rcj@burl.UUCP (R. Curtis Jackson) (02/03/84)
As the subject line says..... I have been trashed by a Xorn for the last time!! This time, I was down at level 20, with experience around 2000, strength of 19, a once-enchanted two-handed sword, and a so-so armor class of 5. I met the Xorn in a doorway; I got the first swing. I missed him four times in a row (I had been hitting about 85% of the time on everybody else), was down to 9 hit pts., so I read my only scroll of teleportation. About two rooms later he caught up with me again, and the same thing happened, only this time he left me with -12 hit pts., i.e., DEAD!! What is I doing wrong -- I am shameless at this point and will take any and all hints, answers, incantations, etc. Your help VIA MAIL (not netnews) or via telephone is greatly appreciated. Spoil me, baby! -- The MAD Programmer -- 919-228-3313 (Cornet 291) alias: Curtis Jackson ...![ floyd clyde ihnp4 mhuxv ]!burl!rcj
wsc@rabbit.UUCP (q) (02/03/84)
Xorns are just about the nastiest monsters to appear from the rogue arsenal.
If you look at the top ten list (which your version should have), you will
see that xorns do in most of the top people.The only monster nastier than
Xorns are Umber Hulks, which are my emediate choise for genocide.The best
way to fight Xorns is to find a complete circut in the dungeon.That way you
can run in circles and regain hit points, and then have another crack at
him.The best magical weapon for Xorns are Rings of Regeneration.Whenever
I meet up with a Xorn, the first thing I'll do is put that ring on(if I
have it) and then fight.Let the Xorn get the first blow if it means getting
the ring on.Then it's a few steps back, and you have regenerated the damage.
If all else fails, Polymorph staffs are the most common in the dungeon
(chances of finding one are 15% as opposed to the Staff of Fire 3%).
Save this staff until you get to 17 (Xorn level) and use it then.After you
get more experience and hp, you shouldbe able to handle the Xorns.
Keep Trying!!
A Rogue Philosophermcmillan@eosp1.UUCP (John McMillan) (02/06/84)
Xorn are clearly supposed to be very tough, but your problem sounds like a case of a general rule -- if you consistently cannot handle a kind of monster, you are getting to its level with inadequate experience. 2000xp is just asking for xorn trouble. In rogue 3.6 and 5.2, key breakpoints are: exp level monster 4 ant 7 centaur 9 troll 10 xorn 11 hulk It's hard to build your experience this fast, which is a legitimate problem the game poses. You need good special assists to do well with less experience. - Toby Robison allegra!eosp1!robison decvax!ittvax!eosp1!robison princeton!eosp1!robison (NOTE! NOT McMillan; Robison.)
mike@uokvax.UUCP (02/15/84)
#R:burl:-40600:uokvax:13700001:000:161 uokvax!mike Feb 13 17:18:00 1984 In 5.2, I found it not too uncommon to stand toe-to-toe against xorns. I always made sure that I had close to 70 HP's though. Otherwise, it was polymorph time.