Filling the gaps

[Quirk]

I've found myself with what feels like a decently powerful character. I'm at the point of pumping Song, descending and trying to kill Morgoth. I've never killed Morgoth, often don't manage to make much of a dent in him, and could use any advice people want to share. Last time I tried I used up all my healing potions and got poison-killed on the escape.

I've got fire and poison resist, and quite a bit of healing. I've got a pretty nice archery set-up, and I've mostly been using Dramborleg and Glend, with Aeglos against cold-vulnerable enemies.

Is this character in with a decent shot of dropping Morgoth? Or should I settle for one or two Sils?

[spoiler]

[Sil 1.3.0 Character Dump]

 Name   Turumen       Age      466       Str   3
 Sex    Male          Height   6'8       Dex   8 =  4  +2      +2
 Race   Noldor        Weight   143       Con   6 =  4  +1      +1
 House  Fingolfin                        Gra   2

 Game Turn   26,281   Melee  (+27,2d8)   Melee       27 = 20  +8  -2  +1
 Exp Pool     5,467   Bows  (+20,1d12)   Archery     20 = 10  +8  +1  +1
 Total Exp   75,367   Armor [+29,8-27]   Evasion     29 = 20  +8  +1
 Burden       142.1                      Stealth      3 =  0  +8  -5
 Max Burden   172.8   Health     59:59   Perception   9 =  7  +2
 Depth         950'   Voice      22:28   Will        15 = 12  +2      +1
 Min Depth     900'                      Smithing     2 =  0  +2
 Light Radius     5                      Song         5 =  1  +2  +2

 You are the only child of a warrior from the house of Fingolfin. You
 have light grey eyes, straight auburn hair, and a fair complexion.






  [Equipment]

a) The Longsword 'Narsil' (+0,2d6) [+1] 2.5 lb
   It provides resistance to cold and fire.  It lights the
   dungeon around you.  It cannot be harmed by the elements.  
b) a Dragon-horn Bow (+0,1d10) 2.5 lb
   It can shoot arrows 18 squares (with your current strength).
c) a Pearl Ring of Dexterity <+1>
   It increases your dexterity by 1.  It sustains your dexterity.
   
d) a Jade Ring of Evasion [+2]
e) a Coral Amulet of Constitution <+1>
   It increases your constitution by 1.  It sustains your 
   constitution.  
f) a Feanorian Lamp of True Sight
   It provides resistance to blindness and hallucination.  It
   grants you the ability to see invisible creatures.  
g) a Mail Corslet [-3,2d5]
h) The Cloak of Maglor [+1] <+2>
   It improves your song by 2.  It cannot be harmed by the
   elements.  It grants you the ability: Song of the Trees.  
i) a Kite Shield of Deflection (-2) [+2,1d7]
   It cannot be harmed by the elements.  
j) a Helm of Brilliance [-1,1d2]
   It lights the dungeon around you.  
k) a Set of Gloves of Archery [+0,1d1] <+3>
   It improves your archery by 3.  
l) The Pair of Greaves of Orodreth [-1,1d2] <+1>
   It increases your dexterity by 1.  It provides resistance to 
   fire.  It cannot be harmed by the elements.  
m) 63 Arrows of Piercing
   They cut easily through armour.  They can be shot 18 squares
   (with your current strength and bow).
n) 16 Arrows (Poisoned)
   They are branded with venom.  They can be shot 18 squares
   (with your current strength and bow).


  [Inventory]

