Should I try an ultra?

[Blasphemous]

I don't think this has changed but in older versions, when you reached the ID level of Filk and left without killing him, he could be later encountered in the wilderness, randomly.
I'd say you have to supercharge a wand of monster detection and just plunge into ID and cast on every level.
The problem is that by the time you reach the character level needed to get the Filk quest, your killcount of that monster you don't know might be into 3 digits.
I'd say that you should do everything in your power to figure out the monster through barbarian quest and if you can't - skip the ultra, unless you don't mind OCG ultra ending.

[Dazed]

Sounds like the only way is to complete the Barbarian quest I guess... well, I'll keep going and see how it goes. Maybe attempt to avoid killing massive numbers of the 'common' first kills.

At the moment I have Bugbiter, the si and Moon Sickle for artifacts, although I won't ditch Bugbiter any time soon!

[Blasphemous]

Bugbiter is a good weapon. 4d7+3 is equivalent to a two-handed sword of slaughtering.
It can be used with shield and as pole arm has nice DV bonuses.
As for artifacts, there's always the phial left in gremlin cave and big punch once dwarven quests are done
I don't think ratling takes SI but there should be plenty of useless artifacts past casino and the two guaranteed greater vaults.

[Dazed]

Okay - that's good to know. Is it possible for me to complete the ratling quest without having to be chaotic then? Or just collect artifacts before punching a few dwarven children in the face?

I'm now level 13, I've met Blup's mother now and the Pyramid is now accessible so I can get the AMW + ankh and also get the RCT at level 16.

[Blasphemous]

You need to be chaotic for ratling quests.
I think you also need to talk to the witch first so she tells you to "satisfy da mutated one".

[Dazed]

I suppose I could switch to the OCG ending if it turns out my first kill was ridiculously high in numbers - I think I'd be good with trying any sort of ultra at this stage for my first non-gate closing ending. I presume you have to go to the SIL to get to Filk if he's past ID:66 anyway?

[plllizzz9]

Yeah.But I warn you, the trip is booooooooooooooooooring. And potentially lethal on the lower parts.

[grobblewobble]

I'm not entirely sure a hobgoblin was my first kill - reading further suggests that the first kill after I get the Courage quest is the way to check, whereas I'd already chatted to the old barbarian and killed a bunch of stuff before I decided 'hmmm, ultra?' so the hobgoblin test may be invalid

No, don't worry, I think the check was valid. Your first kill must have been a hobgoblin.

[_Ln_]

You need to be chaotic for ratling quests.
I think you also need to talk to the witch first so she tells you to "satisfy da mutated one".

This is not necessary.
In one of the games I did the SMC trip to open up HMV after killing Keriax.

[Dazed]

No, don't worry, I think the check was valid. Your first kill must have been a hobgoblin.

I'm confused then - say, if I kill a barbarian in the wilderness, it gives me the same message about showing promise?