CIP GrFi of Ash. Unsure of how to proceed.

[corvin]

Hi Tavern!

So I have a character with potential but no real idea of how to get where I want him to go. Mostly I'm wondering when to start working on spellcasting, and how long Storm Bow will remain a viable superweapon. Because I am slaughtering all of the things. At range. It's pretty amazing. I really want my utility spells though, and Ash seems like a great god to get that for me.

So I have never used Ash before, I have never played a ranged character at length before (who wasn't a slinger of Trog), and I'm unsure how/when to get spells up without making melee ineffective. Advice would be awesome!!

  Code:

corvin the Marksgargoyle (Gargoyle Fighter)        Turns: 26600, Time: 03:48:59

HP  96/96        AC 41     Str 23      XL: 15   Next: 88%
MP  27/27        EV  7     Int 12      God: Ashenzari [******]
Gold 1531        SH 24     Dex 14      Spells:  1 memorised, 13 levels left

rFire  . . .     SeeInvis +     I - +3 morningstar
rCold  + . .     Clarity  +     i - +0 storm dragon armour (curse)
rNeg   + + .     Conserve .     E - +0 shield {AC+3}
rPois  +         rCorr    .     l - +0 helmet (curse)
rElec  +         rRot     +     V - +0 cloak (curse)
SustAb . .       Spirit   .     M - +2 pair of gloves {Dex+3}
rMut   .         Warding  .     k - +0 pair of boots (curse)
Saprov . . .     Stasis   .     S - cursed amulet of the Four Winds {Clar rN+ MR+++}
MR     +++++                    r - cursed ring of protection from cold
                                C - cursed ring of protection from magic

@: flying, almost entirely resistant to hostile enchantments, very unstealthy
A: able to fly continuously, large and strong wings, large bone plates 1, thin
skeletal structure 1, life protection 1, electricity resistance, unbreathing,
petrification resistance, AC +11
a: Stop Flying, Scrying, Transfer Knowledge, Renounce Religion


You are on level 13 of the Dungeon.
You worship Ashenzari.
Ashenzari is exalted by your worship.
You are not hungry.

You have visited 3 branches of the dungeon, and seen 25 of its levels.
You have also visited: Ossuary and Ice Cave.

You have collected 2534 gold pieces.
You have spent 1003 gold pieces at shops.

Inventory:

Hand weapons
 I - a +3,+3 morningstar (weapon)
 Q - a +0 blowgun
 X - the +8,+8 storm bow {elec}
   (You found it on level 5 of the Dungeon)   
   
   It charges the ammunition it shoots with electricity; occasionally upon a
   hit, such missiles may discharge and cause terrible harm.
Missiles
 h - 5 javelins
 t - 5 needles of slowing
 y - 5 throwing nets (quivered)
 O - 14 poisoned arrows
 R - 6 curare-tipped needles
 T - 15 poisoned needles
 Y - 200 arrows
 Z - 8 arrows of flame
Armour
 i - a cursed +0 storm dragon armour (worn)
 k - a cursed +0 pair of boots (worn)
 l - a cursed +0 helmet (worn)
 E - a +0 shield of protection (worn)
 G - a +0 buckler
 M - a +2 pair of gloves of dexterity (worn)
 V - a cursed +0 cloak (worn)
Magical devices
 b - a wand of enslavement {zapped: 1}
 g - a wand of cold
 B - a wand of disintegration {zapped: 1}
 J - a wand of cold (4)
 K - a wand of fire {zapped: 2}
 P - a wand of heal wounds (5)
Comestibles
 f - 2 bread rations
 p - 8 meat rations
 v - a pear
 D - an apple
 W - 2 rotting chunks of orc flesh
Scrolls
 a - 3 scrolls of teleportation
 c - a scroll of blinking
 e - 2 scrolls of magic mapping
 j - a scroll of remove curse
 m - 8 scrolls of identify
 q - 3 scrolls of fear
 u - a scroll of enchant weapon II
 A - 2 scrolls of recharging
Jewellery
 r - a cursed ring of protection from cold (right hand)
 C - a cursed ring of protection from magic (left hand)
 L - an uncursed ring of ice
 S - the cursed amulet of the Four Winds (around neck) {Clar rN+ MR+++}
   (You found it on level 8 of the Lair of Beasts)   
   
