questions on levels 8 & 9

[Celine]

I'm so proud of myself. When I first played DM back in 1988, I couldn't make myself play level 7 (I was scared of it because my dad had a hard time playing through it... ghosts and thieves and wide open spaces and all... hey, I was about 6 years old, so what do you expect). It's taken me nearly 14 years to get through level 7, but I have finally done it!

Anyway, some quick questions that I can't find answers on pertaining to lower levels. Thanks for any help!

1. On level 8, there is a room that shoots fireballs at you. I did what the walkthrough suggested: walk forward, get hit, heal, walk forward, get hit, heal, etc... but it seems that a dedicated player would have a better way of dealing with this room? Is there some trick to the timing?

2. What is the secret to the "zoooom" room on level 9? I spent nearly ten minutes flying in circles trying to figure out how to get off. Random button mashing eventually landed me beside the Ful Bomb and at the exit, somehow miraculously missing the teleporter. Do the pressure plates turn your characters as well as move them? It went by so quickly that I just couldn't tell.

3. How many charges does the lightning ring have? Can you recharge it somehow? I like it but I'm afraid of using it up too quickly.

I finally ditched my shields. One of my characters is also essentially weaponless- she holds magic boxes, potions, manar staff, and lightning ring as appropriate to the situation. All of you who have completed the game with only one character have my respect- I'm having a tough time with two! I never seem to have enough inventory, or more importantly, mana!! Oh well, I think I'm doing ok since I haven't died yet (waaaaay too cautious).

[Paul Stevens]

Level 8 fireball room. Use two characters instead of
four. Put both characters in front (probably where
they are already. When the firball comes, turn sideways
such that the fireball will miss both your characters.
For example, if the fireball comes on the right then turn
to the left and it will pass behind you.

Zoom room. To see what is happening, use CSBwin and
slow it down to 'glacial' Then it will become obvious.

[Christopher]

But if you are using four champions, place items that you don't need (like scrolls) on the visible floor buttons. Then you can walk across without getting hit with fireballs. Might want to cast Ful Bro Neta before you place the items on the buttons, unless you are fast (not overloaded).

[Lunever]

1) I agree with Christopher: Have some spare items, put one on a floor trigger, then move out of the way of the fireball. Now do so with the floor trigger beside the first on, repeat all of this three times, and the trap is disarmed without any damage being done.

2) The zoooom is rectangular. Every time you reach a corner of it, you are not only teleported on step "forward", but are also turned 90 degrees, as you already suspected. So if you enter the zoooom "forward", you have to step out of it with a step to the right.

3) Try out and reload the savegame. But it doues not have many charges, as far as I remember. No, you can't recharge it.

4) For beginners, I'd recommend 4 characters. I suppose that was not difficult enough for you, so chose 2 instead?