Swamp Slogger
Posts: 176
Joined: Wednesday, 10th April 2013, 10:49
Zig clearance formula
So:
1) The basic idea is to take critters out using high-powered level 9 spells, since there are too many of them to handle with just melee. With that in mind, before even thinking about doing a zig, make sure you've got plenty of defences (a ton of AC, EV, elemental resistances, MR+++++, preferably clarity, maybe shields, stealth), plenty of offensive options (high-end spells (see the rest of the formula for these), smite-targeted individual attacks (PP / AS), and melee/ ranged backup in case the mana runs out), escape options (controlled blink, fog, death's door), and evocables (again, just in case the mana runs out), as much mana restoration as you can get your hands on (magic regen, crystal ball of energy, staff of energy, vehumet, wucad mu, potions of magic and sublimation of blood (but not in lichform!)), and as much HP regeneration as you can get your hands on.
2) Also, make sure you have necromutation if you're not undead - otherwise you'll be properly dead very soon!
3) Before going down to the next floor, cast necromutation and invisibility (if you've got it), buff up and make sure you've got deflect missiles on.
4) Upon going downstairs, move slowly towards the other side, and find out what type of level you're on. If it's a holy level, end lichform if you're not undead.
5) (The scary bit) Depending on the type of level and how deep you are, get as close as you can to the crowd without waking them up or before too many individuals break away - use controlled blink to do this if need be. This is so that your nukes will be as effective as possible and so that the whole crowd will act like a meat shield. This may not be such a good idea for mummy / holy / pan floors, especially at depth, as you may get smited / damned faster than you can take them out.
6) Identify individuals who are going to cause you extreme problems / death if you don't take them out straight away (moths of wrath, ghost moths, floating eyes, starcursed masses, anything that can cast damnation / hard smiting / sap etc.)
7) Cast tornado. As the winds start to build up, aim 2 or 3 well-placed glaciates / firestorms into the crowd to take out a swathe of threats. Aim to clear the downstairs / portals just in case you need to bail.
8) By now, the winds should be spiralling around you strongly. Keep firestorming anything beyond the reach of your tornado, but keep an eye on the mana levels - you may need to top up. Make sure you leave yourself enough for at least 2CBs in case you need to bail and bear in mind failure rate for CBoE. Consider using melee / ranged to conserve the mana. Keep your focus on the big threats and don't waste mana on popcorn.
9) By now, most critters should be dead, and you can safely mop up and enjoy the treasure! If they're not, and you feel the threat is too great, just C blink to the downstairs / exit, and high-tail it outta there.
10) Repeat stages 3-8 untli you've cleared the Zig!