   [amulet of clarity]
   
   It provides mental clarity.
   It protects you from negative energy.
   It affects your resistance to hostile enchantments.
   It has a curse placed upon it.
Potions
 n - a potion of agility
 o - 3 potions of haste
 s - a yellow potion
 w - 12 bubbling silvery potions
 x - 8 potions of heal wounds
 H - 2 potions of resistance
 U - a potion of restore abilities
Miscellaneous
 d - a lamp of fire
 z - a phial of floods
 F - a sack of spiders {used: 1}


   Skills:
 * Level 12.0 Fighting
 + Level 12.0 Maces & Flails
   Level 0.4 Staves
 - Level 16.6 Bows
 - Level 2.5 Throwing
 + Level 11.4(15.6) Armour
 + Level 7.4 Stealth
 + Level 7.0 Shields
 + Level 8.5(12.9) Evocations


You have 13 spell levels left.
You know the following spells:

 Your Spells              Type           Power        Failure   Level  Hunger
a - Magic Dart            Conj           #...         100%        1    ##.....


Dungeon Overview and Level Annotations

Branches:
Dungeon (13/15)            Temple (0/1) D:5             Orc (4/4) D:12
    Elf (0/3) Orc:4          Lair (8/8) D:8          Shoals (0/5) Lair:6
 Spider (0/5) Lair:4        Slime (0/6) Lair:8       Vaults (0/5) D:13

Altars:
Ashenzari
Cheibriados
Dithmenos
Fedhas
Kikubaaqudgha
Okawaru
Trog
Vehumet
Xom
The Shining One
Jiyva

Shops:
D:7 *   D:11 [   Orc:4 [%(}


Innate Abilities, Weirdness & Mutations

You are resistant to torment.
You are immune to poison.
You are immune to rotting.
You can fly continuously.
Your stone body is very resilient (AC +11).
Your wings are large and strong.
You resist negative energy.
You are resistant to electric shocks.
You can survive without breathing.
You are immune to petrification.
You are partially covered in large bone plates (AC +2, SH +2).
You have a somewhat thin skeletal structure (Dex +2, Stealth).


Message History

You see here a steel tomahawk.
The orc throws a steel tomahawk. The steel tomahawk hits you!
Some of the chunks of flesh in your inventory have completely rotted away.
You see here a steel tomahawk.
You hit the orc but do no damage. The orc closely misses you.
You barely miss the orc. The orc hits you but does no damage.
You barely miss the orc. The orc barely misses you.
You barely miss the orc. You block the orc's attack.
You completely miss the orc. The orc barely misses you.
You puncture the orc!
You kill the orc!
No target in view!
Things that are here:
2 steel tomahawks; a +0 leather armour
There is a large open door here.
Done exploring.
Save game and exit?
Welcome back, corvin the Gargoyle Fighter.
Ashenzari says: Partake of my vision. Partake of my curse.
Press ? for a list of commands and other information.

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  #..##   #.# #..#            ###
  #.##    #.# #..#            #..
  #.#     #.###''#######      #..
  #.#     #.#..........#      #..
###.#######.#..........#      #..
.(.(........'..........#      #..
###.........'...@......#      #..
# #####..####..........#      #..
#     #..#  #........>.#      #..
#     #..#  #.(........#      #..
#   ###''####'##########      #..
#####.......#..........#      ###
))..#.......#..........#
###)#.......#..%.../...#
  #.#.......#..)[......#


There are no monsters in sight!

