Stat potion or wand of TO?

[icefyre]

Hello,

I find myself with a difficult decision and I was hoping I to solicit the advice of the Angband experts on this forum. At the Black Market there are now 2 stat potions for sale (Constitution and Intelligence) and a wand of TO.
I only have 26k which is enough to buy one of these items.
I am playing a Ranger (just reached 1000', level 20 of the dungeon).

Which of these items do you recommend I pick up? The potion of constitution looks promising as I only have 8 Con but i don't think it will raise my HP significantly. The Wand of TO can obviously be a lifesaver but then I lose out on the potions.
I don't have much intelligence and I have a gauntlet of Slaying which reduces my max SP as well, so maybe that's the way to go? Not sure. What do you think? Please find character dump attached along with screenshot of black market.

Thanks for the help!!!


Character dump:

  [Angband 3.5.1 Character Dump]

 Name   Eren         Age             98          Self  RB  CB  EB   Best
 Sex    Male         Height        5'5"   STR:     17  -1  +0  +0     16
 Race   Elf          Weight     6st 8lb   INT:     10  +2  +2  +0     14
 Class  Ranger       Turns used:          WIS:     10  -1  -2  +0      7
 Title  Tracker      Game        759518   DEX:     18  +1  +1  +0  18/20
 HP     139/139      Standard     67411   CON:     10  -1  -1  +0      8
 SP     18/18        Resting      14169

 Level                 23    Armor      [32,+20]    Saving Throw     57%
 Cur Exp            14562                           Stealth    Excellent
 Max Exp            14562    Melee        1d8,+7    Disarming        53%
 Adv Exp            15300    To-hit       40,+10    Magic Devices     62
                             Blows      3.1/turn    Perception   1 in 22
 Gold               26952                           Searching        32%
 Burden         126.3 lbs    Shoot to-dam     +4    Infravision    50 ft
 Speed                 -2    To-hit        63,+9
 Max Depth    1000' (L20)    Shots        1/turn

 You are one of several children of an Avarin Ranger.  You have light
 grey eyes, straight black hair, and a fair complexion.



rAcid:......+...... Nexus:.............
rElec:......+...... Nethr:.............
rFire:......+.+.... Chaos:.............
rCold:......+...... Disen:......+......
rPois:............. Feath:.............
rLite:............+ pFear:.............
rDark:............. pBlnd:.............
Sound:............. pConf:.............
Shard:............. pStun:.............

Light:.....+....... Tunn.:.............
Regen:............. Speed:.............
  ESP:............. Blows:+............
Invis:..+.......... Shots:.............
FrAct:...+......... Might:.............
HLife:............. S.Dig:.............
Stea.:......++..... ImpHP:.............
Sear.:.............  Fear:.............
Infra:....+.......+ Aggrv:.............


  [Character Equipment]

a) a Cutlass of Extra Attacks (1d8) (+5,+2) <+2>
     Dropped by Wormtongue, Agent of Saruman at 450 feet (level 9).
     
     +2 attack speed.
     
     Combat info:
     3.1 blows/round.
     With +3 STR and +0 DEX you would get 3.3 blows
     With +0 STR and +2 DEX you would get 3.3 blows
     Average damage/round: 37.7.
     
b) a Sling (x2) (+4,+4)
     Found lying on the floor at 400 feet (level 8).
     
c) a Ring of See Invisible
     Bought from a store.
     
     Grants the ability to see invisible things.  
     
d) a Ring of Free Action
     Bought from a store.
     
     Prevents paralysis.  
     
e) an Amulet of Infravision <+2>
     Found lying on the floor at 750 feet (level 15).
     
     +2 infravision.
     
f) a Lantern (8776 turns)
     Found lying on the floor at 450 feet (level 9).
     
     Cannot be harmed by fire.
     Radius 2 light.
     
g) Leather Scale Mail of Elvenkind (-1) [20,+13] <+1>
     Dropped by Orfax, Son of Boldor at 550 feet (level 11).
     
     +1 stealth.
     Provides resistance to acid, lightning, fire, cold,
     disenchantment.
     Cannot be harmed by acid, electricity, fire, cold.
     
h) a Cloak of Stealth [1,-1] <+2>
     Dropped by a Kobold shaman at 400 feet (level 8).
     
     +2 stealth.
     
i) a Wicker Shield of Resist Fire [2,-1]
     Found lying on the floor at 450 feet (level 9).
     
