FOFC Crawl Comp #5-Octopode Venom Mage

[thesloppy]

Originally Posted by CrimsonFox

oh yeah what about shops? I found nothing in help files as a heading.
all you can do is buy from them?

Yup. No selling, just drop anything you don't need/want.

[CrimsonFox]

Pfffff. Orcs on level 1. Come on!!!!! 2 wizzes a priest and 2 warriors

[Thomkal]

Just a heads up guys. This comp technically ends tonight at midnight, but given its a weekend, I'm going to extend it through tomorrow at midnight. So either post your best result here or point out to me the post you've already made here that has your best result.

Good luck!

[Grover]

How does one burn/destroy a spellbook?

[Thomkal]

Originally Posted by Grover

How does one burn/destroy a spellbook?

Is this for a Trog worshipper? if so, its a for abilities, then whatever letter that ability is (hit ? or *) to see which. Just don't stand on it when you do it. Otherwise, I can't remember-why do you want to destroy it?

[Grover]

Originally Posted by Thomkal

Is this for a Trog worshipper? if so, its a for abilities, then whatever letter that ability is (hit ? or *) to see which. Just don't stand on it when you do it. Otherwise, I can't remember-why do you want to destroy it?

Was asking for a different game!

[Thomkal]

And the winner is...ME! This looked to be a tough one for all of us-even with my winning entry I don't think I got as far down as we did in the other comps. Was this too tough for us, not very likeable/interesting, etc.?

I have some ideas for another comp, but I'd like to see more active participation if we are going to run another. Who's up for another comp and what would you like to see baring in mind our other comps (Troll Berserker, Deep Elf Ice Elementalist, Demonspawn Chaos Knight, Spriggan Stalker, Octopode Venom Mage)?

Congrats to Me!

[Thomkal]

So I got a PM from CrimsonFox asking for general help with Crawl, and I thought I'd post it here (sorry if you didn't want it posted!) since he asked a lot of questions. Get advice here from those who have played it more, and for future advice for those like CF who are new to it or will give the game a try in the future.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

at this game and badly need help. Some kind of instruction and tips. I can't make any headway.

Maybe if I told you different points and you tell me how to handle these situations...

What should I be doing and how to progress through the various character levels...?
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9...

What specific tactics should I be aware of on each dungeon level (as I've seen that even though things are random they are usually the same variations...)

How do I deal with...
-Named characters: Jessica, Igyl, VIncent (that fighter guy that confuses I think that's his name?), Grinder, other casters, The guy that leads the slaves,...
-The orc groups (of priest/wizard/warriors)
- poison monsters
-range throwing monsters
-monsters that blink around
-monsters that deal a ton of damage (worms, ogres, etc)

Tactics with rings, potions, scrolls, wands...how do I use a wand

Eating...what can and can't I eat? Should I not use spells unless I have to because of it?
I'm thinking basically ancorpse in orange or green I cannot eat because they will make me sick/poison me. White corpses are fine?

Weapon use
what weapons to use and when?
special hidden tactics I don't know about...
I have been wielding a club or short sword as soon as I can then switching to mace or flail or long sword if I find one of those. For range I throw everything I can at some things but don't use slings/bows much. actually i've never seen a bow.

Well that's a start. I'm just useless at this thing. I know that the game is random and some games are easier than others to get through but I'm just dying all the time. Haven't come close to that one good game I had. Well twice I was close to doing that and both times I got severely screwd by something.

So HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELP!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

I gave CF a couple basic things until I had time to post this here and comment on it.

1-Play the tutorial mode and hints mode-it really does ease you into the game as much as you can be eased with "easier" character choices and the helpful information you get as you go along.

2-Read up on the game as much as you can-go to the Crawl Wiki at: CrawlWiki There's a lot of helpful info there including a walkthrough and a strategy guide. Also check the Crawl official forums at the Tavern: Index page • The Tavern The first three sections of the Tavern part of the board can be very useful to read as newbies and vets alike post there looking for help and a large group of people willing to help.

