Back since beta3, impressions, and need advice.

[kingvictory2003]

Hi Darkgod and all,

It's great to be back with beta 13 going strong. My overall impression is *Awesome*!! Thanks for the hard work, darkgod.

First, the intro screen--love it! Nice, somewhat ominous music, and a really cool grayscale scrolling background with flashes of boom and stuff.

Character creation was pretty straightforward as usual, although picking stats based on what's available and good in-game once again hung me up a bit. Oh well. Picked a shadowblade again, since I enjoy the playstyle. Going for normal mode, as I'm not a complete newb, but not insane either.

I was sitting at level 28 when the game hung up on me as I was resting in Tol Falas (after killing the Master) and gathering inventory on levels 8 and 9. I use the task manager to end process, and found myself back at the previous save point, level 21 on Tol Falas 1. Ok, well that stopped my momentum for the time being, but it's beta, so I won't get too upset. Now that gives me time to do other stuff and ask a few questions from you vets before I proceed, so I hopefully don't get killed.

1) How do I kill Ukruk as a shadowblade?

-When I was level 28 before the crash, I had gotten Phase Door to 5/5 thinking to strategically place myself quickly, as I know those archers decimate most characters instantly. Should I do that first? Or use a potion of invisibility? I have a few stashed up, but don't know the efficacy of them. Any other advice would be greatly welcome, as in beta3, I got smashed by ukruk from 700ish HP to 1 in one round, and he resisted 3 of my stuns.

2) What does a potion of dragon blood do?

3) Is there a good place to search for mithril daggers?

-I'm having a darned time finding good daggers, although when I had to end process and restarted Tol Falas, I killed the orc grand master assassin who was generated there, and got Moon


Thanks for everyone's input, and thanks a million again, Darkgod. Looking forward to blowing more hours on tome4!

[yufra]

1) How do I kill Ukruk as a shadowblade?

-When I was level 28 before the crash, I had gotten Phase Door to 5/5 thinking to strategically place myself quickly, as I know those archers decimate most characters instantly. Should I do that first? Or use a potion of invisibility? I have a few stashed up, but don't know the efficacy of them. Any other advice would be greatly welcome, as in beta3, I got smashed by ukruk from 700ish HP to 1 in one round, and he resisted 3 of my stuns.

That encounter is supposed to be nigh-unwinnable... don't worry if you die. Other that I cannot contribute strategic advice since I don't play shadowblades much.

2) What does a potion of dragon blood do?

You drink it and then BREATH FIRE! It can be quite fun, but beware it currently can fail to have any affect.

3) Is there a good place to search for mithril daggers?

-I'm having a darned time finding good daggers, although when I had to end process and restarted Tol Falas, I killed the orc grand master assassin who was generated there, and got Moon

Greedy! Daggers are a bit tough to come by, you may need to wait until orc assassins are a more regular appearance (Moria for example).

[Repton]

1) How do I kill Ukruk as a shadowblade?

-When I was level 28 before the crash, I had gotten Phase Door to 5/5 thinking to strategically place myself quickly, as I know those archers decimate most characters instantly. Should I do that first? Or use a potion of invisibility?

Potions of invisibility do work, and are effective in that encounter. Make sure you remove all light sources, though..

But I've still got really no idea how to beat that encounter with a melee character.

[kingvictory2003]

Thanks for the advice

I think I'll try to (somehow) take down all the archers without getting smashed by the melee mobs, then use the evasion ability in melee range with ukruk. The problem would be that it is quite stamina hungry, as is Switch Places (which gives 50% evade for a few turns, but takes 130!!! stamina).

[kingvictory2003]

Hahaha killed Ukruk!!!

Wow was it hard! It was quite an epic fight, and very satisfying to win.

First thing I noted was their level 50 vs my level 30 But nothing to do but to go for it, so I did.

I started with a potion of invisibility, which the hill orc archers immediately saw through, but caused all the melee orcs to wander aimlessly for at least the first turn. I phased close to a hill orc archer, flurried it, and attacked it again to kill it. By the first attack, four of the hill orc warriors had seen through my invis. I used a scroll of phase door, and ended up by the two archers to the east. I was surrounded by 4 warriors and the 2 archers, so I decided to Whirlwind, dealing decent damage to all those around me. One more phase door, and invis was gone. Drank another potion, killed the two archers there, then control-phased to the last archer. Took him out with a flurry, and then onto the warriors.

