Advice for my first VSEn


Ask fellow adventurers how to stay alive in the deep, dark, dangerous dungeon below, or share your own accumulated wisdom.

wux

Halls Hopper

Posts: 62

Joined: Monday, 30th April 2012, 22:29

Post Monday, 12th February 2018, 12:04

Advice for my first VSEn

Hello. Was hoping for any advice not to die soon with this vine stalker. I am familiar with beating a 15 rune game with MiFi and HeFE (but that was a long time and many versions ago).

I have persisted with the dagger as I don't have any enchant weapons scrolls to make a short sword better. And would need to pump my short sword skill to 12 to get min delay. (Should I be doing this anyway?)

6 headed hydra in the lair almost killed me. Its high magic resist stopped my Ensorcelled Hibernation and Confuse. Also had trouble with 2 headed ogres. Although my recent spells summon imps with the golem seem to help.
I actually know very little as to how magic resist on mobs works. As my previous casters have always been damage spell casters. Does greater spell power lower the chance of mobs resisting?

When I have a spellcaster, I try to get EV to around 25, and just keep wearing robes. But is this feasible with this char combo? As this is not a primary spellcaster - I kill things with dagger stabs? Getting high stealth has helped me more these last few levels.
Thanks!

  Code:
 Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup version 0.21.0 (tiles) character file.

Leafy the Jinx (Vine Stalker Enchanter)            Turns: 16764, Time: 02:31:10

Health: 55/55      AC: 10    Str: 13    XL:     13   Next: 0%
Magic:  24/24      EV: 19    Int: 13    God:    Dithmenos [****..]
Gold:   1307       SH:  9    Dex: 18    Spells: 12/26 levels left

rFire    . . .     SeeInvis .   G - +2 dagger (venom)
rCold    . . .     Gourm    .   t - +3 buckler
rNeg     + . .     Faith    .   B - +2 robe {rN+}
rPois    .         Spirit   +   n - +1 helmet
rElec    .         Reflect  .   o - +0 cloak
rCorr    .         Harm     .   I - +0 pair of gloves
MR       +....                  (no boots)
Stlth    +++++++++.             r - amulet of magic regeneration
HPRegen  0.98/turn              L - +2 ring of evasion
MPRegen  0.44/turn              u - ring of stealth

@: wreathed by umbra
A: fangs 3, yellow scales 1, dopey 1, regeneration 2, magic shield, antimagic
bite, no potion heal 3, rot immunity
a: Shadow Step, Renounce Religion


You are on level 1 of the Orcish Mines.
You worship Dithmenos.
Dithmenos is greatly pleased with you.
You are not hungry.

You have visited 3 branches of the dungeon, and seen 16 of its levels.

You have collected 1427 gold pieces.
You have spent 120 gold pieces at shops.

Inventory:

Hand Weapons
 G - a +2 dagger of venom (weapon)
Armour
 b - a +2 robe of magic resistance
 n - a +1 helmet (worn)
 o - a +0 cloak (worn)
 t - a +3 buckler (worn)
 B - a +2 robe of positive energy (worn)
 I - a +0 pair of gloves (worn)
Jewellery
 h - an uncursed ring of poison resistance
 k - an uncursed ring of protection from fire
 r - an amulet of magic regeneration (around neck)
 u - a ring of stealth (right hand)
 L - a +2 ring of evasion (left hand)
Wands
 f - a wand of acid (8)
 s - a wand of disintegration (28)
 y - a wand of digging (13)
 D - a wand of polymorph (8)
 F - a wand of enslavement (11)
 H - a wand of iceblast (9)
Scrolls
 j - 2 scrolls of identify
 q - a scroll of teleportation
 A - a scroll of blinking
 E - a scroll of magic mapping
 K - a scroll of noise
Potions
 g - 4 potions of flight
 i - a potion of lignification
 l - 5 potions of curing
 m - a potion of might
 p - a potion of brilliance
 v - 2 potions of cancellation
 w - a potion of haste
 x - a potion of magic
 z - a potion of agility
Books
 c - a book of Maledictions   
   
    Spells                             Type                      Level
    a - Corona                       Hexes                         1
    b - Ensorcelled Hibernation      Hexes/Ice                     2
    c - Confuse                      Hexes                         3
    d - Tukima's Dance               Hexes                         3
    e - Dazzling Spray               Conjuration/Hexes             3
 C - a book of Callings   
   
    Spells                             Type                      Level
    a - Summon Small Mammal          Summoning                     1
    b - Call Imp                     Summoning                     2
    c - Call Canine Familiar         Summoning                     3
    d - Summon Guardian Golem        Hexes/Summoning               3
    e - Summon Lightning Spire       Summoning/Air                 4
    f - Summon Ice Beast             Ice/Summoning                 4
Miscellaneous
 a - a crystal ball of energy
 e - a fan of gales
Comestibles
 d - 25 rations
 J - 12 chunks of flesh


   Skills:
 - Level 10.0 Short Blades
 + Level 6.9 Dodging
 - Level 10.0 Stealth
 - Level 4.5 Shields
 - Level 7.1 Spellcasting
 - Level 3.5 Conjurations
 + Level 10.3 Hexes
 - Level 5.5 Summonings
 - Level 2.0 Ice Magic
 - Level 2.9 Invocations


You have 12 spell levels left.
You know the following spells:

 Your Spells              Type           Power        Failure   Level  Hunger
a - Corona                Hex            ####...      1%          1    None
b - Ensorcelled Hibernat  Hex/Ice        ###...       1%          2    #......
c - Confuse               Hex            ####....     1%          3    ##.....
d - Dazzling Spray        Conj/Hex       ###...       2%          3    ##.....
e - Summon Guardian Gole  Hex/Summ       ####....     1%          3    ##.....
f - Call Imp              Summ           ###.....     2%          2    #......


Dungeon Overview and Level Annotations

Branches:
Dungeon (12/15)            Temple (0/1) D:5            Lair (2/6) D:9
 Spider (0/4) Lair:2          Orc (2/2) D:12       
 Swamp: Lair:2-4    Shoals: Lair:2-4       Elf: Orc:2       

Altars:
Ashenzari
Cheibriados
Dithmenos
Fedhas
Hepliaklqana
Nemelex Xobeh
Qazlal
Ru
Sif Muna
Trog
Uskayaw
Yredelemnul

Shops:
D:8 =*   D:9 (   D:11 }

Annotations:
D:10 Josephine


Innate Abilities, Weirdness & Mutations

You have razor-sharp teeth.
You heal very quickly.
When hurt, damage is shared between your health and your magic reserves.
Your bite disrupts and absorbs the magic of your enemies.
Potions cannot restore your health.
You are immune to rotting.
You are partially covered in yellow scales. (AC +2)
You are dopey. (Int -2)


Message History

There is a stone staircase leading up here.
You climb upwards. Your summoned ally is left behind.
There is a stone staircase leading down here.
Move the cursor to view the level map, or type ? for a list of commands.
Returning to the game...
Unknown command.
Move the cursor to view the level map, or type ? for a list of commands.
Returning to the game...
HP restored.
Things that are here:
a leather armour; a mace
Things that are here:
a robe; a dagger
Eating one of 13 chunks of flesh. You eat one of the 13 chunks of flesh. This raw flesh tastes terrible.
Saving game... please wait.
Welcome back, Leafy the Vine Stalker Enchanter.
Dithmenos says: Spread the eternal night.
Press ? for a list of commands and other information.
Char dumped to 'C:/Users/Gavin/AppData/Roaming/crawl/morgue/Leafy.txt'.
Saving game... please wait.

                       ###
           ###        ##.#####
         ###.##       #..#.#.##
        ##.#..###   ####......#
       ##.......## ##......#.##
      ##.........# #.......###
    ###..........###.........##
 ####.........................## ##
##.#......>..#.........##......###.
#..........@#.#........###.........
##.........#..........####.....##..
 ###......###[..........###...#####
   ###.#....##[................#
   ##.##.....)................##
   #.........[....#.......)...#
   ##.##........#####.....<####
    #####......### ##.....[#
      ####.......###.......####
      #.##........##..........##
      #.....#......#........)..#
     ##.....##.........##.....##
   ###.....##.#........##......####
   #.#.....#.##........###......#.#
   #..........#.......## #.......##


There are no monsters in sight!

Vanquished Creatures
  A stone giant (Orc:2)
  Erolcha (D:9)
  Erica (Lair:2)
  A tengu warrior (D:12)
  Sonja (Lair:2)
  Nergalle (D:9)
  An unseen horror (D:12)
  An orc knight (Orc:2)
  An orc sorcerer (D:12)
  A deep elf mage (D:7)
  A cyclops (D:11)
  2 ugly things
  A black mamba (Lair:1)
  A spiny frog (Lair:1)
  3 kobold demonologists (D:12)
  2 komodo dragons (Lair:2)
  A demonic crawler (Lair:2)
  A hornet (D:5)
  Grinder (D:6)
  2 hippogriffs
  Prince Ribbit (D:7)
  2 slime creatures (D:12)
  3 blink frogs
  2 wyverns
  A spriggan (D:7)
  2 wraiths
  17 yaks
  A hungry ghost (D:9)
  2 wargs
  5 water moccasins
  Duvessa (D:7)
  2 porcupines
  5 orc warriors
  2 ice beasts
  A sky beast (D:5)
  6 ogres
  A phantom (D:11)
  13 centaurs
  3 crocodiles (Lair:2)
  3 big kobolds (D:12)
  7 bullfrogs
  A gnoll sergeant (D:8)
  A wyvern skeleton (D:12)
  A wyvern zombie (D:12)
  3 scorpions (Lair:2)
  Dowan (D:7)
  3 killer bees (D:9)
  4 electric eels
  3 howler monkeys
  5 crimson imps
  3 bullfrog zombies
  A quasit (D:10)
  3 centaur zombies
  3 jellies
  3 bullfrog skeletons
  A gnoll shaman (D:10)
  6 orc priests
  3 hounds
  11 orc wizards
  2 centaur skeletons
  Jessica (D:3)
  3 iguanas
  7 worker ants
  3 worker ant zombies (D:5)
  Robin (D:4)
  12 gnolls
  9 adders
  6 shadow imps
  An ooze (D:2)
  2 adder zombies (D:5)
  2 adder skeletons
  A worm (D:2)
  2 dart slugs (D:1)
  3 leopard geckos
  37 orcs
  3 giant cockroaches
  18 goblins
  11 hobgoblins
  3 jackals (D:8)
  5 kobolds
  A quokka (D:2)
  2 ball pythons
  9 bats
  8 frilled lizards
  A giant cockroach zombie (D:5)
  A leopard gecko skeleton (D:4)
  A leopard gecko zombie (D:5)
  A quokka zombie (D:5)
  6 rats
  A plant (Lair:2)
324 creatures vanquished.

Vanquished Creatures (collateral kills)
  A two-headed ogre (D:11)
  An orc high priest (D:12)
  An unseen horror (D:11)
  2 orc wizards (Orc:1)
5 creatures vanquished.

Vanquished Creatures (others)
  A slime creature (D:12)
  A warg (D:12)
  3 orcs
  A giant cockroach (Lair:2)
  A fungus (Lair:2)
  13 plants (Lair:2)
20 creatures vanquished.

