YAVP: Steel Man Archer (pre10)

[JellySlayer]

I've been meaning to try this challenge for awhile, finally got around to it on pre10. Steelman requires you to spend the entire game in wilderness, without visiting any other locations. Moreover, you are not allowed to evade any wilderness encounters, or flee from an encounter once started. You're supposed to kill everything you come across.

My strategy basically went something like this:
Levels 1-8 or so, I trained in the plains areas, mostly trying to kill barbarians for arrows, and jackals/dogs for food, until I was able to get food preservation above 90. With a decent stock of arrows and food, I moved to the hill areas where I killed hill orcs to train To. This process I repeated until around level 15.

Level 15, I got a monster upgrade. This introduces big xp kills of black dragons (swamp), air elementals (plains), giant boars (forest), red dragons (mountains, which I was able to access around level 17 after a climbing set dropped), stone giant (lords) (mountains), as well as swamp hydras from earlier. I mostly hunted these guys, especially the swamp ones to try to train To from swamp hydras, along with killing all of the larger groups of weak monsters for corpses and loot.

Around level 21, I finally hit my first scroll of danger, which allowed me to raise the wilderness DL to 5, opening up access to a host of new items I'd been lacking--most importantly, hatchets for fletchery, holy water, and necklaces of the eye to improve my sight. I also grabbed 7lbs and some mithril armor. The next few levels were a bit of a slog. The hills and roads were getting very dangerous because after 350 or so kills, assassins were pretty bad; I had many hundreds of jackal kills, which were also starting to get pretty strong, so the plains were getting annoying as well. Moreover, diminishing returns on my big kills was getting bad... even with Slow Monster, which I learn early and used for almost every major fight, pretty much all of my big kills had dropped by at least 1/2 or 2/3 of their starting xp by the time I hit level 25.

Just before 25, though, I got lucky and found a magical writing set. Excitedly, I wrote two more scrolls of danger (then it vanished), which let me get up to DL 10ish. I hit level 25, then dipped a stack of 4 rings and a stack of 5 rings into my two PoEX, and managed to get an RoDS. I thought that it was done at this point, as I found a piece of swampland that had a 1x1 island in it where I could kill greater molochs without danger. Unfortunately, I stupidly used the wish on that island, forgetting that the djinni needs a place to stand. Wish was wasted. Ugh. I fought some more, getting eternium gear from a chaos knight and some other nice bits from random drops. At level 26, I hit a second wish, found a similar swamp area, but this time used the wish properly and summoned an emperor moloch.

I thought I was in trouble at the start as most of my arrows were bouncing harmlessly off of them, but at some point I realized that I had a stack of extra slaying arrows that I'd apparently IDed at some point and forgot about. Using these, I was able to clear the molochs--the island, as it turned out, was only really necessary at the start--the molochs all got bored and walked to the other end of the map, and then I was able to chase them down and pick them off one at a time. 24 greater molochs later, I hit level 50 and achieved victory. I cleared the remaining 10 molochs for propriety's sake, then left the chain.

My final kill list looked like this:

