How do I learn patience?

[Rep Henry Clay]

I've been playing for a while now and I can reliably get a couple runes, but I often run out of patience. I start playing too fast and begin to take stupid risks which leads to either a) burning expendables that I end up needing later or b) getting in over my head and not being able to heal faster than monsters damage me. I know what I'm doing wrong, it's just that I can't stop myself from doing it.

How can I learn patience? How can can I stay cautious throughout the game and slow down my play style? In an ideal world I wouldn't play for hours each day, but of course that isn't going to happen . I've tried forcing myself to take a five minute break whenever my health dips below 40%, but when I come back to the game I just continue to play carelessly.

I know there isn't one fix-all trick, but I was hoping you guys could give me a few ideas on how to improve. I love this game and it is sad to see myself dying in such preventable ways! Thanks!

[moocowmoocow]

For me the only thing that helps is to set time limits. Anything beyond an hour I start playing riskier and riskier. Also I think and play best in the mornings. Other than that, just be sure to treat it like a turn based game. When you're in danger, stop and walk away from the computer or something to think.

[archaeo]

1. First thing: Just stop. Catch the mind ranting that you shouldn't be in this situation—because you are. Give up the fight. You've lost the battle, but not the war.

2. Settle into the moment. You might feel your body ease down, yielding to gravity (wise move). Your shoulders and belly relax, your jaw too.

3. Go into your body with your mind's eye and find out how you know you're impatient. Are you tight, tense, breathing shallowly, clenching, jiggling? Where exactly? Focus on those sensations as closely as you can. Touch them with your mind.

4. See if you can open any tightness, breathe into any clenching. With a really ornery knot, give up trying to fix it and see if you can welcome it, make room for it.

[Rep Henry Clay]

This is all true. I suppose I should set a timer for an hour or so and do something else for 10 minutes afterwards.

Maybe I should record myself repeating "You are one with the source code. Let it crawl through your veins. Take no risks. Be wise in all actions." Close my eyes and mediate on that.

[Sandman25]

I solved the problem by modifying my options file to automatically save the game after getting high damage.

[HenryFlower]

I solved the problem by modifying my options file to automatically save the game after getting high damage.

You have a lua script you can post?

[sgrunt]

How do I learn patience?

Wait for it.

[DracheReborn]

I solved the problem by modifying my options file to automatically save the game after getting high damage.

I highly recommend Sandman's autosave setting. It's a bit annoying sometimes (e.g. it forces you to quit every time berserk wears off), but in general I find these forced breaks to be helpful. So much so that I'm not sure I want to fix the berserk thing - I mean, being slowed and exhausted *is* a good time for a forced quit, right? Also every time you get tormented, but luckily I don't play extended much.

[Sandman25]

I solved the problem by modifying my options file to automatically save the game after getting high damage.

You have a lua script you can post?

It's a slightly modified HugeDamage.rc:

http://pastebin.com/n19KG8um

[Klown]

I'm actually the opposite.
If I come back to a game later on, I'm suddenly unattached to the game and character and quickly kill the character.

Maybe think of it as a puzzle game instead of a roguelike rpg. Each enemy is another problem to solve with your mind, not your sword(but possibly with your sword if it's a rat!)

[GlassGo]

Some time ago I had problems, when I started to play on next day/morning. I usually lose caution and could not adequately sees the situation, and so begins the troubles. But now, with build so survivable like Tm (of Chei), it is not a problem.

[Rep Henry Clay]

That is a fantastic script! Definitely going to start using that.

[Lyrick]

Play only one game of crawl per day.

If this were your last game of crawl today, what would you do? Would you really wake up that ogre and hope that you'll land Encorcelled Hibernation, or take on Nikola without rElec?

(Actually I don't play only one game of crawl per day. But I do ask myself that question when I'm in a tough situation.)

Live each day as if it were your last.

[Patashu]

I've been playing for a while now and I can reliably get a couple runes, but I often run out of patience. I start playing too fast and begin to take stupid risks which leads to either a) burning expendables that I end up needing later or b) getting in over my head and not being able to heal faster than monsters damage me. I know what I'm doing wrong, it's just that I can't stop myself from doing it.

How can I learn patience? How can can I stay cautious throughout the game and slow down my play style? In an ideal world I wouldn't play for hours each day, but of course that isn't going to happen . I've tried forcing myself to take a five minute break whenever my health dips below 40%, but when I come back to the game I just continue to play carelessly.

I know there isn't one fix-all trick, but I was hoping you guys could give me a few ideas on how to improve. I love this game and it is sad to see myself dying in such preventable ways! Thanks!

Get into the habit of using optimal tactical positioning (as soon as you see the monster, throw a stone if it hasn't noticed you yet and you want it to, back off 8+ tiles, then back off behind cover, wait for it, melee it down, rest to full hp and resume exploring) on every monster in the game, and then it will be easier ('come more naturally', 'be more instinctual') to be patient than to be hastier because you will have so much more practice at the former.

Also, 40% is too low.
First, put this in your .rc:

  Code:

hp_warning = 51
hp_colour = 99:yellow, 75:lightred, 52:red
autofight_stop = 50


-Before starting any battle, think about how you'd disengage if things go south (Do you have a good beeline to the stairs? A door you can close and shelter behind? What consumable would you use if running away alone was not good enough? If you're going to use a god power, e.g. zerk, how soon will you need to use it to make sure it keeps you alive? In particular, some god powers are only useful if you use them at the start of a battle, like makhleb servants because they might be hostile).
-At 75% hp, stop for a moment re-evaluate your situation, your inventory, your escape path and if you should use any semi-consumables now (evokes, powers, etc). If it would be safer to just disengage or retreat right now, go ahead.
-At 50% hp, treat your life as though it was in danger and this is a puzzle about how to save yourself. Don't keep tabbing until you're at 25%. 50% is when puzzle-roguelike mode has to engage.

By placing your break points at a higher % of hp, you'll find you'll be in less life-threatening situations and get more practice at escaping early/escaping often.
Remember that the key to winning Crawl is never fighting a battle on the enemy's terms - arrange every battle to be in your favour. Split packs by running away when only one of its members notice you, so only one or a few follow, and the noise of the battle attracts no one. Retreat if things are even remotely hairy - live to fight another day, because losing your life matters disproportionately more than taking his.

[shizmoo]

After dying countless times realizing its super easy to die. Once you learn that truth and get past early game with a heavily played/invested character, you'll think twice about being reckless as any corner you turn could = death and that means starting all over again. Unless its a character I know is going to be epic at high level (Sif Muna caster), I just play reckless until I start getting awesome loot or high level which as we speak has made me die twice after having a lot of good mutations from Xom =(

[WalkerBoh]

Honestly, if your only problem is patience then you're 99% of the way there already. If you can clean up your positioning, threat evaluation, escape tactics, and decision-making in general, then even impatience will not kill you most times.

The most important thing is really just recognizing when a situation has gotten too dangerous and being able to maneuver out. This takes time, experience, and (for me at least) many many deaths.

[Rep Henry Clay]

  Code:

 Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup version 0.14.0-12-g87ee3b7 (console) character file.