Vanquished Creatures
  Rupert (Lair:6)
  The ghost of Eglamore the Bludgeoner, a powerful MiBe of Trog (Orc:4)
  6 dire elephants (Lair:8)
  The ghost of Setherick the Whirler, a powerful HaHu of Okawaru (Lair:6)
  Snorg (Lair:7)
  Josephine (D:11)
  3 vault guards (D:13)
  3 ogre magi (Orc:4)
  Harold (Orc:2)
  7 hydras
  Erica (Lair:6)
  An ice dragon (Lair:6)
  The ghost of G4llowsC4l1br4tor the Basher, an experienced MiWn of Xom (D:8)
  A tengu warrior (D:13)
  2 centaur warriors (D:13)
  Nergalle (Lair:2)
  A deep elf knight (Orc:4)
  3 skeletal warriors (D:11)
  3 unseen horrors
  A wizard (D:13)
  6 hill giants
  A lindwurm (Lair:7)
  2 orc knights (D:13)
  Joseph (Orc:2)
  A griffon (Lair:8)
  2 orc sorcerers
  11 elephants
  2 black mambas
  A queen ant (Lair:8)
  16 spiny frogs
  3 gargoyles
  A feature mimic (D:13)
  3 trolls
  A hydra zombie (D:9)
  7 komodo dragons
  4 polar bears
  A snapping turtle (shapeshifter) (D:13)
  2 ravens (D:13)
  A slime creature (D:12)
  2 deep elf magi (D:13)
  10 two-headed ogres
  4 wyverns
  20 blink frogs
  3 sharks
  A trapdoor spider (D:11)
  A grizzly bear (Lair:5)
  2 hill giant zombies
  5 basilisks
  A wraith (D:12)
  29 yaks
  2 elephant slugs (Lair:8)
  Eustachio (D:9)
  2 humans (D:13)
  12 hippogriffs
  2 vampire mosquitoes (D:13)
  A mottled dragon (D:12)
  6 wolves
  An ogre zombie (D:13)
  A hill giant skeleton (D:11)
  3 necrophages
  17 water moccasins
  11 porcupines
  5 soldier ants (Lair:8)
  An ogre skeleton (D:12)
  4 ice beasts
  3 black bears
  6 sky beasts
  8 orc warriors
  A giant goldfish (Lair:2)
  36 ogres
  2 yellow wasps
  A manticore skeleton (D:11)
  3 boring beetles
  2 big kobolds
  3 phantoms
  13 centaurs
  20 giant slugs
  An elf zombie (Ossuary)
  27 giant frogs
  13 crocodiles
  Blork the orc (D:5)
  A gnoll sergeant (D:10)
  A cyclops skeleton (D:10)
  A wyvern skeleton (D:13)
  2 scorpions
  2 troll zombies
  4 killer bees (D:9)
  14 wights
  An electric eel (Lair:2)
  3 crimson imps
  A goliath beetle (D:7)
  3 big fish
  2 giant frog zombies
  A quasit (D:12)
  13 orc priests
  7 hounds
  A jelly (D:6)
  A human zombie (Ossuary)
  2 centaur skeletons
  21 orc wizards
  A two-headed ogre zombie (D:7)
  26 worker ants
  A two-headed ogre skeleton (D:9)
  6 iguanas
  13 sheep
  A sky beast zombie (D:8)
  A hound zombie (Ossuary)
  A worker ant zombie (D:6)
  4 mummies (Ossuary)
  9 gnolls
  22 adders
  52 green rats
  2 giant mites
  A shadow imp (D:9)
  2 goliath beetle zombies (D:11)
  2 inept feature mimics (D:5)
  4 worms
  An adder zombie (Ossuary)
  2 giant eyeballs
  10 giant geckos
  An ooze (D:2)
  106 orcs
  A ball python (D:2)
  A bat skeleton (D:4)
  A bat zombie (D:6)
  4 giant cockroaches
  13 goblins
  22 hobgoblins
  22 jackals
  11 quokkas
  26 bats
  6 giant newts
  3 gnoll zombies (Ossuary)
  A goblin zombie (Ossuary)
  A hobgoblin skeleton (D:8)
  A hobgoblin zombie (Ossuary)
  2 jackal zombies (Ossuary)
  27 kobolds
  5 kobold zombies
  An orc skeleton (D:8)
  3 orc zombies
  21 rats
  A rat skeleton (D:4)
  3 fungi
  5 plants
923 creatures vanquished.

Vanquished Creatures (collateral kills)
  An ice dragon (D:10)
  An anaconda (Lair:8)
  An ogre mage (Orc:4)
  A hill giant (D:12)
  An orc knight (Orc:4)
  A cyclops (D:12)
  3 two-headed ogres (Orc:4)
  A warg (Orc:4)
  A hound (Lair:2)
  A shadow imp (D:10)
  An orc (Orc:4)
13 creatures vanquished.

Vanquished Creatures (others)
  A polar bear (Lair:6)
  2 redbacks (Orc:4)
  3 fire elementals
  2 hippogriffs (Lair:8)
  6 fungi
  2 plants
16 creatures vanquished.

