Magic or Melee?

[Thorham]

I'm no expert, but I'd say it depends on 1) How you play, 2) What monster you happen to be fighting (use punches for rockpiles, for example) 3) Your party size (when going solo, you'll probably need both). So I say, use them both, or pick one and stick to it.

[Maven]

I really use both, but that's only because I play all four characters. If this were a multiplayer game and I had to choose a class, it would be Magic all the way. The only reason I would do melee would be to work up those skills. Not that I'd really actually use them, but it is nice to have enough constitution to take a few hits if your tanks can't keep the baddies off ya.

Oh, sometimes it's kinda fun to wade into the mess, sword swinging, and just inflict some grief, misery, and pain. Heh. There's nothing like taking out an entire roomful of big ugly monsters with one huge spell, either. But usually I prefer to stand back and finesse a few well-placed lightning bolts or poison strikes.

[Jan]

So I say, use them both, or pick one and stick to it.

Heh, that's an answer like that of Pythia of the Delphi Oracle.

[Thorham]

Heh, that's an answer like that of Pythia of the Delphi Oracle.

It does seem like an answer that can go any way... but that's because it depends on how you want to play, and that can go in multiple directions.

[oh_brother]

I just voted and now it is 50:50, surprising.

I always leaned very heavily on magic. This was both because magic seemed more powerful and also because the characters I identified most with were always wizards. This time I am trying to be more balanced, but it is much easier to get to high levels in magic so I still tend to favour that.

Also I find it tough to go toe-to-toe with, say, a group of rats or a scorpion, my fighters get scarily close to death and I end up running away. Having read this post I think I will try to use my magic users more in support roles, buffing and healing the fighters. Like Trantor I never use things like ku potions, but I think I will start.

[Duckman]

I voted for melee. I use normally range at start, Melee at mid-game and magic at end. I use magic bit more in rtc than others. Depends on situation. If i have to do a LOT of damage, I use melee, but if i have to do my damage QUICKLY, then magic. Usually i can retreat and hit, so thats why i voted for melee. BTW, why was not range attacks an opinion?

[Trantor]

Because ranged attacks are not an option. Seriously, I suppose you are in the minority if you use ranged attacks regularly. In my opinion, ranged attacks don't do enough damage and are too tedious to use because you have to collect all projectiles after every use to be considered a viable method of fighting.

[Duckman]

Because ranged attacks are not an option. Seriously, I suppose you are in the minority if you use ranged attacks regularly. In my opinion, ranged attacks don't do enough damage and are too tedious to use because you have to collect all projectiles after every use to be considered a viable method of fighting.

Don't say... That is true with RTC certainly, but shot weapons are more useful at original and even more useful at DMjava. There well-placed claw-bow or crossbow shots can well kill a couatul or even a sorcerer! Nay in any dm they are a good if ye rely on them too much, ye alwas have to have a sword ready except at start BUT at least when playing DMjava they are a deadly weapon which used correctly can do as much damage as any other skill.

[Trantor]

I don't doubt what you say about DMJava since I have about zero experience with it. For original DM and CSB, CSBWin, RTC and DSB, I still say that ranged weapons are not worth the time and effort they take to use.

[Jan]

There well-placed claw-bow or crossbow shots can well kill a couatul or even a sorcerer!

Interesting. I have never seriously used a bow or crossbow in DM - I've just tried it to prove it works, but I've never used it in a fight. I always considered it too slow and complicated, too weak, the arrows occupying too much space in inventory and everything, so I always thought it was a useless thing. But maybe I was wrong. It's interesting that you say it's so powerful. I might try using a bow once. On the other hand, I usually play with one character only, so I simply don't have enough hands for these weapons - I have to have a sword in one hand and a flask in the other.

[Narjhan]

Being a totally lazy guy, the thing I hated most about ranged weapons were to pick up them and put them back into inventory, again and again

[andilist]

Hello everyone,

I never used ranged weapens. Sometimes in the early game I killed some mummies by throwing arrows at them. But with a bow... no!

