On Sat, 29 Jan 2022 23:45:53 -0800 (PST), Chris Bowers wrote:
> Man petless arcs are as difficult as looking at the news and being optimistic.
[...]
> Anyone else done petless arcs?
I use pets only for B/U-C identification until the first altar is found
and sometimes for early "shopping". In any case, the pet usually is
left (behind a keyed niche door) on first or second level and only
approached for the above two reasons.
With Arc, you'd want to go for a quick equipment rally. A first dagger
(at least) can usually be obtained at first level. Afterwards, I tend
to speed-run down to about level 4 or even 6 without exploring much of
the levels. (But taking note of any shop/vault noises and the entry to
the mines.) Now back to level 2 and completing exploration of any level
up to the one with minetown entry. Take a stance near the upstairs on
the first minetown-level and kill the first few monsters that come for
you. Take the loot back to the main dungeon and B/U-C-identify it. If
possible, sell surplus items.
Afterwards, you should have some light(!) armor and a couple of throwing
weapons. I prefer daggers to darts to advance only the skill-slot that
is of more use later on in the game. (And at this point, dagger is most
likely still the currently wielded weapon; swappable to the whip or the
pickaxe, if necessary.) But until enough daggers have been found, any
throwable weapon is fine.
Arc relies on speed, stealth and ranged (throwing) kills early on. So
always keep a cleared retreat path. Don't get burdened (or worse) early
in the game, whenever there's a chance you need to fight or run. Enhance
strength by playing a bit with boulders laying around and get as early
poison resistance as possible by using the tinning kit. Dig up vaults
and gems and make use of this loot if you find something useful in shops.
Get artifact weapon via sacrificing or (if lawful) Excalibur via dipping,
once you came across a long sword and are advanced enough to deal with
the unhealthy consequences, that may come from dipping. Have a means
to teleport ready, nevertheless, when dipping.
If the first artifact weapon from sacrificing is fairly decent, don't
press on. It may be better to reserve an early wish for Grayswandir.
(And you would not want too many artifacts be around, when it comes to
this.) Another thing worth doing as lawful or Neutral Arc is getting
crowned relatively early, if no longsword was obtained by sacrificing,
already. (To get the skill-slot for longsword unlocked and maybe some
missing resistances, as well.) If you do this, be aware of the enhanced
prayer timeout, though.
Buy protection as soon as possible. (But with Arc I don't recommend a
protection-run to minetown too early.)
After dagger has advanced to basics, train two-weapon. But /only/ on
weak monsters in places, where you can't be overrun. Spellcasting (if
at all) should concentrate on divination with Arc.
Everything else depends on the course of the game.
BeAr
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