So after I stupidly did not know that Scatha the Wurm could breathe hundreds of HP damage of cold AND do it twice in one go on D:46, Nedandon got killed off in what I call the perfect ambush. May the RNG grant me a good combination to go with.
Complete N00b'€™s Journey: Character #3
Give a big hand to Anwe, the Hobbit Warrior. I chose to play with the “start with a kit of useful gear” birth option OFF, to truly maximize the random experience.
The first thing that I notice from the stores is that there is NO Dagger, Rapier, or Main Gauche for my warrior to get, so I decided to buy the other extreme necessities before deciding on what weapon to get. I bought 2 potions of Cure Light Wounds (since no potions of cure Serious wounds or Heroism were for sale), a scroll of Word of Recall, and 3 scrolls of Phase Door, before deciding on buying a Whip and a Short Bow as my starting weapons. I figured that the Short bow would give me enough of an edge at a distance to make up for having a crappy weapon. I then finished off my starting shopping by buying 2 additional scrolls of Phase door, a Potion of Boldness, 5 flasks of Oil and 20 Arrows to finish off my starting shopping.
So the first goal here is to get to D:8, or get as far as possible before we either run out of potions of Cure Light Wounds, Scrolls of Phase door, or Flasks of Oil and Arrows. For this run, I am going to take the first set of staircases that I find and descend, no exceptions.
The starting details have been posted to the following Angband ladder link below:
Feel free to offer your tips for this character.
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Next time also remember to allocate your stating stat points. A mage starting with 13 INT or a priest with 13 WIS is like shooting yourself in the foot.Leave a comment:
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Don't worry about losing early. The usual newbie problem is playing (and leveling) so slowly that losing a midlevel character represents a lot of time lost.
When I start a mage I take:
MB1, MB2
~10 ?Phase
6 CLW
12 oil
1 potion of heroism
1 scroll of recall.
Extra torch, maybe food.
The important thing is to be able to kill a monster after running out of mana. The oil will let you kill almost any one monster up to DL 7 without much trouble. Avoid groups (detect monsters!) until you become effective with lightning bolt or archery.
Mage tends to be tough for newbies, because you are tempted to fight all the monsters, and don't know which ones to avoid.Leave a comment:
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I'm not familiar with the games you mentioned so these hints may be trivial for you.
If you play a low-strength character (like your first mage), watch your burden.
If the "Overweight" on your character sheet becomes positive, you'll suffer speed penalty. It's very easy to get -3 or even less speed if you start carrying extra copies of spell books, ammo (especially sling ammo), staves and heavy armors.
Low speed in Angband means almost certain death. If all enemies move twice as fast as you can, they'll kill you.
-1 is still ok, -2 is ok if you know what you are doing but I would avoid going further.
Therefore when playing a mage, don't take all armors for example. Those 20-30 lbs heavy pieces may improve your AC a lot, but since you don't want to be close to monsters anyway, it's useless. Resistances are more important if you are keeping a distance from the monsters.
Don't carry more than 2 copies of the books early in the game (< DL 20).
Check for the staves you are carrying (each is 5 lbs and easy to accumulate too much). By default you pick up any new items if they match something in your inventory. If you have a staff of light with 1 charge and pick up another one with 9 charges, you'll have 2 staves with 10 charges. But if you drop one, you'll have just 5. Better to drop that item with 1 charge before you pick up the other one.
Don't carry useless ammo. Also watch the weight of your weapons. I almost never use crossbows with a mage (except for Cubragol which has speed bonus).
You mentioned that you dropped some gloves - if they don't have FA/DEX bonus and are not alchemist gloves, they make you worse at casting spells so in general don't use them.
