 2010, 09:26:31 PM: I have compiled the game from official source 0.52 and saw and used the scroll too, so don't worry ;)
Don't know what it exactly do though.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: corremn on January 12, 2010, 11:16:43 PM: III upgrades both to hit and dam.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on January 13, 2010, 08:31:19 PM: I've discovered that scroll too in the last version. Just never been able to id it, as I've only ever found one.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Dedastary on January 14, 2010, 05:11:26 AM: Scroll of enchant weapon III is not very common, you can sometimes find it in shops (>300 gold I remember corectly) and at higher depths. Its a bit more common in Pan I'd say. It has higher chance to work than I and II if your weapon is allready enchanted to +5/+5 or so. Scroll of enchant weapon I and II never worked for me after around +7/+7.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on January 17, 2010, 04:24:47 PM: AhhhrrrgFS¤QT#! YASD.
I had been playing a Merfolk Crusader on and off for several weeks. It was actually looking great (potential wise) because of a ring of magic energy (or something like that, that gave me tons more mp) and early discoveries of several neat spellbooks. PLUS, I found a hefty trident right away!

However, I managed to get my trident cursed and ruined by a mummy. I didn't care too much, because I had also found a new, artifact-trident. However, I could NOT find any freakin scrolls of remove curse. I had 2 rations of bread left when I finally found one scroll. I equipped the new trident, and was back in business, finally able to switch to my knife to chop up corpses again. Then I decided to throw away the knife, and rather use this dagger for chopping. Turns out, this dagger is cursed too. With -2 and some other ugly effects, and 0 fighting skill with daggers, this was the end of this char.

I should've quit and played later when that happened, instead of throwing a tantrum by diving down, recklessly into certain death.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: corremn on January 17, 2010, 11:27:17 PM: I am always tempted to pick up that cool looking dagger when i come across it, but my better judgment kicks in. Only pick up artifact ones and use a scroll of detect curse first because they are more abundant than remove curse.
Dont attack mummies without ample RC scrolls, it is best to have a summoned ally to deal with it, or ignore it.

Good luck with the merfolk, they can be really powerful once you get to mid game.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: AmnEn on January 18, 2010, 08:40:32 PM: /edit:
Oh boy do I know cursed weapon deaths. Hilarious, but painfull.

Also does anyone else share my deep hatred for the Swamp Branch? It's wide open so no proper Auto Explore, you have to navigate tile by tile and if you're a melee fighter you get to enjoy fumbling constantly in the water while the enemies mock you by attacking and zooming away the second you even as much scratch them. Gnaaarrrrr.

I've also reached the point where I'm about to say "screw this game to hell". I currently don't feel like there's any way I can improve at this game and not get my ass handed to me the second I step into the Realm of Zot. Berserker Rage ended one turn after I activated it (wtf!?) and left me slowed and exhausted in front of Draconians that stepped up to the challenge and obliberated me that very same turn. Fun.
Still, up until that point it was a very decent character even though I paid dearly for entering the Tomb (for no real gain either :|). I call him the "Mutatortron" aka "Don't sleep near Nuclear Power Plants". And curse my habit of just using the same name all the time, makes it really irritating to meet your own ghost and not know which one it is the ghost off.

Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup version 0.5.2 (crawl-ref) character file.

488106 AmnEn the Heavyweight Champion (level 25, -3/187 (239) HPs)
   Began as a Troll Berserker on Jan 17, 2010.
   Was a Priest of Trog.
   Killed from afar by a black draconian (22 damage)
   ... with a bolt of lightning
   ... on Level 1 of the Realm of Zot on Jan 18, 2010.
   The game lasted 06:37:32 (118506 turns).

AmnEn the Heavyweight Champion (Troll Berserker) Turns: 118506, Time: 06:37:32

HP -3/187 (239) AC 23 Str 38 Exp: 25/1038919 (1), need: 86830
MP 14/14 EV 25 Int 12 God: Trog ***
Gold 5323 SH 10 Dex 13 Spells: 0 memorised, 26 levels left

Res.Fire : + + . See Invis. : + j - +6,+9 broad axe (chop) {god gift}
Res.Cold : . . . Warding : . a - +6 robe {rC+ rF+}
Life Prot.: . . . Conserve : + x - +2 shield {AC+3}
Res.Poison: . Res.Corr. : + e - +2 elf wizard hat
Res.Elec. : . Clarity : + y - -1 orc cloak {rCorr, Cons}
   (gloves unavailable)
Sust.Abil.: + Rnd.Telep. : . (boots unavailable)
Res.Mut. : . Ctrl.Telep.: . g - amulet of the Thirteen Seas {Clar -CAST EV
Res.Slow : . Levitation : . h - ring of Saviour {MR AC+4 Dex+2 Int+4 SInv
Gourmand : + Ctrl.Flight: . K - ring of Ymokh {SustAb rF+ rC- AC+3 Str+2 I

@: exhausted, very slow, slowed, very resistant to magic, very stealthy
A: unfitting armour, regeneration 2, fast metabolism 3, saprovore 2, gourmand, AC +3
a: Burn Spellbooks, Berserk, Trog's Hand, Renounce Religion

Miscellaneous
c - an ornate deck of war
n - a golden rune of Zot
D - the horn of Geryon
E - a decaying rune of Zot
F - a silver rune of Zot
G - a serpentine rune of Zot

   Skills:
+ Level 16 Fighting
+ Level 3 Axes
+ Level 1 Armour
+ Level 19 Dodging
+ Level 9 Stealth
+ Level 6 Stabbing
+ Level 12 Shields
+ Level 5 Traps & Doors
* Level 27 Unarmed Combat
+ Level 1 Spellcasting
+ Level 3 Evocations

You had 26 spell levels left.
You didn't know any spells.

Overview of the Dungeon

Branches:
Temple: D:6 Orc : D:9 Elf : Orc:4 Lair : D:10
Swamp : Lair:5 Slime : Lair:8 Snake : Lair:5 Hive : D:14
Vault : D:17 Blade : Vault:5 Crypt : Vault:2 Tomb : Crypt:3
Coc : Hell Zot : D:27

Altars:
Trog: Swamp:4
The Shining One: D:17
Kikubaaqudgha: Lair:6
Yredelemnul: Crypt:4, Crypt:5
Xom: Elf:7
Vehumet: Orc:4
Okawaru: Swamp:2
Makhleb: Elf:7
Elyvilon: D:15

Shops:
D:10: ?+[*( D:20: ( D:22: / D:27: ! Orc:3: [= Elf:1: ! Lair:2: = Swamp:2: [(*+
Snake:1: ( Snake:4: ! Vault:3: * Vault:5: ! Vault:8: +

Portals:
Hell: D:21 D:22 D:23 D:24 D:25 D:26
Abyss: D:25
Pan: D:22 D:24 D:26

   Level Annotations

Dungeon
10: Stash

Slime Pits
6: Forgot means of Teleport Control... slime says *slurp* =(

Snake Pit
1: Holy Wrath - Shop Reminder

   Innate Abilities, Weirdness & Mutations

You have claws for hands.
Your body does not fit into most forms of armour.
You have very tough skin (AC +2).
You heal very quickly.
Your metabolism is lightning-fast.
You can eat rotten meat.
You like to eat raw meat.
You are covered in fur (AC +1).

