While I do think boots of running is extremely good...

[nordetsa]

While clearng Lair I got this sweet baby:

  Code:

B - the +2 pair of boots of the Ancient Tales {rElec rF++ rC+ Slay-2}
   (You found it on level 6 of the Lair of Beasts) 

As mentioned above, I think boots of running makes almost all other boots useless in terms of its efficiency, what with having permanent speed boost without much drawbacks. I wonder if this artefact boot can change my perception.

Is it worth it to completely ditch boots of running? Or swap on some occasions?


Edit: I'm playing as a conjurer, so I think Slay-2 wouldn't be much of a big deal.

[ydeve]

Keep running unless you don't have any other source of rF. Even then, probably keep running.

[Sandman25]

The better player I become the less I value boots of running for 3 runes game. With careful play you can run away from normal speed monsters without running ego and there are a few dangerous monsters with speed 11. It's nice but I have just checked my winners and found I was using +4 pair of boots of Oniobu {rN+} (curse) with Formicid over +0 boots of running.

[dowan]

I'd be tempted to use those boots, but I probably overvalue resistances a bit. I suppose it depends on what other sources you have for resistances, what other rings you have that you could wear instead of resistance rings, etc.

If nothing else, I'd hang onto them for zot.

[and into]

If you are a good enough player to think that boots of running is a mere extravagance you do not need, then I feel like you probably shouldn't care too much about getting reisistances on your feet slot, either.

[tabstorm]

If you aren't using melee, use the artefact boots. Having every elemental resist is good, and somewhat protects you from unexpected damage spikes, especially as a conjurer, and also lets you use things like conjure ball lightning or chain lightning more safely if you're using Air, which you should consider doing. There aren't a whole lot of speed 11 melee-only monsters later on in the game, so with some semblance of foresight you can still get away from speed-10 melee-only enemies if your MP is going to run out.

[crate]

I'd use the boots that aren't running, but I really hate runboots so I'm not really capable of making a rational decision here.

[arandomperson12]

Even if you know to run away early so you don't need the boots, the boots of running can help you save permafood by allowing you to move faster.

[4Hooves2Appendages]

I'd wear the artefact boots anywhere that as known sources of cold or electric damage, because I often get caught out underestimating those. I'd also recommend the artefact boots in Gehenna, Zot and Cerebov's realm. If you have the resistances covered when you need to, then running all the way!

[tabstorm]

Even if you know to run away early so you don't need the boots, the boots of running can help you save permafood by allowing you to move faster.

lol

[ydeve]

Sandman, your boots gave 2 extra AC, not resistances you already had plus -2Slay.

[ZoFy]

there are a few dangerous monsters with speed 11

Kind of nitpicking here but which ones are they? I could only recall a speed 12 one (spiny frog).

[Sar]

that feel when you're late on the meta again

[Sprucery]

there are a few dangerous monsters with speed 11

Kind of nitpicking here but which ones are they? I could only recall a speed 12 one (spiny frog).

Sphinx is the only speed 11 monster I found from mon-data.h...

[ZoFy]

I guess there are also tengu monsters who are 10 speed but have 9 move delay.

[Sandman25]

Sandman, your boots gave 2 extra AC, not resistances you already had plus -2Slay.

+4 AC, not +2 AC. I won that game with +3 FDA so I am sure I didn't have spare scrolls of enchant armour.

[ydeve]

Normal boots already give 2 AC. 4 AC is 2 extra.

[Sar]

Uh, what? Normal boots give 1 base AC, which can be 2 if your Armour skill is high.

[Sandman25]

I had +0 boots of running and +4 boots with rN+ hence 4 AC difference.

[Sandman25]

If you are a good enough player to think that boots of running is a mere extravagance you do not need, then I feel like you probably shouldn't care too much about getting reisistances on your feet slot, either.

qw bot never retreats via running (as far as I know) and still wins in >1% games so boots of running are not needed.
For me the easiest games are when I have rElec, rF+(extra + for Zot 5) and MR+++, it means I can concentrate on tactics instead of paying attention to every monster who comes into view. So yeah, I believe some resistances are more important than boots of running and it is supported by my personal statistics (I have many wins without boots of running but only a few with lack of MR+++ or rF+). Also I remember one game which I lost due to not having rElec (I had to abandon Vaults 5 as Centaur and go die in Pan/Tomb because it was some sudden death tournament game and I couldn't go for easier runes).

[and into]

Running ego only appears on boots. Between an ego body armor and some jewelry swapping, you can usually (not always, of course) have MR+ and either rF or rC around the time you need to do Depths. At which point the artefact boots in OP lose some of their luster.

Which would I wear? Depends on the character. OP did not provide dump.

Speaking generally: In Lair (where OP found the art boots), I'd stick with boots of running. Very hard to imagine a situation in which I would not favor running at that point in the game.

By the time I am about to start Depths, I might consider the artefact boots if I am having unusually bad luck getting resists in the normal slots (finger / torso) but I do have access to haste through spell or wand (with some ?recharging on hand). Running still helps, but is rather overshadowed when you can haste whenever in real danger. If I have my resists well covered already, I think I would avoid the artefact boots regardless.

[Sandman25]

I agree, also I would use rElec, rF+ boots in Snake for sure unless I already have both resistances.

[and into]

Right, I like to pretend there are not shock serpents in Crawl until the game forces me to acknowledge their existence, but there are situations (e.g., troggie with no good hex wands) where I might wear the rElec boots in Snake.