Best/Worst Artifacts

[Pteriforever]

Normally any +4 cloak would be a keeper, but this one has +int as well!

[Ossuary]

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the cursed +0,-1 war axe of the Puffball {flame, Int+3}

Okay, the Axe is crap, but the *name*! The Puffball of flaming!

I don't think I'm going to spen 243 gold on it.

Or - maybe for killing Hydras?

[Southpaw]

the +8,+8 executioner's axe of Xeusuph {god gift, speed, rPois rF+ MR SInv Stlth++}

Gifted to me by the great Trog while playing a polearms character

[Ossuary]

Maybe you should switch?

And don't complain, I think I got a full set from Okawaru this game: boots +0, cloak +0, wizard hat +0, gloves +0, leather armour +0.

[TehDruid]

the +8,+8 executioner's axe of Xeusuph {god gift, speed, rPois rF+ MR SInv Stlth++}

Gifted to me by the great Trog while playing a polearms character

That's the most bad ass exec axe i've ever seen.

[Grimm]

Yeah that is incredible.

[palin]

the +8,+8 executioner's axe of Xeusuph {god gift, speed, rPois rF+ MR SInv Stlth++}

Gifted to me by the great Trog while playing a polearms character

That's the most bad ass exec axe i've ever seen.

Yes I would definitely have switched to it unless I was way into another weapon type (say over 15 skill)... of course I would have needed to have some other axe to train some basic skill.

[TehDruid]

the +8,+8 executioner's axe of Xeusuph {god gift, speed, rPois rF+ MR SInv Stlth++}

Gifted to me by the great Trog while playing a polearms character

That's the most bad ass exec axe i've ever seen.

Yes I would definitely have switched to it unless I was way into another weapon type (say over 15 skill)... of course I would have needed to have some other axe to train some basic skill.

Just gonna go ahead and say this, you don't have to keep it equipped to train the relevant skill. If you can switch to it at any time (it's not vamp or your current weapon isn't vamp/cursed and of a different type), you can train it while killing stuff with a different weapon. Polearms cross-trains with Axes, I'd most probably switch to it. If you're under Trog, you can manage the weapon switch. Ashenzari, even better. Duh.

[Southpaw]

I had 27 Polearms when it was given to me, and a +4/+9 vampiric Bardiche, so I wasn't going to make the switch to that exec axe. Still one of the best weapons I've ever seen

[Ossuary]

I think I'd still have switched.

[cerebovssquire]

Which would have been a mistake. Think of it this way: with the bardiche, you will start and end pretty much every fight at full HP. With the exec axe, you will take and retain damage in every fight. A rule of thumb is: if I can consistently deal 2* the damage I am taking even in difficult fights, then vamp is always the better option. It usually is better than most brands even if that isn't true - to a certain extent, obviously a demon blade of freezing is better than a vampiric falchion for most characters.

[Ossuary]

But then, vampiric brand does nothing for you in the extended game because pretty much everything is immune, or am I mistaken?

And the axe has a _speed_ brand!

[cerebovssquire]

But then, vampiric brand does nothing for you in the extended game because pretty much everything is immune, or am I mistaken?

And the axe has a _speed_ brand!

Well, I never assume extended game when giving reasons because it isn't part of a standard game. But assuming extended, either you can bless the bardiche, or you can switch to the axe for extended. What I'm saying is that it is a mistake to switch to the axe before extended because the bardiche is considerably better, especially if you consider that switching to the axe is exp-costly even with crosstraining. What is better? A+ weapon + a lot of exp in another skill, or A weapon + a lot of exp in a weapon skill you no longer use?
Speed brand is overrated a lot. First of all, it isn't even double damage (damage penalty and not actually double speed! 7:2=3.5 -> 4). Second, it isn't the brand that keeps you at full HP through every fight.

[TehDruid]

Well, if I were you and I had a +9 dmg vamp bardiche with 27 skill, I'd stay away from the axe, even though it's awesome by my (flawed, perhaps) standards. Still as others noted, vamp is nigh-useless for extended while speed is better than most other brands barring holy, which would in most cases require a god switch under Trog, which can be lethal if you don't want to wait it out and lose on score. Vamp is an awesome brand for most of the game, I'm very aware of that. My first win involved a +9 dmg vampiric trident (yup, a normal trident, not a demon one) which kept me at full hp. I switched to Wyrmbane in Zot, cause I assumed it would kill things much faster, and it ended up reaching +18, +18. I think it was better, not sure though. Note that it was before the slaying nerf (was using a +6 dmg ring of slaying) but also before the boost to Wyrmbane from Spear to the special cased Lance. Anyway, I'd switch to the axe assuming I were around XL 15 or something, but as Cerebovssquire mentions, sticking with the vamp bardiche is probably the wisest path, if you're not setting foot to undead/demon only branches.

[defen]

h - the +7 pearl dragon armour "Geof" (worn) {+Inv rF+ rN+}
(You acquired it on level 6 of the Dungeon)

It protects you from fire.
It protects you from negative energy.
It lets you turn invisible.