  3091 | D:3 | Gained mutation: You can breathe flames.
  3091 | D:3 | Gained mutation: You are partially covered in supple grey scales (AC +1).
26845 | D:10 | Lost mutation: You can breathe flames.
26845 | D:10 | Lost mutation: You are partially covered in supple grey scales (AC +1).
30563 | D:14 | Gained mutation: Armour fits poorly on your deformed body.
32193 | D:16 | Lost mutation: Armour fits poorly on your deformed body.
32193 | D:16 | Gained mutation: You are partially covered in purple scales (AC +2).
32428 | D:16 | Gained mutation: Your muscles are strong (Str +1).
32428 | D:16 | Gained mutation: Your magical capacity is low (-10% MP).
32428 | D:16 | Gained mutation: You have hooves in place of feet.
47465 | D:27 | Gained mutation: Your muscles are strong (Str +2).
51943 | Snake:4 | Gained mutation: You are partially covered in black scales (AC +1).
51943 | Snake:4 | Gained mutation: You have a pair of small horns on your head.
52479 | Snake:4 | Lost mutation: You have a pair of small horns on your head.
52760 | Snake:5 | Gained mutation: Your muscles are strong (Str +1), but stiff (Dex -1).
52761 | Snake:5 | Lost mutation: Your magical capacity is low (-10% MP).
61683 | Vault:5 | Gained mutation: You are resistant to magic.
63503 | Vault:6 | Gained mutation: Your system is resistant to poisons.
66101 | Vault:7 | Gained mutation: Your flesh is cold resistant.
67774 | Vault:8 | Gained mutation: Your vision is a little blurry.
67775 | Vault:8 | Lost mutation: Your vision is a little blurry.
87497 | D:10 | Gained mutation: You occasionally shout uncontrollably.
87497 | D:10 | Gained mutation: You are highly resistant to magic.
87497 | D:10 | Gained mutation: You have a pair of small horns on your head.
99827 | Slime:3 | Gained mutation: Armour fits poorly on your deformed body.
99924 | Slime:3 | Gained mutation: Your vision is a little blurry.
100123 | Slime:4 | Gained mutation: You sometimes yell uncontrollably.
108767 | Tomb:1 | Gained mutation: Your vision is quite blurry.
108776 | Tomb:1 | Gained mutation: You are frail (-10% HP).
109824 | Tomb:2 | Gained mutation: Your digestive system is specialised to digest meat.
109872 | Tomb:2 | Lost mutation: Your vision is quite blurry.
109975 | Tomb:2 | Gained mutation: You are clumsy (Dex -1).
110058 | Tomb:2 | Gained mutation: Your body is slowly deteriorating.
110221 | Tomb:2 | Lost mutation: You have a pair of small horns on your head.
110241 | Tomb:2 | Gained mutation: You frequently scream uncontrollably.
113701 | Tomb:3 | Gained mutation: Space occasionally distorts in your vicinity.
115513 | D:10 | Lost mutation: Your vision is a little blurry.
115513 | D:10 | Lost mutation: You are frail (-10% HP).
115513 | D:10 | Lost mutation: You frequently scream uncontrollably.
115513 | D:10 | Lost mutation: You sometimes yell uncontrollably.
115514 | D:10 | Lost mutation: Your body is slowly deteriorating.
115514 | D:10 | Lost mutation: Your muscles are strong (Str +2).
115514 | D:10 | Lost mutation: Your muscles are strong (Str +1).
115514 | D:10 | Lost mutation: Armour fits poorly on your deformed body.
115515 | D:10 | Lost mutation: You are highly resistant to magic.
115515 | D:10 | Lost mutation: You are clumsy (Dex -1).
115515 | D:10 | Lost mutation: You are partially covered in black scales (AC +1).
115515 | D:10 | Lost mutation: You are resistant to magic.
115516 | D:10 | Lost mutation: Space occasionally distorts in your vicinity.
115516 | D:10 | Lost mutation: You occasionally shout uncontrollably.
115516 | D:10 | Lost mutation: Your system is resistant to poisons.
115516 | D:10 | Lost mutation: Your muscles are strong (Str +1), but stiff (Dex -1).
115517 | D:10 | Lost mutation: You are partially covered in purple scales (AC +2).
115517 | D:10 | Lost mutation: Your digestive system is specialised to digest meat.
115517 | D:10 | Lost mutation: Your flesh is cold resistant.
115518 | D:10 | Lost mutation: You have hooves in place of feet.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: corremn on January 18, 2010, 11:56:34 PM: Quote from: AmnEn on January 18, 2010, 08:40:32 PM

Also does anyone else share my deep hatred for the Swamp Branch? It's wide open so no proper Auto Explore, you have to navigate tile by tile and if you're a melee fighter you get to enjoy fumbling constantly in the water while the enemies mock you by attacking and zooming away the second you even as much scratch them. Gnaaarrrrr.
Malhkeb helps here, as do polearms or spells to attack those hiding water critters (I guess weapons of reaching as well). Wait to they hide and smack them for free :).

Quote from: AmnEn on January 18, 2010, 08:40:32 PM
I've also reached the point where I'm about to say "screw this game to hell". I currently don't feel like there's any way I can improve at this game and not get my ass handed to me the second I step into the Realm of Zot. Berserker Rage ended one turn after I activated it (wtf!?) and left me slowed and exhausted in front of Draconians that stepped up to the challenge and obliberated me that very same turn. Fun.

1 turn rage should no happen.

Anyway, some tips.
Your equipment did not seem that great. - Not your fault though.
You really want equipment that boosts EV for this char.
Trogs best gifts are great weapons, so an unarmed troll misses out, maybe try Mi or MD.
Berzerk is not Trogs only ability use them all. Regeneration is a great ability, although you are a troll already, did you have regen on?
Allies take the heat off you as well.
Berzerk should be a last option in Zot unless you are standing on stairs, it will nearly always lead to your death. Unless you have an amulet of Resist slowing, an absulute must (until it gets nurfed in the next version). A potion of haste taken after you berzerk will cure you, plus it lasts longer than slow effect does, Plus if you have the aformentioned amulet you will be faster for longer.

Also why are you wielding an axe when you have level 3 in axes.

Scrolls of fog and summon allies will get you out of a lot of trouble, as long as you are not slowed ;).
I dont see your inventory so I cant give you any other clues how to avoid this death.

I dont think your EV was high enough. I dont play trolls much but I would of though DEX would be better than STR.
Also you should have fighting skill higher to increase hitpoints. Dont get them drained either. Maybe spend time in Pan to increase you skills as long as you have the right resistances.

Try Oki instead of Trog, or have a break altogether.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: AmnEn on January 19, 2010, 11:36:56 AM: Thanks for the advice, at the moment I'm somewhat too frustrated to give it another try though.
I did try to go for a high EV but that was the best the game came up with. Still, the high strength was nice while it lasted, tearing dragons apart with one swipe was somewhat satisfying, although probably in honor to the Random Number God (not you Xom, I hate you).
Curious thing about that Axe, even though I didn't have a lot of Skill in it, it was about as strong as my unarmed attacks but in Retrospective, that's probably thanks to the high strength of the character. I'll keep in mind about not using Berserker down in Zot anymore. And yes I used Trogs Hand, didn't know that the Regen would stack (nice to know), but the bonus in Magic Resistance was always welcome.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on January 19, 2010, 02:47:35 PM: Well take a break. Or take a break from melee chars and try out some whacky combo. It's harder, but very fun when you feel you've accomplished something with!