a) 4 Grey Herbs of Rage
b) 2 Pale Herbs of Healing
c) 7 Wrinkled Herbs of Restoration
d) 4 Fragments of Lembas
e) 4 Clear Potions of Miruvor
f) 7 Cloudy Potions of Healing
g) 4 Copper Speckled Potions of Voice
h) 10 Grey Potions of Quickness
i) 2 Violet Potions of Strength
j) 6 Shimmering Potions of Dexterity
k) 3 Black Potions of Constitution
l) a Bright Orange Potion of Grace
m) a Rosewood Staff of Freedom (6 charges)
n) a Mahogany Staff of Revelations (10 charges)
o) an Elm Staff of Majesty (5 charges)
p) 2 Amethyst Rings of Damage <+1>
   It improves your damage sides by 1.  
q) a Pair of Boots of Speed [+0,1d1]
   It grants you the ability: Sprinting.  
r) The Greatsword 'Glend' (-1,3d6) [+1] <+1> 12.0 lb
   It increases your strength by 1.  It sustains your strength.  
   It cannot be harmed by the elements.  It requires both hands
   to wield it properly.  
s) The Spear 'Aeglos' (+1,1d9) 3.0 lb
   It is branded with frost.  It can be thrown effectively (6
   squares).  It cannot be harmed by the elements.  It does
   extra damage when wielded with both hands.  It counts as a
   type of polearm.  
t) The Great Spear of Ogbar (+1,1d13) [+1] 6.0 lb
   It slays spiders.  It cuts easily through armour.  It cannot
   be harmed by the elements.  It requires both hands to wield
   it properly.  It counts as a type of polearm.  
u) The Battle Axe 'Dramborleg' (-2,3d5) 5.0 lb
   It slays orcs, trolls, and raukar.  It cannot be harmed by
   the elements.  It does extra damage when wielded with both
   hands.  
v) a Mattock of Belegost (-4,5d2) <+3> 12.5 lb
   It improves your tunneling by 3.  It requires both hands to
   wield it properly.  


  [Notes]

Turumen of the Noldor
Entered Angband on 3 Sep 2016

   Turn     Depth   Note

     26     50 ft   (Hardiness)
     26     50 ft   (Precision)
  5,201    500 ft   (Flaming Arrows)
  5,834    500 ft   Encountered Othrod, the Orc Lord
  5,986    500 ft   Slew Othrod, the Orc Lord
  6,012    500 ft   Found The Great Spear of Ogbar
  6,024    500 ft   (Lore-Keeper)
  7,122    500 ft   (Lore-Master)
  8,098    550 ft   (Crowd Fighting)
  8,132    550 ft   Encountered Uldor, the Accursed
  8,204    550 ft   (Heavy Armour Use)
  8,213    550 ft   Slew Uldor, the Accursed
  9,269    600 ft   Encountered Ulfang the Black
  9,330    600 ft   Encountered Gilim, the Giant of Eruman
  9,343    600 ft   Slew Gilim, the Giant of Eruman
  9,439    600 ft   (Critical Resistance)
  9,847    600 ft   Fell through a false floor
 10,136    650 ft   Encountered Nan, the Giant
 10,149    650 ft   Slew Nan, the Giant
 10,149    650 ft   Found The Greatsword 'Glend'
 10,604    650 ft   Found The Longsword 'Narsil'
 11,495    700 ft   (Constitution)
 12,360    700 ft   Found The Dagger of Azaghal
 12,631    700 ft   (Charge)
 12,705    650 ft   Found The Battle Axe 'Dramborleg'
 13,753    650 ft   Found The Cloak of Maglor
 14,129    700 ft   Encountered The Deathblade 'Delmereth'
 14,132    700 ft   Subdued The Deathblade 'Delmereth'
 14,132    700 ft   Found The Deathblade 'Delmereth'
 14,326    700 ft   (Rauko-Bane)
 15,853    750 ft   Found The Dagger 'Angrist'
 16,323    750 ft   Found The Set of Gauntlets of Gamil Zirak
 16,828    750 ft   Encountered Umuiyan, the Doorkeeper
 16,880    750 ft   Slew Umuiyan, the Doorkeeper
 18,390    850 ft   Encountered Oikeroi, Guard of Tevildo
 18,392    850 ft   Encountered Tevildo, Prince of Cats
 18,446    850 ft   Slew Oikeroi, Guard of Tevildo
 18,497    850 ft   Slew Tevildo, Prince of Cats
 18,630    850 ft   Encountered Belegwath, Balrog of Shadow
 18,638    850 ft   Destroyed Belegwath, Balrog of Shadow
 18,638    850 ft   Found The Spear 'Aeglos'
 18,719    850 ft   (Dexterity)
 21,729    900 ft   (Dexterity)
 21,813    900 ft   Fell through a false floor
 21,856    950 ft   Encountered Dagorhir, the Elfbane
 21,872    950 ft   Slew Dagorhir, the Elfbane
 21,872    950 ft   Found The Pair of Greaves of Orodreth
 22,541    950 ft   Encountered Ancalagon the Black
 23,965    900 ft   Encountered Vallach, Balrog of Sudden Flame
 23,978    900 ft   Destroyed Vallach, Balrog of Sudden Flame
 25,293    950 ft   (Poison Resistance)
['Score' 019073719]

[/spoiler]

[Infinitum]

I'd say your evasion is still a bit on the low side; V has 20 accuracy and hits hard enough to make armour pretty incunsequential, meaning that you're completely safe with 39 evasion which should be what you aim for (or more realistically he still is at less than 1% odds to hit you at 35, so 33 unbuffed is acceptable evasion with dex pots). There's also his own armour and quickly regenarating health to account for of course.

