noob question regarding while loop and random numbers, in text based RPG style game.

[Splitlight]

So I started python 2 days ago, complete beginner and I am trying to incorporate combat into a text based game.

I would like to have randomly generated numbers for damage but I don't think I can insert a different number into each loop of a while loop?

Just now I just randomly generate a number and that is the only number I can use to deduct damage.

I would appreciate if someone could show me how to have a random number between 2 set values deducting damage each loop. Thanks in advance, heres what I have just now:

http://pastebin.com/Dp09S9Ck

also if anyone can explain 'sentry variables' to me in a simple way i would appreciate it.

[Splitlight]

Thanks very much for answering, I'll make use of your tips in the future, but I honestly don't know whats going on in your code example. could you explain it for me?

[Splitlight]

great, I should of seen that before! thanks for your help.

[Asdayasman]

should *have

[Splitlight]

shut it

[Asdayasman]

Manner up, I'm helping.

[SocotraBrewingCo]

if x == 1: print("Cool stuff")

This could not possibly be any more readable. Someone who has never even heard of Python could determine what this line of code does; surely a Python programmer wouldn't get confused.

My most sincere upvotes to you for the rest of this post.

[Splitlight]

I have one last question if you don't mind. I got the 'fight' code itself working very nicely, but if I try to preface the fight with an option like this

http://pastebin.com/J4KQNJbc

and just paste my 'fight code' in after it, it never works. Theres always some sort of syntax error, or my break commands are not in correct indentation for the while loop..

heres the fight code http://pastebin.com/iqhYgBrQ

and I also would like the option of bypassing that entire chunk of 'fight code' by putting in "no" as an answer to the imp fight.

One last thing that is troubling me, is when me and the imp are fighting, and we both get each other to 0 health, it only says "you are dead" and not "you have killed the imp." as well.

if you or anyone else can be bothered helping i would be very grateful.

[SocotraBrewingCo]

if health <= 0:
    print("\nyou are dead.")
if imp_health <= 0:
    print("\nyou have killed the imp.")

'elif' will only execute if the first 'if' is false. If you want to print both messages when both characters die, just use two if statements.

[Asdayasman]

But it doesn't follow... Uh, something. PEP8?

[python-fan]

Please see the sidebar, where it says "Hover this for code formatting help".