     44 air elementals
    663 assassins
    114 bandits
    488 barbarians
    121 barbarian leaders
      7 berserkers
     60 black dragons
     15 black hurthlings
      2 black unicorns
     32 black wizards
      9 brown bears
      8 bugbears
     60 cave bears
    148 cave lions
    109 cave lizards
    234 chaos brothers
      3 chaos knights
     10 chaos mutants
    609 chaos plague bearers
      8 chaos rats
      4 chaos servants
    234 chaos sisters
      2 chaos warlords
      8 corpse fiends
      3 corruptors
      1 dark elven wizard
      5 dark orcs
     92 dire wolves
      9 doppelgangers
     34 Dorn Beasts
      1 dwarf
     12 fire beetles
      5 fire lizards
      1 floating eye
     11 fomorian giants
      6 gargoyles
      1 gelatinous cube
    365 ghuls
      5 giant bats
     12 giant boars
      2 giant centipedes
    438 giant frogs
     15 giant lizards
     12 giant rats
      9 giant rust monsters
      5 giant spiders
    985 gnolls
    113 gnoll chieftains
      5 goblins
      4 goblin berserkers
      7 goblin chieftains
     21 goblin rockthrowers
      6 goblin slavemasters
      9 gray oozes
     34 greater molochs
      5 green hags
      7 green worms
      8 griffons
     14 grizzly bears
      7 harpies
     95 hill giants
      6 hill giant chieftains
    241 hill orcs
    111 hill orc sergeants
      2 hippogriffs
    352 hobgoblins
     70 hobgoblin chiefs
     89 hobgoblin leaders
      5 homunculi
      2 huge bats
      1 hyena
   1269 jackals
     19 jackalweres
     25 kobolds
     14 kobold shamans
     14 large bats
    450 large dogs
    528 large gnolls
     14 large kobolds
      6 large orcs
     14 large rust monsters
      8 large spiders
      5 lesser daemons
      5 leucrottas
    520 lizard men
      1 master swordsman
     22 necromancers
     70 ogres
      2 ogre emperors
     14 ogre lords
      6 ogre magi
     62 orcs
      3 orc chieftains
     25 orc scorchers
    408 outlaws
     34 outlaw leaders
      3 owlbears
     10 quicklings
      6 quickling lords
      1 raider
     24 rats
      1 ratling archer
     52 red dragons
     37 rust monsters
    874 skeletons
    264 stone giants
     10 stone giant lords
     58 swamp hydras
      3 swordsmen
     18 wererats
    138 wights
    383 wolves
     36 wraiths
    421 zombies

[JellySlayer]

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Screenshot
------------------------------------------------------------------------------



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

SteelArcher   St:24  Le:29  Wi:21  Dx:28  To:31  Ch:17  Ap:16  Ma:22  Pe:20 NL
DV/PV: 48/28   H: 672(672)    P: 269(269)    Exp: 50/20406211   DrCh  LE: 952

------------------------------------------------------------------------------


----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Background Information
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Name: SteelArcher         Race: male Human          Class: Archer
Eye color: brown          Hair color: blonde        Complexion: tanned
Height: 6'5"              Weight: 165 pounds
Age: 29 (grown-up)
Star sign: Candle         Birthday: 1/Candle (day 271 of the year)

YOUR HISTORY:
        Your father is a guildmaster. Your family generally is rather
 wealthy and well-known in your home town.
        In your childhood you were fascinated by your environment and the
 ever-changing wonders of the world. You were a very curious and
 adventurous child.
        In your youth you worked a lot to become rich and famous later.
 Consequently you rarely had enough time to play with other kids of your
 age.
        Your path was always clearly lying before you. You knew about your
 destiny since your earliest years and fortunately your grandfather
 supported your wishes. You managed to find a competent trainer and began
 your studies.
        You decided to become an Archer.


----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Inventory
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total weight: 5868 stones                Carrying capacity: 9523 stones

Head          : uncursed helm of water breathing [+0, +1]             [30s]
Neck          : blessed rustproof necklace of the eye                  [3s]
Body          : uncursed eternium plate mail (-1, -2) [-1, +13]      [240s]
Girdle        : blessed girdle of carrying [+0, +0]                   [15s]
Cloak         : blessed cloak of protection [+0, +3]                  [20s]
Right Hand    : blessed orcish dagger (+5, 2d3+5)                     [10s]
Left Hand     : uncursed tower crystal shield (-1) [+13, +4]         [260s]
Right Ring    : uncursed ring of luck                                  [1s]
Left Ring     : uncursed ring of mental stability [+0, +1] {Le+1}      [1s]
Bracers       : uncursed rusty bracers of resistance [+0, +0]         [10s]
Gauntlets     : blessed gloves of dexterity [+0, +0] {Dx+2}            [6s]
Boots         : blessed seven league boots [+1, +0]                   [30s]
Missile Weapon: blessed short bow (+1, +2)                            [20s]
Missiles      : bundle of 133 uncursed arrows (+3, 1d6+2)            [266s]
Tool          : blessed rustproof hatchet (+0, 1d6+1)                 [50s]


----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Stuff
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total weight: 4906 stones   Carrying capacity: 9523 stones