[Grover]

Berserker has been my best character to date. I scored a 10,000+ with a Minotaur last night, got down to floor 10 before getting killed by a statue in the ice cavern

[CrimsonFox]

thanks thomkal. Yeah I was going to post it here but you saved me the hassle of doing it. I do very well but I always find something that absolutely screws me on levels 2-3 usually. Usually it's hordes of stuff and casters. Oh and food. The last great attempt I made I was doing terrific but died...BECAUSE I STARVED to death of all things. I found ZERO permanent food and the only monsters that seemed to drop carcasses were poisonous.

Altho I did follow your initial advice and played on hints mode and read the tips guide. One thing I picked up was running around corners to avoid range attacking mobs. ALthough this had the problem of getting killed by a falcion user with reach :P

Hints mode really didn't have anything strategy wise useful to say tho. At least not before I died.

I tried playing an Orc Fighter just to give myself a break. I got down to the temple level on the first try. Go figure. So I guess it's just extra hard playing the combo we were using.

[Thomkal]

A couple of thoughts from CF's post above:

1-patience and more patience. Part of the appeal of the game is that you really have to think how you are going to handle certain situations/mobs. Early on you will die...a lot. But as you begin to figure out stuff you'll quickly move through the first few dungeon levels with most characters unless you are unlucky with what you encounter. And your reward for that?...even more mobs and new areas to explore (and die horribly in)-the various portals. And you will learn from your deaths too so next time you face that named mobs you have the upperhand.

2. Running away is always a very good option and the best option in some cases. I recently had a level with two named mobs-one of which summoned all sorts of devils and undead in a pretty open dungeon level, a player ghost, and something else nasty I'm forgetting right now. I explored as much of the level as I could safely...and then went down the stairs. Some levels just aren't worth exploring fully.

3. Wands are evoked using the Capital "v" key.

4. My strategy for dealing with each dungeon level is this. Sit on the stairs after I've completed each level and look through my inventory. There's a ton of stuff in this game and you'll end up carrying a bunch of it. And you likely will forget that you are carrying certain things. If I'm playing a spell-using type, I look through my spells if I have a lot just to keep them fresh in my mind.

5. Looks like you are about to die? Check your inventory one last time. Haven't identified healing potions yet, and have some Un'ID'ed ones? Start drinking-maybe you will get a healing one or something like might which could carry the day for you...or maybe you will get paralyzed and die, but its not fun to look through your morgue file after dying and find out that you could have used something to save yourself. Check your scrolls too especially if you don't have teleport or blink yet. In the info I gave above about the devil/undead summoner, a lucky read of an un'ID'ed teleport scroll kept me alive until I could get off the level.

Well that's enough for now-please Crawl vets chime in here and help CF (and other newbies) with these issues.

[CrimsonFox]

Originally Posted by Thomkal

And the winner is...ME! This looked to be a tough one for all of us-even with my winning entry I don't think I got as far down as we did in the other comps. Was this too tough for us, not very likeable/interesting, etc.?

I have some ideas for another comp, but I'd like to see more active participation if we are going to run another. Who's up for another comp and what would you like to see baring in mind our other comps (Troll Berserker, Deep Elf Ice Elementalist, Demonspawn Chaos Knight, Spriggan Stalker, Octopode Venom Mage)?

Congrats to Me!

Congrats! (FIXED! ) Seriously PLEASE let's not use a caster next time. At least not a straight Wizardclass. Something with armor please.

[CrimsonFox]

Too bad there isn't a cook class which let's you cook and depoison sentient food.

[Thomkal]

Originally Posted by CrimsonFox

Too bad there isn't a cook class which let's you cook and depoison sentient food.

well you can always play a race that can eat such foods (like trolls, ogres, and ghouls) and a non-spellcasting race so food is not such much an immediate issue.

