...Nothing better than Dragons? [spoiler inside]

[yntsh]

After playing the SP of LoH v3, I am playing a MP Valkyrie melee fighter. I have been enjoying the game, replayed all main quests from SP game, entered the two 45+ dungeons and done the 45+ King's quest.

Suddenly, and after exploring the full map (at least as much as I could), I realized that the only thing to do was to build up to 120 to unlock the two last areas of the games!!!

Is this right? Aren't there any more "in-between quests"?

Escher's waterfall does not seem to add anything beside the message you can read in the megamap, which seems to be meaningless until you reach lvl 120...

To reach lvl 120, I started exploring the more promising areas for a "hunting ground". The Valkyries' seemed to be the best. However, after reaching lvl 90 or something, payback started to get awful: an hour (about 4 or 5 runs) would give me no more than +0.8 increase in my main stat. More, only the final and bigger dragons contribute significantly to this value (the others contribute +0.01 per run). Their respawn rate between 10/15 min does not help either... And it seems to get worse as I level up, although the number of the "lesser" dragons increases slightly from time to time. Moreover, the dragon minions do not seem to contribute to experience (because of their level or because it was not supposed to).

Was it meant to be like this? I mean, am I in the expected spot at this point of the game, or did I totally miss something. Things were quite smooth until this point...

Of course, you get one interesting item in 2 clicking hours, or after a huge amount of hours collecting cash you can spend some of it with the dwarves... but at the growth rate, and without any backup story at this point supported by quests it can get quite "unenjoyable".

I was really looking forward to see the two "final" areas of the game though, and finishing the valkyrie set. Can put these as my personal goals in MP (before trying another race/class!).

I would like to read about people thoughts regarding the end game in the MP of this fantastic mod (although I am not sure about the "end game" term, as I am quite far from the 150 limit...): personal goals/quests, things that they thought to be the more enjoyable, and when they decided to quit.

[charietto]

You don't know that good old Rich?
Try searching on this forum about "forumite" (actually the little orange stone that you have already seen in the chest at the end of the Valkyries training ground), to learn more about that nasty creature, and how to make him appear, ready to be violently bashed on the head to give you the experience you need to reach level 120.

Also, if I recall correctly, Lactri herself is level 150 in MP, so she's still worth lots of experience at your level.

[Kilarin]

Aren't there any more "in-between quests"?

Unfortunately, not.

We have the main campaign, several adventures you can go on after that, and then a HUGE gap before the Island and the cave.

Many of us would absolutely LOVE to see that gap filled with more story and more adventures. BUT, Xaa is just one person, and the amount of content built into LOH is already unbelievable as it is.

Besides that, Xaa had to put up with a lot of SERIOUS abuse over LOH. Not JUST complaints and whining (although there was plenty of that), but theft of his intellectual property, insults, and even death threats. (over the compression format no less, if I remember correctly, sheesh).

And, quite understandably, he got a bit burned out on the whole thing. Perhaps SOMEDAY he would be interested in going back and expanding LOH even further, but I would be surprised. (Very PLEASANTLY surprised though!)

But anyway, expansion dreams aside, the good news is that LOH is a great enough story as is to be worth playing over and over again.

[Liantedan]

kilarin said:

But anyway, expansion dreams aside, the good news is that LOH is a great enough story as is to be worth playing over and over again.

Indeed. I still play LoH occasionally, (still trying to get that staff 'of the Immortal') and as of late I got 2 of my cousins into it, too. One of them is too young to actually understand the English (not our native tongue), but the other one is getting fully absorbed in it. The only reason she isn't playing the SP game, is because I'm keeping her DS-cd hostage so she's able to work on her thesis instead of playing games... I'm cruel like that.

Next up will be getting her into Mageworld, though that may still take a bit more time. She likes playing ranged in LoH, which is good, but I got her to try a mage now, so she'd be getting used to being very alert, which would improve her chances of survivel through Mw. But do correct me if I'm wrong.

And I'm really going offtopic here... Time to get back ontopic :

There is, unfortunately, no other in-between step for experience after the Dragons and before the Island, other then RoF (Rich of Forumite).

