Dwarf Paladin

[Grotug]

Got tired of being absurdly fragile. Dwarf Paladin is super easy to play. Can almost play it like HT Warrior, and having spells is a super nice bonus. I noticed that Cure Serious Wounds is a reasonable cost in the Purifications book. Didn't it used to be like 7 mana? It's 4 in that book.

The description on Mortal Wounds (heals 50HP) doesn't seem quite right, though, when you compare it to the damage in Knight Templar's description: "causes mortal wounds (325)." Surely 50 and 325 are not similar numbers.

Yay early Amras. Been a gooood crash dive so far. Just picked up a wand of TO and Amras on DL29. Dethanc on DL1.

[Adam]

I may be wrong but i always thought that cause mortal wounds is not a direct 325 damage but some initial direct damage + damage caused by bleeding. I would be interested in whether i was wrong or not and also about what the initial damage is.

[Grotug]

I don't think I've ever received 325 damage from someone with that description in their arsenal. Maybe as much as 190?

[Grotug]

Well, I killed that character off very carelessly; way underestimated a pack of inertia hounds. I should know better by now.

In other news, there sure are a lot of Spear artifacts in Angband! Sanghayando dropped one I wasn't aware of; not quite as good as Oromë but a big upgrade from Forasgil. Nicknamed "snow point" in the song of the Elves.

[Pete Mack]

@Grotug--
Have you tried High-elf Rogue? It's sort of the mage-spell complement to Dwarf Paladin.

[Grotug]

I have not. When I started playing Angband a few years ago I'd play as High-Elf Paladin.

I'm at DL42 with decent damage output and just found a ring of poison but don't really think it's worth swapping with a ring of dam [+9] or a ring of STR <+3>. I also just got Hollhenneth so I can detect for dangerous poison breathers. What would others do?

  [Angband 4.0.5 Character Dump]

 Name   Dwalin       Age             43          Self  RB  CB  EB   Best
 Race   Dwarf        Height       3'11"   STR:     18  +2  +1  +3  18/60
 Class  Paladin      Weight    9st 11lb   INT:     10  -3  -3  +2      6
 Title  Knight       Turns used:          WIS:     11  +2  +1  +4     18
 HP     319/319      Game        154501   DEX:     17  -2  -1  +4     18
 SP     46/46        Standard     17476   CON:     10  +2  +2  +0     14
                     Resting         66

 Level                 30    Armor      [31,+71]    Saving Throw     70%
 Cur Exp           146149                           Stealth         Poor
 Max Exp           146149    Melee       3d6,+37    Disarming        42%
 Adv Exp           155000    To-hit       62,+19    Magic Devices     63
                             Blows      3.3/turn    Perception   1 in 28
 Gold               44964                           Searching        29%
 Burden          132.0 lb    Shoot to-dam     +5    Infravision    50 ft
 Overweight      -47.9 lb    To-hit       43,+12    Speed              5
 Max Depth    2100' (L42)    Shots        1/turn

 You are the only child of a Dwarven Miner.  You are a credit to the
 family.  You have dark brown eyes, straight black hair, a one foot
 beard, and a dark 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 Spear 'Aiglos' (3d6) (+15,+25) [+5] <+2, +4> {@1}
     Dropped by Sangahyando of Umbar at 1350 feet (level 27)
     
     +2 wisdom.
     +4 dexterity.
     Slays evil creatures, trolls, orcs, undead (powerfully).
     Branded with cold.
     Provides resistance to frost.
     Provides protection from fear.
     Cannot be harmed by acid, fire.
     Blessed by the gods.  Slows your metabolism.  Prevents paralysis. 
     