It's a shame that you dropped Delmereth and Angrist since both are very respectable weapons with Subtlety (generally light weapons vastly overperform heavy ones at high accuracy due to criticals).

If you want to have a go at him, use your time left to find a lighter armor and preferrably a +4 Shadow Cloak. Try getting Finesse, Parry and Riposte (which essentially will double your attack output) with any leftover xp going into evasion (until its at least 35 with lighter/no armor). Wield Ogbar, be sure to be hungry at the final descent to avoid gorging on rage herbs, ragekill everything but V, if you have enough xp try getting Rapid Attack, otherwise just keep wailing on V until he goes down. If you run low on any buffing or health potion just go for 1 sil and run for. At the very least save 3 Miruvor for Carcaroth. Good luck!

[wobbly]

Alternatively Aeglos should have the better damage output if you've got momentum/finesse (the brand is approximately = to sharpness versus Morgoth). It's a tricky call as the greatspear will parry better & save you the points for momentum. But yeah, try & find better armour, as much consumables as you can, make sure to leave enough song for song of slaying to be good & you should be fine.

Sometimes I just knock the crown off, grab the 1st Sil & decide depending on whether Morgoth seems to be going down or not.

[Quirk]

I'm out of time.

I scrounged up better armour, accumulated some XP.

Here's how things stand now:
[spoiler]

  [Sil 1.3.0 Character Dump]

 Name   Turumen       Age      466       Str   4 =  3  +1
 Sex    Male          Height   6'8       Dex   7 =  4  +1      +2
 Race   Noldor        Weight   143       Con   7 =  4  +2      +1
 House  Fingolfin                        Gra   2

 Game Turn   29,399   Melee  (+27,2d8)   Melee       27 = 20  +7  -1  +1
 Exp Pool    12,224   Bows  (+17,1d12)   Archery     17 = 10  +7  -1  +1
 Total Exp   82,124   Armor [+37,7-23]   Evasion     37 = 20  +7 +10
 Burden       127.0                      Stealth      8 =  0  +7  +1
 Max Burden   207.3   Health     61:71   Perception   9 =  7  +2
 Depth         950'   Voice      12:28   Will        15 = 12  +2      +1
 Min Depth     1000'                     Smithing     2 =  0  +2
 Light Radius     4                      Song         3 =  1  +2

 You are the only child of a warrior from the house of Fingolfin. You
 have light grey eyes, straight auburn hair, and a fair complexion.

  [Equipment]

a) The Longsword 'Narsil' (+0,2d6) [+1] 2.5 lb
   It provides resistance to cold and fire.  It lights the
   dungeon around you.  It cannot be harmed by the elements.  
b) a Dragon-horn Bow (+0,1d10) 2.5 lb
   It can shoot arrows 18 squares (with your current strength).
c) a Jade Ring of Evasion [+2]
d) a Pearl Ring of Dexterity <+1>
   It increases your dexterity by 1.  It sustains your dexterity.
   
e) a Coral Amulet of Constitution <+2>
   It increases your constitution by 2.  It sustains your 
   constitution.  
f) a Feanorian Lamp of True Sight
   It provides resistance to blindness and hallucination.  It
   grants you the ability to see invisible creatures.  
g) Galvorn Armour of Protection [-1,1d10]
   It cannot be harmed by the elements.  
h) a Shadow Cloak [+4] <+2>
   It improves your stealth by 2.  It creates an unnatural
   darkness.  
i) a Mithril Shield of Deflection [+2,1d6]
   It cannot be harmed by the elements.  
j) a Helm of Brilliance [-1,1d2]
   It lights the dungeon around you.  
k) a Set of Gauntlets of Strength (-1) [+0,1d1] <+1>
   It increases your strength by 1.  
l) The Pair of Boots of Finrod [+3,1d1]
   It grants you freedom of movement.  It cannot be harmed by
   the elements.  
m) 74 Arrows of Piercing
   They cut easily through armour.  They can be shot 18 squares
   (with your current strength and bow).
n) 26 Arrows (+3)
   They can be shot 18 squares (with your current strength and bow).