Gwai's Burninator really shined against the large host of warriors. I managed to fire it off 3 times, and the ~280 damage total allowed me to finish most of them with a whirlwind and some followup melee/Sweep. Of course, at this point, my stamina was hurting, so I had to use a lot of phase doors from one end to the other to recover. I also burned all of my potions of healing and started using lesser healing.

After the battle of attrition, only Ukruk and one warrior remained. That's when I decided to use the Choker of Dread to summon an Elder Vampire to soak up a couple rounds of damage (which is exactly what it did) and I pounded Ukruk with 4-5 flurries total (involving striking, phasing, healing, and repeating). What a rush when he actually died

Definitely hard enough as is, no changes please!

[kingvictory2003]

Dump:


[Tome 4.00 @ www.te4.org Character Dump]

Sex : Male STR: 28
Race : Noldor DEX: 53
Class : Shadowblade MAG: 16
Level : 30 WIL: 23
Exp : 89% CUN: 41
Gold : 487.70 CON: 57

Attack(Main Hand): 90 Life : 893/893 Encumbrance : 63/90
Damage(Main Hand): 70 Stamina : 193/193 Difficulty : Normal
APR (Main Hand): 15 Mana : 339/339
Crit (Main Hand): 16%
Speed (Main Hand): 1.00



Attack (Off Hand): 95
Damage (Off Hand): 72
APR (Off Hand): 9
Crit (Off Hand): 19%
Speed (Off Hand): 1.00

Fatigue : 29% Spellpower : 28.749
Armor : 13 Spell Crit : 10.3%
Defense : 62.55 Spell Speed : 1
Ranged Defense : 62.55

All damage : 0%
Physical damage : 8%
Cold damage : 5%
Darkness damage : 5%

Physical Save : 28.25
Spell Save : 34.75
Mental Save : 23

All Resists: 0%
Cold Resist: 40%
Nature Resist: 30%
Blight Resist: 55%
Blind Resistance: 100%
Disarm Resistance: 30%
Stun Resistance: 100%
Knockback Resistance: 100%

Number of NPC killed: 3022
Most killed NPC: skeleton warrior (182)

[Talents Chart]

- Technique / Dual wielding (mastery 1.20)
Dual Weapon Training (class) 5/5
Dual Weapon Defense (class) 5/5
Precision (class) 0/5
Momentum (class) 0/5
- Technique / Dual wielding (mastery 1.20)
Dual Strike (class) 1/5
Flurry (class) 2/5
Sweep (class) 1/5
Whirlwind (class) 1/5
- Technique / Combat techniques (mastery 1.30)
Precise Strikes (class) 0/5
Rush (class) 0/5
Perfect Strike (class) 0/5
Blinding Speed (class) 0/5
- Technique / Combat techniques (mastery 1.30)
Quick Recovery (class) 1/5
Fast Metabolism (class) 1/5
Spell Shield (class) 3/5
Unending Frenzy (class) 5/5
- Technique / Combat training (mastery 1.20)
Heavy Armour Training (generic) 1/5
Massive Armour Training (generic) 0/5
Health (generic) 2/5
Weapon Combat (generic) 10/10
Weapons Mastery (generic) 0/10
Knife Mastery (generic) 3/10
- Cunning / Stealth (mastery 1.40)
Stealth (class) 0/5
Shadowstrike (class) 0/5
Hide in Plain Sight (class) 0/5
Unseen Actions (class) 0/5
- Cunning / Dirty fighting (mastery 1.30)
Dirty Fighting (class) 1/5
Backstab (class) 5/5
Switch Place (class) 3/5
Cripple (class) 0/5
- Cunning / Lethality (mastery 1.30)
Lethality (class) 1/5
Deadly Strikes (class) 0/5
Willful Combat (class) 0/5
Snap (class) 0/5
- Cunning / Shadow magic (mastery 1.30)
Shadow Combat (class) 5/5
Shadow Cunning (class) 1/5
Shadow Feed (class) 0/5
Shadowstep (class) 0/5
- Cunning / Survival (mastery 1.10)
Trap Detection (generic) 1/5
Heightened Senses (generic) 1/5
Trap Disarm (generic) 1/5
Evasion (generic) 2/5
- Spell / Conveyance (mastery 1.00)
Phase Door (generic) 5/5
Teleport (generic) 0/5
Displacement Shield (generic) 0/5
Probability Travel (generic) 0/5
- Spell / Divination (mastery 1.00)
Sense (generic) 1/5
Identify (generic) 1/5
Vision (generic) 1/5
Telepathy (generic) 0/5
- Spell / Phantasm (mastery 1.00)
Illuminate (class) 0/5
Blur Sight (class) 0/5
Phantasmal Shield (class) 0/5
Invisibility (class) 0/5