Also unfortunately, Kilarin is right about the abuse Xaa has gotten over LoH. Too many people complained about various things, even about things those very same people were begging for in the first place, and getting death-threats for creating something free to entertain others would be enough to make anyone lose their motivation on it.
I can't blame Xaa for being fed up with LoH, but I won't stop telling him that there are still people who like LoH and thank him for creating it.

And on the comment of not having much chance to have Xaa picking up LoH again, I fully agree with Kilarin. It will likely never happen, though if it would I'd be very pleasantly surprised.

Oh, and charietto, I thought Lactri was level 100, and Fury level 150. I might be wrong though...

[charietto]

I just verified in Xaa's skrit tutorial, and she's 150 there. We will need the confirmation from our favorite rodent about her in-game stats though.

[Xaa]

charietto said:

I just verified in Xaa's skrit tutorial, and she's 150 there. We will need the confirmation from our favorite rodent about her in-game stats though.

Short answer: Level 150 multiplayer, level 50 singleplayer.

Long answer:

/* -------------------------------------------------------------------
Lactri, the Spider Goddess, goes here.

Haxx0r_D00d: "Look! It's Lactri, the Spider Goddess! HAH! She only has 3400 hit points! This will be easy!"

Lactri, Queen of Death: "Hello, HD. This is my new spell - it's called Soul Destruction. I'm only triggered to cast it when I see people with more max hit points than me. Bang - you're dead."

Haxx0r_D00d: "Hey! I had over seven thousand hit points, dammit!"

Lactri: "That's nice. The spell makes you emit a 'WE_EXPLODED' message, however. Did I mention I'm a goddess of evil?"
------------------------------------------------------------------- */

[t:template,n:spider_robo_suit]
{
category_name = "1W_evil_b";
doc = "spider_robo_suit";
specializes = actor_custom;
[actor]
{
[skills]
{
strength =   106, 0;
dexterity =   50, 0;
intelligence =  23, 0;
combat_magic =  150, 0;
ranged =  150, 0;
}
}
[aspect]
{
experience_value = 47252249423; // 9695926390662;
life = 3391;
max_life = 3391;
mana = 611;
max_mana = 611;
       life_recovery_unit  = 1;
       life_recovery_period = 5;
model = m_c_ebb_gs_pos_1;
       scale_base = 2;
// model = m_c_edm_sp_pos_1;
[textures]
{
0 = b_c_ebb_gs_lsg;
}
bounding_volume_scale = 1.6;
material = steel;
[voice]
{
[die] { * = s_e_call_lactri_SED; }
[enemy_spotted] { * = s_e_call_lactri_SED; }
}
}
[body]
{
avg_move_velocity = 9;
[bone_translator]
{
body_anterior = headbone;
body_mid = bone01;
body_posterior = body3_abdomen;
kill_bone = bone01;
shield_bone = rtmandible;
weapon_bone = ltmandible;
}
[chore_dictionary]
{
chore_prefix = a_c_ebb_gs_fs;
[chore_default]
{
chore_stances = 0;
skrit = infinite_loop;
[anim_files] { 00=ds; }
}
[chore_die]
{
chore_stances = 0;
skrit = select_transition;
[anim_files] { 00=ds; }
// [anim_files] { 00=di; }
}
[chore_fidget]
{
chore_stances = 0;
skrit = select_fidget;
[anim_files]
{
00=dff;
00=dff-02;
00=dff-03;
}
}
[chore_walk]
{
chore_stances = 0;
skrit = select_walk;
[anim_files] { 00=wl; }
}
}
}
[common]
{
screen_name="Lactri";
membership=vicious, monster,immune_charm,immune_control,immune_freeze,immune_polymorph,immune_align_change,immune_explode;
}
[attack]
{
attack_range = 3.0;
}
[defend] { defense=1350; }
[follower] {  }
[inventory]
{
}
[mind]
{
jat_move   = world\ai\jobs\common\job_move.skrit;
jat_brain = world\ai\jobs\actors\evil\brain_rbs_legs2.skrit
?ttorso = "spider_robo_suit_torso_01";
jat_die = world\ai\jobs\actors\evil\job_die_explode.skrit;
jat_fidget = world\ai\jobs\common\job_fidget.skrit;
jat_stop = world\ai\jobs\common\job_stop.skrit;

actor_auto_fidgets = true;
melee_engage_range = 25;
on_engaged_lost_consciousness_abort_attack = true;
personal_space_range = 3.0;
ranged_engage_range = 25.5;
sight_range = 26.0;
actor_life_ratio_low_threshold = 0.75;
}
[physics]
{
break_effect = robo_legs_explosion;
explosion_magnitude = 3.0;
gib_gore_good = true;
[break_particulate]
{
frag_glb_spider_01 = 1;
frag_glb_spider_02 = 3;
frag_glb_spider_03 = 5;
frag_glb_spider_04 = 5;
frag_glb_spider_05 = 1;
}
}
[hate_aura] {}
}

