Are hostile Ziguranth patrols for grinding XP?

[berenbelagund]

Serious question. I've always liked the fact that this game does not expect you to grind mobs for XP. When a dungeon is done, it's done. But I feel like my level 17 dwarf berserker isn't high enough level to continue to the next dungeon.

So far I've done Escape from Reknor, Trollmire, Norgos' Lair, Heart of the Gloom, Lumberjack Village, The Deep Bellow, Ruins of Kor'Pul, Scintillating Caves, Rhaloren Camp, Golem Graveyard, Alt Maze 1-3, Old Forest, and Sandworm Lair. I'd really like to do Alt Maze 4 next, or Derth, but I'm not sure I can handle the Horned Horror or lightning elementals.

So I'm stuck. Is fighting Ziguranth patrols on the world map a viable strategy? Otherwise, there's nothing to do!

[grayswandir]

I think patrols specifically give less xp than normal.

[Davion Fuxa]

Why not jump into Daikaira, Ruined Halfling Complex, Ruined Dungeon, or Slavers Compound? You shouldn't be for a lack of options on what to do at the moment.

[berenbelagund]

Thanks folks. I guess I just don't have a good handle for when I'm supposed to progress in the second tier dungeons. For instance, Daikara has traditionally tossed up monsters that are fairly difficult to handle (like enemies with ranged lightning attacks).

[Davion Fuxa]

Thanks folks. I guess I just don't have a good handle for when I'm supposed to progress in the second tier dungeons. For instance, Daikara has traditionally tossed up monsters that are fairly difficult to handle (like enemies with ranged lightning attacks).

That will happen in Daikaira regardless of when you go. Really, the question is if you find it to be a bit easier, and if it is can you eek out a little experience to gain a level or two before backtracking.

[GlassGo]

Basically they are to bit sh* out of you. )
They are dangerous.

[Coldbringer]

They're good for getting purple gear. If you've got some old tier one green equipment that needs replacing this is a great way to do it. Also I find it very satisfying to kill them, since they wrecked a number of my characters when I was new to this game.

Thing to watch out for though, is that eventually your luck will run out fighting the patrols - there will be a particularly deadly class/combination that will kill you. Unless you're very powerful and can handle any situation.

Daikara is pretty tough for level 17, I wouldn't do it yet unless you feel confident about your skills

[berenbelagund]

Daikara is pretty tough for level 17, I wouldn't do it yet unless you feel confident about your skills

Too late! I just died on level 2 of Daikara, to a frost giant unique. Basically, Impending Doom did me in after a few turns. I stupidly tried to make for the exit, rather than at least try to kill the frost giant (which is how to end Impending Doom). My wild infusion didn't help me, as that only stops physical and mental effects, not arcane ones. (A lot of those frost giants also have 100% Confusion resistance, which nullifies my Warshout.)

I shouldn't have listened to Davion Fuxa.

[HousePet]

See I would have died to the Horned Horror in the Maze instead.

One thing you can do when things seem to be quite tough is to go shopping.
Sometimes you can find some better gear and it helps a lot.

[Davion Fuxa]

Too late! I just died on level 2 of Daikara, to a frost giant unique. Basically, Impending Doom did me in after a few turns. I stupidly tried to make for the exit, rather than at least try to kill the frost giant (which is how to end Impending Doom). My wild infusion didn't help me, as that only stops physical and mental effects, not arcane ones. (A lot of those frost giants also have 100% Confusion resistance, which nullifies my Warshout.)

I shouldn't have listened to Davion Fuxa.

I suppose the question would be how difficult were the Frost Giants in spite of you not being able to confuse them?

As for the Necromancer Rare, they can be a bit of a heartbreaker. I've died a few times to Curse of Death/Impending Doom inflicting rares, that can happen anywhere.

[berenbelagund]

See I would have died to the Horned Horror in the Maze instead.

I'll need your expert modding expertise to whip up a "Crippled Horned Horror" mod, and we'll see how it goes!

One thing you can do when things seem to be quite tough is to go shopping.
Sometimes you can find some better gear and it helps a lot.

Yeah, I did a tour of all the cities just before I went into Daikara. All I could find was a belt that made me undead and therefore non-breathing. Didn't have time to use it, though. Just spending the 100 gold for it cost me -1 to all my saves because of Power of Money.

[berenbelagund]

I suppose the question would be how difficult were the Frost Giants in spite of you not being able to confuse them?

Pretty difficult. It was the snow giant unique that had 100% resistance to Confusion, and Impending Doom, and Bane of Blindness, and Invoke Darkness. And there was a frost giant and a wight in the vicinity.

Read it and weep:

[Last Messages]

Gloin loses sight!
Impending Doom from Betynne the snow giant hits Gloin for 41 arcane damage.
Bane of Blindness from Betynne the snow giant hits Gloin for 9 darkness damage.
Gloin's rage subsides!

Gloin is recovering from the damage!
Impending Doom from Betynne the snow giant hits Gloin for 41 arcane damage.
Bane of Blindness from Betynne the snow giant hits Gloin for 9 darkness damage.