[Current Effects]

- Shadow Combat

[Completed Quests]

-- Escort: injured seer (level 4 of Tower of Amon S?»l)
You successfully escorted the injured seer to the recall portal on level 4 of Tower of Amon S?»l.
As a reward you improved talent Identify (+1 level(s)).
-- Escort: lost sun paladin (level 2 of Trollshaws)
You successfully escorted the lost sun paladin to the recall portal on level 2 of Trollshaws.
As a reward you improved Strength by +2.
-- An apprentice task
You met a novice mage who was tasked to collect many staves or jewelry.
He asked for your help should you collect some that you do not use.
* 15/15
-- Escort: lost warrior (level 7 of Tol Falas)
You failed to protect the lost warrior from death by acid blast trap.
-- Escort: injured seer (level 5 of Trollshaws)
You successfully escorted the injured seer to the recall portal on level 5 of Trollshaws.
As a reward you improved talent Vision (+1 level(s)).
-- Escort: repented thief (level 1 of Old Forest)
You successfully escorted the repented thief to the recall portal on level 1 of Old Forest.
As a reward you improved talent Trap Disarm (+1 level(s)).
-- Into the darkness
It is time to explore some new places dark, forgotten and dangerous ones.
The Old Forest is just south-west of the town of Bree.
The Maze is west of Bree.
The Sandworm Lair is to the far west of Bree, near the sea.
Carn D?»m is to the north of Amon S?»l.
* You have explored the Old Forest and vanquished the Old Man Willow.
* You have explored the Maze and vanquished the Minotaur.
* You have explored the Sandworm Lair and vanquished their Queen.
* You have explored Carn D?»m and vanquished the Dragon.
-- Escort: injured seer (level 3 of Tower of Amon S?»l)
You failed to protect the injured seer from death by black ooze.
-- A mysterious staff
Deep in the tower of Tol Falas you fought and destroyed the Master, a powerful vampire.
On your way out of Tol Falas you were ambushed by a band of orcs.
They asked about the staff.
-- Escort: lost warrior (level 4 of Trollshaws)
You successfully escorted the lost warrior to the recall portal on level 4 of Trollshaws.
As a reward you improved Strength by +2.
-- Of trolls and damp caves
Explore the caves below the tower of Amon S?»l and the Trollshaws in search of treasure and glory!

* You have explored Amon S?»l and vanquished the Shade of Angmar.
* You have explored the Trollshaws and vanquished the Bill the Stone Troll.
-- Trapped!
You heard a plea for help and decided to investigate...
Only to find yourself trapped inside an unknown tunnel complex.
-- The Island of Dread
You have heard that in the bay of Belfalas, far to the south of Bree, lies the ruined tower of Tol Falas.
There are disturbing rumors of greater undeads and nobody who reached it ever returned.
Perhaps you should explore it and find the truth, and the treasures, for yourself!
-- The beast within
You met an half mad lumberjack fleeing a small village, rambling about untold horrors lurking there, slaughtering people.
6 lumberjacks have died.