Helmets ('[')
   uncursed eternium cap [+0, +4]                                     [28s]
Armor ('[')
   uncursed elven chain mail [+1, +5]                                 [10s]
Gauntlets ('[')
   uncursed red leather gauntlets [+0, +1]                            [10s]
   blessed thick gauntlets (-1, -2) [+0, +1]                          [15s]
   uncursed alchemistic gloves [+0, +0]                                [6s]
   uncursed blue leather gauntlets [+0, +4]                           [10s]
   uncursed black leather gauntlets [+0, +1]                          [10s]
Cloaks ('[')
   uncursed hooded cloak [+1, +0]                                     [40s]
   uncursed cloak of protection [+0, +3]                              [20s]
Girdles ('[')
   uncursed girdle of carrying [+0, +0]                               [15s]
Boots ('[')
   uncursed boots of sneakiness [+0, +0] {Dx+2}                       [20s]
   uncursed eternium boots [+0, +5]                                   [55s]
Necklaces (''')
   uncursed amulet of protection +4                                    [3s]
   heap of 3 uncursed amulets of free action                           [9s]
   uncursed necklace of rapid healing                                  [2s]
   uncursed amulet of petrification resistance                         [3s]
   uncursed amulet of health                                           [3s]
   uncursed pendant of beauty {Ap+4}                                   [3s]
   uncursed amulet of protection +2                                    [3s]
   cursed amulet of light                                              [3s]
   uncursed pendant of mana {Ma+2}                                     [3s]
')
   blessed bracers of protection [+0, +2]                             [10s]
   uncursed bracers of protection [+0, +2]                            [10s]
One-handed weapons ('(')
   uncursed adamantium spear (+1, 1d8+6)                              [36s]
   uncursed eternium long sword (+1, 2d8+7)                           [20s]
Missile weapons ('}')
   heap of 2 uncursed short bows (+1, +0)                             [40s]
Missiles ('/')
  Huge pile of arrows
Tools (']')
   uncursed box with flint and steel (32)                              [5s]
   blessed box with flint and steel (47)                               [5s]
   uncursed tiny key                                                   [1s]
   heap of 2 uncursed hexagonal keys                                   [2s]
   uncursed climbing set                                             [180s]
   heap of 7 uncursed waterproof blankets                             [70s]
   heap of 7 uncursed torches                                         [70s]
   uncursed torch (1102 turns of fuel remaining)                      [10s]
   heap of 4 uncursed fireproof blankets                              [40s]
   uncursed box with flint and steel (20)                              [5s]
   uncursed box with flint and steel (36)                              [5s]
   blessed box with flint and steel (32)                               [5s]
   heap of 3 uncursed fletchery sets (8)                             [210s]
   uncursed fletchery set (7)                                         [70s]
   uncursed fletchery set (4)                                         [70s]
   uncursed tinderbox (3)                                              [3s]
   uncursed triangular key                                             [1s]
   uncursed box with flint and steel (37)                              [5s]
   uncursed tinderbox (29)                                             [3s]
   uncursed box with flint and steel (25)                              [5s]
   uncursed tinderbox (11)                                             [3s]
   uncursed tinderbox (21)                                             [3s]
   cursed torch                                                       [10s]
Rings ('=')
   heap of 3 uncursed rings of damage                                  [3s]
   heap of 2 blessed rings of stun resistance                          [2s]
   heap of 3 uncursed rings of acid resistance                         [3s]
   heap of 3 uncursed rings of protection +1                           [3s]
   blessed ring of acid resistance                                     [1s]
   heap of 2 uncursed rings of searching                               [2s]
   heap of 3 uncursed rings of cold resistance                         [3s]
   uncursed ring of luck                                               [1s]
   uncursed ring of ice                                                [1s]
   blessed ring of speed [+0, +1] (+5 spd)                             [1s]
   uncursed ring of karmic absorption                                  [1s]
   heap of 4 uncursed rings of invisibility                            [4s]
   heap of 2 blessed brass rings                                       [2s]
   uncursed ring of teleport control                                   [1s]
   uncursed ring of fire resistance                                    [1s]
   uncursed ring of stun resistance                                    [1s]
Books ('"')
   blessed spellbook of Slow Monster                                 [100s]

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Weapon Skills
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Melee weapon           Lvl   Hit   Dam   DV   Level          Required marks
---------------------  ---   ---   ---   --   -------------  --------------
Daggers & knives        10   +10    +6   +3   excellent            1720

