1 |
=begin comment |
2 |
*** |
3 |
*** WARNING: THIS IS A GENERATED FILE - CHANGES WILL BE LOST |
4 |
*** The source for this file is in CFPlus/pod/skill_help.pod |
5 |
*** Make any changes there and then run ./copy_doc |
6 |
*** |
7 |
=end comment |
8 |
|
9 |
=head1 Skills |
10 |
|
11 |
=head1 Description |
12 |
|
13 |
Instead of gaining experience for basically just killing monsters (and |
14 |
disarming traps) you can also gain experience in a variety of other |
15 |
skills, which can either be learned or used through a skill tool or |
16 |
talisman. |
17 |
|
18 |
=head1 X<skill_description>Skill Descriptions |
19 |
|
20 |
Below is a more detailed description of each skills and how they are used. |
21 |
|
22 |
=head2 alchemy |
23 |
|
24 |
You can identify potions, containers, and different kinds of ore and |
25 |
mineral, mix potions and create other stuff (such as gold, weapons, deadly |
26 |
monsters killing him/her etc.) from other ingredients using a cauldron |
27 |
L<$ARCH/cauldron.x11>. |
28 |
|
29 |
To identify alchemy stuff you have to stand over it or have it in your inventory and |
30 |
issue the command C<use_skill alchemy>. The alchemy items will be identified. Some might |
31 |
not get identified if your alchemy level is too low. |
32 |
|
33 |
A higher alchemy level will also help you to estimate the value of items better. |
34 |
|
35 |
To create something new, for example some dust or potion, you have to get a B<cauldron>. |
36 |
You find these in shops, guilds and some appartments. Some alchemy shops also let you use |
37 |
their cauldron for a fee. All you need now is to know what items creates which other item. |
38 |
You learn the ingredients this by finding recipes. It is B<very important> that you B<identify> |
39 |
all ingredients for a recipe before using them! |
40 |
|
41 |
For a start you could try to make B<water of the wise>: |
42 |
Get 7 water bottles (filled), identify them, put them in a cauldron, do C<use_skill alchemy>. |
43 |
If everything worked there should be B<water of the wise> in the cauldron now. |
44 |
Congratulations, your first alchemy was done! |
45 |
|
46 |
Be careful when doing alchemy and trying complicated receipes, they might fail and |
47 |
will backfire heavily at you. |
48 |
|
49 |
I<Never, ever, do alchemy in your home or in public places!> You can |
50 |
easily create powerful monsters that will kill you, kill you again when |
51 |
you wake up in your savebed, kill you again... etc. |
52 |
|
53 |
=head2 bargaining |
54 |
|
55 |
This skill helps you to bargain in shops when buying and selling. The higher |
56 |
your bargaining level is the better prices you will get. Besides having a high |
57 |
bargaining skill it helps a lot to have a high L<charisma|stat_Cha> stat. |
58 |
|
59 |
When you are in a shop, you can C<use_skill bargaining> to see whether that |
60 |
shop will buy the items you want to sell at a higher price than others and |
61 |
whether the shopkeeper likes you. Elf shopkeepers will like elf players. |
62 |
|
63 |
=head2 bowyer |
64 |
|
65 |
You can identify missile weapons and missiles such as arrows, bolts and |
66 |
bows. One can also create special bows and arrows from other ingredients |
67 |
using the bowyer skill like the L<alchemy skill|skill_description/alchemy> |
68 |
skill and a B<workbench> L<$ARCH/workbench.x11> |
69 |
(you just have to find out a recipe). |
70 |
|
71 |
=head2 clawing |
72 |
|
73 |
You can make a "bare-handed attack". Damage is based on the user's |
74 |
L<strength|stat_Str> and level. With time, one can have different claws |
75 |
such as fire claws or electric claws. An elemental residue from the dragon |
76 |
guild is required to change this. The dragon guild can be found in scorn. |
77 |
|
78 |
=head2 levitation |
79 |
|
80 |
You can levitate (fly low) at will. Using the skill first makes you |
81 |
levitate, and at the second time returns you to the earth. |
82 |
Levitation can be useful to fly over water streams that move you |
83 |
if you walk in them, or it prevents you from falling into a pit. |
84 |
|
85 |
=head2 summoning |
86 |
