Citizen Playthrough

[Taxxi]

I have several questions about it since this is my first play of AA. I decided to post my playthough into this seperate thread. Too bad there isn't any in-built screenshot key: I'm too lazy to take screenshot everytime and paste it into mspaint 

I chose citizen since he's so well balanced, though I doubt what the stealth factor does. Nice character for beginners so far.

I'm not gonna describe every action overwhelmingly. Just giving you the big picture of my journey.

<1-1>
Grabbed the iron sword(6 dmg) at the back building, several armors at the front building. I'm still using this iron sword. How sweat!
At the back entrance, I've killed every archers around the riverside(and also around the pond). Except that one archer: he was shooting at a very high altitude and I couldn't make a jump into that area. Grabbed two experience scrolls in total. Also grabbed a crossbow. I think the bolt is way too slow: it's good when you have to avoid those, but bad when you have to hit enemies.
Around the front building, I found a way to the druids. Killed everyone and grabbed everything.

<1-2>
Killed everyone, grabbed one experience scroll. Some archers were killed while were in the water, so couldn't get the copper coins from them . I've also got some rusty-bronze-whatever armor series. Equipped some of them. There was a piece of parchment saying something about the undead, but I exited before it became dark so I don't know if it was telling the truth. Anyway most of the papers I've found were really hard to read and I think they were also far from being helpful  .

<1-3>
Easy and fun level. Killed everyone, grabbed everything(including that fire bolts on the top).

<1-4>
Sold some bolts before entering this level, which was a huge mistake. Well, I had enough healing potions but I could have saved them if I had the arrows. Tired of being poisoned... Yuk! Grabbed the jump ring, another ring(wooden ring I guess?) and several good armors. I entered the room where there were one normal druid and two poison druids(hidden room next to the orchard). I saw from the wiki that flourescent green potion can cure poison, drank it when I was suffering from the poison and had 1 hp, and died Later I found out that it could be a poison potion, too. What the hell?
By the way, I didn't check what happens if I die. I think I have infinite lives but get penalty about the experience, maybe?

<1-5>
That boss druid fight was quite hard at first since I couln't recognize that he was the boss  He just looked like a normal druid... Anyway killed everyone. Got a thin blue ring and a protection ring. Also the wand: it was great!
What the ornament ring does? Nothing? And do I get also protection from magic with protection ring? It was yellow-whatever ring. Lastly, if I have a high stats with magic, does it mean that I get a higher protection against magic also?

Got around 10 platinum after finishing the quest IIRC. Bought nothing except 3 runes since the price of everything was quite high and I didn't want to waste my money.

So I wanted to play the next quest, but what? I can play the first quest again? So I did it again, mainly because I wanted to know what was in the cliff I couln't reach at 1-1(since now I have the jump ring).



<1-1>
There was just nothing up on the cliff. Kinda disappointed...
Noticed that there are two healing potions at the center of the mage-dwelling forest.

<1-2>
Nothing new here.

<1-3>
Nothing new here.

<1-4>
There is a structure just in front of the first entrance into the building. I found the way to get into the left door. There were 3 druids and I found some runes. I got out of there into the orchard. At the orchard, there is one more structure that seems to be an exit from somewhere else. Maybe there might be one more secret place?
And I couldn't use any magic... For example, I have every runes to cast the 'cast of sand'. So I pressed the buttons 765 then pressed the casting button, but it says something is just not right. All other magics don't seem to work. Why?
By the way equipped 2 jump rings was hilarious 

<1-5>
Nothing new here.


Now I have around 20 platinums. Thinking of buying one fang blade(7 dmg). Any other suggestions?

[Taxxi]

Thanks to LysleShields's new update, I was able to use magic and go on the quests Thank you so much! I'm on the second quest, and now I'm beginning to use magics...

I've been to the wiki and found out that there are some item lists that I can grab on each levels. Luckily, I think I've got everything on the first quest. But not in this quest

<2-1>
Got almost slaughtered since I had underestimated those archers. Good thing was that I was able to get all of those arrows.

<2-2>
The navigation was bit confusing but had no trouble.

