Difference between revisions of "Scumming"
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In roguelikes, '''scumming''' is a strategy that consists of collecting easy rewards with low risk, e.g. when a high-level character visits levels suitable for low-level characters, since they pose no risk but do offer some marginal rewards. | In roguelikes, '''scumming''' is a strategy that consists of collecting easy rewards with low risk, e.g. when a high-level character visits levels suitable for low-level characters, since they pose no risk but do offer some marginal rewards. | ||
| − | == | + | ==XP Scumming (Grinding)== |
Monster grinding was prevalent before version [[0.6.0]]. Players (especially the [[food]]less [[Mummy]]) would spend thousands of turns waiting on early levels for monsters to respawn, kill them without any risk, and gain XP. This rewarded tedious play behavior, and trivialized later branches since players entered them with a higher level (and power) than intended. This was deterred by bringing in [[out of depth]] monsters, before monster spawning was removed all together. | Monster grinding was prevalent before version [[0.6.0]]. Players (especially the [[food]]less [[Mummy]]) would spend thousands of turns waiting on early levels for monsters to respawn, kill them without any risk, and gain XP. This rewarded tedious play behavior, and trivialized later branches since players entered them with a higher level (and power) than intended. This was deterred by bringing in [[out of depth]] monsters, before monster spawning was removed all together. | ||
| − | Players can still scum in Crawl due to the infinite nature of the [[Pandemonium]], though they have to fear dangerous and hard to cure [[mutation]]s. Also, characters who are able to stay in there for extended periods of time are likely able to just win the game. | + | Players can still scum in Crawl due to the infinite nature of the [[Abyss]] and [[Pandemonium]], though they have to fear dangerous and hard to cure [[mutation]]s. Also, characters who are able to stay in there for extended periods of time are likely able to just win the game. |
==Start Scumming== | ==Start Scumming== | ||
| − | Start scumming is a form of metagaming; restarting your game until you get a good start. | + | Start scumming is a form of metagaming; restarting your game until you get a good start. This can be done for items, but some species and backgrounds have a degree of randomness to them: |
* [[Wanderer]]s and [[Delver]]s may want to restart in order to better opening (better items for Wn, the [[Temple]] for De). | * [[Wanderer]]s and [[Delver]]s may want to restart in order to better opening (better items for Wn, the [[Temple]] for De). | ||
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Keep in mind that, unlike similar games in the genre, this does count towards your online winrate. | Keep in mind that, unlike similar games in the genre, this does count towards your online winrate. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Mutation Scumming== | ||
| + | The long-removed spell [[Alter Self]] allowed you to reroll [[mutation]]s endlessly, provided you had [[food]] to do so. Most other sources of random mutation are finite (when monsters and items are finite), except for [[Xom]]. Xom will naturally get bored, but is easily entertained by the [[Confuse]] spell and spell miscasts. | ||
| + | |||
| + | While ''technically'' possible to reroll [[Malmutate]]s until you get a positive set, the bad mutation weighing makes it an infinitesimally small chance to get any sort of good mutation set. You're much more likely to [[Mutation Resistance]] 3 with a set of terrible muts than anything remotely 'good'. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Luring== | ||
| + | Luring is a perfectly fine strategy of its own. However, [[shout]]ing near the stairs for thousands or even millions of turns for wandering monsters to come is generally taking it too far. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Save Scumming== | ||
| + | More of a form of [[cheating]], save scumming (as called in games with persistent saves) is where you continously load a save to try over and over again. This should be impossible in online servers, but your save file can be copied in an offline build. An easier way to save scum would be to activate [[explore mode]] in an offline game. | ||
==Countermeasures== | ==Countermeasures== | ||
| − | As a soft limit for any time and turn consuming behavior, the [[Zot clock]] (formerly the [[food]] clock) serves as a timer to start progressing the game again. However, infinite floors in Pan give infinite chances to advance the clock. The Zot clock can be stopped by finishing a [[Ziggurat]], but players who do this are even more obviously able to finish the game. | + | As a soft limit for any time and turn consuming behavior, the [[Zot clock]] (formerly the [[food]] clock) serves as a timer to start progressing the game again. However, the [[Abyss]] has no Zot clock, and infinite floors in Pan give infinite chances to advance the clock. The Zot clock can be stopped by finishing a [[Ziggurat]], but players who do this are even more obviously able to finish the game. |
Finally, the game has a hard limit of about 200 million turns. If you reach this limit, your game ends with the message: | Finally, the game has a hard limit of about 200 million turns. If you reach this limit, your game ends with the message: | ||
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==History== | ==History== | ||
| − | *The [[Abyss]], an infintely grindable realm, stopped giving experience, piety or items, in [[0.28]]. | + | *The [[Abyss]], an infintely grindable realm, stopped giving experience, piety or items, in [[0.28]]. It gives XP/piety again in [[0.29]], but was made much more difficult during extended trips (similar/harder to the [[Pandemonium]]). |