|
87 |
You can cast spells related to the B<summoning> school of wizardry, which |
88 |
mostly summon monsters, bullet walls and similar things. This skill |
89 |
may be acquired either through the use of an appropriate B<talisman> or |
90 |
learned via a L<skill scroll>. |
91 |
|
92 |
The most basic spells you might want to get is 'summon pet monster' |
93 |
and 'charm monsters'. Look in the L<Spellbook|spellbook> if you got |
94 |
the spells and read their description. |
95 |
|
96 |
=head2 pyromancy |
97 |
|
98 |
You can cast spells related to the B<pyromancy> (fire) school of |
99 |
wizardry. This skill may be acquired either through the use of an |
100 |
appropriate B<talisman> or learned via a L<skill scroll>. |
101 |
|
102 |
The first spell would be 'burning hands' which casts a cone of fire which |
103 |
burns your enemies. It becomes stronger with your pyromancy level. |
104 |
|
105 |
=head2 evocation |
106 |
|
107 |
You can cast spells related to the B<evocation> (mostly cold magic) |
108 |
school of wizardry. This skill may be acquired either through the use of |
109 |
an appropriate B<talisman> or learned via a L<skill scroll>. |
110 |
|
111 |
The spell you should start with is 'icestorm' which casts a cone |
112 |
of ice which freezes your enemies. It becomes stronger with your evocation level. |
113 |
|
114 |
=head2 sorcery |
115 |
|
116 |
You can cast spells related to the B<sorcery> (identify, town portal and |
117 |
other meta-spells) school of wizardry. This skill may be acquired either |
118 |
through the use of an appropriate B<talisman> or learned via a B<skill |
119 |
scroll>. |
120 |
|
121 |
Sorcery has many utility spells, like 'identify', 'town portal' (making portals |
122 |
between two points in the world) and also attack spells like 'spark shower' |
123 |
and 'steambolt'. |
124 |
|
125 |
=head2 flame touch |
126 |
|
127 |
You can make a "bare-handed attack". Damage is based on the user's |
128 |
L<strength|stat_Str> and level. This is the default hand-to-hand fighting |
129 |
skill for the fireborn character class. |
130 |
|
131 |
=head2 hiding |
132 |
|
133 |
This skill lets you hide, that means that you will become invisible. |
134 |
To hide you need to find a place with other stuff on it where you can hide. |
135 |
|
136 |
You enjoy limited form of invisibility. If you attack or move too much |
137 |
you become visible. |
138 |
|
139 |
=head2 jeweler |
140 |
|
141 |
You can identify amulets, rings and talismans. One can also improve magic |
142 |
rings or enchant non-magic rings to give them stat bonuses, this works |
143 |
similar to the L<alchemy skill|skill_description/alchemy>, only that |
144 |
you need to put the ingredients in a B<jeweler's workbench>. |
145 |
|
146 |
For a more detailed documentation look in the L<jeweler skill documentation|jeweler_skill>. |
147 |
|
148 |
=head2 jumping |
149 |
|
150 |
You can "skip" over one, two or three spaces in the selected |
151 |
direction. Distance depends on weight carried, L<strength|stat_Str> and |
152 |
L<dexterity|stat_Dex> of the user. This skill may also be used as an |
153 |
attack. |
154 |
|
155 |
=head2 karate |
156 |
|
157 |
You can make a "bare-handed attack". Damage is based on the user's |
158 |
L<strength|stat_Str> and level. This attack is the fastest and (at higher |
159 |
levels) most deadly of the hand-to-hand attacks available. |
160 |
|
161 |
=head2 climbing |
162 |
|
163 |
Having this skill allows you to move faster through hilly areas than players |
164 |
without this skill. B<Note:> You can't gain experience in this skill. Having |
165 |
this skill is enough to move faster. |
166 |
|
167 |
=head2 literacy |
168 |
|
169 |
You can identify books and scrolls that you hold. Since scrolls are |
170 |
currently always identified, this is not the greatest of skills. |
171 |
|
172 |
=head2 lockpicking |
173 |
|
174 |
You may "pick locks" (open doors). You need to have readied some |
175 |
B<lockpicks> to use this skill. |
176 |
|
177 |
=head2 meditation |
178 |
|
179 |
Player can regain mana/hp at an accelerated rate by C<use_skill meditation>, |