<2-3>
There was a puzzle room about those statues. At first I let them to point at that 'X' mark. The problem was that I was at the corner room when I finished the job, so I got stuck. I got confused since something happened but it just blocked my whole passages. It took a little time but anyway figured out what I have done wrong

I hate that exit room!!!! OH MY GOD at the last room the archers were keep respawning and the last one was around the exit. I tried to be careful but made a mistake (and I was a little bit doubtful if that was an exit) so without the necklace my quest had FAILED! Oh no...



So I had to redo the quest. This time, I tried to grab items that I couldn't before. But the result was futile

<2-1>
I wanted to grab a Ring of Jumping and a wand of Berserking. I had none. Well, I haven't been serious here so maybe I have to try harder.

<2-2>
Tried hard, so I found a room with that secret key, a room with some goodies, and two more secret passages. But I still cannot find the coveted Amulet of Strength. I think it is somewhere near the room with the key considering my magic map. But the problem is the room got sealed once I have been there. How cruel it is!

<2-3>
Found a secret room where there were bunch of arrows and golds and silvers (it's not the lava room). But still - I tried quite hard - couldn't find a Wand of Earthsmite (don't know what it does  ). I almost couldn't find that ring that was on the floor of the last room.




Overall, I think the secret rooms are becoming too secret... Or just maybe I should try harder.



[Modified]  Got everything! How sweet!

[peewee_RotA]

The amulet of strength is a game breaker. Once you get it, the challenge curve goes WAY down. I recommend selling it to keep the game fun.

[Taxxi]

The amulet of strength is a game breaker. Once you get it, the challenge curve goes WAY down. I recommend selling it to keep the game fun.

Yes, indeed. With Fang Blade(7 dmg), enemies went down so easily. But the problem is I've got so accustomed to bring so many things thanks to the augmented strength! It's so much fun! I got loads of potions now...

<3-1>
Easy. I believe I've been to everywhere here.

<3-2>
I almost couldn't find that waterwalking ring but found it somehow. There was a gigantic pillar or something but I don't know what to do with it

<3-3>
Fun map but the trap was too harsh, esp. the ceiling squashing one. Even though there wasn't mentioned at the wiki, there was a knocking wand. Even though one might have one at this point of time, I think it's worth mentioning.

<3-4>
Easy map. Felt like playing 1-2 again.

<3-5>
I couln't kill the Elmore at first so I used every magic I could and later found out that lightning damage can kill him. Also the money treasure room was really tricky.

<3-6>
Man.. I'm not kidding but I went the exit door too early this time too. Good thing is that I've backed up the character file this time since I felt the omen of doom. Traps were so hard that I actually killed myself several times.

I really liked this third quest: it was really fun. I think the previous quest was harder due to ranged enemies and hidden secret rooms.


<4-1>
Easy. Think I have grabbed everything I could. I've got a Wand of Homing Darts after I've completed this quest, I'm guessing that I've got it here (also not listed in the wiki).

<4-2>
The traps were so dangerous... I died once due to that huge stone. I think there might be some places I haven't been to.

<4-3>
Enjoyed this map a lot! I think I've grabbed everything I could. Except one thing: is there a Mithril Plate Armor here? The wiki says it but I'm very doubtful about it: there was only leggings or dagger or something like that.

<4-4>
Man, the skeletons were so annoying... Grabbed the ring of shielding after the boss died (also not listed in the wiki). I've got only mithril chain tunic or something: couldn't find that Mithril Plate Armor here either


Overall, it went fine, but maybe I have to investigate the fourth quest further. But there are so many dreadful traps and acid balls so I'm just thinking of it. And also, I really don't think there is a Mithril Plate Armor there: I've searched quite a lot.

[Taxxi]

While I was finding some information about the location of items, I found out that the information is so scanty especially at the later stages. I'm thinking of travelling around from the frist to the last quest when I'm done about every quests and finding the location of every items.

<5-1>
Think I've grabbed everything here. And I still think there is no mithril plate armor since I've found a mithril chest plate here. Also found some other mithril armors. Also, I forgot to mention but at stage 3, I think I have grabbed an obsidian helm (+60) before.

<5-2>
I only later realized that those red priests can blast some of your items but so far so good (it was). Grabbed everything, I guess. The battle inside the castle was pretty hard due to that all so-cruel traps!!

