DS Fluctuation in the Rift

[HSB]

So... while it's no secret I die fairly regularly, there's some funny business going on with my DS in the Rift. I play a woodpecker wizard (rapidfire acid), and so rarely have anything get a chance to take a swing at me before it's stunned / dead. However, when something DOES get a swing in, my DS is high enough to not worry about it. But occasionally something takes a swing and just wtfpwns me. I've been too lazy to really look into it, but I started digging through some logs.

Note: I hunt the same way, every time. Same spells up, armor on, same stance (Guarded), same everything. I use a prep script before hunting so I can be sure of that fact before I enter the grounds. I also am not CoL, so it's not a spirit drop issue. And there was never more than two critters in the room. 18 of these 20 times there was only me and the critter. And it's the same critter in each example (raving lunatic).

My last 20 times getting swung at (takes two days to get swung at 20 times... heh) while not stunned, dispelled, webbed, blah blah blah. This is just me, in guarded, fully spelled, getting attacked:

485; 455; 476; 493; 430; 440; 390; 493; 423; 487; 457; 457; 496; 454; 489; 439; 389 (died); 469; 438; 335 (died)

Something seems very off here. Is there a known DS fluctuation in the Rift that I'm just not aware of? I'm completely befuddled. It doesn't happen in other areas... though I have no idea which logs that info is in (anyone know how to do a search for a text string across a shitload of .txt files?). Anyone have any ideas / suggestions?

[Dhuul]

multiple creatures in the same room attacking you penalizes your DS hard. without a rubber. the only solution -- training in Multi Opponent Combat...but since there wasn't more than 2...i am clueless. I hunted in the Rift, plane 1 and 2 fairly often. never seen that kind of range...my range is usually 5-15 points.

the room going dark should give you +15 ds or so...going light should give +15

that 335 is particularly puzzling....the only things that could effect DS that much is a full-on dispel or being prone and stunned...etc

[Xiandrena]

If you notice also in the rift there are some rooms where it's dark and foggy which will add to your DS. Also sometimes lunatics *throw* their weapons which always pushed my DS waaaay down.

The rooms shift often and your DS in the same room can change completely in the space of two minutes. It's what I always found to be one of the more interesting (and annoying) things about hunting there.

[Ryvicke]

I don't know too much about that area in the Rift but I know that when I get attacked by invisible creatures (Darkens in Wraithenmist come to mind) they also count against my FoF calculation and drop my DS like an anchor. Is it possible there are invis. creatures taking swings at you? The only other thing I can think of that would have an effect is encumbrance, room conditions (lighting, fog, etc.) or getting dispelled, alhough obviously you'd notice that...

[droit]

The invisible creatures thing isn't FoF, it's DS pushdown from ambushing. However, that's not an issue in the rift (except from lost souls).

My guess is hurled weapons, too. Bolt DS is generally much lower than melee DS and could account for the discrepancies you're seeing.

[HSB]

My guess is hurled weapons, too. Bolt DS is generally much lower than melee DS and could account for the discrepancies you're seeing.

Crap. I accounted for that when pulling my numbers. I just matched the text string for a regular attack from a lunatic with a twisted kris, so I could discount special weapons they might have been carrying, unarmed attacks, and the times when they throw the damn thing. :medieval:

[HSB]

If you notice also in the rift there are some rooms where it's dark and foggy which will add to your DS. Also sometimes lunatics *throw* their weapons which always pushed my DS waaaay down.

Add this to the list of things I never knew. Still, though, it wouldn't fluctuate THAT much, would it?

[Trouble]

Is there a known DS fluctuation in the Rift that I'm just not aware of?

It's been years since I hunted the Rift but there was always a DS fluctuation there back in the day. Each room is different in terms of lighting so you'll notice a change in DS as you move from room to room. The rules apply to the monsters too.

I think the DS could change in the same room if one of the environmental messages triggered as well. I'm not sure on that though.

[droit]

Then it's probably just one of the many Rift effects.

[HSB]

Then it's probably just one of the many Rift effects.

Goody. Maaghara, here we come.

[droit]

When the going gets tough, the tough switch hunting grounds! :medieval:

[Xiandrena]

Make sure you make some moulis babies!!

That's my favorite part about the tower.

[HSB]

When the going gets tough, the tough switch hunting grounds! :medieval:

:beer:

[Rimalon]

If you're a Wizard and dying on Plane 1, you're doing it wrong.

Seriously.

Once you master the weird ass effects and map layouts of that place, there's absolutely no reason you should die in there save some freak accident, Planes 1-5.

I'd be glad to hold court sometime and show you how it's done!

[HSB]

If you're a Wizard and dying on Plane 1, you're doing it wrong.

Seriously.

Once you master the weird ass effects and map layouts of that place, there's absolutely no reason you should die in there save some freak accident, Planes 1-5.

I'd be glad to hold court sometime and show you how it's done!

Well... while I heartily agree that I'm probably doing it wrong... I generally only die when I get rifted, or something shows up with Wall of Force on, and then gets in a hit when my DS is in a low spot before I can get it properly dispelled. I die probably once per 15-20 hunts.

[Rimalon]

Pro Tip #1: Don't even bother to dispel things with WoF up! Leave them, continue hunting, then come back to them.

And dying every 15-20 hunts is still unacceptable. Whilst rapidfire acid is... an interesting way to kill things... there are other options.

Depending on how many MnE spells you have, 409 or 415 is usually a 1-hit kill on lunatics or csaetari, if I recall. And even if it doesn't kill 'em, it'll drop their Bolt DS by 50 by knocking them down.

[AnticorRifling]

Yeah totally read that as DS flatulation....moving on.

[Athgo]

Even if you aren't in col, you can still lose spirit when in the sphere. I know mine would regularly drop from 8 to 5 and cause some pretty substantial DS loss.

[Lumi]

Even if you aren't in col, you can still lose spirit when in the sphere. I know mine would regularly drop from 8 to 5 and cause some pretty substantial DS loss.

This is a definite possibility. Likelihood, even, if he's not waiting to recover any spirit before hunting.

I also figured it was lunatics throwing weapons at you.

[droit]

You should post an unedited log that includes a shot at your normal DS followed by a shot at your reduced DS.

[grenthor]

I'm almost positive there is an effect that randomly drains spirit as well.

[Delonkin]

I'm almost positive there is an effect that randomly drains spirit as well.

Been hunting there a couple months now. The only time I ever see a random spirit drain is in the sphere. I guess I could just be lucky, but from planes 1-5, I have not seen a random spirit drain.

[droit]

the only thing that drains randomly in the rift proper is mana.

[Rathain]

the only thing that drains randomly in the rift proper is mana.

The mana drain sucked, but the random mana bonus was always appreciated. About the drop in DS... my cleric hunted without a shield and I noticed a massive DS drop vs thrown weapons. Bolt DS modifiers don't count towards Ranged/Thrown DS so just consider it a welcoming - seers and scouts will nail a prone pure with thrown/telepathically launched crystal weapons later on.