And on the positive side, that's another nice run :) I gotta get one of these damn Merfolk Crusaders to survive till midgame so I can see about knocking one of your scores down a notch! ;D

Lots of good advice btw for Berserker. I think one of the biggest mistakes (as for things you can affect/control) is that weapon too. 3 is horribly low. If you really wanted to adapt to that Axe, I think you would've been forced to practice it some in safer areas first. My last Merfolk Crusader was tearing things up easily with a normal Trident. Got a much better Dagger bound to me by curse (and both weapons rely on DEX I think) and it made my melee close to useless!
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: AmnEn on January 19, 2010, 07:50:22 PM: Well I tried a Chaos Knight of Xom. It was quite funny, they really added lots of flair to him. Well, it's always fun and jokes until he drops you off right in front of Sigmund and paralyzes you while commenting your death with manic laughter.

//On an Off Topic Sidenote, I quite like how this place has livened up a bit lately. Much more activity going 'round.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Dedastary on January 19, 2010, 09:06:15 PM: Try a caster really. Its hard in the begining but when you get a hang of it its really fun to play and easier mid and late game. With right tactics you can down practicly anything not resistant to fire with conjure flame and summon mammels/butterflies. And you'll have blink, mephitic cloud and stuff. By the time you meet really hard mobs you will allready have iron bolt/dispell undead or something not elemental related. Combined with haste for hairy situations and some skills in fighting for hp, resistances...you become hard to kill.

Just want to add something about equping weapons that are not ID-ed. Curse is not you're only potential problem. Have in mind that every time you try branded weapon it can be weapon of distortion. Unequiping it can result in abbys tour. Abbys tours for most chars is a 90% death tour unless you are allready quite powerfull and hopefully have haste. Weapons of distortion can be found from DL1 on.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on January 21, 2010, 01:46:45 AM: Well my problem with casters is that....I've played too many bashers =P My MAIN problem is ofcourse that my fragile casters don't make it that far usually. But I have made some casters that managed to get pretty powerful before they died. Thing is; the caster is tough to kill aslong as he uses his spells correct. I usually get careless or underestimate a mob, you can never really afford to do much mistakes on a caster xD And I always do mistakes at some point in these big roguelikes. :-/
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Dedastary on January 23, 2010, 01:11:08 PM: Well, yea...its hard to stay focused all the time and I see how you lose you're patience if you played bashers before:) With casters you need much more thinking and you need more time to kill something. It gets anoying sometimes. My advice to you is stop playing and save when you start to feel like you're rushing becouse thats the reason you die. Come back to it later. Another good option is to start to train fighting with caster. This way you will be able to bash with it all you want and still have spells for hardest mobs. It only needs time to develop. Check this out.

869283 fetus2 the Annihilator (level 27, 196/196 HPs)
Began as a Demonspawn Wizard on Dec 30, 2009.
Was the Champion of Sif Muna.
Got out of the dungeon alive.
The game lasted 15:45:55 (217211 turns).

HP 196/196 AC 22 Str 8 Exp: 27/2942011 (22)
MP 45/45 EV 44 Int 29 God: Sif Muna ******
Gold 5881 SH 6 Dex 16 Spells: 13 memorised, 11 levels left

@: incredibly resistant to magic, extremely stealthy
A: repel missiles, electricity resistance, life protection 3, call
torment, draw strength from death and destruction, AC +3, EV +5,
Str -1, Dex -2

c - a +7,+9 dwarven sabre of slicing (weapon)
C - the +1,+6 falchion of Light {vamp, rF+ rC++ EV+3}
(You found it on level 18 of a ziggurat)

Skills:
+ Level 14 Fighting
+ Level 19 Short Blades
+ Level 21 Dodging

* Level 27 Conjurations

Hows that for a power char?:) I bashed into executioners with this one, only needed to use spells sometimes on fiends and pan lords. Zot:5 was a faceroll trip. However, this char was not created to just finish the game (it actually failed to do what it was created for:) and you don't need to be anywhere near it to do it. I just wanted to point out the direction you might be headed since higher hp granted by training fighting and weapons might be more suitable for you're playstyle and allow more mistakes.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: AmnEn on January 24, 2010, 04:47:46 PM: Congratulations on the Win. :)
Would it be possible to see a list of spells or overall Skills?
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: rz.berry on January 24, 2010, 07:26:23 PM: Ahhhhh I hit the wrong button or somesuch, there's no reason I should have died to a hydra. :(
Especially with so many friggin wands!
Code: [Select]
Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup version 0.5.2 (crawl-ref) character file. 49097 Vice the Brawler (level 13, -1/127 HPs) Began as a Troll Berserker on Jan 24, 2010. Was the Champion of Trog. Slain by a 15-headed hydra (4 damage) ... on Level 9 of the Lair of Beasts. The game lasted 01:58:07 (22355 turns). Vice the Brawler (Troll Berserker) Turns: 22355, Time: 01:58:08 HP -1/127 AC 15 Str 31 Exp: 13/68387 (0), need: 4362 MP 4/4 EV 25 Int 5 God: Trog ****** Gold 1227 SH 0 Dex 10 Spells: 0 memorised, 12 levels left Res.Fire : . . . See Invis. : . - Unarmed Res.Cold : . . . Warding : . b - +0 animal skin Life Prot.: . . . Conserve : . (shield restricted) Res.Poison: . Res.Corr. : + x - +4 cap of the Three Places {EV+7 Str+2} Res.Elec. : . Clarity : . c - +2 cloak (gloves unavailable) Sust.Abil.: . Rnd.Telep. : . (boots unavailable) Res.Mut. : . Ctrl.Telep.: . T - amulet of resist corrosion Res.Slow : . Levitation : . z - ring of sustenance Gourmand : + Ctrl.Flight: . p - ring of Wuywkax {AC+3 EV+4} @: somewhat resistant to magic, unstealthy A: unfitting armour, regeneration 2, fast metabolism 3, saprovore 2, gourmand, AC +3 a: Burn Spellbooks, Berserk, Trog's Hand, Brothers in Arms, Renounce Religion You were on level 9 of the Lair of Beasts. You worshipped Trog. Trog was exalted by your worship. You were not hungry. You visited 3 branches of the dungeon, and saw 26 of its levels. You collected 1197 gold pieces. Inventory: Armour b - a +0 animal skin (worn) c - a +2 cloak (worn) x - the +4 cap of the Three Places (worn) {EV+7 Str+2} (You found it on level 8 of the Dungeon) It affects your evasion (+7). It affects your strength (+2). Magical devices d - a wand of paralysis (5) r - a wand of frost (16) y - a wand of paralysis (8) A - a wand of enslavement (8) B - a wand of flame (21) H - a wand of fire (11) K - a wand of lightning (7) M - a wand of confusion (8) S - a wand of draining (7) U - a wand of magic darts (18) Comestibles a - 5 meat rations n - 10 royal jellies u - 19 honeycombs v - a bread ration V - 2 apricots X - a rambutan Scrolls f - 11 scrolls of remove curse g - 2 scrolls of magic mapping h - a scroll of recharging i - 2 scrolls of identify k - 6 scrolls of detect curse q - 3 scrolls of teleportation E - a scroll of blinking J - 2 scrolls of enchant weapon II Jewellery p - the ring of Wuywkax (left hand) {AC+3 EV+4} (You found it on level 10 of the Dungeon) [ring of protection] It affects your AC (+3). It affects your evasion (+4). s - an uncursed ring of levitation z - a ring of sustenance (right hand) D - an uncursed amulet of warding I - the ring of Cleikh {rN+ Acc+3} (You found it on level 14 of the Dungeon) [ring of life protection] It affects your accuracy (+3). N - an uncursed amulet of resist slowing T - an amulet of resist corrosion (around neck) W - an uncursed ring of levitation Potions e - 13 potions of healing j - a potion of invisibility l - 2 potions of might m - 4 potions of heal wounds o - 3 potions of resistance G - 2 potions of levitation O - a potion of cure mutation P - a potion of restore abilities You had 0 experience left. Skills: + Level 11 Fighting + Level 12 Dodging - Level 2 Stealth - Level 1 Traps & Doors - Level 15 Unarmed Combat You had 12 spell levels left. You didn't know any spells. Overview of the Dungeon Branches: Temple: D:4 Orc : D:11 Lair : D:9 Swamp : Lair:2 Slime : Lair:9 Snake : Lair:5 Hive : D:11 Altars: The Shining One: D:6 Shops: D:13: ( Lair:4: [ Lair:5: % Innate Abilities, Weirdness & Mutations You have claws for hands. Your body does not fit into most forms of armour. You have very tough skin (AC +2). You heal very quickly. Your metabolism is lightning-fast. You can eat rotten meat. You like to eat raw meat. You are covered in fur (AC +1).
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Dedastary on January 24, 2010, 09:30:29 PM: Heh, thank you if you are refenring to me but its technicly not a win. I just cleared everything but didn't pick up the orb or took any runes. I made this char to do something more than that but it didn't work out so I just got out.
Here are the skills and spells.

