Messages

1

Classic Roguelikes / Re: So I've started playing Moria.

« on: May 20, 2010, 10:00:40 PM »

I haven't found any permanent speed items, but I think this guy's ready to take on the Balrog:

 Name        : p1                      Age          :     27   STR : 18/100
 Race        : Half-Elf                Height       :     76   INT : 18/100
 Sex         : Male                    Weight       :    137   WIS : 18/100
 Class       : Paladin                 Social Class :     54   DEX : 18/100
 Title       : Chevalier                                       CON : 18/100
                                                               CHR : 18/100

 + To Hit    :     24       Level      :      37    Max Hit Points :    449
 + To Damage :     30       Experience : 1647717    Cur Hit Points :    449
 + To AC     :     70       Max Exp    : 1647717    Max Mana       :    149
   Total AC  :    110       Exp to Adv : 2175000    Cur Mana       :    149
                            Gold       :  428720

(Miscellaneous Abilities)

 Fighting    : Superb       Stealth     : Good         Perception  : Fair
 Bows/Throw  : Superb       Disarming   : Excellent    Searching   : Fair
 Saving Throw: Superb       Magic Device: Superb       Infra-Vision: 50 feet

Character Background
 Your mother was a High-Elf.  You are one of several
 children of a Yeoman.  You are a well liked child.  You
 have blue eyes, straight brown hair, and an average
 complexion.

  [Character's Equipment List]

  a) You are wielding   : a Two-Handed Sword (Claymore) (HA) (3d6) (+10,+18) [+2] (+1 to STR) {4}.
  b) Worn on head       : a Metal Cap of Infra-Vision [3,+10] (+3).
  c) Worn around neck   : an Amulet of the Magi [+3] (+10).
  d) Worn on body       : Ribbed Plate Armor (RF) (-3) [28,+10].
  e) Worn on shield arm : a Medium Metal Shield (RA) [4,+10].
  f) Worn on hands      : a Set of Leather Gloves of Slaying (+2,+3) [1,+10].
  g) Right ring finger  : a Ring of Increase Damage (+3).
  h) Left  ring finger  : a Ring of Increase To-Hit (+6).
  i) Worn on feet       : a Pair of Hard Leather Boots of Stealth [3,+10] (+2).
  j) Worn about body    : a Cloak [1,+10].
  k) Light source is    : a Brass Lantern with 8860 turns of light.
  l) Secondary weapon   : a Battle Axe (Balestarius) (SD) (2d8) (+10,+16).


  [General Inventory List]

a) 5 Holy Books of Prayers [Beginners Handbook].
b) 5 Holy Books of Prayers [Words of Wisdom].
c) 4 Holy Books of Prayers [Chants and Blessings].
d) 4 Holy Books of Prayers [Exorcisms and Dispellings].
e) 32 Mushrooms of Restoration.
f) 22 Potions of Restore Mana.
g) 18 Potions of Invulnerability.
h) 13 Potions of Restore Life Levels.
i) 10 Potions of Haste Self.
j) 13 Potions of Healing.
k) 15 Potions of Cure Critical Wounds.
l) 2 Scrolls of Word-of-Recall.
m) 9 Scrolls of Identify {0}.
n) a Wand of Stinking Cloud (34 charges).
o) a Wand of Lightning Balls (10 charges).
p) a Staff of Dispel Evil (12 charges).
q) a Staff of Speed (24 charges).
r) a Ring of Sustain Dexterity.
s) a Ring of Lordly Protection (FIRE) [+5].
t) a Gnomish Shovel (1d2) (+10,+2) (+7) {1}.
u) a Composite Bow (x4) (+10,+10) {2}.
v) 20 Arrows of Slay Animal (1d4) (+10,+12).

2

Classic Roguelikes / Re: So I've started playing Moria.

« on: April 27, 2010, 04:28:40 PM »

Ah, Michael Moorcock.  Creator of Elric of Melnibone.  Great books.

3

Classic Roguelikes / Re: So I've started playing Moria.