Missile weapon         Lvl   Hit   Dam   Ra   Level          Required marks
---------------------  ---   ---   ---   --   -------------  --------------
Bows                    15   +30   +22   +5   Grand Mastery

Shields                Lvl   DV               Level          Required marks
---------------------  ---   ---              -------------  --------------
Shields                  7   +14              skilled              24


Damage caused with your melee weapons:
--------------------------------------
Right hand: +97 bonus to hit, 2d3+21 damage


Damage caused with your missile weapons:
----------------------------------------
Ammunition: 133, base range: 50, +144 bonus to hit, 1d6+51 damage

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Spells
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Cure Light Wounds:   433,   5pp     (Effectivity: +0)
   Darkness         :    91,   4pp     (Effectivity: +0)
   Fireball         :    22,  35pp     (Effectivity: +0)
   Frost Bolt       :   178,  12pp     (Effectivity: +0)
   Invisibility     :    31,  16pp     (Effectivity: +0)
   Light            :     8,   5pp     (Effectivity: +2)
   Lightning Bolt   :    44,  18pp     (Effectivity: +0)
   Revelation       :    37,  53pp     (Effectivity: +0)
   Slow Monster     :    61,   8pp     (Effectivity: +7)





----------------------------------------------------------------------------
              His achievements during his adventures:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

SteelArcher, the human archer, left the Drakalor Chain never to come back.
He scored 1577375 points and advanced to level 50.
He survived for 4 years, 140 days, 14 hours, 59 minutes and 10 seconds
(163965 turns).
SteelArcher visited 1 place.
His strength score was modified by +11 during his career.
His learning score was modified by +10 during his career.
His willpower score was modified by +10 during his career.
His dexterity score was modified by +8 during his career.
His toughness score was modified by +19 during his career.
His charisma score was modified by +7 during his career.
His appearance score was modified by +5 during his career.
His mana score was modified by +11 during his career.
His perception score was modified by +6 during his career.
He ended his adventuring life in the wilderness.
12112 monsters perished under his attacks.
He possessed the following intrinsics:
  He was fire resistant (also through an item).
  He was poison resistant.
  He was cold resistant (gained through an item).
  He was acid resistant.
  He was lucky (gained through an item).
  He was sleep resistant (gained through an item).
  He was resistant to death rays (gained through an item).
  He was shock resistant (gained through an item).
  He was able to breathe water (gained through an item).
  He was able to resist confusion attacks (gained through an item).
He had the following talents: Affinity with Bows, Affinity with Crossbows,
Affinity with Slings, Alert, Beast of Burden, Careful, Eagle Eye, Good Shot,
Keen Shot, Lightning Shot, Long Stride, Master Packager, Miser, Missile
Weapon Master, Porter, Quick, Quick Shot, Treasure Hunter.
He had a final speed score of 109 (final base speed: 109).
He was a paragon of his religion.
He asked for 2 divine interventions.
He was neutrally aligned.
He was slightly tainted by Chaos.

[Stingray1]

Ah, the 'never-found-the-'>'-keybinding' challenge. Well done. Now do it Doomed.

Shouldn't a Djinni be able to be on a water tile. They fly don't they?

Uber jackals for 1xp, sad.

[anon123]

Ah, the 'never-found-the-'>'-keybinding' challenge. Well done. Now do it Doomed.

I think that'd be easy for the guy who won many times with doomed PCs. He'd just get wilderness encounters faster

Good job on the win. I'm sorry to hear about the wasted wish. Given the nature of this challenge, that is more of a loss than usual. The monster memory entry for djinnis suggests that they fly, so they should ignore water (and traps). Perhaps that's RFE-worthy.

Also, wow at these figures. You'd never get them in a regular game:

    663 assassins
    488 barbarians
    609 chaos plague bearers
    365 ghuls
    985 gnolls
    438 giant frogs
   1269 jackals
    450 large dogs
    528 large gnolls
    520 lizard men
    408 outlaws
    874 skeletons
    421 zombies

[quik]

How much real-life time did it take?

[JellySlayer]

How much real-life time did it take?

I think I finished it over the course of a week or so. My turncount is 160k, so I'd guess I probably did maybe 16 hours total, since I think I usually play ~10k turns/hour.

[grobblewobble]

Congratulations. Steel man is one of the harder challenges out there, very few people ever made it I think?