Grand Total: 952 creatures vanquished

Notes
Turn   | Place    | Note
--------------------------------------------------------------
     0 | D:1      | corvin, the Gargoyle Fighter, began the quest for the Orb.
     0 | D:1      | Reached XP level 1. HP: 14/14 MP: 1/1
    68 | D:1      | Reached XP level 2. HP: 19/19 MP: 2/2
   778 | D:2      | Reached XP level 3. HP: 20/23 MP: 3/3
   959 | D:2      | Reached skill level 4 in Shields
  1068 | D:2      | Reached XP level 4. HP: 26/29 MP: 4/4
  1798 | D:3      | Found a shattered altar of Ashenzari.
  1825 | D:3      | Became a worshipper of Ashenzari the Shackled
  2054 | D:3      | Found a shimmering altar of Xom.
  2089 | D:3      | Found a snail-covered altar of Cheibriados.
  2236 | D:4      | Reached XP level 5. HP: 33/33 MP: 5/5
  2317 | D:4      | Reached skill level 1 in Throwing
  2382 | D:4      | Found a radiant altar of Vehumet.
  2402 | D:4      | Paralysed by a giant eyeball for 4 turns
  2440 | D:4      | Found an iron altar of Okawaru.
  2479 | D:4      | Found a sand-covered staircase.
  2504 | Ossuary  | Entered an ossuary
  2527 | Ossuary  | Reached XP level 6. HP: 36/38 MP: 6/6
  2554 | Ossuary  | Reached skill level 5 in Shields
  2907 | D:4      | Noticed an ogre
  2912 | D:4      | Killed an ogre
  2912 | D:4      | Reached skill level 5 in Armour
  2912 | D:4      | Reached XP level 7. HP: 44/44 MP: 7/7
  3506 | D:5      | Entered Level 5 of the Dungeon
  3506 | D:5      | Noticed Blork the orc
  3513 | D:5      | Killed Blork the orc
  3629 | D:5      | Found a staircase to the Ecumenical Temple.
  3756 | D:5      | Learned a level 1 spell: Magic Dart
  4000 | D:5      | Reached skill level 1 in Bows
  4000 | D:5      | Reached skill level 1 in Stealth
  4000 | D:5      | Reached XP level 8. HP: 48/48 MP: 8/8
  4106 | D:5      | Reached skill level 5 in Fighting
  4192 | D:5      | Found a blossoming altar of Fedhas.
  4229 | D:5      | Reached skill level 6 in Armour
  4477 | D:5      | Reached skill level 5 in Maces & Flails
  4543 | D:5      | Paralysed by a potion of paralysis for 7 turns
  4655 | D:6      | Acquired Ashenzari's first power
  4916 | D:6      | Found a bloodstained altar of Trog.
  5177 | D:6      | Reached XP level 9. HP: 53/55 MP: 9/9
  5282 | D:6      | Found a glowing golden altar of the Shining One.
  5337 | D:7      | Found Chaudgh Ijuxt's General Store.
  5440 | D:7      | Found a shadowy altar of Dithmenos.
  5630 | D:7      | Reached skill level 5 in Bows
  5634 | D:7      | Reached skill level 7 in Armour
  6090 | D:8      | Noticed an elephant
  6099 | D:8      | Noticed an elephant
  6099 | D:8      | Killed an elephant
  6143 | D:7      | Killed an elephant
  6143 | D:7      | Reached skill level 8 in Bows
  6143 | D:7      | Reached XP level 10. HP: 37/61 MP: 9/11
  6299 | D:8      | Noticed an elephant
  6309 | D:8      | Killed an elephant
  6367 | D:8      | Found a staircase to the Lair.
  6492 | D:8      | Noticed G4llowsC4l1br4tor's ghost (experienced MiWn)
  6559 | D:8      | Reached skill level 9 in Bows
  6569 | D:8      | Killed G4llowsC4l1br4tor's ghost
  6893 | Lair:1   | Entered Level 1 of the Lair of Beasts
  7056 | Lair:1   | Reached skill level 10 in Bows
  7135 | Lair:1   | Acquired Ashenzari's second power
  7255 | Lair:1   | Reached XP level 11. HP: 66/66 MP: 12/12
  7419 | Lair:1   | Reached skill level 11 in Bows
  7948 | Lair:2   | Noticed Nergalle
  7956 | Lair:2   | Killed Nergalle
  7996 | Lair:2   | Noticed an eight-headed hydra
  8001 | Lair:2   | Killed an eight-headed hydra
  8304 | Lair:2   | Noticed an eight-headed hydra
  8311 | Lair:2   | Killed an eight-headed hydra
  8874 | Lair:2   | Gained mutation: You have a somewhat thin skeletal structure (Dex +2, Stealth). [potion of beneficial mutation]