     
     When activated, it creates a frost ball with damage 100.
     Takes 52 turns to recharge at your current speed.
     Your chance of success is 93.4%
     
     Combat info:
     3.3 blows/round.
     With +1 STR and +0 DEX you would get 3.4 blows
     With +0 STR and +2 DEX you would get 3.5 blows
     Average damage/round: 235.7 vs. creatures not resistant to cold,
     199.4 vs. evil creatures, 235.7 vs. trolls, 235.7 vs. orcs, 308.3
     vs. undead, and 163.1 vs. others.
     
b) a Long Bow (x3) (+8,+5)
     Found lying on the floor of a special room at 1200 feet (level 24)
     
c) a Ring of Strength <+3> {@3}
     Found lying on the floor of a cavern at 1900 feet (level 38)
     
     +3 strength.
     Sustains strength.
     
d) a Ring of Damage (+0,+9) {@2}
     Found lying on the floor of a cavern at 1650 feet (level 33)
     
e) an Amulet of Regeneration
     Dropped by a Hezrou at 2100 feet (level 42)
     
     Speeds regeneration.  
     
f) the Phial of Galadriel <+3> {special}
     Found lying on the floor of a cavern at 1650 feet (level 33)
     
     You do not know the full extent of this item's powers.
     Cannot be harmed by fire.
     
     It can be activated.
     
g) the Soft Leather Armour 'Hithlomir' [10,+20] <+3>
     Dropped by a Ranger at 1100 feet (level 22)
     
     +3 stealth.
     Provides resistance to acid, lightning, fire, frost, dark, nether.
     Cannot be harmed by acid, fire.
     
h) the Cloak of Thorongil [1,+10]
     Found lying on the floor at 600 feet (level 12)
     
     Provides resistance to acid.
     Provides protection from fear.
     Cannot be harmed by acid, fire.
     Prevents paralysis.  Grants the ability to see invisible things.  
     
i) a Small Metal Shield of Resist Acid [5,+8]
     Found lying on the floor at 1050 feet (level 21)
     
     Provides resistance to acid.
     Cannot be harmed by acid.
     
j) the Iron Helm 'Holhenneth' [7,+10] <+2> (charging)
     Dropped by a Shadow at 2100 feet (level 42)
     
     +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 84 to 165 turns to recharge at your current speed.
     Your chance of success is 92.8%
     
k) a Set of Leather Gloves of Free Action [1,+7]
     Dropped by a Cutpurse at 1350 feet (level 27)
     
     Prevents paralysis.  
     
l) a Pair of Steel Shod Boots of Speed [7,+9] <+5>
     Found lying on the floor in a vault at 2100 feet (level 42)
     
     +5 speed.
     Cannot be harmed by fire.
     




  [Character Inventory]

a) 3 Holy Books of Prayers [Words of Wisdom]
b) 2 Holy Books of Prayers [Chants and Blessings]
c) 33 Potions of Cure Light Wounds
d) 14 Potions of Cure Serious Wounds
e) 11 Potions of Cure Critical Wounds
f) a Potion of Healing
g) a Potion of Restore Mana
h) 3 Potions of Berserk Strength
i) 19 Scrolls of Phase Door
j) 2 Scrolls of Teleportation {!*}
k) a Scroll of Banishment
l) 6 Scrolls of Word of Recall {!*}
m) 3 Scrolls of *Destruction*
n) 3 Rods of Treasure Location
o) 2 Rods of Fire Bolts {!!@1}
p) 2 Staves of Identify (13 charges)
q) a Ring of Resist Poison
     Dropped by a Hezrou at 2100 feet (level 42)
     
     Provides resistance to poison gas.
     
r) a Ring of Escaping <+4> {@3}
     +4 speed.
     Makes you afraid of melee, and worse at shooting and casting
     spells.  
     
s) a Ring of Escaping <+4> {@2}
     +4 speed.
     Makes you afraid of melee, and worse at shooting and casting
     spells.  
     
t) an Amulet of Wisdom <+2>
     Found lying on the floor in a vault at 2100 feet (level 42)
     
     +2 wisdom.
     Sustains wisdom.
     




