The Final Countdown

[zsomkovacs]

Hi everybody!

I'd ask for some advice for my latest character. He's a dwarven merchant, going for OCG. Not less. I know this sounds madness. But I deciced a few years ago that I'll beat ADOM with every class, using every race exactly twice, having an ULE, an UNE, an UCG and an OCG. Now I finished with everything else. And he remained for last.

Now he's going well, L18, two dwarven quest finished, portal quest done, pyramid done as well. I have giant boar skull, wand of monster creation, and there's a farmer in HMW. I also have a spare wish for Khelly.

I'm using spear+shield at the moment, and training my crossbow skill. I'm searching for six artifacts for the ratling. I think I'll give him the phial, the gladius, the Sword of Nonnak, the dwarven heavy mace, if I find it, the Moon Sickle, and maybe the ankh. (I usually gave him the black torc in my ultras, but I needed healing as I'm not even Candle-born). Maybe I need a Darkforge raid as well.

My questions are:

What artifacts would you give to the ratling instead? Do I really need tactics?

My main problem: how to deal enough damage? The multi-headed chaos dragon will be hard enough, but a ton of dragon slaying ammo should handle it. But what about Andor Drakon? The TotRR was pretty good, but with what should I damage him enough? The Sceptre? (I think, the quarrels won't be enough.)

What are the exact conditions for the mystic giving me scrolls?

Should I do the Minotaur Maze? One more useless (for me, it is) artifact for the ratling, and guaranteed PoCC looks nice, but stat drainers aren't, and it's a pretty annoying place.

In general, could you give me any advice for late-game merchants and OCGs?

Is there a guaranteed anvil anywhere besides Kherab and Glod?

Thanks for your answers!

[Kyreles]

Well for your artifacts I like to use the phial of Caladriel. Some people keep it to throw at bosses because it can't break, but I give it up. Ring of the High Kings after you pass the eternal guardian is also good. Moon Sickle, Sword of Nonnak, Big Punch. You can give Ancient Mummy Wrapping if you like. It's mostly just death ray resist and see invis. You can get those elsewhere. Or the elemental guantlets, if you don't plan to use the orbs much. Crown of Science isn't too hard to get from Darkforge, and there's always the chance of a random artifact there.

I wouldn't worry about dealing enough damabe to Andor. Usually the Multi-headed choas dragon is harder for me. If you can take care of him, I think you'll be okay. I'd save my wish for speed for him, not saving Khelly. And I'd be saving all my potions of boost stat for that.

I'm pretty sure the only guaranteed sources of anvil's are Kherab and Glod (unless you play a weaponsmith). I hope they're not both dead.

Good luck with this. Merchants are hard (I hear) and OCG ending are always fun. Hope to see it in YAVP soon.

[JellySlayer]

My ratling list usually looks like this:
-Moon Sickle
-Nonnak Sword
-Big Punch
-High Kings Ring (after guardian)
-Crystal Phial
-Crown of Science

Alternatively, if I find a black tome or another crappy random artifact, I'd probably swap out the ring or phial.

I personally see no reason to try to do the ratling as early as you are hoping to and have to sacrifice a good artifact like the ankh or give up tactics to do it. You don't have to worry about big alignment shifts in this game, since you're going all chaotic, and there's good reason to delay crowning since you have to crown chaotic as well (also: crappy merchant crowning gifts). Crown of science is another artifact you could use, for example.

The sceptre dooms and corrupts you, so I'm not sure if it is worth using as a weapon against Andor. Better to hope for a humanoid/daemon slayer, I think. I would probably be tempted to try the rune-covered trident if a good slaying weapon didn't otherwise turn up. Wand of paralysis and a couple wishes for speed will make your life easier too. Though, if you're willing to do the maze, the minotaur axe is also not a terrible choice, actually. Definitely for the chaos dragon, with a couple disablers and a good slaying weapon, he can be killed in melee, though missile is safer, of course. If you have a good one hander, you might want to think about using the SoRS for the final battle. If you're willing to go a bit out of your way, the dual daggers are an option as well.

I think the conditions for the mystic scrolls are that your PC must be neutral, must not have pissed of any of the inhabitants of Dwarftown, and must win a coin flip. I don't know of any way to force the scrolls to always appear.

The only guaranteed anvils are Kherab and Glod. Kherab can be killed patience and missiles though, especially if the pool room is conveniently laid out.

Late-game merchants make respectable casters, especially if you can get concentration somehow. I've beaten some endgame bosses by having a merchant spam acid ball. If you're an alchemy merchant, you'll also have access to an unlimited supply of fireballs that is great for clearing vaults and things. Otherwise, I don't think there's anything really merchant specific about the endgame that I can think of off the top of my head. A lot of the melee classes sort of play the same by that point.