[Thomkal]

Originally Posted by CrimsonFox

Congrats! (FIXED! ) Seriously PLEASE let's not use a caster next time. At least not a straight Wizardclass. Something with armor please.

yeah I wouldn't pick a straight magic using class for the next one so no worries there.

[thesloppy]

Congrats Thom!

I would love to see what everybody can do with my favored class, the merfolk assassin. I suck at it just as bad as every other class, but am attracted by the idea of stealth and stabbing, even if I never seem to use either effectively.

[CrimsonFox]

I thi k that's why octovenom mage was so challenging. Absolutely NO armor. If they catch you you're dead. And your constant magic reliance made food a problem...plus your spells weren't instant gratification. You had to wait for things to die.

[CrimsonFox]

Thanks again for having this comp Thom! I think the last couple times I saw threads like this I didn't understand them and/or never got the software to really work right for me. This download was great and the game has lots of neat features I haven't seen in the other ones. I think I just need to log some time now with one of the easier combos to get to know the game better instead of jumping into the shark-infested deep end like I did

[Thomkal]

Originally Posted by CrimsonFox

Thanks again for having this comp Thom! I think the last couple times I saw threads like this I didn't understand them and/or never got the software to really work right for me. This download was great and the game has lots of neat features I haven't seen in the other ones. I think I just need to log some time now with one of the easier combos to get to know the game better instead of jumping into the shark-infested deep end like I did

You're welcome CF. Glad you stuck with it despite being thrown off the deep end-good thing we were playing an octopode.

So I've seen a request for merfolk assassin, I have a couple ideas, anyone else have something specific they want to play?

[Grover]

Originally Posted by Thomkal

You're welcome CF. Glad you stuck with it despite being thrown off the deep end-good thing we were playing an octopode.

So I've seen a request for merfolk assassin, I have a couple ideas, anyone else have something specific they want to play?

Berserker, don't care what race!

[CrimsonFox]

Actually playing a monster would be extremely fun.

Mummy/Vampire/Ogre/TRoll kinda thing but again without the allspellcasting problem. I like the stomach of iron idea.

[thesloppy]

Note that the stomach of iron usually comes at some other cost. Trolls gotta eat a lot more, and vampires have to suck blood. The food mechanic can't really be avoided so much as it can be modified.

[dzilla77]

Interesting - I rarely ever have any issues with starvation. Maybe its just good luck that I always find permafood.

I seem to have problems with ghosts - most of my good characters are killed by my good character ghosts - usually because they are confusing me (and immune to my confusion spells).

One note, confusion is a very powerful condition in the game at low levels because there is not any resistance to it. I use it whenever I am confronted with spell casters or mobs.

Now, if I could just figure out how to kill ghosts. . .

[CrimsonFox]

Incidently I can now harness Makhleb's destructive might!

(What does that mean and how do I use this "might"? )

[CrimsonFox]

um, what's a scroll of immolation do aside from explode?

[CrimsonFox]

Spoiler

Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup version 0.10.3 character file.

3452 George IV the Slasher (level 10, -2/83 HPs)
Began as a Hill Orc Fighter on July 2, 2012.
Was a Believer of Trog.
Slain by a killer bee (6 damage)
... on Level 9 of the Dungeon.
The game lasted 00:53:32 (9949 turns).

George IV the Slasher (Hill Orc Fighter) Turns: 9949, Time: 00:53:32

HP -2/83 AC 11 Str 23 XL: 10 Next: 12%
MP 9/9 EV 9 Int 8 God: Trog [**....]
Gold 384 SH 22 Dex 9 (10) Spells: 0 memorised, 9 levels left

Res.Fire : + . . See Invis. : . C - +12,+10 sword of Jihad {holy, *Rage rN+ MR
Res.Cold : . . . Warding : . . d - +0 orc chain mail
Life Prot.: + . . Conserve : . c - +0 orc shield
Res.Acid. : . . . Res.Corr. : . (helmet restricted)
Res.Poison: + Clarity : . (no cloak)
Res.Elec. : . Spirit.Shd : . (no gloves)
Sust.Abil.: . . Stasis : + (no boots)
Res.Mut. : . Ctrl.Telep.: + B - amulet of stasis
Res.Rott. : . Levitation : . m - ring of protection from fire
Saprovore : + . . Ctrl.Flight: . s - ring of poison resistance

