Saving +1/-1 stat potions for late stat-gain

Pondlife · September 23, 2016, 17:13

I've started saving the +1/-1 stat potions (brawn, intellect etc) in my home until the late stat-gain phase of the game when stats start getting maxed out at 18/100.

I find this helps speed up this part of the game, as juggling stats allows me to use all the stat gain potions that I find. So, if I'm maxed out on STR and CON and have strength and con potions, I'll use my saved intellect, nimbleness or contemplation potions to reducing STR or CON and then use the STR and CON potions.

Does anyone else find this a useful technique?

AnonymousHero · September 23, 2016, 17:47

Sure, it gets you a small advantage, but then so does getting +1 in <favored stat> early on! And who knows if you'll even make it far enough to gain the overall advantage...

Derakon · September 23, 2016, 18:12

Yeah, my philosophy of Angband is to use items when they're useful. There may be a larger benefit in absolute terms if I wait, but I figure the faster I move along the power curve right now, the sooner I'll get to the late game where large benefits of all kinds are in ready supply.

For example, sure, if I saved that potion of Brawn for later, I could get the +1 without having to suffer a -1 somewhere else. But if I use it right now, I'll get to the proper stat gain depths that much sooner. Who knows how many extra stat gain potions I'll pick up in the time saved by using the potion early?

Same goes for Acquirement -- if I use it later, I might get an endgame piece of equipment, sure. But if I use it now, I may get an item that helps me to get to the depths where endgame equipment is in relatively plentiful supply.

Pondlife · September 23, 2016, 18:48

I guess that shows I'm a bit of a hoarder!

In the original rogue (which was more of a resource management game than Angband IMO), I would often die with unused things that might have saved me. When I win in Angband (which is rarely), it's generally a bit underwhelming.

Estie · September 23, 2016, 20:55

I use them immediately, if at all.

mage: str, int
priest: str, wis
everyone else: str, dex

AnonymousHero · September 23, 2016, 23:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pondlife

I guess that shows I'm a bit of a hoarder!

I used to be like that too... but then New Angband showed me the way... well that and no-reload BG:1+2+ToB. You really learn the value of immediate survival vs. future gain when you have to go back ~60h (real time) of play to walk out of goddamn Candlekeep. (EDIT: I should add that this is in a gaming context... IRL optimization for future gain usually works out better. Usually. Statistically..)

Egavactip · September 24, 2016, 15:21

What I do is wait until I have a backup for a crucial stat. So if I have a priest, for example, I want to raise strength (because who doesn't) but not at the expense of wisdom. So I wait until I get one or more of both brawn and whatever the wisdom one is. That way if drinking brawn messes with wisdom I can fix it.

AnonymousHero · September 24, 2016, 19:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Egavactip

What I do is wait until I have a backup for a crucial stat. So if I have a priest, for example, I want to raise strength (because who doesn't) but not at the expense of wisdom. So I wait until I get one or more of both brawn and whatever the wisdom one is. That way if drinking brawn messes with wisdom I can fix it.

A very nice micro-optimization

.

Pete Mack · September 25, 2016, 02:58

I only do this for the half-caster spell stat, and DEX for full casters Primary stats I prefer maximizing ASAP. Once the character is comfortable, then it's time to get the secondary stat up to snuff.

September 23, 2016, 17:13	#1
Pondlife Apprentice Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: UK Posts: 78	Saving +1/-1 stat potions for late stat-gain I've started saving the +1/-1 stat potions (brawn, intellect etc) in my home until the late stat-gain phase of the game when stats start getting maxed out at 18/100. I find this helps speed up this part of the game, as juggling stats allows me to use all the stat gain potions that I find. So, if I'm maxed out on STR and CON and have strength and con potions, I'll use my saved intellect, nimbleness or contemplation potions to reducing STR or CON and then use the STR and CON potions. Does anyone else find this a useful technique? __________________ Playing roguelikes on and off since 1984. rogue, hack, moria, nethack, angband & zangband.

September 23, 2016, 17:47	#2
AnonymousHero Veteran Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,393	! Sure, it gets you a small advantage, but then so does getting +1 in <favored stat> early on! And who knows if you'll even make it far enough to gain the overall advantage...

September 23, 2016, 18:48	#4
Pondlife Apprentice Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: UK Posts: 78	I guess that shows I'm a bit of a hoarder! In the original rogue (which was more of a resource management game than Angband IMO), I would often die with unused things that might have saved me. When I win in Angband (which is rarely), it's generally a bit underwhelming. __________________ Playing roguelikes on and off since 1984. rogue, hack, moria, nethack, angband & zangband.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
stat boosting potions	Pangarban	Vanilla	6	October 24, 2014 17:37
v3.3.2 potions of 'stat change'	scud	Vanilla	9	February 12, 2013 08:36
gain one, lose one stat potions	bulian	Vanilla	14	September 8, 2011 09:08
Stat gain potions	fizzix	Vanilla	2	October 5, 2009 22:21
Stat Gain	Larvitz	Vanilla	4	February 1, 2009 22:50

September 23, 2016, 18:12	#3
Derakon Prophet Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 9,022	Yeah, my philosophy of Angband is to use items when they're useful. There may be a larger benefit in absolute terms if I wait, but I figure the faster I move along the power curve right now, the sooner I'll get to the late game where large benefits of all kinds are in ready supply. For example, sure, if I saved that potion of Brawn for later, I could get the +1 without having to suffer a -1 somewhere else. But if I use it right now, I'll get to the proper stat gain depths that much sooner. Who knows how many extra stat gain potions I'll pick up in the time saved by using the potion early? Same goes for Acquirement -- if I use it later, I might get an endgame piece of equipment, sure. But if I use it now, I may get an item that helps me to get to the depths where endgame equipment is in relatively plentiful supply.

September 23, 2016, 20:55	#5
Estie Veteran Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Germany Posts: 2,298	I use them immediately, if at all. mage: str, int priest: str, wis everyone else: str, dex

September 24, 2016, 15:21	#7
Egavactip Swordsman Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 440	What I do is wait until I have a backup for a crucial stat. So if I have a priest, for example, I want to raise strength (because who doesn't) but not at the expense of wisdom. So I wait until I get one or more of both brawn and whatever the wisdom one is. That way if drinking brawn messes with wisdom I can fix it.

September 25, 2016, 02:58	#9
Pete Mack Prophet Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 6,858 Donated: $40	I only do this for the half-caster spell stat, and DEX for full casters Primary stats I prefer maximizing ASAP. Once the character is comfortable, then it's time to get the secondary stat up to snuff.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)