[Grey]

I'd use blessed humanoid or demon slaying ammo on Andor, alongside a wish for speed. Definitely don't use the sceptre - the whole trinity should be dropped on going through the gate, as it corrupts just to carry.

[zsomkovacs]

Grey: I have to hold the sceptre in my hand when I kill Andy, don't I?

Anyways, I made some progress. Here's the char:

                                               ^^^         ^^^          ^^^^^
                                              ^^^^^       ^^^^^^^^ ^   ^^^..^
                                      ~~~~~~~~~^*^^       ^^*^^^^^^^^^^^^..^^
                                     &&~~~~~~~&&&==       """""""&&^~^^*^.^^
                             ^&&&    &&&&&&&&&&&&&&       """"""&&~~~^....^
                            ^^^^^^^  ^^&&&&&&&&&"""       """""&&&&&o..~^^^
                            ^^*^"""" """"""""""""""        """&&&&&&&&&&^^
                            ^^^""""""""""""""""""""         &&&&&&&&&&&~~^^
                            ^^"""""&&&&"""*&&&&""""=         &&&&&&&&&~~*^^
                          """""""&&&&&&&&&......^^^^=        &&o&&&&~~~~^^^
        ^^~~~~"""""""""""""""""&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&.^^*^^        "&&&&&&~~~^^^
       ^~~~~~"""""""""""""""&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&....^^         &""&&&~~~~~
      ^^&""""""""""""""""""&&&&&&&&&&&&&*&&&&&&&&&."""  "===="""""~~~~~^  ^^^
     ^^^&&""""""""""""""""&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&   &&&&&&""""""==""====""~~~*^^  ^*^
     ^^*^&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&^^^@^^^^&&&&&     &&&&"""""===""""""""~~~~^^^  ^~^
     ^^^^^^&&&&&&&&&&&&&^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^       &&&&&&&""""""=^^"""~^^^^^   ^o^
      ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^        ^^^               ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^+^^^      ^^^
                                                ^^^^^^^^^^^^  ^^^^^

Dwa Mer       St:19  Le:18  Wi:18  Dx:18  To:23  Ch:11  Ap: 4  Ma:13  Pe:11 C
DV/PV: 91/28   H: 146(204)    P: 42(42)      Exp: 20/551656     DrCh  Sp: 101
Satiated Coward

Melee weapon           Lvl   Hit   Dam   DV   Level          Required marks
---------------------  ---   ---   ---   --   -------------  --------------
Daggers & knives         2    +2    +0   +0   basic                18
Clubs & hammers          2    +2    +0   +0   basic                36
Swords                   1    +1    +0   +0   basic                5
Pole arms               11   +12    +7  +14   Mastery              1714

Missile weapon         Lvl   Hit   Dam   Ra   Level          Required marks
---------------------  ---   ---   ---   --   -------------  --------------
Slings                   3    +6    +4   +1   basic                18
Crossbows                4    +8    +6   +1   skilled              45

Shields                Lvl   DV               Level          Required marks
---------------------  ---   ---              -------------  --------------
Shields                  9   +18              excellent            16

  Appraising ................100    (superb)       [+2d4]
  Climbing ..................100    (superb)       [+1d5]
  Detect item status ........ 83    (great)        [+1d5]
  Detect traps .............. 70    (good)         [+1d5]
  First aid ................. 34    (fair)         [+3d4]
  Gemology ..................100    (superb)       [+2d4]
  Haggling .................. 35    (fair)         [+4d5]
  Healing ...................100    (superb)       [+1d3]
  Herbalism ................. 85    (great)        [+1d5]
  Listening ................. 84    (great)        [+3d3]
  Literacy .................. 81    (great)        [+1d5]
  Metallurgy ................ 63    (good)         [+3d4]
  Mining .................... 75    (great)        [+3d3]
  Pick pockets ..............100    (superb)       [+2d4]
  Smithing .................. 57    (good)         [+1d5]
  Survival .................. 53    (good)         [+3d3]

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Inventory
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total weight: 3895 stones                Carrying capacity: 8000 stones