« on: April 09, 2010, 11:55:21 PM »

Have I mentioned how much I hate black dragon bats?  It's a real problem trying to keep your armor intact when you don't have any speed items.

4

Classic Roguelikes / Re: So I've started playing Moria.

« on: April 07, 2010, 04:45:15 PM »

As a paladin, when I'm exploring a new level, every time the screen shifts I be sure to cast Detect Evil, Detect Traps, and Find Doors/Stairs.  That way I never accidentally fall through a trap to the next level.  That can be annoying if you're at 2450 feet and don't want to encounter the Balrog on the level below!

It's nice being able to see the dragons with infravision, eh?  I always worry about the one I can't see and the screen says "It breathes gas" and my guy dies.

I reroll a char until he has a decent primary stat, at least 16.  I also make sure none of his other stas are below 10, though.  See, I know I'll load up on increase stat potions, and I hate playing a char with a low str, dex or con.  Those are critical for staying alive.  I'd rather start off as a mage or priest with all mediocre stats than one with a superhigh primary stat and the rest low.  Sure, that primary stat is important early on, but later you'll wish the other ones were high.  Be aware that char race will affect your starting stats.

Hey, dreamician--how do you manage having 2 scrolls titled ""?

In the beginning, it's important to get all the money you can so you can afford better armor and weapons, so I sell EVERYTHING of value.  Food is cheap and money is scarce on the high levels.  I also roll the drunks on the town level.  But I tend to be cautious and don't go too deep early on.  I spend a lot of time building my char up so he can survive attacks from the undead.

corremn--If I'm low on Cure Critical Wounds potions and engage a monster that can blind or confuse me, I fight them in a corridor.  Save up those Heal potions!

5

Classic Roguelikes / Re: So I've started playing Moria.

« on: April 01, 2010, 04:29:33 PM »

Glad you're having fun with this character.
A couple suggestions:  You're close to level 29, at which time you'll be able to learn the 1st spell (Prayer) in the 4th Holy Book of Prayers, so look for a couple in the shops. 

I wouldn't bother carrying rations of food myself; I was always able to find enough food points by drinking and eating everything I come across that doesn't hurt me.  Plus, you can always cast Create Food.  If I were to carry any food, it would be Elvish Waybread.

I'd also carry potions of Cure Critical or at least Cure Serious (but not both, as that would waste a backpack slot).  These will cure confusion and blindness--something Free Action doesn't protect you from.

Tips: You might come across Crowns.  Many are worthless, but some can be ultra-powerful.  Always identify them.

Dragons are evil, too, so if you find a SE weapon, it will do 2x damage against them; next best thing to using a SD on them.  If you find a Frost wand, keep it for use against the red Ds, as they're susceptible to cold.

At level 29, your Protect from Evil spell will protect you from Vampires (but not Master Vs), White Wraiths, Banshees, Forest Wights, and some bad p's.  At level 30 it will protect you from the young dragons (but not their breath weapon).

As you probably know, or will soon find out, Liches and Quasits drain dexterity, so finding a ring of Sustain Dexterity is a definite plus.

Save any potions of Restore Mana you come across.  Liches can drain mana (and absorb wand/staff charges) to heal themselves.  Plus, you'll need all the mana you can muster against the Balrog.

Why no bow?

6

Classic Roguelikes / Re: So I've started playing Moria.

« on: March 29, 2010, 09:04:30 PM »

Oh, one other thing--If you're ever attacked by some invisible creature, chances are it's undead.  Use the Protection from Evil spell and any creatures lower than your level (a Banshee is 24th level) won't be able to attack you to drain your stats or experience.

7

Classic Roguelikes / Re: So I've started playing Moria.

« on: March 29, 2010, 08:51:40 PM »

The Beaked Axe I carry is an ego weapon--Slay Dragon (SD).  It does 4 times damage against dragons...a handy weapon to have when you're facing capital Ds.

