It's good to be a mage

[Grotug]

It's good to be a mage

I decided I wanted to try mage for a change, but because I am in an impatient and oafish adventurer I went with Half-troll instead of gnome or hobbit. I like that it gives me a lot of strength and con.

This one is off to a great start when he stumbles upon an early magic item of power.

[Estie]

That should read "It's good to be THE mage!".

Half troll naturally gets ported when trying to disarm the orange ^; hobbit would not.

The wand is nice that early; normally I find them worthless because of the randomness of the element, but for early uniques like Wormtongue its great. Using it from that long a distance was wasteful though; more so than using ?recharging instead of waiting for the spell.

[Pete Mack]

I really wish the spell description included thr power. I don't think it's actually stronger than ?recharge that early.

[Grotug]

I guess being a mage isn't all that great. I think it's good it was nerfed from the overpowered version I played awhile ago (the one where I couldn't use an X7 +29 crossbow because it did less damage than my spells). But now the experience is getting tedious. I'm on DL57 and I haven't found any good wands (no drain life, no dragon's anything) but I've found all the books and yet my CL32 character still can't kill anything--or at least it's all very tedious. Book 5 shockwave does the same damage as book 1 fire ball. I guess mana bolt is okay, but it has a 22% fail rate. I guess I'm frustrated because I found a 1d8 awl pike +2 attacks with +29 and it just brings me back to why I play fighter classes. All this hassle to kill stuff; why not just use this weapon? so much easier. I can't, though, because my mage has no hitpoints (271, even though he's a half-troll), so melee is out of the question.

I dunno, it's the same old story. If I was playing a warrior I'd have found -annihilations and a stacks of drain life and be wielding a dagger (+5, +5) at this point. Of course as a mage I can't find any good wands or INT or intellect potions. I'm not even playing forced descent and yet I'm this deep and my self stats are

18
18
14
13
15

I guess I'd expect shockwave to be a 10 mana spell instead of a 5 mana spell and do more damage. Kinda disappointing a book 5 spell costs the same as a book 1 spell and does the same damage.

[Pete Mack]

Shockwave's purpose is to stun. I think your real problem is stat potions, not any inherent problem with mage. Mana bolt + fast cast is a fine combination.

[Estie]

Just kill easy prey, like p and d, with frost bolt on a key map. Teleport away anything that doesnt die in 2-3 shots. Pick up the potions till your int is up for mana bolt, at which point you replace frost bolt on your keymap.

[Grotug]

Ok, thanks guys!

[Grotug]

*** NEWS BULLETIN ***

My CL36 mage quaffed his first Intelligence potion on DL73 and 52,300 turns into the game. Otherwise things are going pretty good. I quaffed my first constitution potion not too long ago, too. Banishment spell is amazing for my fragile little mage.

In the same vault I quaffed my second augmentation potion and found +5/+5 INT/CON boots so I will swap back to my morning star of speed and swap out my boots of speed <+6>.

  [Angband 4.2.1 Character Dump]

 Name   Elon         Age             26          Self  RB  CB  EB   Best
 Race   Half-Troll   Height       11'0"   STR:  18/67  +4  -3  +0  18/77
 Class  Mage         Weight    18st 2lb   INT:  18/50  -4  +3 +14 18/180
 Title  Warlock      Turns used:          WIS:  18/45  -2  +0  +6  18/85
 HP     438/438      Game        414522   DEX:  18/52  -4  +0  +3  18/42
 SP     281/281      Standard     52552   CON:  18/39  +3  -2  +7 18/119
                     Resting       5129

 Level                 36    Armor     [55,+124]    Saving Throw     59%
 Cur Exp           615557                           Stealth    Excellent
 Max Exp           615557    Melee       2d6,+11    Disarm - phys.   65%
 Adv Exp           660000    To-hit       36,+19    Disarm - magic   90%
                             Blows      1.6/turn    Magic Devices     85
 Gold              108506                           Searching        44%
 Burden          182.6 lb    Shoot to-dam    +10    Infravision    30 ft
 Overweight        2.7 lb    To-hit       21,+32    Speed      18 (2.8x)
 Max Depth    3650' (L73)    Shots      1.0/turn

 Your father was a Stone-Troll Warrior.  You have puke-yellow eyes,
 oily dark purple hair, and blue leprous skin.