<5-3>
Was a very hard level since I didn't want to lose any of my equipment, but somehow lost my left mithril guantlet I died once under which the hidden red wizards are hidden, and several times figuring out what the use of the button deep inside the temple: it triggers two traps that kill everything. I thought it opens a left red door which was on the map but it wasn't. Still not sure...

<5-4>
The first time I killed the wizard at the top but didn't drop the book so I just got into the exit and the quest failed. Oh man... I have some kind of a jinx. I got that lavawalking amulet and a venom blade or something here. Also a ring of shielding(+15) by killing the wizard. Once you know the trick, it was an easy level though compared to the previous one.

I hate those red wizards...

[LysleShields]

I'm enjoying watching your candid responses to the levels -- good and bad.

For what it is worth, look for the small statue like structures with the spheres.  They are exit markers.  In fact, right clicking (eyeballing) one should say "EXIT MARKER".  Granted, you still can accidentally jump into one.

[peewee_RotA]

I'm enjoying watching your candid responses to the levels -- good and bad.

Definitely agree. The feedback is a great read

Taxxi,

Once you're done with Destruction, give Trial of Time a shot

http://wiki.amuletsandarmor.com/index.php?title=Trial_of_Time

[Taxxi]

I'm enjoying watching your candid responses to the levels -- good and bad.

Glad that you're enjoying I'm just quickly going through the stages so that I can understand the whole mechanism of this game better. But the crave for collecting every items and visiting every possible places made me to post this in the hope that I may get some help.

For what it is worth, look for the small statue like structures with the spheres.  They are exit markers.  In fact, right clicking (eyeballing) one should say "EXIT MARKER".  Granted, you still can accidentally jump into one.

That was an expensive lesson I've learned through all the mistakes. It was indeed helpful to check the marker but for the beginner sometimes you don't have enough time to react (esp. 1-5 and 3-6: very easy to make mistakes since enemies are around that place, and the quest fails  )

Once you're done with Destruction, give Trial of Time a shot

http://wiki.amuletsandarmor.com/index.php?title=Trial_of_Time

I actually had a brief look at it with my level 16 citizen with a flying amulet, and frankly the design of the whole levels were incredibly impressive. Especially in 8-2 and 8-3, the scenery was beautiful. Was it you who made that? I was actually surprised. The only reason I haven't played it thoroughly is that I wanted to play it with my new character: thinking of playing this time with a priest or a paladin. I wish two things would come true.

1. I wish there were many more maps that we can play: 7 maps were fun, but I think it would be much more fun if ordinary users make maps and we play them! I think this game has potential to be developed in that way.
2.Harder difficulty maps would be decent. I think the level cap was around 30 and we need a challenge suited for that level, of course!

My fall semester is coming but I'm actually interested in computer programming (have a small experience of PHP, that's all ). Maybe if I have some time and can start to get living myself, I should also try it.

[Taxxi]

I actually finished the game with level 16 citizen. God I was happy since there were not that many acid-spraying enemies. Oh I do hate those acids...

<6-1>
Fun little trip. The enemies were very strong. Many obsidian weapons and armors were found here. Cannot remember exactly what I got but I'm going to go through the whole stages again to locate everything I can. There were some white dots on the right of the beginning site but I couldn't get in. Speculating that those are located either above or below of that. I just gave it up No idea yet.

<6-2>
It was a very interesting stage for several reasons. The design was quite modern (I somewhat felt like that). There were a bunch of good items that I could find, notably an Obsidian set along with the previous level. But there were some strange things that I couldn't understand.
When you get into the room where the magic boulder ends and go around the torches, you hear some grinding noies as if a door is opened or a trap is disarmed. I couldn't understand what it does, though.
Also, there was a hidden room wherein a broken red texture is located. The map indicates that there are about five items are inside but couldn't get it. Strange.
Even though I had more than enough platinums, I was too greed to hold everything and was murdered by the boulder

<6-3>
Very fun level... except that stupid chariot god. I couln't get inside the buildings located at the right side. Through a hidden room were some goodies(Adamantium Dagger) and some gems: it was really kept hidden well. I read a post in this forum that a god or something is invincible so I just wanted to grab the item and leave the quest. The first time I jumped all over the place but couldn't find the item so I got slaughtered  The next time I succeeded.