[Active Quests]

-- Let's hunt some Orc
The elder in Minas Tirith sent you to the mines of Moria, deep under the misty mountains, to investigate the orc presence.
Find out if they are in any way linked to the lost staff.
But be careful, even the dwarves did not venture in the old halls for many years.
-- Storming the city
As you came to Bree you saw a huge dark cloud over the small town.
When you entered you were greeted by an army of air elementals slaughtering the population.
* You have dispatched the elementals but the cloud lingers still. You must find a powerful ally to remove it. There are rumours of a secret town in the blue mountains, to the south west.

[Character Equipment]

In main hand
a) Moon (24-31.2 power, 15 apr)
Type: weapon / dagger
24 Power [Range 1.30] (+45% Dexterity,+45% Strength), 0 Attack, 15 Armor Penetration, Crit 5%
Damage type: physical
When wielded/worn:
Damage on hit(melee): 20 darkness.
Increases damage type: 5% darkness.
Light radius -1

Dropped by orc assassin
In off hand
b) flaming galvorn dagger of accuracy (26-33.8 power, 9 apr)
Type: weapon / dagger
26 Power [Range 1.30] (+45% Dexterity,+45% Strength), 5 Attack, 9 Armor Penetration, Crit 8%
Damage type: physical
When wielded/worn:
Damage on hit(melee): 20 fire.

Dropped by orc assassin
On fingers
c) steel ring of massacre (+8%)
Type: jewelry / ring
When wielded/worn:
Increases damage type: 8% physical.

d) gold ring of mana (+0.20/turn)
Type: jewelry / ring
When wielded/worn:
Regenerates 0.20 mana each turn.

Around neck
e) Choker of Dread
Type: jewelry / amulet
When wielded/worn:
Attack 0, Armor Penetration 0, Physical Crit 0%, Physical power 5
Increases blindness immunity: 100%.
Spellpower 5, Spell Crit 0%
See invisible: 10
It can be used to summon an elder vampire to your side, costing 60 power out of 60/60.
Dropped by The Master
Light source
f) bright brass lantern of clear sight
Type: lite / lite
When wielded/worn:
Increases blindness immunity: 50%.
Light radius 3

Dropped by Bill the Stone Troll
Main armor
g) Leather Armour of Eowen Nazgul-bane (6 def, 7 armor)
Type: armor / light
When wielded/worn:
Armor 7, Defense 6, Ranged Defense 0
Fatigue 7%
Increases stats: 5 Willpower,4 Constitution.
Increases resistances: 35% blight.
Increases stun immunity: 70%.
Increases knockback immunity: 70%.

Dropped by The Master
Cloak
h) Cloak of Grima (10 def, 0 armor)
Type: armor / cloak
When wielded/worn:
Armor 0, Defense 10, Ranged Defense 0
Increases stats: 4 Cunning,3 Constitution.
Increases talent masteries: 0.10 Cunning / Stealth.
It can be used to activate talent: Phase Door (level 2), costing 30 power out of 60/60.
On head
i) Steel Helm of Hammerhand (0 def, 4 armor)
Type: armor / head
When wielded/worn:
Armor 4, Defense 0, Ranged Defense 0
Fatigue 8%
Increases stats: 3 Strength,3 Constitution,4 Willpower.
Increases physical save: 7.
Increases spell save: 7.
Increases mental save: 7.

Dropped by Minotaur of the Labyrinth
Around waist
j) Goldberry's Girdle of the Calm Waters
Type: armor / belt
When wielded/worn:
Increases stats: 3 Willpower.
Increases resistances: 20% blight,20% cold,20% nature.
Increases all healing by 30%

On hands
k) Gloves of the Firm Hand (0 def, 0 armor)
Type: armor / hands
When wielded/worn:
Increases stats: 4 Constitution.
Increases disarm immunity: 30%.
Increases stun immunity: 30%.
Increases knockback immunity: 30%.

