OT: Nethack

bradley_turner · Mar 27, 2009

Re: OT: Nethack

Hp_Sauce said:
I have completed what I call, My 13 Step Program to Learning Nethack. I thought I would share it here, incase other beginners were interested in learning the game.

1) Announce on these forums you are to dim witted to advance out of the first area.

2) Have someone spoon feed you the basic commands (open, kick, search)

3) Play only Wizards. They have the least (or very low?) HP so you will die quickly, resulting in many lessons learned very quickly.

4) Click Help -> List of Commands every time you want to do something. Browse the list of commands until you find something that might work. Return to the game... realize you've forgotten what key activated the command. Click Help -> List of Commands again, and browse until you find the command again. Repeat this step every time you want to do something.

5) Find a shop. Pick up all the items on the ground to see what they are. Assume that one tile can only hold one item - continue to return the items onto the ground in the shop while accidentally picking up other items you've already dropped (without realizing that you can turn Autopickup OFF). Struggle to exit the shop because the keeper is standing in the way of the door ("Really? Attack the shopkeeper? NO"). Finally escape the shop, only to stumble back in later - drifting in and out of conciseness due to starvation - Eat the food you can't pay for. Assume you have to attack the shopkeeper in order to escape without paying. Die.

6) Start again. See what happens if you go down the stairs you originally entered from at the beginning of the game (don't forget to return to step 4 to figure out how to go down stairs).

7) Start again. Find lots of food quickly, think "oh good, food wont be a problem this time. Die to a water monster while clicking a fountain.

8) Start again. Encounter a rock in a corner which you cannot get past. Die of starvation.

9) Start again. Realize that you can walk at an angle past rocks in corners. Click on a fountain multiple times while thinking "I shouldn't be doing this". Die to 5x water snakes.

10) Start again. Have a decent run and make it to a point where you think you should save for the night. Not knowing what point you will restart at when you load the game next, quickly load the game to see the answer before you go to bed (at the stairs, good stuff!) Hit the X to close Nethack... "Do you want to save?"... "no, why would I? I just saved!"

11) Try to load the game the next day only to realize that (apparently?), even though you saved once, your next choice of "no, don't save" resulted in a Quit.

12) Google "Nethack tips". Read a brief guide on beginning the game. Laugh at all the things you've done wrong.

13) Feel despair for all the other things going on in your life that will be ignored while you continue to kill yourself over and over and over again, because you feel an addiction starting.

The strange part is, I wasn't frustrated at all by the 2-3 hours I spent experiencing this. Mostly I was just laughing at myself!

I will probably throw my hat into this tournament, but I think a few more practice runs are needed first!

-hps

I'm also a nethack newb, but I think that this might be the funniest thing that I've ever read, so funny because I've done all of the aforementioned things, though I never seem to learn any better

Hp_Sauce · Mar 28, 2009

Re: OT: Nethack

Code:

-[B]SPF Leaderboard[/B]-
Forum Name           Char Name      Role    Attempts       Score
----------           ---------      ----    --------       -----
CG                   Larzuk         Bar            3     4354274A
CG                   Kashya         Rog            2      138880
midnightvulture      Trogdor        Bar            6       55224
Smips                Smips          Bar            6       41037
CG                   Ormus          Pri            1       40631
OHG                  Joe            Pri            3       35405
NacRuno              Qual           Bar           12       17040
TRM                  Moar           Bar           11       12737
Hp_Sauce             Hp_Sauce       Bar           12       11610
SiTro                SiTro          Bar            2         706
Vildecor             Ilana          Val            1           0

Code:

[b]Competition #1 - Role(Barbarian), Race(Any), Align(Any), Gender(Any)[/b]
End Date for Creation of New Chars: [b]3/31/09, 11:59 PM local time[/b]

Forum Name           Char Name      Attempts      Score  Current Progress
----------           ---------      --------      -----  ----------------
CG                   Larzuk                3    4354274A
midnightvulture      Trogdor               3      55224
Smips                Smips                 10     41037
NacRuno              Qual                 12      17040
TRM                  Moar                 11      12737
Hp_Sauce             Hp_Sauce             12      11610
SiTro                SiTro                 2       1302  DLvl = 1

Code:

Competition #2 - Role(Priest), Race(Elf), Align(Chaotic), Gender(Any)
End Date for Creation of New Chars: [b]4/15/09, 11:59 PM local time[/b]

Forum Name           Char Name      Attempts      Score  Current Progress
----------           ---------      --------      -----  ----------------
CG                   Ormus                 1      40631
OHG                  Joe                   3      35405

Code:

[b]Competition #3 - Role(Rogue), Race(Any), Align(Any), Gender(Female)[/b]
End Date for Creation of New Chars: [b]4/30/09, 11:59 PM local time[/b]

Forum Name           Char Name      Attempts      Score  Current Progress
----------           ---------      --------      -----  ----------------
CG                   Kashya                2     138880

Awww... Fiddle sticks!!!

