Returning player - well done!

[skylar]

I haven't played Angband in 10+ years (I think 3.0.4 was the last release I played, back when rec.games.roguelikes.angband was the place to be). Unfortunately academics intervened and I kind of drifted away. Back in those days I even built the OS/2 ports for vanilla and a bunch of the other variants, but that's another thing lost to history...

I had some free time this summer and tried out 4.0.0 and now 4.0.1. There were some things I had to get used to (quivers? differentiated magic?) but I have to say I'm very impressed with what I've seen so far. The gameplay is much smoother and the temptation for scumming much less. I'd like to thank the maintainers and everyone else involved in the development for an awesome game. All in all, I'm very happy with what I see, and wish I had come back sooner.

I've got a clev 43 half-orc rogue with maxed stats, all the sustains/resists I need and am descending quickly past 3000'. Wish me luck!

[Grotug]

Would be interested to know some of the special items you have. I find rNether to be one of the most important resists to attain as well as rDisench. I think rChaos doesn't become really important until 4000' or so.

[skylar]

char dump

Would be interested to know some of the special items you have. I find rNether to be one of the most important resists to attain as well as rDisench. I think rChaos doesn't become really important until 4000' or so.

I've gotten pretty lucky; I have all of rNether (random resist from Armor of Elvenkind), rDisen (Bow of Belthronding), and rChaos (Shield of Thorin).

Pruned char dump below:

  [Angband 4.0.1 Character Dump]

 Name   Skylar       Age             14          Self  RB  CB  EB   Best
 Race   Half-Orc     Height        5'3"   STR! 18/100  +2  +0  +3 18/150
 Class  Rogue        Weight    10st 6lb   INT! 18/100  -1  +1  +3 18/130
 Title  Thief        Turns used:          WIS! 18/100  +0  -3  +2  18/90
 HP     712/712      Game       5731588   DEX! 18/100  +0  +3 +12 18/***
 SP     225/225      Standard    625338   CON! 18/100  +1  -1  +4 18/140
                     Resting     182308

 Level                 45    Armor     [50,+104]    Saving Throw     76%
 Cur Exp          3514509                           Stealth       Superb
 Max Exp          3514509    Melee       6d5,+31    Disarming       100%
 Adv Exp          3645000    To-hit       84,+45    Magic Devices     82
                             Blows      6.0/turn    Perception    1 in 9
 Gold             3011830                           Searching        42%
 Burden         191.3 lbs    Shoot to-dam    +22    Infravision    30 ft
 Speed                 12    To-hit       65,+54
 Max Depth    3000' (L60)    Shots        2/turn

 Your father was an Orc, and it is acknowledged. You are the adopted
 child of a Yeoman.  You are a well liked child.  You have brown eyes,
 wavy red hair, and an average complexion.


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

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


  [Character Equipment]

a) the Katana 'Aglarang' (6d5) (+11,+10) <+5, +1> {@w2!k!v!d}
     Dropped by a Black pudding at 1500 feet (level 30)
     
     +5 dexterity.
     +5 speed.
     +1 attack speed.
     Cannot be harmed by acid.
     Sustains dexterity.
     
     Combat info:
     6.0 blows/round.
     Average damage/round: 307.8.
     
b) the Long Bow 'Belthronding' (x3) (+20,+22) <+3, +1> {!k!v!d}
     Dropped by a Lesser Balrog at 2350 feet (level 47)
     
     +3 dexterity.
     +1 stealth.
     +1 speed.
     +1 shooting speed.
     Provides resistance to disenchantment.
     Cannot be harmed by acid, fire.
     
c) a Ring of Resist Poison {!k!v!d}
     Found lying on the floor of a special room at 1750 feet (level 35)
     
     Provides resistance to poison gas.
     
d) a Ring of Speed <+6> {!v!d!k}
     Found lying on the floor in a vault at 1750 feet (level 35)
     
     +6 speed.
     
e) an Amulet of Sustenance {!k!v!d}
     Bought from a store
     
     Sustains strength, intelligence, wisdom, dexterity, constitution.
     Slows your metabolism.  Sustains your life force.  
     
f) the Arkenstone of Thráin <+3> {!k!v!d}
     Dropped by Shelob, Spider of Darkness at 2950 feet (level 59)
     
     Provides resistance to light, dark.
     Cannot be harmed by fire.
     Sustains your life force.  Grants the ability to see invisible
     things.  
     Radius 3 light.
     