Skills:
+ Level 14 Fighting
+ Level 19 Short Blades
+ Level 21 Dodging
+ Level 13 Stealth
+ Level 5 Stabbing
+ Level 12 Shields
+ Level 4 Traps & Doors
+ Level 17 Spellcasting
* Level 27 Conjurations
+ Level 11 Enchantments
+ Level 9 Summonings
+ Level 15 Necromancy
- Level 5 Translocations
+ Level 7 Divinations
+ Level 16 Fire Magic
- Level 1 Air Magic
+ Level 15 Earth Magic
- Level 2 Poison Magic
+ Level 14 Invocations
+ Level 11 Evocations

Your Spells Type Power Success Level
a - Dispel Undead Necr ########. Excellent 4
b - Remove Curse Ench N/A Excellent 5
d - Blink Tloc N/A Excellent 2
f - Conjure Flame Fire/Conj ########. Perfect 3
g - Mephitic Cloud Pois/Air/Conj #######... Excellent 3
h - Summon Scorpions Pois/Summ #######... Excellent 4
i - Lehudib's Crystal Sp Erth/Conj ########.. Excellent 8
j - Haste Ench #######... Excellent 6
k - Levitation Air/Ench #######... Excellent 2
l - Detect Creatures Divn ####### Excellent 2
m - Abjuration Summ #######... Excellent 3
n - Summon Butterflies Summ #######... Excellent 1
o - Identify Divn N/A Good 6

You can add fireball and delayed fireball (I forgot those spells in Pan for no aparent reason)
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: rz.berry on January 25, 2010, 01:56:19 AM: Ugh! By a blade trap... :( Such a promising MiBe, too.

Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup version 0.5.2 (crawl-ref) character file.

22839 Wrath the Bludgeoner (level 12, -3/100 HPs)
Began as a Minotaur Berserker on Jan 24, 2010.
Was the Champion of Trog.
Killed by triggering a blade trap (42 damage)
... on Level 9 of the Lair of Beasts.
The game lasted 01:20:10 (18035 turns).

Wrath the Bludgeoner (Minotaur Berserker) Turns: 18035, Time: 01:20:10

HP -3/100 AC 21 Str 22 Exp: 12/31930 (384), need: 8669
MP 5/5 EV 9 Int 7 God: Trog ******
Gold 488 SH 0 Dex 12 Spells: 0 memorised, 11 levels left

Res.Fire : . . . See Invis. : . s - +5,+7 hammer of Mnehonum {crush, *Rage AC+
Res.Cold : . . . Warding : . r - +2 splint mail
Life Prot.: . . . Conserve : . (no shield)
Res.Poison: . Res.Corr. : . (helmet restricted)
Res.Elec. : . Clarity : . (no cloak)
K - +2 pair of gloves
Sust.Abil.: + Rnd.Telep. : . (no boots)
Res.Mut. : . Ctrl.Telep.: . d - amulet of resist slowing
Res.Slow : + Levitation : . p - ring of protection from magic
Saprovore : . . . Ctrl.Flight: . m - ring of sustain abilities

@: very slightly glowing, quite resistant to magic, extremely unstealthy
A: horns 2, -10% hp
a: Burn Spellbooks, Berserk, Trog's Hand, Brothers in Arms, Renounce Religion

You were on level 9 of the Lair of Beasts.
You worshipped Trog.
Trog was exalted by your worship.
You were not hungry.

You visited 4 branches of the dungeon, and saw 20 of its levels.

You collected 841 gold pieces.
You spent 358 gold pieces at shops.

Inventory:

Hand weapons
a - a +0,+0 dagger (quivered)
j - a +0,+7 war axe of holy wrath {god gift}
s - the +5,+7 hammer of Mnehonum (weapon) {crush, *Rage AC+4 EV+2}
(You found it on level 5 of the Dungeon)
It inflicts extra damage upon your enemies.
It affects your AC (+4).
It affects your evasion (+2).
It makes you angry.
H - a +0,+3 dire flail of protection {god gift}
Armour
r - a +2 splint mail (worn)
K - a +2 pair of gloves (worn)
Magical devices
e - a wand of flame (9)
f - a wand of enslavement (11)
v - a wand of confusion (8)
x - a wand of slowing (6)
A - a wand of fire (6)
F - a wand of fire (3)
G - a wand of frost (4)
Comestibles
b - 2 meat rations
Scrolls
c - 6 scrolls of teleportation
i - 4 scrolls of detect curse
n - 10 scrolls of remove curse
o - a scroll of identify
z - 5 scrolls of recharging
D - 4 scrolls of immolation
P - a scroll of enchant weapon II
Jewellery
d - an amulet of resist slowing (around neck)
m - a ring of sustain abilities (left hand)
p - a ring of protection from magic (right hand)
q - an uncursed ring of fire
y - an uncursed amulet of resist slowing
B - a +3 ring of intelligence
Potions
g - 6 potions of healing
h - a potion of might
k - a potion of magic
l - 3 potions of restore abilities
u - a potion of invisibility
w - a potion of confusion
E - a potion of experience
R - a potion of speed
Books
C - a book of Transfigurations
Spells Type Level
Sandblast Transmutation/Earth 1
Polymorph Other Transmutation 5
Statue Form Transmutation/Earth 6
Alter Self Transmutation 7
Dragon Form Fire/Transmutation 8
Trog disapproves of the use of such an item.

You had 384 experience left.

Skills:
+ Level 11 Fighting
- Level 6 Axes
+ Level 15 Maces & Flails
+ Level 8 Armour
- Level 2 Dodging
- Level 1 Traps & Doors
+ Level 8 Unarmed Combat
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on January 26, 2010, 12:24:13 AM: Ohhh many nice scores and some new contributions too, cool! =) Dedastary, you want your score up too? If you are this 1337zor, Crawlzor, ninja-RL player I'd actually prefer to keep the highscore list for those of us that haven't beat Crawl, before this post was created anyway. It's just because I've seen lots of highscore boards for all kinds of RLs different places on the net, and for Crawl Stone Soup for example, the best players make these great runs so frequent I don't even understand how it's possible! xD Just lemme know. Either way, the advice and postings are great help.

