[b20b] Naked, the no items Archmage

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Grey
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[b20b] Naked, the no items Archmage

#1 Post by Grey »

I figured I'd try out an archmage with zero items. Only thing I allow myself is runes and infusions. Not even going to allow picking up and selling items. Only items carried are Orb of Scrying (can't drop it - and I guess there'll be others like it later) and Rod of Recall (which I'm *not* using, but figure I should keep in case of tedium and Urkis quest). As an additional element of fun I'm playing Iron Man style - head straight for the stairs on every level, and straight for the boss on boss levels.

My first attempt at this is going well so far. Level 14, killed Bill, Korpy, Wrathroot, assassin dude and cursed dude. Managed to scrape enough gold from drops to nab the combat tree for the Health talent. Also found a tasty 419 regen infusion. Playing a Higher for some extra Regen when I need it, which may be often... In retrospect some other class powers may have been more useful. So far stunning has been a big issue, and nearly killed me a few times. I'm hoping to luck out on an Anorithil escort, but otherwise I'll just have to rely on pumping Con to max. Need to pump Will severely too, as I see myself sustaining a fair few talents to try and keep up with the lack of items.

Talents wise I've been maxing my damage output, though I should probably consider going down the ice tree for Freeze and Tidal Wave. Alas, I have too many generics, and little of use to spend them on. I'll probably max out Premonition in the hopes of having enough Mana for it later - it'll be my only source of damage resistance beyond a small amount from Con.

Online profile: http://te4.org/characters/363/tome/0d56 ... 1cc000edf0

Current snapshot:

Code: Select all

Sex              : Male         STR:  11
Race             : Higher       DEX:  11
Class            : Archmage     MAG:  39
Level            : 14           WIL:  21
Exp              : 59%          CUN:  11
Gold             : 23.99        CON:  23

Life  :     300/300    Encumbrance      : 3/59
Mana  :     166/166    Difficulty : Roguelike

Fatigue          : 0%           Spellpower       : 57
Armor            : 5.1089303739858Spell Crit       : 1.3%
Defense          : 0.35         Spell Speed      : 1
Ranged Defense   : 0.35         

Physical Save    : 11.9
Spell Save       : 21
Mental Save      : 11.2

All Resists:   3%

Number of NPC killed: 427
Most killed NPC: large white snake (29)

  [Talents Chart]

 - Technique / Combat training        (mastery 1.00)
    Heavy Armour Training (generic)   0/5
    Massive Armour Training (generic) 0/5
    Health (generic)                  1/5
    Weapon Combat (generic)           0/10
    Weapons Mastery (generic)         0/10
    Knife Mastery (generic)           0/10
 - Spell / Arcane                     (mastery 1.30)
    Arcane Power (class)              5/5
    Manathrust (class)                5/5
    Manaflow (class)                  0/5
    Disruption Shield (class)         0/5
 - Spell / Fire                       (mastery 1.30)
    Flame (class)                     5/5
    Flameshock (class)                3/5
    Fireflash (class)                 0/5
    Inferno (class)                   0/5
 - Spell / Earth                      (mastery 1.30)
    Stone Skin (class)                1/5
    Dig (class)                       0/5
    Strike (class)                    0/5
    Stone Wall (class)                0/5
 - Spell / Water                      (mastery 1.30)
    Corrosive Vapour (class)          0/5
    Freeze (class)                    0/5
    Tidal Wave (class)                0/5
    Ice Storm (class)                 0/5
 - Spell / Air                        (mastery 1.30)
    Lightning (class)                 1/5
    Chain Lightning (class)           0/5
    Feather Wind (class)              0/5
    Thunderstorm (class)              0/5
 - Spell / Phantasm                   (mastery 1.30)
    Illuminate (class)                0/5
    Blur Sight (class)                0/5
    Phantasmal Shield (class)         0/5
    Invisibility (class)              0/5
 - Spell / Conveyance                 (mastery 1.30)
    Phase Door (generic)              5/5
    Teleport (generic)                1/5
    Displacement Shield (generic)     1/5
    Probability Travel (generic)      0/5
 - Spell / Divination                 (mastery 1.30)
    Arcane Eye (generic)              4/5
    Keen Senses (generic)             1/5
    Vision (generic)                  1/5
    Premonition (generic)             1/5
 - Spell / Nature                     (mastery 1.30)
    Regeneration (generic)            0/5
    Heal (generic)                    0/5
    Restoration (generic)             0/5
    Nature's Call (generic)           0/5