497524 RepHenryClay the Eclecticist (level 25, -2/153 HPs)
             Began as an Octopode Conjurer on Apr 16, 2014.
             Was the Champion of Vehumet.
             Killed by the air
             ... invoked by a titan
              (39 damage)
             ... on Level 4 of the Vaults.
             The game lasted 06:38:56 (113700 turns).

RepHenryClay the Eclecticist (Octopode Conjurer)  Turns: 113700, Time: 06:38:56

HP  -2/153       AC  4     Str 12      XL: 25   Next: 14%
MP  38/45        EV 30     Int 25      God: Vehumet [******]
Gold 745         SH 30     Dex 15      Spells: 10 memorised,  6 levels left

rFire  + . .     SeeInvis +     l - +7,+6 falchion of Contention {distort, rC+}
rCold  + . .     Clarity  +     u - +3 shield {reflect}
rNeg   + . .     Conserve .     g - +0 hat
rPois  +         rCorr    .     p - amulet "Foleycsa" {Clar rF+ MR+ Dam+1}
rElec  .         rRot     .     N - ring "Moxiklul" {+Rage rN+}
SustAb . .       Spirit   .     e - +3 ring of protection
rMut   .         Warding  .     v - ring of see invisible
Saprov . . .     Stasis   .     a - +6 ring of evasion
MR     +++..                    F - ring of wizardry
                                L - ring of protection from magic
                                M - ring of poison resistance
                                G - ring of Trog's Generosity {Str+5 Dex-2 Acc+7 Dam+5}

@: deflect missiles, slightly contaminated, glowing, extremely resistant to
hostile enchantments, stealthy
A: almost no armour, amphibious, 8 rings, constrict 8, camouflage 1, gelatinous
body 1
a: Renounce Religion, Evoke Berserk Rage
}: 2/15 runes: serpentine, barnacled


You were on level 4 of the Vaults.
You worshipped Vehumet.
Vehumet was exalted by your worship.
You were hungry.

You visited 11 branches of the dungeon, and saw 50 of its levels.
You also visited: Labyrinth.

You collected 5162 gold pieces.
You spent 4417 gold pieces at shops.

Inventory:

Hand weapons
 l - the +7,+6 falchion of Contention (weapon) {distort, rC+}
   (You took it off a deep elf sorcerer on level 3 of the Elven Halls)   
   
   It warps and distorts space around it. Unwielding it can cause banishment or
   high damage.
   
   It protects you from cold.
Armour
 g - a +0 hat (worn)
 u - a +3 shield of reflection (worn)
Magical devices
 h - a wand of teleportation (2)
 w - a wand of lightning (4)
 H - a wand of digging (17)
 O - a wand of teleportation (2)
 V - a wand of cold (2)
Comestibles
 c - 7 chunks of fire giant flesh
 z - 4 meat rations
Scrolls
 b - 2 scrolls of teleportation
 m - a scroll of remove curse
 A - a scroll of magic mapping
 J - a scroll of blinking
Jewellery
 a - a +6 ring of evasion (on tentacle)
 e - a +3 ring of protection (right tentacle)
 f - an uncursed ring of protection from fire
 o - an uncursed amulet of conservation
 p - the amulet "Foleycsa" (around mantle) {Clar rF+ MR+ Dam+1}
   (You took it off a merfolk impaler on level 5 of the Shoals)   
   
   [amulet of clarity]
   It affects your damage with ranged weapons and melee attacks (+1).
   It protects you from fire.
   It affects your resistance to hostile enchantments.
 v - a ring of see invisible (on tentacle)
 B - an uncursed ring of magical power
 C - the amulet of Stiedeiw {Stasis rF++ MR+}
   (You found it in a labyrinth)   
   
   [amulet of stasis]
   It greatly protects you from fire.
   It affects your resistance to hostile enchantments.
 D - an uncursed ring of fire
 F - a ring of wizardry (on tentacle)
 G - the ring of Trog's Generosity (on tentacle) {Str+5 Dex-2 Acc+7 Dam+5}
   (You acquired it on level 1 of the Depths)   
   
   [ring of slaying]
   It affects your accuracy with ranged weapons and melee attacks (+7).
   It affects your damage with ranged weapons and melee attacks (+5).
   It affects your strength (+5).
   It affects your dexterity (-2).
 K - the ring of Gechod {-Tele rF+ rC+}
   (You found it on level 5 of the Shoals)   
   
   [ring of protection from fire]
   It protects you from cold.
   It prevents most forms of teleportation.
 L - a ring of protection from magic (on tentacle)
 M - a ring of poison resistance (on tentacle)
 N - the ring "Moxiklul" (left tentacle) {+Rage rN+}
   (You acquired it on level 2 of the Elven Halls)   
   
   [ring of positive energy]
   It lets you go berserk.
 W - the ring "Sunemp" {+/*Tele Str+3 Int+5}
   (You acquired it on level 3 of the Elven Halls)   
   
   [ring of teleportation]
   It affects your strength (+3).
   It affects your intelligence (+5).
Potions
 i - a potion of restore abilities
 k - a potion of magic
 q - a potion of resistance
 s - a potion of flight
 I - 2 potions of curing
Magical staves
 d - an uncursed staff of power
 n - an uncursed staff of cold {unknown}
 x - an uncursed staff of wizardry {unknown}
 y - an uncursed staff of poison {unknown}


   Skills:
 - Level 8.0 Fighting
 - Level 14.0 Long Blades
 - Level 17.0 Dodging
 - Level 9.0 Stealth
 - Level 16.0 Shields
 - Level 20.0 Spellcasting
 - Level 13.0 Conjurations
 - Level 12.0 Charms
 - Level 5.0 Transmutations
 - Level 9.0 Fire Magic
 + Level 16.9 Earth Magic
 - Level 7.0 Poison Magic
 - Level 0.2 Evocations


You had 6 spell levels left.
You knew the following spells:

 Your Spells              Type           Power        Failure   Level  Hunger
c - Flight                Chrm/Air       ######....   1%          3    None
d - Bolt of Fire          Conj/Fire      ######....   1%          6    ##.....
e - Poisonous Cloud       Conj/Pois/Air  ######....   2%          6    ##.....
f - Ignite Poison         Fire/Trmt      ######....   1%          5    None
g - Orb of Destruction    Conj           ######....   1%          7    ####...
h - Alistair's Intoxicat  Trmt/Pois      ######..     1%          4    None
i - Deflect Missiles      Chrm/Air       ######....   10%         6    ##.....
j - Haste                 Chrm           ######..     1%          6    ##.....
k - Iron Shot             Conj/Erth      #######...   1%          6    ##.....
q - Shatter               Erth           #######...   30%         9    #######


Dungeon Overview and Level Annotations

Branches:
Dungeon (15/15)            Temple (1/1) D:6             Orc (4/4) D:10
    Elf (3/3) Orc:3          Lair (8/8) D:8          Shoals (5/5) Lair:5
  Snake (5/5) Lair:6        Slime (0/6) Lair:6       Vaults (5/5) D:13
  Blade (1/1) Vaults:4       Hell (1/1)              Depths (2/5) D:15
 Crypt: Vaults:2-3     Dis: Hell:1         Geh: Hell:1         Coc: Hell:1
   Tar: Hell:1     

Altars:
Ashenzari
Cheibriados
Elyvilon
Fedhas
Makhleb
Nemelex Xobeh
Okawaru
Sif Muna
Trog
Vehumet
Yredelemnul

Shops:
D:6 =   D:14 (   Orc:3 =   Orc:4 :?%*   Elf:3 [   Snake:2 [   Snake:5 ?
Vaults:3 }   Depths:1 (   Depths:2 *

Portals:
Hell: Depths:1 Depths:2
Abyss: Depths:2
Trove: D:11 (show horn of Geryon)

Annotations:
D:7 Joseph
D:10 exclusion: silver statue
Hell Geryon; Murray
Depths:2 Jory; Rubinko's ghost, mighty MiBe


Innate Abilities, Weirdness & Mutations

You cannot wear most types of armour.
You are amphibious.
You can wear up to eight rings at the same time.
You can use your tentacles to constrict many enemies at once.
Your skin changes colour to match your surroundings (Stlth).
Your rubbery body absorbs attacks (AC +1).