Resistances         Abilities
 Acid:......+.+.*.. pFear:......+......
 Elec:..*.....+*... pBlnd:..+..........
 Fire:..+.....+.... pConf:......+......
 Cold:..+.....+...! pStun:.............
 Pois:......+...... HLife:.............
Light:..+..++...... Regen:.........+..+
 Dark:..+...+..+...   ESP:....+........
Sound:......+.+.+.. S.Inv:.........+...
Shard:............. FrAct:..+...+......
Nexus:.......+..... Feath:.............
Nethr:............. S.Dig:.............
Chaos:............. TrpIm:.............
Disen:..+...+...... Bless:.............

Hindrances          Modifiers
ImpHP:............. Stea.:.....+.++....
ImpSP:............. Sear.:.............
 Fear:............. Infra:............+
Aggrv:............. Tunn.:.............
NoTel:............. Speed:+..+.........
DrExp:............. Blows:.............
Stick:............. Shots:.............
Fragl:............. Might:.............
                    Light:..+.......+..
                    D.Red:.............
                    Moves:.............


  [Character Equipment]

a) the Morning Star of Andoroth (2d6) (+6,+6) <+9>
     Dropped by a nruling at 3000 feet (level 60)
     
     +9 speed.
     Cannot be harmed by Acid, Fire.
     
     When activated, it teleports you one level up or down.
     Takes 344 to 462 turns to recharge at your current speed.
     Your chance of success is 90.0%
     
     Combat info:
     1.6 blows/round.
     With +6 STR and +0 DEX you would get 2.0 blows
     With +0 STR and +2 DEX you would get 2.0 blows
     Average damage/round: 32.5.
     
b) a Short Bow of Accuracy (x2) (+19,+10)
     Found lying on the floor at 250 feet (level 5)
     
c) the Ring of Eiglon <+5, +3, +1>
     Found lying on the floor in a vault at 3600 feet (level 72)
     
     +5 intelligence.
     +3 wisdom.
     +3 dexterity.
     +1 light.
     Provides immunity to Lightning.
     Provides resistance to Fire, Cold, Light, Dark, Disenchantment.
     Provides protection from blindness.
     Cannot be harmed by Lightning.
     Prevents paralysis.  
     
     When activated, it destroys all doors surrounding you.
     Takes 137 to 151 turns to recharge at your current speed.
     Your chance of success is 95.2%
     
d) a Ring of Speed <+10>
     Found lying on the floor in a vault at 3650 feet (level 73)
     
     +10 speed.
     
e) an Amulet of ESP {@1}
     Found lying on the floor at 3650 feet (level 73)
     
     Grants telepathy.  
     
f) a Lantern of Shadows (13142 turns) <+2>
     Found lying on the floor in a vault at 1250 feet (level 25)
     
     +2 stealth.
     Provides resistance to Light.
     Cannot be harmed by Fire.
     Intensity 3 light.
     
g) the Partial Plate Armour of Melodrant (-3) [40,+21]
     Found lying on the floor at 3250 feet (level 65)
     
     Provides resistance to Acid, Poison, Light, Dark, Sound,
     Disenchantment.
     Provides protection from fear, confusion.
     Cannot be harmed by Acid.
     Prevents paralysis.  
     
     When activated, it disables traps, unlocks doors and reveals all
     secret doors in a given direction.
     Takes 159 to 176 turns to recharge at your current speed.
     Your chance of success is 95.7%
     
h) an Ethereal Cloak of Aman [0,+31] <+3>
     Found lying on the floor at 3000 feet (level 60)
     
     +3 stealth.
     Provides resistance to Nexus.
     Cannot be harmed by Acid, Fire.
     
i) a Leather Shield of Elvenkind [8,+17] <+2>
     Bought from a store
     
     +2 stealth.
     Provides resistance to Acid, Lightning, Fire, Cold, Sound.
     Cannot be harmed by Acid.
     
j) the Hard Leather Cap of Avalim [2,+12] <+4, +2>
     Dropped by Golfimbul, the Hill Orc Chief at 1700 feet (level 34)
     
     +4 intelligence.
     +2 constitution.
     Provides immunity to Lightning.
     Provides resistance to Dark.
     Cannot be harmed by Acid.
     Speeds regeneration.  Grants the ability to see invisible things. 
     