I'll put in the others for now atleast! =)
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Dedastary on January 26, 2010, 06:45:09 AM: No, I just wanted to share some tips and I have beaten the game so its not really my place to be on the list ;D But thanks for asking. I'm no pro or anything and I really get lost in tty interface, I tryed to play on arcassiac but I got so used to tiles that I gave up after couple of trys. Anyhow, its nice to see other people play and write about it here. This game is soo underesimated, I wish more people gave it a serious try. I tryed to hook some friends but no luck, they just see the way game looks and thats it. If what I wrote here so far and the video I posted was a bit too much of a spoiler than I really apologize.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: rz.berry on January 27, 2010, 10:35:36 PM: Well, I suppose this one should make the high-score list! I'm slowly but surely improving, I thinkkkk.

Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup version 0.5.2 (crawl-ref) character file.

276097 Mother Superior the Severer (level 21, -3/193 HPs)
Began as a Mountain Dwarf Fighter on Jan 26, 2010.
Was the Champion of Okawaru.
Slain by a beast (5 damage)
... on Level 21 of the Dungeon on Jan 27, 2010.
The game lasted 05:47:27 (80064 turns).

Mother Superior the Severer (MDFi) Turns: 80064, Time: 05:47:27

HP -3/193 AC 43 Str 31 Exp: 21/499537 (8), need: 47112
MP 18/18 EV 9 Int 9 God: Okawaru ******
Gold 1283 SH 15 Dex 11 Spells: 0 memorised, 22 levels left

Res.Fire : + + . See Invis. : + R - +6,+5 broad axe (flame)
Res.Cold : x . . Warding : . W - +6 plate mail of the Cricket {EV+4 Dex+1}
Life Prot.: + + . Conserve : . K - +2 large shield {rN+}
Res.Poison: + Res.Corr. : + d - +2 helmet {SInv}
Res.Elec. : + Clarity : . E - +2 cloak {MR} {god gift}
t - +2 pair of gloves {Str+3} {god gift}
Sust.Abil.: . Rnd.Telep. : . w - +2 pair of boots
Res.Mut. : . Ctrl.Telep.: . l - amulet of resist corrosion
Res.Slow : . Levitation : . U - ring of the Seven Seas {Fire rElec MR}
Saprovore : . . . Ctrl.Flight: . v - ring of life protection

@: exhausted, incredibly resistant to magic, extremely unstealthy
A: poison resistance, fire resistance 1, slow healing 1, magic resistance 1,
berserk 1, blurry vision 1, AC +2, Dex -1
a: Might, Haste, Renounce Religion

You were on level 21 of the Dungeon.
You worshipped Okawaru.
Okawaru was exalted by your worship.
You were not hungry.

You visited 13 branches of the dungeon, and saw 65 of its levels.
You visited the Abyss 1 time.
You visited 1 Labyrinth.
You visited 3 portal chambers (including bazaars).

You collected 5077 gold pieces.
You spent 3818 gold pieces at shops.

Inventory:

Hand weapons
a - the +8,+2 broad axe of Hell's Wrath {god gift, chop, AC+2}
(Okawaru gifted it to you on level 4 of the Snake Pit)
It inflicts extra damage upon your enemies.
It affects your AC (+2).
H - a +2,+0 hand axe of freezing (quivered)
R - a +6,+5 broad axe of flaming (weapon)
Armour
d - a +2 helmet of see invisible (worn)
t - a +2 pair of gloves of strength (worn) {god gift}
w - a +2 pair of boots (worn)
E - a +2 cloak of magic resistance (worn) {god gift}
K - a +2 large shield of positive energy (worn)
W - the +6 plate mail of the Cricket (worn) {EV+4 Dex+1}
(You found it on level 4 of the Snake Pit)
It affects your evasion (+4).
It affects your dexterity (+1).
Magical devices
f - a wand of fire (7)
j - a wand of healing (3)
m - a wand of confusion (8)
o - a wand of disintegration (4)
q - a wand of fire (3)
s - a wand of paralysis (4)
u - a wand of slowing (9)
z - a wand of draining (9)
C - a wand of fireball (8)
G - a wand of confusion (4)
I - a wand of cold (8)
L - a wand of invisibility (4)
M - a wand of fire (10)
N - a wand of digging (3)
O - a wand of draining (10)
P - a wand of polymorph other (13)
Y - a wand of confusion (11)
Z - a wand of frost (15)
Comestibles
b - 4 bread rations
V - 2 meat rations
Scrolls
g - a scroll of remove curse
p - 6 scrolls of identify
r - 2 scrolls of detect curse
x - a scroll of recharging
y - 4 scrolls of teleportation
T - a scroll of enchant armour
Jewellery
c - an uncursed amulet of warding
i - the ring of Shaolin {EV+8}
(You found it in a Labyrinth)
[ring of evasion]
It affects your evasion (+8).
l - an amulet of resist corrosion (around neck)
v - a ring of life protection (left hand)
B - an uncursed amulet of the gourmand
J - the ring "Gydgheb" {rC+ Int+1}
(You acquired it on level 7 of the Lair of Beasts)
[ring of intelligence]
It affects your intelligence (+1).
It protects you from cold.
U - the ring of the Seven Seas (right hand) {Fire rElec MR}
(You bought it in a shop in a bazaar)
[ring of fire]
It insulates you from electricity.
It increases your resistance to enchantments.
Potions
e - a potion of levitation
h - a potion of coagulated blood
k - a potion of heal wounds
n - 2 potions of restore abilities
A - a potion of resistance
D - 2 potions of cure mutation
F - 9 potions of healing
Q - 2 potions of might
S - a potion of speed

You had 8 experience left.

Skills:
+ Level 17 Fighting
- Level 25 Axes
- Level 2 Maces & Flails
+ Level 14 Armour
- Level 3 Dodging
+ Level 19 Shields
+ Level 3 Traps & Doors
- Level 1 Spellcasting
+ Level 1 Invocations
- Level 2 Evocations

You had 22 spell levels left.
You didn't know any spells.

Overview of the Dungeon

Branches:
Temple: D:5 Orc : D:10 Elf : Orc:4 Lair : D:9
Swamp : Lair:4 Snake : Lair:7 Hive : D:12 Vault : D:17
Blade : Vault:4 Crypt : Vault:3 Tomb : Crypt:3

Altars:
Zin: D:14
The Shining One: Crypt:5
Kikubaaqudgha: D:2
Xom: Elf:2, Lair:8
Makhleb: Snake:5
Sif Muna: D:7, Snake:2
Beogh: Orc:3

Shops:
D:5: / D:8: [ D:14: *([ D:15: / D:18: ? Elf:4: = Lair:1: ! Swamp:4: (
Snake:2: % Snake:4: [

Portals:
Hell: D:21

Innate Abilities, Weirdness & Mutations

Your system is resistant to poisons.
Your flesh is heat resistant.
You heal slowly.
You are clumsy (Dex -1).
You are resistant to magic.
You tend to lose your temper in combat.
Your vision is a little blurry.
You are partially covered in red scales (AC +1).
You are partially covered in white scales (AC +1).
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on January 29, 2010, 01:13:53 PM: Dedastary: I don't think this thread have any proper warnings anywhere (my apologies for that), but it's been spoily throughout the entire thread. I don't mind spoily information, and haven't seen anyone else complain about it either here so I think it's all good! :) I personally appreciate all advice.