Message History

* * * LOW HITPOINT WARNING * * *
The deep elf high priest prays to its god.
You climb upwards.
There is a stone staircase leading down here.
Read which item? (? for menu, Esc to quit)
Blink to where?
Press: ? - help, Dir - move target cursor
As you read the scroll of blinking, it crumbles to dust.
You are contaminated with residual magics.
The tengu reaver casts a spell at you.
The bolt of lightning misses you.
Drink which item? (? for menu, Esc to quit)
You feel much better.
The tengu reaver gestures wildly while chanting.
Read which item? (? for menu, Esc to quit)
As you read the scroll of fog, it crumbles to dust.
The scroll dissolves into smoke.
The titan waves its arms in wide circles.
The air twists around and strikes you!
You die...

      #..........# ##############
      #........).#    #########..
      #..........#    #.......#..
 ###  #..........#    #.......#..
##.## #.........(#    #...>...#..
#...# #..........#    #.......#..
#...# #........§§#    #.......#..
#...###.......§§§#    #.......'..
.#.#.##.......§§@###########'###'
..#...'.....[.§§§§§.##..# #..##..
..#...#........§§#...#..# #..#...
..#...#..........##.sC..# #..^..#
.#.#.##..........###X..[# #....##
#...###..........#...*§.###......
#.<.# #..........#...H%..#.......
#...# #..........######)....#####
##.## #..........#    ##...##


You could see a tentacled monstrosity, a titan, a tengu reaver and a wolf
spider.

Vanquished Creatures
  Boris (Vaults:2)
  Sojobo (Vaults:2)
  Frederick (Vaults:3)
  Vashnia (Snake:2)
  A deep elf blademaster (Elf:2)
  A titan (Vaults:4)
  A deep elf master archer (Elf:3)
  2 liches (Depths:2)
  A sphinx (Vaults:4)
  Rupert (D:14)
  Agnes (Snake:2)
  Frances (Vaults:1)
  3 tengu reavers
  6 greater nagas (Snake:5)
  10 vault wardens
  Wiglaf (Vaults:1)
  16 deep elf sorcerers
  2 fire giants
  Ilsuiw (Shoals:5)
  A ghost moth (Depths:2)
  4 frost giants
  Aizul (Vaults:2)
  2 emperor scorpions
  Gastronok (Lair:1)
  Jorgrun (Snake:4)
  6 deep elf demonologists
  A war gargoyle (Vaults:4)
  15 stone giants
  8 dire elephants
  A dire elephant (shapeshifter) (Vaults:2)
  2 vampire knights
  5 deep elf annihilators
  2 deep elf death magi
  12 merfolk impalers
  6 merfolk javelineers (Shoals:5)
  5 ettins
  3 minotaurs
  8 sirens
  6 yaktaur captains
  2 fire dragons
  28 vault guards
  A large abomination (Vaults:2)
  20 ironheart preservers
  5 great orbs of eyes
  2 deep elf high priests
  A rakshasa (D:13)
  Fannar (Lair:8)
  5 ice dragons
  A ravenous item mimic (Elf:3)
  26 naga warriors
  24 dancing weapons
  21 anacondas
  5 hydras
  16 ogre magi
  4 ravenous feature mimics
  8 merfolk aquamancers
  2 alligator snapping turtles (Shoals:5)
  5 satyrs (Shoals:5)
  6 deep troll earth magi
  3 tengu warriors (Depths:1)
  10 deep troll shamans
  A vampire mage (Vaults:3)
  4 death yaks (Lair:8)
  Urug (D:10)
  9 centaur warriors
  9 very ugly things
  10 shock serpents
  29 naga sharpshooters
  2 orc high priests
  8 salamander mystics
  Erolcha (D:10)
  A hell knight (Vaults:1)
  3 fire crabs
  20 deep elf knights
  An ice devil (Vaults:4)
  10 skeletal warriors
  2 unseen horrors
  5 wizards
  25 deep trolls
  A giant orange brain (shapeshifter) (Elf:3)
  2 catoblepae
  A water nymph (shapeshifter) (Vaults:2)
  5 shadow wraiths
  11 deep elf summoners
  15 hill giants
  3 flayed ghosts
  An ice statue (D:10)
  17 sea snakes
  39 harpies
  10 naga ritualists
  21 orc knights
  5 necromancers
  11 ironbrand convokers
  4 lindwurms (Snake:5)
  11 deep elf conjurers
  15 griffons
  10 water nymphs
  24 mana vipers
  A harpy (shapeshifter) (Depths:1)
  15 salamanders
  A tengu skeleton (Vaults:4)
  9 elephants (Lair:8)
  6 orc sorcerers
  2 octopodes (shapeshifter)
  3 phantasmal warriors
  13 manticores
  2 sphinx skeletons (Vaults:2)
  7 wolf spiders
  A faun (D:10)
  9 guardian serpents
  16 cyclopes
  A sixfirhy (Elf:3)
  3 red wasps
  A frost giant zombie (Vaults:4)
  A fire giant skeleton (Vaults:4)
  Maurice (D:9)
  A faun (shapeshifter) (Depths:1)
  8 mermaids
  2 drowned souls
  60 black mambas
  37 naga magi
  5 orange demons
  18 spiny frogs
  A queen ant (Lair:3)
  10 vault sentinels
  5 gargoyles
  A feature mimic (Lair:6)
  A tengu conjurer (D:15)
  An eye of devastation (shapeshifter) (D:15)
  A kobold demonologist (D:13)
  A fire drake (shapeshifter) (Vaults:1)
  An iron troll zombie (Vaults:4)
  43 yaktaurs
  2 elves (shapeshifter)
  40 merfolk
  21 deep elf priests
  7 komodo dragons
  A polar bear (Lair:5)
  5 wind drakes
  A jumping spider (shapeshifter) (Depths:2)
  14 boggarts
  36 two-headed ogres
  A raiju (shapeshifter) (Depths:2)
  A hydra zombie (D:10)
  22 trolls
  2 stone giant simulacra
  6 snapping turtles
  26 blink frogs
  25 deep elf magi
  35 slime creatures
  A baby alligator (shapeshifter) (Elf:2)
  A sphinx simulacrum (Vaults:1)
  4 ravens (Depths:1)
  5 boulder beetles
  2 human zombies (Vaults:4)
  A fire dragon zombie (D:15)
  4 freezing wraiths
  2 griffon zombies
  9 shadows
  A redback (Elf:1)
  5 vampires
  3 basilisks
  An ettin skeleton (Vaults:1)
  A hog (shapeshifter) (Vaults:2)
  2 wraiths
  A grizzly bear (Lair:6)
  62 yaks
  A spriggan (Lair:6)
  11 water elementals
  83 ugly things
  A griffon skeleton (D:15)
  A human (D:10)
  An ugly thing zombie (Vaults:2)
  A yak (shapeshifter) (Elf:2)
  3 hungry ghosts
  A yaktaur simulacrum (Vaults:3)
  A fire elemental (Lair:4)
  3 elephant slugs
  17 hippogriffs
  Grum (D:12)
  28 vampire mosquitoes
  4 wyverns
  8 sharks
  42 deep elf fighters
  12 wargs
  100 nagas
  A spectral elf (Vaults:3)
  26 water moccasins
  15 wolves
  Edmund (D:8)
  14 porcupines
  48 orc warriors
  12 ice beasts
  4 giant goldfish
  3 mottled dragons
  A yellow wasp (D:9)
  2 black bears
  4 phantoms
  3 sky beasts
  70 ogres
  11 soldier ants
  2 human skeletons
  15 centaurs
  A lava worm (Lair:4)
  17 crocodiles
  Duvessa (D:5)
  24 giant frogs
  4 big kobolds
  3 boring beetles
  11 giant slugs
  9 scorpions
  23 wights
  2 eyes of draining
  A human simulacrum (Vaults:1)
  21 jellies
  A killer bee (D:9)
  5 crimson imps
  Dowan (D:5)
  4 goliath beetles
  A big fish (Lair:7)
  33 orc priests
  A giant slug simulacrum (D:15)
  3 orange rats (Elf:1)
  12 hounds
  39 orc wizards
  13 iguanas
  29 worker ants
  A shapeshifter simulacrum (D:15)
  34 sheep
  Ijyb (D:5)
  3 ogre zombies
  A big kobold skeleton (D:8)
  An ogre skeleton (D:5)
  A mummy (D:8)
  A worker ant zombie (D:8)
  86 green rats
  9 gnolls
  3 shadow imps
  29 adders
  2 orc skeletons
  6 giant mites
  An inept item mimic (D:10)
  4 worms
  5 ufetubi (Elf:3)
  A gnoll zombie (D:8)
  2 giant eyeballs
  9 giant geckos
  3 oozes (Lair:6)
  221 orcs
  21 bats
  5 giant cockroaches
  26 goblins
  26 hobgoblins
  13 jackals
  10 quokkas
  4 ball pythons
  A giant gecko skeleton (D:4)
  5 giant newts
  3 giant spores
  A gnoll skeleton (D:8)
  21 kobolds
  A quokka zombie (D:5)
  17 rats
  19 ballistomycetes
  5 bushes (Lair:8)
  A butterfly (Lair:1)
  3 crawling corpses
  3 plants
2742 creatures vanquished.

