[v 3.2]: Balrog of Moria and Eol

[Rivendell]

http://angband.oook.cz/screen-show.php?id=1925

I spot Eol in an isolated room, all alone, and decide to take him on. I step into the room and he summons the Balrog of Moria, twenty or so Balrogs, and a dozen Dreads. I read a phase door scroll and (thankfully) appear in an unattached room to the south. I've just defeated the wave of Dreads.

Character: http://angband.oook.cz/ladder-show.php?id=11318

I'd like to take this group out, but I have no idea about my chances; never been this deep before. My character is probably overpowered for the level, but even so, I feel compelled to ask for advice before charging in. Is it time to bug out? What would you guys do?

[Derakon]

My main concern is your lack of speed. Eol is a badass; the Balrog of Moria a bit less so but still a valid threat, and all those escorts he has will wear you down slowly. Also, they'll drain the charges out of your wands of TO and staff of Teleport (healing themselves in the process), so they can't be relied on. I definitely think this is doable, but you should bug out at the first sign that things are going badly. Also, in the future you should carry that staff of Speed -- as a renewable speed source, it's invaluable to holy casters. The scrolls of Teleportation are also important since they have no failure rate and can't be drained. Remember, consumables do you no good if they're in the home when you need them.

[Timo Pietilä]

My main concern is your lack of speed. Eol is a badass; the Balrog of Moria a bit less so but still a valid threat, and all those escorts he has will wear you down slowly. Also, they'll drain the charges out of your wands of TO and staff of Teleport (healing themselves in the process), so they can't be relied on. I definitely think this is doable, but you should bug out at the first sign that things are going badly. Also, in the future you should carry that staff of Speed -- as a renewable speed source, it's invaluable to holy casters. The scrolls of Teleportation are also important since they have no failure rate and can't be drained. Remember, consumables do you no good if they're in the home when you need them.

Balrogs are easy (after above considerations) when you have fire immunity, and Firestar has it (they also burn books in melee without, so that would be the only weapon you could use against them). It takes longer to kill one, but they can't really harm you much. Double-plasma breath is your main fear against them. If there is Gelugons or anything else that has non-basic element attacks then those are way more dangerous, especially just Gelugons, because they move more than twice your speed (I don't think Pit Fiends appear this early).

This is might not be what you like to do, but I would leave them now, and dive to 4000' or so ASAP, so that you can get RoS. Watch out for vaults in your way, they might have those rings earlier.

Eorlingas is a bad-ass weapon, but Pain is even better. 620 vs everything. That's angelkiller weapon. Get a branding ring and carry it as your main weapon after you find some speed. I would also carry Hithlomir until you have killed Azriel (and then again at Carcharoth-depths).

Keep and eye for high-ego MoD:s. With current blows system those have become more powerful than most artifacts. Especially extra blows ones.

[Rivendell]

http://angband.oook.cz/screen-show.php?id=1927

I had to try...

Balrog of Moria slain, but Eol still alive and well. I managed to split them up. Fought three waves, mostly Barbazu, Marilith, a few lesser Balrog, one Glabrezu, and a swarm of lemures. Right after killing the B of M I was ported into the midst of the group in the second screenshot. Used a Teleport Self spell to get out. The loot the B of M dropped is right in front of that lesser Balrog at the end of the hall. Alchemist's Gloves and some arrows. Stuff I can live without. If Eol can teleport me around like a ragdoll, I think this might be a good time to withdraw.

Thanks for your replies. You were right about them draining my staves and wands... Staff of Teleportation at 0 charges. Used Firestar against the Balrogs. I'll switch out to the Glaive when I get to the surface, and grab my Staves of Speed. Found a Ring of Lightning +11 in the loot, is that a branding ring?

[Magnate]

Found a Ring of Lightning +11 in the loot, is that a branding ring?

It is if you're playing 3.2.0 and haven't upgraded to a recent nightly.

[Derakon]

You can 'I'nspect it to check. It should say something like "It brands your melee attacks with electricity" if it is.

[Rivendell]

I'm playing 3.20. I found a ring of Acid +18 for sale at the Black Market. The Glaive of Pain now does 857.5/495 damage.

I've played fairly conservatively so far, but I think I'll take Timo's advice and dive. I assume RoS means "ring of speed", but what does MoD mean?

[Magnate]

I'm playing 3.20. I found a ring of Acid +18 for sale at the Black Market. The Glaive of Pain now does 857.5/495 damage.

I've played fairly conservatively so far, but I think I'll take Timo's advice and dive. I assume RoS means "ring of speed", but what does MoD mean?

Mace of Disruption.

[Rivendell]

Started diving, and came across a superb level on dlvl 59. Vault. Only one unique inside. Eol the Dark Elf...

[Rivendell]

http://angband.oook.cz/ladder-show.php?id=11318

Here lies Durin II, Lord of Level 56, slain on dlvl 62 by a Dracolisk summoned by Fundin Bluecloak. He could have bugged out, but bloodlust blinded him. Bluecloak was almost dead.

[Timo Pietilä]

http://angband.oook.cz/ladder-show.php?id=11318

Here lies Durin II, Lord of Level 56, slain on dlvl 62 by a Dracolisk summoned by Fundin Bluecloak. He could have bugged out, but bloodlust blinded him. Bluecloak was almost dead.

Lack of speed I assume? Dracolisk double-moved? +3 speed at that deep is dangerous, so you need to avoid most monsters.

Double-branding a weapon is not very useful, acid-brand alone would have been better.

+3 BTW is three points less than your max speed based on equipment. Don't carry too much stuff when speed is an issue.

[Rivendell]

I wasn't keeping a close enough eye on things. I was carrying alot: I had Isildur and another suit of plate in my backpack. I went from over 600 hit points to nothing in a flash. I don't rightly know what happened. I was just really into it, and I lost track of the details.

I should have fiddled with my rings, and tried my damage rings with the branded ones to see what combination was the best. I should have adopted a stealthier approach, instead, I kept playing the way I had been, just using down stairs when I ran across them.

This character taught me alot. I got familiar with the game. Now I know that I can break out of the early game and maybe, eventually win.

What a cool game.