A Few Questions/Observations From an Old Player

[Derakon]

Weapons of Westernesse or blessed weapons used to show up early enough to be useful. I can't even remember when I used some of those, must be ages ago.

Did they really? I'm pretty sure I remember using weak egos like Slay Orc solely because the attached pluses on the weapon were better than otherwise, and Westernesse / Holy Avenger / Defender were still rare enough that it was a coinflip whether I found them first or a usable artifact weapon.

[Oramin]

Still, the missing of any slightly good stuff before 2000 is driving me crazy. It is like work to get there and very little fun.

All the ego type items are junk now, because when I finally starting to find them, I usually have artifacts in loads. Weapons of Westernesse or blessed weapons used to show up early enough to be useful. I can't even remember when I used some of those, must be ages ago.

There's definitely some truth to that. I don't think I've used any of the Westernesse weapons in 3.3.2., I've used a Blessed weapon and a Gondolin weapon but that was for Telepathy and Stunning resistance respectively.

The simple fact is that the artifact daggers drop frequently and they're almost always better than any other weapons you're going to find at low levels.

[Mondkalb]

Tne new shop system was nerve wrecking enough to acclimate with. Now I finally have managed to by the scrolls I want, only to find it even worse in 3.4.1 because now another keystroke is required, which often results in me buying a damn scroll of recharging instead of two scrolls of WoR.

Somebody apparently wants me delivered to a mental institution.

[academic.sam]

May I suggest that you stick at L30 depth until you've managed to max out your stats instead of looking for stat potions down on L64? Slow and steady wins the game.

Was doing that, but wasn't having much luck. Started going a bit deeper and still no luck. Found a couple of ?deep-descent and dove in. It was quite exciting and nerve-wracking since I'm not used to seeing AMHD and shaking in my boots knowing the first encounter will be my last.

I now realize that I may have gone in deeper than I should have, but there was no mistake in the feeling of tedium that drove me downward.

So, I do think improving the quality of items during first 30 or so levels (while still keeping the current drop rate) would be a good change.

Anyhow, back to next char.

[Mondkalb]

Stat potions seem quite rare. I don't want to spam levels at any depth just to find some stupid potions. That's just plain boring. I have found several DSMs, Calris, Amrod, Osondir, Lotharang, Elvagil, Dethanc, Holhenneth, Arvedui, Anarion and also two Gondolin weapons and of course lots of ego weapons, but again, none of Westernesse.
Stat potions are still missing, I found 1 Augmentation and a couple of others, but I'm now at 2500' or so and desperately need some con potions.
(And I am playing a rogue, so I can detect easier than other classes.)

[Timo Pietilä]

Was doing that, but wasn't having much luck. Started going a bit deeper and still no luck.

"Maxing stats" means RoCON +alot so that your CON is at reasonable numbers and something to boost your manastat to usable numbers and items to detect what is going on around you.

Your internal stats don't really matter much as long as your equipment is good enough to allow you to keep on adventuring. Stats max out when they max out, don't pay attention to them. I usually realize that I have maxed out some stat only when I get "!" after the stat.

[Oramin]

Add a Dunadan Paladin to that list of winners.

On to the Hobbit Rogue.

[Oramin]

There's definitely some truth to that. I don't think I've used any of the Westernesse weapons in 3.3.2., I've used a Blessed weapon and a Gondolin weapon but that was for Telepathy and Stunning resistance respectively.

The simple fact is that the artifact daggers drop frequently and they're almost always better than any other weapons you're going to find at low levels.

And, of course, after I make that comment, Smeagol drops a Cutlass of Westernesse on L3.

[scud]

And, of course, after I make that comment, Smeagol drops a Cutlass of Westernesse on L3.

That 'it's lovely and shiny but I need another 7 strength to get 1.1 blows from it' feeling...

[Oramin]

Nah, not quite that bad. He's at 1.3 blows and only needs +1 STR for a whole 1.6.

Besides, the See Invisible and Free Action are easily worthwhile.

[Oramin]

Going a bit off topic:

Anybody have their copy of "The Hobbit" handy?

I just noticed what appears to be a typo on page 17 in my current one:

"If you have ever seen a dragon in a pinch, you will realize that this was only poetical exaggeration applied to any any hobbit, ..."

Do any any of you have the double "any"?

[Nick]

Do any any of you have the double "any"?

Not in mine.

[Mondkalb]

I don't know, is it just the RNG?
I had three chars killed today in the end of pure boredom. There is nothing special to be found on the first 20-30 levels. It's plain dreary.
Well, hordes of pungent monsters of course. I have to buy new armor constantly and all my money goes into WoR and CCW.
Lousy weapons and even lousier armor.
I can't remember when I last found a good item before 1700'.

[Oramin]

I think it is the pace you play at. My CLVL 32 Hobbit Rogue is down at Max DLVL 31 and he's found:

Pauregen
Dethanc
Elvagil
Osondir
Nimloth
Thalkettoth
Heavy Crossbow of Extra Shots
Phial
Cammithrim
Amulet of the Magi
A couple of Westernesse weapons

And because I routinely haul stuff up I have well over 100k gold as well as numerous items purchased from the Black Market (including Boots of Speed +5 and a Ring of Con +6).

I almost never use my CCW potions because I'm properly geared up for the level. I also chicken out when, for example, there's a Great Hell Wyrm in a Vault on DLVL 30 and I don't have Fire Resistance or Teleport Away.

[Mondkalb]

I thought the game was changed to support fast diving. In my experience this was more fun in older versions, maybe because autoscum for good levels..