     
k) the Set of Leather Gloves 'Valad' (+1,+1) [1,+17] <+3, +1>
     Found lying on the floor of a cavern at 1500 feet (level 30)
     
     +3 wisdom.
     +1 light.
     Provides immunity to Acid.
     Provides resistance to Sound.
     Cannot be harmed by Acid, Fire.
     
l) the Pair of Iron Shod Boots 'Andos' [4,+19] <+5>
     Found lying on the floor in a vault at 3650 feet (level 73)
     
     +5 intelligence.
     +5 constitution.
     Cannot be harmed by Acid, Fire.
     




  [Character Inventory]

a) 3 Books of Magic Spells [First Spells] {@1!g}
     
     You can read this book.
     
b) 3 Books of Magic Spells [Attacks and Knowledge] {@2!g}
     
     You can read this book.
     
c) 4 Books of Magic Spells [Magical Defences] {@3}
     
     You can read this book.
     
d) 2 Books of Magic Spells [Arcane Control] {@4}
     Cannot be harmed by Fire.
     
     You can read this book.
     
e) a Book of Magic Spells [Wizard's Tome of Power] {@5}
     Cannot be harmed by Fire.
     
     You can read this book.
     
f) 3 Mushrooms of Shadows
g) 4 Potions of Cure Light Wounds
h) 13 Potions of Cure Critical Wounds
i) 5 Potions of Healing
j) a Potion of Restore Life Levels
k) a Potion of Enlightenment
l) 16 Scrolls of Phase Door
m) 9 Scrolls of Teleportation {!r}
n) 6 Scrolls of Remove Hunger
o) 9 Scrolls of Word of Recall
p) 4 Scrolls of *Destruction* {!r}
q) 3 Rods of Magic Mapping
r) 6 Wands of Slow Monster (8 charges)
s) 4 Wands of Stone to Mud (11 charges)
t) 3 Staves of Teleportation (0 charges) {!u!g@1}
u) 4 Staves of Speed (9 charges)




  [Character Quiver]



  [Home Inventory]

a) a Book of Magic Spells [First Spells] {@1!g}
     
     You can read this book.
     
b) a Book of Magic Spells [Attacks and Knowledge] {@2}
     
     You can read this book.
     
c) 2 Books of Magic Spells [Arcane Control] {@4}
     Cannot be harmed by Fire.
     
     You can read this book.
     
d) 3 Potions of *Healing* {!q}
     It can be thrown at creatures with damaging effect.
     
e) 3 Potions of Restore Mana
f) 6 Scrolls of Teleportation {!r}
g) 2 Rods of Slow Monster {@7}
h) a Ring of Constitution <+4>
     Found lying on the floor at 3050 feet (level 61)
     
     +4 constitution.
     Sustains constitution.
     
i) a Ring of the Mouse (+0,-8) <+4>
     Found lying on the floor at 1950 feet (level 39)
     
     +4 dexterity.
     +4 stealth.
     
j) an Amulet of the Magi [+5] <+2>
     Found lying on the floor at 2000 feet (level 40)
     
     +2 intelligence.
     +2 searching skill.
     Provides protection from blindness.
     Sustains intelligence.
     Grants the ability to see invisible things.  Prevents paralysis.  
     
k) the Elfstone 'Unelon' <+3, +5>
     Found lying on the floor in a vault at 2050 feet (level 41)
     
     +3 intelligence.
     +5 damage reduction.
     Provides resistance to Acid, Cold, Light, Nether.
     Slows your metabolism.  Speeds regeneration.  Prevents paralysis. 
     
     
     When activated, it magically renders you comfortably fed.
     Takes 159 to 176 turns to recharge at your current speed.
     Your chance of success is 88.1%
     
l) the Elfstone 'Wilmarod' <+3, +1> {@1}
     Dropped by Golfimbul, the Hill Orc Chief at 1700 feet (level 34)
     
     +3 intelligence.
     +1 stealth.
     Provides immunity to Lightning.
     Provides resistance to Acid, Poison.
     Prevents paralysis.  
     
m) Multi-Hued Dragon Scale Mail (-2) [45,+15] (charging)
     Found lying on the floor at 2350 feet (level 47)
     