180 |
the L<skill_description/praying> skill. Player must first strip |
181 |
off encumbering armour however. This skill is only available to the "monk" |
182 |
character class. |
183 |
|
184 |
=head2 one handed weapons |
185 |
|
186 |
You can use one-handed hand-held weapons (e.g. B<shortsword>, B<dagger>, |
187 |
B<mace>, etc). Wield and ready the weapon by applying it and use the fire and |
188 |
direction keys. |
189 |
|
190 |
=head2 two handed weapons |
191 |
|
192 |
You can use two-handed hand-held weapons (e.g. B<longsword>, B<club>, etc). |
193 |
Wield and ready the weapon by applying it and use the fire and direction keys. |
194 |
|
195 |
=head2 missile weapons |
196 |
|
197 |
The user is capabale of making attacks with ranged weapons (eg bow, crossbow). |
198 |
Fire arrows by applying a bow and using the fire and direction keys. To fire |
199 |
specific arrows to kill a monster that is weak against a certain arrow, mark |
200 |
this arrow and fire. |
201 |
|
202 |
=head2 mountaineer |
203 |
|
204 |
While the skill is readied, the possessor will move faster through "hilly" |
205 |
terrain (hills, mountains, etc.) |
206 |
|
207 |
=head2 oratory |
208 |
|
209 |
You may "recruit" followers targeting them with your B<oratory> |
210 |
skill. Recruitees must be unaggressive to start (a good way to pacify |
211 |
monsters is the L<singing skill|skill_description/singing>). Use of |
212 |
this skill may anger the audience. Also, some monsters are immune to |
213 |
recruitment. Success depends on user's level and her L<charisma|stat_Cha> |
214 |
vs. the recruitee's L<intelligence|stat_Int> and level. |
215 |
|
216 |
Kill experience from your followers goes directly to your oratory skill. |
217 |
|
218 |
Cleaning women and unagggressive low-level monsters (such as the dogs in |
219 |
the wizards house in scorn) are good initial targets for this skill. |
220 |
|
221 |
=head2 praying |
222 |
|
223 |
The praying skill allows you to cast "cleric" spells. In addition, this |
224 |
skill may be used to accelerate the accumulation of grace points by |
225 |
praying (see L<How do I pray?|how_tp_pray>. This skill may be either |
226 |
learned (e.g. using a L<skill scroll>) or acquired through the use of a |
227 |
B<holy symbol>. |
228 |
|
229 |
One of the best spells to start with is the 'holy word' spell and later, |
230 |
if you find it, the 'banishment' spell, which is much stronger. |
231 |
|
232 |
=head2 punching |
233 |
|
234 |
You can make a "bare-handed attack". Damage is based on the user's |
235 |
L<strength|stat_Str> and level. This is the most feeble of the |
236 |
hand-to-hand attacks. |
237 |
|
238 |
=head2 find traps |
239 |
|
240 |
You can search (more effectively) for traps. This is not a "passive" |
241 |
skill, it must be applied in order to gain the advantage in discovering |
242 |
traps, or actively used when in vicinity of a trap. To use it, fire into |
243 |
any direction. |
244 |
|
245 |
=head2 disarm traps |
246 |
|
247 |
You can disarm previously discovered traps (for example, with the B<find traps> skill). |
248 |
|
249 |
=head2 sense curse |
250 |
|
251 |
You can detect whether items that you hold are B<cursed> by firing in any |
252 |
direction while this skill is readied. |
253 |
|
254 |
=head2 sense magic |
255 |
|
256 |
You can detect whether items that you hold are B<magic> by firing in any |
257 |
direction while this skill is readied. |
258 |
|
259 |
=head2 singing |
260 |
|
261 |
You may pacify hostile monsters with this area attack skill. Certain |
262 |
kinds of monsters are immune. Success depends on user's level and her |
263 |
L<charisma|stat_Cha> vs. the monster's L<intelligence|stat_Int> and level. |
264 |
|
265 |
Singing is a good companion skill for the L<oratory |
266 |
skill|skill_description/oratory>: first you pacify creates using singing, |
267 |
then you can orate them, convincing them if your cause. It is a useful |
268 |
skill when monsters are overwhelming you, too. |
269 |
|
270 |
=head2 smithery |
271 |
|
272 |
You can identify arms and armour that you hold, and, with the help of a |
273 |
