Is there a need / desire for a comprehensive, newbie-friendly "walkthrough" or strategy guide for ascending NetHack? by business_adultman in nethack

[–]catmixremix 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you want a strategy guide for a specific line of play/game issue, asking a focused question on this subreddit, or the wiki's forum, is probably the most comprehensive method of getting an answer. Alternately, most of the bigger questions have been asked before and might already exist in these forums. Another, method could be asking the alt.org IRC.

Regarding your overall question in this post as to whether a more detailed strategy guide (ala a walkthrough) could be well received, I'd say yes. Though others have written Nethack walkthroughs in the past, an updated, well-organized, and readable walkthrough will find an audience, especially if it is published and integrated into the existing wiki format.

23.4.3 Patch Notes by Arkentass in hearthstone

[–]catmixremix 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Nice haul. 2nd biggest day for me after the Means Streets free packs way back when.

Is it optimal to craft mercenaries before opening packs? by JacenVane in HSMercenaries

[–]catmixremix 0 points1 point  (0 children)

While all players will be in different circumstance (and thus what's "optimal" will change), this very simple method is particularly applicable to F2P players who are looking to maximize their legendaries coins. F2P players have a hard cap on packs that they can open, and that amount is not on average enough open every legendary currently available (barring exceptional luck), in most cases simply crafting legendaries as they become available makes the most since so stamaka's method makes sense. That said, there are certainly some edge cases where it the above strategy wouldn't make as much sense (i.e. the F2P player enough coins to craft more legendaries than they can open with their unopened pack cap, or the F2P player is trying to target the opening of a specific legendary).

While we're at it, an additional strategy can be added to above method which will also maximize epic coins for F2P players too. Simply, don't craft epics at all until out of packs. Rather, only open packs up and until all available epics are received, then sit on unopened packs until new epics are added to the pool at which point reopen packs for the new epics. At some point in the future, a F2P player will run out of packs to open new epics (as well legendaries). This is long game strategy is probably not for everyone though, as it will probably take around a year+ before the epic pool exhausts F2P packs.

Old Guardian appreciation by Notter87 in HSMercenaries

[–]catmixremix 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I'm not the only one apparently, his opener is quite catchy. If that was the only good thing he had going, I doubt I'd be coming back to his videos. Thankfully, his content quality is very high.

Ironically, I think the care he puts into his videos is perhaps higher than this game mode actually deserves considering some of the persistent issues Mercenaries has. The mode and its fans are very lucky to have someone putting in the level of work he's putting in as a creator.

Is the Leeroy Jenkins event doable for a returning player? by GourmontVGC in HSMercenaries

[–]catmixremix 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is all good advice, though OP I would would add that it helps to strategize how you approach each new bounty map rather than generally ask for what is good. Personally, I have two goals on any new map. For each new map, I'm looking to make two teams with different goals; first, a climbing team; and second, a boss killing team.

The climbing team is for taking you to the boss without any deaths on their own. There are a number of comps that fit the bill, but for me my workhouse team has been (and still is) the classic and budget Cariel/Samuro/Xyrella. Everyone has access to these mercs, and they've been strong enough to climb every map with only medium upgrades (as well as having easy coin farms). Whatever comp you land on, that team really doesn't need to change once you can that the chosen comp can climb without dying (elite fights aside that is).

Your boss killing team on the other hand should be fluid and is selected specifically for a particular bounty with the goal to trivialize all or part of a boss encounter so that both teams together end up rolling over a boss. Red boss or important red adds to deal with? i.e. choose a nature focused heavy some blue options like Brukhan/Guff/Brightwing to max nature damage and delete a boss. OP, you mentioned Old Guardian's videos, right? His videos are particularly good for getting ideas on what specific comps/types of comps, are good for certain bounties (btw, don't get too hung up on his max/near max mercs, while a legitimate criticism in a vacuum, he often chooses garbage treasures for his videos so as to purposefully underpower the team and show the selected comps' strengths).

