Highscore streaking (joke) / turncount streaking (serious)

[Turukano]

Edit: changed title after adding thoughts about turncount streaking

After you won your first game (usually a 3-runer) you might want to look for a new challenge. This could be a win with another species/class/god or a 15-runer e.g. - but the challenge goes on.

A very interesting thing about crawl is that there are so many different challenges to seek for: combo highscores, streaks, pacific wins, greatplayer etc., speedruns, tournaments, self-made challenges or whatever. Many of them are supported by CAO scoring tables.

Yesterday a well-known player told me he got a new streak record, seven 15-runers in a row. So I suggested a new challenge: Streak all species with every win being a new species highscore.

He'll be quite occupied for a while . Some hints:

• Start with naga and vine stalker record as these are especially tricky to beat.
• Keep in mind that - after the streak is interrupted - every new start will be harder than the previous one.

Good luck!

[Berder]

Yesterday a well-known player told me he got a new streak record, seven 15-runers in a row.

That would be Sphara. Nice job Sphara!

[mopl]

7 in a row, with 7 differents race/background/god...

And here's the current dump :

  Code:

Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup version 0.17-a0-18-gc25b939 (webtiles) character file.

Sphara the Slayer (Demonspawn Gladiator)          Turns: 100491, Time: 18:18:37

HP:   218/240 (242) AC: 35    Str: 25      XL:     27
MP:   42/42         EV: 27    Int: 12 (13) God:    Fedhas [******]
Gold: 5018          SH:  4    Dex: 22      Spells: 15 memorised, 7 levels left

rFire  x . .     SeeInvis +     b - +9 great mace (crush)
rCold  + + .     Clarity  .     q - +2 ice dragon armour
rNeg   + + +     SustAb   .     (no shield)
rPois  +         Gourm    .     y - +0 helmet {Int+3}
rElec  +         Spirit   +     S - +4 dragonskin cloak
rCorr  .         Warding  +     F - +1 pair of gloves {Str+3}
rMut   .         Stasis   .     (boots unavailable)
MR     +++..                    l - amulet of Xiuzoxour {Ward rN+ Str+2 Slay+3 Stlth+}
Stlth  +++++++++.               B - ring of Shadows {Umbra +Inv rN+ SInv}
                                V - ring "Gyin" {rElec rPois MR+ AC+2}

@: flying (expiring), very slightly contaminated, hasted, wreathed by umbra,
repel missiles, very quick, extremely resistant to hostile enchantments,
incredibly stealthy
A: talons 3, large bone plates 3, deterioration 1, negative energy resistance 1,
nightstalker 3, poison resistance, 50% torment resistance, magic shield, magic
regeneration, magic link, black mark
a: Evolution, Sunlight, Growth, Reproduction, Rain, Renounce Religion, Evoke
Invisibility
}: 14/15 runes: decaying, slimy, silver, golden, obsidian, icy, bone, abyssal,
demonic, glowing, magical, fiery, dark, gossamer


You are in the Vestibule of Hell.
You worship Fedhas.
Fedhas is exalted by your worship.
You are not hungry.

You have visited 16 branches of the dungeon, and seen 87 of its levels.
You have visited Pandemonium 2 times, and seen 26 of its levels.
You have visited the Abyss 2 times.
You have visited 1 bazaar.
You have visited 1 ziggurat, and seen 4 of its levels.
You have also visited: Labyrinth, Ice Cave and Wizlab.

You have collected 12958 gold pieces.
You have spent 7940 gold pieces at shops.

Inventory:

Hand weapons
 a - the +6 longbow "Fyruorho" {velocity, rC+ rN+ MP+9 Str-2 Dex+4}
   (You acquired it on level 1 of the Lair of Beasts)   
   
   Any arrow fired from it inflicts extra damage.
   
   It affects your strength (-2).
   It affects your dexterity (+4).
   It protects you from cold.
   It protects you from negative energy.
   It affects your magic capacity (+9).
 b - a +9 great mace of crushing (weapon)
 k - the cursed +8 bow of Krishna "Sharnga" {speed, Dex+3 SInv}
   (You found it on level 4 of the Depths)   
   
   Attacks with this weapon are significantly faster.
   
   It affects your dexterity (+3).
   It enhances your eyesight.
   It has a curse placed upon it.
Missiles
 j - 89 poisoned arrows
 n - 56 arrows of flame
 H - 47 arrows of frost
 L - 70 arrows of dispersal
 M - 175 arrows
Armour
 q - a +2 ice dragon armour (worn)
 y - a +0 helmet of intelligence (worn)
 C - a +2 pearl dragon armour
 F - a +1 pair of gloves of strength (worn)
 G - a +7 fire dragon armour
 S - the +4 dragonskin cloak (worn)
   (You took it off Tiamat on level 2 of the Realm of Zot)
Jewellery
 f - the ring "Amae" {rF+ MP+9}
   (You found it on level 3 of the Tomb of the Ancients)   
   
   [ring of magical power]
   