  [Inscriptions (3/3)]

Rune: Manasurge
Infusion: Regeneration
Infusion: Wild

  [Current Effects]

- Stone Skin
- Arcane Power

  [Character Equipment]

 In main hand
 In off hand
 On fingers
 Around neck
 Light source
 Main armor
 Cloak
 On head
 Around waist
 On hands
 On feet
 Tool
 Quiver

  [Player Achievements]

'Curse Lifter' was achieved for Killed Ben Cruthdar the Cursed. At 2011-02-17 22:32:25
'Level 10' was achieved for Got a character to level 10. At 2011-02-17 21:38:45
'Rescuer of the lost' was achieved for Rescued the merchant from the assassin lord. At 2011-02-17 22:44:06
'The Arena' was achieved for Unlocked Arena mode. At 2011-02-17 21:41:24

  [Character Inventory]

a) Orb of Scrying
   Type: jewelry / orb
When carried:
It can be used to use the orb, costing 1 power out of 1/1.
b) Rod of Recall (1/1)
   Type: wand / wand
It can be used to recall the user to the worldmap, costing 1000 power out of 1000/1000.
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Grey
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Re: [b20b] Naked, the no items Archmage

#2 Post by Grey »

Maze down as well - Arcane Eye + Phase Door helped significantly. Cleared the elementals out of Derth, but I'm a bit too scared to try the Tempest quest :/ However I'm also a little scared to go to the Sandworm Lair! Any thoughts?

I have a category point spare that I'm saving for a good shield rune. I don't think any of the mage unlock trees are worth taking on this char.
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madmonk
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Re: [b20b] Naked, the no items Archmage

#3 Post by madmonk »

Sandworm Lair.

Phase Door + Vision will let you get down quick and munch the Queen and then out!
Regards

Jon.

madmonk
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Re: [b20b] Naked, the no items Archmage

#4 Post by madmonk »

A thought for you...

1) Lightning beams - might want to invest in it
2) Corrosive Vapour is very nasty and covers your lack of an AoE spell especially in the Hole.
Regards

Jon.

PowerWyrm
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Re: [b20b] Naked, the no items Archmage

#5 Post by PowerWyrm »

I guess the only items you need to carry are:
- Orb of Many Ways (mandatory item)
- Four Orbs (mandatory items)
- Blood Runed Athame/Resonating Diamond (for the portal quest)
- Staff of Absorption (for a brief moment)

As a mage you probably don't need the Rod of Recall. Is there something in the code that prevents you from dropping the Orb of Scrying? It seems useless for your character...

Grey
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Re: [b20b] Naked, the no items Archmage

#6 Post by Grey »

Orb of Scrying can't be dropped :( True, I probably don't need rod of recall at all when I have the Angolwen spell. Should probably just throw it away.

I haven't increased lightning bolt yet because I wanted to get Mana and Fire bolts maxed quick. I didn't know Corrosive Vapour was actually any good... should I max it or lightning bolt first? I'd like to get illuminate up to level 3 soon, and maybe max up the +defense sustain. So many class points I want... and yet my generics are useless :( I might consider going with Invis sustained later in the game and then dropping some of the combat sustains. I think the Mana drain is manageable with a good manasurge rune.

I can't eat the Queen's heart - no items remember :P That probably also precludes the back to the west quest. If I even get that far! Ultimately just the orbs and the staff that will be carried.

I've spent a cat point on a 280 damage shield rune. I figures my level 20 cat point will go on Rune of the Rift. Any thoughts where to spend the final point?

This challenge is *fun* by the way. Ignoring all items is quite liberating, and heading straight to the boss of each dungeon is far faster and more intense. Of course only really archmages could get away with this...
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greycat
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Re: [b20b] Naked, the no items Archmage

#7 Post by greycat »

You didn't put ANY points into Regeneration or Healing yet? Despite claiming that you have no use for those generic points?

Grey
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Re: [b20b] Naked, the no items Archmage

#8 Post by Grey »

Well, they are crap :P I have a 400+ regen infusion and the class power to easily cover me for healing. I suppose investing in Heal wouldn't hurt though, in case I need instant replenishment.
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Re: [b20b] Naked, the no items Archmage

#9 Post by Grey »

Killed the sandworm queen and Urkis. Both were tense dungeons, though Urkis turned out easy enough (I kept him stunned or round a corner the whole fight). I tell ya, this is the only way to play archmages - no fight is boring!

