KoAs - D:6 +5 dagger {distort, +Rage, rc++} - need advice

[gyozomisao]

So I started a Kobold Assassin with the intention of specializing in blowgun stabbing with evocations as support. Since I need needles, I was going to worship Trog -- also because berserk is a great backup when stabbing fails, and Kobold gourmand has great synergy with that. However I've found some pretty interesting items which are making me reconsider my strategy.

First off, on D:3 or so I found a +6 flail of draining, so I immediately started training M+F, which has made the dungeon a breeze. THEN on D:6 I found this +5 artifact dagger with distortion, +Rage, rC++ and MP-9 (not using magic yet so not relevant). I'm afraid to unequip it at this point, but now I'm considering worshiping Lugonu. I've never played Lugonu so I don't know how she will fair and it kind of throws off my intended build.

Thoughts/advice?

[mikee]

Well you could go lugonu if you want to be a koak, which is fine. That dagger's not good enough for it to take you very far by itself (I don't even think it's good but I understand if people disagree). Given those two points and the fact that I don't particularly enjoy koak, I'd just unwield it.

[gyozomisao]

Thanks for the reply! I ended up finding an altar to Trog in the Ecumenical Temple so I just unwielded it. It brought me to 2 health but I survived, so all is well so far. Overall I've gotten some amazing loot on this run. I'm on D:9 and this is some of what I got:

  Code:

Hand Weapons
 a - the +6 mace of the Several Tales {crush, rN+ Str+10}
   (You found it on level 6 of the Dungeon)   
   
   It inflicts extra damage upon your enemies.
   
   It affects your strength (+10).
   It protects you from negative energy.
 b - a +1 blowgun (weapon)
 c - a +0 hunting sling
 h - the +5 dagger of the Salmon {distort, +Rage rC++ MP-9}
   (You found it on level 6 of the Dungeon)   
   
   It warps and distorts space around it. Unwielding it can cause banishment or
   high damage.
   
   It greatly protects you from cold.
   It affects your magic capacity (-9).
   It lets you go berserk.
 J - a +2 dagger
 N - a +6 flail of draining
 S - the +5 arbalest "Xareci" {elec, Stlth+}
   (You found it on level 6 of the Dungeon)   
   
   It charges the ammunition it shoots with electricity; occasionally upon a
   hit, such missiles may discharge and cause terrible harm.
   
   It makes you more stealthy.

Armour
 d - a +1 pair of gloves (worn)
 i - a +0 helmet (worn)
 q - a +0 leather armour
 r - a +0 pair of boots (worn)
 D - a +0 buckler
 M - the +1 chain mail "Lugebri" (worn) {rPois rN+ rCorr Slay+2}
   (You found it on level 5 of the Dungeon)   
   
   It affects your accuracy and damage with ranged weapons and melee attacks
   (+2).
   It protects you from poison.
   It protects you from negative energy.
   It protects you from acid and corrosion.
 Q - a scarf of repulsion (worn)


The only other thing I'm debating is whether to train Crossbows with that killer arbalest I found.

[nago]

Yes (a normal +9 branded arbalest will probably outclass that eventually but for now it is by far the best weapon you have).

[4Hooves2Appendages]

So, you haven't joined a god yet? And you are currently wielding a not so good distortion weapon?

I see three choices:
1) Join whichever god you like & unwield. If you get unlucky, you'll go to the abyss, and you might die there. Your chance to survive this is pretty good by the way.
2) Join whichever god you like & play with the dagger for a while at least. Unwield when your chances of Abyss survival are better. The dagger will be pretty annoying unless you have some decent ranged damage. Unfortunately, it can't be crossbows. This path seems pretty fiddly and may just lead to death anyway.
3) Join Lugonu, use the dagger whenever you like, otherwise blow up enemies with that Arbalest.

I'd go 3) unless I just played AK or hate Lugonu.

[njvack]

Yes (a normal +9 branded arbalest will probably outclass that eventually but for now it is by far the best weapon you have).

Really? I'd expect a +5 {elec} arbalest to outdamage a +9 arbalest with anything except {speed} or Damnation. Penetration is nice too, sometimes.

Now that you've unwielded it, drop the salmon dagger and kill dangerous stuff with the crossbow you have and the ones Trog will shower on you.

[nago]

Maybe my messagge wasn't real clear: it is only a supposition, but it should be checked via fsim.

I hypothesized that because arbalest have high base damage - so multiplicative brands get higher bonus - and high min delay - so additive brand such as elec are worse.