(Sort of) beginner help request

[dougbb]

I haven't played any version of Angband for 15-20 years (I think it was version 2.something), and after getting bored with DCSS, ADoM, and other games, decided to give it another try, since I never did beat the game. The closest I ever got was being at ~Lvl 95 when a PC bricked.

All this to say, between the time lag, and the changes through into the current version, I feel like I'm starting fresh. So, I'm coming to the community to ask for some advice.

Questions:
1. Am I doing anything blindlingly dumb with what I'm carrying/equipping?
2. Specifically, is Sting the best weapon given my choices? How about body armor? and Gauntlets?
3. 'Nexus' hounds, vortices (vortexes?) and quythulgs are currently major annoyances. Is it worth swapping out the Speed boots for the Stability boots?
4. Are Holy Chant and/or Berserk Strength actually worth anything at this stage of the game?
5. Anything else the community might notice?

Thanks so much!

Char Dump follows

  [Angband 4.2.4 Character Dump]

 Name   Fiarbeard    Age             41          Self  RB  CB  EB   Best
 Race   Dwarf        Height        4'3"   STR:  18/65  +2  +0  +3 18/115
 Class  Ranger       Weight    10st 0lb   INT:     15  -3  +0  +0     12
 Title  Explorer     Turns used:          WIS:  18/48  +2  +2  +3 18/118
 HP     298/357      Game        703295   DEX:     15  -2  +1  +7  18/30
 SP     133/133      Standard     93296   CON:  18/38  +2  -1  +3  18/78
                     Resting       5387

 Level                 33    Armor      [65,+57]    Saving Throw     82%
 Cur Exp           322839                           Stealth         Poor
 Max Exp           322839    Melee       1d7,+18    Disarm - phys.   95%
 Adv Exp           330000    To-hit       69,+18    Disarm - magic   66%
                             Blows      5.0/turn    Magic Devices     71
 Gold               95586                           Searching        66%
 Burden          172.3 lb    Shoot to-dam    +15    Infravision    70 ft
 Overweight       -7.6 lb    To-hit       73,+21    Speed       6 (1.6x)
 Max Depth    1900' (L38)    Shots      2.1/turn

 You are one of two children of a Dwarven Warrior.  You are a credit to
 the family.  You have dark brown eyes, straight black hair, a one foot
 beard, and a dark complexion.

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 Short Sword 'Sting' (1d7) (+6,+6) <+1, +3, +2>
     Dropped by Boldor, King of the Yeeks, at 1000 feet (level 20)
     
     +1 strength.
     +1 dexterity.
     +1 constitution.
     +3 speed.
     +2 extra blows.
     +1 light.
     Slays undead, orcs, animals, evil creatures.
     Provides resistance to Light.
     Provides protection from fear.
     Cannot be harmed by Acid.
     Grants the ability to see invisible things.  Prevents paralysis.  
     
     Combat info:
     5.0 blows/round.
     With +1 STR and +0 DEX you would get 5.3 blows
     With +0 STR and +1 DEX you would get 5.3 blows
     Average damage/round: 165.4 vs undead and orcs, 142.3 vs animals
     and evil creatures, and 119.2 vs. others.
     
b) a Long Bow of Power (x3) (+9,+15)
     Bought from a store
     
c) a Ring of Dexterity <+6>
     Found lying on the floor in a vault at 1800 feet (level 36)
     
     +6 dexterity.
     Sustains dexterity.
     
d) a Ring of Resist Poison
     Bought from a store
     
     Provides resistance to Poison.
     
e) an Amulet of Sustenance
     Dropped by an ogre at 550 feet (level 11)
     
     Sustains strength, intelligence, wisdom, dexterity, constitution.
     Slows your metabolism.  Sustains your life force.  
     
f) the Phial of Galadriel <+4>
     Dropped by Mughash the Kobold Lord at 400 feet (level 8)
     
     +4 light.
     Cannot be harmed by Fire.
     Intensity 4 light.
     