Overall, an easy stage except that boulder and the god. But I think I have missed quite a loot.

<7-1>
Thank God those wizards are not those red ones who spit the acid balls! Everything went fine except that deadly trap: I got crushed with fireballs, smashed by the ceiling to death. Think I've grabbed everything including Pyrinium sets and that Vindicator

<7-2>
I fought hard with those blue archers and there were swimming in the lava, so I killed them with lightning damage. Think I've found everything including the hidden room behind the lava pool, a Wand of Lightning, and the remaining Pyrinium sets EXCEPT the armor. That's strange... I tried hard but couldn't find one even at the later levels.

<7-3>
Kinda confused if that boss was invincible or something but died eventually. I couldn't find anything valuable, though.

<7-4>
It was my mistake to take the amulet too fast. I was playing fun with some griffons so I thought they are not respawned but they did after the amulet was taken. How strange... So it was hard to travel around but thankfully they didn't have a fire breath or something like that kind of ranged attack so I found out a short sword with a piercing ability and the Adaminium set. I guess this armor set is the best that one can afford? I died once there but still cannot figure out what the trap is. Also got a wand after killing the mage but not that much useful...

<7-5>
Had some trouble dealing with those dragons. I think ranged weapons are far too weak. I used two-crossbow technique mentioned in a post in this forum, and it took around 1000~2000 normal arrows to kill a few dragons: no kidding. I actually tried to cast earthbind and then smash them, but it somehow didn't work on them. What the hell? They were flying damn good, sir. The goodies were fantastic but I think there are no hidden rooms here.

Surprisingly easy and fun stage since there were not that many traps and no acid balls.

Stiil I have a lot of questions but I think I have to handle them myself first and then put them on another post. Strange thing is that there are many powerful wands and rings but I couldn't find them (ex. strengh ring(15), Pyrinium Armor). Wanna have those, do I!

I cannot say much about citizen since this is my first playthrough but he could use any weapons and armors with incredibly good health and speed so he was really powerful. When needed, he has quite a high magic stat so was able to use wands at will. Bad thing is that he couldn't cast heal or protect from elemental damage, and all the other strong buffs(which I haven't used though). Since he is very versatile, I think he is a great character for a beginner.

[peewee_RotA]

I actually had a brief look at it with my level 16 citizen with a flying amulet, and frankly the design of the whole levels were incredibly impressive. Especially in 8-2 and 8-3, the scenery was beautiful. Was it you who made that? I was actually surprised. The only reason I haven't played it thoroughly is that I wanted to play it with my new character: thinking of playing this time with a priest or a paladin. I wish two things would come true.

Glad you liked it. Yes, that's my handy work. When you try it out, use a new character. It's made for low level characters.

I cannot say much about citizen since this is my first playthrough but he could use any weapons and armors with incredibly good health and speed so he was really powerful. When needed, he has quite a high magic stat so was able to use wands at will. Bad thing is that he couldn't cast heal or protect from elemental damage, and all the other strong buffs(which I haven't used though). Since he is very versatile, I think he is a great character for a beginner.

There are a few characters that have wildly different playthroughs.

The knight plays similar to the citizen, but his melee damage is doubled. He's always been my favorite because most of the ranged challenges in the game are targeted at this kind of character, who has to get very clever to solve them.

The rogue plays as a ranged character mostly, but has a different way of fighting. Right about level 7, you become so fast that most monsters can't hit you if you dash back and forth the right way. Although it's not obvious, the rogue can unlock ANY door without a key or knock spell. It takes a while, especially doors with keys, but it helps get to secrets and skip hard challenges. There is a single door in the game that can't be picked for some reason, though.

The priest plays a very self sufficient player who struggles with many normal tasks. They run slow and don't get to use any of the most powerful weapons. This is my second favorite player because spending time at the shop or inn is not needed, so coming up with clever solutions to most problems is important.

The mage is the last major player. The mage is almost a "glass cannon" that games like to advertise. The difference is that as a mage, you quickly realize that killing everyone is not always the answer. You also find a lot of unique strategies for fighting. Like circlestrafing a group of knights while your mana recharges so that they all take splash damage from the next fireball. This character plays more like a first person shooter than any other.