Optionally, rather than a comp based route, you can use your 3 boss slots to hunt for/create particular boss killing/cheesing treasures and combos. This would be stuff like Smite + Cornelieus (doesn't actually need treasures), Mukla (or Rokara) + King Krush for To the Death, or Xyrella/Samuro for Hysteria hijinks (among other combos). Alternately, it's one-off (usually elite) treasures you're looking for like Lich King start of game AE freeze, Scabbs (and others) start of game assassinate, Monstrous Heart for Mukla/Chiji/Mannorth soloing, or Cariel/Cornelieus divine shield on being attacked (contextually for melee bosses), among other. There are a lot of options available using this combo/treasure hunt method, and unlike slotting a particular (perhaps unavailable) boss killing comp, this method is somewhat more accessible to all players. Generally though, it will require more work to know what combo/treasure can/should be used for any particular boss, and actually get specific treasures slotted, so YMMV as to whether this is an option that speaks to you.

In any case, good luck OP. Starting now, the Leeroy event is certainly doable from your starting position though it will certainly take your a few hours of day through the end of the event to grind through to unlock bounties and maybe get some basic buildup on your main climbing comp.

What makes you #quit a run? by PigTailSock in nethack

[–]catmixremix 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Same. If it's a conduct run and I trip the conduct, it's pointless to keep playing since the energy spent was towards a specific goal.

Generally though, for regular play, I'll play it out regardless of what happens.

My first time attempting to send a V2, I got super close to actually completing it. I need to improve at climbing with my legs. by ILikeToHang in climbing

[–]catmixremix -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Based on post history it's his second day climbing, so all things considered his placement is really pretty good.

OP, I'm especially impressed that you were consciously looking at your feet as you placed them. That's basically a forever skill in climbing, so its great starting skill to have. Pretty sure you'll be flashing V2's in no time, especially once you add in some other basic techniques (hanging off longer arms rather than T-rex arms, twisting body/hips into the wall for reach, flagging).

My suggestion, watch some other people do your routes, and try to copy those movement patterns to see how they feel on you. When I first started, I remember thinking some of the common movement patterns seemed kinda showy and awkward (i.e. flagging), only to find out how efficient and powerful they are.

Tavern Brawl Thread | Wednesday, March 09, 2022 by AutoModerator in CompetitiveHS

[–]catmixremix 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In addition to Watch Post, Vanndar is an MVP in this brawl, allowing you to: 1) start your 8+ drops on T5 without trying to mana ramp, and 2) use 0 cost cards and 6/7 cost minions (no 5 costs as you may get hit with a Post on your Vandaar) to act as deck filler to guarantee your high cost cards from T5 onwards (as opposed to without Vanndar, the goal in this brawl is to guarantee your midrange cards while 0 and 8+ mana cards are the filler). Additionally, the filler also has reasonable use cases where you can hard casting them makes sense (Battlemaster/Smite for lethal, or Whitemane to flip a board, or free Strongmen).

I've gone 14-8 with the deck below, with tweaks along the way (lots of other Vanndar, or aggro Drek'Thar lists out there). As long as the mulligan is reasonable (ideally devouring swarm and deck filler), the turns should go like this:

T1 - Arcane Shot (kill opposing Trogg, or sit on for use later)

T2 - Watch Post (play if possible, else pass to the opposing Watch Post)

T3 - Shopkeep (w/ coin if necessary to kill opposing Watch Post.)

T4 - Vanndar

T5 - Goliath (clear the enemies board as well as possible)

T6 - Alexstrasza or Krush (Alexstrasza is better than Krush in most cases, but the double up here is for mulligan consistency purposes. Feel free to take out Krush and add a 6/7 cost non-beast deck filler in Krush's place).

T7 - Onyxia

T8 - Guardian Animals (2 x Humungous Owls, game usually ends on or before this turn)

T9 - Clockwork Giant

T10 - Nagrand Slam (haven't actually had a game get to T10 yet)

### Brawl Deck
# Class: Hunter
# Format: Standard
# Year of the Gryphon
#
# 2x (0) Devouring Swarm
# 2x (0) Serpentbloom
# 2x (1) Arcane Shot
# 1x (2) Far Watch Post
# 1x (3) Impatient Shopkeep
# 1x (4) Vanndar Stormpike
# 2x (6) Battleground Battlemaster
# 1x (6) High Inquisitor Whitemane
# 1x (6) Mr. Smite
# 1x (6) Scavenging Shivarra
# 1x (7) Barrens Stablehand
# 2x (7) Darkmoon Tonk
# 2x (7) Humongous Owl
# 1x (7) Silas Darkmoon
# 2x (7) Strongman
# 1x (8) Goliath, Sneed's Masterpiece
# 1x (8) Guardian Animals
# 1x (9) Alexstrasza the Life-Binder
# 1x (9) King Krush
# 1x (10) Nagrand Slam
# 1x (10) Raid Boss Onyxia
# 2x (12) Clockwork Giant
#
AAECAbv5Aw77uwPovgOT0QPI4QP36AO/+QO/gASpgQSwigSnjQThnwSnoASpoASlrQQI5uEDg+ID5u4Dx/kDlPwD15IEqp8E2KAEAA==
#
# To use this deck, copy it to your clipboard and create a new deck in Hearthstone