I might go assassinate subject Z before heading to Daikara. Having conquered Urkis I feel a bit more confident about heading there. Current status:

Code: Select all

Sex              : Male         STR:  11
Race             : Higher       DEX:  11
Class            : Archmage     MAG:  45
Level            : 19           WIL:  24
Exp              : 73%          CUN:  11
Gold             : 36.73        CON:  29

Life             : 377/377      Encumbrance      : 1/59
Mana             : 216/216      Difficulty       : Roguelike

Fatigue          : 0%           Spellpower       : 63
Armor            : 5.56644652   Spell Crit       : 1.3%
Defense          : 0.35         Spell Speed      : 1
Ranged Defense   : 0.35         

Physical Save    : 14
Spell Save       : 24.15
Mental Save      : 12.25

All Resists:   4%

Number of NPC killed: 680
Most killed NPC: wolf (30)

  [Talents Chart]

 - Technique / Combat training        (mastery 1.00)
    Heavy Armour Training (generic)   0/5
    Massive Armour Training (generic) 0/5
    Health (generic)                  1/5
    Weapon Combat (generic)           0/10
    Weapons Mastery (generic)         0/10
    Knife Mastery (generic)           0/10
 - Spell / Arcane                     (mastery 1.30)
    Arcane Power (class)              5/5
    Manathrust (class)                5/5
    Manaflow (class)                  1/5
    Disruption Shield (class)         0/5
 - Spell / Fire                       (mastery 1.30)
    Flame (class)                     5/5
    Flameshock (class)                3/5
    Fireflash (class)                 0/5
    Inferno (class)                   0/5
 - Spell / Earth                      (mastery 1.30)
    Stone Skin (class)                1/5
    Dig (class)                       0/5
    Strike (class)                    0/5
    Stone Wall (class)                0/5
 - Spell / Water                      (mastery 1.30)
    Corrosive Vapour (class)          1/5
    Freeze (class)                    1/5
    Tidal Wave (class)                1/5
    Ice Storm (class)                 0/5
 - Spell / Air                        (mastery 1.30)
    Lightning (class)                 3/5
    Chain Lightning (class)           0/5
    Feather Wind (class)              0/5
    Thunderstorm (class)              0/5
 - Spell / Phantasm                   (mastery 1.30)
    Illuminate (class)                0/5
    Blur Sight (class)                0/5
    Phantasmal Shield (class)         0/5
    Invisibility (class)              0/5
 - Spell / Conveyance                 (mastery 1.30)
    Phase Door (generic)              5/5
    Teleport (generic)                1/5
    Displacement Shield (generic)     1/5
    Probability Travel (generic)      0/5
 - Spell / Divination                 (mastery 1.30)
    Arcane Eye (generic)              5/5
    Keen Senses (generic)             1/5
    Vision (generic)                  2/5
    Premonition (generic)             1/5
 - Spell / Nature                     (mastery 1.30)
    Regeneration (generic)            1/5
    Heal (generic)                    1/5
    Restoration (generic)             0/5
    Nature's Call (generic)           0/5

  [Inscriptions (4/4)]

Rune: Manasurge
Infusion: Regeneration
Infusion: Wild
Rune: Shielding

  [Current Effects]

- Stone Skin
- Arcane Power

  [Character Equipment]

 In main hand
 In off hand
 On fingers
 Around neck
 Light source
 Main armor
 Cloak
 On head
 Around waist
 On hands
 On feet
 Tool
 Quiver

  [Player Achievements]

'Curse Lifter' was achieved for Killed Ben Cruthdar the Cursed. At 2011-02-17 22:32:25
'Eye of the storm' was achieved for Freed Derth from the onslaught of the mad Tempest, Urkis. At 2011-02-18 19:36:03
'Level 10' was achieved for Got a character to level 10. At 2011-02-17 21:38:45
'Rescuer of the lost' was achieved for Rescued the merchant from the assassin lord. At 2011-02-17 22:44:06
'The Arena' was achieved for Unlocked Arena mode. At 2011-02-17 21:41:24

  [Character Inventory]

a) Orb of Scrying
   Type: jewelry / orb
When carried:
It can be used to use the orb, costing 1 power out of 1/1.
http://www.gamesofgrey.com - My own T-Engine games!
Roguelike Radio - A podcast about roguelikes