@: somewhat resistant to hostile enchantments, extremely unstealthy
A: hooves 1, horns 1, deterioration 1, saprovore 1, teleport control, AC +2
a: Burn Spellbooks, Berserk, Trog's Hand, Renounce Religion


You were on level 9 of the Dungeon.
You worshipped Trog.
Trog was greatly pleased with you.
You were not hungry.

You visited 2 branches of the dungeon, and saw 10 of its levels.

You collected 364 gold pieces.

Inventory:

Hand weapons
e - a -1,+1 orcish dagger (quivered)
f - a +0,+0 bow
i - a -1,+2 orcish mace
j - a -1,+0 orcish trident
p - a +2,+1 scythe of dragon slaying
u - a +0 blowgun
v - a +2,+2 dagger
w - a +2,+1 short sword of protection
y - a +2,+2 orcish short sword
C - the +12,+10 sword of Jihad (weapon) {holy, *Rage rN+ MR EV+3 Stlth--}
(You found it on level 4 of the Dungeon)

It has been blessed by the Shining One to cause great damage to the undead
and demons.

It affects your evasion (+3).
It protects you from negative energy.
It increases your resistance to enchantments.
It makes you angry.
It makes you much less stealthy.

This sword was The Shining One's gift to a worshipper.
D - a +1,+0 dwarven hand axe
I - a -1,+0 orcish spear
J - a +2,+1 bow
T - a +0,+1 spear of dragon slaying
U - a cursed -3,-2 sabre
Missiles
x - 13 poisoned +0 needles
O - 19 poisoned +0 arrows
Q - 2 +0 throwing nets
X - 18 +2 arrows
Armour
c - a +0 orcish shield (worn)
d - a +0 orcish chain mail (worn)
Magical devices
r - a wand of digging (4)
F - a wand of polymorph other (10)
N - a wand of cold (11) {unknown}
Comestibles
k - a cheese
n - 3 bread rations
q - a choko
Scrolls
a - 2 scrolls of fog {unknown}
h - 3 scrolls of remove curse
l - 3 scrolls of magic mapping
z - a scroll of amnesia {unknown}
K - a scroll of random uselessness {unknown}
L - a scroll of enchant armour {unknown}
R - a scroll of detect curse
S - a scroll of blinking
V - 2 scrolls of teleportation
W - a scroll of fear
Jewellery
g - an uncursed ring of fire {unknown}
m - a ring of protection from fire (right hand)
o - an uncursed ring of invisibility {unknown}
s - a ring of poison resistance (left hand)
t - an uncursed ring of protection from fire
B - an amulet of stasis (around neck)
Potions
b - a potion of agility
E - a potion of speed
G - 2 potions of levitation
H - 2 potions of curing
P - a potion of heal wounds


Skills:
+ Level 6.9 Fighting
+ Level 7.4 Long Blades
+ Level 0.3 Bows
+ Level 1.1 Throwing
+ Level 7.3 Armour
+ Level 4.0 Dodging
+ Level 0.7 Stealth
+ Level 1.3 Stabbing
+ Level 6.8 Shields
+ Level 1.9 Traps & Doors
+ Level 0.2 Evocations


You had 9 spell levels left.
You didn't know any spells.