On feet
l) Frost Treads (1 def, 2 armor)
Type: armor / feet
When wielded/worn:
Armor 2, Defense 1, Ranged Defense 0
Fatigue 14%
Increases stats: 4 Strength,4 Dexterity,4 Cunning.
Increases resistances: 20% cold,10% nature.
Increases damage type: 5% cold.
Light radius 1

Dropped by Rantha the Worm
Tool
m) iron pickaxe of strength (dig speed 36 turns)
Type: tool / digger
When wielded/worn:
Increases stats: 2 Strength.
It can be used to dig a wall, cut a tree, ..., costing 1 power out of 1/1.
Quiver

[Player Achievements]

'A dangerous secret' was achieved for Found the mysterious staff and told Minas Tirith about it. At 2010-11-01 00:26:44
'Curse Lifter' was achieved for Killed Ben Cruthdar the Cursed. At 2010-10-31 15:22:47
'Exterminator' was achieved for Killed 1000 creatures At 2010-10-31 14:54:59
'Level 10' was achieved for Got a character to level 10. At 2010-10-31 14:07:14
'Level 20' was achieved for Got a character to level 20. At 2010-10-31 15:47:19
'Level 30' was achieved for Got a character to level 30. At 2010-10-31 23:54:13
'Rescuer of the lost' was achieved for Rescued the merchant from the assassin lord. At 2010-10-31 13:48:07
'The secret city' was achieved for Discovered the truth about mages. At 2010-10-31 14:15:56
'Vampire crusher' was achieved for Destroyed the Master in its lair of Tol Falas. At 2010-10-31 22:54:22

[Character Inventory]

a) acid-proof potion of cure disease
Type: potion / potion
It can be used to cure poison.
b) acid-proof potion of cure poison
Type: potion / potion
It can be used to cure poison.
c) 2 acid-proof potion of free action
Type: potion / potion
It can be used to resist stuns, dazes and pinning.
d) acid-proof potion of invisibility
Type: potion / potion
It can be used to become invisible for a while.
Dropped by Minotaur of the Labyrinth
e) 2 acid-proof potion of lesser mana
Type: potion / potion
It can be used to restore some mana.
Dropped by Old Man Willow
f) 2 acid-proof potion of mana
Type: potion / potion
It can be used to restore a good part of your mana.
g) giant potion of cure disease
Type: potion / potion
It can be used to cure poison.
h) giant potion of cure poison
Type: potion / potion
It can be used to cure poison.
i) 15 potion of cure disease
Type: potion / potion
It can be used to cure poison.
j) 12 potion of cure poison
Type: potion / potion
It can be used to cure poison.
k) 4 potion of free action
Type: potion / potion
It can be used to resist stuns, dazes and pinning.
l) potion of greater healing
Type: potion / potion
It can be used to heal a lot.
Dropped by Ukruk the Fierce
m) 5 potion of lesser healing
Type: potion / potion
It can be used to heal some life.
n) 24 potion of lesser mana
Type: potion / potion
It can be used to restore some mana.
o) 18 potion of mana
Type: potion / potion
It can be used to restore a good part of your mana.
p) 13 potion of see invisible
Type: potion / potion
It can be used to sense invisible for a while.
q) potion of speed
Type: potion / potion
It can be used to increase your speed for a while.
r) 2 fire-proof scroll of enemies detection
Type: scroll / scroll
It can be used to detect enemies within a certain range.
s) fire-proof scroll of identify
Type: scroll / scroll
It can be used to identify one object (or all with high magic stat).
t) 4 fire-proof scroll of light
Type: scroll / scroll
It can be used to light up the surrounding area.
u) fire-proof scroll of magic mapping
Type: scroll / scroll
It can be used to map the area directly around you.
Dropped by red ooze
v) 4 fire-proof scroll of phase door
Type: scroll / scroll
It can be used to teleport you randomly over a short distance.
w) 2 fire-proof scroll of teleportation
Type: scroll / scroll
It can be used to teleport you anywhere on the level, randomly.
x) long scroll of identify
Type: scroll / scroll
It can be used to identify one object (or all with high magic stat).
y) 2 long scroll of light
Type: scroll / scroll
It can be used to light up the surrounding area.
z) 3 long scroll of shielding
Type: scroll / scroll
It can be used to create a temporary shield that absorbs damage.
{) 3 scroll of enemies detection
Type: scroll / scroll
It can be used to detect enemies within a certain range.
|) 10 scroll of identify
Type: scroll / scroll
It can be used to identify one object (or all with high magic stat).
}) 33 scroll of light
Type: scroll / scroll
It can be used to light up the surrounding area.
Dropped by hill orc warrior
~) 17 scroll of phase door
Type: scroll / scroll
It can be used to teleport you randomly over a short distance.
Dropped by forest troll
) scroll of shielding
Type: scroll / scroll
It can be used to create a temporary shield that absorbs damage.
€) 9 scroll of teleportation
Type: scroll / scroll
It can be used to teleport you anywhere on the level, randomly.
?) gold amulet of cunning (+7)
Type: jewelry / amulet
When wielded/worn:
Increases stats: 7 Cunning.

