Favourite init.txt settings

[danr]

I'm just starting to discover the joys of init.txt settings for controlling gameplay and interface defaults.

So far I'm using travel delay and autofight. What are other good ones to set that either make the game easier to manage or keep you from killing yourself in stupid ways?

[Deimos]

Behold my improved init.txt!

  Code:

easy_eat_chunks        = true
easy_eat_gourmand      = true
easy_eat_contaminated  = true
auto_eat_chunks        = true
auto_drop_chunks           = rotten

autofight_stop = 50

travel_delay = 10

language = dwarven

force_more_message = Agnes comes into view.
force_more_message = Aizul comes into view.
force_more_message = Antaeus comes into view.
force_more_message = Arachne comes into view.
force_more_message = Asmodeus comes into view.
force_more_message = Azrael comes into view.
force_more_message = Blork the orc comes into view.
force_more_message = Boris comes into view.
force_more_message = Cerebov comes into view.
force_more_message = Crazy Yiuf comes into view.
force_more_message = Dispater comes into view.
force_more_message = Dissolution comes into view.
force_more_message = Donald comes into view.
force_more_message = Dowan comes into view.
force_more_message = Duvessa comes into view.
force_more_message = Edmund comes into view.
force_more_message = Ereshkigal comes into view.
force_more_message = Erica comes into view.
force_more_message = Erolcha comes into view.
force_more_message = Eustachio comes into view.
force_more_message = Fannar comes into view.
force_more_message = Francis comes into view.
force_more_message = Frederick comes into view.
force_more_message = Gastronok comes into view.
force_more_message = Geryon comes into view.
force_more_message = Gloorx Vloq comes into view.
force_more_message = Grinder comes into view.
force_more_message = Grum comes into view.
force_more_message = Harold comes into view.
force_more_message = Ignacio comes into view.
force_more_message = Ijyb comes into view.
force_more_message = Ilsuiw comes into view.
force_more_message = Jessica comes into view.
force_more_message = Joseph comes into view.
force_more_message = Josephine comes into view.
force_more_message = Jozef comes into view.
force_more_message = Khufu comes into view.
force_more_message = Kirke comes into view.
force_more_message = Lom Lobon comes into view.
force_more_message = Louise comes into view.
force_more_message = Mara comes into view.
force_more_message = Margery comes into view.
force_more_message = Maud comes into view.
force_more_message = Maurice comes into view.
force_more_message = Menkaure comes into view.
force_more_message = Mennas comes into view.
force_more_message = Mnoleg comes into view.
force_more_message = Murray comes into view.
force_more_message = Nergalle comes into view.
force_more_message = Nessos comes into view.
force_more_message = Nikola comes into view.
force_more_message = Norris comes into view.
force_more_message = Pikel comes into view.
force_more_message = Polyphemus comes into view.
force_more_message = Prince Ribbit comes into view.
force_more_message = Psyche comes into view.
force_more_message = Purgy comes into view.
force_more_message = Roxanne comes into view.
force_more_message = Rupert comes into view.
force_more_message = Saint Roka comes into view.
force_more_message = Sigmund comes into view.
force_more_message = Snorg comes into view.
force_more_message = Sonja comes into view.
force_more_message = Terence comes into view.
force_more_message = The Lernaean hydra comes into view.
force_more_message = The royal jelly comes into view.
force_more_message = The Serpent of Hell comes into view.
force_more_message = Tiamat comes into view.
force_more_message = Urug comes into view.
force_more_message = Xtahua comes into view.


I also set "tile_map_pixels" to be ~1 higher then default so I can see stairs and such on the map nicely.

[danr]

I guess it would be helpful if we explained what the settings did.

travel_delay makes autotravel instantaneous, nice time saver.
autofight changes the percentage threshold at which the game says your HP is too low to fight blindly and thus the Tab key stops doing anything. This can save your life.

[nago]

The rc files of players playing online are public ( http://crawl.develz.org/info/inline.php?q=rcfile ). You may read the best players' ones, there are many improvements which smooths the gameplay a lot.

[Grimm]

What would be most eminently useful is a post like unto XuaXua's protips thread that is updated and sorted by topic. It could eventually be included on the wiki.

[JeffQyzt]

Behold my improved init.txt!

  Code:

 init stuff, including lots of uniques

You're missing Fannar (he was probably added after you compiled your list?)

[Deimos]

It's cerebovssquire's list, but yea, he's not on there due to being new. I'll add him! I'm also missing arachne.

[snow]

I'm still curious as to why travel and explore delays aren't -1 by default, why axe traps (which no longer exist) are in the init files, and if mimics can ever actually be found sleeping.