     When activated, it lights up the surrounding area and creates a
     ball of weak light with radius 3, centred on and hitting the
     player, with full intensity to radius 3, dealing 2d15 damage at
     the centre, which your device skill increases by 33% for an
     average of 21.2 damage.
     Takes 17 to 32 turns to recharge at your current speed.
     Your chance of success is 96.4%
     
g) Augmented Chain Mail (Dwarven) (-2) [42,+12] <+2>
     Found lying on the floor of a labyrinth at 1700 feet (level 34)
     
     +2 strength.
     +2 constitution.
     +2 infravision.
     Cannot be harmed by Acid.
     Prevents paralysis.  
     
h) a Fur Cloak [3,+6]
     Found lying on the floor in a vault at 1800 feet (level 36)
     
i) a Large Metal Shield of Resistance [12,+14]
     Dropped by Ibun, Son of Mîm, at 1150 feet (level 23)
     
     Provides resistance to Acid, Lightning, Fire, Cold.
     Cannot be harmed by Acid.
     
j) the Metal Cap of Thengel [3,+11] <+3>
     Found lying on the floor of a special room at 950 feet (level 19)
     
     +3 wisdom.
     Provides protection from confusion.
     Cannot be harmed by Acid.
     
k) the Set of Leather Gloves 'Cammithrim' (+5,+5) [1,+10] <+1>
     Dropped by a dark dwarven lord at 1500 feet (level 30)
     
     +1 light.
     Provides resistance to Light.
     Cannot be harmed by Acid, Fire.
     Sustains constitution.
     Prevents paralysis.  
     
     When activated, it casts a bolt or beam of a missile dealing 3d4
     damage, which your device skill increases by 30% for an average of
     9.1 damage.
     Takes 3 turns to recharge at your current speed.
     Your chance of success is 96.2%
     
l) a Pair of Iron Shod Boots of Speed [4,+2] <+3>
     Dropped by a scruffy looking hobbit at 600 feet (level 12)
     
     +3 speed.
     Cannot be harmed by Fire.
     




  [Character Inventory]

a) 2 Books of Nature Magics [Lesser Charms]
     
     You can read this book.
     
b) a Book of Nature Magics [Nature Craft]
     Cannot be harmed by Fire.
     
     You can read this book.
     
c) 4 Mushrooms of Emergency
d) 15 Potions of Cure Serious Wounds
e) 5 Potions of Cure Critical Wounds
f) a Potion of Enlightenment
g) 4 Potions of Speed
h) 3 Potions of Berserk Strength
i) 39 Scrolls of Phase Door
j) 5 Scrolls of Teleportation
k) 11 Scrolls of Word of Recall
l) 2 Scrolls of Holy Chant
m) a Rod of Probing
n) 2 Wands of Lightning Bolts (8 charges)
o) a Wand of Fire Balls (2 charges)
p) 2 Wands of Teleport Other (16 charges)
q) a Wand of Drain Life (3 charges)
r) 2 Staves of Curing (11 charges)
s) a Staff of Dispel Evil (5 charges)
t) 3 Staves of Teleportation (19 charges)
u) a Battle Axe of Westernesse (2d8) (+13,+14) <+2>
     Dropped by Castamir the Usurper at 1900 feet (level 38)
     
     +2 strength.
     +2 dexterity.
     +2 constitution.
     Slays giants, trolls, orcs.
     Grants the ability to see invisible things.  Prevents paralysis.  
     
     Combat info:
     2.3 blows/round.
     With +3 STR and +0 DEX you would get 2.7 blows
     With +0 STR and +2 DEX you would get 2.7 blows
     Average damage/round: 148.9 vs giants, trolls, and orcs, and 97.5
     vs. others.
     




  [Character Quiver]

0) 40 Arrows (1d4) (+0,+1)
     Combat info:
     When fired, hits targets up to 120 feet away.
     Average damage/round: 118.8.
     35% chance of breaking upon contact.
     


  [Home Inventory]

a) 4 Mushrooms of Second Sight
b) 3 Mushrooms of Clear Mind
c) 6 Potions of Healing
d) 4 Potions of *Healing*
     It can be thrown at creatures with damaging effect.
     
e) a Potion of True Seeing
f) a Scroll of Teleport Level
g) a Scroll of Dispel Undead
h) a Scroll of Banishment
i) 6 Scrolls of Recharging
j) 3 Staves of Curing (18 charges)
k) 2 Staves of Dispel Evil (7 charges)
l) 3 Staves of Teleportation (20 charges)
m) Blue Dragon Scale Mail (Dwarven) (-2) [12,+36] <+2, +1, +3>
     Found lying on the floor at 1250 feet (level 25)
     
     +2 strength.
     +1 constitution.
     +3 infravision.
     Provides resistance to Lightning.
     Prevents paralysis.  
     
n) the Soft Leather Armour 'Hithlomir' [10,+20] <+3> {??}
     Dropped by a paladin at 1500 feet (level 30)
     