The Executioner Sword I'm keeping for now because it will do on average 29 points damage on every hit (excluding strength and ring bonuses).  And even though my Mace is an ego weapon--a Holy Avenger which does 2 times damage against evil and 3 times damage vs undead--it doesn't do much damage overall.  So if I get the jump on a non-undead, non-dragon, tough creature like a purple worm, I'll use the Executioner Sword.  But if I find a Holy Avenger that does more damage, I'll boost its to-hit and damage bonuses and dump the Executioner Sword so I'll have room to carry molds/mushrooms of unhealth.  (If thrown at and hits a monster, a hairy mold does 10d10 and a mushroom does 10d12 damage, but not all monsters are affected, such as undead.)

The other bad thing about AMHDs is that they're resistant to fire, frost, acid, and electrical attacks.  You know how a frost bolt against a red dragon does extra damage?  Forget it against an AMHD.  Unless you can increase your speed, you'll probably die the first time one uses its breath attack, so avoid these.

Want to find extra treasures?  Hold onto any Clone Monster wands.  When you come across a Gelatanous Cube, lure it into a big, cleared room, soften it up then use the wand right before you kill it to create another.  Be advised that they pick up items and can absorb each other.

8

Classic Roguelikes / Re: So I've started playing Moria.

« on: March 26, 2010, 10:16:49 PM »

Yes, the only reason I have the cap is for the infravision.  I can spot those thieving "p"s and breath weapon monsters 5 squares away!
Of course, as a half-elf, I also had infravision, but it was shorter ranged.  You'll find that as you gain levels, AC isn't as important as special abilities.

The ribbed plate armor I was lucky to find, as I'm only at 1700 feet.  One of the FAQ files says it's normally found on level 50 (2500 feet).  I've been up to town level a lot and the best armor I've seen for sale there with this character is some form of chail mail.

What the shops will have is random, but on rare occasions they'll have ego weapons or armor with resistance.  Always check.  Rule of thumb is the deeper in the dungeon you go, the better stuff you'll find...and the badder the monsters are.

Gain stat potions become more frequent at 1250 feet.  I hung out there for a long time to mainly increase strength and dexterity so I could get multiple attacks in.  Once my stats were high, I headed down to 1700 feet where there are monsters worth more experience so I could gain levels.  I should head deeper to increase the odds of finding speed items, but I'm leery of encountering too many AMHDs.  Maybe when I gain one more level.

It will take 1 turn whether you hit X to exchange weapons or equip a weapon from your backpack.  The easiest way is to inscribe (using the { key) your weapons with a single digit.  When you want to equip one from your backpack, you hit w to wear it and it prompts you for the item.  Instead of looking at your inventory, you can just hit the number you incribed it with.  That way it doesn't matter if its letter changes in your backpack.

I actually do have a pick in my backpack (+6)--actually I just found a better one that's +7!  It's inscribed with {1}.  My other weapons are also inscribed so I can swap for the ideal one depending upon the situation.

Although I don't need to mine for money anymore, I do need a pick to remove rubble that blocks a corridor, dig around a door that's unopenable, create a shorter path to another part of the maze, and fill in pittraps.  I have to admit to mining money if it's in a corridor

If you need money and have a good pick, consider purchasing Find Treasure scrolls in town.

One thing I'd love to see is a compendium of every monster that drains stats so I can avoid them without finding out the hard way!

I normally like playing a gnome mage because the mage has better spells: Identify, Recharge Item, Haste Self, Stinking Cloud.  Also, the Magic Shop shopkeeper is also a gnome, so he gives you better prices when you buy and sell wands and staves.  Plus, having infravision kicks butt!  The downside is it takes a LOT longer to increase levels; a gnome mage needs 62.5% more XPs to level up than a human warrior or human rogue.  A half-elf/half-orc/halfling priest is a good char to play as that combo only needs 32% more XPs to level up than a human warrior.

9

Classic Roguelikes / Re: So I've started playing Moria.

« on: March 25, 2010, 03:45:54 PM »

Re: speed items...yeah, I purposely didn't mention looking for those because they're rare.  That's what my character is hunting for now.  Potions of Haste Self are fine against high level undead, but don't cut it against AMHDs.