I had a long journey this time. I ventured further down then I ever had before. There was a near fatal run in with a wererat and minions. I had to pray to survive the battle, but then I nearly starved to death after. I had to be very careful to avoid monsters while waiting to be able to pray away the were-status.

Finally when I returned to human form I was empty of items (had dropped them all because of burden while in wererat form (I think it was rat)). I found a pick-axe at one point, and assumed it was the on I'd had earlier, so I wielded it in order to fight my way back to my items... it welded to my hands. I managed to get it off thanks to a fountain after some time.

This was easily the most complicated situations I've survived in Nethack so far. I had to drop everything, I ran out of food but had to pray to for HP and then pray to get ride of the Were curse... couldn't believe I survived it.

The adventure was ended when I ate a chickitrice corpse and turned to stone... I guess I should have searched wikihack before eating that one... oh well. Live and learn!... or Die and learn I guess...

Bit of a disappointment though. I had become telepathic and had a blind fold so I was quite enjoying the advantages of seeing what was coming up. Although there was an incident with a Monkey stealing my blindfold and then stepping on a teleport trap... he had to be hunted down and killed.

-hps

P.S. I'm a bit disappointing that the whole THC engraving thing was just a random coincidence. Still kind of funny though.

Ohomemgrande1 · Mar 28, 2009

Re: OT: Nethack

Hp_Sauce said:
The adventure was ended when I ate a chickitrice corpse and turned to stone... I guess I should have searched wikihack before eating that one... oh well. Live and learn!... or Die and learn I guess...

Had I been drinking something, it would have been all over my monitor!!

I think this is the 2nd time in this thread that someone has eaten a 'trice corpse and turned to stone. Please exercise caution around them. They do make wonderful weapons though. However, do not touch them without gloves (including during a sacrifice or while blinded). Don't fall into a pit or down the stairs while wielding them. If you happen to become something like a purple worm during your travels, do not use your "engulfing attack" (nor let your pet purple worm do the same).

Here's another useful piece of advice. Lizard corpses never rot and prevent stoning. They will not stop instadeath stoning (like some of the examples above) but they will stop the 'trice's stoning attack. If you are fighting a cockatrice and you hear it hissing, beware. If your limbs start to stiffen, eat your lizard corpse ASAP i.e. on your next move. Always carry a lizard corpse around with you (and not in a bag).

Happy hacking!

NacRuno · Mar 28, 2009

Re: OT: Nethack

Code:

-[B]SPF Leaderboard[/B]-
Forum Name           Char Name      Role    Attempts       Score
----------           ---------      ----    --------       -----
CG                   Larzuk         Bar            3     4354274A
NacRuno              Qual           Bar           20+      231822
CG                   Kashya         Rog            2      138880
midnightvulture      Trogdor        Bar            6       55224
Smips                Smips          Bar            6       41037
CG                   Ormus          Pri            1       40631
OHG                  Joe            Pri            3       35405
TRM                  Moar           Bar           11       12737
Hp_Sauce             Hp_Sauce       Bar           12       11610
SiTro                SiTro          Bar            2         706
Vildecor             Ilana          Val            1           0

Code:

[b]Competition #1 - Role(Barbarian), Race(Any), Align(Any), Gender(Any)[/b]
End Date for Creation of New Chars: [b]3/31/09, 11:59 PM local time[/b]

Forum Name           Char Name      Attempts      Score  Current Progress
----------           ---------      --------      -----  ----------------
CG                   Larzuk                3    4354274A
midnightvulture      Trogdor               3      55224
Smips                Smips                 10     41037
NacRuno              Qual                 20+     231822
TRM                  Moar                 11      12737
Hp_Sauce             Hp_Sauce             12      11610
SiTro                SiTro                 2       1302  DLvl = 1