Kind regards,

Andi

[Ameena]

Heh yeah, I usually hang on to a couple of ranged thingys (dagger, arrow, rock, shuriken, etc) just so I have some random crap I don't mind leaving behind if I have to leave something on a pad to keep a door open or something, and in DM I'll take the bow just so I can use it in the Riddle Room, but I don't use ranged attacks normally. Well, not unless I get to the "Arrrrgh shit I'm in a dead end with no mana left" situation, in which case I'll just chuck anything that comes to hand, lol.

[Duckman]

Interesting. I have never seriously used a bow or crossbow in DM - I've just tried it to prove it works, but I've never used it in a fight. I always considered it too slow and complicated, too weak, the arrows occupying too much space in inventory and everything, so I always thought it was a useless thing. But maybe I was wrong. It's interesting that you say it's so powerful. I might try using a bow once. On the other hand, I usually play with one character only, so I simply don't have enough hands for these weapons - I have to have a sword in one hand and a flask in the other.

Note: I meant DMjava. but if ye ask me ranged weapons are worth usin' in all versions, except at some certain monsters usually in end.

In dmjava a melee weapon does usually around 30 damage at start on unarmored opponent if it hits fairly weel, LO poison bolt or fireball about same amount, a heavy weapon, like falchion when using chop wit' strong man can deal over 50 damage at start, and dragon tongue's melee for example bit later but still fairly start can deal 80 if the hit is VERY good. Ranged weapons at start deal... well, daggers and such when thrown are around 20 or so (more if close to target and strong thrower), clothes, keys, slices and like are 5-10, and bowshots cause about 50. Of course more in later game. However these are based just in memory.

[oh_brother]

I always leaned very heavily on magic. This was both because magic seemed more powerful and also because the characters I identified most with were always wizards. This time I am trying to be more balanced, but it is much easier to get to high levels in magic so I still tend to favour that.

Also I find it tough to go toe-to-toe with, say, a group of rats or a scorpion, my fighters get scarily close to death and I end up running away. Having read this post I think I will try to use my magic users more in support roles, buffing and healing the fighters. Like Trantor I never use things like ku potions, but I think I will start.

I feel completely differently now. I started CSB earlier in the week, and went very heavily for melee (admittedly I am on the Ku path). But using fighters as the main attack, with magic as support when needed (healing mainly, but also for killing some creatures like Munchers) it is much easier. I have almost finished the Ku path, killed countless monsters - including 5 or 6 dragons - all without going to sleep. That means food and water go a lot further too. I am full up with dragon steaks, and excess water. Last time I played (about 18 years ago) I remember my champions being hungry, thirsty, hiding from monsters, stumbling through the darkness crying bitter tears....well maybe I am being slightly over-dramatic but you get the point
So if I could I would definitely change my vote to melee.

[beowuuf]

Melee is an infinite resource, providing you have the time. Magic's fun for the instant kill, but you usually pay for it in lack of food from sleeping and regen as you found. Welcome to the wonderful world of fighters for your party Halk or Stamm DM, solo Aroc CSB. It's all fun

[ian_scho]

It may have been stated elsewhere in the forum, but recuperating (regenerating!) mana consumes a little more of that food bar?

[oh_brother]

@ beowuuf - Solo Aroc? Now there is a challenge when (if?) I finish CSB!

@Ian - I was wondering the same thing. I always found when I was training my big wizard would get very hungry. I would guess casting spells causes a higher rate of food consumption. It would be good to know what factors affect hunger: lots of melee atacks? walking long distances? the characters vitality?

[zoom]

yes this would be interesting.

Food depletes probably much faster if you have to regenerate stamina most of the time.
I believe there is a heavy stamina consume which is due to the mana regen.
So if you do not have max mana, you generate mana out of your stamina.
combine this with the already low stamina-stat magic-casting champions and you have a fragile combo indeed

[beowuuf]

Indeed, the guy is tank-like in the fighter department, but is no slouch in the mana and levels he possesses. My first proper run through of CSB was with a halk-faced aroc, courtesy of Sphenx's direct CSB conversion to PC!

[PaulH]

Stamm seems so much better than everyone else with stamina and food drain in DM.

[zoom]

so the designers of dm did an excellent job in protraying a sturdy dwarf ! Probably the toughest pvp experience if something like that existed..