Head          : uncursed orcish helmet [+4, +2] {Pe-2}               [100s]
Neck          : uncursed ankh                                          [3s]
Body          : uncursed ancient mummy wrapping [+1, +5] {Ap-8}       [60s]
Girdle        : blessed girdle of carrying [+0, +0]                   [15s]
Cloak         : uncursed cloak of protection [+0, +2]                 [20s]
Right Hand    : blessed brutal eternium spear of hunting (+2, 3d8+10) [25s]
Left Hand     : uncursed tower crystal shield (-2) [+13, +4]         [260s]
Right Ring    : uncursed ring of mental stability [+0, +3] {Le+1}      [1s]
Left Ring     : uncursed ring of speed [+0, +2] (+5 spd)               [1s]
Bracers       : uncursed bracers of defense [+2, +0]                  [10s]
Gauntlets     : uncursed elemental gauntlets (-1, +0) [+0, +3]        [10s]
Boots         : uncursed heavy boots [-1, +1]                         [30s]
Missile weapon: uncursed light crossbow of accuracy (+8, +3)          [70s]
Missiles      : bundle of 13 uncursed quarrels (+1, 2d6)              [26s]
Tool          : heap of 2 blessed moss patches of mareilon             [4s]

[zsomkovacs]

Some of the more interesting items from backpack:

Total weight: 3260 stones   Carrying capacity: 8000 stones

Helmets ('[')
   uncursed crown of science [+4, +8] {Le+9}                          [65s]
Shields ('[')
   uncursed medium crystal shield (+1) [+9, +4]                      [160s]
Gauntlets ('[')
   uncursed gloves of dexterity [+0, +0] {Dx+2}                        [6s]
Cloaks ('[')
   uncursed hooded cloak [+1, +0]                                     [40s]
   uncursed cloak of adornment [+0, +0] {Ap+4}                        [40s]
Girdles ('[')
   uncursed girdle of strength [+0, +0] {St+1}                        [15s]
   uncursed girdle of greed [+0, +0]                                   [7s]
Necklaces (''')
   heap of 2 uncursed amulets of protection from undead                [6s]
   blessed amulet of light                                             [3s]
   uncursed necklace of the silver tongue {Ch+6}                       [2s]
   uncursed amulet of free action                                      [3s]
   blessed amulet of chaos                                             [3s]
   blessed rusty amulet of teleport control                            [3s]
   uncursed amulet of balance                                          [3s]
Bracers (',')
   blessed bracers of toughness [+0, +0] {To+4}                       [10s]
One-handed weapons ('(')
   uncursed sword of sharpness (+0, 4d8+5)                            [35s]
   uncursed pick axe (-1, 1d6+1)                                      [75s]
   blessed mithril dagger of penetration (+0, 1d4+5)                   [8s]
   blessed eternium dagger (+0, 2d4+7)                                 [5s]
   blessed adamantium spear (+2, 1d8+6)                               [36s]
   blessed scorched spear (+2, 3d8+1) [+2, +0]                        [50s]
   uncursed whip (-4, 1d3+3)                                          [15s]
   uncursed mithril warhammer of thunder (+0, 2d3+3)                  [48s]
Two-handed weapons ('(')
   uncursed murderous adamantium halberd (+9, 2d7+7) [-2, +0]         [70s]
   uncursed eternium two-handed sword of lightning (+18, 6d5+18) [-1, +0]
Missile weapons ('}')
   uncursed short bow (+1, +0)                                        [20s]
   uncursed heavy crossbow (+4, +3)                                  [140s]
Missiles ('/')
   bundle of 14 uncursed quarrels of undead slaying (+3, 2d6+3)       [56s]
   bundle of 4 uncursed quarrels of undead slaying (+3, 2d6+6)        [16s]
   bundle of 3 uncursed adamantium quarrels (+3, 2d6+6)                [3s]
   bundle of 3 uncursed quarrels of undead slaying (+6, 2d6+3)        [12s]
   bundle of 37 uncursed quarrels (+1, 2d6)                           [74s]
   bundle of 6 uncursed adamantium quarrels (+1, 2d6+7)                [6s]
   bundle of 2 uncursed quarrels of construct slaying (+3, 2d6+3)      [8s]
   bundle of 14 uncursed quarrels of slaying (+3, 2d6)                [28s]
   bundle of 3 uncursed unerring mithril quarrels (+4, 2d6+3)          [6s]
Rings ('=')
   heap of 2 uncursed rings of damage                                  [2s]
   heap of 2 uncursed rings of acid resistance                         [2s]
   heap of 4 uncursed rings of fire resistance                         [4s]
   uncursed ring of the fish                                           [1s]
   uncursed ring of speed [+0, +1] (+5 spd)                            [1s]
   blessed ring of ice                                                 [1s]
   uncursed ring of speed [+0, +1] (+5 spd)                            [1s]
   uncursed ring of the clear mind                                     [1s]
   heap of 3 uncursed rings of see invisible                           [3s]
   uncursed ring of mental stability [+0, +1] {Le+1}                   [1s]
   uncursed ring of defense +4                                         [1s]
   heap of 2 uncursed rings of invisibility                            [2s]
Wands ('\')
   uncursed wand of destruction (0 charges)                            [3s]
   blessed wand of fireballs (0 charges)                               [3s]
   uncursed wand of teleportation (3 charges)                          [4s]
Potions ('!')
   heap of 4 uncursed potions of cure poison                           [8s]
   heap of 2 uncursed potions of poison                                [8s]
   heap of 7 uncursed potions of carrot juice                         [28s]
   heap of 2 uncursed oils of rust removal                             [4s]
   heap of 2 uncursed potions of balance                               [8s]
   heap of 2 uncursed potions of visibility                            [8s]
   heap of 2 uncursed potions of ultra healing                         [4s]
   heap of 3 uncursed potions of invisibility                         [12s]
   heap of 2 potions of holy water                                     [8s]
   heap of 2 uncursed potions of exchange                              [8s]
   uncursed potion of insight                                          [2s]
   heap of 2 uncursed potions of potential toughness                   [8s]
   heap of 2 uncursed potions of potential beauty                      [8s]
   heap of 2 uncursed potions of boost charisma                        [4s]
   uncursed potion of boost learning                                   [2s]
   heap of 2 uncursed potions of potential strength                    [8s]
   heap of 9 uncursed potions of water                                [36s]
   heap of 3 blessed potions of extra healing                          [6s]
   heap of 6 uncursed potions of extra healing                        [12s]
   heap of 4 blessed potions of ultra healing                          [8s]
   uncursed potion of confusion                                        [2s]
   blessed potion of potential mana                                    [4s]
   uncursed potion of boost strength                                   [2s]
   blessed potion of cure poison                                       [2s]
   blessed potion of boost strength                                    [2s]
   cursed potion of potential toughness                                [4s]
   cursed potion of invisibility                                       [4s]
   blessed potion of invisibility                                      [4s]
   uncursed potion of strength                                         [4s]
Scrolls ('?')
   heap of 2 uncursed scrolls of repair                                [4s]
   heap of 8 uncursed scrolls of power                                [16s]
   heap of 2 uncursed blank scrolls                                    [4s]
   heap of 4 uncursed scrolls of light                                 [8s]
   blessed scroll of uncursing                                         [2s]
   heap of 4 blessed scrolls of identify                               [8s]
   uncursed scroll of balance                                          [2s]
   heap of 2 uncursed scrolls of protection                            [4s]
   heap of 2 uncursed scrolls of dark predictions                      [4s]
   heap of 3 uncursed scrolls of great identify                        [6s]
   blessed scroll of darkness                                          [2s]
   heap of 3 uncursed scrolls of darkness                              [6s]
   heap of 3 uncursed scrolls of monster detection                     [6s]
   heap of 2 uncursed scrolls of monster aggravation                   [4s]
   uncursed ratling pamphlet                                           [2s]
   cursed scroll of peace                                              [2s]
   blessed scroll of familiar summoning                                [2s]
   heap of 6 blessed scrolls of chaos resistance                      [12s]
   heap of 5 uncursed scrolls of identify                             [10s]
   cursed scroll of uncursing                                          [2s]
   uncursed scroll of item detection                                   [2s]
Books ('"')
   blessed spellbook of Identify                                     [100s]
   blessed spellbook of Teleportation                                [100s]