     Provides resistance to fire.
     Cannot be harmed by fire.
     
j) a Hard Leather Cap [2,-1]
     Found lying on the floor in a pit at 800 feet (level 16).
     
k) a Set of Mithril Gauntlets of Slaying (+3,+4) [6,+6]
     Dropped by Shagrat, the Orc Captain at 1000 feet (level 20).
     
     Cannot be harmed by acid, fire.
     
l) a Pair of Leather Sandals [1,+2]
     Dropped by a Blue yeek at 550 feet (level 11).
     


  [Character Quiver]

n) 6 Rounded Pebbles (1d2) (+4,+2)
     Dropped by a Scruffy looking hobbit at 750 feet (level 15).
     
     Combat info:
     Hits targets up to 100 feet away.
     Average damage/round: 15.1.
     25% chance of breaking upon contact.
     
o) 2 Iron Shots (1d4) (+5,+5)
     Found lying on the floor at 650 feet (level 13).
     
     Combat info:
     Hits targets up to 100 feet away.
     Average damage/round: 23.2.
     25% chance of breaking upon contact.
     
p) 2 Rounded Pebbles of Venom (1d2) (+4,+3)
     Found lying on the floor at 450 feet (level 9).
     
     Branded with venom.
     
     Combat info:
     Hits targets up to 100 feet away.
     Average damage/round: 42.9 vs. creatures not resistant to poison,
     and 17.1 vs. others.
     25% chance of breaking upon contact.
     
q) 5 Rounded Pebbles (1d2) (+1,+4)
     Dropped by a Soldier at 450 feet (level 9).
     
     Combat info:
     Hits targets up to 100 feet away.
     Average damage/round: 19.1.
     25% chance of breaking upon contact.
     


  [Character Inventory]

a) 2 Books of Magic Spells [Magic for Beginners]
b) 2 Books of Magic Spells [Conjurings and Tricks]
c) a Book of Magic Spells [Incantations and Illusions]
d) a Mushroom of Vigor
e) 3 Mushrooms of Clear Mind
f) 3 Potions of Cure Light Wounds
g) a Potion of Nimbleness
h) 5 Potions of Speed
i) a Potion of Berserk Strength
j) 8 Scrolls of Phase Door
k) 6 Scrolls of Satisfy Hunger
l) 3 Scrolls of Word of Recall
m) 2 Rods of Treasure Location
n) a Rod of Curing
o) 2 Staves of Cure Light Wounds (0 charges)
p) a Staff of Teleportation (6 charges)
q) 4 Staves of Identify (24 charges)
r) a Ring of Open Wounds
     Impairs hitpoint recovery.  
     
s) an Amulet of Resist Lightning
     Dropped by a Brigand at 750 feet (level 15).
     
     Provides resistance to lightning.
     Cannot be harmed by electricity.
     
t) White Dragon Scale Mail of Stealth (-2) [14,+22] <+1>
     Found lying on the floor in a pit at 800 feet (level 16).
     
     +1 stealth.
     Provides resistance to cold.
     Cannot be harmed by acid, electricity, fire, cold.
     


  [Home Inventory]

a) 4 Books of Magic Spells [Conjurings and Tricks]
b) a Mushroom of Second Sight
c) 5 Potions of Cure Light Wounds
d) 2 Potions of Cure Serious Wounds
e) 10 Potions of Cure Critical Wounds
f) 8 Scrolls of Detect Invisible
g) a Scroll of Recharging
h) 5 Scrolls of Deep Descent
i) 2 Rods of Treasure Location
j) a Ring of Dexterity <+3>
     Found lying on the floor at 800 feet (level 16).
     
     +3 dexterity.
     Sustains dexterity.
     
k) a Ring of Resist Fire and Cold
     Found lying on the floor at 500 feet (level 10).
     
     Provides resistance to fire, cold.
     Cannot be harmed by fire, cold.
     
l) a Ring of Escaping <+4>
     Found lying on the floor at 800 feet (level 16).
     
     +4 speed.
     Makes you afraid of melee, and worse at shooting and casting
     spells.  
     
m) a Ring of the Mouse (+0,-7) <+2, +4>
     Found lying on the floor at 750 feet (level 15).
     
     +2 dexterity.
     +4 stealth.
     
n) an Amulet of Resist Acid
     Dropped by a Brigand at 500 feet (level 10).
     
     Provides resistance to acid.
     Cannot be harmed by acid.
     
o) an Amulet of Inertia <-1>
     Found lying on the floor at 750 feet (level 15).
     
