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When to use scrolls?

Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 3:46 pm
by rncjr3
First off, Great job on this game! This game turned out to be exactly what I was searching for, without even knowing that I was searching for anything (if that makes any sense). This is the first time I've ever played anything that resembles this game, and I'm hooked. I have a question for the veterans out there: When do you typically use scrolls and potions if you don't have any Identify Scrolls? I try to hold onto anything I pick up for as long as I can, but when I have no more space for new items, I usually use a scroll or a potion. The problem is, it usually ends up bieng a scroll that improves my weapon or my armor, and it ends up bieng used on my starting weapon/armor. Is this normal, or is there any way to know what a scroll does prior to using it and without identifying it? I feel like I just wasteda good scroll/potion when this happens.

Re: When to use scrolls?

Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 3:59 pm
by Berenzen
I recommend using scrolls and potions immediately so that later on the game so you identify them and don't have to take a chance on having a detrimental effect placed on you and end up getting wailed on by a dragon or griffin. You will come by other scrolls and potions, they're quite common, so don't worry about it

Re: When to use scrolls?

Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 4:36 pm
by LordGek
Berenzen wrote:I recommend using scrolls and potions immediately so that later on the game so you identify them and don't have to take a chance on having a detrimental effect placed on you and end up getting wailed on by a dragon or griffin. You will come by other scrolls and potions, they're quite common, so don't worry about it
I'm pretty much in this same school of thought as well EXCEPT I usually at least wait until I've cleared the level out and while on top of the stairs going down in case I need to run away.

Re: When to use scrolls?

Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 4:52 pm
by rncjr3
Thanks for the input. Frustrated right now, I had to clear some space, so I ended up using a scroll of protect armor and enchant armor on my starting chain mail. Next floor down, exactly to the left of where I started, there was some plate mail... I nearly cried.

Re: When to use scrolls?

Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 4:56 pm
by Lydyra
Same here, except if I've not yet identified a scroll of magic mapping. Then I go down the stairs, make sure the room is clear, and then read. Granted, I may wind up reading a create monster scroll, but that is usually ok in the early levels. I am much more cautious using unidentified anythings later on. Unless it's desperate times, of course. :D

Re: When to use scrolls?

Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 5:00 pm
by Lydyra
Heh, I know. But at least now you won't rust, which I hate almost as much as I hate snakes. :D Just keep hoping for more more enchant armor scrolls! I had my best run with a non-secret character (lvl 26 but no amulet) wearing a heavily enchanted leather armor. I think it was -1AC, which wasn't bad.

Re: When to use scrolls?

Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 8:31 pm
by rncjr3
Another quick question: when you rest, you have to push rest again, right? You rest once per turn? For example, you can't just push the rest button once and wait until you regain health?

Re: When to use scrolls?

Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 8:55 pm
by Van Damage
I prefer to use the opposite approach: I hold scrolls as long as possible before I need to use them. Usually this occurs at the beginning of Floor 8 as that's about the earliest the Aquator will appear.

When I arrive at level 8, I've had 7 levels to obtain better weapons or armor. I put on my best armor and wield my primary weapon, then read all scrolls, hoping to get armor protection and/or weapon/armor enhancements. If I don't find armor protection at that point, I read all scrolls I encounter as soon as I find them.

Re: When to use scrolls?

Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 9:05 pm
by Lydyra
I like that, Van Damage. I think I'll give that a go on my next run.

rncjr3, yes, you do need to keep pressing "rest" (same for "search").

Re: When to use scrolls?

Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 10:29 pm
by CommanderData
Lydyra wrote:I like that, Van Damage. I think I'll give that a go on my next run.

rncjr3, yes, you do need to keep pressing "rest" (same for "search").
I think that is a fair strategy too. I tend to hoard a bit myself until roughly the same time period. Usually nothing before Centaurs is too much trouble if you're careful. Only by floor 8-10 do things start getting to the point where I feed like I need a magical boost!