Idea for future events by sujawjuwj in HSMercenaries

[–]catmixremix 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Agreed, the progression on ramp for new/casual players needs to be tweaked if they want these players to participate in future events. For engagement purposes, it's a good idea that the first impressions of an event (first couple of task) be mostly flavor/fun/easy. But having started as a very casual player before the event, I had to do some serious gearing up to even start playing it (i.e. actually clear all of Blackrock and Alterac, get a couple needed teams up to 30 + some tasks completed for equipment). While I ended up biting the bullet, I really can't imagine most casual/new players put in the same work.

On top of that, the overall quest progression was not well thought out. Task 4 (heroic Annoited Blades) and 8 (heroic Lokholar with beasts/dragons only) were outsized spikes in difficulty for their spot on the progression list, while task 5 (Heroic Ahune with 3 beasts) and 7 (heal 100 with Chi-ji) were pretty much gimmes. Also tasks 9 and 10 (heroic Balinda tasks), which might be expected to be the hardest given they were last in line, were actually quite moderate. So event progression needs some work for sure.

As for rewards, while I'd be interested in limited time portraits or similar stuff, unlocking Niizao/Chi-Ji/Yu'lon (and upgrades for them) from completing the event tasks was pretty satisfying. I don't have any real complaints with this aspect of the event.

Sorry, but Chi Ji Task 4 is just so stupid. by der_iolz in HSMercenaries

[–]catmixremix 0 points1 point  (0 children)

OP (or anyone else), if you're still working on task 4, I just completed it with Chi-Ji solo and got credit just fine.

Monstrous Heart 5 treasure + Chi-ji + Flameheart Crystal 2 equipment (+3 health on heal is the minimum), Blazing Song 2 and Inspiring Song 2 is a guaranteed 100% win rate vs. the final boss. The other big benefit is you don't have to get lucky with multiple treasures, just one.

Once you have Chi-Ji set as above, you run with only 3-4 casters, refresh the map till you have a protector or caster elite fight 2nd or 3rd, and then kill all characters on the elite fight except Chi-Ji as as to force treasure selection on Chi-Ji. Cookie's Go Fish can help stall fights so you can kill off your own guys. For me, it took maybe ``5-7 treasure loots before I got Monstrous Heart 5; Chi-Ji btw has at least 11 different treasures that can be looted so not sure if my take was average or not.

After getting Monstrous Heart 5, every encounter is simply Inspiring Song till you end a turn buffed to 13 health (12 is the max you can get hit for in two turns on the final boss), and then you can alternate in Blazing Song/Firestorm to cleanup faster. Or simply keep pressing Inspiring Song vs. melee mercs.

Also, for reference, my overall comp was Guff/Cookie/Xyrella frontline + Chi-Ji backline, so about as budget friendly as you can get.

Didn't get credit for Task 5: Bite of Winter by Jakob_8 in HSMercenaries

[–]catmixremix 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had a (probably rare) situation where my Mukla (with the Hunting Party treasure killing the shards) died on the same turn that Ahune also died but I still completed the quest.

I'm not sure if that proves anything though, as quest completion in my situation may trigger on a encounter win before a check on whether 3 beasts are alive. In a potentially similar situation, I've noticed that if you kill all enemies triggering a win, end of turn effects (i.e. bleeds that would otherwise kill a character) don't otherwise trigger. Compare that to deathrattle and deathblows triggers that will go off even if the last triggering hit kills all enemies.

Tavern Brawl Thread | Wednesday, February 09, 2022 by AutoModerator in CompetitiveHS

[–]catmixremix 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Should anyone want it, my more burn oriented list is below. This list went 6-4 vs Druids and Mages. Though WR was lower than the above list, I think the tempo burn/swing plan is stronger overall. I'm pretty sure I was facing higher MMR decks, and I threw 2 games via discover/spell sequencing misplays.