  Code:

force_more_message = Found a staircase to the
force_more_message = eball com

auto_exclude=oklob,statue,curse skull
auto_exclude=roxanne,hyperactive,lightning spire

runrest_ignore_poison=2:30
runrest_ignore_monster=fish:2
runrest_ignore_monster=swamp worm:2
runrest_ignore_monster=strange disturbance

trapwalk_safe_hp=dart:1,needle:1,arrow:1,bolt:1,spear:1,alarm:1,blade:1

force_more_message=You fall through a shaft
force_more_message=Careful!
force_more_message=Found a gateway leading out of the Abyss
force_more_message=Found .* rune of Zot

travel_delay=-1
explore_delay=-1

confirm_butcher=never
sacrifice_before_explore=true
travel_key_stop=false

tile_window_width=1
tile_window_height=1

autopickup_exceptions=slave,conf,silence,fire,cold,frost,flame,agil,vorp,light
autopickup_exceptions=fear,darts,random,para,might,rage,fog,slow,creation,drain

Also I'm not even sure "runrest_ignore_monster=strange disturbance" works but it doesn't hurt to have it in there.

[Deimos]

What's the difference between -1 and 0? And why are your trap options set so low?

[rchandra]

I'm still curious as to why travel and explore delays aren't -1 by default

Because people who like teleporting around the dungeon and certainly never mistakenly hit o or G can set it themselves? It's a horrible default for new players and personally I still hate it, though I see why some people like it. It was a necessary evil when I played webtiles.

[Utis]

Cosmetically, I'm very fond of "show_player_species = true" and, most imporantly, "char_set = unicode".

Watching online games, I've seen people playing with changed message settings, such as something which is probably a middle European accent or something that looks Scottish to my untutored eye/ear. What are the settings for those?

[Deimos]

language = x

There's some joke ones listed in the init.txt. I use dwarven, personally.

[snow]

After seeing the dwarven language for a short moment I missed mountain dwarves.

[danr]

The rc files of players playing online are public ( http://crawl.develz.org/info/inline.php?q=rcfile ). You may read the best players' ones, there are many improvements which smooths the gameplay a lot.

Thanks for the tip. I remembered that elliptic was a top player so I looked up http://crawl.develz.org/configs/trunk/elliptic.rc

There's some interesting stuff in there:

  Code:

###############
# Spell Slots #####################################################
###############
# spells that will (nearly) always have the same letter... no attack spells
spell_slot = regeneration:c
spell_slot = ensorcelled hibernation:e
spell_slot = flight:f
spell_slot = shroud of golubria:g
spell_slot = haunt:h
spell_slot = insulation:i
spell_slot = abjuration:j
spell_slot = projected noise:n
spell_slot = ozocubu's armour:o
spell_slot = stoneskin:o
spell_slot = phase shift:p
spell_slot = poison weapon:p
spell_slot = repel missiles:r
spell_slot = swiftness:s
spell_slot = control teleport:t
spell_slot = ^blink:v
spell_slot = dispel undead:x
spell_slot = sublimation of blood:z
spell_slot = fulsome distillation:z
spell_slot = apportation:A
spell_slot = blade hands:B
spell_slot = mephitic cloud:C
spell_slot = evaporate:C
spell_slot = death's door:D
spell_slot = dig:D
spell_slot = dispersal:D
spell_slot = darkness:D
spell_slot = delayed fireball:D
spell_slot = summon greater demon:D
spell_slot = summon dragon:D
spell_slot = dragon form:D
spell_slot = inner flame:E
spell_slot = ring of flames:F
spell_slot = haste:H
spell_slot = invisibility:I
spell_slot = ice form:IJ
spell_slot = summon ice beast:IJ
spell_slot = necromutation:L
spell_slot = borgnjor's revivification:P
spell_slot = deflect missiles:rR
spell_slot = silence:S
spell_slot = alistair's intoxication:T
spell_slot = controlled blink:V
spell_slot = warp weapon:W

# low-level spells
spell_slot = freeze:ad
spell_slot = magic dart:a
spell_slot = flame tongue:a
spell_slot = pain:ad
spell_slot = shock:a
spell_slot = sandblast:ad
spell_slot = sting:ad
spell_slot = summon small mammals:ad
spell_slot = throw frost:ab
spell_slot = throw flame:ab
spell_slot = call imp:ab
spell_slot = freezing aura:a
spell_slot = beastly appendage:a
spell_slot = confuse:ad
spell_slot = conjure flame:de
spell_slot = static discharge:abde
spell_slot = vampiric draining:abde