Grand Total: 349 creatures vanquished

Notes
Turn   | Place    | Note
-------+----------+-------------------------------------------
     0 | D:1      | Leafy the Vine Stalker Enchanter began the quest for the Orb.
     0 | D:1      | Reached XP level 1. HP: 9/9 MP: 4/4
    37 | D:1      | Reached skill level 1 in Short Blades
   388 | D:1      | Reached XP level 2. HP: 13/13 MP: 4/6
  1520 | D:1      | Reached XP level 3. HP: 16/16 MP: 7/7
  1733 | D:2      | Noticed a centaur
  1738 | D:2      | Killed a centaur
  1738 | D:2      | Reached skill level 5 in Stealth
  1738 | D:2      | Gained mutation: Your natural rate of healing is unusually fast. [Vine Stalker growth]
  1738 | D:2      | Reached XP level 4. HP: 19/21 MP: 6/8
  1749 | D:2      | Reached XP level 5. HP: 24/24 MP: 9/9
  1754 | D:2      | Learned a level 2 spell: Ensorcelled Hibernation
  2136 | D:2      | Learned a level 3 spell: Confuse
  2281 | D:3      | Found a shattered altar of Ashenzari.
  2319 | D:3      | Noticed Jessica
  2333 | D:3      | Killed Jessica
  2939 | D:4      | Reached XP level 6. HP: 24/28 MP: 6/10
  3131 | D:4      | Noticed Robin
  3631 | D:4      | Found a shadowy altar of Dithmenos.
  3636 | D:4      | Became a worshipper of Dithmenos the Shadowed
  3932 | D:4      | Killed Robin
  4011 | D:5      | Entered Level 5 of the Dungeon
  4034 | D:5      | Noticed a hornet
  4043 | D:5      | Killed a hornet
  4043 | D:5      | Reached skill level 5 in Hexes
  4043 | D:5      | Reached XP level 7. HP: 14/32 MP: 9/12
  4104 | D:5      | You fall through a shaft for 2 floors!
  4104 | D:7      | Found a deep blue altar of Sif Muna.
  4115 | D:7      | Noticed Prince Ribbit
  4179 | D:7      | Noticed a hippogriff
  4201 | D:7      | Noticed Dowan
  4202 | D:7      | Noticed Duvessa
  4565 | D:5      | Found a staircase to the Ecumenical Temple.
  4596 | D:5      | Found a basalt altar of Yredelemnul.
  4672 | D:5      | Found a sparkling altar of Nemelex Xobeh.
  4758 | D:5      | Gained mutation: You have razor-sharp teeth. [Vine Stalker growth]
  4758 | D:5      | Reached XP level 8. HP: 30/36 MP: 13/13
  4960 | D:5      | Reached skill level 5 in Short Blades
  4981 | D:5      | Reached * piety under Dithmenos
  4994 | D:5      | Found a sacrificial altar of Ru.
  5174 | D:6      | Noticed Grinder
  5194 | D:6      | Killed Grinder
  5194 | D:6      | Reached skill level 1 in Ice Magic
  5455 | D:6      | Found a hide-covered altar of Uskayaw.
  5791 | D:6      | Found a hazy altar of Hepliaklqana.
  5882 | D:7      | Killed Dowan
  5890 | D:7      | Killed Duvessa
  5890 | D:7      | Reached skill level 1 in Shields
  5944 | D:7      | Killed a hippogriff
  5944 | D:7      | Reached XP level 9. HP: 33/39 MP: 11/15
  5981 | D:7      | Noticed a deep elf mage
  5982 | D:7      | Noticed a skeletal warrior
  6135 | D:7      | Killed Prince Ribbit
  6738 | D:7      | Killed a deep elf mage
  7026 | D:8      | Reached ** piety under Dithmenos
  7161 | D:8      | Found a snail-covered altar of Cheibriados.
  7320 | D:8      | Reached XP level 10. HP: 40/44 MP: 18/18
  7483 | D:8      | Found Huveir's Jewellery Boutique.
  7488 | D:8      | Found a stormy altar of Qazlal.
  7744 | D:8      | Found Ryorghiaps's Demolitions Depot.
  8032 | D:8      | Found a blossoming altar of Fedhas.
  8520 | D:9      | Found a bloodstained altar of Trog.
  8584 | D:9      | Found Kocefuc's Antique Weapon Shoppe.
  8591 | D:9      | Bought a runed dagger for 120 gold pieces
  8739 | D:9      | Noticed Erolcha
  8743 | D:9      | Killed Erolcha
  9017 | D:9      | Reached *** piety under Dithmenos
  9017 | D:9      | Reached skill level 1 in Invocations
  9412 | D:9      | Found a staircase to the Lair.
  9544 | Lair:1   | Entered Level 1 of the Lair of Beasts
  9765 | Lair:1   | Noticed a five-headed hydra
  9873 | D:10     | Entered Level 10 of the Dungeon
  9873 | D:10     | Noticed Nergalle
 10086 | D:9      | Killed Nergalle
 10109 | D:10     | Reached XP level 11. HP: 36/47 MP: 19/19
 10315 | D:11     | Noticed a red ugly thing
 10591 | D:11     | Noticed a cyclops
 10679 | D:10     | Learned a level 3 spell: Dazzling Spray
 10899 | Lair:1   | Reached skill level 10 in Short Blades
 11161 | Lair:2   | Reached skill level 1 in Conjurations
 11225 | Lair:2   | Noticed Erica
 11235 | Lair:2   | Found a hole to the Spider Nest.
 11305 | Lair:2   | Reached skill level 5 in Spellcasting
 11361 | Lair:2   | Noticed Sonja
 11374 | Lair:2   | Killed Sonja
 11540 | Lair:2   | Reached skill level 10 in Stealth
 11640 | Lair:2   | Killed Erica
 11743 | Lair:2   | Reached **** piety under Dithmenos
 12626 | Lair:1   | HP: 2/47 [five-headed hydra (7)]
 12796 | Lair:1   | Gained mutation: You are dopey. (Int -2) [potion of mutation]
 12796 | Lair:1   | Gained mutation: You are partially covered in yellow scales. (AC +2) [potion of mutation]
 12890 | D:9      | Learned a level 3 spell: Summon Guardian Golem
 13605 | D:11     | Killed a cyclops
 13605 | D:11     | Reached skill level 1 in Summonings
 13605 | D:11     | Gained mutation: You heal very quickly. [Vine Stalker growth]
 13605 | D:11     | Reached XP level 12. HP: 51/51 MP: 23/23
 13723 | D:11     | Noticed a two-headed ogre
 13992 | D:10     | Noticed Josephine
 14123 | D:10     | Learned a level 2 spell: Call Imp
 14563 | D:11     | Found Nonam's Gadget Boutique.
 14857 | D:11     | Killed a two-headed ogre
 15004 | D:12     | Noticed a tengu warrior
 15064 | D:12     | Killed a tengu warrior
 15157 | D:12     | Reached skill level 5 in Dodging
 15280 | D:12     | Reached ***** piety under Dithmenos
 15386 | D:12     | Reached skill level 5 in Summonings
 15491 | D:12     | Found a staircase to the Orcish Mines.
 15827 | D:12     | Noticed a five-headed hydra
 15916 | Orc:1    | Entered Level 1 of the Orcish Mines
 15916 | Orc:1    | Noticed an orc high priest
 16012 | D:12     | Noticed a sun demon
 16094 | D:12     | Killed an orc high priest
 16364 | Orc:1    | Reached skill level 10 in Hexes
 16582 | Orc:2    | Entered Level 2 of the Orcish Mines
 16592 | Orc:2    | Noticed a stone giant
 16612 | Orc:2    | Killed a stone giant
 16656 | Orc:2    | Reached XP level 13. HP: 55/55 MP: 18/24
 16720 | Orc:2    | Noticed a stone giant

Skill      XL: |  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12 |
---------------+-------------------------------------+-----
Short Blades   |  1     2  3     4     6     9 10    | 10.0
Stealth        |  4     5     6           9    10    | 10.0
Hexes          |              4  5  6  7        9 10 | 10.3
Dodging        |                       2        3  6 |  6.9
Ice Magic      |                       2             |  2.0
Shields        |                       2  4          |  4.5
Spellcasting   |                       3  4     7    |  7.1
Invocations    |                             2       |  2.9
Conjurations   |                                3    |  3.5
Summonings     |                                1  5 |  5.5

Action                   |  1- 3 |  4- 6 |  7- 9 | 10-12 | 13-15 || total
-------------------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------++-------
Melee: Dagger            |    88 |   191 |   228 |   907 |     6 ||  1420
       Bite              |    25 |    42 |    77 |   297 |     3 ||   444
       Short sword       |       |       |    78 |       |       ||    78
 Cast: Corona            |     5 |     3 |     1 |    11 |       ||    20
       Ensorcelled Hiber |       |     8 |     7 |    60 |       ||    75
       Confuse           |       |     3 |     8 |    26 |       ||    37
       Dazzling Spray    |       |       |       |    10 |       ||    10
       Call Imp          |       |       |       |    34 |       ||    34
       Summon Guardian G |       |       |       |    11 |       ||    11
Invok: Shadow Step       |       |       |       |     4 |       ||     4
Evoke: Wand              |       |       |     4 |    14 |       ||    18
  Use: Scroll            |       |     3 |    10 |    22 |       ||    35
       Potion            |       |       |     3 |     7 |       ||    10
 Stab: Sleeping          |     5 |    17 |    20 |    59 |     2 ||   103
       Confused          |       |     2 |     4 |     7 |       ||    13
       Distracted        |       |       |     5 |     7 |       ||    12
       Invisible         |       |       |       |     3 |       ||     3
  Eat: Chunk             |     3 |     8 |     8 |    24 |     1 ||    44
       Ration            |       |       |     1 |     3 |       ||     4
Armor: Robe              |    18 |    30 |    33 |    93 |     1 ||   175
       Skin              |       |       |     2 |       |       ||     2
Dodge: Dodged            |    50 |   105 |   137 |   358 |     3 ||   653
Block: Buckler           |       |       |    16 |   224 |       ||   240

User avatar

Shoals Surfer

Posts: 298

Joined: Wednesday, 9th March 2016, 20:00

Post Monday, 12th February 2018, 14:12

Re: Advice for my first VSEn

wux wrote:I have persisted with the dagger as I don't have any enchant weapons scrolls to make a short sword better. And would need to pump my short sword skill to 12 to get min delay. (Should I be doing this anyway?)


The need to go from 10 to 12 in Short Blades shouldn't be a factor in your decision of which weapon you choose. Your Short Blades skill helps with stabbing anyway (as does Stealth), although in my experience it's OK to leave it at mindelay level. My opinion is that if you fight a lot in melee against non-disabled monsters, you should get a better short blade (ideally a rapier or quick blade) with a good brand and use that, but if you confuse/sleep most of your enemies you should stick with the dagger (or at least enchant it up first before you enchant up a better short blade). I guess the most optimal behavior would be to explore with the dagger, stab whatever you can and switch to a better short blade for anything you can't confuse, hibernate or just sneak up on. Also, venom is a good brand early on, but later it falls behind compared to electrocution and other brands that aren't so commonly resisted by endgame creatures. Bear that in mind.

Though that's just my intuitive knowledge about the subject, I'm sure someone who routinely runs weapon damage simulations can tell you more.

wux wrote:6 headed hydra in the lair almost killed me. Its high magic resist stopped my Ensorcelled Hibernation and Confuse. Also had trouble with 2 headed ogres. Although my recent spells summon imps with the golem seem to help.
I actually know very little as to how magic resist on mobs works. As my previous casters have always been damage spell casters. Does greater spell power lower the chance of mobs resisting?


Yes, it does.

You can consider learning Ice Beast since you already have some training in those paths. They're much tankier allies and solve your problems very well - their branded attacks slow hydras and can often kill them by themselves, but will at least give you more time to try and confuse the hydra. They'll also be more useful against anything you can't confuse, although they'll probably struggle against skeleton warriors - a reasonably common late dungeon enemy that many stabbers struggle with.

wux wrote:When I have a spellcaster, I try to get EV to around 25, and just keep wearing robes. But is this feasible with this char combo? As this is not a primary spellcaster - I kill things with dagger stabs? Getting high stealth has helped me more these last few levels.
Thanks!


You have 13 strength and mostly use low-level spells while also being in melee with enemies a lot of the time. There's no reason not to get better armor really - swamp dragon scales at least, or even ice/fire dragon scales would probably work (depending on what other resists you have, and what your casting chances end up being on spells you commonly use). With Dithmenos, your stealth should still be good enough.
If I play online, I do so under the screenname Marenglen.

Ziggurat Zagger

Posts: 4432

Joined: Friday, 8th May 2015, 17:51

Post Monday, 12th February 2018, 14:26

Re: Advice for my first VSEn

You have not used all spells from your starting book. Tukima's dance is great vs 2headed ogres you had trouble with (they are likely to die to their own weapon) and Dazzling Spray is great vs packs and "too dangerous to stay adjacent to" monsters like hydra.
+1 for using heavier armour. Robe is great when it has archmagi ego or when your primary way to stab monsters is via stealth. You have EH and Confuse, they don't become less useful when you are in heavier armour.
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Ziggurat Zagger

Posts: 5382

Joined: Friday, 25th November 2011, 07:36

Post Monday, 12th February 2018, 22:21

Re: Advice for my first VSEn

It's been a while since I played a stabber, but I don't recall hydras being too hard to confuse? They have 60 MR, which isn't exactly low, but it isn't really insurmountable either. You'll certainly want to spot them at a distance so you have a few turns to try, and be mindful of how much damage you can take if you do happen to wake one up while you're next to it, or if they appear around a corner.

Going up to slightly heavier armor as previously suggested will also help reduce the risk of failing a stab with one nearby. Where is no magic 'breakpoint' for reducing hydra damage to safe levels, I find around 15 ac to be pretty good protection, and at 20 they start to feel considerably less threatening than some of the other big lair threats (Komodo dragons, spiny frogs, black mambas). This assumes you have roughly scale/chain GDR, you probably won't go all the way up to plate to still be able to cast, but with enough skill training you could wear plate if you find a good one.

Edit: having just fired up a VSEn, having even 50% chance to EH monsters frequently gets annoying when you fail 3 times in a row. At least you can restore mana with your bite. Oh, and I wielded a -2 dagger and didn't find a single RC scroll all the way down to d:8 where I died, what the hell...I'll give it another go.

Blades Runner

Posts: 616

Joined: Thursday, 25th October 2012, 03:19

Post Tuesday, 13th February 2018, 09:06

Re: Advice for my first VSEn

I'm far from an expert with vinestalker, but I will offer that I had my best run with it training short blades initially, followed up with some unarmed combat and casting confusing touch.

The play went something like this:
*cast confusing touch
*use whatever ranged stuff you want to pepper targets until they close to melee range (optional)
*fight unarmed (monster becomes confused)
(repeat until threat(s) are confused)
* switch to dagger and kill monsters

The advantage of this tactic is that you can wear heavier armour and play like either an enchanting stabber without so much difficulty against high MR creatures or play like a beater with decent AC and high straightforward damage from UC. Confusing touch is very low level and easy to cast even in heavier armour. You don't need to invest a ton into shortblades and stealth is pretty cheap for increasing your stabbing damage.

wux

Halls Hopper

Posts: 62

Joined: Monday, 30th April 2012, 22:29

Post Wednesday, 14th February 2018, 22:38

Re: Advice for my first VSEn

My progress is below. I have been using my +4 short sword for a while. Seems good. Higher stealth is helping with stabbing now too.
Having an easier time confusing and hibernating mobs. Done orc and lair. Doing spider nest now. It was very scary for a while when I fell down a shaft in the spiders nest into the big open level 2 with no choke points. Trying to find the stairs up, about 4 wolf spiders, an orb weaver, plus some readbacks all tried to get close to me. Killed a couple but had to read a scroll of fear and run to the edge wall. Used a wand of digging to dig up a corridor and then I was able to kill them all one at a time. When I go back down to the nest I might try my poison dagger to see if its better on the spiders.

Btw, cant seem to find any good armour. Would love to get some other dragon scales or hide. The only magical leather was a +3 with no ego. And an +1 artifact leather with +corrode (bad), rElec, N+. Also no boots at all to be found. Or good helmets, cloaks. I have one scroll of acquirement. Never sure what to use it for. Any ideas?

  Code:
 Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup version 0.21.0 (tiles) character file.

Leafy the Covert (Vine Stalker Enchanter)          Turns: 29052, Time: 04:55:04

Health: 63/63      AC: 11    Str: 13    XL:     15   Next: 28%
Magic:  26/26      EV: 18    Int: 13    God:    Dithmenos [*****.]
Gold:   2047       SH:  9    Dex: 19    Spells: 7/28 levels left

rFire    . . .     SeeInvis .   W - +4 short sword
rCold    . . .     Gourm    .   t - +3 buckler
rNeg     . . .     Faith    .   U - +0 acid dragon scales
rPois    +         Spirit   +   n - +1 helmet
rElec    .         Reflect  .   J - scarf {repulsion}
rCorr    +         Harm     .   I - +0 pair of gloves
MR       +....                  (no boots)
Stlth    +++++++++.             r - amulet of magic regeneration
HPRegen  1.00/turn              h - ring of poison resistance
MPRegen  0.45/turn              L - +2 ring of evasion

@: wreathed by umbra, repel missiles
A: fangs 3, yellow scales 1, dopey 1, regeneration 2, magic shield, antimagic
bite, no potion heal 3, rot immunity
a: Shadow Step, Shadow Form, Renounce Religion


You are on level 10 of the Dungeon.
You worship Dithmenos.
Dithmenos is extremely pleased with you.
You are not hungry.

