Any tips for a newbie?

[Derakon]

I've found a stack of identify scrolls, should I identify the potions I'm picking up? I tried a few and the didn't ID. Tried a scroll and it was deep descent so down to DL10 now.

Most consumables should be easy to identify by using them; maybe wait until you're a little damaged first. But identify scrolls should be reasonably plentiful so there's no real issue with using them on an item that's irking you by being hard to ID. Of course, if it's hard to ID, then odds are good that it's not very useful (e.g. Neutralize Poison), so who cares if you don't know what it is?

[Pete Mack]

You will be at one blow for a long time. It may be worth buying PB3 before going down, just to get Orb ASAP.

[robbiodobbio]

Are priests just awful at melee? Even with a dagger I only get 1 blow per round. Is the orb of destruction or whatever it is a spell? I'm guessing it's in the 3rd spellbook.

[robbiodobbio]

I bought 10 phase doors and blazed through them all pretty quickly. Had a nasty run in with a tiger that I barely survived. Got 2nd prayerbook now so got portal.

[robbiodobbio]

I've found a stack of identify scrolls, should I identify the potions I'm picking up? I tried a few and the didn't ID. Tried a scroll and it was deep descent so down to DL10 now.

[Estie]

Yes, by all means wield that Thanc. Check your attack rating, it should suffer some malus, and your spell fail chance with/without Thanc. Basically, use it till you switch to OoD for damage.

I hope the lions share of your purchase went towards phase door scrolls; healing potions are very common, but phase door can be elusive.

[robbiodobbio]

I decided to go for a Dwarf Priest named Father Iron. Not loving the bad disarming and stealth.

Just found Narthanc though. What effect does being uncomfortable with your weapon have? I know priests don't like using edged weapons but surely it's better to use the 'thanc than my standard mace right?

[robbiodobbio]

Any race/class recommendations?

[Ingwe Ingweron]

Ok, I'm thinking of going for the no recalls version. What should I spend my initial cash on?

If doing No Recall Ironman, with or without forced descent, but especially if you are also doing forced descent, I would turn Selling back on and or turn off Start with Useful Gear. This way you can sell that recall scroll for cash and buy more of what you need.

I don't see the town purchase requirements any differently than a regular excursion, you'll want lot's of ?Phase Door and CLW. Maybe a launcher and ammo, if available. An extra copy of the first magic book or prayer book, if applicable. (I never buy more than the first , relying on the dungeon to provide). Then descend and hope for the best. Squelch the money, as it will do you no good. You'll still collect cash if you happen to walk over its location, but you won't be distracted with it on-screen.

Congrats on your win. And props for jumping right into Ironman right away. I'm impressed!

[robbiodobbio]

Ok, I'm thinking of going for the no recalls version. What should I spend my initial cash on?

[Estie]

Congrats on a job well done. Forced descent simply means that you can never enter a level higher than your lowest; upstairs are generated, but wont work (you get an error message when trying to use them); scrolls of tele level always take you down, etc. Unless you also have no recall set for full ironman, you can (and probably should) leave a level via town portal, then recall; it will take you to the next lower one.

[robbiodobbio]

how does forced descent work? Do you only have a fixed time on each level? Or is it just that there aren't any up stairs?

[Derakon]

Done it! Final battle was epic and very very close, judged consumables to perfection: killed him with 1 charge of a rod of healing left, it couldn't have been closer. Thanks to everyone for the tips, finally beat the game for the first time nearly 20 years after first playing it.

Congrats! Good job.

Regarding ironman, there's a variety of different "ironman" options you can turn on. "Classic" ironman is just forced-descent and no-recall, but you can also disable artifact generation or disable stores if you like. Disabling stores and also turning off the "starting kit" option means sending a level-1 character into the dungeon stark naked, so watch out!

Good races/classes for ironman are pretty much whatever you're most comfortable with. There's usually plentiful food, so even warriors who never get Satisfy Hunger shouldn't be in danger of starvation outside of the early game. With 100 dungeon levels to choose from, you shouldn't have problems assembling enough gear and consumables as long as you don't skip too many levels.

[robbiodobbio]

Thinking about having a go at Ironman, I know about the forced descent option and no recalls but what are the other rules? Any suggestions on race/class for Ironman?

[robbiodobbio]

Done it! Final battle was epic and very very close, judged consumables to perfection: killed him with 1 charge of a rod of healing left, it couldn't have been closer. Thanks to everyone for the tips, finally beat the game for the first time nearly 20 years after first playing it.