     When activated, it maps the entire level and detects nearby
     objects, traps, doors, and stairs.
     Takes 112 to 220 turns to recharge at your current speed.
     Your chance of success is 91.2%
     
g) Leather Scale Mail of Elvenkind (-1) [20,+11] <+2> {!k!v!d}
     Taken from a chest found at 1650 feet (level 33)
     
     +2 stealth.
     Provides resistance to acid, lightning, fire, frost, nether.
     Cannot be harmed by acid, fire.
     
h) an Elven Cloak of the Magi [6,+10] <+1, +2> {!k!v!d}
     Found lying on the floor in a vault at 1200 feet (level 24)
     
     +1 intelligence.
     +2 stealth.
     +1 speed.
     Cannot be harmed by acid.
     Sustains intelligence.
     Grants telepathy.  
     
i) the Small Metal Shield of Thorin [5,+25] <+3, +4, -1> {!k!v!d}
     Dropped by a Crystal drake at 2150 feet (level 43)
     
     +3 strength.
     +4 constitution.
     -1 stealth.
     Provides immunity to acid.
     Provides resistance to sound, chaos.
     Provides protection from fear.
     Cannot be harmed by acid.
     Prevents paralysis.  
     
j) the Iron Helm 'Holhenneth' [7,+12] <+2> {!k!v!d}
     Found lying on the floor in a pit at 1650 feet (level 33)
     
     +2 intelligence.
     +2 wisdom.
     +2 searching skill.
     Provides protection from blindness, confusion.
     Cannot be harmed by acid.
     Grants the ability to see invisible things.  
     
     When activated, it detects treasure, traps, doors, stairs, and all
     creatures nearby.
     Takes 123 to 242 turns to recharge at your current speed.
     Your chance of success is 94.9%
     
k) the Set of Caestus of Fingolfin (+10,+10) [5,+20] <+4>
     Dropped by Dwar, Dog Lord of Waw at 2350 feet (level 47)
     
     +4 dexterity.
     Provides resistance to acid.
     Cannot be harmed by acid, fire.
     Prevents paralysis.  
     
     When activated, it fires a magical arrow with damage 150.
     Takes 68 to 132 turns to recharge at your current speed.
     Your chance of success is 92.6%
     
l) a Pair of Steel Shod Boots of Stability [7,+11] {!v!k!d}
     Found lying on the floor at 2300 feet (level 46)
     
     Provides resistance to nexus.
     Cannot be harmed by fire.
     Feather Falling.  
     




  [Character Inventory]

a) 4 Books of Magic Spells [Magic for Beginners] {@m1@b1@G1!d!k!v}
b) 3 Books of Magic Spells [Conjurings and Tricks] {@m2@b2@G2!d!k!v}
c) 3 Books of Magic Spells [Incantations and Illusions] {@m3@b3@G3!k!d!v}
d) 3 Books of Magic Spells [Sorcery and Evocations] {@m4@b4@G4!k!v!d}
e) a Book of Magic Spells [Resistances of Scarabtarices] {@m5@b5@G5!k!d!v}
     Cannot be harmed by fire.
     
f) a Book of Magic Spells [Raal's Tome of Destruction] {@m6@b6@G6!k!v!d}
     Cannot be harmed by fire.
     
g) a Book of Magic Spells [Mordenkainen's Escapes] {@m7b7G7!k!v!d}
     Cannot be harmed by fire.
     
h) a Holy Book of Prayers [Exorcism and Dispelling]
i) a Potion of Wisdom
j) 36 Potions of Cure Critical Wounds
k) 4 Potions of Healing
l) 2 Potions of *Healing*
     It can be thrown at creatures with damaging effect.
     
m) 4 Potions of Restore Mana
n) 40 Scrolls of Phase Door
o) 4 Rings of Resist Poison
     Provides resistance to poison gas.
     
p) 2 Rings of Escaping <+4>
     +4 speed.
     Makes you afraid of melee, and worse at shooting and casting
     spells.  
     
q) Blue Dragon Scale Mail (-2) [12,+10]
     Dropped by a Vampire lord at 3000 feet (level 60)
     
     Provides resistance to lightning.
     
r) White Dragon Scale Mail of Craftsmanship [14,+27]
     Dropped by a Master vampire at 3000 feet (level 60)
     
     Provides resistance to frost.
     
s) a Steel Helm of Seeing [9,+11] <+4>
     Dropped by a Dread at 3000 feet (level 60)
     