  8912 | Lair:2   | Reached skill level 12 in Bows
  9616 | Lair:3   | Reached skill level 1 in Evocations
  9800 | Lair:3   | Identified Sif Muna's Reference Book on Talismans
  9808 | Lair:3   | Reached XP level 12. HP: 73/73 MP: 15/15
 10918 | Lair:4   | Found a hole to the Spider Nest.
 11082 | Lair:4   | Acquired Ashenzari's third power
 11832 | Lair:5   | Reached skill level 10 in Armour
 12123 | Lair:5   | Reached skill level 10 in Maces & Flails
 12487 | Lair:5   | Reached skill level 13 in Bows
 12857 | Lair:6   | Noticed a six-headed hydra
 12857 | Lair:6   | Noticed Setherick's ghost (powerful HaHu)
 12901 | Lair:5   | Reached XP level 13. HP: 80/80 MP: 21/21
 12974 | Lair:6   | Noticed Erica
 12981 | Lair:6   | Killed Erica
 12998 | Lair:6   | Found a frozen archway.
 13006 | Lair:6   | Noticed an ice dragon
 13022 | Lair:6   | Killed an ice dragon
 13022 | Lair:6   | Reached skill level 5 in Evocations
 13204 | IceCv    | Entered an ice cave
 13204 | IceCv    | Noticed FootChar's ghost (powerful MiFi)
 13473 | Lair:6   | Found a staircase to the Shoals.
 13735 | Lair:6   | Noticed Rupert
 14257 | D:9      | Found an ancient bone altar of Kikubaaqudgha.
 14440 | D:9      | Noticed Eustachio
 14444 | D:9      | Killed Eustachio
 14847 | D:10     | Entered Level 10 of the Dungeon
 15371 | D:10     | Reached skill level 10 in Fighting
 15533 | D:10     | Upgraded the game from 0.15-a0-35-ga771cbd to 0.15-a0-51-g839f270
 16125 | Lair:6   | Killed Rupert
 16300 | Lair:6   | Killed Setherick's ghost
 16316 | Lair:6   | Killed a six-headed hydra
 16425 | Lair:6   | Reached skill level 14 in Bows
 16909 | Lair:7   | Identified a +0 rod of inaccuracy (9/9) (You found it on level 7 of the Lair of Beasts)
 17206 | Lair:7   | Acquired Ashenzari's fourth power
 17414 | Lair:7   | Gained mutation: Your wings are large and strong. [gargoyle growth]
 17414 | Lair:7   | Reached XP level 14. HP: 67/88 MP: 23/23
 17479 | Lair:7   | Noticed Snorg
 17488 | Lair:7   | Killed Snorg
 17628 | Lair:8   | Entered Level 8 of the Lair of Beasts
 17659 | Lair:8   | Reached skill level 5 in Stealth
 18156 | Lair:8   | Found a staircase to the Slime Pits.
 18156 | Lair:8   | Found a viscous altar of Jiyva.
 18764 | Lair:8   | Reached skill level 15 in Bows
 18934 | Lair:8   | Identified the cursed amulet of the Demon Prince {+Rage rN+}
 20243 | D:11     | Found Cogrutso's Armour Shop.
 20276 | D:11     | Gained mutation: You are partially covered in large bone plates (AC +2, SH +2). [potion of beneficial mutation]
 20319 | D:11     | Noticed Josephine
 20322 | D:11     | Killed Josephine
 21002 | D:11     | Reached XP level 15. HP: 57/95 MP: 25/25
 22058 | D:12     | Found a staircase to the Orcish Mines.
 22536 | Orc:1    | Entered Level 1 of the Orcish Mines
 22681 | Orc:2    | Noticed Joseph
 22684 | Orc:2    | Killed Joseph
 22714 | Orc:2    | Noticed Harold
 22753 | Orc:2    | Killed Harold
 22880 | Orc:2    | Found an iron altar of Okawaru.
 22930 | Orc:1    | Reached skill level 16 in Bows
 23739 | Orc:3    | Found a bloodstained altar of Trog.
 24227 | Orc:4    | Entered Level 4 of the Orcish Mines
 24231 | Orc:4    | Noticed Eglamore's ghost (powerful MiBe)
 24255 | Orc:4    | Killed Eglamore's ghost
 24444 | Orc:4    | Found a staircase to the Elven Halls.
 24552 | Orc:4    | Found Eladdo's Food Shop.
 24598 | Orc:4    | Found Tippywn's Gadget Shoppe.
 24598 | Orc:4    | Found Blaaschuo's Armour Emporium.
 24598 | Orc:4    | Found Alie's Antique Weapon Shop.
 24613 | Orc:4    | Bought a +2 pair of gloves of dexterity for 301 gold pieces
 25206 | Orc:4    | Bought a wand of heal wounds (5) for 702 gold pieces
 26332 | D:13     | Found a gate to the Vaults.