  [Character Quiver]

0) 40 Arrows (1d4) (+0,+0)
     Combat info:
     Hits targets up to 120 feet away.
     Average damage/round: 22.7.
     35% chance of breaking upon contact.
     
1) 24 Arrows (1d4) (+0,+0)
     Combat info:
     Hits targets up to 120 feet away.
     Average damage/round: 22.7.
     35% chance of breaking upon contact.
     
2) 20 Arrows (1d4) (+1,+0)
     Combat info:
     Hits targets up to 120 feet away.
     Average damage/round: 22.7.
     35% chance of breaking upon contact.
     
3) 17 Arrows (1d4) (+6,+6)
     Combat info:
     Hits targets up to 120 feet away.
     Average damage/round: 41.3.
     35% chance of breaking upon contact.
     


  [Home Inventory]

a) 5 Potions of Cure Serious Wounds
b) 5 Potions of Cure Critical Wounds
c) 8 Scrolls of Identify
d) a Wand of Annihilation (3 charges)
     Cannot be harmed by lightning.
     
e) 4 Staves of Identify (15 charges)
f) a Ring of Damage (+0,+7)
     Dropped by a Ranger at 1100 feet (level 22)
     
g) a Ring of Escaping <+4>
     +4 speed.
     Makes you afraid of melee, and worse at shooting and casting
     spells.  
     
h) 2 Wooden Torches (5000 turns)
     Radius 1 light.
     
i) 22 Mithril Bolts (3d5) (+0,+0)
     Cannot be harmed by acid.
     


[Player history]
      Turn   Depth  Note
         0      0'  Began the quest to destroy Morgoth.
       364     50'  Reached level 2
       521    150'  Reached level 3
       593    200'  Reached level 4
      1039    200'  Reached level 5
      1299    300'  Reached level 6
      1471    350'  Reached level 7
      1903    350'  Killed Fang, Farmer Maggot's dog
      2143    350'  Reached level 8
      2191    600'  Reached level 9
      2226    600'  Reached level 10
      2338    600'  Reached level 11
      2579    600'  Reached level 12
      2845    600'  Killed Orfax, Son of Boldor
      3604    600'  Found the Cloak of Thorongil
      3609    600'  Reached level 13
      4567    700'  Reached level 14
      4873    700'  Reached level 15
      5093    700'  Killed Golfimbul, the Hill Orc Chief
      5191    700'  Killed Grishnákh, the Hill Orc
      5191    700'  Reached level 16
      5192    700'  Killed Bullroarer the Hobbit
      5820    750'  Reached level 17
      5851    750'  Killed Lagduf, the Snaga
      7001    800'  Reached level 18
      8422    900'  Killed Wormtongue, Agent of Saruman
      8425    900'  Reached level 19
      8564    950'  Reached level 20
      9120   1000'  Reached level 21
      9663   1100'  Killed Grip, Farmer Maggot's dog
      9776   1100'  Found the Rapier 'Forasgil' (LOST)
     10092   1100'  Found the Soft Leather Armour 'Hithlomir'
     10129   1100'  Reached level 22
     10319   1100'  Killed Lugdush, the Uruk
     10554   1100'  Killed Uglúk, the Uruk
     10554   1100'  Reached level 23
     11464   1350'  Reached level 24
     12203   1350'  Killed Angamaitë of Umbar
     12212   1350'  Killed Sangahyando of Umbar
     12221   1350'  Found the Spear 'Aiglos'
     12623   1650'  Reached level 25
     13097   1650'  Found the Phial of Galadriel
     13267   1900'  Reached level 26
     14228   1950'  Reached level 27
     14950   2050'  Reached level 27
     15053   2050'  Reached level 27
     15138   2050'  Reached level 28
     16157   2100'  Reached level 29
     16170   2100'  Found the Iron Helm 'Holhenneth'
     16757   2100'  Reached level 30


  [Options]