‚) gold amulet of willpower (+6)
Type: jewelry / amulet
When wielded/worn:
Increases stats: 6 Willpower.

?) galvorn ring
Type: jewelry / ring

Dropped by skeleton warrior
„) gold ring of constitution (+4)
Type: jewelry / ring
When wielded/worn:
Increases stats: 4 Constitution.

Dropped by skeleton warrior
…) gold ring of fire resistance (+23%)
Type: jewelry / ring
When wielded/worn:
Increases resistances: 23% fire.

†) gold ring of magic (+4)
Type: jewelry / ring
When wielded/worn:
Increases stats: 4 Magic.

‡) gold ring of nature resistance (+25%)
Type: jewelry / ring
When wielded/worn:
Increases resistances: 25% nature.

?) steel ring of spell resistance
Type: jewelry / ring
When wielded/worn:
Increases spell save: 7.

‰) steel ring of strength (+3)
Type: jewelry / ring
When wielded/worn:
Increases stats: 3 Strength.

Š) Golden Three-Edged Sword 'The Truth' (40-64 power, 1 apr)
Type: weapon / greatsword
40 Power [Range 1.60] (+120% Strength), 0 Attack, 1 Armor Penetration, Crit 7%
Damage type: physical
Special effect on hit: 9% chance to stun or confuse the target
When wielded/worn:
Damage on hit(melee): 40 light,40 darkness.

Dropped by skeleton warrior
‹) Boots of Tom Bombadil (2 def, 1 armor)
Type: armor / feet
When wielded/worn:
Armor 1, Defense 2, Ranged Defense 0
Fatigue 2%
Increases stats: 3 Cunning.
Increases talent masteries: 0.20 Cunning / Survival.
It can be used to boost speed, costing 50 power out of 50/50.
?) 4 lapis lazuli
Type: gem / blue
When used to imbue an object:
Armor 0, Defense 6, Ranged Defense 0

?) jade
Type: gem / green
When used to imbue an object:
Increases resistances: 8% all.

Dropped by hill orc warrior
Ž) 2 garnets
Type: gem / red
When used to imbue an object:
Increases damage type: 6% all.

Dropped by skeleton mage
?) Gwai's Burninator
Type: wand / wand
It can be used to shoot a cone of fire, costing 30 power out of 75/75.
Dropped by snow giant chieftain
?) 4 quartz
Type: gem / white
When used to imbue an object:
Increases stun immunity: 30%.

‘) amber
Type: gem / yellow
When used to imbue an object:
Increases damage type: 8% all.

[overtrix]

Daggers. The Maze is knee-deep in them, and usually are Groovy Posh-metal Dagger of Grooviness - but they're being carried by tough little blue guys, possibly ninja smurfs, so have a care. Also if you're not in much danger at that stage, have a scamper round Level 1 of the Lost Merchant to trigger each of the summoning traps.

[Sirrocco]

The second floor of the lost merchant quest also occasionally has summon traps - and if you walk around and trigger all of them before you talk with the big man, you won't trigger them by mistake afterwards.

On the other hand, I'm not sure I've seen any daggers north of dwarven steel, either there or in the maze. You could probably luck into mithril if you did some grinding on the last two levels of the maze, but otherwise? (admittedly - I'm dealing with a rather low sample size, so I could be off).

[Final Master]

Man, you have a crap ton of artifacts. lol

What do you think of Moon? Seeing it next to a galvorn dagger makes it seem really terrible in comparison.