     You do not know the full extent of this item's powers.
     +3 stealth.
     Provides resistance to Acid, Lightning, Fire, Cold, Dark.
     Cannot be harmed by Acid, Fire.
     
o) the Leather Scale Mail 'Thalkettoth' (-1) [20,+25] <+3> {??}
     Dropped by Draebor, the Imp, at 1800 feet (level 36)
     
     You do not know the full extent of this item's powers.
     +3 dexterity.
     +3 speed.
     Provides resistance to Acid.
     Cannot be harmed by Acid, Fire.
     Prevents paralysis.  
     
p) Leather Scale Mail of Elvenkind (-1) [20,+10] <+2> {??}
     Found lying on the floor at 1650 feet (level 33)
     
     You do not know the full extent of this item's powers.
     +2 stealth.
     Provides resistance to Acid, Lightning, Fire, Cold.
     Cannot be harmed by Acid, Fire.
     
q) the Set of Gauntlets 'Paurnen' (+3,+3) [3,+14]
     Found lying on the floor in a vault at 1800 feet (level 36)
     
     Provides resistance to Acid.
     Cannot be harmed by Acid, Fire.
     Feather Falling.  
     
     When activated, it casts a bolt of acid dealing 5d8 damage, which
     your device skill increases by 35% for an average of 29.7 damage.
     Takes 9 to 16 turns to recharge at your current speed.
     Your chance of success is 96.5%
     
r) the Set of Gauntlets 'Paurhach' [3,+14]
     Dropped by Wormtongue, Agent of Saruman, at 450 feet (level 9)
     
     Provides resistance to Fire.
     Cannot be harmed by Acid, Fire.
     Speeds regeneration.  
     
     When activated, it casts a bolt of fire dealing 9d8 damage, which
     your device skill increases by 35% for an average of 54.0 damage.
     Takes 14 to 25 turns to recharge at your current speed.
     Your chance of success is 96.5%
     
s) a Pair of Steel Shod Boots of Stability [7,+5]
     Found lying on the floor at 1150 feet (level 23)
     
     Provides resistance to Nexus.
     Cannot be harmed by Fire.
     Feather Falling.  
     
t) the Main Gauche of Azaghâl (2d5) (+12,+14)
     Dropped by Azog, Enemy of the Dwarves, at 1300 feet (level 26)
     
     Slays dragons (powerfully).
     Provides immunity to Fire.
     Provides resistance to Acid.
     Provides protection from fear.
     Cannot be harmed by Acid.
     
     Combat info:
     4.1 blows/round.
     With +0 STR and +2 DEX you would get 4.5 blows
     Average damage/round: 255.4 vs dragons and 141.4 vs. others.
     
u) the Cutlass 'Gondricam' (1d8) (+10,+11) [+50] <+4, +2>
     Found lying on the floor of a labyrinth at 1700 feet (level 34)
     
     +4 dexterity.
     +2 stealth.
     Provides resistance to Acid, Lightning, Fire, Cold.
     Cannot be harmed by Acid.
     Feather Falling.  Speeds regeneration.  Grants the ability to see
     invisible things.  Prevents paralysis.  
     
     Combat info:
     3.0 blows/round.
     With +2 STR and +0 DEX you would get 3.3 blows
     With +0 STR and +2 DEX you would get 3.5 blows
     Average damage/round: 89.
     
v) the Spear 'Nimloth' (1d7) (+11,+13) <+3>
     Dropped by Nár, the Dwarf, at 1400 feet (level 28)
     
     +3 stealth.
     +3 speed.
     Slays undead.
     Branded with cold.
     Provides resistance to Cold.
     Cannot be harmed by Acid, Fire.
     Grants the ability to see invisible things.  Blessed by the gods
     (combat bonuses for holy casters).  
     
     Combat info:
     3.8 blows/round.
     With +1 STR and +0 DEX you would get 4.0 blows
     With +0 STR and +2 DEX you would get 4.1 blows
     Average damage/round: 152.4 vs undead and creatures not resistant
     to cold, and 117.5 vs. others.
     Average thrown damage: 318.2 vs undead and creatures not resistant
     to cold, and 106.1 vs. others.
     
w) the Morning Star 'Bloodspike' (2d6) (+8,+22) <+4>
     Dropped by Draebor, the Imp, at 1800 feet (level 36)
     
     +4 strength.
     Slays trolls, orcs, animals.
     Branded with poison.
     Provides resistance to Nexus.
     Cannot be harmed by Acid, Fire.
     Grants the ability to see invisible things.  
     
