Spider Stomper
Posts: 206
Joined: Thursday, 28th July 2011, 06:11
Amazing Progress - Good Newb Combo
I've been playing for a few months now, and have been doing so badly with (what I perceived) would be a fun combination of race and class; a High Elf Hunter. Unfortunately, I just couldn't get anywhere with them - no matter how much I tried to learn from the game documentation (and included instructions). Every monster was a challenge to overcome, and when I figured how to do so, the next batch would prove insurmountable. Most battles (no matter how trivial the monster) would seem either epic confrontations, or never ending running (backwards) affairs. I never had enough arrows, and besides bats and rats, couldn't get enough killing power before they'd be on top of me.
I kind of pride myself with how well I (usually) can play games, always enjoyed the strategic and thinking ones, so have approached DCSS like one of chess. But: After so many failures (and dismal deaths), I figured I should perhaps change race (and/or) backgrounds...
I went with something that would hopefully not run out of ammunition - a magic user - namely a Deep Elf Wizard. Now then, these guys showed promise. Once Conjurations got to level 2; I could reliably kill most things encountered on dungeon level 1 - before they closed with me! However, something like triggering a trap (poisoned dart, bolt, etc.) would kill me. Also, if a kobold had any (exploding, frost) darts, or poisoned needles (blowgun), that would be the death of me - not to mention turning a corner and meeting a snake, or the anxiety of going down stairs and winding up next to something. Needed something a little tougher...
So I'm reading in the game instructions about how undead are immune to poison, hardly affected by cold, etc. In particular, Vampires can be alive or dead, depending on how much blood they drink, regenerate fast, can change to bats, etc. When you look at their aptitudes, they had the most +'s of all the undead. Sounded cool - I'll give one a whirl. I wanted a "Hexes" specialist background, but don't know if one exists, due to the vampire's +4 aptitude in it. So I chose Wizard, cause I had tried it a few times already.
Well, my first one (still alive, by the way) has progressed so far in the game, that I am absolutely stunned at the ease of tackling different situations and the versatility of their spell, escape, and tactical options!
The spells; Magic Dart, Call Imp, and Mephitic Cloud - when used in combination with one another - as well as with no starvation issues, are very potent and strong.
I'm character level 15 (a record for me), have reached dungeon level 15, mopped the floor with all the orcs in their mine (discovered they have shops there), discovered there is an entrance to an Elven hall (where I am currently cleaning out - not as easy as the orcs, though), found an elephant building in the lair of beasts, have 20 spell books (!), more loot than I ever had with any character before, etc., etc., etc. I've been in a (minotaur) Labyrinth, an Oriflame portal, a traveling Bazaar, I can cross deep water (in bat form), and have seen 16 different (God) altars.
I have so much loot, I can't identify it all. When I think of all my poor Elven hunter/archers, who never seen a magical bow - let alone a long bow.... <laugh>
I have consumed two - yes a whole two - potions of healing, that's it! My HP's have never gone into the red. I have 17 more sitting on the floor in a small room, because I can't carry them all. If you think this is hard to believe - I also have aquired a mutation where I heal very slowly, on top of, slow to non-existent, undead healing!!
Anyone new to the game, should seriously consider this species/background if you're struggling, like I was. It requires a little thought though, but you can save the game and walk away to think of all the things you can do, if you find yourself in a predicament.
- For this message the author DeathKnyte has received thanks: 2
- borfstyle, MyOtheHedgeFox