Frequently Asked Questions - Revision history

imported>Hordes at 19:03, 25 December 2025

2025-12-25T19:03:55Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:03, 25 December 2025
(No difference)

imported>Hordes at 19:03, 25 December 2025

2025-12-25T19:03:55Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:03, 25 December 2025
(No difference)

imported>Hordes at 19:03, 25 December 2025

2025-12-25T19:03:55Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:03, 25 December 2025
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	{{~~version031~~}}		{{version033}}
	This page lists a series of questions that players frequently ask. Crawl also has its own official frequently asked questions, which can be found in-game through the command '''?Q''', which are also worth reading as a new player.		This page lists a series of questions that players frequently ask. Crawl also has its own official frequently asked questions, which can be found in-game through the command '''?Q''', which are also worth reading as a new player.

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	*[[Long Blades]] scale with [[dexterity]] instead of [[strength]], and their damage is similar to Maces & Flails.		*[[Long Blades]] scale with [[dexterity]] instead of [[strength]], and their damage is similar to Maces & Flails.

	If you had to pick one? Axes, at least for ~~Hill Orc~~ and Minotaur.		If you had to pick one? Axes, at least for Mountain Dwarf and Minotaur.

	== How do you get a character dump? ==		== How do you get a character dump? ==
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	*Monsters that have unusual items, such as [[wand]]s or [[throwing net]]s, have a purple highlight instead.		*Monsters that have unusual items, such as [[wand]]s or [[throwing net]]s, have a purple highlight instead.

	~~Difficulty~~ values ~~like trivial and easy~~ are calculated automatically by the game; they may or may not be accurate to how dangerous a monster ''actually'' is. For example, a [[moth of wrath]] might be considered "trivial", but the moth's ability to [[berserk]] nearby creatures is not trivial. Regardless, if you see a monster with a red or purple highlight, you should probably pause and assess the situation.		Note that the aforementioned threat values are calculated automatically by the game; they may or may not be accurate to how dangerous a monster ''actually'' is. For example, a [[moth of wrath]] might be considered "trivial", but the moth's ability to [[berserk]] nearby creatures is not trivial. Regardless, if you see a monster with a red or purple highlight, you should probably pause and assess the situation.

	== Which branch should I visit next? ==		== Which branch should I visit next? ==
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	== Which stat should I choose to increase? ==		== Which stat should I choose to increase? ==
	Every six [[experience level]]s, you get a choice to increase one of the [[stat]]s -- [[Strength]], [[Intelligence]], or [[Dexterity]] -- by two points ([[Demigod]]s get four points every three XL). Which stat you wish to raise depends ~~entirely~~ on your situation.		Every six [[experience level]]s, you get a choice to increase one of the [[stat]]s -- [[Strength]], [[Intelligence]], or [[Dexterity]] -- by two points ([[Demigod]]s get four points every three XL). Which stat you wish to raise depends on your situation.
	*If you're killing most enemies with melee weapons and/or using heavy armour, you'll probably want to raise [[Strength]], which increases your damage and reduces the penalties from your armour and shield.
	*If you're using spells, you'll probably want to raise [[Intelligence]], to improve your spell power and reduce spell failure chances.
	*If you're using [[Stealth]] frequently to avoid monsters, are [[stab]]bing them, or you just want more [[evasion]], you may want to raise [[Dexterity]]. Dex also boosts the power of Short Blades, Long Blades, and non-thrown [[ranged weapon]]s as strength does for other melee weapons.

	~~If one~~ or ~~more of your stats is extremely low -- below about 5 -- you~~ may want ~~to raise~~ it. It'~~ll reduce~~ the ~~chances of getting that~~ [[stat ~~zero\|~~stat ~~to zero~~]], ~~which causes a few severely debilitating effects~~.		*Strength is traditionally good on heavily armoured melee characters. Casters that are wearing heavier armour (e.g., [[scale mail]] or [[fire dragon scales]]) may also want strength for the decreased failure rate.
			*Intelligence is great for casters, as it increases spell power and decreases failure rate, but not much else.
			*Dexterity is great for characters who use [[Dodging]] as their main defensive skill, as well as users of [[Long Blades]] and [[Ranged Weapons]]. Notably, Dex directly scales with levels of Dodging skill, and does ''not'' have a diminishing return (every point of Dex provides the same EV, damage, etc.), so high Dex is relatively better in the late game.
			**[[Short Blades]] also get a damage boost, although their base damage is poor, so increasing it shouldn't be the main reason for raising Dex.