Code:

Competition #2 - Role(Priest), Race(Elf), Align(Chaotic), Gender(Any)
End Date for Creation of New Chars: [b]4/15/09, 11:59 PM local time[/b]

Forum Name           Char Name      Attempts      Score  Current Progress
----------           ---------      --------      -----  ----------------
CG                   Ormus                 1      40631
OHG                  Joe                   3      35405

Code:

[b]Competition #3 - Role(Rogue), Race(Any), Align(Any), Gender(Female)[/b]
End Date for Creation of New Chars: [b]4/30/09, 11:59 PM local time[/b]

Forum Name           Char Name      Attempts      Score  Current Progress
----------           ---------      --------      -----  ----------------
CG                   Kashya                2     138880

My chracter with GDSM died due to being petrified by Medusa. Next time i will wish for a SDSM given that i am this lucky

. Didn't have time to play anyother char, will try priest next.

I just couldn't find any other stairs except for the one going right into Medusa's lair. I had a ring of levitation so it was easy to clear around. And despite what wikihack said one section on the wall was breakable by the pickaxe. I knew i was about to face Medusa without reflection but it seemed as i had no other choice. I had a wand of death in my hands that i relied on, but i got stoned even before being able to use it.

I ate a nurse corpse on the way and became a cannibal, than while drinking from the fountain i got my blessed luckstone stole. Being an unlucky fellow might be the reason i died on first sight but not sure of that.

With all my attempts i learned quite a lot, thanks for intruducing such a nice game and giving all those tips guys :thumbup: I hope i can be more of a challenge to you with the rogue if not with priest =)

Ohomemgrande1 · Mar 29, 2009

Re: OT: Nethack

NacRuno said:
I just couldn't find any other stairs except for the one going right into Medusa's lair. I had a ring of levitation so it was easy to clear around. And despite what wikihack said one section on the wall was breakable by the pickaxe. I knew i was about to face Medusa without reflection but it seemed as i had no other choice. I had a wand of death in my hands that i relied on, but i got stoned even before being able to use it.

I ate a nurse corpse on the way and became a cannibal, than while drinking from the fountain i got my blessed luckstone stole. Being an unlucky fellow might be the reason i died on first sight but not sure of that.

If you don't look at Medusa, she can't stone you. Once you enter her room, you see her so it's "bye bye" immediately (luck had nothing to do with it). So, if you don't have reflection, blindfold yourself.

Nurses are very handy as well. Next time, instead of killing the nurse, strip down naked, wield nothing and let her heal you. "Nurse-dancing" is a good way to increase your maximum HP's. Of course, make sure it's safe to do this first by killing all the other monsters around.

NacRuno · Mar 29, 2009

Re: OT: Nethack

I couldn't find any blindfold either on my way. I read on wikihack that it is possible to use wand of sleep or death on medusa before she gets to stone you. That's why i tried to face the medusa, won't do that again.

I just read nurse-dancing and i will try to do that next time for sure.

midnightvulture · Mar 29, 2009

Re: OT: Nethack

Code:

-[B]SPF Leaderboard[/B]-
Forum Name           Char Name      Role    Attempts       Score
----------           ---------      ----    --------       -----
CG                   Larzuk         Bar            3     4354274A
NacRuno              Qual           Bar           20+     231822
midnightvulture      Trogdor        Bar            5      179868
CG                   Kashya         Rog            2      138880
Smips                Smips          Bar            6       41037
CG                   Ormus          Pri            1       40631
OHG                  Joe            Pri            3       35405
TRM                  Moar           Bar           11       12737
Hp_Sauce             Hp_Sauce       Bar           12       11610
SiTro                SiTro          Bar            2         706
Vildecor             Ilana          Val            1           0

Code:

[b]Competition #1 - Role(Barbarian), Race(Any), Align(Any), Gender(Any)[/b]
End Date for Creation of New Chars: [b]3/31/09, 11:59 PM local time[/b]

Forum Name           Char Name      Attempts      Score  Current Progress
----------           ---------      --------      -----  ----------------
CG                   Larzuk                3    4354274A
NacRuno              Qual                 20+    231822
midnightvulture      Trogdor               5     179868
Smips                Smips                10      41037
TRM                  Moar                 11      12737
Hp_Sauce             Hp_Sauce             12      11610
SiTro                SiTro                 2       1302  DLvl = 1