[t:template,n:spider_robo_suit_torso_01]
{
// category_name = "1W_evil_b";
doc = "spider_robo_suit";
specializes = actor_custom;
[actor]
{
[skills]
{
strength =   106, 0;
dexterity =   50, 0;
intelligence =  23, 0;
combat_magic =  150, 0;
ranged =  150, 0;
}
}
[aspect]
{
is_invincible = true;
model = m_c_gah_fg_pos_a1_lsg;
[textures]
{
0 = b_c_gah_fg_skin_31lsg;
1 = b_c_pos_a1_shrt_022lsg;
}
material = flesh;
[voice]
{
[cast] { * = s_e_call_lactri_SED; }
}
}
[body]
{
[bone_translator]
{
body_anterior = bip01_head;
body_mid = bip01_spine2;
body_posterior = bip01_pelvis;
kill_bone = bip01_spine2;
shield_bone = shield_grip;
weapon_bone = weapon_grip;
}
[chore_dictionary]
{
initial_chore = chore_default;
[chore_misc]
{
skrit = robo_suit_torso2;
[anim_files]
{
atak = a_c_gah_fg_fs0_mg-04_lsg;
dff0 = a_c_gah_fg_fs0_mg-04_lsg;
}
}
[chore_default]
{
skrit = robo_suit_torso2;
[anim_files]
{
00 = a_c_gah_fg_fs0_mg-04_lsg;
}
}
[chore_fidget]
{
skrit = robo_suit_torso2;
[anim_files]
{
00 = a_c_gah_fg_fs0_mg-04_lsg;
}
}
[chore_magic]
{
skrit = robo_suit_torso2;
[anim_files]
{
00 = a_c_gah_fg_fs0_mg-04_lsg;
01 = a_c_gah_fg_fs0_mg-04_lsg;
}
}
}
}
[common]
{
screen_name="Lactri";
[template_triggers]
{
[/li][li]
{
action* = call_sfx_script("ring_fire3");
condition* = receive_world_message("WE_ENTERED_WORLD");
single_shot = true;
}
}
}
[defend] { defense=1350; }
[follower] {}
[inventory]
{
selected_active_location = il_active_primary_spell;
// [other] { il_active_primary_spell=spell_robo_suit_torso; }
[other] { il_active_primary_spell=spell_black_lightning_monster; }
}
[mind]
{
jat_brain = world\ai\jobs\actors\evil\brain_rbs_torso2.skrit;
jat_attack_object = world\ai\jobs\actors\evil\job_attack_torso2.skrit;
jat_fidget = world\ai\jobs\common\job_fidget.skrit;

actor_auto_fidgets = false;
melee_engage_range = 25;
personal_space_range = 0.7;
ranged_engage_range = 25.5;
sight_range = 26.0;

actor_may_be_attacked = false;

sensor_scan_period = 2.0;
}
[attach_robo2]
{
ttorso = "spider_robo_suit_torso_01";
}
[cheater_scanner] {}
[physics]
{
break_effect = robo_torso_explosion;
explosion_magnitude = 3.0;
gib_gore_good = true;
[break_particulate]
{
frag_glb_spider_01 = 1;
frag_glb_spider_02 = 3;
frag_glb_spider_03 = 5;
frag_glb_spider_04 = 5;
frag_glb_spider_05 = 1;
}
}
}

