In need of advice

[Grey]

Also be careful when aiming magic missiles

[Aielyn]

OK, I figured I'd update, then ask another question.

I mentioned that the Battle Bunnies were next. Initially, that went very smoothly - teleported to Bugs, killed him, and apparently I got there before any Battle Bunnies were generated, because I never saw a single one. As I checked for anything important to kill through the level, I made my way back towards the down staircase, only to find a rather nasty problem - Chaos Spawn, a huge number of them. Prayers didn't seem to be working - I'm assuming that "vermin control" in both scroll and prayer form don't work on that level.

After trying to fight them back for a short time, and getting hit and corrupted a fair number of times in the process, I realised that fighting them in melee was going to be futile. Acid Ball also wasn't working. Thinking quickly, I created a wall of locked doors (don't know if screen resolution impacts it, but each of the two areas, top and bottom, were 6 spaces wide, so I needed 6 locked doors). This at least gave me time to figure out what to do.

Heading back through the level, I killed any monsters outside the affected area (there was a Hill Giant deep inside the Spawn-filled area, I was forced to hope that he would be either killed by a random non-hostile Spawn - the Spawn did seem to attack each other every once in a while - or blocked enough to avoid him smashing a door). Once I was satisfied that the rest of the level was pacified, I used a wand of digging to create a path directly between the up and down staircases, then headed through the new corridor and started bolting the Spawn in the area. Once enough of a space was formed, I started building a second wall of doors, just one tile to the left of the down staircase. Locking those doors, too, I then quickly killed the few Spawns that were on the outside of the wall of doors. A zap of a wand of monster detection said that there were over 200 monsters on the level, all within that space. Maybe I'll try to destroy the Spawn once I've closed the Chaos Gate.

Anyway, with that done, I started some more work. Before taking on the Air Temple, I decided to clear out the two lesser vaults that had generated. The first one, full of Frost Giants, FG Berserkers, and a FG Jarl, was a cakewalk with Fire Bolt and Burning Hands. The second one, I decided was a great test for how I'd go with the Air Temple, not to mention Sharad-Waador's quest - it was a Blue Dragon vault. Thank goodness for Nature's Companion. Leaving anything I was worried would be destroyed by electricity (including my Seven League Boots) on the floor above, I dove into the vault, and cleared it. Got some nice stuff, there, but nothing spectacular. Perhaps the nicest thing I got was a helm of water breathing, other than the nice PoGA that got dropped (not to mention another PoUH, perfect for using alchemy to make yet another PoGA).

The Air Temple was shockingly easy, if you'll excuse the pun. Yulgash only managed one summoning before I destroyed him, and it was some Ratling Warriors. Acid Ball was of great use in that one - after a few Frost Bolts to hit him while he was on the altar, I moved to block the opening into the inner chamber and used Magic Missile off the walls to hit him while he was in a position that I couldn't hit in any other way. Then, when he moved close enough that he could possibly hit me, I started Acid Balling him. Three Acid Balls were enough, and the one time he tried to hit me, he missed.

But the best part is what came on the next floor down. Another lesser vault, this time Fire Dragons. Frost Bolt to the rescue, of course. After clearing out the outer rooms (it was that oddly-shaped vault with a square central room and then four weird rooms in the corners), I opened up the inner room and started frost bolting the ancient red dragons and the wyrm.

Suffice it to say, I was shocked when I saw it mention that one of the dragons had picked up (and subsequently equipped) a "Sapphire ring". Bit of a bummer, really, if only because I already had the means to be immune to any of the four elements, anyway. Might consider using it for PV/DV at some point, though, if I feel it's a better choice than a ring of regeneration for the circumstance.

But my surprise didn't end there. As I finished clearing out the inner room, I went to pick up yet another pile of items, only to spot something that stood out a lot: "Jet-black battle axe". That's right - Executor. I got two of the "best" random artifacts in the game from one lesser vault, and neither one was all that useful to me... although, there might be some value in now training up axes. Currently level 13 with Clubs and Hammers, and only level 4 with axes, though. I kind of wish I'd, say, gotten Preserver and Protector, or better yet, the Bracers of War.

In addition to these two artifacts, I got a couple of other very nice finds. Gloves of smiting [+3,+0] (+5 damage), and a blessed spellbook of Acid Ball (great, because 300 castings, while good, may run out - I don't bookcast).

Meanwhile, my stats, prior to special alterations, are 33/32/29/29/39/21/23/37/28. I've got the thin-and-nimble, bulging cranium, tough scales, horns, and apish corruptions (in that order), and in conjunction with the Crown of leadership and RotMC, and a girdle of strength, my current stats are 37/37/32/39/36/37/6/37/28. 6, of course, being Appearance, doesn't matter too much, and it's even resulting in some natural training of Appearance, as Appearance went up on a recent level up.

