Tip #1: How to Properly Use a Scare Monster Scroll
Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 10:31 am
i am considering working on a strategy guide, but don't want to give too much away (spoilers), and i know that CD is working on something. so in the meantime, i thought i might post a tip or two on topics/strategies that i think are impossible to figure out on your own.
for the first tip, i thought i would expound on the scare monster scroll. it took me forever to figure out how to use one of these puppies, and turns out it's the most powerful scroll in the game. i know the info is in this forum (that's where i found it), but i thought i would bring it to the spotlight because it saved my arse the one time i actually beat the game.
things you need to know about a scare monster scroll:
1) it does NOT self identify. so when you first read one you will "hear maniacal laughter in the distance". therefore it is CRUCIAL that when you are reading scrolls for the first time you REMEMBER the name of the scroll (at least the first word). because of the way the text scrolling works, by the time you see the maniacal message, the name of the scroll will be gone. as soon as you see that message, make a note somewhere (unless your memory is perfect) about which scroll that was so you will know if you are lucky enough to to pick up another one.
**edit** the other awesome scroll that does not self identify is a Hold Monster Scroll. Plus it doesn't say anything when you read one, so this above tip is also key for remembering which scroll is a Hold Monster Scroll. If you read an unidentified scroll and get no message, then make sure to remember that one. I think the other scroll that does not self identify is a scroll of blank paper, but that one is obviously not terribly important. Basically, I keep a note (in the iPhone's note application with these two lines:
Scare Scroll -
Hold Monster -
and each time I play a new game and read one of these two scrolls, I'll write down the first letters in that scroll, e.g. 'giv' or whatever it happens to be.
2) reading it does NOTHING (except make monsters laugh at you). way to go, you are now the embarrassment of the dungeon.
3) the proper way to use it is to drop the scroll, and therefore you will be standing on it.
4) monsters then will be too scared of the scroll to attack you, but will not run away. therefore you can pick them off at your leisure.
5) do NOT throw the scroll, or move off of the scroll until you are done with it (e.g. killed all the monsters in the area). because once you move off of it, it's done. it will turn to dust once you try to pick it back up. goodbye the most awesome scroll you've ever used.
6) you CANNOT drop the scroll in a doorway. i once attempted this with 3HP left, only to realize you cannot drop items in doorways, and whatever beast was next to me promptly finished me off. come to think of it, this is probably not a problem in 1.5 since i think CD fixed the 'making an illegal move makes you lose your turn'. but important to know you cannot use one in a doorway, since a lot of us spend a decent amount of time fighting from a doorway
so what are some good uses of this scroll?
a) the 'oh sh*t' moment when you need a miracle. however a scroll of teleport, wand/potion of paralysis or a wand of polymorph or cornucopia are better choices if there's only one or two monsters, rather than wasting this scroll.
b) high level treasure rooms. i found a treasure room on level 30 that would have kicked my arse without one of these scrolls. i led all the monsters out (because there was no way i was getting past the doorway), dropped the scroll, and it was open season on them. (see pic)
c) after you've dropped the scroll, consider using a monster aggravate scroll to attract the rest of the monsters on that level to you, so you can take full advantage of the the scroll
well, there's my opus on the best scroll in the game. post your pics and suggestions on how you guys use it.
edit 1: added info on Hold Monster Scroll
for the first tip, i thought i would expound on the scare monster scroll. it took me forever to figure out how to use one of these puppies, and turns out it's the most powerful scroll in the game. i know the info is in this forum (that's where i found it), but i thought i would bring it to the spotlight because it saved my arse the one time i actually beat the game.
things you need to know about a scare monster scroll:
1) it does NOT self identify. so when you first read one you will "hear maniacal laughter in the distance". therefore it is CRUCIAL that when you are reading scrolls for the first time you REMEMBER the name of the scroll (at least the first word). because of the way the text scrolling works, by the time you see the maniacal message, the name of the scroll will be gone. as soon as you see that message, make a note somewhere (unless your memory is perfect) about which scroll that was so you will know if you are lucky enough to to pick up another one.
**edit** the other awesome scroll that does not self identify is a Hold Monster Scroll. Plus it doesn't say anything when you read one, so this above tip is also key for remembering which scroll is a Hold Monster Scroll. If you read an unidentified scroll and get no message, then make sure to remember that one. I think the other scroll that does not self identify is a scroll of blank paper, but that one is obviously not terribly important. Basically, I keep a note (in the iPhone's note application with these two lines:
Scare Scroll -
Hold Monster -
and each time I play a new game and read one of these two scrolls, I'll write down the first letters in that scroll, e.g. 'giv' or whatever it happens to be.
2) reading it does NOTHING (except make monsters laugh at you). way to go, you are now the embarrassment of the dungeon.
3) the proper way to use it is to drop the scroll, and therefore you will be standing on it.
4) monsters then will be too scared of the scroll to attack you, but will not run away. therefore you can pick them off at your leisure.
5) do NOT throw the scroll, or move off of the scroll until you are done with it (e.g. killed all the monsters in the area). because once you move off of it, it's done. it will turn to dust once you try to pick it back up. goodbye the most awesome scroll you've ever used.
6) you CANNOT drop the scroll in a doorway. i once attempted this with 3HP left, only to realize you cannot drop items in doorways, and whatever beast was next to me promptly finished me off. come to think of it, this is probably not a problem in 1.5 since i think CD fixed the 'making an illegal move makes you lose your turn'. but important to know you cannot use one in a doorway, since a lot of us spend a decent amount of time fighting from a doorway
so what are some good uses of this scroll?
a) the 'oh sh*t' moment when you need a miracle. however a scroll of teleport, wand/potion of paralysis or a wand of polymorph or cornucopia are better choices if there's only one or two monsters, rather than wasting this scroll.
b) high level treasure rooms. i found a treasure room on level 30 that would have kicked my arse without one of these scrolls. i led all the monsters out (because there was no way i was getting past the doorway), dropped the scroll, and it was open season on them. (see pic)
c) after you've dropped the scroll, consider using a monster aggravate scroll to attract the rest of the monsters on that level to you, so you can take full advantage of the the scroll
well, there's my opus on the best scroll in the game. post your pics and suggestions on how you guys use it.
edit 1: added info on Hold Monster Scroll