You have visited 4 branches of the dungeon, and seen 24 of its levels.

You have collected 2167 gold pieces.
You have spent 120 gold pieces at shops.

Inventory:

Hand Weapons
 G - a +2 dagger of venom
 W - a +4 short sword (weapon)
Armour
 n - a +1 helmet (worn)
 t - a +3 buckler (worn)
 I - a +0 pair of gloves (worn)
 J - a scarf of repulsion (worn)
 U - +0 acid dragon scales (worn)
Jewellery
 h - a ring of poison resistance (left hand)
 k - an uncursed ring of protection from fire
 r - an amulet of magic regeneration (around neck)
 u - an uncursed ring of stealth
 L - a +2 ring of evasion (right hand)
 O - an uncursed ring of positive energy
 Q - an uncursed ring of see invisible
Wands
 f - a wand of acid (16)
 s - a wand of disintegration (28)
 y - a wand of digging (9)
 D - a wand of polymorph (8)
 H - a wand of iceblast (23)
Scrolls
 e - a scroll of summoning
 j - 7 scrolls of identify
 q - a scroll of teleportation
 E - 2 scrolls of magic mapping
 K - 2 scrolls of fear
 S - a scroll of silence
 T - 2 scrolls of remove curse
 Y - a scroll of enchant armour
 Z - 3 scrolls of blinking
Potions
 g - 4 potions of flight
 i - 2 potions of lignification
 l - 5 potions of curing
 m - 3 potions of might
 p - a potion of brilliance
 v - 2 potions of cancellation
 w - a potion of haste
 x - a potion of magic
 z - 3 potions of agility
 B - a potion of invisibility
 P - a potion of berserk rage
Books
 C - a book of Callings   
   
    Spells                             Type                      Level
    a - Summon Small Mammal          Summoning                     1
    b - Call Imp                     Summoning                     2
    c - Call Canine Familiar         Summoning                     3
    d - Summon Guardian Golem        Hexes/Summoning               3
    e - Summon Lightning Spire       Summoning/Air                 4
    f - Summon Ice Beast             Ice/Summoning                 4
 V - a book of Cantrips   
   
    Spells                             Type                      Level
    a - Confusing Touch              Hexes                         1
    b - Animate Skeleton             Necromancy                    1
    c - Summon Small Mammal          Summoning                     1
    d - Apportation                  Translocation                 1
Comestibles
 d - 44 rations


   Skills:
 - Level 12.2 Short Blades
 - Level 7.0 Dodging
 + Level 13.9 Stealth
 - Level 4.5 Shields
 - Level 7.1 Spellcasting
 - Level 3.5 Conjurations
 + Level 12.7 Hexes
 - Level 9.4 Summonings
 - Level 5.2 Ice Magic
 - Level 2.9 Invocations


You have 7 spell levels left.
You know the following spells:

 Your Spells              Type           Power        Failure   Level  Hunger
a - Corona                Hex            #####..      1%          1    None
b - Ensorcelled Hibernat  Hex/Ice        ####..       1%          2    #......
c - Confuse               Hex            #####...     1%          3    ##.....
d - Dazzling Spray        Conj/Hex       ####..       2%          3    ##.....
e - Summon Guardian Gole  Hex/Summ       ####....     1%          3    ##.....
f - Call Imp              Summ           ####....     1%          2    #......
g - Tukima's Dance        Hex            #####...     1%          3    ##.....
h - Summon Ice Beast      Ice/Summ       ###.....     11%         4    ####...


Dungeon Overview and Level Annotations

Branches:
Dungeon (14/15)            Temple (0/1) D:5            Lair (6/6) D:9
  Swamp (0/4) Lair:3       Spider (2/4) Lair:2        Slime (0/5) Lair:6
    Orc (2/2) D:12       
   Elf: Orc:2       Vaults: D:13-14     

Altars:
Ashenzari
Cheibriados
Dithmenos
Fedhas
Hepliaklqana
Nemelex Xobeh
Qazlal
Ru
Sif Muna
Trog
Uskayaw
Xom
Yredelemnul

Shops:
D:8 =*   D:9 (   D:11 }

Annotations:
Lair:3 exclusion: oklob plant


Innate Abilities, Weirdness & Mutations

You have razor-sharp teeth.
You heal very quickly.
When hurt, damage is shared between your health and your magic reserves.
Your bite disrupts and absorbs the magic of your enemies.
Potions cannot restore your health.
You are immune to rotting.
You are partially covered in yellow scales. (AC +2)
You are dopey. (Int -2)


Message History

the +1 leather armour "Seelaf Xibb" {*Corrode rElec rN+}
a +1 ring mail of fire resistance; a +3 leather armour
You drop a +0 cloak.
As you read the scroll of identify, it crumbles to dust.
e - a scroll of summoning
Things that are here:
a scroll of enchant weapon; a scroll of acquirement; a scroll of noise
You drop 3 scrolls of amnesia.
Char dumped to 'C:/Users/Gavin/AppData/Roaming/crawl/morgue/Leafy.txt'.
Saving game... please wait.
Welcome back, Leafy the Vine Stalker Enchanter.
Dithmenos says: Spread the eternal night.
Press ? for a list of commands and other information.
Your +2 dagger of venom stops dripping with poison.
W - a +4 short sword (weapon)
You are wreathed by an umbra. You repel missiles. Your movement speed is average.
Your attack speed is very fast (and cannot be improved with additional weapon skill).
Your base attributes are Str 13, Int 15, Dex 19.
Char dumped to 'C:/Users/Gavin/AppData/Roaming/crawl/morgue/Leafy.txt'.
Saving game... please wait.

# #.###..............##.#§§˜˜.˜˜˜˜############
# #.##˜˜˜˜˜˜##..˜.˜..˜#.#§§˜...˜§§..§§§§.§...#
# #.....˜˜.˜˜˜..˜.˜.....#§§.)>§§§§..§§§§§§...#
# ##˜˜˜.˜˜......˜.˜.˜˜###˜˜˜.§?˜§§§.§§§§§§...#
# #˜˜˜˜.˜˜...˜..˜.˜˜˜˜..#˜˜˜˜.§§˜§##########.###
# ##˜˜˜.˜˜˜˜.˜˜.˜.˜.....#˜˜§˜§§˜˜.#        #....
#  #.........˜˜.˜.˜˜.˜#.#.˜§˜§˜˜..#        ####.
#  #...˜˜˜˜.....˜.˜˜.˜#.#....§§...#           #.
#  #...˜˜˜˜.###˜˜....##.###########           #.
#  #...#˜˜#..>.....˜###.#                     #.
####.[.####.............#           ###       #.
#......#  #.........#####          ##˜##      #.
#......#  #....(....#          #####˜˜˜##     #.
#......#  #.......[.######     #.......˜#     #.
#......#  #....<........!#     #.......##     #.
#.....##  ##..!.........@#     #.......#      #.
#.....#    #.............#     #.......#####  #.
#.....#    #............:#     #...........####.
#.....#    #............[#     #)...............
#.....#    #............}#     #........_....)..
#.....######............/#     #................
........................|#     #................
############.......#######     #................
           #########           #................
                               ########.........
                                      ##########


There are no monsters in sight!

Vanquished Creatures
  Nessos (Lair:4)
  A stone giant (Orc:2)
  Snorg (Lair:4)
  Josephine (D:10)
  A fire dragon (Lair:6)
  Erolcha (D:9)
  3 hydras
  2 centaur warriors
  Erica (Lair:2)
  Urug (Lair:5)
  2 tengu warriors
  Sonja (Lair:2)
  Nergalle (D:9)
  An unseen horror (D:12)
  A swamp dragon (Lair:6)
  An orc knight (Orc:2)
  3 orb spiders
  A wolf spider zombie (D:14)
  12 wolf spiders
  An orc sorcerer (D:12)
  A deep elf mage (D:7)
  A manticore (D:13)
  A cyclops (D:11)
  3 ugly things
  7 black mambas
  6 elephants
  Maurice (D:10)
  10 spiny frogs
  A gargoyle (D:13)
  An efreet (D:14)
  3 kobold demonologists (D:12)
  5 komodo dragons
  2 demonic crawlers
  2 jumping spiders
  A tengu conjurer (D:14)
  3 meliai (D:12)
  3 polar bears
  A queen bee (D:12)
  4 hornets
  Grinder (D:6)
  6 hippogriffs
  Prince Ribbit (D:7)
  2 slime creatures (D:12)
  4 dream sheep (Lair:4)
  3 blink frogs
  13 wyverns
  18 redbacks
  A spriggan (D:7)
  7 tarantellas
  2 basilisks
  4 wraiths
  49 yaks
  2 steam dragons (Lair:6)
  A hungry ghost (D:9)
  5 swamp worms (Lair:3)
  2 wargs
  16 water moccasins
  2 acid dragons
  Duvessa (D:7)
  A hell hound (D:10)
  7 porcupines
  7 orc warriors
  2 ice beasts
  2 sky beasts
  5 wolves
  6 ogres
  2 phantoms
  4 boggarts (Lair:4)
  19 centaurs
  10 crocodiles
  3 big kobolds (D:12)
  11 bullfrogs
  A gnoll sergeant (D:8)
  A wyvern skeleton (D:12)
  A wyvern zombie (D:12)
  4 scorpions
  Dowan (D:7)
  25 killer bees
  8 electric eels
  3 howler monkeys
  A lava snake (D:10)
  6 crimson imps
  3 bullfrog zombies
  A quasit (D:10)
  3 centaur zombies
  3 jellies
  3 bullfrog skeletons
  A gnoll shaman (D:10)
  6 orc priests
  3 hounds
  11 orc wizards
  4 centaur skeletons
  Jessica (D:3)
  6 iguanas
  7 worker ants
  3 worker ant zombies (D:5)
  Robin (D:4)
  12 gnolls
  9 adders
  8 shadow imps
  An ooze (D:2)
  2 adder zombies (D:5)
  2 adder skeletons
  A worm (D:2)
  2 dart slugs (D:1)
  3 leopard geckos
  43 orcs
  3 giant cockroaches
  18 goblins
  11 hobgoblins
  3 jackals (D:8)
  5 kobolds
  A quokka (D:2)
  2 ball pythons
  9 bats
  8 frilled lizards
  A giant cockroach zombie (D:5)
  A leopard gecko skeleton (D:4)
  A leopard gecko zombie (D:5)
  A quokka zombie (D:5)
  6 rats
  2 fungi (Lair:6)
  2 plants
576 creatures vanquished.

Vanquished Creatures (collateral kills)
  A hydra (Lair:6)
  A two-headed ogre (D:11)
  An orc high priest (D:12)
  An unseen horror (D:11)
  An orb spider (Spider:2)
  A guardian serpent (Lair:6)
  A demonic crawler (Spider:2)
  A dream sheep (Lair:4)
  A tarantella (Spider:2)
  6 redbacks
  A wraith (D:13)
  A yak (Lair:6)
  A water moccasin (Lair:6)
  A swamp drake (Lair:6)
  An orc warrior (D:13)
  A crocodile (Lair:6)
  3 orc wizards
  3 orcs (D:13)
  A fungus (Lair:6)
  2 plants (Lair:4)
30 creatures vanquished.

Vanquished Creatures (others)
  A rime drake (Lair:6)
  A slime creature (D:12)
  A dream sheep (Lair:4)
  A hippogriff (Lair:6)
  A basilisk (Lair:6)
  A warg (D:12)
  3 orcs
  A giant cockroach (Lair:2)
  9 fungi
  41 plants
60 creatures vanquished.