Nice char rz.berry! But you collected zero runes? (Or am I just not seeing them?) That would've boosted that char's score ALOT if you really got that score without any runes =)
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on January 29, 2010, 01:19:37 PM: Oh btw, I have a question about Monks. They are ofcourse specialists in UC. But what does this MEAN? Does it mean UC gets so powerful melee-wise that I should NEVER use any weapons?
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: jim on January 29, 2010, 05:03:12 PM: Pretty much, Omni. A couple of races lend themselves particularly well to unarmed combat (trolls and ghouls), while transmuters spend so much of their morphed time unarmed as to argue in favor of unarmed-ness as a focus. There are no special kung-fu bonuses or behavior penalties as a monk; you can wear plate and cannot catch bullets.

edit: also, if you've ever had horns or a tail, UC governs those attacks. A high UC skill gives you a chance to receive a free auxiliary attack, even if you're wielding a melee weapon while fighting. Generally, people who smash things owe it to themselves to pursue an associate's degree in UC.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Vanguard on January 30, 2010, 04:56:41 AM: How does high level UC compare to a high level hand to hand fighter with a good weapon?
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: rz.berry on January 31, 2010, 10:10:59 PM: Quote from: Omnivorous on January 29, 2010, 01:13:53 PM
Nice char rz.berry! But you collected zero runes? (Or am I just not seeing them?) That would've boosted that char's score ALOT if you really got that score without any runes =)

I had the Decaying and Serpentine runes, but they were in my stash. I'm not sure if they count towards the number of items you can carry, so I stashed 'em as I was having space issues.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: jim on February 02, 2010, 07:33:34 PM: Vanguard, a lot of that is dependent on your racial aptitudes. A Mountain Dwarf will be much better with an axe than his fists. Merfolk have insane aptitudes with polearms. Trolls and ghouls come with fre-fab claws, which make for excellent UC. Kenku are great with all weapons, but they have a beak and clawed feet, allowing for more powerful and more frequent auxiliary unarmed attacks (a higher chance at receiving additional UC combo attacks when you attack normally - with or without a weapon equipped), which might argue in favor of a balanced approach. Minotaurs, Draconians, most Demonspawn, and probably a few others I'm forgetting all have this benefit.

To my mind, the main trade-off when you go with UC is that you are resigning yourself to an empty weapon slot for the most part. One of the main secrets to winning in the mid to late game is building up a robust set of elemental resistances through the abilities of the random artifacts you'll find throughout. You'd be surprised at the difference in difficulty between a storm dragon when you have rElec and when you don't. Of course, you could do worse than an empty weapon slot; ogres, draconians, and others have to forfeit the greater part of their slots because of their physiology. Regardless, that's what I see as the main penalty. That said, you could make your way through half the game using your fists, come across a simply amazing randart, and adjust accordingly-- the fact of auxiliary unarmed attacks means that your skill points won't have been wasted.

If we're talking raw damage, my gut says that the heaviest of weapons (2 handed axes and maces) will out-perform a high UC skill in the hands of heavy hitters, but that the added speed of unarmed combat and the potential for auxiliary attacks compensates for this somewhat. Plus, kung-fu is awesome.

I should add that (IIRC) wearing a shield imposes some additional penalties on UC - mostly slowing you down a little further and culling the probability of auxiliary attacks.

And while I'm at it, I'll mention one further thing. I've noticed on a lot of the YASD posts that the characters are wielding weapons on the lighter side. While stabby types will want to make excellent use of that short blades skill, most other fighters will probably want to move into the heavier end of things as the game progresses and your skill with the weapon type improves. The reason for this is that the base damage (of, say, a hammer) and its enchanted bonus (+7, +6) do not share not a linear relationship; Crawl is misleading in this respect. The base damage for a weapon counts a LOT MORE. Therefore, a heavier weapon, even one with lower enchanted stats, can do considerably more in the way of damage provided that your skill with the weapon is high, and since the outcome of a fight in Crawl can often take no more than 1-4 turns, you really want to be hitting those death yaks as hard as you can with your great runed mace.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on February 10, 2010, 11:08:29 PM: I understand what you're saying. But we all know roguelikes is all about numbers and calculations, and to try and always make the best decition. I am currently playing a Kenku basher. Aptitude for U C is 80, Maces and Flails (which is the best weapon I currently got) is 75. I have now trained U C to level 5. Maces and Flails are 4. Should I now start using weapons? Or is it possible that without an artifact weapon of some sort, U C is actually the best attack?
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Dedastary on February 14, 2010, 02:36:56 AM: A bit off the topic but...I think I have made a dungeon crawl stone soup most awesome char in the history of awesomness. Check this out:

Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup version 0.5.2 (crawl-ref) character file.

fetus 2 the Annihilator (DSWz) Turns: 635543, Time: 2, 07:42:07

HP 254/254 AC 36 Str 9 Exp: 27/8999999 (19268)
MP 49/49 EV 51 Int 32 God: Sif Muna ******
Gold 588 SH 10 Dex 16 Spells: 16 memorised, 0 levels left

A: fire resistance 1, teleport at will 2, torment resistance, life
protection 2, draw strength from death and destruction, AC +5

Skills:
* Level 27 Fighting
+ Level 18 Short Blades
* Level 27 Long Blades
+ Level 8 Axes
+ Level 12 Maces & Flails
+ Level 6 Polearms
* Level 27 Staves
+ Level 6 Throwing
+ Level 15 Armour
* Level 27 Dodging
* Level 27 Stealth
+ Level 20 Stabbing
* Level 27 Shields
+ Level 21 Traps & Doors
- Level 5 Unarmed Combat
* Level 27 Spellcasting
* Level 27 Conjurations
* Level 27 Enchantments
* Level 27 Summonings
* Level 27 Necromancy
+ Level 14 Translocations
+ Level 17 Transmutations
+ Level 19 Divinations
* Level 27 Fire Magic
+ Level 2 Air Magic
* Level 27 Earth Magic
+ Level 14 Poison Magic
* Level 27 Invocations
* Level 27 Evocations

Vanquished Creatures
Antaeus (Coc:7)
Asmodeus (Geh:7)
Cerebov (Pan)
Gloorx Vloq (Pan)
the royal jelly (Slime:6)
Ereshkigal (Tar:7)
Dispater (Dis:7)
Lom Lobon (Pan)
Mnoleg (Pan)
A Serpent of Hell (Geh:7)
109 ancient liches
The ghost of fetal the Annihilator, a legendary DSWz of Sif Muna (Pan)
680 demon lords
Boris (twice) (D:24 Tomb:3)
69 greater mummies
Saint Roka (Tomb:3)
The ghost of fetus2 the Annihilator, a legendary DSWz of Sif Muna (Abyss)

Grand Total: 47343 creatures vanquished

Finished 7 ziggurats...the last one with angel last floor
To make things interseting, I repeatedly casted that revivification thingie and brought myself to 21 max hp. And then...I entered zot:5. :)
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Dedastary on February 14, 2010, 11:56:59 AM: Update: 2966665 fetus 2 the Annihilator (level 27, 21/21 HPs)
Began as a Demonspawn Wizard on Jan 29, 2010.
Was the Champion of Sif Muna.
Escaped with the Orb
... and 11 runes (of 10 types) on Feb 14, 2010!

The game lasted 2 days08:08:23 (642415 turns).

I had something like 80 runes but trying to take them all almost cost me the game. Had to deal with some fiends and 2 pan lords on DL1.

642035 | D:1 | Noticed Byqiun Ulive the pandemonium lord
642314 | D:1 | Noticed Shifonod the pandemonium lord
642353 | D:1 | Gained mutation: Your body is slowly deteriorating.
642376 | D:1 | Defeated Shifonod the pandemonium lord
642415 | D:$ | Escaped with the Orb!

