So I just got further than any of my previous characters, this time with a Fighter. I was really excited because I finished the anti-magic quest and was beginning to get some of those skills, and I just defeated The Master and unlocked Yeeks.. I was level 28 and was starting to feel very confident about things.

Then I found some random crypt, entered, and got my ass handed to me summarily. I wouldn't have been too perturbed by it — these things happen, after all — but there was no entrance to it, so 'resurrecting' just sent me to my death over and over again. If you're going to give the player lives, I say make them mean something. This was pretty frustrating.

Ah, well. *rolls another character* ;)

So, I've played a few rogues now.

I am amazed. They start out so weak and fragile, but they eventually become steamrollers of silent death. I'm finding that the traps I preferred early on are beginning to be outstripped by my combat ability. About time, I say.

And don't get me wrong; the traps are still vastly useful. They grant me access to damage types I wouldn't otherwise have, allow me some powerful AoE damage effects, are wonderful for area denial, and are great for setting up stuns for flurry/backstab combos.

As I just mentioned, one of my favorite tactics is flurry + backstab. I only put 2 points in backstab, because I have more than 100% crit if I pop Luck of the Little folk before I flurry. It's a sick combo. But I find that only the first strike of flurry crits out of stealth, so I am wondering what a good single-hit attack would be for use with shadowstrike.

So I've just discovered this game. And I love it.

I come from a NetHack background, and discovered this game after looking into some roguelike-friendly libraries. I fell in love almost immediately. I really like the intuitive cooldown system, and the thing about this game I like perhaps most of all is its lack of consumable items in general; especially potions and scrolls.

Runes and infusions are slick, versatile, and make for some surprisingly deep strategy. So far I've only played the Fighter and Archmage classes at any length; I'm delighted by how different they play and how unique their challenges are.

Anyway, I'm still a huge noob, but I'm sure I'll have something more interesting to say in the future. Right now I'm trying to decide how to balance my Archmage's stats — he's been one-shotted a few times, and I'm concerned that this might become a theme. Melee critters aren't an issue; it's the spellcasters. I wonder if I should pump con or use one of the shields available..?