  [Inventory]

a) 6 Grey Herbs of Rage
b) 7 Wrinkled Herbs of Restoration
c) 4 Fragments of Lembas
d) 6 Clear Potions of Miruvor
e) 11 Cloudy Potions of Healing
f) 7 Copper Speckled Potions of Voice
g) 12 Grey Potions of Quickness
h) 2 Violet Potions of Strength
i) 6 Shimmering Potions of Dexterity
j) 3 Black Potions of Constitution
k) a Bright Orange Potion of Grace
l) a Rosewood Staff of Freedom (6 charges)
m) a Mahogany Staff of Revelations (11 charges)
n) a Runed Staff of Earthquakes (4 charges)
o) The Cloak of Maglor [+1] <+2>
   It improves your song by 2.  It cannot be harmed by the
   elements.  It grants you the ability: Song of the Trees.  
p) a Pair of Boots of Speed [+0,1d1]
   It grants you the ability: Sprinting.  
q) The Pair of Greaves of Orodreth [-1,1d2] <+1>
   It increases your dexterity by 1.  It provides resistance to 
   fire.  It cannot be harmed by the elements.  
r) The Greatsword 'Glend' (-1,3d6) [+1] <+1> 12.0 lb
   It increases your strength by 1.  It sustains your strength.  
   It cannot be harmed by the elements.  It requires both hands
   to wield it properly.  
s) a Mithril Longsword of Hador's House (+1,2d7) [+1] 1.5 lb
   It cannot be harmed by the elements.  It grants you the
   ability: Follow-Through.  
t) The Spear 'Aeglos' (+1,1d9) 3.0 lb
   It is branded with frost.  It can be thrown effectively (8
   squares).  It cannot be harmed by the elements.  It does
   extra damage when wielded with both hands.  It counts as a
   type of polearm.  
u) The Great Spear of Ogbar (+1,1d13) [+1] 6.0 lb
   It slays spiders.  It cuts easily through armour.  It cannot
   be harmed by the elements.  It requires both hands to wield
   it properly.  It counts as a type of polearm.  
v) The Battle Axe 'Dramborleg' (-2,3d5) 5.0 lb
   It slays orcs, trolls, and raukar.  It cannot be harmed by
   the elements.  It does extra damage when wielded with both
   hands.  
w) a Mattock of Belegost (-4,5d2) <+3> 12.5 lb
   It improves your tunneling by 3.  It requires both hands to
   wield it properly.  


  [Notes]