Vanquished Creatures (others)
  The ghost of Neodymium the Earth Mage, a mighty GrEE of Vehumet (Elf:3)
  A frost giant (Vaults:4)
  A deep troll earth mage (Depths:2)
  An iron troll (Depths:2)
  A drowned soul (Shoals:4)
  A merfolk (Shoals:5)
  A deep elf mage (Elf:2)
  A vampire (D:13)
  3 ogres
  An adder (Snake:1)
  3 green rats (Lair:6)
  A giant gecko (D:6)
  A giant spore (D:13)
  13 fungi
  5 plants
35 creatures vanquished.

Grand Total: 2777 creatures vanquished

Notes
Turn   | Place    | Note
--------------------------------------------------------------
     0 | D:1      | RepHenryClay, the Octopode Conjurer, began the quest for the Orb.
     0 | D:1      | Reached XP level 1. HP: 11/11 MP: 3/3
     2 | D:1      | Noticed a minotaur
     4 | D:1      | Noticed a demonspawn
     6 | D:1      | Noticed an ogre
     6 | D:1      | Noticed a draconian
     8 | D:1      | Noticed a demigod
     8 | D:1      | Noticed a dwarf
    10 | D:1      | Noticed a felid
    12 | D:1      | Noticed a gargoyle
    12 | D:1      | Noticed a ghoul
    14 | D:1      | Noticed an elf
    14 | D:1      | Noticed a troll
    16 | D:1      | Noticed a human
    16 | D:1      | Noticed a tengu
    18 | D:1      | Noticed a vampire
    18 | D:1      | Noticed an octopode
    20 | D:1      | Noticed a centaur
    20 | D:1      | Noticed a formicid
    24 | D:1      | Noticed a merfolk
    24 | D:1      | Noticed a vine stalker
    26 | D:1      | Noticed a naga
    26 | D:1      | Noticed a spriggan
   253 | D:1      | Reached XP level 2. HP: 15/17 MP: 0/4
   584 | D:1      | Reached XP level 3. HP: 12/21 MP: 0/6
  1249 | D:2      | Reached skill level 5 in Conjurations
  1843 | D:2      | Reached XP level 4. HP: 27/27 MP: 2/7
  2240 | D:3      | Reached skill level 6 in Conjurations
  2240 | D:3      | Reached XP level 5. HP: 31/31 MP: 2/9
  2337 | D:3      | Learned a level 5 spell: Iskenderun's Battlesphere
  3138 | D:4      | Reached XP level 6. HP: 36/36 MP: 8/12
  3589 | D:4      | Found a snail-covered altar of Cheibriados.
  3589 | D:4      | Found a blossoming altar of Fedhas.
  3643 | D:4      | Reached skill level 1 in Charms
  3776 | D:4      | Noticed an ogre
  3784 | D:4      | Killed an ogre
  3784 | D:4      | Reached XP level 7. HP: 41/41 MP: 9/17
  4290 | D:5      | Entered Level 5 of the Dungeon
  4490 | D:5      | Found a bloodstained altar of Trog.
  4573 | D:5      | Learned a level 3 spell: Flight
  5106 | D:5      | Reached skill level 5 in Charms
  5313 | D:5      | Noticed Dowan
  5318 | D:5      | Noticed Duvessa
  5319 | D:5      | Killed Dowan
  5415 | D:6      | Found Gump's Jewellery Emporium.
  5498 | D:6      | Reached XP level 8. HP: 28/46 MP: 11/18
  6848 | D:6      | Found a staircase to the Ecumenical Temple.
  6858 | Temple   | Entered the Ecumenical Temple
  6881 | Temple   | Became a worshipper of Vehumet
  6994 | D:5      | Reached skill level 7 in Conjurations
  7102 | D:5      | Killed Duvessa
  7207 | D:5      | Noticed Ijyb
  7217 | D:5      | Killed Ijyb
  8160 | D:7      | Reached skill level 8 in Conjurations
  8433 | D:7      | Got an ichor-stained short sword
  8434 | D:7      | Identified the +5,+9 short sword "Nigrostre" {pain, Stlth++} (You found it on level 7 of the Dungeon)
  8444 | D:7      | Got a steaming short sword
  8445 | D:7      | Identified the +6,+11 short sword of Khiddir {slice, +Fly rPois rC-} (You found it on level 7 of the Dungeon)
  8669 | D:7      | Acquired Vehumet's first power
  8669 | D:7      | Offered knowledge of Flame Tongue by Vehumet.
  8842 | D:7      | Reached XP level 9. HP: 42/51 MP: 11/19
  8845 | D:7      | Reached skill level 9 in Conjurations
  9010 | D:7      | Noticed Joseph
  9058 | D:6      | Learned a level 6 spell: Bolt of Fire
  9573 | D:8      | Noticed Edmund
  9623 | D:8      | Killed Edmund
  9625 | D:8      | Reached skill level 5 in Fire Magic
  9978 | D:8      | Reached skill level 5 in Spellcasting
 10046 | D:8      | Reached XP level 10. HP: 47/56 MP: 7/22
 10147 | D:8      | Offered knowledge of Sting by Vehumet.
 10402 | D:8      | Found a staircase to the Lair.
 10828 | D:8      | Offered knowledge of Mephitic Cloud by Vehumet.
 10836 | D:8      | Learned a level 3 spell: Mephitic Cloud
 11149 | D:9      | Acquired Vehumet's second power
 11155 | D:9      | Noticed Maurice
 11463 | D:9      | Killed Maurice
 11799 | D:9      | Reached skill level 5 in Dodging
 11878 | D:9      | Noticed a hill giant
 11888 | D:9      | Killed a hill giant
 11888 | D:9      | Reached XP level 11. HP: 61/61 MP: 5/27
 12016 | D:9      | Offered knowledge of Stone Arrow by Vehumet.
 12030 | D:9      | Learned a level 3 spell: Stone Arrow
 12566 | D:10     | Entered Level 10 of the Dungeon
 12624 | D:10     | Noticed a hill giant
 12636 | D:10     | Killed a hill giant
 12636 | D:10     | Reached skill level 1 in Earth Magic
 12829 | D:10     | Noticed a hill giant
 12847 | D:10     | Found a staircase to the Orcish Mines.
 13028 | D:10     | Acquired Vehumet's third power
 13108 | D:10     | Offered knowledge of Sticky Flame by Vehumet.
 13115 | D:10     | Learned a level 4 spell: Sticky Flame
 13115 | D:10     | a hill giant changed into a faun
 13333 | D:10     | Noticed Urug
 13343 | D:10     | Killed Urug
 13522 | D:10     | Noticed Erolcha
 13525 | D:10     | Killed Erolcha
 13621 | D:10     | Noticed a hill giant
 13624 | D:10     | Killed a hill giant
 13624 | D:10     | Reached skill level 10 in Spellcasting
 13803 | D:10     | Noticed an ice statue
 13805 | D:10     | Killed an ice statue
 14657 | D:11     | Reached XP level 12. HP: 66/66 MP: 31/31
 14719 | D:11     | Noticed a five-headed hydra
 14741 | D:11     | Killed a five-headed hydra
 14741 | D:11     | Reached skill level 11 in Spellcasting
 14914 | D:11     | Offered knowledge of Conjure Ball Lightning by Vehumet.
 15089 | D:11     | Reached skill level 10 in Conjurations
 15314 | D:11     | Found a portal to a secret trove of treasure.
 15828 | D:11     | Noticed a two-headed hydra
 15844 | D:11     | Killed a two-headed hydra
 16483 | Lair:1   | Entered Level 1 of the Lair of Beasts
 16727 | Lair:1   | Noticed Gastronok
 16733 | Lair:1   | Killed Gastronok
 16733 | Lair:1   | Reached skill level 12 in Conjurations
 17979 | Orc:1    | Entered Level 1 of the Orcish Mines
 18340 | Orc:2    | Offered knowledge of Ignite Poison by Vehumet.
 19009 | Orc:1    | Found a bloodstained altar of Trog.
 19081 | Orc:3    | Found a staircase to the Elven Halls.
 19211 | Orc:3    | Found Tots' Jewellery Shop.
 19228 | Orc:3    | Bought a +6 ring of evasion for 858 gold pieces
 19253 | Orc:3    | Learned a level 5 spell: Ignite Poison
 19304 | Orc:3    | Reached skill level 13 in Conjurations
 19716 | Orc:3    | Reached XP level 13. HP: 71/71 MP: 32/32
 20380 | Orc:4    | Entered Level 4 of the Orcish Mines
 20569 | Elf:1    | Entered Level 1 of the Elven Halls
 20854 | Elf:1    | Offered knowledge of Ozocubu's Refrigeration by Vehumet.
 21332 | Orc:4    | Reached skill level 10 in Dodging
 21337 | Orc:4    | Reached skill level 1 in Fighting
 21564 | Orc:4    | Reached skill level 1 in Shields
 21636 | Orc:4    | Found Chab's General Store.
 21640 | Orc:4    | Found Zaloqeem's Magic Scroll Shop.
 21918 | D:11     | Learned a level 4 spell: Alistair's Intoxication
 22080 | D:12     | Reached skill level 5 in Shields
 22359 | D:12     | Reached skill level 1 in Transmutations
 22759 | D:12     | Noticed Grum
 22765 | D:12     | Killed Grum
 22923 | D:12     | Offered knowledge of Spellforged Servitor by Vehumet.
 23683 | Orc:4    | Reached skill level 5 in Transmutations
 23857 | Orc:4    | Reached skill level 5 in Poison Magic
 24062 | Orc:4    | Found Riedoaso's Food Boutique.
 24073 | Orc:4    | Reached XP level 14. HP: 79/79 MP: 20/33
 24193 | Orc:4    | Found Proninin's Book Boutique.
 24195 | Orc:4    | Bought a potion of heal wounds for 39 gold pieces
 24240 | Orc:4    | Noticed an ettin
 24242 | Orc:4    | Killed an ettin