     Provides resistance to Acid, Lightning, Fire, Cold, Poison.
     
n) the Knight's Shield 'Limrod' (+7,+1) [15,+20]
     Dropped by Sangahyando of Umbar at 2400 feet (level 48)
     
     Provides resistance to Acid, Fire, Light, Sound.
     Cannot be harmed by Acid.
     Speeds regeneration.  Prevents paralysis.  
     
o) a Steel Helm of Telepathy [9,+9]
     Bought from a store
     
     Grants telepathy.  
     
p) the Set of Gauntlets of Tholon [3,+13]
     Dropped by Rogrog the Black Troll at 2750 feet (level 55)
     
     Provides protection from stunning.
     Cannot be harmed by Acid, Fire.
     Speeds regeneration.  Prevents paralysis.  
     
q) a Pair of Iron Shod Boots of Speed [4,+12] <+6>
     Dropped by a lord of Carn DËšm at 3250 feet (level 65)
     
     +6 speed.
     Cannot be harmed by Fire.
     
r) the Awl-Pike of Elmorthar (1d8) (+6,+29) <+2, +1>
     Found lying on the floor in a vault at 2750 feet (level 55)
     
     +2 attack speed.
     +1 light.
     Slays undead (powerfully), dragons (powerfully), demons
     (powerfully).
     Branded with fire, acid.
     Provides resistance to Cold, Light, Dark.
     Cannot be harmed by Acid, Fire.
     
     Combat info:
     3.6 blows/round.
     With +7 STR and +0 DEX you would get 4.0 blows
     With +0 STR and +2 DEX you would get 4.0 blows
     Average damage/round: 230.2 vs undead, dragons, and demons, 193.2
     vs creatures not resistant to fire and creatures not resistant to
     acid, and 156.2 vs. others.
     
s) a Lucerne Hammer of *Slay Orc* (2d5) (+8,+10) <+1>
     Found lying on the floor at 900 feet (level 18)
     
     +1 dexterity.
     Slays orcs.
     Provides protection from confusion.
     
     Combat info:
     1.6 blows/round.
     With +3 STR and +0 DEX you would get 2.0 blows
     With +0 STR and +1 DEX you would get 2.0 blows
     Average damage/round: 60 vs orcs and 38 vs. others.
     
t) the Shovel 'Thluth' (1d2) (+11,+31) <+2, +5, +1>
     Dropped by a dread at 3250 feet (level 65)
     
     +2 intelligence.
     +2 dexterity.
     +5 constitution.
     +1 light.
     Slays dragons (powerfully), orcs.
     Provides immunity to Fire.
     Provides resistance to Lightning.
     Prevents paralysis.  Blessed by the gods (combat bonuses for holy
     casters).  
     
     When activated, it heals 60 hitpoints, cut damage, and cures
     stunning, poisoning, blindness, and confusion.
     Takes 204 to 226 turns to recharge at your current speed.
     Your chance of success is 95.2%
     
     Combat info:
     2.7 blows/round.
     With +3 STR and +0 DEX you would get 3.0 blows
     With +0 STR and +2 DEX you would get 3.1 blows
     Average damage/round: 130.4 vs dragons, 121.3 vs orcs, and 112.4
     vs. others.
     
u) 6 Bolts (1d5) (+0,+0)
v) 24 Bolts of Slay Giant (1d5) (+2,+4)
     Slays giants.
     


