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.