One other tip: Did you know that throwing a Mold/Mushroom of Unhealth at a monster will do a tremendous amount of damage if it hits?

You can also inscribe an item in your backpack with a single number and use that number instead of a letter when prompted.  I've incribed my alternate weapons and Identify scrolls with numbers so that I can select them without having to first look at my Inventory.

My character is below.  I've spent a great deal of time maxing out his stats, raising his level, finding good stuff and building up his AC.  (The trick is to farm Gelatinous Cubes and Quylthulgs.)


 Name        : p1                      Age          :     27   STR : 18/100
 Race        : Half-Elf                Height       :     76   INT : 18/100
 Sex         : Male                    Weight       :    137   WIS : 18/100
 Class       : Paladin                 Social Class :     54   DEX : 18/100
 Title       : Warder (9th)                                    CON : 18/100
                                                               CHR : 18/100

 + To Hit    :     22       Level      :      35    Max Hit Points :    425
 + To Damage :     17       Experience :  632747    Cur Hit Points :    425
 + To AC     :     47       Max Exp    :  632747    Max Mana       :    141
   Total AC  :     87       Exp to Adv :  725000    Cur Mana       :    141
                            Gold       :  136897

(Miscellaneous Abilities)

 Fighting    : Superb       Stealth     : Good         Perception  : Superb
 Bows/Throw  : Superb       Disarming   : Excellent    Searching   : Superb
 Saving Throw: Superb       Magic Device: Superb       Infra-Vision: 50 feet

Character Background
 Your mother was a High-Elf.  You are one of several
 children of a Yeoman.  You are a well liked child.  You
 have blue eyes, straight brown hair, and an average
 complexion.

  [Character's Equipment List]

  a) You are wielding   : a Mace (HA) (2d4) (+10,+8) [+4] (+3 to STR) {4}.
  b) Worn on head       : a Soft Leather Cap of Infra-Vision [1,+9] (+3).
  c) Worn around neck   : an Amulet of Searching (+45).
  d) Worn on body       : Ribbed Plate Armor (-3) [28,+3].
  e) Worn on shield arm : a Large Metal Shield [5,+8].
  f) Worn on hands      : a Set of Gauntlets of Free Action [2,+4].
  g) Right ring finger  : a Ring of Increase Damage (+3).
  h) Left  ring finger  : a Ring of Increase To-Hit (+6).
  i) Worn on feet       : a Pair of Hard Leather Boots of Stealth [3,+4] (+2).
  j) Worn about body    : a Cloak [1,+10].
  k) Light source is    : a Brass Lantern with 12857 turns of light.
  l) Secondary weapon   : a Composite Bow (x4) (+10,+9).


  [General Inventory List]

a) 2 Holy Books of Prayers [Beginners Handbook].
b) 2 Holy Books of Prayers [Words of Wisdom].
c) 2 Holy Books of Prayers [Chants and Blessings].
d) 2 Holy Books of Prayers [Exorcisms and Dispellings].
e) 19 Mushrooms of Restoration.
f) 19 Potions of Restore Mana.
g) 5 Potions of Invulnerability.
h) 7 Potions of Haste Self.
i) 3 Potions of Cure Critical Wounds.
j) 10 Potions of Healing.
k) 2 Scrolls of Word-of-Recall.
l) 10 Scrolls of Identify {0}.
m) a Wand of Fire Balls (5 charges).
n) a Wand of Stinking Cloud (21 charges).
o) a Wand of Lightning Balls (3 charges).
p) a Staff of Dispel Evil (10 charges).
q) a Ring of Sustain Dexterity.
r) a Ring of Lordly Protection (FIRE) [+5].
s) an Orcish Pick (1d3) (+0,+0) (+6) {1}.
t) an Executioner's Sword (4d5) (+10,+17) {2}.
u) a Beaked Axe (SD) (2d6) (+10,+12) {3}.
v) 23 Arrows of Slay Evil (1d4) (+9,+4).

10

Classic Roguelikes / Re: So I've started playing Moria.

