YAVP: MiFi of Makhleb, 5 Rune Ascension

[BobIsDead]

Got back into dungeon crawl after a break and constantly wound up dying due to my own recklessness. However, I managed to keep my cool with this one. I did a lot of exploring of areas I hadn't properly looked into before. Almost got destroyed countless times. Had a stock of many scrolls and potions for the endgame which quickly vanished. But I got the five runes that didn't involve hopping to another dimension to try and nab them. Maybe another time I can try out Hell, Pandemonium or the Abyss, but for now I'm content with my victory.

  Code:

2656214 Bob the Skullcrusher (level 27, 261/261 (273) HPs)
             Began as a Minotaur Fighter on Oct 28, 2014.
             Was the Champion of Makhleb.
             Escaped with the Orb
             ... and 5 runes!
             
             The game lasted 07:53:51 (97866 turns).

Bob the Skullcrusher (Minotaur Fighter)            Turns: 97866, Time: 07:53:51

HP 261/261 (273) AC 46     Str 28      XL: 27
MP  14/14        EV 33     Int  5      God: Makhleb [******]
Gold 9689        SH 22     Dex 23      Spells:  0 memorised, 26 levels left

rFire  + + +     SeeInvis +     S - +3 eveningstar of Makhleb's Whim {crush, +Fly MR++}
rCold  + + +     Clarity  .     L - +5 gold dragon armour
rNeg   . . .     rCorr    .     u - +2 shield of Resistance {rF+ rC+ MR+}
rPois  +         rRot     .     N - +2 hat of the Alchemist {rElec rF+ rC+ MR+}
rElec  +         Spirit   .     J - +2 cloak
SustAb .         Warding  .     g - +2 pair of gloves {archery}
rMut   +         Stasis   .     Q - +2 pair of boots {Stlth+}
Gourm  .                        i - amulet of resist mutation
MR     +++++                    M - ring "Ypsan" {EV+3 Dex+3 SInv}
                                a - ring "Zowaas" {Str-1 Dex+5 SInv}

@: very slightly contaminated, hasted (expiring), very quick, almost entirely
resistant to hostile enchantments, extremely unstealthy
A: retaliatory headbutt, horns 2
a: Minor Destruction, Lesser Servant of Makhleb, Major Destruction, Greater
Servant of Makhleb, Renounce Religion, Evoke Flight
0: Orb of Zot
}: 5/15 runes: decaying, serpentine, slimy, silver, golden

Any advice for what runes I should try to go for next time? Or what tricks I can use to stop myself almost getting killed in the Tomb or the Slime Pits?

[1010011010]

There's more fun to be had by a new build that dies in the swamp than an old one with 15 runes.

I wouldn't worry too much about extended runes, but hell gives a taste and is easy to leave if things get rough. Slime is made much easier with rCorr and a solid plan against TRJ. With tomb you just have to be very careful and stair dance a lot.

[njvack]

If you have rCorr, I posit that Slime is easier than Vaults.

[BobIsDead]

I'm not so much looking to get 15 runes. I'm just curious about what Hells and Pandemonium are like, wish to experience them in a way that doesn't involve me fleeing in terror within three seconds of entering them. With the Slime Pits, I found most of it relatively easy (with or without resist corrossion) right up until I got to the Royal Jelly. And the Tombs, once I rediscovered the wonders of stairhopping it went pretty well, but the death curses were still pretty painful.

[lucy_ferre]

The Hells are like the Slime Pits: There's nothing of value on any level, except the last floor. And you suffer semi-random hostile effects to "motivate" you to finish faster. Pan is like the Abyss, but less chaotic. You'll get bored while looking for the runes. I think you could've gotten all 15 runes. You already cleared one of the harder branches.