..####..##.###.#
.###.#.##..#..##
v..v}#........#.
####.#.######1..
# #.%.# ##...#
## ##.## ##...##
.###...###...##.
..#..<..#...##h.
}..<.).@...##..#
##........##..##
.####.#####.....
...h............
................
############....
#....
############....
...3............

There were round 70 runes under my feet but imagine if that fiend hellfired me on the stairs. How hilarious would that be?:)
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Dedastary on February 14, 2010, 10:55:00 PM: Here is the video. This really made me feel like I acomplished something:)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0Pk_13WBSs
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on February 19, 2010, 01:24:57 AM: Haha, that character is sick. How could you level all the skills that high without starving to death?
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Dedastary on February 19, 2010, 07:45:09 AM: There is normal amount of food in Pan like in any normal dungeon level. I'd come in with about 7-8 food rations and got out with almost double of that after 10 or so levels. And I used staff of energy for casting spells. It's not a problem. I think I entered something like 15 Ziggurats and only there I had to actualy spend some rations. Skills were pain to train though. But when you play for 600 000 turns you get there:) And after you do get there, you have to make some serious mistakes to die. Even on Zig: 27 Angel floor you can easily just get of the floor in stead of fighting them. This char could have go on and on. I didn't know what to do with it any more. I even planed to do Zot:5 with 21hp and naked. Good thing that I didn't though, becouse I still managed to suck up 2 fireballs from orbs. But it was my mistake and its definitely possible to do something like that.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: sausage on February 23, 2010, 05:55:37 PM: The highest ive gotten is Lv8 with a Hill Dwarf Fighter, and a Deep Elf Ice Elementalist.

Now their ghosts' lurk in Lv 5 of the dungeon and they two shot my new adventurers making it extremely difficult for me to get past them anymore =(
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: corremn on February 23, 2010, 11:21:47 PM: Quote from: sausage on February 23, 2010, 05:55:37 PM
The highest ive gotten is Lv8 with a Hill Dwarf Fighter, and a Deep Elf Ice Elementalist.

Now their ghosts' lurk in Lv 5 of the dungeon and they two shot my new adventurers making it extremely difficult for me to get past them anymore =(

I usually skip levels with ghosts on them if I cannot destroy them. Gain a couple of levels and come back. Wands, potions of haste and berzerk will usually kill them. They are there for the extra challenge, but since they cannot follow you down levels you can easily clear the ghost level by going up and down a lot until only the ghost if left on the level.

Patience is what this game is about and keep focused, each encounter needs to be analysed before a decision is made. Unfortunately I usually make that decision after I have tried hacking it apart :)
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Fenrir on February 23, 2010, 11:34:49 PM: Quote from: corremn on February 23, 2010, 11:21:47 PM
Patience is what this game is about and keep focused, each encounter needs to be analysed before a decision is made. Unfortunately I usually make that decision after I have tried hacking it apart :)
Yeah, my play sessions usually go like so:
ATTAAAACK! You died. Damn, I should remember not to do that again.
ATTAAAACK! You died. I should remember not to do that either.
ATTAAAACK! You died. Oh, wait.... I wasn't supposed to do that.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Dedastary on February 24, 2010, 10:18:28 AM: Yea, running away is the best option and very simple one. As for patience, this game by itself is really not that hard. What is really hard is to stay focused and patient for all those hours playing. And to be able to recognize and expect potential problems.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: sausage on February 24, 2010, 06:04:56 PM: Quote
Yea, running away is the best option and very simple one. As for patience, this game by itself is really not that hard. What is really hard is to stay focused and patient for all those hours playing. And to be able to recognize and expect potential problems.

haha, whenever I try to run away, they stay right behind me and follow me the whole way, until I run into other enemies who then proceed to mutilate me.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Dedastary on February 24, 2010, 10:38:39 PM: Never run into unexplored teritory if possible. Use berserk for running away if you don't have any other means of haste. Running away usually means run to previous level using known path and use other stairs down. Use teleport scrolls sometimes and do it before situation gets crittical. If you have any means of summoning anything do it and use it as a shield while running away. I know this may aswel be just babling, its not that simple, I'm just trying to help.

To be honest I never seriously played melee class. But I know for sure that once you learn to play with casters you realize how much easier it is. So if you really just want to finish the game, try with demonspawn or deep elf wizard. You'll get some really cool spells that will help you a lot to just run away when you need to - which is the key to this game. Blink, mephitic cloud, summon small mammals, conjure flame, slow...all in the same spellbook you start with. There is also a video tutorial. All you need to do is allways be at full hp and mp when exploring and use those spells when you need to. If you decide to give it a try lemme know how it went.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Fenrir on February 26, 2010, 03:54:13 AM: YASD: Yak Attack!

Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup version 0.5.2 (crawl-ref) character file. 3149 Grand Axe the Cleaver (level 9, -5/75 HPs) Began as a Minotaur Berserker on Feb 25, 2010. Was a High Priest of Trog. Slain by a yak (11 damage) ... on Level 9 of the Dungeon. The game lasted 00:32:01 (8231 turns). Grand Axe the Cleaver (Minotaur Berserker) Turns: 8231, Time: 00:32:01 HP -5/75 AC 8 Str 24 Exp: 9/3477 (130), need: 1996 MP 4/4 EV 6 Int 5 God: Trog ***** Gold 716 SH 6 Dex 10 Spells: 0 memorised, 8 levels left Res.Fire : . . . See Invis. : . a - +1,+2 hand axe Res.Cold : . . . Warding : . m - +0 chain mail Life Prot.: . . . Conserve : . A - +0 shield Res.Poison: . Res.Corr. : . (helmet restricted) Res.Elec. : . Clarity : . n - -2 cloak (no gloves) Sust.Abil.: . Rnd.Telep. : . p - +0 pair of boots Res.Mut. : + Ctrl.Telep.: . G - amulet of resist mutation Res.Slow : . Levitation : . w - ring of invisibility Saprovore : . . . Ctrl.Flight: . N - ring of protection from magic @: exhausted, very slow, slowed, quite resistant to magic, extremely unstealthy A: horns 2 a: Burn Spellbooks, Berserk, Trog's Hand, Brothers in Arms, Renounce Religion, Evoke Invisibility You were on level 9 of the Dungeon. You worshipped Trog. Trog was exalted by your worship. You were not hungry. You visited 2 branches of the dungeon, and saw 10 of its levels. You collected 696 gold pieces. Inventory: Hand weapons a - a +1,+2 hand axe (weapon) b - a +0,+0 bow u - a +0,+2 hammer C - a +2,+0 spear of reaching (quivered) Missiles x - 15 +0 arrows D - 20 poisoned +0 orcish arrows Armour m - a +0 chain mail (worn) n - a -2 cloak (worn) p - a +0 pair of boots (worn) A - a +0 shield (worn) Magical devices d - a wand of draining (8) v - a wand of fire (12) I - a wand of digging (7) Comestibles c - a bread ration f - 2 pears i - a sausage l - 2 apples q - 5 meat rations y - 5 grapes O - a choko Scrolls j - 4 scrolls of identify k - a scroll of teleportation t - 3 scrolls of remove curse z - 4 scrolls of detect curse E - 2 scrolls of magic mapping F - 2 scrolls of fog K - a scroll of recharging M - a scroll of enchant armour Jewellery g - an uncursed ring of see invisible o - an uncursed ring of protection from fire w - a ring of invisibility (right hand) B - an uncursed ring of invisibility G - an amulet of resist mutation (around neck) N - a ring of protection from magic (left hand) Potions e - 4 potions of healing h - a potion of restore abilities r - a potion of heal wounds H - 2 potions of slowing J - a potion of magic L - a potion of berserk rage Books s - a book of Divinations Spells Type Level Detect Secret Doors Divination 1 Detect Creatures Divination 2 Detect Items Divination 2 Detect Curse Divination 3 See Invisible Enchantment/Divination 4 Forescry Divination 5 Identify Divination 6 Trog disapproves of the use of such an item. You had 130 experience left. Skills: + Level 7 Fighting + Level 10 Axes + Level 2 Polearms + Level 1 Bows + Level 4 Armour + Level 2 Dodging + Level 4 Shields + Level 2 Unarmed Combat You had 8 spell levels left. You didn't know any spells. Overview of the Dungeon Branches: Temple: D:6 Lair : D:8 Shops: D:6: / Innate Abilities, Weirdness & Mutations You have a pair of horns on your head. Message History You feel your anger subside. You feel yourself slow down. You feel a little less mighty now. You are no longer berserk. Trog's vigour flows through your veins. You are exhausted. The yak misses you. # ... #######..## ##### # ####.#.##....###.#.## ## ##.#.....#...###.....#####. ............................ .. .......................... ...........g.................. ....# ##..#.Y@.....<#.####.... .....###..YY#............#...>. . #.........##..........)....#. ...##...%.....###.........##.### ..........##.## ##...#....#...## ...##....##### ##.##.#.###...# ?......### ##.#...## ##.## ....... ##...#.## ### .<.#... #.<.....# You could see 3 yaks and a hobgoblin. Vanquished Creatures The ghost of Gorg the Cleaver, an experienced MiBe of Trog (D:5) A hippogriff (D:8) A yak (D:9) A manticore (D:8) 2 ogres (D:6) A centaur (D:5) Sigmund (D:7) A giant frog (D:8) An orc warrior (D:8) A giant frog zombie (D:6) 6 imps 2 giant beetles 2 orc priests 5 hounds 7 giant ants A killer bee zombie (D:8) 4 orc wizards A scorpion (D:6) A giant ant zombie (D:8) 3 jellies 11 snakes 9 gnolls A giant mite (D:5) Terence (D:3) 2 oozes (D:2) A giant eyeball (D:8) 17 giant bats 6 giant cockroaches 4 giant geckos 17 goblins 16 hobgoblins 7 jackals 26 orcs 3 quokkas 10 rats A giant gecko zombie (D:5) 9 giant newts 17 kobolds An orc zombie (D:8) 202 creatures vanquished. Notes Turn | Place | Note -------------------------------------------------------------- 0 | D:1 | Grand Axe, the Minotaur Berserker, began the quest for the Orb. 0 | D:1 | Reached XP level 1. HP: 17/17 MP: 0/0 152 | D:1 | Reached skill 4 in Axes 368 | D:1 | Reached XP level 2. HP: 19/25 MP: 0/0 568 | D:1 | Acquired Trog's second power 922 | D:2 | Reached XP level 3. HP: 22/29 MP: 1/1 1695 | D:3 | Reached XP level 4. HP: 39/39 MP: 1/1 1800 | D:3 | Noticed Terence 1819 | D:3 | Defeated Terence 2358 | D:3 | Reached skill 5 in Axes 2865 | D:4 | Reached XP level 5. HP: 37/46 MP: 2/2 2981 | D:4 | Acquired Trog's third power 3225 | D:5 | Entered Level 5 of the Dungeon 3545 | D:5 | Reached skill 1 in Shields 3645 | D:5 | Reached skill 6 in Axes 3733 | D:5 | HP: 1/46 [centaur (6)] 3735 | D:5 | Reached XP level 6. HP: 4/51 MP: 2/2 3909 | D:5 | Noticed Gorg's ghost 4109 | D:5 | Defeated Gorg's ghost 4109 | D:5 | Reached XP level 7. HP: 29/57 MP: 3/3 4215 | D:5 | Reached skill 7 in Axes 4253 | D:5 | Reached skill 5 in Fighting 4588 | D:6 | Reached skill 8 in Axes 4727 | D:6 | Reached skill 1 in Unarmed Combat 5069 | D:6 | Reached skill 1 in Bows 5102 | D:6 | Reached XP level 8. HP: 56/65 MP: 3/3 5174 | D:6 | Reached skill 9 in Axes 5954 | Temple | Entered the Ecumenical Temple 6220 | D:7 | Noticed Sigmund 6227 | D:7 | Defeated Sigmund 7153 | D:8 | Reached skill 10 in Axes 7220 | D:8 | Reached skill 1 in Polearms 7613 | D:8 | Reached XP level 9. HP: 70/73 MP: 4/4 8231 | D:9 | Slain by a yak

That's embarrassing. There was no reason for that character to die. Goodbye, Grand Axe! You died an ignoble death for no purpose.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on March 07, 2010, 11:53:03 PM: Haha, well in a way there is seldom any -reason- for a char to die.. But due to acts of carelessness, one ends up in situations where there's no reason for the char to live through it either xD

I've become addicted to trying out "exotic" class/race combinations, but the score-system in Crawl is so demotivating, if you can't even get to the first rune.. It's like, you feel like the char finally is strong enough to maybe start doing some damage, but then you die, and you get 3k or something as score. When if you'd just get abit further and pickup a rune, you'd be at 100k right away ;D

I try to make some runs now and then, but gotten so addicted to chess atm, so it's hard to find time.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: sausage on March 12, 2010, 05:52:08 PM: can anyone tell me what a lantern does? I found a bone lantern but could never figure out how to use it, upon death it said it was a latern of shadows.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Omnivorous on March 14, 2010, 11:05:26 PM: I think they are magical "tools" that you only can use once. Some can be very dangerous too from what I understand :X I'm sure someone has a better explainationxD I remember reading about it on a Wiki-site for Crawl when I found two lanterns.
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Rabiat on April 12, 2010, 05:16:57 PM: The bone lantern can be wielded. [spoiler]It reduces your field of view, it'll occasionally summon friendly shadows, and it'll also negate stealth (bad if you're stealthy, good if you're unstealthy). It's necromantic, so good gods will dislike it.[/spoiler]

I've been playing the 0.6.0 version recently. The upper levels of the main dungeon and the Lair/Swamp have definitely become more interesting. The early game also seems to be even harder than before (with an increased possibility of meeting some early uniques that rival Sigmund). In the new version I only got one rune (Swamp) and visited the Shoals once (just the upper level). Somehow I keep dying in the Elven Halls, although the upper levels are a breeze if you have magic resistance, Mephitic Cloud and a bow of flame. :)
Title: Re: Never beat Crawl? Enter here! :-)
Post by: Karzack on May 25, 2010, 12:58:32 AM: Quote from: Fenrir on February 23, 2010, 11:34:49 PM
Quote from: corremn on February 23, 2010, 11:21:47 PM
Patience is what this game is about and keep focused, each encounter needs to be analysed before a decision is made. Unfortunately I usually make that decision after I have tried hacking it apart :)
Yeah, my play sessions usually go like so:
ATTAAAACK! You died. Damn, I should remember not to do that again.
ATTAAAACK! You died. I should remember not to do that either.
ATTAAAACK! You died. Oh, wait.... I wasn't supposed to do that.

This is me on pretty much every roguelike I've ever played. I get going good and get too cocky. Then something shows me how weak I really am.