Code:

Competition #2 - Role(Priest), Race(Elf), Align(Chaotic), Gender(Any)
End Date for Creation of New Chars: [b]4/15/09, 11:59 PM local time[/b]

Forum Name           Char Name      Attempts      Score  Current Progress
----------           ---------      --------      -----  ----------------
CG                   Ormus                 1      40631
OHG                  Joe                   3      35405

Code:

[b]Competition #3 - Role(Rogue), Race(Any), Align(Any), Gender(Female)[/b]
End Date for Creation of New Chars: [b]4/30/09, 11:59 PM local time[/b]

Forum Name           Char Name      Attempts      Score  Current Progress
----------           ---------      --------      -----  ----------------
CG                   Kashya                2     138880

YASD. I'd cleared the mines and sokoban, and was venturing further into the dungeon. I started quaffing down all the fountains I'd found hoping for a wish. The water was no good though, and the pick I was wielding was cursed, and welded to my hands. While trying to leave the level (I think it was dlvl 12), I got ambushed by a Rock Troll that nearly killed me. Don't try to fight rock trolls with a pick axe at unskilled btw. I elbereth'd my way out and headed for the nearby stairs when I got smacked (and killed) by another troll wielding a polearm. The stupid thing was that I had a potion of extra healing in my bag, but was waiting to get upstairs to drink it. Not a good idea when you only have 12 hp. Next character may be something other than a barbarian, I'm not sure yet though.

mv

Hp_Sauce · Mar 29, 2009

Re: OT: Nethack

Code:

-[B]SPF Leaderboard[/B]-
Forum Name           Char Name      Role    Attempts       Score
----------           ---------      ----    --------       -----
CG                   Larzuk         Bar            3     4354274A
NacRuno              Qual           Bar           20+     231822
midnightvulture      Trogdor        Bar            5      179868
CG                   Kashya         Rog            2      138880
Smips                Smips          Bar            6       41037
CG                   Ormus          Pri            1       40631
OHG                  Joe            Pri            3       35405
TRM                  Moar           Bar           11       12737
Hp_Sauce             Hp_Sauce       Bar           13       11610
SiTro                SiTro          Bar            2         706
Vildecor             Ilana          Val            1           0

Code:

[b]Competition #1 - Role(Barbarian), Race(Any), Align(Any), Gender(Any)[/b]
End Date for Creation of New Chars: [b]3/31/09, 11:59 PM local time[/b]

Forum Name           Char Name      Attempts      Score  Current Progress
----------           ---------      --------      -----  ----------------
CG                   Larzuk                3    4354274A
NacRuno              Qual                 20+    231822
midnightvulture      Trogdor               5     179868
Smips                Smips                10      41037
TRM                  Moar                 11      12737
Hp_Sauce             Hp_Sauce             13      11610
SiTro                SiTro                 2       1302  DLvl = 1

Code:

Competition #2 - Role(Priest), Race(Elf), Align(Chaotic), Gender(Any)
End Date for Creation of New Chars: [b]4/15/09, 11:59 PM local time[/b]

Forum Name           Char Name      Attempts      Score  Current Progress
----------           ---------      --------      -----  ----------------
CG                   Ormus                 1      40631
OHG                  Joe                   3      35405

Code:

[b]Competition #3 - Role(Rogue), Race(Any), Align(Any), Gender(Female)[/b]
End Date for Creation of New Chars: [b]4/30/09, 11:59 PM local time[/b]

Forum Name           Char Name      Attempts      Score  Current Progress
----------           ---------      --------      -----  ----------------
CG                   Kashya                2     138880

Food poisoned... I suck at this game.

just updating the table with my attempts.

-hps

Hp_Sauce · Apr 2, 2009

Re: OT: Nethack

Code:

-[B]SPF Leaderboard[/B]-
Forum Name           Char Name      Role    Attempts       Score
----------           ---------      ----    --------       -----
CG                   Larzuk         Bar            3     4354274A
NacRuno              Qual           Bar           20+     231822
midnightvulture      Trogdor        Bar            5      179868
CG                   Kashya         Rog            2      138880
Smips                Smips          Bar            6       41037
CG                   Ormus          Pri            1       40631
OHG                  Joe            Pri            3       35405
TRM                  Moar           Bar           11       12737
Hp_Sauce             Hp_Sauce       Bar           14       11610
SiTro                SiTro          Bar            2         706
Vildecor             Ilana          Val            1           0