Dungeon Overview and Level Annotations

Branches:
Dungeon (9/27) Temple (1/1) D:6
Orc: D:6-11 Lair: D:8-13

Altars:
Ashenzari
Cheibriados
Elyvilon
Fedhas
Kikubaaqudgha
Makhleb
Nemelex Xobeh
Okawaru
Sif Muna
The Shining One
Trog
Vehumet
Xom
Yredelemnul
Zin
Beogh

Shops:
D:6: (


Innate Abilities, Weirdness & Mutations

You can tolerate rotten meat.
You have large cloven feet.
You have a pair of small horns on your head.
You are partially covered in molten scales (AC +1).
You are partially covered in yellow scales (AC +1).
Your body is slowly deteriorating.
You can control translocations.


Message History

You block the killer bee's attack.
A killer bee comes into view.
You slash the killer bee!
You headbutt the killer bee, but do no damage.
The killer bee is heavily wounded.
The killer bee stings you!
* * * LOW HITPOINT WARNING * * *
You block the killer bee's attack.
The killer bee stings you but does no damage.
The killer bee moves out of view.
You hit the killer bee.
The killer bee is severely wounded.
You block the killer bee's attack. The killer bee stings you.
* * * LOW HITPOINT WARNING * * *
The killer bee misses you. You block the killer bee's attack.
The killer bee rages.
The killer bee stings you!
* * * LOW HITPOINT WARNING * * *
The killer bee stings you.
You die...

#######################
.......................
##############.....####
#.....#
#.....#
###.#.#
#.#.#
#.#.#
#.#.#
#.#.#
#.#.#
#k#########.#.####
#kkk%k@..<........
#.kk#########.#.####
## #.......#
#.......###
#..........
#.##.#.####
#####.##.#.####
...............
#####.##.#.####
# #.#.#
# #.#.#
#####.##.#.####


You could see 7 killer bees.

Vanquished Creatures
The ghost of Septopus LXIII the Stinger, an experienced OpVM (D:8)
Eustachio (D:8)
Grum (D:9)
2 war dogs (D:9)
A neqoxec (D:5)
Menkaure (D:6)
An orc warrior (D:6)
2 ogres
An ice beast (D:8)
3 phantoms
2 centaurs
Sigmund (D:7)
The ghost of Septopus C1 the Stinger, an average OpVM of Vehumet (D:4)
A giant frog (D:6)
A gnoll sergeant (D:6)
6 killer bees (D:9)
5 crimson imps
3 hounds
A hound zombie (D:7)
2 worker ants
4 orc priests
A hound skeleton (D:4)
A scorpion (D:9)
A worker ant zombie (D:5)
2 iguanas
4 orc wizards
2 jellies
6 adders
5 gnolls (D:6)
An iguana zombie (D:5)
A midge (D:8)
A giant mite (D:6)
7 worms
An ufetubus (D:8)
6 giant geckos
A gnoll skeleton (D:4)
An ooze (D:4)
15 orcs
12 bats
8 giant cockroaches
17 goblins
15 hobgoblins
18 kobolds
A giant newt (D:8)
A hobgoblin skeleton (D:4)
A hobgoblin zombie (D:5)
19 jackals
2 orc skeletons (D:4)
An orc zombie (D:7)
2 quokkas (D:7)
11 rats
2 toadstools
207 creatures vanquished.

Vanquished Creatures (others)
An orc wizard (D:6)
A kobold (D:7)
19 toadstools
21 creatures vanquished.

