What resistances are actually needed to survive against Morgoth?

[sffp]

Well done!

For my money the ranger is the easiest class to win with because it's almost always done from a distance with arrows. But then - I don't play mages much.

As to your original q - I once tried to go against Morgoth without an elite build that just happened to not include Resist Fire. Of course, he summoned Gothmog AND the Tarrasque and they both breathed on me in the same turn...

[PopTart]

Okay, nice, I defeated Morgoth. All I needed was 8 Rods of Slow Monster, 10 Rods of Teleport Other and a couple Mass Banishment scrolls for summoneds (probably not necessary), a couple hundred arrows, a couple potions of *Healing* against raw magic casts. Oh, and a couple of zaps from a Wand of Stun Monster. He was barely able to do anything.

One interesting ... feature? of Morgoth is his ability to find you anywhere on the level. This is hugely convenient for when his summonings get overwhelming. Just teleport away and you get to start fresh with him.

[PopTart]

I decided to commit to arrows once I got Create Arrows from the second ranger book. I wasn't sure how hard it would be to find other good ammo. Next playthrough with a ranger I might try crossbows or slings. The bow I have now is stupidly powerful, my best arrows averaging over 1000 damage per round against evil monsters. In the early part of the game I was using a sling because the ammo doesn't break

[malcontent]

Well said. And oh yeah, I have saved several stacks of seeker arrows and mithril arrows of Slay Evil and Holy Might

Nice! I feel like I typically only have one set of holy might/slay evil arrows saved for Morgoth, somtimes none - but for a ranger 400 damage per round is pretty attainable with non-slay evil amo.

Also, the heavy crossbow of Umbar, with a ranger (4.2.4), with any amo, is pretty f-ing fun, aggravation or not.

[PopTart]

Well said. And oh yeah, I have saved several stacks of seeker arrows and mithril arrows of Slay Evil and Holy Might

[malcontent]

I think the main things to bring to the table with Morgoth is stat sustains if there is a chance he can hit you in melee. Also wrt melee, ideally, avoid bringing wands or staves that he can drain.

rNether seems to be the primary (only?) resistance that can be helpful (but depending on what he summons, who knows...). Weapons or launcher amo of slay evil are very helpful, all other brands/slays are not. Anything that increases your attack damage - berserk strength for example, and obviously - extra blows.

Your observation is spot on - most resistances are useful to get you to the table with Morgoth (get you through the pits of Angband), but are not necessary to eat with him.

[PopTart]

His spells are: mana storms, brain smashing, mana bolts, summoning greater demons and greater undead (which may do any kind of damage), and of course summoning uniques. And he hits to shatter. So things like sound resistance, electricity immunity, etc., are not strictly necessary, right? Seems like the focus should be on speed and maxing out HP? I'm using a ranger so I plan to barrage him with arrows. Does he have resistances of his own?

Also have big stacks of Rods of Teleport Other and Rods of Slow Monster