     -1 speed.
     Prevents paralysis.  
     
p) White Dragon Scale Mail of Craftsmanship [14,+24]
     Found lying on the floor in a pit at 800 feet (level 16).
     
     Provides resistance to cold.
     Cannot be harmed by acid, electricity, fire, cold.
     
q) Soft Leather Armour of Resist Acid [8,+9]
     Found lying on the floor at 750 feet (level 15).
     
     Provides resistance to acid.
     Cannot be harmed by acid.
     
r) a Set of Leather Gloves of Slaying (+2,+2) [1,+2]
     Found lying on the floor of a special room at 550 feet (level 11).
     
s) a Lead-Filled Mace of *Slay Demon* (4d3) (+3,+7) <+2>
     Found lying on the floor of a special room at 750 feet (level 15).
     
     +2 intelligence.
     *Slays* demons.
     Provides resistance to fire.
     
     Combat info:
     1.1 blows/round.
     With +5 STR and +0 DEX you would get 1.3 blows
     With +0 STR and +2 DEX you would get 1.3 blows
     Average damage/round: 64.2 vs. demons, and 24.5 vs. others.
     
t) a Light Crossbow (x3) {magical}
     Dropped by Golfimbul, the Hill Orc Chief at 750 feet (level 15).
     
     You do not know the full extent of this item's powers.
     
u) 12 Bolts of Slay Demon (1d5) (+11,+7)
     Dropped by Golfimbul, the Hill Orc Chief at 750 feet (level 15).
     
     Slays demons.
     
v) 17 Bolts (1d5) (+8,+5)
     Found lying on the floor at 400 feet (level 8).
     
w) 19 Bolts (1d5) (+3,+2)
     Dropped by Bullroarer the Hobbit at 750 feet (level 15).
     
x) 36 Rounded Pebbles (1d2) (+0,+0)
     Combat info:
     Hits targets up to 100 feet away.
     Average damage/round: 11.1.
     25% chance of breaking upon contact.
     


[Player history]
      Turn   Depth  Note
         0      0'  Began the quest to destroy Morgoth.
       366     50'  Reached level 2
       893     50'  Reached level 3
      1884    100'  Reached level 4
      3159    150'  Reached level 5
      5799    100'  Killed Fang, Farmer Maggot's dog
      5799    100'  Reached level 6
      8508    150'  Killed Grip, Farmer Maggot's dog
      8508    150'  Reached level 7
     11279    200'  Reached level 8
     17313    400'  Reached level 9
     20240    450'  Reached level 10
     21250    450'  Reached level 11
     21741    450'  Killed Wormtongue, Agent of Saruman
     22497    450'  Reached level 12
     25819    450'  Reached level 13
     26151    400'  Killed Mughash the Kobold Lord
     27431    450'  Reached level 14
     30581    500'  Reached level 15
     33862    550'  Killed Orfax, Son of Boldor
     36827    600'  Reached level 16
     40231    700'  Reached level 17
     41044    700'  Killed Lagduf, the Snaga
     42675    750'  Reached level 18
     43042    750'  Killed Bullroarer the Hobbit
     45814    750'  Killed Sméagol
     48168    750'  Reached level 19
     49180    750'  Killed Golfimbul, the Hill Orc Chief
     51729    800'  Reached level 20
     52359    800'  Reached level 21
     52752    800'  Killed Ufthak of Cirith Ungol
     52929    800'  Killed Brodda, the Easterling
     57269    850'  Reached level 22
     64229   1000'  Reached level 23
     65428   1000'  Killed Shagrat, the Orc Captain


  [Options]

  [User interface]

Use the roguelike command keyset             : no  (rogue_like_commands)
Use old target by default                    : no  (use_old_target)
Automatically clear '-more-' prompts         : no  (auto_more)
Always pickup items                          : no  (pickup_always)
Always pickup items matching inventory       : yes (pickup_inven)
Notify on object recharge                    : no  (notify_recharge)
Show flavors in object descriptions          : no  (show_flavors)
Center map continuously                      : no  (center_player)
Disturb whenever viewable monster moves      : yes (disturb_near)
Show damage player deals to monsters         : no  (show_damage)
Highlight target with cursor                 : yes (show_target)
Color: Illuminate torchlight in yellow       : no  (view_yellow_light)
Color: Shimmer multi-colored things          : no  (animate_flicker)
Color: Player color indicates % hit points   : yes (hp_changes_color)
Color: Show unique monsters in purple        : no  (purple_uniques)
Show walls as solid blocks                   : no  (solid_walls)
Show walls with shaded background            : no  (hybrid_walls)
Allow mouse clicks to move the player        : yes (mouse_movement)
Use sound                                    : no  (use_sound)