Action                   |  1- 3 |  4- 6 |  7- 9 | 10-12 | 13-15 || total
-------------------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------++-------
Melee: Flail             |   115 |   174 |       |       |       ||   289
       Morningstar       |       |    58 |   204 |   481 |   765 ||  1508
       Staff             |       |       |     9 |       |       ||     9
       Longbow           |       |       |     1 |    13 |       ||    14
 Fire: Longbow           |       |       |   134 |   296 |   956 ||  1386
       Blowgun           |       |       |     4 |       |     4 ||     8
Throw: Javelin           |    13 |    20 |    17 |    26 |     1 ||    77
 Abil: Fly               |       |       |       |       |     2 ||     2
       Stop Flying       |       |       |       |       |     1 ||     1
Evoke: Wand              |       |     4 |     2 |     7 |     9 ||    22
       Rod               |       |       |       |       |     2 ||     2
       Lamp of fire      |       |       |       |       |     3 ||     3
       Phial of floods   |       |       |       |       |     1 ||     1
       Sack of spiders   |       |       |       |       |     1 ||     1
  Use: Scroll            |       |     1 |    21 |     5 |    13 ||    40
       Potion            |       |     1 |     7 |     3 |     6 ||    17

[rchandra]

Do not use shields with bows, they combine very poorly. You can use a dire flail or great mace as your melee weapon when you drop the shield. The storm bow should be a fine weapon all game, as long as you keep training it.

Ashenzari supports spellcasting so well, and the early levels are so cheap, so getting a few to take advantage of the skill boost should be done immediately, of whatever spell types you wanted. You could use a ring or staff of wizardry too, if needed.

[corvin]

I have seen other 'cip' posts about gargoyles here with insane ACs by the end game. I tend to try to hedge my bets; if I can't have EV with my AC, I'd rather shields..

Maybe I should drop shields altogether and train up EV? Not exactly a gargoyl'e's forte, but yeah, Ash boosts can be big. Good idea?

[tedric]

It's usually a good idea to train some dodging eventually on any character. Especially with Ash boosts, a few levels can't hurt. A shield interferes with ranged combat, melee combat, and spellcasting. The penalties to melee and spells can be overcome with sufficient shields skill (more than you have in that dump), but I think it will always slow your rate of fire with that bow.

[corvin]

Dumped the shield and used Ash's retrain ability to buff dodging somewhat. Found a mottled dragon armor in Shoals which dropped my ac by 5 or so, but raised EV by 6 and climbing. Good trade?

[tedric]

Maybe. You do have lots of innate AC as a gargoyle, but if you're in melee a lot you might be better served by something heavier. Since you have the bow for ranged damage, you're probably looking just for utility spells -- and it's not too hard to cast things like Blink, Apportation, RMsl, or even Haste in plate armour for instance.

[corvin]

Thanks for the advice!

He wound up going splat against a titan in the lower end of Vaults, sadly. But I'll remember that about casting in heavy armor, and try it out next time I play a big melee type.