Grand Total: 666 creatures vanquished

Notes
Turn   | Place    | Note
-------+----------+-------------------------------------------
     0 | D:1      | Leafy the Vine Stalker Enchanter began the quest for the Orb.
     0 | D:1      | Reached XP level 1. HP: 9/9 MP: 4/4
    37 | D:1      | Reached skill level 1 in Short Blades
   388 | D:1      | Reached skill level 4 in Stealth
   388 | D:1      | Reached XP level 2. HP: 13/13 MP: 4/6
  1520 | D:1      | Reached XP level 3. HP: 16/16 MP: 7/7
  1733 | D:2      | Noticed a centaur
  1738 | D:2      | Killed a centaur
  1738 | D:2      | Reached skill level 5 in Stealth
  1738 | D:2      | Gained mutation: Your natural rate of healing is unusually fast. [Vine Stalker growth]
  1738 | D:2      | Reached XP level 4. HP: 19/21 MP: 6/8
  1749 | D:2      | Reached XP level 5. HP: 24/24 MP: 9/9
  1754 | D:2      | Learned a level 2 spell: Ensorcelled Hibernation
  2136 | D:2      | Learned a level 3 spell: Confuse
  2281 | D:3      | Found a shattered altar of Ashenzari.
  2319 | D:3      | Noticed Jessica
  2333 | D:3      | Killed Jessica
  2333 | D:3      | Reached skill level 6 in Stealth
  2939 | D:4      | Reached XP level 6. HP: 24/28 MP: 6/10
  3131 | D:4      | Noticed Robin
  3631 | D:4      | Found a shadowy altar of Dithmenos.
  3636 | D:4      | Became a worshipper of Dithmenos the Shadowed
  3932 | D:4      | Killed Robin
  4011 | D:5      | Entered Level 5 of the Dungeon
  4034 | D:5      | Noticed a hornet
  4043 | D:5      | Killed a hornet
  4043 | D:5      | Reached skill level 5 in Hexes
  4043 | D:5      | Reached XP level 7. HP: 14/32 MP: 9/12
  4104 | D:5      | You fall through a shaft for 2 floors!
  4104 | D:7      | Found a deep blue altar of Sif Muna.
  4115 | D:7      | Noticed Prince Ribbit
  4179 | D:7      | Noticed a hippogriff
  4201 | D:7      | Noticed Dowan
  4202 | D:7      | Noticed Duvessa
  4565 | D:5      | Found a staircase to the Ecumenical Temple.
  4596 | D:5      | Found a basalt altar of Yredelemnul.
  4672 | D:5      | Found a sparkling altar of Nemelex Xobeh.
  4758 | D:5      | Gained mutation: You have razor-sharp teeth. [Vine Stalker growth]
  4758 | D:5      | Reached XP level 8. HP: 30/36 MP: 13/13
  4960 | D:5      | Reached skill level 5 in Short Blades
  4981 | D:5      | Reached * piety under Dithmenos
  4994 | D:5      | Found a sacrificial altar of Ru.
  5174 | D:6      | Noticed Grinder
  5194 | D:6      | Killed Grinder
  5194 | D:6      | Reached skill level 1 in Ice Magic
  5455 | D:6      | Found a hide-covered altar of Uskayaw.
  5791 | D:6      | Found a hazy altar of Hepliaklqana.
  5882 | D:7      | Killed Dowan
  5890 | D:7      | Killed Duvessa
  5890 | D:7      | Reached skill level 1 in Shields
  5944 | D:7      | Killed a hippogriff
  5944 | D:7      | Reached XP level 9. HP: 33/39 MP: 11/15
  5981 | D:7      | Noticed a deep elf mage
  5982 | D:7      | Noticed a skeletal warrior
  6135 | D:7      | Killed Prince Ribbit
  6738 | D:7      | Killed a deep elf mage
  6738 | D:7      | Reached skill level 7 in Stealth
  6826 | D:7      | Reached skill level 8 in Stealth
  7026 | D:8      | Reached ** piety under Dithmenos
  7161 | D:8      | Found a snail-covered altar of Cheibriados.
  7314 | D:8      | Reached skill level 9 in Stealth
  7320 | D:8      | Reached XP level 10. HP: 40/44 MP: 18/18
  7483 | D:8      | Found Huveir's Jewellery Boutique.
  7488 | D:8      | Found a stormy altar of Qazlal.
  7744 | D:8      | Found Ryorghiaps's Demolitions Depot.
  8032 | D:8      | Found a blossoming altar of Fedhas.
  8520 | D:9      | Found a bloodstained altar of Trog.
  8584 | D:9      | Found Kocefuc's Antique Weapon Shoppe.
  8591 | D:9      | Bought a runed dagger for 120 gold pieces
  8739 | D:9      | Noticed Erolcha
  8743 | D:9      | Killed Erolcha
  9017 | D:9      | Reached *** piety under Dithmenos
  9017 | D:9      | Reached skill level 1 in Invocations
  9412 | D:9      | Found a staircase to the Lair.
  9544 | Lair:1   | Entered Level 1 of the Lair of Beasts
  9765 | Lair:1   | Noticed a five-headed hydra
  9873 | D:10     | Entered Level 10 of the Dungeon
  9873 | D:10     | Noticed Nergalle
 10086 | D:9      | Killed Nergalle
 10109 | D:10     | Reached XP level 11. HP: 36/47 MP: 19/19
 10315 | D:11     | Noticed a red ugly thing
 10591 | D:11     | Noticed a cyclops
 10679 | D:10     | Learned a level 3 spell: Dazzling Spray
 10899 | Lair:1   | Reached skill level 10 in Short Blades
 11161 | Lair:2   | Reached skill level 1 in Conjurations
 11225 | Lair:2   | Noticed Erica
 11235 | Lair:2   | Found a hole to the Spider Nest.
 11305 | Lair:2   | Reached skill level 5 in Spellcasting
 11361 | Lair:2   | Noticed Sonja
 11374 | Lair:2   | Killed Sonja
 11540 | Lair:2   | Reached skill level 10 in Stealth
 11640 | Lair:2   | Killed Erica
 11743 | Lair:2   | Reached **** piety under Dithmenos
 12626 | Lair:1   | HP: 2/47 [five-headed hydra (7)]
 12796 | Lair:1   | Gained mutation: You are dopey. (Int -2) [potion of mutation]
 12796 | Lair:1   | Gained mutation: You are partially covered in yellow scales. (AC +2) [potion of mutation]
 12890 | D:9      | Learned a level 3 spell: Summon Guardian Golem
 13605 | D:11     | Killed a cyclops
 13605 | D:11     | Reached skill level 1 in Summonings
 13605 | D:11     | Gained mutation: You heal very quickly. [Vine Stalker growth]
 13605 | D:11     | Reached XP level 12. HP: 51/51 MP: 23/23
 13723 | D:11     | Noticed a two-headed ogre
 13992 | D:10     | Noticed Josephine
 14123 | D:10     | Learned a level 2 spell: Call Imp
 14563 | D:11     | Found Nonam's Gadget Boutique.
 14857 | D:11     | Killed a two-headed ogre
 15004 | D:12     | Noticed a tengu warrior
 15064 | D:12     | Killed a tengu warrior
 15157 | D:12     | Reached skill level 5 in Dodging
 15280 | D:12     | Reached ***** piety under Dithmenos
 15386 | D:12     | Reached skill level 5 in Summonings
 15491 | D:12     | Found a staircase to the Orcish Mines.
 15827 | D:12     | Noticed a five-headed hydra
 15916 | Orc:1    | Entered Level 1 of the Orcish Mines
 15916 | Orc:1    | Noticed an orc high priest
 16012 | D:12     | Noticed a sun demon
 16094 | D:12     | Killed an orc high priest
 16364 | Orc:1    | Reached skill level 10 in Hexes
 16582 | Orc:2    | Entered Level 2 of the Orcish Mines
 16592 | Orc:2    | Noticed a stone giant
 16612 | Orc:2    | Killed a stone giant
 16656 | Orc:2    | Reached XP level 13. HP: 55/55 MP: 18/24
 16720 | Orc:2    | Noticed a stone giant
 16768 | Orc:1    | Learned a level 3 spell: Tukima's Dance
 16773 | Orc:1    | Learned a level 4 spell: Summon Ice Beast
 18432 | Lair:3   | Found a staircase to the Swamp.
 18455 | Lair:3   | Reached skill level 5 in Ice Magic
 19033 | Lair:4   | Noticed Snorg
 19038 | Lair:4   | Killed Snorg
 19148 | Lair:4   | Noticed Nessos
 19466 | Lair:4   | Identified a scroll of acquirement
 19632 | Lair:4   | Killed Nessos
 20559 | Lair:5   | Noticed Urug
 20646 | Lair:5   | Killed Urug
 21292 | Lair:6   | Entered Level 6 of the Lair of Beasts
 22181 | Lair:6   | Reached XP level 14. HP: 59/59 MP: 25/25
 22700 | Lair:6   | Found a staircase to the Slime Pits.
 24805 | Lair:6   | Reached skill level 11 in Stealth
 25315 | D:10     | Found a shimmering altar of Xom.
 25316 | D:10     | Killed Josephine
 25344 | D:10     | Noticed Maurice
 25348 | D:10     | Killed Maurice
 25416 | D:10     | Found the +10 morningstar "Eos" {elec, Halo rElec}
 25481 | D:10     | Got a heavily runed leather armour
 25532 | D:10     | Identified the +1 leather armour "Seelaf Xibb" {*Corrode rElec rN+} (You found it on level 10 of the Dungeon)
 26736 | D:13     | Reached skill level 12 in Stealth
 27510 | Spider:1 | Entered Level 1 of the Spider Nest
 27626 | Spider:1 | You fall through a shaft!
 27772 | Spider:2 | Reached XP level 15. HP: 32/63 MP: 26/26
 27925 | Spider:2 | Reached skill level 13 in Stealth

Skill      XL: |  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 |
---------------+----------------------------------------------+-----
Short Blades   |  1     2  3     4     6     9 10    11 12    | 12.2
Stealth        |  4     5     6           9    10       12 13 | 13.9
Hexes          |              4  5  6  7        9 10    12    | 12.7
Dodging        |                       2        3  6  7       |  7.0
Ice Magic      |                       2              5       |  5.2
Shields        |                       2  4                   |  4.5
Spellcasting   |                       3  4     7             |  7.1
Invocations    |                             2                |  2.9
Conjurations   |                                3             |  3.5
Summonings     |                                1  5  9       |  9.4

Action                   |  1- 3 |  4- 6 |  7- 9 | 10-12 | 13-15 || total
-------------------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------++-------
Melee: Dagger            |    88 |   191 |   228 |   907 |   687 ||  2101
       Bite              |    25 |    42 |    77 |   297 |   488 ||   929
       Short sword       |       |       |    78 |       |   739 ||   817
 Cast: Corona            |     5 |     3 |     1 |    11 |     1 ||    21
       Ensorcelled Hiber |       |     8 |     7 |    60 |   140 ||   215
       Confuse           |       |     3 |     8 |    26 |    42 ||    79
       Dazzling Spray    |       |       |       |    10 |     5 ||    15
       Call Imp          |       |       |       |    34 |    38 ||    72
       Summon Guardian G |       |       |       |    11 |    20 ||    31
       Summon Ice Beast  |       |       |       |       |    57 ||    57
Invok: Shadow Step       |       |       |       |     4 |     7 ||    11
Evoke: Wand              |       |       |     4 |    14 |     6 ||    24
  Use: Scroll            |       |     3 |    10 |    22 |    12 ||    47
       Potion            |       |       |     3 |     7 |     6 ||    16
 Stab: Sleeping          |     5 |    17 |    20 |    59 |    83 ||   184
       Confused          |       |     2 |     4 |     7 |    16 ||    29
       Distracted        |       |       |     5 |     7 |    16 ||    28
       Invisible         |       |       |       |     3 |     2 ||     5
  Eat: Chunk             |     3 |     8 |     8 |    24 |    31 ||    74
       Ration            |       |       |     1 |     3 |     7 ||    11
Armor: Robe              |    18 |    30 |    33 |    93 |     2 ||   176
       Skin              |       |       |     2 |       |       ||     2
       Ring mail         |       |       |       |       |    72 ||    72
       Acid dragon scale |       |       |       |       |   110 ||   110
Dodge: Dodged            |    50 |   105 |   137 |   358 |   728 ||  1378
       Deflected         |       |       |       |       |     4 ||     4
Block: Buckler           |       |       |    16 |   224 |   431 ||   671

Swamp Slogger

Posts: 146

Joined: Wednesday, 30th August 2017, 23:08

Post Wednesday, 14th February 2018, 23:42

Re: Advice for my first VSEn

For armor, I'd normally recommend ring mail, but I'm not sure whether you can cast in it. I'd definitely suggest training your Armour skill, and then using that once you can reliably cast in it. (Especially since you have at least a +1 ring mail of rF - you currently only have rF on a ring, and you're about to go to places where fire is scary.) While it'll make your stealth worse, it'll only do that slightly, and you're relying on spells to kill stuff anyway. (Alternately, if you have access to Ozocobu's Armor, that'll do, as well.) Fun fact: My last enchanter win was with a VpEn^Dith in pearl dragon armor. And that character still stabbed stuff to death - stabs are unaffected by stealth rating, just short blades, stealth skill, and "whether the thing is stabbable."

Abyss Ambulator

Posts: 1193

Joined: Friday, 16th January 2015, 20:20

Post Thursday, 15th February 2018, 08:04

Re: Advice for my first VSEn

Weapon, armour, or jewelery are all decent choices here for acquirement. I'd be tempted to choose weapon.

Blades Runner

Posts: 616

Joined: Thursday, 25th October 2012, 03:19

Post Thursday, 15th February 2018, 08:17

Re: Advice for my first VSEn

wux wrote:My progress is below. I have been using my +4 short sword for a while. Seems good. Higher stealth is helping with stabbing now too.
Having an easier time confusing and hibernating mobs. Done orc and lair. Doing spider nest now. It was very scary for a while when I fell down a shaft in the spiders nest into the big open level 2 with no choke points. Trying to find the stairs up, about 4 wolf spiders, an orb weaver, plus some readbacks all tried to get close to me. Killed a couple but had to read a scroll of fear and run to the edge wall. Used a wand of digging to dig up a corridor and then I was able to kill them all one at a time. When I go back down to the nest I might try my poison dagger to see if its better on the spiders.

Btw, cant seem to find any good armour. Would love to get some other dragon scales or hide. The only magical leather was a +3 with no ego. And an +1 artifact leather with +corrode (bad), rElec, N+. Also no boots at all to be found. Or good helmets, cloaks. I have one scroll of acquirement. Never sure what to use it for. Any ideas?

  Code:
 Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup version 0.21.0 (tiles) character file.

Leafy the Covert (Vine Stalker Enchanter)          Turns: 29052, Time: 04:55:04

Health: 63/63      AC: 11    Str: 13    XL:     15   Next: 28%
Magic:  26/26      EV: 18    Int: 13    God:    Dithmenos [*****.]
Gold:   2047       SH:  9    Dex: 19    Spells: 7/28 levels left

rFire    . . .     SeeInvis .   W - +4 short sword
rCold    . . .     Gourm    .   t - +3 buckler
rNeg     . . .     Faith    .   U - +0 acid dragon scales
rPois    +         Spirit   +   n - +1 helmet
rElec    .         Reflect  .   J - scarf {repulsion}
rCorr    +         Harm     .   I - +0 pair of gloves
MR       +....                  (no boots)
Stlth    +++++++++.             r - amulet of magic regeneration
HPRegen  1.00/turn              h - ring of poison resistance
MPRegen  0.45/turn              L - +2 ring of evasion

@: wreathed by umbra, repel missiles
A: fangs 3, yellow scales 1, dopey 1, regeneration 2, magic shield, antimagic
bite, no potion heal 3, rot immunity
a: Shadow Step, Shadow Form, Renounce Religion


You are on level 10 of the Dungeon.
You worship Dithmenos.
Dithmenos is extremely pleased with you.
You are not hungry.

You have visited 4 branches of the dungeon, and seen 24 of its levels.