Grand Total: 228 creatures vanquished

Notes
Turn | Place | Note
--------------------------------------------------------------
0 | D:1 | George IV, the Hill Orc Fighter, began the quest for the Orb.
0 | D:1 | Reached XP level 1. HP: 19/19 MP: 0/0
3 | D:1 | Found a sparkling altar of Nemelex Xobeh.
26 | D:1 | Became a worshipper of Nemelex Xobeh
333 | D:1 | Reached XP level 2. HP: 24/26 MP: 1/1
987 | D:1 | Reached XP level 3. HP: 30/33 MP: 2/2
1648 | D:2 | Reached skill level 1 in Dodging
1716 | D:2 | Reached skill level 4 in Shields
1736 | D:2 | Reached XP level 4. HP: 33/39 MP: 3/3
1876 | D:2 | Gained mutation: You have a pair of small horns on your head.
1876 | D:2 | Gained mutation: Your body is slowly deteriorating.
1876 | D:2 | Gained mutation: You are partially covered in molten scales (AC +1).
1944 | D:2 | Found a bloodstained altar of Trog.
1975 | D:2 | Fell from the grace of Nemelex Xobeh
1975 | D:2 | Became a worshipper of Trog the Wrathful
2850 | D:4 | Found an ancient bone altar of Kikubaaqudgha.
2942 | D:4 | Noticed Septopus C1's ghost (average OpVM)
2996 | D:4 | Killed Septopus C1's ghost
2996 | D:4 | Reached XP level 5. HP: 25/46 MP: 4/4
3226 | D:4 | Got a crystal sword
3227 | D:4 | Identified the sword of Jihad {holy, *Rage rN+ MR EV+3 Stlth--} (You found it on level 4 of the Dungeon)
3401 | D:4 | Reached XP level 6. HP: 53/53 MP: 5/5
3775 | D:5 | Entered Level 5 of the Dungeon
4286 | D:5 | Acquired Trog's first power
4701 | D:5 | Reached XP level 7. HP: 60/60 MP: 6/6
5231 | D:6 | Reached skill level 5 in Shields
5242 | D:6 | Reached skill level 5 in Fighting
5242 | D:6 | Reached skill level 5 in Armour
5322 | D:6 | Reached skill level 1 in Stabbing
5322 | D:6 | Reached XP level 8. HP: 61/68 MP: 7/7
5412 | D:6 | Reached skill level 5 in Long Blades
5531 | D:6 | Found Wopteing's Weapon Shoppe.
5883 | D:6 | Found a staircase to the Ecumenical Temple.
5920 | Temple | Entered the Ecumenical Temple
6259 | D:6 | Noticed Menkaure
6278 | D:6 | Killed Menkaure
6623 | D:6 | Gained mutation: You have large cloven feet.
6623 | D:6 | Gained mutation: You are partially covered in yellow scales (AC +1).
6623 | D:6 | Gained mutation: You can control translocations.
6921 | D:7 | Noticed Sigmund
6952 | D:7 | Killed Sigmund
6952 | D:7 | Reached skill level 6 in Long Blades
7125 | D:7 | Reached XP level 9. HP: 67/74 MP: 8/8
7227 | D:7 | Acquired Trog's second power
7915 | D:7 | Reached skill level 1 in Traps & Doors
8218 | D:8 | Noticed Eustachio
8234 | D:8 | Killed Eustachio
8313 | D:8 | Noticed Septopus LXIII's ghost (experienced OpVM)
8320 | D:8 | Killed Septopus LXIII's ghost
8369 | D:8 | Found a roughly hewn altar of Beogh.
8515 | D:8 | Found a blossoming altar of Fedhas.
8524 | D:8 | Reached skill level 1 in Throwing
9473 | D:9 | Reached skill level 7 in Long Blades
9682 | D:9 | Noticed Grum
9730 | D:9 | Killed Grum
9731 | D:9 | Reached XP level 10. HP: 48/83 MP: 9/9
9805 | D:9 | Reached XP level 9. HP: 58/75 MP: 8/8
9827 | D:9 | Reached XP level 10. HP: 64/83 MP: 9/9
9909 | D:9 | Noticed a queen bee
9949 | D:9 | HP: 4/83 [killer bee (7)]
9949 | D:9 | Slain by a killer bee

[Thomkal]

Originally Posted by Grover

Berserker, don't care what race!

Thanks for the suggestion, but the first comp we did here was a berserker, so won't be doing that one again for a while. If we wanted to do an all-combat type, I was thinking hunter, but I could be swayed to do assassin if people are into it more.

I also have a couple "out there" ideas, but given how tough this one was, likely will save them for another day.

[CrimsonFox]

bumpbumpbumpitybumpbump

[Thomkal]

I haven't forgotten.