Code:

[b]Competition #1 - Role(Barbarian), Race(Any), Align(Any), Gender(Any)[/b]
End Date for Creation of New Chars: [b]3/31/09, 11:59 PM local time[/b]

Forum Name           Char Name      Attempts      Score  Current Progress
----------           ---------      --------      -----  ----------------
CG                   Larzuk                3    4354274A
NacRuno              Qual                 20+    231822
midnightvulture      Trogdor               5     179868
Smips                Smips                10      41037
TRM                  Moar                 11      12737
Hp_Sauce             Hp_Sauce             14      11610  Dlvl = 8
SiTro                SiTro                 2       1302  DLvl = 1

Code:

Competition #2 - Role(Priest), Race(Elf), Align(Chaotic), Gender(Any)
End Date for Creation of New Chars: [b]4/15/09, 11:59 PM local time[/b]

Forum Name           Char Name      Attempts      Score  Current Progress
----------           ---------      --------      -----  ----------------
CG                   Ormus                 1      40631
OHG                  Joe                   3      35405

Code:

[b]Competition #3 - Role(Rogue), Race(Any), Align(Any), Gender(Female)[/b]
End Date for Creation of New Chars: [b]4/30/09, 11:59 PM local time[/b]

Forum Name           Char Name      Attempts      Score  Current Progress
----------           ---------      --------      -----  ----------------
CG                   Kashya                2     138880

Just wanted to update the table with my current attempt. I tried to yesterday but the forums were down. I know the barb contest is over, but I started him on the 30th and he hasn't died yet, so (unless I completely miss-understood), that makes him valid still.

-hps

Colorless Green · Apr 2, 2009

Re: OT: Nethack

So, as most of you have probably noticed, the barb contest is now closed for submissions, but any entrants that were created prior to the deadline (local time) may still be completed - please update the table when you ascend/die finally, and (if you haven't yet) please let us know if you have an ongoing char so we'll know when everyone is finally finished.

We're now in to the priest comp, assuming anyone is left who hasn't gotten burnt out from all that barbarism. Those of you who have only played barbs are in for a bit of a switch - priests do not have the same melee dominance or durability in the early game that barbs do, nor do they have the innate poison resistance. On the plus side, they start with holy water (I'd recommend saving them to uncurse things that look promising, or to bless spellbooks (blessed spellbooks can always be read, regardless of your level)). Even better, they automatically know whether any new items are blessed, uncursed, or cursed, so it's quite easy to immediately try on any new armor you find, so with luck, your AC should improve rapidly.

Just because there hasn't really been all that much activity lately, would anyone who's still playing or participating in the priest comp speak up at some point and/or put your name on the table? I'm just curious who all is still plugging away and who's been sucked back into the world of graphics.

-CG

smips · Apr 2, 2009

Re: OT: Nethack

Colorless Green said:
Just because there hasn't really been all that much activity lately, would anyone who's still playing or participating in the priest comp speak up at some point and/or put your name on the table? I'm just curious who all is still plugging away and who's been sucked back into the world of graphics.

-CG

I still plan on participating in the priest competition, it's just been a very busy week. Hopefully everyone else is in the same boat because this has been pretty fun so fsr

.

jdkerr · Apr 2, 2009

Re: OT: Nethack

I've been sucked back into the world of graduate school, actually.

midnightvulture · Apr 3, 2009

Re: OT: Nethack

I tried a few priests and wasn't too interested. I may jump into the rogue competition when that's running. I've got a knight who's just finished sokoban and about to head to mine's end. First I have to do some stash consolidation, dip for excalibur, and ID a bunch of stuff. I'm hoping to start reading some of the spellbooks I've been hoarding, but first I want to find out what they are and lock myself in a closet in case I fail and am stunned for a long stretch.

To any of the more experienced players: when should I start reading spellbooks? I know that character level plays a role in success, and the spell level does too, but is there anything else I should account for? Do I need to wait for a helm of brilliance? Is intelligence still the limiting factor for reading spellbooks even though wisdom controls a knight's casting?

mv

Colorless Green · Apr 3, 2009

Re: OT: Nethack

Waiting for helm of brilliance is generally unnecessary.

Personally, I wait until I'm guaranteed (or at least very likely) to succeed in reading the spellbook before doing so. Any blessed spellbook is automatically successful.