     +4 searching skill.
     Provides protection from blindness.
     Grants the ability to see invisible things.  
     
t) a Set of Alchemist's Gloves of Slaying (+2,+3) [0,+12]
     Dropped by a Master vampire at 3000 feet (level 60)
     
     Cannot be harmed by acid, fire.
     
u) a Lead-Filled Mace (Holy Avenger) (4d3) (+14,+15) [+1] <+2>
     Dropped by a Dracolich at 3000 feet (level 60)
     
     +2 wisdom.
     Slays evil creatures, undead, demons.
     Provides protection from fear.
     Sustains dexterity.
     Blessed by the gods.  Grants the ability to see invisible things. 
     
     
     Combat info:
     5.0 blows/round.
     Average damage/round: 281 vs. evil creatures, 326.5 vs. undead,
     326.5 vs. demons, and 236 vs. others.
     




  [Character Quiver]

0) 30 Mithril Arrows of Wounding (3d4) (+22,+16) {!k!v!d}
     Cannot be harmed by acid, fire.
     
     Combat info:
     Hits targets up to 120 feet away.
     Average damage/round: 289.4.
     35% chance of breaking upon contact.
     
1) 13 Mithril Arrows of Wounding (3d4) (+14,+16)
     Cannot be harmed by acid, fire.
     
     Combat info:
     Hits targets up to 120 feet away.
     Average damage/round: 286.6.
     35% chance of breaking upon contact.
     


  [Home Inventory]

a) a Book of Magic Spells [Tenser's Transformations]
     Cannot be harmed by fire.
     
b) 18 Potions of *Healing*
     It can be thrown at creatures with damaging effect.
     
c) a Ring of Strength <+6>
     Dropped by a Dreadmaster at 2750 feet (level 55)
     
     +6 strength.
     Sustains strength.
     
d) a Ring of Constitution <+6> {!k!v!d}
     Dropped by a Sorcerer at 2350 feet (level 47)
     
     +6 constitution.
     Sustains constitution.
     
e) an Amulet of the Magi [+8] <+3> {!k!v!d}
     Bought from a store
     
     +3 intelligence.
     +3 searching skill.
     Provides protection from blindness.
     Sustains intelligence.
     Prevents paralysis.  Grants the ability to see invisible things.  
     
f) the Amulet of Carlammas <+1, +3>
     Dropped by Smaug the Golden at 2400 feet (level 48)
     
     +1 strength.
     +3 constitution.
     Provides resistance to fire.
     
     When activated, it grants you protection from evil for 1d25 plus 3
     times your character level turns.
     Takes 497 to 990 turns to recharge at your current speed.
     Your chance of success is 91.2%
     
g) Multi-Hued Dragon Scale Mail (-2) [45,+18] {!k!v!d}
     Found lying on the floor in a vault at 2350 feet (level 47)
     
     Provides resistance to acid, lightning, fire, frost, poison gas.
     
h) the Metal Brigandine Armour of the Rohirrim [50,+15] <+2> {!k!v!d}
     Dropped by a Mature multi-hued dragon at 2450 feet (level 49)
     
     +2 strength.
     +2 dexterity.
     Provides resistance to acid, lightning, fire, frost, sound.
     Provides protection from fear, confusion.
     Cannot be harmed by acid.
     
i) a Robe of Permanence [2,+23]
     Bought from a store
     
     Provides resistance to acid, lightning, fire, frost,
     disenchantment.
     Cannot be harmed by acid, fire.
     Sustains strength, intelligence, wisdom, dexterity, constitution.
     Sustains your life force.  
     
j) a Fur Cloak of Aman [3,+29] <+3>
     Dropped by a Vampire lord at 2050 feet (level 41)
     
     +3 stealth.
     Provides resistance to disenchantment.
     Cannot be harmed by acid, fire.
     
k) a Fur Cloak of Aman [3,+25] <+2> {!k!v!d}
     Found lying on the floor at 2300 feet (level 46)
     
     +2 stealth.
     Provides resistance to poison gas.
     Cannot be harmed by acid, fire.
     
l) a Fur Cloak of the Magi [3,+13] <+2>
     Found lying on the floor at 2250 feet (level 45)
     
     +2 intelligence.
     +2 stealth.
     Cannot be harmed by acid.
     Sustains intelligence.
     Sustains your life force.  
     
m) the Large Metal Shield of Anárion [12,+20]
     Dropped by Ji Indur Dawndeath at 2150 feet (level 43)
     