[t:template,n:spider_robo_suit_torso_02]
{
// category_name = "1W_evil_b";
// This is the 'single-player' version of the torso.  
// It doesn't hit as hard, as Lactri is only toying
// with you in SP and you're not that tough anyway.
doc = "spider_robo_suit";
specializes = actor_custom;
[actor]
{
[skills]
{
strength =   106, 0;
dexterity =   50, 0;
intelligence =  23, 0;
combat_magic =  50, 0;
ranged =  50, 0;
}
}
[aspect]
{
is_invincible = true;
model = m_c_gah_fg_pos_a1_lsg;
[textures]
{
0 = b_c_gah_fg_skin_31lsg;
1 = b_c_pos_a1_shrt_022lsg;
}
material = flesh;
[voice]
{
[cast] { * = s_e_call_lactri_SED; }
}
}
[body]
{
[bone_translator]
{
body_anterior = bip01_head;
body_mid = bip01_spine2;
body_posterior = bip01_pelvis;
kill_bone = bip01_spine2;
shield_bone = shield_grip;
weapon_bone = weapon_grip;
}
[chore_dictionary]
{
initial_chore = chore_default;
[chore_misc]
{
skrit = robo_suit_torso2;
[anim_files]
{
atak = a_c_gah_fg_fs0_mg-04_lsg;
dff0 = a_c_gah_fg_fs0_mg-04_lsg;
}
}
[chore_default]
{
skrit = robo_suit_torso2;
[anim_files]
{
00 = a_c_gah_fg_fs0_mg-04_lsg;
}
}
[chore_fidget]
{
skrit = robo_suit_torso2;
[anim_files]
{
00 = a_c_gah_fg_fs0_mg-04_lsg;
}
}
[chore_magic]
{
skrit = robo_suit_torso2;
[anim_files]
{
00 = a_c_gah_fg_fs0_mg-04_lsg;
01 = a_c_gah_fg_fs0_mg-04_lsg;
}
}
}
}
[common]
{
screen_name="Lactri";
[template_triggers]
{
[/li][li]
{
action* = call_sfx_script("ring_fire3");
condition* = receive_world_message("WE_ENTERED_WORLD");
single_shot = true;
}
}
}
[defend] { defense=1350; }
[follower] {}
[inventory]
{
selected_active_location = il_active_primary_spell;
// [other] { il_active_primary_spell=spell_robo_suit_torso; }
[other] { il_active_primary_spell=spell_black_lightning_monster; }
}
[mind]
{
jat_brain = world\ai\jobs\actors\evil\brain_rbs_torso2.skrit;
jat_attack_object = world\ai\jobs\actors\evil\job_attack_torso2.skrit;
jat_fidget = world\ai\jobs\common\job_fidget.skrit;

actor_auto_fidgets = false;
melee_engage_range = 25;
personal_space_range = 0.7;
ranged_engage_range = 25.5;
sight_range = 26.0;

actor_may_be_attacked = false;

sensor_scan_period = 2.0;
}
[attach_robo2]
{
ttorso = "spider_robo_suit_torso_02";
}
[cheater_scanner] {}
[physics]
{
break_effect = robo_torso_explosion;
explosion_magnitude = 3.0;
gib_gore_good = true;
[break_particulate]
{
frag_glb_spider_01 = 1;
frag_glb_spider_02 = 3;
frag_glb_spider_03 = 5;
frag_glb_spider_04 = 5;
frag_glb_spider_05 = 1;
}
}
}