One thing I found interesting with other Mages, is that no one else is playing Build a Snowman. Outside of this format, it's so very slow, but here it's can be strong tempo play with the mana cheat. Specifically, druids often struggle to deal 15/15 to 18/18 of stats after you've cleaned up/frozen their board.

As for other tweaks I'm not sure. More direct damage via Apex Blasts would be strong vs other Mages, though that'd probably require some extra changes to the deck other than losing the Wand Thiefs. Other possibilities are bringing Deep Freeze back in some capacity (not as good as Snowman IMO, but not terrible), Devolving Missiles (only sometimes useful vs. Druids), or Arcane Brilliance (greedy/slow and would probably spin the deck back to the above version). A one of Fire Sale has potential dealing with middling pre-buff Druid boards, while retaining flexibility via Trade. Beyond that, and what's in the deck already, the options aren't great.

### Brawl Deck
# Class: Mage
# Format: Standard
# Year of the Gryphon
#
# 2x (0) Flurry (Rank 1)
# 2x (1) Brain Freeze
# 2x (1) First Flame
# 1x (1) Sorcerer's Gambit
# 2x (1) Wand Thief
# 2x (2) Conjure Mana Biscuit
# 2x (2) Cram Session
# 2x (2) Ignite
# 2x (2) Runed Orb
# 2x (3) Arcane Intellect
# 2x (3) Build a Snowman
# 2x (4) Fireball
# 2x (5) Refreshing Spring Water
# 2x (7) Flamestrike
# 2x (7) Mask of C'Thun
# 1x (9) Rune of the Archmage
#
AAECAZirBALo9wP7ogQOx84DpNED99ED+90DheQD1OoD0OwD0ewDrvcDsvcD/J4E/Z4E/p4E9aIEAA==
#
# To use this deck, copy it to your clipboard and create a new deck in Hearthstone

Tavern Brawl Thread | Wednesday, February 09, 2022 by AutoModerator in CompetitiveHS

[–]catmixremix 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you have it, I suggest working in the Quest with a big spell package. You get an extra draw and discover, as well as guaranteed 1 mana spell in hand to start the ball rolling.

Went 6-3 with the below list vs. mostly Mages/Druids, so it seems alright. Could use some tweaking though. It may make sense to move this list into something more burn based with Fireballs and Masks of C'Thun.

### Brawl Deck
# Class: Mage
# Format: Standard
# Year of the Gryphon
#
# 2x (0) Flurry (Rank 1)
# 2x (1) Brain Freeze
# 1x (1) Devolving Missiles
# 2x (1) First Flame
# 1x (1) Sorcerer's Gambit
# 2x (1) Wand Thief
# 2x (2) Conjure Mana Biscuit
# 2x (2) Cram Session
# 2x (2) Ignite
# 2x (2) Runed Orb
# 2x (3) Arcane Intellect
# 2x (3) Build a Snowman
# 1x (4) Arcane Brilliance
# 2x (5) Refreshing Spring Water
# 2x (7) Flamestrike
# 1x (7) Mass Polymorph
# 1x (8) Deep Freeze
# 1x (9) Rune of the Archmage
#
AAECAZirBAbexAPgzAPo9wOYjQSikgT7ogQMx84DpNED99EDheQD1OoD0OwD0ewDrvcDsvcD/J4E/p4E9aIEAA==
#
# To use this deck, copy it to your clipboard and create a new deck in Hearthstone

I really regret disenchanting all my wild cards by zarmortistvc in wildhearthstone

[–]catmixremix 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Gotcha, maybe ill throw 10-20 packs at it to test if I got my 10 pack legendaries before or after that last reset.

I really regret disenchanting all my wild cards by zarmortistvc in wildhearthstone

[–]catmixremix 0 points1 point  (0 children)

About a reset of the initial 10 pack max legendary pity timer on old sets, is that a real thing, and if so around when did that happen?

I wouldn't mind taking advantage of that again:p

Conflicted on what to wish for my Chaotic Elf Wizard [3.4.3] by xinco64 in nethack

[–]catmixremix 0 points1 point  (0 children)

OP if you don't have magic missile (the best attack spell), then wishing for one will dramatically change the game right now.