You have collected 2167 gold pieces.
You have spent 120 gold pieces at shops.

Inventory:

Hand Weapons
 G - a +2 dagger of venom
 W - a +4 short sword (weapon)
Armour
 n - a +1 helmet (worn)
 t - a +3 buckler (worn)
 I - a +0 pair of gloves (worn)
 J - a scarf of repulsion (worn)
 U - +0 acid dragon scales (worn)
Jewellery
 h - a ring of poison resistance (left hand)
 k - an uncursed ring of protection from fire
 r - an amulet of magic regeneration (around neck)
 u - an uncursed ring of stealth
 L - a +2 ring of evasion (right hand)
 O - an uncursed ring of positive energy
 Q - an uncursed ring of see invisible
Wands
 f - a wand of acid (16)
 s - a wand of disintegration (28)
 y - a wand of digging (9)
 D - a wand of polymorph (8)
 H - a wand of iceblast (23)
Scrolls
 e - a scroll of summoning
 j - 7 scrolls of identify
 q - a scroll of teleportation
 E - 2 scrolls of magic mapping
 K - 2 scrolls of fear
 S - a scroll of silence
 T - 2 scrolls of remove curse
 Y - a scroll of enchant armour
 Z - 3 scrolls of blinking
Potions
 g - 4 potions of flight
 i - 2 potions of lignification
 l - 5 potions of curing
 m - 3 potions of might
 p - a potion of brilliance
 v - 2 potions of cancellation
 w - a potion of haste
 x - a potion of magic
 z - 3 potions of agility
 B - a potion of invisibility
 P - a potion of berserk rage
Books
 C - a book of Callings   
   
    Spells                             Type                      Level
    a - Summon Small Mammal          Summoning                     1
    b - Call Imp                     Summoning                     2
    c - Call Canine Familiar         Summoning                     3
    d - Summon Guardian Golem        Hexes/Summoning               3
    e - Summon Lightning Spire       Summoning/Air                 4
    f - Summon Ice Beast             Ice/Summoning                 4
 V - a book of Cantrips   
   
    Spells                             Type                      Level
    a - Confusing Touch              Hexes                         1
    b - Animate Skeleton             Necromancy                    1
    c - Summon Small Mammal          Summoning                     1
    d - Apportation                  Translocation                 1
Comestibles
 d - 44 rations


   Skills:
 - Level 12.2 Short Blades
 - Level 7.0 Dodging
 + Level 13.9 Stealth
 - Level 4.5 Shields
 - Level 7.1 Spellcasting
 - Level 3.5 Conjurations
 + Level 12.7 Hexes
 - Level 9.4 Summonings
 - Level 5.2 Ice Magic
 - Level 2.9 Invocations


You have 7 spell levels left.
You know the following spells:

 Your Spells              Type           Power        Failure   Level  Hunger
a - Corona                Hex            #####..      1%          1    None
b - Ensorcelled Hibernat  Hex/Ice        ####..       1%          2    #......
c - Confuse               Hex            #####...     1%          3    ##.....
d - Dazzling Spray        Conj/Hex       ####..       2%          3    ##.....
e - Summon Guardian Gole  Hex/Summ       ####....     1%          3    ##.....
f - Call Imp              Summ           ####....     1%          2    #......
g - Tukima's Dance        Hex            #####...     1%          3    ##.....
h - Summon Ice Beast      Ice/Summ       ###.....     11%         4    ####...


Dungeon Overview and Level Annotations

Branches:
Dungeon (14/15)            Temple (0/1) D:5            Lair (6/6) D:9
  Swamp (0/4) Lair:3       Spider (2/4) Lair:2        Slime (0/5) Lair:6
    Orc (2/2) D:12       
   Elf: Orc:2       Vaults: D:13-14     

Altars:
Ashenzari
Cheibriados
Dithmenos
Fedhas
Hepliaklqana
Nemelex Xobeh
Qazlal
Ru
Sif Muna
Trog
Uskayaw
Xom
Yredelemnul

Shops:
D:8 =*   D:9 (   D:11 }

Annotations:
Lair:3 exclusion: oklob plant


Innate Abilities, Weirdness & Mutations

You have razor-sharp teeth.
You heal very quickly.
When hurt, damage is shared between your health and your magic reserves.
Your bite disrupts and absorbs the magic of your enemies.
Potions cannot restore your health.
You are immune to rotting.
You are partially covered in yellow scales. (AC +2)
You are dopey. (Int -2)


Message History

the +1 leather armour "Seelaf Xibb" {*Corrode rElec rN+}
a +1 ring mail of fire resistance; a +3 leather armour
You drop a +0 cloak.
As you read the scroll of identify, it crumbles to dust.
e - a scroll of summoning
Things that are here:
a scroll of enchant weapon; a scroll of acquirement; a scroll of noise
You drop 3 scrolls of amnesia.
Char dumped to 'C:/Users/Gavin/AppData/Roaming/crawl/morgue/Leafy.txt'.
Saving game... please wait.
Welcome back, Leafy the Vine Stalker Enchanter.
Dithmenos says: Spread the eternal night.
Press ? for a list of commands and other information.
Your +2 dagger of venom stops dripping with poison.
W - a +4 short sword (weapon)
You are wreathed by an umbra. You repel missiles. Your movement speed is average.
Your attack speed is very fast (and cannot be improved with additional weapon skill).
Your base attributes are Str 13, Int 15, Dex 19.
Char dumped to 'C:/Users/Gavin/AppData/Roaming/crawl/morgue/Leafy.txt'.
Saving game... please wait.

# #.###..............##.#§§˜˜.˜˜˜˜############
# #.##˜˜˜˜˜˜##..˜.˜..˜#.#§§˜...˜§§..§§§§.§...#
# #.....˜˜.˜˜˜..˜.˜.....#§§.)>§§§§..§§§§§§...#
# ##˜˜˜.˜˜......˜.˜.˜˜###˜˜˜.§?˜§§§.§§§§§§...#
# #˜˜˜˜.˜˜...˜..˜.˜˜˜˜..#˜˜˜˜.§§˜§##########.###
# ##˜˜˜.˜˜˜˜.˜˜.˜.˜.....#˜˜§˜§§˜˜.#        #....
#  #.........˜˜.˜.˜˜.˜#.#.˜§˜§˜˜..#        ####.
#  #...˜˜˜˜.....˜.˜˜.˜#.#....§§...#           #.
#  #...˜˜˜˜.###˜˜....##.###########           #.
#  #...#˜˜#..>.....˜###.#                     #.
####.[.####.............#           ###       #.
#......#  #.........#####          ##˜##      #.
#......#  #....(....#          #####˜˜˜##     #.
#......#  #.......[.######     #.......˜#     #.
#......#  #....<........!#     #.......##     #.
#.....##  ##..!.........@#     #.......#      #.
#.....#    #.............#     #.......#####  #.
#.....#    #............:#     #...........####.
#.....#    #............[#     #)...............
#.....#    #............}#     #........_....)..
#.....######............/#     #................
........................|#     #................
############.......#######     #................
           #########           #................
                               ########.........
                                      ##########


There are no monsters in sight!

Vanquished Creatures
  Nessos (Lair:4)
  A stone giant (Orc:2)
  Snorg (Lair:4)
  Josephine (D:10)
  A fire dragon (Lair:6)
  Erolcha (D:9)
  3 hydras
  2 centaur warriors
  Erica (Lair:2)
  Urug (Lair:5)
  2 tengu warriors
  Sonja (Lair:2)
  Nergalle (D:9)
  An unseen horror (D:12)
  A swamp dragon (Lair:6)
  An orc knight (Orc:2)
  3 orb spiders
  A wolf spider zombie (D:14)
  12 wolf spiders
  An orc sorcerer (D:12)
  A deep elf mage (D:7)
  A manticore (D:13)
  A cyclops (D:11)
  3 ugly things
  7 black mambas
  6 elephants
  Maurice (D:10)
  10 spiny frogs
  A gargoyle (D:13)
  An efreet (D:14)
  3 kobold demonologists (D:12)
  5 komodo dragons
  2 demonic crawlers
  2 jumping spiders
  A tengu conjurer (D:14)
  3 meliai (D:12)
  3 polar bears
  A queen bee (D:12)
  4 hornets
  Grinder (D:6)
  6 hippogriffs
  Prince Ribbit (D:7)
  2 slime creatures (D:12)
  4 dream sheep (Lair:4)
  3 blink frogs
  13 wyverns
  18 redbacks
  A spriggan (D:7)
  7 tarantellas
  2 basilisks
  4 wraiths
  49 yaks
  2 steam dragons (Lair:6)
  A hungry ghost (D:9)
  5 swamp worms (Lair:3)
  2 wargs
  16 water moccasins
  2 acid dragons
  Duvessa (D:7)
  A hell hound (D:10)
  7 porcupines
  7 orc warriors
  2 ice beasts
  2 sky beasts
  5 wolves
  6 ogres
  2 phantoms
  4 boggarts (Lair:4)
  19 centaurs
  10 crocodiles
  3 big kobolds (D:12)
  11 bullfrogs
  A gnoll sergeant (D:8)
  A wyvern skeleton (D:12)
  A wyvern zombie (D:12)
  4 scorpions
  Dowan (D:7)
  25 killer bees
  8 electric eels
  3 howler monkeys
  A lava snake (D:10)
  6 crimson imps
  3 bullfrog zombies
  A quasit (D:10)
  3 centaur zombies
  3 jellies
  3 bullfrog skeletons
  A gnoll shaman (D:10)
  6 orc priests
  3 hounds
  11 orc wizards
  4 centaur skeletons
  Jessica (D:3)
  6 iguanas
  7 worker ants
  3 worker ant zombies (D:5)
  Robin (D:4)
  12 gnolls
  9 adders
  8 shadow imps
  An ooze (D:2)
  2 adder zombies (D:5)
  2 adder skeletons
  A worm (D:2)
  2 dart slugs (D:1)
  3 leopard geckos
  43 orcs
  3 giant cockroaches
  18 goblins
  11 hobgoblins
  3 jackals (D:8)
  5 kobolds
  A quokka (D:2)
  2 ball pythons
  9 bats
  8 frilled lizards
  A giant cockroach zombie (D:5)
  A leopard gecko skeleton (D:4)
  A leopard gecko zombie (D:5)
  A quokka zombie (D:5)
  6 rats
  2 fungi (Lair:6)
  2 plants
576 creatures vanquished.

Vanquished Creatures (collateral kills)
  A hydra (Lair:6)
  A two-headed ogre (D:11)
  An orc high priest (D:12)
  An unseen horror (D:11)
  An orb spider (Spider:2)
  A guardian serpent (Lair:6)
  A demonic crawler (Spider:2)
  A dream sheep (Lair:4)
  A tarantella (Spider:2)
  6 redbacks
  A wraith (D:13)
  A yak (Lair:6)
  A water moccasin (Lair:6)
  A swamp drake (Lair:6)
  An orc warrior (D:13)
  A crocodile (Lair:6)
  3 orc wizards
  3 orcs (D:13)
  A fungus (Lair:6)
  2 plants (Lair:4)
30 creatures vanquished.

Vanquished Creatures (others)
  A rime drake (Lair:6)
  A slime creature (D:12)
  A dream sheep (Lair:4)
  A hippogriff (Lair:6)
  A basilisk (Lair:6)
  A warg (D:12)
  3 orcs
  A giant cockroach (Lair:2)
  9 fungi
  41 plants
60 creatures vanquished.