 24488 | Orc:4    | Bought a scroll of acquirement for 676 gold pieces
 25056 | Lair:2   | Offered knowledge of Orb of Destruction by Vehumet.
 25233 | Lair:2   | Learned a level 7 spell: Orb of Destruction
 25996 | Lair:3   | Found a labyrinth entrance.
 26158 | Lab      | Entered a labyrinth
 26723 | Lab      | Identified the Catalogue of Displaced Good Luck
 26723 | Lab      | Got a flickering jade amulet
 26724 | Lab      | Got an encrusted flail
 26724 | Lab      | Got a polished dagger
 26732 | Lair:3   | Identified the +9,+7 flail of Reapportionment {crush, rPois rC-} (You found it in a labyrinth)
 26734 | Lair:3   | Identified the cursed +3,+0 dagger of Conflict {antimagic, Str+4} (You found it in a labyrinth)
 26964 | Orc:4    | Bought a scroll of identify for 26 gold pieces
 26965 | Orc:4    | Identified the amulet of Stiedeiw {Stasis rF++ MR+} (You found it in a labyrinth)
 27203 | Lair:3   | Got an encrusted morningstar
 27204 | Lair:3   | Identified the +2,+2 morningstar of Floods {crush, +Blink rF-} (You found it on level 3 of the Lair of Beasts)
 27615 | Lair:3   | Offered knowledge of Poisonous Cloud by Vehumet.
 27708 | Lair:2   | Learned a level 6 spell: Poisonous Cloud
 28777 | D:13     | Offered knowledge of Delayed Fireball by Vehumet.
 29110 | D:13     | Found a gate to the Vaults.
 31221 | Lair:4   | Found a shattered altar of Ashenzari.
 31982 | Lair:4   | Reached XP level 15. HP: 83/83 MP: 34/34
 32290 | Lair:4   | Offered knowledge of Shatter by Vehumet.
 32290 | Lair:4   | Offered knowledge of Chain Lightning by Vehumet.
 32290 | Lair:4   | Offered knowledge of Tornado by Vehumet.
 32331 | Lair:5   | Reached skill level 10 in Shields
 32980 | Lair:5   | Found a staircase to the Shoals.
 34072 | Lair:6   | Found a staircase to the Slime Pits.
 34406 | Lair:6   | Found a staircase to the Snake Pit.
 35753 | Lair:8   | Entered Level 8 of the Lair of Beasts
 36841 | Lair:8   | Noticed Fannar
 36846 | Lair:8   | Killed Fannar
 37839 | Lair:8   | Reached skill level 14 in Shields
 38233 | Lair:8   | Reached XP level 16. HP: 82/89 MP: 33/35
 39593 | D:14     | Reached skill level 15 in Shields
 39939 | D:14     | Noticed Rupert
 39941 | D:14     | Paralysed by Rupert for 4 turns
 39951 | D:14     | Killed Rupert
 40192 | D:14     | Found Philuoq's Antique Weapon Emporium.
 40395 | D:15     | Entered Level 15 of the Dungeon
 40831 | D:15     | HP: 4/89 [naga mage/orb of energy (26)]
 41362 | Snake:1  | Entered Level 1 of the Snake Pit
 43291 | Snake:2  | Noticed Agnes
 43298 | Snake:2  | Killed Agnes
 44833 | Orc:4    | Bought a book of Enchantments for 800 gold pieces
 44996 | Lair:2   | Learned a level 6 spell: Deflect Missiles
 45212 | Snake:2  | Noticed Vashnia
 45772 | Lair:6   | Reached XP level 17. HP: 93/93 MP: 37/37
 45901 | Snake:2  | Killed Vashnia
 46767 | Snake:2  | Found Skoafeisch's Armour Boutique.
 47468 | Snake:3  | Reached skill level 10 in Charms
 49992 | Snake:4  | Found an iron altar of Okawaru.
 51068 | Snake:4  | Noticed Jorgrun
 51518 | Snake:4  | Reached skill level 5 in Fighting
 51679 | Snake:4  | Reached XP level 18. HP: 108/108 MP: 23/38
 52499 | Snake:4  | Killed Jorgrun
 53363 | Snake:5  | Entered Level 5 of the Snake Pit
 54005 | Snake:5  | Found Gooheog's Magic Scroll Boutique.
 55813 | Snake:5  | Found Gooheog's Magic Scroll Boutique.
 56716 | Snake:5  | Reached skill level 15 in Dodging
 57963 | Snake:5  | Reached XP level 19. HP: 113/113 MP: 38/38
 58376 | Snake:5  | Reached skill level 16 in Dodging
 59949 | Snake:5  | Got a serpentine rune of Zot
 60704 | Shoals:1 | Entered Level 1 of the Shoals
 60957 | Orc:3    | Bought an uncursed amulet of clarity for 220 gold pieces
 62843 | Shoals:1 | Reached skill level 5 in Stealth
 66867 | Shoals:5 | Entered Level 5 of the Shoals
 66881 | Shoals:5 | Noticed Ilsuiw
 67072 | Shoals:5 | Reached XP level 20. HP: 101/119 MP: 39/39
 67426 | Shoals:5 | Killed Ilsuiw
 67426 | Shoals:5 | Reached skill level 15 in Spellcasting
 67730 | Lair:2   | Learned a level 6 spell: Haste
 68555 | Shoals:5 | Got a barnacled rune of Zot
 69215 | Shoals:5 | Got a brightly glowing graven amulet
 70003 | Shoals:5 | Got a scintillating wooden ring
 70236 | Lair:2   | Identified the ring of Gechod {-Tele rF+ rC+} (You found it on level 5 of the Shoals)
 70236 | Lair:2   | Identified the amulet "Foleycsa" {Clar rF+ MR+ Dam+1} (You took it off a merfolk impaler on level 5 of the Shoals)
 71475 | Vaults:1 | Entered Level 1 of the Vaults
 72491 | Vaults:1 | Reached skill level 17 in Spellcasting
 72710 | Vaults:1 | Noticed Frances
 72715 | Vaults:1 | Killed Frances
 72716 | Vaults:1 | Noticed Wiglaf
 72827 | Vaults:1 | Killed Wiglaf
 75295 | Vaults:1 | Reached XP level 21. HP: 109/124 MP: 6/41
 78128 | Vaults:2 | Reached skill level 18 in Spellcasting
 78750 | Vaults:2 | Noticed Sojobo
 79751 | Lair:2   | Learned a level 6 spell: Iron Shot
 82277 | Elf:1    | Reached skill level 19 in Spellcasting
 83660 | Elf:2    | Got a twitching jade ring
 83661 | Elf:2    | Identified the ring "Moxiklul" {+Rage rN+} (You acquired it on level 2 of the Elven Halls)
 83764 | Elf:3    | Entered Level 3 of the Elven Halls
 84124 | Elf:3    | Reached XP level 22. HP: 132/132 MP: 43/43
 84349 | Elf:3    | Found Etaeps' Armour Shop.
 84749 | Elf:3    | Reached skill level 5 in Earth Magic
 84932 | Elf:3    | Noticed Neodymium's ghost (mighty GrEE)
 85995 | D:15     | Found a staircase to the Depths.
 87703 | Vaults:2 | Noticed Aizul
 87833 | Vaults:2 | Killed Aizul
 89599 | Vaults:2 | Noticed Boris
 89608 | Vaults:2 | Killed Boris
 89706 | Vaults:2 | Killed Sojobo
 91244 | Vaults:3 | Found a staircase to the Crypt.
 91515 | Vaults:3 | Reached skill level 20 in Spellcasting
 92466 | Vaults:3 | Reached XP level 23. HP: 143/143 MP: 32/44
 92554 | Vaults:3 | Found Roil Off's Antique Armour Emporium.
 92560 | Vaults:3 | Roil Off's Antique Armour Emporium was a mimic.
 92780 | Vaults:3 | Found Otraf's Gadget Boutique.
 93128 | Vaults:3 | Reached skill level 10 in Earth Magic
 93764 | Vaults:3 | Noticed Frederick
 95108 | Vaults:3 | Killed Frederick
 96233 | Vaults:4 | Found a staircase to the Hall of Blades.
 99714 | Blade    | Entered the Hall of Blades
101604 | Elf:3    | Killed Neodymium's ghost
102299 | Elf:2    | Reached skill level 15 in Earth Magic
102882 | Elf:3    | Reached XP level 24. HP: 148/148 MP: 28/45
102989 | Elf:3    | Got an encrusted falchion
102990 | Elf:3    | Identified the +7,+6 falchion of Contention {distort, rC+} (You took it off a deep elf sorcerer on level 3 of the Elven Halls)
103189 | Orc:4    | Bought a manual of Long Blades for 1766 gold pieces
103630 | Elf:3    | Reached skill level 5 in Long Blades
104925 | Elf:3    | Identified the Collected Works on Bewitchment
104948 | Elf:3    | Identified the Volume of Self-Knowledge
104983 | Elf:3    | Got a wavering granite ring
104984 | Elf:3    | Identified the ring "Sunemp" {+/*Tele Str+3 Int+5} (You acquired it on level 3 of the Elven Halls)
105538 | Depths:1 | Entered Level 1 of the Depths
105538 | Depths:1 | Found Etisux's Weapon Shop.
105834 | Depths:1 | Found a gateway to Hell.
107113 | Depths:1 | Reached skill level 10 in Long Blades
107436 | Depths:1 | Got a twitching copper ring
107437 | Depths:1 | Identified the ring of Trog's Generosity {Str+5 Dex-2 Acc+7 Dam+5} (You acquired it on level 1 of the Depths)
110596 | Depths:2 | Found Thed Gugg's General Store.
110660 | Depths:2 | Found a one-way gate to the infinite horrors of the Abyss.
111916 | Depths:2 | Noticed Rubinko's ghost (mighty MiBe)
112142 | Depths:2 | Noticed Jory
112399 | Hell     | Entered the Vestibule of Hell
112399 | Hell     | Noticed Geryon
112407 | Hell     | Noticed Murray
112837 | Lair:2   | Learned a level 9 spell: Shatter
112995 | Orc:4    | Bought a potion of brilliance for 32 gold pieces
113278 | Vaults:5 | Entered Level 5 of the Vaults
113280 | Vaults:5 | Reached XP level 25. HP: 153/153 MP: 45/45
113700 | Vaults:4 | Killed from afar by a titan


