[FA] Gondolin/Doriath weapons

[buzzkill]

These (blessed weapons) have a random power which can sometimes be useful.

OK. I now have a 2nd blessed weapon. Actually just one because I sold the first one, but I digress. Is there any way to discover the hidden additional power of a blessed weapon. I've tried wielding it in battle many times (successfully), but that's given me no additional information. I can't just wield it all the time as a 1d3 magestaff, blessed as it may be, just isn't a very effective weapon, even in the hands of a highly skilled dwarf.

It did seem at times that it gave extra attacks and/or damage beyond it's capabilities (as indicated by (I)nspect), or... maybe I was just imagining that.

Does recalling into the wilderness alert surrounding monsters to your presence? It seems I'm always swarmed by hounds or giants (or both) shortly after arrival.

And now for something completely different... shouldn't dwarfs 'feel uncomfortable' wielding a bow (well, maybe not a cross bow), and how would a dwarf physically wield a long bow. And how about making them a step slower in areas other than mountains or dungeons (slow -1), ya know, 'cause of their stubby little legs and always tripping over their beards.

Longbeard Warrior L29, still kicking butt, 407 HP, Dor Denim 32 but meeting little resistance. Killed a few more uniques and heading deeper ASAP.

[Psi]

Is there any way to discover the hidden additional power of a blessed weapon.

Just 'I'nspect it. The power is listed once the weapon is identified (which I guess it is as you know it is blessed).

Does recalling into the wilderness alert surrounding monsters to your presence? It seems I'm always swarmed by hounds or giants (or both) shortly after arrival.

Any awake monsters will know where you are as soon as you are within their detection range. Hounds are always awake during the day, as are creatures within vaults - such as a giant encampment.

And now for something completely different... shouldn't dwarfs 'feel uncomfortable' wielding a bow (well, maybe not a cross bow), and how would a dwarf physically wield a long bow. And how about making them a step slower in areas other than mountains or dungeons (slow -1), ya know, 'cause of their stubby little legs and always tripping over their beards.

Dwarfs do get a penalty with bows - however longbeards are a talented bunch and do not have the same problem.

[buzzkill]

Just 'Inspect it. The power is listed once the weapon is identified (which I guess it is as you know it is blessed.

Upon inspection, I find A magestaff (+8,+6) [4,+0] (+3) "A priestly weapon that increases wisdom and bears a hidden power. It increases your wisdom by 3, provides permanent light, provides resistance to life draining, and has been blessed by the gods."

I'm trying to figure out what the "hidden power" is. The wisdom boost, light, non-life draining and 4 blows at 7 per blow don't justify me keeping it at this point.

[Nick]

Upon inspection, I find A magestaff (+8,+6) [4,+0] (+3) "A priestly weapon that increases wisdom and bears a hidden power. It increases your wisdom by 3, provides permanent light, provides resistance to life draining, and has been blessed by the gods."

In this case, the random power is resistance to life draining - not good enough to be worth wielding such a weak weapon. It should sell well, though.

[Zikke]

What exactly does "Blessed by the Gods" mean? Is there something more than "does extra damage to demons and/or evil"? Or is there also some sort of protection from evil? I never learned this detail.

[Psi]

What exactly does "Blessed by the Gods" mean? Is there something more than "does extra damage to demons and/or evil"? Or is there also some sort of protection from evil? I never learned this detail.

It doesn't actually do any additional damage. 'Blessed' purely means that a priest/paladin can use the weapon without penalty.

[buzzkill]

I've yet another question about weapon choice (FA).

I currently wield a bow of velocity (x2)(+7,+20). If I understand weapon damage correctly the (+20) Will give a 100% damage bonus (20x5%). If I use 1d6 arrows this will inflict 2-12 damage x2, assuming 2 hits (4-24) total damage plus the occasional powered up velocity attack. Is this correct???

If so then a bow of velocity (x4)(+7,+10) would be very similar, correct?

I'm asking because I have an opportunity to buy a Long Bow of Extra Might (x5)(+14,+10) for 53000. According to what I know, the long bow would do about twice the damage (8-45) as the bow of velocity, correct? Does the bow of extra might inflict additional damage occasionally like the bow of velocity does? What are the extra 7+'s to skill worth. It would take just about all of my gold to buy it, is it worth it?

Longberad Warrior - Lev 30 - 398 HP - current recall Dorthonian 44
Vampire ghosts and Inertia Hounds currently giving me trouble. I need speed but haven't found any yet (other than potions).

Also, I found a wand of fire bolts but have never used it sucessfully, even though my Magic Device skill is 'good'. I must have failed to use it properly about a dozen times in a row. What's up with that?

[PowerDiver]

I've yet another question about weapon choice (FA).