   It protects you from fire.
   It affects your magic capacity (+9).
 l - the amulet of Xiuzoxour (around neck) {Ward rN+ Str+2 Slay+3 Stlth+}
   (You bought it in a shop on level 4 of the Orcish Mines)   
   
   [amulet of warding]
   
   It may prevent the melee attacks of summoned creatures.
   It affects your strength (+2).
   It affects your accuracy and damage with ranged weapons and melee attacks
   (+3).
   It protects you from negative energy.
   It makes you more stealthy.
 r - a +4 ring of slaying
 B - the ring of Shadows (right hand) {Umbra +Inv rN+ SInv}
   (You took it off a vault sentinel on level 5 of the Vaults)   
   
   [ring of invisibility]
   
   It protects you from negative energy.
   It enhances your eyesight.
   It lets you turn invisible.
 E - the ring of Zegusev {rC+ Int+4 Dex+3 SInv}
   (You found it on level 6 of the Pits of Slime)   
   
   [ring of intelligence]
   
   It affects your intelligence (+4).
   It affects your dexterity (+3).
   It protects you from cold.
   It enhances your eyesight.
 Q - the ring "Chong" {+cTele MR+ MP+9}
   (You bought it in a shop on level 11 of the Dungeon)   
   
   [ring of teleport control]
   
   It can be evoked for teleport control.
   It affects your resistance to hostile enchantments.
   It affects your magic capacity (+9).
 T - an uncursed ring of teleportation
 V - the ring "Gyin" (left hand) {rElec rPois MR+ AC+2}
   (You bought it in a shop on level 4 of the Orcish Mines)   
   
   [ring of protection]
   
   It affects your AC (+2).
   It insulates you from electricity.
   It protects you from poison.
   It affects your resistance to hostile enchantments.
Magical devices
 i - a wand of teleportation (2)
 m - a wand of digging (12)
 K - a wand of cold (6)
 O - a wand of teleportation (5)
 R - a wand of fire (7)
 Z - a wand of disintegration (5)
Scrolls
 t - 7 scrolls of recharging
 v - 7 scrolls of fog
 w - 7 scrolls of blinking
 A - a scroll of identify
 I - 12 scrolls of remove curse
 N - a scroll of magic mapping
Potions
 c - a potion of magic
 e - 15 potions of curing
 g - 9 potions of agility
 p - 4 potions of heal wounds
 s - 2 potions of cure mutation
 u - 7 potions of restore abilities
 z - 3 potions of cancellation
 D - a potion of might
 P - 2 potions of resistance
 U - 7 potions of invisibility
 W - 13 potions of brilliance
Miscellaneous
 d - a phial of floods
 o - a phial of floods
 X - a lamp of fire
 Y - a fan of gales
Comestibles
 h - 16 meat rations
 x - 28 fruits


   Skills:
 + Level 25.3 Fighting
 + Level 20.7 Maces & Flails
 - Level 23.2 Bows
 - Level 2.0 Throwing
 + Level 19.2 Armour
 - Level 18.2 Dodging
 - Level 7.0 Stealth
 - Level 14.0 Spellcasting
 - Level 14.0 Charms
 - Level 12.5 Necromancy
 - Level 11.6 Translocations
 - Level 1.0 Air Magic
 - Level 10.8 Invocations
 - Level 8.7 Evocations


You have 7 spell levels left.
You know the following spells:

 Your Spells              Type           Power        Failure   Level  Hunger
a - Apportation           Tloc           #####.....   1%          1    None
b - Spectral Weapon       Hex/Chrm       ####....     2%          3    None
c - Repel Missiles        Chrm/Air       ####..       1%          2    None
d - Regeneration          Chrm/Necr      #####.....   1%          3    None
e - Blink                 Tloc           N/A          1%          2    None
f - Flight                Chrm/Air       ####......   1%          3    None
g - Portal Projectile     Tloc           #####.       1%          3    None
h - Song of Slaying       Chrm           #####...     1%          2    None
i - Control Teleport      Chrm/Tloc      #####.....   1%          4    ###....
j - Phase Shift           Tloc           #####.....   3%          5    #####..
k - Recall                Summ/Tloc      N/A          4%          3    None
l - Sublimation of Blood  Necr           #####.....   1%          2    None
m - Haste                 Chrm           #####...     10%         6    ######.
n - Passage of Golubria   Tloc           N/A          1%          4    ###....
o - Control Undead        Necr           #####.....   1%          4    ###....