B<forge>, can even create weapons using the alchemy skill. |
274 |
|
275 |
=head2 stealing |
276 |
|
277 |
You can take items from the inventory of NPCs, monsters and maybe other |
278 |
players. |
279 |
|
280 |
=head2 thaumaturgy |
281 |
|
282 |
You can identify rods, wands and horns that you are holding, and, with |
283 |
the help of a B<thaumaturgists workbench> and the alchemy skill, create |
284 |
those things. |
285 |
|
286 |
=head2 throwing |
287 |
|
288 |
You can throw items at monsters. To do this, fire at a monster with this skill |
289 |
readied. You can chose what to throw by marking an item, if you do not chose an |
290 |
item, an item from your inventory is randomly picked and thrown unless the item |
291 |
is locked. |
292 |
|
293 |
ERROR: Randomly? |
294 |
|
295 |
=head2 use magic item |
296 |
|
297 |
You can use magic items like rods/wands/horns. The level of experience |
298 |
influences how powerful the spells are you can evoke from the |
299 |
rod/wand/horn. |
300 |
|
301 |
=head2 woodsman |
302 |
|
303 |
While the skill is readied, the possessor will move faster through |
304 |
"wooded" terrain (B<forest>, B<grasslands>, B<brush>, B<jungle>, etc.). |
305 |
|
306 |
Woodsmen can also craft various items useful to their skill. |
307 |
|
308 |
=head2 inscription |
309 |
|
310 |
You can inscribe empty scrolls and books with a text. This is useful to |
311 |
create messages, especially via the Imperial Post Office (IPO). |
312 |
|
313 |
You can also write spell scrolls with a spell known to you. You need |
314 |
L<mana|stat_mana>, time and an old scroll for that. Backfire effects are |
315 |
possible. Only available as a 'writing pen'. |
316 |
|
317 |
How to write into a mail scroll/books etc.: |
318 |
|
319 |
mark <name of scroll> # or use the menu |
320 |
use_skill inscription <your message goes here> |
321 |
|
322 |
How to rewrite a spell scroll: |
323 |
|
324 |
mark <name of scroll> # or use the menu |
325 |
cast <spell> # prepare the spell you want to write |
326 |
use_skill inscription # write the spell on the scroll |
327 |
|
328 |
If you succeed, the scroll will be a scroll of the spell you chose and |
329 |
your level of inscription as its level. Hence, you don't need to be that |
330 |
level in the spell skill to write higher level spellscrolls. |
331 |
|
332 |
Caution: Magic spell writing can be risky to one's health. There can be |
333 |
some negative effects if one fails to write a spell scroll. The most |
334 |
benign is that one becomes confused for a short time. Other effects are |
335 |
more severe and can even be dangerous. |
336 |
|
337 |
=head2 spark touch |
338 |
|
339 |
You can do a "bare-handed attack" and shock the opponent with this skill |
340 |
readied. Attacking is done by running into the opponent. This is a unique skill |
341 |
that can only be used by sparklings. |
342 |
|
343 |
=head2 shiver |
344 |
|
345 |
You can do a "bare-handed attack" and send waves of frost to the opponent with |
346 |
this skill readied. Attacking is done by running into the opponent. This is a |
347 |
unique skill that can only be used by iceborns. |
348 |
|
349 |
=head2 acid splash |
350 |
|
351 |
You can do a "bare-handed attack" and splash the opponent with acid using this |
352 |
skill. Attacking is done by running into the opponent. This is a unique skill |
353 |
that can only be used by acidborns. |
354 |
|
355 |
=head2 poison nail |
356 |
|
357 |
TODO: Add goblins and think about the name goblin. |
358 |
|
359 |
You can do a "bare-handed attack" and inject poison into the opponent with |
360 |
this skill readied. Attacking is done by running into the opponent. This is a |
361 |
unique skill that can only be used by goblins. |
362 |
|
363 |
=head1 About experience and skills |
364 |
|
365 |
=head2 Associated and miscellaneous skills |
366 |
|
367 |
In Deliantra, two types of skills exist; The first kind, "associated" |
368 |
skills, are those skills which are associated with a category of |
369 |
experience. The other kind of skill, "miscellaneous" skills, are not |
370 |
related to any experience category. |