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

[t:template,n:lactri]
{
category_name = "1W_evil_b";
doc = "Lactri, the Spider-Goddess (Multiplayer)";
specializes = spider_robo_suit;
[aspect]
{
megamap_icon = <none>;
}
[common]
{
screen_name="Lactri";
membership=vicious, monster,immune_charm,immune_control,immune_freeze,immune_polymorph,immune_align_change,immune_explode;
is_multi_player  = true;
is_single_player = false;
}
[inventory]
{
selected_active_location = il_active_primary_spell;
[other] { il_active_primary_spell=spell_black_lightning_monster; }
    [pcontent]
{
[all*]
{
[all*]
{
chance = 1.0;
il_main = spell_black_lightning;
il_main = spell_soul_destruction;
il_main = spell_summon_lactrispawn;
}
[oneof*]
{
il_main = #weapon/301-421;
il_main = #armor/646-1413;
il_main = #ring/150-398;
il_main = #amulet/150-320;
max = 16;
min = 8;
}
[gold*]
{
max = 3362096;
min = 1963714;
piles = 20 - 30;
}
[oneof*]
{
il_main = #weapon/-rare(1)/361-421;
il_main = #armor/-rare(1)/787-928;
il_main = #*/-rare(1)/361-421;
il_main = #ring/-rare(1)/150-398;
il_main = #amulet/-rare(1)/200-320;
max = 16;
min = 8;
}
[oneof*]
{
il_main = #weapon/-unique(2)/361-421;
il_main = #armor/-unique(2)/787-928;
il_main = #*/-unique(2)/361-421;
il_main = #ring/-unique(2)/150-398;
il_main = #amulet/-unique(2)/200-320;
max = 16;
min = 8;
}
[oneof*]
{
il_main = #body,ro/713-1410;
il_main = #body,ro/444-713;
il_main = #body/444-518;
il_main = #body/520-637;
il_main = #body/639-713;
il_main = #body/713-1410;
il_main = #gloves/60-518;
il_main = #gloves/520-637;
il_main = #gloves/639-713;
il_main = #gloves/713-1410;
il_main = #helm/60-518;
il_main = #helm/520-637;
il_main = #helm/639-713;
il_main = #helm/713-1410;
il_main = #boots/60-518;
il_main = #boots/520-637;
il_main = #boots/639-713;
il_main = #boots/713-1410;
il_main = #shield/60-518;
il_main = #shield/520-637;
il_main = #shield/639-713;
il_main = #shield/713-1410;
il_main = #weapon/60-105;
il_main = #weapon/105-210;
il_main = #weapon/210-315;
il_main = #weapon/315-420;
il_main = #weapon/420-1410;
il_main = #ring/60-105;
il_main = #ring/105-210;
il_main = #ring/210-315;
il_main = #ring/315-398;
il_main = #ring/398-1410;
il_main = #amulet/60-105;
il_main = #amulet/105-210;
il_main = #amulet/210-315;
il_main = #amulet/315-320;
il_main = #amulet/320-1410;
max = 16;
min = 8;
}
}
}
}
}

[t:template,n:lactri_SP]
{
category_name = "1W_evil_b";
doc = "Lactri, the Spider-Goddess (Single Player)";
specializes = spider_robo_suit;
[aspect]
{
// She's not worth as much experience because she
// doesn't hit as hard in the single-player game.
// In single-player, she's toned down to just a
// very tough level 50 mob with a buttload of
// hit points and insane defense.
experience_value = 23262; // 75713;
}
[common]
{
screen_name="Lactri";
membership=vicious, monster,immune_charm,immune_control,immune_freeze,immune_polymorph,immune_align_change,immune_explode;
is_multi_player  = false;
is_single_player = true;
}
[mind]
{
jat_move   = world\ai\jobs\common\job_move.skrit;
jat_brain = world\ai\jobs\actors\evil\brain_rbs_legs2.skrit
?ttorso = "spider_robo_suit_torso_02";
jat_die = world\ai\jobs\actors\evil\job_die_explode.skrit;
jat_fidget = world\ai\jobs\common\job_fidget.skrit;
jat_stop = world\ai\jobs\common\job_stop.skrit;