  [Birth]

Randomise the artifacts (except a very few)  : yes (birth_randarts)
Use previous set of randarts                 : no  (birth_keep_randarts)
Monsters learn from their mistakes           : no  (birth_ai_learn)
Force player descent                         : no  (birth_force_descend)
Word of Recall has no effect                 : no  (birth_no_recall)
Halve view and spell distances               : no  (birth_small_range)
Restrict creation of artifacts               : no  (birth_no_artifacts)
Don't stack objects on the floor             : no  (birth_no_stacking)
Lose artifacts when leaving level            : no  (birth_no_preserve)
Don't generate connected stairs              : no  (birth_no_stairs)
Don't show level feelings                    : no  (birth_no_feelings)
Increase gold drops but disable selling      : yes (birth_no_selling)
Start with a kit of useful gear              : yes (birth_start_kit)

[Pete Mack]

TO, all the way. It can save your char now. Con can save it in the very distant future.

[sffp]

Pete's right. TO and it's not even close.

[Sky]

uh ..

several observations here.

bad stat distribution.
Ranger should be 6 pts STR, 6 pts DEX, 5 pts CON, 3 pts INT, however you can easily work with 5/5/5/5 or even 6 INT and just plonk away with Magic Missile at everything. Early Phase spell can pretty much get you out of every bad situation.

The point is that you're gonna be pathetic at any sort of melee for a long while, and you will run out of arrows easily if you try to kill every orc with them. MM doesnt have this problem and you'll reach 5% fail easily.

Please note that he's only reached a depth of DL23.

If you are gonna go to DL30 and pump some stats - which you should - then you can easily just ignore any sizeable breather you find along the way, and just NOT GO INTO VAULTS.

Rangers shouldn't wear Gauntlets of Slaying.

While the want of TO would be a sensible choice for someone on DL35 wanting to move down to DL45 and maybe grab some artifacts, at this stage and with this character, i would try to undo a bit of the awfulness and buy the INT potion.

Tbh i would wear that mace with +2 INT easily over the cutlass, even with 37 DPS you still suck.

[Estie]

+1 for TO. If it was 10 !con vs TO I would start thinking.

Going down to dlvl 30 where potions start to drop is so much more viable if you have the option to TO things available. Playing a mage ranger as Sky suggests is possible but I wouldnt want to switch gear with that @ at this point.

[sffp]

+1 for TO. If it was 10 !con vs TO I would start thinking.

Going down to dlvl 30 where potions start to drop is so much more viable if you have the option to TO things available. Playing a mage ranger as Sky suggests is possible but I wouldnt want to switch gear with that @ at this point.

Well if we're going to assess the character.

They're carrying far too much weight!

Speed -2? That's suicidal in the dungeon

4 staves of identify?
Seems like something you could keep at home

Drop the armor your not using plus the shield, cap and sandals



Does that mouse ring get you to Legendary stealth - because that's another way you could go with this @

[Estie]

Oh I didnt mean I would use the exact same stuff; I didnt look at everything, just the relevant options for damage dealing in discussion - melee vs mm.

And yeah, that stealth ring caught my attention as well. Using it would kill melee and ideally youd get FA from gloves. So it would mean a switch over to mm - except mm shouldnt be used much. The point of stealth is to let you farm at a depth where you cant kill everything and spending a lot of time plinking mm means things are going to wake up. Its better to quickly take out targets with the big gun - archery - and move on.

Either way, TO is a boon.

[icefyre]

Well if we're going to assess the character.

They're carrying far too much weight!

Speed -2? That's suicidal in the dungeon

4 staves of identify?
Seems like something you could keep at home

Drop the armor your not using plus the shield, cap and sandals



Does that mouse ring get you to Legendary stealth - because that's another way you could go with this @

Mouse ring gets me Superb stealth, and I've been using it for scouting. The staves would normally be at the house but I just picked them up at the dungeon floor. I am using that white dragon armor as a weapon and it saved my bacon a couple of times and allowed me to kill several enemies that would have been much more annoying otherwise. I'll remove the shield cap and sandals though and definitely go with TO. Thank you everyone for your input it is very much appreciated!!!