Forced Descent and Alter Reality

[jford_2505@hotmail.com]

Seems like a glaring bug/abuse that you can use Alter Reality on a forced descent game to produce an unlimited number of levels. Surely with forced descent switched on, Alter Reality should:

(1) Produce a level 50' lower (i.e. same as teleport level)
(2) Produce the message "nothing happens"

[Estie]

Yes, clearly having any use at all for that spell must be prohibited.

[krazyhades]

the spell "stairscum" could be changed and I wouldn't cry.

[Timo Pietilä]

the spell "stairscum" could be changed and I wouldn't cry.

You cast "alter reality" -more-
The Black Dragon breathes disintegration -more-
You die -more-

[krazyhades]

For some reason this made me think that dying to time damage should cause the "you die at a ripe old age" headstone message.

[Timo Pietilä]

For some reason this made me think that dying to time damage should cause the "you die at a ripe old age" headstone message.

You were never born -headstone?

[Estie]

You cast "alter reality" -more-
The Black Dragon breathes disintegration -more-
You die -more-

Someone else who has been playing Nethack it seems.

[fizzix]

Seems like a glaring bug/abuse that you can use Alter Reality on a forced descent game to produce an unlimited number of levels. Surely with forced descent switched on, Alter Reality should:

(1) Produce a level 50' lower (i.e. same as teleport level)
(2) Produce the message "nothing happens"

Alter reality has always been an issue with ironman games, and the same problem carries over to forced-descent. The best solution now is to just add it as an extra condition on your playing. There's nothing in the game that says you have to use it, so if you feel it's cheesy, don't do it. (Sort of how I feel about anti-summoning corridors, I just don't use them.)

At some point we need a spell overhaul, at which point we can change alter reality, since it's a super pointless spell at the moment.

[LostTemplar]

Or simply disable it for ironman, as in FAangband.