*Between the removal of the [[food clock]] and addition of the [[Zot clock]] in [[0.26]]-[[trunk]], players could abuse [[Xom]] to gain lots of beneficial mutations. | *Between the removal of the [[food clock]] and addition of the [[Zot clock]] in [[0.26]]-[[trunk]], players could abuse [[Xom]] to gain lots of beneficial mutations. | ||
*Monsters stopped spawning post level generation as of [[0.21]] (barring the infinite Abyss, Pan, and while holding the [[Orb of Zot]]). | *Monsters stopped spawning post level generation as of [[0.21]] (barring the infinite Abyss, Pan, and while holding the [[Orb of Zot]]). | ||
| + | *[[Alter Self]] was removed in [[0.9]]. | ||
*As stated in the article, [[0.6]] made out-of-depth spawns a constant force to keep you moving. After more than 3,000 turns on a given level, the number of monsters that would spawn gradually decrease, until monsters stop spawning altogether after 15,000 turns. Additionally, these monsters would be extremely [[out of depth]]. | *As stated in the article, [[0.6]] made out-of-depth spawns a constant force to keep you moving. After more than 3,000 turns on a given level, the number of monsters that would spawn gradually decrease, until monsters stop spawning altogether after 15,000 turns. Additionally, these monsters would be extremely [[out of depth]]. | ||
| − | * | + | *Prior to [[0.6]], [[stats]] used to be randomized: there were eight stat points that would be allocated randomly, potentially encouraging restarts. |
[[Category:Strategy]] | [[Category:Strategy]] | ||
| − | |||
Latest revision as of 15:49, 8 November 2023
In roguelikes, scumming is a strategy that consists of collecting easy rewards with low risk, e.g. when a high-level character visits levels suitable for low-level characters, since they pose no risk but do offer some marginal rewards.
Contents
XP Scumming (Grinding)
Monster grinding was prevalent before version 0.6.0. Players (especially the foodless Mummy) would spend thousands of turns waiting on early levels for monsters to respawn, kill them without any risk, and gain XP. This rewarded tedious play behavior, and trivialized later branches since players entered them with a higher level (and power) than intended. This was deterred by bringing in out of depth monsters, before monster spawning was removed all together.
Players can still scum in Crawl due to the infinite nature of the Abyss and Pandemonium, though they have to fear dangerous and hard to cure mutations. Also, characters who are able to stay in there for extended periods of time are likely able to just win the game.
Start Scumming
Start scumming is a form of metagaming; restarting your game until you get a good start. This can be done for items, but some species and backgrounds have a degree of randomness to them:
- Wanderers and Delvers may want to restart in order to better opening (better items for Wn, the Temple for De).
- Demonspawn and Djinni may want to restart for a better mutation or spell set, but both take time to settle in.
- Draconians may want to get an optimal colour, though it often doesn't have a big impact on the game.
Keep in mind that, unlike similar games in the genre, this does count towards your online winrate.
Mutation Scumming
The long-removed spell Alter Self allowed you to reroll mutations endlessly, provided you had food to do so. Most other sources of random mutation are finite (when monsters and items are finite), except for Xom. Xom will naturally get bored, but is easily entertained by the Confuse spell and spell miscasts.
While technically possible to reroll Malmutates until you get a positive set, the bad mutation weighing makes it an infinitesimally small chance to get any sort of good mutation set. You're much more likely to Mutation Resistance 3 with a set of terrible muts than anything remotely 'good'.
Luring
Luring is a perfectly fine strategy of its own. However, shouting near the stairs for thousands or even millions of turns for wandering monsters to come is generally taking it too far.
Save Scumming
More of a form of cheating, save scumming (as called in games with persistent saves) is where you continously load a save to try over and over again. This should be impossible in online servers, but your save file can be copied in an offline build. An easier way to save scum would be to activate explore mode in an offline game.
Countermeasures
As a soft limit for any time and turn consuming behavior, the Zot clock (formerly the food clock) serves as a timer to start progressing the game again. However, the Abyss has no Zot clock, and infinite floors in Pan give infinite chances to advance the clock. The Zot clock can be stopped by finishing a Ziggurat, but players who do this are even more obviously able to finish the game.
Finally, the game has a hard limit of about 200 million turns. If you reach this limit, your game ends with the message:
Outside, the world ends.
Sorry, but your quest for the Orb is now rather pointless.
You quit...
History
- The Abyss, an infintely grindable realm, stopped giving experience, piety or items, in 0.28. It gives XP/piety again in 0.29, but was made much more difficult during extended trips (similar/harder to the Pandemonium).
- Between the removal of the food clock and addition of the Zot clock in 0.26-trunk, players could abuse Xom to gain lots of beneficial mutations.
- Monsters stopped spawning post level generation as of 0.21 (barring the infinite Abyss, Pan, and while holding the Orb of Zot).
- Alter Self was removed in 0.9.
- As stated in the article, 0.6 made out-of-depth spawns a constant force to keep you moving. After more than 3,000 turns on a given level, the number of monsters that would spawn gradually decrease, until monsters stop spawning altogether after 15,000 turns. Additionally, these monsters would be extremely out of depth.
- Prior to 0.6, stats used to be randomized: there were eight stat points that would be allocated randomly, potentially encouraging restarts.