Grey
Loremaster
Posts: 3517
Joined: Thu Sep 23, 2010 10:18 pm
Location: London, England
Contact:

Re: [b20b] Naked, the no items Archmage

#10 Post by Grey »

Oh, and scariest moment by far was in the last level of the sandworm's lair, when the Queen came upon me from out of sight and blinded me whilst I was under attack from some other enemies. I had only one choice - teleport away. After casting the spell I was left in pure blackness, not even knowing if I was in a tunnel that was about to collapse, or if I was still anywhere near the queen and her summons. I pressed the wait key several times, each press more hesitant than the last, dreading that something awful was about to happen. Finally my sight returned, but some high level destroyers and jellies appeared, and all my mana was drained fighting them. I had to wait around with regen and shields active whilst my manasurge rune came off cooldown before I could finish the pack off.

And just then the queen appeared, obviously tracking me down through the worm-dug tunnels. She resisted my freeze, she resisted my flameshock, so I lay all my bolts on her. When she got close I used tidal wave and bolted her some more, and then she blinded me again. I had cast an arcane eye on her earlier, but alas it had little effect when blind. She was low on HP though, so I guessed her position with some rays and managed to fell her before she let loose any more summons. Was a bloody frightening fight...

I should note that damage output without any equipment is quite significantly lower. No boosts to spellpower or crit, no +% to any damage types. Also I'm somewhat underleveled since I've been zipping through levels quickly. Killing normal enemies is now taking 3 or 4 spells each. Makes jellies especially infuriating.
http://www.gamesofgrey.com - My own T-Engine games!
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Grey
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Location: London, England
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Re: [b20b] Naked, the no items Archmage

#11 Post by Grey »

Didn't manage to save the yeek :( Only found out after that I can use phase door at a distance... Daikara was a bit messy at points without stun resistance. Video of me fighting Rantha:

http://www.viddler.com/explore/darrenjo ... videos/48/

Usual mature content warning on that ;)

I've had all my allocated escorts and no anorithils amongst them, so that means zero stun res for the whole game! Yippee!

Dreadfell time :/

Code: Select all

Sex              : Male         STR:  11
Race             : Higher       DEX:  11
Class            : Archmage     MAG:  45
Level            : 24           WIL:  24
Exp              : 32%          CUN:  11
Gold             : 198.01       CON:  45

Life             : 579/579      Encumbrance      : 1/59
Mana             : 251/251      Difficulty       : Roguelike

Fatigue          : 0%           Spellpower       : 63
Armor            : 10.1318599   Spell Crit       : 1.3%
Defense          : 0.35         Spell Speed      : 1
Ranged Defense   : 0.35         

Physical Save    : 19.6
Spell Save       : 24.15
Mental Save      : 12.25

All Resists:   6%

Number of NPC killed: 1030
Most killed NPC: cold drake hatchling (68)

  [Talents Chart]

 - Technique / Combat training        (mastery 1.00)
    Heavy Armour Training (generic)   0/5
    Massive Armour Training (generic) 0/5
    Health (generic)                  3/5
    Weapon Combat (generic)           0/10
    Weapons Mastery (generic)         0/10
    Knife Mastery (generic)           0/10
 - Spell / Arcane                     (mastery 1.30)
    Arcane Power (class)              5/5
    Manathrust (class)                5/5
    Manaflow (class)                  1/5
    Disruption Shield (class)         0/5
 - Spell / Fire                       (mastery 1.30)
    Flame (class)                     5/5
    Flameshock (class)                3/5
    Fireflash (class)                 0/5
    Inferno (class)                   0/5
 - Spell / Earth                      (mastery 1.30)
    Stone Skin (class)                4/5
    Dig (class)                       0/5
    Strike (class)                    0/5
    Stone Wall (class)                0/5
 - Spell / Water                      (mastery 1.30)
    Corrosive Vapour (class)          1/5
    Freeze (class)                    3/5
    Tidal Wave (class)                1/5
    Ice Storm (class)                 0/5
 - Spell / Air                        (mastery 1.30)
    Lightning (class)                 4/5
    Chain Lightning (class)           0/5
    Feather Wind (class)              0/5
    Thunderstorm (class)              0/5
 - Spell / Phantasm                   (mastery 1.30)
    Illuminate (class)                0/5
    Blur Sight (class)                0/5
    Phantasmal Shield (class)         0/5
    Invisibility (class)              0/5
 - Spell / Conveyance                 (mastery 1.30)
    Phase Door (generic)              5/5
    Teleport (generic)                1/5
    Displacement Shield (generic)     1/5
    Probability Travel (generic)      0/5
 - Spell / Divination                 (mastery 1.30)
    Arcane Eye (generic)              5/5
    Keen Senses (generic)             1/5
    Vision (generic)                  2/5
    Premonition (generic)             1/5
 - Spell / Nature                     (mastery 1.30)
    Regeneration (generic)            1/5
    Heal (generic)                    2/5
    Restoration (generic)             1/5
    Nature's Call (generic)           0/5