  [User interface]

Use the roguelike command keyset             : no  (rogue_like_commands)
Use sound                                    : yes (use_sound)
Show damage player deals to monsters         : no  (show_damage)
Use old target by default                    : no  (use_old_target)
Always pickup items                          : no  (pickup_always)
Always pickup items matching inventory       : yes (pickup_inven)
Show flavors in object descriptions          : no  (show_flavors)
Highlight target with cursor                 : yes (show_target)
Disturb whenever viewable monster moves      : yes (disturb_near)
Show walls as solid blocks                   : no  (solid_walls)
Show walls with shaded background            : no  (hybrid_walls)
Color: Illuminate torchlight in yellow       : no  (view_yellow_light)
Color: Shimmer multi-colored things          : no  (animate_flicker)
Center map continuously                      : yes (center_player)
Color: Show unique monsters in purple        : no  (purple_uniques)
Automatically clear '-more-' prompts         : no  (auto_more)
Color: Player color indicates % hit points   : yes (hp_changes_color)
Allow mouse clicks to move the player        : no  (mouse_movement)
Notify on object recharge                    : no  (notify_recharge)

  [Birth]

Randomise the artifacts (except a very few)  : no  (birth_randarts)
Word of Recall has no effect                 : no  (birth_no_recall)
Restrict creation of artifacts               : no  (birth_no_artifacts)
Don't stack objects on the floor             : no  (birth_no_stacking)
Lose artifacts when leaving level            : no  (birth_no_preserve)
Don't generate connected stairs              : yes (birth_no_stairs)
Don't show level feelings                    : no  (birth_no_feelings)
Increase gold drops but disable selling      : yes (birth_no_selling)
Use previous set of randarts                 : yes (birth_keep_randarts)
Start with a kit of useful gear              : no  (birth_start_kit)
Monsters learn from their mistakes           : no  (birth_ai_learn)
Force player descent                         : yes (birth_force_descend)

[Pete Mack]

You have a problem now--your base CON is low, and will take a long time to catch up. I like to start 17/16/16* on the melee stats for this reason--it is harder getting started, but it makes diving past 2000' easier. Use the ring as a swap. Wear it while wandering around in drolem depth, but swap it out whenever you have a big fight to handle.

* Even 16/16/16/14 may be the right combo for a paladin. WIS matters more than Int for a mage half-caster, because Healing is such a god spell, even more than haste self (where fail rate is much less important.)

[Grotug]

Hmm... Not as bad as the mage characters I was killing left and right! I did just pick up Elros for +4 CON.

[Grotug]

Ha-HAA! Amras again! Does this mean I'm dead shortly? Just slew Kavlax. @ is getting powerful. But didn't want to burn my ?Banish on the Time hounds since I'm trying to get to the downstairs (level feeling 7-5). Nevertheless, I shoulda lit the room instead of walking towards the nearby stairs. Got breathed on which hit my WIS and DEX so had to portal out of there. I like to save ?Banish on levels I wish to explore (ie. making the vault less dangerous).

I like how Drolems are out of depth monsters at their depth. He has 2200HP! Same as Scatha, but Scatha is a Unique and is two DL deeper! I'm much safer fighting Scatha than I am a Drolem. What I'm saying is, I made it to the stairs, saw some good targets right at the start of the next level and was thinking about who to hit first, but decided I should probably detect first since I might not be seeing everything in the starting room. Low and behold, about 40 feet from me, just out of LOS of my Phial is a Drolem! Good thing I picked up another wand of TO. Unfortunately no downstairs nearby, so I will probably have to ?Recall after I kill Scatha, who is hopefully close enough to me at about 2000' away, that the Drolem won't be TO'd near him. I suppose the smartest thing to do would to TO and ?recall immediately. Kinda wishing I had the =rPois swap now, but 2 !Restore Mana or 2?*Destruction* would be the ones I'd swap for.