Perhaps not that outstanding in the greater scheme of things, but gaining it on D6 as an OgBe is absolutely nuts.

[palin]

h - the +7 pearl dragon armour "Geof" (worn) {+Inv rF+ rN+}
(You acquired it on level 6 of the Dungeon)

It protects you from fire.
It protects you from negative energy.
It lets you turn invisible.

Perhaps not that outstanding in the greater scheme of things, but gaining it on D6 as an OgBe is absolutely nuts.

It's short of having sInv to be absolutely wonderful, it can take you all the way to Vaults...

[Turgon]

What about this?

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the +12 gold dragon armour of Teizull (worn) {rPois rF+ rC+ Str+5 Int+4}
   (You found it on level 7 of a ziggurat)

Nice!

My +14 crystal plate armour was nice too, providing some additional AC. But now my DsBe doesn't have resistance problems any longer and can put on a +0,+6 ring of slaying.

[dassem]

One of the issues connected to this thread is the question of what makes a good artifact? Obviously there's some difference between picking a ring in pan to replace your other rF+++ artefact and an item that you found on D:1. With that in mind, I thought this was pretty good for D:4.

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the amulet of Xom's Wantonness (around neck) {rMut Dex+3 Int+4 Dam+4}

My centaur marksman suddenly went from ineffective to deadly in one jewelery item!

A couple of games ago, my choice of rings was this:

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 D - the ring "Veiw" {rF+ Str+1 Dex+2 Dam+4}
   (You found it on level 21 of the Dungeon)   
 E - the ring "Qodiudd" {+Blink rElec rC+ rN+}
   (You bought it in a shop on level 1 of the Elven Halls)   
U - the ring of Peace (right hand) {MP+9 Dex+3 Int+5}
   (You found it on level 2 of the Elven Halls)   

There, "Veiw" was what got me killed: I found it in a really cool mummy vault that was stuffed with high-level mummies, which I was (apparently) not able to scratch yet, so I teleported out almost shaking with fear. - For some reason I came back later, but still too early, to try and grab the rest of the loot (I suspected an unidentified wand was healing). It was awesome!

[minstrel]

Just got back into crawl with .11 and my second good character so far just found this in a shop, for the low, low price of 3280:

the +5 gold dragon armor "Brepsosch" {rPois rF+ rC+ rN+ Acc+6 Dam+6}

Screenshot just in case that's too crazy to believe:



Here's the kicker:

I'm playing a spriggan hunter.

I had the crazy idea of going with Chei after maybe getting a few okawaru gifts (figuring the high translocation aptitudes would make up for the speed loss, which might not be so bad considering I'm starting at speed 3) and that has suddenly become more attractive an idea, though spellcasting would be out of the question now...

[dassem]

Glad to see my luck is returning to usual.

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 F - the -3,-5 bardiche of Devotion (weapon) {god gift, venom, *Rage +Rage rPois rN+}

And I was so happy to finally get a bardiche on a character with some polearm skill. For just a second I missed the minuses and was thinking, well, I can live with *rage... Damn you Okawaru!

[edit]
In case you hadn't noticed, I really like this thread!
So, this is continuing my centaur marksman from a couple of posts ago: He was doing well, but suffering a bit from lack of rPois, and then found this:

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 the +6 centaur barding of Fier (worn) {rPois rF+}

[Bloax]

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K - the -5,-5 eveningstar of Ocvaeroe {crush, Str-2}.

The spikes of this type of morningstar are exeptionally long, allowing it to
cause invidious wounds.

Accuracy rating: -1 Damage rating: 14 Base attack delay: 150%

It inflicts extra damage upon your enemies.

It affects your strength (-2).

This weapon falls into the 'Maces & Flails' category. It is a two handed
weapon.

It weighs around 18.0 aum.

This ancient artefact cannot be changed by magic or mundane means.
You found it on level 8 of the Vaults.


Terrible, terrible.

[Bodhi]

Just found this gem

Ring of Quan {rElec rPois rF+ rC+}

That just about covers it

[Talonic]

Playing a DeIe

the +8 steam dragon armour of Sorcery (worn) {rF++}
the +1 cloak of Morality (worn) {rPois rF+ rN+ MR Dam+6}

That armor is still one of the most boring cool artifacts I've ever seen

[varsovie]

While watching HilariousDeathArtist the Executioner Naga of Ashenzari ******, this bastard aquired a battle axe of speed, then found the best leather armor ever.

H - the +5 leather armour of Hedonism {rElec rF++ Dam+3}.

A suit made from layers of tanned animal hide, this light armour provides basic
protection with almost no hindrance to elaborate gestures or swift, stealthy
movement.

Base armour rating: 3 Base evasion modifier: -1

It affects your damage-dealing abilities (+3).
It greatly protects you from fire.
It insulates you from electricity.

It weighs around 15.0 aum.

This ancient artefact cannot be changed by magic or mundane means.
You found it on level 3 of the Elven Halls.