     Combat info:
     2.3 blows/round.
     With +3 STR and +0 DEX you would get 2.7 blows
     With +0 STR and +2 DEX you would get 2.7 blows
     Average damage/round: 158.2 vs trolls, orcs, and creatures not
     resistant to poison, 138.5 vs animals, and 118.5 vs. others.
     
x) the Lead-Filled Mace 'Turmil' (4d4) (+10,+11) [+8] <+4, +1>
     Found lying on the floor at 1550 feet (level 31)
     
     +4 wisdom.
     +4 infravision.
     +1 light.
     Slays orcs.
     Branded with cold.
     Provides immunity to Cold.
     Provides resistance to Light.
     Cannot be harmed by Acid, Fire.
     Speeds regeneration.  Blessed by the gods (combat bonuses for holy
     casters).  
     
     When activated, it drains up to 90 hit points of life from a
     target creature.  Does not affect undead, demons, golems,
     elementals or vortices.
     Takes 64 turns to recharge at your current speed.
     Your chance of success is 95.7%
     
     Combat info:
     2.3 blows/round.
     With +3 STR and +0 DEX you would get 2.7 blows
     With +0 STR and +2 DEX you would get 2.7 blows
     Average damage/round: 141.1 vs orcs and creatures not resistant to
     cold, and 85.4 vs. others.
     


[Player history]
      Turn   Depth  Note
         0      0'  Began the quest to destroy Morgoth.
       357     50'  Reached level 2
       708    100'  Reached level 3
       804    100'  Killed Fang, Farmer Maggot's Dog
       804    100'  Reached level 4
      1233    100'  Reached level 5
      4231     50'  Reached level 6
      5538    150'  Reached level 7
      7632    150'  Reached level 8
      9167    200'  Reached level 9
     10139    300'  Reached level 10
     11882    350'  Reached level 11
     12644    400'  Killed Mughash the Kobold Lord
     12649    400'  Found the Phial of Galadriel
     12855    400'  Reached level 12
     13142    450'  Reached level 13
     14455    450'  Killed Wormtongue, Agent of Saruman
     14455    450'  Reached level 14
     14458    450'  Found the Set of Gauntlets 'Paurhach'
     14969    500'  Reached level 15
     17058    450'  Reached level 16
     17704    500'  Killed Sméagol
     19763    500'  Reached level 17
     21687    500'  Reached level 18
     23129    550'  Reached level 19
     24727    650'  Reached level 20
     24757    650'  Killed Orfax, Son of Boldor
     25817    650'  Reached level 21
     26400    650'  Found the Long Sword 'Elvagil' (LOST)
     27426    600'  Killed Bullroarer the Hobbit
     28499    800'  Reached level 22
     30241    950'  Found the Metal Cap of Thengel
     30320    950'  Reached level 23
     30966    950'  Reached level 23
     32275   1000'  Reached level 24
     33723   1000'  Reached level 25
     33994   1000'  Killed Boldor, King of the Yeeks
     33994   1000'  Found the Short Sword 'Sting'
     35144   1000'  Killed Gorbag, the Orc Captain
     36488   1000'  Killed Lugdush, the Uruk
     36549   1000'  Killed Uglúk, the Uruk
     36549   1000'  Reached level 26
     36783   1000'  Killed Grip, Farmer Maggot's Dog
     37533   1000'  Killed Old Man Willow
     37754   1000'  Killed Grishnákh, the Hill Orc
     37774   1000'  Killed Golfimbul, the Hill Orc Chief
     39023   1100'  Reached level 27
     41344   1150'  Killed Bolg, Son of Azog
     42857   1150'  Killed Ibun, Son of Mîm
     43216   1100'  Killed Ufthak of Cirith Ungol
     44139   1150'  Reached level 28
     47293   1150'  Killed Sangahyando of Umbar
     47314   1150'  Killed Angamaitë of Umbar
     48258   1200'  Killed Ulfast, Son of Ulfang
     51101   1300'  Killed Azog, Enemy of the Dwarves
     51117   1300'  Reached level 29
     51157   1300'  Found the Main Gauche of Azaghâl
     51449   1350'  Killed Ulwarth, Son of Ulfang
     52614   1250'  Killed Lagduf, the Snaga
     57764   1350'  Killed Khîm, Son of Mîm
     58004   1400'  Killed Nár, the Dwarf
     58009   1400'  Found the Spear 'Nimloth'
     60263   1350'  Killed Brodda, the Easterling
     60922   1300'  Killed Mîm, Betrayer of Turin
     61304   1300'  Reached level 30
     61863   1350'  Killed Shagrat, the Orc Captain
     64540   1450'  Killed Beorn, the Shape-Changer
     66655   1500'  Killed Uldor the Accursed
     67644   1500'  Reached level 31
     69506   1550'  Found the Lead-Filled Mace 'Turmil'
     71914   1500'  Found the Soft Leather Armour 'Hithlomir'
     72748   1500'  Found the Set of Leather Gloves 'Cammithrim'
     74494   1500'  Killed Bill the Stone Troll
     74777   1500'  Killed Tom the Stone Troll
     74795   1500'  Killed Bert the Stone Troll
     80560   1600'  Killed Lokkak, the Ogre Chieftain
     80596   1600'  Reached level 32
     80911   1600'  Found the Broad Axe 'Barukkheled' (LOST)
     81869   1650'  Found the Morning Star 'Firestar' (LOST)
     86781   1700'  Killed Ulfang the Black
     87504   1700'  Reached level 33
     87817   1700'  Found the Cutlass 'Gondricam'
     89440   1800'  Killed Draebor, the Imp
     89444   1800'  Found the Morning Star 'Bloodspike'
     89465   1800'  Found the Leather Scale Mail 'Thalkettoth'
     90090   1800'  Found the Set of Gauntlets 'Paurnen'
     91703   1900'  Killed Castamir the Usurper