actor_auto_fidgets = true;
melee_engage_range = 13;
on_engaged_lost_consciousness_abort_attack = true;
personal_space_range = 3.0;
ranged_engage_range = 14.0;
sight_range = 20.0;
actor_life_ratio_low_threshold = 0.75;
}
[inventory]
{
selected_active_location = il_active_primary_spell;
[other] { il_active_primary_spell=spell_black_lightning_monster; }
// She also drops less loot in single-player, but there's
// a good chance that stuff she drops will be 'priceless',
// since she's still dropping loot like a lev 150 mob.
// Also, she's still the only source for the 'Black Lightning'
// and 'Soul Destruction' spells in Hyperborea.
    [pcontent]
{
[all*]
{
[all*]
{
chance = 1.0;
il_main = spell_black_lightning;
il_main = spell_soul_destruction;
}
[oneof*]
{
il_main = #weapon/301-421;
il_main = #armor/646-1413;
il_main = #ring/150-398;
il_main = #amulet/150-320;
max = 4;
min = 3;
}
[gold*]
{
max = 3362096;
min = 1963714;
piles = 15 - 20;
}
[oneof*]
{
il_main = #weapon/-rare(1)/361-421;
il_main = #armor/-rare(1)/787-928;
il_main = #*/-rare(1)/361-421;
il_main = #ring/-rare(1)/150-398;
il_main = #amulet/-rare(1)/200-320;
max = 3;
min = 2;
}
[oneof*]
{
il_main = #weapon/-unique(2)/361-421;
il_main = #armor/-unique(2)/787-928;
il_main = #*/-unique(2)/361-421;
il_main = #ring/-unique(2)/150-398;
il_main = #amulet/-unique(2)/200-320;
max = 3;
min = 2;
}
[oneof*]
{
il_main = #body,ro/713-1410;
il_main = #body,ro/444-713;
il_main = #body/444-518;
il_main = #body/520-637;
il_main = #body/639-713;
il_main = #body/713-1410;
il_main = #gloves/60-518;
il_main = #gloves/520-637;
il_main = #gloves/639-713;
il_main = #gloves/713-1410;
il_main = #helm/60-518;
il_main = #helm/520-637;
il_main = #helm/639-713;
il_main = #helm/713-1410;
il_main = #boots/60-518;
il_main = #boots/520-637;
il_main = #boots/639-713;
il_main = #boots/713-1410;
il_main = #shield/60-518;
il_main = #shield/520-637;
il_main = #shield/639-713;
il_main = #shield/713-1410;
il_main = #weapon/60-105;
il_main = #weapon/105-210;
il_main = #weapon/210-315;
il_main = #weapon/315-420;
il_main = #weapon/420-1410;
il_main = #ring/60-105;
il_main = #ring/105-210;
il_main = #ring/210-315;
il_main = #ring/315-398;
il_main = #ring/398-1410;
il_main = #amulet/60-105;
il_main = #amulet/105-210;
il_main = #amulet/210-315;
il_main = #amulet/315-320;
il_main = #amulet/320-1410;
max = 3;
min = 2;
}
}
}
}
}


[Xaa]

yntsh said:

Is this right? Aren't there any more "in-between quests"?

Nope. Sorry.

At the time I made LoH, I simply didn't think about it.

The only "easy" way to get from 90 to 120 is to beat up on Rich of Forumite. He's not mentioned in the game, he's an easter-egg that pretty much everyone who followed the development of the game knew about.

I'll spare you the long and gory story of the real-life person, and simply say this is an incredibly large and incredibly stupid troll that you can only summon once. He regens amazingly fast and if you don't gib him and don't leave the immediate area he appears in, he comes right back from death and whomps you again.

To get RoF, you'll need the forumite you find in the dragon area. There's a certain character in the game whom you have to be standing next to when you drop the forumite. Do it right, and the forumite will disappear, and Rich of Forumite, the loudest and most annoying forum troll in the history of mankind, will incarnate and attempt to kick your ass.

That's about all you need to know - the rest is just a matter of figuring out which NPC in the game might actually be Rich of Forumite in disguise. Here's a hint: It's not going to be anyone smart.

[yntsh]

Actually, forumite was what brought me to the forum (forum--ite). Something that could be spoken about at the forum.

I finally found where I should use it. Literally, my problem has been watered down... I will give my Valkyrie some health potions and let her fight during the night (seems that she can hold up pretty well without my help on "easy"). Not sure what level she will be in the morning though...

I don't think it's cheating: I know my Lady Valkyrie will have a tough fight tonight, and will appreciate her effort. But I just can't stand clicking and clicking as if I was waiting for my next candy (although the drops are quite good, and hope they still be there in morning)... while the story remains at the same point: I think it's kind of a dragonite, something you get from fighting dragons over and over, without any reason besides raising your level...

Can't wait to sail out and know more about what happened to the elves and humans. Thanks for the hints.

By the way, is it possible to bypass the endless stairs on Lactri runs? Don't want to know how, just if it is possible.

PS. The forum search did not reveal any hint on where to use forumite. I am glad, not only because of the feeling of discovery but also because I could find some very dangerously looking chest that I never had seen before...

[Xaa]

yntsh said:

By the way, is it possible to bypass the endless stairs on Lactri runs?

No, but you can use speed-increasing spells to run by everything.

Despite what the characters say in the game, there really is no "trick" to the endless stairs. They're not endless, they're just a kilometer high.

No, seriously! I hooked the stairs together to make them exactly one kilometer high. In the distance your character travels going 'round and 'round, you end up running 3.14 kilometers. That's why it takes so long - it really is big.