And the most important thing you should never forget: you don't need to kill everything. If you feel you can't handle the situation just flee.Leave a comment:
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This is a message just to inform you guys that after running out of flasks of oil and other ranged attacks, I decided to recall my character and restock at the town. The character is at level 7 and has gone to D:5, so I feel that the character is a bit more stable, enough that I can post a separate thread for the guy. Take a look at it.Leave a comment:
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Use your local files in gamedataLeave a comment:
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Priest wants to grab the highest damaging blunt weapon (I don't know if the version you're playing still has edged weapon penalties for priests) and smash enemies with it while healing himself. Angband priest cannot choose what prayer he learns next, so its possible not yet having Cure Wound prayer even after two level ups. So start with several phase door scrolls and some cure wound potions. Potions are also necessary for removing confusion, even after you get the healing prayer online. Apprentice mages you encounter early can confuse you and this is likely to be a death sentence if you lack CLW potions at the time.
Any ranged weapon is also a great upgrade. This really is true for every character but priest in particular has serious trouble dealing damage early. No class or race has ranged penalties.
Wand of Wonder is one of those extremely strong early items you should learn to exploit and they are not rare at all. Standing on stairs, zapping strong monsters with wonder can make a short fight and you'll have an immediate escape route ready in case the wand effect is something nasty. Cloning and hasting the monster and causing an earthquake come to mind.
Also don't be stingy using potions of speed when you need to escape. Those are pretty common starting right from the first level and they are arguably one of the most powerful consumables in the game. All the way to the end they are.Last edited by Sphara; March 17, 2019, 04:42.Leave a comment:
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No monsters in Vanilla Angband have "reactive" abilities that trigger when you attack them. Everything's implemented as either spells/breaths, or melee attacks. Shame about the death, but like I said, mages are very vulnerable early on.
Someone (Thraalbee?) made a browseable monster database, but I can't find any link to it; sorry! You might also try browsing monster.txt, which is the data file the game uses to load monster details. It's harder to read than English, but really not too bad.
The trouble with priests is that they have no attack spell and pretty bad combat skills early on. Bless/Heroism will help a lot with killing things; they also have acceptable magic device skill, though unlike mages they don't get easy access to a recharging spell. Early in the third prayer book is Orb of Draining, which is an attack spell that will carry them through until they start getting the stats and gear to kill things directly. But getting them off the ground is tough.Leave a comment:
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YASD #1: Failure to Understand The Abilities of Monsters/Uniques Cost Me Big Time.
Well, this character is dead without even making it to D:2 due to insane levels of bad luck. On the first level, I nearly had my life ended by a small kobold, after magic missile failed to outright kill it. I ended up using one of my scrolls of phase door and my cure light wounds potion to get out of the kobold’s way. Eventually, I was able to recover enough SP to kill the kobold, but not before using another scroll of phase door to get out of the “something touches you” scare that I had. Whew. After surviving that close call, I was able to level up to cl 2 and learn detect monsters. I had an absolute close call of an encounter with a crowd of soldiers, yellow centipedes, and a mushroom patch that I did not encounter. I ended up using all of my scrolls of phase door and potions of cure wounds and decided to go back up the stairs and to the town to buy another potion of cure light wounds and 3 more scrolls of phase door. The gloves and robe that I found were cursed, so I dropped them and was forced to run with 0 AC. In my second run, I ran into Grip, Farmer Maggot’s Dog in the first run, which really caused problems and forced me to a scrolls of phase door to escape. Unfortunately, it took me RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE of a floating eye, who proceeded to paralyze me and ensure my quick death. Didn’t know they could fucking do that without being attacked. Christ.