Grand Total: 666 creatures vanquished

Notes
Turn   | Place    | Note
-------+----------+-------------------------------------------
     0 | D:1      | Leafy the Vine Stalker Enchanter began the quest for the Orb.
     0 | D:1      | Reached XP level 1. HP: 9/9 MP: 4/4
    37 | D:1      | Reached skill level 1 in Short Blades
   388 | D:1      | Reached skill level 4 in Stealth
   388 | D:1      | Reached XP level 2. HP: 13/13 MP: 4/6
  1520 | D:1      | Reached XP level 3. HP: 16/16 MP: 7/7
  1733 | D:2      | Noticed a centaur
  1738 | D:2      | Killed a centaur
  1738 | D:2      | Reached skill level 5 in Stealth
  1738 | D:2      | Gained mutation: Your natural rate of healing is unusually fast. [Vine Stalker growth]
  1738 | D:2      | Reached XP level 4. HP: 19/21 MP: 6/8
  1749 | D:2      | Reached XP level 5. HP: 24/24 MP: 9/9
  1754 | D:2      | Learned a level 2 spell: Ensorcelled Hibernation
  2136 | D:2      | Learned a level 3 spell: Confuse
  2281 | D:3      | Found a shattered altar of Ashenzari.
  2319 | D:3      | Noticed Jessica
  2333 | D:3      | Killed Jessica
  2333 | D:3      | Reached skill level 6 in Stealth
  2939 | D:4      | Reached XP level 6. HP: 24/28 MP: 6/10
  3131 | D:4      | Noticed Robin
  3631 | D:4      | Found a shadowy altar of Dithmenos.
  3636 | D:4      | Became a worshipper of Dithmenos the Shadowed
  3932 | D:4      | Killed Robin
  4011 | D:5      | Entered Level 5 of the Dungeon
  4034 | D:5      | Noticed a hornet
  4043 | D:5      | Killed a hornet
  4043 | D:5      | Reached skill level 5 in Hexes
  4043 | D:5      | Reached XP level 7. HP: 14/32 MP: 9/12
  4104 | D:5      | You fall through a shaft for 2 floors!
  4104 | D:7      | Found a deep blue altar of Sif Muna.
  4115 | D:7      | Noticed Prince Ribbit
  4179 | D:7      | Noticed a hippogriff
  4201 | D:7      | Noticed Dowan
  4202 | D:7      | Noticed Duvessa
  4565 | D:5      | Found a staircase to the Ecumenical Temple.
  4596 | D:5      | Found a basalt altar of Yredelemnul.
  4672 | D:5      | Found a sparkling altar of Nemelex Xobeh.
  4758 | D:5      | Gained mutation: You have razor-sharp teeth. [Vine Stalker growth]
  4758 | D:5      | Reached XP level 8. HP: 30/36 MP: 13/13
  4960 | D:5      | Reached skill level 5 in Short Blades
  4981 | D:5      | Reached * piety under Dithmenos
  4994 | D:5      | Found a sacrificial altar of Ru.
  5174 | D:6      | Noticed Grinder
  5194 | D:6      | Killed Grinder
  5194 | D:6      | Reached skill level 1 in Ice Magic
  5455 | D:6      | Found a hide-covered altar of Uskayaw.
  5791 | D:6      | Found a hazy altar of Hepliaklqana.
  5882 | D:7      | Killed Dowan
  5890 | D:7      | Killed Duvessa
  5890 | D:7      | Reached skill level 1 in Shields
  5944 | D:7      | Killed a hippogriff
  5944 | D:7      | Reached XP level 9. HP: 33/39 MP: 11/15
  5981 | D:7      | Noticed a deep elf mage
  5982 | D:7      | Noticed a skeletal warrior
  6135 | D:7      | Killed Prince Ribbit
  6738 | D:7      | Killed a deep elf mage
  6738 | D:7      | Reached skill level 7 in Stealth
  6826 | D:7      | Reached skill level 8 in Stealth
  7026 | D:8      | Reached ** piety under Dithmenos
  7161 | D:8      | Found a snail-covered altar of Cheibriados.
  7314 | D:8      | Reached skill level 9 in Stealth
  7320 | D:8      | Reached XP level 10. HP: 40/44 MP: 18/18
  7483 | D:8      | Found Huveir's Jewellery Boutique.
  7488 | D:8      | Found a stormy altar of Qazlal.
  7744 | D:8      | Found Ryorghiaps's Demolitions Depot.
  8032 | D:8      | Found a blossoming altar of Fedhas.
  8520 | D:9      | Found a bloodstained altar of Trog.
  8584 | D:9      | Found Kocefuc's Antique Weapon Shoppe.
  8591 | D:9      | Bought a runed dagger for 120 gold pieces
  8739 | D:9      | Noticed Erolcha
  8743 | D:9      | Killed Erolcha
  9017 | D:9      | Reached *** piety under Dithmenos
  9017 | D:9      | Reached skill level 1 in Invocations
  9412 | D:9      | Found a staircase to the Lair.
  9544 | Lair:1   | Entered Level 1 of the Lair of Beasts
  9765 | Lair:1   | Noticed a five-headed hydra
  9873 | D:10     | Entered Level 10 of the Dungeon
  9873 | D:10     | Noticed Nergalle
 10086 | D:9      | Killed Nergalle
 10109 | D:10     | Reached XP level 11. HP: 36/47 MP: 19/19
 10315 | D:11     | Noticed a red ugly thing
 10591 | D:11     | Noticed a cyclops
 10679 | D:10     | Learned a level 3 spell: Dazzling Spray
 10899 | Lair:1   | Reached skill level 10 in Short Blades
 11161 | Lair:2   | Reached skill level 1 in Conjurations
 11225 | Lair:2   | Noticed Erica
 11235 | Lair:2   | Found a hole to the Spider Nest.
 11305 | Lair:2   | Reached skill level 5 in Spellcasting
 11361 | Lair:2   | Noticed Sonja
 11374 | Lair:2   | Killed Sonja
 11540 | Lair:2   | Reached skill level 10 in Stealth
 11640 | Lair:2   | Killed Erica
 11743 | Lair:2   | Reached **** piety under Dithmenos
 12626 | Lair:1   | HP: 2/47 [five-headed hydra (7)]
 12796 | Lair:1   | Gained mutation: You are dopey. (Int -2) [potion of mutation]
 12796 | Lair:1   | Gained mutation: You are partially covered in yellow scales. (AC +2) [potion of mutation]
 12890 | D:9      | Learned a level 3 spell: Summon Guardian Golem
 13605 | D:11     | Killed a cyclops
 13605 | D:11     | Reached skill level 1 in Summonings
 13605 | D:11     | Gained mutation: You heal very quickly. [Vine Stalker growth]
 13605 | D:11     | Reached XP level 12. HP: 51/51 MP: 23/23
 13723 | D:11     | Noticed a two-headed ogre
 13992 | D:10     | Noticed Josephine
 14123 | D:10     | Learned a level 2 spell: Call Imp
 14563 | D:11     | Found Nonam's Gadget Boutique.
 14857 | D:11     | Killed a two-headed ogre
 15004 | D:12     | Noticed a tengu warrior
 15064 | D:12     | Killed a tengu warrior
 15157 | D:12     | Reached skill level 5 in Dodging
 15280 | D:12     | Reached ***** piety under Dithmenos
 15386 | D:12     | Reached skill level 5 in Summonings
 15491 | D:12     | Found a staircase to the Orcish Mines.
 15827 | D:12     | Noticed a five-headed hydra
 15916 | Orc:1    | Entered Level 1 of the Orcish Mines
 15916 | Orc:1    | Noticed an orc high priest
 16012 | D:12     | Noticed a sun demon
 16094 | D:12     | Killed an orc high priest
 16364 | Orc:1    | Reached skill level 10 in Hexes
 16582 | Orc:2    | Entered Level 2 of the Orcish Mines
 16592 | Orc:2    | Noticed a stone giant
 16612 | Orc:2    | Killed a stone giant
 16656 | Orc:2    | Reached XP level 13. HP: 55/55 MP: 18/24
 16720 | Orc:2    | Noticed a stone giant
 16768 | Orc:1    | Learned a level 3 spell: Tukima's Dance
 16773 | Orc:1    | Learned a level 4 spell: Summon Ice Beast
 18432 | Lair:3   | Found a staircase to the Swamp.
 18455 | Lair:3   | Reached skill level 5 in Ice Magic
 19033 | Lair:4   | Noticed Snorg
 19038 | Lair:4   | Killed Snorg
 19148 | Lair:4   | Noticed Nessos
 19466 | Lair:4   | Identified a scroll of acquirement
 19632 | Lair:4   | Killed Nessos
 20559 | Lair:5   | Noticed Urug
 20646 | Lair:5   | Killed Urug
 21292 | Lair:6   | Entered Level 6 of the Lair of Beasts
 22181 | Lair:6   | Reached XP level 14. HP: 59/59 MP: 25/25
 22700 | Lair:6   | Found a staircase to the Slime Pits.
 24805 | Lair:6   | Reached skill level 11 in Stealth
 25315 | D:10     | Found a shimmering altar of Xom.
 25316 | D:10     | Killed Josephine
 25344 | D:10     | Noticed Maurice
 25348 | D:10     | Killed Maurice
 25416 | D:10     | Found the +10 morningstar "Eos" {elec, Halo rElec}
 25481 | D:10     | Got a heavily runed leather armour
 25532 | D:10     | Identified the +1 leather armour "Seelaf Xibb" {*Corrode rElec rN+} (You found it on level 10 of the Dungeon)
 26736 | D:13     | Reached skill level 12 in Stealth
 27510 | Spider:1 | Entered Level 1 of the Spider Nest
 27626 | Spider:1 | You fall through a shaft!
 27772 | Spider:2 | Reached XP level 15. HP: 32/63 MP: 26/26
 27925 | Spider:2 | Reached skill level 13 in Stealth

Skill      XL: |  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 |
---------------+----------------------------------------------+-----
Short Blades   |  1     2  3     4     6     9 10    11 12    | 12.2
Stealth        |  4     5     6           9    10       12 13 | 13.9
Hexes          |              4  5  6  7        9 10    12    | 12.7
Dodging        |                       2        3  6  7       |  7.0
Ice Magic      |                       2              5       |  5.2
Shields        |                       2  4                   |  4.5
Spellcasting   |                       3  4     7             |  7.1
Invocations    |                             2                |  2.9
Conjurations   |                                3             |  3.5
Summonings     |                                1  5  9       |  9.4

Action                   |  1- 3 |  4- 6 |  7- 9 | 10-12 | 13-15 || total
-------------------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------++-------
Melee: Dagger            |    88 |   191 |   228 |   907 |   687 ||  2101
       Bite              |    25 |    42 |    77 |   297 |   488 ||   929
       Short sword       |       |       |    78 |       |   739 ||   817
 Cast: Corona            |     5 |     3 |     1 |    11 |     1 ||    21
       Ensorcelled Hiber |       |     8 |     7 |    60 |   140 ||   215
       Confuse           |       |     3 |     8 |    26 |    42 ||    79
       Dazzling Spray    |       |       |       |    10 |     5 ||    15
       Call Imp          |       |       |       |    34 |    38 ||    72
       Summon Guardian G |       |       |       |    11 |    20 ||    31
       Summon Ice Beast  |       |       |       |       |    57 ||    57
Invok: Shadow Step       |       |       |       |     4 |     7 ||    11
Evoke: Wand              |       |       |     4 |    14 |     6 ||    24
  Use: Scroll            |       |     3 |    10 |    22 |    12 ||    47
       Potion            |       |       |     3 |     7 |     6 ||    16
 Stab: Sleeping          |     5 |    17 |    20 |    59 |    83 ||   184
       Confused          |       |     2 |     4 |     7 |    16 ||    29
       Distracted        |       |       |     5 |     7 |    16 ||    28
       Invisible         |       |       |       |     3 |     2 ||     5
  Eat: Chunk             |     3 |     8 |     8 |    24 |    31 ||    74
       Ration            |       |       |     1 |     3 |     7 ||    11
Armor: Robe              |    18 |    30 |    33 |    93 |     2 ||   176
       Skin              |       |       |     2 |       |       ||     2
       Ring mail         |       |       |       |       |    72 ||    72
       Acid dragon scale |       |       |       |       |   110 ||   110
Dodge: Dodged            |    50 |   105 |   137 |   358 |   728 ||  1378
       Deflected         |       |       |       |       |     4 ||     4
Block: Buckler           |       |       |    16 |   224 |   431 ||   671




I just had a quick look only, but it seems to me you need to train fighting and armour up. I would use the acquire scroll for armour. I wouldn't use ring mail, even with rF+ over that acid dragon armour unless you encounter something like a fire based portal level. You'll do fine on your current path until either

a) You can't tank stuff anymore
or
b) You can't stab or confuse something and the +4 short sword doesn't cut it

This is why I suggested unarmed combat as a backup, particularly because it will pair with confusing touch. Maces/axes are good as well if you find a good weapon. This is also why I suggest you acquire armour, train armour and fighting up.

Spider Stomper

Posts: 212

Joined: Monday, 3rd April 2017, 11:44

Post Thursday, 15th February 2018, 17:47

Re: Advice for my first VSEn

For these sort of "hybrid" spellcasters, I tend to wear the heaviest/best armour possible which keeps my spell failure comfortably low. Heavier armour only reduces spellchance; spellpower remains the same. Exceptions if for some reason I really want to cast a certain higher level spell, over the desire to wear a heavier body armour. Then I train the spell skill first to the level where I can wear the armour with a comfortable spell failure. Sometimes I might find an armour of awesomeness in which case I wear the armour first and train the spell skill over the ability to cast that higher level spell. I tend not to train fighting edit: armour till I have something heavier than ring mail, but it very much depends on a wide variety of factors. Generally I train armour skill when I feel the gain from doing so outweighs the gain from other skills.

Also train fighting first or cocurrently, unless you are on some sort of challenge. I am suprised you have a couple of 15 rune games without realising the value of fighting skill to not die early. It increases your HP and damage.

For this message the author Plantissue has received thanks:
Airwolf

wux

Halls Hopper

Posts: 62

Joined: Monday, 30th April 2012, 22:29

Post Friday, 16th February 2018, 02:41

Re: Advice for my first VSEn

Thanks to everyone for their replies. It's been really helpful.
Not sure why I didn't train fighting. Somehow I forgot. In all the excitement of juggling and seeing where my XP should go.
And its been about 4 years since I have played crawl.

Used my brand weapon scroll on my short sword and got vorpal.
Used my acquirement scroll and got the boots I am wearing.
Finally found some better armor. Even thou it doesn't do anything much besides AC. I can tank most things now ok. But better than tanking is of course sneaking up to mobs and just insta-killing them which is so fun.
But entropy weavers and ghost moths give me the most trouble still. Ghost moths hit and sting me with strong poison. For the 5 I have killed, I have had to burn a cure potion on each one.
For really tough mobs with high MR, I have to fight them with a golem, ice beast and imps to distract it.

Just got my first rune. Will try and finish swamp and then vaults 1-4.

Any hints on what to aim towards now, skill and magic wise? Would lightning spire be useful? Haven't had much luck with finding books so far. (I have a book of Conjurations; a book of Cantrips; a book of Callings; a book of Maledictions; a book of Beasts).

  Code:
 Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup version 0.21.0 (tiles) character file.

Leafy the Covert (Vine Stalker Enchanter)          Turns: 39857, Time: 07:01:58

Health: 89/89      AC: 22    Str: 15    XL:     17   Next: 50%
Magic:  30/30      EV: 16    Int: 13    God:    Dithmenos [******]
Gold:   2565       SH:  9    Dex: 20    Spells: 12/33 levels left

rFire    + . .     SeeInvis +   W - +6 short sword (pierce)
rCold    . . .     Gourm    .   t - +3 buckler
rNeg     . . .     Faith    .   R - +6 scale mail "Exkufu Hulid" {Str+4}
rPois    +         Spirit   +   n - +1 helmet
rElec    .         Reflect  .   J - scarf {repulsion}
rCorr    .         Harm     .   I - +0 pair of gloves
MR       ++...                  A - +1 pair of boots of Woemud {rF+ Str-2 SInv}
Stlth    +++++++++.             r - amulet of magic regeneration
HPRegen  1.04/turn              h - ring of poison resistance
MPRegen  0.47/turn              L - +2 ring of evasion

@: wreathed by umbra, repel missiles
A: fangs 3, yellow scales 1, dopey 1, regeneration 2, magic shield, antimagic
bite, no potion heal 3, rot immunity
}: 1/15 runes: gossamer
a: Shadow Step, Shadow Form, Renounce Religion


You are on level 4 of the Spider Nest.
You worship Dithmenos.
Dithmenos is exalted by your worship.
You are not hungry.

You have visited 5 branches of the dungeon, and seen 28 of its levels.

You have collected 2685 gold pieces.
You have spent 120 gold pieces at shops.