Dungeon Overview and Level Annotations

Branches:
Dungeon (15/15)            Temple (0/1) D:6            Lair (8/8) D:11
  Swamp (5/5) Lair:6       Spider (5/5) Lair:5        Slime (6/6) Lair:8
    Orc (4/4) D:12            Elf (3/3) Orc:3        Vaults (5/5) D:13
  Crypt (3/3) Vaults:3       Tomb (3/3) Crypt:3      Depths (5/5) D:15
   Hell (1/1)                 Geh (7/7) Hell            Coc (7/7) Hell
    Tar (7/7) Hell            Zot (4/5) Depths:5   
   Dis: Hell:1     

Altars:
Cheibriados
Elyvilon
Fedhas
Gozag
Kikubaaqudgha
Makhleb
Nemelex Xobeh
Okawaru
Qazlal
Ru
Sif Muna
Vehumet
Xom
Yredelemnul
Zin
The Shining One

Shops:
D:4 %   D:5 [%[   D:7 (   D:11 =   Orc:1 :   Orc:2 }   Orc:4 =?}%
Elf:3 !   Vaults:5 !?%!!?%!

Portals:
Hell: Lair:8 Depths:1 Depths:2 Depths:3 Depths:4 Depths:5
Abyss: Depths:2 Depths:4
Pandemonium: Depths:3 Depths:5

Annotations:
D:4 exclusion: door
Geh:7 Asmodeus
Coc:7 exclusion: 2 ice statues, Antaeus


Innate Abilities, Weirdness & Mutations

You have claws for feet.
You are completely covered in large bone plates (AC +4, SH +4).
You resist negative energy.
You are completely attuned to the shadows.
You are somewhat able to resist unholy torments (1 in 2 success).
When hurt, damage is shared between your health and your magic reserves.
You regenerate magic rapidly.
When low on magic, you restore magic in place of health.
Your melee attacks sometimes drain vitality from your foes.
Your body is slowly deteriorating.
Your system is resistant to poisons.


Message History

The anaconda zombie bites you. The anaconda zombie constricts you.
You block the white imp's attack.
You sock the anaconda zombie!
You destroy the anaconda zombie!
Magic restored. The white imp misses you.
You fly up through the gate. Welcome back to the Vestibule of Hell!
You are starting to lose your buoyancy.
There is a gateway to the freezing wastes of Cocytus here.
You barely miss the white imp. You claw the white imp.
The white imp is moderately wounded.
You hit the white imp. You feel better.
The white imp's magic leaks into the air.
You claw the white imp.
The white imp is almost dead.
The white imp closely misses you.
You closely miss the white imp. You claw the white imp.
You kill the white imp!
The ice encasing you melts away.
Unknown command.
Save game and exit?

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[tasonir]

I don't think streaking species high score games is going to be possible, but streaking 15 rune wins certainly is. You could place a turn count limit of something like 100k if you wanted to make it harder, although that makes certain combos (like ranged combat) a lot more restricted...

[Bloax]

Some hints:

• Start with naga and vine stalker record as these are especially tricky to beat.
• Keep in mind that - after the streak is interrupted - every new start will be harder than the previous one.

I'm not sure you're realizing exactly why they're highscores in the first place.

[Turukano]

I'd like to mention that one intention of this topic was to fool Sphara. So don't take it too serious.

[Turukano]

This topic, originally named "Yet another crawl challenge: highscore streaking" was meant to be a joke but I probably failed to make it obvious. Thanks for your serious responses, I'll switch back to serious mode.

The task "streak all species with every win being a new species highscore" is so close to impossible that a mathematician would talk about statistics, atoms in the universe, infinite monkey theorem and whatnot. Everybody else would just say the chance is 0%.

Already getting a new naga highscore - I assume Bloax pointed in this direction - is very, very unlikely. Sapher's NaWz ascended after 21.8 k turns, using the fact that summoning was strongly overpowered in earlier versions. I seriously doubt that this score could be improved with a naga in the actual version.

I don't think streaking species high score games is going to be possible, but streaking 15 rune wins certainly is. You could place a turn count limit of something like 100k

A significant problem with "turncount streaking" is that speedruns and streaks in some kind oppose each other. For both challenges you need experience - but while you care about turns in a speedrun you will care about safety in a streak.

Well, there are players who are capable of speedrunning as well as streaking - keymashgrqeeg comes into mind - so the question if it's possible depends on some preconditions:

• How strict are the rules for streaking? Is it allowed to take the same class (e.g. berserker) for most of your chars?
• What is the given turncount maximum? 100 k, 80 k, 60 k?
• Has anybody time to do it?
• Does anybody want to do it?

I think "streaking 15-rune-speedruns with all species", combining streaks, 15-rune-speedruns and greatplayer, is some kind of Grand Unified Theory of crawl. As it is an extremely tough challenge, even for the best players, I wonder if anybody will ever do or at least try it.

[WalkerBoh]

A more reasonable form of high score streaking is if you just consider character high scores rather than species or class scores. That seems like a much more doable streak, depending on the characters you choose.

[tasonir]

That's a good point. There's still plenty of combos which have surprising low high scores. For example, human transmuter has been won (with 15 runes) in less than 130k turns. (morgue here: http://dobrazupa.org/morgue/Cheibrodos/ ... 212545.txt)

The full table is here: http://crawl.akrasiac.org/scoring/top-combo-scores.html but sadly it's not sortable and there's also a fair amount of "dead" scores for races/backgrounds that no longer exist.