Gloin receives 10 healing.
Impending Doom from Betynne the snow giant hits Gloin for 41 arcane damage.
Bane of Blindness from Betynne the snow giant hits Gloin for 9 darkness damage.

Gloin feels pain again.
Gloin's skin returns to normal.
Gloin stops regenerating health quickly.
Gloin receives 10 healing.
Impending Doom from Betynne the snow giant hits Gloin for 41 arcane damage.
Bane of Blindness from Betynne the snow giant hits Gloin for 9 darkness damage.

Gloin receives 10 healing.
Impending Doom from Betynne the snow giant hits Gloin for 50 arcane damage.
Bane of Blindness from Betynne the snow giant hits Gloin for 11 darkness damage.

Gloin recovers sight.
Gloin receives 10 healing.
Impending Doom from Betynne the snow giant hits Gloin for 50 arcane damage.
Betynne the snow giant casts Invoke Darkness.
Betynne the snow giant hits Gloin for 92 darkness damage.
Gloin's rage awakens!

Gloin casts Rune: Teleportation.
Saving game...
Gloin is a less furious bunny.
Talent Death Dance is ready to use.
Gloin receives 10 healing.
Impending Doom from Betynne the snow giant hits Gloin for 50 arcane damage.
Gloin the level 17 dwarf berserker was dweomered to death by Betynne the snow giant on level 2 of Daikara.
Impending Doom from Betynne the snow giant killed Gloin!

[Isotope-X]

As Coldbringer said, they have a tendency to have great loot, and you can easily get several blue and purple items. The thing is, though, that Ziguranth patrols (and adventurer parties) are really dangerous, and are probably a bad idea if you're playing Roguelike.

If you want to engage one, make sure that all your abilities are on cooldown and that you have at least one escape method. Scouting abilities (Arcane Eye, Track, etc.) are key, because you REALLY want to make sure that you fight one-on-one. Patrols will have either 2 or 3 (sometimes 4) enemies, each one of which is around your level, and probably with better gear than you. Try to isolate one and kill him fast, wait for abilities to recharge, find the next. If you start out in view of two or more of the enemies, or if you stumble upon a second while fighting the first, run (unless you're crazy overpowered).

I do like attacking one or two patrols at, like, level 10. If you die you haven't invested much time in the character so starting over isn't bad. If you win, a purple item at that level makes you vastly more powerful.

[berenbelagund]

As Coldbringer said, they have a tendency to have great loot, and you can easily get several blue and purple items. The thing is, though, that Ziguranth patrols (and adventurer parties) are really dangerous, and are probably a bad idea if you're playing Roguelike.

Thanks. The point is moot, since the character died, but I'll definitely keep your advice in mind for the next time. I think I developed a happy-go-lucky attitude toward patrols because of an earlier playthrough as a Shalore Summoner. All I had to do was unleash my multiple pets to engage several enemies at once, and the battles seemed pretty easy. That's a deceptive attitude to have when you later play as a dwarf berserker.

BTW, the 'feel' of playing this game as a summoner is so very different from when you're a lone warrior. This diversity is one of the great positives of ToME as a game. It's extremely well-designed.

[Wolls]

Within the FoV. If you spawn against three oppo's then run. You want to take them all one on one, so move to do so. Movement speed is probably your highest speed. Run away is your best option. Like sometimes your so OP you can tank, and you can/will get a feel for when this is so you can sit in the open and get hit... versus you should never take on multiple opponents.. as weak as you think they are .. you will be overrun and lose.

So if you spawn withing sight of all of em.. run. Either your capable of tanking and winning or and your just asking to get hit... and who begs to get hit? Move to put yourself one on one.

You don't care about AoE or hitting multi targets..control/manage your damage or max what u think u can take vs .. going against multiple targets. IT is not a good idea. So move, control the position, and if not one on one run.. movement speed is highest so step behind a tree. limit the damage stack. Step out to attack.

When you get out East? Smaller levels. More enemies. You will be hit so your confident you can take the hits.. in ordoer to deal damage. So many enemies you can't even position.. plus the Orc patrols have crap drops, for so so much extra risk.

So yes. If your looking for XP, like just enough to get to the next level or in terms of opening an talent, or lookin for good items then farm. As a pathway to unlock a talent. For pure XP? There is never a reason to. If you ever manage to get to the final battle and your say lvl 40 talent wise you will/can win. Do not grind for a level, but for the next talent, which makes u so so op they run from you.

Pure XP is meaningless, it only works to unlock a talent or a weapon drop. The drops from Zigs are way way better then the orcs. Try to get the oppo one on one and limit the damages. Like the drops are better then farpotal, so if you want good items then farm patrols ALWAYS look to excape.. lke you know where the exit is and can get there. There are times where you should grind the patrols.

With escapes and one on one.. i say go for it. Learn to run.

So if you spawn withing sight of all of em.. run. You got one chance... simply you can run/win off of that first option or ur lost. IF u run that first movement is key..otherwise u be tanking. There is no penalty for running.