I currently wield a bow of velocity (x2)(+7,+20). If I understand weapon damage correctly the (+20) Will give a 100% damage bonus (20x5%). If I use 1d6 arrows this will inflict 2-12 damage x2, assuming 2 hits (4-24) total damage plus the occasional powered up velocity attack. Is this correct???

If so then a bow of velocity (x4)(+7,+10) would be very similar, correct?

I'm asking because I have an opportunity to buy a Long Bow of Extra Might (x5)(+14,+10)

I don't know FA, but if +1 means +5% damage, I would assume the first bow does 4 * 1d6 per hit, the second 6 * 1d6, and extra might 7.5 * 1d6 per hit. I don't know where you got the idea of "2 hits". The velocity will get extra criticals in comparison to extra might, but you would need to average an extra die from extra criticals 25% of the time to match extra might.

Missile weapons are overpowered. I would buy the extra might even if I had to sell useful stuff to get it.

[Nick]

Eddie's damage calculations are correct, although criticals are 20% not 25%. Extra Might doesn't give criticals like Velocity, but that's still a much better bow. I would buy it.

Also, I found a wand of fire bolts but have never used it sucessfully, even though my Magic Device skill is 'good'. I must have failed to use it properly about a dozen times in a row. What's up with that?

'Good' isn't very good. As a Longbeard Warrior, I would only use magic devices when you don't care about failure (trap location, etc).

EDIT: OK, reread Eddie's comment about criticals - I think that makes the bows fairly close in average damage, but the +7 to Skill still makes it worth buying the Extra Might.

[PowerDiver]

'Good' isn't very good. As a Longbeard Warrior, I would only use magic devices when you don't care about failure (trap location, etc).

EDIT: OK, reread Eddie's comment about criticals - I think that makes the bows fairly close in average damage, but the +7 to Skill still makes it worth buying the Extra Might.

I hope you plan to put device failure rates into obj-info some day. Are you waiting to see how it comes out in V 3.1? It's not even enough to print the raw device skill number given how twisted the failure calculations are.

I think I may have been unclear. My comparison was might versus x4 velocity. Additional 20% chance of 1 extra die raises it roughly from 6 * 1d6 to 7.2 * 1d6. The x2 velocity is not in the same class as the other two.

[Nick]

I hope you plan to put device failure rates into obj-info some day. Are you waiting to see how it comes out in V 3.1? It's not even enough to print the raw device skill number given how twisted the failure calculations are.

I hadn't actually considered it - and I think I like the idea. The best place for it is probably when you 'I'nspect the device.

I think I may have been unclear. My comparison was might versus x4 velocity. Additional 20% chance of 1 extra die raises it roughly from 6 * 1d6 to 7.2 * 1d6. The x2 velocity is not in the same class as the other two.

I understood, but I'm not sure if I made it clear I understood...

[Arralen]

I don't know FA, ...
Missile weapons are overpowered.

Yes, you don't know FA. Obviously.
IMHO you need those high value bows in FA if you really go without using melee and maybe even an non-elven archer/ranger ... .

[buzzkill]

Thanks for the advice, I'm gonna buy the Bow of Might. I'll need it since my Whip of Freezing was destroyed (in my pack) by Red Fire Ant of some sort (the Queen Ant summoned about 20 of them). The whip did ridiculously good damage, something like 4 blows and 40 per blow. It was my crutch. I have other good weapons, but I can't survive the upper 40 levels without that damn whip. Which leads me to my next question. Do my resistances, as shown on my (C)character page apply strictly to physical damage to the character or do the resistances also apply to (protect) items in my pack?

BTW, sorry if I'm asking questions that are covered in the help folder, but I find the many different .txt files very annoying. I know they are accessible from within the game, but that's not really any better. How about just a single, comprehensive, searchable .pdf or .doc or even .txt file.

[Nick]

Which leads me to my next question. Do my resistances, as shown on my (C)character page apply strictly to physical damage to the character or do the resistances also apply to (protect) items in my pack?

I can't recall exact details; increased resistance helps with destruction, but doesn't eliminate it (even if you have full immunity).

BTW, sorry if I'm asking questions that are covered in the help folder, but I find the many different .txt files very annoying. I know they are accessible from within the game, but that's not really any better. How about just a single, comprehensive, searchable .pdf or .doc or even .txt file.

That's an interesting idea. IIRC Sangband has an html help manual in the top level directory; maybe I should do something like that.

[buzzkill]

Another question (FA)... perhaps I should just start my own thread???

I recently found a chest on a fairly high level and brought it back to town before opening it because I didn't have the room to carry the many objects which would certainly spring forth. When I opened it in town it contained only 2 (average) weapons, a trident and a dart. Never before had I found such a worthless chest.

Do the contents of chests depend upon where you find them or where you open them?

Does the size of the chest (large or small) indicate the value of the items inside, the number of items, or simply the weight of the chest?

Is it possible to refill the chest after opening it, to save pack space?

I occasionally find an empty bottle, what is it for?