New with questions :)

[roncg41677]

Just downloaded RT yesterday, and have been pretty glued to my iPhone since. No surprise to all of you, I'm sure . I used to love playing games on the C64, but I don't really remember any games like this. I used to love Archon, Zork, Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, and other genres.

Anyway, there are a couple of things I haven't been able to find an answer to:

1. Strength - I know after so many turns my strength gets depleted and eating food is necessary. There is also the strength icon in the top bar that starts at 16(16). Eventually that number falls, and even after eating food does not increase. Is this strength meter different from strength that is regenerated by eating food?

2. Potions/Scrolls - I've only made it to level 8 or so so far, and haven't really found a need for potions or scrolls. Do they come more into play in later levels? Is it normal practice to test them all out on yourself (which is what I've been doing)?

3. Numerical Designations - Okay, so my mace is +1 +1, which I understand means +1 chance of hit and +1 damage. But if I look on the equipment chart it is listed as something like 2d4. What does that mean, and are the numbers related in any way (i.e. mace is originally 1d3, and +1+1 makes it 2d4)?

That's about it. Thanks in advance for any help. I was about to download Chronicles of Inotia or Dragon-Something-or-other, but I've learned long ago great graphics don't always equal great games. I miss stuff like perma-death and high scores.

[Nighthawk]

1. Strength - I know after so many turns my strength gets depleted and eating food is necessary. There is also the strength icon in the top bar that starts at 16(16). Eventually that number falls, and even after eating food does not increase. Is this strength meter different from strength that is regenerated by eating food?

Yes, strength from food (hunger) is different from the strength meter. Hunger is not shown, but is referenced with messages like "You are feeling weak/faint" etc. Eating food rations or mushrooms will alleviate hunger. Your strength meter at the top primarily affects how hard you swing your weapon and your ability to hit. The first number is your current strength, the second is max strength. This number can be affected by snakes, whose attack (bite) can poison you and reduce your strength by one, as well as potions of Poison. Potions of Increase Strength will increase your max by one if current = max, and Restore Strength will restore your current strength to the max if it's below.

2. Potions/Scrolls - I've only made it to level 8 or so so far, and haven't really found a need for potions or scrolls. Do they come more into play in later levels? Is it normal practice to test them all out on yourself (which is what I've been doing)?

Potions and scrolls are usually tested, although different players have different strategies for this, and tailor it to fit the current game situation. This is something that's best learned through many plays of the game. They do come into play the deeper you get as there are more "tricky" situations you'll need to get out of.

3. Numerical Designations - Okay, so my mace is +1 +1, which I understand means +1 chance of hit and +1 damage. But if I look on the equipment chart it is listed as something like 2d4. What does that mean, and are the numbers related in any way (i.e. mace is originally 1d3, and +1+1 makes it 2d4)?

That mace will do (2d4)+1 damage and hit more often. Base is listed in the equipment chart, and is the starting point for all weapons of that type found. Same goes with armor.

[roncg41677]

Thanks! Can you explain the weapon base thing a little more? I'm not quite clear on that. What does "2d4" mean?

If I understand the strength thing, it can only be brought up by potions? It won't replenish over time?

[roncg41677]

...okay, think I found my answer on the "2d4" thing in another post. That it is basically 2 4-sided dice being rolled, then the +1 is added to the result. That makes sense. What doesn't make sense is when my mace or weapon has a -1+0. If the first number is likelihood of a hit, how does that work?

Sorry for all of the questions.

[Nighthawk]

Strength can only be improved or restored via potions, correct.

To-hit and to-damage are modifiers, not the actual value for a given weapon (or armor). So -1 to-hit means that you are less likely to hit with that weapon than a +0 or higher to-hit weapon. Obviously, there are underlying numbers on all of this stuff, but I don't want to make your head spin more than necessary! If you truly want head spinning, look here: http://userpages.monmouth.com/~colonel/rvm.html -- but don't say I didn't warn you! In passages that refer to "versions" of Rogue, generally look at Version 5 for the right info, although a few things are different in this game.

Additionally, if you equipped a weapon (or armor) with a minus modifier (either modifier number), then the weapon/armor is most likely cursed, which means that you can't unequip the weapon/armor until you drink a Potion of Blessing or read an appropriate scroll (for weapons, that's an Enchant Weapon or Vorpalize Weapon scroll, or an Enchant Armor or Protect Armor scroll for armor).

[roncg41677]

Sweet! That helps a lot. Thank you!

I had checked out that link yesterday, and yes, my head did spin .

[CommanderData]

Nighthawk, thank you for answering these questions! You're an encyclopedia of Rogue-like knowledge

Roncg41677- I'm really glad that you're enjoying the game, and hope you'll be interested in the next offering that I'm working on as well. We've got another update coming up for Rogue Touch, and then it's full force on the new secret game project

[roncg41677]

Thanks CommanderData! I had a long session last night and did learn a lot. I made it to level 14 before I was killed by a troll. By that point I had 20 strength and my mace was +2+5, and I was wearing a ring of armor enchantment (I think) on my plate mail. I'm sure I'll learn a lot more as I keep playing. It is just a little intimidating to a newbie

I love all of the strategy involved. So much more fun than the mindless leveling up on other offerings. I do have vague memories of playing Rogue on the Commodore. It's so cool to kind of re-live that wherever I'm at. You did a wonderful job of porting it to the iPhone! Can't wait to see what your next offering is! Will it be old-school like RT?

[roncg41677]

Just wanted to update. I decided to check out NetHack and have been absorbed in that as well lately. I actually kind of dig the old ASCII characters. One of the things I really like about that that would be a great addition to the future RT project is the ability to eat the carcasses of some of the creatures you've slain. I don't think that would throw the balance off too much. To me it makes it seem a little more realistic (as much as that term can apply to a game where you roam dungeons slaying mythical creatures in search of a magical amulet ) as if I were starving in a dungeon I wouldn't mind some roasted zombie here and there.