Action                   |  1- 3 |  4- 6 |  7- 9 | 10-12 | 13-15 | 16-18 | 19-21 | 22-24 | 25-27 || total
-------------------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------++-------
Melee: Unarmed           |    12 |    11 |       |       |     2 |       |     1 |       |       ||    26
       Short sword       |       |       |    20 |    21 |    26 |     6 |   149 |    95 |       ||   317
       Staff             |       |       |       |     9 |     7 |     8 |     4 |     5 |       ||    33
       Falchion          |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |   131 |    14 ||   145
 Cast: Magic Dart        |    56 |   114 |   317 |   448 |   976 |   487 |   786 |   334 |       ||  3518
       Iskenderun's Batt |       |       |    29 |    81 |   196 |   111 |   215 |   118 |       ||   750
       Bolt of Fire      |       |       |       |    85 |   159 |   287 |   397 |   652 |     9 ||  1589
       Mephitic Cloud    |       |       |       |    14 |     9 |       |       |       |       ||    23
       Stone Arrow       |       |       |       |    60 |       |       |       |       |       ||    60
       Sticky Flame      |       |       |       |     3 |       |       |       |       |       ||     3
       Ignite Poison     |       |       |       |       |    24 |   187 |    42 |    13 |       ||   266
       Poisonous Cloud   |       |       |       |       |    53 |    55 |   128 |   119 |       ||   355
       Orb of Destructio |       |       |       |       |     7 |    17 |    20 |    13 |       ||    57
       Flight            |       |       |       |       |     1 |       |       |       |     1 ||     2
       Deflect Missiles  |       |       |       |       |       |     4 |    11 |     6 |       ||    21
       Alistair's Intoxi |       |       |       |       |       |       |    16 |     5 |       ||    21
       Haste             |       |       |       |       |       |       |     8 |    11 |     1 ||    20
       Iron Shot         |       |       |       |       |       |       |     2 |    90 |     1 ||    93
       Shatter           |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |     1 |     4 ||     5
Evoke: Wand              |       |     5 |     8 |    11 |     2 |     6 |    19 |     1 |       ||    52
  Use: Scroll            |     3 |     2 |    16 |    11 |    22 |     7 |    12 |    20 |     2 ||    95
       Potion            |       |       |       |     6 |     3 |     5 |     6 |    14 |     1 ||    35
 Stab: Paralysed         |       |       |       |     3 |       |       |       |       |       ||     3
       Sleeping          |       |       |       |     3 |       |       |     1 |     2 |       ||     6
       Distracted        |       |       |       |       |       |       |     1 |       |       ||     1
       Invisible         |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |     1 ||     1