			If a stat falls to 0 or below, you'll be [[slow]]ed until the stat is raised up. Since [[mutations]] can lower your stats, you may want to have each stat at 5 or higher by the late game.

	{{Guides}}		{{Guides}}

	[[Category:Strategy Guides]]		[[Category:Strategy Guides]]

imported>Mystic Sailboat: /* As a new player, which species and background should I play? */ Hill Orc is gone

2024-09-28T12:16:19Z

As a new player, which species and background should I play?: Hill Orc is gone

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	== As a new player, which species and background should I play? ==		== As a new player, which species and background should I play? ==
	The [[Background and race combinations for beginners\|most commonly suggested species]] and backgrounds are any combination of [[Minotaur]], [[~~Hill Orc~~]], and [[Gargoyle]] with [[Fighter]], [[Gladiator]], or [[Berserker]]. These combos provide a more gentle introduction to the game, focusing mostly on weapon-based combat and largely ignoring [[spell]]s or intense [[skill]] management.		The [[Background and race combinations for beginners\|most commonly suggested species]] and backgrounds are any combination of [[Minotaur]], [[Mountain Dwarf]], and [[Gargoyle]] with [[Fighter]], [[Gladiator]], or [[Berserker]]. These combos provide a more gentle introduction to the game, focusing mostly on weapon-based combat and largely ignoring [[spell]]s or intense [[skill]] management.

	If you instead want to play with [[ranged weapons]], a [[Minotaur]] or [[Spriggan]] [[Hunter]] may be appropriate. If you'd rather play as a spellcaster, a [[Gargoyle]] [[Earth Elementalist]] or [[Draconian]] [[Conjurer]] would be a good starting point. While [[Deep Elves]] have the best magic aptitudes, their low [[HP]] and poor defensive aptitudes make them less forgiving to play.		If you instead want to play with [[ranged weapons]], a [[Minotaur]] or [[Spriggan]] [[Hunter]] may be appropriate. If you'd rather play as a spellcaster, a [[Gargoyle]] [[Earth Elementalist]] or [[Draconian]] [[Conjurer]] would be a good starting point. While [[Deep Elves]] have the best magic aptitudes, their low [[HP]] and poor defensive aptitudes make them less forgiving to play.

imported>Mystic Sailboat: /* Which branch should I visit next? */ Grammatical fix

2024-09-28T12:14:28Z

Which branch should I visit next?: Grammatical fix

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	The above list applies to a standard, 3-[[rune]] game. If you want to go for more runes, potentially up to the maximum of 15 runes, you will have to do:		The above list applies to a standard, 3-[[rune]] game. If you want to go for more runes, potentially up to the maximum of 15 runes, you will have to do:
	*~~Firstly, it is recommended to complete the~~ other two third rune branches out of [[Vaults]]:5, [[Slime Pits]], and the [[Abyss]], as well as [[Zot]] 1-4.		*The other two third rune branches out of [[Vaults]]:5, [[Slime Pits]], and the [[Abyss]], as well as [[Zot]] 1-4.
	*The first "extended" branch you complete should be the [[Pandemonium]], which contains five runes. While the other runes are possible, Pan tends to be the easiest of the bunch.		*The first "extended" branch you complete should be the [[Pandemonium]], which contains five runes. While the other runes are possible, Pan tends to be the easiest of the bunch.
	*Then, you can get your final five runes in generally any order you wish, from:		*Then, you can get your final five runes in generally any order you wish, from:

Patrick2011b: update Tavern link

2024-05-08T00:51:39Z

update Tavern link

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:51, 8 May 2024
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	*Head to #crawl on libera.chat, where there will be people around to help you out;		*Head to #crawl on libera.chat, where there will be people around to help you out;
	*Join one of Crawl's many Discord servers, in particular the [https://discord.gg/9pmFGKx roguelikes Discord]'s channel dedicated to Dungeon Crawl;		*Join one of Crawl's many Discord servers, in particular the [https://discord.gg/9pmFGKx roguelikes Discord]'s channel dedicated to Dungeon Crawl;
	*Post information about your game on the [https://~~crawl~~.~~develz~~.~~org/tavern~~/ Tavern forum], or on the [https://www.reddit.com/r/dcss/ DCSS reddit]		*Post information about your game on the [https://tavern.dcss.io/ Tavern forum], or on the [https://www.reddit.com/r/dcss/ DCSS reddit]

	In all four of these places it will be helpful to others if you post screenshots and/or a character dump, so that other players can offer specific advice about your game and answer specific questions. If you're playing offline, you'll find your character dump in the <code>morgue</code> directory of your Crawl folder. If you're playing online, you can press '''#''' while in-game, which will print a link to your character dump in the chat window.		In all four of these places it will be helpful to others if you post screenshots and/or a character dump, so that other players can offer specific advice about your game and answer specific questions. If you're playing offline, you'll find your character dump in the <code>morgue</code> directory of your Crawl folder. If you're playing online, you can press '''#''' while in-game, which will print a link to your character dump in the chat window.

Patrick2011b: /* What do the different text colours on items mean? */ update

2024-05-08T00:50:28Z

What do the different text colours on items mean?: update

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	Colours can be changed using the [[rcfile]] option <code>menu_colour</code>. These are the defaults:		Colours can be changed using the [[rcfile]] option <code>menu_colour</code>. These are the defaults:
	*Light green items are the items you currently have equipped.		*Light green items are the items you currently have equipped.
	*Green items are ~~known to have a [[brand]]~~.		*Green items are either magical staves or weapons/armour with an enchantment and/or ego.
	*Items in blue are unidentified~~. Light grey items are of a known type~~.		*Items in blue are unidentified.
	*Items in light red are (almost) outright harmful, or items cursed by [[Ashenzari]]. Items in red are hated by your god.		*Items in light red are (almost) outright harmful, or items cursed by [[Ashenzari]]. Items in red are hated by your god.
	*Dark grey items are useless in your current state.		*Dark grey items are useless in your current state.
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	*Cyan items are particularly good and rare ([[scroll of acquirement\|scrolls of acquirement]] and [[potion of experience\|potions of experience]]).		*Cyan items are particularly good and rare ([[scroll of acquirement\|scrolls of acquirement]] and [[potion of experience\|potions of experience]]).
	*Items listed in white are randomly generated [[artefact]]s. These artefacts have special, randomized properties.		*Items listed in white are randomly generated [[artefact]]s. These artefacts have special, randomized properties.
	*Items listed in light cyan are unique, one-of-a-kind items. They include [[evocable\|miscellaneous evocables]] and special "[[unrand]]" [[artefact]]s		*Items listed in light cyan are unique, one-of-a-kind items. They include [[evocable\|miscellaneous evocables]] and special "[[unrand]]" [[artefact]]s.
			*Items in light grey are identified but not otherwise notable.

	For more information, see the [[item]] article.		For more information, see the [[item]] article.

Hordes: /* Which starting weapon should I pick? */

2024-03-15T18:03:59Z

Which starting weapon should I pick?

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	== Which starting weapon should I pick? ==		== Which starting weapon should I pick? ==
	Firstly, you should take a look at your aptitudes. Displayed on the selection screen itself, you can also see your species' aptitudes by pressing '''%''' when selecting species/background. Positive aptitudes are better than average, while negative aptitudes are worse. Aptitudes do matter, but not as much as you may think. Small aptitude differences can be ignored, but ''large'' differences (e.g. [[Merfolk]]'s [[Polearm]]s/[[Long Blades]]) do matter.		Firstly, you should take a look at your aptitudes. Displayed on the selection screen itself, you can also see your species' aptitudes by pressing '''%''' when selecting species/background. Positive aptitudes are better than average, while negative aptitudes are worse. Aptitudes do matter, but not as much as you may think. Small aptitude differences can be ignored, but ''large'' differences (e.g. [[Merfolk]]'s [[Polearm]]s/[[Long Blades]] apts are much higher than the others) do matter.
	*[[Axes]] have the very useful [[cleave]] property, allowing you to hit every enemy adjacent to you.		*[[Axes]] have the very useful [[cleave]] property, allowing you to hit every enemy adjacent to you.
	*[[Maces & Flails]] don't have any special gimmick, but have better damage and don't cut [[hydra]] heads.		*[[Maces & Flails]] don't have any special gimmick, but have better damage and don't cut [[hydra]] heads.