     Provides resistance to acid, lightning, fire, frost.
     Cannot be harmed by acid.
     Sustains strength, intelligence, wisdom, dexterity, constitution.
     
n) a Mithril Shield of Preservation [16,+27] {!k!v!d}
     Bought from a store
     
     Provides resistance to disenchantment.
     Cannot be harmed by acid.
     Sustains strength, dexterity, constitution.
     Sustains your life force.  
     
o) the Iron Helm of Dor-Lómin [7,+20] <+4, +2, -1>
     Dropped by a Sorcerer at 2900 feet (level 58)
     
     +4 strength.
     +2 dexterity.
     +4 constitution.
     -1 stealth.
     Provides resistance to acid, lightning, fire, frost.
     Provides protection from fear.
     Cannot be harmed by acid.
     Grants telepathy.  Grants the ability to see invisible things.  
     
p) a Pair of Leather Sandals of Speed [1,+10] <+6>
     Found lying on the floor in a vault at 2150 feet (level 43)
     
     +6 speed.
     
q) the Rapier 'Careth Asdriag' (2d6) (+16,+12) <+2, +1>
     Dropped by Bill the Stone Troll at 1750 feet (level 35)
     
     +2 strength.
     +2 dexterity.
     +2 constitution.
     +1 attack speed.
     Slays dragons, animals, trolls, giants, orcs.
     Cannot be harmed by acid.
     
     Combat info:
     6.0 blows/round.
     Average damage/round: 352.8 vs. dragons, 307.2 vs. animals, 352.8
     vs. trolls, 352.8 vs. giants, 352.8 vs. orcs, and 261.6 vs.
     others.
     
r) the Short Sword 'Sting' (1d7) (+11,+11) <+1, +3, +2> {@w2!v!k!d}
     Dropped by The Queen Ant at 1650 feet (level 33)
     
     +1 strength.
     +1 dexterity.
     +1 constitution.
     +3 speed.
     +2 attack speed.
     Slays animals, orcs, undead, evil creatures.
     Provides resistance to light.
     Provides protection from fear.
     Cannot be harmed by acid.
     Prevents paralysis.  Grants the ability to see invisible things.  
     Radius 1 light.
     
     Combat info:
     7.0 blows/round.
     Average damage/round: 299.6 vs. animals, 330.4 vs. orcs, 330.4 vs.
     undead, 299.6 vs. evil creatures, and 269.5 vs. others.
     
s) the Long Sword 'Anguirel' (2d5) (+10,+12) <+2, +3, +1> {@w2!k!v!d}
     Found lying on the floor in a vault at 1750 feet (level 35)
     
     +2 strength.
     +2 constitution.
     +3 speed.
     +1 attack speed.
     Slays evil creatures, demons.
     Branded with poison.
     Provides resistance to lightning, light, dark.
     Cannot be harmed by acid.
     Prevents paralysis.  Grants the ability to see invisible things. 
     Aggravates creatures nearby.  
     Radius 1 light.
     
     Combat info:
     6.0 blows/round.
     Average damage/round: 339 vs. creatures not resistant to poison,
     298.8 vs. evil creatures, 339 vs. demons, and 258.6 vs. others.
     
t) a Blade of Chaos (Defender) (6d5) (+11,+11) [+4] <+2>
     Dropped by a Shadow at 2350 feet (level 47)
     
     +2 stealth.
     Provides resistance to acid, lightning, fire, frost, chaos.
     Cannot be harmed by acid.
     Sustains wisdom.
     Feather Falling.  Speeds regeneration.  Prevents paralysis. 
     Grants the ability to see invisible things.  
     
     Combat info:
     5.0 blows/round.
     Average damage/round: 268.5.
     
u) the Lucerne Hammer 'Turmil' (2d5) (+10,+11) [+8] <+4, +1>
     Found lying on the floor at 1300 feet (level 26)
     
     +4 wisdom.
     +4 infravision.
     Slays orcs.
     Branded with cold.
     Provides immunity to frost.
     Provides resistance to light.
     Cannot be harmed by acid, fire.
     Blessed by the gods.  Speeds regeneration.  
     Radius 1 light.
     
