alex@sdcsvax.UUCP (06/21/84)
{This article is a general bitch against Rogue, and specifically against
getting axed just before winning. It also contains some observations
that may be useful.}
Played a game of Rogue last night (well, that's like a heroin addict
saying "I took a shot of heroin last night). Got killed (see previous comment).
This WAS the best game I've ever played, and not without reason. I got
reeeal lucky: found Plate +2 (total AC 9!) and a 2handed sword, THEN
found three (!) enchant armour scrolls, and a protect armour scroll
(that's a total of AC12 for those keeping count). I found TWO party
rooms on the first twelve levels--it was really great to off five trolls
and only take five hits. With this set-up, I reached level nine without
a problem; reached level eleven experience with only a little bit of
difficulty. I DID read my one (1) scare monster scroll, which was a
definite mistake--but I could NOT find a monster to try this scroll out
upon.
Other magic: a +2 ring of dex--which is a real help, BTW--a ring of
sustain strength, and a +1 ring of strength. The sustain ring kept my
strength at 16(17) through a gale of R's.
An interesting observation about superb armour: you can stand on traps.
I found a trapdoor in a party room--one of two--AFTER I had moved off
it. You can attack Ns with impunity. At level ten, you can beat up on
Black Unicorns (Us, to you who haven't gotten lucky). Us are sort of
supercharged Ts without regeneration. I could even beat up Fs without
being hit (I was lucky). Once I reached level 10, Ws couldn't (or
didn't) touch me. At level 11, I could even take on single Gs--about
the most fearsome creature I found. I only got 2 HPs taken by Vampires
(which regen, BTW). In short, I was humming. I fell into some traps
(the armour isn't proof against everything) and landed on level 21,
started searching. Two levels later, I had to teleport away from a G
that had whaled on me--right near a J which woke up when the G came in.
I had no more tricks in my bag, so I died.
Oh, yeah: I had a rod of cancellation, which I of course used on an M;
they're easy to kill once you zap them. After I got to level 11, I
could kill them with impunity.
Observations on the game: wear your best rings when dropping to a new
level. You could enter a party room and die. Take them off when you
don't need them; my 7 units of food shrank quickly (no, no ring of slow
digestion). Get rid of all that bad armour--it only takes up space.
I hate this game. Rogue giveth and Rogue taketh away. Mostly taketh.
You seem to need impervious armour, mondo scare monster scrolls, and a
good sword. Grr.
"He's dead, Jim"
Alexalex@utcsrgv.UUCP (Alexander Stoyenko) (06/22/84)
Just a couple of observations, Alex. You say that good armour occasionally protects one from traps. Well, this is not so. The reason you did not fall into some of the traps was because you LANDED on them when you went down or teleported. The traps get triggered when one MOVES to them from a neighbouring square. Also, don't drop good armour even if you are wearing a much better protected one. When you go up(with the Amulet of Yendor in your possession, of course), good armour gets traded for lots of gold pieces. A regular plate, for example, is equivalent to about 800. This is certainly more than what you get for a couple of potions or scrolls, and comparable with a very good ring or a staff with lots of unused charges. As for your observations on what you need to win, I will agree - you do need excellent armour, good weapon, and possibly scare monster scrolls(although not necessarily). I also find slow monster staves, hold and confusion monster scrolls extremely useful. I use them on G's and J's to get those 2-3K experience points. Alex Stoyenko Caesar total winner in 5.2, not yet a winner in 5.3.