Where is the most accurate database to look up monsters? Do you have a wiki somewhere that is up to date? Thanks!Code:[Angband 4.1.3 Character Dump] Name Astin Age 18 Self RB CB EB Best Race Human Height 5'9" STR: 11 +0 -3 +0 8 Class Mage Weight 11st 12lb INT: 10 +0 +3 +0 13 Title Novice Turns used: WIS: 13 +0 +0 +0 13 HP -2/13 Game 20493 DEX: 12 +0 +0 +0 12 SP 0/3 Standard 2058 CON: 16 +0 -2 +0 14 Resting 386 Level 2 Armor [0,+0] Saving Throw 32% Cur Exp 28 Stealth Poor Max Exp 28 Melee 1d4,+0 Disarm - phys. 33% Adv Exp 32 To-hit 12,+0 Disarm - magic 38% Blows 1.0/turn Magic Devices 39 Gold 8 Searching 12% Burden 29.4 lb Shoot to-dam +0 Infravision 0 ft Overweight -30.5 lb To-hit 7,+0 Speed Normal Max Depth 100' (L2) Shots 0/turn You are one of several children of a Serf. You are a credit to the family. You have brown eyes, straight auburn hair, and an average complexion. rAcid:............. Nexus:............. rElec:............. Nethr:............. rFire:............. Chaos:............. rCold:............. Disen:............. rPois:............. pFear:............. rLite:............. pBlnd:............. rDark:............. pConf:............. Sound:............. pStun:............. Shard:............. HLife:............. Regen:............. Stea.:............. ESP:............. Sear.:............. Invis:............. Infra:............. FrAct:............. Tunn.:............. Feath:............. Speed:............. S.Dig:............. Blows:............. ImpHP:............. Shots:............. Fear:............. Might:............. Aggrv:............. Light:............. [Last Messages] > The floating eye gazes at you. > You resist the effects! > The floating eye gazes at you. > Grip, Farmer Maggot's Dog bites you. > The floating eye gazes at you. > *** LOW HITPOINT WARNING! *** > You can move again. > Grip, Farmer Maggot's Dog bites you. > *** LOW HITPOINT WARNING! *** > The floating eye gazes at you. > *** LOW HITPOINT WARNING! *** > You are paralysed! > Grip, Farmer Maggot's Dog misses you. > Grip, Farmer Maggot's Dog bites you. > You die. Killed by Grip, Farmer Maggot's Dog. [Character Equipment] a) a Dagger (1d4) (+0,+0) An inheritance from your family Combat info: 1.0 blow/round. With +10 STR and +0 DEX you would attack a bit faster With +12 STR and +0 DEX you would get 1.1 blows With +0 STR and +5 DEX you would attack a bit faster With +10 STR and +5 DEX you would get 1.1 blows With +0 STR and +8 DEX you would get 1.1 blows Average damage/round: 2.5. f) a Wooden Torch (3161 turns) An inheritance from your family Radius 1 light. [Character Inventory] a) 2 Books of Magic Spells [Magic for Beginners] b) a Book of Magic Spells [Conjurings and Tricks] c) 2 Rations of Food d) 5 Flasks of oil e) a Potion of Cure Light Wounds f) 2 Potions of Neutralize Poison g) 3 Scrolls of Phase Door h) a Scroll of Word of Recall i) a Wooden Torch (5000 turns) Bought from a store Radius 1 light. [Character Quiver] [Player history] Turn Depth Note 0 0' Began the quest to destroy Morgoth. 358 50' Reached level 2 [Options] [User interface] Use the roguelike command keyset : no (rogue_like_commands) Use sound : no (use_sound) Show damage player deals to monsters : no (show_damage) Use old target by default : no (use_old_target) Always pickup items : no (pickup_always) Always pickup items matching inventory : yes (pickup_inven) Show flavors in object descriptions : no (show_flavors) Highlight target with cursor : yes (show_target) Highlight player with cursor between turns : no (highlight_player) Disturb whenever viewable monster moves : yes (disturb_near) Show walls as solid blocks : no (solid_walls) Show walls with shaded background : no (hybrid_walls) Color: Illuminate torchlight in yellow : no (view_yellow_light) Color: Shimmer multi-colored things : no (animate_flicker) Center map continuously : no (center_player) Color: Show unique monsters in purple : no (purple_uniques) Automatically clear '-more-' prompts : no (auto_more) Color: Player color indicates % hit points : yes (hp_changes_color) Allow mouse clicks to move the player : yes (mouse_movement) Notify on object recharge : no (notify_recharge) Show effective speed as multiplier : no (effective_speed) [Birth] Generate a new, random artifact set : no (birth_randarts) Generate connected stairs : yes (birth_connect_stairs) Force player descent (never make up stairs) : no (birth_force_descend) Word of Recall has no effect : no (birth_no_recall) Restrict creation of artifacts : no (birth_no_artifacts) Stack objects on the floor : yes (birth_stacking) Lose artifacts when leaving level : no (birth_lose_arts) Show level feelings : yes (birth_feelings) Increase gold drops but disable selling : yes (birth_no_selling) Start with a kit of useful gear : yes (birth_start_kit) Monsters learn from their mistakes : no (birth_ai_learn) Know all runes on birth : no (birth_know_runes) Know all flavors on birth : no (birth_know_flavors) Persistent levels (experimental) : no (birth_levels_persist)
So now we move on to another character. May the RNG grant me a better combination.