There are so many things I could have done differently here. I shouldn't have tried to shatter "just one more time" before going up those stairs. Afterwards, I should have blinked a second time instead of reading a scroll of fog. And of course, I probably should have put more points into fighting, done Vaults 5 after clearing Depths, etc., etc...

I have read all this advice, but none of it seems to have sunk in! I can't seem to realize that dying will waste hours of effort and that this far outweighs the inconvenience of, for example, being more cautious while stairdancing in Vaults 5.

I don't think I'm a bad crawl player, but I continue to do these stupid things!

[Sandman25]

Did you quaff brilliance before casting Shatter? It has 30% failure rate in the dump.

[Rep Henry Clay]

No, I did the first time I went down though just to make sure I took care of the initial guards. With 40+ magic points I can cast it enough times that at least one of them will succeed and that is usually all it takes. Anything that lives and comes up with me I just bash with my sword.

It looks like I wasn't even hasted when I died - yet another problem caused by impatience/carelessness.

[Sandman25]

Losing time/MP is not the worst what can happen during miscast, you can get 3d15 explosion according to http://crawl.chaosforge.org/Miscast#Earth_Magic

[Patashu]

To help you learn patience, I propose the Crawl Drinking Game (not official) (tm) (r)
This rule kicks in immediately:
Every time the adventurer walks towards a pack monster (orc, gnoll, ogre, etc) and it is revealed more monsters in the pack that now make the encounter scary, take a shot (you should have split/lured the first thing you saw, rather than tempting fate!)
These rules kick in starting at finding temple or lair.
Every time heal wounds is drunk, take a shot in real life too.
If there are currently no known heal wounds potions in the game, (e.g. by checking with ctrl+f), exhaust your supply of alcohol within reach likewise.
If there is a death, take a shot for every consumable/evokable in the inventory that would have helped out if used earlier in the encounter.
All other consumables are ok.

Negative reinforcement is just as fun as alcoholism!

[Rep Henry Clay]

WOW. For some reason I thought Vehumet protected against the conjurations miscasts that he also supported, but clearly I am mistaken. Actually, that explains a lot! I feel stupid.

As for the drinking game, I dunno...I think I could come up with a better way to reduce the behavior. Same basic rules, but with actual pain.