Inventory:

Hand Weapons
 C - a +1 scimitar of holy wrath
 W - a +6 short sword of piercing (weapon)
Armour
 n - a +1 helmet (worn)
 t - a +3 buckler (worn)
 A - the +1 pair of boots of Woemud (worn) {rF+ Str-2 SInv}
   (You acquired it on level 10 of the Dungeon)   
   
   It affects your strength (-2).
   It protects you from fire.
   It lets you see invisible.
 I - a +0 pair of gloves (worn)
 J - a scarf of repulsion (worn)
 R - the +6 scale mail "Exkufu Hulid" (worn) {Str+4}
   (You found it on level 3 of the Spider Nest)   
   
   It affects your strength (+4).
Jewellery
 b - an uncursed ring of ice
 c - a +3 ring of protection
 h - a ring of poison resistance (left hand)
 k - an uncursed ring of protection from fire
 r - an amulet of magic regeneration (around neck)
 u - an uncursed ring of stealth
 F - an uncursed ring of teleportation
 L - a +2 ring of evasion (right hand)
 O - an uncursed ring of positive energy
 Q - an uncursed ring of see invisible
Wands
 f - a wand of acid (14)
 o - a wand of scattershot (9)
 s - a wand of disintegration (28)
 y - a wand of digging (9)
 D - a wand of polymorph (8)
 H - a wand of iceblast (22)
Scrolls
 a - 2 scrolls of vulnerability
 e - a scroll of summoning
 j - 6 scrolls of identify
 q - 2 scrolls of teleportation
 E - 2 scrolls of magic mapping
 K - 2 scrolls of fear
 M - a scroll of holy word
 S - a scroll of silence
 T - 8 scrolls of remove curse
 Z - 2 scrolls of blinking
Potions
 g - 5 potions of flight
 i - 4 potions of lignification
 l - 2 potions of curing
 m - 4 potions of might
 p - a potion of brilliance
 v - 4 potions of cancellation
 w - 2 potions of haste
 x - a potion of magic
 z - 5 potions of agility
 B - 3 potions of invisibility
 G - 4 potions of ambrosia
 N - a potion of resistance
 P - a potion of berserk rage
Comestibles
 d - 50 rations
 U - a chunk of flesh


   Skills:
 - Level 10.0 Fighting
 - Level 12.2 Short Blades
 - Level 8.0 Armour
 - Level 7.0 Dodging
 - Level 14.7 Stealth
 - Level 4.5 Shields
 - Level 8.8 Spellcasting
 - Level 3.5 Conjurations
 - Level 13.3 Hexes
 - Level 9.6 Summonings
 + Level 6.2 Ice Magic
 - Level 2.9 Invocations


You have 12 spell levels left.
You know the following spells:

 Your Spells              Type           Power        Failure   Level  Hunger
a - Corona                Hex            #####..      1%          1    None
b - Ensorcelled Hibernat  Hex/Ice        ####..       1%          2    None
c - Confuse               Hex            #####...     1%          3    ##.....
d - Dazzling Spray        Conj/Hex       ####..       3%          3    ##.....
e - Summon Guardian Gole  Hex/Summ       #####...     1%          3    ##.....
f - Call Imp              Summ           ####....     1%          2    None
g - Tukima's Dance        Hex            #####...     1%          3    ##.....
h - Summon Ice Beast      Ice/Summ       ####....     16%         4    ####...


Dungeon Overview and Level Annotations

Branches:
Dungeon (15/15)            Temple (0/1) D:5            Lair (6/6) D:9
  Swamp (1/4) Lair:3       Spider (4/4) Lair:2        Slime (0/5) Lair:6
    Orc (2/2) D:12         Vaults (0/5) D:14         Depths (0/5) D:15
   Elf: Orc:2       

Altars:
Ashenzari
Cheibriados
Dithmenos
Fedhas
Hepliaklqana
Nemelex Xobeh
Qazlal
Ru
Sif Muna
Trog
Uskayaw
Xom
Yredelemnul

Shops:
D:8 =*   D:9 (   D:11 }

Annotations:
Lair:3 exclusion: oklob plant


Innate Abilities, Weirdness & Mutations

You have razor-sharp teeth.
You heal very quickly.
When hurt, damage is shared between your health and your magic reserves.
Your bite disrupts and absorbs the magic of your enemies.
Potions cannot restore your health.
You are immune to rotting.
You are partially covered in yellow scales. (AC +2)
You are dopey. (Int -2)


Message History

A ghost moth comes into view.
The helpless ghost moth fails to defend itself.
You skewer the ghost moth like a kebab!!!!
You kill the ghost moth!
Dithmenos accepts your kill.
You see here a glaive.
Move the cursor to view the level map, or type ? for a list of commands.
Returning to the game...
There is a stone staircase leading up, spattered with blood here.
Move the cursor to view the level map, or type ? for a list of commands.
Returning to the game...
Saving game... please wait.
Welcome back, Leafy the Vine Stalker Enchanter.
Dithmenos says: Spread the eternal night.
Press ? for a list of commands and other information.
You are wreathed by an umbra. You repel missiles. Your movement speed is average.
Your attack speed is very fast (and cannot be improved with additional weapon skill).
Your base attributes are Str 13, Int 15, Dex 20.
Char dumped to 'C:/Users/Gavin/AppData/Roaming/crawl/morgue/Leafy.txt'.
Saving game... please wait.

######    ###############
#....#  ###......^......##
#....####.^........#.....###
##^..[##.^..(..........^...###
 ##^...#^..............#....^#
  ##...(.......#....#.....^..###
 ##................^......#..#.#
 #..#.........#...#............#
 ###.....^.<..........#...#^..^#
   #.......^......#.^.......^.##
   ###..######....^.......^....#   ###
  ##......###..................#   #..
  #.^....###.#@^...#.#..#.#....#   #˜.
  #..#...# ##..................#    #.
  ##.^..##  ##.....#.#.##.....^#    ##
  ##.....#   ##................#    #.
  #..^.^.#    #^..^............#    #.
  #.^....#    ##............#..#    #.
 ##......#   ##.^...^..........##   ##
 #.^....##   #..............^...#    #
 #^...#.#   ##..#.....#.........##   #
 ##.##.## ###.........^..........#####
  ######  #.......................#.˜#
         ##..........#..............#.
        ##...#....^....#..............
        #..#....^......#.....!.^..#.˜#
        #...^......#..#..........#####


There are no monsters in sight!

Vanquished Creatures
  Arachne (Spider:4)
  Asterion (Spider:4)
  5 ghost moths
  4 emperor scorpions (Spider:4)
  3 entropy weavers
  Nessos (Lair:4)
  A stone giant (Orc:2)
  3 spark wasps
  A dire elephant (D:15)
  Snorg (Lair:4)
  Josephine (D:10)
  A fire dragon (Lair:6)
  Erolcha (D:9)
  5 hydras
  3 centaur warriors
  Erica (Lair:2)
  3 two-headed ogres
  A death knight (D:15)
  3 alligators (Swamp:1)
  Urug (Lair:5)
  4 tengu warriors
  Sonja (Lair:2)
  Nergalle (D:9)
  7 skeletal warriors (D:15)
  2 unseen horrors
  A swamp dragon (Lair:6)
  A phantasmal warrior (D:15)
  An orc knight (Orc:2)
  11 orb spiders
  A wolf spider zombie (D:14)
  30 wolf spiders
  An orc sorcerer (D:12)
  A deep elf mage (D:7)
  A manticore (D:13)
  5 cyclopes
  4 ugly things
  7 black mambas
  3 moths of wrath
  A naga mage (D:15)
  6 elephants
  Maurice (D:10)
  2 torpor snails (Spider:3)
  10 spiny frogs
  A gargoyle (D:13)
  An efreet (D:14)
  4 freezing wraiths
  4 kobold demonologists
  6 komodo dragons
  13 demonic crawlers
  30 jumping spiders
  A tengu conjurer (D:14)
  3 meliai (D:12)
  A tyrant leech (Swamp:1)
  4 trolls
  3 polar bears
  A queen bee (shapeshifter) (D:15)
  A queen bee (D:12)
  A bog body (Swamp:1)
  11 hornets
  Grinder (D:6)
  7 hippogriffs
  Prince Ribbit (D:7)
  10 slime creatures
  4 dream sheep (Lair:4)
  3 blink frogs
  A centaur simulacrum (D:15)
  14 wyverns
  70 redbacks
  A spriggan (D:7)
  2 vampires (D:14)
  28 tarantellas
  3 basilisks
  6 wraiths
  55 yaks
  2 steam dragons (Lair:6)
  A hungry ghost (D:9)
  4 vampire mosquitoes (D:15)
  8 swamp worms
  2 wargs
  6 insubstantial wisps (Swamp:1)
  16 water moccasins
  4 acid dragons
  Duvessa (D:7)
  A hell hound (D:10)
  7 porcupines
  16 orc warriors
  2 hornet zombies (D:15)
  2 ice beasts
  2 sky beasts
  A swamp drake (Swamp:1)
  An eye of draining (shapeshifter) (D:14)
  5 wolves
  7 ogres
  2 phantoms
  4 boggarts (Lair:4)
  20 centaurs
  10 crocodiles
  4 big kobolds
  13 bullfrogs
  A gnoll sergeant (D:8)
  A wyvern skeleton (D:12)
  A wyvern zombie (D:12)
  4 scorpions
  Dowan (D:7)
  25 killer bees
  10 wights
  9 electric eels
  3 howler monkeys
  A lava snake (D:10)
  6 crimson imps
  3 bullfrog zombies
  A quasit (D:10)
  3 centaur zombies
  4 jellies
  3 bullfrog skeletons
  A gnoll shaman (D:10)
  10 orc priests
  3 hounds
  12 orc wizards
  7 centaur skeletons
  Jessica (D:3)
  6 iguanas
  7 worker ants
  3 worker ant zombies (D:5)
  Robin (D:4)
  12 gnolls
  9 adders
  9 shadow imps
  An ooze (D:2)
  2 adder zombies (D:5)
  2 adder skeletons
  A worm (D:2)
  2 dart slugs (D:1)
  3 leopard geckos
  56 orcs
  3 giant cockroaches
  18 goblins
  11 hobgoblins
  3 jackals (D:8)
  7 kobolds
  A quokka (D:2)
  2 ball pythons
  9 bats
  8 frilled lizards
  A giant cockroach zombie (D:5)
  A leopard gecko skeleton (D:4)
  A leopard gecko zombie (D:5)
  A quokka zombie (D:5)
  6 rats
  2 fungi (Lair:6)
  2 plants
875 creatures vanquished.

Vanquished Creatures (collateral kills)
  2 hydras
  A two-headed ogre (D:11)
  An orc high priest (D:12)
  An unseen horror (D:11)
  An orb spider (Spider:2)
  A wolf spider (Spider:1)
  A guardian serpent (Lair:6)
  A demonic crawler (Spider:2)
  2 jumping spiders
  A dream sheep (Lair:4)
  A tarantella (Spider:2)
  9 redbacks
  A wraith (D:13)
  A yak (Lair:6)
  A water moccasin (Lair:6)
  A swamp drake (Lair:6)
  An orc warrior (D:13)
  A crocodile (Lair:6)
  3 orc wizards
  3 orcs (D:13)
  A fungus (Lair:6)
  2 plants (Lair:4)
37 creatures vanquished.

Vanquished Creatures (others)
  A rime drake (Lair:6)
  A slime creature (D:12)
  A dream sheep (Lair:4)
  A hippogriff (Lair:6)
  A basilisk (Lair:6)
  A warg (D:12)
  3 orcs
  A giant cockroach (Lair:2)
  9 fungi
  41 plants
60 creatures vanquished.