[Player history]
      Turn   Depth  Note
         0      0'  Began the quest to destroy Morgoth.
       343     50'  Reached level 2
       662     50'  Reached level 3
      1476    100'  Reached level 4
      1815    150'  Killed Fang, Farmer Maggot's Dog
      1858    150'  Reached level 5
      2465    150'  Killed Grip, Farmer Maggot's Dog
      2826    250'  Reached level 6
      3015    250'  Reached level 7
      4132    200'  Reached level 8
      5236    250'  Reached level 9
      7104    400'  Reached level 10
      7804    550'  Reached level 11
      8012    600'  Reached level 12
      8146    650'  Reached level 13
      8302    650'  Reached level 14
      8604    650'  Reached level 15
      9057    750'  Reached level 16
      9357    750'  Killed Orfax, Son of Boldor
      9370    750'  Reached level 17
      9811    750'  Killed Lagduf, the Snaga
     10338    750'  Reached level 18
     10397    750'  Killed Ufthak of Cirith Ungol
     10569    800'  Killed Boldor, King of the Yeeks
     11190    900'  Reached level 19
     11839   1000'  Reached level 20
     12129   1000'  Reached level 21
     12254      0'  Killed Farmer Maggot
     13295   1050'  Reached level 22
     13893   1050'  Killed Ulfast, Son of Ulfang
     14039   1050'  Reached level 23
     14172   1050'  Reached level 23
     14387   1050'  Reached level 23
     15105   1150'  Killed Nâ?š°r, the Dwarf
     15440   1100'  Killed Shagrat, the Orc Captain
     15888   1150'  Reached level 24
     16415   1150'  Reached level 25
     16695   1150'  Killed Bullroarer the Hobbit
     18663   1250'  Reached level 26
     19115   1250'  Reached level 27
     19149   1250'  Found the Ring of Vandor
     19980   1400'  Killed Ulwarth, Son of Ulfang
     20704   1500'  Found the Set of Leather Gloves 'Valad'
     21342   1550'  Reached level 28
     21550   1550'  Killed Uldor the Accursed
     21633   1550'  Killed Brodda, the Easterling
     22112   1650'  Found the Pair of Leather Sandals of Arsilon (LOST)
     22285   1700'  Killed Grishnâ?š°kh, the Hill Orc
     22294   1700'  Killed Golfimbul, the Hill Orc Chief
     22322   1700'  Found the Hard Leather Cap of Avalim
     22325   1700'  Found the Elfstone 'Wilmarod'
     23287   1600'  Killed Bill the Stone Troll
     23400   1600'  Killed Bert the Stone Troll
     23783   1600'  Killed Tom the Stone Troll
     24359   1800'  Reached level 29
     25974   1950'  Killed Old Man Willow
     26921   2000'  Killed Lokkak, the Ogre Chieftain
     26921   2000'  Reached level 30
     28678   2050'  Found the Elfstone 'Unelon'
     29376   2100'  Killed Kavlax the Many-Headed
     29382   2100'  Found the Set of Leather Gloves 'Earfiniel' (LOST)
     31473   2350'  Reached level 31
     31744   2400'  Killed Angamaitâ?š´ of Umbar
     31746   2400'  Found the Jewel of Calin (LOST)
     31796   2400'  Killed Sangahyando of Umbar
     31799   2400'  Found the Knight's Shield 'Limrod'
     33815   2450'  Found the Wicker Shield of Helebren (LOST)
     33838   2500'  Found the Long Sword of Vorinya (LOST)
     34838   2750'  Killed Rogrog the Black Troll
     34890   2750'  Found the Set of Gauntlets of Tholon
     34955   2750'  Reached level 32
     35431   2750'  Found the Awl-Pike of Elmorthar
     37606   2950'  Reached level 33
     39320   3000'  Found the Morning Star of Andoroth
     40577   3100'  Killed Lorgan, Chief of the Easterlings
     41405   3250'  Reached level 34
     41728   3200'  Killed Itangast the Fire Drake
     43707   3250'  Found the Partial Plate Armour of Melodrant
     44642   3250'  Found the Shovel 'Thluth'
     44840   3250'  Found the Flail of Urinarn (LOST)
     45700   3350'  Found the Throwing Axe of Relobel (LOST)
     46179   3400'  Killed The Queen Ant
     46179   3400'  Reached level 35
     47315   3500'  Reached level 35
     48427   3550'  Killed Ulfang the Black
     48784   3550'  Reached level 36
     48854   3550'  Found the Quarterstaff of Tellon (LOST)
     49615   3600'  Found the Ring of Eiglon
     52273   3650'  Found the Pair of Iron Shod Boots 'Andos'


  [Options]

  [User interface]

Use the roguelike command keyset             : no  (rogue_like_commands)
Use sound                                    : yes (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                      : yes (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        : no  (mouse_movement)
Notify on object recharge                    : yes (notify_recharge)
Show effective speed as multiplier           : no  (effective_speed)

  [Birth]

Generate a new, random artifact set          : yes (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              : no  (birth_start_kit)
Monsters learn from their mistakes           : yes (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)
To-damage is a percentage of dice (experimental): no  (birth_percent_damage)