rc2f+@andrew.cmu.edu (Raymond Charles Caperoon) (07/26/89)
"Undocumented Feature" Report 7/25/89 Compiled by Ray Caperoon, Hugh Moore, others. Mail questions, comments, complaints to rc2f@andrew.cmu.edu Holes: 1) Resetting temples and towns. If this is done, all altars, monsters and their treasures are re-created when one leaves then re-enters the town. This allows for acquisition of many XP and many blessed +7 defenders with little or no work involved. 2) Scroll of Infinite Acquisition. Because of the inventory feature, if one uses one of these scrolls, they can quickly put the scroll somewhere so that it does not get destroyed (the pack, the ground) and you can get alot of cool stuff. 3) Gladiator guild. If a non-gladiator breaks the arena rules by leaving before killing the foe, they are kicked out the guild, and given the extra attack per round that a gladiator would normally get. 4) Resetting crucial monsters and treasures. If one uses this strategy on the astral planes: a) clear off the 4 lesser planes b) move to high astral plane c) save and restart game d) warp back up to first astral plane The masters of each plane and their orbs get reset. This in combination with hole 5 can cause a monster character. 5) Cosmic Flux. Great idea ! Bring back all of the monsters on the High Astral plane, including the Elemental Master himself, and his Orb. My strength of 1500+ will testify that this IS a problem. (also see bug 1 for more about cosmic flux) 6) If you use location to remove yourself from the astral planes, (instead of the Star Gem) the Oracle is clueless and will send you back for more. This will reset all of the levels, all Masters, Orbs, the Prime Sorcerer and the Star Gem. (this should be fixed, although 7x Orb Of Masterys does look nice) Bugs: 1) Cosmic Flux. Here's a biggie. Prolific use of this will wreak havoc all over the level and the program. "Things" get created that one cannot attack. When one tries to Xamine it: crash. When one tries to move through it while in shadow form: crash. I once energy drained one. BAM ! 330,000,000 XP. (It took an hour just to gain the levels that went along with that) I am sure that Cosmic Flux did more weird things, but this is the only concrete thing I have. 2) Mapping the High Astral Plane. Once when statue-bashing on the H.A.P. the entire plane was mapped, but it took an excruciatingly long time (about 2 seconds per character mapped) Yuk. 3) High score file. The high score file system seems to be incompatible with a multi-user system and save files. As far as I can tell, the entire contents of the score file are kept in program memory and saved with the save file. If in the mean time, some one goes through and kicks ass and writes a new score file, then someone else who started earlier quits, old score info will overwrite the new stuff, hence denying clearly superior players their glory. Annoyances (what WE think should be): 1) The alignment system. I joined the paladins. I killed the law bringer. I killed hundreds of the cities guards, their zombies and theirs ghosts. I killed 3 justiciars. I then became slightly lawful and went back to the paladins, expecting harsh reprimanding. No way. "Welcome back, paladin !" There probably is no simple solution to this, but if one can get kicked out of the paladins for robbing a bank, surely they can get kicked out for killing the Law Bringer. This also allows for such things as being a member of the thieves, collegium, paladins, sorcerers, and any random temple at one time. While I do believe in the renaissance man, I think this is a bit much. 2) Angels. They should be more than just another monster. Otherwise, don't give them cool names like "Angel of Athena" And why would an Angel of Hecate get help from an angel of athena. And if a worshiper <some god> attacks angel of <some god> then bad things should happen. 3) Why can you not identify grot ? If you "acquire" grot from a wish, you know what kind of grot it is, but grot you find lying around is still grot. Minor Annoyances (less serious and/or philosophical) 1) Why can one with an 18 strength pick up a dead triceratops ? And why does eating it do just as much good as eating a food ration ? 2) Why are there elephants in the sewers ? 3) What is a class seven merchant ? At least he should be cool enough not to sell grot. That's all for now. After 6,000,000 points and titles galore, I will retire. "Sometimes you could just wish for Death" -ray -hugh -others