Stash search prefixes: {artefact} {artifact} {body armour}
Menu/colouring prefixes: artefact

Bonus points to whom can guest what animal/monster leather was used to make it.

[njvack]

Bonus points to whom can guest what animal/monster leather was used to make it.

Mountain Dwarf?

[dassem]

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f - the ring of Shryl {Fire Acc+4 Dam+5}                      780 gold

Something for everyone there really, both magic and melee, which suits my typical hybrids perfectly. Unless you have, perhaps, decided to go for Ice magic for a change.
Dammit.

[Bloax]

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the cursed +0,+0 demon blade of Bouriot {distort, rF+} 666 gold

Not really "best" or worst, but..

[TehDruid]

Two little gems from my today's win (MiBe);

S - the +11 gold dragon armour "Ghiufri Nugh" (worn) {rElec rPois rF+ rC+ rN+}
(You took it off a kobold in a bailey)
i - the ring of Arrival (left hand) {cTele rF+ MR Acc+4}
(You bought it in a shop in a bazaar)

[BlackSheep]

Do you happen to remember how much the randart ring of cTele cost?

[Jabberwocky]

546 gold.

[Sporkman]

i - the ring of Arrival (left hand) {cTele rF+ MR Acc+4}
(You bought it in a shop in a bazaar)

Now there's a fitting name!

[DuxOrbis]

The +0 +6 Demon Whip of Inference {pain, +Lev, rF+}

Will go nicely with the

+1 Wizard Hat "Fridur" {rF++, Acc +4, Stlth+}

Haven't even cleared the Mines and I've already acquired a +2 Dwarven Buckler of Reflection!

Awaiting the retribution of Xom on my RNG.

Edit: Aaaand overwhelmed by spiders in the nest! Most fun run I've had in a while though!

[Xoai]

the ring of the Assorted Mice {Str-5 Acc-3 Dam-5 Curse}
nice one

[cerebovssquire]

Most Frustrating Artifacts:

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the +6,+7 flail "Trefinab" {freeze, +Blink +Rage +Inv +Fly rF++ rN+ MR Dex+1}.


[Jabberwocky]

Most Frustrating Artifacts:

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the +6,+7 flail "Trefinab" {freeze, +Blink +Rage +Inv +Fly rF++ rN+ MR Dex+1}.


If only it wasn't a flail.

[Yet Another Stupid Noob]

Woot, Randart centaur barding (on my Ce), Thanks Oka !

you finish taking off your +4 centaur barding of levitation.
You start putting on your armour.
You continue putting on your dazzling centaur barding {god gift}.
.
.
.
You finish putting on the -5 centaur barding of the Grue {god gift, Str-6 Int-4}.
....

Thanks Oka.


Later

You continue putting on your transparent centaur barding {god gift}.
You finish putting on the +8 centaur barding of the Empire {god gift, rF++}.

Ok, I forgive you.

[Jabberwocky]

Was the randart barding in the dark?

[Confidence Interval]

the -4 helmet of the Bagpipe {Str-2} (curse)

I wish to lodge a formal complaint about the name of the above item.

[rebthor]

the -4 helmet of the Bagpipe {Str-2} (curse)

I wish to lodge a formal complaint about the name of the above item.

Why? It sounds like it should go into apropos randarts to me.

[Grimm]

Scots are notoriously oversensitive.

[rebthor]

It's probably from having to suffer through all the bagpipe music.

[Grimm]

I know right? It's like their curse. It weakens them.

[Moose]

Gotta love bagpipes: http://s1276.beta.photobucket.com/user/ ... b.mp4.html

[Jabberwocky]

That's a bloody awful piper.

[SchwaWarrior]

"the Ring of Dishouour {rF+ rC+ rN+ Acc+5}"

This was a solid find. I was overjoyed, and never took it off that game.

[Grimm]

Not remarkable in itself, but to get it right before doing Orc and Lair, with 17 Axes...it's all about timing and context really.

[njvack]

My current game has yielded both:

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Q - the +4 robe of Night (worn) {+Inv MR SInv Stlth++}


and

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W - the +0 pair of gloves of Peek-a-Boo (worn) {+Fly rF+, god gift}


... so now I'm a naga who sneaks up and surprises babies before sprouting huge razor-sharp blades from my arms.

I am seriously sneaking up on drac packs and yelling "PEEK-A-BOO" before slicing them to ribbons.

[njvack]

And then, Oka gives me:

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 j - the executioner's axe of Okawaru's Supremacy (weapon) {vamp, *Rage +Blink +Inv rPois rF++ Int+2, god gift}


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a - Fighting         20.5          0
b - Short Blades      0.0          0
c - Axes              0.0          0
d - Maces & Flails    0.0          0
e - Unarmed Combat   24.8          0


I shit you not.

Scroll-ID'd it; at least it's only +6, +1.

[Grimm]

Sweet axe. It'll cost you your amulet slot though.

[njvack]

Well, at this point in the game it'd cost all my slots, as whacking dudes with it instead of my fists (well, blades) would get me killed.