371 |
|
372 |
The main difference between these two kinds of skills is in the result |
373 |
of their use. When associated skills are used successfully experience |
374 |
is accrued in the experience category associated with that skill. In |
375 |
contrast, the use of miscellaneous skills never gains the player any |
376 |
experience regardless of the success in using it. |
377 |
|
378 |
Both miscellaneous and associated skills can fail. This means that |
379 |
the attempt to use the skill was unsuccessful. Both miscellaneous |
380 |
and associated skills can have certain primary stats associated with |
381 |
them. These associated stats can help to determine if the use of a skill |
382 |
is successful and to what degree it is successful. |
383 |
|
384 |
All gained experience is modified by the associated stats for that skill |
385 |
(table skill statistics) and then the appropriate experience category |
386 |
automatically updated as needed. |
387 |
|
388 |
=head2 Restrictions on skills use and gaining experience |
389 |
|
390 |
Neither a character's stats nor the character class restricts the player |
391 |
from gaining experience in any of the experience categories. Also, there |
392 |
are no inherent restrictions on character skill use-any player may use any |
393 |
acquired skill. |
394 |
|
395 |
Average of Experienced |
396 |
Associated Gain |
397 |
Stats Multiplier |
398 |
1 0.01 |
399 |
2 0.1 |
400 |
3 0.3 |
401 |
4 0.5 |
402 |
5 0.6 |
403 |
6 0.7 |
404 |
7 0.8 |
405 |
8 0.85 |
406 |
9 0.9 |
407 |
10 0.95 |
408 |
11 0.96 |
409 |
12 0.97 |
410 |
13 0.98 |
411 |
14 0.99 |
412 |
15 1.0 |
413 |
16 1.01 |
414 |
17 1.02 |
415 |
18 1.03 |
416 |
19 1.04 |
417 |
20 1.05 |
418 |
21 1.07 |
419 |
22 1.09 |
420 |
23 1.12 |
421 |
24 1.15 |
422 |
25 1.2 |
423 |
26 1.3 |
424 |
27 1.4 |
425 |
28 1.5 |
426 |
29 1.7 |
427 |
30 2.0 |
428 |
|
429 |
=head2 Algorithm for Experience Gain under the skills system |
430 |
|
431 |
Here we take the view that a player must "overcome an opponent" in |
432 |
order to gain experience. Examples include foes killed in combat, |
433 |
finding/disarming a trap, stealing from some being, identifying an object, |
434 |
etc. |
435 |
|
436 |
Gained experience is based primarily on the difference in levels between |
437 |
"opponents," experience point value of a "vanquished foe," the values of |
438 |
the associated stats of the skill being used and two factors that are set |
439 |
internally. (Note: If you want to know more about this, check out the |
440 |
skills_developers.doc.) |
441 |
|
442 |
Below the algorithm for experience gain is given where player "pl" has |
443 |
"vanquished" opponent "op" using skill "sk:" |
444 |
|
445 |
EXP GAIN = (EXP(op) + EXP(sk)) * lvl_mult * stat_mult |
446 |
|
447 |
where C<EXP(sk)> is a constant award based on the skill used, C<EXP(op)> is the |
448 |
base experience award for "op" which depends on what op is (see below), |
449 |
stat_mult is taken from table experience modification, and lvl_mult is: |
450 |
|
451 |
For C<< level(pl)> < level(op) >>: |
452 |
|
453 |
lvl_mult = FACTOR(sk) * (level(op) - level(pl)) |
454 |
|
455 |
For C<< level(pl) = level(op) >>: |
456 |
|
457 |
lvl_mult = FACTOR(sk) |
458 |
|
459 |
For C<< level(pl) > level(op) >>: |
460 |
|
461 |
lvl_mult = (level(op)/level(pl)); |
462 |
|
463 |
where C<level(op)> is the level of "op," level (pl) is the level of the |
464 |
player, and C<FACTOR(sk)> is an internal factor based on the skill used by |
465 |
"pl." |
466 |
|
467 |
There are three different cases for how EXP (op) can be computed: |
468 |
|
469 |
=over 4 |
470 |
|
471 |
=item op is a living creature: EXP(op) is just the base experience award |
472 |
given in the spoiler. |
473 |
|
474 |
=item op is a trap: EXP(op) = 1/(fraction of the time which the trap is |
475 |
visible). Thus, traps which are highly visible get lower values. |
476 |
|
477 |
=item op is not a trap but is non-living: EXP(op) = internal experience |
478 |
award of the item. Also, the lvl_mult is multiplied by any magic |
479 |
enchantment on the item. |
480 |
|
481 |
=back |
482 |
|
483 |