[JellySlayer]

Grey: I have to hold the sceptre in my hand when I kill Andy, don't I?

I don't believe so, no. If you are doing a chaotic ultra and forget the trident, my memory is that you get this ending as well, rather than the chaos wretch death that L and N characters suffer.

[Grey]

Indeed, sceptre is only needed to get through the gate. After that you may use what you want. My first victory was an OCG and I killed Andy with missiles whilst wielding Purifier and the Shield of Raw Steel:

http://adom.brinkster.net/hof/flg_di...%28edit%29.txt

[zsomkovacs]

I already messed up a bit a few things (like forgetting about the mystic before converting to chaotic, so now I have to convert back somehow; didn't do water temple yet, because I brought the banshee to animated forest (I left her there, as she became tough) - I found some good items at least (like the invisibility rings)), but I have to say, I'm extremely lucky. OK, char was generated on 2nd, July, but he is even luckier than most of my Creator's Day characters. I've already killed some steel golems with the dagger of penetration. I suppose I'll give the scorched spear to the ratling. That eternium spear is way better. Now I'm going for the Ring of High Kings and then for the maze. I've found two scrolls of danger as well, so I'll only need a bit of luck with the farmer corpse.

[JellySlayer]

Converting back to neutral should not be any problem at your level. You still can probably do it with gold on a single altar, I would think. Or wear an amulet of law for awhile.