From: utzoo!decvax!harpo!npoiv!hou5f!ariel!vax135!cornell!uw-beave!cady Newsgroups: net.games.rogu Title: Re: Notes on Becoming a Total Winner - (nf) Article-I.D.: uw-beave.394 Posted: Sat Mar 12 11:16:40 1983 Received: Tue Mar 15 01:23:39 1983 References: sri-unix.5271 I have a few comments to make on the suggestions made. I am assuming that version 5.2 and 4.7 are reasonably similar: 1. In version 4.7, Purple Worms are stationary. If they are also stationary in 5.2, then IGNORE them! They are difficult to kill and will only drain you of valuable hit points and magic. In general, my philosophy is to not attack anything I don't have to. (This includes gathering vital experience points.) 2. The same advise holds for Leprechauns. Yes, they leave you gold, but they also consume projectiles for minimal return. You can gain more gold by exploring the lower levels. This is really not as awful as it sounds. In order to get down there (and survive) you must be in pretty good shape anyway (i.e. two-handed sword, good armor, good hit points, and NO umber hulks). Attack leprechauns only on the way back. 3. It was advised that Wraiths are 'good' if you have just gonne up an experience level. While it is true that you have a chance of gaining extra hit points if it takes you down and then you kill it, you also have the chance of losing hit points. I have found this to be a losing proposition. 4. A commonn technique for avoiding unnecessary armor damage by Rust Monsters is to not explore levels 17-18, but find the stairs and proceed to 19 as fast as possible. The reason is very simple: Rust Monsters still exist at 17-18, but now you also have Xorns and Umber Hulks (unless they have been genocided). Therefore, you need your good armor for protection, but cannot risk damage from Rust Monsters. 5. Word of caution: I usually genocide Umber Hulks, then Xorns. If I am lucky enough to get a third, I save it for emergencies or Dragons. Every time I have genocided Vampires I have been "hung" within a few moves. That is, the game simply hangs and refuses to accept any input except control-C for quit. 6. Running from a monster to regain hit points is good strategy. However, certain monsters (Vampires for one) also regain hit points while not under attack. 7. When experimenting with staffs/wands and you haven't seen a polymorph yet, stand on the stairs. The polymorph does not respect the rules of levels that monsters may appear on. I have seen a player polymorph a snake on level 3 to an invisible stalker. Also, if below about level 8 or so, also stand on the stairs when reading scrolls and you have not seen an aggravate monster. In general, expect the worse and cover yourself as feasible. Good luck.