=head1 How skills are used |
484 |
|
485 |
=over 4 |
486 |
|
487 |
=item B<< skills >> This command lists all the player's current known |
488 |
skills, their level of use and the associated experience category of each |
489 |
skill. |
490 |
|
491 |
=item B<< ready_skill I<skill> >> This command changes the player's current |
492 |
readied skill to <skill>. |
493 |
|
494 |
=item B<< use_skill I<skill> I<string> >> This command changes the player's |
495 |
current readied skill and then executes it in the facing direction of the |
496 |
player. Similar in action to the invoke command. |
497 |
|
498 |
=back |
499 |
|
500 |
Three player commands are related to skills use: L<ready_skill>, |
501 |
L<use_skill>, and L<skills|command/skills>. Generally, a player will use |
502 |
a skill by first readying the right one, with the ready_skill command and |
503 |
then making a ranged "attack" to activate the skill; using most skills is |
504 |
just like firing a wand or a bow. In a few cases however, a skill is be |
505 |
used just by having it readied. For example, the mountaineer skill allows |
506 |
favorable movement though hilly terrain while it is readied. |
507 |
|
508 |
To change to a new skill, a player can use either the B<use_skill> or |
509 |
B<ready_skill> commands, but note that the use of several common items can |
510 |
automatically change the player's current skill too. Examples of this |
511 |
include readying a bow (which will cause the code to make the player's |
512 |
current skill missile_weapons) or readying a melee weapon (current skill |
513 |
auto-matically becomes melee weapons). Also, some player actions can cause |
514 |
a change in the current skill. Running into a monster while you have a |
515 |
readied weapon in your inventory causes the code to automatically make our |
516 |
current skill melee weapons. As another example of this-casting a spell |
517 |
will cause the code to switch the current skill to wizardry or praying (as |
518 |
appropriate to the spell type). |
519 |
|
520 |
It is not possible to use more than one skill at a time. |
521 |
|
522 |
=head2 Acquiring skills |
523 |
|
524 |
Skills may be gained in two ways. In the first, new skills may |
525 |
learned. This is done by reading a L<skill scroll> |
526 |
and the process is very similar to learning a spell. Just as in attempts |
527 |
to learn incantations, success in learning skills is dependent on a random |
528 |
test based on the learner's INT. Using your INT stat, look in the learn% |
529 |
column in table primary stat effects to find your % chance of learning a |
530 |
skill. Once you hit 100%, you will always be successfull in learning new |
531 |
skills. |
532 |
|
533 |
The acquisition of a skill tool will also allow the player to use a new |
534 |
skill. An example of a skill tool is "lockpicks" lockpicks (which allow |
535 |
the player to pick door locks). The player merely applies the skill tool |
536 |
in order to gain use of the new skill. If the tool is unapplied, the |
537 |
player loses the use of the skill associated with the tool. |
538 |
|
539 |
After a new skill is gained (either learned or if player has an applied |
540 |
skill tool) it will appear on the player's skill roster (use the 'skills |
541 |
command to view its status). If the new skill is an associated skill, |
542 |
then it will automatically be gained at the player's current level in the |
543 |
appropriate experience category. |
544 |
|
545 |
For example, Stilco the Wraith, who is 5th level in agility, buys a set of |
546 |
lockpicks and applies them. He may now use the skill lockpicking at 5th |
547 |
level of ability since that is an agility associated skill. |
548 |
|
549 |
=head1 Authors |
550 |
|
551 |
Parts of this document were originally compiled, edited, and written by |
552 |
Brian Thomas, Klaus Elsbernd, and John W. Klar. Additional information |
553 |
compiled by Maciej Kalisiak, Gorlin, Anton Oussik and Gene Alexander. |
554 |
|
555 |
Adapted for use by I<deliantra>, enhanced and corrected by Pippijn van |
556 |
Steenhoven and Marc A. Lehmann. |
557 |
|