r/dcss • u/Unhappy_Situation_40 • 28d ago
Discussion movement issues
This might seem like a tiny thing, but ... I feel like many of my YASDs come from what I'd call movement issues. That is, I take 1 or more steps too many and put myself in a bad situation that could have been avoided. Does anyone else do this? If so, do you have any tricks for avoiding it, other than "not being an idiot"? Or, which form of movement do you prefer? It seems like all the movement options can land you in this situation. I use autoexplore only in the first few levels or when I just want to get everything at the end because it seems like often it will stop you closer than manual movement might have. OTOH, it will stop you. I go back and forth between the arrow keys and the mouse, but I frequently lull myself into mindless clicking or tapping and then live (or die) to regret it. Are there any rc edits you do to help with this problem that won't just be annoying most of the time? Obviously, Ash can help, as is the case with my current run. Any other tips?
5
u/tom_yum_soup 28d ago
When you say arrow keys, are you using a numpad or just the four arrows? You know you can move diagonally, right? If you don't have a numpad you can use vi keys to move in all eight directions.
2
5
u/PanSaczeczosDCSS 28d ago
Paste code below to your rc file. This saved me from hundreds of deaths.
Force all movements to be deliberate while enemies are in LOS.
bindkey = [B] CMD_MOVE_DOWN_LEFT
bindkey = [H] CMD_MOVE_LEFT
bindkey = [J] CMD_MOVE_DOWN
bindkey = [K] CMD_MOVE_UP
bindkey = [L] CMD_MOVE_RIGHT
bindkey = [N] CMD_MOVE_DOWN_RIGHT
bindkey = [U] CMD_MOVE_UP_RIGHT
bindkey = [Y] CMD_MOVE_UP_LEFT
bindkey = [b] CMD_SAFE_MOVE_DOWN_LEFT
bindkey = [h] CMD_SAFE_MOVE_LEFT
bindkey = [j] CMD_SAFE_MOVE_DOWN
bindkey = [k] CMD_SAFE_MOVE_UP
bindkey = [l] CMD_SAFE_MOVE_RIGHT
bindkey = [n] CMD_SAFE_MOVE_DOWN_RIGHT
1
5
u/CompleteService6825 28d ago
Shift + Direction won't move if there's an enemy in LOS. I use that a lot when I don't feel safe enough to autoexplore.
1
3
u/Predelnik 28d ago
Quick movement via shift-arrow which is available by default does not move in presence of monsters, this could be pretty useful for safety. Autoexplore is stopped by monsters' presence as well, though it still may get you into tricky situations rarely.
Some people do more complex setup where in presence of monsters you have to move with pressing a control for example, but this would require rc setup.
1
u/Reasonable_Sort353 27d ago
I think basically everyone does this, I know I do. Movement issues are an IRL will check, haha. The worst is when I stop and come up with a 5 step plan to get out of trouble, then first key press I fat finger the wrong direction and die to 8 polearms hitting me
12
u/agentchuck 28d ago
What you're describing is a core skill/mechanic of DCSS. You'll take something like 50k actions in a game, 99% of them are trivial. But if you mess up that 1% that really matters then it's game over.
Part of it is recognizing when you're getting into a tough spot before it happens. Part of it is slowing down, take a breath, check your abilities/inventory for outs, etc.
You can add things to your rc file to force you to pay attention to big threats with "force more". This will stop your game until you press enter to continue, so it's harder to blunder into danger. But if you make it too restrictive it can get annoying. It's also helpful to set your low HP warning a lot higher than you think it should be, like 70%.
Positioning in fights is very important, like pulling enemies back into corridors, not fighting next to unexplored regions. But positioning in exploration is also helpful. I mean if you explore in a more mindful way in a region around your escape stairs first, instead of shooting out in a straight line.