Complete N00b’s Journey: Character #2:
Say hello to Nedandon, the High-Elf Priest! Upon starting, I obtained the prayer of Remove Fear, which was of somewhat okay use to say the best.
Code:[Angband 4.1.3 Character Dump] Name Nedandon Age 109 Self RB CB EB Best Race High-Elf Height 9'1" STR: 17 +1 -1 +0 17 Class Priest Weight 14st 11lb INT: 11 +3 -3 +0 11 Title Believer Turns used: WIS: 12 -1 +3 +0 14 HP 12/12 Game 11 DEX: 14 +3 -1 +0 16 SP 2/2 Standard 1 CON: 13 +1 +1 +0 15 Resting 0 Level 1 Armor [0,+1] Saving Throw 54% Cur Exp 0 Stealth Fair Max Exp 0 Melee 2d4,+2 Disarm - phys. 32% Adv Exp 22 To-hit 20,+1 Disarm - magic 31% Blows 1.0/turn Magic Devices 52 Gold 91 Searching 21% Burden 21.5 lb Shoot to-dam +0 Infravision 40 ft Overweight -92.4 lb To-hit 20,+1 Speed Normal Max Depth Town Shots 0/turn You are one of several children of a Telerin Mage. You have light grey eyes, straight black hair, and a fair complexion. rAcid:............. Nexus:............. rElec:............. Nethr:............. rFire:............. Chaos:............. rCold:............. Disen:............. rPois:............. pFear:............. rLite:............+ pBlnd:............. rDark:............. pConf:............. Sound:............. pStun:............. Shard:............. HLife:............. Regen:............. Stea.:............. ESP:............. Sear.:............. Invis:............+ Infra:............+ FrAct:............. Tunn.:............. Feath:............. Speed:............. S.Dig:............. Blows:............. ImpHP:............. Shots:............. Fear:............. Might:............. Aggrv:............. Light:............. [Character Equipment] a) a Mace (2d4) (+0,+0) An inheritance from your family Combat info: 1.0 blow/round. With +3 STR and +0 DEX you would attack a bit faster With +7 STR and +0 DEX you would get 1.1 blows With +0 STR and +1 DEX you would attack a bit faster With +3 STR and +1 DEX you would get 1.1 blows With +0 STR and +4 DEX you would get 1.1 blows Average damage/round: 7.1. f) a Wooden Torch (5000 turns) An inheritance from your family Radius 1 light. [Character Inventory] a) a Holy Book of Prayers [Beginners Handbook] b) a Ration of Food c) 2 Potions of Cure Serious Wounds d) a Scroll of Word of Recall e) a Wooden Torch (5000 turns) An inheritance from your family Radius 1 light. [Character Quiver] [Player history] Turn Depth Note 0 0' Began the quest to destroy Morgoth. [Options] [User interface] Use the roguelike command keyset : no (rogue_like_commands) Use sound : no (use_sound) Show damage player deals to monsters : no (show_damage) Use old target by default : no (use_old_target) Always pickup items : no (pickup_always) Always pickup items matching inventory : yes (pickup_inven) Show flavors in object descriptions : no (show_flavors) Highlight target with cursor : yes (show_target) Highlight player with cursor between turns : no (highlight_player) Disturb whenever viewable monster moves : yes (disturb_near) Show walls as solid blocks : no (solid_walls) Show walls with shaded background : no (hybrid_walls) Color: Illuminate torchlight in yellow : no (view_yellow_light) Color: Shimmer multi-colored things : no (animate_flicker) Center map continuously : no (center_player) Color: Show unique monsters in purple : no (purple_uniques) Automatically clear '-more-' prompts : no (auto_more) Color: Player color indicates % hit points : yes (hp_changes_color) Allow mouse clicks to move the player : yes (mouse_movement) Notify on object recharge : no (notify_recharge) Show effective speed as multiplier : no (effective_speed) [Birth] Generate a new, random artifact set : no (birth_randarts) Generate connected stairs : yes (birth_connect_stairs) Force player descent (never make up stairs) : no (birth_force_descend) Word of Recall has no effect : no (birth_no_recall) Restrict creation of artifacts : no (birth_no_artifacts) Stack objects on the floor : yes (birth_stacking) Lose artifacts when leaving level : no (birth_lose_arts) Show level feelings : yes (birth_feelings) Increase gold drops but disable selling : yes (birth_no_selling) Start with a kit of useful gear : yes (birth_start_kit) Monsters learn from their mistakes : no (birth_ai_learn) Know all runes on birth : no (birth_know_runes) Know all flavors on birth : no (birth_know_flavors) Persistent levels (experimental) : no (birth_levels_persist)
So the plan is to buy 3 Scrolls of Phase Door and a potion of cure light wounds, and 5 flasks of oil as a backup plan to take out a Unique in the first three levels. What sort of diving strategy should priests generally follow? Do they play it conservatively by staying on the first three floors or so, or dive aggressively? Any items that I should get instead with the budget that I have?
For the first goal for this character, I'm thinking I just take the first downstairs that I take since it look like I'm sort-of melee oriented, and just solely focus on diving until I run out either flasks of oil, healing potions, or scrolls of Phase Door.
Any tips here are especially welcome.Leave a comment:
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Thank you so much for moving this thread to the correct place! I didn't even know of the existence of the AAR forum from my brief glance of the forums. Just goes to show you how much of a n00b I am!
I have an update regarding the first goal of this character:
There was no attack wand that I could buy with my starting gold, so I ended up getting 6 scrolls of Phase Door, a potion of Cure Light wounds, and a potion of Cure Serious Wounds. There were no attack wands that I could buy, so I instead opted to buy 5 Flasks of Oil as my backup plan. I used the remaining gold to buy an additional ration of Food, 2 Torches, and the book of Conjurings and Tricks spell.
Because of this adjustment, the second point of the first projected goal for this character is adjusted to getting to the 400 AU mark, which is the price for the next spellbook.Leave a comment:
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Welcome to the Angband leg of your adventure, I'm looking forward to seeing how it plays out, and hearing any comments you have on the game compared to other roguelikes.Two things here I would recommend:- The best place to put your posts is probably the AAR section of the forum. I've taken the liberty of moving this thread there - hope that's OK
- Once you get characters to the point of being worth their own thread, it would be good to also post them to the ladder - see the tab at the top of the page
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You're right that you can't rely on the Magic Missile spell alone to get you to level 2+. It's possible, but it's also entirely possible to find yourself with 0 mana and an angry kobold bearing down on you. I'm fond of buying a Wand of Magic Missile, as it has good accuracy, range, and damage. But flasks of oil are certainly a lot cheaper and give you more budget to spend on things like Phase Door or book #2.
Personally I'd go ahead and read un-ID'd scrolls. If/when you find Deep Descent, it'll be a fun challenge to either make it back up to earlier levels, or try to survive deeper than you're comfortable with. Ultimately you will have to leave your comfort zone; trying to beat Angband by grinding until you feel safe is a recipe for boredom-caused deaths. But it is also true that mages are quite fragile, especially early on. They're definitely a contender for "hardest class".Leave a comment:
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