For uncursed spellbooks, the formula is:

Int + 4 + (clvl / 2) - (blvl * 2) = X

You have a X/20 chance of reading the book successfully, so if you make X >= 20, you will always succeed. Blvl is the level of the spellbook. This can be determined by price-id'ing, as the base price of all spellbooks is 100 * blvl. If you've identified it, you can look it up in the wiki (every spell has a fixed level).

In practice, if you're playing a spellcaster, you're pretty much safe reading any spellbooks you find by the time you've done mines and sokoban, because you should have a decent int, and you should be level 10-12 by this point, so only high level spells will have a chance of failure. They still have a (sometimes large, in the case of level 7 spells and low lvl/int), so it's still wise to price id stuff and bless the high level ones, but most spells fall in to the lower levels. If I'm playing a nonspellcaster, I pretty much don't ever read spellbooks (the exception being having a forgotten low level spell for the elemental planes for self-confusion).

Wizards are warned (The runes in the book look (extremely/very/_) difficult to comprehend. Continue?) If they have any chance of failure, so if you're playing a wizard, attempt to read every spellbook you find - you'll either succeed automatically or be told there's a chance of failure.

edit: btw, the main reason I like to have a near-100% chance of success when reading isn't because of how bad the effects of failing are (at least on a decently levelled/equipped char, and notwithstanding the fact that anything that paralyzes you can also kill you if something spawns nearby), but because you have a decent chance of losing the spellbook.

Also, the rogue comp is currently going on - you're welcome to enter chars in it now if you'd like. Also please bear in mind that the final scores of the priest comp are going to be much lower than the barb comp, so it's worthwhile to enter pretty much whatever you happen to get. You may still rank quite high.

-CG

midnightvulture · Apr 3, 2009

Re: OT: Nethack

Aren't there some spells it's pretty handy to have learned for any character? Things like identify, remove curse, healing, extra healing, knock, etc. They're low-level and almost certain to come in handy at some point, and can be helpful even without any skill investment (I'm guessing). You don't use your power for anything else after all, and you find spellbooks all over the place.

Also, aren't knights with the magic mirror pretty damaging casters with attack spells? Let me know if I'm totally off base here, since I haven't actually invested in spell skills yet. I am planning on getting skilled attack magic, healing, and clerical, along with expert long sword and lance, skilled sabre (already have grayswandir, thanks Lugh!), and two-weapon combat, and basic dagger. Assuming I hit lvl 30 that leaves me with extra skills for riding or whatever other artifact weapons I may come accross.

mv

Colorless Green · Apr 3, 2009

Re: OT: Nethack

Knights with the quest completed are definitely competent spellcasters.

Some low level spells are generally useful for every class, yes, but if you're low level or have low intelligence you can't assume that your unidentified spellbook is also going to be low level. You should definitely read anything identified as low level as soon as it's safe (if you're a spellcaster), and anything blessed immediately.

The reason I often don't bother with magic whatsoever is that metallic armor severely hinders spellcasting, and combined with low inherent intelligence (which is not an easy stat to raise, particularly if, like me, you genocide mind flayers at the second possible opportunity (immediately after liches)), most non-spellcasters I play have a guaranteed 100% fail rate with all spells, period. You still have the option of stripping naked to cast non-emergency spells (which, on the list you listed, consists of identify), but this is a PITA. Also, identify is level three (which is actually moderate to pretty high level, particularly for non-casters), so even in this situation, it's not going to go well, especially if you're at unskilled in divination. Add in the fact that by the time I can reasonably expect to have a non-zero success rate at identify (even when naked), I've got holy water and more than a few id scrolls (and therefore an inventory-wide identify), it becomes not worth the trouble even for that spell.

Long story short, if you're at all interested in it, read all guaranteed spellbooks with every char, or even high-chance-of-success spellbooks, and use spells whenever you can be bothered. With a non-spellcaster, don't plan on being able to use your extra healing spell in the heat of battle, though, or you're going to find yourself facing YASD.

As I mentioned earlier, though, knights (particularly with the mirror) are perfectly fine spellcasters (well, moderate spellcasters) if they avoid shields and metallic armor, so in this particular case, it's definitely worthwhile.

edit: Disclaimer: For the record, I'm not a huge fan of actual spellcasting in nethack, so I'm somewhat biased. All factual information is still factual, though, but YMMV.