Hordes: /* Which starting weapon should I pick? */

2024-03-15T18:03:35Z

Which starting weapon should I pick?

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:03, 15 March 2024
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	== Which starting weapon should I pick? ==		== Which starting weapon should I pick? ==
	Firstly, you should take a look at your aptitudes. Displayed on the selection screen itself, you can also see your species' aptitudes by pressing '''%''' when selecting species/background. ~~Better-~~than-average aptitudes are ~~positive, while~~ worse ~~ones are negative~~. ~~It matters~~, but not as much as you may think. ''~~Large~~'' differences ~~in aptitude, like~~ [[Merfolk]]'s [[~~Polearms~~]] ~~(+2-3 compared to others~~), do matter.		Firstly, you should take a look at your aptitudes. Displayed on the selection screen itself, you can also see your species' aptitudes by pressing '''%''' when selecting species/background. Positive aptitudes are better than average, while negative aptitudes are worse. Aptitudes do matter, but not as much as you may think. Small aptitude differences can be ignored, but ''large'' differences (e.g. [[Merfolk]]'s [[Polearm]]s/[[Long Blades]]) do matter.
			*[[Axes]] have the very useful [[cleave]] property, allowing you to hit every enemy adjacent to you.
	*[[Axes]] ~~all~~ have the very useful ~~ability to~~ [[cleave]] ~~out of bad situations (hitting up~~ to ~~8 enemies at once)~~.		*[[Maces & Flails]] don't have any special gimmick, but have better damage and don't cut [[hydra]] heads.
	*[[Maces & Flails]] ~~are simpler blunt weapons~~, and ~~generally more common~~.		*[[Polearms]] have [[reaching]], allowing you to hit foes from an extra tile away. In many situations, this results in an extra attack.
	*[[Unarmed Combat]] is great for [[Troll]]s and [[Demonspawn]] ~~that mutate~~ early [[Claws]]. Unarmed ~~might start~~ with low damage~~, but it has great potential. Having Claws increases your damage from the get-go~~, making it a ~~strong~~ choice ~~overall.~~		*[[Unarmed Combat]] is great for [[Troll]]s and [[Demonspawn]] with early [[Claws]]. Unarmed Combat starts with low base damage, making it a worse choice for most species, but the boost from Claws mitigates this.
	*[[Polearm]]s come with an extra tile of reach, ~~meaning an extra attack in many situations~~.		*[[Long Blades]] scale with [[dexterity]] instead of [[strength]], and their damage is similar to Maces & Flails.
	*[[Long Blades]] scale with [[dexterity]] instead of [[strength]]

	If you had to pick one? Axes, at least for Hill Orc and Minotaur.		If you had to pick one? Axes, at least for Hill Orc and Minotaur.

Hordes: /* What do the different text colours on items mean? */ fix link

2024-01-16T18:01:00Z

What do the different text colours on items mean?: fix link

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:01, 16 January 2024
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	*Cyan items are particularly good and rare ([[scroll of acquirement\|scrolls of acquirement]] and [[potion of experience\|potions of experience]]).		*Cyan items are particularly good and rare ([[scroll of acquirement\|scrolls of acquirement]] and [[potion of experience\|potions of experience]]).
	*Items listed in white are randomly generated [[artefact]]s. These artefacts have special, randomized properties.		*Items listed in white are randomly generated [[artefact]]s. These artefacts have special, randomized properties.
	*Items listed in light cyan are unique, one-of-a-kind items. They include [[~~miscellaenous~~ evocable]]s and special [[unrand]] [[artefact]]s		*Items listed in light cyan are unique, one-of-a-kind items. They include [[evocable\|miscellaneous evocables]] and special "[[unrand]]" [[artefact]]s

	For more information, see the [[item]] article.		For more information, see the [[item]] article.