The rest of the classes (sailor, mercenary, paladin, warlock) play very similarly to one of these. The first 3 being like the knight and the last being a cross between the knight and mage, due to having weaker fighting skills. The major difference in a lot of classes is whether or not the player can use a crossbow. A paladin can't do ranged combat the same way as a knight.

All in all, I love this game simply because of the minor strategies that players have to develop depending on the classes. Nobody in the game is completely self sufficient. The priest is closest, but wasting mana on earthsmite and wands for ranged attacks can mean running out of healing spells when its time to fight again.

[Taxxi]

The knight plays similar to the citizen, but his melee damage is doubled. He's always been my favorite because most of the ranged challenges in the game are targeted at this kind of character, who has to get very clever to solve them.

Actually, I always love melee type characters the most in any game (maybe except some too extreme barbarian characters). Even in fps games I prefer weapons such as flamethrower. The only reason I chose citizen is that he is decent in melee combat and can experience a lot of different tactics. And as you have mentioned, I also strongly agree that the challenge melee characters typically have to overcome is very enjoyable! It has its own taste that makes those characters very charming.

The rest of the classes (sailor, mercenary, paladin, warlock) play very similarly to one of these.

I think some characters - sailor, mercenary, magician, archer - are not that outstanding compared to other characters. Sailor and mercenary - I think their differences to knight are too small. Magician - I haven't played any 'stealing' characters but I doubt the effectiveness of stealing since stealth factor in this game is almost useless, which means he's inferior to both mage and warlord. Archer - with no damage bonus he's weaker than citizen in almost every stat. I think these characters should have more distinguishing characteristics or even be changed to other characters.

[peewee_RotA]

I think some characters - sailor, mercenary, magician, archer - are not that outstanding compared to other characters. Sailor and mercenary - I think their differences to knight are too small. Magician - I haven't played any 'stealing' characters but I doubt the effectiveness of stealing since stealth factor in this game is almost useless, which means he's inferior to both mage and warlord. Archer - with no damage bonus he's weaker than citizen in almost every stat. I think these characters should have more distinguishing characteristics or even be changed to other characters.

A lot of these factors are addressed in my mod. Especially stealth. But, as with all FPS games that include stealth, it's still not perfect.

There are a handful of uses for stealing. For example, Jagurtha is insanely hard to kill at low levels. (Except for priest and paladin who get blood shield right before that fight). BUT players who can use thief tools can just pick pocket him. So running in and stealing from him can mean a quicker battle. Then hit the button and get out.

[Taxxi]

There are a handful of uses for stealing. For example, Jagurtha is insanely hard to kill at low levels. (Except for priest and paladin who get blood shield right before that fight). BUT players who can use thief tools can just pick pocket him. So running in and stealing from him can mean a quicker battle. Then hit the button and get out.

That's quite an interesting strategy, indeed. But in AA, you can die multiple times without serious disadvantages and you gain experience through hitting the enemies. Since this is not a game that ends once you have achieved certain goals (like rougelike games), even though you can pass by enemies and clear all the stages, it seems me somewhat lackluster to me in the end. Yeah, all games have more that one problem with those sneaky characters... Almost always.

Oh, by the way I've read the post about your mod in this forum. Is it the comprehensive changelog of your mod? I think I didn't understand all of the contents but that looked quite promising. I don't know all the mechanics of this game so I just wanted to know exactly what has been changed to what. I'm thinking of trying it with my new character. Do I have to backup the old character files? Is it compatible with the current release version? (I mean, the character files). Maybe I'm asking too many questions 

[peewee_RotA]

No, it is not compatible. The old character files will have unexpected results.

That thread basically is the changelog. There's very few changes that aren't listed in it. Most of them are things that are best found out through playing. Like the list of skills that the new classes get. It's more fun to learn it by playing.

[Markus Ramikin]

For example, Jagurtha is insanely hard to kill at low levels. (Except for priest and paladin who get blood shield right before that fight).

Does that mean there is a Blood Rune somewhere in the Visions of Jugurtha quest that I've been unable to find? (Since the Paladin doesn't start with one and so doesn't get Blood Shield. My startegy with a fresh Paladin has been to do the Knights of Andrew first in order to grab more cleric runes.).