For those noticing that I've got a wizard with the apish corruption, I'll note that I'm letting it happen because her Le and Wi stats are quite high as it is, and they're being boosted by the bulging cranium corruption anyway. Higher strength and toughness will make my wizard much hardier, reducing my dependency on spells. I think 396 max HP and 489 max PP at level 30 is quite respectable, probably higher than I've ever seen (remember, I've yet to beat the game). My wizard doles out +68, 4d3+36 with her eternium warhammer, and has a DV/PV of 82/47 on normal tactics. Just for comparison, with Executor, she gets +57, 5d6+27, 74/48. It'll probably be useful for certain fights.

Having said all that, the RNG does seem to be working in my favour. Should I be worried, now?


EDIT: Oh, and I managed to get Yulgash's corpse up to Waldenbrook's, so I've now got three corpses I'll be able to carry over to Guth'Alak later on.

EDIT2: OK, just took on the Earth Temple, it was quite the cakewalk. Equipped Executor once the Stone Beast had left the right side of the level, and then calmly walked up and hacked at the beast until it had been "executed" (I didn't realise that the game actually changes the word to "execute" rather than "kill" if you're using Executor). It managed to hit me just twice as I hacked away at it, and both times it only did a few points of damage. The one annoying thing is that, within about three steps of picking up its corpse, it had rotted away. Didn't even have a chance to think of using Remove Curse on it, just to be safe.

Well, onwards and downwards, I guess.

[Soirana]

Why you ever bash things with hammer as wizard?

Loot library and casino and spellsling oposition into oblivion.

The fact you don't spellcast on each goblin does not really apply late game as post casino,IMHO, it is best to dive down towards orbs and D50. Less real time, less time for RNG to screw you up.

[Grey]

Yeah, no point clearing levels now, you'll get few rewards and more corruption worries. Speed through, kill big guys, win game. I'd switch to Executor if I were you - more fun, and much better damage. Doesn't take particularly long to skill it up.

[Aielyn]

Why you ever bash things with hammer as wizard?

Loot library and casino and spellsling oposition into oblivion.

The fact you don't spellcast on each goblin does not really apply late game as post casino,IMHO, it is best to dive down towards orbs and D50. Less real time, less time for RNG to screw you up.

Can't go for the Library, as my Climbing skill is only at 70 or so. Casino doesn't have many significant spellbooks.

Beyond that, though, using weapons for the lesser stuff makes it easier to save things for the bigger issues. I could have Acid Balled the stone beast to oblivion, but where's the fun in that, if I can bash it with Executor?

Yeah, no point clearing levels now, you'll get few rewards and more corruption worries. Speed through, kill big guys, win game. I'd switch to Executor if I were you - more fun, and much better damage. Doesn't take particularly long to skill it up.

Fair argument regarding clearing of levels - I've noticed just how fast corruption is happening, down at D:46 and the UL branch.

My plan regarding weapons, now, is to use the hammer for normal foes, and then switch to Executor for the obvious targets, where it'll be more powerful. Mostly, just don't want Cursed messing anything up in terms of RNG-related stuff.

I have reached an obvious point of uncertainty, now, though. I've just found Sharad-Waador. I have no SoCR left, and seven corruptions (Thin and Nimble, Bulging Cranium, Tough Scales, Horns, Hooves, Thorns, and Corrupted Tissue). I see six options right now:

1. Head back up to Dwarftown, grab the three corpses sitting in Waldenbrook's shop, head for Guth'Alak.
2. Head back up to Dwarftown, grab the RoDS from my stash in the Ogre Cave, and wish for some SoCR (or, if there's a better option regarding this, I'll be happy to hear it).
3. Take Sharad-Waador's quest, find corruption removal items in the process (I have a nice batch of holy waters, ready to bless anything I find, and plenty of scrolls of identify). Also has the advantage of kicking my level up significantly.
4. Push straight on to the Mana Temple, and hope I find an amulet of Death Ray Resistance, as I don't currently have one (it's in my Identified Items list, so I'm guessing it's either in Lawenilothehl, HMV, or the Casino... don't remember seeing it, though - also possible it got destroyed by something at some point).
5. Seek out an amulet of Death Ray Resistance, starting by checking Lawenilothehl, HMV, and the Casino, then head straight to the Mana Temple once I find one.
6. Go and get Guth'Alak's quest to help the Greater White Unicorn (possibly done in conjunction with 1).