Ha-- first TO attempt failed. So I had to select the square where detection showed him to be and try again "blind". And the drolem disappears, even if the game does not give any message after I discharged the wand.

Ha-HAA! (2X) So I was dealing with some baddies, including TOing Gorgon who showed up out of nowhere, and after I was done, (still right next to the starting room) I figured, well, Hollhenneth has recharged, maybe I should detect again. I may see where I TO'd the Drolem. Guess where I TO'd him? That's right! *Right* next to Scatha. Hahahahaha. I guess I'll be headed in the other direction.

[PowerWyrm]

I may be wrong but i always thought that cause mortal wounds is not a direct 325 damage but some initial direct damage + damage caused by bleeding. I would be interested in whether i was wrong or not and also about what the initial damage is.

Damage in lore corresponds to the maximum damage the attack can do. Cause mortal wounds is 15d15 flat damage + 10d10 added to the CUT timer. The second part is indeed irrelevant and shouldn't be included (it should say "225").

[Grotug]

Thanks for the clarification PD!

Well this is fun. Found a decent sling of buckland earlier (2Xpower and 1X shooting speed) and now just found 13 mithril shots of holy might +32

[Grotug]

So I guess you can't ?Recall on DL99 while playing with forced descent. I realized I really should have enchanted some shots of slay evil and then face off with Sauron. As it is I didn't even bring the slay evil shots (let alone the holy might ones). So here I am on DL99 not quite fit for fighting Sauron (!CON are few and far between). But I did find a staff of summoning and brought with me 3 ?Recharging. Drops at DL99 aren't bad. Got 2 !*healing* which is really key if I'm going to face off with Sauron with 750HP. (used up two fighting Charcharoth without rNether). Also got Great Axe of Ëonwë which is better damage output than my spear I've been using but it also provides immunity to frost! Yay for precious potions. So my plan is use all the charges in this staff, recharge and repeat, kill what I can, TO what I don't dare, and see how much I can stockpile for the Sauron fight. :P

[Pete Mack]

OK, that's a seriously fun option. That said, as a Dwarf Paladin, Sauron should be a patsy, so long as you have a reasonable stack of !restore mana. You have enough HP to fail a try, especially if you're in a circular ASC with hasted speed significantly above 20. You can just back away and attempt heals until you succeed. Near cl 50, Paladin is basically a tank, and unkillable. The class has some of the characteristics of a ranger: weak early, and overwhelming late.

[Grotug]

I eventually got overwhelmed by his summons. I did pick up a staff of the magi from a drop which was pretty darn helpful, but between him teleporting away, crazy summons, and healing himself I eventually ran out of resources to kill him. Basically, my problem was I couldn't melee him and whenever I'd run out of shots I'd have to teleport away or teleport him away and by the time I had collected my shots and found him again he'd gain 20% HP. I had swapped out my "Weaponmastery for "Devotion which was just dumb, because I lost sustains on CON and STR and rDisenchant.

Was a fun drawn out fight, though. The level was crawling with nasties by the end. I eventually ran out of TOs on my wand (35 at start of level) despite having 5 rods of TO. It got to the point that every room had several top tier enemies or Uniques.

By the time I did finally decide I was gonna melee him with Aiglos and hope he wouldn't disenchant a weapon I wasn't using (Ëonwë) he did a crazy burst of summons and was surrounded by monsters, including master Q. Master Q summoned me to him so I was able to TO him, but I still wasn't able to get at Sauron and eventually he got me with a mana blast.

[Derakon]

I would have just gone for melee from the start, with Eonwe. The disenchantment is a pain, sure, but artifacts have a good chance to resist being disenchanted, he probably won't do anything worse than take a few points of AC away from you, and even if he does hurt your weapon you only have one fight left after this one. Fighting in melee means reducing the options for Sauron to summon since he'll have less room to play with. And the paladin's strongest feature is their ability to tank damage in melee.