« on: March 24, 2010, 04:54:51 PM »

Hello fellow Moria players!  I've just started playing again this month after many years.  This is my favorite Rogue-like game because it's difficult, yet winnable.

I'm playing a half-elf Paladin (35th level) right now and can give you some advice on your character.

OK, I like your primary weapon, but I see your shield is at -1.  You should replace that.  That's a good Ring of Protection, but as soon as you find a ring of Increase Damage, you should use that instead.  Later, AC won't mean as much as being able to do lots of damage.

Check the shops frequently for scrolls to increase your AC, to hit, or to damage.

You're carrying an awful lot of oil.  Did you know you can Fill your lamp up to 15,000 turns?  (Also, when you're playing a low level character, you can actually throw oil at opponents, doing a bit of damage and increased if it's susceptible to fire.)

You're also carrying a lot of food.  I actually don't carry food anymore.  Being a Paladin, you can caste the Create Food spell.  Also, drinking the odd potion or eating any innocuous mushroom/hairy mold counts as a few hundred turns of food.  Eat and drink anything you find that won't harm you.

You're also wearing an Amulet of Slow Digestion.  Since you can create food, this spot would be better for an Amulet of Searching, if you can find one.  That would be ideal, considering your Searching ability is Poor and Perception is Bad I think the Super Heroism and Heroism potions are a waste.  In addition to temporarily adding to your HPs, they merely increase your fighting ability, which is already Superb.  Replace them with wands/staves.

You need a spare weapon, preferably a bow.  When combined with bonuses for the bow, the arrows/bolts, and your strength, these can do a tremendous amount of damage.

Forget the Cure Serious Wounds potion.  As you wander around, you'll heal up.  Besides, as a Paladin you can cast healing spells.  Purchase at the shops lots of Cure Critial Wounds potions for their ability to cure Confusion and Blindness.  The Cure Serious does this, too, but doesn't heal as many HPs, and is taking up a valuable spot in your backpack.

Be on the lookout for any ego weapons.  On rare occasions, you can actually find them in the shops.
SD--Slay Dragon (4x damage).  You'll encounter lots of dragons, and the ancient variety are fast can can kill you with one breath.
HA--Holy Avenger.  In addition to its Slay Undead and Slay Evil abilities, it will sustain a stat (depending on its +) and, best of all, lets you see invisible monsters.
SU--Slay Undead.  If you can't find a HA, keep one of these.  It also lets you see invisible.
DF--Defender.  This is nice if you don't have any other armor that gives you Resistance.  Its Free Action ability prevents you from being slowed, paralyzed, slept, charmed, or stunned.  You will also regenerate, but consequently will use up food faster.
SE--Slay Evil.  Nice if you can't find any other ego weapon, as most of the baddies are evil.
The remaining ego weapons--Slay Animal (SA), Flame Tounge (FT), and Frost Band (FB), are better than nothing, but some monsters are resistant.  For example, don't use a FT weapon against a red dragon.

Whenever you find the following items, you'll want to find permanent spots in your backpack for them:
Restore Mana potion--Liches love to drain your mana
Haste Self potion--Emperor Liches, ancient dragons, and the Balrog move fast
Cure Critical Wounds potion--cures confusion and blindness and restores some HPs
Healing potion--restores all your HPs, cures confusion and blindness
Ring of Sustain Dexterity--Liches and Quasits drain dexterity
Ring of Lordly Protection (Fire)--adds to AC and resists fire (use for the Balrog)
Restoration mushroom--restores lost attributes
Invulnerability potion--use against Balrog

Other useful items to have when found:
Ring of Sustain Wisdom
Wand of Stinking Cloud--use this against those pesky monsters that breed fast; can hold lots of charges, so use Recharge scrolls on this
Wand of Lightning Balls--use against undead; they're susceptible to light attacks
Wand of Fire Balls
Staff of Dispel Evil
Staff of Curing

Since you're lacking in gold, sell any wands and staves you find in the shops.  These can bring in lots of money.  Naturally, magic arms and armor (once identified) can also fetch a high price.