Turumen of the Noldor
Entered Angband on 3 Sep 2016

   Turn     Depth   Note

     26     50 ft   (Hardiness)
     26     50 ft   (Precision)
  5,201    500 ft   (Flaming Arrows)
  5,834    500 ft   Encountered Othrod, the Orc Lord
  5,986    500 ft   Slew Othrod, the Orc Lord
  6,012    500 ft   Found The Great Spear of Ogbar
  6,024    500 ft   (Lore-Keeper)
  7,122    500 ft   (Lore-Master)
  8,098    550 ft   (Crowd Fighting)
  8,132    550 ft   Encountered Uldor, the Accursed
  8,204    550 ft   (Heavy Armour Use)
  8,213    550 ft   Slew Uldor, the Accursed
  9,269    600 ft   Encountered Ulfang the Black
  9,330    600 ft   Encountered Gilim, the Giant of Eruman
  9,343    600 ft   Slew Gilim, the Giant of Eruman
  9,439    600 ft   (Critical Resistance)
  9,847    600 ft   Fell through a false floor
 10,136    650 ft   Encountered Nan, the Giant
 10,149    650 ft   Slew Nan, the Giant
 10,149    650 ft   Found The Greatsword 'Glend'
 10,604    650 ft   Found The Longsword 'Narsil'
 11,495    700 ft   (Constitution)
 12,360    700 ft   Found The Dagger of Azaghal
 12,631    700 ft   (Charge)
 12,705    650 ft   Found The Battle Axe 'Dramborleg'
 13,753    650 ft   Found The Cloak of Maglor
 14,129    700 ft   Encountered The Deathblade 'Delmereth'
 14,132    700 ft   Subdued The Deathblade 'Delmereth'
 14,132    700 ft   Found The Deathblade 'Delmereth'
 14,326    700 ft   (Rauko-Bane)
 15,853    750 ft   Found The Dagger 'Angrist'
 16,323    750 ft   Found The Set of Gauntlets of Gamil Zirak
 16,828    750 ft   Encountered Umuiyan, the Doorkeeper
 16,880    750 ft   Slew Umuiyan, the Doorkeeper
 18,390    850 ft   Encountered Oikeroi, Guard of Tevildo
 18,392    850 ft   Encountered Tevildo, Prince of Cats
 18,446    850 ft   Slew Oikeroi, Guard of Tevildo
 18,497    850 ft   Slew Tevildo, Prince of Cats
 18,630    850 ft   Encountered Belegwath, Balrog of Shadow
 18,638    850 ft   Destroyed Belegwath, Balrog of Shadow
 18,638    850 ft   Found The Spear 'Aeglos'
 18,719    850 ft   (Dexterity)
 21,729    900 ft   (Dexterity)
 21,813    900 ft   Fell through a false floor
 21,856    950 ft   Encountered Dagorhir, the Elfbane
 21,872    950 ft   Slew Dagorhir, the Elfbane
 21,872    950 ft   Found The Pair of Greaves of Orodreth
 22,541    950 ft   Encountered Ancalagon the Black
 23,965    900 ft   Encountered Vallach, Balrog of Sudden Flame
 23,978    900 ft   Destroyed Vallach, Balrog of Sudden Flame
 25,293    950 ft   (Poison Resistance)
 27,095    900 ft   Found The Glaive 'Celebrist'
 27,121    900 ft   Encountered Draugluin, Sire of Werewolves
 27,197    900 ft   Slew Draugluin, Sire of Werewolves
 27,197    900 ft   Found The Wolf-Hame of Draugluin
 27,405    900 ft   Fell through a false floor
 27,893    950 ft   Encountered Lungorthin, Lord of Balrogs
 27,916    950 ft   Destroyed Lungorthin, Lord of Balrogs
 28,108    950 ft   Encountered Smaug the Golden
 28,337    950 ft   Slew Smaug the Golden
 28,548    950 ft   Found The Pair of Boots of Irime
 28,914    950 ft   Found The Pair of Boots of Finrod
 29,281    950 ft   Found The Great Spear of Melkor

[/spoiler]

The 1.5 lb 2d7 Mithril Longsword of Hador's House seems pretty good if I'm contemplating a shift to Parry-Riposte-Finesse-Subtlety? That will eat about 7000 XP though... also, while the Boots of Finrod are a decent evasion upgrade, the Greaves of Orodeth provide flame resistance - worth starting with them and switching to Finrod when it's just Morgoth left?

[wobbly]

Without momentum that mithril sword is 2d8, subtle critical every 5.5 for an extra d8 or 2-16 every 11
With a rage herb Ogbar is hitting 1d18 (1d19 w/!str), finesse critical every 12 for an extra d18 +sharpness.
Long story short you're not going to get that sword to match the damage output of that great spear.

Edit: Looking again it may work out with the extra ripostes, but Ogbar is certainly the safer, surer bet

[Infinitum]

Better. Just having 2 strenght potions is a bit bothersome, make sure you don't quaff them before focusing on V. Miruvor refreshes your voice though iirc so you should be able to sing for long enough even without !grace (make sure not to run out of voice, losing the bonus hurts). Yeah start with Orudeth; Gothmog should hang around and he has better attack than V. Good luck.

[Quirk]

Mixed success.

Couldn't do enough damage to Morgoth to overcome his regeneration. Ogbar wasn't quite enough. As the slaying bonus wound down and my potion supplies diminished I decided to grab a Sil and make a run for it. Tried to break off a second, but Ogbar failed me.

However, neither Morgoth nor anyone else could touch me, Aeglos murdered pretty much anything that tried, and with the staff of revelations and the boots of speed, the exit wasn't too bad. I picked up another couple of herbs of rage en route and by the time I met Carcaroth I tore him to bits.

http://angband.oook.cz/ladder-show.php?id=19536