# staple spells for killing stuff later on
spell_slot = stone arrow:abqw
spell_slot = iskenderun's mystic blast:abqw
spell_slot = sticky flame:abqw
spell_slot = throw icicle:abqw
spell_slot = agony:abqw
spell_slot = lee's rapid deconstruction:qwde
spell_slot = iron shot:qwab
spell_slot = poison arrow:qwabQW
spell_slot = orb of destruction:qwabQW
spell_slot = lehudib's crystal spear:qwabQW
spell_slot = chain lightning:qwabQW
spell_slot = fire storm:QW
spell_slot = ice storm:QW
spell_slot = shatter:QW
spell_slot = tornado:QW
spell_slot = summon horrible things:QW

spell_slot = poisonous cloud:deab
spell_slot = freezing cloud:deF
spell_slot = ozocubu's refrigeration:deE
spell_slot = conjure ball lightning:deE
spell_slot = summon demon:deab
spell_slot = shadow creatures:deab
spell_slot = animate dead:deab
spell_slot = recall:deab
spell_slot = fireball:deabqw
spell_slot = airstrike:deabqw
spell_slot = passage of golubria:deab

spell_slot = bolt:Bde
spell_slot = summon butterflies: bBde
spell_slot = demonic horde: bBde

# A few miscellaneous spells left over
spell_slot = confusing touch:abdey
spell_slot = sure blade:abdey
spell_slot = spider form:abdey
spell_slot = condensation shield:abdey

# Use defaults that don't intersect other assignments
spell_slot = .*:ZYXUMKGumkl

#############
# Lua Files ##########################################################
#############
lua_file = lua/stash.lua
lua_file = lua/wield.lua
lua_file = lua/runrest.lua
lua_file = lua/gearset.lua
lua_file = lua/trapwalk.lua
lua_file = lua/autofight.lua
autofight_stop = 50

##############
# Autopickup #########################################################
##############
autopickup = $?!+"/%|

ae := autopickup_exceptions

ae = useless_item
ae = dangerous_item
ae = evil_item
ae = amulet of (inaccuracy|the gourmand|controlled flight|warding|stasis)
ae = amulet of (resist .*|clarity|rage|conservation|guardian spirit|faith)
ae = ring of (see invisible|levitation|poison resistance|teleportation)
ae = ring of (invisibility|teleport control)
ae = ring of (sustain abilities|sustenance|wizardry|life protection)
ae = scroll of (detect curse|unholy creation)
ae = potion of restore abilities
ae = wand of random effects
ae = rod of striking
ae = staff of .*

drop_filter = useless_item
default_friendly_pickup = none
autopickup_no_burden = true

{
local function autopickup(it, name)
    if it.artefact then
        return true
    end
    local class  = it.class(true)
    if class == "armour" then
        local good_slots = {cloak="Cloak", helmet="Helmet",
                            gloves="Gloves", boots="Boots"}
        st, _ = it.subtype()
        if good_slots[st] ~= nil and
           items.equipped_at(good_slots[st]) == nil then
            return true
        end
    end
    if class == "weapon" then
        if name:find("demon") or
           name:find("quick") or
           name:find("double") or
           name:find("distortion") then
            return true
        end
    end
    if class == "missile" then
        if name:find("curare") then
            return true
        end
    end
    return false
end

add_autopickup_func(autopickup)
}

##########
# Travel ##############################################################
##########
travel_delay = -1
explore_stop = items,greedy_pickup,greedy_pickup_gold
explore_stop += stairs,shops,altars,gates
trapwalk_safe_hp = dart:20,needle:15,arrow:35,bolt:45,spear:40,axe:45,blade:95

stop := runrest_stop_message
ignore := runrest_ignore_message

stop = An alarm trap emits a blaring wail

stop = You are starting to lose your buoyancy
stop = You start to feel a little slower
stop = Your transformation is almost over
stop = You lose control over your flight
stop = You start to feel a little uncertain
stop = Your skin is crawling a little less now
stop = Your stomach is not as upset anymore
stop = Your magical contamination has completely faded away

ignore = pray:
ignore = talk:
ignore = talk_visual:
ignore = friend_spell:
ignore = friend_enchant:
ignore = friend_action:
ignore = sound:
ignore = You feel.*sick
ignore = disappears in a puff of smoke
ignore = engulfed in a cloud of smoke
ignore = safely over a trap

runrest_ignore_poison  = 2:10
runrest_ignore_monster = fish:2
runrest_ignore_monster = shark:2
runrest_ignore_monster = butterfly:1