-CG

Nerigazh · Apr 3, 2009

Re: OT: Nethack

Colorless Green said:
edit: Disclaimer: For the record, I'm not a huge fan of actual spellcasting in nethack

Why not, out of curiosity? Does that mean you don't play spellcasters?

Colorless Green · Apr 3, 2009

Re: OT: Nethack

I play everything (generally speaking, I play random chars, though using a different random method than just allowing NH to choose my char). I just don't really like it - I can't describe what exactly it is about it I don't like. I certainly make use of it on any char that can use it effectively.

-CG

Hp_Sauce · Apr 3, 2009

Re: OT: Nethack

Code:

-[B]SPF Leaderboard[/B]-
Forum Name           Char Name      Role    Attempts       Score
----------           ---------      ----    --------       -----
CG                   Larzuk         Bar            3     4354274A
NacRuno              Qual           Bar           20+     231822
midnightvulture      Trogdor        Bar            5      179868
CG                   Kashya         Rog            2      138880
Smips                Smips          Bar            6       41037
CG                   Ormus          Pri            1       40631
OHG                  Joe            Pri            3       35405
TRM                  Moar           Bar           11       12737
Hp_Sauce             Hp_Sauce       Bar           14       11610
Hp_Sauce	      Priest	     Pri	    1	     1093
SiTro                SiTro          Bar            2         706
Vildecor             Ilana          Val            1           0

Code:

[b]Competition #1 - Role(Barbarian), Race(Any), Align(Any), Gender(Any)[/b]
End Date for Creation of New Chars: [b]3/31/09, 11:59 PM local time[/b]

Forum Name           Char Name      Attempts      Score  Current Progress
----------           ---------      --------      -----  ----------------
CG                   Larzuk                3    4354274A
NacRuno              Qual                 20+    231822
midnightvulture      Trogdor               5     179868
Smips                Smips                10      41037
TRM                  Moar                 11      12737
Hp_Sauce             Hp_Sauce             14      11610  Dlvl = 8
SiTro                SiTro                 2       1302  DLvl = 1

Code:

Competition #2 - Role(Priest), Race(Elf), Align(Chaotic), Gender(Any)
End Date for Creation of New Chars: [b]4/15/09, 11:59 PM local time[/b]

Forum Name           Char Name      Attempts      Score  Current Progress
----------           ---------      --------      -----  ----------------
CG                   Ormus                 1      40631
OHG                  Joe                   3      35405
Hp_Sauce	     Priest		   1	   1093

Code:

[b]Competition #3 - Role(Rogue), Race(Any), Align(Any), Gender(Female)[/b]
End Date for Creation of New Chars: [b]4/30/09, 11:59 PM local time[/b]

Forum Name           Char Name      Attempts      Score  Current Progress
----------           ---------      --------      -----  ----------------
CG                   Kashya                2     138880

I've got a friend from college in town this week, she's technically here for work, but we have to set aside evenings for drinking. And of course this weekend the weather look good for some late season snowboarding... my point is, I haven't got much time for Nethack, but I'm gonna give this priest business a try.

The barb is still alive, and on the back burner for tonight. I started my first ever Priest. He made it to D4 where he was killed by a Little Doggie. The dog seemed fairly zealous to fight, so I figured "what can I lose at level 4? Not like restarting will hurt much."

I really like the auto B/U/C feature of the Priest. But he doesn't seem to do much damage in any fashion, so if your pet happens to be out of the room, things get a bit sketchy? Just my first impression though, of course.

The poopy part is that by level 3 I had Id'd scrolls of ID, scrolls of remove curse, and a book (which I read successfully) of something I can't remember now, but which seemed semi useful at the time... I've never ID'd that much stuff in such a short time. My level 10 Barbarian doesn't even have that much stuff identified yet.

Anyway, I'm going to have another go at killing a character before I sleep tonight.

-hps

Edit: Tonight I realized that - since I was recording the turns at which I prayed with a pencil - I could just erase my last record, and write it again, instead of scratching it out and writing a new record. I guess this is like what the difference is like between NASA (inventing gravityless pens, and Russia, just taking pencils to space). I'm the smartest man alive.

NacRuno · Apr 3, 2009

Re: OT: Nethack

I am definately in for the priest competition, but i won't have time to play anything for about a week. Good luck to all travelers, i will soon be catching up :tongue:.

OT: Nethack

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