[Hopeless]

Patashu's suggestion is clearly in jest and facetious but behavioral modification does work if you are consistent. That's the problem. Consistency. I find myself doing similar things (not the same but careless play too) if I don't consciously keep track of what I am doing. (This is also known as "playing while bored" but is hard to recognize because in essence we aren't feeling the boredom as much as just living through it.) Also sometimes emotional states play a role. And also whether one lives or dies in Crawl sometimes is a matter of a roll of the dice. And we blame deaths on bad rolls but think maybe we were justified in our actions if we survive somehow, which is on the face of it, wrong and liable to help us repeat our mistakes.

If you can identify the problem then you can fix it. But to fix it requires commitment. I am finding I play much better if I remind myself of WHY I am playing and what I expect/need out of the game. In the beginning I think we all just try and go until we die and that happens a lot and then at some point we get past a certain point without sweating and think "Oh it isn't that hard now..." and then we enter another area we aren't familiar with and start the cycle of dying over again. Having died on U5 after clearing zot is a good example of this. If I had done what my gut said: quit for the night, I probably would have come back fresh in the morning and been "how do I stay alive to the exit?" instead of freaking out whilst watchers were saying things that weren't exactly encouraging. (Sometimes well meaning watchers in games try to backseat drive and that adds tension, if you play web tiles. This is good if you need help but bad if you also need presence of mind and calmness.)

That's why I started playing the offline tiles version again (though no lava orcs for some reason in the tiles .14 version:/) and just tried to play at a slower more relaxed pace. Without someone looking over my shoulder and commenting now and then I spent more time thinking about what I was doing. I hope at some point to win with the offline tiles and then maybe try again online.

[Viashino_wizard]

(though no lava orcs for some reason in the tiles .14 version:/)

Lava Orcs didn't make the cut for 0.14.

[ElderVIII]

Snark answer: FoFi of Chei. Suddenly, mad tabbing centaurs is a bad idea.

More reasonable answer: When you have YASD, stop and look as to why you died, especially past midgame. Did you engage without having a solid escape plan? Did you overextend chasing creatures? Did you use tactics not suitable for the enemies you were facing? Were you using skills/spells with too high a fail rate?

Case in point with the TC: Spamming Shatter at 30% fail rate is not a sound strategy in Vaults. Ignoring things like miscasts, you have slightly less than a 1/3 chance of wasting mana for no damage (in effect casting a level 9 spell for about 14 mana). In an area where you will be swarmed quickly by creatures who will take you out in a few swings, that's not going to fly. You need to be able to reliably kill them.

[tabstorm]

It's probably not necessarily patience you need to learn, but better threat assessment and/or tactics. From watching your tv, it seems that you made an error in choosing to read fog, when on 37 hp, as airstrike does 1d50, since reading fog is not the most reliable thing ever as an escape tool. since you had a scroll of blinking in your inventory, it would be better probably to blink once more to be out of the titan's LoS which would keep you alive. I don't really see any huge issues with how your character is built, it was a minor tactical error combined with an enemy getting a good combat roll.

[Hopeless]

(though no lava orcs for some reason in the tiles .14 version:/)

Lava Orcs didn't make the cut for 0.14.

But the version I picked up recently on my laptop has them...go figure?

[crate]

Lava orcs were in .14 trunk.
They are not in .14 stable.

[Hopeless]

Lava orcs were in .14 trunk.
They are not in .14 stable.

In that case I am wondering why I was unable to download the .14 trunk version. :/

[TheSchachter]

I've never gotten as far as getting a rune, but I tend to have similar problems, moving around really fast due to impatience (as soon as I realize my character has gotten strong-ish) and getting into terrible situations without noticing until it's too late. Then a few days ago I tried playing online with Webtiles. The lag and potential input delay disaster has forced me to slow down, and as a result I got further then I ever got (Lair 8!), with twice the score of my previous attempt. Maybe this can be helpful for you too (I dunno if the lag is the same for everyone though)

[RichardGamingo1]

I've been playing for a while now and I can reliably get a couple runes, but I often run out of patience. I start playing too fast and begin to take stupid risks which leads to either a) burning expendables that I end up needing later or b) getting in over my head and not being able to heal faster than monsters damage me. I know what I'm doing wrong, it's just that I can't stop myself from doing it.

How can I learn patience? How can can I stay cautious throughout the game and slow down my play style? In an ideal world I wouldn't play for hours each day, but of course that isn't going to happen . I've tried forcing myself to take a five minute break whenever my health dips below 40%, but when I come back to the game I just continue to play carelessly.

I know there isn't one fix-all trick, but I was hoping you guys could give me a few ideas on how to improve. I love this game and it is sad to see myself dying in such preventable ways! Thanks!

Breathe! I swear. STOP and breathe. Also take a break and do push ups, squats, jump up as high as you can, clap as hard as you can, get your heart rate up and blood pumping for a minute or two and then return to the game if that's what you're going to do next.

[Thalfon]

Lava orcs were in .14 trunk.
They are not in .14 stable.

In that case I am wondering why I was unable to download the .14 trunk version. :/

When a version is made stable, trunk's version number gets bumped up one. What was 0.14 trunk is now 0.15 trunk.

[tedric]

As I've said in previous threads, there are two central axioms I adopt whenever I play Crawl. First: Have faith in the developers, that they have done their best to design a fair and balanced game; therefore embrace the fact that every death is ultimately your own fault. Second: Have faith that every game is winnable.

It sounds like the OP doesn't truly believe the second.

It's taken me years of negative reinforcement -- i.e. dying -- but I've finally reached the point where I don't play impatiently anymore, even when I feel like my character is "strong-ish." Painfully repeated experience has shown me that any character is always one or two unlucky RNG rolls away from a deadly situation, and at that point it's up to me to make good decisions or die. What finally hammered it home is that in recent months I made a really conscious effort to slow down my playing and think more broadly about my options...and I started winning (4x since February!). Between the negative "push" of hundreds of frustrating deaths, AND the positive "pull" of knowing that slower play wins games, it's hard to feel like impatient/hasty play is worthwhile anymore. It's less fun, and it makes a promising character suddenly feel like it had been a waste of time.

One practical thing that helped slow down and improve my playing was gaining an appreciation for some elements of the game I'd been ignoring. Examples: Grabbing a blowgun and needles early on (no throwing skill needed!); making greater use of evokables; realizing the awesome power of rods; etc. Now that I appreciate how powerful secondary or tertiary tools like those can be, I'm no longer content to just rely on my main weapon and/or spell schools -- I always want a greater variety of options as early as possible. In turn, that fosters an awareness that in every even remotely challenging encounter I have a rather complex decision to make about the "best" way to handle it. It's not just "Do I hit this foo or run away?" or "Do I have enough MP to blast this foo before I have to start hitting it or run away?" So I find myself much more often opening up my inventory and thinking through various courses of action, to pick the one that minimizes the risk of the encounter -- and of any encounter to follow, i.e. by protecting HP/MP/consumables -- for the most reasonable cost. Because I find this a fun puzzle to solve (infinite iterations!), it provides even more positive reinforcement to slow down my game in terms of both fun and winning.

[Siegurt]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8VD4JX ... 8VD4JXUozM

[GlassGo]

You can just slap your cheeks.This is quite painful, and therefore gives a fair shake.