Things I like (and dislike) about the new(er) versions of ..

On 2009-01-02, high fructose corn syrup <hfcs.RemoveThis@utokyo.edu> wrote:
> On 02 Jan 2009 15:15:18 GMT, Rachel Elizabeth Dillon
><rachel.RemoveThis@akrasiac.org> wrote:
>
>>Magic items and spellcasting are a very big part of the game for people
>>who don't play Berzerkers. For those characters, spellcasting is
>>highly relevant, and Int's bonuses to spellcasting are significant.
>>Personally, because I am a packrat, I find Strength to be relevant as
>>well, and Dex to be the only stat I ignore.
>
> !! I would not advise ignoring Dex unless the coders tell us
> otherwise. It's not just for missile weapons. According to the
> documentation, it helps Dodging, which is very nice indeed. Missing an
> attack altogether is better than reducing the damage from it (Armor's
> province). In fact, to exercise Dodging, I like to go with minimal
> armor for the first 8 - 10 levels, using only leather or elven chain
> at the most. Shields are also as helpful as Dodging according to the
> docs and any shield you can exercise with will help. Once Dodging
> increases start slowing down around, then switch over to heavier
> armor.

I'm not a coder, but I have read the source, and I only bother with
Dex if I plan to stop at an armor lighter than gold dragon armor. Even
then, I only pump dexterity to the minimum necessary to take the full
benefits of dodging skill. That amount, according to the database
on crawl.akrasiac.org, is: "To maximize your EV gain from dodging,
your Dex should be: 19: batform, spiderform. 18: spriggan. 17:
halfling, gnome, kobold. 16: all other races. 14: naga, centaur,
troll, ogre[mage], ice form. 8: dragon form." Often if I am playing
a light armor character I already have that much dexterity from turn one.

The light armor for the first 8-10 levels is interesting but I always put
on the heaviest thing I can find, because once I get plate, my Dodging
skill won't help my EV until I hit Armor skill 15. I'll probably find gold
dragon armor by then unless I am playing a mountain dwarf or something,
so I usually don't find it worth bothering. If I end up wearing Storm
Dragon Armor because I can't find insulation any other way, then I'll end
up training dodging and dexterity some, though... which is an argument
for training them earlier, but not something that's come up often enough
to be an issue for me.

> Also Dex helps Accuracy in combat, or whether you hit or miss. Many of
> my Beserkers begin with a mediocre Dex of 10 - 12, but I imagine more
> is better. But I suppose the coders know the for real deal. I'll visit
> this ng again later to see if anymore juicy tidbits are dropped.

Weapon skill and bonuses usually provide sufficient accuracy for me to
not care about Dex bonuses by the time I reach the late game. Though
when Xom drops my dexterity to 4, I have to say I notice the hit.

-r.