include = runrest_messages.txt

###########
# Prompts ###########################################################
###########
more := force_more_message

more = You are starting to lose your buoyancy
more = You start to feel a little slower
more = Your transformation is almost over
more = You have a feeling this form
more = You feel yourself come back to life
more = You fall through a shaft
more = You lose control over your flight
more = You start to feel a little uncertain
more = time is quickly running out
more = life is in your own hands
more = dispelling energy hits you
more = You convulse
more = god:(sends|finds|silent|anger)
more = divine experience
more = You have finished your manual
more = You are (blasted|electrocuted)!
more = Your surroundings flicker
more = The writing blurs in front of your eyes
more = Space warps.* around you
more = Space bends around you
more = The blast of calcifying dust hits you

#############
# Interface #########################################################
#############
sort_menus = inv: true : equipped, freshness, charged
hp_warning = 25
show_gold_turns = true
show_game_turns = true
show_inventory_weights = true
default_manual_training = true
skill_focus = false
clear_messages = true

################################
# Colours (messages and menus) #####################################
################################

include = standard_colours.txt

include = food_colouring.txt

include = menu_colours.txt

# Highlight (partly) selected items
menu_colour = inventory:white:\w \+\s
menu_colour = inventory:white:\w \#\s

include = messages.txt

# Colouring for the notes
menu_colour = notes:white:Reached XP level

################
# Inscriptions ########################################################
################
autoinscribe = distortion:!w
autoinscribe = potion.*mutation:!q
autoinscribe = potion.*berserk rage:!q
autoinscribe = scroll.*torment:!r
autoinscribe = scroll.*silence:!r
autoinscribe = slaying:mikee
autoinscribe = of faith:!P
autoinscribe = rod of:!a
autoinscribe = staff of (Wucad Mu|energy|channeling|wizardry|power):!a
autoinscribe = staff of (conjuration|enchantment|summoning|poison):!a

##########
# Macros ##########################################################
##########

#bindkey = [&] CMD_NO_CMD_DEFAULT

#########
# Notes ##############################################################
#########
dump_order = header,hiscore,stats,misc,mutations,skills,spells,inventory
dump_order += messages,screenshot,monlist,kills,notes,vaults,action_counts
ood_interesting = 6
note_hp_percent = 20
note_skill_levels = 1,3,6,9,12,15,18,21,24,27
note_all_spells = true
note_items    = of Zot
note_messages = protects you from harm
note_messages = You fall through a shaft

#################
# Miscellaneous #############################################
#################
char_set = ascii
cset = cloud:xa4
cset_ascii=item_orb:0
use_fake_player_cursor = true



[galehar]

Many players just use MarvinPA's rcfile.

[jejorda2]

I like:
travel_stop_message += channel:duration

So I don't have to worry about accounting for re-worded messages or new effects.

Can anyone tell me how to force a prompt and stop travel for every Xom action? I've missed mutations before when they happen during combat.

[Lasty]

It looks like elliptic has it set to prevent autopickup of scrolls of unholy creation and potions of restore abilities. Both of those seem useful to me -- does anyone know why they should be ignored?

[crate]

elliptic probably never uses scrolls of unholy creation, and the restore abilities exception is probably because you do not need more than one, so leaving extras on the floor is preferable to carrying them.

[korx]

There's no reason to carry potions around if (1) you'll never need lots of them at the same time immediately and if (2) monsters do not touch them. Another thing you can usually leave on the floor are potions of cure mutation.

[XuaXua]

What would be most eminently useful is a post like unto XuaXua's protips thread that is updated and sorted by topic. It could eventually be included on the wiki.

Well, I was sorting that onea (check the first post) and had planned to put them on the wiki, but I've been busy. There are init configs listed on that thread as well.

[XuaXua]

Playing trunk locally, updated frequently, what file/technique do you do to maintain your init file each new deployment while still leaving the init file alone in case of new configurations being introduced?

[Galefury]

The default init file is empty in trunk and 0.11. Everything is commented out. So in case of new things being introduced, you have to change exactly nothing. Just keep your old init file, any new options will automatically use their default setting. There is a commandline option to read additional options from a file, I used to use that before the default init file was empty. I don't remember what it was called though.

[Tiber]

Aside from some of the auto eat and inventory conveniences already mentioned:

  Code:

show_more = false
force_more_message += You feel your flesh
force_more_message += Strange energies course
force_more_message += filled with an inner flame

Mostly I just want to know when I'm rotting or mutated, or am about to kill myself because Xom made guys explodey while I'm meleeing them. What annoys me though is "You smell decay." is both a useless flavor message and a rotting message.