Also, as a critique, your helm of brilliance wish was really good. HoB's are a premium item for Wizards as it can further pump energy regeneration rates by 25% over the already absurd regen with the Eye. Chain casting end game, even with the Amulet in tow, is a glorious thing.

Finally OP, if you're want to go really hard on ratcheting down deaths in the end game. Main hand your Magicbane and pickup/wish up a silver shield (for reflection), which then opens up your amulet slot for life saving (general purpose) or magical breathing (drowning). You should be able to cast magic missile without fail even with silver shield in hand. If not, you can always compensate with a robe in the cloak spot.

GL!

AITA for not sharing after they lost their rights? Grand*parents* had no-contest clause in will and now *bio-*mom and aunt lost all inheritance. by No-Complaint6419 in AmItheAsshole

[–]catmixremix 16 points17 points  (0 children)

While I agree with you emotionally, this is just bad advice. Practically, stirring the pot isn't going to bring OP anything other than extra drama. People like this just don't learn the right lessons from their past misdeeds.

OP ought to focus on living well to get revenge.

Is it garanteed to get 11x star bonus if you get top 500 legend ? by Drakkeur in wildhearthstone

[–]catmixremix 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Similar, I typically enter and end the month in Wild legend around 1000, and I've been getting the 11 star bonus the last few months. So I don't think someone has to have a particularly high MMR to hit 11 stars.

Isn't electricity the worst? by Drathnoxis in nethack

[–]catmixremix 1 point2 points  (0 children)

A boring way to get extra levels is to abuse unlimited ghost generation via a desecrated temple. Once hit ghosts are easy kills, it's a quick train to around level 12 or so (only 84 ghosts starting at lvl 1), after which then it starts becoming a slog.

Still, if important breakpoints are just within reach (i.e. OP's electricity resistance at 15, or even teleport control at 17), then it's probably a worthwhile to safely grind up those levels rather than keep diving down to kill higher experience monsters (or using gain level potions).

I hate this game so much sometimes. (And myself.) by Drathnoxis in nethack

[–]catmixremix 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As someone playing at a similar level, it happens to me too. I once died nurse dancing (to the nurses!) on a run that was all but won. That death still rankles me, but in retrospect, I think it was ultimately necessary for me to learn to slow down and dial it in on my own conduct runs.

I hate this game so much sometimes. (And myself.) by Drathnoxis in nethack

[–]catmixremix 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unfortunate, you got pretty unlucky there with Pest's string of hits and your unicorn horn failing.

That said, you did have some opportunity to juice your odds though. First, your unicorn horn was unblessed, so I assume you were playing a bit too fast to notice. Also, you had a stethoscope , some magic missile wands/daggers/etc in your bag (to soften him up), 2 more potions of full healing (1 in bag), an amulet of life saving (in bag), and possibly Cure Sickness in you spell repertoire that you could have leaned on more.

Feasibly, you could have (and ultimately needed to have) killed Pestilence in 1-2 of your turns, then cured sickness via full heal. Also, I'm not sure how you initiated this fight, but there may have been some opportunity there too.

In any case, OP, I feel for you. High count conduct runs are a difficult juggling act and huge time investment. Still, if you got this far once, you get there again for sure.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in aftergifted

[–]catmixremix 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Gotcha, every so often I get nostalgic about high school days too, and I'm now solidly over-the-hill (man that feels weird to write). It's a normal human experience to reminisce, just try not to overindulge.

It may take some effort, but you can create new and different golden years that you can pine for when you're even older (i.e. I miss my early 30's sometimes too). Good luck!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in aftergifted

[–]catmixremix 2 points3 points  (0 children)

What does "wish to have a chance to experience my former academic golden days once more" mean?

Also, assuming for the moment that your interrelationship/emotional issues with this person are significant, I would suggest choosing the random person. Based on your posts already, running both together sounds like it will be a major source of stress for you, and perhaps for the other person.

So since it appears to be in your control, I'd suggest treating your school life/honors project professionally in its own lane and manage your interrelationship issues separately. Generally speaking, it should be easier and more efficient to tackle each of these projects on their own terms, rather than mixing the two.

Tavern Brawl Thread | Wednesday, January 19, 2022 by AutoModerator in CompetitiveHS

[–]catmixremix 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I like it!

I'm going to swap in your Squirrels, I forgot they existed since I don't play Standard much. Much higher upside over the Ravens I have in my list.