I'm currently at level 32, natural stats are 38/29/26/26/42/18/20/38/27, while modified stats are 39/35/30/28/39/36/3/38/27. HP of 454, PP of 510, and speed (while wearing RotMC and Nature's Companion, and while Satiated) is 137. Wearing what I'd wear into the Blue Dragon caves, I have DV/PV of 76/60 and melee +70, 4d3+37 if I wield my warhammer, or DV/PV of 69/61 and melee +58, 5d6+27 if I wield Executor.

So the question is, what is the best course of action, here? And if I go and sort of corruption removal, should I then look for the amulet in the outside world, or in the Blue Dragon caves? Note that I do have seven league boots, but elapsed game time is 141 days.

Another thing that could come out of the Blue Dragon caves is Potions of Ultra Healing (I've got 3 potions of invisibility and enough stomafillia to turn them into potions of longevity, and with PoUH, I've got the makings of blessed PoGA - and I'll probably get more PoInv and PoLong in there anyway), which would be quite a nice find. I do also have Cure Light Wounds and Cure Critical Wounds, so I could alternatively go and visit Jharod, and start leading creatures over traps in order to heal them and get PoUH's.

[Soirana]

Why you play wizzy if you want to bash boss monsters with Executor?

There is definetely flaw in your logic

[Guru]

I would do 1, 2, 6, then 4. Grab all corruption res you can get hold on, keeping the White Unicorn cleansing available (you can probably close the gate without). Then you can use the Ancient Mummy Wrapping (if you got it) against Nuurag-Vaarn (it gives Death Ray res).

But don't underestimate the corruption in lowest CoC, on D50 it's extreme, much worse than I thought before actually experiencing it.

[Aielyn]

Why you play wizzy if you want to bash boss monsters with Executor?

There is definetely flaw in your logic

Aren't you the one planning on doing an Assassin Carbon Fiber game? The one that just played an "Elitist Assassin"?

I'd think the answer to your question would be obvious: Because I can.

A wizard that you train to be capable of decent melee becomes capable of dealing with just about any threat, with melee for most situations and then strong magic for those cases where melee is not a good idea. At least, that's the logic I'm following.

Guru - I might just do that... although, am I better off carrying my RoDS down to a lower floor, and leaving it on the down staircase on, say, D:45, so that I can grab it and use it when necessary for corruption removal, rather than converting it immediately to scrolls that may not end up being necessary?

Also, thanks for reminding me of AMW. I was working out what I had available in terms of resistances, etc, from artifacts, but forgot about the AMW. Probably because I was looking more towards the Blue Dragon caves when I was figuring it all out, and forgot to double-check when thinking about the Mana Temple.

I suppose a quick trip into the Village Dungeon would make sense, if I'm heading over to see Guth'Alak anyway.

[JellySlayer]

RoDS are made of adamantium. They are indestructible for all practical purposes.

Curse on Executor is a very minor effect at this point in the game. Don't worry about it. I'd use Executor for easy mobs to build marks, but that's just me.

I definitely wouldn't do #3. The odds of getting a corruption removing item there aren't that great, and the levels are pretty corrupting anyway. You're unlikely to do better than breaking even.

If you're really desperate, there's 3 SoCR in the Bug Temple as well. If you've got fairly large acid balls, you should be able to clear the place pretty easily.

Sword of Nonnak also gives Death resist, btw. Handy for wizards since it also gives +5 Wi. Conveniently pushes you up to 32+ Wi, which increases ball spell size (might be worth bringing to bug temple if you go).

[Aielyn]

OK, I grabbed the RoDS and the corpses, and headed for Terinyo. Had quite a good run in terms of keeping them from rotting away - one of them tried a few times on my way to the surface, but once I was in the wilderness, I didn't seem to have any troubles at all, not seeing another drop in status for any of them until I reached Terinyo - not bad, considering I don't have Food Preservation. In addition, Remove Curse makes keeping them in good condition much easier, I must say.

Anyway, once I'd exchanged three corpses for three PoCC, I headed into the Village Dungeon, and managed to get four PoUH - three will be good for making PoGA, the fourth can sit ready to either turn into a PoGA when I find my next Longevity or Invisibility potion, or be drunk for health.

With that done, I then headed the other way, to the water area, in search of the Water Dragon's Lair. I was mildly surprised to see "Thin Dagger" amongst her hoard. Naturally, I left it where it was, but I thought it was cute that she had it in her hoard. Then I went and told Blup about the lair.

I'm definitely considering taking on the Bug-infested Temple, next, before heading for the Mana Temple.

EDIT: OK, took out the Bug Temple, that was a lot easier than I was expecting. This is good - I've now got plenty of PoUHs to make PoGAs from, and I've got some SoCR.