Grand Total: 972 creatures vanquished

Notes
Turn   | Place    | Note
-------+----------+-------------------------------------------
     0 | D:1      | Leafy the Vine Stalker Enchanter began the quest for the Orb.
     0 | D:1      | Reached XP level 1. HP: 9/9 MP: 4/4
    37 | D:1      | Reached skill level 1 in Short Blades
   388 | D:1      | Reached skill level 4 in Stealth
   388 | D:1      | Reached XP level 2. HP: 13/13 MP: 4/6
  1520 | D:1      | Reached XP level 3. HP: 16/16 MP: 7/7
  1733 | D:2      | Noticed a centaur
  1738 | D:2      | Killed a centaur
  1738 | D:2      | Reached skill level 5 in Stealth
  1738 | D:2      | Gained mutation: Your natural rate of healing is unusually fast. [Vine Stalker growth]
  1738 | D:2      | Reached XP level 4. HP: 19/21 MP: 6/8
  1749 | D:2      | Reached XP level 5. HP: 24/24 MP: 9/9
  1754 | D:2      | Learned a level 2 spell: Ensorcelled Hibernation
  2136 | D:2      | Learned a level 3 spell: Confuse
  2281 | D:3      | Found a shattered altar of Ashenzari.
  2319 | D:3      | Noticed Jessica
  2333 | D:3      | Killed Jessica
  2333 | D:3      | Reached skill level 6 in Stealth
  2939 | D:4      | Reached XP level 6. HP: 24/28 MP: 6/10
  3131 | D:4      | Noticed Robin
  3631 | D:4      | Found a shadowy altar of Dithmenos.
  3636 | D:4      | Became a worshipper of Dithmenos the Shadowed
  3932 | D:4      | Killed Robin
  4011 | D:5      | Entered Level 5 of the Dungeon
  4034 | D:5      | Noticed a hornet
  4043 | D:5      | Killed a hornet
  4043 | D:5      | Reached skill level 5 in Hexes
  4043 | D:5      | Reached XP level 7. HP: 14/32 MP: 9/12
  4104 | D:5      | You fall through a shaft for 2 floors!
  4104 | D:7      | Found a deep blue altar of Sif Muna.
  4115 | D:7      | Noticed Prince Ribbit
  4179 | D:7      | Noticed a hippogriff
  4201 | D:7      | Noticed Dowan
  4202 | D:7      | Noticed Duvessa
  4565 | D:5      | Found a staircase to the Ecumenical Temple.
  4596 | D:5      | Found a basalt altar of Yredelemnul.
  4672 | D:5      | Found a sparkling altar of Nemelex Xobeh.
  4758 | D:5      | Gained mutation: You have razor-sharp teeth. [Vine Stalker growth]
  4758 | D:5      | Reached XP level 8. HP: 30/36 MP: 13/13
  4960 | D:5      | Reached skill level 5 in Short Blades
  4981 | D:5      | Reached * piety under Dithmenos
  4994 | D:5      | Found a sacrificial altar of Ru.
  5174 | D:6      | Noticed Grinder
  5194 | D:6      | Killed Grinder
  5194 | D:6      | Reached skill level 1 in Ice Magic
  5455 | D:6      | Found a hide-covered altar of Uskayaw.
  5791 | D:6      | Found a hazy altar of Hepliaklqana.
  5882 | D:7      | Killed Dowan
  5890 | D:7      | Killed Duvessa
  5890 | D:7      | Reached skill level 1 in Shields
  5944 | D:7      | Killed a hippogriff
  5944 | D:7      | Reached XP level 9. HP: 33/39 MP: 11/15
  5981 | D:7      | Noticed a deep elf mage
  5982 | D:7      | Noticed a skeletal warrior
  6135 | D:7      | Killed Prince Ribbit
  6738 | D:7      | Killed a deep elf mage
  6738 | D:7      | Reached skill level 7 in Stealth
  6826 | D:7      | Reached skill level 8 in Stealth
  7026 | D:8      | Reached ** piety under Dithmenos
  7161 | D:8      | Found a snail-covered altar of Cheibriados.
  7314 | D:8      | Reached skill level 9 in Stealth
  7320 | D:8      | Reached XP level 10. HP: 40/44 MP: 18/18
  7483 | D:8      | Found Huveir's Jewellery Boutique.
  7488 | D:8      | Found a stormy altar of Qazlal.
  7744 | D:8      | Found Ryorghiaps's Demolitions Depot.
  8032 | D:8      | Found a blossoming altar of Fedhas.
  8520 | D:9      | Found a bloodstained altar of Trog.
  8584 | D:9      | Found Kocefuc's Antique Weapon Shoppe.
  8591 | D:9      | Bought a runed dagger for 120 gold pieces
  8739 | D:9      | Noticed Erolcha
  8743 | D:9      | Killed Erolcha
  9017 | D:9      | Reached *** piety under Dithmenos
  9017 | D:9      | Reached skill level 1 in Invocations
  9412 | D:9      | Found a staircase to the Lair.
  9544 | Lair:1   | Entered Level 1 of the Lair of Beasts
  9765 | Lair:1   | Noticed a five-headed hydra
  9873 | D:10     | Entered Level 10 of the Dungeon
  9873 | D:10     | Noticed Nergalle
 10086 | D:9      | Killed Nergalle
 10109 | D:10     | Reached XP level 11. HP: 36/47 MP: 19/19
 10315 | D:11     | Noticed a red ugly thing
 10591 | D:11     | Noticed a cyclops
 10679 | D:10     | Learned a level 3 spell: Dazzling Spray
 10899 | Lair:1   | Reached skill level 10 in Short Blades
 11161 | Lair:2   | Reached skill level 1 in Conjurations
 11225 | Lair:2   | Noticed Erica
 11235 | Lair:2   | Found a hole to the Spider Nest.
 11305 | Lair:2   | Reached skill level 5 in Spellcasting
 11361 | Lair:2   | Noticed Sonja
 11374 | Lair:2   | Killed Sonja
 11540 | Lair:2   | Reached skill level 10 in Stealth
 11640 | Lair:2   | Killed Erica
 11743 | Lair:2   | Reached **** piety under Dithmenos
 12626 | Lair:1   | HP: 2/47 [five-headed hydra (7)]
 12796 | Lair:1   | Gained mutation: You are dopey. (Int -2) [potion of mutation]
 12796 | Lair:1   | Gained mutation: You are partially covered in yellow scales. (AC +2) [potion of mutation]
 12890 | D:9      | Learned a level 3 spell: Summon Guardian Golem
 13605 | D:11     | Killed a cyclops
 13605 | D:11     | Reached skill level 1 in Summonings
 13605 | D:11     | Gained mutation: You heal very quickly. [Vine Stalker growth]
 13605 | D:11     | Reached XP level 12. HP: 51/51 MP: 23/23
 13723 | D:11     | Noticed a two-headed ogre
 13992 | D:10     | Noticed Josephine
 14123 | D:10     | Learned a level 2 spell: Call Imp
 14563 | D:11     | Found Nonam's Gadget Boutique.
 14857 | D:11     | Killed a two-headed ogre
 15004 | D:12     | Noticed a tengu warrior
 15064 | D:12     | Killed a tengu warrior
 15157 | D:12     | Reached skill level 5 in Dodging
 15280 | D:12     | Reached ***** piety under Dithmenos
 15386 | D:12     | Reached skill level 5 in Summonings
 15491 | D:12     | Found a staircase to the Orcish Mines.
 15827 | D:12     | Noticed a five-headed hydra
 15916 | Orc:1    | Entered Level 1 of the Orcish Mines
 15916 | Orc:1    | Noticed an orc high priest
 16012 | D:12     | Noticed a sun demon
 16094 | D:12     | Killed an orc high priest
 16364 | Orc:1    | Reached skill level 10 in Hexes
 16582 | Orc:2    | Entered Level 2 of the Orcish Mines
 16592 | Orc:2    | Noticed a stone giant
 16612 | Orc:2    | Killed a stone giant
 16656 | Orc:2    | Reached XP level 13. HP: 55/55 MP: 18/24
 16720 | Orc:2    | Noticed a stone giant
 16768 | Orc:1    | Learned a level 3 spell: Tukima's Dance
 16773 | Orc:1    | Learned a level 4 spell: Summon Ice Beast
 18432 | Lair:3   | Found a staircase to the Swamp.
 18455 | Lair:3   | Reached skill level 5 in Ice Magic
 19033 | Lair:4   | Noticed Snorg
 19038 | Lair:4   | Killed Snorg
 19148 | Lair:4   | Noticed Nessos
 19466 | Lair:4   | Identified a scroll of acquirement
 19632 | Lair:4   | Killed Nessos
 20559 | Lair:5   | Noticed Urug
 20646 | Lair:5   | Killed Urug
 21292 | Lair:6   | Entered Level 6 of the Lair of Beasts
 22181 | Lair:6   | Reached XP level 14. HP: 59/59 MP: 25/25
 22700 | Lair:6   | Found a staircase to the Slime Pits.
 24805 | Lair:6   | Reached skill level 11 in Stealth
 25315 | D:10     | Found a shimmering altar of Xom.
 25316 | D:10     | Killed Josephine
 25344 | D:10     | Noticed Maurice
 25348 | D:10     | Killed Maurice
 25416 | D:10     | Found the +10 morningstar "Eos" {elec, Halo rElec}
 25481 | D:10     | Got a heavily runed leather armour
 25532 | D:10     | Identified the +1 leather armour "Seelaf Xibb" {*Corrode rElec rN+} (You found it on level 10 of the Dungeon)
 26736 | D:13     | Reached skill level 12 in Stealth
 27510 | Spider:1 | Entered Level 1 of the Spider Nest
 27626 | Spider:1 | You fall through a shaft!
 27772 | Spider:2 | Reached XP level 15. HP: 32/63 MP: 26/26
 27925 | Spider:2 | Reached skill level 13 in Stealth
 29395 | Spider:1 | Reached skill level 14 in Stealth
 29912 | Spider:1 | Reached ****** piety under Dithmenos
 30234 | Spider:2 | Noticed a ghost moth
 30273 | Spider:2 | Killed a ghost moth
 30933 | Spider:3 | Reached skill level 1 in Armour
 32169 | Spider:3 | Got an encrusted scale mail
 32223 | Spider:2 | Identified the +6 scale mail "Exkufu Hulid" {Str+4} (You found it on level 3 of the Spider Nest)
 32259 | Spider:4 | Entered Level 4 of the Spider Nest
 32284 | Spider:3 | Reached skill level 5 in Armour
 32312 | Spider:3 | Noticed a ghost moth
 32325 | Spider:3 | Killed a ghost moth
 32575 | Spider:3 | Reached XP level 16. HP: 56/67 MP: 27/27
 33082 | D:10     | Got a pair of jewelled boots
 33088 | D:10     | Identified the +1 pair of boots of Woemud {rF+ Str-2 SInv} (You acquired it on level 10 of the Dungeon)
 33922 | Spider:4 | Noticed Arachne
 34192 | Spider:4 | Killed Arachne
 34536 | Spider:4 | Noticed Asterion
 34681 | Swamp:1  | Entered Level 1 of the Swamp
 35700 | D:14     | Reached skill level 1 in Fighting
 36416 | D:14     | Found a gate to the Vaults.
 36954 | D:15     | Entered Level 15 of the Dungeon
 37167 | D:15     | Reached skill level 5 in Fighting
 37836 | D:15     | Reached XP level 17. HP: 84/84 MP: 30/30
 37973 | D:15     | Found a staircase to the Depths.
 38703 | Spider:4 | Killed Asterion
 39544 | Spider:4 | Got a gossamer rune of Zot
 39670 | Spider:4 | Reached skill level 10 in Fighting

Skill      XL: |  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 |
---------------+----------------------------------------------------+-----
Short Blades   |  1     2  3     4     6     9 10    11 12          | 12.2
Stealth        |  4     5     6           9    10       12 14       | 14.7
Hexes          |              4  5  6  7        9 10    12 13       | 13.3
Dodging        |                       2        3  6  7             |  7.0
Ice Magic      |                       2              5           6 |  6.2
Shields        |                       2  4                         |  4.5
Spellcasting   |                       3  4     7              8    |  8.8
Invocations    |                             2                      |  2.9
Conjurations   |                                3                   |  3.5
Summonings     |                                1  5  9             |  9.6
Armour         |                                            5  8    |  8.0
Fighting       |                                               7 10 | 10.0

Action                   |  1- 3 |  4- 6 |  7- 9 | 10-12 | 13-15 | 16-18 || total
-------------------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------++-------
Melee: Dagger            |    88 |   191 |   228 |   907 |   843 |       ||  2257
       Bite              |    25 |    42 |    77 |   297 |   595 |   486 ||  1522
       Short sword       |       |       |    78 |       |   930 |  1166 ||  2174
 Cast: Corona            |     5 |     3 |     1 |    11 |     2 |       ||    22
       Ensorcelled Hiber |       |     8 |     7 |    60 |   186 |    62 ||   323
       Confuse           |       |     3 |     8 |    26 |    54 |    62 ||   153
       Dazzling Spray    |       |       |       |    10 |     6 |       ||    16
       Call Imp          |       |       |       |    34 |    50 |    16 ||   100
       Summon Guardian G |       |       |       |    11 |    22 |     7 ||    40
       Summon Ice Beast  |       |       |       |       |    67 |    13 ||    80
Invok: Shadow Step       |       |       |       |     4 |     7 |       ||    11
Evoke: Wand              |       |       |     4 |    14 |     8 |     1 ||    27
  Use: Scroll            |       |     3 |    10 |    22 |    16 |     6 ||    57
       Potion            |       |       |     3 |     7 |     8 |     4 ||    22
 Stab: Sleeping          |     5 |    17 |    20 |    59 |   124 |    67 ||   292
       Confused          |       |     2 |     4 |     7 |    19 |    23 ||    55
       Distracted        |       |       |     5 |     7 |    19 |     7 ||    38
       Invisible         |       |       |       |     3 |     2 |       ||     5
       Held in net/web   |       |       |       |       |       |     2 ||     2
  Eat: Chunk             |     3 |     8 |     8 |    24 |    39 |    17 ||    99
       Ration            |       |       |     1 |     3 |     9 |     4 ||    17
Armor: Robe              |    18 |    30 |    33 |    93 |     2 |       ||   176
       Skin              |       |       |     2 |       |       |       ||     2
       Ring mail         |       |       |       |       |    72 |       ||    72
       Acid dragon scale |       |       |       |       |   196 |       ||   196
       Scale mail        |       |       |       |       |    36 |   352 ||   388
Dodge: Dodged            |    50 |   105 |   137 |   358 |  1017 |   604 ||  2271
       Deflected         |       |       |       |       |     4 |     5 ||     9
Block: Buckler           |       |       |    16 |   224 |   575 |   366 ||  1181

Snake Sneak

Posts: 97

Joined: Monday, 13th June 2011, 12:55

Post Friday, 16th February 2018, 13:45

Re: Advice for my first VSEn

Lightning spire is great. You also have hexes, summoning, and the Book of Beasts. Get Summon Mana Viper - it'll last you to Zot. Learn Invisibility if it shows up.

Ghost moths don't see invisible so that's always a good option for them.

Abyss Ambulator

Posts: 1193

Joined: Friday, 16th January 2015, 20:20

Post Friday, 16th February 2018, 18:16

Re: Advice for my first VSEn

Summons are a great option.

I'd consider a stronger weapon type: a demon weapon would be ideal. But, you can win with a short blades, especially as a Vine Stalker.

Blades Runner

Posts: 616

Joined: Thursday, 25th October 2012, 03:19

Post Saturday, 17th February 2018, 06:43

Re: Advice for my first VSEn

Your stats
Str 15
Int 13
Dex 20

tells me that you're going to be wasting valuable XP if you focus too much on casting spells. It's also a dicey proposal to rely too heavily on spells on a vinestalker since their MP can be drained taking damage. Furthermore, summons will drain more XP. I think you got off to a decent start as a stealthy, stabby character but what you need to do is supplement that build with something that will more generically keep you alive and be able to handle more situations without worrying about targets that resist all your methods. In other words, you split up your XP to push lightning spire, then you're a noisy, weak spell casting, stabby character and you get pwned by war gargoyle. Instead, continue with your stabby element (because you have 20 dex), but transition from it, beef it up with alternative heavier AC, higher health, and harder hitting generic melee damage. Don't back off on evasion either. Keep pushing STR. There are some exceptions which might cause me to suggest an alternative route, such as a ridiculously overpowered spell like vile clutch, but things like that are more like imbalances rather than generally sound strategic advice.

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