     When activated, it drains up to 90 hit points of life from a
     target creature.  Does not affect undead, demons, golems,
     elementals or vortices.
     Takes 88 turns to recharge at your current speed.
     Your chance of success is 94.9%
     
     Combat info:
     5.0 blows/round.
     Average damage/round: 265.5 vs. creatures not resistant to cold,
     265.5 vs. orcs, and 199.5 vs. others.
     
v) the Morning Star 'Firestar' (2d6) (+15,+17) [+2]
     Dropped by a Dagashi at 1900 feet (level 38)
     
     Branded with fire.
     Provides immunity to fire.
     Cannot be harmed by acid, fire.
     
     When activated, it creates a fire ball with damage 72.
     Takes 44 turns to recharge at your current speed.
     Your chance of success is 94.9%
     
     Combat info:
     5.0 blows/round.
     Average damage/round: 319 vs. creatures not resistant to fire, and
     240.5 vs. others.
     
w) the Short Bow of Amras (x3) (+12,+15) <+2, +1>
     Found lying on the floor at 2250 feet (level 45)
     
     +2 intelligence.
     +2 wisdom.
     +2 dexterity.
     +1 speed.
     +1 shooting speed.
     +1 shooting power.
     Provides resistance to lightning, fire, frost.
     Cannot be harmed by acid, fire.
     Slows your metabolism.  
     
x) the Short Bow of Amrod (x4) (+12,+15) <+2>
     Dropped by a Young multi-hued dragon at 2150 feet (level 43)
     
     +2 strength.
     +2 constitution.
     +2 shooting power.
     Provides resistance to lightning, fire, frost.
     Cannot be harmed by acid, fire.
     Speeds regeneration.

[Grotug]

Jeez, man, you've found some good stuff! That Caestus is unreal! Far out.

I have a decent character setup, but I accidentally dropped my rod of speed in town and stupidly left my Brigadine armor of the Rohirrim in a dungeon when I found something better, but I was forgetting it was keeping my mind clear.

I have fire and ice immunity but I need a stronger weapon. I have a good blade of chaos, but wish I had rChaos in something other than a weapon. :-/ I have a very good Scythe of Slicing but I'm Chaos vulnerable when I fight things like pit demons.

[skylar]

Jeez, man, you've found some good stuff! That Caestus is unreal! Far out.

I have a decent character setup, but I accidentally dropped my rod of speed in town and stupidly left my Brigadine armor of the Rohirrim in a dungeon when I found something better, but I was forgetting it was keeping my mind clear.

I have fire and ice immunity but I need a stronger weapon. I have a good blade of chaos, but wish I had rChaos in something other than a weapon. :-/ I have a very good Scythe of Slicing but I'm Chaos vulnerable when I fight things like pit demons.

Thanks, the RNG has definitely been smiling on me.

Sorry to hear about losing Rohirrim - I wore that for a bit for the fear/confusion resists as well, but I'm deep enough that I really need that rNether from the Elvenkind armor.

I'm actually wearing Thorin more for the acid immunity than rChaos; since I have ESP, my plan before was to teleport away from chaos creatures if needed. I have Turmil and Firestar at home that have cold and fire immunity but my HP is high enough that just the resists are enough for now.

[Grotug]

Heh, well I just picked up Aglarang and Shield of Thorin in one vault. Now I laugh in the face of the Bile Demon. Actually no biggy about Rohorrim, as I have the full plate armor of Isildur which also offers pConf.

[skylar]

Sweet! That's one of the awesome things about Angband - assuming you live to fight another day, there are very few permanent mistakes to be made.

[quarague]

I think I've had characters who were getting ready for the big fight with the kind of gear you have. What are you still doing at 3000 feet? Dive faster. I think you still want more speed but speed rings become much more common between 4500 and 5000 feet, get the poison res as an extra from some random equipment upgrade to free the ring slot, get 2 speed rings that give at least +10 and you are good to go. Good luck, don't do anything stupid the RNG likes to punish overconfidence.

[skylar]

I think I've had characters who were getting ready for the big fight with the kind of gear you have. What are you still doing at 3000 feet? Dive faster. I think you still want more speed but speed rings become much more common between 4500 and 5000 feet, get the poison res as an extra from some random equipment upgrade to free the ring slot, get 2 speed rings that give at least +10 and you are good to go. Good luck, don't do anything stupid the RNG likes to punish overconfidence.

I guess I'm still an old-school Angbander, where diving is to be done cautiously...

In any event, I just took out Saruman and one of the drops was Nenya. I think I'm set for some more diving now!

[Grotug]

Jeez your character continues to be on a luck streak. I just died to a dread's nether bolt. I force quit and keep playing tho.