[Julian]

Questions:
1. Am I doing anything blindlingly dumb with what I'm carrying/equipping?
2. Specifically, is Sting the best weapon given my choices? How about body armor? and Gauntlets?
3. 'Nexus' hounds, vortices (vortexes?) and quythulgs are currently major annoyances. Is it worth swapping out the Speed boots for the Stability boots?
4. Are Holy Chant and/or Berserk Strength actually worth anything at this stage of the game?
5. Anything else the community might notice?

First of all, if you wrap the dump in code tags (the # button), it’s a lot easier tor read the tabular data.

1: Probably not. You have enough sources of free action that you might want to experiment with swapping things around for extra resists, if you can get any.
2: Sting’s probably the best right now, but that’s going to change rapidly as your stats go up.
Body armor, I’d look at thalk; you get more speed and dex for less str and con, and then there’s the unknown (to you) extra powers.
Gloves: You’re good.
3: Maybe? If you swap in Thalk, and change the boots, you’re breaking even on the speed. Try the various combinations and see what works; none of them will get you killed.
4: I don’t think they’re ever worth an inventory slot, except maybe in the very early game. If you get them from spells (I don’t know the ranger list off the top of my head), then they don’t hurt, but aren’t that important.
5: Bonus damage stacks up fast when you have lots of attacks. You should be on the lookout for good rings of damage, even if you aren’t using them right now.

[Pete Mack]

Look for a source of CON 350HP will rapidly become fragile as you go past 2300'. At 1900', it'll take a long time to get stronger.

You need to clear out some of the useless artifacts at home. (Gondricam, Paurnen....)

[Sphara]

5. You already have rPoison, rConf and rBlind, so I definitely wouldn't carry staves of curing as long as that state didn't change.
I'd also rather carry Azaghal for fire immunity, than that Westernesse weapon.

All in all, the char is doing nicely. Good luck!

[Estie]

Regarding con and hp, of course eventually you will need more but I would definitely wear Thalkettoth now. Speed +10 is speed x2, the most important breakpoint, and that armor gets you to +9, close enough. Farm con increasing items at +10 speed, youll be squishy either way till you have 650+ health, the point where you can survive most breath attacks.
That also answers the question regarding rnexus - switching boots would be of course a bad idea; annoying as it may be to get teleported around, it is rarely dangerous. Watching the dungeon fauna zoom past at 2x speed otoh very much is.

You also want to look out for telepathy; most likely from the helm slot, so be prepared to lose pconf. You are already carrying staves of teleportation which is essential for surviving without pconf.

You have both berserk potions and holy chant scrolls; as a rule of thumb, its wise not to devote more than one inventory slot to the same thing (here: buffing attack). Personally I like to carry a buff, but they are on the low end of priorities and will go if something more important shows up.