[yntsh]

I am kind of "role playing" a valkyrie sword wielder afraid of all kind of magic - that is why she spends so much time outside of Asgard, she just can't stand it anymore . She does not use anything magical: only non-magical armor. Well, actually, I ended up raising Combat Magic to 1 due to armor crafting, though. Right now, she is wearing the crafted full plate armor and looking forward for the valkyrie set that will be the probably her last armor in the game. The rationale is that although the set will be probably magical, it is the Valkyrie set, and may be the key for overcoming her fear of magic... That is what the eternal flame told her in a dream - mmm, a dream inside a dream? :-). Coming back to the point: without speed enhancing magic, the stairs are kind of a turn-off for Lactri runs - but I have the Fury Cave now and a reason to be there - the valkyrie set - so it's fine!

Btw, my Valkyrie was lvl 123 when I woke up, and the loot was about 580 M. Too bad she does not use anything magical. What will I use my money on? It is very tempting, however, to drop out of character and buy the uber-rings or amulets... Next character will have some kind of magic addiction to compensate...

Thanks again for all the hints.

[Kilarin]

I am kind of "role playing" a valkyrie sword wielder afraid of all kind of magic

Ha! I'm not the only one who makes up little sub-stories like this.

[yntsh]

Ha! I'm not the only one who makes up little sub-stories like this.

For me, it's all about telling a story.

Every element of the game serves the greater purpose of advancing the story. In this kind of games, however, the story usually progresses by jumps (in-between these, we usually have to click until our hand hurts, or in the best games, the variety of challenges will keep us entertained). By creating "sub-stories", some part of the story will always be moving on. I usually create these by developing a character concept. Even when the main plot is just waiting for the hack&slash to end, something is happening within the character.

Although most games use a predefined linear plot, and the player merely sees the story unfolding as it was meant to, the character concept helps me to take the role-playing aspect to a deeper level (at least deeper than being only a label on the box). It's kind of the opposite of power-gaming. In power gaming, each time you have to select the next aspect of your character to build-up, your decision will be made based on which path will "exploit" more the rules so your character will be the most powerful. The next place to go will also be chosen based on the same kind of reasoning. Some call that roll-playing, based on the "munchkin" tradition in pen-and-paper role playing games. Using a character concept, the choice over what aspect to build (or where to go) is simply based on this same concept. On one side, it's less stressful (at least for me), you don't have to optimize everything, and make huge stat worksheets to find out which is the best, you "just" stay in character (others may find that stressful ). There are some limitations, of course: if you decide your character will not kill anyone/anything in DS, you may have a problem...

Another (and more interesting) aspect of this approach, is that it makes (IMHO) your game not only more enjoyable but also more re-playable (which is important when you consider the price of a computer game). Each time you play, you kind of concentrate on the character and how it relates to the main story, and not only on the main story (that you know after playing the game once, anyway), so every game will feel different, and you will want to replay it. If you take power-gaming, after finding the best build, there is no more reason to keep playing. Of course, by then, there will be a patch that changes the balance so you can start all over again... I think a power-gamer may experience a certain feeling of loss (not sure it is the best word) at that point. Because the character was built to be the more powerful, and now the patch just made it meaningless... Concept characters are immune to this, the concept remains unchanged by the patch. More: imagination is the only limit to create a new character concept, and start the game over. You don't even need to take the concept very deep at first, just one or two guidelines are enough. Then as you play the game you add to the concept as opportunities arise (e.g. being poisoned in a battle can have interesting side-effect, or make you search for another path to where you were heading).

Note that I am not stating that power-gaming is bad and the concept character approach is better. I have many friends who enjoy the rule-exploit challenge, and others who enjoy the story-exploit (if I may I call it so) challenge. Either way, the fun-factor always rules. I am just making the point that there may be other perspectives on approaching a game from the player perspective.

[Kilarin]

For me, it's all about telling a story.

I absolutely agree. I made up subplots in mageworld about saving velvet. Spent time summoning large piles of food for the poor Virhata. In my first game I walked all the way back across the first row to return the 3 runes I had stolen to their respective owners and apologize.
In LOH, there were all kinds of little stories I was playing with. Loved that game, still do. Heck, I'll probably play it AGAIN sometime soon.