  [Inscriptions (5/5)]

Rune: Manasurge
Infusion: Regeneration
Infusion: Wild
Rune: Shielding
Rune of the Rift

  [Current Effects]

- Stone Skin
- Arcane Power

  [Character Equipment]

 In main hand
 In off hand
 On fingers
 Around neck
 Light source
 Main armor
 Cloak
 On head
 Around waist
 On hands
 On feet
 Tool
 Quiver

  [Player Achievements]

'Curse Lifter' was achieved for Killed Ben Cruthdar the Cursed. At 2011-02-17 22:32:25
'Exterminator' was achieved for Killed 1000 creatures At 2011-02-19 17:40:39
'Eye of the storm' was achieved for Freed Derth from the onslaught of the mad Tempest, Urkis. At 2011-02-18 19:36:03
'Level 10' was achieved for Got a character to level 10. At 2011-02-17 21:38:45
'Level 20' was achieved for Got a character to level 20. At 2011-02-19 16:12:23
'Rescuer of the lost' was achieved for Rescued the merchant from the assassin lord. At 2011-02-17 22:44:06
'The Arena' was achieved for Unlocked Arena mode. At 2011-02-17 21:41:24

  [Character Inventory]

a) Orb of Scrying
   Type: jewelry / orb
When carried:
It can be used to use the orb, costing 1 power out of 1/1.
http://www.gamesofgrey.com - My own T-Engine games!
Roguelike Radio - A podcast about roguelikes

Grey
Loremaster
Posts: 3517
Joined: Thu Sep 23, 2010 10:18 pm
Location: London, England
Contact:

Re: [b20b] Naked, the no items Archmage

#12 Post by Grey »

Dead! :(

http://te4.org/characters/363/tome/0d56 ... 1cc000edf0

Elder vampire in Dreadfell had 2 frozen spear runes. Not much I could have done to prepare against that... Shame, cause I was looking forward to trying to beat The Master in the nip. I had a pretty good run though, will definitely try it again some time.
http://www.gamesofgrey.com - My own T-Engine games!
Roguelike Radio - A podcast about roguelikes

madmonk
Reaper
Posts: 2257
Joined: Wed Dec 12, 2007 12:21 am
Location: New Zealand

Re: [b20b] Naked, the no items Archmage

#13 Post by madmonk »

Really good try! Better luck next time! 8)

I looked through what you had and next time you might consider investing in the following:

Blur Sight
Feather Wind

For defensive purposes, you understand!

Also having 2 Heals infusions available. Regeneration is good Heal is way better. Of course you are dependent to some extent on the RNG for this!

Looked to be very promising
Regards

Jon.

Grey
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Joined: Thu Sep 23, 2010 10:18 pm
Location: London, England
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Re: [b20b] Naked, the no items Archmage

#14 Post by Grey »

Yeah, some of those defensive talents would have been nice, but I was a bit hungry for class points in offense. A big problem I had was simply doing enough damage to enemies (partly because I was aiming to max Con before maxing Mag - for defensive reasons :) ) As it was I was okay dealing with most melee and missile attacks, as they were never high damage. And I think Blur Sight on its own wouldn't be much use later in the game.

I never found any good healing infusions in the game. And personally I prefer a good regen and shield to two healing sources. I had the Higher class power too.

I think next time I'll try a dwarf for the resistance ability...
http://www.gamesofgrey.com - My own T-Engine games!
Roguelike Radio - A podcast about roguelikes

madmonk
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Posts: 2257
Joined: Wed Dec 12, 2007 12:21 am
Location: New Zealand

Re: [b20b] Naked, the no items Archmage

#15 Post by madmonk »

Lack of Class points is one of the problems with the Archmage. I always feel very stretched with too many needs and not enough points.

It makes for interesting decisions!
Regards

Jon.

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